Chapter 9: Almost perfect
#9 of A chronicle of Lunrba family
"Is it the perfect time for you to shine ?"
"Young Lunbiv, what do you think ?"
"Make yourself known, make them fear, make yourself a saint, an inheritor to the throne. This is the end of my role, I only need to get the compass. Come Virgo."
Virgo - The representation of virginity, illusion and perfectionism, even when bearing such titles, Virgo is a carefree young man, come and goes like a wind. Despite being the second largest constellation and the most powerful in all the great twelve, Virgo lives a humble life of a wanderer. Virgo only shows his true power during the ancient war and the Lunrba's rebellion but there are special occasions, there were those time when he had to play the role of a big brother.
"Now, let's go and get our compass, before the end approached."
"Will you always stay by my side ?"
"Is that even a question ?"
The Sea of Torment
A place where all soul drifted to.
The final destination of all consciousness.
The good and the wicked.
All fall into the deep cold water, where the true test for their soul begin. Bearing an unbearable pain, to breath when there were no air, to feel yourself trapped, the sea crashing every soul within its grasp. Those passed the first stage will entered their second stage and that is the moment of true agony. The moment they are linked to their old body, to feel the pain of every cells slowly bursting, to feel yourself slowly become nothing more than dirt.
Despite that, there are those still fight and swim upward, escaping the sea is a must, for every soul that sunk to the depth, there won't be a chance to be reborn. The moment a soul touch the depth of the sea, their soul will perish, turn into nothing more than a transient dream.
"Sadly for your pathetic council, this is your last move, cornered like a rat... Don't teach me how to move my pieces Purifier."
"How dare I ? Afterall, you are still my prince, the prince of every Geniuses."
The boy slowly move his pieces, slowly cornering the king at the corner, but the boy doesn't need to play the next move. He knows he can get what he wanted, he doesn't even bother to finish the game but he knows it's time to visit the one he loved the most. The man look so abstracted and his eyes have nothing exist, in his mind is nothing more than an everlasting symphony, even when someone who love him so much approach him, the man have nothing in his eyes and not even paid any attention to the young boy.
Every gentle gestures are ignored because the man is not a complete Genius but a fragment, an empty husk with his soul shattered by their creator. Simply exist without any meaning or any purpose, wandering aimlessly through every corridor of the mansion, in his hand is simply what left of his identity - a broken piece of a conductor baton. His porcelain white skintone looks almost artificial, his movement is almost like a wooden doll and he doesn't make a single sound when he moves.
"Becareful spider. Beside, don't you think these Lacramoses is perfect with Lilies ? Oh, you are here too, Prince."
"Hello, Gardener, do you see the Conductor ?"
"I think he is sitting on the swing over there."
One more step, just one more step and he will be closer to his goal, to bring his love back.
"Useless! Useless!"
"I'm sorry my Lord, we can't find any information about the compass."
"So why don't you ask for the person who made it."
The stranger whisper slowly into Hilos's ear, ensure him that he meant no harm. The intruder introduced herself as the Weaver of the sea of torment, she slowly lifted the veil and show herself as a human. She explained about the compass and the way to recharge it is to suffer in the sea of torment. And then when asked she explained the sea of torment and how to get there, but her expression changed, the only way for a creature to travel to the sea of torment is very simple, they only need to die to reach the sea of torment. The weaver explained then leave, as she passed through the gate, Hilos commanded his soldier to apprehend the weaver but with a simple gesture, the weaver's thread constricted those dare to approach her and with a simple snap, the ground are washed with blood.
"Please don't do this again, I like your spirit but worthless struggle is meaningless."
Appear and disappear, this is the first time Hilos encounter a human since the assassination of the Lunrba and the war. But Hilos also thinks this is not a human but an entity that has the form of a human, the only human he encountered that brought him fear were the Lunrba family. Even when they decided to do nothing, no one dared to get close to them, they sat in the middle of the garden, pouring tea and enjoying dessert. The immense pressure from their simple presence was enough to make any creatures fell to their knees.
This women is even much more powerful, but it is not the same as the Lunrba, this women is filled with killing intent. She doesn't need any pressure, every movements is almost natural and there is nothing left from the soldiers that attack her, there is a possibility that her power is to drag people into the sea of torment.
"Don't worry, our semester just begun. Then you will be able to be with your classmate."
The nightmare can simply walk and he doesn't need to attack, every step corrupts everything and every creatures are dragged into that horrible memory. The memory of a school where the most famous killer in the previous era exist, blood coated the long hall and every pieces of the memory about one of the most prestigious academy in the old era exist wandering through the hall, shrieking at every new prey that got caught by the Nightmare.
But as the Nightmare slowly approach the mansion, the Dream, the original Lunbiv can simply walk and ignore every carnage behind him. Every guards approach him is cut down by his sword, even when the new form is a little awkward, his muscle memory remain, every movement is natural, the elusive movement of his father and the swordsmanship from his grandfather. Lunbiv can simply walk and slowly approach the master chamber.
