Return of the prince

In a land long forgotten by the gods, a warrior knelt within a crater. In his hands lay a long golden sword shining brightly under the sun.

On the outer ring of the crater, a female knight clad in silver armour seemingly appeared from thin air. ''Your Majesty, I have come to escort you to the palace!''

The warrior raised his head and stared at the knight, a dangerous light showing through his helmet. ''Who are you?''

A deep and eerie voice resounded in the young woman's mind. She shivered, feeling as if she'd been violated. Something was off about the prince, almost as if he wanted to kill her.

''I am a knight sent by the Queen to receive the prince. Her Majesty has tasked me with bringing you to the palace.''

The Prince appeared behind the knight and grabbed her by the neck. He raised her high above his head and looked into her eyes. ''Once again, who are you?'' His tone this time was much more aggressive and carried with it a feeling of dread.

The female knight was frightened for her life. In all her years as a knight, she'd seen countless atrocities, coming close to actual death many times, this time, however, she felt terrified. Tears welled up in her eyes as she answered him again.

''I...I am Eltara. T...The head of her Majesty's Silver Knights division. What I speak is the truth, p...please spare me! I have the transfer seal!''

''Give it to me.'' He released the knight and put his sword into its sheath.

''Y...Your Majesty, the seal, is inscribed on my body. Please give me a moment; I'll activate it now.''

Eltara put her hands to the ground and muttered a spell, tears still falling from her eyes. She didn't understand why the prince would be so cruel to her.

Looking at the gate that had just appeared, it was ten meters tall and four meters wide. The prince looked towards Eltara and beckoned.

''Follow me.''

Watching the prince walking into the gate, Eltara knew she couldn't leave him waiting. She calmed her mind and followed him through the entrance, but what she witnessed after reaching the other side left her helpless.

*

*

*

''Why did you let me die! Why did you let them take me! Answer me Tersius!''

''I tried. I did. Forgive me, please. Forgive me, father!''

Tersius was jolted awake, his platinum hair strewn across the bedspread. Where was his helmet? He was startled at first but soon recognized the familiar ceiling. Observing his surrounding he noticed a young woman kneeling by his side, he remembered her as the knight from earlier.

''Eltara, thank you.''

Tersius recalled how he had treated her When they had just met and felt somewhat guilty. He wasn't in his right mind earlier and wasn't sure if she was an enemy or not. He now knew who she truly was and felt like he had wronged her.

''I apologize for my earlier behavior. I wasn't sure if you were an enemy or not at the time and jumped to conclusions.''

Eltara felt ashamed. As a knight, she should have never lost control of her emotions, even now she felt somewhat afraid Tersius.

''The fault is mine, your Majesty, I was unprepared and lost control of my emotions.''

Tersius sighed. ''Alright, let's stop this talk. How did I get into this room? I remember walking through the gate, but I can't recall anything after that.''

Eltara lowered her head and spoke softly. ''You collapsed after you passed the gate. Her Majesty had me bring you to your room so you could rest. I didn't remove any of your armour though, is it uncomfortable?''

''It's fine. If possible, I'd like some time alone. Is there a maid near? I need to change my outfit.''

Although his armour was masterfully crafted and had been with him for hundreds of years, he felt like he needed to rest. He was home after all these years and wanted to relax for the first time in a while.

''Yes your Majesty, I'll call her right now.''

The maid's arrival was almost instantaneous. She carried with her a box; one Tersius assumed had a change of clothes in it.

The maid smiled and handed him the box.

''Your Majesty, the Queen ordered this uniform to be specially made for you. Her Majesty hopes to see you.''

''Thank you, I will visit her soon. Is the bath ready? I would like to freshen myself up.''

''Yes your Majesty.''

The maids led him to the bath and left shortly after. Tersius walked into the room and saw two young maids waiting to attend him. They were naked except for the headpiece that all maids in the palace wore.

The maids removed his armour and clothing then began gently scrubbing his body. Because of the many battles he'd fought in his body was covered in scars.

Although residents of the higher world could completely heal most wounds with enough time, faint scars would stay on the body as proof of their Strength to survive merciless battles.

''Do they hurt?'' One of the maids asked in a coquettish tone. She rubbed his abdomen, tracing the scars that stretched across his body.

''No.'' Tersius knew what these maids were here for. After battles, the men and women of the higher world used sex as a means of relief. Although he wanted to relax he wasn't in the mood for pleasure as a lot was on his mind.

''Finish washing me. I am not in the mood at this moment so I will have to pass on your services.'' He hadn't had a woman in the past few decades but his urge to satiate his lust was far weaker than the urge to see his Mother.

The maids didn't mind and hurriedly washed his body. There were plenty of chances in the future to please his Majesty, so they weren't in a hurry.

After the bath Tersius changed into the outfit his mother had sent him. It was black with golden threads lining the sides. On the back of the uniform was a griffin, the seal of his kingdom. As he looked into the mirror, Tersius acknowledged the change in his appearance.

''I am no longer David Glass, I am Tersius.''

After hundreds of years trying to shun his true self, he had come to terms with the fact he was no longer on Earth. He was no longer the sheltered child he was when he'd first ascended. The grief he'd caused, the pain he felt, the wars he survived, all these experiences were real.

''I'm sorry Father. I now know why you pushed me so hard. You knew exactly how I felt. If only I'd listened back then. If only I didn't go back.''