“Society will develop a new kind of servitude which covers the surface of society with a network of complicated rules, through which the most original minds and the most energetic characters cannot penetrate. It does not tyrannise but it compresses, enervates, extinguishes, and stupefies a people, till each nation is reduced to nothing better than a flock of timid and industrious animals, of which the government is the shepherd.”
― Alexis de Tocqueville
22 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN
Rring! The school bell rings.
The students all scurry about, laughing, talking as they are preparing to go with their friends, to shopping malls, to some café or just going home who have nothing plan for the evening.
In front of the school entrance of Grove High, 4 friends are walking together. The sunset is giving an atmosphere of an ending of the day.
‘Will, will you join us this evening?’ Sarah asked.
‘Where you’re going to go?’
‘The Shack. Sleepy Will is buying the new album by Def Dead.’
‘I’ll pass. I got work tomorrow. You know it will take a day for me to work. I even got special permission to cut off school.’
‘Lucky’ Sleepy Will said.
‘If only I got that job.’
‘It is not that prestigious of a job.’
‘Well, yeah. But it has a benefit. One day exempt from school, good salary. Though I don’t understand why you need that job. You’re rich right?’
‘That is news to me.’
‘Eh! I already saw your house before.’
‘He is rich?’ Lily asked
‘I kid you not. He is rich. The large TV, his large wardrobe, and all the stuff you could see in a rich kid house’ Will said making fun of Argius.
‘Sheesh. I told you I’m not.’
‘Whatever. Call us if you change your mind. Ok?’ Sarah said.
‘Ok.’
They waved each other goodbye and parted in the crossroads. Then from the shadows a hooded man appears.
‘The car is coming. Accompany me for a while, Argius’
A moment later the car arrived. The door is open for him. There is silence between him and the Hooded Man.
The Hooded man face is hidden by his cloak but it looks like he is seeing the outside scenery.
‘Your friends?’ the Hooded Man said. Argius is startled with the sudden question.
‘Yes.’
Argius look at the Hooded Man. This past few week’s many things have changed. With the succession in disarray, the Imperial Secret Service will endeavor to find him.
And he does not want to be found. Especially not by his father. He closes his eyes and he could remember the scream of her mothers, the pleading and the suffering, only ending in that fire.
Argius.
That scream is what he remembers the most. One that gives him nightmare at night. Argius open his eyes.
‘Did you find anything in the tomb?’ The Hooded Man asked.
‘No, I search everywhere but I didn’t found it. Maybe your sources are wrong.’
‘My sources are not wrong. I got report that Aeria Vermont died on that tomb attacked by someone or something. All the elite guards, of the Dragonguards all perished. Imagine that Argius? Every one of the Dragonguards is chosen from elite noble families, who are all strong and expert in internal energy. Some of them even have many great and forbidden magic. What could be strong enough to kill the guard and the Heir to the Empire?’
Finished saying that, the Hooded Man conjure something from his sleeve and give it to Argius.
‘In there is a card and something else. Check it. Now there is a card for the Inner Chamber. Your mission will be to check there. I pull some strings. There is still some ally that could be trusted though the risk is great for the mentioned person.’
‘Won’t this also be a risk for me?’ Argius said, leaning himself to the cushion.
‘Well, you take that risk didn’t you? After all you decided to do this a long time ago, didn’t you? Don’t blame me for the decision you made.’ Argius sighed.
‘What is your source in the Imperial Palace told you?’
‘They didn’t know. All they could tell was that Aeria Vermont was turned into a puddle of blood. Nothing remains of him. Not even a single bone. The magical recognition has confirmed that the blood is the Crown Prince.’
‘Well, serve him right’ Argius said clenching his fist.
‘Those people should die a long time ago.’
‘Argius.’
‘Yes?’
‘We have been gathering forces since the day of your mother death to avenge your mother. But no matter what you feel, it is not time.’
Argius could no longer calm down.
‘Not time! This is the perfect time. The Crown Prince is dead. We will march to the capital and take the throne and I will avenge my mother.’
‘This is why’ he said in a mocking manner.
