Areyos Orionis' Point of View
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This day was shaping up to be interesting. I was getting ready for the opening ceremony of the festival. Barrios was the great hero of the war, right after Thaleus, so it was him who would give the opening speech. I was already counting on Kaiser to attract a good number of girls, so I could be left alone. After all, he had a role to play, so I should remain calm. I finished getting ready and went downstairs to join Barrios.
Barrios was already ready, dressed in an imposing armor that evoked the power of a lion. Forged from solid gold, it shimmered with every movement, as if it had a force of its own. The armor was adorned with intricate engravings of ancient symbols, each seemingly telling a story of conquest and domination. The shoulder pads were large and sturdy, each decorated with stylized lion heads, symbols of his bravery and strength.
A thick red cape, richly embroidered with gold, was attached to the shoulder pads, almost seeming to emerge from them, adding a royal touch to his majestic appearance. The cape, long and regal, fell to his ankles, floating slightly behind him with each step.
As for me, I opted for a lighter but no less elegant outfit. My long jacket, reaching down to my knees, was made of exceptionally high-quality white leather—soft but durable. It was adorned with intricate gold thread embroidery running along the edges, forming geometric patterns inspired by the ancient traditions of Baringer, the kingdom of earth and fire. The embroidery also highlighted the high collar, fitted cuffs, and the jacket's lapels.
Around my waist, a wide black leather belt, elegantly contrasting with the white jacket, was fastened with a finely crafted gold buckle.
My pants, slim and comfortable, were made from supple black leather, allowing me to move freely. My knee-high boots, also made of black leather, came up to my knees. They were reinforced with gold-plated metal on the toes and heels, ensuring both protection and style.
To complete the look, a short, off-white cape was draped over my left shoulder. It was embroidered with gold patterns along the edges, and it fell to about knee level. We were ready for the ceremony.
"Well, well, looks like someone's going to be flirting at the ceremony," Barrios said, amused.
"Don't count on it," I replied, annoyed.
"Of course, of course. Let's go," he said, smiling.
We left the manor, and knights were standing there, probably members of Barrios' close squad.
"Good day, General!" they greeted, their voices deep and firm.
"Good day, everyone. How are you?" Barrios asked with calm authority.
"We're well, thank you, General," they replied in unison. After the greetings, I saw our mode of transport: a flying magical vehicle. Supported by levitation crystals and adorned with precious stones set in gold-carved walls shaped like wings, it had two large seats facing each other. The vehicle looked like a flying sleigh, surrounded by a guard of honor, floating majestically, which impressed me. We boarded and headed towards the Heroes' Park, flying over the academy on the way.
"Wow, what happened here?" I asked, noticing the academy had already been rebuilt.
"Oh, that? It's thanks to the earth energy stone," Barrios answered.
"Are you serious? How is that possible?" I asked, intrigued.
"The earth energy stone can remember all the structures in Baringer and regenerate them infinitely after some time, even if they're completely destroyed. As for interior elements like books and magical devices, Thea took care of them with time magic."
"That's incredible!" I exclaimed, surprised but calm.
"I see the energy stones aren't completely unfamiliar to you, despite your surprise," Barrios observed, resting his cheek on his hand.
"Valtor gave us valuable information," I replied, eyes still fixed on the academy. "Where did you find them?" I asked, turning to Barrios.
"Our ancestors discovered them a long time ago and brought them back to Baringer. This allowed the kingdom to prosper faster than others, mainly thanks to the fire and earth stones, which boosted the chi power of all the Metaryons. I then decided to distribute the other stones that weren't useful to us to strengthen alliances," Barrios explained.
"I see, so these energy stones contribute to the overall functioning and protection of the kingdoms."
"Exactly. But it's still strange because our detectors can't determine the nature of the energy produced by these stones. It seems like energy from another world..." Barrios said, looking thoughtful.
"From another world?" I asked, puzzled.
"Yes... The world is vast, Areyos, and we can't pretend to have absolute knowledge of it. Only our love for knowledge will lead us to the answers. Because of my responsibilities to the army, I don't have much time for exploration anymore. But you and Kaiser are still young; you have an entire world to discover," he added, seeming to reminisce about his adventures with Thaleus.
