Prologue 8 (Part 2) Sprite Indignation and An Announcement.

The last meeting had been sour.

The one before had been the same and the one before that one.

He, or they, had to shout a number of times before they listened, he or they, had to remind them who was boss by lashing out a few times; and although that had working during one meeting, he or they, noticed that the numbers had dwindled even more than usual after he had expressed his emotion through violence.

Kivon wanted to rip hair out.

Devon could almost materialize his bloodlust.

Since Kazu Nini had retaliated using the media, his fans and followers respected him less and less.

He knew his destiny and he knew his purpose. Even he was surprised that a girl at the age of 17 could piss him off this much. The only problem was if he could not handle what he had and could lose it like this, with the cruelty of life, was he a worthy leader. He was going to end it all, screw his Legacy.

"MEETING POSTPONED!"

Kivon was shocked that a part of him still had hope. And as he watched them trail out in the little gangs that they had created, hearing the name 'Kazu Nini' or 'New Universe' reminded his dark and violent cravings of war times.

He let out a chuckle that everyone about him, save Devon, shivered and hastened their steps because of.

Kivon immersed himself in his memories;

Memories of waving flags, loud horns, screams, orders, metal and paced footsteps, different liquids from different races, ash and Ko-jin in the air so thick that it affected techniques being fired like rain all about the soaked battlefields which squelched with every movement from the soaked battlefields - making more than a just a 1000 few fatal - and changed the landscape after each similar event of carnage came and went.

"Devon, I am getting all heated up."

"Sorry," he apologized to his Bearer and Lamp that had someone's neck in his hands. Releasing the struggling and helpless boy that ran away like rats in the presence of a house's owner, Devon got up to follow Kivon. The Sprite Twins walked out of a room usually used for craft, having handmade beads and bags and bangles and shoes, either held in display cases or tossed about the ground. They exited the empty class and reached the bus stop which they boarded its daily scheduled transportation when it came around. His mood in school had never gotten this bad.

Right from daycare!

Kivon shook his head to literally get the thoughts off him as he was in the bus. Cars passed them by as they moved form street to street, turned and waited at other stops before moving on. 40 minutes went by and they finally stopped at an alley riddled with filth. Girls on this street had clothes that did not mind flaunting their wearer's goods. Neon lights were hung about posters and the top of buildings which also had customers always trickling in and out of them.

"You are actually frowning today."

Kivon spared her a glance but did not reply.

"No, like usually there is a mischievous smile or a wicked grin or something epic but today is just a frown."

"Not now, Kisha."

"You never have time for me." Her top that had noodle like straps connecting the chest and back parts, had exposing holes across her abdomen to her sternum. "I can't believe I could have given you a free session but you denied it."

He tried getting angry at this but everything felt so pointless all of a sudden. "Buzz off."

"One day you will miss me." She balled her fists, "and I will be there to make to make you remember it."

"As long as it is not in my way, I would not mind." He walked deeper into the alley where garbage bags had been strewn away from their filled bins and were water trailed from busted pipes or could possibly be piss. Kivon stepped over a homeless man sleeping on the ground when he heard her speak again.

"One day, I'll be gone you know, and someone will find me. So, you better take advantage of me now."

Part of him wanted to obliterate this Elf or Wood Fairy, even with all his years of cultivation he could not remember her race, still he did not find the anger, but only endless tiredness. "I will be happy for you that day and if I can, I will contribute to the splendorous occasion, if you throw a celebration in its name."

"Aww, he cares." She turned to his second, for all intents and purposes. "Devon, I know are dumb but, try to convince him for me, okay?"

"Get lost." His partner gave her a half-thumbs-up and continued the abstract look he had slapped on his face once he had noticed her. "Screw you." Devon snickered under his breath as he had used a lie from the very first time that they had arrived to her, as he was more antisocial than Kivon.

He turned to the right where the walls became infinitely close until reached an open circular area with more homeless people strewn about. Without knowing, anyone would think that they were random people living off each other; a portable BBQ spit, some looking blank in their extreme expressions as if tripping on some psychedelic, others trying to ignite used butts with failing lighters, some sleeping, others trying to share a half-finished hamburger and a group of them were scribbling on the wall.

As the Sprite Twins began walking towards the center of these bums, one pushed a part of the wall and a light shone on the Sprite twins after he 'stumbled' to it, initiating a sound after a second of surreptitious scanning and the homeless squad made way until he reached their center where a fat shared mattress atop a spread-out bed sheet lay.

Everything done so seamlessly in coordination they could be the best performing dancers any century would ever know in this universe.

When they carried up the mattress which was heavy from the acoustic material that it was made entirely of and the thickly padded bed sheet under it, now that anybody viewing will be blocked by their hurdled bodies – not to mention VisualDampeners on every inch of the walls which boxed them here. Forgetting also not sound and smell already taking care off with other Potent Artifacts – revealed a depressing slope and finally a door. A door after well suited bodyguards which they could see hazily through a 100 times reinforced steel sheet made up of metal bars which one of the homeless men raised, after unlocking with a device in his palms, till the heights of the Sprite Twins were accommodated.

