The two of them arrived at the town, and the change in atmosphere was immediately apparent. The bustling streets and towering columns made it clear that this was a place far removed from the medieval architecture of Ruina. The city had an ancient Greek vibe, from the construction of the buildings to the clothing people wore. It was a far cry from what Shiebe was accustomed to. Both he and Zaneff stood out, their more worn-out and mismatched appearance drawing curious glances.
Zaneff: "There's... there's so many people here."
Shiebe gave a reassuring smile, though he, too, was struggling to stay composed. For someone who had lived most of his life in the shadows, the crowds felt overwhelming. But this time, he couldn't retreat. Zaneff needed him.
Shiebe: "Don't worry, I'm here."
He said it to calm her down, but in truth, he felt just as uncertain in the sea of strangers. He had wanted to be more social in this life, but crowds still unnerved him. Still, he had no choice but to press forward.
Suddenly, a shout from a bystander caught his attention.
???: "Hey, look over there! The Monarch has arrived!"
Shiebe turned his head, and his eyes widened as a man rode by, flanked by an army of soldiers on horseback, all carrying spears. The crowd parted, making way for him, and the cheers rang out.
"Make way! Make way! The Monarch of Life is here!"
Shiebe: "Who's that?"
Zaneff's voice was tinged with a kind of subdued reverence.
Zaneff: "You don't know him? That's the Monarch of Life. He's one of the most powerful members of the Council of Hope. He rules this entire continent. He's... incredibly powerful."
Shiebe was surprised by Zaneff's knowledge. He'd assumed she was just a naïve girl, perhaps uneducated and used to a life of servitude. But the depth of her understanding of the world was beginning to catch him off guard.
Shiebe: "I see... The Council of Hope... I should probably speak with him about what happened."
Without wasting another thought, Shiebe grabbed Zaneff's hand and pushed through the crowd. He needed to get the Monarch's attention, but how? His first instinct was to use his powers, to do something that would surely attract the Monarch's attention. But that might be dangerous, and he didn't want to make a spectacle of himself, at least not yet.
As Shiebe moved closer, he finally realized the crowd had stopped cheering. In fact, the entire street seemed to fall into an uneasy silence. All eyes were on him. The Monarch had dismounted from his horse and was now striding toward them, his gaze fixed firmly on Shiebe.
Monarch of Life: "You two... You're not from here, are you? That girl's clothes are dirty, and you... you're scratched all over. I assume you've encountered some trouble."
Shiebe froze, caught off guard by the Monarch's insight. There was something unnerving about how the Monarch looked at him, a kind of deep curiosity that seemed to linger in the air between them. And before Shiebe could react, the Monarch extended his hand toward him.
SMACK
Shiebe jerked back, eyes widening in confusion.
"W-What the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"That's the Monarch you just touched, you idiot!"
The crowd erupted into an uproar. Some of the people were outraged, others seemed intrigued, but all of them were watching Shiebe with wide eyes.
Monarch of Life: "Enough."
The Monarch's voice cut through the chaos like a blade.
Monarch of Life: "You two, come with me. I'll offer you shelter and clothes. It's not far from here."
Shiebe hesitated. His first instinct was to refuse, to turn away from the man who had just been so strange and invasive. But then he looked at Zaneff, whose face was a picture of quiet apprehension. She needed help, and this man's offer, despite the oddness of the situation, wasn't all that bad. She might need the safety of a more powerful protector.
Shiebe: "Hey, Zaneff, what do you think? Should we go with him?"
Zaneff: "...Uhm... Y-yes. I would like to go, if you don't mind."
Shiebe nodded, knowing there wasn't much choice. They would follow for now, and at the very least, they would be safe from the dangers of the streets.
Shiebe: "Alright. Let's go, then."
Monarch of Life: "Excellent."
The Monarch gestured to his carriage, and the two of them climbed aboard. Inside, the lavish furnishings spoke of the Monarch's immense wealth and status, with soft velvet cushions and golden accents. The carriage moved smoothly through the streets, and Shiebe found himself mesmerized by the scenery outside. Massive white pillars stood tall above the sea, forming a connection that appeared to be a railway. The buildings gleamed with gold and silver in the setting sun.
Shiebe: "This place... It's hard to believe a city like this exists. It doesn't seem like it belongs in a world based on medieval structures."
Monarch of Life: "Ah, yes. These buildings were constructed thousands of years ago, but... they pale in comparison to the wonders of my kingdom."
Shiebe nodded, though his attention was still divided. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about the Monarch, but he kept those thoughts to himself for now.
Monarch of Life: "I can tell you're cautious. I meant no harm, I assure you. Your eyes... they're special. Particularly your left eye. When I saw you, I felt a pull toward you. I couldn't let someone like you die out here, especially alone. That's why I extended the invitation. And from your clothing, I assume you're of royal descent, correct?"
Shiebe: "Shiebe Zackaria."
The Monarch's expression shifted, his eyes widening in recognition.
Monarch of Life: "Wait... you're Shiebe Zackaria? That... that explains everything."
Shiebe stiffened. The Monarch seemed to know about the attack on his home.
Monarch of Life: "I heard about the destruction of your city. Many people were kidnapped, taken from their homes, and... it seemed like your parents had vanished. I feared the worst for you."
Zaneff, who had been quiet until now, looked up at Shiebe with surprise.
Zaneff: "Your parents...?"
Shiebe's thoughts raced, trying to make sense of what was happening.
Shiebe: "I... I see."
He turned inward for a moment, reflecting on the implications of the Monarch's words. Had the Council of Despair been after his parents, or was there something else going on? The mention of a "new god" being reborn kept echoing in his mind.
