Hijki-Kal awoke as the sun streamed through her small window and bathed the room in golden light. She sat up and looked outside the window seeing the fields of wheat waving lazily in the wind, she felt it was going to be a good day. She rose from her bed and dressed in her simple clothes, it was a long gown with a sleeveless tunic all colored a mute blue. She did her hair up in a bun so it wouldn't get in her face and looked at herself in the small mirror her mother bought some number of years ago from a passing Reborn. She looked at herself in the mirror seeing her smooth skin and slightly pointed ears, from her Luxicon side, and her color changing eyes which went from purple to red to gray and finally back to green only to repeat again. Her race was called Judges, the merging of Tyross and Luxicon, but she never really cared for that, she never learned much about her Dichotomy.

She finished making herself look nice and went into the main room of their home, she smelt the pleasant aroma of the freshly cooked meal wafting through the house. She took a seat at the table, beside her youngest brother who was already seated, and waited to be served. As she sat down the front door opened and her father and two older brothers entered, they were likely feeding and checking in on livestock. They each sat around the table as her mother then gave each of them their food, it was a simple bread, porridge, some vegetables and cheeses as well as a small amount of meat from freshly slaughtered animals.

Hijki-Kal and the family said a quick prayer to Nexeithos then ate, the food had little taste but filled their stomachs quite well. After they finished eating Hijki-Kal and her mother cleaned up as her father and her two older brothers went back out to the fields, her younger brother rushed off to go play with some of his friends from neighboring farms. As they cleaned the house her mother spoke.

"Did you hear that Tul's daughter is getting married," Her mother said.

"To who?" Hijki-Kal asked.

"I heard that it was to the new blacksmith who arrived in town," Her mother said. "Quite the strange pairing,"

"I had expected her to marry Ruji-Luhk," Hijki-Kal said. "They seemed quite inseparable,"

"Alas things always change," Her mother said. "It's not too late for you to find a husband you know,"

Hijki-Kal grimaced slightly as she spoke, she wanted to avoid talking about such things. She would have to change the subject.

"I hear bandits have been marauding in nearby villages," Hijki-Kal said.

"A dreadful thing," Her mother said. "May Nexeithos bless those affected,"

"Do you think they'll come here?" Hijki-Kal said.

"I don't think so," Her mother said. "Not with how many of the lords soldiers are near here, they even say his son is among them,"

Her mother looked at Hijki-Kal.

"You know their son is also quite young," Her mother said. "And he's an Archon, you always could-"

"Maybe," Hijki-Kal said. "But would you look at that, I just remembered I have to run some food down to the church. I'll be back in a bit!"

Hijki-Kal rushed out of the house before her mother could say anything. When would she stop asking? She made her way over to where a hand cart was and packed it with the food they were to donate then headed off. She walked down the dirt paths between fields towards the village, she passed more men harvesting their grain from the fields. She walked there just looking at the sky and daydreaming about a thousand things. She was so focused that she didn't notice when a wheel caught a snag and nearly tripped her.

She caught herself and looked back, one of the wheels had lodged into the ground. She tugged on it a bit harder but it wouldn't bug her so she let go of it and crouched down. Some mud from a recent rain had sucked it in and it didn't look like it would be easily taken out. As she pondered what to do she heard walking behind her, she looked over her shoulders and saw 3 men. Two were dressed like typical soldiers while one was wearing an unnatural looking breastplate and had a hammer that looked to be made of obsidian. The other two had the dark skin and red eyes of a Taniberas but not him. He had smooth skin with patches of the dark earthen skin and his eyes shifted in color much like hers, either this was a dream or an honest to god Archon was approaching her. One of the soldiers spoke up.

"Excuse me miss," They said. "Do you need help?"

"Uh- Um- Y-yeah," Hijki-Kal stammered out. "My cart got stuck,"

"We'll get it out right quick," They said. "Prince, could could break out some of the mud while we drag it,"

"No problem," The prince said.

