When the Andromeda Saint regained consciousness, he let out a soft groan and slowly opened his eyes. His vision adjusted to the lightning in his surroundings.
"What in the… where am I?" He murmured to himself. He sat up from the bed on which his unconscious body had been resting for the duration of his blackout.
"Huh?" He tilted his head down, realizing he had been stripped of the Cloth of Andromeda and was now wearing a set of baby blue pajamas. These pajamas appeared to be similar to those he would see in his country's hospitals.
As he looked around, he noticed his late mother's pendant sitting on the small table beside him. He leaned over and took the pendant, holding it close to his chest and grateful that the family heirloom was still with him.
When he felt something pressing on his right wrist, he turned his right arm and saw a small blue projection of a circle floating an inch above his wrist. He sat up and looked around, and his eyes grew to the flat rectangular projection that floated in the air above his bed. After regaining his composure and connecting the dots, he figured that the floating circle on his wrist and the square floating around his bed were connected. Something about these projections convinced Shun that his mind was not playing a trick on his vision.
The second thing that surprised him was that the walls around him were covered from top to bottom in the most well-kept wood panels he had only seen in an expensive house owned by Saori's wealth.
The ceiling over his head was painted in a layer of beige, which easily contrasted with the darker wooden panels of the walls. The dark brown lamps hanging on either side of his bed illuminated the room in a warm light, as if the sun coming through the single large window to his left was not enough to bathe the young Saint of Athena in a comfortable warmth.
The Saint of Andromeda did not expect to wake up in a room that was both pleasing to his eyes and soothing to his beating heart.
What was even more strange was that he awoke feeling completely fine; in fact, he felt like he had taken the best tap in ages. And that was exactly what was bothering him.
When The Man With The Evil Grin forced him to sleep, Shun expected to wake up in a place that was not as pleasant or as comfortable to sit in. It may have sounded exaggerated, but Shun expected to wake up in a dirty mattress held up by a rusty metal bed frame, his wrists bound by handcuffs, and the walls stained with grime, dark mold, and a foul stench hanging in the air.
He shook his head lightly, removing any distractions and returning his attention to more serious matters. He should have been grateful that he had not been dropped in a butcher's locker, but it was understandable that he felt something was wrong. Perhaps there was something he was overlooking.
Shifting across the bed, Shun allowed his feet to fall over the edge, putting himself in a comfortable seating position. His body hunched over, he rested his elbows on his thighs and began thinking about everything that had happened to him.
There were so many questions running through his mind, but there was only one he needed an answer to: what does The Man With The Evil Grin intend to do with him?
The Andromeda Saint's memories replayed his words before his world went black. "Be ready for what lies ahead."
"For what lies ahead… What exactly did he mean when he said that to me? Is there a large, malignant force on its way?" Unfortunately, all he could do was speculate based on his experience as a Saint and trust his intuition. For all he knew, the masked criminal had fled somewhere far away, hiding and devising some type of malicious plan.
Shun sighed, closing his eyes, "And here I thought I would be dealing with run of the mill criminals." He was so deep in thought that he did not notice the room's door opening, and he quickly turned his head back when he heard an older woman say a surprised 'oh'.
"I was not expecting you to be awake so soon, young man!" the nurse exclaimed, her wrinkled face quickly shifting from surprise to relief.
The Saint of Andromeda was quick to notice how fluently she spoke English, and he knew he had to speak with the same fluency if he wanted to get a clear picture of what was going on. He felt extremely grateful that he had done his best to become bilingual throughout his travels as a Saint.
"Um, hello miss, my name is Shun, and it is nice to meet you." The Andromeda Saint's accent changed, his habit of being extremely polite to an older figure pushing through his uncertainty as he stood up and greeted her with a polite bow.
He could see that the nurse was taken aback by his kind and polite introduction, but he was relieved to know that he had made a good impression on the elderly woman, as evidenced by the smile that lit up her face.
"Well, it is very nice to meet you, Shun." She returned his politeness by sending a gentle wave in his direction. "How are you feeling?" She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
He replied with a quick nod, standing up from the bed. "I am fine, miss, but if it is not too much trouble, I would like to know what happened to me before I came here."
"You do not know what happened to you?" The nurse was perplexed, raising one brow at him.
