Chapter 47 - Unusual Friendship

Before the queen had met with Aldes and Atbara, she had activated a technique using Eliael's blood, The Paradox of Love. In short, if a person from the same bloodline was near the blood of another who had died, an illusion would automatically form within their mind, allowing them to communicate as though it were reality itself. Kaliga used this technique in case Eliael's memories did not contain all the necessary information. Through it, she overheard the brief conversation between the two brothers.

Rising from her chair, Kaliga left the secret chamber. She walked through the corridor, her long gown trailing behind her with soft, echoing steps that gave life to the otherwise deserted halls, a place drowned in its own secrets. Her hands were crossed within the wide sleeves in front of her chest. She unfolded them when she reached the final door and unlatched the lock.

Beyond it lay a vast royal corridor filled with servants and soldiers who moved, patrolled, and conversed quietly among themselves. Everyone who saw the queen bowed their heads in reverence. Kaliga walked calmly, lowering her head slightly in a gesture of noble acknowledgment.

The guards opened the door to the main chamber, where inside stood Igorus, gazing thoughtfully at the sunlight spilling through the balcony. He turned his head and immediately knelt, bowing toward the throne.

"Your Majesty, as requested, I am present," said Igorus.

"Good," Kaliga replied softly. "There's something I wish to discuss with you, more precisely, I need a favor."

She moved slowly toward her throne. The guards shut the doors behind her, and once seated, she rested her right fist beneath her cheek.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Speak your will," said Igorus.

"As a general, you are to select the eleven most capable commanders in the army," Kaliga said.

"May I ask for what purpose, if I may be so bold?"

"The angels may attempt to strike the Gates of the Arch of Sizran when we least expect it. The Keys could be hidden anywhere within our dominion. Therefore, I want defensive battalions positioned throughout the kingdoms and the Guhojre Forest. We'll begin setting defensive measures immediately. Also, for each commander you select, assign three captains," said Kaliga firmly.

"Understood, Your Majesty," Igorus replied.

"If the situation spirals out of control faster than we expect... be ready for something else," Kaliga added darkly.

At that, Igorus' expression shifted with a trace of doubt, but he decided not to question her.

"As you command, Your Majesty," he said, rising and heading toward the exit.

Kaliga watched him leave, her eyes thoughtful, her chin resting upon her hand atop the throne.
At that moment, King Kasama entered the chamber.

"Igorus..."

"Your Majesty..."

The general and the king exchanged a cold, formal nod before continuing their separate ways.

"Something troubling you, Kaliga?" the king asked once Igorus had left the chamber completely.

"Nothing serious. Don't worry about it. Where's our daughter?" Kaliga asked.

"She's playing with her friends outside the kingdom."

"She acts as if she's not part of the royal family. She's far too empathetic," Kaliga said with mild disapproval.

"That means she'll make a wonderful queen one day," Kasama replied with a tender, parental smile.

"Let's hope so. And what of Uanamangura? Have you heard anything?"

"Igorus hasn't reported anything. No disturbances so far, as far as I know," said Kasama.

"I just hope our daughter has nothing to do with that matter. Who knows what could happen," Kaliga murmured anxiously.

"We're talking about Igorus' son, Kaliga. Nothing will happen, trust me," Kasama said reassuringly.

"I noticed the two of you greeted each other in a way that suggests... something's going on. Tell me," said Kaliga, narrowing her eyes.

"Let's just say we didn't get much out of that angel you captured," Kasama said.

"So you met him?" Kaliga asked.

"Yesterday. Predictably, he didn't give us a single clue we could use for any kind of investigation, just the usual racist insults," said Kasama.

"And I assume the general didn't handle that too well, did he?" Kaliga implied.

"It became more personal than we intended. I didn't even have a chance to intervene, to be honest," Kasama admitted.

"I see... If it weren't for that damn prophecy, legend, whatever it is, perhaps we wouldn't have such strained relations with the other gods," Kaliga muttered, rubbing her forehead in frustration.

"Perhaps it's a little late for such thoughts, Kaliga," the king said as he began to leave the throne room.

Kaliga simply watched him go. She saw both men, Igorus and Kasama, leaving the royal hall one after the other. Through her husband's departing figure, she could still glimpse the general's silhouette in the distance.

"A little late, eh?" she whispered

"A little late indeed..."

