Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

Kai was conflicted. He wanted to be by Luna’s side but he knew it was not meant to be. He was destined for something else. He had to fulfill his own role before he could get what he desired.

Kai was sitting on top of his residence inside the Imperial Household. He was watching the full moons with interest, wondering what was happening to the person who accepted him and loved him.

His memories of the alternate future made him correct mistakes but it also showed him the difficulty of choosing between difficult decisions.

Kai tugged at the pendant of his necklace and placed it on his hand. He gazed at the glowing blue stone in the form of a sphere, the symbol of who he was supposed to be; the Blue Monarch, the Blue Earl.

“Hey cousin.” a voice called. Kai turned to the direction of the voice and saw one of his cousins; Sebastian. “You look like you’re contemplating on something. Is it girls?”

Kai smile and snorted. “Sort of. Only one though.”

“Luna?”

He only sighed and gave a sigh. In the last five years, Kai and Sebastian became close. Well, they were cousins so it was a given but unlike before, they saw each other more often the last few years and became more familiar. Of course, Peter was still his closest relative but Kai found Sebastian cool.

“And here I thought I’d be able to talk to Kai alone.” said another voice, whom Kai identified as Peter. “You know, you should really tell the others about being… well, about being a Colored Monarch. You can’t go with them.”

“But I want to.”

A year ago, Kai found the pendant on one of his missions. According to Zaira, the sphere chooses its bearer, and it chose him, making him the Blue Monarch. Being the leader of the Blue Faction, he was unable to join his friends who were about to join Luna and form the Red Faction.

“Up to you really.” Peter said and sat on the other side of Kai. The other side was already occupied by Sebastian. “And I’ll be there following you. Believe it.”

“So do I!” Sebastian seconded.

Peter just stared at his older brother. All his life, his mother had taught him to hate the man for he was in the way to his claim to the throne. Peter loved his mother, but he realized as he grew up that there was a limit, and unlike his mother who wanted him to become the emperor of Praiji Empire, he only wanted to be the man who would be there for his friends. Even if it was only becoming a subordinate, not the leader.

“Should I really stay and fulfill this duty? I mean, I didn’t even want it.”

“But you’re needed.” Sebastian replied.

“Whatever you want to do, I’ll support you.”

“So Peter, you’re basically saying to fly and spread my wings.”

“Sort of.”

“Well, we have three more days. We can think of something, right?”

***

Bernard was inside his room, watching the world’s moons illuminate the dark sky. Ever since he reincarnated in Afasia, he had always been amazed by the fact that there were three moons in the sky. But at the moment, he just really wanted to stare at the moons, not knowing what to do.

“To be or not to be, that is the question.” he said to no one, his eyes still on the moons.

“You’re being weird again, you do know that right?”

Bernard stifled a scream as he noticed the figure standing at the shadows of his room.

“Oh my gods Ollie! Can you not give me a heart attack?!”

“You’re the one who didn’t notice I came in with doors banging. You kept staring at the moon like it’s your long lost lover or something.” the newcomer, Ollie, huffed. “It makes me quite jealous by the way.”

Bernard only rolled his eyes and scoffed. At lightning speed, he grabbed Ollie’s hand and made him sit next to him. Ollie had long since noticed Bernard’s anxiousness and rigid figure. To calm him, he started massaging Bernard’s hand with his thumb.

“My love, what’s wrong?”

“Ollie, what are your thoughts of me leaving?” Bernard caught his lover’s steel gaze. “What?”

“Nothing. I’m just wondering why you’d ask such a question. Are you leaving?”

“Think of it like, I’m in the middle of a crossroad or something.”

“Which means, what exactly?”

“Oh my gods, you don’t have that figure of speech here? Never mind. So basically, I’m in the middle of making a decision. I can make a change, I have the chance of doing what I want and be who I want to be. I have the choice of becoming someone who can help save this world and fight against demons.”

“But?”

“But, I have to leave everything behind. Possibly even you.”

Silence reigned between the two of them.

“What do you want to do?” Ollie said after sighing.

“I… I want to go. It’s an adventure of a lifetime. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about even way before. But I’m hesitant on leaving my family and I’m not sure if you’d come with me.”

Ollie only smiled and scoffed. His boyfriend was one of the smartest people he knew, but at times, he could be really clumsy.

‘But then again, it’s one of his charms. And it’s one of the things I love about him.’ he thought.

“Bernard, listen to me. I will support you no matter what you want to do. As for your family, I think you should talk to them and settle things between them before… you know what I mean.”

“I don’t know. They raised me all these years. I don’t want to break their hearts.”

“Try my love. Your parents will understand.”

Bernard ended up telling his parents of wanting to leave with Ollie somewhere far away. When asked the reason why he only said;

“I want to help a friend and she’s really important to me.”

“Oh Bernard.” Bernard’s mother sighed. She pulled her son on a hug and kissed his forehead. “We told you a long time ago that your father and I will support you. This family, has a history of its children leaving doing whatever it is they’re destined to do anywhere on the world. Your father and I met that way and we knew our children would be the same thing.”

“Your mother and I have long known you will be leaving the nest soon son. We have always been ready for that and we support you, just as we supported your relationship with Ollie, even though he’s a man. This friend of yours, if she’s really important to you, then you stick by her side.” his father said with a smile and engulfed him and his mother in a hug. “Your mother and I will be fine, okay?”

Bernard was quite touched at their words. ‘I couldn’t have wished for any other parent in this lifetime of mine.’

***

It was the night of the deadline. Zaira was waiting by the North Gate with Kai and Peter. She had cleared out the passage and its area just to be safe.

One by one, figures emerged from the shadows; Charles, Andrea, Thomas, Freya, Trent, Andrei, Bernard and Ollie.

“The whole gangs here! And Bernard brought a plus one.”

Bernard smiled. “If you don’t mind. I mean, I could use an assistant?”

“Whatever floats your boat B-man.” Zaira said with a smile. “If Ollie lets you work better, then I don’t mind. I’m pretty sure Luna won’t mind either.”

“Thanks.”

“So I suppose you all agree to come? Or rather, to leave?”

They all nodded their heads, except Kai and Peter, which confused them.

“Kai? Peter?” Andrea called.

“We can’t come with you.” Kai said. “Our destiny, my destiny, is not becoming part of Luna’s faction.”

Kai showed the glowing blue sphere which made their eyes widen.

“You’re a Colored Monarch.” Trent gasped.

“Yes. And as you can see, I have my own burden to carry and future to forge. Peter chose to come with me.”

“Yeah.” responded Peter. “Without me, this guy wouldn’t even know half of what he’s doing.”

“I hope you guys understand. If I have the chance, I would’ve come with you. I wanted to straight things out with Luna and tell her I love her and be with her. Unfortunately, things don’t usually go our way. Again, I hope you understand. And I hope you help Luna understand.”

Letting Kai’s words sink into their minds, they all agreed with him.

“Now then, since things have settled. Let’s have you guys be on your way, shall we?”

************

A/N:

Uhm... Surprise?!