CHAPTER 13

“Happiness is the greatest blessing in the world. I fight for my happiness. That is all.”

Raviex, Christine, Kyoden and Lorenne glanced at one another with a clueless look. Sonia had a smug smile on her and her eyes twinkled meaningfully.

“Tell me again why are we cramming ourselves around this small, round table looking like dopes, Fierell?” Kyoden yawned in boredom. They were in the girls’ room (Christine had volunteered to share rooms with the Fierell sisters). They had rested the whole of the previous day to recover from their battle two days ago.

“Today, we are going to discuss about the strengths and weaknesses of our party,” beamed Sonia, like a kindergarten teacher to a group of kindergarteners. The rest of them blinked blankly.

“‘Our party’? Since when did we agree to include you into OUR party?” Kyoden made an exaggerated waving gesture to indicate that he was referring to Raviex and Christine, himself.

“Hmm, let me think… ah yes, since Raviex and Christine agree on it. You are overruled,” she smirked, then added, “May I kindly remind you that you lost to me in our duel?” He crossed his arms and grumbled. Unfortunately for him, in the midst of their battle, he tripped over a table’s leg and tumbled backwards, giving her the perfect opportunity to place her spear at his neck.

“Besides, Kyoden, we are heading for the same direction. Lorenne and Sonia can lead and accompany us to Sage City. They would be great assets to the party anyway,” Christine piped in. “Lorenne has high healing skills which none of us has and Sonia would only multiply our attacks.” ‘Of course, the increase of number in female companions means I have more chances of winning during decision makings,’ she thought privately, sniggering inside.

“I don’t trust her, Raviex, you may never know if she’s an enemy in disguise!” said Kyoden stubbornly, jerking his head at Sonia.

Sonia grunted, “You know better that no Yamist and Messenger can ever betray the Light, lest the Fallen Angels will be thrown into the burning fires of the Abyss.”

Raviex patted on his shoulders in console. “Come on, Kyoden, isn’t it ‘the more the merrier’?” Kyoden sniffed at his efforts. “Okay, why not I treat you to lunch later?” he proposed, trying to make compensation.

In a flash, Kyoden brightened up, his eyes sparkling with tears in a comical way.

“You’re the best, Raviex! Thank you!”

“Kyoden, I understand that you are grateful. But a hug is not necessary, seriously!” Raviex put out his two arms, straining to prevent Kyoden from hugging him. Kyoden nonetheless insisted to show his appreciation. The girls were mortified by the scene.

‘Wow, putting aside those muscular arms, with those long silky, black hair and girly eyes, I’d almost think a girl’s trying to hug Raviex,’ evaluated Christine. She was nearly grossed out by her own imagination.

‘This is not a scene I expect the Prince to be in,’ commented Lorenne to herself, looking away.

‘I’d kick myself if I ever agreed to date a guy named Kyoden Kaneshiro in my life,’ vowed Sonia, disgusted. Maybe he’s a girl in disguise…

“Back to what I was saying…” Sonia ignored them. “I will now go through each of our physical statistics. I’ll begin with Raviex’s.

As a sorcery-based swordsman, Raviex majors in his attacks. He has also a high stamina of Sacred Energy. His attacks range from short to far, depending if he combines his sword’s skill, physical skill and Sacred Energy or his sword’s skill, sorcery skill and Sacred Eenrgy. His weakness would be his lack of experience and techniques in combo skills and his agility.

Next would be Christine. Master in the martial arts and is a dagger user. That makes her a short-ranged fighter. She possesses incredible agility. An experienced fighter, but, too, lack in combo skills. Her Sacred Energy is normally of abundance, however, stability is queried.

Lorenne is heavy on sorcery skill but lacks on physical skill. She is able to create and destroy at will but to a certain limit,” Sonia paused slightly to catch her breath. She noticed from the corner of her eye that Raviex and Christine were staring at Lorenne, flabbergasted. ‘How did a sweet, innocent girl like her come to have such heavenly and monstrous power at the same time,’ the duo shared the same thought on the new information.

