We were in the Empire, but more specifically, we were on the bridge that led into Diamant. "Whoa, look at this place! Alf sure did a good job." I said, continuing across the bride and into the city. My first stop was Zamuel's school, which would hopefully, still be there. The City looked the same, but more advanced. And judging by all the banners and people, the Empire must have been having some sort of festival.
"I wonder what's going on." Said Ryfia as we passed some kids running around like wing nuts.
"Yeah, I wonder." Soon, we entered into the city, and I was a little shocked at what I saw. I was finally close enough to see what was on the banners, and it was Eesa's symbol. And trust me, it was everywhere. "Why is Eesa's symbol everywhere?"
"I don't know…let's ask someone around here." Ryfia replied heading over to a random stranger. Good ol' Ryfia. Still hasn't learned to not talk to strangers. Well, at least nobody could arrest her for being a Diva anymore. "Excuse me ma'am, but what exactly is going on here?" She asked. The girl she was talking to had long pink hair and bright blue eyes. Somehow, she seemed awfully familiar.
"You mean you don't know?" The woman replied shocked to hear someone didn't know what was going on. "We're celebrating the return of the lost hero, L'Arc Bright Lagoon! 500 years ago, Lord Alfonse predicted the return of the lost hero to be this year at some time. We're having a year long festival to celebrate his return."
"A festival? Celebrating my return?" I asked the woman. "Then again, what can I say? I'm awesome like that…"
"Your return? We're celebrating the lost hero's return. Not you." She roared in laughter.
"You said they were celebrating L'Arc Bright Lagoon correct?" I said in a challenging voice.
"Of course." She said returning the challenge.
"Well what if I said I was L'Arc Bright Lagoon?"
"No way! There's no way you could possibly be him in a thousand years! I know what he looks like! There's a banner of him hanging from the castle's roof." She sneered.
"Then let's go to the castle and compare me to that banner of yours." I said heading towards the castle. "C'mon Ryfia."
"Coming!" She said following me.
"Hang on! I'm coming with you to prove that you're not him!" Said the woman trailing after us, "By the way, I'm Leilani."
"I'm Ryfia," she smiled.
"And I'm L'Arc."
"Still going on with that?" She snickered.
"That's my name! Why would I lie about my damn name?" I asked, practically yelling.
"L'Arc! Calm down!" Ryfia said putting herself between me and Leilani.
"Fine. Let's just get up to the castle and get this over with. Besides, I need to meet with the new Emperor and ask about Alf." I said continuing up the path towards the castle. Finally, after a few minutes of walking in silence, we reached the castle.
"Look, L'Arc! That's you!" Ryfia shouted, pointing at a giant banner hanging from the castle which read: Welcome Lost Hero, L'Arc Bright Lagoon! And under, the words, there was a picture of me.
"Well, waddya know?" Leilani said flabbergasted. "I guess you are the friggin' lost hero after all."
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" I grumbled.
"Then I guess I should apologize. Please, let me repay the favor and invite you over to my house for tea." She said bowing in respect.
"Uh…sure I guess we'll come when we finish our business here at the castle. Is Master Zamuel's school still here?" I asked.
"Yeah, right down the path, right? 500 yeas ago, Lord Alfonse made sure that nobody tore it down or closed it." Leilani explained. "Even when it went bankrupt years ago, the castle donated at least 100,000 rico to keep it open!"
"Good." I sighed in relief. "Can you wait for me and Ryfia there?"
"Sure! I'll be waiting!" She said and darted off in the direction of the school.
"Let's go, Ryfia." I said heading towards the castle.
"Mm! I go wherever the 'lost hero' goes!" She hummed following me.
We walked up to the guards who immediately said "Halt! Who goes there?" As we walked up.
"I am L'Arc Bright Lagoon, the lost hero, and this is the Imaginal Diva, Ryfia." I explained. They took a good look at me, and then at the banner, before actually replying. Judging by the way that nobody believed I was the lost hero, I was guessing that lots of people pretended to be me.
"The lost hero? Tell Lord Absalom the prediction came true! Hurry!" The soldier shouted to some of his comrades, all standing in a line by the entrance.
"Yes sir!" Other soldiers said running into the palace.
"You can go ahead in, hero and Diva." He said bowing and allowing us to pass.
"Why do people keep bowing to me?" I asked.
"You saved the world, L'Arc! Why wouldn't people treat you with a high respect?" She answered enthusiastically. She grabbed my arm and started pulling me towards the entrance.
The castle was amazing. Things still looked similar to when I last visited the palace, but it was also different. There were more people and guards everywhere, but it still looked great. Alf took really good care of this place. The floors were still that reflective blue color and so were the walls, and the stained glass windows were even more vibrant then they were before. How I missed this castle.
"L'Arc Bright Lagoon?" A man asked, walking up to us.
"Yes?"
"Lord Absalom will see you now."