Voidanos sat on the bench in front of his house, reading a book. He always read a bit before his lessons with his tutor, Magees. It was midday. Most children were leaving school, heading home, or out playing with their friends. Voidanos was different. That difference gave him a strangely surreal aura, an impression that he viewed the world in a way no one else did. He didn't know whether that was good or bad. He only knew it was something.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Ahh!!!"

Voidanos flinched at the sudden voice beside him. It was Morana, the girl whose ball had rolled to his feet the day before.

"Did I scare you? Hehehe! You're such a coward," she teased playfully.

"I–I'm not a coward. You just caught me off guard," Voidanos stammered, embarrassed.

"Caaaught off guard, huh?" Morana continued teasing him.

"W-What do you want?" he asked shyly, his eyes avoiding her deep green ones.

"I didn't have anything to do at home. Like you, I'm homeschooled, for... various reasons," the girl said.

"You too?" Voidanos asked, still not looking at her.

"My friends lie to others for this matter, saying that I go to school with them to not attract attention. But In the afternoons, I have a tutor, an older man. His lessons are so boring, but I can't do much about it. I'm a princess, after all, and I'm supposed to behave like one."

Voidanos shifted awkwardly, not knowing what to say or how to react.

"What are you reading?" she asked, noticing the book in his hands.

"A novel. A short one," he replied softly.

"Aren't you a bit young to be reading that kind of book?" Morana said, sitting down next to him on the bench.

Her closeness made his cheeks flush red.

"What's it about?" she asked curiously.

"It's about a mechanic who built a city on the back of an ancient turtle. But he lives there alone, with only the turtle for company. He's not sure whether he should invite others to live with him or just enjoy the bond he's built with the place, and the creature, that carries it. He's torn between solitude and companionship, wondering why he built the city at all if it was only to remain alone. The novel explores—"

Morana was staring at him, mouth slightly open, clearly lost.

"Oh, um, s-sorry. I just get too invested in the books I read. I can't help it," he said awkwardly, scratching his head.

"Nggh—Hahahahaha!" Morana burst out laughing. Voidanos blinked, confused.

"I think it sounds really interesting, Void," she said with a girlish smile.

"Void?" he repeated.

"Your name's a little long, so I'll call you Void for short," she said.

"My mom calls me that. I thought only close people used it," Voidanos said.

"Why? Aren't we close?" she asked.

"Close?" he echoed, uncertain.

"We're friends," Morana said with a cheerful smile. His face went even redder, overwhelmed by shyness and discomfort.

"But I envy you, Void," she said suddenly.

"Why?" he asked.

"You live in such a cozy, quiet place, away from the noise of the kingdom. I'm tired of constantly being involved with the Dominions. I wish I had more time for myself, to do the things I actually want to do. Like you."

Voidanos looked at her closely, intrigued.

"You're free to do whatever you like," she continued.

The boy lowered his gaze. He watched a line of ants carrying food back to their colony. They moved tirelessly, exploring, surviving for the sake of their queen. But were they even aware of it? Did they ever wonder if they were free, or if their devotion to the colony was a form of bondage?

Voidanos didn't feel that way. Even though he was a Dominion, just like the others of his kind, he didn't feel like one of them. By that logic, shouldn't he be freer than the rest? Yet everyone who met him seemed to see something different in his existence.

"I-I don't think so," he murmured quietly.

"Hm? What was that, Void?" Morana asked.

"N-nothing. It's nothing," he said quickly.

"I heard you have the power of imagination, Void. You can create anything you think of, right?" she asked.

"K-kind of. I need to understand what it is first, visualize it clearly, and then, puff, it appears in the air," he explained.

"That's amazing! Can you make something right now?"

"Sure. Tell me what you want."

"Hmm... a butterfly with many colors that sprinkles fairy dust," she said eagerly.

Voidanos opened his left hand, and from it materialized a large, rainbow-colored butterfly. Every flap of its wings released golden dust into the air.

"Woooow! It's beautiful!" Morana exclaimed in delight.

"Heheheh," Voidanos laughed shyly, scratching his head again.

"Something on your chest just lit up. What's that mark?" she asked.

"That's the mark of Uanamangura. It's been there since I was born. It glows every time I use my powers," the boy explained.

"That's fascinating. Does it hurt? Burn? Sting?" she asked.

"I don't feel anything from it. It just gives off light," he said.

