It’s been multiple days now, and Regel still hasn’t left the bedroom… Rigel has also not left her own room, I fear she may have seen what happened… The rest of the castle staff told me it was Regel who had done it… What happened to you, Regel?... I never thought in a hundred years that Regel could be capable of something like this… Is it mind control? Was it stress? Was it me? You would never give me a sign, Regel, I could have never predicted THIS…

Sirius looks at me, expectantly, like he’s looking for some sort of answer, but I simply shake my head… He looks away. I try to say something- But no, I don’t have the words… She killed so many people, and the castle is now severely understaffed… I don’t blame them for walking out on us, I probably would too…

“Why are you still here, Sirius?” I ask, as I am still surprised he hasn’t left yet… “I wanted to stay for her highness, this isn’t like her… I wanted to find out what happened to her, and clear her name… Where… Where were you?” He says, surprising me- “Ah… The revolution hadn’t only attacked the castle, they were hitting everywhere, I had to help everyone out… When I saw that it was Vallin… I decided to leave him to Regel, she always knew him the best, and I was certain she would help him, and end the rebellion. It seems that I couldn’t have been more wrong…” Sirius sits down, and rests his back against the throne's armrest, sighing as he slides against the smooth stone surface. “It happened so fast, I couldn’t keep up… I tried so hard, my lord… I just… I couldn’t…” He says, as he covers his face with his hands… “You didn’t do anything wrong… You just wanted to do your job, you should have never been asked to try and deal with your own queen… Some part of me wishes I left it up to the military and police force… But what kind of king sits by, while their people face death… But what kind of husband lets his wife fight alone…” I say, as I place my head in my hands… “I guess that at least makes you a great King?” He says, as his head turns to look at me… I can see it in his eyes, he’s going through a lot too. “No. A great King wouldn’t have been in that kind of position… It’s all my fault, I failed my wife, and I failed my people…” I say, as we turn our head to look at the recently repaired front door again…

Before I know it though, one of Regel’s personal butlers enters the room, quickly running towards me- “M-My lord! Her Highness has finally left her ro-” He’s quickly cut off, as the doors slam open, and Sirius and I quickly stand up to see Regel enter the room. I run to her, as she simply walks towards me… “Are you alright?” I say, as she glares at me with an unrecognizable expression… “I’m fine. I just needed a little time to myself…” She says, as she walks over to her throne, and past Sirius, completely ignoring him… “Y-Your highness!” He says, causing Regel to suddenly acknowledge his existence- “You’re fired. Go home.” Regel says, causing Sirius to take a step back in fear… “Wh-What?” He says, causing her to turn her head, and stare daggers into the poor boy… “Did you not hear me? I told you you’re fired…” She says, as she rests her chin on her hand. “Regel, please-” He tries to say, but he’s quickly interrupted with an intense glare. “Enough! You’re no longer suited to be my personal guard anymore! Go home before I have you escorted by force!” She says, causing him to falter - He picks himself up, and bows deeply… “Please! I’m begging you, I have to stay!” He shouts, his resolve shimmering… Regel on the other hand, simply rolls her eyes… “And why’s that?” She says, surprising him, while staring down at him… “There are people who still need me here… I… I can’t leave until everything is finished… Until they’re safe…” He says, but Regel simply scoffs and looks away. “Fine, stay. But you’re no longer my personal guard. Now go find something to do.” She says, causing Sirius to bow once more, and run off without a word. Most likely not wanting to upset her further…

“I should get going.” I say, as I stand up… Usually she would ask me what I was about to do, she would ask about how long it would take, and then decide if she would like to join me… But this time, she’s completely disinterested… I begin walking away, not daring to look back…

-√Z2-

I run into the next room, and slam my back into the wall, sliding down it… “What happened to you, Regel? What happened to the kindest woman I knew?” I say to myself, as I pick myself up… I need to get to work… I look around, and instantly recognize the hallways… At least the castle hasn’t changed…

