Asking for help part 1

There was no time for rest, even when Keiton felt like he was about to collapse from the sheer exhaustion of everything that was happening. Sleep had eluded his senses almost entirely at this point and his brain had taken to wandering about.

And yet there were things that could not be left for later. War was never peaceful but it could be made to be less painful if they prepared through fully.

"Would the temple really help? It seems like such an unnecessary risk" when Keito had made his intentions of involving the temple clear, Jess had been the first one to protest. It had been something Keito had expected so he was not surprised by the notion.

Things were following an almost similar path as they had in his last life. 

Last time he had taken  her advice and not sought out the temple when Noah had suggested for him to and even though they had won in the end, it did not feel like a victory at all.

This time Keito wanted to do it differently. If only to see what changes he could invoke in everything, he wanted to see the consequences of his decision. He never regretted his decision from the past, but even he was willing to learn from them.

"It's something I've decided to take a chance on. We're not trusting them just yet, but their help would reduce the number of casualties we will be facing in the future" the female did not add anything more which Keito took as a sign of her agreement. Even if she was not in agreement with him, it was no longer in her hand to stop him.

He loved her, but he was not controlled by her will. As a king, he had to think of his kingdom first and his love life second.

'Finally willing to see the light? I thought this day might never come to pass' ah, the wolf was back with a vengeance and this time, just this time could Keito say that he had been right to.

The wolf had harped about getting help from the temple for ages now but Keito had ignored the other in favour of following Jess's wishes. They had sounded too logical in that time frame that he had no reason to doubt them then.

He wondered what changed now to make him so different things time around? Maybe because he had time to think about his decisions or maybe it was the lack of a certain  presence.

The temple stairs were still a looming sight right in front of his face. Even in the brink of war and change, they did not fail to remain a stagnant piece of the past. Watching them gave Kaito a feeling like they would never change.

And yet  even they had fallen to the vicious mistress called time.

But this was not what he was here for right now. Right now, he has a mission to fulfil.

This time when he stepped on the first stair, he felt the presence inside him fade away and it was very noticeable. It begged the question of how he had missed it all this time? Maybe because he avoided this place all his life? 

Keito arrived alone and he started the journey upstairs alone too. The surrounding forest looked looming and darker in nature, a byproduct of his vivid imagination no doubt. He tried to ignore it but even a small sound from there pulled at his senses. Keito knew that this was all because of the stress this present situation presented but knowing this did not help.

That when paired with his growing exhaustion made this a daunting journey. But it was only a matter of not if, but when he would reach the top of the stairs.

Once the peak was visible, Keito took it in sight. The few days he had spent down did nothing to diminish the beauty of this place. The flowers still bloom and the waters still sparkle a clear blue.

But it was the spark of joy and cheer that really made this place seem different. 

Unlike his earlier visit to this place, this time the central courtyard was full of life and vigor. People of all shapes and sizes made their way all over the place with various carriages.

Red hung on the trees, between the support pillars of the buildings and Eben at the small stalls that were being set up which are inappropriate for this festive occasion. It seemed like his timing could not have been any worse.

"Your highness?" One small kid, not any older than the oracle  called out, his wide brown eyes looking directly at Keito who couldn't help but give the other a small smile with a wave.

That voice had been loud enough to attract the attention of everyone in the vicinity and soon he had a small pool all around him with people of all shapes and sizes.

It was a noisy bunch, asking questions left and right. Some were easy like 'Are you really the royal highness?' but others like 'What are you doing here?' Seems more complicated to answer.

This was a situation he had never found himself in since most people tended to keep their distance from him when he went out to the town. Those who were brave enough to make an approach were likely stopped by his guards and thus, this situation rarely occurred.

But it was clear that these people in the temple had no such problem with his identity or hesitation in approaching him. Keito did not know how he should handle this situation from here.

"Your highness, the temple master is expecting you along with the oracle. Everyone, please give space to him and finish your own work" there was a wave of disappointment at the order and for a minute or two, it genuinely seemed like it would be ignored by everyone.

But then, the crowd really did seem like it was thinning and before Keito knew it, he was standing alone in the presence of the one who had issued that order. The person was aged, perhaps even in his seventies and it showed on his face. 

"Please forgive them. They're young and far too excited for Fenghuang (Phoenix) festival which is in a few days. Would his majesty like to attend this year as well? It would make them all happy" Keito felt an almost painful smile cover over his face. This was a really awkward moment to be in since he had no good news to add.

But he could other allow his news to dampen their mood either. They were preparing far too enthusiastically for this festival and if he could, he would allow them to have this final luxury before the thorns of war sunk themselves inside them. 

"I'll take some time out to visit then. I can tell it would be a marvelous festival as always" the other looked happy at his admission so Keito let him be.

He was led to the same room he had been during his last visit. Even that place had not escaped the clutches of festive mood as red hung on the door of that place.

The knock of the elder could barely be heard in all the preparatory noise that was originating all around him  and the reply was even fainter but it was clear to Keito that this was a problem only faced by him and not anyone else.

"We will look forward to your visit during the festival" the elder commented as he opened the door in front. Keito gave him a nod and then entered the room. And right in front of him sat the odd pair sitting across each other with a small table in between them.

"Please close the door behind you when you come in. We don't want others to know what we will be talking about after all" Keito nodded as he did what he was asked to do. The child did not look up from the table he was staring at and his hair was not kept in that usually practical braid. Instead, they covered his face which was odd to Keito.

Right in front of him, a mask laid on the table, it's shape and style mocking Keito. It made him realize that the child was maskless right now and a certain curiosity poked him.

He wanted to see the face that lay behind that mask. Everything in him screamed that it was important and that he needed to not let this opportunity go to waste if he could help it, but he could not stop his hand from  wandering toward that small shoulder.

But before his hand landed on that shoulder, another caught his wrist causing him to look at that. 

"Please don't be so hasty your highness, you don't want to make any mistakes here"

And that turned out to be a mistake as it gave the child enough time to secure the mask back onto his face and a wave of disappointment flashed all over Keito.

He had been so close and he knew that his opportunity had already passed.