33

Arius recognised that dark purple-almost black- cloak anywhere. It had violet embroidery on the cuffs and hem. There was a visible pattern lining the sleeves if you look hard enough. The colour was just a tad bit lighter than the original fabric of said garment.

Most importantly, it belonged to his sister.

"Theia! Do you know how worried I was?" He hugged her tightly. "I missed you too, brother. Anyway, I need the emperor's approval to save the world right now. Do me a favour please?""Why would you need his approval to save the world??""Let me rephrase that. I need his approval to blow up the port and some landscaping.""I will ask details later. Why emperor specifically?" He asked, massaging his temple."Cause he has the highest authority! Mom said the emperor's approval is needed for major things like this as long as he's alive, even a proxy can't do much."

"For what do you need to blow up the port?" Claude said raising his voice."To stop your brother from taking over Obelia. He's pretty prepared for that, by the way." Arius rubbed his temple. His sister was talking to the emperor so casually that he worries she will get punished first before saving the world."So that bastard is still alive huh" Claude said coldly."Yup." Attheia said popping the 'p'. "That bastard nearly killed me and my family and the entire region so you better stamp this document with your seal before the whole country dies."

"....." Arius could tell what Claude was thinking. 'I just woke up from a coma because a teenage girl is threatening me for approval to destroy one of the most important infrastructures to the country in order to save the world from my apparently not dead brother...'

"Where is Jennette?" Claude said, groaning. Attheia snapped her fingers and the invisible barrier as well as the sound proofing disappeared. Jennette, Oriella and Ijekiel rushed in. Felix came in too.

"Ella! Nice to see you here." Attheia said with a huge grin. "Theia, now is not the time for pleasant greetings." Arius scolded.

"Do you know each other?" Ijekiel asked them. "Hello, I'm Attheia. Arius is my brother." Theia said extending her hand for a shake. More and more questions formed inside Ijekiel's head.

Arius groaned loudly. "Okay, we'll talk about this later. Stamp please." Claude looked at Felix and gave him an order to get it. Minutes later, Felix arrived with a box in his hands. The emperor opened it, taking the goddamn stamp thing.

"Papers." He said. Everyone stood in silence as he skipped all the contents, not bothering to read them, and placed a royal seal on the very last page. He handed it to Theia who was eagerly waiting.

"Thank you. With that, I take my leave."

"Theia, wait- no!" Arius shouted. It was too late. His sister already teleported away.

"Prince Arius, you owe us an explanation." Ijekiel said firmly. Jennette was flustered. She didn't expect him to demand answers right away. Since she already knew where Arius really came from, she wanted to let him open up himself. Oriella was even less surprised since it seems she knew of this mysterious magician.

"Look, I know everything is very hectic right now but let's focus on the emperor's recovery, okay?" Arius spoke. Everyone turned their gazes to Claude who just wanted to go back to sleep.

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Arius groaned and spat out a string of heavy curses. Attheia showing up and disappearing as she likes made him look even more suspicious. Ijekiel especially is eyeing his every move.

"I think you could use some dessert." Oriella said holding a tray of chocolate cookies and cake. Theia told her Arius loves sweets- which felt contrasting to his personality considering she heard the string of words from before.

"Thanks." He mumbled and stuff the cookies in his face.

"Sorry about my father by the way. He's always suspicious of everything." Oriella said. He didn't reply. Instead just ate everything on the tray.

"YOUR HIGHNESS IT'S AN EMERGENCY!" someone screamed, bursting through the doors.

"What's wrong?" Oriella raised an eyebrow, now alarmed.

"Throne...room... deceased princess..." The messenger said while gasping for breath. Then, he passed out. He was immediately carried out while the royals rushed to the throne room.

They were too late though. An explosion at the left wall caused it to collapsse so suddenly, giving no time to shield themselves. Arius bled at his arm. Oriella received minor scratches due to being protected by Chris, who has worse injuries.

"Oh my god! We need to get you treated Chris!" Oriella screamed amidst the chaos. A few other servants nearby were injured too, but better than Chris.

