Chapter 2.

PART 1.

With a jolt, Hatori woke up from his rather relaxing sleep, where for some strange reason, he was programming some murderous droid. According to his friends, it is a sign of his repressed anger that he has dreams like these, while he thinks that they are just dreams.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Hatori realizes that he is not in his room anymore. For one thing, he always sleeps with the sealing fan turned up to five, even during the winter. And if anyone offs the fan, it is enough to wake him up.

So, the first sign for him, is that he is in a different place, the noise of his room's fan is missing.

The second sign is that the echo is all wrong. He is well familiar with the size of his room, while this place appears to be larger than his room.

And the third, (And perhaps the sign which woke him up; maybe he should consider it the first sign?) is the voices of people.

Hatori despises the noise in his room when he is sleeping, or trying to sleep.

“Ah, the child is awake.” Said a male voice.

“So, what’s your name, child?” asked a female voice.

Hatori considered remaining quiet for a moment. But then he realizes that if these people lifted him from his room, it would be better to cooperate with them until he finds a way to save himself. Admittedly, the chances of a blind kid running away from the kidnappers are very small, but he decided to gamble with whatever chances he has.

“Hatori Eagle.” He answers.

“What an odd name.” noted someone (not for the first time, Hatori cursed his blindness.) “It appears to be a Nihongan name.”

Hatori remains quiet.

“Anyway,” a decidedly haughty voice speaks. “We didn’t bring this child here to think about the oddness of his name. He is only here to fulfill the prophecy, nothing more.”

“Be quiet!” thundered yet another voice, brimming with power, just waiting to uncoil.

“Ritual master Vasu, you will explain to him why this boy is brought here.” Ordered the powerful voice.

“Yes, your majesty.” Says another voice, sounding rather quiet in comparison to everyone else.

“There is a prophecy regarding a war in the future. It is said that someone from the other dimension will participate in that war, and that person will change mage society as a whole through his actions. You are that person, as the ritual we performed to summon you proves.” Explains the quiet voice.

“Back up a bit.” Hatori said, “What do you mean by prophecy? You think that I’ll believe you because you say all these things to me? In case you didn’t know, we don’t live in a fantasy world.” Said Hatori.

“Hold your sharp tongue, boy!” commanded an old voice.

“Maybe I would, if you morons will give me a real and plausible reason to kidnap me!” retorted the child.

Hatori would have cooperated with these people as long as it took to find a way to run away from the clutches of these crazy people. However, the talks of wars, prophecies, and mages, all angered him. It is just like those charlatans who promised to fix his eyesight but failed to do so.

Everyone takes a look at the child. Since his summoning, it is the first time they were paying him such clear attention. They were expecting a rather meek child, but this boy is nothing like that clearly, even though he answered his name calmly earlier.

He appears not to be any different from any other child. Looking at this round-faced boy, with rather short hair, and unassuming clothes, it is hard to believe for the people in the court that this child will change mage society as a whole.

True, his empty eye sockets are rather attention-grabbing. But that is hardly something worth considering, given how mages modify their bodies during their lives.

“You don’t believe us?” the powerful voice asked, quieting the murmuring in the court.

“No,” Hatori answers, while getting up from the floor. “Besides, you guys have a strange way of treating your savior. Letting me wake up on the floor like that tells me what kind of people I’m dealing with here.”

With that statement, Hatori offended many people in court. But the king silenced the growing clamor by just uncoiling a small percentage of his power.

“Could you give any elaborate reasons for your disbelief?” asked someone from the crowd.

“I don’t enjoy repeating myself. You should have threatened me to cooperate with you, instead of playing this strange game of magic and prophecy. I’m not an idiot!”

“Clearly.” Said general Sundar, remaining quiet up to this point. It appears that the court will be in session for a long time. The child appears to be nodding from sleep already; So the general whispered in the king’s ears that he should be sent to sleep.

“We will meet you tomorrow.” Porus said, “Take Hatori to a resting room.” Orders the king, since he also feels that the court is no place for a sleep-deprived child.

“We’ll take him.” A young voice said, which sounded much closer to Hatori’s age.

“Josh!” A male voice, filled with disapproval said, “I told you not to be here!”

“Come on uncle. I wanted to see the ritual!” the younger voice said while walking towards Hatori.

“Fine. Take him to his room, then.” A paper was handed to Josh where the room number was written.

Two kids grabbed Hatori’s hands and escorted the rather shocked boy out of the courtroom.

PART 2.

Hatori wakes up in the morning, breaking out in a sweat just at the possibility of last night’s events being true.

Unfortunately, every sense is telling him that those events were very much true.

Starting from the bed, which has a different type of sheets on it than his bed at home in his room. And this is before getting to the size of the bed, or even the bounciness.

He puts one foot on the floor, and immediately, realizes that the floor is different than his home. Another point that makes him realize that the events of the last night were not the product of a feverish dream.

Just as he was coming to grips with his reality, and missing tears, someone opened the door. “Hey there!”

Hatori remembered this voice. He seems to be one of two boys who brought him to his room last night. “I didn’t realize you were awake.” Said the boy, coming up close to him.