"Even now, you still try, what can you do when you kill him, activate the compass once again ?"
"No more talking, we all have desire and now, this is the moment we clash."
"Well said, but I think I am not going to kill you, I only wants my compass. People of this country can fight for themselves afterall, the star guide them. Come, it's time to go home."
The compass shines with beautiful violet light, the blinding light pushed the old tiger back and the compass just slowly float toward the its rightful owner. Hilos chased after the compass but the pulse pushed him back and the compass follow Lunbiv but what Lunbiv didn't expect was his own research. Hilos flinged the sacrifice toward Lunbiv then he quickly used the failed spell, the body of the lifeless tiger combust then explode, Lunbiv can't feel his left hand and his left eye. His hair is burned by the flame and his backup contract activated to maintain his composure and his mental state.
The smoke is cleared and the tip of the blade almost reached his heart but Lunbiv drew his blade and because Hilos wanted to fight, then this will be their duel. Nightmare need to manifest the Eternal Semester to exist so Lunbiv can't just use his dream to fix himself but this is the risk he is willing to take. The sound of metal clashing and their movements can't be predicted, with experience, Lunbiv used his injuries to prevent himself from being predicted. But he can't attack Hilos because of the old tiger's stance.
"Don't you feel miserable ? You are burned and fight with one hand."
"The same question for you, chasing nothing but a dying star, don't you feel miserable."
"Touché."
"Virgo."
"Got it."
Almost like an illusion, Virgo's blade is precise and unforgiving, from the cut, black ink splashed on the wall. But this is enough, Lunbiv leaves with the compass and Virgo helps him walk. With all the wounds and the burn marks, Lunbiv can only chuckle and imagine the furious expression on Nightmare. At least now the compass is here, Lunbiv can just go and find that couple and they can finally return home for a real job.
"Being a CFO I shouldn't be here in the first place."
"You look like the bread you made two thousand years ago."
"Well, that was a lovely accident. So, how are they ?"
"They are staying in the principle's office. So, ready to go home ?"
"I will need you to carry me to the station, can't really walk."
"Don't worry I will always stay with you."
The Nightmare and the Dream lean their heads on each other's shoulders, hearing nothing but small and rumbling of the train as they return home. They paid no attention to the capital or the sound of the revolution or the flag waving in the air as the birth of a new nation. Lunbiv is too tired and the Nightmare doesn't want anyone to disturb his rest but it knows it can't be here. Lunbiv can't maintain the domain because of the pain then the Nightmare knows what it can do, at least make sure Lunbiv is safe.
"Jbys..."
"We mean no harm... at least, that is his command."
"Who ?"
"The Geniuses."
"Fine but don't you dare harm him."
"Do you sure you two just want a common life like this one ?"
"Don't worry, we will be fine, a place where we don't need to hide and we can live true to ourselves."
"Thank you, my time with you were great, but what about you ?"
"I still have contract but you guys have fun with my dream."
The pair of tigers chose their world to be a rather modern place, even there are a few discrimination but it doesn't have any limit on them because they don't have any duty. Lunbiv knows this is an escapism but who can blame them, there are duty and work but Lunbiv can't witness another soul slowly withering in work and duty, make a person live the life they don't want for the sake of fate is something that Lunbiv can't simply accept. That is the reason for the illustration of his power, the contract, the freedom to choose and now, he has to face his contract.
The lake, the moon, the tree and the starry night sky slowly fading away, surrounding Lunbiv is an endless sky as he falls. A loud splash as water surrounding him, his clothing changed to his traditional robe, as they floating in the water. As Lunbiv opens his eyes, he knows this place, the sea of torment is nothing different from his second home, the water and the pain doesn't bother him that much. Lunbiv doesn't need to swim since he knows how to simple float up in this place.
"I know you're here, Mr Gold."
"Sharp as ever."
"A part of our deal is done, time to pay up from your part."
"Relax, your father has already left, should you return to the realm of the living, you have your mate waiting for you right ?"
"I keep my part and you do your part, it is simple. So the next part of the deal is investigating Jbys but don't you dare breaking the contract again."
The pain is nearly unbearable, normal people would choose to submit to the pain and let themselves fall to the depth of the sea but that is not going to happen to Lunbiv. This is nothing more than a normal trial because he did much more than this, he even ignore the pain and pulled his father along with his grandfather from the depth of the sea to the surface. This is nothing to him because he knows, he knows Sotho is waiting for him and he doesn't want the dwarf to wait for him for another two hundred years.
"I'm coming home, wait for me dear. I will carry the blade you made for me, the hairpin that you carefully crafted for me and the ring that you put on my finger that moment you proposed me. We will be together as a family once again."
