CHAPTER 14
A/N: Hello! Starting today, I’m gonna divide my chapters into two parts (chapter and chapter . 5), because my editor told me to write shorter chapters rather than chapters with 3k+ words. Thank you. Hope you understand!
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DUE TO fear that my father would scold me, I quickly reached the kingdom. Luckily, there are no fairies wandering around and the surroundings are quiet. Nor did I see father seated on his throne-which surprised me. Most of the time, Dad always sits on the throne and takes care of this kingdom. At times like this, the fairies are rarely around here and are in their own places.
“Dad?” I called. I walked and looked around but everything was quiet. I could even hear my footsteps because of the silence.
“Dad, where are you?!” I went to his room, but unfortunately, he wasn’t there either. I’m starting to get worried because this is totally not normal. Dad has nowhere else to go at this time.
“Antricus Porlliander.”
I turned my back because of the deep voice I heard. But I saw nothing but me. I’m the only one here and I don’t have anyone else with me. I’m starting to panic because it seems like at any moment someone will rush at me suddenly.
“Who are you?” I dare to ask.
“Antricus. I need your help.” I didn’t expect this to be answered.
“Introduce yourself to me first! Who are you?!” I shouted. I know he’s just around, he just doesn’t want to introduce himself to me. It’s hard because I can’t see him. I don’t know him yet. Maybe this is my father’s enemy and I am his target.
“I am Thundur. Help me. I need your help.”
“Thunder?” My forehead knitted. Sounds familiar to me.
“Yes, I am. Based on your appearance, you seem to know me. Am I right?”
I was surprised. “Y-you see me?”
“Yes. I see you, but I’m not in your presence.”
I was only more confused. Various things come to my mind. He sees me but he is not in front of me. How did that happen?
“I entered your mind, Antricus. That’s why it happened,” he added as if he answered the question in my mind.
“W-what do you mean? Why don’t you just straighten me out?” I asked, confused.
“Are you ready to help me when I tell you my purpose?” he asked. I seem to be challenged.
“W-why? W-what’s your problem?”
“Antricus… aren’t you getting everything? Are you just going to ask what’s going to happen here? I’m running out of time.”
“W-wait!” I waved my two hands even though he wasn’t in front of me. “A-alright… go on with what you’re going to say.”
“Hmmm… As the prince and future king of your kingdom, leader of the Fantasixers, I chose you to help me with this problem. I need your help Antricus, I really need it.” He paused. I thought he was gone because of his long silence. I’m starting to wonder about his problem.
“If you think about the things you’ll get from helping me, well, you’ll get a lot,” he added, reviving my interest in my body.
“A-and what are those things?” I asked. He got my full attention. I am interested in whatever I can possibly do.
“First, I will protect your queen to the best of my ability,” he replied, making me stop. How did he know that thing? Does he really know me?
“Secondly, I will give you protection and renewed strength to fight against those you currently face.”
“Third, I’ll make sure you have the queen no matter what. A prophecy is a prophecy. Even if there are obstacles, I’m sure you’ll still be there in the end. What? Will you help me?”
I was silent. I’m thinking carefully about whether my decision is worth it. I don’t know him. Maybe he is my father’s enemy and is just deceiving me. Also, I don’t really see him. What if he’s just playing with my mind?
There are a lot of what-if’s running inside my mind. I’m overthinking. I also hesitated. There was a part of me that didn’t want to accept his offer because I might get hurt, but when I heard the word ‘queen’, it was like all my mental doubts disappeared. I suddenly became determined.
I know I shouldn’t trust him easily, but his offer was tempting. Even though I don’t know his problem yet, I want to help him immediately. My safety and that of my queen will be linked to what I will do to help him if at all. He said, he will protect my queen as much as he can. I know I don’t have time to stay in the world of people all the time and I can’t tell the situation when Sazharina will need help. I am not always with my loved one.
“Antricus.”
I came back to my thoughts when I heard his deep voice again.
“Have you made up your mind? Are you willing to help me in exchange for your protection?” he asked again which just confused my mind.
“W-wait…” I appealed. “How can I be sure you can save my queen? How did you know her?” I also asked one after the other. I can’t keep quiet and I can’t help him if he doesn’t tell me what he wants.
“You will understand everything when the time comes, Antricus. I just need your help,” he answered.
“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth!” I shouted.
He was silent and I never heard his answer again. Something strange also happened to my body and in an instant it was as if I was brought back to reality.
“W-what happened?” I murmured.
“Antricus.”
I turned around when I heard Dad’s voice. He walks towards me with a confused look.
“What’s happening to you? You’ve been screaming for a while,” Dad said with knotted forehead.
“W-what?” “Why were you shouting? Did something happen?” Dad came to me and looked me in the eye.
“N-no, D-dad… I-I’ve been looking for you for a while…” I made an excuse. It was true, though. I was really shouting so Dad could hear me.
“Oh…” He nodded before smiling at me. “I was just wandering here in my kingdom.”
I nodded. “Okay, Dad. I’ll just go to my room.” “Why? It’s still early.”
I was shocked and looked at Dad in surprise. It’s just surprising that he’s a little weird now.
“What? You always put me to bed early. What is wrong with you?”
Dad seemed to suddenly come to his senses because he was shy to look at me.
“I’m sorry, Antricus. Maybe it’s just because I’m tired. Go ahead, rest if you want.” He hugged me which confused my thoughts even more.
He pulled away from me and smiled meaningfully. I was forced to nod to him to leave. Dad is really different tonight. He did so much to me that he had never done to me before. Earlier he seemed normal.
I was about to enter the room when the screen suddenly opened showing Sazharina in the hospital. Her mother was beside her, crying and trying to wake her up.
I was alarmed and felt like I wanted to lose my anger at whoever did this to her. She seems unconscious and Tita seems really worried about her.
“Damn it…” I whispered.
I went to the human world without hesitation. I reached Sazharina’s house faster than light. I don’t even remember how I got here because my brain is blank since I saw Sazharina lying in the hospital bed and unconscious.
“D-damn…” I whispered again when I reached the hospital and saw Sazharina up close.
At that moment, I wanted to talk to that man again.