Cassius

The Ojakian prince had no trouble returning to the palace unnoticed. The darkness had him covered like a babe swathed in cloth. He had nimbly scaled the vines up to his balcony before quickly entering his room and shutting the doors behind him. A soft exhale of relief left his mouth. He had made it, undetected at that. Nobody would be any wiser.

Then someone cleared their throat and Cassius' head snapped up, alert and looking towards the corner of his room. He hadn't noticed anyone until now, his dark eyes just now beginning to adjust. Seated on his bed was his mother, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"Mother--"

"Where have you been, Cass? Sneaking off again, I see. When will you learn that your place is here? That your place will always be here, Cass?" Sosephane Ignis spoke, her voice gentle and understanding, her arms outstretched to him, a signal for him to make his way over to her side.

Cassius strode across the room and sat down beside his mother, his dark eyes glancing up at her. "I can't disclose where I've been. And I know my place, mother."

She gave a sad smile, "Oh my son, if only you could see how untrue your statement is. If you truly knew your place, you wouldn't be sneaking off or getting into mischief with Atlas."

A frown curled onto his lips, "I do know my place."

"Do you not recognize your own actions? Your heart pulls you elsewhere, Cassius. Your soul longs for more, for what lies beyond the palace walls, for what lies out within the galaxy."

"What's so wrong with that?" Cass snapped, that brooding frown still plastered across his lips.

"Nothing," Sosephane shook her head, reaching out and stroking her son's cheek, "Absolutely nothing is wrong with that. I was like you once. Dutiful and devoted until the end, but with that same longing, that yearning for something more."

Cassius looked at his mother, trying to picture her in that light. He furrowed his eyebrows. "I can't imagine..."

"Oh of course not. Years of practice as being the Ojakian Queen has flushed such a thing out of me. All things fade with time, my son. But the first time your father met me? I was an unstoppable force," she gave a soft yet hearty laugh, "It doesn't surprise me that you carry something so similar; after all, you are my son."

"You say that you were like me, and yet father berates me with no end. He hates this longing for freedom and he will crush the flame with his last will," Cass explained with a huff.

His mother nodded, knowing full well what her son meant. Again, that sad smile, "He is doing what is best for you, Cassius. I know you may not see it now, but you will one day. He's afraid he'll lose you, and you're all we have, love," she murmured and kissed her son on the forehead, a gentle and tender action meant to soothe the worries of her only child. "Your destiny is the throne. A large responsibility indeed and an important role, all of which you know. The last thing you need is a distraction to keep you from it, or at least that's how he sees it. Freedom is not a trait fit for us, Cass. We must sacrifice our own freedom in order to provide for others. That is our destiny, from the dawn of Ojak and even now. I learned this, and so will you. You must set your childish actions aside and rise up, Cassius. You have to realize that it has gone on long enough and that it is now time to accept your fate and sacrifice your freedom for the sake of your planet and its people," his mother spoke, her voice gentle and sweet like honey. Unlike Magnus, Sosephane actually made sure her son felt the warmth of familial love, and she made sure he knew he was adored.

Cass listened to what his mother said, his lips pressed together tightly, his eyebrows slightly furrowed as he thought over what she said. He knew that she was right. He understood that being heir to the Ojakian throne came with its sacrifices. However, he couldn't stand that his family thought that he didn't know his place. And was it so wrong to want to live apart from such a life, even just for a moment? Was it so wrong to want to take a moment and live? But he didn't say any of this. He simply nodded, "Yes, I understand, mother."

"Good, now get some rest. Orion will send for you in the morning," Sosephane told her son, getting up and exiting the room, leaving Cassius to sit upon his bed and catch up on the sleep he missed.

✩✩✩

What little rest the prince did receive was ended by the sound of knocking coming against his bedroom door. Cassius' eyes blinked open with aching slowness, a drowsy glaze in their dark depths. At first, he was disoriented, but that soon faded as he climbed out of bed, rubbing his temples as he approached the door. Upon opening it, Cass was greeted by Orion, who stood before him in a poised and dignified way, just as the advisor always carried himself.