‘There is an endgame here you still could not see. And topple your father rule? You? Right now? The way you are now? You aren’t capable’
‘I’M NOT!’
‘Yes you are not. You are a brat. A kid so blinded by vengeance all you can see is the next step. You have a chance here, to do some good, to replace the rotten core of the Imperial family with light but all you want to is to raze the world. You are still a child. See the endgame Argius. See the endgame. You may hate your father, but it is because he is your father, the fact that his blood runs in you, presented you with an unique opportunity.’
‘What are you saying?’
‘You can be a revolutionary. A revolution that will swept the world.’
And almost perfect to the timing, the car arrives in front of Argius big house. The Hooded Man looks at the house. The gardens in the yard and the swing at the second floor.
‘A nice house your uncle finds for you.’
‘Hmm. He is an expert in relocating me’
‘How about the guest?’ Argius is shocked. The Hooded man knows? Yet, Argius play it cool. He did not show a surprised expression.
‘She does not know.’
‘You sure?’
‘I’m sure. She just needs a place to stay. She has her problems’
‘If the school find out-‘
‘They won’t. And even if they found out won’t the money donation will shut them up? Argius replied sternly. The Hooded man seems amused.
‘Is that so? But money doesn’t solve everything. Neither does power nor fame. Don’t be like your father.’ Before Argius could reply The Hooded Man he looks at the house again.
‘Who would have thought?’ Argius also looked at the house.
‘Yeah, who would have thought?’
‘But maybe it is not so surprising’
‘Why do you say that?’ Argius said puzzled by the Hooded Man statement.
‘After all, if it’s your ancestor maybe he will do the same like you do. It is funny isn’t it how some people seem to be replaying the past. Like we are all actors and there is some invisible string that moves us, reaching to that great conclusion.’
‘I refuse to believe that.’
The Hooded man chuckled slightly.
‘It doesn’t matter whether you believe it or not.’ Then the hooded Man looks at Argius and then he sighed.
‘If you say she is fine, then ok. I’ll trust you.’ The hooded man opens the door.
‘Until we meet again.’
Then the car speedily drove away. Arguis look at his house. He put the password into the keypad and the door open.
Inside, he remove his clothes, went into the shower and then after changing he threw himself into the bed. He looks around.
He went to the fridge, took some mineral water, put it in the glass. Taking a sip, he feels refreshed. He took his phone, dialing a number.
‘You are coming home tonight? No? Fine. There is a watermelon in the fridge. Eat it if you want. Tomorrow I’m going to work. Don’t mess up the house too much. Ok? Hmm.’
The after confirming she will not returning home tonight, Argius threw himself onto the bed again. The Hooded Man words really have an impact to Argius.
“See the endgame huh?”
*****************************************************************************
23 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN
Today is another day in the Tomb. At 7am Argius is required to pass the security booth, show his ID and then he will take his cleaning tool in the shed on one of the shed in the Great Tomb.
The Great Tomb is in a huge cave at the top of Arial Mountain. With the cable car it will then take half an hour to go to the top and reached the destination of the great cave.
Near the entrance of the cave there is a huge gazebo where there is some snack, water pipes , some tools and miscellaneous item left by the other cleaner.
The Great Tomb.
It refers to the Tomb of the First Emperor, Arial the Great. His body is entombed here in the top of this mountain which is then name after him on the behest of his descendant.
In a way, of all the descendant of Arial, Argius could be considered the most filial of all them. Thinking about it, Argius almost chuckled.
When Argius enter the cave there is three chambers. The Outer chamber, The Central Chamber where he worked and the last the Inner Chamber where the sarcophagus of the Great King body lies.
That Inner chamber can only be entered with a special key. Key that the Hooded Man managed to retrieve.
Argius do not know how the Hooded Man get all this thing or why he is helping Argius but Argius never doubted him.
Argius is often frustrated with The Hooded Man but never before the Hooded man disappointed him.
He is mysterious, shrouded in secrets. Yet, he could not help trusting him. And there seem to be some unspoken relationship between the Hooded man and Argius uncle.