“Though balance on both attack and defence in terms of sorcery skills, Lorenne prefers to be on the defensive side unless it is necessary for her to play offensive. Her offence differs from short range to far range based on her will and although her experience is not as much as Christine, she is capable of applying combos on her sorcery skill. Plus, she is the only practiced healer amongst us.

I personally specialize in the spear. Unlike Raviex, I am physical-based. Naturally, my agility would be higher than his but my strength would be lower than his. I have stable command over my sacred Energy. Considering that I am insufficient on sorcery skill, I am a short range fighter. I am an analyst and a strategist. Most importantly, I emphasize a lot on combos. Not only do they help reduce the consumption of energy, they are most likely to deliver more damage and prevent sudden counter-attacks.

Lastly, Kaneshiro is—”

“Hey, how come I’m the last one to be mentioned?” interrupted Kyoden (He had finally left Raviex alone and sat down quietly). The other three sighed at his question.

Sonia felt her vein throbbed. How she wanted to plummet his head into the toilet bowl and drown him! “The sequence is not an issue. It is random, Kaneshiro!” she said through gritted teeth.

“I sense some favouritism here. Why is it that you call me by my surname but you call the others by their first names?” Kyoden narrowed his eye on childish suspicion, not catching the fact that he was that close to blowing up a time-bomb.

Sonia’s temper burst. “Do you expect me to call my own sister by our family name? Do you want the whole of Senadon onto us and Raviex simply because someone overheard me calling him by the Royal Family Name? If Christine and I consider ourselves good friends, can I not call her by her first name?!” she rambled.

Kyoden lifted a hand to his chin, his thumb rubbing it while he was thinking. “So… you don’t treat me as your good friend?”

‘His stage of idiocy is almost impressive,’ thought the three side-viewers.

Raviex leaned over to Christine and whispered, “He is very much going to get it.” She nodded solemnly in agreement.

Sonia stormed towards Kyoden. The two Yamists and the Prince gaped when they watched her yanked at the neck of his clothes. Their faces were inches away. “Kaneshiro, DO I look like I’m treating you that way?”

Instead of cowering from her, he grinned mischievously. “Sonia, Sonia, Sonia,” he drawled cheekily on her name, “If you want a kiss, you just have to ask for it. I didn’t know you are this desperate for me.” Her cheeks turned a shade of pink as she stomped on his foot hard and pushed him back down onto his seat.

“Oww!!! A joke, Sonia, a joke! Sheesh!” moaned Kyoden as he caressed the victimized foot. “You have completely no sense of humour!”

“You’re insane, Kaneshiro.”

She resumed where she left off. “Lastly, Kaneshiro is a sorcery-based archer. He has a high level of Sacred Energy and it is in good control. He can battle in long range and short range but is tenfold stronger when it comes to far range attack. Surprisingly, he plays combos. His weaknesses are of his IMMATURITY and that his attention and focus are easily diverted.”

‘Who is she calling immature?’ Kyoden sniffed, still patting his wounds.

“You made your analysis on us simply based on the one time you saw us in battle?” said Christine, disbelief. It was a skill any duellist would want. Not only could he extract the opponent’s strengths, he could also expose his weaknesses and manipulate them to his advantage.

“Sonia is a prodigy in battle strategy. While in combat, she creates and applies strategies to deliver a larger amount of damages on the enemy side. Because of her superb coordination of her body and mind, her combo skills are practically perfect and flawless,” informed Lorenne helpfully. Soon, Raviex and Christine were regarding her with high respect.

“So we know our physical statistics, big deal,” shrugged Kyoden.

“Big deal it is,” Sonia stressed in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. “From the analysis, we will be assigned to a particular position when we journey in a group in case we are attacked. Lorenne will be at the centre of the group. Her defence shield will protect our belongings. She will also act as our medical and healing aid. In short, she will be our defensive support.