"We've arrived, General," one of the guards announced. Once we landed, we were greeted by the splendid sight of the Heroes' Park, beautifully decorated. A multitude of activities awaited the speech from Barrios to begin. I saw Nia and Yoko in the distance, preparing the stand. I planned to join them later.
My gaze then landed on Eli Schneider, Kaiser's cousin, probably the most insufferable person I know. When we were children and visited them, he took advantage of the chi-enhancing armbands during our duels to compete with me. Although he never beat me, he managed to convince everyone that we were of equal strength and constantly boasted about it.
"Rey, don't pressure him, got it?" Barrios ordered, probably noticing my eyes fixed on Eli.
"If he behaves, it should be fine," I said, sounding uninterested.
"Hmm, fine, just stay away from him and enjoy the festival. It's time for my opening speech. Be good," Barrios said, heading toward the stage.
I stood by a table laden with sumptuous dishes, each one more appetizing than the last. As I savored the celebratory atmosphere, Barrios stepped onto the stage. Instantly, all eyes turned to him, drawn by his undeniable aura. Soldiers, nobles, and generals watched with admiration for the man whose mere presence commanded respect and reverence.
His armor, imposing and majestic, almost radiated power, with every golden engraving catching the light and reflecting it brilliantly. Confidence emanated from him, a certainty forged in the fires of battle and soaked in the blood of victories.
Barrios paused, letting the silence settle, further drawing the attention of the crowd. Then, in a firm and deep voice, he spoke.
"My dear friends,
Brothers and sisters in arms,
Leaders of kingdoms, and brave citizens,
Today, we stand together in the Heroes' Park, a place where the memories of our shared struggle against the darkness still resonate. It has been seventeen years since this devastating war against the demons ended, a war that spared no race, no kingdom, no home.
But today, it is not only the end of a war that we commemorate. It is also the triumph of unity, of solidarity between our peoples. We have witnessed what unity can achieve when we set aside our differences, when elves, Aegyls, humans, Metaryons, and so many others stood side by side to defend what we hold most dear. It is this unity that forged our victory.
Remember the moment when hope seemed lost, when the shadow of the demons threatened to engulf our entire world. We were tired, wounded, and yet, we found the strength to rise. Because we knew we were not fighting alone. The determination in the heart of every soldier, of every citizen, was the fire that lit our path to victory.
Today, as we honor our brothers and sisters who fell in battle, we must also celebrate what we have built together: a world where peace reigns once more, where the children of all races can run free, without fear.
But, my friends, let us remember that the peace we have earned is not eternal if we do not protect it. The unity that saved us must continue to guide us. The determination that allowed us to overcome the impossible must continue to inspire every action we take.
Together, we faced the abyss. Together, we triumphed. Let this commemoration not only honor our past victories but also remind us that as long as we remain united, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.
We are the sons and daughters of the light, and as long as we stand together, no shadow can ever defeat us.
May the memory of our heroes live forever in our hearts, and may their courage continue to inspire future generations.
Long live Baringer, long live our united kingdoms!" Barrios shouted at the end of his speech, and a wave of applause, even louder and more intense than that after Director Gold's speech, swept through the entire kingdom. The press broadcasted these images through magical crystal devices that acted as a sort of magical TV in homes across the kingdom.
"There's no denying it, he's good when it comes to speeches," I thought.
"Hey, Rey," said Kaiser, arriving behind me.
"Ah, you're here, Kai. Didn't you have a play to perform?" I said, sounding indifferent.
"It starts in about thirty minutes, so I thought I'd leave you with all those girls who keep following me," he said with a grin.
"What!? No, get lost. I don't need anyone bothering me, I'm fine here in my corner," I said, annoyed.
"Come on, man, there are too many of them. I'm being nice, I want to share," he teased.
"Not my problem, drown in your own success. But if you want, I can disfigure you so they leave you alone," I said with a devilish smile.
"No thanks, I don't want to send you to the hospital if you try," he replied, grinning proudly with his eyes closed.
