Music Choice — Demi Lovato— Kingdom Come

I eyed the horizon in the distance. The sun huge, casting itself as a background to the large castle that came into view once Gareki, Pastel and I trekked up the hill of sand.

Once atop I lifted my arm to block away the sun's light from my eyes as I scrutinized and took in the glistening castle nine-hundred feet away from us. It was sitting on top of an inclined canyon that had been carved to hold it up above sea level that surrounded the entire building. It was the ocean.

I hadn't expected to see it in a place like this.

The castle's structure obscured in colors vibrant velvet and sheer gold marble that made it up from top to bottom. It reflected the sun with it's intimidating height as it pierced the sky with towers of onion domes.

Sentinel terraces, along with separate towers situated in front of the bridge that led across the water in order to reach the main entrance, designed the structure. From the castle was two other bridges that came from both it's left and right sides leading to two smaller castles. One of the bigger ones of the two was perched as well on an inclined canyon as it's structure was directly closer to the ocean.

And lastly surrounding the castle all together was a circular perimeter made of rock with carved windows and smaller buildings as if more then just the prince of Kiridian Empire lived here. They were homes built for the people who lived there as well.

The castle itself looked mostly like the mundane term of Russian architecture. It was a sight to behold and stare at from just how breath taking it looked sitting there.

After the long two day trip it took to get here, I was looking forward to a cold shower and water to drink from all the walking we did to reach our destination faster. Just for the sake to get Gareki's arm healed and return Pastel to where he belonged as well as to get to the Realm Gates.

And within those two days we hadn't come by any trouble with the Fire District. Either I'd teleported them farther than I thought in Dampis or they were waiting to ambush us somewhere close by. I wasn't all too worried though. Just because Gareki would be too injured to fight and I would most likely be on my own.

I could handle myself in a fight relatively well. Fifteen years of sword training, and combat taught me my resources. Even if the Fire District had the upper hand during our last meeting I could handle them.

But besides that as I watched the sun hit it's focal point on the horizon it fully dawned on me how many days I'd been in the Arcial Realm.

This was my twenty-first day. In which in the Arcial Realm every two days passing meant one had gone by back in my realm. I did the math in my head. Ten days. Ten days had gone in my realm.

Even if Vileus had the other half of my amulet he still couldn't have completed the process of transforming my kingdom into one of his hellish empires. The process would be slow.

And considering he was still sending his henchman after me then that was enough proof that said my kingdom hadn't yet turned into a hellish form. He still wanted the other half of the amulet I had in order to speed up the process. He wouldn't need it if he had already finished transforming my kingdom.

I was broken out of my thoughts as I felt a familiar cold sensation brush against my arm. I looked over only to see Gareki standing next to me as he watched Pastel flounder around like a child.

He had been away from home for years and now he was back. I would be happy too.

Gareki crossed his arms, thoughtfulness pulling his beautiful features together in a small frown.

I didn't care if that was a feminine term to go about the appearance for a guy. But it was true. To me he was completely gorgeous inside and out. Even his bad qualities that got on my nerves sometimes.

Just looking at him reminded me two nights ago we had kissed in the rain. Passionately, intensely, but yet restrictedly.

It hadn't meant anything.

What I meant by that was Gareki and I weren't labeled in a relationship. It was a kiss just between comrades who had feelings for one another but were compelled to not cross the line of being in a relationship until a decision was made. Which was weird. But I didn't care, because at least he hadn't pushed me away again and despite him not giving me an answer about being with me or not, he allowed me to continue kissing him.

It surprised me when I boldly reached for another kiss from him right on the night after the one we'd had in the rain. He hadn't pulled from me once I pressed mine against his. It was as if he wanted it. But inside him I could feel the hesitation. He was holding back. For what reason. I didn't know nor did I ask. I had a feeling he would tell me when he was ready.

Hell. I still got chills just thinking about that kiss in the rain. I felt the sparks and emotions all coursing through him. A mixture of restraint, want, and need tangling inside him. It was enough to push away the anger and betrayal I felt.

He did have his reasons for lying. He explained more to me that he was only trying to protect us both from our differences. I just wished I wouldn't have jumped to conclusions when I first found out. I needed to control my anger.

