Bonrue opened his eyes and hopped out of bed. He walked over to his desk and tinkered with one of his gadgets for a few minutes. Class didn't start for a few more hours but he had no intention on going to class. He quickly got dressed and grabbed his favorite book on the Hero Aeolus and left his room. He hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a slice a bread and spread some butter on it before sprinkling some sugar. With his breakfast made, he headed towards the front door where he ran into Cassius putting on his coat. "What are you doing up?" Bonrue asked. Cassius finished putting on his coat and grabbed the package off the stand by the door before answering. "I got a job. Where are you going so early? Class doesn't start for a few more hours." Bonrue scoffed and lifted his bag that was leaning against the wall. "I'm surprised you even know when class starts, but I'm heading to the ruins. Apparently they unearthed a temple dedicated to Aeolus and there's no way I'm missing that." "Funny." Cassius replied. "What's funny?" "Kikazaru has me delivering this package to the ruins." Bonrue looked at the package in Cassius's hand. "What is it?" "Don't know, don't care, just have to deliver it." Bonrue opened the door and beckoned Cassius through it. "Let's go." The bus that left from the east station carried only three passengers, Cassius, Bonrue, and a younger boy riding near the back of the bus. Cassius examined the package thoroughly as if trying to confirm its contents without opening it. Bonrue looked silently out of the window. "Just open it. They won't know." Suggested Bonrue, still gazing out the window. "Nah. Could be a bomb or something." Cassius answered. Their attention was pulled toward the boy in the back of the bus, who was listening to a news report on his mini tab that was loud enough for them to hear. "With the recent withdrawal of Xibalba from the World Government president Iwazaru accepted a meeting with the self proclaimed World Kings later on this week in Uraeus. For more updates as they roll in stay tuned to U.n.n, your number one news network." A spark lit in Cassius ' eyes." The World Kings! That's it, now's my chance!" Bonrue rolled his eyes while still facing the window. "And how is that going to work?" Cassius's grip tightened around the cylinder. "This things supposed to be delivered under the table but it still has Kikazaru's stamp on it. The authorities won't recognize it but Iwazaru's guards will. I act like the package is for president Iwazaru from his brother and it will get me close enough to the world kings." Bonrue turned to look at his friend. "So your plan is to deliver a package sent from Iwazaru back to him? And even if that works, then what?" "Haven't thought that far." Cassius replied. Bonrue shook his head. "I'm still going to the ruins. I'll catch up to you later if you're still alive. The bus pulled up to the doc and the three boys got off. "Wait Rue." Cassius called out. "What?" "Give me your money so I can pay the ferryman to take me to Uraeus." Cassius's hand was held out. Bonrue sighed, but deep down he wanted his friend to succeed so he gave him half of what he had.

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Bonrue walked silently as the ferry disappeared over the horizon behind him. The boy from the bus walked a few paces in front of him. It seemed as if they were headed in the same direction. As they got closer to the dig site, remnants of monolithic structures could be seen protruding out of the ground. Bonrue would stop to examine each structure thoroughly which put some distance between him and the boy. Eventually he happened upon a giant stone head partially buried in the dirt. He examined it closer and found tiny carvings adorning the entirety of the face. He glanced over at the boy from the bus who was almost completely out of sight when the carvings on the stone head began to glow an iridescent orange. Bonrue felt a low pulsing vibration reverberate through his body which caused him to step away. The mouth of the stone head grinded open leaving a large enough opening for him to pass through. After a few seconds his curiosity got the better of him and he peered into the darkness only for some force to pull him all the way inside. The mouth of the statue slammed shut and the glow of the carvings faded.

Bonrue fell for what seemed like minutes when suddenly his feet found solid ground. He didn't crash into the floor, he didn't even land. The falling sensation just ended and it had been like he'd been standing the whole time. The room he was in was dimly lit buy a few candles hanging along the walls. A scruffy looking man sat on the floor in front of him. The man's clothes were old and worn. His hair was shaggy and unkempt and it covered his eyes. "Heh, you came to your senses faster than the last one. Come on, step closer so I can get a better look at you." The man asked taking a swig from an old looking flask. Bonrue did as asked and walked a few steps closer. "An Eldritch? But you look so human." The man said in surprise. "A what?" Bonrue replied confused. The man didn't answer, he just took another sip from his flask. "Are you Aeolus?" Bonrue asked. "What? Hahahahaha! Kid, I needed that laugh. Not even close." The man took another sip. "No no, the names Ziusudra, and believe it or not I used to be a king." Ziusudra's words hung in the air. "Never heard of a King by that name." Bonrue replied. "Yeah I figured, last kid said the same thing." Ziusudra sighed. "What's an Eldritch?" Bonrue asked. "Ahhh don't worry about it." Ziusudra's words slurred as he stumbled over to Bonrue. "Look, I got something for ya!" Bonrue winced at the man's sour breath. Ziusudra drunkenly wrapped his arm around Bonrue and pulled a glowing gold vial from his pocket. "You're here for this right?" Bonrue pushed him away. "What is that? And I don't even know where here is." Ziusudra looked at the vial and back at Bonrue. "Oh but aren't you looking to finish what Aeolus started? Why else would you be here?" The man took another sip. "I came to these ruins to learn more about Aeolus. The books I do have about him only say so much. I thought | could learn more here." Ziusudra listened carefully while Bonrue explained and a smile slowly spread across his face. "So you are here for this, you just don't know it yet." Ziusudra said, holding the vial up. "Sit down kid, I got a story for ya."