★13
SHINN & ETO'S POV
Shinn, the calmest and most intelligent of the clones, moved with measured steps. His black kimono was layered with a grey haori that matched his hair, and his deadpan expression mirrored Asteri's, except for his dark brown eyes, a muted echo of golden fire.
Eto, in stark contrast, exuded raw energy. Careless and impulsive, he moved without hesitation, his short frame and long dark-brown hair swaying as he walked. Clad in shades of brown, he radiated the strongest presence among the clones.
The duo arrived at a vast forest, where a river meandered ahead. Shinn approached its banks and paused, surveying the water with quiet intent.
"What's wrong?"
Eto asked.
"How can a river have so much magical energy?"
"What?"
Eto stepped forward as well, using his hands to scoop and carry the water.
"Nothing can survive in this river, much less drink from it."
"Want to check it out?"
"Sure."
Following the river's winding path, they moved steadily, watching as its waters grew narrower and clearer the closer they got to the source. The air grew cooler, carrying the scent of moss and wet stone, and the roar of waterfalls grew louder, filling the valley with a constant, powerful hum.
At last, the river opened into a hidden kingdom, cradled between sheer cliffs that rose like natural walls. Water poured from multiple cascades, feeding into the river below, creating a mist that shimmered in the sunlight.
From this distance, they could see people moving through terraced streets, tending to gardens, carrying goods, and engaging in daily routines. The sight of life so vibrant and organized drew them forward, curiosity urging them to approach and witness the kingdom up close.
"Excuse me, can you tell us where we are?"
Shinn asked.
The lady, balancing baskets brimming with fruit, smiled warmly.
"Oh, guests. Welcome to the Kingdom of Raja."
"Raja."
Eto repeated.
"Thanks."
She bowed and moved on.
"There is no denying these people are consuming this water."
"For sure. We need to investigate."
They ventured deeper into the Kingdom, following the growing intensity of the magic. The aura thickened with each step, signalling they were close.
Eventually, they reached the river's source, a lake so deep and still that its waters were a rich, almost impossibly dark green. The color seemed unnatural, even for a basin fed by cascading waterfalls, giving the lake an air of quiet mystery and hidden depth.
"The source must be here."
Shinn murmured.
"How may I help you, gentlemen?"
A melodic voice rang out, clear and captivating. They turned, and there she stood, the most beautiful human either of them had ever laid eyes on, radiating a presence that seemed to command attention without a word.
(This is their first time setting eyes on a beauty, so...)
"A... we're.."
"Just observing the lake."
Unlike Eto, who was momentarily lost for words, Shinn remained composed and responded with a calm, straightforward answer.
"Oh, I see you noticed it too, right?"
The lady asked.
"Notice what?"
"The lake is contaminated."
"Yes. Does the king know about this?"
"Actually, it's a queen."
"Well, it doesn't matter. Whoever is in charge needs to do something about it."
"I am going to do something about it,"
Eto spoke to Shinn telepathically.
<
<
"You?"
"Lady Towa, it's time."
Said one of her men who was standing behind her.
"Yes. I'm the queen, after all."
They watched as she knelt by the river, hands clasped in silent prayer. Violet magicules swirled around her, coalescing and dissipating in a rhythmic dance, purifying the water until it flowed clear and colorless.
Just as her strength gave out, Eto caught her in his arms, steadying her before she could fall.
A closer glance revealed patches of her skin darkening, turning black as if poisoned. The medics acted swiftly, carrying her back to her chamber and laying her unconscious upon the bed.
Shinn and Eto followed closely, but an elderly man, the queen's physician, Chikuan, stepped forward, blocking their path.
"Guests aren't allowed. Please, leave."
He said firmly.
"Easy there, old man, we're just..."
Shinn nudged him lightly, and Eto fell quiet, his stern expression remaining fixed and unyielding.
"How's the queen?"
"She will be alright."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course."
"B.."
"Let's go, Eto."
Shinn tugged gently at his robes, urging him forward.
"Ok."
The two left the palace, and Eto was pissed.
"Don't tell me you didn't notice?"
He snapped.
"Shhh. I know he's not human, but what if this is a kingdom where all can live together?"
"I understand, but that's not what I'm talking about."
"Oh, the curse? Don't worry. We'll sneak into the palace tonight and check her out."
Eto's face lit up like a child at play.
"Roger."
He saluted enthusiastically.
After nightfall, they dematerialized, slipping silently into the kingdom.
Their presence was hidden so thoroughly that even the most skilled guards and the most sensitive magic detectors failed to notice them.
A Star-based technique like theirs was virtually undetectable, no one expected beings like them to be present.
They entered the queen's chamber, where she still lay unconscious in bed. Chikuan and two attendants were speaking quietly nearby, unaware of the intruders in the room.
"She has used the tiara for the last time. She's not coming back."
"Your plan worked well, Lacua."
"Of course. It took years, but at last, the time is due."
"Yes, our Queen will finally rise."
"Long live, Lady Violet!"
They hailed in unison. At that moment, Shinn's gears began spinning.
< We still don't know how many Primordial Demons the Grand Lord created. Since they're identified by hair colour, these guesses should be sufficient for now.>>
The three attendants exited the room, leaving the queen alone.
Eto and Shinn exchanged words telepathically, their thoughts flowing silently between them.
< < < Eto slipped away, trailing the three men, leaving Shinn alone. In a blink, he materialized beside the sleeping beauty, his presence quiet and unassuming.
"What should I use now?"
< <<...my Lord.>>
< Shinn closed his eyes and summoned.
"Answer the call of a Supreme being."