"Oh dear, Cassius. You're a mess," Orion sighed and shook his head in disappointment, like a parent seeing their child covered in mud.

The prince's lips were turned in a small frown, "Thanks," he muttered sarcastically, not bothering to hide the evidently tired lull to his voice.

"Perhaps if you hadn't foolishly gone racing off into the night hunting down an address--"

"Don't pretend like you know me, Orion. I have valid reasons," Cassius defended himself.

"Oh yes, you're right. How rude of me to assume you a mindless fool who can't get over the fact that he's the crowned prince of an entire planet. How horrible it must be to be Prince Cassius Ignis, heir to the Ojakian throne. What a pitiful and horrendous life it must be. To have a full belly, an expansive home, and people who grovel at your feet and serve your every command. What a terrible life it must be. No wonder you're always sneaking off in the middle of the night, seeking an address or simply trying to spite the treacherous life you've been born into," Orion said, his voice flat and horribly serious. Anyone could hear the blatant sarcasm dripping from his tongue and the bitterness too.

Cassius clenched his jaw as Orion practically spat the words at him. His advisor seemed intent on making the prince see the foolishness in his actions. And perhaps there had been foolishness, but it was justified. Or that's what the heir told himself.

"Now, stop your bitching and let's get going. Dress yourself and be done with it. Your father is waiting and his wrath is not what you need right now," Orion said with a bored roll of his eyes. Despite the seriousness of his tone and the harshness of his tone, it was clear that the advisor only cared for his charge, and his loyalty was unwavering.

"Fine, wait here," the prince muttered before closing the door. He went to his wardrobe, pulling out fresh and proper clothes for the day ahead. He would have to leave everything from last night behind and focus on his responsibility as future heir of Ojak. His planet was more important, he told himself. Ojak was his one responsibility. No girl--whose Seeing abilities could rival Orpheus--was more important, surely. Even if her abilities could change the fabric of the galaxy, the Vectreon galaxy would just have to wait. Ojak would come first; Ojak needed to come first, he knew. That was his job as future monarch: to put his planet and its people above everything else.

Once he was fully dressed and his dark, messy hair carefully brushed out, Cassius went back to the door, opened it, and strode out. Swiftly closing the door behind him, the prince stood before his advisor with a serious and prepared expression, "Let's get going then."

Orion wasted no time as he gave a curt nod and led the way, the prince trailing the advisor. Both young men turned down this hall and that, navigating the maze of the palace that both of them knew like the back of their hands. As they traveled on in silence, Orion finally had the nerve to speak up, "What was so important that you stood blind to the numerous risks of sneaking off in the middle of the night? You do realize how your father repents your childishly rebellious antics. Plus, it has now become apparent that your own people stand against the monarchy, and you could've been hurt or killed, Cassius."

"You wouldn't understand, Orion. The matter isn't something I can share--"

"Oh, that's a load of shit. Just try me, Cass. I guarantee that I tend to understand a lot more than people give me credit for. Don't tell me you've forgotten that Atlas isn't your only ally, your only friend," Orion replied with a serious expression but his eyes showed concern and a demanding sass that only Orion seemed capable of.

Cass frowned, glancing over and meeting the gaze of his advisor, his ally, his friend. He gave a heavy exhale. His mind relented the idea of telling Orion, but his intuition egged him on and he found himself about to tell Orion everything. Was it bad that he wanted to get rid of the burden of knowledge he now possessed? Was it bad that he yearned for someone else to know of what he learned? He remembered that he had promised Atria he wouldn't tell a soul, but surely if he could trust Orion--and even Atlas when he got around to telling him, too--then it shouldn't matter, right? "You have to promise that you won't pass this information to anyone else. It stays between us," Cass stated, giving Orion a serious look.

