To Veli Manor

”The family had served the Irista bloodline since before the dawn of Evanclad’s reign. And it will stay the same until the end of time.” ~Celosia Veli

“That could work.” Frein nodded a little too enthusiastically. He didn’t mind how childish he looked. The idea was simply that interesting.

At the moment, they followed Kristel as they officially alighted Atlas Sid. The C.A.R. provided for them was slowly descending towards their next destination, Veli Manor.

“Are you sure?” Katherine asked. She casually leaned on him with her arms crossed, acting as if she had forgotten about it. Again, this too, he didn’t mind.

This Close-Air Relocator model was different compared to the previous one they had ridden a few days ago. Instead of multiple rows of seats on an open vehicle, this was instead a closed cargo with seats all facing each other. This allowed Frein to be flanked by Katherine and Elizzel while he faced Kristel, who sat in the middle of Frill and Xiv on the opposite side.

Determination and confidence were present in the Princess’s face. She had presented quite the ridiculous notion. As soon as she had woken up from communing with Brymeia, it was as if she had known exactly what she needed to do. And of course, it wasn’t without logic either, which was the most interesting part of her plan.

“Zerax’thum was called the Nightmare Eater, or Consumer of the Void during his time. At least, that’s what Evanclad said before,” Frein said, rubbing his chin. “It would make sense that his presence could prevent a Nightmare Incursion. But he’s dead. How sure are we that it’ll work?”

“I didn’t get to ask much, because I needed to get out of my Dream Realm. But I can assure you, Brymeia was confident about it.”

Kristel was indeed exhausted. Despite the gift of never reaching Art fatigue anymore, her meiyal reserves were drastically and consistently emptied trying to maintain her Siffera and Samesia at the same time. She was constantly trying to remain awake. She needed rest, but she wasn’t allowed to sleep, lest she accidentally dive straight back into her dreams. What was more, it was too early in the morning.

Frein wanted to scold her for relying on Brymeia. He stopped himself. She did what she had to do for them in the first place. For all he knew, this was how it had been for her entire bloodline. That gave him a curious thought.

“Did Monarch Denis mention anything about speaking with Brymeia or even Evanclad?” he asked, more to the entire group rather than just the Princess. While he didn’t hope much regarding Evanclad—since the theory was it came from the Letterman who somehow knew about the First Monarch’s meiyal-charged material form—Frein still decided to include him in the question just to make sure.

They all shook their heads.

“How many meiyal marks does he have?”

Kristel and Frill made eye contact before the Princess gave her answer. “Last time I was there, it was sixty-six. His marks originate from his collarbone and wrap around him.”

“That wouldn’t be enough for Brymeia to communicate with him, then.” He saw Frill frown, and he knew right away what she was going to say.

“I only have sixty-seven marks, and I was able to speak with her.”

“That’s because you’re special,” he retorted almost instantly.

“Brymeia did say she’s waiting for you, Frill,” Kristel added. “Why is she waiting for you?”

The question brought an eerie silence inside the C.A.R. Frein dared not intervene or give any hints to anyone, despite the overwhelming pressure silently coming from Katherine’s stare. She knew that he knew about Frill’s purpose, but she had no idea that it was about becoming the world’s next vessel. He simply couldn’t say anything about someone else’s significant purpose without feeling guilty.

Instead, he urged Frill to try. “Sharing might cause a significant ripple on Destiny, but I think it’ll be worth it to share with everyone here, Frill.”

The Aria in Red squeezed her fists together. “I’ll try. It’s been pulling at me whenever I try to say something about it, like there’s a finality to it. I can’t even properly Draw my Arts since that day. It’s like sharing or using her power is acceptance, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for it.”

Kristel moved to say something, but Frein interrupted her.

“I think you should let her give it an honest try, at least.”

The Princess settled down and nodded. “Okay. Take your time, then, Frill.”

Frill looked at each of them. First to Kristel, then to Elizzel. Next were Katherine and Frein. She even turned to the yumas—Stiry, Fittey, and Enza all huddled up together. And finally, she turned towards Xiv. She lingered a moment longer with the Vyndivalian before returning to the Princess.

“Brymeia’s waiting for me because she wants me…” Frill shut her eyes as if she was in pain. It took her a moment, breathing deeply to calm herself before trying again. “She wants me to replace her as this world’s vessel.”

“What does that mean?” Kristel asked.

Frill started by shaking her head in combination with a shrug. “I didn’t get to ask. I assume I’m taking her role, whatever it is.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

Once more, silence filled the C.A.R. as everyone allowed for the fact to sink in.

Frein wondered how far they were from landing. He looked out the window and saw that they were still some ways away from touching ground. It felt like a long elevator ride. While there was a setting he could fiddle with to speed up their descent, he’d much rather stay put and wait for everyone’s reaction.

“Is this for real?” Katherine asked finally. Kristel and Xiv had the same expression plastered on their faces. Elizzel also knew about it beforehand, but she was just as worried.

“It was a request, not a command,” Frill added, trying to diffuse any potential panic. Not that it would help, but everyone was too stunned to cause any commotion. “But I feel extremely compelled to accept it.”

“Maybe it’s Monarch’s Law?” Kristel asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t think so.”

“Are you going to accept it?” Xiv asked this time.

The Aria in Red just shrugged. Frein noticed her turning his way before saying more.

“Brymeia said I have all the time until you’re done. I figured you’ll be staying for a while longer, right?”

“Well, if what Brymeia says is true, and Zerax’thum’s skull can really push away the Nightmare Incursion, I’m pretty sure I’ll be fine for a long while.” He crossed his arms and wondered. “Although, that begs the question, why didn’t the Letterman just tell me to go hide there in the first place, right? I’m also wondering about that second Entity you encountered, Kristel.”