By Nexeithos, it really was the prince. He was standing right here before her and was helping get her cart unstuck, it felt unreal. She stepped aside as the two soldiers grabbed the cart and began to drag it, the prince drew out the strange hammer he wore and struck the air. The mud sucking on the wheel was destroyed and after a few minutes of work they dragged the cart free.

"There you go, miss," A soldier said. "Do you need anything else?"

"No, that will be all-" Hijki-Kal said.

"This looks like a lot for someone to carry," The other soldier said. "Arnimos, why don't you help her get this where it needs going,"

"Beats breaking my back fencing," The prince, Arnimos, said.

"You'll be back to it once it's all done up," A soldier said.

"At least it's a bit of a break," The prince said.

"We'll be getting back to it then," A soldier said. "Join up with us at the Kal household once you're done,"

That's her household, the prince was coming to her household. She didn't know what to feel. The two soldiers walked down the road towards her house and the prince stood there beside her cart.

"Lead the way," The prince said.

"You don't need to follow me," Hijki-Kal said. "I can get there myself,"

"It's a good chance for a break," The prince said. "And just call me Arnimos,"

"Understood lord- I mean Arnimos," Hijki-Kal said.

She grabbed the cart and began towards the town once more, she was on a first name basis with a prince now. This was not how she expected her day to go. After another half hour of trekking she arrived in the village and made her way to a side door of the church. She knocked on it and Father Gulmast opened the door.

"Ah, Hijki-Kal, good to see you," Gulmast said. "And you Lord Arnimos, have you come to deliver food for the poor?"

"Yes, Father," Hijki-Kal said. "We have much for them,"

"Then please begin bringing it in," Gulmast said. "I would help but my body is far too old to be of assistance,"

"Of course Father," Hijki-Kal said.

She carried in bundles of food and placed them in a storage area, she was surprised to see Arnimos doing it as well. There was much she did not expect that she saw today. As the last thing was brought inside she took a seat outside on a small bench, Arnimos was still inside likely talking to Father Gulmast. She took a deep breath and looked up to the sky. As she thought her mind drifted until she was rudely drawn back to reality by a gaggle of men. They were older than her, some over double her age, and they reeked of alcohol despite it being the early morning.

"Whatcha doin' out here hich beautiful," A drunk said. "Lookin' for a real hich"

They began to get uncomfortably close, she rose from the bench and tried to back away but they were surrounding her on all sides.

"Why you trying to run," A drunk said. "You scared of-"

The world went silent then for a moment as they all felt their Dichotomies, things that typically rested and never awoke suddenly come to life in fear. For what was likely one of the few times in their life they felt Dichotomy Energy permeate their bodies, some terrible had spooked them. The drunks were all looking somewhere and as she followed their eyes she saw Arnimos standing in the doorway to the church, his eyes had stabilized on a purple that glowed brilliantly. The hammer in his hand seemed primed to strike as he stared at all of them. She was feeling the power of an Archon.

"Step away from her," Arnimos said. "Now!"

Their bodies moved both from their conscious effort and their Dichotomies trying to run, the group of drunks fled as quickly as they could, tripping and stumbling as they did so. Arnimos approached her, she stood in silent awe. He seemed regal as his body was infused with energy which was now dying down, his eyes stopped glowing and went back to switching colors. He put the hammer back on his hip.

"Are you okay?" Arnimos said. "Did they do anything to you?"

"No, I-I'm good," Hijki-Kal said. "J-J-Just fine actually,"

She was not fine, her heart was racing. She had just been saved by a prince, was this a fairytale? Was she dreaming? She shook these thoughts from her mind. He was likely just a good person, nothing else. Not like a prince would marry a commoner, that only happened in fairytales.

"Do you want me to walk you home?" Arnimos said. "I can, though you'll need to give me directions to the Kal family so i can go to them afterwards,"

"Yeah, sure," Hijki-Kal said. "I'd like it if you could lead me home,"

"Then let's get going," Arnimos said. "Unless you have other business in town?"