That night had been an emotional one for both of us, but we had pushed through our disputes and acted like they never happened. Only one thing had changed between us . .

I reached up and pulled off my sand deflector made from the turtle-neck hoodie before pulling him to me. Glad that his was off as well before placing my lips against his soft, cold ones.

The chill didn't bother me. In fact I welcomed it. He may have been from a world of ice but every time I kissed him his lips felt neutral. Like they had warmed to the temperature of mine.

My lips tingled with bliss as he pushed his against mine returning the gesture. I didn't know how many times I'd kissed him since that night but however many times I did, the feeling never got old.

This was the change.

He breathed a soft and short moan against my lips before pulling away from me. "Addicted much?" He asked me with a sly smirk pulling at one corner of his lips. I instinctively wanted to kiss him again just for giving me that sexy look.

I smiled turning back to Kiridian. "I did say back in Lim Fay that you had kissable lips."

"I believe you now," he said, sliding his bottom lip with a thumb.

I lifted a hand and rubbed my neck softly where the two puncture wounds from him biting me last night were still healing. "How's your arm?" I ventured. I'd tried to heal him but the Fire District's burns were done with different flames than mine.

He flexed his fingers as he examined the red skin and slightly smaller burnt marks against his limb. " It hurts like hell, but I've endured worse. "

"The tattoos?" I hinted, recalling him with his shirt off and how many black engravings I'd seen against his pale skin. And the fact that he had to practically burn himself just to mark them there.

"Exactly." A warm breeze flew at us as we both looked at Kiridian Empire, brushing the hair away from our foreheads and ruffled our clothing.

Gareki lost his smirk, suddenly his demeanor transitioning to serious. He peered out at the empty distance to his right. The point of his ear that was facing me twitched.

He tensed slightly.

"What's wrong?" I asked, turning serious too.

He didn't answer me right away. He shook his head. "I thought I heard something."

I sighed. Of course with the Fire District being on the loose in Dampis we never knew how close they were to us. We were always left on guard. "We should go," I said. "We're out in the open. Chances are if there is any threats around they'll spot us."

He followed me down the slope of the hill and all three of us carried on the rest of the way to Kiridian.

His shoulders never loosened. Just by looking at the muscles on his arms I could tell he was still on high alert. I could understand. He didn't like fire especially from what happened last time the District had fought us.

I looked away from him. I still couldn't believe I'd just frozen up at the confession of Kagiri and Kiharu working with Vileus. What the hell had happened to me.

It wasn't surprising that henchmen were being sent to assassinate me and steal the other half of my amulet.

I guess I just felt overwhelmed at that moment. And for my sake it had been stupid of me. Because it had nearly cost Gareki's life.

As if Gareki were reading my mind he asked," Why did you freeze up when Kagiri was talking to you? Did he say something to you while Kiharu was burning me?"

I looked down as I walked. "It turns out he along with Kiharu are affiliated with Vileus."

He pushed his brows together. "Which means they want your amulet." He sounded austere.

I nodded. "I regret not getting rid of them when I had a chance. I'm sorry for not doing what you wanted."

"Hey, my arm'll be fine. We need to focus on getting them back for what they did to me."

I breezed my hand against his and tasted revenge. Bitter sweet with excitement. "I'm already thinking about it. They'll pay for ever coming after me and Pastel and hurting you." My voice was edgy.

"I hope you two aren't planning to make another scene at the entrance," said Pastel, breaking our serious conversation while looking back at us. "We are nearing the castle where two guard towers are. They'll stop us for confirmations."

Gareki eyed me sideways accusingly. "Let's hope you won't grab your sword this time."

I remembered Eva's castle when we'd first arrived and I'd jumped to conclusions before the guards had even laid a finger on us. "This time I'll observe before doing." I agreed.

Satisfied he turned away from me only to glare out into the distance where the sun was.

The light dancing off the iris of his eyes causing the black slits in them to dilate."After we leave Kiridian we need to find a ship dock. We can't cross the ocean without a boat."

Pastel turned to him. "A ship dock? Kiridian has one for the shipping and trading of goods and medicine. But it's organized by Nai. You'll have to have a word of permission to hitch a ride to Maharii Sylus."

