005

— The Kings World —

PATIENCE WAS A LEADER'S GREATEST ASSETS, YET ITS SEEN AS GREAT WEAKNESS. The Golden Council had tried their hardest to dwindle his patience, cut it down or even get a simple reaction out of the King. But he sat there, spinning the golden coin between the table and his fingers, barely sparring them a glance. Men and women, alien in blood and looks refused to stop speaking, raising tiny complaint after tiny complaint

Finally they ran out of things to complain about and he had them removed from the Council room. The golden wood door shut with a heavy thud and Valli slowly let his head drop, staring at the dark marble table. The lights ran through the room illuminating the stone walls covered in ivy and flowers, but it didn't let the guards see his face.

The door opened again, creaking open only enough for one man to slip inside. Ryn closed the door behind him, but still the king didn't raise his head. "My King," Ryn called. At the sound of his voice, Valli looked up, meeting Ryn's weary gaze. Valli nodded to the closest guard to his right and they all cleared the room. Ryn walked over to him, pulling the chair out so he could sit beside him.

Valli turned to him and took a breath, "And?"

"Arralyn says nothing has changed," Ryn said, his voice staying steady, even as he watched Valli's head drop. "I'll keep an eye on her."

❁

Hazel felt like she was suffocating, her lungs desperately calling out for air, but she couldn't move. There were sounds around her, maybe people she couldn't make out their voices, thumping in her skull like the beat of a drum. A wet cloth pressed to her temple, chilling her burning skin but the sudden contact had made her wince. Whoever had pressed the cloth to her head froze and gasped.

Slowly her muscles started to pull, her control and feeling returning, along with a terrible aching pain. The feeling in her lungs and bones finally came back to her and she took a deep breath, coughing as she tried to breathe harder. Whoever was beside Hazel placed her hand on her forehead, the heavy feeling of their hand on her head making her groan in pain.

Then slowly, all of the pain from her head to her feet slowly drained, releasing her aching bones. Her breath settled too and slowly her eyes opened. Her vision was red, her iris's still crimson red. But when the blue lights above her made her wince and blink the colour from her eyes. Her ears focused on the girl beside her calling out in strange words while letting her hand drop from Hazel's forehead.

Hazel tried to push herself up and the girl tried her hardest to push Hazel down. Her body reacted on instinct and shot a red light, sending the girl backwards. Hazel scrambled up and pressed herself against the stone wall, her eyes darting around the room. It was stone and crystal and gold, with blue lights like candles,golden vines ran down the wall and across the roof, reaching into the rooms Hazel couldn't see.

She shifted, trying to slip from the bed but her suit caught in all the layers of gold and blue blankets. The door ahead made of brown and gold opened revealing a man in silver armour with darker brown skin. He froze as his gaze shot between Hazel and the girl on the floor.

The man turned to Hazel and raised his hands in defence as she jumped from the bed, tearing the silk from her suit and raising her hand at the man. He watched the red and golden lights spin around her hand before taking a deep breath. "Hazel," His words were English but he had an odd accent she couldn't place. "We mean you no harm."

Hazel glanced at the girl on the floor, she had sat but she hadn't stood yet. Hazel turned back to the man. "Who are you?" Hazel asked, her voice loud and demanding.

"My name is Ryn,"he said slowly. He bowed his head before lifting his eyes to Hazel. "I spoke to your sister, and your friend Kory." Hazel kept her hand raised even as she remembered his name.

"How did I get here?" Hazel demanded.

"You fell, from the sun into the lavender fields," Ryn explained, his hands slowly lowering to his sides. "The woman you see, in your mind, she sent you here. I simply brought you back to the castle. To your father."

Hazel glanced at the girl before her eyes moved back to Ryn, asking him one more question, "Where is he?"

"I can take you," Ryn said with a nod. Hazel's eyes dated to the sword sheathed on his left hip. He glanced at it too and nodded softly. He unclipped the belt from his hip and set it aside with the sword on a nearby table.

The girl said something, still using the strange language Hazel couldn't understand but Ryn had turned his attention to her and nodded. "What did she say?" Hazel asked quickly.

"If you do not wish to be recognised, put on your hood," Ryn translated.

