Chapter 34

“Lost, found, and gone.”

Shenjoon jolted awake, as if his falling asleep was a crime worthy of the death penalty. He shut his eyes tight when he felt his skin tingled upon the touch of a gentle breath. He frightfully turned his head to the left and peeked from an eye.

Oh, my sweet, loving Elinas!

He bit down a scream and scrambled out of the bed, slow enough to just avoid waking the other who was still asleep. He grabbed a change of clothes from his bag, stumbling as he exited his room. He clambered his way to Raviex and Kyoden’s room and knocked rapidly on the door.

The Prince gave him an enquiring look but the boy forced an entry, entering by ducking past him. Raviex swept a glance across the hallway, half-expecting to see attackers or maybe the supernatural—thankfully it was neither! He closed the door and slipped back into the hotel room.

“You… okay?” asked Raviex, sitting beside Shenjoon on the edge of his bed. He was trying hard to ignore and not yell at Kyoden who was singing in the shower at the top of his lungs. The Flamese did not seem to take notice of it, however.

“I… I…” A moan escaped Shenjoon’s lips as he fell back onto the bed. “Yun was… was sleeping n… next to me when I woke up,” he told, disgusted at it and himself.

“Ah…”

No one in the group knew for certain if the girl Shenjoon saved the previous night was really called ‘Yun’. She was a mute; they later discovered when they asked for her name, she was unable to answer them verbally. But Shenjoon claimed that ‘Yun’ was her name because he felt so.

“I don’t know what she wants from me. Why couldn’t she just run along and go home? Yes, sure, I saved her but she really does not need to follow me everywhere I go—including sharing my bed! I mean, this is just so wrong!” blurted Shenjoon, desperate.

For most of his life, it was always Yexi who accompanied him, day in day out. He panicked before his senses could kick in when he woke up and saw that the bed was not empty (since Yexi often woke up earlier than him) nor could he find Yexi.

Before Raviex said anything, Kyoden interjected, “Tsk! Tsk! Tsk! I’d love it if a girl would do that to me.” He was dressed and was drying his long, black hair with utmost care, making sure not to tug too hard on them. “Of course, I understand. You’re a married man. That’s why you’re afraid Yexi would butcher you—”

“That’s the whole scary point! Yexi doesn’t mind!” Shenjoon exploded.

“She doesn’t?!” the two older guys chorused in incredulity.

“She doesn’t,” he repeated flatly. “I told Yun she could have my spot on the bed while I sleep on the floor—you know, by sitting up—yet she refused to sleep on the bed too. In the end, Yexi suggested that she’d sleep over with Christine, Sonia and Lorenne. She said she would not have any of us sleeping on the floor.”

“Are you serious?” gasped Kyoden. Raviex suspected that he was a little envious at Shenjoon’s prospect of having a wife who did not object of having her husband sleeping with another girl.

“I didn’t do anything to her,” Shenjoon added hastily in self-defense. Feeling hurt, he sighed, “Raviex, are girls always so generous with their husbands? It’s like… Yexi doesn’t care about me.”

Raviex exchanged brief looks with Kyoden. “Maybe… Yexi is testing your loyalty to her?”

The Haikenese stared at him dubiously. “With a girl who hasn’t hit adolescence and has no feminine physical assets yet? Besides, Shenjoon’s barely a teen. I doubt he is capable of taking special interest in girls now,” he rebutted. He, nonetheless, raised his hands and kept his silence when he found a pair of blue eyes glaring at him.

“Hmm… It seems to explain things with Yexi, though I don’t get half of what you’re saying!” said Shenjoon.

Kyoden decided it was better to play along to make the boy feel more at ease. “Yeah, look, kiddo, girls can get really insecure and immature if it concerns their love life. Tell Yexi how much you love her. I guarantee you that she’ll stop any girl from coming close to you.”

Shenjoon shuddered. “Yuck! I’m not telling her that! She should know I care for her a lot, plus, I’m stuck with her for the rest of my life anyway. What’s the point of testing me? Girls are just so troublesome,” he scowled. Raviex and Kyoden grinned at his childish complains.

“I’ll just prove to her that she’s wrong to test me,” he sniffed. He got off the bed. “Mind if I borrow your washroom?” They shook their heads. He muttered his thanks and left for it with his bundle of clothes in his hands.

