It took nearly 3 hours after the wave had ended before the fighting came to an end. Countless monsters remained after the event. With their queen gone, the monsters seemed far less organized than before, though, they did continue to chase Botan on sight. After the fighting was over, they gathered up to discuss things.
Botan went to speak first, but Mr. Lokkan beat him to it.
"Knob died. Passed away just 10 minutes ago."
Everyone just stared for a moment. "How!? What was left to hurt Knob? He was a gate beast!" Alder went between shouting and asking questions.
Mr. Lokkan answered by looking at Botan and pointing at Myskel. "Turns out, the honey is highly toxic." His voice was shaky. "Knob absorbed about 6 full golems. More than 1000 gallons of toxic material. Even Knob couldn't handle that."
Botan rechecked Myskel, she was doing better. The small amount she ate wasn't fatal.
"So your business is on hold again, I take it? You don't have any more gate beasts, and taming a new one could take a year or more." Cole inquired.
"I have about a dozen." He replied without looking up.
"...WHAT!?" They were collectively shocked.
"Knob had kids about 6 months ago. Normally gate beast young stay in their parent's dimensional stomach until they are big enough, but when the wave came I had him leave the kids in the cellar of the house before we headed out. It'll be less than a year before my shipping services can renew." Mr. Lokkan said, not meeting anyone's gaze. He kept staring at a muddy puddle. "I know this'll affect the capital, but I won't be using them for shipping for a long time." He said after some pause, finally looking up from the ground. His eyes were worn and weary.
"You're the only man alive that can tame a monster of a sovereign's race. Do whatever you must." Alder spoke.
"I guess we are done here? Or at least you two. We'll stay and help them rebuild." Freona spoke to both Botan and Alder.
"I still need to dissect the monsters. Especially the boss." Botan answered.
"We also need a wagon or carriage. You won't be absorbing all of it and the boss' armor is a boon you can't abandon." Alder added.
Mr. Lokkan straightened up and began to walk away. "I'll let you borrow my wagon. Not like I can use it. I'll make sure to dissect Knob, Bessy, and Swella within the hour."
Botan was in the middle of standing when he heard that. His right foot caved and he was forced back to the ground. "You don't need to go that far!" Botan shouted.
His back still facing the others, Mr. Lokkan argued. "You're going to Ventus next, yeah? You'll need gate beast materials if you're hoping for that brat prince to make you a [Demon's Jar]." Mr. Lokkan's voice began to rise. "That's one of the reasons you're going there, yeah? And you're going to be borrowing my wagon until then, yeah? Then just shut up and accept the gift. The sooner you have your stupid little jar, the sooner I get my wagon back!" He was shouting by the end of it.
Before he could protest further, Mr. Lokkan left Botan and the others.
They won the battle but when Botan looked over the village, he couldn't help but wince.
Seeing his expression, Alder cut off his train of thought. "Stop it. You did what you could."
Botan tried arguing. "But-"
"You put out the fires. You killed the boss. You stopped the wave. Now sit up straight with your head held high. If you feel like shit it makes those that did even less feel even worse." Selene cut him off, sounding upset at herself.
Botan sighed heavily and made it to his feet with some effort. "Fine, fine. If you want me to think about something else, does someone wanna tell me about what happened to Navarre?"
That question was met with some pause. Their ability to meet his eyes suddenly eluded him just as their eyes did his.
"Seriously?" He complained.
"Hm ugh." As if on queue, Navarre began to wake. He looked around and saw Botan and the clear sky. Relief washed over him. However, as fast as those positive feelings came, they went. His eyes settled on Alder and his eyes snapped open.
"Royal bastard! I'll get you this tim-" He failed to stand or even sit up. He just noticed he was in heavy irons with accompanying chains.
Botan eyes shot open at his words. He took a few steps towards Navarre and lowered himself into a squat. "What did you say?" He asked, looming over him.
Freona and Selene began to approach to separate the two, but Botan simply put his hand up to tell them to stop. He continued staring at Navarre until he spoke.
"I'm just doing the prince and this country a service. If that bastard is still alive when the king passes, the prince will have trouble taking the crown." Navarre argued.
"I've said time and time again, I don't want the crown. My brother can have it." Alder snapped back. Only after his words left his mouth did he realize what he said.
Botan breathed in sharply. Suddenly, it all made sense. "His father isn't in the picture, but still got him a job in the castle. Tia is somehow able to afford a nice home in the capital despite paying all the bills herself!" A lot of the weird behavior makes sense now.
"Wait!" Botan's revelation gave him another.
