ʋօʟʊʍɛ 2 - Happy Years: Prologue-Opposite Situations

It was a resplendent day.

The sun gracefully embraced the earth, casting its cloudless golden rays upon the land, as if painting a canvas of warmth and light.

The air, once laden with the chill of relentless winters, now caressed the skin with a gentle, refreshing breeze. Nature's breath swirled through the atmosphere, whispering secrets and stories of distant lands.

The wind, playful and spirited, danced with the leaves on the trees, orchestrating a symphony of rustling melodies.

It weaved through the branches, harmonizing with the chorus of birds that soared across the cerulean canvas above.

The trees, standing tall and majestic, stretched their limbs towards the heavens, as if reaching for the ethereal wonders hidden within the azure vault of sky.

A gentle zephyr brushed against a boy's cheeks, carrying the fragrance of blossoming flowers that were slowly waking up from their slumber.

The scent of delicate roses mingled with the invigorating aroma of freshly mown grass, created a sensory tapestry that enveloped the senses in pure delight.

Each inhalation, deep breath he took brought a symphony of scents, as if the very essence of spring was bottled in the air.

The world seemed alive, vibrant with the arrival of a new season. Vibrant blooms burst forth from every corner, painting the landscape with an artist's brush strokes.

Tulips, daffodils, and daisies danced in radiant hues, their petals a riot of reds, yellows, and whites, adorning the earth like a tapestry of colors.

Above, clouds meandered across the expanse, casting fleeting shadows upon the emerald fields below. The wind whistled through the grass, causing it to sway in undulating waves, like an ocean of emerald waves rippling towards the horizon.

In this idyllic setting, life thrived with renewed vigor.

Butterflies, delicate and vibrant, fluttered from flower to flower, their wings a kaleidoscope of iridescent patterns. Bees buzzed industriously, collecting nature's sweet nectar to create liquid gold.

Not only for the animals, but even the mindless monsters rejoiced the fleeting winters, gathering around in packs and looking forward for their next hunt.

As Julian strolled along the path, his footsteps lightly kissing the earth, he closed his eyes and reveled in the symphony of nature that surrounded him. The warm breeze whispered sweet nothings in his ear, carrying away the remnants of winter's icy grip.

With each inhale, he absorbed the invigorating energy of the season, feeling revitalized and connected to the heartbeat of the earth.

Yet, even with all the wonders that surrounded him, he walked with a heavy veil around him. His face was impassive, his gaze sharp. It had been many months since he last saw Roxy. She was made to stay in the castle for the prince's rank ascension in magic.

In this time period, he had started to work again for the adventurer's guild and did not meet Roxy again. He only exchanged one letter with her, describing how they will meet for the Labyrinth excursion.

After a long travel, he finally arrived at the destination where Roxy and Julian had decided to rendezvous and travel together from there on out.

Julian arrived on his family horse--Kalajav and unmounted it. It let out a happy snort as Julian patted it lovingly, his expression a stark contrast to his soft act. Rubbing its snout, Julian guided it to a nearby tree and tied it to it. "I'll be back in a while. Stay here." Julian spoke to the horse, his voice barely above a whisper that got muffled by the onslaught of brisk winds blowing from the east.

He was wearing a black turtleneck with white linings that covered his whole neck. Above it, he was wearing a simple dark-brown robe with golden coloured braided threads that tied the robe in place. Both sides of the lower part of the robe had subtle golden embroidery over it, giving it a regal look that well complimented his facial features.

He had long golden blonde hair that reached well below his nape. He didn't have a hairstyle as he sported them in a rough, disheveled way, granting him a wild look despite the ethereal calm on his face and in his eyes. His blue eyes had picked up a lighter shade over the years away from home, becoming lighter over time.

His bangs roughly rested over his forehead and stopped just above his eyes, covering his brows.

(Julian AI ART)

He looked into the distance, taking in the vibrant surroundings filled with blossoming trees. The wind blew with a renewed vigour, disheveling his hair even more. Suddenly, his eyes caught the sight of a certain someone. She was facing the other way, sitting on a small, cracked chair.

Sensing it was her, Julian moved forward and stood in front of her. She was sitting with her legs crossed and a sullen look on her face, mixed in with a little annoyance. She was wearing a tight-fitting white buttoned shirt that was tucked in the upper area of her long matching white skirt. On her shirt, she was wearing brown and cream coloured robe which was large enough to cover her arms.

As Julian stood before her, Roxy's eyes widened like two shiny orbs of surprise. She couldn't recognise for a moment who was standing right in front of her.

"I didn't think I was that late for you to be so mad that you couldn't even recognize me," Julian commented, a hint of forced playfulness in his voice. Roxy blinked a few times, her mind scrambling to catch up, before jumping up in a flustered frenzy.

"Uh, I wasn't! You usually dress so simply that I couldn't believe it was you," she stammered, scratching her neck sheepishly.

