A week later on the morning of mother’s funeral it rained. Thick black clouds blotted out the double suns and moon dulling the Kingdom of it's normally colorful bright self. It’s been raining off and on since the Demi attack and since we lay all those that fell during the attack. Thirty. Thirty deaths including the Knights we lost and the people, not to mention Kotof and… mother.

No ones heard from Maralah so it was being assumed she went after the killer and met her end.

I had ordered a search party to see if anything would show up but still nothing…..

Sighing I glanced down at my hands. I could still feel her blood on my them and when I closed my eyes I-

A knock at my door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“My Prince, it’s time.” Simon said as he opened the door.

Standing silently I slid my crown on, clipped my knife to my hip and attached my black cape to my shoulders and followed him out.

Cast just like Simon was dressed in dark green almost black armor, swords to their hips spears on their backs. Cast dipped his head to me and led us, with Simon pulling up the rear.

My mind slipped back to its dull and dark thoughts, it felt like a thick fog shrouded my every action making me second guess myself.

But more then anything I was reminded of father.

“Mother, where did father go?” I remember asking her ten years ago. “He said he’d teach me how to use my knife and he’s coming home today!”

She had stopped dressing me in the dark clothes that were similar to the ones I wore now.

“He’s…” She took a deep sniffling breath. “not going to be able to do that.”

I remember looking at her and being confused by the tears running down her cheeks.

“B-but he promised! He said when he comes home and if I was good then he’d-” I choked on a sob. “I was good! H-he p-promised!”

I remember her semi controlled deminer breaking as she pulled me into a tight hug and she cried for a very long time. Saying that I was good, that I didn’t do anything wrong, that father loved me and that he was sorry.

Mother cried till Travis came to check on us with Hermes at his side, and we left after Travis helped mother calm down. That was when I learned that father truly wasn’t coming back. That he had been attacked on his trip back and had saved the life of his guard Kotof and a random family of Shells from a Demi attack.

And now those monsters took mother too. Why? Why did they-

I glanced up as Travis joined us. He was absent of his Scholar robes dressed in a plain dark green suit and a simple slip on shoes like my own. Minus my crown no one showed any status.

Travis dipped his head to me as he approached but didn’t say anything more. My gaze went back to staring blankly ahead.

We exited the castle with the others that worked there making our way out. From the top of the stairs I could see two of the entrance gates and the smoke that still billowed into the sky. They were still destroyed and it would be my first duty to see them fixed.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice how even the plants- that breathed the very life into the Kingdom- were closed, their petals and leaves tightly sealed.

At the entrance of town we were joined with the rest of the Kingdoms citizens, everyone, even those from the towns and cities outside of the gates were here, dressed in the customary blacks and dark greens and browns of grieving.

I glanced over to Travis and whispered. “Anything about Hermes’s group?”

He shook his head, making me frown. I hoped they were alright and didn’t run into that group from the attack.

To my knowledge, thankfully none of the other places in the Domain had been hit. It was only the Kingdom.

The Kingdoms slow march through the streets brought us to the Kingdom's garden. The entire garden was surrounded by the mighty towering trees- tallest trees after the Primordial.

The people parted allowing Travis, Simon and Cast along with myself through. We made our way up a little hill, a place that every passed ruler now lay. I walked past everyone and stopped behind her but didn’t look, keeping my gaze on the people. With my nod everyone made their way up.

This was an open viewing and as the people came and said their goodbyes to mother they gave me their condolences, their words of sadness and their words of grief.

Victor stopped in front of me. I glanced up at him and saw dark bags under his brown puffy red eyes, his normally well kept brown hair was mussed and messy. But for me he tried and gave me a weak smile.

“My dear boy, I'm so sorry. S-she was taken from us far too early.” He leaned forward hugging me tight. And I felt my heart break as Victor struggled to hold back tears, his voice wet and wobbly. “If you ever need someone to talk to, my door is always open regardless of the hour. I’m here.”