Both of them never talk too much about it, but Argius could sense it. There is always heavy atmosphere when both of these men in the same room.
He could see an expression of guilt in his uncle eyes when his uncle looks at the Hooded Man. There is some past Argius don’t know between those two men.
The shift for the last cleaner has ended. Argius could see Rob is about to leave.Arial greeted Rob.
‘Rob finishing up?’
‘Yes. Just like usual kid. Dust the surroundings, clean the rough edges and make sure there is nothing amiss. This is a good gig for bachelors like us. The job is only for 5 hours. The pay is pretty good, 10 dragon an hour. And only once in a week. Such an easy job.’
Argius just nodded.
‘Ok, I’m leaving.’ Arguius nodded.
‘Ok, Rob. Take care. See you next week.’ He nodded back.
After making sure Rob has enter the cable car and checking his surrounding, and make sure there is no one watching him.,Argius began his plan.
First he went to the central chamber like usual cleaning and dusting. Then quickly he began wandering and then he found the inner chamber. The Inner chamber has a keyhole.
An electronic keyhole. Need magical fingerprint. Argius open the pouch like case and took a plastic like substance and put it around his finger.
Argius then pressed his thumb into the recognition pad.
‘Robert Perigord, Minister of Communication. Access granted.’ The automated response spoke. Then the door open but there is another door.
This time Argius slid the card key and then with the same voice it recognizes the card and finally the door is open.
It was wide. That is what Argius thought. A wide expanse of dark gloomy cave. Argius began searching for anything.
For the past few weeks he has been searching in the other chamber but he didn’t found anything. So he is confident if there is anyone or something, it is here in the inner chamber.
And he doesn’t have much time. 5 hours.
He began searching and after about an hour walking he finally spotted the sarcophagus. A big sarcophagus.
The sarcophagus of the Great Emperor. Usually at the coronation of a new emperor, one of the rituals involved in the coronation is that the new Emperor act of kneeling in front of the Great Emperor tomb, as a sign of reverence and respect to the Great Ancestor of Vermont who have created the Empire, watch by the populace on TV.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Argius has already given up in finding anything.
And for no reason, or maybe wanting to treat this as his own coronation ritual, Argius kneel like a knight receiving a medal for meritorious service in front of the sarcophagus.
‘Argius pay his respect to Great Ancestor.’ With a sudden feeling of reverence, he prays sincerely, kneeling.
For a moment he thought he heard a voice, whispering to him, in the dark cave, like an answer to a prayer. And then suddenly Argius heard the faint voice of laughter
‘Who is there?’ Argius get up from kneeling, his eyes shot up to left and right.
He is not wrong. Somebody is here. Is it the person who killed the Dragon guards? The one that kill the Heir to the Empire, the Crown Prince?
As he was just about to check round the direction of the voice suddenly is attacked by a sense of dread so powerful, Argius suddenly in a kneeling position, his hand trembling, his heart beating so furious , Argius thought his heart will leapt out from his body.
An expert his senses tell him. Argius does not mean to brag but in school he is acknowledged to be quite the expert in martial art.
Of course compared to the dragon guard and the rest of the elites he is not on par but he is smart enough to recognize an expert.
Not many people possess such intimidating aura. Argius know expert and their temperament. In the Empire only about ten people is recognized as a great expert.
All this expert could take on an army by themselves. But that doesn’t mean they are undefeatable.
It is just that having an expert, is an advantage to military power of a kingdom, country and Empire.
Since they can fought like gods in the battlefield not many peopled offend expert other than emperors.
After all even though one expert can kill hundreds of thousands of troops that doesn’t mean they can fight them all.
But of course not many intentionally offend an expert. What good can it do, offending someone who can kills thousands of thousands of troops?
Then from the shadow a man appeared. Trembling and dreadful, Argius look at the man appearance.
He has a short beard, 6’8, a peering blue eye, a young face and long flowing white hair, a pale white complexion.
But what shocked Argius is not his young appearance but how similar this man is to someone he has seen before.