"Perfect," Gareki said. "That can be arranged."

A wave of excitement and anxiety waved through my chest at the mere thought of being closer to home and seeing what kind of state it was in since my absence. Reuniting with my sisters was like a long lasted dream that would finally come true.

I looked up and noticed how close we were to the bridge that crossed the ocean to the big gates of the castle. The castle itself was bigger once we were closer. I had to crane my head up just to see the onion domed towers protruding from the roof and perimeter.

As we walked closer Gareki stopped. Paused while eyeing the castle skeptically.

I stopped as well just as Pastel followed my lead. "What's wrong—?"

"Do you smell that?" He took a step forward, eyeing me with a pull of his eyebrows as his nose scrunched up.

I sniffed but didn't catch a hint of what he was referring.

He shook his head. I assumed he realized that I didn't have an acute nose like his. "Ashes." He muttered to himself or to me— I wasn't sure.

He slowly glared at me "It reeks. Burning my nose. I know where it's coming from."

My face hallowed into surprise. Did he think it was me. It might of been but I just couldn't smell it. But all this time he'd been close to me and hadn't bothered to fuss about it then. Why now.

"Gareki—?" I started but stopped once his glaive appeared in his hand with blue sparks. He held it up before flinging it down at me. "Move!" He snapped.

I jumped to the ground only to see his blade break through an invisible force filled that dissolved into a figure on fire who punched away his weapon only to throw flames at him.

Gareki lifted his good arm and spread his hand wide, forming a thick ice shield. The fire ball connected and a sickening sound of the ice cracking echoed through the silence before blowing it apart.

Gareki misstepped and rolled before catching his footing again. He squared up to the flaming figure with his glaive held out.

I grabbed Pastel and stood by his side before dropping him behind me as I pulled out my sword that swarmed with flames at my touch. "Who are you?!" I demanded to the figure.

A cynical laugh blurted out behind us sounding like a voice we all knew. We all turned only to see Kiharu revealing himself from an invisible force filled.

The flaming figuring in front of us laughed next before slowly clapping as his body materialized back into a skin tight suit and a familiar face. Kagiri took a few steps closer to us.

"Well it appears the Avatar isn't as useless as we initially thought, Kiharu. He's still alive and breathing despite that mad burn you gave him."

"I hate it when my victims still stand," Kiharu admitted. "But lucky for me we can finish him since he's in the way of our real targets."

"Kiss my ass!" Gareki spat. "You're not coming near me unless you want this large blade of mine in your throats!" He continued to hold his weapon out.

Kagiri laughed again before forming two fire blades one in each hand. "Alright I will."

"We're getting our hands on that Kiridian Gem and that amulet so don't attempt to teleport us again." Kiharu lunged for me but I blocked his fist with my hand.

Gareki blurted out fast instructions to me before darting for Kagiri. "You need to guard Pastel while fighting him. Kagiri's mine."

He moved swiftly and effortlessly as Kagiri swung down one of his blades. He averted his body to the side before swinging his glaive.

Kagiri ducked and attempted to cut Gareki's leg but he jumped away and swung his arm once he faced him. A stream of electricity hit Kagiri right on his back, pushing him to the ground.

Kagiri growled before forcing himself to stand again and went after Gareki, blades raised.

I faced my own fight, pushing away Kiharu's fist I pulled my sword back before thrusting it forward to stab him but he backed up in time with my movements, dodging swiftly with each swing.

He caught me off guard with a heated uppercut to my jaw. My teeth ached as I stumbled back, catching myself strait again before swinging again.

He smirked before spinning inches away from my blade. Once he was cleared he threw darts of fire at me.

Pastel and I were in range. I promptly sheathed my sword and grabbed him before rolling out of the path of fire darts sinking into the sand.

I breathed heavily before comforting Pastel that things would be fine as long as he stayed out of my way. Letting go of him I felt a strong grip grab me by the back of my shirt and fling my body hard to the ground.

I choked on air as the world spun for a second; grateful that the sand had worked to break the hard impact against my back.

I felt my amulet maneuver against my neck as Kiharu grasped it. I instantly snapped my hand up and gripped tightly to his wrist.

I snatched it from him before lifting it to his face and flashed a bright ray of sunlight in his eyes.

