The sun was setting, casting warm orange light and yellow hue in the atmosphere. The wind started getting cold, as Gray and Rose sat under the tree beside the lake. People behind them passed by as they whispered to each other, "Hey, isn't that, Princess Rose? Why would she be here...?"
They gazed at both of them, their eyes looking in awe and disbelief. Rose, let out a Soft scoff. As she spoke in a gentle yet somewhat annoyed tone. "It's really irritating, just because I'm a Princess, I'll always be the centre of attention."
Gray, chuckled, amused by her words. "Of course, you'd be the centre of attention. Why wouldn't you be...?" A soft smile on his face as he spoke.
"You think it's easy to be the centre of attention of all of these people?" She looked at him, letting out a scoff, somewhat annoyed at his remark.
"No, definitely not. But you're a Princess, of course you'd be the centre of attention everywhere you go. You're from a royal family, of course people will treat you with respect without any reason. People will treat you with respect, and will say good stuff, no matter how rude you can be to them. Not that I'm saying that you're rude or anything. But that's how these people around you will treat you. Respect those with power. But what about people like me? No, we're just another pathetic species to them." Gray took his time, looking at the setting, he said. His voice firm and his face expressionless, his golden eyes glowing under the setting sun.
Rose sat there, listening to him meticulously. Her face expression growing amused, her eyes widening in awe.
"What? You think that's all? That people will just treat me with respect? Everyone is always expectant of me, even those who I don't know. But... you're not wrong, the words you said... are true. Yes, people do respect those with power, and always will, and no matter what you do, you can't change them. So instead, you should change yourself. Instead of saying "BUT WHAT ABOUT ME"... Rose spoke. Her voice was soft yet firm. Looking at him, she slowly lifted her hand towards his face, pinching his cheek, her expression turning one of amusement and softness after hearing him.
As Gray felt her pinching his cheek, instead of feigning disbelief and mock pain, he instead just let out a soft chuckle. His hand came to swat her hand away.
"Yeah, you're right. I should change myself, right? Either way, it's all up to me. As always, I'll do it...do it myself..." Gray, let out a soft sigh, his words coming in a more soft tone than intended.
Rose narrowed her eyes at his words, her hand coming back to rest in her lap. Letting out a soft scoff she said. "Yeah, that's right. But, you're not alone. Have you ever even heard the term friendship, dumbass?"
She said, Her voice was full of amusement and sarcasm, yet soft.
Gray, laughed softly. His eyes wide in awe, hope and disbelief.
"What's so funny, smartass?" Rose, retorted to his laugh. Her eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Nothing, just a little shocked on how casually you said that.... Friends, huh...?-Are we really -or are you just toying with me?" Gray's expression became more serious, his voice becoming cold yet again as he looked at her, thinking it's just another powerplay.
Rose lifted her hand again, her expression feigning annoyance and irritation, pinching his cheek again, more firm this time.
Gray let out a welp, his hand coming to swat hers away, yet her hold was slightly more firm. His cheek became more red. "Hey, w..what are you doing. Stop it..."
"No, I won't. And I hate to break it to you mister Gray, but you're my friend now, and I'm your friend. And whatever you do from now on, you're never alone. Got it?" She said, her grip on his cheek grew more, painful at this point.
"G...got it!" Gray, spoke. His voice almost pleading, his eyes narrowed in pain.
Satisfied with his answer, Rose withdrew her hand from his cheek. She smiled softly, a satisfied look on her face.
We're friends, from now on. Okay? She said, her voice soft and more playful.
Letting out a soft sigh, Gray, sat back. He let out a soft chuckle. A bittersweet feeling for him. "I'll hold on to that, then..."FRIEND".
Rose's smile widened, as she nodded vigorously, her eyes gleaming with happiness.
"That's what I like to hear..."FRIEND"
They both laughed in unison, the sun almost gone, a faint blue light beginning to cast, the crescent moon starting to appear.