“Josh, introduce yourself.” Sighed another kid, from his tone, Hatori judged that this “Josh” forgets to do it all the time.

“Oops, I completely forgot. My name is Josh Fernandes. Nice to meet you.” Josh extended his hand. When Hatori failed to do likewise, he dropped his hand in disappointment.

“You should extend your hand, you know.” Pointed out the other kid.

“Sorry.” Hatori did that, and this time, they both shook their hands together. Josh realizes that the poor guy probably didn’t even realize that he offered his hand.

“I usually extend my hand, but…” Hatori trailed off.

“Wait, you do that automatically?” asked Josh.

“Yes.” Answered Hatori. “The things last night, I don’t think they have caught up to me yet. I haven’t started to cry for the home, after all.” Josh’s shoulders drooped after hearing that.

“My name is Hatori Eagle, thanks for bringing me here last night.”

“Don’t mention it.” Josh smiled. “Besides, if you want to thank me, you should help me in lecturing certain someone about manners.” He looked at the other boy, while Hatori failed to register the gesture.

The other boy flushed red, but Hatori didn’t have any way of knowing that. “I’m Raven Arora…” The only reason why he knew that for certain, is because his tone gave it away.

Someone else walked in from the open door. “Ah, it is good that you’re awake. Would you like me to bathe you?” Hatori’s face could be carved from stone as he replied to this woman’s question.

“I can bathe myself since I was six.” He said in a frosty tone.

“Very well then.” The woman doesn’t seem to mind his tone. “I will just tell you where things are. You need to be ready; the king is waiting for you in court.”

“We’ll wait for you.” Said Raven, while taking Josh outside.

“Did you see him?” Asked Josh, outside of Hatori’s room, while the woman takes him for a bath. “He doesn’t look like a person of prophecy to me.”

Compared to his rather large size for his age, as well as powerful-looking limbs, Hatori indeed does not look impressive at all.

“His hands were also very soft. I don’t think he is the person mentioned in the Elven Prophecy.”

“I won’t deny, he is not exactly someone impressive, and he appears to be rather sheltered. But you saw it last night, just like me. He appeared after the ritual was concluded.” Raven counters.

“So, what? They could have made a mistake.” Josh waved Raven’s points away.

“Yeah right. Those royal ritual mages have hundreds of years of experience among them. If they make a mistake, this entire subcontinent is more likely to turn into a smoking crater, rather than summoning the wrong kid.”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“You… have a good point there,” Josh said, not at all terrified of his home turning into a smoking crater. According to other kids at the castle, he is weird like that.

“Anyway, we can’t discuss this anymore. Hatori is returning, and prophecy or not, I think he could use our support at least.” Raven said, hearing noises from the room, and he was proved right, as a few seconds later, Hatori opened the door.

After observing Hatori’s new clothes, with a white shirt and pants, and a tie, Josh said the first thing on his mind. “Looks uncomfortable. Better you than me.”

“I swear, I’m gonna choke someone with this.” Muttered Hatori, while fumbling with the tie. The woman also came out of the room and batted his hands away from the tie.

“Enough of that, you don’t want to loosen that up, now, do you?” she asked in a stern tone.

Hatori wanted to reply but just decided that it wasn’t worth it. “I think he would be happy without it,” Josh spoke out, saying what was going on in Hatori’s mind.

“Do you read minds?” as all four of them walked to the court, Hatori asked.

“No. but I can tell it from your expression, you loathe that piece of clothing.” Josh whispered.

“Don’t worry.” Raven whispered to the other side of Hatori, “I’ll remove it once we’re seated in the court.”

By the time they arrived, the court was already in session. When those kids were seated, Josh and Raven made sure that they were seated on both sides of Hatori. Though his uncle didn’t mind Josh’s protectiveness, he only hoped that his nephew would grasp the political messages he was sending with his behavior.

He then started to lament about how kids shouldn’t be forced to consider all these things before the words of the king caused him to pay full attention.

Upon receiving the whispered message that the boy had arrived, Porus decided that it would do him good if he at least introduced himself to the child. It is not like he could see, and understand who is in charge around here. He wouldn’t put past these snakes to take advantage of that fact. (He will apologize to the real snakes, once the court ends for comparing them to humans like that.)

“Hatori Eagle, come forward.” He called.

Both Josh and Raven take him right in front of Porus, for which he gives an appreciative nod to the boys, making them blush in embarrassment.

Porus also noted the glares the maid is giving to the boys, for removing Hatori’s tie, most likely. He would have loved to laugh out loud after observing that; but alas, he must maintain his stoic bearing.

“Now, will you please introduce yourself before this court?”

“My name is Hatori Eagle.” The child said clearly, though everyone noted how he had to visibly gather himself before he could utter those words.

“Good then.” The king nodded. “I am Porus, the king of the subcontinent, located at the southern end of the continent Asia. People who are present within this court, are the representatives of my… influential subjects.” The general twitched at that declaration of Porus.

‘Sigh, at least he could have waited longer before he tweaked them like that…’ lamented the general.