One of the guards walked down the hall, surprised to see me- It’s Ulta! -She walks over to me, and stops, her hulking form looming over me... “I’m surprised to see you, Sirius. I was almost certain you would have given up. Especially with what happened…” She says, looking at the door from the corner of her eye. “I… I have to stay, because my friends, they’re still here, and I have to protect them… How come YOU’RE still here?” I ask, causing her to simply mull it over… “Mm… Well, I’m really just in it for the money, in all honesty… Anyways, I have something for you. No take backs if you accept.” She says, surprising me instantly- What? “What? Uh, sure-” I say, and her cape begins to move, and she pulls out a young boy with weird orange hair- That’s pollux! What is she doing with Pollux?! “Why are you carrying the prince?” I say, as she simply rolls her eyes- “Listen man, I’ve been holding this brat all day, and Lin’s been super stressed lately. If you could just get him out of my hair, and I don’t know, into somebody else’s, I’d really appreciate it.” She says, surprising me further-

Well since my job has been changed...“Actually, I’m not really even a guard anymore. The Queen fired me, she said I was no longer fit to be her personal guard… So now she’s just letting me stay here, provided I find something productive to do.” I say, surprising her back- “Ah, then that means you’re perfect for this job! Here you are.” She says, handing me the sleeping boy… Pollux, he’s currently four years old… “What should I do?” I ask her, but she’s already walking away! “I dunno’!” She says, as she continues her patrol…

I place Pollux on his bed- The moment I’m no longer holding him, his eyes snap open, and he instantly sits up- “O-Oh, hey…” I say, as I back away quickly, causing him to look right at me- We stare at each other for a few minutes, until he speaks up- “Who are you?” He says, surprising me. “O-Oh, I’m Sirius. I was your mother’s Personal Guard. I’ve been demoted, and now I think I just do random tasks around the castle. She didn’t really specify…” I say, as I rub the back of my head… “Oh! I remember!” He says, jumping down from his bed- “Where’s Castor?” He says, looking around. “Ah, we can go look for him. I’m not doing anything else...” I say, causing him to simply nod. “Good, go!” He says, before running out of the room-

I quickly follow behind Pollux, the Kid’s surprisingly fast. After asking around for a while, we continue to search for Castor, until we find him in the courtyard- “Castor!” Pollux shouts, surprising his brother. Castor just waves at him, while he sits there looking at the flowers.

“Thank you, bye!” Pollux says to me, before walking over to Castor- “Oh, should I call one of your Maids or Butlers to watch you?” I ask, before leaving. He thinks for a moment, then shakes his head. “No… You stay, actually. They’re no fun.” He says, before looking back at Castor. I walk over, and sit down with them. “Well, alright then… So what’s Castor up to here, anyways?” I ask, as the young boy continues to stare at the plants… “I dunno’. He likes watching it grow.” Pollux says, as he shrugs his shoulders… “So he’s literally watching grass grow…” I say, as we continue to watch him stare at the grass… “Castor’s weird.” Pollux says, as he looks back at me again. “I can see that…” I say, as I simply nod…

-√Z3-

“Rigel, please speak to me…” Demi says, as I lie, curled up in my bed, covered in blankets… “I know it was horrible, what you saw… I wanted so bad to help you, but you know I couldn’t…” She says, as she rests against the strut that holds up the canopy of my bed… “You know I would have told you, if I could… She never told me that this would happen, but only that, that day held the beginning of Ryleth’s greatest tragedy…” She says, another reminder that my fate is sealed… “Do I…” I finally manage to say, after so long… “Do I… Have to die?” I say, surprising her- “O-Oh… Rigel, I’m sorry… I wish there was an alternative…” She says, as she pulls in her legs, and holds them. “Why?... Why is there no alternative, Demistar?” I say, causing her to look away…

