As the group of travelers approached the towering gates of the Illuminus Empire, Rai felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Though he had been here before, it’s been some time since. For the others in his group, Lily, Eiji, Aegis, and little Yuta; this was their first glimpse of the sight that awaited within. As they neared the gates—each a whopping 100 feet high—Rai's attention was drawn to the familiar figure, Tux, he seemed to be waiting for them.
“Welcome back,” Tux said, greeting everyone with a respectful nod. “It’s been too long. I trust you haven't gotten yourself into too much trouble this time?”
Rai shrugged, knowing all too well Tux’s bias for lecturing him on his misadventures. “No more trouble than usual, Chief,” he replied.
“Let’s hope it stays that way. Who are your friends?”
“Guys, meet Tux. He’s head of the police throughout the five kingdoms.”
“Please to meet you,” Rai’s friends said.
“All five? How do you get around?” Eiji asked.
“Ports make for easy transport, but normally I’m stationed in the Kingdom of Excalibur.”
“Aegis,” reaching out his hand, shook Tux’s.
Tux was puzzled by the blindfold across his face. “Quite the interesting crew you’ve garnered. Aegis, you seem familiar, have we met before?”
“Unlikely. I’ve spent most my time in captivity of the Underrena, since then, with Rai here.”
“Speaking of Underrena; I got word of your little fiasco.”
“Did I do something wrong?” Rai questioned.
“No, quite the opposite,” he said, placing his hand on his shoulder. “We’ve been trying to catch Renna for many years now, you’ve done many people a great deal of service. Well done.” Rai was surprised, this was the first Tux had ever given him praise. “Come, we’ve got a way to go before we make it to Justice Plaza.” With a wave of his hand, Tux signaled for the gates to be opened, revealing the bustling streets of the Illuminus Empire beyond.
“He prefers watermelons if you've got them,” Eiji said, patting his Manty on the head while handing him over to an animal caretaker. The guy didn't know what to do with the large animal...
The group followed Tux through the inner gates, surprised by the music and chatter throughout the magnificent empire’s inner walls.
The roads were perfectly paved and the floor sparkled as if it was just shinned seconds ago.
Small animals and children ran around without worry.
“So cool,” Lily said, twirling in a circle. She had wandered off a little, drawn to the colorful display of trinkets and jewelry—and look! Nefarians and humans alike, everywhere.
“Try not to wander too far,” Rai shouted.
Eiji couldn't help but smile at Lily's enthusiasm, though he too was tempted by the sights and sounds of the bustling city.
“So, Aegis, what brings you and your brother to the Illuminus Empire? A long way from home, no?” Tux asked.
“I wish to join the ranks of the Illuminus Elite, like Rai. I’m aware there would be compensation for my services, so long as it helps supply for my little brother, that’s all that matters to me.”
“I see, well I recommend you try out for the exam coming up soon.”
“Exam?” Aegis questioned.
“It’s a small little tournament, nothing much to it. Win and you get the chance to be selected for the apprenticeship – the first step to becoming an Elite,” Rai interrupted.
“Nothing much to it? Need we remind them of the final round of the last exam?” Tux said.
Recalling the moment, Rai slouched, the energy immediately sapped, “On second thoughts, maybe best you don’t go through with it,” a nervousness chuckle escaping him.
As they made their way through the winding streets, Rai couldn't help but notice the curious glances and whispers that followed them. It seemed that Rai's reputation preceded him, though he couldn't quite recall the reason for it. Rai exchanged a glance with Lily, who tilted her head in confusion.
None of them could fathom why Rai was receiving such attention.
“What’s with all the commotion?” Rai blurted.
Crowds started to gather, some shouting, “He’s back!”
“Rai!” a couple of women shouted, pulling their tops up.
Both Eiji and Rai’s faces lit up, but Lily brought them down a notch with a quick smack across their head—frustration clearly showing.
“You have your friend Hanabi to thank for this,” Tux said. “Once she found out you were under Furie's captivity, she spent almost every day passing out flyers and rallying support to bring about your return. She seriously expedited the entire process, and all while attending to Tanabe and her lessons under Lady Yui.”
“Hanabi did that for me?”
Before long, they arrived. A grand pillar decorated with elaborate holograms of criminals—the Justice Plaza.
Many people were being held back as they walked through the plaza. Although most cheered happily for Rai, not everyone felt the same of his return.
“Go to hell!”
