“Do not mock the deluded. For they are not embarrassed fools who cower behind prideful resistance nor are they deceitful promoters of falsities. No, their misfortune is more dire. They are victims of unrelatable happenings. Ones so far removed it’s impossible to sincerely sympathize. Their misaligned perceptions pompously commands their existence to be ostracized. One is truly lost when their vision naturally rejects authenticity…” 

~R.T. Richman 

Archamed and Kai entered a massive space, even larger than the one in the main area of the Sanctuary. The floor of the room appeared to be made of marble and precious stones that were all held within a large golden circle. Along the circumference of the giant circle were twelve pillars erected. Beautiful Pillars. Their craftsmanship and design were masterful yet they seem to reflect a time before even that of the Old World.

At the base of each pillar stood a guard. The intimidating energy radiating from each one bounced around the room. None would have ever seen a force such as this before. They were clad in long white robes that were accented with gold streaks. They wore all white helmets with no spaces or openings to see the face and the golden streaks across the helmets resembled a crown. They sported gauntlets, boots and belts that accompanied their outfit. What was most impressive however, were the six golden, mechanical wings they each had on their backs. 

The edges of the wings stretched out in a spiral shape. The span was so wide it seemed like it could wrap completely around the guards themselves. Instead of feathers stemming from the edges of the wings there was blue energy flowing downwards in a continuous stream.

Each guard was also equipped with their own weapon. Some sported spears, others swords and even some bows. However, all the weapons had the same general design; two gold rods meandering with each other. The guards stood so still that Kai wondered if they were merely statues.

On top of each pillar sat a person. Each of them upright in very prestigious chairs and were encased behind balconies. Some men, some women. Some older, Some younger. Each was dressed in formal attire that was fully white. One lady stood up from her seat and began to speak.

“Welcome Archamed of The …”

“Skip titles,” Archamed requested abrasively.

The lady raised an eyebrow.

“Very well, The Invited may now speak.” 

She returned to being seated.

Archamed looked straightforward at the man sitting on the pillar opposite from the entrance. The man appeared to be mid-forties by Kai’s estimation. He was Asian and had semi-long black hair that was slicked back.

Kai sensed tension in the room even though Archamed hadn’t spoken yet. Archamed scoffed.

“Lincoln, I see you continue to enforce your authority no matter where you reside,” he started. He removed his right hand from his hoodie pocket and gestured to some of the pillars. 

“And you continue to make our beliefs appear as cultish as ever,” he stated, annoyed. Kai was surprised. This was the first time this week he saw Archamed express any sort of emotion. He decided it was best to remain quiet for the time being.

The man Arch spoke to interlocked his hands and frowned at him as he leaned forward.

“Save your remarks boy! You know what this is about! You abandon your people and show up two years later with an intruder no less!You have stolen away members of another Sovereign court and you leave behind a massive mess in the ITCU! Now explain yourself before the court!” The man shouted furiously.

The room went deathly quiet. 

Archamed moved his outstretched hand over to Kai and pointed at him.

“This boy is no intruder.” Archamed paused for a moment.

“His father … is my master, Kenta Lonestar.” He revealed.

Kai felt his body go cold.

What did he just say?

“F-Father?!” Kai stuttered.

Several gasps arose from among the court and they whispered among themselves. Even the man called Lincoln was taken aback.

“You mean… This is…” Lincoln struggled. 

“Yes. A descendant of the Ocarins and a child of a Saint, meaning  he is more than welcome here.” Archamed stated irrefutably.

Lincoln leaned back in his chair, almost appearing defeated. The mumbling continued among the council. He then collected himself and leaned forward once more.

“My apologies…Welcome Mr. Lonestar.” He greeted Kai.

“Archamed, what do you…” Kai started but was interrupted by Archamed holding up his hand.

“After…” He responded. Kai sensed sincerity in his words and noticed he didn't say it in his usual emotionless tone.

The court continued to discuss among themselves.

“Ok that is quite enough,” Lincoln stated, causing everyone to be quiet. 

“Seeing as Mr. Lonestar is an Ocarin and son of Kenta Lonestar he shall be allowed to stay with the people of Sanctuary as long as he wishes and all of his needs will be abundantly taken care of.” Lincoln commanded.

“Now, if there are no other matters we can dismiss the Invited.”

“Not a chance,” A voice contested.

Archamed looked to his right to see who had interrupted. From another pillar, a bald man who couldn't be older than thirty had stood up and looked down on Archamed in disgust. Kai watched as Archamed’s face returned to being emotionless once more.

“I don’t care if you're a Saint or otherwise! You cannot just stroll back into the Sanctuary and then leave again for another two years as if we are not in need of help here,” The bald man continued.

“Eric, don’t provo…” Lincoln started but was cut off by Archamed.

“I don’t recognize you… so you must be new to the court. Regardless, your opinion is of no concern to me. I’ll be leaving now.” Archamed said as he turned back to the entrance. 

“And what if I say no?” The bald man said, raising his arm into the air. Immediately all of the guards shifted to being alert and circled Archamed and Kai. Swords were unsheathed, spears pointed and bows drawn.

Kai was not sure what to do and looked around frantically for something he could use to defend himself. Archamed sighed and his irises glowed orange.