"The Ivory company wanted to make a deal with Alder, but he's been refusing them. Then there's…" Botan jerked his head to stare at Alder. He suddenly remembered Alder coming home from the castle the same day the prince returned. Botan remembered him with a black eye and crying.
He was now suddenly remembering the way he always dismissed these things. Saying that it was none of his business. Saying that if he needed to know, they'd tell him. He never considered it was something this bad and they were just sparing him the stress.
He quietly got up and sat away from Navarre. He stopped talking altogether and seemed to be thinking. They were just caught lying to him, so no one wanted to speak up to him. Whether courtesy or cowardry, they kept pretty quiet the rest of the time.
Mr. Lokkan came by soon enough. Botan spoke to him, making an effort to be as kind to him as possible. He had just diced up his pets for him after all. He absorbed the materials and saw a wagon loaded up with the materials from the wave boss and Knob he didn't absorb.
.
[Yoklan Antler Thorned Flower]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Bonus: Strength Up (Small) Skill: Charge
.
[Orf Lily Lapel Pin]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Skill: Flower Shower
.
[Gate Beast Flower]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Skill: Vortex Grasp
.
[Interdimensional Heavy Hive Bumblebee Flower]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Bonus: Smolder
.
[Interdimensional Heavy Hive Golem Flower]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Bonus: Swarm
.
[Toxic Nectar Flower]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Skill: Vile Toss
.
[Interdimensional Heavy Hive Queen Rose]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Bonus: Speed Up (Small) Skill: Burst Jet
.
[Memorial Flower]
Abilities Locked Equip Effect: Bonus: Ally Status Adjustment (Small)
.
Just shy of three dozen weapon forms were unlocked, but only the above forms granted more than stats alone. This meant a great opportunity to gain strength. To potentially bloom a few. To get even further ahead. He'd need to test all these skills and see what they did, but he was lost in his thoughts. Botan and Alder left with Botan pulling the small wagon within the hour.
They were traveling faster than the last time they traveled this road. Even with the wagon slowing Botan down, he kept speeding up. Alder became worried the longer they traveled. Botan wouldn't talk. Botan had been quite the chatterbox when they traveled together, but it was an hour into their journey back to the capital and he had said nothing. Worse was the face Botan sported. One that seemed full of anger battling an equal amount of restraint. The whole time, Myskel seemed worried and would nuzzle or pur to prompt Botan to pet her, which he did. However, it never seemed to raise his mood like it normally would.
Alder went to say something, but there was clearly much hesitation. Just as he went to finally speak, Botan broke the silence.
"Your brother gave you that black eye, didn't he?" The voice that came out didn't sound like it belonged to Botan. His voice was warm, usually raising the inflictions as he talked, as if perpetually excited. Comforting and indirect. This question was too direct and with none of the honey he normally spoke with.
Alder reflexively looked away. He was thinking of how to answer the question. Or more accurately, how to avoid answering it. One moment became another, a few seconds became nearly a minute. He couldn't keep his eyes away. He eventually looked back and saw a very serious look from him. It was a look he'd only ever seen from the parents. A look that said 'Don't you dare lie to me'.
"Yeah." Finally escaped his mouth, not even aware he admitted it until he heard his own voice.
"And he told Navarre to kill you?" Botan asked the next question immediately. If he really considered Alder's answer, it didn't show.
Alder tried turning away, but he had to stop walking and started fighting his voice. "Th-That might not be the case!" He managed.
Botan stopped on the road and stared at Alder. Watching one of the people who had helped him the most, the son of the woman who saved his life, and the guy he had shared the most laughs with since reaching this world… breaking down right in front of him. He reached up and started stroking Myskel, doing whatever he could to control his own boiling temper.
He gave them both some time, but Alder was falling apart. "I'm not equipped for this kind of thing." He admitted to himself.
"Sorry… Let's keep going." Was all he could manage.
Begrudgingly, Alder began to walk again and the two continued. Now they were both emotional and quiet instead of just one of them.
Progress?
The two remained mostly silent for the rest of the trip. During this time, Botan forced the pair to move at an uncomfortable pace. Before night fell they stepped foot into the capital. Alder went to travel towards his home, but Botan took another path.
Alder saw the direction he was going and tried offering a different option. "I thought we'd-"
"I'm going to the castle."
Alder continued after him, trying to convince him to visit his mother. Botan winced at hearing that. "Face that woman after I've been ignoring her suffering? Or your!?"
Botan left the wagon near the gate to the castle and gave the guards a simple nod.
"Wait!" Alder shouted, but would not enter the castle. Botan looked back, staring a moment. "Not allowed in? When your dad is dying right inside?"