"Actually then," Hijki-Kal said. "Can you wait here, there's someone I want to go speak to,"

"Take all the time you need," Arnimos said.

"Thank you," Hijki-Kal said.

She rushed off towards the tavern in the town, she had to speak to someone about this. She entered it to see it devoid of life beside the old tavern keep, a friend of her fathers, and her good friend Hjahlar, a barmaid. She walked up to Hjahlar and grabbed her by the arm then shouted over to the tavern keep.

"I need to steal her for a bit!" Hijki-Kal said. "Thank you very much!"

She dragged Hjahlar to a table in the corner and sat down.

"So what is it this time?" Hjahlar said. "A new suitor or?"

"I met the prince and he was really kind and now I want to get to know him but I don't know if it's proper or what i'm supposed to be doing or-" Hijki-Kal said, not taking a breath.

"Slow down there," Hjahlar said. "I can't help you if i can't understand you, say that one more time,"

"I met the prince and he was really nice," Hijki-Kal said. "And now I wanna get to know him more,"

"Going after the prince," Hjahlar said. "You really do have your sights aimed high,"

"Do you think I should?" Hijki-Kal said. "What should I do?"

Hjahlar shrugged her shoulders.

"Whatever feels right I guess," Hjahlar said. "I don't know nothing about prince so I can't help ya, I need to be getting back to work though,"

"But there's no people here," Hijki-Kal said.

"That's exactly why," Hjahlar said. "Talk to you later,"

Hjahlar stood and went into the back of the tavern leaving Hijki-Kal alone at the table. As she sat there alone for a second then the tavern keep walked up and took the seat across from her, he sipped some ale from a large mug.

"You're lucky we've got no patrons," The tavern keep said. "Or i'd whoop ya for stealing my staff,"

"I'm sorry," Hijki-Kal said. "I just needed some advice,"

"Boy trouble?" The tavern keep said.

"In a sense," Hijki-Kal said.

"Just be who ya are," The tavern keep said. "If he likes ya for it then good for you, if not then he never deserved you,"

The tavern keep took a big gulp from his mug.

"Now then, get along to that boy before someone else takes him," The tavern keep said. "And if you're gonna steal my staff again, at least buy something next time,"

"I will, thanks for your advice," Hijki-Kal said.

"Anytime," The tavern keeper said.

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She rose from the table and headed back to the church where Arnimos was patiently waiting.

"Terribly sorry," Hijki-Kal said. "Let's get going,"

"No problem," Arnimos said.

She grabbed the cart and they were off. They walked back down the same dirt path towards her home, she glanced over at him intermittently. As she looked closer she could see faint bruises on his skin. Training? Did he get in a fight? As she stared at him he then glanced at her, she averted her gaze quickly begging internally that he wouldn't think she was weird. He opened his mouth to speak. Oh Nexeithos, he was going to say something terrible about her. She braced herself.

"What's your name?" Arnimos said.

Huh? What did he mean? Is this some form of strange insult?

"What do you mean?" Hijki-Kal said.

"I mean you never introduced yourself," Arnimos said. "So what's your name?"

She cursed herself silently, she had never introduced herself.

"I'm Hijki-Kal," Hijki-Kal said. "Daughter of Tulmar-Kal,"

Arnimos nodded silently then a second later it clicked in his head.

"We were going to your house?" Arnimos said. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"I didn't think it that important," Hijki-Kal said.

"Made me worried about getting lost for no reason," Arnimos said.

Oh Nexeithos, why hadn't she said anything? Was something going to be wrong now? Was he going to like her less? These thoughts troubled her as they arrived back at the farm. She saw her father and brothers setting up new fences with the help of the soldiers.

"Suppose it's time to get back to working," Arnimos said. "I'll talk to you later,"

"T-Talk to you later," Hijki-Kal said.

Arnimos went over to the other men and helped replace a fence post, she brought the hand cart back to its spot then went inside. Her mother was inside sewing up a hole in one of her brother's shirts, Hijki-Kal fell into a chair beside her.

"How was your trip into town?" Her mother said. "Did Father Gulmast have any news?"