“Unless you want to be sweeping up piles of ash for the next couple weeks… I suggest you allow me and my guest to leave,” Archamed said firmly, hands still in hoodie. Kai felt the air in the room get significantly warmer and was even afraid of getting closer to Archamed.

"You have four seconds," 

The bald man did not back down.

Archamed frowned.

“Three…” 

“ENOUGH!” Lincoln yelled. 

The guards lowered their weapons and returned to standing guard at their posts. 

“Archamed and Mr. Lonestar, you are dismissed by Court Leader intervention,” Lincoln stated. The bald man scoffed and took his seat. Archamed’s eyes returned to normal and exited the door. Kai followed behind him quickly. 

After they left the room the bald man turned to Lincoln and spoke.

“Why are you going easy on him Lincoln? After the way he left?” He asked.

“Do you want to pick up the burnt armor pieces from the Seraphims after he’s done?” Lincoln asked him while glaring at the bald man.

The bald man’s eyes widened, not sure if he was exaggerating or not.

“Besides,’ Lincoln started, leaning back into his chair with his eyes closed, “He wouldn’t come here with the Ocarin child after two years randomly. He’s up to something, so let’s keep an eye on him for now.”

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wrrrrrrr………

The leaf platform lowered to the main lobby. Archamed and Kai dismounted and watched the Chaperone ascend once more after they got off.

“Archamed…” Kai started. Archamed turned and faced him.

“Your Father…was my master. His name was Kenta Lonestar,” Archamed starts.

Kai’s body goes cold hearing the term father once more. His mind was scrambling trying to process the information revealed to him.

“He was one of the greatest Saints to ever live and an even greater follower of The Most High.”

“My mother said he was dead. She never told me he died being a …”

“He died a hero,” Archamed assured him.

Kai smiled back at him but Arch could tell that his words did not resonate.

“I guess, I never really thought about him, so I'm kind of taken aback,”Kai said as his voice trembled.

“Hehe, I guess I should be glad right? Seems he was revered by your people. I can’t be mad I never met him…” Kai was interrupted by Archamed placing his hand on his shoulder.

“It’s fine Kai. In the past two days your world has been turned upside down and more. But I assure you, nothing is your fault and nobody is asking you to pretend to enjoy it,”  Archamed assured him.

Kai looked into Archamed’s eyes. For a split second, he thought he could see some life… not his usual monotonous gaze. 

He turned around and faced another portal door on the ground floor.

“Don’t let that showing in the hall discourage you. Most people here have great personalities. They’ll take care of you,” Archamed insisted.

“No.”

He looked over his shoulder and stared at Kai. The boy’s whole body was shaking and he gritted his teeth until there was a grinding sound.

“You said you're fulfilling your master’s will right? Well he was MY father!” 

Kai walked toward him as Archamed turned around. 

“I’ve lost him forever. I lost my mom forever! If there is any way I can be closer to them after death then…”

Kai grabs his hoodie and pulls him closer.

“You need to take me with you. It is my right. And you have no grounds to tell me otherwise,” he stated in a quieter but more intense tone.

Archamed stared at him and no one spoke for several seconds. He took Kai’s hand and pulled it from his hoodie and sighed.

“You have no idea what you're asking.” He began,

“But very well, you can accompany us. Only until the mission is done.” He responded.

He walked towards the tunnel and Kai stood still for a while and then his  eyes widened.

“Wait, what just happened?” He thought to himself.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Kai turned around to see Alex still at the front desk.

“Good job wonder boy. That’s the first time I’ve seen someone make Arch change his mind in yeeaaars…” He said, impressed.

Archamed stopped walking near the exit tunnel.

“By the way, you have to change it.” Archamed says.

“Change what?”

“Your name. If you’re going to follow the Saints into the hardships of this world. You need to change your name..” He faced him once more.

“Cast off your old life along with who you were before.”

Kaizen watched as several of the Sanctuary’s yellow lights descended from above and encircled him. Now that they were closer, he could see that they were tiny mechanical drones that were part machine…part something else.

“Your mother shortened your name to Kai when you lived with those in the ITCU.”

His face radiated with surprise.

Kaizen watched as the yellow lights tugged on his clothes pulling and stitching the cloth with their microscopic legs. Several thousand more joined in until eventually the boy was fully encased by the glowing hive. After several seconds they flew away. As Kai emerged, he found himself wearing a green jacket similar to the one that he left behind at Mr. Sacclin’s house. His mother told him that it was his father’s own and it was the only thing he left behind for Kai in the ITCU. 

“Your full name is Kaizen…Kaizen Lonestar. That was the name Kenta Lonestar bestowed to you at birth and it’s the name you will use while you walk with us.” Archamed stated to him.

“Kaizen…” Kai echoed in realization as well as acceptance. 

“It’s important to remember where you came from,” Archamed started as he walked toward him. He poked him in the chest with a single finger,

“While not letting it keep you back from what you will become.”

Kaizen looked down to see that his green shirt was gone. Instead it had been replaced with a simple white tee with a golden circle in it’s center. It was a simple design, but memorable nonetheless.

Archamed approached the exit once more as Kaizen observed his new outfit.

“Archamed,” He started,

“...Thank you.”

Archamed nodded without turning around and proceeded through the gate.