He jerked back, rubbing them as he cursed that he couldn't see.

I staggered to my feet before jerking my hands to ignite flames. "I'm not happy you're back and I'm also not happy that you want to take and kill what's important to me!" I set my hands together making the fire ball bigger before propelling it at him.

He flew a few feet away as it impacted him on the chest and I ran right after him to make sure he wouldn't get up again.

My fire element wouldn't hurt him since his skin was resistant to getting burned. The only thing I could do was push him around with it.

I glared down at him once I stepped near him. I grabbed my amulet and faced it towards him. "You want my amulet so bad? Well you can have it. Von zelip!"

I casted a sunburst spell that made hovering balls of energy from the sun fly down at him.

He pushed himself to his feet in an attempt to avoid them but they followed.

He ran away from them before turning and threw a wave of flames at them. They exploded on que.

I squinted as a wind of sand breezed against my face. Blocking my view of him.

My eyes darted over the sandy mist, trying to hurry and find him. I listened carefully and blocked out the sound of Gareki's fight.

"We need to find him." Pastel chided behind me hastily.

"I know," I said gruffly. The sand began to clear gradually and just when I thought my opponent might be behind me he burst out of the cloud of sand with a machete blade of fire.

He was quick as he flung it upwards. I backed up, missing the sharp tip that almost sliced into my chin. But he had nicked off a long slit in my shirt, leaving it open to reveal the white shirt I had underneath.

That had been close. Way too close. I whipped out my sword and my blade met up with his as he flung his machete downwards at me.

I lifted my sword up, supporting it with both hands as his blade pushed down on mine. His force weighed me down.

Medal against medal scrapped loudly against each other.

I grit my teeth before summoning my strength and shoved him before striking him in the gut.

Blood spluttered on my cheek at the abrupt incision. I kept it inside him as he paused. A pained expression marred him.

In one quick motion he lifted his hand and slapped me across the face with such a force I felt myself whirling through the air and practically slam to the ground.

I couldn't feel the right side of my face. The only thing I immediately felt apon opening my eyes was blood in my mouth.

My face stood inches from the ground while I laid on my front side, elbows holding me up as I spat blood and saliva from my lips, coughing.

"Get up!" Pastel hissed in my ear.

I looked up at him. "Get away, Pastel. It's too dangerous for you to be near me."

As soon as I said that I heard a whoosh behind me and felt the air growing warm at my neck. I gripped my amulet before whirling onto my back and lifted it just in time as a hurl of flames burst towards me.

I gripped it tighter as they came closer. A clear shield formed in front of me and the fire came onto it strongly.

I rocked backwards, falling on the ground but I forced my way back up into a kneel and held my arm strait out to meet my strength with the force of the fire.

My jaw clenched as I glared at the huge inferno spreading right in front of me. I felt the searing heat against my face and sweat dotted my forehead.

My outstretched arm shook with the force of Kiharu's blast. I could feel my hair fluttering away from my face from the hot wind blowing against my body.

I couldn't let him win.

My fingers clenched my amulet that was now glowing golden. My index felt over a small crack but I was too engrossed in fending off the flames to pay attention to it.

The flames hit my amulet more forcefully. And to my shock the shield I'd casted shattered and the fire full on hit against my amulet.

I felt my chest spasm as a loud crack broke through my ears. Louder than anything else. My eyes widened as metallic shards of my amulet splattered to the ground right before me.

I choked on air as heat rushed to my face and tears slipped from my eyes and down my jaw in long streaks. Something inside me broke and I couldn't breathe.

My eyes weren't deceiving me no matter how much I wanted them to.

I fell to my hands and knees as the blast of fire stopped shooting. I didn't acknowledge Kiharu's feet stepping in front of me as I could only look at my broken amulet.

Say it wasn't true. I wish I'd been dreaming. But reality was like a cold slap to my face.

I couldn't stop the tears from flowing and my shoulders shook as emotions hit me.

Anger and sadness mingling. But I could do nothing. My body had frozen. The only key to restoring my kingdom. . . gone.

He won despite me not wanting him to.

"What are you doing?!" Pastel yelled at me. "Get up!"

"No! It's over!" I wanted to curl up in the fetal position and cry my frustrations away. There was no point in fighting any more.