Christine and I who are more physically-based will be spearheading on the attacks upfront while Raviex and Kaneshiro will be backing us up from behind using far range attacks. Raviex will join at the front if reinforcement is needed. Then again, let me remind you that this plan is only a guideline. We must adapt to the situation that we are facing in order to be in control.” Now, she was giving the impression of a commander barking at his subordinates. All but Kyoden deferentially went along with the plan. His thoughts were already on lunch… though it was only nine in the morning.

The strategy session was dispersed. The new party of five decided to head out to check if the people needed any help in the rebuilding of the town.

The town inevitably suffered some loss. Tragic as it was, the people were working in unity. While the men were busy with construction work, the women were responsible for looking after the children and setting up temporary food stalls for the working men who were hungry. They were one another’s comfort and support. It was a pleasing sight for the Prince.

“They’re playing ball!” muttered Raviex excitedly. He saw a few children at a corner standing in a circle, taking turns to kick a ball with bells ringing from the inside of it. Christine who heard him looked at him. After passing Letaikno (now wrapped up with a piece of white cloth) to Kyoden, he jogged towards them and asked if he could participate as well. The children spaced out to give him some room.

Christine watched, fascinated by his techniques in handling the ball. The children cheered when he scooped the ball from the ground using his foot. The ball bounced safely on his thighs. Letting the ball bounce higher, he bent a little to the front and the ball rolled on his back to land on his ankle. Sportingly, he passed on the ball.

“I guess being the Prince means you don’t get much time for fun,” said Kyoden to her. She nodded. He sneaked a glimpse at her and noted the expression of her eyes. He smiled inwardly. They might be new friends but he took in the assumption that Raviex and Christine knew each other very much longer.

Time will tell.

Raviex returned to them with a boyish grin, sweat lined the side of his face. Christine offered a clean, light-blue handkerchief to him. He thanked her and took it gladly to wipe off his sweat. She giggled at his gesture, making him blush slightly.

“Where did you learn how to play ball?”

“It was part of my training back in Katelion City. My professor said it would help my focus, accuracy and patience.”

When he promised he would give her handkerchief back to her after washing it, she told him to keep it instead.

Kyoden sighed. He felt rather alone, watching the two. Suddenly, he noticed a newsboy standing near one of those food stalls set up by the women. He went to him purposefully.

“How much for one?”

“Six Kihs, sir,” replied the boy. He passed him six little bronze coins, purchasing a ring-like object. He walked off towards his group members, slipping it onto his first finger.

He spun the ring lightly until he heard a ‘click’ and it worked. News formed in the air about the size of a piece of paper. There were not any photos of the news but there were holographic 3D images and live recordings. His jaw dropped when he read the headline of the day. He quickly sprinted off towards the gang without reading any further.

This could be bad.

SENADON’S WATCH

CORONATION OF NEW KING IN SIX MONTHS

KATELION CITY, 10^th Kin— The Royal Advisor’s spokesman, Erik Wilgate, delivered a mind-blowing speech this morning here in the Grand Conference Hall in the presence of more than five hundred people from the public press throughout the globe.

The people’s response were clearly of shocked when Colonel Wilgate announced the King’s Court’s decision of which within six months, counting from this day forth, if the Prince is not found, the Katelion Family will no longer be the ruling Royal Family for the late King Levon has left the Kingdom with the only son. It is by the general suspicion that the announcement was made to quiet the press.

Search parties are still carried out in order to restore His Highness to his throne. However, it is believed that there was no clue as to whether the Prince is still alive. Though it was assumed that His Highness’ Z-tech Crusader White Dragon had crashed nine miles south-east from an undisclosed territory, up till this day, the rescue teams sent are unable to locate the remains of the Prince’s Z-Gene.

