The cold winter air howled furiously as it barged into Eel's room through his shut windows. His cat, Nymèŕa scurries under his bed frightened by the loud bursts of cold air making its way around the room. Eel wakes up frightened by the sudden sound of window panes giving way to the chilling air that aims to turn his room into a cold room. 

 "Is everything okay, Eel?" His guard, Orion says coming into his room to check in on him. 

Eel sneezes as he tries to respond, "Could you close my windows Oriòn?" he replies shivering as he struggles to hold back the itchy urge to sneeze building up in his nose. 

Oriòn slowly walks across the room towards Eel's windows, he closes the window panes locking them from behind to make sure they stay locked against the freezing weather outside.

 "I never get used to the winter storms," he says walking out of the room. 

"You say that Oriòn, but I've never seen you catch a cold", Eel responds as he envelops his slender body into the soft warmth of his large duvet. "I, however, truly hate it when it begins to snow," He snuggles into the darkness beneath his covers as he shuts his eyes preparing to return to sleep. 

"Don't forget the Regent asked to see you this morning,'' Oriòn says, opening the door to take his leave. The sound of the door screeching open is followed by the quiet pause of Oriòn waiting for a response. 

Eel grumbles beneath his duvet before he replies,"What does my father want from me again?." 

"I don't know Eel, but I'll give you an hour to prepare'' The door shuts closed with a little bang from Oriòn to reinforce his command. 

Eel frowns under his duvet dreading the thought of meeting his father. He tries to think back and be sure what the old man could want to see him for doesn't have anything to do with any of his recent troubles in training. 

"The gods help me" he whispers snuggling one of his huge pillows. The subtle steps of Nymèŕa against his duvet take his mind off his troubles for a second, Eel feels his feline friend walking towards his head, he is fond of hearing Pegasus purr for attention early in the morning and the timing couldn't have been better than right now. Eel emerges from his duvet to greet his ginger-faced pet "Oh Nymera'' he whispers, wrapping up Nymèŕa in his arms like a child about to be breastfed. "Father wants to see me," he says, heaving a big sigh while Nymèŕa purrs into his frail chest. Eel leaps off his giant bed and onto the cold floor, he steps into his furry slippers walking towards his bathroom to shower as Nymèŕa licks his bare chest. 

Eel stares endlessly at the image before him. The skinny rib cage, cradled by the long slender body never allowed him to gather much confidence in his physical appearance. Two rapid knocks on his door are followed by the voice of Oriòn on the other side "I hope you're ready in there Eel". The door knob twists downward, and Oriòn walks into Eel's room in his uniform. "What's taking so long Eel?, the Regent expects us soon" Oriòns voice slices into the silence of the room, interrupting Eel's usual self-pity in front of his reflection. Oriòn walks towards Eel, he stops at the mirror looking at his reflection. He wasn't particularly tall, but he stood firm in his uniform. The leopard-style uniform stuck neatly to his muscular features, with two silver cowries to indicate his rank in the Royal Guard. Eel admired how the furry uniform warped around the officers' Broad chests with the silver cowries poised perfectly on their shoulders. 

 "Where's your sword?" Oriòn asks, smiling at his mirror image. 

 "I'm wearing a robe Oriòn '' Eel replies, moving away from the mirror and Oriòn. 

"I don't care if you're wearing a gown, your sword should always be with you Eel" Oriòn moves across the room to the side of Eel's bed. He tosses a sword toward Eel's direction but watches as Eel folds to the ground like a snail into its shell. 

"You couldn't even dodge properly " he yells, shaking his head in disappointment. 

 "Say what you will, I've already told you I'm no warrior," Eel holds onto Nymèŕa as he tries to run under the bed once again, but Oriòn grabs the cat away from him, flinging it towards the bed as he commanded, "Pick up your weapon."

Eel stands up on his feet dusting his robe with his palm, "I don't get the point of this" he mutters struggling to pick up the heavy sword. He grabs the golden hilt, trying to lift the sword with both hands. Oriòn watches Eel struggle to pick his sword up with disdain all over his face. He lets out a loud laugh as he continues to watch the scenery that unfolds before him. Eel places the sword against his shoulder for support. " I don't see the point of taking this heavy thing all over the place" he mummers sneezing into his elbow. 

"The point is you're The Regent's son, the blood of the leopard runs through your veins. And I'll make a warrior out of you yet" Oriòn grabs the sword and anchors it over Eel's shoulder as it rests against his back. Its weight pulled against Eel's every motion as they began to head for the hall to meet his father, Destro. 

