Still Alive

Janessa showed them a medium sized room with a clean and good quality carpet and minimum furniture, indicating that they might have to adjust here.

"Here it is,"

They didn't mind, well, except for the one certain nineteen years old boy.

Though they were on an important mission, not for a picnic, they won't find luxuries.

"I am sorry, we are not that developed." Andy apologized too.

He knew the condition of any inn possible would be much worse than the place they provided them. 

"You have to adjust in this room, the bathroom is that way if you need it." He added, pointing to the door in the corner of the corridor. 

"Me and father will be downstairs, you if you need us," 

Janessa also spoke up softly, leading them inside and setting a place for them to sleep.

She was about to set some non-spring mattresses for them but Delvin came in between, stopping her instantly with a gentle smile.

"It's okay, that is enough. We- I can do that," He whispered, taking it from her and doing it himself.

He didn't use 'we' because everyone else present was from high society. He didn't expect much from them.

"Okay," She nodded, getting up with a lowered gaze. 

They were mourning and Delvin didn't want to disturb them in the slightest. 

But, the man with an uncaring nature rolled his eyes when he saw Delvin spreading the mattresses.

"Hmph, what a measly room,"

"Zephyr," Lady Red spoke scoldingly.

She was motioning to him to stop but done with his demeanor, Janessa groaned, turning to Delvin.

"I wonder how you put up with him,"

Delvin only chuckled in response. Zephyr's mouth to gaped because according to him-

Zephyr put up with Delvin.

"I don't have time for you, if you are done, leave," Zephyr hissed, glaring at her.

"What is your problem? What are you, a king or what huh?" 

She glared back, she was impressed by all of them except for Zephyr who had zero concerns about her perspective either.

"Ah, please don't mind him, he is like this," 

Yor chuckled worriedly, giving the girls' head a tap to soothe her anger so it wouldn't create a scene.

"Tsk," 

Frowning after ruining her mood, she left the room, going down with her father.

"There, done," 

Delvin spoke after setting up the mattresses, gesturing to them to come and rest.

"Hmm," 

"Oh, you seriously make me wonder about your social skills, Zephyr," Delvin sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. 

"I don't intend to waste them on unimportant people, that is all." Zephyr replied rudely, placing his things down.

Delvin frowned, knowing it was futile to talk to him and laid down.

"Leave that, I can't believe that number 2 came here." Jay said, confused and distressed at the same time. 

"But, why? What does she want from a family like them?" Azura asked, followed by Yor.

"And how did she manage to deliver the book to Rufus?" 

Zephyr sat dominantly, resting his elbow on the knee, holding his head high as usual, listening carefully.

"She must have a reason-"

To their series of questions and wonderings, he spoke in stern resonance.

"Wasn't it obvious?"

Pausing, all of them turned to Zephyr who held a stoic expression. 

"What?"

"That Zirkos was sealed centuries ago," 

Exhaling, he informed what he grasped instantly upon hearing that tale from Andy.

"But, his commanders weren't…"

The reality of how he managed to release himself.

"They were alive all this time."

"What?!"

"Yes. They are here, somewhere in a corner of this world. They exist and could be anywhere." 

A horror crept on their faces as it made perfect sense and worsening their states, he continued darkly. 

"All this time, they were waiting for their master to wake up," 

DELPHIA

The land whose economy had dropped drastically as it was cut off from the rest of the world had started a stage of survival. 

Things became tough for the poor country.

But, amid that stage, some people continued their lives how they were and among them was a merchant.

The richest man of Delphia, Xerxes. 

The man with a devilishly strong build up. His black scattered on his forehead accompanied by silver eyes that were always charming.

"What about these, Sir?" 

"Give them to charity, I have no use for these unworthy things," His strong resonance came.

Coming down after freshening himself in his black shirt and pants, holding a firm and authoritative aura.

Two buttons opened, revealing his tone chest along with a locket of a cross.

His features were hardened into dominance which was soon broken by a screeching sound echoing in the hallway.

"Papa!" 

Grinning, a five years old girl, Peace, ran and jumped into her father's arms… and his strong posture faded immediately. 

Laughing at the innocent girl, he picked her up.

"Ah, my darling daughter, how was your day?" He beamed, kissing her cheeks before giving her a tight hug. 

"Amazing. We learned how to write," She chuckled, telling her father happily about her day. 

"Can I see?" 

And he showed the same enthusiasm. 