The sea of torment connected to the tower and the world of dusk and dawn, the place where the overseer and the observers reside. They welcomed him once again for passing the trial of the sea and guide him toward the tower, they show him the floor that he knows that is his world. The overseer even look at him in a very strange way but when Lunbiv just simply shake his head, the overseer knows he needs to give up.
"Alright, time to go home... And that was a good duel, I had fun but you... you should vanish, your ambition isn't wrong but I guess, your people's endurance is stretched far too thin to endure you."
The door opens and what welcome him is the color of the ceiling, the scent of the burned sandalwood, and the sight of the lovely dwarf lying beside him. The red beard and the brown skin tone was something that Lunbiv doesn't find strange but it is suddenly become so familiar and endearing to him. This is the love of his life, the love that waited for him for two hundred years, the one who sacrifice and forced into the position as the temporary head of Lunrba family for two hundred years. But this man, he finished every jobs and even now, this man always stand by his side.
"Good morning dear, how do you feel ?"
"Better than yesterday."
"Well, welcome home dear."
"I'm home. Let me prepare something for us."
"Well, about that..."
A white wolf... a white puppy run into the room and jump at Lunbiv, calling him big brother and follow the white puppy is a black wolf that Lunbiv knows by just the scent. The black wolf pulling a cart and on it is an assortment of food used for a standard breakfast in Lunrba family. Rice Vermicelli, Porridge, Sticky Rice, a few assortment of baked good and a selection of different drink.
"Almost as good as me, father. But next time, I insist on my role but now, I think there is a different matter that are required to discuss. Beside, dear, can you bring me the financial report and the contract that was signed during my absence."
"Of course."
Sotho puts down the porridge bowl and leave the bedroom, but Lunbiv wasn't done, now he needs to know why his father decided to drag a wolf from Jbys back to their house without an explaination. But he doesn't want to press on because there are a lot of works that need to be done as his father leaves the room to go to his study and prepare his work.
"It's nice to return and see you once again. As for Blanc, he is a well-behaved child, I really hope you two can get along, Blanc really like you afterall."
"Alright, so Blanc, we should start with the basic because you're a family member now, I will teach you everything you need to know. And father, I think you need to leave now, the agents are not going to command themselves."
Making allies, forming connection and managing fund, it's all normal activities to him but that is the only thing that only Lunbiv can do. To Lunbiv, there is no small allies or weak allies, it's depend on how you show them their best potential, the Yvba and the Qrre are two famous tribe but there are also some tribe or small houses that Lunbiv paid attention to. Even a few remaining races from the old eras can be considered as allies, the letters are finished and sealed, to him, all of them are guests and should be treated with utmost respect as the tradition of the Lunrba family.
Blanc is still a child so Lunbiv doesn't want to teach him anything complicated, basic etiquette and table manner are basic and what Lunbiv considered to be enough for a young child like Blanc. To him, young children should have all the time they need for fun and entertainment, there is no need for immense pressure. Blanc is always cheerful but Lunbiv can sense something that wasn't right, suddenly a young pup appear along with his father. Lunbiv knows Begulf can be cold and a little bit distant but Begulf was never a good cook, there is something very wrong but for now, Lunbiv decided he should play their game for while.
"I was far from home for too long but now I am here, I missed this scent. You are always here for me."
"Well, I did wait for two hundred years for this blissful moment."
A simple kiss but that is enough, the domain slowly expand and the beautiful night appear again, every stars and every bubbles is a dream of those that rewarded by him. Still, the stars and the bubbles have their life and their own stories and now, Lunbiv also has his own story and his own life to share with his love.
"How I missed you and your warmth. How I resist your touch, your rough and calloused yet so gentle."
"How I missed your eyes and how I missed your voice. I will always wait for you, always longing."
Red beard brushed against white fur, red streaks appear on Lunbiv as the crimson color from Sotho's beard slowly turned white. At the same time, their eyes changed, Sotho's eyes changed the color from deep brown to bright gold, the same eye color as every members of the Lunrba family. To become one of the Lunrba, that was never an easy challenge, a simple word was never enough for an important decision like this one.
"Lunbiv..."
"You chose me as your mate, your forever, and therefore, I chose to carry a part of you as you chose to carry a part of mine."
"Now, for our oath. I will go first. I - Sotho Luxio Thermio, swore with the eternal oath of love and loyalty, to stay with my mate Lunbiv Lunrba no matter rich or poor, no matter sick or healthy, to burn my old name and carry the family name of my mate with pride."
"I - Lunbiv Lunrba, swore with the eternal oath of love and loyalty, to stay with my mate Sotho Lunrba no matter rich or poor, no matter sick or healthy. Till time end and no more worlds can exist, I will stand by my love."
The simple oath and all that was done but Lunbiv will never reveal this to the world, to him, his love and his life is only his and no one else is allowed to know. They can only know Sotho is his mate by words, because he is preparing for something, something that changed the house of Lunrba forever. But right now, this moment is just for them.