When I didn't speak he patted my shoulder and moved on.

When everyone was done with their farewells late into the afternoon, I stepped up and finally looked down at her.

If I didn't know better I'd say she was sleeping, a gentle smile on her face. But her skin was pale, her clothes too formal and the flowers around her head looked fake.

I stroked her cheek, my lip wobbling. Even in death she found reasons to smile, at least she was with Father and not alone.

“Mother no matter what it takes, I will find the one who killed you and I will make them pay for wronging our Kingdom.” I took a deep breath lifting my hand off her cheek. Speaking the words I… never wanted to wield into existence. “I will- I will be a great King.” I choked over the words. “One that you always seemed to know I could be.”

Giving her one last fond look I stepped back letting the Knights take my place and it began.

The people of the Kingdom bowed low to the ground, the guards and any high ranking officials saluted the Queen, as the Knights summoned their powers.

The earth responded at once as the earth split open thick vines grew and swarmed around covering mother completely till nothing of her could be seen, then slowly she was lowered or rather pulled into the earth, the ground closing after her.

Ten minutes passed as we waited and with a rumble that I felt in my clenched teeth, a large bush burst through the ground, as it settled beautiful roses bloomed. Their bright red was striking against the dreary background, their petals looked like they were crying as the rain came down in a light chilled drizzle.

Giving myself just a moment I collected my thoughts and pushed down my emotions, I turned facing the people as they looked up at me, their faces a mixture of sadness and worry. Swallowing around the big lump in my throat I looked over to Travis as he came forward I stepped aside as he gave his farewell to mother and with a final pat on the back the funeral came to an end. Everyone gave a small bow and left, minus Simon and Cast who stood a few feet away.

Making sure I was alone, I walked back over to her rose bush. It was beautiful, mother would be so happy.

Turning I stood next to another rose bush though older then mother's it was still very important to me. The golden petals gleaming in the rain.

I bowed. “Father... I know you'll do it anyway but please watch over mother for me. Protect her and guide her as you did in this life.” I sank to my knees between them, feeling like a child. I punched the ground. “You both left me too early! How can I rule when I feel so lost. How can I fill the gaps you left behind. The people look for stability, but how can I give them that?” My fingers dug into the wet soil. “You two were mountains- unyielding and unswayed in your rules. How can I be like that- be like you? How can I give the people that strength? When I can’t find my own….”

No one answered me and I fell silent, grieving long into the late morning, my thoughts a chaotic storm, till a hand on my shoulder rousing me.

“My future King?”

I blinked. Future King? Oh, she means me. I looked up at the frail woman before me. “Yes?”

“Future King, I'm sorry to disturb you but we are worried.” She said wringing her hands together nervously. “you’re soaked through and a really bad storm is fast approaching. Will you please come back to the castle?”

I glanced down at my damp clothes through my water logged hair. I hadn't noticed the rain getting worse or how dark it had gotten.

“Future King?” came the woman's worried voice.

I stood on shaky legs as she held the large leaf umbrella over me, we walked joined by Simon and Cast slowly back to the castle. As we walked back through the town many people stopped in their tracks to bow and share their condolences once more. I nodded as my thoughts swirled darkly.

Without looking at anyone beside me I spoke to be free of my thoughts.

“Can I really rule the Kingdom?” The words tumbled out, laced with unshed grief. “What if I can’t fill what they left behind.”

The woman paused and I wished I knew her name but it wasn’t coming to me. Mother probably knew all the servants names by heart, regardless of how she felt. Yet another strike against me.

“My Future King if I may be frank.” Cast spoke up behind me.

Nodding. “You're allowed to speak freely with me. You always could.”

Cast moved to my side and spoke. “I… I think the choice to rule doesn’t matter if you’re of royal blood or anything. It only matters where your heart is.”

“And my Future King, you're heart is already there.” Simon added. “You have the people’s best interest at heart and their support.”