Pastel saw the broken shards and shared a sad look with me. "I know you must be horrified but, Nai— Nai can fix this."

I shook my head not believing a word. This was a magical amulet not just ordinary jewelry.

Pastel looked up and saw Kiharu lifting his machete reading to stab Yogi. "It sucks ass that the amulet's broken. And it's all your fault for making me break it. Now what the hell are we going to tell Vileus?! The only effort we can show him is by murdering you!" He barked before jabbing downward.

"Yogi!" Gareki yelled as he flung the butt of his glaive into Kagiri's stomach. He then lifted his arm and threw a bolt at Kiharu who stumbled away from me, missing his chance to end my life.

Kiharu and Kagiri recovered before facing him menacingly.

"End him!" Kagiri yelled. Both their hands surged with flames and they aimed right at me.

Pastel yelled at me to move. But I stayed and cried, scooping up the pieces of my amulet and placed them in my pocket.

I felt the heat of fire coming at me and I closed my eyes waiting for everything to turn bleak.

But darkness hadn't come.

Opening my eyes I saw Gareki standing with his back facing me as he shielded off the strong current of flames flowing in our direction.

I couldn't think neither react. I only watched as he pushed with all his might to keep the flames away. His heels digging deep into the sand as he was slowly pushed back.

"Dammit,Yogi!" He yelled, turning to me. "Get up! This is not the time to feel sorry for yourself."

"Yes it is, Gareki!" I snapped, tears burning down my cheeks. "You have no idea how important this was to me! It's gone! My kingdom! My family! Everything!"

He grit his teeth, It was taking him a lot of effort to keep his ice magic up against the flames.

"How can you say that?!" He spat back at me. "I understand you more than anyone! And what you think you've lost is just a lie. You haven't lost anything!"

I threw my hand into my pocket and thrust the pieces of the broken amulet sitting in my palm to him so he could see. "It's gone!" I cried, my voice cracking. "What I've fought for is gone. All for nothing—and I made it this far! Don't you fucking get it. It was a lost cause, everything was."

He clenched his teeth tightly and from where I sat I could see the sharpness of his fangs as his eyes glowed brightly. "So you're just going to give up, huh? It that it?!He growled." You don't fucking give up, Yogi! You keep pushing until you meet your goal. You taught me that. Don't go back on your word. Now move so I can stop holding this shield up!"

I pressed my lips as I put the shards back into my pocket. I didn't know what to do. Could I really keep going without the key to save everything I'd been chasing after up till this point. "Gareki. . .I—"

Suddenly a rush of fire smashed away his shield and I watched in horror as it burned him, pushing him through the air until he collided with the ground. Everything happened quickly, way too quickly and once again I couldn't react in time.

My lips trembled as I watched the once pale skin of his arms burnt black and bloody. His face was pelted with burns and his clothes were ruined with black markings. The fabric revealing bruises on his bare red chest that was also bleeding.

My voice lodged itself within my throat as my tears streamed heavily. When my voice finally found itself it came out croaked and rugged with a scream I'd never heard myself do before. "Gareki!"

I ran and sank to my knees before him. My hands shaking over his still body. He wasn't moving.

Why wasn't he moving. He would get back up. He always got back up.

My heart throbbed in my chest from panic gripping at me. I felt his heart. Big mistake. I jerked my hand away and shook violently.

This was my fault. If only I'd just moved when he told me to.

"Oh my God!" I cried. My entire face wet with tears and sweat. "No! Please." I begged, gripping at what was left of his clothes as I rested my forehead against his abdomen.

I couldn't feel him. No sense of his magic or an emotion. It was blank and disconnected and that scared the hell out of me.

I felt sick as my breath caught in my throat from realization that he was dead.

I didn't want to believe it. "Noo!" I screamed at the sky. "Please don't take him from me please God, no!" I whined pleadingly.

My fingers felt the fabric of his jumpsuit before gripping it. He wasn't dead. I wouldn't believe that.

I gripped the handle of my sword and pointed it right at Kagiri and Kiharu who had just thrown Pastel to the ground. The collar holding his Kiridian Gem in Kiharu's hand.

"You did this! I'm going to kill you!" Anger and angst melted away my sadness and fear.

