"Hmmm, something's not quite right here," Lilith muttered as she paced her room, her hand creasing her chin thoughtfully. She had just arrived at Nerwin and was trying to settle in before dinner, when they would be called to the dining hall for their meal.
She had finished unpacking and was sure she'd put everything in its proper place, yet she still wasn't satisfied with how the room looked. Though it wasn't big—it was just one of the institute's single rooms—she found that wasn't the problem. The bed was cozy, and the view from her window overlooked the training ground, which was totally awesome because it would keep her training-conscious. 'Then what's the problem?' she asked herself, her eyes darting around the room as if one quick glance would reveal the answer, but it didn't.
"Andreas, I feel something is not right, but I don't know what it is," she said, turning to Andreas, who was lounging comfortably on her bed with crossed legs, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.
"Andreas!" she called again, a bit louder this time, jolting him from his reverie.
"Hmm, yes, Lilith?" he finally gave her his attention. "You were saying?"
"What were you thinking about?" she asked, hands on her hips with a serious look. "You seemed so lost."
"Oh, sorry about that," he quickly apologized. "I was just so engrossed admiring the fact this room isn't stuffed with your obviously unbearable obsession with purple."
On the contrary, that was far from what he was actually thinking. He was pondering the reasonable stats he would present to his father when they next met—which was today, the constellation day.
It was the same day their world was lost many years ago, at the hands of Triven rangers. Ever since, they had been lost somewhere in the universe that even their devices and satellites couldn't detect, unable to find their way out. The existence of some of the most powerful breeds of their species on Omania was no longer reality; their illusionary powers kept them existing on the planet, visible to no one. He was actually surprised Lilith was able to see him the day he finally decided to reveal himself openly. He had lurked in the shadows of her life ever since she was born, sensing she would be the key to freeing his world.
From the instant she let out her first cry, he decided to be with her. However, that would not have been possible had he not taken it upon himself to protect her mother from his father, after fulfilling his aim of killing Phil—her husband—because he believed that with Phil's great potential lost, it would be a big loss for Triven and sweet revenge for him.
Actually, he was right. Phil was indeed a strong and powerful ranger who wielded four superpowers—a rarity among rangers. They were telekinesis, super strength, field force, and most feared of all, chaos magic. Killing him was a significant loss to Triven, and it was uncertain if anyone like him would ever come again, not even remotely.
Nevertheless, Andreas was not happy with Phil's death. But what could he say? King Radia would always be King Radia. He honestly had no reason to bother himself unnecessarily about the death of an enemy of his world. But he was with Lilith now for a greater cause.
Phil held great potential, and he was sure Lilith did too—perhaps even more. She might be the one he had spent long years searching for, the one who could save his world and his people, the one who could revive their core and bring back their light. Yes! She could be the one, and he was not letting her slip away. Because if she truly was the one, that would mean he could finally return home proudly and earn his father's love—and the love of his people in abundance.
King Radia, after the fall of Gorgor, had sent him on a mission to find the one with the power of light and bring them to Gorgor to resurrect their world. Every year since then, on the anniversary of their defeat, he was to report his progress and assure his competence. Now, this was why he had been lost in thought. He had no idea what to report this year.
Every time this time of year drew near, he knew his people—and especially his father—had high hopes and expectations for news from him, and he always let them down. He only wished things would turn out differently this year.
He exhaled deeply. "It's just right, and I don't see anything wrong with it."
Yes, purple! That was just what the room needed. She wasn't comfortable because her favorite color had no impact on the room except for her things and herself. She really had to give it a touch of purple if she wished to stay here. Yes, she would do just that. But wait—did he just call her love for purple unbearable? No, she couldn't take that.
"My love for purple is not unbearable. It's unique. I was born with it—you can tell from my eyes and hair. I love purple, and I'm going to make everything about me feel and be the same. If you think it's unbearable, then I'd advise you to get yourself a new room." She crossed her arms and backed him firmly.
"Oh, Lilith," he stood from the bed and walked toward her. "I don't mean your love for purple is wrong. I just think it's time you tried other colors—like blue, red, indigo, orange, and yellow. Let's just stop at the prominent colors of Triven," he smiled.
"Well, that's your problem, Andreas. I love purple, and that's it. If you think I—" She was still speaking angrily when a knock interrupted them.
Time froze for both as they stopped their argument and wondered who could be knocking—and why.
*Knock knock.*
It came again, louder this time.
"Who's there?" Lilith called, focusing all her attention on the door. There was no reply.
"Well, whoever you are, I think you're in the wrong room!" she called again after being snubbed. But the knocking didn't stop; whoever was there clearly had no intention of leaving.
She exchanged glances with Andreas before cautiously approaching the door in her best defensive stance—ready in case the person on the other side tried to launch an attack. She might have worried about the weak, over-pampered prince Andreas, but luckily for them, he couldn't be seen by anyone except her.
She reached the door and opened it slowly, stepping back and bracing herself... and indeed, she got something.
A hug!