11 A Bolt of Crimson

[Meanwhile, at the Nova Kingdom's main palace...]

The current King Crepitus sat atop his golden throne. The room where the throne sat was in the royal audience room, nearly at the top floor. On the right, it was nothing but pure glass walls. His palace was glorious, and its overwhelming height was extraordinary. It allowed the King to watch over the kingdom from the palace. He did so currently, turning his head watching adoringly at his precious kingdom.

He could not give off an offspring, so no child of his could rule next. Although it pained him, the once royal family line, Crepitus, would have to hand over the crown. He prayed that the next ruler would do the kingdom well. If choosing the next ruler would preserve the kingdom peacefully for the next few years, he would not let any rebel take the throne. That is why when he first heard of the news from Lady Diana Gwyneria and the head knight of House Fraus, along with all the evidence they presented, he couldn't sit still. He ordered their execution immediately, and his most loyal knights of Gwyneria and Fraus were happy to carry out the task.

The royal knight, Kelvin Fraus, was returning from his usual patrol. However, today was a different day, and the King requested him for a one on one audience.

As he entered through the doors that soon led to the King, the palace knights lowered their heads. He was a member of one of the many noble houses, and to be the head of his own house; he was quite powerful.

The audience room held an elegant aura from head to toe. A red carpet led to the King from the door, and the ceiling was high. The King sat elevated from the floor on a pedestal where they set his golden throne. Lowering himself to his knees, Kelvin politely bowed towards the King.

"Greetings, your royal highness, the brightest sun of our empire," Kelvin's voice echoed through the vast room. He did not dare raise his head without permission from the King. To do so would be a great disrespect.

"Rise, Sir Kelvin. I am pleased with your attendance," says the King. He smiles as he gestures his hand, signaling Kelvin to rise. "I hear that you have been quite busy; I did not expect you to accept my request for an audience on such short notice."

"As a royal knight of Nova, the King is the most important. My duty is to protect you and carry out your requests without question," Kelvin replies in a firm voice. His face was sharp and determined with his answer as he looked fearlessly into the King's eyes.

The King merely chuckled at his response. "Kelvin, you are mistaken. As a royal knight of Nova, the kingdom is the most important," he says as he looks towards his people, wandering his eyes past the glass window.

Kelvin's eyes follow his, and he gazes at the kingdom too, but his face is blank. The King watched so warmingly in comparison to Kelvin, who did not share his empathy.

"Of course, my King," Kelvin responds, although the message did not reach his cold heart.

Nodding, the King suddenly asks, "Did you ever find the girl?"

Kelvin does not flinch at his question; more so, he looked as if he expected it. "King, it has been seven years. She is undoubtedly dead."

The King glances away in doubt. "There are chances that she has survived, Kelvin."

"After the attack, she escaped into the woods. She couldn't have saved herself since she has no magic or any mana channels at all. The wolves likely ate her."

"Very well then," the King concludes, nodding while he was still in doubt. "Announce the search to be over. The Somas have finally been eradicated."

It wasn't long before Silicia and Kenmer reached the rusted old gate that led into St. Marella. At least to Silicia, the walk back from the forest to the town was simple.

Kenmer, on the other hand, wasn't having just as much fun. He had just let out his fiftieth yawn, stretching his arms lazily above his head. "This is so boring…" he mumbles, glaring at Silicia, who paid him no mind.

Silicia takes a quick glance at him in annoyance before she approaches the guard by the gate. The guard moved quite drowsy as he pulled the gate open with his magic. Gesturing for them to enter, the guard lets out a loud yawn. Following his lead, Kenmer yawns back in response.

Silicia shoots Kenmer another glance.

"What?" he asks, confused by Silicia's ever-switching eyes.

Silicia didn't respond. She was more interested in the thoughts she held in her mind.

Shrugging, Kenmer yawns again.

This time Silicia couldn't bear to stay silent. "Could you stop that?" She snaps. "You're ruining my mood." Silicia crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at him.