"No, the trip was uneventful," Hijki-Kal said.

"Is that why your face is a bit red?" Her mother said.

She placed her hand on her face, it was warm. It was likely partially obscured by her petrified skin but he had to have noticed.

"It was just a bit hot," Hijki-Kal said.

"Must have been real hot getting escorted by a prince," Her mother said.

Of course she had heard, the soldiers had come here after all. Of course she would know.

"He is quite the pretty one," Her mother said. "I can see why,"

"It's not like that," Hijki-Kal said.

"Oh, of course not," Her mother said. "No can you fetch some more fabric, we need to make new clothes for Rulist he's growing up so fast,"

She went out and grabbed some more fabric then went inside and spent the rest of her day helping her mother fix and make new clothes. Once it began to get dark her mother went and lit each lantern at the edge of the property then prepared a meal, it seemed much larger than usual. Hijki-Kal helped prepare some of the meats and vegetables. As they finished up her mother leaned up the door and yelled to the men that food was ready. Hijki-Kal had just started portioning out the food when she realized there were three extra spots set out. It took her a moment to realize.

Her younger brother, arriving home a bit before sundown from some friend, sat down first followed by her brothers and father then by the soldiers and Arnimos. Hijki-Kal and her mother finished divvying out food and took a seat, her mother gave a sly grin as she took a spot. Hijki-Kal then realized the only spot was next to Arnimos, she shot her mother a glance who just looked back at her with a knowing glance. She cursed her silently as she sat down.

They said a quick prayer to Nexeithos before beginning to eat.

"I hope this isn't too rude, prince but-" Her mother said.

"Just call me Arnimos," Arnimos said.

"Well then Arnimos," Her mother said. "What's it like being a prince?"

"A lot of work," Arnimos said. "Training, studying, all the like,"

"That must not leave you much time for suitors," Her mother said.

"My father has not yet accepted any offer of courtship for me," Arnimos said.

"How will you ever find a good woman that way?" Her mother said.

"I think I'll find one in the end," Arnimos said. "No need to worry,"

Her mother grew an even more devilish grin.

"You're right," Her mother said. "But what if you already had a willing suitor?"

Her mother winked at Hijki-Kal, she wasn't going to-

"I suppose if I got to know them," Arnimos said. "And I liked them then it would be fine,"

"Good to know,"

The rest of the dinner was uneventful and once they were finished the soldiers packed up and prepared to leave. Her mother approached her.

"Did you hear that? He might be interested," Her mother said. "You should demand he take you out as soon as possible, that's what I did with your father,"

"But-" Hijki-Kal said.

"No buts," Her mother said. "Go ask or so help me there will be hell to pay,"

Her mother practically pushed her out the door, she saw the three beginning to walk down the road away.

"Hey..." Hijki-Kal said, weakly.

They didn't hear her. She summoned up her courage.

"Hey!" Hijki-Kal yelled.

They stopped and looked back at her.

"Arnimos! Come here!" Hijki-Kal said.

The two soldiers nudged Arnimos a bit who waved them off and walked up to her.

"What did you need?" Arnimos said.

She glanced back through a window and saw her mother watching her. She took a deep breath in.

"When are you free?" Hijki-Kal said.

She soon realized she just might have been too forward.

"I mean, you're new to town and everything so i thought i'd show you around and-" Hijki-Kal stammered out.

Arnimos grew a small grin.

"I'll be free three days from now," Arnimos said. "You can show me around then,"

He had given her an answer, this was great. She felt giddy.

"All right, three days then," Hijki-Kal said. "And i'll show you everything this town has too offer,"

"It's a deal then," Arnimos said. "I'll see you then,"

Arnimos jogged off to meet up with the soldiers, and she had a date with a prince. She had a hard time sleeping that night, so excited she was.

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

She awoke the next morning with a spring in her step, she ate with an alacrity unseen and finished her chores in record time all so she could go into town and get everything prepared she could. She moved so fast she nearly tripped many times as she arrived back in town.

