Friction

“What was that just now?” Shizuki thought. “It felt as though someone was calling out to me…” Shizuki looks down. His eyes closed while resting his face on his hand. “Maybe it was all my imagination.” He opens his eyes, observing the white clouds in the sky.

“Master Shizuki.” someone called out. An elderly man stands before him. Streaks of grey hair. Scars on his left eye, chin, and on the edge of his right lip.

“Oh, Walter.” Shizuki stands to greet the gracious man. “What brings you here?” He asked.

“Lunch has been prepared. I have also been instructed to guide you to the dining hall. It seems there will be some sort of announcement.”

“So much for taking it easy until the ceremony.” Shizuki thought. His eyes wander to the skies once more. Thinking of his quiet life. And someone else. Memories stop playing in his mind, a clear mind not yet set.

“A splendid clear sky, yes?”

“Indeed. The hero ceremony has been postponed, so I wanted to see the clear sky… It looks like… the same from our world… So clean and quiet.”

“If I may, Master Shizuki. The same way you look up at this blue sky, others do so as well. Those depend on you to save them from darkness. I also believe in you.

“I intend on doing my duty.” Shizuki agreed in his words.

Walter smiles and straightens his posture. “Very well. Follow me, please.”

“Of course. Show me the way.” Replied Shizuki. Walter turns to the door. Shizuki follows the elder to an open door in front of him. Walter holds it open for him until Shizuki enters the corridor. Walter closes the door and continues their way to the dining hall.

“Oh my god!!” Someone exclaimed. Why is my hair red!? Why are my eyes red!? The castle heard this outrage. Some shocked. Others annoyed. Walter and Shizuki look at each other, calmly walking towards the outcry. They find a panicked Seiji facing Souta and Takumi.

“What’s all the commotion? Shizuki asked.

“If you haven’t seen, my hair is red! Why? My stunning black hair. Gone! Gone I tell you!”

“Seiji calm down. There is no need to yell from the top of your lungs.” Shizuki said, understandably annoyed in Seiji’s outcry.

“But look at me!” Seiji retorted.

“It happened to everyone, so stop shouting.”

“Hmph, you’re wrong. Your hair is practically the same! Or am I wrong?”

“It’s dark purple, Seiji. I think you are blowing this out of proportion. Why is this relevant in the first place? Changing your hair color is not going to change who you are. ”

“Then…do you think I still look stylish?” Seiji said with a change of tone.

“One of these days, I will smack him.” Shizuki thought, secretly hiding his nuisance. Without another word, Walter walks to Seiji with firm grace.

Master Seiji, you have created discord among the castle with your outcry. Please do be careful. Our Grace has only but a sliver of patience. I would exercise caution when the time comes.” Walter comes closer to his ear. “Nothing will save you.”

Seiji's demeanor quickly shifts to fear. He held his neck with both his hands with a deep breath. Shizuki continues to be calm and remains steady.

Anyway, how is Nozomi?” The question did not bode well with Seiji. Looking away and speaking his words.

“Well… Nozomi still hasn’t woken up yet. It looks like she’s in a coma. She also said she saw Mimi drift away when we were in that funnel thing when she was in bed.” Shizuki becomes worried, yet he continues.

“And Mamoru? How is he?”

“Still looking after. Mamoru has been at her side since yesterday.”

“Let me go talk to him. Come Walter.”

“Yes, my lord. However I do pray it will be brief.”

“Yes, Walter. I will make sure to make it brief.” They turn to leave, however words of deceit and resentment fill the hallways.

“Don’t you ever get sick about the old geezer chasing you all day? Why can’t I get a cute maid? Instead I got a man servant. At least I can bully him around. It’s much more fun than being bored until the damn girl comes around.”

Shizuki begins his stride, unfazed by Takumi’s remarks. This ignorance angers Takumi, compelling him to yell.

“Nothing to say to me, huh? You are more of a coward than I thought.”

Shizuki finally stops and turns around. He meets Takumi in the eye, challenging his authority. Tensions rose between them with rage fuming from his eyes.

“You animal.” Shizuki said in a calm, indifferent voice.

“What was that? Say it to my face!” Takumi barked. Fueled by hatred by his remark.