Hazel had put her hood up and followed Ryn through the stone and down the glowing crystal stairs. They passed guards, Lords and maids but with Hazel's face hidden under the hood none had stopped and stared. They passed through an open space with no roof to let anyone walking through see the sky above, but Ryn had ushered Hazel on before she could stop and stare.

Then they took a stone staircase down to a long hall where alien vines had crawled through the windows and up along the roof and walls. The pink and golden flowers the vines sprouted glowed brightly, lightning the entire hall. They walked until Ryn stopped in front of a pair of guards in dark emerald cloaks.

He exchanged a few words with them and Hazel let her eyes wander up the large door. The dark wood and golden crystal seemed to melt together, fusing in a way that shouldn't be possible but somehow it did. The door then creaked open and Ryn ushered Hazel onwards again, holding the door open for her.

They stepped through and Hazel's jaw dropped in awe. Stone and silver crystal made the walls, vines running through the roof like string lights. She and Ryn stopped at the end on the tear drop table. It was larger than she expected, seating almost 24 when only 12 were seated there, the 13th spot, the head, reserved for the king. Ryn watched her closely as Hazel reached out to touch one of the bronze chairs, her fingers brushing the curved design.

When the left door, atop the crystal doors opened, Hazel jumped and her hands shot to her sides and her eyes snapped up in search of the sound. "My King," Ryn called out, taking a step away from Hazel and walking around to the side of the table. The king reached the end of the stairs, standing in front of Ryn waiting for him to speak.

Ryn turned to Hazel, Valli following his eyes but Hazel didn't speak yet, instead she just stared at him. He looked like he did in the photos, taller than she expected and much more regal in the layerings of Veman silks and cloth. He wore the earrings and septum piercing like the CADMUS photos, but also had rings and necklaces, everything tailored perfectly to show off he was the richest and most powerful.

"Is—?" Valli cut himself off but he stepped off the small stone platform and passed Ryn. "Are you. . ?" She kept her hood on, the shadows still obscuring her face as she stared up at Valli. She expected harsh, angry eyes, tough eyes, hardened from war and leading. But instead they were soft, brown like hers and filled with tears; not enough to spill over but enough that Hazel noticed.

She slowly lifted her hand and pushed back her hood.

He smiled softly as he saw her. "You look like your mother," he said softly.

"She's dead," Hazel snapped. It didn't hit a nerve; a lot of people had said it but somehow, he just didn't seem worthy enough to say it. Valli turned his head in shame and nodded softly. He looked back at Ryn and without a word Ryn slipped out a far door.

Hazel looked up at Valli and swallowed her nerves. "Thank you, for saving me," Hazel said, honestly and truthfully, and Valli's head snapped back to her. "But I need to get home now."

"Let us talk first," He said motioning to the table. He moved to sit, picking out a random chair but Hazel didn't move, just watching him sit. "Do you not trust me?"

Hazel hesitated for a moment, "Not entirely."

Valli chuckled softly. "I understand. But I hope you can understand when I say I cannot send you home—"

"Why not?"

"—just yet." Hazel pulled her lips into a thin line and dropped her gaze to the floor. When she looked back up Valli motioned for her to sit once again.

Hazel sighed and swallowed her pride, moving into the seat next to Valli. "What's happening to your world is bigger than your friends, and right now it's bigger than you," Valli explained, making sure he kept eye contact with Hazel. "We need to be very quiet about your being here."

Hazel scoffed and shook her head. "So I'm your prisoner?"

"Hazel—"

"No that's bullshit," Hazel snapped, pushing herself to stand. "You are the God of Existence, you can send me home." Valli stared at her, keeping her breathing steady as Hazel's breaths grew quicker in her panic and anger.

"I understand—"

"No! No! You do not understand!" Hazel shouted, snapping at him red lights building beneath her skin. "My family is in danger, threatened by a cult of demons and you want to worry about subtly?! You have fought them you should understand!"

Valli stared at Hazel and nodded softly. "I can get you home in three days," Valli explained, and Hazel shook her head, her hands wringing together in an attempt to both distract herself and push her light down. Valli watched the red light spark, "That is only going to get worse. While you're here I will teach you to control it."

Hazel froze, her eyebrows shooting up in surprise. She almost laughed at him, the idea of her either needing or wanting his help was nearly amusing. "What makes you think I want anything to do with you?" Her words were filled with venom, and maybe she was harsh, but she didn't really care. Valli looked hurt at her words, but Hazel just shook her head.