“You believe your own reasoning?” asked Kyoden, keeping his voice low.

Raviex lifted his shoulders. “Do you have a better explanation?”

Kairalina strolled around the mansion aimlessly, occupied with her bleak thoughts. The maids who served the Torrez household were used to their miss’ prowling about. They avoided her most of the times when she was at the peak of her gloomy state. It was not because she would vent her dark mood on them. They simply gave up communicating with her then. Her body was alive but it appeared as though her heart had stopped beating.

Colonel Erik was flipping through the pieces of paper held neatly in a folder, double-checking while walking that he had all the paperwork he needed. Out of the corner of an eye, he caught sight of a figure coming in his direction very slowly, her feet almost dragging on the carpeted floor. He dropped the folder to his side, sighing, “Kairalina.” It was supposed to be loud enough for her to hear but she did not respond.

Suddenly, a rush of frustration and determination claimed his mind. He strode toward her and clamped a firm hand over her wrist, compelling her to go with him. She spared him a half-questioning, half-angry look at him. Otherwise, she was as lifeless as she was. Nonetheless, seeing that he was using a new pair of rectangular glasses, something at the back of her mind reminded her of his old one which was still on her dressing table.

Erik led her back into her private chamber and slammed the door shut. He fixed a furious, closed-to-loathing yet rueful glower on her. He, nonetheless, did not expect her to form a cold, mocking smile at him.

“Finally, you’re showing your true colours, aren’t you, Erik? I knew you’ve always had that little fancy for me,” she gloated. Erik’s cheeks flushed, lowering his gaze to the floor. “Are you going to try to keep me for yourself now that Raviex is gone? Hmm?”

He returned his stare at her, stumped. That malicious smile, that taunting voice… He hardened his heart and slapped her on the cheek.

“Have you any idea what you’re talking about, Kairalina Torrez?!” he bellowed, unrestrained. He was always the one who would strive to please her, delight her. Never would he dream of raising his voice at the one he considered his own princess but…

“Look at yourself!” He pulled her in front of the full-length mirror in the chamber. She turned away from it but he forced her to stand before it. “You’re a wreck! You’ve refused to eat and rest properly. You’re wasting your life away like a rotten, living corpse,” he accused. It was true. She was much too skinny due to the lack of food she was eating; there were dark and heavy pouches beneath her eyes. Her face was gaunt; her eyes leaden.

“Who gives you the right to—” she began but was cut off short.

“You think I don’t have the rights to lecture you? Well, I do!” he snapped unforgivingly. “I am Raviex’s best friend. I am trying to cope with his disappearance while handling my official duties and responsibilities. I have to face questions about Raviex everyday but I learn to do it by standing on my feet!

“But you!” He raised a hand again. However, watching her flinch, his bubbling temper resided. Annoyed by his weakness for her, he dropped the hand spitefully. “We’re trying very hard to bring Raviex back to the throne. We have not and cannot confirm his death. If he comes back to the Floating Land and sees you like this, how do you think he would feel?” he said, this time, in a softer tone.

“And your father is so worried for you. He is exhausted enough from his duties as the Royal Advisor but you have the cruelty to worsen his burden. He loves you so much but you are ungrateful for adding yourself to his worries.”

She was completely stunned at his scolding but it sank deep into her. She knew he was right. Ashamed of her attitude and behaviour, she burst into tears, sobbing through her hands, repeating the words, “I am sorry.”

Although he wanted so much to hold her and apologise for his harsh words, Erik turned his back on her and exhaled remorsefully. He let her cry and reflect on his words. Opening the door, he found two maids outside her room who were, no doubt, eavesdropping. They gasped at the prospect that they were caught red-handed but still couldn’t resist to sneak a nosy peek beyond the door. They were just as surprised to catch a glimpse of their young mistress crying.

Erik went out of the room, brushing past them, feeling fairly embarrassed. He just realized the attention he must have drawn out of his bellowing and unusual acts. He counted himself lucky that the maids did not summon for the mansion’s guards to arrest him for mistreating their mistress.

Kairalina sank onto her bed while Erik’s old half-framed glasses remained on the dressing table next to the long mirror, forgotten.

