Chapter 141 - Dead eyes

"I've reached the capital, finally," time was nearly noon, the sun reached its peak. A young a.d.u.l.t stood before the entrance, the castle could be spotted off into the distance. "Never did I think this place could be so massive," hidden behind and mask, with a rifle strapped onto the back – Dead eyes made it all the way from Riverwood. On that fateful night, when the duo from Kniq departed, he followed suit – not belonging in any guild made it easy. With a rank of Steel – being accepted was simple; however, the skill and marksmanship unique to him made it easier. Sadly, even with a reputable skill like that, the personality he had put many off guard and uncomfortable.

Never did he speak, none knew what he thought, the eyes bled after every shot – something that grossed even the toughest men out. "Excuse me, could I have directions to the central guild?" he asked, the eyes hidden thanks to sunglasses. "Sure thing, just pay the one-time fee and head on inside," a platoon of guards waited.

"…" the eyes turned perplexed.  A number of people walked in from behind, from the gear and weapons – adventurers. "Can't believe someone got to that quest before us," murmurs echoed around the streets. "I know, we didn't even make it half-way through the journey and Gritt was slain. I guess the quest really was easy – I don't get all the hype and caution the guild put us through. "Poor lower guilds, I guess it was to be expected for Porcelain ranks to get slaughtered, what a waste of time." Many were unimpressed, this slowly got to Dead eyes.  

'Seriously, they know not how difficult it was to see people die. Can't do anything but hold my frustrations inside, bloody ignoramuses – try and spout nonsense after you've personally encountered that elemental,'' the hands clutched into a fist, the mouth gritted.  Even if speaking out seemed to be the good thing to do, the blueish necklace around their necks – Sapphire; a rank above Steel could not be ignored. A wall between ranks is one unsurmountable; trying to ascend beyond Porcelain is a task many take months and even years. It didn't stop there, years and years to reach Silver can be expected. Though, an obvious shortcut exists – to get a high rank from the get-go, somewhere around Emerald was sought after. A comfortable place, a wall where many newcomers could never hope to reach.

'Hierarchy never dies, divisions will always reign supreme. I can't even try and imagine the strength people with Bronze and higher rank have – imagine being Platinum – you'd have to be a god or something.' Said thought remained in the mind, the marksman followed the returning adventurers and eventually ended at the central guild.

Time was afternoon, most people claiming rewards were seen at the counter. Some enjoyed a relaxing snack in the café, Melisa had returned from break. "Good afternoon," she greeted seeing the clueless Dead eyes staring off into the distance. "Good afternoon," he replied with a calm and subtle tone. "I've never seen you here before, a traveler?" she asked to which he replied with, "I'm actually looking for someone," after staring at every possible detail around the massive hall, the gaze turned to face the shorter Melisa.

"If it's an adventurer, we can help," she walked to her counter, he followed behind. "May I have the name or appearance?" the tone felt tired. "Hmm…" the mind wandered around through memories till, "Ahh, Staxius Haggard is the name," the reply fast and firm. "Staxius Ha- what?" her demeanor changed; it went from tired to concerned. "Are you sure about that?" she sought confirmation – a name she didn't expect to hear. "Yes, I met up with a band of adventurers going by the name Kniq a few days back. I asked if I could join and they told me to come here if I was serious," the voice indeed showed determination.

"You're funeral," she whispered. "Did you say something?" he didn't catch the underhanded remark, "no, just follow these directions and you'll arrive at the shop. It's nameless at the moment, but it should stand out, there's a young boy working as a shopkeeper." She knew this for a secret visit was taken the day before. "Thank you," a smile of gratification later, the man ventured out.

Back in Arda, a few hours had gone by, Xula sat beside Staxius who played around with the newfound power. "I still can't believe the oldest vampire, the biggest snob – and with reason, to have bestowed the All-seeing eye onto a human."

"I'm not human," he added without much thought, the experience of seeing what others could; fascinated him. "Disgusting," both eyes opened, "I just saw something I didn't mean too, the bonding of person from the same gender – quite a rare sight," he laughed.

"Staxius, please," her tone felt worrisome, "-please don't take the curse of Nox so lightly," she held his hands tightly. "What has gotten you so worried?" he asked out of concern. "I know not how to explain. You were given a fraction of vampire blood that dates back a few millenniums ago and even further. No one can tell what is to become of ones who have the blood of such potency; I'm surprised you haven't turned yet," her eyes had a glimpse of pity.

"Don't tell me," he removed his hand, "-is that pity I see in thine eyes?" he stood and crouched before her. "I-I'm sorry, i-in no way am I looking down upon you," she quickly rectified her actions. "Why are you so worried," rather than being angry as she expected, a reassuring smile was seen, "who am I? that should answer all the qualms," he stood and pulled her closer, the face rested onto the stomach.

