章 11: The Grand Flame Disaster (1)
I woke up on a bed and looked around. I sat up and held my head a bit then heard a soft grunt. I looked beside me and noticed Claire sleeping on a chair beside my bed with her arms crossed on the bed and her head rested on top of her arms. She looked extremely cute and even snored cutely. I let her sleep and just laid back down, closing my eyes.
The events that transpired a few hours ago stuck with me. Novis knew a lot about me, but nothing of my bloodline's killer. That was strange to me...I could also investigate my ex-wife's Crest but I couldn't bare to look at the damned thing. I let out a soft sigh and turned my head to look at Claire again. She knows the truth about my Dark Crest and my darker side, but she decided to stay next to me. I smiled and rolled on my side then gently rubbed her hair. She made a soft noise and turned her head a bit. I closed my eyes again and tried to get a few more minutes of sleep.
The sun began to rise and I heard the screeching of the flaming birds outside. I opened my eyes and looked slightly annoyed because of the screeching. Claire groaned softly as well hearing the screeching as well.
"What is that annoying screeching..?" I asked.
"That's Phoenix...Inoka's and my guardian. She only comes out when something important is happening..." Claire sat up then stretched and wiped her mouth. She stood up and yawned.
I sat up and got out of bed then made up the bed and fixed my kimono. We both walked out of the room and made our way outside. Claire looked up and noticed Inoka sitting on the roof with Phoenix.
"Inoka! Tell Phoenix to pipe down! I'm trying to sleep!" Claire called out.
"No can do sis! Did you forget that today is the day of our annual Grand Flame Festival?" Inoka smiled at Claire.
"The annual who what now?" Claire said as she rubbed her eyes.
"The Grand Flame Festival! You know...the festival where we light up the Grand Flame and pray to the Goddess of Eternal Flames in hopes that she blesses us with her eternal flames?" Inoka crossed her arms.
"Oh yeah..." Claire said and blinked then the realization hit her. "Wait that's TODAY?! I totally forgot! Maids! Prepare my festival dress!"
Claire ran inside the castle and Inoka laughed softly then looked at me. She hopped off the roof and crossed her arms.
"The Grand Flame Festival...What does it do for the people?" I asked.
"Well if we are super lucky, we might meet the Legendary Beast that resides in the Inferno Cave. In old legend, the Legendary Beast is a blue fire dragon and Claire has been wishing to meet the dragon since we were little. She wishes to tame it and obtain her second Crest like I have. Phoenix is our guardian, but I am her vessel." Inoka said.
"I see. What's the Dragon's name?" I asked.
"Pyroc." Inoka answered.
"I see. This Kingdom was named after the Legendary Beast. Interesting. I would like to see this happen in action." I smiled.
"Well get ready for the events. Wear either the color red or the color blue to match with the festivities." Inoka said.
"Gotcha." I nodded and walked inside.
As I was getting prepared I heard the sound of fireworks and looked out the window. I leaned against the windowsill and watched the fireworks. Claire walked into the room I was staying in and walked to me. She stood beside me and smiled, watching the fireworks as well.
"Beautiful aren't they.." Claire said.
"Yeah. They are, but not as beautiful as you are." I said and smiled.
Claire blushed slightly and looked down. "Hey...about what happened yesterday. Do you think we can talk about what was said. We still have a few hours before I have to go out there. I want to know who your family's killer is as well. I heard you say that after you killed Novis."
I looked at her and noticed her look up at me. I closed my eyes and smiled then looked back out the window. "You don't care that I am practically not to be trusted..?"
"I trust you...you know for the most part. I am still scared of you, but...I know you mean no harm and I am happy to be your wife...well one of them. I just...after looking through past of Eyica and reading on your news...I wanted to do whatever I could to help you find out who your family's killer is." Claire said then looked out the window. "Do you have any ideas? I might have a clue.."
"Yeah. My family's killer had to have been somehow connected to my ex-wife...is what I would say if I was confident in that answer." I said.
"What if I told you...you aren't completely wrong. It was a coordinated attack against you. You are the only other person known to use Arcane Energy. Everyone knows how powerful Arcane Energy is and how if one masters it, you can basically copy anything you want and even master the Dark Crests. With that kind of power, it's enough to make anyone powerful. The man who killed your family struck first, only purposely leaving you and your younger brother alive....then your ex-wife came in after you were set as the new Emperor of Yesha...rallied an army against you to try to kill you. If I am connecting the dots correctly... the killer is Yascean. Your wife came from Yascea to marry you and dethrone you, but that is all speculation..." Claire shook her head.
"Speculation my ass." I chuckled softly. "You were very specific, but I can't help but to think that there is some truth to your words. If it were true, however, it would be increasingly difficult to find him."
"Yeah if only we had a clue...Like...a Crest or something. If we had a Crest of someone who was there or connected, we can relive the memories of that person and find out who it is!" Claire said excitedly. "I have a Crest Reader in the Library! That's a perfect plan!"
My left eye twitched a bit, but not enough for Claire to notice. "Yeah if only we had a Crest to research and look into the memories of."
