Chapter 99 - Commitment

Their gaze, their eyes, the aura around them – it felt peaceful. Staxius, the would-be-king, lovingly admired Shanna in her full glory. Only a few minutes had gone by, though it felt like hours in Staxius's mind. The thought process went from fully active to numb; her beauty mesmerized him, he could naught but hide his shyness. He wasn't the only one feeling that way, Xula was deeply affected too. This moment was what she waited for so long. To be someone's friend, someone's family, someone's lover, all she had wanted was to be accepted. Lucky was that day when they met, her heart raced ever since. The stares after wandering everywhere except each other's face finally met.

"Thank you all for coming on such short notice," the sage spoke, it broke their dazed state. "-as you all know, we've gathered here today to celebrate a wedding. The unity of two souls, the bond of our queen and her king – to that I say, let's all wish them fortune in their endeavors." He patted both their backs; almost pushing them closer. "Staxius," he whispered, the crowd remained silent. "-since you're new to our customs and tradition, I shall tell you what to do. Worry not, it's a simple process," he smiled. "As you wish, teacher," he whispered back.  

Time had come, "first, hold her hands," the sage ordered, he obeyed. "Second, pull her closer to you," he continued, "third, bite your inner lips so that you bleed." He took a quick pause, Staxius had followed the orders perfectly. He held Eira's hand and had pulled her closer, their faces were inches away from one another. Blood came out of both their mouths. "Now kiss her and I shall finalize the contract." His heart raced, Xula closed her eyes.

*Ingyn, Goddess of Marriage; we asked thee to bestow thy blessing upon the ones who are to be bound to thy name. May they always be together and never fall apart,*

The sage nodded, the spell wasn't that long nor was it complicated. Rather, it felt like a prayer more than anything, however one put it – speaking the goddess's name acted like a trigger.

Their faces came together, the lips touched, the blood with the iron taste changed. The moment both came into contact, it felt sweet, a warmth surged from within. The blood's taste changed; the pact was finalized. A faint line appeared on both their chests. Barely visible, it burnt – and marked them. Tis was the blessing of Ingyn, she had blessed this marriage. "Congratulations," the sage muttered.

*Clap, clap, clap,* from monotonous to a full-on assault, the silent throne room rattled. People cheered, the applause felt genuine, the smiles shone like diamonds. Some shed tears, some cried for joy, nobles or not – people were happy. The couple faced the crowd, the smile on Xula's face reached even the general – one who was supposed to be merciless. "Congratulations, your majesty," some screamed; none cared about ethics, this occasion was too auspicious to be bound by good manners.

Amidst the laughter and joy, the sage waved; it signaled all to lower their voices. From the right-hand, a maid dressed in white walked. She held a small pillow atop which rested a crown. Made of gold and embedded with countless precious stones, the girl looked as if there were an immense pressure on her shoulder. The round structure had smalls peaks that went around. The design, immaculate and dazzling, the light made it shone as bright as possible. Slowly, she walked, the pillow came into view. Besides the crown, a necklace with a crest, the Ardanian crest. The shape was peculiar, it was a tree with a halo atop. The tree, unknown to many but referred to as the Elmfang; the tree of creation. Xula's eyes changed from happy to serious.

"Staxius," the sage whispered, the girl walked up the stairs, "Kneel and don't raise your head until she asks you too," obediently, he immediately knelt. "Staxius Haggard," she spoke, "I, Shanna Islegust, queen of Arda as well as your betrothed," a cold and heavy presence laid to rest on his head, "- deem you worthy to become the King of Arda as well as second in line to rule." She smiled, "now raise your head," the crown fit his head perfectly. He gazed upwards; her face seemed blissful. Nevertheless, she wasn't done just yet. Her hand immediately reached for the crest the girl had brought in. "This is the royal Ardanian crest, it symbolizes my rule as well as my title as queen." She held the ornament gently in one hand and held out the other. "Give her your crest," the sage whispered, however, Staxius had already figured that part out.

The two-crest touched; she mumbled a spell; they lit. Both merged, then separated – the dragon with lightning now had a halo over its head. "With this, you officially hold the title of King," the crest returned to its master. Applause once again echoed around the hall; the wind blew cold. The night continued, everyone celebrated. The new king personally thanked all who came, from nobles to invisible ethereal beings, he thanked all.

A few hours later, the banquet ended. It had been a success, the night felt like day, the warmth from all the smiles had him at peace. "The sky, though fake does look beautiful, doesn't it?" Stood out on a balcony, Staxius leaned on the bal.u.s.trade, his back slightly arched, footstep approached from behind. Two light and feeble arms locked around him, her head rested on his back. Gently, he straightened his posture, "the night sure is pretty." Xula quietly mumbled. "Yes, it is," he held her hands, "-I'm glad I met you, Xula," he smiled, her head still rested on his back. "I'm glad I met you too," she smiled as well – with that, the night ended – Staxius and Xula became one at last.