"What? Why?" Kenmer's face scrunches into a look of disgust. "You're not annnnoooyyyyeddd, are you?"

A loud groan escapes from Silicia's mouth. She rolls her eyes so far back, it looks as if it almost reaches the back of her head.

"I can't help it. Yawns are contagious!" He argues, flailing his arms in the air.

Silicia sighs. "Yeah, yeah."

The two begin walking together towards the Adventurer's Guild. Since St. Marella was small, the guild shared spaces with the town tavern. It was one of the largest buildings in town, and its tall wooden walls stood out amongst the quaint cottages inhabiting the area.

Silicia's eyes trail up towards the darkened sky. The sun was falling slowly, with the moon rising soon to be replacing it.

Kenmer whistled a soft joyful tune as their feet neared the Adventurer's guild.

Slipping her travel bag off her back, Silicia throws it towards Kenmer. "Here," she says, "You turn the horns in. I'm going to bed."

Kenmer catches the bag in his arms and nods. "Are you not gonna eat?" He asks.

Silicia shrugs. "I'll eat tomorrow morning."

With that, Silicia makes her way up the rickety old wooden steps of the guild building all the way to her room. The room wasn't filled with much, only a queen-size bed and a wooden nightstand. There was a small window placed in the corner of the room. All of this, Silicia had it to herself. She and Kenmer had separate rooms for, well, obvious reasons, and she didn't have to share it with anyone since the other girls were away for now.

Jumping onto the bed, Silicia stretched out her limbs, sighing at the touch of the soft mattress.

The dim yellow light bulb gave a warm touch to the room, just the way she liked it. The color of the light was similar to the sunset color on top of the mountain, where her family used to live. Staring up at it gave her flashbacks of the fresh breeze that blew through her silky golden hair. She would watch the sun sink down into the ocean depths, imagining the sun as a golden fish swimming in the sea. Everything changed now. When she watched the sun fall slowly into the water, it looked as if the sun was sinking, slowly drowning, unable to reach the surface again. But nothing really dies that easily, and the sun is saved by the morning every day.

She had lied to Kenmer about being tired. She actually wasn't tired at all. She just wanted time to herself and the thoughts in her head. Nothing was wrong. She was just having one of those days. She was having one of those days where the flashbacks were more severe, and the memory of those blood stained hands taunted her.

Silicia looked towards the small window in the corner of the room. The sky was now entirely overtaken by a phantom black sea glittering with stars spread throughout. It was pretty. Sighing, she stood up from the bed and stepped towards the window.

What if she got closer to that glittering black sea of stars?

Silicia placed her hand on the cold glass window. What if?

Lifting her hand from the glass, Silicia unlocks the clip that held the window closed. Pushing it open, she begins lifting her body through the window and onto the roof. The breeze blows into her face, her golden hair flying wildly in the air.

She angled her hand above her brow, squinting her golden eyes, searching in the distance. Silicia didn't expect the strong breeze; the wind was calm when she and Kenmer were out. It was an unexpected rise, almost unnatural.

Silicia spotted dark clouds forming in the distance. The faint misty smell of rain wisped up her nose, filling her nostrils. A storm was coming fast. Alarmingly fast.

The cold icy breeze continued blowing against her sharp face that watched the dark clouds intensely. There was something off. A small glimmer of red flashed around clouds. It looked like blood, like a sharp drenched red knife.

The dark clouds circled around the stone bell tower just in the far right of the town. Driven by suspicion, Silicia slowly lowered her body, never breaking her gaze from the tower.

"Activate."

Silicia flies into the air. The wind from her boots so strong a few shingles break and slide off the roof. They crack when they meet the concrete stone ground. She leaps from one rooftop to the next, closer, and closer towards the dark clouds. They were growing in size, and the blood-red colored light flashes continuously.

There were no people out. The skies were dark. The town was quiet. Everything was asleep except for someone, something in those clouds.

