亚洲综合中美

“Cousin,” said Igna rushing downstairs.

“Cousin,” returned Julius already at the table, “-I didn’t realize you were here.”

“I suppose mother must have planned it so,” returned he softly, “-about yesterday,” pulling the chair, “-I’m sorry about the rude tone. I didn’t mean anything malicious by it, I’m very sorry, Cousin.”

“Don’t worry,” he nodded, “-I don’t hold any grudge. The news and all,” hesitant on the issue, “-about heading to Arda, are you sure?”

“Yes,” returned he strongly, “-I need my items back.”

“My items?”

.....

“No, sorry, I meant my uncle’s item, weapons included. I realize it’s a tall order, however, I do have a right to said belongings.”

“It’s no skin off my back,” he stopped and stared, the charismatic-hypnotic aura faltered, “-I can’t say much for mother,” a sneer showed the mistrust. Her actions trampled over his feelings. Selfish or not, right or wrong, who cares; she was probably right or was he right, the answer faded so very far away.

“I’m sorry for the trouble.”

“Oh, stop it,” the normal expression of joy and fulfillment returned, “-it’s no matter. I’ve already spoken to mother; she says it’s fine to come around.”

No time wasted and without informing his companions, both cousins headed to Arda. The flight lasted little more than a few hours. Flying over felt nostalgic and scary, the brimming forest after the desolate war-torn Dorchester remained strong.

‘The sheer scale of this province,’ thought he staring towards Noctis’s Hallow, ‘-always very impressive to see.’

“Igna,” jumped éclair, “-I’ve set the lenses to combat/infiltration mode. Arda’s a place of unknown, I can’t do much here. Please be careful.”

“I got it, thanks for the advice.”

‘This piece of shit country,’ he scoffed to a stop, ‘-why am I so angry?’

Between yesterday and today, something was off. The mind thought of multiple scenarios without even remotely controlling the process. More information added and the clearer the mental map of the world became. Opposing parties, people of interest, potential threats – they were all there waiting to be touched on and examined. Arda definitely held a high level of trouble. Even the fingers trembled in reaction after crossing the border. The way nature should have spoken felt more like a cry for help.

“Must be the first time here, huh?” said Julius leaping off the plane.

“Why are you in such a h-h-hurry?” stuttered Igna in the heat of the moment.

“I’ll be honest, cousin, I do not wish to spend any more time than necessary.”

“Alright, I understand. As soon as we get the items, we leave, is that fair?”

“Yes, definitely,” a brotherly hug soon turned to a scan of the area. An airfield located in cleared out part of the forest. In bearing to the capital, well, not even Julius knew for it was an empty plot of land. éclair managed to bring a map of the area; placing them about North-West of the mines.

“... Cousin.”

“I know, I know,” exhaled Julius, “-just a moment.” Stood close to a modest hangar on which grew grapevines, “-this place is an abandoned project by my mother. She wanted to make another public airport and ended saying it be a waste of time. Henceforth,” the fingers drew runes in an intangible white glow, “-I built a portal linking here to the castle yard.”

“Really?”

No answered need be said, a doorway opened to a darkened mass. “-Follow me,” said the prince leading the charge.

“As you wish,” returned he close behind. Weightlessness for a mere second to the pulling force of gravity, “-nauseating...”

“We’re here.”

Indeed, they were. The garden had bloomed into a fuller more vivid display. The stone-paths were redecorated and remade to have multiple crests. Statues were dotted about, and the castle door; big and heavy after which rested guards in adamantite armor. Glancing over the shoulder showed a crowded street of demi-humans. The uninhabited town of the castle-level expanded into another district for commerce and business. The noise made was very lively.

“Igna,” said Julius, “-I have something to say before we go on.”

“What?”

“Thy appearance,” he paused, “-the grey suit, the hair color, the heterochromia eyes; are you alright?”

“It’s a bit embarrassing. My vampiric transformation didn’t go as planned, thus the result.”

“Oh,” he chuckled, “-well, I guess it’s time then.”

The first step met with judging eyes. The prince wasn’t royalty any longer. The guards watched in pain and anger. He had abandoned them, or so they thought.

‘Portraits,’ thought Igna, one thing became very clear. The less than invited reception, the change in décor, the statues and such, all pointed to a certain source.

“Lord Julius,” hailed a servant, “-her majesty would like a few words.”

He cared not for a response and thus made for the throne room. ‘Pillars, the red-carpet down the middle. The platform for the overlooking nobles. The banner and the artistic backdrop, it hasn’t changed much.’

“Lord Julius, what a pleasure to see you again,” said a very charismatic man standing at the Queen’s side.

“Lord Lucifer,” they bowed and knelt “-what a pleasure to see you,” an obvious lie.

“Might I ask who this personage is?”

“My cousin,” said he, “-Igna Haggard, son of Lady Courtney.”

“What brings you to the capital this fine morning-”

The queen rose her hand, “-I’ll take it from here, my lord.”

“As you wish,” he bowed with hands across the chest.

“You there, boy,” looking down her nose, “-raise thine head.”

He did so in complete confidence.

‘Impossible,’ her bravado shook, ‘-he can’t be...’

“Majesty,” voiced Julius, “-we’ve come here in urgent business.”

“Silence Julius, I’ll hear none of you today,” she stood with hands on the heavy gemstone stuttered attire, “-are you truly the son of Courtney?” her heads reached to touch his cheeks.

“Majesty,” pushing aside her hands, “-I’m not very keen on having strangers touch my person.”

“INSOLENCE!” cried Lucifer emerging out the shadows.