Shun scratched the back of his head, ruffling his hair. "My memory is a bit fuzzy at the moment, so I can not really remember what was going on before I blacked out."
Looking back at the nurse, he noticed that she was still raising an eyebrow at him, but only for a second before her expression softened in acceptance of the Andromeda Saint's response.
"I suppose you are right; is there anything you want to eat, Shun?" With his stomach close to growling, he knew exactly what his heart wanted. "Um, if it is not too much, can I have some chocolate chip pancakes?"
…
Meanwhile…
In one of the private offices within the castle of Illyria, Ky Kiske was currently occupied with the usual paperwork, the only sounds present being the tip of his pen gliding across the blanks of the papers and the occasional slow sip of his tea.
When he heard his magicomm ring next to his left ear, he put down his pen. He pressed his finger against the micro-sized magical projections. "Hello, this is Ky Kiske; how can I help you?"
"Lord Kiske, this is Doctor Elizabeth speaking." The older woman greeted him calmly and professionally.
Ky raised an eyebrow. "Dr. Elizabeth? I was not expecting you to call me so early. Is there something going on?"
"I am just calling to let you know that the young man your wife discovered has just awoken from his sleep, Lord Kiske."
The news surprised him, but he could feel a weight fall off his shoulders. "So he is okay?"
"Yes, Lord Kiske, he is in perfect health." This made Ky's heart swell with relief. "As we speak, he is currently eating a breakfast prepared for him by one of the nurses."
"That is good to know, Dr. Elizabeth. I will assign one of my assistants to handle my work, and my wife and I will be there shortly."
"That is a sound plan. I will be waiting for your arrival; take care, Lord Kiske." The call ended there. Ky, allowing himself to sit in the tranquil silence of his office, let out a breath he had not realized he was holding in, a soft smile gracing his youthful face.
"Thank goodness the boy is alright," the 1st King thought gratefully. "I will have to tell Dizzy about this first before we visit him; she needs to know the good news."
…
Meanwhile…
"Miss, where exactly am I?" I have never been in this hospital before. The Andromeda Saint said to the nurse, taking the fork she had provided for him.
"We are at Saint Judas Hospital, the best our country has to offer. "You were fortunate that Queen Dizzy brought you here after she..." The nurse paused before proceeding. "Well, after she discovered you."
"The Queen found me?" So that means I am in the United Kingdom?"
The nurse raised a skeptical brow in response to his answer. "Something like that." She responded after a brief pause. "Are you unfamiliar with the name Illyria?"
The young man shakes his head. "Sorry, but I don't. I have not been keeping up with my studies as of late." He joked lightheartedly, attempting to distract himself from the anxiety brewing in his stomach.
"Really?" The nurse inquired, her eyes carrying a hint of confusion and suspicion towards the emerald-haired young man, who responded with a sheepish nod of his head.
"Shun, do you really not remember what happened to you before the Queen found you?"
Shun paused the movement of his fork, releasing it and turning away from the nurse. Before he could respond, the nurse spoke to him.
"I apologize if my questions are bothering you, Shun." He returned his gaze to her, his expression softening into kindness as he noticed her head slightly lowered to the ground, most likely ashamed for such inconsiderate behavior toward the young patient.
"You shouldn't be." He said to her with a kind smile, which instantly lifted her spirits as she smiled back at him. "It is natural for you to want to know what happened to me. "It is just..." He exhaled softly. "It is an extremely long story. I think it is best if I explain it to the authorities."
The dutiful nurse nodded in agreement. "If you feel that way, I will contact them. "You just wait here and eat your breakfast, okay?"
"Alright."
The kind older woman stepped out of the room for a few moments before returning.
"I have contacted the police. They will be here in a few minutes to talk with you."
"Thank you." The young man gave a grateful nod.
"So, how is the food, Shun? Is it up to your liking?" The nurse inquired, stepping up to stand on the left side of his bed.
The emerald-haired Saint responded, swallowing a chunk of chocolate chip pancake and sipping from his glass of cold milk. "It tastes great, miss. Thank you." He concluded by giving her a grateful smile.
"It is my pleasure, Shun." She responded with a grateful smile of her own. "Just let me know when you need anything else; I will be making my rounds until then." She said to him as she approached the door.
The young man nodded, his gentle smile never fading. "Alright. Take care, miss."
