Chapter Twenty-Two: Introduction

Lexi stares at the mirror in front of her. She couldn't sleep... Being up all night capturing the imposter. It is now late afternoon. The servant girls are working so she couldn't talk to anyone. She yawns as she is overtired. But she refuses to sleep as she starts to feel awake again.

Lexi looks down and sees Beau trying to rest. Writhing in pain... Nothing has worked. Lexi gently strokes his head. He shuffled and groaned.

She has never seen anything like this. Kenneth taught her vague teachings of the void. But it is something he and the elders barely knew anything about.

She walks around Beau and touches the mirror. Unlike Mali or Stein when they touch the glass it ripples like water. She taps the glass and it feels like normal glass.

She sighs as she quickly notices there is nothing she can do. Turning around she sees Mali looking up at the mirror. Then he looks at her.

Lexi looks taken aback without saying a word. His cheeky smile is not present.

"Are you alright Mali? Is Stein okay?" She asks with concern.

"He will be fine. He is asleep, Aaron and Lei are resting. Iolene... Epithymia, is still under the sleep spell. We can't do anything until she wakes up..." Mali sighs.

It was silent between the two. Both staring at their reflections in the mirror.

"We need to talk..." He suddenly brings up.

"Alright..." Lexi replies

Mali waves his hand and they both leave the room. Beau still sleeping in front of the mirror.

Iymp waiting outside a guest room. The dragon has the largest grin on his face. Lexi raises her eyebrows and smiles. "What?" She whispers to herself. Quickly realizing when Iymp has a smile like that he is up to no good.

"Please tell me you didn't steal something?" She asks worryingly.

"Oh no... It's even better. I cannot wait for you to see this!" He jumps excitedly. Lexi only has a look of bewilderment on her face.

Mali grabs a key and opens the door. Lexi looks at the room. To none of her surprise, it's a normal Lan-Se room. However, a large figure can be seen on the bed.

Sprawled out he can easily take over the large bed.

Mali lets Iymp and Lexi inside quickly shutting the door behind them. Mali then runs over to the man. The man is asleep snoring like a roaring dragon. Mali pokes him.

"Frederick..." He whispers. " Wake up..." Mali whispering as he slowly gets louder and louder. His gentle pokes gradually evolving into slaps and shakes.

Lexi remains still, wondering what is happening. Iymp bursts out laughing. It was a matter of time until Mali is sitting on his chest.

"WAKE UP!" As Mali punches him in the face.

Frederick wakes up and flings Mali onto the floor. Lexi runs to Mali as his legs remain in the air. Iymp in the meantime is almost on the floor laughing.

"I'm glad you enjoyed that Iymp..." Mali says in pain as Lexi picks him up like a doll. He gently brushes her off as he gets his footing. Mali corrects his clothes and fixes his hat.

"SURE DID!" Iymp roars back.

"Who in the Magna Draconis is THAT!?" Lexi shouts.

The man stands up and towers the both of them. In a quick motion, Lexi stands up. Annoyed at herself that she isn't as tall as him. She places her hands on her hips.

But in close proximity to him, she quickly senses his draconium energy.

She raises her hands in a defensive position. Her hands glowing bright red with draconium energy.

"Who are you?!" She shouts. This is the first time she has ever met anyone from the Green Empire. She looks around wondering what to do. An enemy of my home is standing in front of me. Should I kill him? Send him to Vulkania? I don't even know who this man is...

"Oh! Do you want to fight red priestess bitch? Let's fight!" In turn, Frederick raises his hands. However, he doesn't know how to use draconium skills.

"Put your hands down. BOTH OF YOU!" Mali stands between them.

"What are you up to Mali?" Lexi demanding Mali.

"Don't speak to me like that apprentice! Frederick shut up and sit down!" Mali with a wave of his hand draconium gold energy flows around. And before they knew it both are sitting on the bed.

"Now Lexi this is Prince Frederick..."

Lexi looks at the pouting man sitting next to her. "A prince..." She says with restraint. "How long have you know Mali?" Lexi faking a smile as she wanted to burst into flames.

"Not that long... I am trusting you with this. You cannot kill him. He is a Prince... Not an important one. But he is one nonetheless..." Mali shrugs as he looks at Fred.

"You want to say that again MOUSE!?" Fred raises his fist and waves it in front of Mali's face. Mali doesn't flinch and remains still.

"Are you the only royal?" Lexi stands up as she faces nose to nose with him. As she stares into Fred's glowing green eyes. However, he cannot look into hers as she wears her priestess helmet. Hiding her face except for her lips. "Tell me the truth..." She whispers into his ear.

"Wow... It's been a while since a woman has whispered to me like that..." He jokingly remarks. Lexi then grabs his hair and pulls his head back.

"Are you ALONE? And what are planning!?" Lexi becoming quickly frustrated. Pulling his hair further. He side-eyes Mali in a quick glance as he nods.

"Ouch! Yes... Yes, I am alone... I escaped the palace." Fred shaking his hands. Trying his best to make his voice sound meek.

