Chapter 576: Surprise...

"Hello Ila, surprise visit."

"I don't believe it," the figure retreated, "-Anna, it's him," she yelled.

"He who?"

A few seconds later, he sat at the edge of the sofa. The living room had changed quite a bit since the last visit. Not that it mattered any, paying attention to a place he'd never see again felt more of a waste. Fondly enough, the usually hot-headed Ila brought over drinks and prepared hefty snacks for the guest. Between eating biscuits and sipping coffee, Ila escaped out the fire escape. The metallic step sure trembled at her explosive march. Shy as a cat, Anna made her way to sit opposite him. The face told of a myriad of questions. "Anna," said he, "-I've graduated from the academy. I'm officially Tier-6 Emerald."

"I see," she drank peacefully.

"Listen, I came to say farewell. I won't be back for a long time; we might never see each other again. I get we had an agreement to be side-by-side since we shared so much. It brings me shame to say this, your green hair and resemblance to Xula makes it worse. I know, there isn't much you could have done, the problem is mine, which is why I say so."

"Cut right to the chase," said she, "-I heard about what happened at the Azure Wall. Everyone was scared beyond words. Don't worry about me," the melancholic smile hinted at something else, "-we fought so hard to no avail. I was weak and forced to retreat. Meanwhile, because of the graduation exam, you were stuck on the field, defending and fighting a monster not many could dare stare in the eye. I realized it then, we're too far apart. The connection of master and servant will always be there, I can't change that aspect. I would normally offer my help… yet, it feels wrong. I-I'm confused and lost. The time spent apart felt more peaceful… I mean no disrespect from it."

"I get it," he stood, "-no need to worry, I understand. You look far prettier than before. It's a telling sign of a maiden in love, the expression says it all. Let's leave it at that," he held out a hand, "-if things ever get tough, do give me a call. We're friends, and friends help one another. I doubt it will come to that. Frost, Leonard, Lampard, and the others are very reliable. They're a good bunch to have around. May the path thee forges lead to greater happiness." Hands shook, "-why not pay the others a little visit?"

"No, I saw them busy at work for the festival. Things are looking up; I can only imagine the path ahead. Be careful."

"What about you," she asked with sincerity, "-what's next?" 

"I've fooled around enough. Time's come to take my role and name seriously. Many rumors say of a coming war; I know full well how resolving conflict in a pool of blood doesn't bode well for anyone. The populous is crazed as is." 

Looking deep into those emotionless crimson daggers, "-majesty," she knelt, "-may thee find what thee seeks."

"Likewise," cold and resolute, "-good luck on the journey ahead." The door opened just as he reached for the handle.

"Anna!" cried Frost.

"Good afternoon," returned Igna, "-so you're the one she chose."

"What are you doing here?" he frowned, "-wait, what happened at the wall after we left?"

"My friend," hand on his shoulder, "-tis none to be concerned about. The lady inside needs care and affection, do what is must to keep her close. Cherish every moment, and don't betray her trust. Moments like these are fleeting, enjoy them while you can." Cryptic as could be, the figure vanished into the pouring rain. 

"Anna, is everything ok?" he moved to hold her hand, "-you heard all that right?" still staring the door, "-what did he mean?"

"I know," her head shook, "-Igna Haggard's gone through more than we can ever imagine. He was referring to a time where he shared the same bond we do now."

"You knew him from before?" 

"Don't worry," she patted his back, "-the past is the past, nothing lasts forever." He reflected on the depth of her words as she never said anything without meaning. 'Besides,' thought she, '-there's no way I can keep up with his ambition. The Death Element is awakened, he's regained the symbol of power. Igna's all but gone at this point, I sensed it – King Staxius is back. The Seer's prophecy about an age of disruption, an age of calamity fought in higher realms, a conflict of which had the fate of the fabric of reality in jeopardy. At the center, the choice lays in the hands of the Supreme God. Will it bring suffering or salvation; good luck.'

The train rode without much trouble, Igna peered into the passing vegetation. The life of a student and novice adventure was left to the far reaches of memory. A potentially future-changing encounter laid in wait. From Meke, a jet waited to head towards Rotherham where he joined with Alicia. The evening drew close, the duo made it to the capital through a portal ending at the mansion. As instructed by Éclair, Celina waited cheerfully at Lizzie's side who indulged in the ways of music. 

"Good evening, master," said Rosetta respectfully. 

"Good evening," voiced he, "-was everything explained?"

"Yes," she nodded, "-Lady Celina's dressed for the occasion."

"Good, we'll depart right away. Have the car be readied." 

"Certainly," said she. An exquisite black behemoth of a steed parked underneath the clear sky. The setting sun painted the blueish grey into slashes of amber. Too bad the view didn't extend to a cityscape. 

"Éclair," out on the balcony, "-what's the evening's meeting about, who's coming?"

"A surprise," said he, "-lady Elvira said to keep it quiet." Emphasis on being proper, the hardened show in fortune and prestige displayed by the clothes, the car, and the escort. Even to his taste, the expensive nature brought on doubts. 18:00 struck, the butlers escorted the very well-dressed ladies to the car. Thinking nothing much about the dinner, the car drove onto a closed road. Security was tighter than usual, Loron's logo soon reflected off the car. A man dressed in black suits waited at the entrance, red carpet welcomed them courteously. 'Now this is a bit over the top for a simple dinner,' he stood behind Alicia and Celina who had locked arms. It opened to an empty restaurant as was the supposed town square.