"It's beautiful," Morana whispered.

"What about you? What's your power?" he asked.

"Me? Oh... I can just speed up the growth of plants. I know, it's kind of useless—"

"Don't say that," Voidanos interrupted her gently.

"Compared to your power, it's nothing special," she said.

"We're all special, Morana. Maybe you just don't see your power's full potential yet. One day, it might become very valuable," he said.

"You really think so?" she asked.

"My mom always said the Kindu never give someone a power they won't need. They already know what your fate will be," he said.

"I hope she's right. Thank you, Void," she said softly.

"For what?" he asked.

"For your kind words. I really appreciate them," she said, placing her hand on his.

"N-n-no p-p-problem. D-don't w-w-worry about it," he stammered, blushing so hard he could barely speak.

"Heheheh... you're really funny, Void. Looks like it's time for my lesson," Morana said, glancing at the sun near Pulega.

"You're leaving?" he asked.

"Will you miss me?" she teased with a playful grin.

"N-n-no, I was just curious," he replied nervously.

"See you tomorrow, then! Bye!" Morana said, rising and taking off into the air.

"B-bye..." Voidanos waved as she soared into the sky, his heart still fluttering like the colorful butterfly beside him.

"You've made a new friend, I see," a voice said from in front of the boy.

"Tutor Magees!" Voidanos exclaimed happily, looking up to see his tutor walking through the garden, carrying his satchel.

"And who was that lovely young lady with you?" the tutor asked.

"The princess, Morana," the boy replied.

"The princess herself? Rather unusual for her to be in a place like this," Magees said, slightly puzzled.

"Maybe she just likes spending time with me," Voidanos said, his cheeks turning red.

"I see... I would've never guessed you'd catch the attention of the princess herself," the tutor said with a knowing smile as he sat down beside him on the bench. At that moment, Voidanos' expression dimmed.

"What troubles you?" Magees asked, noticing the change in his face.

"I... I don't know... how to feel. I don't know if I should make a friend... when maybe I shouldn't," Voidanos murmured, conflicted.

"You're at an age where those thoughts make sense. But listen to me, Voidanos, friendship is important. There's nothing more precious than having someone who understands you, who helps you, and who speaks openly about how they feel without any fear or restraint. You might not know much about such things yet, but try to have at least a few people like that in your life. It makes the world feel less heavy," the tutor said, resting a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder.

"There's no worse feeling," he added softly, "than being alone when you aren't."

Voidanos looked into his tutor's eyes when he heard that line.

"I think we should begin our lesson," Magees said after a pause.

"Y-Yes, Master Magees," Voidanos replied, and together they walked into the boy's home.

Outside the royal palace, General Igorus was making his way out of the courtyard, where soldiers and nobles mingled, engaged in their busy conversations. He strode forward, ignoring the people around him, until something caught his eye.

Ahead, near the palace gates, stood Atbara and Aldes, speaking quietly with each other. The closer Igorus came, the heavier his steps felt. He considered avoiding them, but his feet wouldn't obey. Atbara and Aldes stopped talking the moment they saw him approaching.

"General," Aldes greeted, "it's been a while since we last saw you."

Atbara said nothing, his expression calm but distant, as though unwilling to speak.

"I assume you were both summoned by the queen herself?" Igorus asked as he joined them.

"Something secretive," Aldes replied. "Were you called for something of the same sort?"

"I believe so. Though perhaps of less importance than yours," Igorus said, glancing at Atbara.

Atbara only looked back at him, silent as stone.

"I'll be around. If you have anything to tell me, don't hesitate, especially you, Atbara," Igorus said, giving the man a light pat on the shoulder before walking away.

Aldes and Atbara watched the general's figure retreat across the courtyard.

"Let's hope we don't have any more misunderstandings with him. Last time, he beat us badly," Aldes said.

"Sometimes," Atbara replied quietly, "I almost feel sorry for him."

"Hm?" Aldes turned his head.

"He seems like a lonely soul, haunted by the cries of the people he's burned. He reminds me of someone I met eight years ago. I don't know why, but I see a version of that man inside him. A version he hides from the world, a version no one wants to see. That's what I was thinking while he was talking to us," Atbara said.

"I thought you were just being shy, that's why you weren't speaking," Aldes said.

"Deep down," Atbara continued, ignoring the jab, "I think he despises himself..."