“Turn around, nobody wants you here!”
A small group of rowdy protestors shouted and spat at Rai, holding many harsh signs, some of which read, ‘AB-OMINATION!’ and ‘US – YOU = PEACE’
“I thought Nefarian’s were the only ones who dealt with that type of heat,” Eiji said.
“No kidding,” Lily uttered.
Aegis fixed his gaze on the pillar stationed at the center of the plaza. As a holographic screen materialized, he narrowed his eyes at the image it displayed—a menacing figure with ruffled black hair.
Entering through the grand doors of the emperor’s palace, they were now in the front lobby area. On any other day, it would be buzzing with all sorts of activities.
“The emperor’s waiting for you, I’ll wait here with the rest until you get back,” Tux stated.
“Okay,” Rai nodded, heading towards a couple of guards standing by the only entrance to the rest of the palace - a large wall separated nearly seventy percent of the palace.
Even so, the area they occupied was still large enough to easily house thousands more – a testament to the sheer sizing of the palace.
“Street rat,” Tux said, tossing an item Rai’s way.
“My porting badge,” Rai stated, staring at a badge embroidered with the emblem of the Illuminus Empire. These were given to apprentices and elites, allowing them access to and from the kingdoms. It was especially important for the classes he had to attend, though even before, he didn’t get the chance to attend much...
Showing his badge, he made his way past the guards.
“Is that, no way it is!”
“Alan,” Rai said, glaring at another apprentice; he was holding a book in his hands. He carried a new one with him every day, reading was his hobby after all.
“Does this mean your memories are back?!” Alan said. Rai nodded. “Alright, Marco’s going to be thrilled once he hears you’re back!”
“Whoop-dee-doo,” a voice resonated down the massive hallway. Behind a pillar, another apprentice with short silver hair approached. “What’s the point of returning when you weren’t any help in the first place,” Kenji said.
“Gee, didn’t know I’d be getting the full welcome,” Rai said.
“I’m glad you made it back, I was hoping for another chance to embarrass you in this year’s examination, it's too bad your sister will have to miss it again-”
Gripping Kenji’s outfit, Rai’s fist shook violently ready to strike.
Behind Kenji, his white and silver cloak was shaped into the tail of a scorpion – its tip dripping a glowing blue.
“Everything okay?” Tanabe spoke, walking into the scene.
Alan sighed a breath of relief. Thankfully one of the Elites showed up.
“Everything’s fine,” Kenji said, his cloak still poised to strike.
“Tanabe?!” Rai was shocked, Tanabe had grown nearly a foot taller than him since the last they met.
“Don’t you think you’re taking it a little far,” Tanabe said, placing his hand on Kenji’s shoulder.
“Come now, let the boys have their fun Tanabe.” Behind Rai, he felt a cold chilly feeling. “Can’t you see they’re just dying to have at one another,” Temin said, tongue slithering.
“You know as well as I do unless the requirements have been met, apprentices and elites are not to fight amongst one another.”
Temin, lengthy as he was, swiveled behind Tanabe saying, “Tanabe, Tanabe, always with the rules.” He made his way behind Rai, his long black cloak dragged behind him. “Remind me again, Alan, what rank is Tanabe?”
“10th,” Alan replied, unsure of where this was going.
“Kenji, what rank would I happen to be?” Temin said.
Kenji smirked, shrugging off Tanabe’s hand, “Ninth.”
“Then I wonder, who are you, that is weaker than I, to lecture me about rules!”
“That’s enough,” Han said, stopping both fighters in their place.
“Han,” Rai said.
Alan was nervously sweating in the corner. I can’t believe there are so many Elites present!
“Rai, do not keep the emperor waiting any longer,” Han scolded.
“Hm,” Temin, straightening up, turned to leave.
“You won’t be so lucky next time,” Kenji said to Rai, leaving as well.
“I can’t believe he’s Hanabi’s cousin,” Alan said of Kenji.
“Seriously,” Rai said. “It just goes to show that even the most upright families can have a bad apple falling from the tree.”
“You better hurry on,” Tanabe said.
“See you later,” Alan said.
In the distance, through the entrance, the guards stood by, Aegis watched intently as the scuffle came to an end.
Rai left with Han, making their way to the throne room.
After a few minutes of silence, memories of Milu urged the guilty conscious within Rai. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Han replied.
