*Deep within Zyliane’s capital. *

Lyffonna paced outside the room.  How to take this news, she did not know.  If the messenger could not handle the news, how will the Queen react?  The head Priestess paled.  Was there even something that they could even do?

Even the gods had abandoned this hopeless situation. If she had not received a divine revelation from Dysenia…she would still be oblivious to the looming danger.  “Lyffonna?”  She looked up and steeled her nerves.  “Princess.”  She curtsied.  The Priestess started wondering, just like she used to when she was a child. 

Why is it functions like royalty still existed?  Was the continent really advancing if they held on to such silly customs?  Coincidentally, schoolers were shunned since Zyliane took control of the continent.  Lyffonna puzzled over it for many years, and even with her current status, she could not figure out why.

The Princess gave her a peculiar look, her eyebrows shooting up in worry.  “Is everything alright?”  Lyffonna calmed her racing heart.  As the head Priestess in reverence to all the gods protecting Scria, she had an image to keep.  “Of course.  Why would you assume otherwise?” 

“You are pacing outside my mother’s room.  You must have troubling news.”  She did indeed.  No need telling her that though.  Time to harden my resolve.  “Pardon me, princess.  I have an urgent matter to discuss with the Queen.” The princess smiled gently and walked down the hall, her steps unflattering.  Lyffonna mustered up the courage to finally knock.

*

Queen Elise listened to everything the priestess said, her skin paling with every word.  “Your Majesty.” The head priestess said softly. 

Lyffonna was beautiful woman who, despite her age, devoted herself to the Nine minor deities who fought for the humans while demons still ruled over the continent.  Though for some reason, Lyffonna harbored a strong believe in an otherwise unnamed Milpha.  Though there were no records about this particular deity, the priestess was certain the deity had played a major role in driving out the demons. 

Many schoolers claimed Zyliane’s currency was named after him.  Due to lack of sufficient information, Lyffonna referred to him as ‘Lord Dysenim’.  Strange as it was, her latest visions came from him and him alone.  She was sure of it.  What that meant; however, she didn’t know.  Had her goddess abandoned her?

“Our world is dying.  For more than ten thousand years of recorded history, it has provided resources.  It cannot take much more of the strain. It is like an infection, and it has already affected Telesse continent.  I fear there is nothing much we can do.”  Queen Elise sucked in air sharply.  It was the Priestess’ job to inform her majesty, who then in turn would inform the King.

“O-okay.  I think I get it.  Is there a way to prevent this?  What about the heroes from that other world?”

Lyffonna shook her head.  In all her years, the Queen of Zyliane had never seen her head Priestess so grim.  She prepared herself for the worst. “At this point, that is only a band aide to a fatal wound.  If we were to…”  The head priestess explained all she had learnt, her brow creasing with every word that left her mouth.

“Do we call for that boy now?”  The two women were at a loss.  Do they risk their survival now or in future?  “Surely Queen Rylisse would understand…”  Tough decisions were not Elise’s specialty.  She did not want to risk war after nearly a millennium of peace.  “Indeed.  If we somehow found a way to…”  The longer their conversation went on, the more Queen Elise’s apprehension grew.  “We’re screwed.”  Why was she the one burdened with such tasks?  The King should have beside her at this very moment!

“Ugh!  Fine!  For the sake of our future, I’m willing to risk it.  Issue the call.”  The priestess gave her a curt bow and left in a hurry.

“Kill a god…?  Can it be…is he still alive…?”  She sighed.  “I thought that was a folklore.  What does this even mean?” 

<Elrand Daewynd>

For some reason, I felt a deep sense of dread.  The feeling passed after a few minutes.  Amidst the chaos around me, servants and maids running around, there I was, sitting with one leg crossed over the other.  My eyes were closed.  I didn’t let all the panic around me to disrupt my inner tranquility.  What exactly was I thinking of?  Ahh…  It’s been a long time before I star gazed.  The stars in Scria didn’t feel real to me.  Let me tell you, the stars around here looked pretty much artificial.  I miss my former home.

“Elrand!”  Came a feminine shriek.  “How dare you relax when you are the cause of all this commotion?!”  I did not open my eyes as Catholy stomped over to me.  Just before she could lay a hand on me, I sent her a carefree smile.  “Good morning, Catholy.  You seem to be filled with energy today.  Perhaps you would like join me?”

Her hand froze, I could tell without opening my eyes.  My smile grew.  Catholy finally understood my message.  I opened my eyes slowly.  The maids continued shuffling about hastily, not paying any mind to us.

Catholy looked like she wanted to say something, but she kept her mouth shut.  After making sure no one was looking, I stuck out my tongue at her.  That made her see red.  Oh boy.  Might have overdone it this time.  At least for the moment, I was safe.  My sister’s advise was right on the money.  Guess I would have to thank her sometime.

Why though did my own bodyguard have authority to hit me?  It’s injustice, I tell you!!!