Orion rose a brow, seeming uncertain of what the big deal was all about. However, if it meant that much to Cassius, keeping it a secret, then he would comply. "Fine, I swear it: the information stays between us."

Cassius gave a curt nod and then the words began to spill out, "The afternoon of the Ancestral Festival, when Atlas and I went into the city of Hessai, we came across this shop. There was this girl--"

"Damnit, Cassius. All of this is over some girl?" Orion said exasperatedly, shaking his head.

The prince gave a quick shake of his head, giving a frustrated sigh, "No, Orion. It's not like that. If you would just let me finish you would realize that's not what I meant by it at all," he grumbled irritably.

"Fine, continue then."

"As I was saying, there was this girl, Atria Zamet. It doesn't matter who she is, but she's...different."

"How?"

"She can See."

"What?" Orion asked with furrowed brows.

"I know it sounds crazy--"

"Crazy? It's impossible, Cassius!"

"I know, okay? But I'm not making this up. She foresaw my fate, she told me that my life was in danger, that I would be shot at while giving that speech. She even knew where it would come from," Cass explained, trying to convince Orion, to make it seem like Cass wasn't absolutely crazy.

Orion frowned and sighed, "This girl is a common girl?"

"Yes."

"Cass, how in the world do you know that she wasn't a part of the Opposition? She could've been an Opposer, hence why she would know every damn detail of their little stunt at the Ancestral Festival."

The Ojakian heir stared at Orion, as if he couldn't fully fathom what he was hearing. Orion made a point though. It seemed so impossible. The natural laws of the Vectreon Galaxy had never been broken before. How could they be shattered so easily? The existence of two Ojakian Seers was impossible. He frowned, "But if she was an Opposer, why the hell would she spill their secrets to me?"

"I really don't know, Cassius. Maybe she's playing you, trying to gain your trust and send you on a wild chase. Maybe she wants your guard down so that they can strike."

"That seems a little far fetched..."

"Seriously? They're radicals who would do anything to see the monarchy of Ojak fall and burn!" Orion pointed out with a huff. There he went again with that belittling tone.

"So you don't believe me? You don't believe any of it?"

"Do I really have any good reason to? Cassius, the natural law of the Vectreon Galaxy has never been defied like this. Unis couldn't have allowed a mistake like this. This isn't how things work."

"But what if this is a sign from Unis that times are changing, that times need to change? This could change the Vectreon Galaxy forever! I can't believe that Unis would let this go without meaning to."

Orion scoffed and shook his head, "Believe what you want, Cass, but I think you're falling into a pit of deception. It just...doesn't feel right," he muttered before shaking his head.

The two continued on in brooding silence, not wanting to discuss the topic any further. Cassius figured he would rely on Orion, find solace in his advisor. It became apparent that his advisor even refused to believe him. The prince vowed that he would prove it to Orion, to prove that Atria truly was what she said she was. He couldn't believe that she was an Opposer. He couldn't buy into Orion's skepticism. Atria seemed so genuinely honest, and so terribly afraid of the visions Unis has blessed, or cursed, her with.

Soon enough, the two reached the conference room where they were to arrive. A few minutes late, but nothing to make a fuss over. Cassius wondered if his father would notice the time, but it seemed that was a minuscule and irrelevant thing in Magnus' mind as he only gave his son a curt nod. Orion stood off towards the wall, humbly dignified and knowing his place. Cassius, however, took a seat in the chair beside his father. The two of them, as well as many other Ojakians involved in the royal parliament, sat around a large table of dark, polished stone that shone like obsidian. With all people present, the meeting began.

"As I'm sure you're all aware, it has become evident that the Opposition is growing more determined," Magnus began, "they were bold enough to make an attempt on my son's life at the Ancestral Festival, disrupting a sacred and jovial time for our people. Had it not been for the grace of Unis, Cassius might be dead and the monarchy would crumble to ashes. This, of course, will never happen. The Opposition thinks they have us paranoid and broken, but they're wrong. While in a false sense of security over their victory, we must quench this rebellion once and for all. Their antics can go on no longer."