He went through the halls at a slower pace, but still not as slow as a casual walk. Several turns and stairs later, he was in the throne room. There sat the prince, in a wooden chair before his father's throne.
The prince noticed him and perked up, erasing the worried look he had just a moment prior. "Evergreen! You're back so soon. I assume that means the wave was thwarted?" He asked.
"Yeah." Was all he said as he slowly climbed the stairs
The prince continued. "What can you tell us about the waves?"
"It hit Lokkansted. They'll need help. There was a large fire." Botan managed, now topping the stairs.
The prince seemed to not notice anything, but the guards did. They went to act but halted at a raised hand from Baobab. He had just entered the room from the back and didn't want anything interrupting what would happen.
The prince continued the conversation, not picking up on Botan's mannerisms. "Alder couldn't even handle that much? I should hav-"
Botan had found a movement path for his magic mid-stride. He swapped his weapon to his left hand, balling up his right, and pulled it back. He took a heavy step forward while throwing his whole body into a wide swing. Sparks of magic sprang from his fist. He didn't invoke a spell, just infuse magic into the attack. Just before impact, a yellow glowing seal placed itself between Botan's attack and the target.
Botan's head was already down, so he never saw the words on the seal or that they changed.
[Protecting Contractee]
[Holy Flower detected]
[Deactivating]
As quickly as the shield appeared, it was gone. In the next moment, Botan's fist struck the prince's face. His fist sank into the Prince's face and kept advancing, throwing him through his wooden chair. He traveled to the real stone throne and dribbled off of it with an audible crack. The prince's blood trailed between where he stood and where he landed. Botan himself fell to the ground, having held nothing back.
Gasps from the knights erupted and they pointed their weapons at Botan. Even with Baobab motioning for them to stop, most seemed ready to intervene. Two ran over and helped the Prince to his feet as Botan picked himself up as well.
"Wh-What the hell was that for!?" Prince Raucar screamed in confusion, blood still dripping from the top of his head.
"That's for giving your brother a black eye! Now you match!" Botan yelled with a raised fist.
"He's no brother of mine!" Prince Raucar declared. He reached for his weapon, but it wasn't near him anymore. An ornate metal sphere sporting an equally decorative polearm shaft. It was the strangest mace or club Botan had ever seen.
The guards encircled Botan twice-over.
"Say that again and I'll give you another one!" Botan threatened. The knights moved in further.
"And you all stay out of this. I doubt any of you are as strong as the knights you lent me. If so, you can't do much right now." Botan shouted at them. He knew he would never have control in this situation but still acted like he was trying to maintain it.
Baobab took a few more steps forward. "Lower your weapons at once!"
"But sir, he struck the prince?" One of the knights protested, though they lowered their weapons a bit.
"I have eyes, better than yours. Did you not see the protective seal fade?" Baobab asked back to the man.
There was a moment of the question registering before the man responded. "We did, but-"
"The Ygg tree approved that strike. What young Raucar has been doing is either so wicked that the Ygg tree no longer wishes to save him, or the Ygg tree believes these actions are necessary for Mosden to stand tall! The prince will face the consequences of his actions and you will not impede in this matter!" Baobab said in a booming voice. He left no room to question them.
The guards exchanged looks, nodded, and a few whispered. They all saw just as he did. They lowered their weapons. Baobab motioned for them all to leave the throne room entirely. They hesitated. The prince was just attacked, surely they couldn't just…
Botan's glare was now being given to them as well. At the sight of that, they made for the nearest door.
"Wha-This can't be happening… Come back here!" The Prince shouted.
But they weren't even slowing down. They all left in short measured steps, closing each door behind them. The Prince stared in disbelief for a moment.
"What is with this all of a sudden!? You just saved our people. I was trying to thank you!" Prince Raucar was further from his weapon than Botan was. This left him with words. Not that the question wasn't a genuine one.
"You chased Alder out of here and abused him. I bet you're the reason Tia can't speak with the king either." Botan was more than happy to explain.
"Don't speak that whore's nam-" Before the prince could even finish his sentence he was struck from the front and back. Botan kicked him in the stomach, Baobab used an open palm on his lower back.
"D-Damn. Both of you?" As they retracted their limbs, the prince fell atop his broken chair.
"Do not speak of her in such a manner. I warned you more than once, boy." Baobab said with more aggression and vigor than either the Prince or Botan had ever seen.
"She is the woman who saved my life. That brought me here. That gave me guidance and food. I'll always have another swing at someone bashing someone that kind." Botan gave a lighter warning, but no less firm.