"I beg your pardon for interrupting, Princess. But isn't it quite late for you to be out here with this commoner, in this filthy place?"
Rose and Gray, who were sitting under the tree jerked slightly. A little annoyed, Rose looked behind, her eyes narrowed slightly.
She let out a huff, her tone slightly more cold.
"Uhhh, what do you want, Void? Can't I even spend some time with my friend?"
Void who stood behind them let out a huff, his eyes widening in surprise, as if he heard something hilarious. Suppressing a laugh, Void spoke. His voice was gentle yet firm."What!? You must be joking, Princess. This commoner is your friend? That's ridiculous."
Void, His outfit was the kind nobles wore in old portraits—sharp, black fabric shaped to his figure, with a deep red sash running across the chest, secured by delicate silver chains. A matching red cloak trailed behind him, contrasting his otherwise dark attire. Every button, every fold seemed deliberate, stitched with power and grace. The tall black boots gave him an imposing edge, like a duke fresh off the battlefield yet ready to waltz into a ballroom. A diamond coloured sword sheathed around the left side of his waist, not too small, yet not too long either.
Rose spoke. She still sat where she was. Her voice filled with annoyance. "Go back to the palace, I don't need you to babysit me all the time. And what do you mean it's ridiculous? He is my friend, I don't care what you, or anyone else thinks."
Gray sat there, silent, watching their interaction. His expression was amused.
"No, Princess. I won't go back until I take you with me. It's my duty to ensure your safety. Accept it or not." Void, spoke. His face was expressionless.
Letting out a defeated sigh, Rose spoke. "Alright, fine. Go and stand there for a moment, I'll call you when I'm done talking with Gray."
Rose pointed to a tree almost fifteen to twenty steps away from them.
Giving a glare to Gray, Void nodded and walked towards that tree. Now that Void was gone Rose turned her attention to Gray. Letting out a huff she spoke.
"I swear, that guy is such a pain in the ass."
Hearing her words Gray, chuckled softly. "He's just worried about you. I don't think you should be saying that.... He's your personal knight, I guess?"
Rose narrowed her eyes at his words. Letting out a huff she said. "Oh, spare me with the good talk. He is a pain in the ass.... though....he really does worry about me, or maybe it's just his duty. But yeah, he is my personal knight."
Nodding in awe and wonder, Gray, spoke. His eyes widened. "Wow, a personal knight..."
Looking at Void, who stood where he was told, waiting patiently, Gray chuckled. "I think you should go back now. He's gonna get mad at me, the way he looks.."
Sigh: "Yeah, I think I should go now. It's gotten late either way." Rose got up- straightening her clothes, she gazed down at Gray, who was still sitting under the tree. His golden eyes illuminated under the blue light of the crescent moon.
Rose kept her gaze at him for a moment, admiring his features. A soft smile formed at the corner of her lips.
"Well...I think I should go on...Gray."
Looking up at Rose, Gray, nodded his head, giving her a smile, he spoke in a gentle manner. "Yeah, you should go now."
Gray got up as well, as he held out his hand towards her for a handshake.
Rose's smile widened. She lifted her hand as well, and held his hand. Feeling Gray, calloused hand Rose, hummed.
After a moment both of them withdrew their hands. Rose spoke. "Well...see you at the academy, I guess?"
Gray, let out a soft chuckle. "Yeah, see you at the academy."
"Mhm. Bye..." Waving her hands towards Gray, Rose walked towards Void who was waiting patiently. She got where Void stood.
Void, let out a sigh, as he spoke in a soft weary tone. "So... should we get going?"
Not being able to hold back her laughter, after seeing Void's expression, Rose patted his shoulder. As she spoke in a somewhat teasing tone.
"Oh, my worrisome, loyal knight. Yes, we definitely should."
Letting out a huff Void, spoke. "Yeah, yeah. We definitely should."
