Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

“Bernard’s got a boyfriend?” I questioned, my mouth agape at the information I was given.

“After telling you a very long tale that’s the only thing you got from all that?” Bernard sarcastically shot back.

“Uhm, Kai’s the Blue Monarch, Peter decided to follow Kai, Freya defied her father, Charles was kicked out from his family, Andrea’s parents moved to the Celestine Territory, Andrei left his kingdom and Trent is from a long line of knights whose ancestry can be traced back way before the first demon war.” Thomas pointed out with a skeptical look.

“I heard that but I’m more shocked about someone dating geeky Bernard, and it’s a man at that.” I replied, holding back a chuckle.

To be honest I was very surprised with the story they just told me. My sister somehow roped them into this mess and they chose to leave their homes and everyone they loved just to come aid me. I mean, it wasn’t even set in stone yet but they were willing to help me be the Red Sovereign!

Also, I was just really surprised.

“Are you…” Bernard looked like he was uncertain and apprehensive.

“Against it? No!” I immediately responded. “I mean, you’re happy with him, why would I go between you guys.”

“A guy having intimate relationship with another guy is uncommon? And looked down upon.”

I just raised an eyebrow at Bernard’s worse.

“I’m not one of those people. And besides, it’s not the first time I’ve encountered such a thing. Intimate relationship between males might be uncommon here in the Mortal Realm, it’s actually not uncommon in the Celestial Realm and people there are okay with it.”

They just looked at me with curious looks which I have to say looked quite funny. I couldn’t help but smile though. I mean, I hadn’t met my friends in five years and they were now in front of me! I was a little sad Kai and Peter weren’t here with us, but I had a feeling we would meet each other again so I wasn’t really worried.

Although…

“Wait rewind, Kai is the Blue Monarch?” I asked, realizing that the information was part of what they just told me, in which they all returned with a nod. “How did that happen?”

“He didn’t really elaborate. I think he’s trying to save that story for another time.” Senior Andrei answered and shrugged.

“Is the existence of the Colored Monarch a general knowledge now?” I asked again.

According to Athena, the Colored Monarchs were the strongest beings in Afasia. One monarch led an army; a faction, and ruled over a domain. A monarch could fend off an army by himself or herself.

-Why colors though? I’m supposedly the Red Monarch, the Red Sovereign, but I never really understood.

“They announced their existence about two years ago.” Andrea answered. “At first the people were scared of them and the different leaders of the world were wary of them. Nothing really notable happened ever since they became known. People are still speculating how they came to be and how many are there.”

“There are nine of them.” Anubis answered, startling me in the process.

-I forgot he’s there. Not that I mind really. He did mention he needed friends.

“We only know of three, Kai and you as the fourth and fifth ones.” Freya said.

I turned to Anubis who was carving something on a wood block.

“Nine?” I questioned. “How do you know that? And which nine colors?”

“Colors of the rainbow, in our world we shorten it to ROY G BIV. Plus black and white. As for why nine, I’m not really sure. According to what I know so far, the Crystal Palace, which is neutral grounds of the Colored Monarchs and therefore meeting place, has nine seats. Therefore, there are nine Colored Monarchs.”

Everyone seemed to accept this answer. I also thought it made sense.

-Crystal Palace. Where have I heard it before?

I shook my head, not really succeeding on recalling about it.

“The archduchess mentioned that residents of the Avalon Isles are originally from another world.” I heard Bernard mutter. “I mean, I didn’t believe it until I got here but it seems to be legit. I never thought I’d hear ROY G BIV here in Afasia.”

“Since you know of it, am I right to assume you are from there as well?” Anubis asked Bernard with a serious look on his face.

Bernard and Anubis had this stare off, like they were discerning each other, but then Bernard broke the stare and grinned. “In my previous life.”

“You’re a reincarnator, like Nyxtriel.”

“I’m sorry, but who are you again?” Andrea asked, curiosity written all over her face.

“Right, I never really did introduce myself to you guys. I am Anubis.”

Everyone had this confused looks on their faces, like they were trying to remember something from a distant memory. However, Bernard sported a shocked face with an open mouth. I couldn’t help but chuckle at it.

-Right, he did say he’s a reincarnator from the stories they told me.

“You’re ‘the’ Anubis? Egyptian god of death! You also preside over the embalming process and accompanies dead kings! Wait, I thought you have a jackal head?”

-Wow. Déjà vu much?

“I tend to stay in this form to not scare people.” Anubis shrugged. “Especially the new ones.”

“Cool!” Bernard exclaimed with an ecstatic look on his face but the others only looked skeptical.

“You could always make a point.” I whispered to the death god.

“Well…” Anubis then transformed to his other form which earned gasps from the others. Apart from Bernard who only looked excited, as usual.

-Not all reincarnators are like that, right? I only know a few so…

Anubis then transformed back to his young man form and offered a timid smile.

“Awesome!” Bernard exclaimed, again.

“So… you’re one of the outer gods?” Thomas asked in which Anubis and I nodded.

“Wait, rewind.” Senior Trent said, stopping our out-of-this-world conversation. “Reincarnator? Her majesty Lu- I mean, Nyxtriel? Nystriel is a reincarnator?”

“Wait, ‘your majesty’?” Charles shot back. “Trent, why are you calling Nyxtriel that?”

“O…kay! I guess I should start telling my own story of what happened to the last five years.” I said and flashed a smile.

“We’re listening.”