The Prince stayed on the ground, one arm trying to pull himself up with the throne, trying to catch his breath. The large fur from a great beast that he adorned didn't add much to his intimidation while lying on the ground like this.
Botan spoke up again. "I've been trying to keep myself out of other people's business, but that doesn't mean my eyes and ears don't work. Nor my brain. As soon as I found out that Alder was your brother, so much suddenly made so much sense." He began.
"Did he go crying to you for help?" Prince Raucar asked with an insulting tone.
"No." He responded in a matching tone. "He tried hiding it. But it becomes hard to hide something that big when Navarre tries killing Alder in the middle of the wave while screaming he's a royal bastard. Pro-tip, next time you hire a hitman, don't choose someone so chatty." Botan kept up the sass.
"What? But I-No. I want Alder away from the throne, he has no right to it. But I never asked to have him killed." The Prince seemed puzzled, eye flickering, as if replaying old conversations in his head.
Baobab helped the Prince well enough to his feet to sit on the stone throne while adding his own testimony. "I can attest to that much at least. I've been shadowing the prince ever since he returned. His last conversation with Navarre was throwing him out more or less. For failing to sour your opinion of young Alder." Baobab matched eyes with Botan. Something about the look made Botan believe he was telling the truth.
"If you didn't prompt Navarre… then fine." Botan took a less aggressive stance and tone. He shifted to his left foot and used his right to slide the Prince his weapon, who promptly placed a hand on it.. "You can have that back. If you keep pissing me off, I might need you to make me work for it or I might go too far. And if that happens, I want to be able to say I at least didn't beat you unarmed… Now that the guards are gone, we can keep talking." Botan made no further action immediately
"About?" The Prince eyed his weapon now inches from him, well within reach, but he made no effort to reach out for it.
"Alder." Was all Botan responded with, his arms now crossed. He was taking a slightly more relaxed stance.
"What more is there to talk about?" Raucar seemed non-aggressive, but less than cooperative. The prince held a cloth over his head injury. Raucar's eyes seemed to travel. Botan was unsure if he was acting this way because of the head injury or if it was because he wanted to escape this conversation.
"As I said, I've heard and seen quite a few things. When I went to the Ivory Company their field commander said something that seemed so random at the time. 'And do tell Alder our offer still stands'. You get it?" Botan informed them both.
Advisor Baobab and Prince Raucar had very different reactions to that news. Baobab seemed to understand immediately and sported a soft smile.
And Prince Raucar immediately got aggressive again, gripping his weapon tightly. "Alder was planning something? I knew it!"
"Stop being stupid and think! Alder is older than you, right? He has years of experience as an advisor, his mother is very strong and important. The only thing the Ivory Company could have wanted was a collaboration to take the crown. The Ivory Company might lose to Mosden as a whole, but barely. If many people side with their replacement, they win for sure… And yet…"
"...And yet… He didn't take the deal?" Raucar said in realization.
"Yeah. The brother you beat the shit out of and fired, the boy who has to constantly see his mother hiding tears, the one that just fought in a wave for his country… doesn't want the crown. He doesn't want to become king in the slightest." Botan kept drilling it into him.
"But… But he seemed so desperate to be allowed back in the castle. There must be a reason!" Raucar scrambled for an answer.
"Are you heartless or just stupid!? It's because his father is dying! The man that could never really be there for him is dying! He barely got any time with him and you are doing everything in your power to make sure he never sees him again!" Botan yelled.
Botan took a breath, trying to calm down. "I'm a big brother. My sister never needed my protection, but she knew she had it. The same went the other way around. And yeah, we fought, but… I am 100% sure that ever since I went missing, she's been looking for me. That she's not given up on finding me. That's how siblings should be. As soon as I realized you gave him a black eye…" Botan purposefully trailed off.
The silence gave the Prince the chance to speak. "Well… I didn't know about Naravee's stunt, nor that Alder has been giving the Ivory Company the cold shoulder… I'll let him see Father at once." He responded.
"And you'll apologize." Botan commanded.
"Absolutely not." The Prince denied.
"Why!?" Botan was back to shouting.
"If it wasn't for him, my mother would still be alive!" The Prince bellowed.
"..." That was not what Botan was expecting. He quickly turned to Baobab with a questioning look.
"This again?" Baobob rubbed his face with his hand.
"You know it to be true! If the Ygg tree recognized my mother as father's proper wife, she'd have received the same protections that father and I do!" The Prince spoke loudly, almost righteously.
"...What is he talking about?" Botan asked.