A transparent crystal container holding a colourless liquid appeared. He opens it and puts a few drops into her mouth.
< Towa's body radiated a soft white light. The effect was immediate, the dark patches on her skin healed rapidly, fading as her flesh returned to its natural tone. Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Before her stood someone she had never expected to see again. That once-in-a-life-time stranger.
"Y… you… what are you doing here?"
She stammered, struggling to rise, leaning heavily on her bed for support.
"Just curious about what's going on here. The river, that tiara, your men and you. It all has some kind of connection."
"Yes... But what do my people have to do with this?"
"Some dude named Lacua is planning something, whatever it is, Eto will handle it."
She looked down a bit but was surprised in an instant.
"Wh...what? Is it all gone?"
She looked up at Shinn
"Y..you..you did this?"
"Yes."
"Thank you so much. I know my gratitude isn't enough, but I'm in your debt. I thought I'd die the next time I used it."
"Your soul was halfway into Heaven before I pulled you out."
Shinn reached up and removed her tiara.
"How did you get this?"
He asked.
"It's been passed down for generations."
"So does the curse?"
"Y... yeah."
There was no point in hiding it, especially not from someone who knows and just saved her life.
"Mind telling me the story?"
She nodded.
"Of course. Long ago, my ancestor prayed for her people's predicament. To her surprise, her prayers were answered, and an angel appeared, giving her the tiara. It made her dream come true but not without a price.
Each time she uses the tiara's power to enrich her nation or help her people, her soul is being extinguished, and she eventually dies.
The tiara was passed down, and each queen who wore it would have the same fate."
"I see. What about the lake? Has it always been contaminated?"
"No, it was for the past four decades."
"Sorry for asking too many questions, but when did Lacua or his friends first come here?"
"He's a very old ally for this kingdom. But a secret rumour has passed down ever since."
"Secret rumour?"
"Yes, something only us, the Queens, know about. The rumour was that, a week after his appearance, the lake got contaminated."
"That makes sense."
"What? It's just a rumour. We don't know if it's true."
"Think about it. All the Queens died from the curse of the tiara, right?"
"Yes."
"And you said the early generations only used it to enrich their lands and protect their people."
"..."
"All of a sudden, a long-lived species appeared, and a curse randomly appeared within the kingdom? That's too good to be a coincidence."
Her eyes widen as she can see the truth.
"And the previous generation all died due to... lemme guess, purifying the river?"
Shinn asked.
"Yes, that's true. But you have no proof of that."
"I do. The curse didn't just spawn out of thin air. It was placed. The timing of Lacua's arrival and the lake's corruption isn't just suspicious. From what I've witnessed, it's calculated. Sorry, but I'll have to keep it a secret from you."
"Why?"
"We'll have to find who sent them here first before taking action."
She cast her eyes downward, unwilling to fully believe the words of this stranger, the very person who had saved her life, even though every word was undeniably true.
"Trust me."
"O... ok, I will. What should I do now?"
"They're probably waiting for you to die, or they thought you're dead already. You have to play dead for now until we pull them out."
"What are you gonna do?"
"Purify the river. Here."
Shinn spread his fingers towards her, and dark markings, reminiscent of the curse, began to form across her skin. Slowly, her strength ebbed, and her eyes fluttered shut as she slipped into unconsciousness.
"Sorry, you'll just fall asleep for a while."
He assured.
< Just then, a telepathic message form Eto came in.
< "Gold?"
"Gold?"
He asked, his tone laced with disgust, as if it were nothing more than a worthless rock.
Before him, a convoy of carriages gleamed, each overflowing with gold.
< < < < < The next morning, Shinn and Eto remained in high spirits after their observations of the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the trio returned once more to the queen's room.
"She's still alive."
"It doesn't matter. The curse will kill her before dawn."
"That means we have enough time to pack."
"Our queen will resurrect sooner or later guys, let's cheer up."
"Yeah."
They all laughed together before leaving the room.
Later that afternoon, as the sun dipped toward the horizon, Chikuan, one of Lacua's companions was strolling through the kingdom. His steps faltered when he spotted Shinn standing silently by the riverbank.
"What is he still doing here?"
He watched as Shinn extended his hand over the river, the water beginning to boil violently, while violet smoke rose and dissipated into the air. A soft light began to radiate from the river, emanating from a magic circle that had formed within the lake.
"This is it."
With a sharp snap of his fingers, Shinn made it vanish completely, leaving no trace behind. Chikuan stared, a mix of shock and disbelief written across his face.
"Im.. impossible, he found it. I... I have to inform Lacua."
He stumbled and ran.
< < < Chikuan rushed toward the underground, panic urging him faster with every step, intending to alert Lacua to the situation. But as he reached the entrance, the sight that met him brought him to an abrupt halt.
Niyon, the third member of the group, lay lifeless on the cold stone floor, his body twisted unnaturally, blood pooling beneath him. The scene was silent except for the faint clinking of metal.
Perched atop a massive mound of gold, a boy dressed in simple brown garments sat calmly, long black hair cascading over his shoulders. His posture was unnervingly relaxed, almost casual, as if the carnage around him were nothing more than a trivial inconvenience.
Chikuan's eyes widened in disbelief as recognition struck, this was Eto. The contrast between the boy's serene composure and the brutal scene before him made the moment even more surreal, leaving Chikuan frozen, unable to comprehend how someone so young could command such destruction.
"Yo… I've been waiting for you."
The boy's voice was light, casual, even playful, as he waved. His childish mannerisms remained unchanged, a clear reminder that Antares's childlike personality was engraved within him.
To be continued...