“I did. Are you deaf. Probably blind. Or maybe both.” Shizuki responded.

“I’ll kill you!”

Takumi steps forward, fists clenched attempting to fight Shizuki. However, Shizuki’s servant steps in. His stern eyes greet Takumi.

“You must refrain from fighting amongst yourselves. You are in the graces of our great lord, King Tartarus. If you break his good will, you will be at his mercy.”

“Tch, he is only an old man.”

“Old man, yes. However, he only needs one hand to crush you. Remember, you are a mere boy. Our king has been fighting since he was born.”

“You better watch your mouth old man, before I fix it for you.”

“You lay a hand on me, and you will be hanged from the highest gallows regardless of your status as a hero.” Takumi backs away from Walter. He stands silent next to Seiji, taken aback from the servant’s words. Walter walks away. Souta and Takumi stare at Shizuki with such contempt.

“Seiji, are you coming?” Shizuki asked.

“Oh, uh, yeah,” Seiji said. He runs to catch up to Shizuki. “ Souta—”

“It’s Gouma, dog.” Seiji was saddened by his response. They leave without saying another word.

“Master Takumi. Master Gouma. Please follow me to the dining hall. All await your arrival.”

“We will not be joining. Now, fuck off.”

“Our utmost apologies. If you do not join, your status as heroes will be revoked and shackled to the dungeons.”

Takumi and Gouma are shocked by the revelation, forced like animals.

“Fine…” Takumi relented.

“Whatever. Let’s go.” Gouma said.

***

“What is the meaning of this audience Hero Suguru?” Eda began. King Tartarus sits upon the red throne. Formidable. Unyielding. “I expect your full cooperation with the other heroes once the ceremony begins.”

“Of course my lady, however, my needs have not been fulfilled. I require additional maids to satisfy my every need.” Suguru with confidence and charisma spoke to get his wish granted, but to no avail.

“Needs?” Asked Eda.

“Yes. Since I am the chosen hero to lead our band to victory, I require much more… care than most.”

“You take me for a fool.” The King asked.

“Eh… N-no Your Majesty!”

“You have done nothing with the title you have been given, and yet you grovel at my feet expecting to violate people lower than you.”

“My king, I—”

“I know people like you. My eyes do not shy away from vermin. Vermin who use honeyed words to obtain anything they wish. If you sully my fair people. If I hear a cry or see a small bruise upon my people, I will send you to the deepest dungeons. Is that clear?”

“But my king, you need us. You need me to defeat the forces of evil! Why—”

“You may be gifted with the shine of light, however others have been gifted with incredible power while you squander your own. I have no need for a hero that will act based on their vices.” Suguru crumbled under the weight of the King. A presence so intense, Suguru lost his sense of calm. His eyes bulged from his eyes. Anger ensued in every corner of his being. An eerie silence surrounded the room.

“Why are you still here, get out of my sight.”

“Yes… Your Majesty…” Suguru quietly left the throne room. The door closed as he exited. There stood Eda next to the King.

“Eda.” The King said.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Alert the heroes they will be attending the ceremony tomorrow with or without the girl. I have no patience. To wait while our enemies muster their strength is a mistake.”

“Of course, Your Majesty. It shall be done.”

“Hm… Eda.” The king called. Eda turns around to look up at the King. “What is your assessment of the current heroes?”

“Most are children who have never seen a real fight nor the possibility of death, blood or even the dead. They were never fighters. However, some hold promise.”

“Very well. You are dismissed. Eda walks down the steps. She came to a halt at the base of the steps. The image of Suguru infects her mind like a virus, worried about his dangerous vices he holds dear.

“Suguru, my lord. A troubled one—”

“All his life he has been praised. Not once denied for his impotence. A boy who has never witnessed true consequences.” He sighs. Tired by steady. “For me, the king to speak to a mere boy about his place is benign.” Eda looks back at the elder king, lending ear to listen to his wisdom. “He will either be humbled by our teachings and become a true hero or a tyrant.”

“Will you strike down a hero of light? Someone who will be able to purge Aeshma from this world?” King Tartarus stood silent for a brief moment before he spoke.

“Yes.”