“I do remember last night, you were most adamant about magic being not true, and how we should use a better excuse to kidnap you.” Everyone chuckled after hearing that. “To demonstrate to you that indeed, we’re not lying, I shall arrange an example. Amarnath, if you will?”

“Yes, your majesty.” Said a man with a baritone. He got up from his chair and got in front of the child. “Which object would you like me to use as an example?” he asked.

“Raven, you still have the tie, right?” asked Hatori.

“Yes, I do. Should I give it to him?” asked Raven.

“Yes.”

‘Ah, the child is just like me. Many ties I have ruined in my rage.’ The king smiled at the memories.

“Here, I would like it if you constantly touched it, and observed the changes.” Amarnath handed one end of the tie to Hatori.

Very quickly, the tie, from a constricting piece of clothing, which hides its constricting power in its softness, turned into a hardened piece of rock. All in his palms. He felt the changes as they all went through, slowly, turning the tie into a rock-shaped tie.

“Here, observe it all.” Amarnath handed the other end to Hatori. Everything appears to be genuine, (for the given value of genuine), it felt heavy as a rock; it felt hard as a rock; and when Hatori dropped it to the ground, it made the sound exactly like an object made of rock would make if dropped to the marbled floor of the courtroom.

“Can you turn it back?” asked Hatori.

“Yes, I can.” While Amarnath was busy doing that, some people opened their mouths to chide the boy, but a glare from the king silenced them all.

“Can you only turn it into a rock, without changing its shape?” was the next question. “Can you make it bigger?” Was the next question which followed. “What about some other material besides rock?” the tie was turned into a steel chain promptly.

“Here, this final example should convince you much more firmly.” The tie was promptly turned into a dog, which barked, licked, and growled just like a real dog would.

“Have your doubts been quenched?” asked the king.

Hatori was in still disbelief. He felt as if his senses had just betrayed him. How could a tie of all things, change like that? He suspected that Amarnath might be thrusting something under the tie, to deceive his hands. But when he dropped the tie to the ground, it made the same clattering sound as the real object made of rock would. The steel chain was even more unbelievable. How could an object made of cloth turn into a steel chain? A real clinking, and rattling steel chain. ‘What about the dog?’ he asked in his head.

Hatori has no other option aside from saying, “Yes, I believe you now.” Though he kept his doubts to himself.

“Very well. Is there anything you wish to know, or ask us? I promise you that we will answer you honestly.” The king looked at the court members.

“Indeed, we will.” They all answered, sweating under his gaze.

“When are you sending me home?” Hatori asked, finally building up enough courage to blurt out that question. On a former place, (About which he tries not to think actively), he received a lot of slaps for that question.

“We…” the king is trapped in a conundrum. He promised to answer him honestly, yet, he feels most unwilling to answer this question. “Can’t send you back.”

He knew it! No matter how they all try to act, adults are all the same. At least this king admitted honestly, rather than tell him a fairytale. “Why?”

“Because we can’t. There is a barrier that blocks us from sending you back. Portals won’t work either, according to my royal ritual mages. I apologize on behalf of the subcontinent.”

“Can I at least go to my room?” Hatori asked sadly.

“You may.” The king allowed.

PART 3.

“So, before we all leave for dinner, any other points to discuss? Maybe perhaps the newest child of our castle?” Prodded the king.

He most carefully called it ‘Our castle,’ which meant his, and his alone. None of them have any illusions of what exactly he means.

“Well, I did observe him during lunch. He was surrounded by Fernandes’s boy, along with that common child to accompany them.” Pointed out a heavily jeweled man.

“I did see him during the daytime when the two children were showing him various sights and areas of the castle. Though it was noticeable for me that the boy is in low spirits.” Said a middle-aged woman.

“My question is, doesn’t your majesty plan to… reprimand the boy for his disrespectful behavior in your majesty’s presence? The first instance could be excused, especially since such an abrupt summoning must be disorienting for him. But his behavior during the morning? All those questions he asked Amarnath? Making him a circus performer—” At this point, the old man who was going on and on about Hatori’s behavior, suddenly realizes that he has crossed a line. “I—apologize.” He sat back down, while Amarnath kept glaring at him.

“Your majesty, while the manner in my senior has raised the issue… could be questioned; it does not mean that he has not raised some good points.” Said another man.

“Indeed.” Said several people in agreement.

“I believe a strict instructor is in order, the one who would straighten out that boy?” said a harsh-looking man.

‘Finally.’ Porus breathed in relief. ‘I never thought that they would arrive at this point.’

“The matter of his training… is already taken care of. You need not concern yourselves with that.” The king said, with the smile of a hungry tiger. It is dinner time, and these people are delaying his dinner pointlessly.

“Also, he will be attending the local school with two boys he has befriended until it is time to send him to the academy. Now, the court is adjourned.” Declared Porus, while walking away humming a tune, ignoring the cries of protestations, and please for coming back.

‘Petty? Probably. But considering how much grief they gave me; I think I’m entitled to some payback.’ Thinks the king.

(End.)

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