On their walk towards the hall, many guards and officers stop to salute Oriòn, they stand at attention clenching their fists against their chest till he passes saying to them "At ease". Eel also greeted those he knew, shaking a few hands or handing out flirty comments to maids who stopped to greet the men. Eel and Oriòn finally reach the halls of Òosa. By the door, two guards salute Oriòn as they open the door for both men to enter. 

The hall was crawling with people and officials who had an appointment with the Regent. Oriòn walks toward the left rows of seats to take his place among other guards and soldiers who are present in the hall. Eel moves around greeting the elder councilmen and commissioners who had all taken their respective seats in wait for the Regent.

"Eel!! My boy" Eel's face brightens up with a smile as he recognizes the voice calling him from behind. 

"Commissioner Abdo, I greet you this cold morning" Eel bows his head while touching his knees as he smiles at his father's new commissioner of finance. The commissioner places his hand on Eel's shoulder before patting his back so he can look up.

 "The gods bless your lineage. When will you get some meat in these bones? Eel?" The commissioner says, shaking Eel up in his hands and firmly holding onto his bony shoulders as he laughs at Eel's face. Other officials and soldiers look toward them both in response to the commissioner's loud outbursts. Oriòn shakes his head at Eel before looking away uninterested. 

"You should come by my office to work for me Eel, this whole warrior thing isn't for everyone," The commissioner says, pushing against Eel's sword.

 Eel stutters as he tries to respond, "I'll fall commissioner" he manages to say brushing off the commissioner's hand from his shoulders. 

Eel hears the hall door open up to give way to his father's stride. The entire hall fell silent in the presence of the Regent. His gentle steps seemed impossible for someone so huge, Destro walked towards his chair shaking and greeting officials who stood in line by their seats as he edged closer to the chair at the end of the hall. Soldiers and guards in their position all salute Destro, who waves them at ease. 

Destro moved towards his chair with a smile on his thick bearded face, his guard "Jupiter" walked behind him in silence. It is said only Destro could best Jupiter in combat, both men stood unequal to their peers. Destro was almost 7 feet tall with a muscular and athletic physique well unreasonable for a man his age. Jupiter was a little taller and equally muscular if not more, Eel could never tell who looked stronger. He however knew Jupiter's axe had never been stopped in battle. The meeting begins with the sacred fire being lit at the center of the hall. Once lit, the statues and heads of different gods shine bright in unison, warming away the cold pangs of the winter season. Destro takes his seat while Jupiter stands by his side, his full body armor glittering with the light of the lit statue above them. 

"Shall we begin?" says his father, his voice cutting into the silent hall like a heated knife through butter. Eel watched as different officials stood before the Regent with their reports. Commissioner Abdo talked about disparities in crop sales and remunerations, he also asked for more soldiers to help with the audit he's conducting on the City's finances. 

"You have enough men, Commissioner " replies his father, "find out the problem without a big show of force." The Regent waves his hands and Commissioner Abdo takes a seat. 

Destro also listens to petitions and disputes amongst citizens before taking the time to make his announcements. " I have big news to share," Destro says looking straight at Eel as he makes this statement "His Highness, King Cosmos has decided to come here personally to our city and celebrate his coronation anniversary."

Eel could feel the hall murmur with excitement at the mention of his uncle Cosmos. He would also be excited if he didn't have this gnawing feeling in his stomach telling him something was wrong. 

"Eel!!" Calls out his father looking at him from his seat. 

"Yes Father," Eel replies as he moves towards his father's chair, trying to ignore the doubtful whispers fluttering around the hall. 

"King Cosmos has also said his youngest son would contest representing their great house in this year's combat festival".

 Eel bows his head as he responds, "Nògù must be a fine young man, father. How may I be of service?". 

Destro stands up to walk towards his son, he stops right in Eel's front, towering over him in every way possible "You will also represent our great house Eel, that is how you'll be of service".

Destro's statement caused an uproar amongst his officials, the silent hall slowly began to brim with whispers and murmurs of discontent. Eel felt his heart tug backward as the voices began to swirl in his head. 

"silence" roared his father. His voice, thundering across the hall, brought quiet to the storm brewing in his hall. 

"But, father. I mean regent…." Eel stammers trying to respond, but his father's cold stare sent chills up Eel's spine, he knew better than to argue with his father.

"Captain Oriòn" his father calls out.