Claire looked out the window. "Once we uncover the truth...we will be able to avenge your bloodline. They will be happy to have finally know that he's dead."
I couldn't tell Claire I had my ex-wife's Crest...more like I didn't want to. I still resented her even after killing her so to just look at it when I know it has the answers I need sickens me. I closed my eyes and sighed softly. "When I do kill him, I'll finally be able to truly rest. I just..wish I saw his face all those years ago. I should've looked at him..."
"Don't worry. We will find out who he is and we will get them. I promise!" Claire looked at me and smiled.
I looked at her and smiled back then gently pinched her nose. She giggled and closed her eyes and looked happy.
The Festival truly began and Inoka, Claire, and I were in the city. I stood beside Nebula and looked at the sky with my arms crossed, watching the fireworks.
"Hey Nebula. Do you know about Phoenix?" I asked.
Nebula whinnied and nodded then snorted.
"Do you have any memory of her? Ahh why am I even asking...you can't speak. Uhm...I wish I knew your origins so I could learn more about you. Are you...able to give me a Crest?" I asked.
Nebula looked at me then snorted. She closed her eyes and her Crest shined on my hand. I looked a bit amazed as I looked at my hand. With her Crest I was able to understand her fully and have a full on conversation with her.
"Whoa.." I said and smiled then looked at her. "The Crest of Oblivion. You're the Legendary Horse of Oblivion?"
Nebula nodded and looked at me.
"So should I start calling you Oblivion now?" I looked at her.
Nebula neighed and shook her head no. She actually liked my nickname better than her original name. I chuckled and pet her mane then noticed Claire looking at me and smiling.
"He has such a good connection to his horse it's almost impossible to not be amazed." Claire said.
"Having the ability to understand his Legendary Horse must be amazing. It's always a guessing game with me and Phoenix." Inoka smiled. "Oh, sis it's time for your speech. Knock em dead."
Claire nodded then stood up and hurried up the stairs leading to the large golden object that seems to be a large candle. The music stopped and the people began to quiet down. Claire looked at everyone and looked at me then I gave her a thumbs up. She smiled and nodded.
"Hello People of Pyroc! Today is the Annual Grand Flame Festival and I hope you all are having fun! Every year we celebrate and pray to the Goddess of Eternal Flames in hopes that she answers our prayers like she's done many of years before, but before I light up this sacred monument I want to make an announcement dealing with me and someone you all may know." Claire said.
I looked at Claire and watched her. She looked at me and smiled.
"I would like to announce my engagement to Emperor Ryoma!" Claire said excitedly.
The people were surprised as Claire said that and some of them looked at me. There where some whispers then Claire cleared her throat.
"Now before you all judge him, hear me out! My soon to be husband is not a Tyrant as most remember him by. We all come many backgrounds some of you even come from Yesha and you know us Elemental Kingdoms are more accepting than Athirus, not to sound like I'm talking bad, but it is the truth. Some of you might still be surprised for what he did in the past to his ex-wife's kingdom, but allow me to say it isn't his fault. She planned that attack to assassinate him and seize the throne in hopes to rule after his bloodline was brutally murdered!" Claire exclaimed.
The people looked at me and were surprised to hear the truth. For so long...everyone had thought I blindly attacked when I was the one attacked. Now they hear Claire speak the truth and everyone's thoughts about me changed.
"Ryoma...my beloved emperor is innocent. Now I must agree, he does scare me when he's angry, but he fought to protect you from an enemy although we arrived too late and some of our people were killed, so when the ceremony begins, please treat him kindly as he will do to you." Claire said.
The people cheered and I smiled then closed my eyes. I sighed softly then lowered my arms. I opened my eyes and looked at Claire. She smiled at me and nodded.
"With that out of the way, let us light the Sacred Candle!" Claire said then walked to the candle.
Claire picked up the torch and her Crest shined brightly on her chest, igniting the torch. She walked to the candle and walked up the second set of stairs then said a prayer before lighting the torch. She opened her eyes and lit the torch. I sensed incoming danger.
"Claire! Duck your head!" I yelled.
Claire looked back at me and ducked then avoided a dark beam. She looked surprised and I looked from where the beam came from. The Flames turned blue and a roar was heard.
"The Inferno Cave." Inoka said then looked at Claire then noticed a masked man appear behind Claire. "Claire!"
"Hu-Mmph!!" Claire looked surprised when her mouth was covered.
"Emperor Ryoma! I am surprised that Manami was brutally killed by your hands, but I expect nothing less from the Descendant of Ascea. I have your fiance and if you want her back, meet me at the Inferno Cave. The Goddess has answered her prayer...and now I will give her what she wants. Come to the cave...alone." The masked man said then vanished into a dark portal with Claire.
I glared then hopped on Nebula's back then looked at Inoka.
"Just follow the molten road. You will reach the the Inferno Cave that way. Save Claire please!" Inoka said desperately.
"I will. Nebula! Charge forward!" I said. Nebula neighed and Novis's Crest shined on her forehead then she turned into a flaming horse and galloped off.
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