亚洲综合中美

The guardian, Miira, watched thoughtfully, her piercing regard sliced the details, ‘-the glass is unstable,’ despite the scale – people weren’t restricted to visit and pay their respect. A temple was a temple no matter what resided inside its walls. Pilgrims from Rosespire within the Shadow Realm, made the long trek to Dorchester, at the foot of Winterpar valley, to a little village known as Frostrest. Contrary to what the overworld would have believed, the village, the place where Staxius made contact with the Silver Guardians, wasn’t suitable for life. With the harsh cold weather from the adjacent mountain, perpetual snow, and high altitude, there was no ‘living’ without risks. One could say the reason to be the temple to Kronos – for it suddenly materialized, and since then, the weather never changed.

Her blond hair swayed on stepping inside, clear and immaculately well decorated, an ensemble of tapestries and various objects were put on display, ‘-the wall of offering transmigrated from Kronos’s realm and moved into Igna’s realm. Things are looking good, powers from the forgotten domains are reinforcing the foundation of this world. A sudden jolt might throw Igna off his game,’ arms crossed in reflection, ‘-Scifer definitely loved changing décor into galleries,’ her calm gaze looked upwards, ‘-be careful, Igna.’

Words of worry, words of care went unheard. A dark cell carried whimpers, hands and legs tied, Igna’s bruised visage blinked at the many torture devices, ‘-betrayal,’ he coughed, ‘-Scorpio ratted me out,’ the visage cringed in pain.

“I knew, I smelt the fishiness the day you stepped into the palace premises,” a fist grabbed and pulled Igna’s hair, “-Xen, who are you?” a fork stabbed the fingers.

“Xen,” he replied, “-I’m Xen,” *Smack,* blood poured from a punch to the face, “-Onte...”

“Shut up,” he spat, “-I need a few minutes,” turned for the door, “-make sure he doesn’t escape,” a bloodied piece of cloth landed, “-don’t make it hard on me,” smirked Onte, “-try anything, and tis Lessie’s head.”

.....

*Slam,* the metal stabs locked, ‘-some quiet time,’ he exhaled and shrugged the gruesome wounds, ‘-they don’t know anything about my true identity. Someone sold me out, either the lawyer or Scorpio. I don’t understand how it could happen – I did everything right, I even killed the Phantom... wait,’ he blinked, ‘-I didn’t have a reason to kill him. Onte sounded disappointed. We exited the building and I was suddenly knocked unconscious, never saw the attack coming. So much for being always on guard. Damn fucker broke the glasses, my earrings, no way to call éclair. What’s their plan, I need to know before making a move, the pain,’ he squinted, reality’s truth unraveled.

Meanwhile, the celebratory reception within the palace walls grew strenuous. King Juvey, on hearing the bravery displayed by Xen – had medal of honors readied. “-Majesty,” bowed Scorpio, “-the guests have arrived. No signs of Xen anywhere, I’ve asked lady Lessie and the maids, no answer.”

“Is that so?” he fixed his kingly military outfit, “-what about Onte, where is he?”

“Here, majesty,” said the agent, “-I must confess, majesty, I locked Xen away under suspicion of being a traitor. No person can be so powerful and only want a job as a butler – my suspicion turned truth when he killed the captured officer.”

“He’s locked away?” narrowed the King, “-the celebrations of today’s victory were meant to be formal employment. Onte, by what authority-”

“Majesty, I obey the crown, and I have sworn my life to safeguarding the inner peace. I will not accept Xen – no matter how strong he is and useful he proves to be, I simply will not.”

‘Bad,’ gulped Scorpio, ‘-Onte’s stubborn, if he says Xen’s a traitor, he’ll make evidence appear without care for consistency.’

“Majesty,” he interjected, “-forgive my overstepping, Xen’s a trusted friend of mine. I asked him here to prove Hidros had strong fighters, I wanted him to have a taste of another kingdom’s culture and way of life. He sacrificed himself to avenge my assailant, how is he repaid? Torture and humiliation... are those the way the warrior King Juvey rewards bravery on the battlefield?”

“Don’t listen to him, my liege. For all we know, Scorpio could be an undercover agent!”

“I’m offended,” they clashed, “-I’ve worked my whole life in service of the king, answering to demands and looking for how I can best serve my king when he needs the aid.”

“Deflection,” cried Onte, “-it fits well, too well, it’s planned perfectly.”

“Silence!” thundered, “-Onte, we will talk at greater lengths after the party. Have Xen readied for the ceremony.”

“But!”

“Obey,” he reached for a sword, “-ELSE, ITS THY TONGUE.”

A disappointed shake of the head led into the ajar door slamming shut. Juvey kept his focus on the mirror, ‘-trusted allies,’ he exhaled, ‘-I can’t trust anyone. Onte’s loyal and very close-minded – the gut feeling’s always right. Scorpio’s diligent and always on hand to help. I’m growing old,’ the white-beard and hair didn’t help the comment, ‘-my senses have grown dull. Part of me is getting soft,’ the mirror reflected another figure, a beautifully dressed Queen with semi-conscious pupils, ‘-Ela,’ he spun and grabbed her arms tightly, “-clothes make the man, none’ll suspect you’re a whore,” he laughed, ‘-then again, maybe I’m not so softhearted. Lessie’s been the only member of my family; I’ve tortured and abused, she refused to leave. How long till she fully hates me. After meeting Xen, I saw it, she smiled and laughed. Whatever gut feeling Onte had, only a sincere and kind person could have her feel accepted. She’s the real test – anyone able to win her trust and have her in high spirit will become the personal guard to Ela. I’ve decided,’ they locked arms, ‘-Xen’s a perfect choice.’