She looked up to the sky above her, it had begun to rain. The stars were barely visible anymore, and she hated it. The closer she grew to the clouds, the stronger the winds were, the brighter the red flashes shone. She needed to get to the core of those clouds.

Silicia stopped atop a roof just before the bell tower. The tower was tall, made of what seemed to be pearl colored white stone. It held a beautiful golden bell that lay still through the winds that clouded and circled its surroundings.

She held her breath, counting the several blasts of cold wind that blew towards her. The wind was mighty, almost blowing her off the roof. Silicia's feet inch back slowly for every blast of wind she took. She was afraid that if she let her breath go, she would lose grip. She didn't breathe until she saw another flashing red light. It charged towards the ground like a great tiger, soundless until it was gone. Then a crash erupted and boomed so dangerously loud that Silicia had to cover her ears with her hands.

"Red thunder?" Silicia whispered questioningly. The winds were now calmed, but the clouds have now grown enormously.

There was a clack, and Silicia looked down towards where the sound came. A girl who seemed about 16 rushed out the gates of the bell tower. She wore a hooded grey linen cape that reached just below her knees. Her dark black hair was a mess, and her eyes filled with... was that... amusement? She was laughing, trying to conceal her small hiccups and giggles.

Then there was a boy, a boy's laugh that rang in Silicia's ears. She followed the laughing, and it came from the clouds. It came from the clouds! She knew it; someone was behind this. She had to stop them before they blew the town away.

Silicia was about to jump to the top of the tower when she saw a figure. A dark shadowy figure that flew around aimlessly in the clouds, bouncing back and forth. The wind picked up again, and this time she knew what she was expecting; another flash of red thunder. It blasted towards the ground, booming.

The girl let out a laugh of hysteria. The lightning almost hit her… and she's laughing? She jumped and ran, splashing in the puddles. Her dark black eyes filled with joy.

"You can't catch me!" She called to the boy in the clouds in a teasing tone.

Silicia looked up again towards the boy. This time she saw him clearer, except she didn't see his face. He wore a cape matching precisely to the girl's. His hair is just as dark as hers. His skin was tan, unlike the laughing girl who was pale and fair. He looked intense, filled with power and strength while the girl ran playfully from his lightning strikes laughing at him. Were they playing a game?

They shouldn't be playing such a dangerous game like this. What if they accidentally kill someone? Or worse, break down a whole building? She had to stop this.

Silicia flew down from the rooftop in front of the girl. The girl didn't notice as she watched behind her, running. She bumped head first into Silicia's face. Both of them crashed their butts into the hard wet concrete ground.

Silicia winced, rubbing her bottom with her hand. "Ouch…"

"Hey!" The girl shouted angrily, pouting at her. Her mouth opened again like she was about to say something, but she stopped. Her eyes widened in shock and fear like she had just made a mistake. She looked left, then right, then back at Silicia.

Without a word, the girl pulled her hood over her head and stood up. She patted down the black skirt that she wore under her cape and turned her back towards Silicia.

The wind was beginning to pick up again. If Silicia didn't move now, she would be struck by lightning.

The girl groaned, pulling out her hand for Silicia to take. She turned her head towards the clouds, watching, waiting. Silicia was wary, staring at the girl's pale, delicate hands.

The girl looked back. "Hey! Do you want to die or not?!"

Silicia shook her head.

"Take my hand!"

Doing as she commanded, Silicia grabbed her hand, and the girl pulled her up to her feet. They were inches away from each other, and Silicia could hear the girl's heavy breathing.

"Now run with me," the girl said, and Silicia did. She followed the girl as she ran, running right behind her. Then the lightning stuck booming, crashing loudly, almost touching them, just barely touching them. Is this what people mean when they say, 'my life flashed before my eyes'?

When it was over, Silicia glanced up again towards the clouds. From where she stood now, she could see him clearly.

She stared at him. There was something about him so mesmerizing and mysterious.

His piercing crimson eyes stared back, filled with mischief.