A hand was raised. It paused midway, about to knock on the door. Instead, it took off the pair of glasses while the other hand ran through its owner’s face, brushing to the back of his head.

I can’t go in like this.

For the first reason, he had just yelled at his superior’s only daughter and he couldn’t withstand the guilt of meeting him right after that. Secondly, his emotions were in a muddle. His mind was so distracted that he doubted he could carry out his duty as he was required to. In the end, he remained outside and took a couple of minutes to steady himself. He returned his half-framed glasses back on the bridge of his nose. Then, the knockings came.

Sir Damien’s grey eyes darted to his home-office’s door, granting the permission for entry to the caller. He had been resting on his spinning armchair, trying to catch a nap to replace his lost sleep in the recent nights.

Erik inhaled deeply and entered, resuming his proficient self. He saluted the Royal Advisor as a formal greeting, then, added with personal consideration, “Am I interrupting your rest, sir?”

“I am quite fine, thank you, Colonel,” he smiled weakly. “You’ve brought me the report on Dymaz?”

The answer was affirmative. He presented to him the folder after pulling out a small envelope from it. While Sir Damien skimmed through the contents of it, Erik strode to a corner of the room. He flipped open a small compartment on the wall to reveal two slots. He took out a transparent, rectangular object, which was as slim as a compact disc, and inserted it into one of the slots.

Receiving a curt nod from Sir Damien, he dimmed the light of the room. Immediately, a holographic image conjured at the centre of the room. It was a 3D overhead view of Kaza City in its bitter ruins.

“This… is Kaza City?” gasped Sir Damien, aghast.

“I’m afraid it is, sir,” verified Erik gravely. “This image was taken when the squad from the Katelion Anti-Corruption Bureau arrived at the city five days ago.”

“There’s barely any development but how is that possible? We’ve seen satellite images of Kaza. It was not like this,” said the senior man. He was still unable to believe it.

“This is reality for Kaza. I was there with the assigned squad. It was evident that Dymaz is guilty for corruption, high treason and lèse majesté,” he breathed. “I checked the satellites. They were functioning properly. Though it unnerves me to say this but I believe that strong black sorcery was at work. We were all blinded by an illusion and the illusion ceased after Dymaz’s defeat.”

Now, the hologram showed Dymaz being arrested by two officers from the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Sir Damien grunted in repugnance at the sight of the ex-governor of Kaza City. His oversize self was badly bruised and there were dry blood stains all over him.

“Dymaz is also responsible for the work of the dark arts?” he doubted.

“Yes and no, sir,” answered Erik, “Dymaz admitted that he hired a person to create the illusion to hide the truth about the city’s state before the eyes of the satellite and all outsiders, which explains why the government officers who had visited Kaza before did not realize Dymaz’s crimes.”

Sir Damien frowned. “That is no ordinary feat. Is it even possible for someone to do that?”

“It is not impossible for a Meijin but he was killed during the battle. There is no trace of his existence except by the words of the Kazans and Dymaz.”

“A Meijin? That race is rarely heard of,” he muttered contemplatively. However, he directed his attention back to Erik. “The report also informs that the Kazans contributed the victory of the revolt to the seven foreigners. I thought the illusion worked on outsiders?”

“Outsiders who are not strong Lundae, sir,” corrected Erik. He freted and shifted his glasses, clearing his throat. “The seven are not only Lundae; they are intimately related to the Light.”

“Clarification, Colonel.” His pair of grey eyes studied him. He sensed that he did not feel comfortable speaking about the group of seven.

Pick your words carefully, Erik. No slipping about Raviex.

“The seven…” Erik hesitated as he weighed the information he was about to give. The truth but not the whole truth... “The group comprises three Yamists and four Messengers.”

“Yamists and Messengers? The Holy Champions of the Light? But… who are they?”

“Erm… According to the Kazans, they are the Yamist of Wisdom, Lorenne Fierell; The Messenger of Wisdom, Sonia Fierell; The Yamist of Inspiration, Tao-Yang Yexi; The Messenger of Inspiration, Tao-Yang Shenjoon; The Messenger of Prosperity, Kyoden Kaneshiro; The Yamist of Righteousness, Christine Falcon and err… The Messenger of Righteousness, Cedric Castillo.”