She then exited the room, leaving Shun to eat his breakfast alone.
Shun allowed his mind to wander as he chewed on another bite of his breakfast.
He was transported here after the Queen discovered him? Shun had always tried to see the good in everyone, but from his vantage point, that sounded like something out of a story. Shun had serious doubts that a nation's Queen would have discovered an unconscious teenager while taking a stroll through her home.
If he had been honest with himself, he would have believed the nurse when he said he was discovered on the street by a pedestrian.
Moving on, she also mentioned the name Illyria. While the Andromeda Saint was not the most knowledgeable about the world's geography, he had a strong suspicion that the Illyria she mentioned was where he and the hospital were currently located.
However, he remembered the nurse confirming that he was in the United Kingdom. However, it appeared that it was no longer referred to as such. This perplexed Shun; if his assumptions are correct, what prompted the United Kingdom to change its name?
knock knock*
The Andromeda Saint's musings were interrupted by knocks on his door.
"You can come in!" He consented.
The door opened, and the kind nurse from earlier entered. "Shun, are you still eating?"
"I am almost done, miss. Is there something wrong?
Shun noticed how much her fingers twitched, despite her calm and kind expression.
"You see… I have just received word that King Kiske and his wife will be visiting you.
This unexpected announcement surprised the Andromeda Saint. "Really? When will they get here?
"About ten minutes, at least."
"Why? I hope I am not being rude, but do they not have more important responsibilities than talking to someone like me? They are the queen and king after all."
The nurse did not appear to be offended by his question. Instead, she chuckled softly and smiled gently at him. "That is where you are mistaken, Shun. Checking in on you is an important duty for them.
Shun's mouth dropped open at that statement. But before he could respond, the nurse excused herself with a polite bow and left him alone once more, leaving him to mull over what she had said about the king and queen.
"Checking in on me is their important duty… Do they see me as more than just a stranger?" While it sounded difficult to believe, the Saint of Andromeda could not help but smile sincerely at the thought.
His heart began to feel much warmer…
…
The 1st King of Illyria and his wife arrived at the hospital's doorstep after ten minutes, as expected by the staff. Dr. Elizabeth, the hospital administrator, waited patiently with a small smile.
"Your Majesties," she greeted with a polite bow, "I am glad you have taken the time today to visit the young boy."
"Considering what had happened to him, my wife and I needed to see how he was doing, Dr. Elizabeth." Ky spoke, and his beloved nodded silently, agreeing with his sentiments and concerns for the young man.
"Your Majesties, your concern for his well-being is heartfelt. I can assure you that he has no serious injuries or complications.
Dizzy, Ky's wife, placed a hand on her heart, relieved to learn that the young man was in excellent health. "That is very comforting to hear, Dr. Elizabeth. You and your team did an excellent job taking care of him."
The Queen's praise delighted and moved the heart of the hospital's health administrator. "Your praise means everything to me, Your Majesty. Shall I take you to his room?
"If you could be so kind." Ky gestured to the hospital's doors.
…
knock knock*
Shun's room door was opened, and his assigned nurse peeked in.
"Shun, King Kiske and his wife have arrived. Is there anything else you need before they speak with you?
The Andromeda Saint gently shook his head, the empty breakfast dishes sitting near his bed. "No, thanks. I will be okay on my own."
"Are you nervous then?" She inquired, concerned for the private conversation he was about to have with King Kiske and Queen Kiske.
"Just a little." The young man replied with a shy smile. "I will be speaking with your country's most important figures; how could I not be nervous?" The nurse nodded, remaining silent and attentive to what he had to say. "But...from what you have said about them, they sound like some extremely decent people. And because of that, I don't think I have too much to worry about. Well, aside from embarrassing myself in front of them." He joked, and both he and the nurse laughed.
"Your feelings are understandable, Shun." She sympathized. "But I assure you that King Kiske and his Queen are the most caring and reasonable people you will ever meet. There is very little to be concerned about."
The smile of the emerald-haired Saint brightened. "I will take your word for it, Miss."
He and the nurse returned their attention to the door when they heard firm taps. The older woman approached the door and opened it partially, peeking her head through the opening. Shun heard her whispering something to the other side before turning back to face him.
"Shun, King Kiske, and his wife are outside right now. Is it alright if I let them in?"