I closed my eyes and tried to collect my thoughts.  Catholy, now more aware of the people around her, did not dare lay a hand on me.  “Guess he is a pampered prince after all…” she muttered under her breath.  H-hey!  I’m not spoilt!  In fact, I feel the people around me could stand being more affectionate with me!  Choosing to ignore her low murmurs, I turned my attention to the mana pooling around me.

Lately, I have been having a hard time suppressing it.  My assassins were still at large, meaning my personal safety was not assured.  My mana had various shades, each one representing how I lived up until this point.  I concentrated on it, only managing to dispel about half of it.

I wipe my brow.  “Whew.  Now that that’s over…did you need anything, Catholy?”  I made sure to draw out her name.  I could not help it.  She was just too easy to irritate.  She stood stiffly.  “Excuse me, Prince Elrand.  Your mother would like to see you.”  She said it in a way that promised pain, a lot of pain, soon. I ignored her silent threat.  Mother?  I hadn’t even done anything this time.  What is going on?

I then remembered what my bodyguard had said.  I’m the cause of this commotion?  I tried to think of anything I may have done to pass time.  Nope.  I’m completely innocent this time.  A perfect angel.  Could Eleanor’s suitor be causing a fuss?

*

My mother did not speak.  She just handed me a piece of paper.  I scanned through the contents, my eyes widening.  I held up my eyes in surrender.

“I have nothing to do with this!  I swear! And while I have been nothing but trouble for the first few years of my life, but I am not to blame.  At least, not this time.”  My mother stared at me for a while then sighed.  I know, her gaze seemed to say.  She, however, remained silent.

“Will you agree?”  I tried to gauge her reaction.  Mother seemed truly appalled.  Perhaps there was a hidden meaning in the letter?  I could not care less.  It was only by chance did I happen to save Estelle a few years ago.  I despised the Kingdom of Zyliane more than anything to ever live under the sun.

“We leave immediately.”  Huh?  Why?  I could just teleport us there at a moment’s notice.  “We’ll use the plane.”

*

“Can you imagine managing without me?  You’d practically be helpless…”  Eleanor trailed of when she noticed I wasn’t biting.  How could I, when we were going to the very place I despised more than anything?  “Are you okay…?”  I glared out my window.  “I should have stayed at home.”  I sighed for the umpteenth time.  I was too old to sulking.  I couldn’t help it though.  Eleanor was sitting beside me, with Catholy adjacent to me.  My bodyguard placed a finger to my lips to silence me as I opened my mouth to whine some more.  Nobody knew why I was complaining.  Sure, I was the one who had been called, but it was still within me rights to refuse.

It was a request after all.  If Queen Rylisse had not insisted, I would have rejected the summon without a second thought.  Mother was terrifying when she slipped into Queen mode.  It made it difficult to oppose her.  Even a request sounded like a demand.

Right now, she was watching us without uttering a word.  I had no doubt she misread Catholy’s gesture.  Mother had a habit of misreading tiny, tiny gestures girls threw my way.  She shot me a questioning look.  I shrugged and turned away.  The passing scenery below us did not stir the same feelings it used to.  I was starting to forget my home land.

It would take about an hour to get to Zyliane’s capital.  I closed my eyes.  Might as well sleep for a while.  Suppressing my mana had taken a toll on my body.  I was feeling more fatigued than I felt in a while.

*

I stirred.  The plane had begun its descent.  Were we already that close? “…I guess that’s true.  Mother, won’t you tell me why my foolish brother abdicated the throne?”  No one know I’m awake.  I was about to come up with a good excuse…ahem…I mean, answer to my sister’s question, that is, until my mother came to my rescue.

“Worry not about your brother.  He claims he cannot live tied down to one place.  He plans to go to the Kingdom of Fria.”  My eyes shot open.  It wasn’t a rescue!  It was sabotage!!  My sister stared blankly while I gaped at our mother.  Clearly, the source of our shock was different.  “Huh?  Elrand is leaving the continent?”

While Eleanor was trying to wrap her head around the new discovery, I stared at the Queen, slack-jawed.  S-she exposed my plans!  That was supposed to remain a secret!  I’ve been betrayed!  I started panicking as my mother continued speaking.

“He even said he was loo–” “–Would you look at that!  We’re here!” I could tell Eleanor was annoyed at the interruption, but at least our mother had stopped speaking, a small smile grazing her features.  She wouldn’t tell my sister, would she?  Ugh.  It seems I forgot who she was.  No doubt she was not content my plan to leave, so she was using Eleanor to run interference for her.

Now I’ll have to keep them apart, at least, until we go to the academy.  Catholy though…she was a different story.  Mother had only given Catholy more ammunition.  Oh, what agony awaited me in the near future.  Was this her way of supporting me?  One can only wonder. 

Luckily for me, Yivrit was close.  I went on and on until we landed.  Silently thanking whichever deity had saved me, I jumped up, ready to leave the plane.  When the door opened, I was left speechless.  The Queen’s servants had lined up in two files facing each other.  “““““““Welcome, First Prince Elrand, First Princess Eleanor, Queen Rylisse!  We shall accompany you to the palace grounds.””””””” They echoed and gave a deep bow.

My eye twitched.  It was me they wanted after all.  I hate my life.