Book VI: Prince and Assassin

Chapter XLVII

"Thanks for helping earlier Canaan, we're lucky to have found you," Kasandra said to Canaan privately later.

"Are you alright, Kasandra?" he asked.

"Yeah, normally I'm much more chippy, but when he gets nervous, I do too and it's just a lot...," she complained.

Canaan smiled, "he needs someone like you. I had someone just like what you are to him. If he's doing something that worries you, then you have to step in and take care of him. That's your responsibility as his blade.

Kasandra sighed. "It's so hard sometimes though. I'd rather be my happy-go-lucky self than upfront."

"No one likes confrontation," Canaan said, shaking his head. "But if you don't ever make any noise, you won't ever be heard."

"Right," Kasandra agreed. "Thanks again."

...

We soon arrived at Tantal, which was on the exact opposite side of the continent from where we were.

We hadn't been to Tantal in forever, but it hadn't changed much outside of the atmosphere of the people.

It was already cold, as the Tantal area was always strangely cold, but the coldness I really felt was in the attitude of the people. King Zeke Von Genbu was a beloved king and Queen Mòrag Ladair Von Genbu was highly respected as the first Ardanian Queen, however this happened five hundred years ago and the love, respect, and admiration for these two that gave their all to give Alrest a new start has long since diminished.

The streets were lined with people holding signs saying things like "End the Monarchy" and "Down with the Monarchy, I am no one's subject!" They were also slandering anyone who disagreed with them.

"Why are they so hateful?" Mythra asked Gabriel.

"Do any of you know Tantal's history before my dad became king?"

Most of us shook our heads, but Mythra seemed to immediately understand.

Gabriel noticed this and nodded. "After the First Aegis War, Addam Origo, Mythra's first driver, disappeared without a trace. His uncle, High Prince Zettar was left the remaining survivors of Torna," Gabriel explained. "He made a deal with Praetor Amalthus, Malos' first driver, in exchange for a large amount of core crystals every year, he'd hold up a lie of being a descendent of Addam, whom the people adored. This, paired with grieving people, gave birth to the Kingdom of Tantal on a foundation of lies."

"However," Mythra continued. "Tantal's titan, Genbu, became extremely cold due to the excessive core crystal collection. Ether is the very blood of a titan, and core crystals are created inside titans, and taking the amount caused Genbu to go to the verge of death."

"Why didn't Praetor Amalthus stop taking core crystals?!" I questioned.

"Amalthus was evil beyond belief, and his goals were selfish," Mythra explained. "When Zeke found out about his history of lies, and the final explanation on why his knowledge of Addam varied so greatly from ours, he snapped."

Gabriel continued, "When Zeke took the throne, he abolished these lies in the new land of Elysium. With the truth out and Amalthus dead and plenty of land on the new continent of Elysium, he gave Tantal a new chance at being something more than a lie. However media here in Tantal began pointing out all of these lies that Zeke had set straight, and the people have become increasingly cynical towards his rule."

"Sounds like an Adonis attack if you ask me," Acacia pointed out.

"No doubt," Gabriel agreed. "But with no real evidence, Dad couldn't really pick him out for it."

A squeal echoed out and around Theoscaldia as speakers went live.

"Attention people of Theoscaldia, the funeral procession will begin in thirty minutes, if you will please clear the roads as Queen Mòrag's body is brought through. Despite how you may feel about monarchy, we would implode you to show respect during this time of mourning," it said before the speakers cut out.

Gabriel disappeared without a word, and Sonata and Kasandra with him. I turned and realized Mythra was walking off as well, so I followed her.

She went up the stairs and out towards a balcony in plain view of the road, so I stood beside her, silently.

https/youtu.be/Kh2JI18ByvU

She sighed for a moment as we watched the sun begin to set, the orange rays filling the sky in a bright contrast with the falling snow. It was gorgeous.

"I don't know what to do," she said aloud. "Zeke and Mòrag, these were my friends. Just like Addam, Lora, Jin, and they all die. I have to watch it again and again. It doesn't matter what I do, whether I sink a titan or save the world, the people I love will always die, and I'll be left... alone, once again."

I said nothing, I didn't know what to say.

"For those five hundred years I was asleep... the five hundred years after I tore apart Torna... Those were some of the loneliest years of my life, I spent each slept day with Pyra in a dream world we created. One of Elysium, one of home, with Father. The last five hundred years... after Rex, those were filled with beautiful rest. I wasn't sad, I was waiting on someone else. And still he hasn't come... I've been patient... I suppose it doesn't hurt to wait longer. But even Father died, and even when I find Waylon again, he'll eventually die, and I'll be left alone... again. I don't even have Pyra anymore..."

I sighed, what could I say?

