In our world, Terca Lumireis, we are sustained by "blastia", which is driven by "aer." Aer is a primeval power source of the universe. We the people of Terca Lumireis enjoy our lives, living in cities shielded by barriers that keep us safe from the monsters of our world.

The Empire once reined over us people as a bedrock of peace. Blastia, the legacy of an ancient civilization, was under the strict control of the Empire and only certain people became privileged to their use. The poor of the world soon formed organizations in search of freedom-the guilds-and strived to live outside the Empire's rule. Eventually, through conflict and compromise, a new society formed with a complicated relationship between the Empire and the guilds.

Even after the Great War ten years ago and disputed rights of succession after the demise of the Emperor, this world seemed peaceful…

Each morning I, Yuri Lowell, play video games on my XBOX 360 console right before school. There's no problem with it as long as I'm dressed and ready. My childhood friend would obviously get mad if I made him late. He's a nice guy, but he is also bossy, a lot. He acts like an older brother even though he is a few days older than I am. We're both sixteen.

My long black hair wasn't brushed. Maybe that was the only thing that was not prepared. Oh well. It wasn't a big deal.

This game's starting to piss me off… I thought.

My friend said that I needed to work on my potty mouth when it came to games. It was hard to. After all, who didn't curse to themselves or aloud when something made them extremely angry or frustrated?

Then someone came knocking at my door. I didn't feel like getting up so called out "Who is it?"

"It's Flynn. Are you ready yet, Yuri?"

I rolled my eyes. That was my best friend, Flynn Scifo. Why was he knocking at my door? I gave him a key since he lives right next door. We lived in an apartment with only two dorms.

Both dorms were small and had only two rooms in them, a bathroom and the exit. My bed rested against the wall and at the bottom of it was mine and Flynn's dog, Repede. We swapped in a pattern. Today he had him.

The kitchen was next to the bathroom. I didn't have a table so I usually ate in the windowsill or at Flynn's place. I only knew how to make a sandwich.

Yeah, so Flynn unlocked my door and walked in. As soon as he saw me, his happy expression turned to disappointment. Well, he should have been expecting this. I always did this.

My mother slash brother rushed to my dresser and grabbed the brush. He began to do my hair as I still played my game. He was so uptight.

"Did you eat yet?" he asked.

"Uh… No."

He scoffed and put bread in the toaster. I finally turned off the console and when I looked over at Flynn, he was tapping his foot with his arms crossed. I smiled in a goofy way, but he obviously wasn't fazed.

"Yuri. Did you at least brush your teeth?"

"Yeah." Like an idiot, I felt my teeth with my tongue to see if there was any plaque. "I forget a lot, but forgetting to brush my teeth is disgusting."

"You're disgusting."

"Thanks for making me feel clean." I said in a sarcastic tone.

"Anytime."

The toast popped up and I searched around for my bag. Flynn grabbed the toast and my lost bag and we headed out the door for school. He was relieved that we weren't late like usual, but I knew that I was going to receive a lecture during lunch time.

Our home town is known as the Imperial Capital, Zaphias and everyday, across the street the Imperial guards kept watch over the citizens in the lower quarter. They didn't trust us poor people.

Flynn and I go to school in the nobles' quarter. Everyone up there is rich and gives us dirty looks. There are more guards up there than down in the lower quarter. When the nobles heard that poor kids were going up there to learn, they requested more protection just in case we stole something from them.

In the lower quarter everybody is dirt poor. An old friend of mine and Flynn's named Hank, pitched in with everyone else in the lower quarter to get enough money for our uniforms and to get a better education. But even I admit that it was a waste of money for me. I hate learning and my grades suck. I never let Hank see them, but Flynn is disappointed yet again with me. He says that I can do much better than that. I try not to listen to him, but I feel guilty every now and then.

I understand that Flynn is my friend, but I always wonder why he cares so much about my wellbeing. It's been like this for years. I would ask him but it'd be weird to ask "why do you care about me?" Honestly, I don't think that I'd get an answer back. He'd probably just laugh at me.

As soon as we got onto school grounds, Flynn's fan girl pushed me out of the way and held on tight to his arm. She was born in the nobles' quarter and she knew that Flynn was born in the lower quarter, but I didn't understand why she still liked him. She hated me with a passion.

"Good morning, Sodia." Flynn greeted.

"Good morning Flynn!"

I rolled my eyes. Sodia did this purposely so I'd have no one to talk to. I wandered off into the building even though it wasn't time to go in yet. It was very empty in the morning. Detention had a lot more people walking around.

Boredom came over me quickly, so I decided to go into my first period class. That's when I saw my teacher talking to a girl with short pink hair, teal eyes, very nice curves, but… no chest at all. What a disappointment.

My teacher saw me and motioned me over to them. They were both smiling largely. It kind of freaked me out. There was too much enthusiasm for the morning.

"Yuri." My teacher said. "This is Estellise Sidos Heurassein. She's part of the royal family. Be a good boy and show her around the school."

"What do I get out of it?" I asked. I hated this teacher.

"I'll boost your grade."

"Deal. Let's go… Estellise."

"R-Right…"

The two of us left the classroom and went down the hallway. There was a lot to show. I explained everything to her and she didn't speak much. I told her where everything was and how to get there. I showed her how to work the vending machines and the locks on the lockers. I never met a girl as clueless as this one.

