chapter 25

(Alexander and Kevin)

Slipping through the crowd, Alexander and Kevin were on the careful look out for any sight of Lukas and Reius. It was even worse that the streets were crowded with people.

"So we have to get hold of William during the procession." Alexander whispered to Kevin as he tried to avoid the people.

"Yes. We might get thrown into prison if we fail but there's not much time left."

Time passed, suddenly, they heard the sound of music being played

That must be the procession

Quickly they ran all the way towards the source of the noise

(Timeskip)

Finally, after running for so long, they caught a glimpse of lucked.Dressed in a sparkling white dress and matching white veil, garlands of flowers and gold bangles were wrapped around his neck and arm. The haggard figure of Lukas looked almost healthy. Alexander couldn't help but find it stunning. He blushed at this thought though, reminding himself of his objective.

"Listen, I'm gonna put up a distraction. During that moment , switch places with William."

'wait, what!'

It was too late because suddenly the procession stopped, a large elephant suddenly went wild. Creating loud clouds of dust

Using this opportunity, Kevin pushed Alexander to Lukas "Now go!"

(Timeskip)

Shaking the bottle a little, Kevin sprayed it over Lukas's face.  The green shine in his eyes died and the emptiness disappeared.

"Huh?" Looking around, Lukas wondered what happened.

"Don't say anything now. Just follow the procession, also you owe prince Alexander this."

Still somewhat shocked, Lukas did as he was told, following after the procession, acting as entourage.

(Timeskip: Alexander POV)

"We are gathered here ... today..to..."

Oh god, just shut up already. Not only did I have to get beaten up, magically exhausted but to crossdress as well. I'm starting to wonder if I was a criminal in my past life.

The veil was thick and I could barely see anything however, I was able to catch a glimpse of Reius.  Dressed in a gold Shawarni, he looked regal like always. However,  like Lukas, he looked haggard. Dark shadows could be seen under his eyes. 

He looks like a dried up prune

"You may now remove the veil"

Like a zombie, Reius lifted the veil. Using this opportunity, I quickly sprayed the potion all over him. 

(3rd POV)

"WHAT IS GOING ON!" demanded the king as he stared at the stage. Standing there was the Arborian  prince, dressed in the bride's clothes, spray bottle in hand. One of his Grandson was on the ground, rubbing his eyes as whatever stuff the Arborian sprayed at him took effect.

"I'm sorry, your majesty but this marriage was all a ploy." explained Alexander. The king was shocked at his appearance, the prince looked horrible. Cuts, bruises were seen on his face and heavy bags below his eyes.

"Its true!" Turning to the side, two members of the entourage stepped forward. One of them to his surprise was the princess and the other her aide.  They both looked horrible.

"Everything was a ruse set up by the grand advisor." said Kevin

"Impossible." the visor spat out, turning to his father, " Your Majesty, do not believe these fools. The marriage was a signed engagement between Snowdania and Scarabia with the best of consideration. "

"Considerations..." Reius who had been on the ground a moment ago, looked at his father with a pained expression, tears sprung from his eyes, " If you had the fullest of considerations, then what did you do to me?"

The old king didn't know who to believe. A moment ago, his grandson had been full support on this engagement but now.....truthfully, he didn't know who to believe.

As the guests murmured among themselves at this new development, a loud creak could be heard coming from one of the vents. The hood of the vent opened and climbing out were his grandchildren, a strange young man with green hair, the arborian prince's aide, the snowdanian prince and servants.

"Your majesty, do not believe in our father's lies. We have proof of our father's treason." said Mazaru as the young man with the green hair, snapped his fingers.

A green mist appeared and suddenly a scene played. One that held the truth

(Timeskip)

" How could you?!" shouted the king angrily at his son.

The visor looked fearful for a moment before breaking out into hysterical laughs, hands over his eye, the man smiled, " So you finally figured out. Well too late, because soon the great Apep will rise." 

With a craze look, the vizor slammed his staff into the ground, the area around the hall turned red. Screams could be heard everywhere, a red spiral formed.

Hissing filled the air.

"Free...finally...after a years..."

Slowly, a large snake sprung from the spiral.Its eyes feral and full of malice.

"SOMEONE STOP HIM!" shouted Shahid. Claude and Maximilian immediately rushed forward along with many other soldiers, pushing the visor to the ground, causing him too fall. However, it was already too late. It had arrived.

"Apep..." murmured the king softly, as his eyes contorted in fury. Members of the royal family and the temple, also had angered expressions.

"I WILL NOT LET YOU DESTROY MY FAMILY AGAIN!" 

Immediately, every member of the scarabian family who could fight produced a weapon, each one of them conjuring a snake with wings, a uraes.

Alexander grabbing Reius's arm took cover behind an overturned bench as Apep opened its mouth, spewing out jets of flames at anyone who got close.

"So what do we do?" whispered Alexander as he overlooked the chaos surrounding them.

"First of all, what is Apep?" asked Lukas. He found it odd, why did someone from his world's mythology be here.