"Yes, please." He responded with a nod. Nodding, the nurse opened the door, allowing the King and Queen to enter.
Shun was taken aback by how young the esteemed rulers appeared. When they first walked in, he expected the royal couple to be in their middle years. He imagined their faces with visible wrinkles, their hair turning gray, and their skin becoming slightly saggy. But, to his surprise, they appeared to be no older than twenty-five!
The King's face could be accurately described as youthful and handsome. His attractive boyish features were highlighted by his shaggy but well-kept golden blonde hair. His eyes were a stunning sapphire blue, as steady and calm as the deep blue sea.
His wife stood right next to him, a beautifully mature woman who appeared to be as young as her beloved King. Her face, like her husband's, was youthful and flawless. Her face's incomprehensible beauty was only enhanced by her long and gorgeous azure blue hair, which was tied into a thick and fluffy braid that trailed smoothly down her back and waist. Her eyes, however, were the complete opposite of her King's: she was born with a dazzling pair of scarlet red pools that should have been terrifying to stare into, but instead appeared warm and kind to the Saint of Andromeda.
"Take care of the boy, Your Majesties." Shun regained consciousness when he heard the nurse's voice. "I will be off taking care of my duties."
"We will." The Queen promised as she nodded at the nurse. "And thank you for keeping an eye on him."
The nurse exited the room with one more deep bow, closing the door and leaving the Andromeda Saint and the most powerful members of the royal family in a quiet realm of privacy.
The young man used the moment of silence to properly address the royal couple. He needed to make a good impression on them. "Um… Good morning, Your Majesties. My name is Shun. "It is an honor to meet you." He gave them a formal bow from his seated position, similar to the Keirei bow his country uses to greet an older figure.
The royal couple smiled warmly at the emerald-haired young man, calming his nerves and instilling confidence.
"The pleasure is all ours, Shun." The King and Queen took a careful step towards his bed. "The nurse may have told you who we are, but allow us to make a formal introduction. "My name is Ky Kiske, and I am the first King of Illyria." He turned to his wife and quietly asked her to introduce herself to the young man. "And I am Dizzy, his wife. It is very reassuring to see you in good health, Shun."
The Andromeda Saint's eyes grew slightly. Even though the nurse had implied multiple times that the King and Queen prioritized his well-being over their duties, it was still surprising to hear it for himself.
The young man smiled back at them. "I am grateful that you two were concerned about my recovery," he said, but his smile quickly faded, "but if it is not too much to ask, what happened to me?"
Shun's mood was dampened when the royal's relieved smile turned hesitant. They exchanged glances for a brief moment before the King assured his wife with a nod.
"We may have to sit down for this, Shun." Ky's tone was serious, and Shun had no choice but to accept what he said.
He nodded slowly and tentatively, mentally preparing for the serious discussion. "Of course, Your Majesty."
Two chairs were brought next to the bed, and the royal couple took their seats alongside Shun. "There is so much we want to know about you, Shun." Ky started. "If you can, we can begin by learning what you were doing before my wife discovered you. And if you do not know or do not feel comfortable telling us, that is okay. We do not want you to feel pressured.
"Your Majesty, it is not so much that I am uncomfortable." Shun leaned back against the pillows, sighed softly, and stared up at the ceiling. "It is just that... It is a very long story."
"We are not impatient, Shun." Dizzy reassured him with a warm smile, which he greatly appreciated. "Me and my husband can stay here until we hear the end of it. You have our word." She swore to the young man with a hand crossed over her heart, and her beloved King nodded in agreement with a kind smile.
The Andromeda Saint felt a surge of gratitude for the respect the King and Queen were showing him. He was a teenager they had only met for one day, and despite their social standing, they did not treat him as trash. He was aware that they had more class and humility than the vast majority of people with significant wealth.
"You both treat me far too kindly. Thank you." He thanked them sincerely from the bottom of his heart.
Dizzy and Ky nodded and continued to smile.
He inhaled and started talking. "Okay, let me start at the beginning. I was born in Tokyo, Japan." The royal couple's eyes widened immediately, and their mouths dropped open in surprise.
"You… were born in Japan?" Shun was surprised by the Queen's expression of shock.
"Yes, why?" Both the King and Queen of Illyria exchanged worried looks. The room suddenly became uncomfortable for the Saint of Andromeda to breathe in.