"Ah, you were there, Kaiser! You've been gone for 30 seconds and I already miss you!" shouted a girl, approaching Kaiser.
"Kaiser! My future husband, where are you? Ah, there you are!" another one called, running toward him.
"Kaaaiiisseerrr!" a whole group of girls cried, rushing toward him.
"Ahahaha, hello girls, I was just talking to my buddy here," Kaiser said, adopting a more seductive voice.
"Ah yes, to who?" they asked.
"To Areyos, of course," he replied, perplexed.
"Oh, Areyos is here? Where? Where?" some of them exclaimed.
Kaiser looked at me and then realized I had erased my presence.
"See you later, Kai," I said as I walked away, slipping past the girls unnoticed. My assassin-like stealth skills were quite handy for getting out of tricky situations.
"Hey, Areyos!" Yoko called out, approaching with Nia.
"Hey, Yoko. Hi, Nia," I said as I deactivated my stealth mode, becoming perceptible again, which made Nia jump.
"Wait, can you turn invisible?" Nia asked, surprised.
"Ahah, no. I just lowered my presence slightly. You have to be paying enough attention or looking in the right direction with focus to notice me," I explained.
"You never cease to amaze me. Anyway, you're well-dressed, Rey," Nia complimented.
"Thanks a lot, Nia," I replied, ruffling her hair.
After a moment of pause, a noble-looking man dressed in white, adorned with what appeared to be diamonds, interrupted our conversation by speaking through a voice amplification device.
"And now, I'll give the floor to my comrade-in-arms, whose wealth once allowed us to advance in our quests. A man so rich he could buy the entire world twice over," Barrios announced.
"Excuse me!?" I exclaimed.
"You've guessed it. I'm, of course, talking about the great Diamond Moore," Barrios said with a booming voice.
"A Moore?! I knew they were rich, but not to this extent!" I thought, shocked.
"Thank you, Barrios, my old friend. Your eloquence is matched only by your strength," said Diamond Moore, looking at Barrios with a proud smile. "Greetings, everyone. As Barrios so kindly introduced me, I am Diamond Moore, the eldest of the Moore family. On this special day, I traveled from distant lands to honor our victory against the demons and the memory of my companions—whether they are dead or missing. Their legacy will remain in the chronicles of history," he declared before turning to the royal families seated on luxurious platforms on either side.
"But let us focus on the moment. We have the exceptional presence of the kings and queens of other races. Please, make some noise for the Royal Family of Baringer, the Schneider family, without whom this event would not have been possible, and the primary contributor of weapons and warriors during the war," said Diamond, looking at the Schneiders. Thunderous applause followed as the royal family waved to the crowd.
"We also welcome the Royal Family of Sylvestria, the kingdom of elves and Aegyls—a family that ensured the health, well-being, and progress of our warriors during the war, while protecting survivors by healing them and providing refuge. They were crucial in the strategy that led to victory. Make some noise for the Kaltaris family!" he shouted. Thunderous applause erupted again. But this time, something caught my attention.
"Huh...? Oredys!?" I murmured, surprised.
"No way! It's Oredys!" Yoko exclaimed.
"So she was a princess! That explains so much," Nia cried out.
"You knew about this, Areyos?" Yoko asked me.
"No, but I guessed she came from a noble family," I replied. What intrigued me most was her family name, Kaltaris. Barrios had already mentioned it when explaining the families that had received a Dōkō, a special pupil. So, she must have one... or perhaps she hasn't awakened it yet.
"Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let the festivities begin!" announced Diamond Moore, pulling me out of my thoughts.
The grand park came alive instantly, with music and displays of elemental bending scattered throughout every corner.
"Let's head to the stand; there are lots of activities over there, and Kaiser's theater stage is right in front," Nia suggested.
"Let's greet our princess first," I said with a sly smile. "The theater hasn't started yet."
"I knew you'd say that," Yoko sighed.
"Are you sure, Rey? There are a lot of high-ranking people over there."
"Rey! You little... Oh, hi Nia, how are you?" Kaiser said, approaching while stopping himself from finishing his sentence in front of Nia.
"I'm doing well, Kaiser. And you?"