The woman nodded. “I agree. I was surprised at first when you faced the people without tears in your eyes, you’re so young showing so much strength. But though you are young you have been right in your words and your actions to this point. I know you will lead us just as well- if not better than you parents. I am proud to be a subject of your Kingdom.”

I chuckled, surprising them.

She hesitated. “Future King?”

“Thank you, thank you all for saying that.”

Their words put a crack- though small- in my depressing mindset. I looked at the town with new eyes. The rain wasn't washing the color away. No it was washing the Kingdom anew, refreshing the land to start over. And though my people were sad and our gates broken I knew they would rise again, stronger then before.

We entered the castle and began to part ways as she bowed to my leaving form.

“Long live your rule, my King.”

With a quick nod I walked up the stairs leaving a water trail in my wake, I felt bad for whoever had to clean this up.

I made my way to the baths, telling the four women standing there that her help wasn't needed. I just wanted to be alone.

“We’ll wait here.” Simon said holding the door open.

Cast nodded. “Call if you need us.”

Agreeing I entered and they closed the giant doors behind me. I turned in a circle, inhaling the oil scented waters, smelling berries and fruit that floated on the surface. I kneeled by the rim dipping my hand in the water. I couldn’t place their individual names but I knew they came from everywhere on Elementaya.

The Air, Water, Fire, Earth Domains. I knew there might be another one but it was foreign to me, maybe the Desert….

Shrugging I stood stripping free of my wet clothes and stepped into the hot water.

Against my will a sigh slipped out. The warmth chased away the cold of the rain but the comfort it brought was short lived as other worries wiggled free.

The bathroom was huge and it didn't help my emotions at all, this space just made it more obvious that I was alone. But was I? I shook my head sinking deeper. The warm water made me miss her, miss their hugs.

I remembered when she and father used to bring me here when I was younger to teach me how to swim- something very few Lurraians knew how to do. But what was a fun time then only reminded me that I lost everything.

It was weird how you take for granted someone's presence, their warmth, the comfort they bring- their just overall being.

I felt tears run down my cheeks. I missed her. I missed them both so much. I wasn’t ready for her to leave me. To be alone. A small laugh escaped me. I was being pathetic. Mother wouldn't want me to be upset. She’d want me to be happy with my head carried high.

But what did I do now? I would never know what mother was going to say before the attack. What could it have been? Had I broken something, had Hermes triggered-

A choked abrupt scream ripped from my throat, my body curling in on itself. Water rushed my mouth and nose, my chest exploding in pain. Body spasming as I inhaled water against my will as I slipped under. Hands clawing at both the water and my chest. I screamed bubbles streaming.

Hands grabbed me lifting me from the bath, my head breaking the surface. Instead of the much needed breath another scream tore itself from me. I was dragged over to the rim.

“Maki! Maki can you hear me?” Simon yelled. Hands pressed against my chest and water gushed out. Quickly they turned me on my side letting me gasp and spit the water out. Blinking my eyes open I looked up at Simon and he looked me over as Cast came and covered me with my robe.

“Maki?” Cast asked, leaning over me as well.

I stared up at them blindly. Painful tremors ran wild through my body, tears blurred my sight. Squeezing my eyes closed on another stab of pain. Rolling onto my back a soundless wail that had my eyes wide open as I arched off the marble floor.

 Over the ringing of my screams in my ears I heard Cast gasp. “What’s that on his chest?”

“I-I don’t know….”

As the seconds passed I slowly got feeling back in my body. Weakly I ran a hand over myself checking for injuries. I felt a couple scratches I did myself and a few bruises before Simon stopped my hand.

“Don’t touch it till we can get a Healer.” He ordered softly.

Cast nodded. “Yes, I’ll go call-”

“No… H-healers.” I gasped out struggling to sit up.

Cast came behind me to help tie my robe in place. My left arm and that side of my chest had me once again gritting my teeth.

“Take… me to Travis….”