"Faith must be truly novel, beautiful and timeless, so gives life to thee."
Act 0
Chapter 8 - Queen's letter.
"Dear Phanuhel,
I hope this letter finds you well. I apologize for reaching out so suddenly, but I am in need of your counsel... and maybe personal assistance.
The city has been plagued by a strange phenomenon, and my officials have been powerless in our efforts to investigate it. I believe it's time to seek your help, once again, but I have a more important matter to discuss. I'm going on a leave trip to Cruzar, on the continent of Atall. They had sent me a letter of invatation to a public meeting of leaders from all empires around the world. Actually, I wouldn't go just to meet some egotistic bastards, but I heard a rumor that my old friend Anneth Bizeret is going to be there. You know me, I'm not going to miss any opportunities to get what I want.
If it pleases, I ask that you join us as soon as you can. I hope you are in good health.
Warmly~
Her majesty Agaue Veres"
Phanuhel had just finished reading the queen's letter and unwillingly started to get ready for a trip, when he realised Xavier was nowhere to be seen.
"Xavier?" he called out with confusion in his voice. "Xavier, where did you go?"
He felt a pang of worry. Although he only knew Xavier for a day, Phanuhel knew that he could be impulsive and impetuous, but Phanuhel believed that he'd never just... disappear, especially leaving his children for some old man to take care of.
"Ah.. whatever...", he sighed, "if he doesn't come back I'll find him myself, and I will make him pay child support." Phanuhel smiled, compelling himself of how evil he is, "You can't run away from me~" he started getting ready, while singing.
As Phanuhel continued to prepare, he stopped at a local clothing shop. The owner, Sestudral Bunzeha, a creepy wannabe model guy, greeted him enthusiastically.
"Ah, new customer! Sir, what brings you here today?"
"I-", when Phanuhel was about to start with his request, Sestudral exclaimed, "Sir, assuming that you come here to find a nice dress for a date, you should shave. You look older than Earth itself." he smiled widely, with his eyes closed.
"I'm no-... Forget about it. I need a new set of clothing, something official." Phanuhel replied curtly, folding his arms.
Sestudral's face lit up. "Ah, wonderful! I have just the thing for you. But first, may I ask a small favor, ummm.. old beard sir?"
"Sigh.. Just call me Phan" Phanuhel put on a fake smile and tried to be nice to him, barely keeping himself calm and steady.
"This mean brat..." he thought to himself.
Sestudral chuckled to himself and leaned in close to Phanuhel, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You see, dear Phan," he said, "I have this cousin, Zildal Bunzeha, and he... How can I put this... He kind of owes me a favor. He's attending an important gathering in Cruzar, you see, and I've been trying to get in touch with him for ages."
Phanuhel let out a tired sigh, knowing where this was going.
"And I would be ever so grateful," Sestudral continued, "if you could deliver a message to dear cousin Zildal for me. I will give you the clothing for free if you do."
"And why can't you do it yourself?" Phanuhel asked in a sarcastic tone, already feeling a headache coming on.
Sestudral chuckled again, apparently amused by Phanuhel's lack of patience.
"Oh, you know how these cousin relationships are," he said, rolling his eyes. "We're... not on the best terms. I doubt he would listen to me."
Phanuhel was getting more and more irritated, but the offer of free clothes was too tempting to pass up.
"Fine," he huffed, "I'll do it. Just give me the damn message and the damn clothes."
"Now I understand why they say old people have no chill.." whispered Sestudral.
Phanuhel overheard the comment and shot him a dirty look.
"Watch your tongue, you annoying brat," he muttered under his breath. But he quickly composed himself and held out his hand, waiting for the message.
"Okay-okay, my apologies," Sestudral said with a smirk that clearly showed he didn't mean it.
He rummaged through a nearby desk, eventually pulling out a thin, neat envelope.
"Here's the message," he handed over the envelope, watching Phanuhel closely, "and here's the clothing. You have a nice trip, oldie!"
Phanuhel took the envelope and the clothes, feeling a mix of annoyance and reluctance. But he couldn't deny the good deal he was getting.
"Yeah, yeah... thanks," Phanuhel muttered as he turned and walked towards the exit, making sure to give Sestudral a final glare.
Phanuel went back to the church, changed his clothes, and when he was about to take his stuff and went out to start the trip, he felt dizzy and closed his eyes.
Phanuhel gasped as he opened his eyes and found himself in a filthy alleyway. The smell of rotting garbage and urine filled his nostrils, making him gag a little.
"Wha.. where the hell..?" he mumbled, disoriented. The once clean and organized church was now replaced by a narrow, grimy corridor, lined with bags of trash and piles of rubbish.
Phanuhel began to panic, looking around desperately for any indication of how he got there and why the scene had changed so drastically. His heart raced as he tried to piece together what was happening.
"This can't be happening," he said aloud, his voice trembling with fear. "This.. this isn't real, right? I-I don't remember giving the emerald necklace to anybody, so why am I here-" suddenly he heard a loud noise nearby, that sounded like a fight.
Without thinking, Phanuhel started moving towards the direction of the noise, a sense of urgency overcoming his confusion and fear.
As he rounded the corner and entered a wider street, he saw two people fighting each other. One of them was a tall, strong-looking man who seemed to be winning, while the other was a young man, not as strong, trying to defend himself. The atmosphere was charged with tension and violence, and Phanuhel had no idea what he was getting himself into.
As Phanuhel got closer to them, he realised the young man was Xavier. Phanuhel refused to believe his own eyes until he saw the emerald necklace on him and his opponent. In that exact moment everything got together like a puzzle for Phanuhel. Xavier was in danger, and the necklace forced Phanuhel to save the person that wears it. Phanuhel's legs started to shake. It was not because of amger on Xavier, but because Phanuhel recognised his opponent, one of the twelve umpires of the world, Feletheus.
Phanuhel's eyes widened with shock as he recognized the imposing figure of Feletheus, one of the twelve umpires that controlled the entire world. Panic took over him, as he knew he was completely out of his league.
The memory of the emerald necklace and the way it worked flashed through his mind, and he clenched his fists. It all made sense now. The emerald necklace forced him to protect its wearer, even against an adversary as powerful as an umpire. Only one thing was left without an answer.
Why were they fighting?