Monarch of Life: "I understand this is hard to hear at your age. I truly do. You're far from home, and with no sign of your parents... It's a lot to process."
Shiebe: "I'm sure they're fine. My dad's a warrior, and my mom... she's pregnant. They wouldn't just be killed so easily."
Monarch of Life: "Wait... your mother's pregnant?"
Zaneff: "Shiebe..."
Monarch of Life: "That's... remarkable."
There was a pause before the Monarch seemed to snap out of his awe.
Monarch of Life: "Wait. You... you're Zaneff Feronia De Louch, aren't you? The daughter of Sir Luios De Louch?"
Zaneff stiffened but remained silent, not meeting his gaze.
Monarch of Life: "I thought I recognized you. The famous De Louch family. Your siblings are known prodigies, and it's said that they'll surpass even the Zacakria family. But what are you doing here? Last I heard, you were sent to Deronomy Academy."
Zaneff remained silent, her gaze distant, refusing to meet his eyes.
Monarch of Life: "Ah, I apologize. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Zaneff looked away.
Zaneff: "N-No... I'll tell you. It's only fair, after all. Since I learned about Shiebe's story."
As the sun began to set, bathing the carriage in a golden glow, Zaneff began her story.
Three Years Ago
Zaneff, Age: 4
In the quiet of her room, Zaneff sat alone, her small hands turning the pages of a book. The stories within the pages were her only solace in a life otherwise filled with isolation. Her older siblings had long since left the family estate, pursuing their own futures, and her younger siblings were little more than infants, too young to offer any company. It was only her, her parents, and the staff who maintained the house. But even her father rarely stayed home. Most days, it was just her and her mother in the grand, empty mansion.
Zaneff wasn't upset by the solitude. Books filled the silence, offering both adventure and companionship. She would often lose herself in the worlds they contained, finding joy in the pages, as if they understood her better than anyone else.
One quiet afternoon, as Zaneff was deep in a book, a knock echoed from the door. It was a sound she hadn't expected. Her mother had never come to her room unbidden. Zaneff's heart skipped a beat, but she set the book down and opened the door.
It was her mother, standing in the doorway, her usual cold gaze fixed on her. Without a word, her mother placed a letter on the table beside her.
Her mother's voice was sharp, a command rather than a suggestion.
Mother: "Make sure you read it. Get ready."
She turned and left without another glance, the door clicking shut behind her.
Zaneff stared at the letter, confusion curling in her stomach. Her mother had never spoken to her with such urgency before. Her small hands trembled slightly as she tore open the envelope. Inside, there was a letter addressed to her. As she read it, her eyes widened in disbelief.
Zaneff: "A... school for gifted children?"
The letter explained that Zaneff had been selected to attend a prestigious school far from home. The idea of leaving everything she had ever known filled her with a strange mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and, strangely, hope. It was a school for "gifted children," but Zaneff wasn't sure what that meant. What was it that made her "gifted"? She had never been told that she had special talents, but perhaps her mother saw something in her that she hadn't recognized yet.
The next few days were filled with preparation. Zaneff packed her things, and with only the vaguest idea of what lay ahead, she set out on horseback to the academy. The journey took an entire month, each day stretching on like an eternity. Yet Zaneff's determination never wavered. She had no choice but to follow the path laid out for her.
When she finally arrived, the sight before her was not what she had imagined. The academy was nothing like the elegant halls or intellectual spaces she had read about in books. Instead, it resembled a harsh and grueling workhouse, far removed from the idea of a school. The children there were given lessons, yes, but they spent most of their days cleaning, sewing, and doing hard labor. The teachers were cold and distant, and when a child made a mistake, punishment followed swiftly. It was a life far from what Zaneff had expected, but it was a life she had to endure.
For three years, she lived this way—learning little, working endlessly, and surviving by the skin of her teeth. Zaneff watched as some of her classmates, too weak to endure the labor, died from exhaustion or punishment. The horrors she witnessed began to chip away at her innocence, and with each passing day, Zaneff made a vow: she would escape.
She studied the layout of the facility, memorizing the distance to the nearest town and planning her escape route carefully. One fateful day, she found her opportunity. The teachers were distracted, reading the latest newspaper about a city attacked by the Council of Despair. Zaneff seized the chance and began to run.
But her freedom was short-lived. She was quickly spotted by a group of male teachers. They shouted for her to stop, but Zaneff kept running, her heart pounding in her chest.
She ran and ran, pushing her small body to the limit, the exhaustion creeping up on her. But she didn't dare stop. The sound of the teachers' footsteps grew fainter behind her, but a new sound reached her ears—a distant, deafening boom.
Zaneff stumbled, but didn't pause. She pushed forward, even as the explosion reverberated through the air.
Teacher 1: "After her!"
Teacher 2: "But that explosion!"
Teacher 1: "It's probably nothing. Just keep chasing her!"
As Zaneff drew closer to the source of the explosion, she saw smoke rising into the sky, the acrid scent of fire filling her lungs. Her legs felt like they were made of stone, and she faltered, her small body finally succumbing to the exhaustion. Just as she fell to her knees, she saw a figure ahead of her.
He stood tall, his crimson red hair glowing in the flames. His piercing purple and red eyes seemed to gaze right through her. His clothing was elegant, befitting someone of high status, but it was his presence that froze her in place. There was something about him—something almost otherworldly.
As Zaneff struggled to rise, the teachers caught up to her.
Teacher 1: "Naughty girl, what have I told you? You'll be punished for this—"
???: "Excuse me, sir. Is everything all right?"
The boy's voice was calm, but there was an undeniable power in it. The teachers hesitated, confused by his sudden appearance.
Zaneff didn't have the strength to speak. She simply looked up at the boy, hoping that his presence would be enough to stop whatever punishment awaited her.