The Walls of the Capital

Footsteps trudged through the ground next to the grand wall that surrounds the capital city. The overly moody way of walking was a basic way of life for Grimace, who had just stepped out of the city to enjoy the outside world for a little.

As one of the few people with the privilege to go in and out of the capital as he pleases, it’s the least he could do to appreciate it. However, he had to get back to work soon.

A silver scythe shone as the one reflector of light on his otherwise dark attire. The kid dressed quite formally for his age. A fine suit and tie, though his shoes were getting muddied by his trudge through the dirt. He should probably care more about that.

Grimace continued walking against the wall, before coming across the large wooden door. The closed entrance to the entire capital city of Oscur. It was time for him to go inside once more, he could not afford to pass off his work forever. The guards seemed to be switching shifts at least, and they should be back quite soon.

While waiting, he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. Unexpected, but not surprising. He figured that some people didn’t exactly get the memo for what was happening.

“You’re still upset about that? We’re almost there, come on.”

The voice of a boy is the first one he heard, and in the distance he saw a group of four approach ever closer.

An annoyed girl in an elegant blue dress and long white hair. She held a floating chainsaw by her side as she strutted forwards. Her arms crossed in indignancy.

A brown-haired boy in ragged brown clothes and a golden cloak. A golden mask hung from his belt, while he roughly walked along the path. letting out a large sigh.

A blue-haired girl in a decorated pink dress. She had the most elegant walk out of the group to match with her already fancy curled hair, and her smile was quite the mischievous one.

A plain-looking boy, tattered shirt and worn jeans. He had leaves in his messy brown hair. He was walking in the group last, timidly and nervously following from behind.

“We would’ve been here a long time ago if I didn’t have to spend forever washing out the gunk from my dress!” The girl in the blue dress argued back.

“It’s not that serious, come on,” the cloaked boy said.

“Heyy- Ed! How about once we enter the capital, we buy Adelyn here some new clothes!” The other girl said. “That way we avoid this entire thing from happening again."

“Well, Cozy… I guess we’ll have a bit left over in our budget…” the cloaked boy began to think once more. “If it’ll make her happy then sure.”

“Guys…” the quiet boy following them finally spoke. “That person has been staring at us for a while now.”

“Hm?” The one known as Cozy finally looked at Grimace, and soon the other two as well.

He was right, Grimace had been observing them for quite a while as they conversed. He didn’t feel the need to speak however, until he was pointed out.

“Greetings!” Cozy began walking forwards and stuck her hand out. “Are you headed to the capital too? My name is Cozy, and yours?”

“...I am Grimace, the Judge of Oscur,” the moody boy said. “Yes, I am heading into the capital city soon. Unfortunately, you will not be following me.”

“Great! Cause we were going to- excuse me?” The girl seemed to be about to say something, but she paused upon processing the latter half of Grimace’s sentence.

“Hold on,” the one known as Adelyn stepped up in-front of Cozy. “What do you mean? Can we not go in?”

“Unfortunately not,” Grimace answered, hands in his pocket. “The capital city is no longer available to those who live beyond without the approval of every governor.”

“Every… what now?” Adelyn asked.

“You seem vastly uneducated, girl,” Grimace responds with a scowl. “You may not enter the capital city. That is what I am saying.”

“Wait, wait, wait,” Cozy once again stepped in front of Adelyn. “Nobody is allowed in or out? Why? Is it because of the big light beam?”

“There are a few reasons. Though, not exactly that one. That was just a coincidence,” Grimace responded. “I will not disclose them to you at this time, but you are not allowed in without special permission.”

“Special permission… you mean the governors, right?” Adelyn asked. “But, one of my friends is in the capital. Is she okay? I’d like to see her!”

Grimace was beginning to become exasperated at the amount of questions that these two girls were asking him. He thought that it was time to begin going back inside about now.