Baobab turned his attention more toward Botan. "The Ygg tree wards the royal family from danger. While within the capital, killing a member of royalty is extremely difficult. The late queen was killed by an assassin's crossbow bolt. Had she been warded, she'd still be alive. That much is certain."
Botan exchanged glances with the Prince. It was almost like they said something in the way they looked at each other.
Baobab continued. "However, blaming Tia for receiving the protection instead of your mother is unreasonable. Enrich wasn't even supposed to marry your mother. He was engaged to Tia for 3 years, and had been courting her for 9 years before that. They'd been together since they were children."
That only raised more questions. "Then why?" Botan asked.
Baobab's eyes wandered upward, now looking at old banners from even older days. "Enrich wasn't supposed to be king. He had an older brother. It was Enrich that was supposed to marry Raucar's mother. An arranged marriage from the strongest family in Mosden after the royal family itself. The Eranos, Warden's of the Nine Peaks. When his brother died, Enrich had to marry Raucar's mother in his late brother's sted. Not a single person was happy with the arrangement."
"Why though? He was already engaged." Botan found this so stupid. If no one wanted it, why'd it happen at all?
"Because if he didn't, the Eranos family would have stopped supporting the crown. This country has barely survived several events since Enrich became king. Had we lacked their support during any one of those incidents… Mosden would probably not exist as a country anymore." Baobab's eyes left the sights above and slowly drifted down to the two young men before him.
"..." Botan considered this.
"Enrich and Tia chose the peace and lives of their countrymen over their own happiness. Tia has never had another man, nor will she. So, don't you ever call her that again." Baobab added.
"..." The sacrifice was great, but that wasn't what Botan was focusing on.
The Prince wasn't dissuaded. "It doesn't change the fact that my mother is dead and it's her faul-"
"Yeah, she's dead. The king will soon be too. Then what? What will you have left?" Botan voiced his new thoughts.
"..." A pause was made. "The child of a loveless marriage. A dying father and dead mother. Don't you see!?" Botan thought briefly.
"You'd have Alder, your brother. Someone who clearly has your best interests in mind. How can you pretend to care so much about the family you've lost and are currently losing when you don't hesitate to kick out the last of it you'll have!?" Botan demanded an answer.
"How can you deserve the title of King when you've caused Tia, one of the kindest, most selfless people I've ever met, someone who has dedicated her life to this kingdom, to be outcasted because your mother died and not her!?" Botan shouted down at him.
"Would Alder have ever treated you like this had your roles been reversed?! If he'd been the one who lost his mother instead of you?! What does that say about you?!" He unleashed all his frustration on the Prince. Not just his frustration rightfully meant for the Prince, but also the anger he had for himself for forever being blind to this.
"Don't speak as if you know Alder, Evergreen! You've been here a single month! You don't know him or that woman like-" Even now the Prince refused to say her name.
"I've probably talked to him and Tia more in the few weeks I've been here than you've ever interacted with them in your entire life! Or am I wrong?!" Botan blatantly asked, putting himself face to face with the young Prince.
The young man tried to hold his ground against the Evergreen but found himself buckling under the look of righteous fury in the Holy Flower Hero's gaze.
Botan stared at him, seeing he was not arguing any further. "I'm going to go fetch Alder, and his mother. And I am going to bring them straight to the King. If you have any desire to have some family left, fix this shit." He turned away and began walking.
"If you try to stop me, if you do anything to keep your dying father from being able to speak to them, then I won't care if Alder doesn't want the throne. I will ensure Alder sits on the throne just to save everyone from your spitefulness. Even if I have to tear this place down to do so. If you can't save your family, you sure as hell can't maintain a country." Was Botan's final words on the matter.
…
Prince Raucar, who remained silent, looked up desperately at Baobob. But when the advisor looked down at the trembling young man, he let out a sigh.
"Perhaps part of this is my fault, for not speaking my mind before." His eyes glinted with a dangerous aura. "Prince Raucar, you have been an idiot about all this for far too long. I know the kind of woman Tia is. I know what these past few years could have been like had she been around." He said, sounding more angry at himself than anything else.
"... What are you talking about now?" Raucar muttered, this time, however, his tone wasn't confident.
"Tia loved your father. She loved Alder even more. And even though you weren't her son, she also cared about you since you were your father's child. Even through all the disrespect and humiliation, she showed no disappointment in knowing that you'd be her king one day. You were always the aggressor." Baobab drilled into him.
"She might not have been your mother. And she would have never dared to replace her. But she would have still supported you both if you had only let her. And for allowing you to sabotage yourself so completely… I apologize. I should have done… something." The man seemed exhausted.