"Have I said something wrong, Your Majesties?" He felt a lot less confident when the royal couple returned to speak to him.
"Shun, in what year were you born?" Ky inquired, ignoring Shun's increasing nervousness.
"September 9th, 1973. Why are you asking, Your Majesty?
"Shun…" Dizzy paused, attempting to find her words. "I am afraid to say it, but I believe you are in the wrong time-line!
A deafening silence fell over the room in an instant.
If Shun could sum up his life as the Saint of Andromeda in a few words, he would say it was beyond bizarre. From the superhuman abilities he gained after completing his training on Andromeda Island to fighting the legitimate reincarnations of the Gods who created the universe that humanity still knew very little about, there appeared to be no shortage of jaw-dropping surprises in store for him and his brothers in arms.
Despite having god-like powers, the Saint of Andromeda was perplexed by the Queen's claim that he was "in the wrong time-line".
"Your Majesties, what do you mean when you say I am in the wrong timeline? This is 1987, right?"
"Shun," Ky took a cautious step toward the young man, "I know what my wife and I are saying does not make sense to you, but please believe us when we say you are a lot further from home than you think."
"A lot further…?" Shun unconsciously whispered to himself. One part of his mind was trying to find a way to contradict the King's statements. What he was saying sounded absurd, right?
"But… My life as a Saint is practically unbelievable. I basically live in a world that should only exist in fantasy novels." His head slanted downward as he pondered his thoughts. "So, why am I questioning King Kiske and his wife's statements? "Why am I suddenly experiencing such strong feelings of denial?"
He tilted his head up, looked Ky squarely in the eyes, and spoke without hesitation. "Why do you both think I am at the wrong time?" For once, the Andromeda Saint dropped his politeness and demanded answers.
Ky Kiske stood in contemplative silence, his left hand slowly clenching into a tense fist. His wife's scarlet red eyes noticed his hand threatening to form a fist and, like any good wife, she comforted him by wrapping her soft hands around his right arm.
She could feel the tension leave his shoulders, giving him the confidence to speak again. "Shun, can you stand? I need to show you something."
Shun nodded slowly, deciding to comply. He rose from his bed and followed the King to the window of his room. When he pushed the curtains to the side, the early morning sun glared in his eyes. He grunted softly, shielding his eyes from the bright rays of the early sun; after a few seconds, they adjusted to the lighting.
What he saw through the window was truly breathtaking. He was so immersed in his own inner world of confusion and troubling thoughts that he did not think about getting out of bed and looking at the scenery that awaited him.
There was a beautiful city full of life and vibrant colors. As far as his eyes could see, the city seemed to go on indefinitely, with buildings of various shapes and sizes dominating its bright and sunny landscape.
There was also some nature interspersed among the vibrantly colored buildings, with a few healthy green trees poking out from the city's neighborhoods.
"Wow…" The Andromeda Saint responded breathlessly. "This is the most beautiful city I have ever seen!" He exclaimed with almost childlike wonder, and the King and Queen smiled tenderly at the boy.
"I am glad you think so. But I do not want you to focus on the city itself. "Look up to the sky." Ky raised his head, his smile fading a little. Shun was quick to comply and did as requested.
What little breath he had in his throat vanished the moment his gaze fixed on the cluster of ships hovering high above the city skyline.
"Are those the actual airships I am seeing?" The emerald-haired young man inquired, turning to the royal couple with one of his delicate fingers pointing to the sky.
"Yes." Dizzy nodded, her hands clasped around her long skirt. "I do not mean to sound arrogant, but I am guessing your country has not developed its own airships, right?"
He shook his head, his mane of hair gently flowing as he moved.
Looking back, he leaned closer to the window to admire the fleet of ships flying calmly through the air. He quickly noticed that some of the hovering ships had vastly different designs than the rest of the fleet.
The ship farthest to the left had a wide, flat surface similar to the warships produced by the United States military. It was a powerful ship forged from darkened steel, dwarfing the other ships with its size. There was no doubt that the mighty ship was equipped with some serious firepower. Shun could only guess as to why.
Looking over to his right, the Andromeda Saint noticed a traditional Chinese-style ship slowly approaching. The hull of the finely crafted vessel was made of dark brown wood, while the bottom and upper rim were decorated in a bright red wood, making it one of the most appealing ships in the clear blue sky.