“I don’t know if you know this, but she’s the girl in the other beam of light. Rumia, right? I just need to see her again and we can leave, it’s fine!”

That caught Grimace’s attention. The sudden beam of light that struck within the capital was a case he was assigned to look over. For an uneducated girl, she shouldn’t know about what exactly was the matter with the phenomenon.

“You know of the one named Rumia? Interesting,” Grimace considered for a moment.

“...If you also didn’t know, she’s the girl from the other light beam earlier too. The two are connected. It’d be best to let us in,” Edward, who had been listening until this point, spoke up too.

“Yeah, and we’re important companions. She needs us to help her, so if you’re gonna let her in you’ve gotta let us in too,” Cozy said.

Grimace frowned at the comment as he furrowed his brow. He had a lot of options to consider, but he did not particularly like any of them. Especially the strange story that has just been presented to him.

Eventually, he shook his head.

“Despite your circumstances, you still cannot enter the capital. Not without permission.”

“...ah,” Adelyn looked down, a little disappointed at the answer. “No way, at all?”

“You’re kidding?” Cozy said. “Are you really going to separate this poor girl and her friend? Just because of a lockdown?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, I can’t believe you’d be so heartless like that, really, can’t you have a bit of sympathy?”

“I cannot make an exception.”

“Guys, guys,” Adelyn interrupted the conversation. “It’s… fine.”

“Well,” the quiet boy who has not spoken finally speaks up. “I… I have to ask. What do you mean by permission?”

Grimace looked at the boy with an intense gaze. He seemed to immediately be worried as if he said something wrong.

“...You are aware of the governors of this Land, Lunasa, yes? If you have the approval of the nine of them, then you will be granted entry.”

“Okay, can you tell them that?” Cozy said.

“No.”

“What? Why not?”

“I am busy with other matters to attend to. If you wish for their approval, then you have to talk to each of them yourself.”

“...where can we find them, then?” Teddie spoke between Cozy and Grimace once more. “I-I mean, they’re governors… so it’s probably not going to be easy…”

“Are you certain you want to go on that path? It will be a very long journey, they all reside in their own cities… some of them quite far from here.” answered Grimace.

The other three kids looked at Adelyn.

“If that’s the only way to get to Rumia, then yes. I’ll do it,” Adelyn said. “Even if it takes forever, then I’ll do it.”

Grimace was impressed at this girl’s conviction. He summoned a book into the air and opened it wide for the rest of them to see. A large map of the wide country that they currently stood on.

“Nine governors, each in a city of their own domain. The domain of Nature, Ice, The Moon, Magic, Arts, Records, Dreams, Battle, and Love. Visit their city and get the approval you so desire, though it will obviously not come for free.”

“...Right,” Adelyn said. “Do you know which one we should head to first?”

“Based on proximity, the closest one is Verdant, the City of Nature,” Grimace answered, pointing to a spot on the book. “If you are insistent on this journey… then this book may help you.”

He closed it and placed it in Adelyn’s hands. That made her light up.

“Wait, really? I can have it?”

“Yeah. There is already an excess of these books in the capital’s library. It may be useful for you on your travels.”

“Ohhh-” She immediately began flipping through the book at lightning speed. Her eyes shone with every single page before she eventually closed it.

“Guys, we have a new mission to save Rumia! We’re going on a bit of a road trip, but… we’ll be back soon!” Adelyn said, before looking up at Grimace, “She’s going to be okay, right?”

“Yes. She’s going to be safe in the capital, we’ve made sure of it. You likely will not have to concern yourself until then, this is the safest city in the country after all.” Grimace answered.

“Right. Then be sure to tell her that I’m here, and I’ll be coming for her soon! Just hang on tight!”

“Very well, I will inform her,” Grimace said, finally turning around so he could leave this conversation. “Your first stop should be the small town outside of Verdant. That way you could sell the meat you are currently carrying. Until then, good luck on your travels.”

And so, the boy walked away. He had more important matters to attend to after all.