Rebirth

14. Syrus

Dear Journal,
I feel as if I am trapped beneath the earth once more. Am I meant, in actuality to walk this journey alone? Is it selfish that I desire another to walk with me despite the destruction I'm sure I will have to leave in the wake?

- 𝓔. 𝓢𝓽𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓮
                (1605)

The castle of Asphal's beauty was in tandem to that of Gandalwell's. Fortified with the whitest of stones, the morning sun glared lustfully at the keep. A single gold flag waved in the morning wind, rippling and dancing vivaciously in the air from the tallest tower as it made its point to signify that this was the house of the elite.

Elias watched through the caravan's window as they whizzed past the lush, green fields filled with animals grazing lazily while the light of the morning medallion shone off their furred coats. His bionic eyesight made well to see the radiant wings of butterflies flap softly as they siphoned sweet nectar from the milkweeds. He could see the birds battle the wind in the sky, defying gravity as they frivolously soared across the blue. The air was refreshing and heartwarming, the morning filled with life.

It made Elias want to vomit.

This was not his scene. He hated the sunlight and the 'beauty' that came with the day. He had found love in the moon and its divine gleam as he rewarded it as the largest pearl in the sky, the stars being its dazzling diamond counterparts. He loved the smell of nightdew on the sleeping plants, the sudden liveliness of the nocturnals and the coldness the darkness of the night brang. He could not wait to get out of this dreadful sunlight.

After identifying themselves to the guards present, they rode across the castle's moat once the drawbridge was finally lowered. Elias could see the mossy, green water ripple as small fishes capered in it. The dragonflies sat upon dead twigs that floated on its surface, watching the caravan pass by. It was not long before they arrived at the front gates. The teeth of the portcullis bared and creaked threateningly as the gates lifted for the arrival of the king.

Once they had all exited, they were all greeted in the inner courtyard by the Queen and the knights of Asphal.

Elias could see the relief on the faces of the King Koren's men as they stood before him. He could tell that they respected and feared him; that he was a man they looked to and believed in. He wondered if the people would ever look to him, not only in fear but adoration, just as they did King Koren. Would they follow a demon and his goal to make the world right and just?

"My king, you have returned to me" said King Koren's wife.

She was a short woman with auburn hair falling behind her back in tight curls, a simple gold crown sitting atop it. Her wrinkled face was pleasantly pursed as she made her way over to the King and Emma, her golden gown sweeping the inner courtyard as she walked gracefully.

"Let us exchange pleasantries inside. I need a drink" King Koren said, rudely side stepping his wife as he headed towards the main keep.

Elias could tell that the king was perplexed by not only the battle he had just witnessed, but the monsters. Seeing the minotaurs had shocked him into a state of realization and worry that left Elias clueless to the King's cognizance. The shortness of his breath, the beating of his heart, the sweat that dripped down his brow bone all made for a tale of fear.

The king was in a bad mood but what say him who had just lost an arm? Elias thought.

As the knights followed their king, Elias and Zelda waited for the Queen and Emma to lead before moving.