There seemed to be an infinite number of intriguing designs for all of the flying ships present, and the Saint of Andromeda knew he was only getting a taste of what these extraordinary machines could do. But, as much as he wanted to admire these machines, he could not ignore the harsh reality that Ky was correct: he was much further away from home than he had thought.
"So I am far…" Shun's mouth could only come up with one final conclusion. He walked away from the window, one hand cradling his head. "I'm sorry… it's just-"
"You do not need to apologize for having doubts, Shun." The benevolent Queen interrupted, her voice gentle and kind. "We would feel exactly the same if we were in your shoes." Her husband nodded in agreement.
"Right…" Even though Ky and Dizzy were expressing complete and genuine sympathy, he needed a moment to process what he had just witnessed.
"I am sorry, but would you two mind going out for a while? I need some time to myself."
Both the King and Queen did not hesitate to grant the young man's wishes. "Of course." Dizzy offered a slight bow. "Just let us know if there is anything we can do to help you, Shun." Ky added, bowing beside his wife.
The royal couple soon left the room, giving the Andromeda Saint some much-needed space.
After seeing the door close, he returned to the window and looked up at the fleet of airships that were calmly hovering above the city. However, while his gaze was drawn to the impressive machines, he was not currently focused on them.
A barrage of questions flooded his mind. Even though his face appeared completely neutral, his mind was struggling to focus on one question after another.
Why did he get sent here? How in the world was he going to get back to his time? Is it even possible to return to his own time? What will happen to his older brother when he learns that his baby brother vanished into thin air?
The Saint of Andromeda snapped out of his inner musings with a harsh whip of his head. He stepped back from the window and took a few deep breaths. His chest expanded and contracted as he tried to calm his agitated mind.
He was allowing the situation to overcome his emotions and rational thinking. His growing frustrations were unbecoming of a true Saint of Athena. Even as a child, he was taught to remain calm, no matter how serious the situation appeared to be.
For the time being, he had to concentrate on the royal couple, who were patiently waiting outside his door. For all he knew, those two were his best shot at making his already difficult life a little easier.
He had only met Ky and Dizzy for a few minutes, but he could tell they were genuine good people. They were not demanding of his responses, unlike some authoritative figures he encountered. Instead, they were patient, sitting and listening to try to figure out what he was going through. In the eyes of the Andromeda Saint, their patience and empathy resembled that of a parent listening to their child's struggles. Or so his optimistic nature believed.
Shun took another deep and long breath, calming his emotions and preparing for another conversation with the King and Queen of Illyria.
Outside the door, Ky and Dizzy talked amongst each other.
"I wish we could have delivered the news to him better, Ky." The benevolent Queen spoke to her beloved King, her eyes becoming increasingly despondent.
"I get how you feel, Dizzy." Her husband agreed softly, placing his hand around hers. "But what other option did we have? Shun eventually realized his home was no longer…" The King of Illyria did not finish his thought, but his wife understood exactly what he was implying, which hurt her soul.
"That is what I am most afraid of, Ky. How will he see me when he discovers the truth?" An ugly knot formed in her stomach, threatening to consume her from the inside out.
She could feel her husband's hand running tenderly across the skin of her palm, attempting to comfort his wife's soul. "We will cross that bridge when the time comes," he said, pressing his lips against her forehead and kissing her tenderly. "But right now, we should do everything we can to help Shun. Alright?"
"Okay." She leaned up to her husband and kissed the left side of his cheek. "And thank you, Ky." She spoke as her smile returned.
"Do not mention it." Her husband smiled back at her.
They both turned back to hear Shun's door open. The royal couple met his emerald green eyes, which peered through the small gap. "Sorry. "I hope I did not keep you two waiting too long."
They both shook their heads. "Do not worry, you have not kept us too long." The King reassured him with a smile.
Ky and Dizzy entered the room, taking a seat in the chairs in front of the hospital bed. Once inside, the Andromeda Saint quickly closed the door and took his seat on the plush mattress.
"How do you feel now, Shun?" The Queen began, her gaze tender but concerned.
"I am feeling a little better now, thanks." He looked down at the floor and sighed softly. "It's just… I still can't believe I am living in such a different era."
"That feeling is perfectly understandable, Shun." Ky sympathized with the young man. "But if we can help you, please let us know."