And his eyes then become bigger when he finally realizes which face that comes to mind when looking at this man.
Argius look at the statue of Emperor Arial and then at the young man that emerge from the shadows.
‘They are…..similar.’
No, he mused.
‘They are the same’ he exclaimed, his words echoed in the cave.
******************************************************************************
26 ARIA 1500 EDENIAN
A girl is seeing entering the password to a house. Opening the door she enters with a moody face and a smudge makeup.
‘I’m home.’
‘Welcome back’ the voice of a boy reply. She throws her bag to the sofa and sighed deeply. It seems something happen to her, something that make her energy sapped.
She opens the fridge, took the instant noodle, boil it with some cabbages and green chili. Her stomach is growling and she is not in the mood to order pizza.
And mostly it is because she has no money right now. She has no money, her mood is crap and she can take no bullshit today anymore.
‘Noodles?’ A voice of man said, looking at what she is making, aware of the changing mood of the girl. Like the wind.
‘Yes.’ She replied tersely, while the man is shocked at this cold attitude of this girl.
Beside her, is a man, also doing the same thing as the girl. He takes the noodle package, unwrap it, and boil it into the pot but unlike the girl the boy put some egg white in it.
The smell was good as he sprinkle some parsley and chopped basil in the pot. His own recipe. They did not talk.
The boy senses some heavy atmosphere around the girl, so he did not want to disturb her. More like he is afraid to disturb her.Finished cooking, they sat at the table.
‘Huh. Don’t get on my nerve today, Leia.’ He begins the attack. Better he said it first before Leia first said it.
‘You too’ she said as both of them took a sip of water. Argius looks at Leia and even he could not remember why he allows her to live in his house.
And Leia look at Argius, thinking why did it have to be this guy?
Then calming himself,(and bracing himself to hear the next tirade of the Queen) he asks.
‘What happen this time?’
‘Jack.’
‘That really doesn’t explain the foul mood you’re in. What happen? Be specific, concise and to the point. Don’t ramble on and on like last time. And don’t cry.’
‘Jack is being jackass.’
‘Hmm.’ Then suddenly Leia broke into tears. Argius just shakes his head. Like always, she cries.
‘Warghhh..he broke up with me…. What do I do…I don’t know what to do’ she cried while Argius just shake his head.
(Again, he shakes his head and then he tries nodding but it seems that gesture missed Leia attention so Argius return back to his usual motion of shaking his head with disbelief.)
His head is already filled with what happens in the Tomb ( and all the implication, the message that he had to deliver) and to think he could still enjoy normal life like this.
‘Huhuhu… What do you think is my problem, Will?’
Argius look at her full with scrutiny, like watching a specimen under a telescope, analyzing everything about the subject with her green eyes( contact lenses) and he talk truthfully.
‘Your problem is…is that you are the type of people get sick of’ he said truthfully and Leia face turns sour.
‘That’s not nice.’
‘You ask. I give you the truth.’
‘I should have called Joan.’
‘You should. Go do what you girls do when you break up. Run to the ice cream store. Or watch some soapy drama. I don’t know what you girls do but if you looking for comforting words, you’re not going to get it from me. Yet you’re here with me, the guy you don’t talk to at school yet you converse with me like the aunty that live down the hill, chattering nonstop when you cut classes or do you remember when you pretend you get sick last week and you ask me the house password and then leaving the stove on fire which to this day still remains a mystery on how you manage to do that. And I have to accompany you that day, and you would not stop talking. You are a problem, you know?’ Argius launched into a tirade of his own.
Both of them are stubborn and set on their ways but it is also because he knows Leia will snap of her sadness if she have something else to be angry about.
‘That is……different. ‘
‘Of course it is different. At school you are the Queen. Here you are my housemaid.’
‘Not housemaid. Your Interior Manager.’ Argius could not help but chuckle at that statement.
Prideful, this girl.
‘Fine, Interior Manager. If you remember you don’t have any money. Your father is angry with you, your mother is in frenzy, your brother hates you. You ask my help. And I have helped you. More than you deserve. And both of us agree on an employer-employee relationship. Since when we are so comfortable that we both tell each other about our lives?’