"Wake up," a soft voice whispered, "come on, wake up," it urged. "Five more minutes, please," he whispered, turned, and opened his eyes. "Xula?" her face flushed yet again, "-what's the matter," he fully awoke, his hand felt warm and had grabbed onto something that felt like jelly. "S-Staxius, I-I think you know w-what I-I mean," she smiled and closed her eyes in embarrassment. "Sorry about that," he quickly turned around and stood. The curtain lifted the darkness in the room, the sun awoke with them. Xula remained on the bed, Staxius walked towards the door. "Today's the first day of our marriage isn't it?" he still sought confirmation, it felt like a dream. "Y-yes," she shyly replied.

The door opened, "w-what?" before him stood a number of maids and butlers all with their head bowed. "Good morning, master," they all spoke simultaneously. Hastily, he turned and stared at Xula with confusion on his face. "Sorry," is what she said for he lip-read her words. He shook his head and returned the good morning. The day went on, but many interruptions happened. Seeing that he was now king, people bowed and greeted him at every corner. Some were scared, some wanted to speak with him, it all grew tiresome. Sadly, that came with the territory, the clothes he wore were still the grey-suit from long ago. The new crest hung around his neck, though the crown was his, Staxius chose to put it next to where Shanna kept hers.

Slowly, greeting after greeting he made his way to the training room. The one reserved to the guardian of Arda. Thus, he got back in the old habit of working on his stance, magic and learned from the sage. A week went by, nothing happened – he wasn't allowed to leave just yet. Parades were organized daily, he and Xula went out to the public for they were now the royal couple. After said week, everyone acknowledged who Staxius was.

"Being king is hard now, isn't it? Though I shudder to think about the responsibilities and decision you must make daily," sat under the same tree, both conversed. "It's my duty and job, therefore I must honor those responsibilities." She smiled. "If you ever need me, I'll be here faster than you know it." He reassured her. "Master," a familiar voice whispered, "master," a ball of light shot out of him. "Yes, Avon?" he materialized. "I've got news from the hospital; Ayleth has regained conscience." The eyes sparkled, he smiled and gazed at Xula. "PROPHECY, COME OUT," he yelled, another ball of light shot out and dashed straight for him. "Don't order me around," the girl replied monotonously. "Come on, our masters are now married which means that we're also bound together," he pulled out his tongue. "I'd rather die," she returned to Shanna's side. "Master Staxius, how can you deal with such an unworthy and stupid spirit." She asked. "Nothing much really," he stood and patted Avon's head, "he's like my little son, a big bundle of joy." He smiled in turn.

"Xula," the tone changed from friendly to serious, "I think it's time for me to leave." The gaze changed from her to the scenery. "I knew this time would come," she stood. "Ancret has awakened from her slumber. You should leave for the capital this instant; a familiar face is what she needs at this moment." He turned around and embraced her, "I'll also visit the central guild and see what is needed for an adventuring guild to be opened here." *Snap,* "there," she spoke, "a portal to the garage. I've added another gateway, it leads directly to the armory – take anything you want, King Staxius," he stepped and vanished.

"Annet, Annet," the halls echoed, Millicent ran. "What's the matter," a voice replied. "AYLETH HAS AWAKEN," she yelled, "for real?" one after the other, the Geua sister came out. "Yes, Julius just got the news from Claireville academy." Stood in order from oldest to youngest, the silver guardians stared Millicent; tears ran down each one's cheek. "I'm glad," Adelana spoke, "finally," Ancret added, "…" Alyson smiled, "It's about time," Annet added in turn. "We should make way to the capital."

"Don't rush, Adelana. We still have things to take care of in Dorchester," Ancret broke her enthusiasm. "I agree," Annet vouched for Ancret's decision. "I'm afraid only one of us can go see her," Alyson spoke. "Who's going to go then?" The little group turned silent; none knew who was to go on their behalf. "Why not let me go," Alyson spoke out, she voiced her opinion though her personality was one who never sought anything. "Are you sure?" Adelana asked. "Yes, considering you all have more pressing matters to attend too, why not let me undertake this voyage in your stead." She ended; her eyes felt watery. "Agreed," everyone nodded, "you shall go in our stead. Tell Ayleth we said hi." Without wasting time, she got ready to leave.   

*Huff, Puff,* panting, sweating, and blood dripping from her forehead, "Here's your winner, Eira Haggard from class 1-B." Cheers crashed like waves, sword in hand, she stumbled out of the arena – the medics rushed in; her opponent was badly injured.

"Another week, another fight, good job," Josiah smiled and handed her a towel. "I'm proud of your progress, defeating a third-year isn't that easy but you did it, congratulations." He walked away. "Don't forget that you have to choose a partner for the next battle, it can be anyone – though their age must be below twenty-five. That bonus fight is essential if you want to represent us in the inter-magical tournament," he left. She sat and stared up. 'Fight, fight, fight, that's all we're good for.' Her head ached. 'A partner,' she took a sip of water, 'how I wish that was a simple task. No one wants to be my teammate here in this academy, honestly, no one can keep up. I can't ask people in my class; they might get hurt. I can't ask the upperclassmen, their pride won't allow it. Despite being able to bring in anyone, I don't know that many people under twenty-five.' Her eyes looked emotionless, she felt nothing – her personality slowly changed; she walked the same path as he, the one she called father.