They bypassed more direct security checks this time; more scanning from Telewatches for eye, skin sample, voice recognition and finally Ko-jin which was some sort of oblong Potent Artifact. One of the bodyguards bowed low after the confirmation while the other reached for the door, opening it for their greatest of nobles.

The Twins were greeted with a floating purple wooden staff, that gave off an eerie glow from the patterns made by its material on its surface.

"How is your society going? I really hope all is well." The sarcasm in her voice was dripping so heavily that even Devon wanted to shatter it to pieces but at this moment, he could not attack it and win.

It was only a matter of time.

Kivon spoke instead, "it would have been good experience to know just how to be in charge. We both know I need this."

"Pfft!" It chuckled, "when did you start caring about such?"

Kivon frowned at her, "It is not care but duty. Our people need this!"

"They will listen to whatever you say, why bother?"

"A head is always important because it does not just talk but thinks, sees, smells, tastes and hears."

It paused, "you truly are agitated. Did you get triumphed over by the Pixie girl?" Both Sprite looked away and it chuckled to rub it in. "She is turning 18 soon, how could a mind that young ruffle your feathers so much."

"Bye, bye. I need space."

"Hey, hey." It moved till it was before them and they had to stop to regard it. "Focus, we have come a long way, if it does not inspire you then leave it." The air around suddenly became painfully solemn before its voice resounded out again. "We always move forward…"

"I created the creed and I am not finishing saying it. Not in this mood, right now. Bye."

It refused to budge until Devon took the first step towards it and the floating wooden staff waited until he was inches away before it shifted to the side. Kivon was behind Devon as they walked deeper into their base.

"Make sure you eat something, clear your mind with te-"

A shoe flew by it and its laugh echoed through semi-earthen halls as it flew away.

***

Devon and Kivon were in a room with other Sprites that either washed their backs or added hot water to the jacuzzi which resembled a pool. Small mounds about the place, a tree and a projected live wallpaper that mimicked the middle of spring so that the summation of the environment looked as natural as it was artificial. Both the twins were on different ends as their shoulders were being massaged.

"She was right."

"I hate that she usually is."

"We have come so far." He extended an arm and a cup of tea was placed on it before he brought it to his lips.

"We truly have."

A bit of silence.

"Kings, Queens and Jesters was still a terrible name though."

"Not was; we have not yet been disbanded." Devon watched his Master in truth arch a brow. "Besides, it still is a beautiful name."

"We lose members by the day and you still chose to live in blatant denial." Kivon clapped as much as he could with a cup in his hands. "And the name was still terrible. I stand firm on that one."

"If we could handle Nini, all those problems would dissipate to thin air."

"That is time," Kivon took another sip, "time is what is most valuable, especially to us."

"So, you would just let her go?"

"We need to focus on what is more important. Have we not been through so much more?"

"If you think Kings, Queens and Jesters is not worth spending time on, then I do not blame them for leaving us."

"We both did not expect societies to become such a big deal at first! So, what are you trying to say, Devon!"

"If even you, its founder, do not believe in it then what is its value?"

"Did you ever hear me say that I do no-"

A Telewatch ring broke the argument and the anger on their faces did not drop even when Kivon motioned and a maid obeyed. It was brought to him at once.

"Yes, it is I, Kivon the Sprite."

"I did not know you still regarded us as one of your own."

"You don't thi-"

"Oh."

"Oh."

"Okay."

When the call ended, Devon was itching to know as during the exchange, he had been watching a transformation of his Master's expression till he was smiling.

"Lady luck is on our side."

***

On the weekdays, the young Pixie enjoyed seeing Jinja Kaliope's reactions and he must have noticed because the Dark Elf would always make an extra effort to avoid her eyes.

Today she tapped his shoulder and he almost jumped.

"Oh, hey."

"Hello," she gave him a smile. "How are you today?"

"Fine, I am really fine."

She let the silence drag until she shook her head, "If are ready to ask for prom let me know."

He could only hear his heart beat in his ears as the alarm rang. He did not know he was smiling.

***

The announcement had dulled his spirits; if she was already going to be engaged then how was he supposed to have her as a Prom date? Would she not feel over exerted? It did not even seem as if she cared. Kazu Nini had practically all but agreed to the announcement. If she had known about this beforehand, why had she not told everybody?

Why had she not told him?

He slowed down to a stop in the hallway, shoulders brushing him that if he was aware of his surroundings, he could have called it intentional.

Maybe he was reading too much into this. Besides, earlier she had been the one to ask him to make a move.

He shook his head in thought.

Yes, he might be getting angry unnecessarily but why had she not told him that she had something to do?

It was with someone else. At least she should have let him know.

He looked up to see her before him and he stammered. "I-I did not know you already had an appointment."

She chuckled, "silly boy," touched his chin and walked away. "That day I want all staff recording the event." She looked back at him. "I know this is why I do not think asking me to Prom would be a brilliant idea but I get the impression that if I did not bring it up, I would only get stares."

"You reacted as if you already knew about the appointment, it coincides wi-"

"Shhh," Kazu Nini held a hand to her lips. "I'll see you in class."

The young Pixie walked away and he was wondering why he felt so excited at the moment. He had to take deep breaths before entering class.