‘Come on, Will. Lighten up. It has been a month. And only employer-employee relationship? Remember what you told me about Sarah? ‘
‘I was drunk at the time.’ Then he look at the mischievous smile of Leia.
‘REALLY. DRUNK.’ Argius stressed the word.
‘Who would have thought a man as handsome as you like such a plain girl?’
‘Don’t call her plain!’
‘Oooh….already defending her.’
‘Oh, then how about you?’ Argius will not be the only one going down.
‘The Queen of Grove High, who would have thought you are a crybaby?’
‘AM NOT!’
‘Yes, you are! This time it’s Jack. Last time it was John. What’s next? Jacob? Jonathan? Is this some kind of collection game I don’t know about? I know a Jane. He’s a guy. Should I introduce him to you?’
‘Hmph’ she turns her face from Argius.
‘Hmph’ Argius also did the same thing. Then a few seconds later, they both turn back looking at each other again and then laughed.
‘Sorry.’ Argius said.
‘Me too. I didn’t mean what I said. I know you like her.Like, really, realy, really like her’ Leia said teasing Argius
‘Don’t have to stress the really part. I’m sorry too. And didn’t I tell you Jack is no good?’
‘Yeah, I know. I know. Here comes the I- tell –you- so.’
Smiling Argius said ‘I told you so’
Leia took a sip of the water and made a spurting motion while Argius just smile that handsome yet annoying smile.
‘Did you set the alarm Will?’ Leia asked since she had to get up early tomorrow.
‘I did. And this time when the alarm rings don’t throw the clock outside again.’
‘I know. I know. You are nagging all the time, Will. You know if the other girls know how you nags all the time maybe they will think twice before sending you their love letter.’
‘Oh really? And if the other girls know how uncool you are, compared to your cool persona at school I doubt any of those girls will ask you for their love advice. And I have to remind you about the clock incident because you have the sensibility of a chicken.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes, you. Who in their right mind will throw an alarm clock just because it disturbs your mood? I deduct that from your pay.’
‘Hmm…Okay. Ok. Don’t make such a fuss because of an alarm clock.’
‘Oh, and go grocery shopping tomorrow. Buy some vegetables, some chickens, and some beef meat.’
‘Seriously Will?’
‘What?’ Argius said.
‘I just told you I broke up and your response is to tell me to shut up, scolding me about some stupid alarm clock, go to the shopping mall, to buy you your meal tomorrow. Shouldn’t you be all like ‘Oh, Leia, you must have a heartache. Go rest for this few days. Want some ice-cream and some fried chicken.’ Something like that?’
‘Do you love Jack?’
‘What?’ Leia said startled with the sudden question.
‘Do you love him?’
‘ I..I’
‘You don’t. You just like him. He is handsome, charming, his smile is captivating. And maybe he ahs a way with words. But you don’t love him. If you love him, you would fight for it. That what happens when someone is in love. They would fight for it. Because it rarely comes. Because not many people can find it. You don’t fight for it. I doubt you have ever loved anyone. Hate, many I suppose. But love? I doubt you know what that really means a privileged girl like you living like royalty’
‘And you?’ Leia said, slightly miffed that Will is lecturing her. What’s more Will said it about her family.
Like there is a difference but deep down Leia knows there will always be that difference. She was born with a golden spoon shoved down her throats.
But that’s what makes her miffed, that every word that he uttered is true.
‘What makes you such an expert with love?’
Then Argius closed his face with Sarah as Sarah blushed and he said, with a slight smile of understanding
‘I maybe not know what love is but I know enough. If you were really heartbroken, you would not have joked with me. And crybaby as you are, I know you are strong. That being said,’ as Argius smile ‘don’t forget about what I told you about the grocery list. I’m full and I’m going to sleep’ as Argius get up from his seat and went to his bedroom.
Leia just smile bitterly. She thought about what he said, and hard as it is to admit he was not entirely wrong.
Cleaning up the table she went to sleep.
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Second chapter you all.