“Falcon? Allegar Falcon’s daughter?” There was a bedazzled look on Sir Damien’s face. “She’s alive? Christine Falcon is alive?!”

Erik was dumbfounded at his reaction. “W…well, yes, sir.” When was the last time he saw Sir Damien with such an overjoyed and jubilant smile? If he had to put it into words, he would have said that he was in a celebrating mood. Eager to satisfy his curiosity, he told him, “Sir Damien, I am lost.”

Sir Damien chuckled but there was a hint of sadness in his countenance after that. “Allegar Falcon was a great friend of mine—a ‘partner in crime’, I’ll say, back in our younger days. He was probably the late King Levon’s most trusted companion as well.”

His eyes flickered. Erik thought he spotted tears in them. He heard him heaved a forlorn sigh. “The former Brigadier General died in the Kaza War. He fought along His Majesty, King Levon’s side till the very end while I… I was ordered by the King to remain on the Floating Land to protect Prince Raviex. I was left in charge of the Kingdom’s welfare while His Majesty was at war…”

He flicked off a tear which never made its fall onto his cheek with a quick hand gesture. Erik lowered his head in respect at the reminiscence of the thirty-ninth king of the Kingdom and a hero of the people.

“I knew about Allegar taking Keith and Christine along with him. I thought they too perished in the war because they weren’t among the survivors who returned to the Floating Land. I don’t understand… Why didn’t they come home?” he muttered with eyes closed.

Suddenly remembering the purpose of Erik’s presence, he temporarily shoved his personal concerns to the back of his mind. He resumed his collected self and proceeded with the meeting. “I recalled the Little Dai Town incident which involved five people who fought the Valkyrians. This time, there were seven at Kaza City… Could the two groups be the same people?”

“Umm… Yes, sir.”

“The Light has sent their Holy Champions to help us when we are at our weakest, Erik,” beamed Sir Damien. “I believe the Supreme Council will see to Dymaz. As for our heroes, I’d like to personally thank them on the Prince’s behalf. I would also want to understand the reason for Christine’s distance from the Floating Land.”

The Colonel made an apologetical bow. “They left Kaza City before our squad arrived. None of the Kazans knows where they are heading for next.” Sir Damien did not conceal his disappointment. “But sir, I think they do not wish for any returns or publicity. Otherwise, they would not have made such a hasty leave.”

Nodding, he had to agree. “Very well.”

“In the meantime, Kaza City is finally on her way to her restoration. Henceforth, there will be officers making personal trips to ensure the city is making progression. However, there is a decision you have to make, Sir Damien.”

“What is it?”

“The city’s governor seat is vacant now that Dymaz has been removed.”

Sir Damien crossed his arms before his chest. “Indeed. Now it has to be filled.”

“The Kazans already have a candidate in mind despite the controversial choice,” informed Erik.

“Let’s hear the name and the person’s profile.”

“Visanté Pyralis, male, age sixteen, orphaned after the Kaza War, Yamist of Bravery.” The hologram depicted a tanned-skin teenage Kazan; his hair black with dashes of red.

“A Yamist too… But he is so young… By Senadian Law, he is ineligible to compete in the city’s election for a new governor even if the people wish to choose him—unless they wait until the boy’s eighteen,” said Sir Damien. Another fact struck him. “Or the King orders a decree to put him in that position.”

Erik let out a nervous chuckle. “The Kazans ardently believe that the Prince will listen to their request when His Highness returns to the Floating Land.”

The faith of the Kazans in the Prince touched him. “This much I can do. Inform Visanté Pyralis that he will be joining the King Leo Katelion Royal Academy during the next intake. He must be prepared if he is going to govern the Prince’s city. Let the Kazans know that we respect their wish but until the boy is ready, someone else will have to guide and lead them.”

“I’ll carry it out immediately,” promised Erik.

“You’ve done a good job so far, Colonel.”

“Thank you. And sir?”

“Yes, Colonel?”

“I’m sure King Levon was right to leave you behind then. After His Majesty was gone, without you, the Kingdom would’ve crumbled and the Prince would’ve been lost. So sir, please do not think sadly of the decision,” consoled Erik.

A grateful smile broke across the wrinkled face. “Thank you, Erik.”

Erik saluted the Royal Advisor, displaying a sheepish smile of his own and made his exit.