In the distance I heard the sound of running feet and metal clapping. I looked to see sentinels running at us with swords out.

"The Kiridian Gem is ours." Kagiri smirked. "Your amulet is broken but don't get comfortable because this isn't the last you'll see of us. We're coming back to kill you. Just be lucky you got saved by the guards."

I watched as they materialized into black dust. As soon as they left my hand shook with the sword. I broke down and sank to my knees, staring strait ahead as my mouth hung open.

Two important thing were stolen from me. My kingdom and the person I loved. Both were my fault.

I looked down at my sword and slowly lifted it to my neck. My hand shook as I dared to allow what my brain wanted.

I closed my eyes just as Pastel yelled at me to stop. I snatched away my sword and sheathed it. I couldn't commit suicide. Gareki hadn't wanted me to give up and I wouldn't give up on him or my kingdom.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, Pastel. I couldn't stop them from taking your gem." My voice shook.

"It's fine." He assured. "There are two others in the castle belonging to the crowns of the King and Queen. The Fire District will have to steal those as well to take over this whole valley."

He looked down at Gareki and his green eyes widened. "Oh no. . .is he?"

I felt hot tears well in my eyes. Clenching my jaw I closed my them and looked down. "They won't get away with this, mark my words. I'll kill them." I opened my eyes and allowed the tears to fall as I glared dangerously at the spot they'd been standing in.

Kiridian Empire:

Five minutes they'd granted me.

I felt numb as I sat in a chair in the healing chamber bed room Gareki had been placed in.

That wasn't enough time. Not enough time to tell him how sorry and how at fault I felt for this.

I grasped his warm black and red fingers. They shouldn't have been warm. I looked at his body that was hooked up to so many cords and machines I'd never seen before.

Of course when the guards had caught up with me back in the desert I briefly explained who I was and that I wasn't a threat to them and that they needed to heal Gareki. I didn't care what it took.

They had all given me that knowing look as they gave one glance at Gareki's condition and I saw remorse.

They were practically telling me he was dead just by looking at me. I told them to heal him anyway, at least try.

They had taken us to the castle where they immediately got healers to hook his body up to the cold temperatures that an Avatarian was supposed to be. It was a bad sign that he was warm.

They had taken Pastel to Nai and I hadn't seen him since we'd got here which had been an hour ago.

I wiped a stray tear away but it came back as I Intertwined my fingers with his.

I ignored the fact that I still couldn't feel a pulse. Or his magic.

I almost had him. I'd just figured out he loved me back and now. . .

I couldn't finish the thought. We were connected in a way that no one else could ever imagine. If he died then a piece of me died too.

I lifted his hand to my lips and placed a long kiss on his knuckles.

"I'm sorry." I whispered harshly. "You have no idea how sorry I am."

His silence ate away at me. I swallowed a lump in my throat and continued.

"I can't live without you." I placed my fingers between his. "We're linked. You can't break that bond by leaving me. We're solid like rock and stuck together. You mean the world to me so don't leave me."

I watched his face and placed his hand against my cheek.

He was listening to me.

I remembered him telling me the cycle of an Avatarian death. His mind was still living but his body wasn't able to move. He couldn't speak either.

"I love you."

The door behind me opened to reveal one of the female healers. "I'm sorry to interrupt but the other healers and I need to perform surgery. I'll have to ask you to leave."

As much as I wanted to stay there I knew this was for the best. I pushed myself up and took a single step closer to Gareki's bed. I pulled the covers up over his naked body. Respecting his privacy in lower regions.

I dropped the covers over his chest before moving past the group of healers only to be met with a guard. His uniform consisting of a long red coat with golden badges and black slacks, and boots. A sword at his side.

He looked young in his twenties.

His arms folded behind his back as he gave me a nod." Prince Yogi of the Sun Kingdom my name is Rowen. I'm assigned to accompany you to Prince Nai who would like a word with you."

I hadn't met him yet. I nodded and followed him down the long red painted hall with treasured paintings and vases. And beautiful interior decorations.

We made our way down the grand stair well that opened up to a white marble flooring in a large open room leading all the way to the main entrance where large pillars stood beside each other on either side.