"Greetings, my lord and lady," nodded the manager, Beatrice, "-it's a pleasure to welcome such esteemed guests to our establishment." They were guided to a pleasant table, a live orchestra played in the background. 

"Lady Yuki," dashed inside the kitchen, "-our guests have arrived." 

"Who is it?" asked she in the company of Kyle who smugly smiled. 

"Some no-name nobles I guess."

"Mind your tongue," voiced Yuki, "-we have very special guests today. The Queen's gracing our establishment to converse with relatives or so I heard."

"Lady Yuki, are you sure it's relatives?" inquired Beatrice. Just as she said so, her majesty arrived in the company of the prince consort and the young prince.

'Why are they here?' he stood in utter shock. The royal family visited him without warning. To not be a fool, Éclair gave the remainder of the information. Phantom disclosed Igna to be the reincarnation of Staxius, the news alone had the Queen in utmost joy.

"Majesty," they bowed. Celina and Alicia couldn't grasp the importance of such a meeting and chose to be silent. 

"Igna Haggard?" she spoke behind a hand fan.

"Yes, your majesty."

"Drop the formality," said she, "-please, raise your head," her voice remained steadfast.

"As you wish," they stared, "-the dress truly befits you, majesty."

"Oh please," she sat, "-I see we've been graced by two lovely angels as well." Try as they might, the words stuck, thinking of something to say pressured the mind into batter.

"I'll get to the point," said she, "-are you him?"

"Yes," said he nonchalantly, "-I must say, the fake eye has done much favor."

"Finally," the tense aura released, "-I was doubtful at first," she stood, "-might we have a word before dinner?" Turned to the prince consort, the man understood and engaged the table in conversation. 

Out of sight, her guard dropped, "-Staxius, is that truly you?"

"Queen Gallienne, didn't Elvira surmised what happened. I'm sure you know the whole story."

"I know, I know," said she, "-killed by other realm beings."

"What about you," he inquired, "-why would the queen meet the nephew of Staxius Haggard."

"Is that what's happened?" she chuckled, "-never ceases to amaze, do you."

"Majesty," he gave a once over, "-the feisty conniving queen I knew has gained some weight and grown old."

"Shut it," refuted she, "-you've all but gone back to being a young adult."

"Why so trusting. I could be impersonating-"

"Let me stop you," she held out a hand, "-it throbbed. The injuries I sustained during our fight, the elements reacted, so I knew."

"What then, why the dinner?"

"To confirm my doubts. Let's head back, we'll discuss a certain task that might intrigue you." Skipping over the formalities, the guests sat and appetizers were brought. Yuki stepped in to explain the dish. Her hands trembled; the boy she rejected to support another stood in the company of the monarch. By impression, even the Prince Consort got along fine with him. Kyle watched through the ajar door biting his nails in frustration. A rival knocked to the depths of irrelevancy returned to be at the Queen's side. Thus, the ice broke, they grew to know one another. It was the same as any other family dinner – remove the pretentious vestment and meals costing the same as a single wage; pretty normal. 

After dessert, Celina got in the good graces of the young prince. They played games as Alicia found an interesting topic of conversation with the prince. Gallienne and Igna faded to the same darkened area. "The prince looks so much like you," said he.

"Yeah," she childishly turned to check, "-he's adorable. I never would have guessed having an heir to be so fulfilling."

"This from the lady who once shipped-"

"Stop," a glare halted the jest.

"Someone's touchy," said he, "-anyway, what's the talk about?"

"Do you remember the couple that fled to Iqeavea? Auic and Avon." A wave crashed against what was known. So much had happened over the years, '-there's a name I never thought I'd hear.'

"I'll take the silence as a yes. Long story short, a spy of mine made contact with a small resistant group in the main continent. The rulership is dictatorial and fully involved with the Church of Kreston. The fiends who once divided Hidros."

"What about Auic and Avon, what of them?"

"Coincidence or fate, I don't know. The church fully hates demi-humans and impure humans. Auic was arrested a week or so ago, Avon tried long and hard to make contact, that's where the spy and the resistance met. He adamantly asked to speak to Staxius Haggard, said the man would come to his aid. Hence why we're here. I thought it was a joke at first. After speaking to Elvira and Courtney, the situation grew apparent. You being here couldn't have been any more perfect."

"Tell me," a certain prospect came in mind, one that didn't bode well if turned true, "-were you the one who asked for Eira to be silenced?" 

"Yes, why?"

"We've been played," said he, "-the situation is bad."

"What do you mean?" her face froze.

"The church, Lucifer, don't you get it?" he exclaimed, "-their god is in ARDA!" 

"Oh shi-" 

"The whole ambassador to Alphia is a fake. They never intended to ally with them, the objective was to bring down Arda from the inside. He's working with the Empire." 

Miles away from the peace of the capital, a giant summoning circle illuminated the night in dark purple. Countless ancient writings and symbols levied inside the Forest of Reona. A teleporting pod erected as a monolith, from it, tanks, trucks, jeeps, and soldiers invaded from Iqeavea.