“Milu, if I was stronger, maybe…”
Stopping at two large golden doors – the entrance to the throne room – Han said, “He died a soldier’s death. As will my eldest, should he continue on this path? You and I are no exception. Abminus, especially those of the Elites, walk a dangerous path. There is no room for weakness. Keep that in mind and you might live a halfway decent life,” Han said nodding at two individuals, who in turn pushed a flow of flux into key holes, causing a giant clicking mechanism to unlock – opening the doors. Han gestured with his head for Rai to go in.
The throne room seemed to stretch a mile, enormous pillars lined each side of the marbled flooring.
A bit much for Rai’s taste.
“You stand before Emperor Adonis, 75th ruler of the Illuminus Empire,” General Kur said as Rai approached.
Standing a few feet away from Rai was his Hall Master, Marco.
“Glad you could make it,” Marco said.
“Rai, I’m glad you’re doing better, how was your journey back?” Emperor Adonis said.
“Meh, it had its bumps, but we managed.”
“I heard. You did well to rid us of Renna. Your points have already been allocated,” Emperor Adonis said.
“Really, wow, thanks. I didn’t think I’d be able to contribute at all while away.”
“Did Officer Tux pass the badge back to you on your way here?” Emperor Adonis said.
“Yeah,” Rai said.
“Go ahead and check your hall points,” the emperor urged.
Rai took out his badge. Pressing the emblem with the flower design on it, a hologram shot out.
Using his thumb, he shuffled through a few features before arriving at one that read hall points. Generating them, five holograms steadily rose, each bar stopping right after the next.
“Whoa! Second place,” Rai said, staring at the red one. He swore they’d be in last.
“Good deeds don’t go unpunished,” Emperor Adonis said. “I’ve also made for a little extra for your efforts years ago in the capturing of the criminals, Banu and Lucille. Lastly, you’ve received another surge of points for your efforts, and time in the Furies incident. You did great.”
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“…Did great?”
“Is something the matter? I thought you’d be pleased with the outcome?” Emperor Adonis said.
“You think... I did great... I lost my best friend in there,” Rai’s voice slightly shook.
Outside the doors, Han overheard the conversation, though he remained seemingly uninterested.
“Rai,” Marco urged him not to continue.
“I don’t want them!” Rai said.
“Careful,” General Kur warned.
“You wish to forfeit the points?” Emperor Adonis said.
“That’s right. If the life of a friend is worth some stupid point system, then I don’t want any part of it,” Rai said, turning to leave.
Guards stepped forth, but Emperor Adonis raised his hands, stopping them. “Leave him, he’s been through a lot,” the emperor said.
“I still don’t like the idea of having him looming around the empire,” a voice from behind the curtains draped behind the emperor’s chair uttered.
“Yes, it is better if we removed him from the program entirely,” another spoke.
“My trusted advisors, do you think me a cruel emperor? How could I do such a thing to such a hard-working young man like him.”
“But, as your trusted advisors, we must interject.”
“Yes, it’s simply-”
“That will be enough of that matter,” Emperor Adonis spoke firmly, and the two behind the curtains hushed.
Outside, Rai once again met up with the others.
“Hey, how’d it go?” Lily asked.
“Whatever I guess,” Rai said. “Where’s Tux?”
“He had some important matters to attend to,” Lily responded.
“Okay,” addressing Aegis, Rai said, “were you able to enter the exam?”
“About that,” Lily chimed in, once again.
Eiji, squirming slapped some papers into Rai’s face, saying, “We're going to try and join the apprenticeship alongside you! Wahoo!” Eiji threw the papers into the sky, but upon seeing them float around in many different directions he ran around and attempted to collect them all – a sudden steady breeze didn’t help at all.
“Turns out Aegis would only be able to enter the competition if he had a team of three. After confirming with Tux about the rules for Nefarian from Kalumi participating and he said, ‘Not only is it allowed, it's welcome.’”
“Yeah, I guess as long as you have you’ve passed both trials, you get to do what you want,” Eiji said, returning to the group.
“But Eiji, I thought you never did the ritual, or trial, whatever it is,” Rai said.
“That’s the other thing,” Lily said, recalling earlier.
Aegis, standing before the sign-up for the exam, said, “What do you mean I can’t try out?”
“I’m sorry sir, your flux rating meets the requirements to enter the competition, however, you don’t have any other members of your team.”
“How many people do we need?” Lily asked the woman behind the desk.
