A Rabid Dog

He wants me to pay attention to his words. What is he about to say?

He looked at me, his silver eyes dimmed by the fog yet still piercing through.

"I'm going to destroy Dankel."

Dankel— that's the kingdom that borders my own to the north.

He wishes to destroy it. This only makes things better; we have been at odds over land for a long time.

While no war has started, even my father wanted to initiate one, despite his reluctance to finish the conflict in the south.

The problem was that, although we were just along the edges of the coast, the northern region was covered in a dense aura of cold and ice.

They had natural frozen lakes that shielded them, as water mages would have to unfreeze the ice if an army ever attacked.

Truly, a strong nation.

A voice near Tainted Knowledge spoke just before I could. It was feminine, calm, yet stern and arrogant.

"No offense, dear, but I live in Dankel. While I am not loyal, I do hold quite a high position, so I know defeating them won't be easy for someone on par with Saints."

Her throne was made of twisted darkness, yet it also held... flowers, all but roses, in fact.

The Seeker looked at her, the mist moving to unveil his eyes. "You who bear a Throne of Spite, I give you no name—not yet."

"No, instead I offer you this: tell everyone here who you are."

The room fell into complete silence. All this time, he had been throwing around names, and a Throne of Spite to boot; it looked like a throne of roses, only without the roses themselves.

"And why would I do such a thing? Who knows what beings lay here?"

"Hmm, if you do, I will tell you the identity of Crying Boy."

I turned to him, confused, but before I could ask why, he spoke again. "I personally will also reveal my own; at least I will give you a name."

I thought for a moment; this was actually perfect. I could figure out who he truly was.

Not only that, but I also thought the chances of him being Caelum were low—yet now I was rethinking it. If he knows exactly who I am...

"What need would I have of knowing who you and he are?"

The Seeker sighed and crossed his legs. "Because I am quite the rising piece, and now I shall give you—and you only—the knowledge."

"Wait, do you mean that only she will know?" I asked.

He turned to me and smiled. "Well of course. My name and yours are infinitely more valuable than the rest, I'm sure of it."

Just before I could ask something else, Tainted Knowledge spoke. "But you told me you knew not of who we were?"

The Seeker simply smiled. The mist revealed more this time—his bottom half and a large smile.

"I know not of all, but some."

The one who sat on the Throne of Spite spoke once more. "Tell me, what do I gain from knowing you and his names?"

"You will be my one and only pawn who seeks outside the world. In a sense, I shall give you an upper hand in taking my throne."

"I am... the Princess of Dankel. Valery Nocturn."

Everyone turned to her, and with a loud, joy-filled laugh, The Seeker stood up.

He walked over to her and leaned in. He took a glance at me before speaking so low I doubted even those right beside her could hear.

Then she bore a surprised face, and the mist completely uncovered her.

Revealing a large dress with jewels around her waist, the dress was blue and white, and she wore heels with anklets.

She also held a sword in her lap that, even while sheathed, I could tell was sharp.

She had blonde hair and black eyes with skin that was snow incarnate.

"Impossible!" she exclaimed, looking at me.

"You are... y-y-y-you truly are—"

"Ah, ah, ah, you can't tell anyone else," The Seeker said while walking back to his throne.

Mirror Girl laughed softly and patted my shoulder. "Wow, you must be a big deal if the princess is surprised."

The Seeker clapped his hands. "All those who are unveiled must also be protected. If they die, all of you shall as well, so don't go off trying to pry the knowledge from her lips."

I took a gulp alongside everyone else. Then Mirror Girl asked a question I was curious about as well.

"How come you didn't react to The Seeker's identity?"

Valery shrugged her shoulders. "I simply do not know the name, though if I'm honest, it does sound quite... strong."

Shattered Heart spoke, breaking the brief moment of silence after her words. "Can I say mine and figure out his identity as well?"

Everyone turned to her, and with an amused laugh, he replied, "No."

Shattered Heart sighed before asking another question. "How do you plan to destroy her homeland?"

Valery contorted her face before looking at The Seeker.

"My plan? Well, I don't have one. I just know I'll do it. I only called you all here to have you take note and prepare. Those who can fight with might should march to that place, and once you see a card bearing the mark of a rose, yield."

The Seeker looked at me and uttered words that instantly shattered my thoughts of Caelum being the same being as him.

"You... you have already seen the eye, but you have not yet seen the boy's potential. I suggest you keep that mutt on a leash, because if not... well, a dog will bite."

Before anything else could be said, the world shattered like glass, and I found myself back in the carriage, riding to Caelum's new home. With me was Ally, who wanted to tag along.

I gave her a soft smile, hoping she would catch my hinted words. "Ally, dogs are creatures that must be tamed, because if not, they bite their owners."

She gave me a confused look before smiling in return. "Yes, and cats are beings who do it in silence, never showing their true colors."

The carriage came to a halt, and the doors swung open. Ally stepped out and offered me her hand. "Let us see this dog, my King."

I took her hand and smiled warmly. "Of course."