It took a lot longer to convince Ikol that he couldn’t overthink and cause brain damage than I would’ve liked; that was my mistake teasing him with an expression like that. Ikol finally stopped sounding on the verge of a mental breakdown from the thought of thinking himself to death. I was gently patting the idiot’s head to assure him that he was fine. Ikol was giving me his giant baby eyes as he was sniffling a little. Moron. But he was useful and always helped me out. Now that Ikol was calm, it was time to do something else before he decided to do something dangerous like think again.

“Come on, let’s run laps or something.” I told Ikol while walking from Hoggdin’s cave towards the nearby field.

“Yes Chef!” Ikol barked as he began following me.

Once we reached the fields, I began running at a solid pace through the rolling grass. Ikol ran after me, caught up to me, and shoulder bumped me as he ran. Oh? He wanted to play that game? We both clearly began augmenting our bodies with as our speed increased. The two of us turned before reaching the woods before I lowered my shoulder and slammed into Ikol. He deflected a bit from my bump as we continued running around the fields. I ran a bit faster to make it harder on Ikol to bump me back. Ikol was no slouch when it came to his fitness and was able to catch back up in no time. After a few moments Ikol bumped me as we continued our laps around the field. The two of us continued bumping into each other with increasing force as we ran around the field. Ikol decided bumping was not getting the job done and added in based attacks. He attempted to hit me with a hammer of that I simply twisted my back legs a little to avoid. Ikol grumbled to himself as he tried hitting me repeatedly with the hammer to tag me, but he was struggling to connect. I knew I’d definitely be feeling it for a bit when Ikol connected. He manifested another hammer and with a fast combo he finally connected. Ow. My leg was throbbing from him connecting as I manifested a weapon of my own. I was in a generous mood, so I only made a staff which I thrust straight into Ikol’s rib cage. He grit his teeth as he began attempting to tag me back.

The two of us played that game for ten laps; I stood victoriously by the cave entrance as I smirked at Ikol. Before I had a chance to appropriately gloat about the glorious reign of Lux, I could sense Hoggdin was coming back. My gloating would have to come later as Hoggdin came into view; his size was as monstrous as always. I also sensed Miril was coming this way. She was likely on Hoggdin’s back. What did she want? Ikol noticed that Miril was coming, and his tails began wagging excitedly. He was doing little happy hops around me seeing the two of them coming. Should I get him to sit at attention? Miril would definitely not be happy to begin with and antagonizing her would not end well for me. A few moments later, Hoggdin landed in his cave as Miril hopped down. Currently, she was about six feet tall to her shoulders, her ten tails wrapped around her carefully, and her amethyst eyes were glaring disapprovingly at me. She had a lither build than Ikol, but her was radiating off of her in waves as she was attempting to stare through my soul. Ikol excitedly ran up to her and she licked his head.

“Mama! Mama! What brings you here today?” Ikol asked excitedly.

“I was here to discuss your and if she was tagging along.” Miril answered as she glared at me.

“Good afternoon, Miril.” I replied with a polite bow. Unfortunately, I can’t exactly afford to offend her.

“That is King Miril, youngling.” Miril snapped at me.

“I am sorry, King Miril.” I corrected myself as Ikol laid next to his mother.

“You all agreed that Lux was allowed to go on a .” Hoggdin reminded her.

“She is a young , and it is important for them to have experiences. As a guest on Phestia she should be allowed to go on a . I just dislike she is going to accompany Ikol if she says yes.” Miril told Hoggdin politely.

“But Chef is strong!” Ikol defended me. Miril pet her son’s head before glaring at me.

“Sure she is dear.” Miril said while smiling at her son.

“Hoggdin, what is a ?” I inquired. Ikol looked hurt at me.

“I told you.” Ikol pouted. Your explanation was not helpful.

“I wanted to hear Chief’s answer. He is so wise and tells the best stories.” I told Ikol. Ikol lit up.

“Chief story time!” Ikol said happily with his tails wagging. Miril looked at me even more disapprovingly.

I’m sorry, his explanation was walking and sightseeing. I couldn’t piece it together. I apologized to Hoggdin.

It’s fine. Miril just doesn’t like the fact you boss around her son. She worries about him. Hoggdin explained. It was not my fault that he was useful and easy to tell what to do.

“A is an ancient rite on Phestia where young travel far and wide across the continents, visiting each of the Kings. You travel to the furthest King and make your way back to the closest, wandering through the various territories. Each King will give you a trial to complete once you talk to them.” Hoggdin stated in a tone of wonder. Ikol looked on in awe, hanging on to each word from Hoggdin’s mouth.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“That means you will be doing mine last, youngling.” Miril told me in a condescending tone.

“Thank you for clarifying, King Miril.” I replied politely with a sincere smile.

“Did you want to go, Lux? who have completed their cannot interfere with on their as long as they aren’t pressing anything or trying to claim territory.” Hoggdin informed me.

“I think it would be fun.” I agreed. It sounded like a fun, once in a lifetime kind of experience. Miril grimaced when I said that.

“Once you return from Tenebrae the two of you can depart.” Hoggdin stated. Ikol looked ecstatic.

“I am tagging along!” Ikol announced happily. The stare Miril gave me could have frozen the sun.

“What?” Miril asked in a tone that sounded like I was on trial.

“I was joining Chef and going to Tenebrae! I wanted to meet Krahinn and Nil!” Ikol answered. Miril was trying to stare through my soul yet again. Ikol, read the room.

“Oh, really now?” Miril checked. Ikol was clearly not grasping his mother’s tone or demeanor.

“Yea! Apparently, Nil is more ranna ranna, and Krahinn is cranky!” Ikol told his mom. For the love of the Lord’s stop digging the hole.