"Let's just say I'm surviving," he replied, squinting at me.
"How did you make it out alive?" I teased him playfully.
"You're such a—" he began before I cut him off.
"Shhh, not in front of Nia, Kaiser," I said with a provocative smile.
"Hey, you four! Come over here," Barrios called out.
"Well, well, it's Kaiser and Areyos. They've grown so much," said Zendal Schneider, King of Baringer.
"Indeed, they've become fine young men," said Hellene Schneider, Queen of Baringer.
"Thank you, Aunt Hellene. It's great to see you both in good health as well."
"And this must be Yoko Belserion. How are you? You've grown a lot since we last saw you," said the king.
"I'm doing well, Your Majesty."
"I can see that. And who's your friend?"
"My name is Nia, Your Highness," Nia said, bowing.
"Pleasure to meet you, Nia," said the king kindly.
"Likewise, Your Majesty."
"Uncle Barrios, it's been a long time since you visited us," said a soft voice.
"Oh, it's little Seyca. I'm sorry, my dear. I've been on missions most of the time. But I promise to visit more often," Barrios said to the young Seyca Schneider.
"It was a pleasure, Barrios. We'll be speaking with the Kaltaris family. Enjoy the festival," wished the king.
"Thank you, Zendal. Take care of you both," replied Barrios. "Goodbye, sweetheart," he added, ruffling Seyca's hair. They then headed towards the Kaltaris.
"Alright, behave yourselves. I have to go now. We'll talk about the case tonight. Yoko, you can ask your parents to spend the night at our place; I have no objection. That way, we can discuss the case directly." Barrios said.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Barrios," she said cheerfully.
"Barrios, the strongest man in the world—what an honor to bump into you," said a deep voice.
"Oh, Mr. Zaymon Kaltaris, delighted to see you. How are you?" Barrios responded with a slight bow. It was the first time I had ever seen Barrios bow his head—Mr. Zaymon must truly be a respectable man. But quickly, a vision pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Greetings, everyone," said a melodic voice. It was Oredys, fixing her charming gaze on me. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Rey..." she added with a charming smile.
"Well, well, do you know each other? Are these your friends, Oredys?" Mr. Zaymon asked.
"Yes, Grandfather," she replied.
"My, my, how you've grown, Oredys," Barrios said with a smile.
"She hasn't just grown older but also stronger. Just as your generation was in my time, this generation will surpass the previous one, which means they'll be stronger than yours, Barrios," said Mr. Zaymon with a proud smile to Barrios.
"Your Honor, Mr. Zaymon, and the lovely Princess Oredys Kaltaris, what an honor it is to have you here. Allow me to introduce myself—I am Eli, Eli Schneider," announced Kaiser's cousin, emerging from nowhere with an arrogant smile.
The truth is, King Zendal Schneider is Barrios's biological brother. He married the Princess of Baringer and took on the royal family name. They had three children, but the first two were killed along with the queen. Only Eli, the youngest at the time, survived. The details of their murders remain top secret to this day, and the assassin was never apprehended. To preserve the purity of the lineage, Zendal married his wife's sister. With the new queen, he had two daughters: Jenny and Seyca Schneider.
"Greetings, Prince Eli Schneider," Mr. Zaymon replied with a smile.
"Would you permit me to borrow your granddaughter for a moment?" Eli asked suddenly.
"You're quite bold, young man. Don't worry—I'll leave you youngsters to chat for a bit. Meanwhile, I'll catch up with Barrios before he slips away again; I have some questions for him," said Zaymon as Barrios scratched his head in embarrassment. The two moved aside, leaving us with Oredys and Eli.
"So, my dear, these are your friends? I didn't think my cousins knew you," Eli said.
"Your cousins?" Oredys asked curiously.
"He's referring to Rey and me," Kaiser answered, stepping forward. "It's an honor to meet you, Miss Oredys," he added.
"The honor is mine, Mr. Kaiser."
Oredys's Point of View
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So this is him—the son of the strongest man in the world. His features strongly resembled Barrios: red hair and golden eyes, while his physique reminded me of Rey. The intensity of his training was evident. Like Rey, he had an undeniable charm.
