My prayers fell on deaf ears.
Out of all 9 gods this world has, no god could help me now. My mother's god machines I trusted with my whole heart failed in front of me. I was scared, in shock, and didn't know what to do besides crying on the floor.
I wonder if there is a God who will listen to my cries.
I can't curse anyone but myself. No god or demon is responsible for this tragedy that befell on little old me. I myself did this. Curiosity kills, and I learned that lesson the hard way.
"They just keep coming, don't they? Everyone is ready to die for you today," the entity notes. The devil which killed my mother and my best friend, along with the mentors which served like a family to me. That same devil was still here. Someone new was entering the treasury.
It looks like another poor soul is going to get killed. All because of me... I don't think anyone in this world could defeat this wretched being. If my mother died, there was no one in this kingdom who could survive. I just hope that this grotesque demon doesn't spread over the whole kingdom, sacrificing everyone for his goal.
A calm voice that carried intellect and apathy rang out softly.
"Adam, is it?" the voice asked, expecting a response.
"Please, run..." I whimpered.
My words didn't reach this figure obviously, as the sound of footsteps approached closer, rather than running away.
I had to look for the source of this overwhelming confidence, at least paying my respects to the next victim by seeing them with my eyes.
When I set my eyes on the figure, I saw light. For the first time, light outshined the darkness of my faithful demise. The darkness which even my mother couldn't shine through.
"Adam... is it?" the figure asked again, repeating itself one more time with a tougher tone. It was still a very calm and smart tone, but with the slightest hint of annoyance.
"Yes! Yes I am!" I answered, looking at the shining figure while being on one knee.
The figure's luminosity died down a bit, allowing me to get a better look at it.
A winged angel, hosting 3 pairs of wings and an unreadable aura. The intensity of just seeing such a grandiose being demolished any previous pictures of gods and supreme beings. If someone told me this was an almighty God which controls the entire universe, I would trust those words with my very being.
"My name is Gabriel. I see that you're struggling here, need assistance?"
He asked if I needed assistance, seeing my mother's dress still tightly clutched in my hands, drenched in fresh tears. Yes, I need assistance. I need any assistance I can get, be it physical or psychological.
In front of this menacing light, I could only muster a single "Yes..." between the whimpers.
I knew Gabriel couldn't defeat this demon, but a glimmer of hope ate me from inside, setting me up for another heart-shattering trauma.
"I see, another victim?" the devil smiles.
Chains erupt from the ground, glowing brighter than the sun itself. The chains circle around the demon, holding it tightly in place as it lets out a terrifying cry. The demon expressed misery for the first time, being burnt by Gabriel's chains. I couldn't believe it, there might be a chance!
"Expel"
The darkness disappeared as light flooded the demon and its territory, killing it in a quick and violent way. It was so fast, my eyes could barely adjust. The demon was killed with a simple spell from Gabriel, after all that misery!
In the blink of an eye, the treasury returned to its original way. Everything was gone, like a sweaty nightmare that you woke up from. I had no time to react, as Gabriel took three decisive steps towards me.
"Adam, remove your shirt," he orders.
I did as told, slowly removing my shirt to reveal my unbruised upper body. There was a blue mark on my chest, glowing ever-so-slightly.
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"You've been marked. I don't know why or what it does, but just know that the mark is the last remnant of your previous life. This mark was forged after the decease of your mother, so hold it dearly, I guess," he notes placidly.
I was destroyed. Those words made me fall to the ground and cry my eyes out. My only figure in life was taken away, and I now have a constant reminder of what happened, right on my chest.
-
Gabriel took me out of the royal palace, explaining that I can't remain here, since I'm not ready to lead this kingdom. If only I knew where my life would be headed...
He was the one my mother had the meeting with. If he wasn't here, the demon would still be alive. The lucky coincidence and strength of the angel made me dazzle in awe.
He would be taking me to Eviansis, the largest kingdom in the world, where 7 Hands lead, each having their own region.
Gabriel was one of these hands, the strongest one at that.
I would continue my schooling there, while having a mansion for myself. The endless riches from my mother would ensure that there are no financial problems.
I would have a butler that would continue raising me into a fine royal as I should be.