“At least two others.”
Aegis, turning to Yuta, said, “I’m sorry Yuta, it looks like we’ll have to try elsewhere.”
“Flux rating, over 9000,” a robotic voice spoke.
“A-amazing,” the lady said.
Turning, Aegis saw Lily’s hand gripping the hand-held machine that measured one’s flux – to a certain extent.
“That makes two,” she stated, confidently, setting the small machine down.
“And this,” Eiji said, gripping the machine next, “makes three.”
“Zero flux readings,” the speaker rang, causing a few nearby to chuckle.
“Zero!? This thing must be broken,” Eiji said tossing it aside.
On the floor, Plu, who had just so happened to exit Rai’s coat before he left to see the emperor, walked up to the ball, tapping it with its arm.
“Flux rating, 450.”
“What?!” Eiji collapsed to the floor, completely defeated.
“Oh, a rating of 450 qualifies,” the woman said, not knowing it was Plu who tapped the device.
“Now that you’re all registered, please prepare appropriately, the exam will be taking place in one week from now.”
“Eiji, can you even become an apprentice, being locked into Kalumi once the mission is fulfilled that is?”
Propping up, Eiji said, “That’s a good point.”
Having heard Lily's side of the story, Eiji knelt beside Rai, gripping his coat dramatically. “They tricked me, you gotta believe me, don’t let them take me back there.”
Plu, hobbling over to Eiji, kicked him, before using him as a latter to reach Rai’s coat where it would snuggle away, out of sight, out of mind.
“What’s up with Plu?” Rai asked.
“It’s mad at Eiji for taking its spot in the tournament,” Lily said.
While everyone conversed, Yuta’s eyes widened, catching the glimpse of a huge sign with the words ‘Rooty Roots’ on it. It was covered in all sorts of colorful roots, most of which were fake.
“Did you want to check it out?” Aegis asked Yuta.
“Mhm,” Yuta replied, eager to go.
“Alright, let's check it out,” Lily said, lifting Yuta.
“Yay!” Yuta said, happily.
“If it’s okay with you guys, I was hoping to see my sister.”
“How inconsiderate, I forgot. I’m sorry Yuta, maybe next time,” Lily said to him, causing his expression to be saddened.
“I was hoping to go alone,” Rai said.
“Oh, okay,” Lily said.
“Where will we find you?” Aegis asked.
“I’ll come back, as soon as I’m done, won’t be long,” Rai responded, before leaving.
Shifting her head back to Yuta, “Ready?”
Yuta nodded and they ran inside.
“Wait for me!” Eiji shouted, stumbling after them.
Inside, an animated individual, slid down a slide made of a root, plopping on a tree trunk before them.
“Welcome to Rooty Roots! I’m Rooty. We’ve got all the roots you could ask for. Flame roots, earth roots, stink roots,” he yanked a root, causing a fart to squeeze out, instantly knocking Eiji out, “though not recommended, I mean hell, we even got revival roots,” he said, yanking a root from within his trousers.
“What powers does that root have?” Lily asked.
“This, oh this is just a regular ol' root,” he winked at the others, “been saving it there for quite some time.”
Hearing this, Eiji’s eyes shot open, immediately standing, saying, “I’m awake.”
“It worked!” Yuta shouted.
“What is this place?” Aegis asked, examining a small root that sucked up a June Beetle crawling at its base.
Rooty, with a charismatic smile on his face, spread his arms wide in a grand gesture. “My dear travelers, you have stumbled upon the wondrous realm of Roots, where the magic of nature intertwines with the whimsy of the unknown!” he said, his voice echoing across the expansive museum of roots behind him.
“Is he about to start singing?” Eiji said.
“Ah, my dear friend, the secrets of Roots are as vast,” Rooty’s melodious voice began, trotting across the many roots on display.
“I’m here for it!” Eiji shouted, chasing the voluptuous man.
“As the roots that stretch beneath the earth's surface, fear not, for I am here to guide you on your journey through this enchanted land.” Flicking his wrist, Rooty beckoned the travelers to follow him deeper into the heart of Rooty Roots.
“Whoo!” Yuta and Eiji raced after Rooty.
While Eiji and Yuta paraded around the museum with Rooty, Lily observed a large crystal. “Could this be a root as well?”
“Everything in here’s a root,” Rooty said, popping up beside her.
“He’s, unexpectedly, fast…” Eiji said, huffing.