Rose, chuckled, amused by his mimicry. Both of them started walking, Void, followed after Rose. Keeping a sharp eye on his surroundings.
Gray, stood under the tree. The cold breeze hitting his face, his pale blonde hair swaying in the air. Letting out a soft sigh Gray murmured to himself.
"I think I should go back home as well. Miss, Rebecca's gonna get mad at me, when she knows what happened today."
Putting his hands in the pocket of his black pants, Gray started walking. His pace was slow.
~She will die..."
Gray, stopped in his track. As he heard a soft whisper, he stood completely frozen. A shiver ran down his spine. Who will die? Who is she?
Gray, lost in his thoughts, completely baffled by this voice out of nowhere. Letting out a shaky breath, Gray, spoke. "Who...who is this?"
Gray stood there, waiting in anticipation. Moments passed, yet he got no answer back.
Lifting his hand up, Gray massaged his temples, his other hand still in his pocket.
"I swear, this voice started talking to me more frequently."
Gray lowered his hand, as he did, his gaze fell at the mark on forearm. "There had always been a faint mark on Gray's forearm—barely visible, like a shadow under the skin. Most days, it looked like nothing more than a trick of the light. But lately... it had changed.
Now, The mark was more visible than ever before—a swirl of black and white, curved like two opposing flames locked in a silent dance. It pulsed faintly under his skin, not painful, but alive—as if watching, waiting.
He didn't know what it meant. Not yet. But deep down, he could feel it. This wasn't a scar, nor a birthmark. It was something else. A presence. A truth. And it was becoming clearer, day by day."
Howl~
Gray, heard a wolf howling far in the woods, not giving it much attention Gray, sighed. He started walking again, walking alongside the wide lake, he gazed at the crescent moon. The blue moonlight illuminated his appearance.
"Zordus, what do you think you're doing, wandering around in space like this?" A gentle and cold voice flowed in the atmosphere.
Zordus, who was standing on a strange land, darkness and rocks surrounded him and the other person.
Zordus, facing the opposite side of the unknown person, His cloak fluttered faintly behind him, boots clicking with purpose. Every piece of clothing, from his high-collared coat to the subtle gleam on his rings, screamed one thing—he knew he was better, and wanted the world to see it too.
He turned around, as he stepped forward, a faint breeze lifting the hem of his cloak as if the air itself dared not touch him without permission. Faint brown hair brushed his forehead, catching glints of gold under the light—effortless, yet impossibly refined. His jawline stood sharp like the edge of a blade, perfectly sculpted, perfectly proud. With hands folded behind his back and a smirk tugging at his lips, he didn't need to speak—his presence declared what words couldn't: One of the five heavenly kings...
"My, My, younger brother, Connor. Did you forget that I'm waiting for them?" Zordus spoke, his voice calm but full of arrogance.
Connor nodded silently, his gaze fixed on Zordus.
Where Zordus stood like a storm held in silence, Connor was the eye of it—still, unfazed, and infinitely calm. They were twins, carved from the same steel, but where Zordus gleamed with sharpened pride, Connor carried a quieter weight. His deeper voice echoed not with command, but with conviction. A scar traced down his left eye—a thin, pale mark that did not mar his grace, but deepened it. He alone stood beside Zordus without bowing, without fear, and without the need to speak unless the silence truly called for it.
"Ugh, how long are they gonna take? They're late." Zordus said, his patience wearing thin.
Connor, calmly, arms folded."Time bends for fear. You should know—you've made it kneel before."
Zordus glances at him. A faint smirk forms.
Zordus: "...And you remain the only one who dares to speak without permission."
Connor, in a calm voice, his hand folded around his back."That's because I speak only when you need to listen."
Zordus smirked again.
They both stood side by side, on a strange land that was none other than the moon itself. Earth could be seen, glowing with a soft white light.
Right in front of them, a bright
white light began forming, the space around that area rippled.
Zordus's smirk widened, as in excitement he said. "They're here!"
~