He tried to ignore the pain but to no avail. There was a large gash on his side and blood seeped through his uniform. Not only Chris hit his head, but his vision become blurry as blood trickled down his forehead.

Oriella, now crying, supported him out if the debris. Nobody were able to help, since they too were hurt. She tore the lower part of her skirt and wrapped the cloth around his gash, applying pressure.

"Arius, where are you going?" Oriella asked. Arius stood up after he tied a cloth at his arm.

"To see what the fuck is going on." He gritted his teeth."But you're hurt!" Chris said, groaning in pain."And so are you and everybody else." He turned to Oriella, "You stay here, see if you can treat his wounds. Don't worry about me."

So he took off running. He looked out the window, slowing down.

"What the fuck...." He muttered. His eyebrows furrowed looking at the sight before him. Rows and rows of soldiers marched in. His own country's army was trying to hold them off. The imperial palace was infiltrated, Anastacius is here.

But the explosions, how did they appear? Arius didn't see canons or any type of firearms. It dawned to him that the former emperor could use magic. How was he supposed to fight that? He can't use magic! With a broken arm not to mention.

He decided that he'll cross the bridge when he gets there. The doors to the throne room laid on the ground, blasted off from their hinges. Amidst the ash and ruble, stood a long table filled with food.

At one end was Claude. Opposite him, at the other end, was Anastacius. On either side was Jennette and Athanasia. Lucas standing behind the blonde lady. All of their faces were serious and the atmosphere tense.

"Ah, and who might this be?" Anastacius turned to look at Arius, who was too stunned to speak. Everyone else didn't answer either.

A running figure started shouting for his name. "Arius! Arius! I know I'm not supposed to come but I want t-" Oriella stopped speaking when she saw what's inside the throne room.

"And who's this?" Anastacius asked. He smiled slyly.

"Your blood relative." A girl's voice answered. Fearless, but careless."I'm assuming you are too." Anastacius said. "Black hair suits you. Did you get it from your dad?" He glanced at Lucas. Attheia remained poker faced."Great! The whole family is here!" He clapped.

"Why don't you join him?" Lucas said to the three new arrivals. He waved his hand, muttering a spell. Arius had his arm healed, and an instant change of clothes. So did Oriella and Attheia. They sat down at the table beside their parents.

"Lovely reunion, right brother?""You're not my brother." Claude said."Ah! Have you forgotten about me? I must've been away for too long."

"Get out of him.""What?""Get the fuck out of him." 'Anastacius' stayed confused."You don't want to? I'll just force you then." Claude raised his hand and fired magic at his 'beloved' daughter, Jennette. Immediately, Anastacius blocked the attack, saving her. Jennette was very shocked. Her father almost killed her!

"I knew he didn't get complete control over you, brother. Given that you saved your child." Claude said. "Whoever is inside you, is weak."

Anastacius' eyes glowed red. "You called me weak?! How dare you say that to the great Aethernitas! I brought glory to Obelia!" He screamed. It was like he were a different person completely.

"What? I'm...not your daughter?" Jennette whispered. She focused on Claude solely, not caring about the crazy man beside her."I'll explain when we're done with him." Claude said.

"Okay, okay. Let's just finish this alright?" Lucas stepped in. He stood in front of Anastacius—or Aethernitas. "I'm sorry. There, I apologised. I gotta admit, I was wrong that time. You're pretty strong. I'm stronger though."

Aethernitas felt even more mad at that half-assed apology. He tried to possess another body, Anastacius became weak after a few fights. Before he could conjure up a spell, Lucas shot first. And the deceased royal from many years ago disappeared, his soul vanished from thin air.

"Did you just... kill him?" Athanasia asked, bewildered.

"So what?" Lucas grumbled."Sigh, nevermind." Athy rubbed her temple. She glanced around the room, looking at everyone else left. Athy noticed Jennette still frozen in shock while kneeling beside her father's motionless body.

Placing a hand on Jennette's shoulder, she gave a warm comforting smile.

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Sorry this took so longI made it longer tho.

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