 Oriòn walks towards the Regent and salutes him by hitting his fist against his heart "Your wish, my Regent," he says paying no attention to the distraught Eel.

"it is time to show me I didn't make a mistake handing his education over to you, are we clear Oriòn?"

"Yes Regent" Orion replies, bowing his head to the Regent.

 "Now, the king of Emeral is coming to my capital of to celebrate with his brother and none of you will disappoint me!!!" The Regent yells before walking back to his chair. "Especially you son. It's time to prove your worth as a cub of the leopard." 

 Eel bows his head and smiles at his father " As you wish, Regent". 

Destro leaves the hall after giving assignments and orders to his cabinet. Eel watches as the officials and soldiers all stand and bow as he walks past them and towards the door. The very sight of him and Jupiter walking around made most men crumble to their insecurity. This was especially true for Eel who could feel the glance of the Hall burning a hole in his head.

As soon as his father leaves, Eel runs out of the hall in fear of the news he has just received from his father. He heads for his room, locking the door behind him immediately after he gets in. He walks towards his bed leaving his sword on the floor before jumping into his bed. Nymèŕa cries beside him as if he could hear Eel's heart pounding through his ribcage. Eel holds onto his pet as he counts numbers in his head to calm himself down. "Level now," he says, talking to himself as he cuddles Nymèŕa. "I'm sure my father would see reason if I just explained how terrible an idea this is. right Nymèŕa?" Nymèŕa plays with Eel's hands as they run over his furry ginger body. His playful bites and clawing brought subtle delight to a discomforted Eel. 

Eel jumps off his bed and decides to head for his father's chamber, he opens his door and walks out of his room and into the hallway, he walks a few meters before getting to the intersection that leads to the yards 

"Did you hear the news, Eels representing the family in the fight on the festival" Eel hears two maids talking as they clean the portrait of his uncle and his father.

 "I wonder what the Regent hopes to achieve? Eels a sweet soul, but he'd be destroyed in any form of combat" the second voice replies as they both begin to laugh. "I mean, the boy looks like a twig," she continues, "I say they can't claim he's Destro's blood." both maids laugh in unison before they continue their work. Eel feels an unexpected hand on his shoulder, he looks to his left startled by Oriòns touch.

 "We need to talk," Orion says, Oriòn's voice frightens the maids who suddenly realize Eel is eavesdropping. They leave their work and move away avoiding eye contact with Eel as they say their greetings. 

"Hypocrites" replies Oriòn who takes no action to respond to their greetings. "Where are you headed, Eel?" Oriòn asks as they both begin to walk into the courtyard towards the garden. 

The garden is Eel's favorite place in the fortress, he spends most of his days there in the summer and spring season when the flowers are in full bloom. However, the snow has ruined the beautiful flowers he normally comes for. Eel rests by the withering tree at the garden's center, closing his eyes as he places his head against its strongwood. Suddenly, Oriòn tackles Eel against the tree trunk, lifts him, and throws him against some bush shrubs at the other end of the garden. "Are you mad?" Screams Eel who feels his body crawl up with pain. Oriòn jumps towards Eel, drawing his sword mid-air and striking at the fallen Eel who barely dodges the attack by running towards the fortress. 

"Help, help!!" Screams Eel as he makes his way to the end of the court. 

Oriòn chases him, catching up to him with ease before wrapping around him like a python choking its prey to sleep. "What was your mistake?" he says, as Eel begins to lose consciousness " Think about the answer when you wake up" Eel slowly blacks out looking at the misty sun. 

Eel wakes up to the milk-washed garden, the snow accompanied by the silky moonlight made everywhere seem extra white. He stands up with pains all over his body stretching out as he shouts "ouch ouch ouch". He remembered what happened and walked to his room wondering what Oriòn meant by "His mistake". In his room, he searches for Nymèŕa who seems like he isn't in the cuddling mood as he declines to answer Eel's calls. Jumping on his bed, Eel closes his eyes to be ferried away by the soothing carriage of sleep. 

Loud noises call out to Eel in the void. His eyes shutter as the wind roared heavily against his body "Eel, Eel, Eel" the wind chanted, stripping him of all clothes and striking him with lightning. Eel feels his body surge with energy, he curls into a fetal position as the cold showers of the rain crash against his body. He opens his eyes, and a figure stands with him in the void, "who are you," he yells out.

 "Eel Eel Eel" chants the wind as thunder bursts out around him.