Am I Truly worthy?

The cage violently bumped over the thick forest floor. The thick iron bars keep him from escaping. Kiyoko struggles to stay awake as the bags under his eyes are large. He looks around the cage. An apple sitting on the cage floor. Without a second thought of the germs he jumps over and grabs the apple. Quickly chowing down on the apple as the carriage jolts to a halt. Several muscular bandits opened the cage and grabbed Kiyoko with his chained up hands.

"You little brat… why don't you help us a bit… and we just might set you free" Kiyoko's unkempt hair floats over his face as he looks up.

"As long as I can eat… i'll be fine sir" The bandit smiles maniacally.

"Act as a decoy for that convoy over there… then we'll swoop in to kill em' for their loot" Kiyoko gulps as he's pushed towards a convoy of several carriages. 

He stumbles through the bushes and falls to the ground as the Convoy stops to help.

"What's your name boy!... what is it you desire from us low life folk-!" a girl walks forward stopping her dad.

"Wait… look at his hands and feet… he's a captive slave… he's not here to hurt us… i'll take care of him" Kiyoko's eyes widen as the girl helps him up. Her dad scoffed as she uncuffs him. 

"What's your name?" Kiyoko stays silent as she hugs him.

"Don't worry… you're okay… I'm here…" Kiyoko has flashbacks to his mom screaming his name. His eyes water as he falls to the ground. The girl is slightly shocked as she falls to the ground coughing up blood. The Bandit releases the sword from her abdomen as Kiyoko stands up. The girl calmly smiles.

"Please… whether you caused this or not… I will never hate you… please… trust anyone with a stripe in their hair… they wont hurt you… now go… run away while you have the chance-" the bandit jabs the sword through her chest instantly killing her. Kiyoko's eyes widen as his eyes glow slightly gold. A white circle forms on his hand as he jumps up and runs full speed through the forest.

"You can't outrun your family" The Bandit's leader appears in front of Kiyoko. Knocking him on the top of the head with the bottom of his sword.

Kiyoko jolts up sitting as he coughs. His breathing was heavy. His chest hurts as he sits on the side of his bed. He looks down as bandages cover everything from his chest to his waist. Frederic is still asleep beside him. A scared look on his face. Kiyoko attempts to calm down and takes a deep breath. His heart beating slower. He quickly stands up. Grabbing his ripped and torn robe from the wall. His 18th birthday was coming soon as the seasons had changed since the battle. He sighs and reaches for his sword. But nothing sits where it's supposed to be. Memories flash through his mind of his sword shattering. He shakes his head and walks out the door.

He walks down the street as snow falls. A thick layer of it resting on the roofs and ground. He wore a custom hat over his ears and curved horns. The scar over his left eye on full display. His breathing was shallow and cold as bells rang and songs were being sung. A girl quickly ran up to him from behind blushing.

"S-Sir Kiyoko?" Kiyoko keeps walking, seemingly ignoring her. She runs in front of him as he finally stops. His ear twitching.

"Do you need something to miss?" The girl blushes hard as she holds up a letter.

"I-im in love with you!... will you please go out on a date with me?" Kiyoko takes the letter.

"Okay… anything else?" The girl's emotions drop as her eyes widen. Kiyoko looks at the letter and puts it in his robe pocket.

"I'd be perfectly fine with going out with you, but I'm busy with my Royal duties… so as soon as I can contact you… I will… good day miss" Kiyoko bows to her then walks away. His boots leaving prints in the snow. The girl being left behind. 

Kiyoko walks down the road and stops at a lamp. Walking over and leaning against it. The air was cold as he was unfazed by it. The dark continent's weather was way worse. He lifts his hand and takes off his glove revealing his Center Maho type.

"If I was defeated by that guy… Am I truly worthy to be a center…? Should I even be a Royal?... There truly is nothing I've done to protect the people I'm supposed to protect… I should have been able to protect Galliun… I-"

"Should've shouldn't be the way a Royal thinks" Kiyoko's eyes widen as Kiyoko looks up to see Frederic awake. Standing in front of Kiyoko with a thick weather jacket.

"Whether it was your fault or not… there's things that were meant to happen for our development… and… I think this is my way of saying we need to get stronger… heal our wounds… and start from the beginning… learn what we never had the chance to learn… and take this opportunity… to… Love what we have… before we're forced to learn what we had" Kiyoko's eyes widened.

"Thats-" Frederic nods.

"I'm pretty sure it's the only thing my dad ever said… that wasn't being manipulated by some outside force" Kiyoko stands up standing slightly taller than Frederic.

"Outside force?" Frederic nods slowly and puts his hand on Kiyoko's shoulder.

"It's a long story Kiyoko… but let's head back inside… we're both still recovering after all"