Leading the Superior and Great Army to defend the Floating Land from the notorious Valkyr Empire, His Highness sacrificed himself to save the Motherland. Now recorded as history, the Katelion Forces were victorious, unfortunately at the price of her Prince.

Colonel Wilgate had refused to answer the press once again when asked to comment on the failure of the Katelion City’s force field but stated that KACUSA would not allow such an episode to happen twice. He too promised to keep the press informed.

Prince Raviex Katelion will be turning seventeen this 29^th Do and is scheduled for a royal coronation as the fortieth king of the Kingdom next year on his eighteenth birthday.

“Raviex, I don’t want a new king!” Kyoden flung his arms around Raviex and wailed like a little kid refusing to go to school.

“Come now, Kyoden, I won’t let that happen. Father left the throne for me and I will inherit it,” assured the Prince, tapping his shoulder a few times rather awkwardly to comfort him. Kyoden had insisted on them returning to the inn to read from the ringer (that was what the ring-like object was called in Senadon) until they gave in.

“Christine, are you dead sure he’s a guy?” Sonia peered at Kyoden, shuddering. Christine only shrugged.

‘I guess that’s the only way Erik could give me some time to search for Valkyr Leo,’ sighed Raviex. He did not blame him for his action. It was what he requested. He hoped he had made the right choice.

“Kyoden, could you please pass me the ringer?” requested Christine.

In reply, he threw it lightly into the air at her. She raised a hand and caught it midair. Turning it once gently, she reactivated it. The same loud headline boomed in front of her. She touched the holographs and clicked on the button for the next page. Raviex sat beside her and read the rest of the ringer with her.

“Raviex,” Christine uttered, telling him to read a particular article which came to her attention. It was a simple report on a corpse found at the seaside of an eastern city. A coroner had testified in a post-mortem record that the man was murdered before thrown into the sea. His death was due to a long deep gash over his chest which led to loss of blood. He was left to rot in the water.

“Arnold Filler?” he read aloud the name of the murdered.

“The top scientist on Senadon, well, former top scientist now,” she said.

Raviex knitted his eyebrows together. “What about this report, Ryn?”

“Isn’t it strange that a scientist suddenly winds up dead and seemingly murdered?” interjected Sonia, her arms crossed.

“Maybe he had enemies,” suggested Kyoden.

Christine shook her head in disagreement. “My brother knew him personally. He never socialised. No one really wanted to approach him since he was an eccentric man and he also loved keeping to himself anyway. Who would want a scientist dead?”

“A secret never leaks out when the secret-keeper is dead,” said Lorenne softly.

Raviex did not know about the others but he definitely felt a chill ran down his spine. He nearly jumped from his seat when he heard a sudden beep. He noticed a green light blinking on his Visual-C.

“It’s Keith,” muttered Christine, peeping over his shoulder. “Answer his call.”

He nodded while looking at the zoomed-in map on Mabluku Territory. He pressed the button with the blinking light and a holographic image of Keith’s head appeared.

“Good day, my Prince,” greeted Keith with a warm smile.

“Hello, Keith,” Raviex greeted in return.

“Christine has kept me posted throughout your journey. Thank you for saving Christine.”

Raviex took a quick look at her and saw her with a flabbergasted expression. He smiled unconsciously before saying anything. “No problem, Keith.”

“Alright, my second purpose to call you up is to teleport a new invention of mine to you. I have prepared five of them for your party. Besides that, I’m sending over three sets of Visual-C and three specially modified Auto-Shields for Kyoden, Sonia, and Lorenne.”

“Thanks, Keith. You’re so sweet!” exclaimed Kyoden over the Visual-C.

Raviex laughed at his spontaneous words. “Yeah, what he said. Thank you so much.”

The elder Falcon grinned. He was contented enough if his inventions were beneficial to others. “Best way to thank me right now is to hurry up and set up the Teleporter. I am very excited to introduce Skyglide to all of you.”