"You can explore, but stay within the castle," Valli ordered.

"Seriously—?"

"Hazel you may not think I do, but I do care for you and this is what is best." Hazel looked away again, shaking her head in anger. Valli stood and Hazel turned back to him, watching him closely.

He looked like he wanted to say more but he didn't. "I'll speak to you later. Ryn and Arralyn will be at your side." With that he turned and left Hazel standing there, watching him disappear behind the same door Ryn slipped out.

Hazel let out a long breath that turned into a tired and irritated groan. She pressed her hands to her face and started to wildly curse under her breath. Her friends and family were nearly 3 billion galaxies away and she was stuck. She wanted to scream but before she could the door opened and Ryn stepped through, walking towards her.

Hazel took a deep breath and clenched her jaw, "Are you going to follow me everywhere now?" Hazel scoffed and Ryn nodded softly.

"Is there anything you would like to do? Or know?" Ryn asked, his tone soft as he questioned her. He was far more serious before but in his defence Hazel had him backed into a corner.

"I know I'm not supposed to leave, but. . . can I at least see outside?" Hazel bargained, motioning to the door behind her. Ryn nodded, ordering her to put her hood up again as he walked past her. Hazel slipped her hood on and followed Ryn out the door and back into the corridor, retracing their steps up the halls.

"Yes, technically you can't leave, but I can take you to the observatory," Ryn compromised, leaning closer to whisper to Hazel. He led her to the tallest tower, stone and crystal everywhere twisting and bending into each other to create the walls and roof. Golden curtains blew in the wind obscuring the view on the other side. Ryn walked to the curtains but he paused when he noticed Hazel's wasn't following him. "Is something wrong?"

Hazel stared at the curtains, she could see the faint outline of the hills and mountains but it was blurred behind the sheer curtains. Hazel swallowed the lump in her throat, "If I see it, it means I'm really in space and this is really happening," Hazel said, her voice shaking slightly. Ryn nodded softly and waited for Hazel to move.

She took a small step forward but she froze, "Can you open them?"

Ryn smiled softly, almost laughing but it wasn't directed at her. He grabbed the sheer curtain and pulled it aside, letting all the colour that had been trapped by the curtain into the crystal room. The purple, blue and red lights flooded into the room, bouncinging off the crystals and everywhere else. It was dazzling, it made Hazel's eyes widen as she stared but her eyes wandered outside.

It was gorgeous, the most luscious mountains and trees thick as skyscrapers, nearly twice as tall and it all looked like it had been dipped in the most colourful neon and glowing paints. Birds that looked like miniature walls crossed with dinosaurs zipped through the sky. Hazel stepped out onto the balcony, her eyes studying every detail of the plants and animals, and everything so alien she couldn't place.

"Does it meet your expectations, Princess?" Ryn laughed; his smile bright as he watched Hazel marvel in wonder.

❁

Hazel sat cross legged on the silk quilts, the mattress soft underneath her even though it didn't feel entirely comfortable. Valli had let Hazel eat by herself that night, keeping herself locked away. She couldn't ignore the man forever, he was her only chance of getting home, but she couldn't handle anything else he had to say to her, not yet.

Now she understood where she was, she finally got to look at her room, or what was supposed to be her room. It was alive and lucious with green and blue flora everywhere. Everything else was stone and crystal and gold, everything tying into each other so perfectly. But out of it all, she looked up at the small blue flowers that looked almost like blue bells.

She reached her hand out towards the roof, the flowers sprouting and growing out to reach for her hand. The small bell-like petals brushed her fingertips, and she swore they let out a small chime.

She had been sitting there for so long, she was confined to the top floors with a knight watching her every move and a maid that put a spell on Hazel so she could finally understand Veman. She had brought her clothes and jewels, and anything Hazel may have needed. She could see the beautiful gold and green dress hung from a vine, the soft pink and red flowers catching the lights that bounced off the crystals. It was the absolute idea of royal, expensive and luxury, but she looked back at the blue bells and made them chime again.