"... … …" This time, Raucar remained speechless, staring at his advisor in disbelief.
"Think of her whatever you wish. Judge her for having your Father's heart and child first. But that is how selfless she is. I'd know, since I was there when your father was courting her… and I was there when she told him to marry your mother so Mosden could survive." Baobob began to walk out of the room, but paused, before looking back at the destroyed Prince.
"You cry because you lost your mother… imagine seeing your father every day and not being allowed to be his son. Imagine your spouse, leaving you despite how much she loved you, because she cared that much about seeing your country, your kids, your people, everyone else; being able to survive and be happy even if it cost her her own." He offered a brief pause.
"That is how much the both of them have sacrificed for this nation. Alder, too, sacrificed. That is why the Evergreen is right. And that is why the Ygg tree didn't protect you today." He then turned back around and opened the door to leave.
"You're the only person with the Ygg tree's protection that hasn't willingly sacrificed anything. You've lost things, but never voluntarily relinquished anything. The current you isn't worthy of being king." With that, Baobob left the room.
After some time Raucar called weakly for his knights. The maids. He wanted someone, anyone. He didn't want to be left alone with these thoughts.
But nobody answered his call.
For the first time in the Prince's life since his Mother's death, he felt truly and utterly alone. He briefly understood this was going to be every day of his life if he didn't do something. And he was unable to stop the tears that fell down his face onto the stone floor below him.
…
Botan did his best to compose himself as he exited the castle and casually walked up to and passed the gate of the courtyard.
"Yoo!" Botan greeted Alder with a silly face.
"..." Alder was concerned. While Botan was trying to play it off, the way he was acting was very different from the brooding silence that he'd experienced for hours just before this. "Botan… What did you do?"
"Nothing really. Just gave a report is all." Botan knew he wasn't going to beat someone well-versed in politics at lying, so he hastily moved on. "You go inside and see your dad. I'll be back with your mother in a moment."
Hearing that, the knights turned. "Evergreen. Lady Tia is not allowed in the castle, nor is Alder. You'd need to-"
"As. I. Said." Botan's smile was straining. "Go inside. If anyone has a problem with that, talk to the knights inside or take it up Baobab. Okay?"
"...Understood." The guard wouldn't fight that hard to keep Alder out. Everyone knew what Botan had just realized today.
"Botan. I don't need you to-"
"Your father is getting worse. Go see him." Botan repeated.
At that, Alder relented and entered the castle. Botan went to leave but turned back to the guard. "If you get in trouble, blame me." The guard simply nodded.
Botan took a single look at his wagon and shot off with enough force to kick up dirt. He was not weighed down by a cart. He wasn't slowed down by followers. It was the first moment he had to run full speed outside of a fight. He felt strangely free. He could now leap over other people with ease and even ignore bridges entirely. Just 2-3 steps on the water's surface.
He felt it. He couldn't do it well enough yet, but he could even take 10 steps without sinking if he really tried.
In less than two minutes, he was at Tia's home. For the first time, he didn't knock. He simply barged in and saw Tia sitting at the kitchen table, sat down, worry leaving her face as she saw Botan.
"You're already back from the wave?" Her face relaxed quite a bit, a smile already forming.
"Yeah. It was in Lokkansted. The place was heavily damaged, but I don't think too many died." Botan answered quickly.
"Is Alder okay? Where is he?" Tia just noticed her son wasn't following in behind him.
"He's where you should be. He's with his father." Botan put an arm up, motioning for her to follow him.
"..." Tia went to speak but said nothing. Her question was clear on her face. 'How did you find out?' But it didn't matter.
"The guards already know you're coming. Hurry up." He insisted
"Evergreen, I don't understand." Tia barely ever used the name Evergreen. They had become friends. She often used his name instead. So why was she using it now?
"I'm saying be a little selfish." Botan looked at her, really looked at her, for the first time. A woman worn down by the world yet strong enough to pretend it hasn't got her on her last leg. He felt so stupid for not putting it together sooner.
Tia looked at Botan for a moment, almost like it was the first time she'd ever seen him. Wordlessly, she moved faster than Botan could see and was now behind him. She stopped where her shoes were, almost like she teleported to them, but the gust of wind that followed her confirmed that she really did just travel around Botan with ease. Even with his new-found speed, he might as well be standing still to her.
"Thank you. I will." And just as quickly as moved to that spot, the door was open and she was gone. Botan's brain lagged a bit. He tried his best to follow her, but while it took Botan 2 minutes to travel that distance, Tia did it in 12 seconds. Not to mention he was so tired. He'd fought in the wave, then pushed the cart all the way here. He was running on fumes at this point. He had no choice but to walk back.