“Brother, check this out!”
Yuta was standing in front of a chocolate waterfall.
“Ah, cacao tree. Its bark is indeed made of chocolate, but when it comes in contact with sweet-bee nectar root, a liquid like such is made.” Pulling a sample of the chocolate, Rooty gave it to Lily.
“Wow! It’s amazing,” Lily said.
“So sweet,” Yuta replied, drool falling down his mouth.
“Jeronimo!” Eiji said, jumping from atop the waterfall, head first into the pool of chocolate.
A wave of chocolate came crashing down, but Aegis pulled Yuta out of the way, allowing it to hit everyone else.
“Eiji!” Lily screamed.
Sporting a new bump on his head, Eiji and everyone continued across the many unique and wonderful roots lying around.
“Throughout the years, utilizing Lulu Tech, scientists have learned how to remove the roots while still retaining their power, allowing us to process roots more effectively to new Abminus,” Rooty informed.
They turned into a dark room, one they couldn’t see in, but soon, all around them, mushrooms the size of trees lit the space, sparkling in a luminescent green, while the spots stayed a dark blue.
“Whoa,” Yuta said, looking at the glowing scenery.
“It kind of reminds me of the way to Kalumi,” Eiji said, “whoops.” He swiftly covered his mouth.
“You know they might just let you leave after all,” Lily said, shaking her head after Eiji’s accidental slip. “All these roots, it sorta reminds me of the blocks under the arena of underrena.”
“Those weren’t true roots born of nature, merely ones of pure science,” Aegis intervened. “I can tell the roots here have been preserved well – they’re the real deal.”
“The truth is, Rooty Roots true purpose is much more than a fun museum for the tourist stopping by. It is in fact the safe hold to all special roots we’ve collected over the years.” Taking them into another room lined with plants and leaves, they observed scientists behind glass walls utilizing a laser—produced by concentrated luminites— they slowly carved away at a steel root encased in an even larger slab of steel. In another room, a flame root, scientists wore flame-resistant suits, while a strange machine orbited around the flame root, containing the flames like a spherical sun. A green luminite, about the size of a baseball, hovered beneath the ball of flame, possibly keeping it under control.
“This is insane,” Eiji said, marveling at the many different roots being removed, each a unique process.
“Our groups work diligently, taking special care to pull only the oldest, and most potent portion of the plants to which the roots power source is attached. It’s one of two ways we’re able to extract roots,” Rooty stated. With a special clearance badge, Rooty took them into another room.
“Oh, perfect, someone’s here now,” Rooty stated, gesturing to a man standing in the room by himself. “This is where we determine root compatibility.”
The man walked over to a nest in the shape of an oval. It was infused with both machinery and roots and seemed to be powered by luminites as well.
Placing his hand against the ball, the machine started to cycle through countless root options, before it eventually stopped on one. Root compatibility result: Root Root “Dammit!” the man said, kicking the air. Not long after he was escorted out of the room.
“What type of root did he get?” Lily asked.
“An ultra-rare one,” Rooty replied.
“He didn’t look like he got an ultra-rare one,” Eiji said.
“Well the actual term is, four-star root, but who’s counting,” Rooty joked. “Let’s put it this way, throughout the world, only those with AB- blood type can become an Abminus, and of those, even fewer awaken that power. Should they awaken the flux force within them, people come here to cut out the effort of searching for their compatible root; there are hundreds of thousands after all. In exchange for their services, we offer them the root that’s compatible with them—if we have it that is.”
“So, what happened to the other guy, the empire didn’t have it?” Lily asked.
“Nope. We have just about every one or two-star root available; and maybe about a dozen or so three-star roots, which are already considered incredibly rare. However, we have never located a single four-star root. They are labeled, ‘unknown’ or ‘speculative’ for a reason, because it’s believed they probably don’t exist, that or they just haven’t been found yet. Root Root, although considered a four-star root, is actually a very common root many Abminus get, however, being that it belongs to the World Tree, locating the original root is quite literally impossible.”
“I want to try,” Eiji urged, but Rooty shook his head no.
“Our device isn’t compatible with half-nefarians, unfortunately,” Rooty stated.
“How’d you know I was half Nefarian?” Eiji said.
Turning around, Rooty lifted the back of his vest, revealing a small bunny tail. Sniffing, he said, “Why do you think I’m so nimble.”