The young man raised his head, reflecting on the King's words. Since he awoke, he had a lot of questions, but one in particular had been bothering him the most.
"How did I arrive here? First, I asked the nurse who was caring for me, and she informed me that your wife had found me. Is that true?
Ky nodded, anticipating the question. "Yes, she did. However, how it happened was unusual."
"How come?" The Andromeda Saint inquired with a slight tilt of his head.
"Well, I know this sounds crazy, but she was in our garden when she discovered you."
"Out in your…?" It took a moment for the Andromeda Saint to catch on. "Hold on! You mean to tell me that I was discovered in your house?
Dizzy decided to respond on her husband's behalf. "Trust me, Shun, my husband and I are equally as shocked as you are."
Shun recovered from his shock and continued the conversation. "All right, but did you notice how I ended up in your garden or what?" The Queen shook her head negatively at him.
"I'm sorry, but I haven't." The young man gave her a sad look in response. However, you were wearing this bright pink armor when I discovered you. I also noticed that your arms were encircled by these lengthy chains.
Shun's dejected expression vanished the moment he mentioned his Cloth and his Andromeda chains. "My Cloth?" He said in a whisper. "It's here, Your Majesty?"
Ky nodded, responding on his wife's behalf. "Yes, Police Headquarters is where it is being held at the moment. We left it in their care once my wife had taken every piece off of you." The Andromeda Saint was the object of the first king of Illyria's serene blue gaze. "We would like to know why you were wearing armor in the first place, but that is a conversation for another time." A soft smile curved his lips. "For the time being, Shun, we want to assist you where we can." In agreement, his wife hummed.
The Andromeda Saint's eyes widened in genuine surprise at seeing a king show such genuine sympathy. "T-That is very kind of you, Your Majesty. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and your efforts to protect my armor." He spoke with a little stutter when he thanked the royal couple, but his expression of gratitude did not waver despite his surprised feelings.
"Don't mention it, Shun." Ky smiled gently and waved off the boy's appreciation. "Now, if it is not too much trouble, could you tell us what happened to you before you arrived in Illyria?"
"Oh no, Your Majesty, it is not a problem at all." He then turned his head to face the ceiling, his chest rising and falling as he sighed. "But you will need to be patient because this is a long story."
Dizzy smiled at the young man and wrapped one of her soft, dainty hands around her husband's. Her beloved reciprocated in kind. "I do not think we should be concerned about time, Shun. We have plenty of time to spend with you.
"She is right, Shun. So please, start from the beginning." With that, the King and Queen silently signaled to the Andromeda Saint to begin.
He smiled gratefully and pulled up his legs, crossing one over the other. "Do you remember the armor I wore when you found me?" The couple nodded. "I like to refer to that armor as my Cloth. Not only is it my armor, it is a representation of who I am… and what I was trained for ever since I was a little boy." He added the final sentence after a brief pause.
Ky and Dizzy noticed a slight change in his attitude but chose not to comment on it. "You were taught to wear that armor since you were a child? Why?" Ky was the first one to inquire.
Shun responded immediately. "I was trained to be a warrior who defends the innocent and vulnerable. To arise and fight for truth and justice."
"Really?" Ky asked with a raised brow, his tone curious. "So what exactly are you? A knight in shining armor?" The first King's lips moved up.
Shun chuckled, matching Ky's sense of humor. "You could say that."
"But what exactly caused you to be brought here to Illyria?" Ky and Dizzy were both curious about how a young man like Shun could travel through time and space before becoming stranded in their timeline.
"That is where things get… weird." Shun had never used the word weird before, but it was the best description he could come up with.
"Really? How weird are we talking?" Ky was the one who asked. And so, the young Saint of Athena told everything that would (hopefully) alleviate the King and Queen's mental itch.
Neither of them expected the young man to unintentionally drop a bombshell when he mentioned the Man With The Evil Grin.
After that, Shun's life became increasingly complicated…
…
February 2025: I have also decided to combine the first two parts of Shun's arrival in Illyria. I just felt like these needed to be in a single chapter.
I definitely need to challenge myself to write longer chapters so I do not have to make such drastic changes.
March 2025: I have made changes to the dialogue and a ton of grammar checks. The chapter should be much more enjoyable to read.