She got down, grabbing her notebook and showing her the work she did, emitting pure innocence and felicity. 

"There you go. Look! Look!" 

"Wow, so neat. My daughter is so talented!" 

He laughed, patting her head, praising her wholeheartedly.

Her chest boosted in confidence, the urge to do much better evoked in her. 

As he was sharing a heartwarming moment with his daughter, his wife, June, came, smiling sweetly at the two people she adored the most. 

"Dear, welcome home. How was your hunt?" She chuckled.

He turned his attention to her immediately, giving her a side hug. 

"Leave that, I missed you," 

"Hey- hey, Peace is watching,"

"Now she is not," 

Placing his palm over his daughter's eyes, he pulled his wife into a brief but passionate kiss, pouring his love in his action.

"What are you doing, Papa? Remove your hand," Peace whined.

Stunning her, earning a smirk from him that he had this charm over her.

Never failing to make her timid, to make her blush madly.

Peace was pulling his wrist down only to find her father holding his wife by her waist.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing," 

June was blushing that after ten years of their marriage, his love for her never ceased but increased.

"The hunt was good. I have spread the provisions to the poor too," He smirked, proud of himself.

"Ah, you are so kind. Even with the new king, you have not stopped your charity," She whispered, placing her hand over his chest.

"I am so proud of you, my love," 

She spoke from the bottom of her heart.

He chuckled, taking her hand and kissing them, "It's your love that taught me this,"

But his sweet family moment was shattered when the messenger from the castle, Samuel came, wiping his smile instantly. 

"Sir," 

"What?"

He frowned at the unasked presence, almost sending a glare that hitched his breaths in horror.

"Can't you see I am busy? What do you want?"

"H-His Majesty would like to s-see you," 

He gulped, fearing for his life due to the death-stare he received. 

"Dear," 

Sighing, he noticed his wife's distress and pulled away from her slightly. 

"It's alright. He knows my worth. I am the richest man here, he won't hurt me," He reassured her.

Kissing the top of her head before regaining his strenuous posture again.

"Please take care of yourself,"

He soon left for the castle to hear what his new king wanted from him.

In the castle, the man with the beautiful yet deadly maroon eyes was staring out of the balcony, features enhanced by a malevolent smirk.

One could feel, could witness, his muscular body and vicious aura from a distance. 

Emitting overwhelming dominance, he was staring down at the miserable land.

"Ah, what an exquisite site," 

His deep, husky voice came out as if he was pleased with the condition he had created ruthlessly.

Hands inclined on the railing, wind was blowing his hair.

He loved each second of it, of the pain he spreaded. 

Narrowing his eyes at the undefeated monster before him, Xerxes was bent on one knee, keeping his gaze lowered. 

"You have called, My Lord?"

Humming melodiously, his rhythm was broken, causing him to glance over his shoulder towards the muscular man on his knees.

Flashing his dark hint, he turned to him fully and questioned with dripping amusement. 

"Are you done being the good man, Xerxes?"

He smiled, "When I was not? My heart had always been soft,"

"Drop that act with me,"

His smirk vanished, sitting on his throne to assert his dominance, ordering him in a warning tone. 

And then Xerxes lowered his head, making a fist while liberating a lethal, suppressed chuckle before lifting his gaze to his King.

An unbearable aura emitted from him, a grin of madness spread on his stoic features. 

Showing he had a comparably hysterical glimpse in him, revealing all his darkness. 

And from his left eye, his pupil converted into a certain number- '1'

The strongest and the deadliest commander of the Abyss.

Xerxes.

"Then order what this mere man could do for my Lord?" He whispered seductively.

Licking his lips in a strong thrill of anticipation. He was waiting for that moment after all.

Pleased when he displayed his true colors, Zirkos smirked, leaning so he could rest his one leg over the other.

"Where is my little Prince?"

"He is currently staying in Jonas' village," 

To the information, he ordered, "Burn that village down,"

"Shall I-" 

And he was about to offer excitedly but it was not the time yet.

"I said burn it, not obliterate it's existence," 

Zirkos reminded him sternly, well aware of the fact that if he went, nothing would remain, not things nor humans.

He was too strong for them.

Taking a deep breath, Zirkos rested his cheek on his knuckles. He was electrified to see where his path would lead him after all.

"Let's see how much he has grown in the past year. Go, Xerxes, Issue the order," 

"Yes, My Lord,"