“Stand-down,” fired she, “-my dear, please, don’t, tis an urgent matter. After all, tis what he said, is it not?” glaring him, “-so, tell me, nephew, what’s the reason for the visit.”

“I’ve come to reclaim my uncle’s items,” said he, “-I was sent a will dictating all he lost would be handed to me.”

“Whatever do you mean?” her posture faltered, “-what will, I’ve not heard of anything of sorts.”

“Majesty, have you known of my presence until now?”

“I suppose not...”

“Then it goes double for the will,” reaching inside the suit-jacket, “-here are the papers, only a copy of course.”

“I see,” glossing over the paper, “-it does say the weapons and a few particular items.”

“Orenmir, Tharis, the badge of Alchemist, the noble crest, a glove, and a signet ring.”

“Brother,” the tranquil atmosphere broke, “-how dare you show thine face around here after the betrayal?”

“Sister Eira,” said Julius, “-good to see you in good health.”

“Cut the crap,” said she loudly, “-what are you doing here?”

“Hold it,” said the queen lifting a finger, “-Igna was it, are you sure about wanting these items?”

“Yes,” he smirked, “-I’d like nothing more than to inherit what is lawfully mine.”

“Mother, this can’t be,” cried Eira, “-father would have never allowed for anyone to touch his weapons.”

“I suppose the one responsible for his death would know now, wouldn’t she,” remarked Igna.

“You,” she walked to dig her knee into the side of his head, “-don’t get cocky, we’re in Arda, and here, the royal family holds power, not you, understand?”

“Sister,” glared Julius, “-that will be enough out of you.”

“It goes the same for you, dearest younger brother.”

“Rumors were true. The melancholic beauty of Arda is bound to remain single till death comes. Doesn’t surprise me since you’re not even of the same blood as the previous king, damn kingslayer.”

“IGNA!”

“Enough!” yelled Shanna, “-Bring over the briefcase.”

“As you wish,” returned Lucifer making for the treasury.

The tension died a little after the queen regained her seat. Eira kept to the pillar and gawked. Igna and Julius stood and stared. The guards showed no hostility and neither did the queen. The provoking didn’t do much except provide entertainment for Julius. It had been a long time coming.

“There you are,” said the charming man laying the items onto a portable table, “-be careful, they’re very much cursed. This the reason why we have them sealed in this box here.”

“I see,” said Igna admiring the stained scabbard of Orenmir.

“Young nephew, can I ask a question?” she leaned onto the arm-rest.

“As you wish, majesty,” returned he nonchalantly.

.....

“What are you planning to do with these cursed items?”

“Nothing much,” he opened the case where rested the glove, the same one used to propose to Xula. The one the king kept as remembrance and proof of his love. “Just plan on making them my own,” turning to Julius, “-can you create fire?”

“Yes, why?”

“Create one right away.”

*Snap,* a hovering ball of flame levitated next to Igna, “-Queen Shanna, might I ask a question now?”

“Go on ahead,” returned she a little concerned.

“I’ve always wondered what happened to my uncle. The body was never found – there could have been a possibility of survival. I suppose, the charming man at thy side is proof enough of the documented love of the Ardanian Royal family,” he pinched the gloves over the flames, “-the past is best forgotten, and I wish not to remember someone who didn’t care for her children,” the grip lessened and it burnt to ashes.

“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!” cried the Queen.

“Majesty,” he stared blankly, “-why are you so distraught. Isn’t Lord Lucifer thy fiancé. Tis better to forget,” to which he smiled at the charming man. A simple sentence brought the entourage to a standstill.

“The dragon crest, the mark of Undrar, the badge of an alchemist, and the signet ring of the Ardanian royal family,” placing the latter onto the table, “-I will not be needing this one. Lord Lucifer, I think it best you have it.”

“I appreciate the gesture,” the head shook, “-I’ll kindly decline the offer.”

“What about you then, cousin?”

“Sure,” with a half-smile, “-I’ll make it my own,” he carved a cross onto the crest, “-this should be better.” A blatant act of refusal, the cousins stood strongly in hostile territory and did things that’d often end in jail and even death.

“Igna,” cautioned the charming man, “-do not open these last two boxes for our sakes. They can’t be wielded by anyone other than the king.”

“Au contraire,” he broke the magical seal, “-these weapons belong to me.”

‘How did he...’ wondered Shanna widening her focus, “-Igna, don’t you go do something stupid.”

“Queen Shanna,” he reached for the blade, “-there’s nothing more shameful than to have a weapon not be used.”

“Don’t draw it!” cried Eira, “-you’ll curse the throne room.”

“GUARDS!” yelled Shanna seeing him reached for the grip, “-RESTRAIN HIM!”

“Back off,” the blade slid out its cage, “-don’t get anywhere close to me,” the tip laid at the neck of one of the guards. “Orenmir, the Blood-Blade of the Queen. Is this the cursed sword I wonder,” slightly tilting the blade brought on specters and an unnatural indoor typhoon, “-yes, I suppose it is,” back into its scabbard, “-Tharis’s a very sexy pistol.” Holstered inside the suit-jacket, “-thank you, majesty, for the warm reception. I’ve taken what was bestowed, time to bid adieu.”

“Wait for a second,” said she sharply, “-do you think you can leave just like that?”

“Excuse me, majesty,” he smiled, “-there’s no need to think when tis already set-in-stones. Why should I be worried when the queen of Arda’s lost her true self. Prophecy is dead, is she not?”

“NEPHEW,” she rose strongly, “-how do you know of that?”

“Should have been obvious from the beginning,” he spun away, “-Xula.”