Reius looked almost scared for a moment before answering that Apep was an evil spirit that terrorised Scarabia a long time ago. Because of its immortality, it was very hard to kill and many members of the royal family sacrificed their lives to defeat it.

"Let's help them." said Lukas. He felt it was unfair after all, why did they have to be here when everyone else was staking their lives already to fight.

"No! if you do then-" Reius was cut short with a slap to the face. " People are out there fighting, if you're not going to do anything then you're really a coward." Alexander and Lukas then left leaving a frozen Reius behind the chair.

"AAAHH!"

"GRANDFATHER!" shouted Mazaru and Iman as blood gushed out from a wound in the king.

"No...I'll be alright we must fight."

The two nodded before returning to their fight, ready to risk their lives.

(Reius POV)

They're right. I'm a coward..... a coward...

Ever since I was a kid, I was never expected as much as my older brothers but I had to also be on par with them. Something I always failed at. 

Be it studies or sports. I was better off as a cannon fodder.

My mother was my father's legal wife, I remembered how she  would spend her days vying for father's attention so she was never by my side. My father, the grand advisor, was someone I knew wanted the best and only the best so he often chose to ignore those whom failed.

However, unlike my siblings, I never had been the best at anything only average. When it came to academics I would always fail.

(Flashback: 3rd POV)

'If I do this than maybe they would visit' thought a younger Reius of about six as he overlooked the tall step of stairs. Taking a deep breath, he took one step forward, falling to the ground.

'huh, where am I?' Opening his eyes, Reius sat up suddenly, his forehead and arms had been bandaged up.

"FATHER! MOTHER!" he said excitedly however, he was instead met with the sight of his room. A pouch of medicine sat by his desk.

'They didn't come after all....." thought Reius, crestfallen as his eyes became empty and tears began to fall down his cheeks, staining the bedsheets.

(flashback end)

"Prince Reius! Prince Reius!"

Shaking me out of reminiscing, I looked up to come to face to face with that green haired man.

"Prince Reius. I need you to do me a favour. I need you to shoot this at Apep in The eye." he said as he  handed me a bow and arrow. The arrow was special as it exuded a powerful aura.

"But why me?"

"Because, I believe that you can do so." The man then disappeared.

 Because I believe you.....

Those words were something I hadn't heard in a long time. Looking at Apep, I realised how selfish I was. Wallowing in the fact my parents didn't care when I had Grandfather and my siblings.

Gritting my teeth, I felt a new sense of confidence. 

Readying the bow, I shouted as loudly as I could at everyone to get as far away as possible before releasing, silently hoping that I would be on target.

(Shahid POV)

The arrow like I had anticipated made way to that monster's eye. Just seeing it scream in pain makes me smile. 

Putting all the energy I had, I placed a hand on the floor, chanting quietly. Gold runes encircled the filth as it acted like constrains. It screams of pain feeling the air.

With the last words spoken, the chains moved in before finally trapping it. Green spirals formed below him, dragging it back to the depths of hell.

"hahaha...did you think you could defeat me. I'm immortal...soon in..1460 days I way surface and bring this world to its true form.....hahahahah!"

Of course but I already have a group of people to defeat you.

The red light died down and everything returned to normal. Walking over to the king, I placed a hand on his wound and immediately they were healed.

"Thank you."

I simply smiled back.

Lidel really did speak the truth when he said this was more fun. Everyone looked tired and battered but safe for the meanwhile. Prince Reius looked ashamed as he avoided Lukas, Prince Alexander and his siblings, before breaking out in tears as Lukas hugged him.

That boy.....will grow well...

(Time skip: Party)

There was no wedding however a celebration was held to celebrate their defeat of apep. 

"So what happened to us when you guys were trapped?" asked Lukas as he questioned Alexander.

"Its a long story" was all Alexander said as he rested his head on Lukas's shoulder.

"What are you doing?!" exclaimed Reius as his face flushed.

"Oh shut up, would ya. I'm dead tired." 

The two victims simply smiled before sleeping soundly as well. 

Running through the halls was Neelam, the sound of bangles ringing through the air as she ran towards the hall. Suddenly, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" 

"No it's alright." said the man. He was very handsome with silver hair swept to the side and blue eyes. He wore a black suit and fair skin.

Neelam's eyes caught sight of the cut in the man's hand

"However, can you say that when you've been injured" removing a kerchief from her pocket, she tied it around the man's hand " Here. If you don't treat it, it'll get infected."

With that, she bowed before running to the hall.  The man simply smiles before looking at the tied kerchief, ' how nostalgic.'

Iman and his wives were on the dance floor, dancing. Maximilian and Claude were busy eating and chatting with other soldiers. Kevin was chatting with Alfred and Julius was chatting with Mazaru.

"Hey, remember the time when I accidentally got stuck to the locker."

"Oh don't remind me. remember that time with the llama."

"I can't believe you still remember that, although that was our best adventure. Too bad that guy's not here."

"ya...by the way did you hear?"

"hear what?"

"Koun. They have a new emperor."

"WHAT!"