She went to the small general store on the main road to the town and entered. It was a cramped and dusty old place, much less vibrant and far more quiet then the market place. Various baubles lined its shelves and it was designed quite strangely, its shelves were placed more like rows of carefully cultivated grapes rather than the typical layout one would expect. A result of how the owner was, he was a Reborn who made the store similar to the ones from his home.

She looked around the shelves seeing various things that were rare to see anywhere else. Mirrors, high-quality fabric, imported foodstuffs and a large selection of books. She browsed the aisles for a bit until she came upon the clothing section, she found a vibrant blue dress and picked it up. She took and tried it on but it was too big, she stepped out saddened only to see the shop owner. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at the man, he was always unsettling to see.

"Is something the matter?" He said.

He looked to be in his 30s and was completely bald but it was not that which scared her, it was his features. He had 8 eyes grouped together like a spider as well as 4 large spider-like legs jutting out of his back.

"Um- Y-Yeah," Hijki-Kal said. "The dress is too big,"

"That just won't do," He said. "Give it to me,"

She handed over the dress which he examined as two of the spider-like legs on his back tapped along its surface.

"I'll resize it," He said. "Come by tomorrow,"

"Th-Thank you," Hijki-Kal said. "I mean you don't-"

"Oh, of course I do," He said. "Now is there anything else?"

"No, that will be all," Hijki-Kal said. "How much do I owe?"

The man seems to take a moment to think.

"Tell your mother to bring some sweets to the store," He said. "I'll consider that good enough,"

"Thank you so much," Hijki-Kal said.

She gave him a hug before waving goodbye and leaving, now she had the proper clothes. She now needed to figure out some more things to do. As she walked through the town she saw the beginnings of stalls being set up, how did she not realize it was this time of year. It was time for the harvest festival, there would be a lot to do. They could spend time at the festival most the day then go somewhere for the night but where to?

She wandered the streets until she bumped into someone, Ruji-Luhk. She stumbled back and he fell over, spilling the crate of tools he was carrying onto the ground.

"Ow!" Ruji-Luhk said.

"Sorry-" Hijki-Kal said.

She leaned over and offered him a hand. He took it and pulled himself up.

"Should've watched where i was going," Ruji-Luhk said.

"Don't worry, I should have been more attentive," Hijki-Kal said.

He bent down and began putting the dropped tools back in the crate, she helped him. Once they were all packed up he heaved the crate up.

"Didn't expect to encounter you in town today," Ruji-Luhk said. "What are you doing?"

"Just looking around for spots," Hijki-Kal said. "Nothing interesting,"

"If you are taking someone somewhere," Ruji-Luhk said. "I know a good spot not far in the woods just outside town,"

"Really?" Hijki-Kal said. "Where?"

"If you help me put these tools away I'll show you," Ruji-Luhk said.

She nodded and the two walked off. They left the town and walked down a dirt path by half harvested fields. They followed the path even as it went straight through a creek, as they approached the water split to avoid touching them. People said that long ago a Taniberas of Water had taken shelter in the village from people hunting him and for the villagers help he used a Partial Page to make it so that water would never harm the people of this village. Ever since then streams seemed to divert around the people and no matter how high the rose they never damaged any person or building.

They went a bit farther until they reached the home of Ruji-Luhk, it was a moderately sized house with a workshop inside. His father was the town carpenter. The two brought the tools inside and hung them up where they needed to go. As they did so his father entered.

"Ah, Ruji, you're back," His father said. "Could you-"

He stopped as he entered and saw Hijki-Kal.

"I didn't expect to see you here Hijki-Kal," His father said. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I promised to show her something if she helped me bring the tools back," Ruji-Luhk said.

"He pushed all of his work off on me," Hijki-Kal said.

"Oh of course he did," His father said. "Would you like me to punish him for that?"

"Greatly," Hijki-Kal said.

"Then I demand you show her where she wanted immediately," His father said. "And when you get back you are finishing up that table,"

"Understood sir," Ruji-Luhk said.

