Chapter 6
Leo's POV
"Akino and Kentaro, please ensure my brother and his friends made it back to Terraria safely." The guards left their post, two more replacing them within seconds. "Makoto, please inform my father that we have guests. Chiyo, please go ahead and prepare the guest house." More people appeared from behind the gates, following Giovanna's commands with ease.
Elegantly, Giovanna spun on her heel to face me. "Leonardo, your team will be safe with us for the night. I wanted to warn you now that the city locks down every night. Extra guards take up arms overnight so that no one shall be endangered by the evils that lurk within the dark. Once you and your brothers are settled within the guest house, please do not roam around until the gates reopen in the morning. I will ensure that Makoto gives you all the information you shall need, and I will have two guards set up outside your door for safety."
"Please, call me Leo. Thank you for the warnings, I shall ensure my brothers and I do not cause problems and we thank you for your hospitality." I politely respond, turning to face my brothers. "Right Mikey?" Mike froze in his tracks before he nodded his head yes.
"Very well Leo. You may call me Gio. From Donatello's earlier introduction, it seems as though you are your team's leader. Is that information accurate?" I nod respectfully. "It is a custom here that when visitors come through the cave that one must speak with my father. I will have Lavinia lead your brothers to the guest house if you are comfortable with that. Leader to leader, I understand the responsibility of ensuring your team's safety."
I turned to lock eyes with Raph, silently telling him that he is in charge and to protect our brothers. With a nod in return, I turned back to face Gio. "I am confident that my brothers are safe. Let us proceed." I calmly respond.
Gio and I continued to walk straight once we walked through the gates, whereas my brothers, led by Lavinia, turned to the right. As we made our way through the castle's corridors, Gio turned to face me, "Would you like to know about my father, the king, before we appear before him?" Gio asked thoughtfully. I nodded my head yes, a smile appearing on my face.
"King Guerrero Marcosse, Leader of the city of Terraria. Father of two; myself and Vincenzo. My father is the third generation to rule Terraria, preceding him my grandfather and great-grandfather. My brother Vincenzo will grow up to become king, as I have declined becoming Queen. My mother and father met on a rescue mission actually. When he was a prince, he and his brothers all had to participate in the second war of Saurian. My mother, Rayna, was a shinobi that had been trained to protect our home. My father and uncles got into a tough battle, my uncles did not survive. My father survived because of the quick reactions of my mother, she saved him from the edge of death. Once the war was over and the turtle nation survived, my mother and father fell in love." I listened to her story intently.
"What a wondrous love story. I would love to meet your mother and maybe learn some new moves" I respond, excitement growing on my face. "Unfortunately, that won't be possible. You see, we never had to lock the city at night until a month ago, when the night dwellers assassinated my mother."
"I'm very sorry for your loss Giovanna. My father, our sensei, also passed away a month ago." I attempted to comfort her with my own loss and pain. "Oh Leo, is that why your brothers call you sensei now?" She looked up at me, a silent tear rolling down her face. I nodded in agreement, acknowledging her question.
The space between us seemed to get smaller, as Gio leaned towards me. Unsure of what was about to happen I cleared my throat. "I don't want to keep King Marcosse waiting." Gio froze in her spot. "Uh yes. Let's put the past behind us and go see my father." She turned away from me, in an attempt to hide the fact that she needed to wipe a tear away. I felt a pang in my chest, I wanted to comfort her, to take away all the pain she feels.
My feet guide me through the hallway, my eyes focused on Gio as she walks in front of me. My mind wanders. I never expected our trip to Japan to take such a wild turn. As Raph would say, that's our turtle luck showing. Yet, here we are. In a different dimension, again, but this time we meet more turtles. Leads me to wonder… were we actually mutated, or are we originally from here? If so, how did our lives on Earth actually begin? My train of thought was interrupted when Gio stopped in front of me.
"We are here Leonardo." she announced formally. In front of me is a large emerald throne, a giant old turtle sat upon it. "Come visitor. Kneel before me." I bow before the King before entering his throne room. Gio led me to a cushion where I was meant to kneel. I knelt to the ground, bowing once more and Gio continued her way to stand beside her father.
"I am King Guerrero Marcosse. Welcome to Terraria, you and your brothers are most welcomed visitors. I was informed that you arrived through the cave of Galdur. Is that correct young turtle?" I nod my head in agreement. "Please introduce yourself" King Guerro requested politely.
"I am Leonardo Hamato, son of the late Splinter Hamato, elder brother, leader and sensei to my brothers Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. It is an honour to meet you, your majesty" I bow down once more.
"You show great respect for me, young turtle. I must ask you one question. Did you intentionally come to Terraria?" I shake my head, "No sir. My brothers and I were traveling to Japan in Dimension third Earth. Michelangelo, my youngest brother, found the cave amidst our journey."
"Very well. Not many arrive through the cave of Baldur if they did not intend to. I must reflect on this to learn the meaning. Until then, you and your brothers are welcomed to stay within our guest house. Makoto, please inform the kitchen staff that we will have guests at supper. We shall feast tonight to welcome our guests." "Yes, your highness." Makoto whispered before disappearing into a door beside the throne.
I remained kneeling until the King left the throne room, not wanting to disgrace his authority. "Come Leonardo, I will guide you to the guest house now." Gio spoke formally once again. Once we were in the narrow hallway once more, Gio relaxed a little bit. "Gio, what did King Marcosee mean when he said not many guests arrive through the cave if they did not intend to?" I ask curiously. "I do not know Leo. That was a new experience for me. I'm sure it's nothing. My father will explain when he is ready." I nod in agreement. "Now we must go meet with the girls and you brothers to prepare for supper." Gio smiled, then led the way to the guest house.