Chapter 369 - THE TRICKSTER AND THE MONARCH (1)

A light opened up on the horizon as the seas around this land is calm and serene.

The sun shows it face finally. After last night rain and thunder, this place needed a good day.

The people open their windows and was greeted by the rising sun as they could smell the fresh breath of air and the gentle wind that slowly blows through the street.

Food stalls were opened since dawn already. Hunters and adventurer crowded the streets, rushing to their favorite food stall before they begin their day.

It is morning. The weather is nice and the sky is blue and calm. The clouds move slowly and the wind is gentle and comforting.

Last night, rain and thunder shook the hearts of the people living in this large continent but today, like any other day before it, those same people went out from their houses and live as resiliently as they did before.

Some of them went hunting while some of them sell their stuff on the large market on the city. Merchants, weapon smith, enchanters, rune crafter all went out and ply their trades on the marketplace.

The entire land seems to be abuzz with activity.

This is Pandemonium. A land of people who were used to extreme conditions. Monsters roams the large continent but at the same time it is also a beacon of stability and peace

The birds fly from their nest and the sun rises up. At least that part still remains the same

While many of the people of Pandemonium start their day someone else is also beginning to open his eyes. In Center Palace, a person slowly opens his eyes as light slowly could be seen reflected in that person eyes

This person is a kid. His eyes are blue, his hair is long blonde and he is short around four feet. Though that is pretty tall for a nine-year-old kid

However, this kid, had wound and scars all over his body. It could break one heart just seeing it 

The kid heard the birds chirping outside his room. He heard the sound of people, senses it and his body seems to move. His finger twitched and he slowly awoken himself.

He slowly opens his eyes. As he tried to adjust himself to his surrounding he noticed a man sitting beside his right side of the bed.

He chuckles first because he recognized the man. It was not shock as he sees that person. It was something he expected.

He smiles a bitter smile and cough a little. It is clear that whatever is afflicting him does not yet run its course. He could smell the scent of herbs all around him.

He noticed an amulet on his wrist. He could feel it is counteracting the energy that is ravaging his body and he smiles bitterly.

He takes a deep breath before he addresses the person on the right side of his bed. He is still lying on the bed, his head on the fluffy pillow and his body seems too weak to get up from the comfortable bed.

He sighed and look at the man staring at him and with a smile he greeted that person.

'So, it is you. I do not like the scowling face you make. To see that the moment I open my eyes on the morning, is not welcomed at all'

The person only shakes his head

'That is a bad joke' That person said. The man on the bed chuckles.

'I beg to disagree'

'Enough of the jokes.' The man said.

The person on the bed, even in his tired and exhausted state could still have the energy to shakes his head and chuckles even though he could feel his rib feeling the slight pain.

'You are as impatient as ever, brother. You couldn't even wait for your little brother to at least have the energy to walk before you come here'

The man on the right side of the bed only snorted

Sitting beside the man on the bed is none other than the ruler of this place, the world strongest man, Death Monarch.

And the man on the bed, lying on the fluffy pillow is none other than the famous Trickster that played against the world and scheme against the Universe, Loki.

Azief look at Loki and he does not respond. His eyes seem to analyze him. He did not exert any pressure but only look at Loki. It is quite unnerving

Then sighing he ask

'How are you feeling? Other than your ribs, I think you will not feel so much discomfort around your body'

Loki however quickly replied.

'Well, been feeling better now that I see you' Azief shakes his head

Then Loki try to bring himself up and his neck turn left and right like he is looking for someone. Azief understand the moment he saw Loki looking around.

'Sina is not here' Azief said truly understanding what Loki is concerned about

'I kept my promise'

Loki heaved a sigh of relief as he falls down to his bed. He closes his eyes and breath in and out. And he slowly calms down.

Azief shakes his head and ask Loki

'You still didn't tell her? That is not good. I don't recommend lying to her. I got an earful from her before. And I wouldn't wish that even on you' Azief said.

He still couldn't forget how he was scolded by Sina last time. He was transfixed and was rooted on spot as he could only listen and nodded to Sina words.

That was the first time since the Fall…since a long time that he has been scolded that sincerely.

He remembers a bitter memory of him and his family. He remembers how he has never been scolded by his family.

It is different being scolded for the sake of scolding and being scolded because of the sincere caring feeling.

One could feel it. He was used to the scolding of his mother. Scolding for the sake of scolding. But then, even that stopped. You don't scold and get angry at something you didn't care about.

And that what he is. A thing nobody cares about. That is what he came to believe about himself.

It is why the fact that people could love him, and love him as deeply as Katarina and Sofia love him, scares him a bit

He doesn't know what to do with it and he doesn't want to lose it.

Sina reminded him of the part of family relationship he never had. And he knows all about Sina and Loki relationship.

They were quite good at hiding it but well, when you have super hearing it is not a hard thing to discover that secret.

The last time he saw Sina and Loki together, he could hear both of their heart beating so loud that Azief though someone is pounding a war drum beside his ears.

Each time they look at each other, their heart beats like war drum. How could Azief pretend not to know? He just never brought it up that's all.

And it would be a pity if they broke up because of this. Azief knows how Sina hates lies.

Loki heard Azief telling him this. While he does not ponder at the matter like Azief does, he has his own thoughts and reasons to hide the truth from Sina

And it is a good and valid reason 

'There is nothing good that will come out in telling her this. You know that. I don't want this on her mind. It is better if she doesn't know' Loki answer as he sighs.

Somehow Azief understood him a bit and then he asks

'Do you want to make her a pedophile?' Loki glares at Azief.

But doing it in his true form as a nine-year-old kid could not elicit the response and dignity like the usual glare of Loki the Trickster.

It just looks cute in Azief eyes. Loki seeing it did not work as he expected then said.

'My mind and my thought are hundreds of year old apart from her. If anything I could even be her ancestor in terms of thoughts and thinking' Loki argued.

Azief only smiles and shakes his head slowly as he said

'Yet, you still a nine-year-old kid in body' Loki snorted

'But not in thought. And well, I could transform to anything I wanted' Azief only shakes his head and said

'Fine. But let me give you an advice. Keeping secret is not a healthy way to start a relationship.'

Loki scoffed

'Says the man who have more relationship problems than me. I mean do you really want to go down that road, brother? Do you want to compete to see who have the unhealthiest relationship out of the two of us? I put my bet on you'

Azief chuckles at this.

If other people, make fun of him he would surely not react like this. But it is Loki that made fun of him.

It reminded him of the time when they were still innocent and ignorant. It reminded him of the time where everything is a bit simpler.

Then the sound of birds chirps outside again. The wind blows gently and the weather is calm. Azief got up from his seat and open the windows.

He saw a raven on top of the rooftop near this tower.

Azief look at that raven and his eyes seem to shine with a dangerous glint as he looks at the raven. But just before anything could happen, the raven flies off away.

Azief only smiles, looking at that raven flying away to the cloudless sky

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

Here is part one of the chapter. I have written two chapters and I coudl say for sure that this month will end this arc. I'm sure....I'm sure....Ok, I am not completely sure baout it but I think it will be done. And for anyoen reading AOA I will be posting a mass release. Thuigh I am not sure whether it will be tonorrow or Thursday. Anywya lok out for it.It might be more than five chapters. Anyway, hope youe njoy teh chapter and leave many comments and vote for the story