The Unhappy King

Chapter 4

The entire kingdom was in frenzy. It didn't help that their king is in the same state. Ulraj had been frantically trying to get everything ready for Zak's arrival. Make the city look as lavishly decorated as possible, the king of all cryptids (whether he knew it or not) must be honoured. It was no secret that ever since the so-called destruction of Kur, all cryptids have found their true leader in Zak Saturday.

That was all they ever wanted in the first place, a true leader (regardless if there was a war or not).

Despite being a 'powerless' Halfling, his influence is apparent all over the world. His will for peace has compelled them to return to their natural habitat like an instinctual need. It was no ordinary phenomenon. It was Zak-compelled phenomenon.

He knew Zak's parents suspected it, since Mr. Saturday had subtly asked of his opinion on the whole matter. He purposely made his answers vague. It couldn't be helped. Zak's inner turmoil wanted his Kur-involvement to be kept quiet and unmentioned. So sentient cryptids are compelled to avoid the topic all together when questioned, including himself. But there was one clear difference between him and the rest of the cryptids. He had a strong bond with Zak. That alone gave him more independence against Zak's unconscious influences (It helped that Zak never used his powers on Ulraj).

That meant only he could tell Zak the truth.

Ulraj had to help Zak face his true destiny, and head on… and he hated it. Zak hated his Kur powers, but he loves cryptids. The King of Kumari Kandem must convince Zak that he is their leader, not because of his powers but because of his love of their kind.

Plus, he has to make Zak fall in love him.

Fate was a cruel matchmaker.

The earth beneath shook slightly.

Crap. Zak's here.

At the edge of the city walls, the young king could clearly see the city's sea serpent purr contentedly under the petting of his crush. Zak seemed delighted that the creature had taken a liking to him, despite his lack of Kur powers. He didn't seem to notice the fact that the serpent had city on top of it.

"Zak!" Ulraj tried to sound irritated, he really did (after all, a purring serpent meant tremors in his city), but seeing a rare genuine smile blooming on Zak's face upon seeing him made it impossible.

"Hey Ulraj! I think K.K. likes me!" Stopping his petting (to the serpent's dismay), he swam to his best friend who had his hands on his hips. A clear sign of irritation if not for the happy grin on Ulraj's face.

"You do realize that your petting is causing tremors throughout my kingdom right?"

"Oops… sorry about that, I didn't mean to get K.K. all excited, I stopped didn't I?" his grinning was infectious and he laughed as Ulraj just sighed in resignation.

"And why are you calling our legendary sea serpent, K.K.?"

"Isn't it obvious? Kumari Kandem! He has the whole kingdom on his back, he so deserves its name!"

Ulraj simply chuckled in agreement as he pulled his friend into the dryer parts of his chambers ao Zak could rid himself of his scuba suit. He had prepared both an extra bed in his room, as well as a spare room. Hopefully Zak would prefer the former.

"I managed to convince mom and dad for a week here! Isn't that awesome!" the boy was obviously ecstatic of the idea. "This is probably the longest time I've ever been by myself!"

"Such a mama's boy I see… " Ulraj teased.

"Hey! I'm so not! I'll let you know, I sleep in my own room!"

"Provided that there aren't any thunderstorms?"

"No!" he paused and blushed. "Okay, maybe really bad thunderstorms… "

"Seriously?" Ulraj was surprised to hear that little bit of information. "the reckless and so-courageous-you-he's-crazy Zak Saturday is afraid of storms?"

Before Zak could reply, Ulraj had pulled him into a gigantic room. A very lavish gigantic room with walls decorated with lush velvet and silk drapes and very beautifully crafted furniture. His jaw dropped wide open. Ulraj smirked proudly before gently pushing up Zak's chin to stop the gaping. Zak had a furious blush streaked against his cheeks in response. Gathering his thoughts, the former Kur finally replies.

"I'm not scared of storms, it's just that it reminds me of something…" Zak takes note of Ulraj's questioning look before continuing. "It was back in England, we were investigating the Owl-man… at first we thought it was fraud and we were already leaving in the airship, it was pretty stormy that night and all of the sudden the real Owl-man breaks into the airship and attacked me… "

"That thing was trying to eat me… if it weren't for Uncle Doyle…" he trailed off. Zak shivered at the memory.

"Where is it now?" Ulraj angrily demanded, he did not like that frightened look on his friend's face. That creature going to end up extinct very very soon.

Zak had been too distracted in recalling the terrifying memory to notice the change in Ulraj's tone.

"Huh? Oh, Uncle Doyle accidentally killed it with his jetpack." Zak chuckled in a self-depreciating manner. "It's kinda pathetic isn't it? To be afraid of something that's already been destroyed?"

The king looked at his friend sadly before pulling the boy tightly into his arms. Sometimes, he wished Zak wasn't so ostracised from other children his age, then he would know how perfectly normal it was to feel fear from something so traumatising. The youngest Saturday was obviously shocked by the sudden embrace.

"No, that's not pathetic Zak. That's completely normal… the only normal thing about you actually." Ulraj joked half-heartedly. Pulling away, albeit reluctantly, Ulraj allows himself to see Zak smiling appreciatively at him before letting the half-human go.

Helping Zak with his bag, he places it inside of the newly-built wardrobes.

"Come on, as King, I have the privilege to escort you around the palace grounds." Bowing dramatically and comically, he extends his arm to Zak. "Shall we, my Kur."

Zak smiles widely and takes the offered arm. He finds himself not minding at all that Ulraj calls him Kur. It was Ulraj after all.