Tia landed in front of the castle gates, only receiving a mild look from the guard motioning her in. As quickly as she appeared, she left. Through the castle, all the halls she knew so well. In a flash, she was in the throne room.
She paused.
She saw splintered wood thrown about the ground. She saw traces of blood. The prince was slumped on the throne, nursing a head injury. He looked up to see who it was.
For the first time in his life, he wasn't angry to see her. He was exhausted, mentally and physically. Emotionally drained. And currently quite hurt. Maybe that was why a flash of concern wore itself on Tia's face for a moment.
The prince had to wonder. "Is she looking at me with such concern because this injury actually looks that bad? No. The Evergreen didn't hold back, but I shouldn't be so weak that he'd already do that much damage in a single blow. No… could it be that, she always looked at me like this? I can't ever remember her making any other sort of face when looking at me."
The prince recalled seeing Tia when he was very young. She used to be very kind to him, even gave him presents and tried to get to know him… but whenever his mother saw her, she'd yell at Tia and chase her off. Then his mother died. He couldn't understand how she died the way she did. He was only 5 years old. A few older knights tried to explain the situation to him, but when Tia was brought up, he'd already decided to blame her. His mother was dead and as a child, he needed someone to blame.
Raucar snapped back to the present. A lot of what Botan and Baobab said was starting to make sense. At the same time, his head was spinning and he felt like he was in freefall.
For her part, Tia wasn't as shocked at seeing the Prince injured as much as she was shocked to see him looking at her the same way he did so many years ago.
They both had things they wanted to say, but that wasn't why she was here. The Prince weakly lifted an arm and pointed towards the door leading to his father's chambers. The pair said nothing but simply shared another look. She left with a gust of wind, just as she came.
The prince had a fleeting thought to stand and follow, but he couldn't. He shifted awkwardly in a thone he couldn't fill. He was physically capable of standing, of walking, but he refused. His head spun with memories from throughout his life. He replayed key moments over and over again. Never finding peace or an answer.
Tia was at the king's side in moments, Alder already there.
"Tia? …Is it okay for you to be here?" Enrich's tired voice suddenly came alive, with equal parts worry and gratitude.
"Everyone is aware." She answered plainly. She quickly sat on the other side of Enrich as her son and quickly found his hand in hers.
"...Then I am glad… Our son was just telling me the wave was repelled successfully. I'm sure he was a bigger help than he admits." He immediately tried forcing a conversation.
"Of course, loud in actions like his mother, quiet in boasting like his father." Tia accepted it.
There were no talks about anything unpleasant. About their ruined relationship, or the strain it put on them both and their son. They both knew all this too well. Instead, they were just hungry for anything they could get from one another. A laugh, a smile, a shared appreciation for the child they made together. To pretend that they were currently the people they wanted to grow up to be when they were younger.
Alder added little. He was grinning ear to ear to simply see his parents acting like a couple. His father's voice was loud, and jolly, nothing like it had been for many years. His mother's smile was complete, with no lingering ill will for her to hide.
It felt like the only moment they had as a family.
As they talked, Botan eventually reached the room. Soft laughter and a more emotional voice from the king than he had heard before echoed through the hall. Botan had no intention of intruding on this moment. He quietly slumped to the floor, stroking Myskel while eavesdropping in on the family. It wasn't long before the pains of the day started calling him to sleep.
"Our son can already use up to the 8th impact. He's practically a master now." Tia praised their son more.
"I'd have loved to have been there to see all the hard work that led to that." The king replied honestly.
A pain found itself in their chests. They tried to keep their spirits high, but Enrich saw the reaction.
"There is no point in hiding it. Not here and now, at the end of things." He added.
Tia and Alder flashed concern with how he said that.
"Of course I have regrets. So very many. That every moment of every day for us was not like it was a bit ago. The distance I had to keep, the duties I had to see through, the shoes I had to fill… There's a part of me… A part of me that wished I ran away with you all those years ago. That we fled to the oceans, to the coastal islands and lived far removed from everyone and everything else, I can honestly say I had that thought every single day for 20 years." A soft smile and tears with no end accompanied the king as he spoke.
"But that's not all. After my wife died, I didn't seek to finally mend our house as I should have. I didn't tend to my sons, either of them. My focus was always on something abstract and ever-looming. War, famine, things that sound serious, but even now… even now I can't honestly say if I made the right decisions! What is this!? How is it that I thought through my actions again and again, that I gave such careful thought to everything, and I never reached an answer!? Why is the answer only clear now!? When I have no way to travel it!" The man spoke with anger for himself. Tia and Alder now trying to calm him as he raised himself from the bed.
