Dream 3: Presence

Other Characters Did A Cameo, But It’s Alright Since This Is The First Chapter

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East Kingdom’s royal castle

In the hallway, three people are walking followed by a long row of knights. Suddenly, the old woman, walking behind the pair in front, turned when she felt a strong presence.

“Mother?” the beautiful woman called when she and the man beside her noticed the old woman stopped. The two of them turned and looked at her. “Are you alright?” she asked, worried, when she saw that her mother looked absent-minded.  

“Don’t overwork yourself, mother.” The man beside spoke. “Please have a rest.” He added.

The old woman smiled and shook her head. “I am alright.” She assured them.

They looked at each other and smiled. The old woman kindly smiled back. I’m glad they’re happy. She thought. My daughter chose wisely whom to marry. Then, her face went serious when the presence was gone.

What was that just now? Was it just her imagination?

East Kingdom’s forest.

“Hah!” someone buried in a hill of autumn leaves gasped when they sensed a strong presence. “That - !” they said and turned as their faces brightened. “YES!!!” they yelled and flew towards the edge of the forest, only for them to cry when a barrier appeared and they bumped into it. “Ugh…” they grunted. “I knew it…” they muttered as they held their forehead that got hit. “Damn it…” they cursed, frowning, as they glared at the barrier made by lightning. “Just why the hell is this here?” they muttered and pointed to the barrier. “Am I…?” they said, then thought. “No, no… that just can’t possibly be…” they said and flew back, then stopped. “… or can it?” they muttered, then lowered their heads as they flew around the forest again, looking for a way out.

If they are really imprisoned, then why? For a fairy like them… what would their crime be?

Somewhere in the East Kingdom.

The man lifted his head when the door opened and the chains clanged.

“Hurry up – “ someone told him as they threw him the keys.

The man grinned and caught it. “So the day has finally come…” he said and unlocked the cuff on his hands and feet.

The person who threw the keys didn’t answer.

The man just smiled and followed the person. But, he suddenly froze when he felt his skin tingling. “Hey – “ he called to the person who freed him.

“Move your feet, or you lose the chance…” the person said, then turned to him. His dark eyes penetrated his bones. “I also felt it, too – “ he told him and resumed walking.

The man smiled and shrugged as they found their way out of the prison.

North Kingdom’s royal castle.

“Hm?” the king muttered and lifted his head from the document he is currently reading.

“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?” his subordinate asked.

The king’s eyebrows knotted before he shook his head. “Nothing.” he answered, then his grip on the document tightened. “Bring him here.” he told them.

They saluted. “Yes, Your Majesty!” They answered and ran away.

That presence just now… the king thought as he looked at the sky outside. Will it be an ally, or…? He deeply pondered.

North Kingdom’s library.

The young man inside the library heard footsteps outside the door and followed by a knock.

“Your Highness?” the people outside called.

The young man inside didn’t answer. After a while, he heard the door open.

“Your Highness? His Majesty is calling – wah!” they gasped when they saw me hiding behind the desk. “Y – Your Highness…” they called, slowly walking towards me.

“Hm?” the young man answered and turned. “What is it?” he asked.

They bowed. “His Majesty is calling for you.” They told me.

The man’s face went serious. So, he felt it, too… the young man thought as he looked at the book he was reading. He closed his eyes and sighed. Then, he turned and forced a smile. “Ahahaha. I wonder if he just missed me as his little brother since he hasn’t called me for a while, or – “ he said and chuckled as he closed the book. “ – he just needs an enlightenment?” he asked.

“Err…” the guards said and looked at each other, don’t knowing what to answer.

The young man chuckled. “I’m just joking.” He told them and rose from his seat. Some books on his lap fell.

The guards looked at each other and grimaced.

The young man just smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ll follow you.” He told them.

They nodded and went out.

The young man blew out air as he laid the book he was reading earlier on the table. ‘The Wind Blowing’. He read the title. He hopes nothing is going wrong.

Somewhere in the East Kingdom.

“Hoh!” a man yelled and pulled the rein of the horse back when people crossed the street. His eyes went wide and he almost jumped up atop the hose when he felt a presence. He was surprised.

What…? He thought and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the people passing by. Was it from one of them…? No - ? He thought and shook his head. Then – his eyes narrowed and he balled his fist as he glanced at the castle. Was it related to them? That old woman? He gritted his teeth in anger and urged the horse when the street was cleared.

If that presence will be an ally of them, then he will eliminate it.

West Kingdom’s royal castle.

“Sir.” A guard called.

The king didn’t turn.

“His Highness ran away again.” The guard said.

A vein popped in the king’s forehead and the cup he is holding broke. “That brat…” he muttered, pissed. “Where is he off to this time?” he asked. “Last time he went hunting – “ he said and remembered that his younger brother went to the forest.

“Err…” the guard muttered.  

The king turned to him. His forehead knotted.

A cold sweat fell from the guard’s forehead. “His Highness said he’s going to follow a ‘presence’ – “ he explained.

The king punched the table and it broke into two. They all jumped, surprised.

“That damn little brother of mine…” the king muttered in anger. He’s always doing things like this! He thought.

Somewhere in the West Kingdom.

“Ahahahaha!” the young man laughed as he breathed in the fresh air. The horse is running full speed. “Brother sure will be mad – ah.” He muttered when he saw thunder and lightning crackling above the castle. “Pft – “ he laughed. “ – he’s super mad, but – “ he said and looked forward. His face finally turned serious. “ – that presence is no ordinary presence.” he said and urged the horse to run.

He is going to see what it is.

Somewhere in the East Kingdom.

“Ah! This feels good!” the man exclaimed as he breathed in the fresh air. “It’s been a while since I got out of that castle – “ he said.

“You mean ten years.” somebody corrected it.

The man frowned as he looked at the person. The man then sighed and looked around. Ten years… good thing he changed so much that no one recognizes him – he thought and looked at the person who freed him. Or has he been…? The man thought and looked at the people around them paying them no attention.

Has he been forgotten, too?

Somewhere…

The man wearing black clothes smiled as he stepped a foot outside of the portal behind him that closed. He touched his hat. Suddenly, his wide black hat turned green and his black trench coat turned into baggy clothes.

“Ah… home sweet home – “ he muttered as he breathed in the fresh air. He looked over the whole kingdom. “Nothing’s changed, huh…?” he muttered. “Well, then – “ he said and watched a young man afar pave his way to the forest.

It was none other than Hail who travelled in this world.

“I arrived a bit late. I will apologize to him later.” He said and chuckled as he vanished into thin air.