“Ikol, eppa eppa.” I snapped at him immediately.

“Yes Chef!” Ikol chimed as he saluted. Hoggdin slowly turned his head towards me, giving me a complicated stare. Miril’s gaze only got angrier.

“What was that?” Miril checked, sounding on the verge of mauling me.

“Eppa eppa!” Ikol answered as he began nodding.

“Eppa eppa.” I concurred, nodding with Ikol. Miril was clearly fighting every instinct to lunge across the small gap and just start swatting the crap out of me.

“Clarify, now.” Miril ordered me. Her tails were starting to flicker in irritation.

Help. I requested Hoggdin. He looked at me and shook his head. Of course.

“What needs clarifying? Eppa eppa is self explanatory.” I tried. Miril looked at Hoggdin who sighed.

In an instant, Miril was pinning me to the ground swatting me. Ow ow ow ow ow. She was fully baring her fangs at me, snarling in frustration in a way to make just how done with me she currently was perfectly clear. Ikol looked confused as to what transpired his mother’s reaction but stayed put. Hoggdin looked on, making sure Miril wasn’t going too far as she thrashed me a bit for being sarcastic. Miril stopped attacking me for a few moments, giving me a precious opportunity to talk. Her paw was raised to keep swatting me if she didn't like my answer.

“It was a command to stop talking.” I gasped. Miril still looked ready to keep attacking.

“Why does it exist?” Miril pressed as she was clearly annoyed.

“So, I can tell Ikol to stop if the situation needs it.” I tried. Miril didn’t look any less pissed off at me.

“Why did you teach my son that?” Miril snarled. You lightly boss around one idiot and suddenly you were the villain.

“It was an error in judgement.” I told her, wanting to not be on the receiving end of her displeasure any longer.

“You don’t say?” Miril mocked. I could not wait to be strong enough to get revenge on her.

“Why are you bullying Chef, Mama?” Ikol asked his mom, giving her big eyes as he lightly pouted.

“I was just making sure she knew her place dear.” Miril replied in a much warmer tone to her son, getting off me and licking his head.

I don’t get why she dislikes me so much. I grumbled to Hoggdin.

When one gazes upon themselves, sometimes the reflection is not what they wish to see. Hoggdin answered, looking satisfied with himself.

What? I asked, not grasping how that was an appropriate response.

One day you’ll understand. The kind of perspective you need to grasp it is part of what are for. Hoggdin explained with a chuckle.

“I’m not mad at you, dearie; you did nothing wrong. That wench is simply acting in a way unbefitting of her stature.” Miril reassured her son. Ikol looked completely lost in the second half of what she said.

“What’s that mean?” Ikol probed, sounding completely confused. Miril immediately glared daggers at Hoggdin.

“That’s not funny.” Miril snarled at him.

“It’s true and you know it.” Hoggdin taunted her. Miril looked at me completely enraged yet again. Why?

“I don’t understand.” Ikol whined while looking between his mom and me.

“She is saying I act in a way I shouldn’t. The rest is just wordy hibba hibba.” I explained to Ikol.

“Okay!” Ikol cheered. Miril looked even angrier now. What? I just answered Ikol’s question.

Why does everything I do seem to anger her more? I asked Hoggdin who looked like he was barely containing his laughter at this point.

I don’t know. It’s a complete mystery. Hoggdin lied. Fine, don’t tell me.

She’s a near Krahinn level jerk for no reason. I grumbled. Hoggdin just kept smiling.

One, no she’s not. Two, she’s likely the next Sovereign so I’d recommend learning to get along with her if you wish to visit Phestia in the future. Three, despite her attitude towards you, she can separate her feelings from what she wants to do and what she should do which is a trait in woefully short supply. Hoggdin lectured me. What possible reason could she have to act like that?

“Is it okay if I go to Tenebrae?” Ikol asked his mom with big begging eyes.

“Is it safe?” Miril checked with Hoggdin.

“Unless he decides to try and take on Krahinn or Nautilus he should be fine. It’s fairly safe and the castle is well guarded. The Empress, Senna, of where he’d be staying also possesses potent and is an excellent healer on the extremely unlikely chance something does happen.” Hoggdin informed Miril. Her gaze towards me became highly unpleasant again.

“You can go.” Miril permitted. Ikol started doing his happy dance some more.

And I’ll have your head if something happens to him. Miril snarled at me.

Yes ma’am. I replied, trying not to sound too depressed.

I thought you said most were lousy parents. I grumbled to Hoggdin.

Most, not all. And to be fair, Miril doesn’t tend to worry about most of her kids. Ikol is an exception. Hoggdin retorted. Gee, I wonder why. He at least made up for it in sheer brawn and fighting ability. Ipnerslei folded out next to us, before politely bowing to greet Hoggdin and Miril. Orga was promptly summoned holding the book she was engrossed in.

“It is time for us to go to Tenebrae now. We will be back in a few days.” Ipnerslei said politely.

“Bye Mama! Bye Chief! Be back soon!” Ikol stated happily as he joined our huddle.

A rift opened up thanks to Krahinn, and we all walked through. Ikol was turning in circles looking at all the new things he could see in Tenebrae. He immediately shot over to a few plants, staring at them in awe as they looked different from the ones on Phestia. Waiting for us was Nil, Luna, and Krahinn who all were looking at Ikol with curious expressions. Ikol shifted into , looking around at the until his eyes locked onto Nil. He bounced over, looking at Nil with a perplexed expression as Nil easily tracked him in . Krahinn looked at Ipnerslei with a raised eyebrow, and the two clearly began talking about something.

“So, who is this?” Nil asked finally after about thirty seconds. Now, how should I explain Ikol?