Distant moans turned painful screams – the echoey pathway trickled with droplets. Metal gates screeched, a silhouette waited at the doorway, “-come for more?” coughed Xen, “-bring it, Onte. I’ll grit through anything, trust when I say, if I’m ever set free, you’ll be first on my list,” agony from the cursed vision tricked the brain, by seeing everything, blindness eventually settled in a painfully bright flash.

“Easy on the death threats,” the figure mumbled forward, blurry vision and blocked hearing made recognition tough, “-he went hard,” the outline knelt and made eye contact, he saw naught save the facial features.

“Aceline?” he blinked; “-you came for me?” narrowed to barely see distinguishments.

“No,” gentle taps washed the starlet’s image, “-it’s Lessie.”

“Lessie?” the focus sharpened, “-I hallucinated?” a chuckle escaped, “-man, pain is a whole other experience,” the head rolled upward, “-what did the king say?”

“Onte acted on his own,” the ties unlocked, “-escape would have been easy...”

“Yeah,” he smiled, “-I thought about it and figured it to be too boring. Being tortured can sometimes give perspective on life,” he pushed – the open wounds gushed.

“Easy,” she dropped and gave support “-don’t overexert.”

“Lessie, I’m sorry.”

“Why?”

“I’m not the person you think I am.”

“Did the torture grant the philosopher affinity or something?” they clambered into the hallway, “-Onte must have hit the head too hard.”

“Of course he has,” he gasped, “-won’t Old Cray...”

“Don’t speak,” she led the walk till a flicker, lanterns waited outside the dungeon – familiar faces including Sawdia and her assistants collectively breathed sighs of relief, “-ugly,” fired Claury.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” he quipped, a conversation followed till the maid quarters. Orders expressly arrived from Juvey – expensive healing potions, scrolls of minor cleaning, and a physician laid at disposal. Lessie vanished halfway amidst the healing process – the hammer strikes of pain disrupted focus. Before he knew it, Xen waited before a mirror with replacement glasses and a white and gold military uniform. No medals no rank, a cap, and the name tag, Xen. “-Sawdia, what’s with the uniform, look different from the others?”

“White and gold...” the mien collapsed in thought, “-it’s like being chosen by the King, a special honor granted to men of chivalrous quality.”

“Way to make one feel special,” he smirked and shuffled into the empty common area, “-the reception starts in a few minutes, I’d head inside if I were you.”

“You’re not coming?”

“No,” smiled Sawdia, “-we maids must ensure the guests are welcomed.”

Without much to say, he thanked their kindness and followed the path to the palace. “-Xen,” whispered a soft voice to the side, shy of the main door, “-wait,” Lessie stood awkwardly in heels and a tightly fitted dress, her hair combed similarly to the stars on television, her mask matched the light-brown color scheme.

“Lessie,” he stopped and stared.

“Don’t,” she shyly lowered her stare, “-I don’t look good in formal attire.”

“Nonsense,” he offered his arm, “-Lady Lessie, would thee kindly accompany me to the reception?”

Her response wasn’t much interesting, “-sorry to say, that was a little bit creepy.”

“So much for being courteous,” he dropped the arm, “-Lessie, let’s go to the party.”

“Now,” she gleamed, “-that’s the Xen I know,” she forcefully locked arms and made for the palace. Enviously passive maids watched, “-lucky them,” exhaled Maria.

“Our prince charming will never come,” sighed Flasie, “-Maria, come, we must attend to the guest’s needs.”

Sawdia’s heart raced, ‘-Claury’s going to serve tonight... the nobles might take a fancy to her stature... damn animals, I-” she bit her nervousness, “-Claury, why don’t you stay here for the night?”

“No, I want to help, looking at you guys be hurt without my doing anything makes me sad. I can’t anymore, I want to help.”

The booming lights from the palace lit the night – luxurious cars circled the fountain, halted at the red carpet where a valet took the vehicle and left. “Damn,” blinked Lessie, “-these people have a lot of money. Look at that,” she pointed with a flash of the eyebrows, “-saw that car in a magazine. Costs around seven million, where do they get all that cash?” the more time elapsed, the closer grew the entrance, Lessie pulled his arm, “-the back, we take the back door.”

‘Right,’ he scanned and saw judgmental sneers flashed at them, “-Over here,” waved Scorpio

“Someone’s looking in good shape,” added Xen.

“Look who’s talking,” they exchanged fist bumps, “-my, Lady Lessie, you look splendid tonight.”

“She looks good every other night,” commented Xen.

“Stop it,’ returned a sharp elbow., “-no teasing.”

“Come on, follow me,” motioned Scorpio, “-the hierarchy is a thing of life or death. If you’d have stepped onto that carpet – I shudder to imagine what the nobles would have done and said. The white and gold uniform has been a while, not since the last hero, I think. Xen, the reason the outfit is white is that tis a canvas for blood – wearing said uniform means being ready to accept challenges from any opponent. King Juvey loves seeing spars, anyone able to defeat the one in white will be given gold.”

“I have a bounty on my head and everyone is free to challenge and rip the clothes...”

“Yeah, close-range weapons are allowed, no guns. Forgot to mention, the victor has the right to ask anything from the loser – regardless of rank; Lessie’s quite the looker, she might be in trouble. I say, walk in there alone, if not, she’ll be humiliated.”

“No,” he smiled, “-Lessie’s my date tonight. After what Onte did, I’m ready to explode, on my name, those who dare challenge me will suffer a fate worse than death.”