The afterlife was very relaxed.

Flying through the air, Crest gazed down at the endless white sea.

It was also very empty.

Crest’s flight continued until he came up to a massive, familiar golden oak. It was the only thing that existed in the endless white sea. Landing on his favoured branch, he took a moment to fold his new wings.

When Crest awoke here on this very branch in the body of a monster, he honestly didn’t have any words. And, it wasn’t just because he physically couldn’t make them. This wasn’t the afterlife he expected. He had expected a lot more nothing. A lot more emptiness.

A soft squawking noise escaped his beak. A poor imitation of a sigh.

With how much living he was doing in the supposed afterlife, he might as well be alive. Turning his new massive body, Crest sought to pick one of the blood-red fruits hanging aimlessly on the tree.

‘Hmm… maybe this is a reward? Maybe that’s why it’s so empty?’

It was a theory Crest had been pondering, and the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. This had to be some higher form of the average afterlife. That would explain the lack of people, his new, better body, and the relaxing atmosphere. He was being rewarded for discovering the universal truths of living by being granted more time. A notion that made Crest pleased. This place was truly the best. It had the best food, the best views, and last but not least, the greatest sleep spots. It was a place that didn’t lack anything except…

‘Entertainment’

Taking a bite of the blood-red fruit, Crest relaxed his body.

Crest had been here for… for a while. It was hard to tell how much time passed due to the lack of a moving sun. When he first got here, he had been terribly confused. He found himself in what some might describe as a heavenly hell. He had fallen off this very branch and nearly drowned, trying to command his new body. He was quite lucky the roots of the tree did not extend far into the sea but merely floated. After he managed to get on the roots and recompose himself, He took a look at his reflection in the white waters.

The creature that glared back at him was something mighty fierce.

It was an owl beast.

A creature that could be considered a menacing four-legged barn owl. If Crest had to estimate his size, he would say he was about the size of a fully grown horse. A moderately sized creature.

Crest took another bite from the blood-red fruit.

The peculiar fruits didn’t possess a single one taste. Every fruit upon this tree contained within it a unique taste as well as a unique shape. It helped Crest stave off boredom. There was always something new to try.

Finally, growing tired of this particular red fruit, Crest threw its remains to the sea below. The fruit wasn’t bad, but its “S” shape made it tiresome to eat. Crest’s eyes followed the fruit as it fell, waiting. Slowly, his beak opened in preparation. Just as the fruit was about to hit the waters, his concentration focused.

A slight shift in space occurred.

Chaotic white lightning burst forth from Crest’s beak and struck the fruit.

The fruit was vaporised within a second.

Static charges danced around Crest as his mouth gradually closed. They tickled and played with his feathered body in a delightful manner.

‘What a horrid aftertaste’

Crest was never one to believe in the supernatural, but waking up in this too-lively afterlife might have him forming new opinions.

‘Doesn’t matter really, does it, though?’

If nothing changed, it was a standing possibility Crest might stay here forever. His hundredth flight earlier was a confirmation of what he already knew. He had no way of escaping this place. The whole place was a crooked loop. Trapping him here.

‘Well, I am a content person. I have already satisfied my desires. Staying here forever could be considered a… blessing.

Crest laid his body down. He should rest more.

With his eyes closed, Crest prepared to sleep once again.

Here, in this soundless, breezeless, desolate place.

He would sleep.

He would rest.

He would relax.

He was a content person, after all.

A moment passed, then two.

The emptiness pressed down on Crest, an invisible weight that grew heavier with each passing second. His frustration simmered beneath the surface, a persistent itch he couldn't scratch. The silence was deafening, the stillness suffocating.

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Then, a deafening shriek erupted from his beak, echoing through the void. Rage coursed through him, wild and untamed, as he stormed upon the great golden oak, tearing at the young branches with a savage fury. Splinters flew, and the once tranquil sea below rippled with the violence of his outburst.

How could Crest ever be content?! How could he ever just relax!! Such a notion was laughably absurd! This desolate, empty place wasn’t suitable for the likes of him! So what if this is some reward? A true reward would’ve allowed choice!!

His movements became more frantic, more desperate, until his massive wings beat against the air in a wild, uncontrolled frenzy. The exhaustion began to creep in, his muscles burning, his breath ragged. Slowly, reluctantly, his rage started to ebb, leaving behind a hollow emptiness.

Crest’s raging movements around the tree slowly came to a halt.

This was no way to live.

…

…

Suddenly, a soft, apathetic voice boomed in his mind.

It whispered sweet words—words of promise.

Crest froze.

A liberation of self and a life filled with great feats. The high, indifferent voice was asking for an aid and a partner. Something it didn’t sound keen on getting.

Crest didn’t care.

The words were a lifeline, a spark of hope in the endless void. He ran towards the voice. Despite it sounding in his head, Crest knew exactly where it was coming from. Jumping from branch to branch, Crest moved at a speed many would envy… but, it was still not enough. Without so much as a thought, Crest jumped down directly to the roots of the oak.

