• Chapter Sixteen

    Flashback

    Aric busted the castle door open. He examined the room he had just entered without permission. It was the grand hall. It hadn't changed. Aric had been here before, when he was six years old. That moment, seven years ago, was the angriest time in his life. He had been in a crowd with his father. The memory started to flow back...

    ***

    Aric was so excited! He was finally going to see the king. He had always wanted to be one. It was his desire; the fire that fed his determination. Aric's father had been chosen by the king to be the advisor. And Aric had been taken along! He stood eagerly next to his dad in the grand hall.

    "How much longer, Father?" He asked impatiently. His eyes stared at the two stone seahorses spraying water into a tub.

    Aric's father smiled warmly in the castle light. He patted his son's head slowly. "Just try to be patient." He answered sincerely, trying to calm him down.

    Aric jumped excitedly.

    "But I CAN'T be patient! I just want t-" His voice was droned out by flaring trumpets. They were playing the national anthem, Victorious Omanjun. Ideas like this was brought by the last Omanjias, Tamerus.

    Aric couldn't take it anymore. He ran towards the right set of the identical stairs, feeling the wind. The music faded into a cacophony. Some people gasped. Others stared with interest. Most did both.

    Aric sped up. He was going to be the first person to greet the king today. He was probably a tall, bright, kind man. Aric was enjoying this, until he bumped into someone.

    "What are you doing?!" A cold, ice-sharp voice boomed.

    Aric looked up and saw a tall, dark man in royal green robes. The king of Namuh. The boy stared into his intimidating pupils with innocence. After a few seconds of awkward silence, the king grunted and kicked Aric in the stomach. Aric fell off the stairs to his father's feet.

    "Kanji! Your son is out of control. If you do not teach him respect, I will. I expect nothing else from my soon-to-be advisor! Now, let's talk business." The king ordered.

    Aric's father gently picked his son up. He looked up at the dark man.

    "Who do you think you are? Sorry, but the deal is off. Good bye." He answered sternly, walking off. He was always good at ending conversations. "And you call yourself a king." Aric's father yelled in the air.

    I failed, Aric thought. He closed his eyes, not letting the tears come. He was barely going to talk for the rest of his life.

    ***

    Aric sliced the stone sea horse in two. He jumped toward the elevator, prepared to take revenge.