Chapter 15: Tempura

"Peaches!" I shouted. I gripped his shoulders tightly, staring intently at Crowley's writhing body. 

"I'm on it!" he answered, handing me to Sevor before scampering to rescue the children and the Hanuman.

"Wait!" Levi called out, running after the reaper. The ring around my finger turned into a scythe and flew into Peaches' grasp. Before he could chop off the appendage that pierced through Crowley's chest, Levi blocked the reaper's lethal weapon with his scaled arm. 

Peaches' eyes gleamed red. His voice became humorless. 

"Get out of my way."

Levi's frown deepened; he turned his head to the entrance where the shadows concealed the attacker. The children continued to sob and scream from fear.  "Paprika, it's me, withdraw your arm."

The appendage was pulled back. Crowley fell on the floor, groaning as he clutched his chest. A figure emerged from the shadows, holding a translucent gelatinous umbrella that had long tentacles. Even when he was wearing a loose robe, his muscular physique could be perceived underneath. Numerous antennas sprouted from the top of his head. His green hair was neatly divided into three, brushed in three different directions. His black button-like eyes almost felt like staring into an endless void. Half of his gray face was covered in a red mesh. His fan-like tail was tucked inside the robe.

"Ah, I did not expect you to accept your inheritance, Lord Leviathan. Welcome to Yertle."

"I'm giving my inheritance to my brother. Is that a problem?"

Paprika shook his head. "I do not mind my Lord as your mother left this to you to do whatever you please. I am merely a caretaker. Is there a specific destination you have in mind or would you like to settle in the middle of the sea and ride seahorses with me while getting pursued by the Kraken?"

Levi's eyebrows raised. "Uh…no. Is that what you're doing in your spare time?" 

Paprika cleared his throat. "Let me show you to your rooms. Forgive me for being so aggressive at our first meeting. I hope your first impression of me changes," he said to Crowley, extending his shrimpy hand to him. 

Crowley was hesitant to grab it but when Peaches attempted to help him up, he grabbed Paprika's offer and was clearly terrified of the reaper.

"Hey, I tried to save ya you know?" 

"Thank you, uh, I mean it. I just want a fresh start with this tempura if you know what I mean?" the Hanuman chortled sheepishly. 

Levi lifted his hand, water swirled and entered the puncture in Crowley's chest. The wound closed in an instant, relieving him from the pain. 

Paprika moved to the side. "This way please." 

The castle appeared brand new. The sapphire-colored marble tiles reflected our image. Spheres of light floated above our heads, providing light in the hexagonal space that had mahogany doors. Behind the polished ebony front desk was a two-way staircase covered with a red carpet. I looked up, the glass ceiling was at the very last floor. Natural daylight would flourish once morning comes. The open hallways on every floor would surely be a playground for the children. There were portraits hung on the walls and fragile furniture placed on short column pillars that would definitely be shattered in the next few days. 

"Slade-nii!" the pixie boy cried, hugging Slade by his leg. Slade hit his head with his fist. 

"Quit your whining! Crowley told you to behave, didn't he?"

The spheres of light followed Paprika. "Since it is your first night, I believe it would be wise to keep the children in batches until they get settled. I have rooms with multiple beds for them."

"They're not used to sleeping in separate rooms. Thank you," Sevor replied. The children were divided into two batches and were distributed in two rooms on the first floor. Sevor and Slade watched over them. Crowley, Knox, and Ziru had their own rooms on the second floor. The rest of us were on the top floor. 

Paprika pushed the double-doors with golden handles. "This will be your room, Lord Levi."

The room was spacious. A king-sized bed canopy was in the middle against the wall. Paprika closed the balcony doors, cutting off the cold winds from entering. There was a portrait of a beautiful woman and a young-looking Levi beside the bed. The other door was the ensuite bathroom. 

"This will be Lucian's room from now on," Levi declared. "I don't sleep on beds, remember?" 

Paprika held his chin in thought. "But of course, you prefer the seabed. I will try to arrange for that, my Lord. Forgive me for my lack of consideration for your preference." 

Levi's eyebrow twitched but decided not to comment on it anymore. "Lay him on the bed. Paprika will show you your rooms."

"What do you mean?" Peaches queried. "This is my room now too."

"I will sleep wherever Lucian sleeps. Non-negotiable!" Caleb argued childishly. 

"I do not intend to separate myself from my charge," Raphael firmly declared. 

"Ever heard of personal space?" Levi rebutted.

"Lucian's space is our space!" Caleb and Peaches snarled. 

Garrison and Ikesha laughed. 

Laeroth scoffed. "Honestly…Lucius has a lot of competition for your attention now, prince."