***
Rai walked into the room of pods Takara was located in, but to his surprise, Hanabi was already there. “Hey.”
Startled, she jerked away, before realizing it was Rai. “Rai?!” She jumped into his arms, giving him a big hug.
Rai, smiling, placed his arm around hers. “Thank you for watching over her while I was gone.”
“Oh, no big deal,” she said, “Figured she needed someone to keep her going, with Tanabe now an Elite and all.”
“I found out, that’s amazing. I’ll have to step it up if I plan on passing him,” Rai said.
“Oh, so you’re still planning on being an Elite?”
“Well of course, it’s my dream.”
“I thought helping Taka was what you were trying to do?”
“If I’m being honest, that’s been more of a nightmare...” Rai said, placing his hand on the top glass of his sister’s pod.
“Don’t say that...” Hanabi said.
“Say what?”
“Don’t call it a nightmare,” Hanabi said, lips shaking. She cupped her hands, twiddling her fingers, unable to look Rai in the eyes. “When I was younger, I lived with my grandma and grandpa. Each morning, the fresh scent of cinnamon would rush into my room. Waiting outside for me to come sprinting in – Grandma Yui; her bright smile always made my day. One morning I asked her, why are you always so happy in the morning, and she looked me in the eyes and said, ‘Hanabi, I woke up this morning, anything past that is a blessing.’” Rai listened intently, her words weighing heavily on him. “So, don’t call it a nightmare Rai. Every day she’s here, it’s a blessing. She’s a blessing,” Hanabi fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Some of us didn’t get so lucky.”
Rai leaned down, hugging Hanabi as she wept on his shoulder.
Later that night, the group gathered a popular Cafe, Lumi Lumi, located in the heart of Excalibur. The owner, whom Rai knew very well, kept the store open hours past closing to celebrate Rai’s return. Joining him, the group he had traveled with, Tanabe, Alan, and even Hanabi, but Yuta was asleep upstairs, instead staying with Grace for the night.
“Cheers!” they shouted, clinking drinks.
“To Rai’s return!”
“Rai, are these all the friends I’ve heard so much about?” Grace said.
“That’s right, everyone, this is Grace. She’s the one who watched over me while I trained, I’m only here because of her.”
“Where did you get the name for your store?” Lily asked, curious.
“It’s the name of a cookie,” Grace responded, happily. “With permission of the empire, I take the petals that bloom once every four years during the Lumi Festival, grind them up, and bake them into a cookie. With a touch of my little mix of my own, you get a Lumi Lumi.”
“Why not just call them Lumi's?” Eiji asked.
“Cause that's already the name of the flower you dweeb,” Rai stated.
“Hey I don't want to hear it from the guy who snatched one up, and in Kalumi territory of all things,” Eiji snapped back.
“Well maybe you should have mentioned something,” Rai argued back.
Tanabe chuckled, Rai and Eiji both looking back at him. “Reminds me of old times.”
“Yeah,” Rai responded.
“Cheers to Grace!” Lily shouted.
“Are you tipsy?” Eiji questioned, squinting at Lily.
“No,” Lily said, hiccuping.
Leaning over, Grace said, “Thanks for sticking with the brat the entire way, I know he can be a pain in the butt sometimes, but you get used to him.”
Eiji couldn’t help but notice Grace, the woman who housed Rai for so long—had quite the pair on her!
“Ahem,” a subtle yet unmistakable signal from Lily.
Eiji quickly retracted his gaze, sipping a glass of water laid in front of him.
From Rai’s hood, a little head popped out, revealing Plu.
“And you!” Grace said, shuffling her feet over to the stuffed animal, “My little Pluudyplu,” she said, pinching its cheek.
“Hey Rai, check this out,” Alan said, pressing the hall point icon on his badge.
“Hey you got one of those too,” Grace said gazing over.
The hologram of the blocks once again materialized before them.
“Looks like they didn’t take away any points, your kingdom is still in second,” Alan said.
Rai folded his arms, curling his lip while stubbornly grabbing a drink and downing it.
“Careful, that’s Ti you’re drinking,” Grace said.
“I love tea!” Eiji said, shoveling some down his throat. “Hm, tangy, you sure this is tea?”
“Ti,” Lily said. “It’s the same stuff my foster parents use for their business - it’s alcohol.”
“Oh really,” Eiji’s face was already flushed red, leaning over his stool onto Lily’s lap for balance, however, he ended up falling over regardless.
