CHAPTER 0 - PROLOGUE

Part 0: Despondency

"A state of low spirits due to the cause of loss of hope or courage."

It is a state shared by many, but one which stuck to a lonesome king all too well. While in a far distant place, on a secluded island, sat a refined golden chair with crimson red refurbished cushions. Accompanied by a sole glass pane, which sat ever so perfectly.

All the while enlivened by a winsome view. Resting within a manor sequestered from the remainder of humanity. Trapped, alone, inside this European fantasy.

A miniature male figure sat silently in the isolated chair, their quietude & wise passivity echoed piercingly throughout the gelid manor. The individual, which appeared to be male was short, thin, scrawny, with rather short luxuriant, silky, jet-black hair. Also equipped with great royal attire, similar to the Lord or Monarch of a dominion.

A lord who was stuck with his prodigious residence which remained utterly desolate, the exception being its singular attendant.

Meanwhile, this "attendant" sat there silently, patterning in a rhythmic sequence on the window's dusty frame, the figure's gentle fingers gliding along the frame's smooth surface with ease.

Although he was struck with a sudden sensation of ennui & apathy, a single "Ah" escaped the male figure's lingering lips.

One could say that the internal realization that one is alone can have a pernicious effect on one's psyche.

Suddenly; an abrupt knock roared through the humble abode. Perturbed by the frightening oddity, his head shifted, directing towards the double-door which acted as the entrance to the manor's insides. . .

The doors then quickly swayed open in an unnatural fashion, supernatural even.

A substantial myriad of bats had amassed, gliding directly through the double door entrance, nigh engulfing the entirety of the manor in a compound of Chiroptera.

"Good morning, sir Eros!"

A muscular, bearded, grey haired figure stood lofty & colossal at the manor's entrance. Their silhouette imitating their enormous build. Accommodated by numerous bats swarming in alongside them.

In a manifold collection they swarmed through the entrance in a hurried manner. Squeaking & scurrying as the violent wind blew through the mansion.

"It's time for your morning checkup!"

The figure stepped outwards from the dull abyss, the figure was gargantuan in both stature & physical height. With a herculean build & an enthusiastic voice, the male figure ambled forward in a barmy fashion, brandishing an unblemished suit.

As they began to trample towards the center of the manor stairs, which curvature diverted the right & left, only to proceed to connect at the manor's mezzanine. Eros stood, sluggishly sauntering towards the mezzanine railing, his bantam hand arriving on the mezzanine's railing.

His palm slammed roughly onto the railing as the great quantity of bats dispersed swiftly in a petrified dash. The twain pair's vision connects, utter silence once again engulfing the manor.

"Up early are we? Ahh what am I kidding, nothing new to see here! Did ya miss me?!"

The figure's arm then swings free, the frigid atmosphere whistling, seemingly as an after-effect. Eros thought to himself;

"A thundering voice & a massive frame, a seldom combination for sure. It's most definitely Hercules." he thought silently to himself.

This goofball of a individual is known to be, "Hercules" (ヘラクレス | Herakuresu).

Hercules staggered in a cartoon-like manner up the stairs, chortling as he tread lightly until he came into contact with Eros himself. Strolling around Eros himself in annular shape, a desperate attempt at provoking a response out of the solitary brooder. Eros, in the moment, felt antagonized by the likes of Hercules. Piqued by Hercules clueless behavior. His inner outrage steadily climbed step by step, gradually rising with every revolving motion.

Eros's vision shifted directly on Hercules in vexation, glaring at the gigantic individual as Hercules gained the hint to Eros's intense glare. A glare which ceased all movement in the general vicinity, bats now hung upside down on nearby railings, & silence was once more dominant. A preserve which Eros ruled with an iron fist.

In the meantime Hercules instituted the clearing of his throat. The gigantic bloke muttering a hushed cough in a somewhat awkward manner.

"Ahem. . I shall initiate your daily regimen I suppose. Anything of recent importance? How about a new meal for breakfast this gloomy morning?"

Complementary greetings, all to no avail. Hercules sneaked towards the manor's kitchen with outstanding velocity, returning with a silver trolley overtaken with an abundance of meals.

All served on silver platters, accompanied with a proportionate amount of silver eating utensils, with glass cups alongside them as well. Eros's expression, to no delight unvaried, simply beckoning Hercules to come closer into contact.

Hercules eagerly agreed at once, as Eros then leaned in towards Hercules's left ear canal. Eros, now a middle-aged adult during this period, was now nearing his end; he could feel it. Or better yet he knew it.

Eros in a conventional manner, had prior to the encounter, bequeathed the totality of his accumulated fortune & will to distant family members. Whispering a discrete message that would place a great amount of grief on Hercules as a whole.

"I'm dying, Hercules."

Eros's voice was faint, yet effective. His low pitched words could leave shivers down anyone's spine. In addition to the fact he had provided no previous explanation as to the cause of his passing; but Hercules understood the severity, as he then fell back with shock.

"My liege!"

Hercules responded, astounded by Eros's revelations.

Absolutely flabbergasted by the discovery; on the other hand, it was a strike of realization as well. Eros was a wealthy heir to an opulent family, a family who's entire existence remained secluded from the world.

As a person who isn't capable of daily personal interactions, a prior victim to physical & mental trauma as an adolescent, as well as a victim to forced marriages.

No matter the sin. The reasoning remained unchanged. All for the purpose of continuing the tradition. Eros was somewhat destined to live an existence of immense despair. Eros proceeded with taking a seat & his luxurious dining table, Hercules stilk star-stricken with astonishment.

Eating his breakfast leisurely, Hercules darted over towards Eros, as Eros was then welcomed with a warm vibrant hug. Open arms welcomed & beckoned him closer, it was if time had supposedly frozen at that very instant.

Platters, utensils, & glasses were launched upwards into the atmosphere, seemingly afloat. Dissipating down to a state lower than atomic particles. Although on the verge of collapsing, Eros's influence remained incredibly active.

A singular tear escaped Eros's left eye. Hercules began sobbing uncontrollably.

"In all my 40 years of serving, you by far were the most witted & my most prized my liege."

His grip tightened as Eros remained oblivious to what was happening at this very moment, he appeared to still be stuck in a trance, every muscle in his body motionless.

Eros's perception returned to reality as he returned with a hug as well. A monumental moment forever frozen in time. Hercules backed away, acquiring an object from his right pocket; an individual capsule of pills, carefully presenting the capsule to Eros. It appeared to be Eros's daily dose of treatment for his behavioral schizophrenia.

However, Eros had differing ideas. Gently declining the offer, steadily forcing it back into the pocket of Hercules, as he would clear his eyes & freeing his sight. Hercules was surprised by his reaction but still able to catch Eros's hints.

As he hugged him tightly once more & settled himself, before seeing himself out. Glaring back at Eros once more before officially leaving the premises.

"Good day, good sir, & I wish you the best of luck on your journey."

All the while sobbing softly. Finishing up his meal, Eros returned to his lone window, taking a seat as the sun rose over the horizon. An exceptionally exquisite sight he thought.

As time edged on, now seemingly hours laters, Eros would horrifyingly begin experiencing severe heart palpitations as he expected. Slouching over quietly, as he lifted his right arm; grasping his right pectoral. Shimmering greatly, the sun peered softly through the ever so translucent window.

"Why? Oh Why?" He exclaimed internally.

As for why? He knew all too well why. Life grants stories to all, while death dates the finale. Nevertheless, this is a truly depressing story, with a truly desolate conclusion to an utterly unmitigated companionship.

"Fate claims all." a thunderous voice could be heard chuckling in the distance.

-End