"Lexi..." Mali interrupts. "He doesn't even know what a plan is... He is lucky enough to survive..."

Lexi then roughly let's go as Fred shakes his head around.

"Ouch... I like my hair being pulled, but not that rough..." He then strokes his beard. "You know you are acting tough. You are really not good at it..."

Lexi then punches him across the face.

"He is staying with us..." Mali says enthusiastically.

"Are you kidding? He is an enemy of the Vulkanian Empire. I need to take him home." Lexi looks on at Fred as he kisses at her direction. She rolls her eyes back and raises her middle finger. Aiming it straight to Fred.

"Your empress cannot have him... The Black Empire has the hold of the royal family. As the treaty states. Vatra gets the city. Shadow Emperor gets the family... She can't hold him unless she kills him. Even then it is not advised."

"That is Empress Vatra to you." Lexi begins pacing the room. "You have got to be joking... Ugh!"

Mali looks up at the roof and then looks at Fred. Who made himself comfortable on the bed.

Lexi rubs her face and closes her eyes. "I'll have to write to Kenneth. He should be back to Vulkania by now." With a swift motion, she walks past Iymp. She points for him to move out of the room. Iymp slams the door behind them almost breaking it

"Well... She's a bitch..." Fred sits up and looks at Mali.

"She is not a bitch... Like you, she loves her country." Mali walks over to the bed and leans on it.

"I still can't believe my family voted me out..." Fred with his massive strength grabs a pillow and slams it into the wall. Feathers explode everywhere.

"Eh... Don't be mad. Your family has been through enough. You are being brave right now. You are helping to save your family... "

Fred slams his body back onto the bed. "Fuck my family... I'm a scapegoat. They hate me..."

"They don't hate you... But I am not going to baby you. Now get up. I have other people to introduce you to. Because you are going to be with us for a long time..." Mali with gold energy jumps high onto the bed. "We are going!"

Like a parent with a child Mali guides Fred throughout the mansion. Fred trying to get the attention of the servant girls. Mali with a quick movement zaps Fred with Draconium magic. Fred swears and throws a bucket down the hallway.

Such a little child... I was hoping a serious adult... But no... The spoilt prince.

Mali softly opens the door and sees Lei and Aaron sleeping in the room. Lei taking the comfort of the bed as Aaron sleeps on the floor.

Lei sleeps so peacefully like a sleeping beauty. His long navy blue hair Untied and loose underneath. While his hands rest on his chest.

Aaron however is shuffling and moaning "no".

"Poor boy..." Mali tiptoes around Aaron and looks up at the bed. Lei sleeping right in the middle. Mali has never seen anyone sleep so neatly and quietly.

Mali gently nudges Lei's left shoulder. "Your highness..." Mali whispers. "Time to wake up. It is important." Mali gently shakes his shoulder again.

Lei opens his bright blue eyes and looks to Mali on his left. "What is it Mali. Has Iolene woken up?"

"No your highness... But you need to meet someone." Mali gestures his hand to Fred who stands at the door.

Aaron twitches and shouts out "NO!" Fred walks over to him. It took him a moment to realize it was the man exercising in the snow. "What is wrong with him?" His right foot gently kicks Aaron.

Fred then leans close to Aaron's face. "Wow... He is starting to sweat..."

"Don't get too close!" Mali shouts. Making Lei sit up as he hears a punch and sees a large man fly across the room.

Lei and Mali see Aarons's fist and leg raised. It was a moment when they both shuffle to the edge of the bed. Aaron is fully awake heavy breathing. He looked frightened.

"It's okay Aaron..." Mali says softly. "I told him not to do that..."

"Who?" Lei and Aaron say at the same time. As they see the large man trying to get up. Fred's impact caused an indent on the wall.

"I am so sorry!" Aaron gets up and rushes to Fred. "I didn't mean to do that I swear!" Aaron grabs Freds' arm and lifts him up with ease.

"What... The... Fuck... Was... What!?" Fred taking deep breaths. He doesn't even look that big! I have bigger muscles than him!

"Sorry..." Aaron repeats again. Aaron pats him down. Making sure the bits of brick and wood are off him.

"Aaron, Lei meet Prince Frederick. From the Green Draconium Empire." As Mali points at the disgruntled prince.

Aaron stumbles back. I sleepily kicked a prince into a wall...

Mali gently taps Aaron's arm. "Don't worry Aaron... You are not the first person who has hit him. This Prince has no power... And we can't officially call him a prince..."

"I AM A PRINCE!" Fred shouts. Aaron couldn't help but smile. Fred sounds like a petulant child.

"What has my family been hiding?" Lei says as his mouth is agape. A princess from the Gold Empire. A prince from the Green Empire. My family is playing with the world... Lei's blood felt cold. Fear has begun to set in. If anyone found out, his Empire will certainly go to war. Not only a civil war. But also pissing off the Red and Black Empires.

They all look at Fred as Stein opens the door saying Epithymia has awakened.