Two other hallways were available on each side of the spacious room.

Golden chandeliers. White panted walls with carved designs. Rich glass artifacts all made up the castle of Kiridian.

I thought the outside was huge and perfect but the inside was even more so. So spotless and delicate.

I followed Rowen down another hall and we stopped at two black doors. He opened one for me and stepped aside as I walked in.

What my eyes met were pedestals all situated underneath golden curtains that hung from the sealing in a royal blue room. A marble path led between the rows, stopping to the far wall where a deep red love couch sat with a teenage boy around my age placed himself with Pastel sitting in his lap.

He wore a velvet Vladimir tail coat with golden studs sewn to the collar, black slim pants with ankle black boots and a white button up.

He looked up once Rowen closed the door behind me, stepping in.

"I've brought him, your majesty."

I eyed the boy in front of me. He was handsome just like Gareki was when I'd first seen him. His albino hair was trimmed to an undercut leaving the strands low while the top of his hair grew long over one of his red eyes with purple ends.

"So this is him." He sounded and looked intrigued. His fingers caressed Pastels ear affectionately. I could tell he was happy that his familiar was back home.

"Pastel here has told me so much about you." His voice was soft but yet deep with boldness. "And your ordeal. For that I am truly sorry. But in exchange for rescuing him I shall do what I can to resurrect your guardian link with the tools I have. But you should know, his condition is highly critical. Chances are he might not make it."

My legs turned into water and I braced myself against the wall. I tried hard to keep myself together. Taking in heavy breaths. "Thank you for your time." I choked out.

"Yogi." Pastel added. I looked at him. "You need to be strong for him."

I swallowed hard with a small shake of my head. "You have no idea how much I'm trying to."

"I too have lost people I treasure," said Nai. "My mother and father died trying to protect the gems of Kiridian. One has been stolen from Pastel by the fire district and I do not blame you for it. They have killed many with their sorcery. Which is because my kingdom cannot use magic to protect themselves. We don't have that ability. But you do." He looked at me intensely after saying that.

He stood up with Pastel in his arms and walked over to a much bigger pedestal. He pulled on a rope and the curtain moved up revealing two crowns in all their magnificence. Similar red gems from Pastel's collar were carved into their centers.

Nai turned to me. "These are the Kiridian Gems I've been protecting. But a few days ago I've received word that the Fire District is near our borders. They haven't tried anything in the last past year. But I sense a storm is brewing between us. I can feel them coming and I know their plan."

"What is it?" I asked.

"A day from now is my birthday and they think I'm going to be occupied with my party so they'll try and steal the crowns away. But I've planed to reschedule my party the night after while on the actual date of my birth I'll set up guards along with you to ward them off and away from my kingdom. If you do this for me I can fix your amulet before my plan commences and offer you a ship to Maharii Sylus four days from now."

"Why four day?"

"Because that's when the next shipment of goods is made." Rowen spoke up.

"You're the only person who wields magical abilities in this castle besides Pastel," Nai said. "I need your help. This is a duty my parents trusted me with at their funerals."

I thought about his offer. I pocketed out the remains of my amulet. " Can you really fix this?" My voice was serious.

He took it from me and examined it. "It's really broken up and I understand that it's magical. I believe I can fix this by the day of my birthday."

I sighed. I had five days here judging by his plan arrangements. On the third day my amulet would be fixed. On the fourth day I would need to stay here and attend his party until the fifth day where the ship will hitch me to Maharii Sylus. There was a chance I could still save my kingdom if everything played out well. But one thing bothered me.

"You understand, Pastel that I can't leave here without Gareki." My eyes found his green ones.

Pastel exchanged a worried look at Nai before looking back at me. "Yogi, You need to grasp the fact that Gareki might not make it this time. And if he doesn't. . ."

"I'll have to carryout saving my kingdom alone," I finished.

He nodded. "I'm sorry."

My voice was deep and stern. "You shouldn't be sorry. I should. Everything happened because of me. I deserve this." I turned to Nai. "I'll follow through with your plan."

He smiled, the one eye that wasn't hidden from his hair crinkled. "Good. As for now Rowen will show you to your sleeping quarters placed next to Gareki's room and give you a change of clothing. Dinner will be served later on at seven."