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“It’s destiny, Rigel. I cannot command fate, but thanks to the powers of Liyoxis and Lian, I can work as an agent of destiny, and save our future…” She says, surprising me… She’s never gone into detail like this… “They can see into the future? Like Mother and I?” I say, as my tone calms a little, surprising Demistar. “I can’t… I just… No, you deserve an explanation… Yes, they can. Theirs is perfected though. Lian, or Lianlovloragram can see the current future, and its unaltered course of action, her existence however, is what allows her to alter it. Liyoxis however, can see all possible futures, but he cannot alter fate, for the one he has chosen, would have already been set in stone.” She says, as I begin to pull the covers off of my head. “So they truly can see the future, and their ability is leagues greater than my own… Even still, with their abilities combined, they could achieve anything. Then why can’t they help us?...” I say, staring right at her… “I… I don’t know… They never told me… But, don’t you think they would have offered a better solution, if there WAS one?” She says, causing me to finally climb out of my stupid blanket. “Tell them to try!” I shout, my tone surprising her enough to make her fall off the bed by accident- “R-Rigel-” She says, as I stare down at her from my bed.

Demistar just sits there, her arm in a reflexive guarding position, as though she thought I might attack her- “If they’re so powerful, Demi, then there shouldn’t be a problem! If you’re not even willing to do THIS for me, then I don’t know how you could possibly call yourself my friend!” I exclaim, causing her to suddenly shake her head- “N-No, Rigel, please- I-” She suddenly disappears, just like that- Of course this is what happens… I let myself be upset with you even ONCE, and this is what you do…

-√Z4-

“I’m going to head out now, there’s something I need to go take care of...” I say, as I stand up- “Where are you going?” Polaris says, reminding me he’s there… “I have to rid myself of some loose ends…” I say, as I walk down the grand hall and out the door.

I walk down through the waiting hall, surprising- Oh, they got a new person to man this station. I guess she left... This is a result of my actions, I’ll just have to move on… I continue through the next door, and head outside. I walk down the grand stairs, and then next to them after reaching the bottom. I guide my hand along the wall searching for the button, until I feel a brick move, and the secret entrance opens next to me.

I descend the staircase and quickly enter into the empty war room… This was used by Polar’s ancestors, obviously for war. Now where is it… I walk through the dusty and run down room, I don’t think anyone’s been here in generations… I enter into the next room, and find a large table depicting Ryleth centered around many kingdoms- I walk over, and blow away the dust, to get a better look at them… I remember each and every one of these kingdoms, with everything that was lost to the puddle kids, it really puts it into perspective how lucky we are to still be around…

I finally remember what I’m here for, and take my eyes off the war table. This room is surrounded by multiple doors that lead into many other rooms. I look for any signs of the door that leads to the armory, until I find it. I open the door and walk into a long, decorated hallway. They’re covered in many different weapons and shields, armor stands stand by waiting for a day of war that they will never again be a part of… I continue to walk down the hallway, soon passing by many doors that lead into what I’m assuming is many actual armories, enough to supply an army even.

I stop at the final, grand door standing between me and my special new weapon… It’s locked, there’s no way I could ever break through, I’ll have to find a key. My fist flies right through the door completely unhindered by its presence. I walk in, and there it is…

I stare at the old Hero of Ryleth… If you would be anywhere, I knew it would have to be here… His old suit, he disappeared one day, it seems he must have been a part of the royal line, trying to be the hero Ryleth needed at the time…

Well, if Ryleth ever needed their hero again, it’s now! “Welcome back, Esoterrastar!” I shout, as I pull the suit down from the wall!