"How do you suggest we stop them, your Majesty?" a gruff man spoke up. He had curly, graying hair, a short, thick beard, a long nose, and dark eyes. He was a member of the royal parliament, Elliad Tarkis. He was a powerful man, and he held his position well.

"I suggest that we dispel their rebellion by countering their attack."

"How do you expect us to find the Opposition?" another man spoke up. He was much older, his hair white and his tan skin drooping under his eyes. He was a senior of the council, Maleov Portence.

"Maleov is right: the Opposition can't be found. They're off the grid," another man spoke up. He was younger and perhaps more naive; his name was Boemas Gratia.

However, King Magnus was determined and extremely ambitious. Disapproval was no answer for him. With a mix between a stern and smug look on his face, he spoke up, "They certainly know how to evade being found, but they're somewhere. It's fair to say that we might get to know exactly where these rebellious Ojakians have taken refuge."

There was a ripple of murmurs among the council gathered at the table. Cassius' gaze swept over the room. What did his father mean? How could he be so certain of getting answers, or finding the location? There was no lead! It was only natural that Cass turned to gaze upon his father with honest bewilderment.

Finally, someone spoke up and asked the question everyone was asking. "How?" came the sly curiosity of Elliad Tarkis.

"Well, in their attempt to escape the scene they had created, one of the guards managed to snag a scrawny young lad belonging to the Opposition."

Understanding hit the group like a tidal wave. Looks were exchanged but one thing was certain: they had a face for the Opposition. They had answers. Cassius couldn't help the turmoil of feelings he held. He was just as desperate for answers and just as ruthless to get them, but he also had a feeling that this was wrong. They had a hostage and a young boy at that. Cass couldn't help but fear for the unsuspecting lad. His father would stop at nothing to get answers and the heir only worried how far the King would take things.

Magnus basked in the murmurs of praise and admiration. His counsel, his men, seemed just as eager to pick the brain of the poor lad for every piece of information they could. Things seemed promising...for the monarchy that is. The Opposition was going to be in for a rude awakening it seemed.

✩✩✩

Cassius had left that meeting with a feeling of both dread and satisfaction. How twisted it seemed, but how fitting considering all the trouble they had put his family through. Orion had left Cass to his own devices upon the prince's request. Thankfully, he hadn't been questioned by his advisor. It wasn't like Cass had anything in mind. In fact, his mind was feeling rather blank as he tried to fathom everything. Last night he had learned of Atria and her abilities--or were they real?--and now he learned that they had the Opposition cornered by extracting answers from a young rebel hostage. On top of that, his life had almost been taken a few days ago. He would've been dead had it not been for a fateful warning, once more tied back to Atria.

The prince hadn't realized where his feet were taking him until he found himself back at his room. Solitude and reservation. That's exactly what he needed right about now. He needed time to get his head on straight. So, he opened the door and lazily closed it, sealing himself into the quiet confines of his room.

Cassius gave a frustrated grumble and a huff, useless breath he had pent up regarding everything. How the hell was he supposed to do this and go through this? He wondered if he should find the lad before his father did, perhaps to save the boy from possible torment. Magnus' ambition was a dangerous thing that would stop for nothing and nobody. Cassius knew this all too well. He knew his parents far better than he ought to, and that was both a good thing and a bad thing.

Just as he was debating what to do over the matter of the council meeting, the heir saw his transmitter light up and heard it gently buzzing against his desk. Quirking a curious eyebrow, the prince picked up the device. Upon touch, the call sent through, and projected into his room was the cyan colored hologram of Atria Zamet.

"Cassius! Oh, thank Unis! I thought you wouldn't answer," Atria sighed with relief, the anxious look on her face seeming to resolve itself for the moment as she basked in the reassurance.

