Outside Comfort 2

Once Lucy and Hailey arrive, the group looked at the bags that they each had, (except for Olivia) and decided that it was time to leave the capital and see the world outside.

"Alright who's going first?", Lucy asked as she put Hailey's red hair into a ponytail.

"Thank you…"

"I say we all go together!" Eliza said, smiling.

With a heavy sigh from both Alerian and Olivia, they agreed, and each of them went through the hole with Lucy being the last one in line.

Once they each popped out of the hole on the other side of the wall, the immediate lack of trees was a shock to each of them but Lucy. Golden plains of grass reached vast distances, small hills speckled the view, and a singular tree in the middle was the only one in view. The wind blew at the grass, seemingly causing it to roll gently away from the group, and leaves from the tree gently fell off and was carried off with the wind.

Eliza stood there in shock, just taking the breathtaking view in, and enjoying the sense of freedom and adventure, surging through her during this momentous moment. This was it, her chance to do something she would remember for her entire life, something that will stay with her, something that gave her the freedom she longed for. She didn't want to be protected; she didn't want to be shoved into a marriage she wouldn't feel happy in. And now she was the chance to be free from it even if for a little while. 'Maybe I can convince my parents that this is what I want', she thought to herself.

As the wind blew on Alerian's face, he felt calm. A feeling he hasn't felt for a while, especially now, with Olivia now a part of his life he must live with. But now, seeing the calm, bright happy plains of Lafores, he thinks he can change his fate, see something new. Find his own path and ignore the wishes of his family, forcefully shoved onto him.

Hailey. Oh, poor little Hailey, was brought to tears, though she didn't cry for once. With small tears in her eyes, she admired the beauty of the land, and what it represented for her. A chance to be happy. And a chance to make friends. The smell of the land brought her memories of Summer, and she thought to herself, 'Summer…look…you would've loved it out here'.

Olivia was just awestruck by the golden fields of grass. She thought of it as impossible to see golden grass, but here she was, seeing it in front of her face. She thought of many other things she was told that wasn't achievable for her and started to think that maybe, she can achieve them.

Lucy smiled. She was back in her element. She reminisced about all the hunts she went on with Jarvis while the group was having their first moment of seeing one of the great plains of Lafores.

After a few more minutes of admiration, Lucy was the first one to speak up.

"So, where are we going? The forest of Death or The Incident Zone?"

"What are you mad? There is no way we are going anywhere near such dangerous places!" Olivia's eye twitched.

"Actually…we used to live near The Incident Zone…it was in Havenfort and we want to see what happened to our old home." Eliza crossed her arms looking at Olivia.

"That's a week of travel, and the quickest way there is through the forest is death, so either way we're going through both of them!" Lucy jumped up a bit excited.

"A-a week…?! I-I don't think I can leave for a week…my parents…" Hailey stuttered out, her hands tightly gripping her arm.

Olivia grabbed her hands.

"Calm down there…it sounds like you need to get away from them for a little while, and it's okay to be scared, this is probably something big for you to deal with. But trust me this will help you even a little."

Alerian stood there shocked that Olivia can be nice.

"So, it's settled then", Eliza said. "We're going to the forest first and then our old home."

"Your old home but yes. And I'll lead! I know how to get through the forest quickly, so we won't be hurt!" Lucy put her hands together, "This is gonna be amazing"

They picked up their respective bags, Olivia just watched, knowing that out of all of them she had the most combat training. Lucy led the five of them, telling them to keep close due to how easy it can be to get lost in the golden plains. Olivia was in the back, being trusted to tell them if a guard saw them, while Hailey felt sick to her core. She never left the capital and now that she has, she was terrified of what her father would do to her. So, she hugged herself.

As they walked through the plains, each of them didn't know what to expect. Would they even survive a week out here? Maybe Lucy could but each of them had their doubts.

***

In the heavenly realm of the celestials, the toy of a child was stepped on, as knights in armor stood in front of the castle. Celestials on the streets were rioting, fighting the king's guards. Some were pushing through the barrier of knights, in hopes of getting in the castle. Shouts of anger and demands for repentance filled the streets.

"Down with the King!"

Camilo, in his office, swirled whiskey in a cup. He sat listening to the chaos outside and drinking the whiskey. A feeling of satisfaction washed over him. Of course, his plan worked. He thought of everything. It was second nature for him. He stood up from his leather chair and looked around the dimly lit room.

'This'll be the last time I'll be here'.

He pulled open the door, walking out to the bright light of the sun, his guild members on his side with weapons drawn. White cloaks flapping with the wind. The sounds of rioting didn't stop. They increased as now the common people were pushing forward, discarding, and destroying any defenses the king had set in place. Knights of the king were forced to kill so many common people, their angry dying faces would forever be in their minds, and this murder further fueled the commoner's anger and will to fight. To hell with peace, they had enough.

"Down with the King!"

Camilo stood on a rooftop with his accomplices. Camilo hoped that Faos would be with them by now, but no matter now when the plan went well. His plan to usurp the king worked, now all he must do is take the throne himself and install his regime. The thick black smoke rose from the homes of people loyal to the king and knights that fought for him. The knights destroyed the homes of rebellion leaders, and the commoners fought tooth and nail, to keep what they have. Camilo smiled.

"Let's go to the castle men."

"Down with the King!"

Camilo barged in the castle leading his men and the commoners into the castle. While the poor commoners lay ruin to the castle, Camilo and his men looked for the royal family. They had to go. As they ran through the once extravagant castle, now in ruin and destruction they searched every room, slamming the door closed when it was empty. They kept going until they reached the throne room where the king stood, holding his celestial weapon.

"Down with the King!"

Camilo locked eyes with the cowardly king. A fire in both of their eyes lit ablaze as if they were ready to die in this room.

"The rest of you go find the queen. I'll end the king's reign." Camilo said with a smirk crawling upon his face.

"But Camilo you can't take the king on your own."

"Go. Trust me"

With worried looks, they left Camilo, to look for the queen.

The king spoke with booming confidence for once in his life.

"So, you are the one to cut my head off Camilo. I should've known you were up to something when you denied my orders."

"Well your highness, that was your blunder. It was quite simple to manipulate the masses. Your own mistakes led you to this fate." Camilo spoke with malice coating every word.

"Perhaps it was my blunders that led me here today Camilo."

"Your reign caused poverty among the lower classes, violence was frequent, and among other crimes against the kingdom, you tore families apart with your ceaseless wars with other kingdoms. You deserve this!"

The king of the celestial realm stood silent. For a moment Camilo was tense. The air was heavy and sweat dripped down his face. The king stood strong.

'What is this…it's like he's a completely different person.' He thought to himself.

"Do you know why they appointed me the king of the realm?"

"Why does that matter now you prick."

"I united the kingdoms after those wars you spoke off." The king stood up and slowly walked towards Camilo, his armor clanking with each step. His weapon in hand.

"I was appointed King for a simple reason Camilo", the king snarled.

The king raised his celestial weapon. A sword engraved with the royal crest of the royal family, detailed with exquisite designs.

Then the room cracked.

Camilo braced himself, being pushed back slowly from all the immense power the king has.

"I will show you why I was appointed King, Camilo!"

"Down with the king!"