-√Z1-

“Ever since the revolution, the citizens have been running rampant throughout the great streets of Ryleth! Nobody seems to respect the police force anymore, and they’re too undermanned now…” Axellom the chief of police says, as I stare in disbelief at all of the recordings of public unrest that has been taking place in my kingdom…

“It’s only been getting worse, and I don’t know how to stop it…” He says, before I stand up, and silently walk over to the door. “I’ll have to deal with it myself then. I can’t sit by as my kingdom suffers…” I say, as we walk through the halls- “But you’ve already done so much, have you and her highness not shed enough blood for this great kingdom?!” He says, but still… “This is still MY kingdom, if my people are suffering, then it’s because I wasn’t good enough! And sitting around and talking to people isn’t changing anything, so I’ll just have to go down there and fix it myself.” I say, as we march through the halls. “I’ll gather the royal guards at least, your greatness!” I simply nod and thank the man, causing him to run off to do just as he said he would.

A few hours later, I find myself at the entrance of the royal crypt, facing the rage of my people, as I try to calm them down… “Please, you must calm yourselves! I promise, I am trying to fix this!” I shout, but nobody seems to listen- “That’s bullshit! You’ve been trying for years, and nothing has gotten better!” A man shouts- “He’s right! This must be some sort of trick!” Another man says-

“You know, I heard it was bad, but I never imagined this…” Demitrivan says, as she stands next to me. Demitrivan was kind enough to host this event. “There is NO trick! I promise, it WILL get better!” I lean back, surprising Demitrivan- “It WILL get better right?” I whisper, but she just shrugs- Damnit… “Please listen, my loyalty is to the people! I promise I will find out what has been plaguing our great home, and I will rid our great home of it!” I say, but nothing seems to change, as though they can no longer hear me… “Screw off!” One of them shouts- “You’ve already failed!” Another shouts- “Just let someone who’s actually competent fix your mess!” A woman shouts- “Anyone could do better than him! Abdicate!” Another man shouts- “Yeah, abdicate!” Another woman shouts- “He’s never been good! No wonder they rebelled!” I slam my fist onto the stand, and shout! “I have ruled for almost two thousand years! You will hold your tongue!” My voice explodes from my mouth, destroying the ancient chains that hold the Royal Crypt- “Holy shit!” Demitrivan shouts, before disappearing-

“Only when chaos descends!” A voice echoes from the far distance- “As the ancient lord slumbers!” A figure all too recognizable lands in front of me- “Esoterra will emerge once more to guide the children of Ryleth!” It’s Esoterrastar from the stories… Everyone simply stares at the masked figure, until they turn to look at me, speaking a language I’ve never heard before- “Mmgeh ungah caw nilgrina...” Is all I could really make out from what I could hear…

They turn around, to stare at the crowd once more, striking a pose- “Great citizens of Ryleth, forgive his highness! As he never could have prepared to do the job of your hero! I have come to rescue you once again!” They say, causing simple murmuring amongst the crowd… Everyone suddenly cheers, leaving me completely dumbfounded- “What- What did-” I say, as Demitrivan walks up next to me, catching my attention- “She’s appealing to their religious beliefs. As the king, you should know this…” She says, causing me to rub my head for a moment… “I do… It’s just, everything that’s been happening has made it harder to remember… I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that, I just hope my people will forgive me…“ She simply nods, after folding her arms. “Yeah, I can’t imagine my kingdom going through something like this. Still, I’m kind of curious as to what could be causing this.” She says, as she leans her back against the side of the stand. So short… “Yes… At this point, I guess if anyone could figure it out, it would have to be a world power.”

“Yeah, you’ve got that right. Make sure to clean up when you’re done, and make sure to also repair the chains. I’ve been using time magic to hold the crypt in place. Don’t worry about contacting me, I’ll know.” She says, before disappearing again.

A little later on, the crowd disappears back to their lives, hope renewed in Esoterrastar… Crime has almost entirely vanished from the streets, Esoterra’s presence striking fear into all would-be criminals. The problems that had been plaguing Ryleth’s kingdom even, has seemed to have been stopped in its tracks…

Esoterrastar… Just what have you done? Are you truly what the kingdom has been missing all this time?

End of Chapter: 7√Z4 “Heroic Resurgence!”

Thank you for reading.

“Thanks!”