Well, my teacher did say she was part of the royal family after all. Perhaps she never left her gigantic castle? I guess it's better late than never to go to a public area without any Imperial guards or maybe not. Man. It'll suck for her if she got bullied. Either way it's not my problem.

Although I enjoyed the quiet every once in a while, Estellise's silence kind of freaked me out. I had to say something, but I didn't know what. I'm silent when it came to new people.

"So?" I said. "What part do you play in the royal family?"

Hesitation came over her and she folded her hands. "W-Well I am the… princess."

I wasn't expecting that out of all things. I thought that she'd be a noble or something. Who would send a princess to school? Even if it was in the nobles' quarter.

Estellise interrupted my thoughts by saying "Please. I don't want anyone to know, Yuri. Can you keep it a secret?"

"Yeah. Sure. I guess, but if I ever want to blackmail you…"

Horror spread across her flawlessly pale skin. I actually felt guilty when she made that expression. I guess there was a limit for teasing people. Especially gullible ones.

"I'm kidding. Relax Estelle."

"Estelle? You know my name is Estellise."

I put my hand over my face and couldn't believe how clueless she was. How long was she in that castle exactly?

"It's a nickname. I prefer to say that since it's much shorter."

"I see… Well, Yuri. You now know my deepest secret so we have no choice but to be friends."

Estelle held out her hand to me and smiled positively. I returned the smile and shook her hand. She's a very friendly person. Maybe being friends with an oblivious princess wouldn't be so bad. Although, I am not walking her home if she can't find her way. It seems that would happen easily.

Flynn came walking around the corner with his fan girl still attached to his arm. If I were him, I would have already shaken her off by now. Sodia's smile was creepy and everyone thought she had OCD. I think that rumor is definitely true. Sodia frowned when she and Flynn came closer to Estelle and me.

Estelle blushed when she saw Flynn and hid most of her body behind me. That didn't surprise me. Most of the girls in this school had a crush on Flynn. Personally, I think spiky blonde hair and big blue eyes turned them on. None of them minded that he was poor. Each and every one of those girls hates me for always hanging out with him and for him living next door to me. They also buy him lunch everyday. Luckily Flynn makes mine because eating a sandwich over and over again gets boring and sickening.

Anyways, they came up to us. Flynn, being friendly as usual, greeted Estelle with a smile and a "hello." Sodia on the other hand, continued to frown and greeted her miserably saying "hi." I wanted to slap her around, but I don't hit girls if you consider her a female.

"What's your name?" Flynn asked Estelle.

"Um, my name's Estellise, but you can call me Estelle."

"I like that name. I'm Flynn and this is Sodia."

"Nice to meet you both."

Apparently, these people were made for each other. They were friendly and had manners. Yuck! How gross. I wouldn't be shocked if they got together, but Sodia wouldn't allow that. Why doesn't Flynn just throw her into a dumpster or something?

"Yuri?"

"Huh?" I said when Flynn snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I'm not coming over or walking home with you today, alright?"

"Uh, yeah. Okay. Want me to walk you home Estelle?"

Her face lit up, nodded, and she relaxed. I guess she wanted someone to show her the way home after all. But now I realize Estelle is naïve too. To trust someone you hardly know isn't smart. In Estelle's case, I don't think that even came across her mind.

The school day went by slow as usual and all of the lessons were boring. I couldn't wait until lunch so I could eat Flynn's food. That's the only reason why I didn't skip my classes. For every class I skipped, my darling friend said that he wouldn't feed me for a certain number of days. Sad to say, I would do anything for food. Especially his cooking.

I waited forever outside the school for Estelle and she was nowhere to be found. Just when I was about to leave, she came running after me. She was panting and apologized for the wait. I immediately walked with her and was surprised that the Imperial Castle was so big. I never passed by it so it was amazing. I'd get lost for sure.

Estelle scurried to the front door with two Imperial guards standing next to her. She looked back at me and motioned me to come inside with her.

"Gee, Estelle. I have to go home now. I have a lot of homework. Maybe next time?"

"Oh. S-Sure, Yuri. See you tomorrow then!"

The princess went through her huge double door. The guards stared me down until I left the vicinity. I didn't feel welcomed in the nobles' quarter anyway so there was no reason to stay there. Estelle wouldn't understand that.

By the time I actually finished my homework and got settled at home it was evening. It was hot too. Repede was panting on the floor and staring at me like "why is it so hot? Do something." I opened the window. A pleasant breeze came in and cooled everything down a little, but that wasn't enough to satisfy Repede. All he did was whimper and roll his eyes.

For a four year old dog, he sure was grumpy. Nothing pleased him. Flynn and I have to get him fixed soon. Hank told us that he wanted to spend time with Repede for once so we decided that he could have him after he was fixed.

Next door I heard a crash and a bang against the wall. What in the hell was he doing over there? Repede watched me as I went out the door to Flynn's place. I banged on the door more than once, but he didn't say anything or open up. I called out to him multiple times too. I grew worried so I fished his key out of my pocket.

When I got inside, I couldn't believe what I saw. My mouth dropped and I couldn't move even though I wanted to. And somehow my heart hurt a little. Is this the reason why Flynn didn't want to walk with me?

To be continued…