"You never have to worry about me, though it's thy duty as my wife – just don't focus where the attention isn't needed. A still ever-growing kingdom is far worth the attention compared to a single person. The lives of many rests on thy shoulder, never want I to add to said burden. Instead, I'd much prefer to bear some of that burden – if you'd allow me too." She pulled away and looked up, "you're already doing what is needed to ensure that, dearest husband, I love you."

*Knock, knock,* a butler interrupted the touching moment. "What is it?" she asked. "Some council members seek an audience – it's about something to do about the growing monster infestations." To that, her face changed. "Guess it's time for us to part yet again, it's not fair to say this shall be our goodbye for now?" the voice now relieved. "Yes, just for now. I've got a question," he asked, she stopped near the door. "What is it?"

"Remember the fox-eared girl?" he asked to which a nod of confirmation was given. "Good, you said you didn't know what to do about her. I'd like to ask for permission and see if she wants to head to the capital with me. I'll need an assistant to help with a new shop I opened," the tone now formal. "Why are you asking me for permission, do what is needed, I trust you – King of Arda," she winked and left; no ulterior emotions were sensed. *Click,* the door closed, as he thought; her majesty didn't care and only wished for him to do what was needed.

The day would come to an end in a few hours, there still needed things to be done. Without much time wasted, using the teleportation spell – Staxius jumped from places to places to greet the inhabitants and speak. From taverns to taverns he drank and socialized, this was a way to relieve some stress and bond with the people. Everyone knew he was king but ignored it – for using his own mouth, Staxius said to treat him like everyone else. A down to earth guy who people admired.

With the same energy, on the second floor, he headed for the orphanage. "Quite bigger than I expected," he walked inside, a gate separated the large courtyard from the outside road. The journey felt long for a school complex, the building was three stories high that stretched on and on. "How may we be of service?" one of the teachers stepped outside, the king had come for a visit. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to speak with a child named Yaegar Aebalar," the voice polite and caring.

"Please head this way, the boy is currently playing soccer," the instructor led the way. "GOALLL," the kids cheered, "Impressive for someone so little," Staxius spoke and stood near the big sister. "Yes, that's my little brother," she replied without knowing who spoke. "How was the reunion?" he asked to which she turned and shuddered. "King Staxius," subconsciously, courtesy took over and she bowed. "Raise your head, I'm here as a friend," the voice reassuring.

"Yaegar has been happier from what the instructors have told me. Thanks for everything you've done," Klaern appreciated everything from the bottom of her heart. "Keep the thanks, my only request is for that little boy to grow up into a respectable and responsible man his mother would be proud of. " it wasn't so much guilt than pity, not having a mother figure to stand by was tough. An experience he knew all too well. "I'll get going," he had enough, the time had come to head back. "Please wait, don't you want to have a little chat with Yaegar?"

"It's not that I don't want too, I just can't. Every time I look at him – he reminds me of how I was before everything changed. I don't want anyone to go through that whole ordeal again," it referred to the time before the first war began – the war that shaped him into the man now. "Here," a golden pocket watch with the crest of a dragon. The watch he got back on the day Eira was found. "-the crest was normally a leaf, but I had it changed. A small parting gift – something to remind him that there's someone out there watching over." With the signature wave, he teleported.

'Arda, what a place – I love it,' he stood before a red-colored door. *Knock, knock,* "enter," a shy reply came through. "Hello," the door opened. "Greetings your majesty," the fox bowed. "Raise your head," every single time, people would just bow their heads and wait for the permission to speak. "I've got an offer to make," the tone direct,"-I'd like to hire you to work as a shop assistant back in Rosespire."

"D-don't t-they h-hate ddemi-humans?" that was her only worry, prejudice. "Listen, there are only two options here. Either you wait till her majesty decides of what to become of thy fate or come with me and make thy own destiny. You have about three minutes to decide," he leaned against the door frame with arms crossed.

"B-but," her mind went blank, "Avon will be there," Staxius added. Hearing the spirit's name, her face brightened. "Ok," she gave. "Great," he sighed, the voice monotonous. "Meet me at the entrance in five minutes, gather up what you need, we shall leave using teleportation," a blue mist replaced the former figure. 'I love this spell,' the joy could not be contained. A trip to the garage, then armory; some few words with the sage – a goodbye with the other nobles.

"You're two minutes late," Staxius stood; footsteps ran down the stairs and into the yard outside the castle. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "We wish you luck and fortune back to the capital, King Staxius," Ruslan added. "All hail his majesty," Niroz, the general, cheered to which many soldiers saluted.

"Always over the top," he mumbled with a faint smile. With a nod, both vanished.

Dusk slowly crept in; Avon stood in a heated debate. "I've been telling you this for hours now, Staxius Haggard is not here. Can't you get a clue and leave if you're not here to buy potions?"

"But the blond lady and the guild lady both said to come here if I wanted to join up with the adventuring group known as Kniq." Dead eyes stood inside the shop and argued. "Listen, I don't know who gave the idea that we were recruiting but our guild isn't even formed yet," Avon sighed; a blue light caught their attention from the outside.