“Whoever she was, she wasn’t a fan of Brymeia.” Kristel crossed her arms. “She’s powerful, Frein. She’s the one Brymeia warned us about.”

Just then, a notification from the C.A.R. alerted all of them. They were close to land.

“I guess we’ll talk about that later,” said the Princess. “What I want to know right now is that you’re in agreement, right Frein? You as well, Eli, Kat?”

Frein looked at his companions. Both of them gave a nod. It wasn’t much of an agreement, but more of placing their trust in him. He followed his instincts.

“Alright, we’ll go to the High Palace after this.”

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Veli Manor was just as large and imposing as Militia Manor, only that the gardens here were prosperous and well-maintained, given that it had more attendants to take care of them. Affixed conveniently on the regional threshold between Westleaf Region and Central, the manor served not only as home for the prestigious Veli name, but it also served as a landmark and a main tourist destination for many travelers.

And once again, Frein found himself in disbelief. Truly, oftentimes, descriptions of books and records paled in comparison to actually looking at the details with his own eyes.

The C.A.R. parked by the cul-de-sac that was surrounded by three grandiose buildings. Before he could even gaze and observe further details however, his attention was pulled by the centerpiece in the middle of the opening.

Protected by stone fortifications and knightly statues was a plant. It was not quite a tree, but it was as large as one. Two, towering stems—which confused Frein as to whether the organism was singular or not—curved in a rising spiral, forming a helix. Flowers of varying kinds, most of which were foreign to him, blossomed all around it.

But the oddest thing about it was the sinister meiyal suppressed within. Normal meiyal enveloped it, which was essentially what made him interested. He almost missed the small detail even with his Mesiffera now constantly active. If he didn’t know any better, he would’ve assumed this plant to be a Nightmare of some kind.

“Curious?” Katherine asked.

“This isn’t a Nightmare, is it?” he asked in return.

“It’s quite harmless, I assure you, Visitor,” said a voice too manly to have come from his girlfriend. Frein turned to find a half-orc half-elf bowing in front of the entire group. “Welcome to Veli Manor, esteemed guests. Lor Veli, at your service.”

He was mostly introducing himself to Xiv more than anything else, his keen elven eyes studying the distance between the Vyndivalian and his stepsister. But instead of pointing any of those observations out, Frein decided to ask more about the plant.

“Not even with the Nightmare meiyal inside it?”

“Nightmare meiyal?” Lor asked in return, blinking twice and distracting him from intimidating Xiv, not that it had made much of an effect. Lord Knights were well known for controlling their emotions. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

Frein was about to explain when another person caught his attention. He turned left to find an unfamiliar face so close to him. She had the fluffy ears of a canintine with the curious eyes that went along with them. Almost as tall as Frill, this stranger’s jet black, slender hair flowed down her entire back, almost reaching her ankles.

She smiled knowingly and expectantly before taking a step back, displaying confidence of the highest form, and carrying her velvet formal dress with a natural poise.

“Very perceptive, Visitor,” she said. “While the Blazing Fountain does contain a small amount of Nightmare meiyal, you can rest assured that it has complete control over it, only using it whenever it feels threatened. It is one of those rare organisms capable of living within the Nightmare Lands while utterly unaffected by their influence.”

Frein stood up straight and bowed. “You must be the owner of this establishment. I apologize for not knowing your name beforehand. This is a misstep of my own, please allow me to make up for it.”

Katherine immediately elbowed her. “You’re being stupid.”

Elizzel pulled from the Tether. “What’s wrong with you?” She had to return inside since they were out in public.

The canintine giggled. Frein took it as appreciation of his efforts. He waited expectantly to get some answers while maintaining his inclined posture.

“Please be at ease, Visitor,” she said, passing a glance at Katherine. “So what Frill said is true. I’m happy for you, Lady Katherine.”

“He’s a little weird sometimes,” the Lady of the void said. “Sorry about him.”

“It’s quite alright. You are correct in your assumption, Visitor Frein. My name is Celosia Veli, the current head of the Veli family and owner of Veli Manor. Mother to Frill, Lor, and of course, Liona.”

Frein bowed deeper. “I’m terribly sorry.”

“Thank you, Frein. And to you as well, Xiv. I will have a good look at you both later. Now please, raise your heads.”

It was only then that he noticed the Vyndivalian mimicking his posture. Both of them eased at the same time.

“Good. Now, take a rest inside. Lor will guide you to the lounge. Make sure you leave all this formal talk here. I’d rather all of you relax. Alright? Frill, come with me, dear.”

Just like that, the canintine pulled her daughter away. Immediately, she wrapped her arm around the Aria and the two walked and talked out of earshot.

Frein returned his attention to Lor who was still staring at Xiv. The Vyndivalian noticed the stare and met his gaze.

“You guys want a match or something?” the Visitor asked. “I’m betting on the big guy.”

“I wanted to ask if you do actually have Liona’s core,” said the big half-orc half-elf. He wasn’t overly muscular, or huge, but compared to the Vyndivalian, he was at least two weight-classes above.

“Yes,” Xiv said, taking a formal salute by pressing his fists together. “I’m here because your sisters decided to save me. I am in their debt, and I will continue to repay it for as long as I live.”

Lor smiled and nodded, content. “Come then.” He reached out towards Kristel, who also smiled and ran like a kid to hug her foster father. Frein had only heard about it, but to see this sort of relationship in front of him made him think of the half-orc as sort of family.

To Frein, Kristel was like his little sister. So maybe Lor—

“Nope. Big bro at best.” Frein smiled and walked. The rest of them followed.

The Visitor saw it, how Xiv took the first step and promptly fell like a sack of potatoes. He almost didn’t catch him.