"You mean my sense of fashion isn't good?" Julian asked, his tone filled with innocent curiosity.

"Ahaha, well, when you put it that way..." Roxy trailed off, her cheeks turning a faint shade of pink.

"Does that mean you don't like the robe I gave you? Is it too plain?" Julian inquired, genuinely interested.

"Eeeh? No, no! I mean... ugh," Roxy huffed in frustration, raising her hands in a dismissive gesture. "I meant that I actually like the robe you gave me. It has nothing to do with what I said earlier."

"Really?" Julian probed further, a twinkle of amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Yes, yes," Roxy replied, waving her hand dismissively. "What I meant was that it looks good on you. You should dress like this more often."

"Hm, if you say so, I will. Thanks for the compliment, though," Julian replied, his expression light and carefree. He extended his hand towards her, and Roxy looked at his face, momentarily stunned, before slipping her hand into his. With a gentle pull, he helped her stand upright, and she smoothed out the creases in her robe.

"What?"

"Err, uh, nothing. Did you grow tall again?"

"Hm, I did? Probably, a little, I guess. Shall we go now?"

"Mhm, sure."

With that Roxy and Julian started to move towards their new adventure.

"A carriage will pass by here soon enough."

"That won't be necessary."

"Haaah? Why? Are you planning on running there?"

"No. Riding." Julian replied and pointed his finger towards Kalajav, his horse.

"Kalajav?"

"You remembered?"

"Of course, I do!" Roxy replied with a happy squeal as she trotted happily towards the horse. Julian looked up at the sky, his hair swaying by the wind as they turned a lighter shade of green. "I wonder how Rudy is doing."

(***)

As Rudeus Greyrat made a mad dash for his life, his heart threatened to burst out of his chest like a rebellious watermelon.

The beast's claws were like razor-sharp nail extensions of a vengeful manicurist, and Rudeus ran with the grace of a startled flamingo on roller skates. His concentration was split between escaping and desperately clinging onto his last shreds of dignity.

Bounding up the stairs, he hopped and skipped like an over-caffeinated bunny on a trampoline. He weaved through the courtyard, occasionally resorting to questionable magical maneuvers that ended in less-than-graceful crashes.

It was a sight to behold, a cross between a high-speed chase and a slapstick comedy routine gone wrong.

"Where are you?!" the beast screeched, its voice a mix of fury and a slight tone-deafness. Rudeus resisted the urge to respond with a, "Right here, just waiting for a hug!"

He knew better than to taunt an overgrown furball with an attitude problem.

No matter where he sprinted, the beast was hot on his trail, as relentless as an overly enthusiastic personal trainer on a mission to prove their worth.

Its blood-red hair fluttered in the wind, looking more like a wild mop than a menacing feature.

Rudeus, who had prided himself on his magical prowess since the ripe age of two or three, now felt as graceful as a drunken elephant attempting ballet.

The beast showed no signs of tiring, seemingly fueled by a supernatural energy source or an unhealthy obsession with cardio workouts. It chased Rudeus without mercy, clearly unacquainted with the concept of "giving up."

Every time Rudeus thought he had gained some distance, the beast closed the gap like a speedy tortoise with a competitive streak.

"Haaa... Haaa..." Rudeus panted, gasping for air like a fish stranded on dry land. His lungs protested vehemently, threatening to stage a strike. He knew his days of running were numbered, and the prospect of escape seemed as likely as finding a unicorn riding a unicycle---impossible.

In a last-ditch effort to survive, Rudeus decided to channel his inner master of stealth and hide.

With a gulp of a thirsty, strander traveller at an oasis, he sought refuge in the shadow of the stairs.

Peeking out, he observed the beast roaring in frustration from the center of the mansion, its voice carrying all the finesse of a strangled cat attempting opera.

"I will never forgive you!" it howled, sending shivers down Rudeus's spine. He couldn't help but imagine the beast with a tiny notepad, keeping a grudge scorecard for every victim it encountered.

This part of story is about Julian Greyrat's older twin brother, Rudeus Greyrat, a seven-year-old with bright tea-colored hair and the determination of a squirrel trying to hoard all the acorns in the world.

He was a robust bishounen, a term he would probably deny knowing but secretly cherished deep down in his sparkly heart.

In his previous life, Rudeus was a 34-year-old NEET, a title that had nothing to do with his current escapades but added a touch of irony to the situation.

Little did Rudeus know that accepting a seemingly innocent job would lead him to this uproariously terrifying encounter with a beast in the form of a young girl. How did it all escalate so quickly? Rudeus couldn't help but wonder, his hiding spot becoming a sanctuary for nervous laughter.

Perhaps it all started an hour ago, when fate decided to press the "comedy" button and kick his balls into a hilarious overdrive.

"I wonder what Julian is doing. I hope he is reeling in a pool of mud or something." He thought to himself, obviously sour.