"Ciel?" I mumbled, my eyes had begun to drop on their own. My skin was feverish yet I shivered from the chilling coldness deep into my muscle. My eyelids burned. 

"He's here Lucian. I'll let him settle in another room," Caleb murmured.

"I'll take him," Raphael said. "His body is unstable and frail. I've never seen such a condition before."

Garrison hummed. "How could someone abandon a child in that place anyway?" 

"Knox might know," Peaches said as he placed me gently on the bed. "That child is the same as him."

Raphael took Ciel from Caleb. Laeroth, Garrison, and Ikesha approached me before following Paprika out of the room.

"We will see you in the morning, Your Highness. I don't know how long we can get to Pracia by turtle but we'd have enough time to plan to help your idiot brother," Laeroth said, reaching down to pat my head.

"Have a good night, Lucian. Rest, you have worked hard," Ikesha murmured, smiling kindly. 

"He is in your care," Garrison said, eyeing Caleb, Peaches, and Levi with threat.

Laeroth's hand was warm and rough. He had the same hand as my father. Levi walked in front of them. At that moment, Lucius appeared in my eyes. My mother and father took Ikesha's and Laeroth's place.

"Chii, I'm back." 

"Lu–" I tried to sit up, but he pushed me on my back. 

"Okaa told you to rest. Don't be stubborn, chii," he scolded, upset that I was pushing myself. 

I raised my hand, he grabbed it firmly.

"What…took you so long?"

He smiled widely, chuckling. "You've come far, haven't you? Keep going. I believe in your strength, chii."

My vision blurred from the rising tides in my eyes. Lucius liquified and lunged at me. The coldness that stiffened me turned into a relaxing warmth. I released a deep sigh before my eyes shut to the view of my mother and father smiling. Why were they here?

Did they think I forgot what they put me through?

"I'll never forgive you. I'll never come back." 

'Lucian! Where are you?! Lucian?" Okaa shouted with worry. All of the castle servants and soldiers were sent to town to find me. I covered my lips, holding the laughter that dared to give my location away. Studying how to rule the kingdom and how to behave like a king were all too daunting and boring. As soon as I grow up, I'd leave with Lucius and go around the world. 

More soldiers passed the alley where I was hiding. I peeked behind the huge boxes, getting the feeling that it was safe to come out. 

'There you are!!!' Otou's booming voice shook my bones. He gave out a hearty laugh and lifted me up from the ground.

'How did you find me?' I squeaked. 

Otou kissed my cheek, rubbing his stubble against me. 'You're my precious son, I know how you think. May I also remind you that I am the all knowing king?'

I pouted. 'Okaa will scold me now…'

Otou winked. 'Not if we beat her to the castle first! Come, I'll tell her you were with me the whole time.'

My eyes opened. Soft blue light tinted the skies. There were two men beside me and they acted as heat bags. Caleb snored while Peaches was on his side, staring at me as if he was waiting for me to wake up the entire time. A grin spread on his lips; he leaned forward and kissed my lips. 

"The turtle is moving. Lucian…I saw a giant squid jump across the city and dove right back into the ocean. Can I eat that?"

The double doors burst open. Crowley breathed heavily. "Why are you…guys… on the…top floor?!" He ended his sentence with a wheeze. "Lucian, come, that vampire prince held Knox hostage!" 

Caleb groaned. "I thought we left that blood-sucking leech in Tourmaline."

Crowley shook his head. "I would have forgotten if not for the drakes. They carried him to us and insisted that we take him."

I reached up to my head, feeling the crown. My fever was gone but I didn't mind getting sick again if it meant that I'd take Frey down with me. We followed the Hanuman. We were led at the very end of the city just at the edge of Yertle's shell. Frey had his arm against Knox's neck who appeared too relaxed to be a hostage. If anything, Frey looked like he was the one being held against his will. He was jumpy. His claws were out and ready to peel Knox's face if we were to make a wrong move. 

"Frey, the sun is about to come up. It is saddening to know that you will follow your siblings to the afterlife but we wish you safe travels," I deadpanned.

"Shu–Shut up! All of you…All of you jump off this turtle or this kid dies with me!"

Ah, this was an easy negotiation. 

"Knox, it was nice knowing you," I bid. 

Knox nodded. "I was hoping I could see the world more, alas, I remember I was blind. Nevermind me."

"I'm not bluffing!" Frey snarled, he inched his claws closer. The sun was slowly but surely coming up.

The surface of the ocean behind Frey broke from the spring of a giant squid which was probably the one Peaches talked about earlier. The reaper sparkled in joy. He sprang, summoning his scythe with him. Frey shrieked, releasing Knox and hiding behind Crowley. 

"SQUIIIIIIIIIID!!!"