She broke down into tears. "Brighid was my best friend and I watched her die, right in front of me! I watched her first driver die. He died in the Torna incident, the one I caused. I watched Addam cry... He was always such a crybaby... but those tears... they felt different! And Milton too..." Her voice began choking and I rubbed her back. "And now Mòrag died and I wasn't even there! Why did Addam teach me the value of human life?! They just die! And I'm left alone... I'm always alone..."

"Is that why you treat me the way you do?" I finally asked.

"What?" she questioned, confused.

I continued. "You were always smiling, understanding, but it all felt fake. Like you weren't being real with me. Only occasionally do you truly get irritated or annoyed and then I see emotion you seem to try to hide."

Mythra sighed, tears still streaming down her face. "I... yeah... I'm scared to get close, because you're going to die one day, and I'll once again be left on my own..."

I wrapped her in a hug. "Mythra I can't promise I won't ever die, but I want you to know that it's not healthy to live in fear, I want to be the driver you want me to be, but please, I need you to give me your all as well. Do you think this is why you've been running out of power so quickly in battle?"

Mythra sobbed. "I don't know why that's happening... but you're right. I lived in fear of myself for so long... I refuse to go back. But now the fear's different, the fear of losing those close to me..."

She looked like she wanted to say more, but we were interrupted by a carriage with two beasts, ponio, to be exact, pulling it. Ponio were new beasts discovered only a few years ago and revolutionized how we used animals, as they were fast and could carry lots of weight. However this was hardly the time to marvel at them.

The carriage pulled was made of wood, and it creaked and rustled it's way through Theoscaldia, it... almost felt haunted. An unsettling feeling rushed over me, as I knew what it meant, Mòrag's body had arrived.

...

"What do you mean we've got no one to perform music at the funeral?!" Gabriel said, irritated.

"I'm sorry my Prince, no one offered to fill that position!" the funeral director explained. "All our greatest musicians go to New Torna to record professional albums!"

Gabriel wanted to say more, but he was interrupted by a loud "ahem". He turned to see Sonata behind him.

"Oh, Sonata. What's up?" he greeted informally.

She shrugged in a very sarcastic way, which only confused him more. She rolled her eyes. "You have a blade that can mimic any amount of noises and instruments at any time."

Gabriel realized what she meant by that. "You would do that for me?"

Sonata rolled her eyes again. "Listen here buddy, I'm your blade! I'm here to help you just as much as it's your responsibility to care for me! Do you understand?"

Gabriel was taken aback a bit. "I—"

Sonata cut him off. "I know you're going through a rough time, and I understand that. That's why I'm offering, I will perform for your parents' funeral."

Gabriel nodded. "I can't thank you enough, Sonata."

"You can start by actually taking the time to get to know me! Got it?! I want to be taken out for dinner! And bring Kasandra too, she misses you as well!" Sonata demanded.

Gabriel nodded. "You have my word, and I apologize for not doing so sooner."

Sonata nodded back. "Glad we reached an understanding. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to warmup my voice."

https/youtu.be/TV0uYFPEkks

Sonata left the area, and Gabriel heard the sound of ponio hooves and creaking wood, and turned to see the carriage carrying his mother.

The wood was gypsum wood, a certain variety that could only be found in Tantal. It has been sanded and polished by a carpenter of esteemed skill and every detail of this carriage was fashioned to show the life of the person inside. Outside of it were little decorations of Brighid and Aegaeon, her two most well-known blades. It showed Malos, Rex, and Pyra, having aided them in the Second Aegis War. It showed Zeke Von Genbu, her husband and a huge step for the history of Alrest itself.

The carriage was pulled right past Gabriel and came to a stop and he looked at the back of it. What he saw made him cry right there on the spot. It was a picture of him, as a baby, laying in his mother's arms with his father nearby. There was a quote on top, a final message, a letter to him. He couldn't help but here her Ardanian accent as he read it.

"My son, if you can read this, then I'm so sorry. I hope you don't feel as though I've failed you for this, as it was not my intention. Please understand that every light of life will fade one day, and it so happens to be that this was the time that mine finally did so. I spent many years battling, I never once thought I'd ever settle down and just live. I often believed that I'd never find that serenity of life other's seemed to enjoy so much. I had always taken it as it was my duty to help ensure that other's had that right of a calm life, and that because I defended it, I was not allowed to have it. But things change, and so did my heart. In the many years I have lived, I have seen every continent. I've been up past Alrest's atmosphere, I've seen every continent, traveled every land, I had seen every sight this world could possibly offer me. However, nothing was as breathtaking to me as when I looked upon your smiling face. You are my son, destined for greatness and a loving heart. Please, never forget that and know that I will always love you. I love you Winston, do great things. And one day... I hope you too will experience what it's like to witness a mother's love, just as Zeke has. Goodbye my son, fight for what's right."

Gabriel tenderly placed his hand on the wood of the carriage as he laid his head against it. "I'll miss you Mom," he said, and then, he took the time to cry.

Readability Level: 11-12th Grade

Time Taken: 4 Hours