"Atria?" the prince blinked, surprised and confused all at the same time. His dark eyebrows were now furrowed together, his lips pursed. How ironic fate was, considering this was the girl who managed to turn his life upside down, and yet here she was. "Why the urgency? Has something happened?"

Atria's head moved to nod, her auburn locks bobbing, "Yes, something as in another vision."

"Involving me?" Cass frowned.

"No, not this time but you said you wanted to know what I see. That's why you gave me direct contact to you, no? It's complicated, but I figure you're the only one who will listen to me and take me seriously."

The prince considered her words, staring back at the hologram. No doubt his puzzled expression was projected in her room. "You're probably right, as in me being the only one who believes you, that is," he mumbled in response. But did he truly believe her? It was as is he felt conflicted. His mind was telling him Orion was right, that this was all some elaborate ploy that would wind up getting him killed. However, his intuition was telling him to listen to what she had to say. That Unis truly had given her this gift for a reason.

Atria's lips seemed to pull themselves into a slight frown but nevertheless, she nodded, "Right. Well, I had a vision when touching a book."

"A book? What could you have possibly learned about the future of a book--"

"Hear me out, your highness! The book acted as a medium. Something to connect me with someone else. It wasn't a vision of something. It led me to a conversation. Someone was talking to me. Genesis. That's what he called himself. He was telling me about how we were connected, how the VPA is hiding secrets about our history. How there used to be another planet. How he plans to bring it back..."

Cassius stared at her hologram with a baffled yet equally stoic expression. What in the hell was she talking about? The VPA hiding secrets? The Vectreon Planetary Assembly was the government. He wasn't sure whether they would hide secrets from the people of Vectreon. However, if everything is a game of politics, he wouldn't put it past them. Still, what was this about another planet? "What book what it?" He asked plainly, gears turning in his head as he tried to figure out why something so bizarre would've just happened like this.

That's when Cassius heard and saw Atria hesitate. She wasn't so apt to reveal that truth all too soon. He frowned slightly, doubt prickling within his head. But then she mumbled the word, like it was forbidden, "Idonis."

"Idonis?" the prince repeated, quirking an eyebrow skeptically. Never before had he heard such a word. It sounded like a name, though.

"Yes, Idonis. That's the name of the book...and the planet."

"You mean the planet that doesn't exist--"

"--The planet that used to exist."

"Right. And you're sure this Genesis guy said that the VPA destroyed it, hid it from us? You're certain that's what he said?"

"Yes, I'm certain. He said that I would someone be important to its revival. That I was a key asset in bringing back his home. That Idonis belonged to all sorts of people...including me."

"Miss Zamet that can't be true. You're Ojakian as much as I am. Sure your appearance is...different, but that hardly excludes you from the planet you were born to."

The heir noticed the way her shoulders seemed to sag with slight relief, as if she had needed the reassurance that she was as much of an Ojakian as the future king of their planet. Cass couldn't understand why she would have needed that reassurance. It seemed plainly obvious to him. But she began to speak again, "Right. But he said what he said and I just...I feel like this means something. Truly means something. I know it seems crazy but just consider for a moment that he's telling the truth. That the VPA did wipe out an entire planet and erase its existence from our minds. That would mean our overseeing government is more powerful than we ever anticipated. They could potentially control everything, your highness."

Cassius frowned, "First of all, don't call me that..."

"Well, what should I call you then?"

"By my name? Like every other normal being of the Vectreon galaxy. I know I may outrank you, but I don't need to be reminded every second of my life," he retorted with a small huff. He then went on the continue, "Secondly, the VPA was created to maintain order within the galaxy and oversee the planets, to ensure that everyone was getting along. If they had wanted control, they wouldn't have allowed each planet to have its own government--"

"--But what if times are changing, Cassius? Just because that's how our ancestors intended all of this to work doesn't mean that's how it should work."