A passage seemed to form as Crest fell. The roots of the tree parting to reveal an opening. Crest spread his wings at the last possible moment, slowing his momentum.

He entered the passage still carrying some of his former energy. He tucked in his body as it glided through the passage. Crest travelled through the passage until he felt it make an abrupt change. He untucked his body and felt his talons dig into the ground.

Into the marble ground.

Crest continued to dig his talons into the ground until he came to a complete stop. After coming to a stop, Crest quickly studied his new location. Lightning flashed streaming light through stained glass windows, casting a brief kaleidoscope of colours onto the cold marble floor. It didn’t take long for Crest to make the obvious deduction.

He was in a church.

And it had to be a major one currently in service due to the sheer number of people gawking at him. Thunder rumbled in the background, but Crest paid it no mind. Something interesting was in front of him. Something that shined in his eyes.

It was a little girl.

A blindfolded little girl.

----------------------------------------

The ride to the ceremony was rather smooth.

‘The perks of being high royalty, huh?’

The idea of being royalty still felt odd to Zuian, despite technically being so his entire life. The trial he underwent showed him things. Things he desired to forget. Things that questioned his royalty status.

‘Hopefully this ceremony goes well. It would be nice to have a little cute pet for company.

Zuian swiftly switched his train of thought; thinking like that always left him feeling terrible.

The ceremony Zuian was heading to would be held at the church headquarters. It was a ceremony that occurred every four months in order to celebrate the new “Arose” a term used for those who had successfully passed the trial. The celebrations would last the entire day, with various performances done live in the massive church square. Zuian had very fond memories of those performances. All the times he went to celebrate his older siblings were precious memories.

‘Unfortunately, I don't have time today’

If Zuian hadn’t wasted time trying to master an instrument on the first try, he might have stayed to check out some performances. He pitied anyone who heard his first attempts.

‘Ah, who am I kidding?’

Zuian was wearing three folds of cloth. He wouldn’t have been able to enjoy himself. At most, he’d listen to the singing. The, in his opinion, worst part. It was a good thing he came late. Now that the majority of the celebrations had concluded, it was time for the final main event.

The summoning.

Every person who passed their trial was gifted a companion. One that would serve with them for life. The Church was an entity that held sole monopoly on the mass summoning ritual used to call forth a beast. A closely guarded secret. It was responsible, by way of law, to uphold the ritual summoning. An act to protect national security.

“Princess, we have almost arrived.” (R)

Even without Rose’s announcement, Zuian would have been able to guess just by the pick-up in noise. The road they had been travelling on until now was private. It served as a bridge, both literary and metaphorically, to the church. The direct bridge from the Church to the Royal family showcased the kingdom’s unique history. The Royal family and Church had established this kingdom through their joint rebellion against foreign rule. At the time, the Royal family had been an average noble family, while the Church a lesser faith. This road demonstrated the bond forged between the Church and Royal family through difficult times.

Despite the road having direct access to the Church, the carriage took one of its exits. While not an official rule, direct access to the Church was mainly used for argent affairs or the king’s comings and goings. Hence, they took the longer route, passing through town. It should’ve taken them much longer, but it really didn’t. With the carriage spotting the Royal family’s emblem, it felt like they took the direct route.

The carriage stopped.

“We have arrived, Princess.” (R)

The noise being produced outside was almost deafening. Excited murmurs and cheers filled the air.

‘Was it always this loud?! The Arose and their family have too much zeal this year!’

Zuian was half tempted to plug his ears, but such an action wouldn’t look good as a Princess. The presence in front of Zuian shifted. It moved to the door exit and settled itself there.

“May we leave, Princess?” (R)

Zuian knew this action well. Rose had settled herself slightly to the left of the door. She wanted Zuian to take her for support.

Zuian got off his seat.

He couldn’t do that. At least, not in front of the people. It would just look plain bad. Zuian moved towards the door and stood still in front of it. He might take advantage of Rose in the castle, but doing it out here was a little too much. He couldn’t let his laziness extend to such a reach. He wouldn’t be able to reel it back.

Rose seemed to understand his intentions and made way behind him, but not before giving the door three light taps. After a few moments of suspension, the door opened.

Zuian stepped out.

‘Where… where did all that noise vanish to?’

Zuian was not blind. He could still see… or more accurately, sense, the people around him. His ability to know what was around felt like trying to forcefully see with your eyes closed. It was complicated, strenuous, and unreliable, but it did the trick. There was always some vague feeling of something around, if he searched enough.

‘I-I should just move along’

The immediate path in front of Zuian was clear. He should move and get this whole hustle finished with. He didn’t come here to police the people on what they should do.

Zuian proceeded down the clear path. It appeared guards were clearing the way as they moved. A convenient bonus. He wouldn’t have to try and stretch himself far or rely on his previous knowledge of the grounds.

‘Right, just this and go home’

This will not take long.