"And one day you can come back and take ownership of Eclipsia," Gabriel comments, sitting comfortably in a spaceship we are using to get to the center of Eviansis.
The size of the kingdom couldn't be put into words. The endless cities just pile up one after another. You can get lost in the landmarks, as there seem to be countless mountains and lakes spread across the kingdom, most being inhabited, at least around them. How many millions live here?
"Billions live here," Gabriel notes, like he read my mind.
"That's insane..." I whisper.
I would be living in the center of a region called Holdanis. The name was taken from a kingdom that was absorbed into Eviansis, becoming a region in the vast expanse.
-
After the mostly quiet ride, I arrived at my destination, a mansion in the middle of Holdanis, right near the giant center. On a small hill that has a look at the center, I have my own mansion.
"Greetings Adam, my name is Rache, and I will be your personal caretaker as well as servant. I offer my deepest condolences for what happened to your family, and I hope we can have a warm relationship. I will do my best at trying to aid you without invading your personal space."
Rache had a pointy mustache and sharp eyes, but filled with warmth and good intent.
I extended my hand, offering my greetings.
Entering the mansion, I fell onto the giant sofa which was in the living room downstairs. The giant living room was so empty and vacant, I was filled with dread and trauma.
"I'm sorry for taking so long," Rache says after 5 minutes of him being gone.
In his right hand he holds a metal plate, on which warm eggs and bacon are steaming.
The fragrance makes me drool, so we sit down and have a meal.
Rache didn't eat anything, just sitting across from me with his gloved hands intertwined, not saying a single word throughout the meal. After I ate and put down my fork and knife, he asked me how my meal was.
"It was tasty," I answered honestly.
"I'm glad. It might not be as good as what your chefs could do, but my meal is made with love, so I hope it suits your taste."
I just sat in silence as Rache stood up. He pulled up a blackboard from nowhere. This man is quick and efficient. My plate was nowhere to be seen, and my table clean.
"I will now explain some things which you might need to know while living here. No excruciating details, don't worry. I just have to get you familiar with the new environment."
Rache started explaining the regions, while drawing on the blackboard. His map was extremely detailed, and very accurate. So many talents...
Holdanis was on the border with the Star city, the "center" of Eviansis. Mostly no one lived in the Star city, as it was for festivals and important speeches. The biggest Royal palace, formerly belonging to the king of Eviansis was there, a place where the hands would gather up and have meetings. There was also a special unit of highly trained mercenaries, the strongest soldiers in Eviansis. That unit was trained in Star city, with a giant building which held them.
I had a lot to catch up, since in my kingdom only the knowledge of the past of Eviansis and the other kingdoms was taught. Now, I had to learn how Eviansis functions and get familiar with my city.
-
Rache would teach me many things, and slowly heal my wounds.
I quickly grew fond of my eccentric butler, since he had so many interesting things about him.
He had a board game called Evil Antagonist, a strategy game with many pieces and infinite options to play. He would play with me every day, while teaching me about many things. It was his favorite past time activity, and he would often play in our yard, facing the beautiful cherry blossom.
His face carried a heavy countenance, his wrinkles carving deep into his flesh as he thought intensely. He wiggled his mustache as he pondered heavily.
-
A year passed, and quickly, two of them did. I was now 10 years old, living with Rache and having a good childhood.
I went to a school downtown, along with 2 thousand others. Most were rich kids, as the center of Holdanis was a wealthy place to live in.
I made some friends, but mostly kept to myself since Rache was all I needed. In school, I had one of the highest, if not the highest grade. Straight A's, and an unrivaled strength, both physical and magical.
No kid had my manapool, and not even close to my magic potential. Everyone envied my strength, but no one dared to try anything since their fear and respect for me outgrew their jealousy. I was popular with the girls, to which I paid no particular mind to. When looking for someone to hang out with, I looked at what I gain from it. There was a nerd that everyone poked fun at for having basically no magic, but he had a strategist's mind. I would invite him over to my mansion to play Evil Antagonist, in which he would beat me every time.
Rache respected our friendship, and smiled softly every time we would play. He was proud that my social life was blossoming, along with my mind.