Her words sent his mind reeling back to the chaotic scene as his speech was interrupted by Opposers, by the Opposition. How they were exclaiming they wanted change. Just because that's how our ancestors intended all of this to work doesn't mean that's how it should work. An icy feeling crept over him. Maybe Orion had been right about her. Maybe she was an Opposer.

"Cassius?" He heard her say through the hologram, realizing he must have zoned out.

He shook his head subtly and looked back up at her, "Yes, I know but...you're suggesting an awful lot. Did this Genesis say anything else?"

"Not really. He was quite vague, but he said that he and I were connected somehow. That he would seek me out again and that with time, I would know who he was," Atria went on in that quiet voice. The kind of voice he took in assuming she was a coward. The kind of voice that sounded like a child who was unsure of herself. But she wasn't a coward, at least not a full one. She was Ojakian, and regardless of fear, they were brave, surely?

He considered this, "I see. So we have nothing to go off of for evidence besides what you saw when you touched the book," he sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "we have no evidence to prove anything other than the fact that we look like strung out fools."

"So you don't believe--"

"--That's not what I'm saying, Atria! I'm not saying I don't believe you. I'm saying that you have no evidence except what's in your head. It's bad enough you're some strange, impossible anomaly, with that power of yours. Now you're suggesting corruption amongst the VPA and the fact that they wiped out the existence of a planet. And to top it off, all of this is due to some man named Genesis, who can somehow communicate with you. Would that make him a Seer too?" He rattled off everything, frowning, "I don't think anyone would believe you unless you had proper evidence. If you want to convince anyone--"

"You believe me, though. Don't you?"

"Well yeah, but--"

"--You believe me."

"What's your point?"

"I know it's logical to have evidence and data and everything in between but...I think you underestimate the power of emotion. Of truth. I mean, I can make a compelling case. One that made you of all people believe me."

Cass gave a small huff and rolled his eyes. However, he turned back to the light blue hologram projected into his room, "Okay, Miss Genius, and how exactly do you expect to convince people of your cause? Convince them you're not completely insane and that there are bigger things going on?"

She seemed stumped by that question and frowned ever so slightly. Cassius watched the girl with a questioning expression. If she seemed so sure of herself, she ought to have thought out some sort of plan. The prince wasn't about to go in blind. "I don't know," she began, pausing, "but I know it can be done. It's too soon to say anything yet. I'll let you know if he comes to me again. Perhaps there's more information he can tell me that will help."

"You're putting an awful lot of faith in someone you met in the astral plane," he remarked with a skeptical look.

"What else do you suggest I do? He's the only way to learning the truth."

"He could be telling you propaganda--"

"But what if he's not? What if Genesis is right and we're all hopelessly blind? Cassius, I have to see where this leads."

"Fine. Let me know if he says anything else that's drastic. I have to go," he muttered, shaking his head.

The hologram of Atria blinked in surprise but she nodded, "Oh, right. Sorry to keep you. I promise that I'm not making this up."

"I'd like to think you aren't, but in all the history books I've read, in all the history I've learned, none of it has added up to this. Besides, I've never known Unis to allow a second Seer."

"Times are changing. The galaxy is changing. Maybe this is all happening for a reason," Atria tried to reason.

"Maybe," was all he said before he clicked his transmitter, cutting off the connection and hanging up. The light from the hologram left the room, making it seem a little darker than before. He gave a shake of his head. What was he doing? Why couldn't he just listen and do as he was told? Why couldn't he be the perfect son his father wanted him to be, the perfect prince that his mother wanted him to be, the perfect diplomat like Orion wanted him to be? Instead, Cassius was still trying to navigate the waters. Still trying to find himself, as well as juggle the weight of all the expectations he faced.

He was about ready to crawl back in bed and go to sleep when he remembered something. The boy belonging to the Opposition. The one Magnus Ignis planned to interrogate with all means necessary. The heir winced at the thought. He had to intervene, or at least get there before his father did. Besides, Cassius wanted answers. He needed answers.

And this boy was the best way to get them.