1 Prologue

Hearing the voices echo through the dark hall. It was madness. A wife and a husband, quarreling over something a child could not comprehend. The voices became louder and clearer for those who pass by the hall but they didn't dare to speak up about it. The married couple was always like this, the servants in this palace could only watch the couple bicker while feeling pity for the couple's only son.

Speaking of which, the servants haven't seen their son lately. 'Perhaps he is in the Library?' They thought and checked but there were no signs of the boy anywhere. Strange where could he be?

The servants all went looking for the prince but there was no sign of the boy anywhere.

Outside the Castle were exotic flowers carefully cultivated by the palace gardener. Each flower was placed symmetrical to the other, each paired to match its colors. It gave off the impression of comfort, a little wonderland to roam freely. On the left side of the Castle is a tiny pathway decorated in stone leading to the dark forest. Following it would lead to a different place, secluded from the people of the kingdom as those stone pathway end and continue with a dirt road.

Arriving at its destination reveals a small tower, hidden within the tall trees. The walls were covered in moss. The grass around the tower was overgrown. Inside were two boys around the same age facing each other. The rusty prison bars were broken. One was breaking the other's chains off of him as the other watched him quietly. He was covered in dirt, his hair dry. Afterward, the boy breaking his chains off rubbed his hands to each of his sides, wiping away the filth that accumulated from holding the chains for long. The boy smiled and walked over to him.

"Aren't I strong?" Were the words that came out of the boy. The boy covered in dirt nervously nodded, agreeing.

"Now then" the boy proclaimed, "Didn't you promise to tell me your name? I completed your side of the deal."

The boy on his opposing side kneeled, looking up. He gulped and responded in a low tone, "A...Astro..phel.." Astrophel looks down, avoiding eye contact. To him, there was nothing but silence that covered the atmosphere between these two.

"Astrophel... Hmmm." the boy said, Astrophel looked up. "That is a beautiful name," The boy commented with a smile. "The name's ▉▉▉▉▉▉."

Astrophel, "▉▉▉...▉▉▉?"

▉▉▉▉▉▉, "Mhm."

"That.. sounded familiar" Astrophel started. Although his voice was low, ▉▉▉▉▉▉ can clearly hear him.

After what Astrophel said, the boy was quickly startled, breaking out a sweat. "H-how so?"

▉▉▉▉▉▉ turns to leave Astrophel for a short while then comes back with a bucket filled with water and a clean towel.

"I've heard of that name before, but I couldn't seem to recall," Astrophel replied.

▉▉▉▉▉▉ held his chin up, their eyes meeting each other's gaze. Astrophel could see ▉▉▉▉▉▉ cerulean blue eyes. "If you don't mind" ▉▉▉▉▉▉ smiled lifting up a wet towel and gently wiping off the dirt that was stuck on Astrophel's face.

After wiping the grime off his face, Astrophel began to wonder why the boy would want to help him. Didn't stories about himself circulate throughout the whole town? Did he not fear his name? He glanced at 'xxxxxx'. He watched him pull off clothes from his bag. Just by looking at it, Astrophel knew right away.

When ▉▉▉▉▉▉ came back and lend Astrophel clothes. Astrophel asked: "Why are you helping me?"

▉▉▉▉▉▉ were bewildered by the sudden question the boy gave him, but he didn't mind. "I want to ■■■■ you." Astrophel's eyes dilated.

"What?"

__________________ ׂ

Waking up from the dream, his body ached. The dream felt so vivid.

"Good morning," A familiar voice greeted him. The man sits up when his friend comes in, carrying a bowl of porridge. "Today is the first day training those Honorary Knights," she said with a grin, but it didn't last long when she noticed her friend's face. "Aster, is something wrong?"

Aster yawned and forced a smile on his face. "Nothing, I'll get ready and join you today," he replied.