April 5th, 2021

The night was dark, almost pitch black but the air was surprisingly warm. Gar kept his arm looped through Hazels, laughing softly as she made up random constellations and their meanings. It was quiet and just the two of them, the others had opted for a barbecue restaurant for dinner, but Gar and Hazel slipped out quickly, excusing themselves for air and just wandering off.

They didn't have a place they were going, just wandering off together, arms intertwined. Hazel tilted her head towards the sky and took a deep breath, her feet slowing to a stop. Gar stopped as well, stopping to look at her; the small smile on her face, the corners of her eyes wrinkling as that smile reached her eyes.

Gar's hand ran down her arm, from her elbow to her hand. He locked their fingers together and squeezed her hand lightly bringing her attention back to him. "What are you thinking about?" His voice was soft, quiet even in the night but it was just as warm and sweet as Gar was with her.

Hazel grinned and started to pull Gar along again. "I wish we could be like this all the time," Hazel finally answered, holding onto Gar's hand tighter. Gar grinned at her and it made Hazel laugh, "I mean, when was the last time we just went out like this?"

Gar laughed and tugged Hazel's hand softly, making her stumble, He pulled her back and lopped their arms together again. "Then let's do it," Gar said with a determined nod.

Hazel's heart skipped a beat and she looked up at him. "Seriously?" Hazel questioned.

Gar looked at Hazel and laughed softly. "Yes, of course," He paused, as if he were thinking on his words for a moment before finally saying, "I would do anything for you." The world seemed to slow as she stared at Gar, her breath caught in her throat.

Hazel looked away quickly and cleared her throat with a laugh. "You're so sappy," Hazel teased.

Gar laughed and bumped into her, knocking her softly, "Only for you."

They kept walking until Hazel spotted a short cut to a small Japanese takeaway store. Gar looked down the long alleyway covered in thick vines with a very steep and rocky trail. Gar turned to Hazel and nearly laughed in her face, "No way!" Hazel raised her eyebrows in surprise, but she couldn't help but smile. "We watch horror movies all the time, and you wanna walk down that trail?" Gar pointed down the trail and Hazel chuckled softly.

"Do you remember I am the demi-god of life?" Hazel teased, making Gar roll his eyes. "And you can turn into a tiger Gar! A fucking tiger!" Hazel shoved his shoulder slightly and Gar laughed. "And our destination is Sushi."

Gar nodded Hazel on and she stepped down the trail first. They got about halfway down the trail when Hazel grabbed Gar's jacket and whispered his name as fast as possible, over and over. "What? What? What? What?" Gar questioned, turning around, to look where Hazel was pointing.

"Look," Hazel whispered, pulling Gar closer. In Front of them was a bush of blue bells, the soft orange street lights making them glow.

"Pretty, but, can't you like. . . grow these all the time?" Gar questioned, his eyebrows twisted up in confusion.

Hazel stared at Gar, the amusement drained from her face. "Watch this,'' she ordered. She crouched down and reached for the bush of flowers. Her eyes glowed bright green and her finger brushed the small flower making a ringing sound.

Gar's jaw dropped and he dropped to his knees to lean closer and watch Hazel make the flowers chime. "How are you doing that?" Gar whispered, reaching out to touch the flower but it did nothing.

"I am making the bell in blue bell a real thing," Hazel whispered. "I don't really know, I guess it comes from Vema."

"That's so cool," Gar grinned.

Before Gar could take back his hand, she grabbed it and laced their fingers together. Gar gasped as Hazel's power raced through him and lit up his eyes. "Try again," Hazel urged, tugging on Gar's hand. He reached out with his other hand and brushed the flowers making them ring.

"What are you doing in the bush?!"

Hazel jumped up in surprise and smiled at the poor Japanese server who had stuck his head out the door clearly concerned about the girl halfway in the shrubs. "Oh—! I um, I just—" Hazel was cut off by a short meow and she looked down at Gar that had quickly transformed into a soft, fluffy, green cat. Hazel scooped him up and displayed him to the man. "My poor boy chased a bird." The man nodded slowly and stepped back inside, closing the door.

Hazel looked at the small green cat in her arms and grinned, "You have to stay like that while I get the sushi." The cat meowed and pawed at her shoulder and until she turned and grabbed his jacket from the pile of clothes, wrapping it around her shoulders. "Even as a cat you're demanding."

— legacies —