"A coward, that's what it was! I wasn't weighing my options or considering outcomes. I was avoiding consequences!" The king's voice woke Botan from his near sleep as the hall bellowed.
"Father, calm yourself. Think of your health." Alder tried.
"No! I can't I-!" Enrich began to argue.
"Dad, please stop!" Alder just spoke without thinking.
"..." Enrich paused. "He's always used 'father' when in private. He's never casually used the word 'dad' to denote me…" The king's attention was once again on others.
"...I am sorry to have alarmed you… I'm sorry for a lot of things. You needn't worry about my health. I've reached my end either way." The king said, his voice low again.
Tia held his hand like a vice, refusing to let him go. "Y-You can't! Not now! Not after finally-!"
Enrich freed his hand from hers and lifted it up, holding the side of her face. "I know. I leave with endless regrets. But… Loving you wasn't one of them." He turned to Alder. "Nor having you."
"My life was one mistake after the other but the two of you were the only right decisions I ever made." A calmer expression overtook his features.
"Tia, please smile more. You used to say that all your smiles were mine, but that's not the case anymore. Our son has given you plenty… and holding onto me won't do." He gave her a long deep look before turning to Alder.
"Alder, my boy, you really are Tia's son. You inherited none of my worthless traits. It's a miracle in itself. Please look after your mother. And find some happiness for yourself, somewhere in this world." His eyes lingered on his as well.
"I know this next one will be hard, but… someone please help Raucar. I gave no more time to him than I did you Alder, and he's had no mother, unlike you. Now he is set to be the new king and has no one. If nothing changes, his life will be far worse than even ours… help him, someone, somehow." He said to no one specifically.
The king bore a small smile, having finally noticed another presence.
"I want to thank you for saving my people, and for letting them see me at the end, Evergreen. No, Sir Nakaya. Please continue shielding our people from these waves. You've more than paid for any perceived debt you spoke of." The king said loud enough for Botan to hear. Who now had his face buried in his legs to stop the sounds of his own crying from being heard.
… There was a long pause.
"I think pleasing everyone has tired me out too much… I'm too tired… I'd like to rest for a bit…" The king tossed the crown from his head onto the floor with some spite, then allowed himself to lay back down on his bed, where Tia and Alder held his hands. Tia felt it, his pulse grew weaker and weaker until-
Tia wailed so loudly that all the castle staff and even the guards at the front gate heard her clearly. The scream was so loud and so full of anguish that even the Prince who'd not moved from the throne broke down on the spot.
Botan had done the right thing. He gave them closure. He tried straightening the Prince out.
But when he heard the crying and wailing of Tia, he felt that he had personally failed at something. A pointless, aimless guilt sat in Botan's chest as he tried covering his ears. He'd never forget the sound of her voice at this moment.
"Why does this feel like such a complete defeat?"
.
[Otherworld Index]
In this entry, we'll be discussing something shown in the previous chapter that went unexplained due to the more pressing matter of explaining Geomancy. That being royal spells, like the one used by Selene.
Royal spells are spells that require extremely specific and usually quite odd forms and motions, the result of which are extremely strong. The reason the term 'royal' is used is due to the origin of many of them. These spells were pioneered by some of the strangest and certainly the strongest creatures of this world, the Nine Sovereigns. The large ape-like creature projected when Selene used her spell was the very appearance of the sovereign that invented it, Crush King: Kaxunaunt.
While many royal spells were pioneered by these mighty monsters, they are not the only ones to do so. Multiple people working together to cast a spell has led to royal spell discoveries in the past. Even one person in living memory, "Tia, The Queen of Dance", has discovered and mastered a royal spell all by herself.
Due to limiting circumstances most could never hope to cast one, and even the best mages are limited to one at best due to form limitations.
However, would that hold true for the Evergreen? One holding a weapon that can alter its form as the wielder moves? If anyone could, it would have to be one of the three heroes of this world.
.
[Author's notes]
And this marks the end of the king's life. Botan was able to handle the wave, but stats don't help you save your friends from grief. Alder and the Prince are now fatherless, Tia lost the man she was never allowed to have, and the Kingdom of Mosden is left without a seasoned leader to guide them with the whole world still angry that they were the ones that summoned the Holy Flower Hero and not themselves.
Mosden is left with enemies everywhere, no real leader to guide them, and Botan has to leave soon for Ventus. How will everyone else survive while Botan and Myskel travel to lands unknown?