“Already?” Lily stated.
“Tanabe, Aegis, would you like something?”
Both kindly declined.
Showing her bartending experience over the years, Lily wrapped her arm around Hanabi, saying, “Here, try some, I mixed this one myself.”
Pressured, Hanabi did. Seconds later, she too was on the floor like Eiji.
During all this, Alan was reading up on cures for hangovers in his new book he picked up from the library.
The night progressed with everyone enjoying each other’s company until the clock struck midnight. Opening the door, Tux walked in, police outfit in hand, with a button-up shirt underneath. Rai and everyone else were just about to leave.
“Tux,” Grace said.
“Oh, I didn’t know you had company over.”
“I forgot to tell you. I’ll be ready in a sec,” she responded finishing up last-minute cleaning.
“What brings you around this time of night,” Rai pestered, poking obvious fun at Tux.
“I- I'm here to walk the Missed home, it can be dangerous this late at night...” Tux said, holding his fist to his mouth as if holding in a cough.
“Uh huh,” Rai responded, tapping his foot gently against the ground with a sly smile.
Outside the girls, Hanabi and Lily said goodbye to the boys.
“Do you guys have a way back to Aurahelm?” Rai asked.
“I’ve got my port pass,” Hanabi said.
“Get home safe,” Eiji said, and the two groups split.
Back at Hanabi’s, Lily watched the teal and green aurora within the skies on the outside of Hanabi’s balcony. “Wow. It’s beautiful.”
“That’s the Kingdom of Aurahelm for you,” Hanabi said, watching the night sky with her. “The nights around here are like this, at least once a week, sometimes more, and the color changes depending on the seasons. In all of Asceria, it’s the only place you can find such a phenomenon.”
Lily gazed across the horizon, beautiful grassy fields and many rivers decorated the lands of Aurahelm. The night sky dimly lit the surrounding area, creating a comforting glow.
At the boy's place, stepping out of the restroom, Eiji scuffled his head with a towel, drying it quickly before plopping onto Rai’s bedroom floor.
Aegis lay in another corner of the room.
“Nice place you got,” Eiji said.
“Yea, the empire pays pretty well,” Rai replied.
“The exam, is there anything you might be able to tell us about it?” Aegis asked.
Propping up, Eiji now curious, also asked, “Yeah, any pointers? You passed and got selected, didn’t you?”
“I don’t think I would have gotten anywhere had it not been for Tanabe, and Milu. But no, I don’t have any pointers. The exam changes every time, and unlike the Lumi Festival, it’s completely random. We just happened to show up at the perfect time, but don’t worry, Aegis is much stronger than any of us were then, you shouldn’t have any problem taking the win.”
Aegis, hearing all that he needed, rolled over, ready to sleep.
“Bedtime? Alright, I’m game.” Flipping borrowed covers over himself, Eiji immediately began snoring.
Lying in bed, Rai watched the glimmering stars, eyes growing heavy until sleep took him.
***
In attire fit for an emperor, a young, handsome man stood in silence, his gaze fixed upon the perfectly fitting hole in the dome through which the moon shone. The light bathed him, mingling with the vibrant hues of the auroras dancing above.
The walls along the rooms had paintings of epic battles, and statues of past legendary warriors graced his presence, each perfectly spaced apart.
From the shadows, two voices, similar to the emperor’s advisors discussed with this young man.
“What will you do, Master Gaius?” one advisor said, slightly stepping into the light.
“What can you do, Master Gaius?” the other said, also stepping into the light.
Each advisor was hunched over, their posture bent like a rainbow. Their faces were covered with many square strips of cloth, and at the center of that clothed mask, where the face should normally be—a stitching of a single giant eyeball.
Gaius was about the same age as Tanabe, holding a strong resemblance to Emperor Adonis. “I’ve decided to join the next round of placements.”
“Why stoop as low as to join the apprenticeship program? You’re Highness..”
“I’m not joining some apprenticeship; I’m dismantling it entirely. My father thinks fostering weak pathetic apprentices will be of some use, but he’s really only making a fool of himself.” Gaius said. “Once I’ve shown his little placement games to be just that, I’ll force him to step down myself.”
“Apprenticeship placement happens almost immediately after the apprenticeship exam.”
“Killing is permitted—it’s not like the exam—there are no rules,” the other advisor warned.
“That’s what I’m counting on,” Gaius said, coldly.