He would have had to do the table anyway. The two left the house and trekked towards the woods. As they approached ash began to lightly drift down from the sky, these woods were partially in the barrens. They saw the tall black colored trees standing tall with branches covered in charcoal colored leaves. As they moved deeper into the woods the grass on the ground became more and more replaced by ash, a sign they were nearing the edge of Elysium into the Barrens. After walking for a bit they came to a grove. Unlike much of the forest it was clear of all ash and even had a single brown tree with green leaves standing in the center.

"Beautiful ain't it?" Ruji-Luhk said.

"How did you find such a place?" Hijki-Kal said.

"Was wandering through the woods looking for my dog," Ruji-Luhk said. "Came upon this spot,"

"This will be perfect," Hijki-Kal said. "Do you mind if I use it?"

"Just don't tell no one else about it," Ruji-Luhk said.

"I won't," Hijki-Kal said. "Oh, thank you so much,"

She gave him a small hug then they went their separate ways, they each went back to their homes. She practically skipped her way home and did the rest of her chores. She ate and went to bed quickly, she would spend tomorrow preparing the final things.

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

When she awoke she ate quickly and finished her chores even quicker, she went and set aside 2 portions of food for tomorrow then went into town. She went first to the general store. Inside the owner stood behind the counter and perked up as she entered.

"Welcome back," He said. "I hope this is to your liking,"

The store owner went into the back and came back with the, now smaller, blue dress, it looked even better then when she had first seen it. She tried it on and it fit perfectly. She looked at herself in the mirror, it was so vibrant. She switched back to her normal clothes and bagged up the clothes.

"Thank you," Hijki-Kal said. "I won't forget this!"

"Don't forget to have your mom bring some sweets over either!" He said.

"I won't!" Hijki-Kal said.

She took the dress back home and stashed it in her room then headed back out, she was going to clean up the little grove. She walked past the stream and into the woods as she made her way to the grove. She found it in the same state as she had when she was there yesterday, branches and rocks strewn about. She spent some time humming to herself and clearing the area, making nice piles of sticks and rocks.

'What a beautiful spot this was,' she thought to herself. 'And so private, we won't be disturbed here,'. As she thought that her mind wandered too far and she grew a slight blush, 'he wouldn't do that,' she thought. She grew a small smile, tomorrow was going to be good. As she finished clearing up the large sticks and rocks she looked to the sky, she had spent so long the sun was beginning to set. She wiped beads of sweat from her head and left the grove back towards home.

She passed by fields with bundles of wheat and newly erected fences. She passed by Ruji-Luhk's house and saw him finishing up a table. She passed the church and saw Gulmast feeding the poor and downtrodden. She passed the general store and saw the old Arbeross helping another customer. She passed the old tavern where her friend and the old tavern keep waved at her as she passed.

She walked down the old road content as she arrived back at home. She had the leftovers of the night's meal and went to her room, her mother waited inside. She was looking at the dress.

"It's so beautiful," Her mother said. "Where did you get this?"

"The nice owner of the general store gave it to me it," Hijki-Kal said. "Said that you should bring him some baked goods sometimes as repayment,"

"For such high-quality goods how could I not," Her mother said. "Let me see you in it,"

"Fine," Hijki-Kal said.

She switched into it and her mother seemed overjoyed.

"You look like me on my wedding night," Her mother said.

Hijki-Kal blushed.

"I look just fine," Hijki-Kal said.

"You look wonderful," Her mother said. "I'm certain he'll love it,"

"I hope so," Hijki-Kal said.

"I know so," Her mother said. "Now get some rest, you have a lot to do tomorrow,"

Her mother gave her a kiss on the forehead then left the room, she got out of the dress and into some clothes to sleep in. She laid on her bed staring out the window at the night sky, it was hard to fall asleep. As she slowly began to drift off she began to dream about tomorrow, about the great day she was going to have. As she finally began to fade into unconsciousness she heard a knock at the door.

Tomorrow was going to be a great day.

Was.