I stood there staring once again as another God made an appearance but to my greatest surprise he was nothing like the rest. I mean who joins a nice gathering with an angry tone?. That was just total disgraceful behavior.
As if reading my thoughts, the god turns toward me, making me avert my gaze because that pressure was too much for me to handle.
Turning away from Luminous, the god asks once again, "WHO DID THIS. I DEMAND AN EXPLANATION."
Luminous just couldn't help wondering whether they never taught this god how to read a room. While doing that, he was once again greeted with that familiar stare that he was sure could crush his soul if more force was applied. Right now, it felt more like nails pricking his skin, eager to draw blood from his veins.
"Be careful. He's still in soul form" said Badmiel.
The god hastily retracted his overwhelming aura but offered no apologies towards him, which pissed Luminous off. He couldn't vent, though, for fear that he wouldn't be able to hold back after a third offense.
"Smart boy" the god thought before looking at the two other gods. "Isolate him. We need to have a meeting concerning this situation"
"A meeting, that hasn't been done since…"
"Mikhail. Don't" said Badmiel
"Understood. Let's go" replied Mikhail.
"So, you're just gonna leave me here without telling me a single thing?. I deserve to know why that light appeared from within me and why it bothers you all so much. This is supposed to be basic. You can't expect me to kill my curiosity." said Luminous, clearly annoyed.
"You'd better quell your curiosity before I do it for you. The same way that curiosity killed the cat" the god said smirking.
"Umm….. Enchanted you can't break the code" Mikhail said.
"What code"
"Oh, you've been away too long. I forgot. It's no threatening mortals. Or that's what Badmiel always says"
"It's because your stupid that's why he has to say that. You even wanted to give your blessing away for no reason."
"Umm…. we have that meeting, right?. Let's go."
"That fool," the three said in unison.
Enchanted turned towards Luminous as if seeing him in a new light.
"At least you have good eyes" said Enchanted before disappearing with Badmiel.
"It won't kill him to be nice" muttered Luminous.
IN THE PALACE THRONE ROOM
Seated at a luxurious roundtable specifically set up for the occasion were the ministers who governed various areas of Elarion in the stead of the king. They convened twice a week to give updates on the affairs of the Kingdom.
To ensure that they weren't lying, the king had already made a binding rule using the power of a relic when selecting them. As soon as they swore the oath of leadership, they could never lie to him.
Some found this highly concerning, since the king didn't trust his subjects and had rules set in place for nearly every situation. They couldn't voice it out, so they just let it simmer, growing bitter over the years turning their hatred towards the prince.
Believing they could do a better job, they individually schemed for ways to bring about his untimely demise, clinging to the delusional hope that the king would hand the crown to one of them.
The prince didn't know what his father thought of this situation because he never acted like he knew what they were doing. Did he want him to die? Did he not know about it? Or was he secretly assessing his survival capabilities? Whatever it was, the prince remained unaware, and it didn't look like he would find out anytime soon. He tucked the thoughts away to ponder later.
He was currently ignoring everyone in the room until he heard a ridiculous jab from the minister of coconuts. Yes, coconuts. He didn't know why but his father loved them to the point of appointing a minister to ensure the trees were always in prime condition and whatnot.
"It has been a while since the half-blood scum departed. Artifacts do have a way of… choosing their keepers." the Minister of Coconuts stated, swirling a glass of fruit juice.
"One would assume the delay is strategic. Unless, of course, the prince misjudged his envoy." the Minister of Powers said with a smile.
"If the artifacts were to fall into unsuitable hands, the consequences would be ….regrettable. Accountability, however, would be quite clear." the Minister of War added, shaking his head as if lamenting the devastation.
"History does record that mixed-blood often leads to divided loyalties. No offense, intended naturally." the minister of fashion said while filing her nails.
"The court seems unusually eager to assign blame before events conclude. I trust that enthusiasm will extend to self-reflection, should the artifacts return safely." Said the prince calmly.
The court froze.
The king glanced at his son from the corner of his eye, slightly intrigued by the sudden turn of events. Then his personal attendant, Lydia, flew in and showed him a document. He glanced at it and smirked.
"Release the Crownwraiths, Lydia."
"As you wish, Sire"
Neither the prince nor the ministers knew why the king was suddenly in such a good mood, but they knew that expression well and wished not to test it.
AT THE WEEPING WILLOWS
Emily had cried until she could cry no more, her heart utterly broken. She wondered why the world was so cruel. She had finally regained her beliefs and self confidence, yet before she could repay her benefactor, she had placed him in a situation where he now lay lifeless.
"I'm sorry, Luminous. It's because you met me. I also caused my mom and dad pain. I'm sure they were happy when they reached the afterlife and we're rid of a burden like me." Emily sniffled.
She looked around her but her vision was blurry again, waves of tears rushed through her eyelids, prompting her body to shake occasionally.
She decided to stop crying after a while, because she had no tears left to cry. Only red, puffy eyes to show as proof. Proof for who, she wondered, prompting a sad smile.
Her melancholy peaked, but she forced herself to stay strong.
Unfortunately, beings drawn to her misery had already locked onto her. They fluttered around her location with their shimmering wings. They were the Choralmoths. They fed on the sadness of individuals, and if unsatisfied sucked up their life force as compensation, which always had a 99% chance of happening.
Luckily, Emily noticed them and immediately started flying as fast as she could before remembering Luminous.
She quickly turned back and cast "Tornado swirl" and a tiny tornado appeared under Luminous' body bringing him towards her.
She was happy when he was close only to see the worst case scenario when she turned around.
She was surrounded and not by just Choralmoths.
Something much worse that made her fairy instincts go on high alert.
When she finally turned around to see what it was all she could do was scream.
IN THE VOID
Luminous felt chills run through him as he sat alone in the dark empty space. For some reason, he felt antsy. All he could do was hope that it was just a bad feeling.
Q