Christine gave a small fit of giggles at her brother’s enthusiasm. She knew he enjoyed explaining the functions and specialties of his inventions. She reached for the backpack which contained the Teleporter. Opening its zip, she grabbed for it and helped linked it to Raviex’s Visual-C which he had taken off and placed on the table.

“Ok, brother, it’s ready,” she informed. The items that came in first were the extra sets of Visual-Cs and enhanced Auto-Shield. Raviex was eager to know what the Skyglide could do.

“Here come the Skyglides.”

A mild light shone as the objects were teleported onto the square-shaped platform. Everyone gathered around the Teleporter and examined them curiously. Seconds later, signs of disappointment began to show.

“Is it me or am I looking at ten flat bars of metal?” Kyoden whispered softly to Raviex. The Prince blinked emptily.

“Experience is always better than theoretical explanations,” quipped Keith. “Now, each of you please take a pair of Skyglide and put them under your footwear. It will automatically fit itself into the insides of them.”

They obeyed and did exactly as told. They observed in fascination as the Skyglide just sank into their footwear and disappeared. Just making sure, Kyoden took off one of his boots and banged it on the floor.

“Yep, it’s in it alright,” he confirmed.

The four stared at him for his action. A brief silence passed between them.

“What?” Kyoden lifted his shoulders innocently.

“What are you? An idiot?” said Sonia.

“Of course not!” protested Kyoden. “I was just checking.”

“Guys, kindly let me continue.” Keith had heard about the clashing relationship between Sonia and Kyoden. They could quarrel all they wanted for all he cared after he was done with the demonstration. He had promised Claire he would fix lunch for the day and he was not planning on breaking his words.

Raviex gestured for him to carry on. “I’ve already updated the Visual-Cs you five would be using from the base camp. You will see that the Skyglide is already added as part of the accessories. Select it.”

They followed his instruction, not knowing what to expect. Suddenly, a translucent board formed beneath their feet. Their glowing colours varied according to the colour of the person’s Sacred Energy. Raviex’s radiated a glorious gold; Christine’s was dazzling blue; Kyoden’s an energetic red; Sonia’s was a wild purple and Lorenne’s was an innocent white.

Kyoden let out a delightful squeal when his feet left the surface of the carpeted floor. Thrill rushed through the five of them. They were actually floating above ground!

“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, Skyglide. To move forward, place one foot ahead of the other and lunge your body to the front; to turn left or right, simply use your body to steer. Not only will the Skyglide shorten the time you need to travel, it will also conserve your energy.”

“Extreme!” blurted Kyoden.

“Awesome!” marvelled Raviex. Christine had to agree this was the perfect invention for their journey.

“A point to note, however: the Skyglide consumes your Sacred Energy to function. So, it would be advisable not to race unnecessarily on it,” warned Keith.

“Yes, sir!” everyone answered simultaneously. Nonetheless, Keith had a strong feeling that they were going to do just the opposite.

He chuckled. “Just don’t crash. Alright, I’ve got to run. Claire’s waiting for me.”

“Thanks, brother! Say ‘hi’ to Claire for me!” said Christine.

“Blessings from Jerusyn to you, Keith,” smiled Lorenne.

“Thank you. Watch out for them for me, Lorenne,” asked Keith. She nodded. Sonia waved goodbye to him with a grateful heart.

“Oh and one last thing, if you want to cancel the function, just exit the command from your Visual-Cs,” added Keith. “You guys have fun now.”

“Sure will, Keith,” said Raviex.

The inventor smiled and the line was disconnected.

While they were busy testing out the new gadget, they heard a loud and long rumble. Everyone kept still, wondering if it was a second attack from the Valkyr Empire. Kyoden held his stomach with a knowing look and silly grin.

“Sorry, that’s just the call for lunch for me.”

“Owh…”

“So, where to for lunch, Raviex?”

“Err… Kyoden… It’s only half-past ten.”