"Anyway, leave us royals to ourselves. We have important matters to discuss," Eli declared arrogantly.
"Ah, Eli, you'll never change. Always believing that royalty defines your worth and that the world belongs to you," Yoko retorted, visibly annoyed.
"Yoko Belserion, I don't think you have the social standing required to address me by my first name," Eli replied haughtily. "Your sister, Megan Belserion, was far more respectful when speaking to me."
"Watch your tongue," Rey intervened, standing up for Yoko.
"That's no way to talk to people, Prince Eli," I said, my tone calm but firmly disapproving.
"My apologies, Princess Oredys, but—"
"I've heard enough," I interrupted, making Nia chuckle.
"I have a question for you about your origins, if you don't mind," Rey said, taking the conversation back.
"Go ahead, I'm listening," I replied, giving him a charming look.
"You're the daughter of an Aegyl and—" Rey began, only to be interrupted by Eli.
"Your Highness, to make amends, I'd like to show you an exceptional place," Eli proposed.
"Eli, you know how much I hate being interrupted, don't you? You can talk to Oredys later if she wishes, but let me finish first," Rey replied in a cold tone. Eli clenched his teeth in frustration.
"You want to know if I'm a hybrid, is that it?" I asked Rey.
"Exactly."
"Yes, I am a hybrid, born of an elf and an Aegyl. I've inherited the advantages of both races."
"But your ears don't look like an elf's," Nia observed.
"I have Aegyl ears, that's all. As for my wings, they're made of mana. I can summon them at will if needed," I explained.
"Wow, what an advantage!" exclaimed Nia.
"So, you possess three primary elements in your Chi, right?" Kaiser asked.
"That's correct: water, air, and lightning," I replied, pleased to finally meet people who were interested in me as Oredys and not just as the princess of Sylvestria.
"You're part of the lineage—" Rey began to ask, but before he could finish, Eli spoke up:
"Can't you see you're overwhelming her with all these questions?" he said, his tone dripping with annoyance. "Come, Your Highness, let's go somewhere quieter," he added, stepping closer, ready to lead me away from the others. But at that very moment, an immense pressure fell upon us—a crushing, invisible force.
Fear spread like an unrelenting wave, so intense that it brought several people to their knees, trembling on the ground. Prince Eli, drenched in sweat, collapsed to his knees, gasping for air, his face twisted in panic.
"What's happening?" the guards shouted. Every fiber of their being felt the suffocating and terrifying pressure.
"Rey! Stop this right now!" Barrios shouted as he strode forward. Instantly, the pressure vanished as suddenly as it had appeared, leaving behind a heavy silence.
"Are you alright, Eli?" Barrios asked.
"I'm fine, I'm fine... I just tripped, that's all," Eli said, rising to his feet with difficulty, still trembling. "I'll see you later, Your Highness... I'm not feeling well," he added, avoiding my gaze, his face pale. He briefly met Rey's icy stare before looking away, visibly terrified.
"What did I tell you, Rey?" Barrios hissed loudly.
"No pressure tricks," Rey answered.
"And what did you just do?" Barrios shouted again.
"A pressure trick," Rey replied, his tone utterly nonchalant. Barrios smacked his forehead with his palm, letting out a deep sigh of frustration.
"Barrios... what's Rey's family name? I've felt that kind of pressure before," my grandfather said, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on Rey.
"His family name is Orionis," Barrios answered.
"Orionis? That name doesn't ring a bell, but his features... they remind me of someone," my grandfather murmured, studying Rey more closely, his eyes narrowing in thought.
"Tell me, young man, what was your father's name?" my grandfather asked, his tone curious but heavy with unspoken implications.
"His name was Astarus Shielden," Rey said in a low but firm voice. My grandfather straightened up, his brows furrowed as if mentally calculating something. His gaze shifted from Barrios to Rey, then finally to me.
"Ahahahaha, this generation will be very interesting, Barrios. Mark my words!"
His laughter echoed through the hall, mysterious and unsettling. What could he have realized to make him laugh like that? A secret seems to connect those two, a secret I'm burning to uncover...
To be continued…