Special Favor

(Nicolae's Point of View)

I looked around at my surroundings, thinking of my new position, a prince of the Afflicted Warriors. I had heard of the ancient prophecy. Honestly, I had never believed in them. Thinking it was folklore. But, as I walked beside my brother, who was presumed to many as being dead a year ago. But, now, he is alive. Walking and talking, though I still don't believe that a series of unfortunate events will bring peace, an eternal peace, it is hard, if not impossible, to miss the fact that something big was unfolding before my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder, then ask, "Leonard, you were believed to be dead, but now here you are. As if nothing had happened, what is going on?"

He stopped and looked at me, causing me to stand still, " I wasn't really dead, though I'm not entitled to say I'm among the living. The spell Cryptika had performed though merely a knock-off; however, it's effects were just as effective."

I looked at him, "This prophecy. Do you believe in it?"

Leonard sighed with a hint of a smile, "At first I thought they were all crazy in this realm, talking of an old prophecy. But, the longer I dwelled here, I learned of the Pompetor citizen's ways and their customs. I slowly came to reason with myself that perhaps something was indeed happening, something I had been fighting for a long time. Look around you brother, the prophecy predicts many small wars realm against realm, kingdom against kingdom. Until finally, all nations are forced into the Great War, and the destruction of the realms and they're corruption, to create one massive kingdom, one possibly larger than that of the human planet. Even with this knowledge. I still had my doubts, my doubts were quickly erased when I visited Pompetor's, Dream Gates, though that place is just an entry point to this realm. It does have its own stories to tell."

"Its own stories?" I felt my brow raise at the insanity that my brother was talking about. He sighed, "I dunno Leonard, all this still seems too far fetched, even for my own understanding, what if this whole prophecy deal is just one big lie, a lie to give false hopes of a redeemed world, for the supernatural."

"All I can tell you Nicolae is take a look at the place yourself. But just a friendly warning, brother. I wouldn't say anything about your unbelief's to these people. It won't end well, prince, commoner, or whatever your rank may be. These people believe strongly in this prophecy and live religiously by it. You and I are leaders of these people, but your opinions on this situation isn't going to change anything; however, it will cause more of a riot than it is worth. Now may we go eat and discuss this at a better time? I have engagements I must attend too."

I nodded my head as we continued to walk the silent walk back to the dining area.

(Leonard's Point of View)

We arrived back to the others, some stood talking as others had left, and the remainder watched as we entered, eager looks on their faces. The room grew quiet as I looked to my brother, then at the people, "He is well, this is the start of the Eternal Calm, my friends. But, we must deal with this issue, due to Felix's death by Rowles blade, Ammon has declared the final war upon the realms. We are to gather in the Chamber of Counsel's in an hour to discuss strategy, do continue your meals. The bell will chime for the meet."

I looked at Nicolae, "You may want to eat something as well, to get your strength up for battle, I'll do what I can to help you in your recovery. But, this is a war that we both must fight. Aria needs us both, so please go get something. We'll meet here in thirty minutes to go to the Chambers." I placed a hand on his shoulder, walking away from him to find Graceona and Kourtney.

I sat down beside Graceona, who looked at me, "The final war? Is it possible this whole prophecy deal is something that is going to take place?"

I looked at her, "Beloved, I know that you don't believe the old tales, but, I assure you. This prophecy is taking place rather or not; you want to believe in it. The seven moons have already aligned, and once this war is over, the final event will occur."

"What final events, Leonard?" She looked at me, seeming to be interested, a look that I rarely saw from her on the issue at hand.

After the Great War, the realms will be judged for their actions, during this time, and the parts that they played, the ones who died for the cause will live once more. However, those who died to delay it or try to stop it shall burn in death and during the destruction of the one thing that they helped create, those who were dead and those who have survived the Great War. Will be destroyed by fires of the realms that they have started."

She looked at me, "Interesting just so I understand. This is the final battle before we can finally live in peaceful times, all we have to do is defeat Ammon and the Siren's?"

"That's correct, my love." I watched as she stood to her feet. "You; however, are forbidden to accompany me in this battle, you are the mother of my child, it would be a foolish move on my end to allow you to do something so reckless." She glared at me. As I glared back, "Graceona, you're not going to change my mind, just accept defeat."

"No, Leonard, I'm not backing down this time. I allowed you to fight on your own last year, and I almost lost you as a result. I'm not going to stand by and possibly have to face your permanent death, not when I can do something to help you, you're not doing this alone, I forbid it, this family is not being separated. Not again."

"You have no say in this, Graceona, your job is to look after Kourtney's well-being, my time for death has already passed on. What happened last year was meant to happen to fulfill this prophecy, not even you could have defied that and changed it, as with the case in this situation, your battles are done just sit and relax, you can't change the god's mind. They have made their decision." I watched as she crossed her arms over her breasts, tapping her foot anger flowing from her like the fires of Rayth she bit her lower lip as I continued, " My family Grace. My family is why I fight, and it is for my family that I shall return here safely and watch Kourtney grow and hopefully make more children and watch them grow, trust in me, Graceona. Have faith in my ability to do what I do best, I am labeled the Warrior Prince for a reason, and that is not because I have hidden behind your protective hand." She sighed, almost convinced, as I continued more gently than before, " Trust, Graceona. Trust isn't just for loyalty that I won't cheat on you with another creature. Trust is also, having respect for the chaos that we get into and the same trust that we shall conquer whatever comes our way."

She looked at me and sighed, "Fine, but one time Leonard. I give you one time of being in danger, and Kourtney will be the last child we have until you can come to realize the fact that a happy wife is a happy life." She bent down, placing a hand on mine with a grin, "Do you think you can handle being in that position for that long, once it comes to desire. You lack the self-control to fight it off."

I challenged her with a grin, "I've managed to overcome that flaw this past year, my love. For I've not lain with another woman, so maybe you need a new strategy when you're trying to bribe me, research is key, my dear, surely you should have caught onto that snippet of truth. You're severely out of date, for you see, I'm not the same man that I was when I last saw you, and Kyra, if possible. I'm more protective and not so easily molded into something I'm not meant to be."

She stood up, looking at me, grabbing Kourtney, "Fine, you win, for now, Leonard, Kourtney, and I will be upstairs, feel free to have a pre-battle favor later, I've started to figure out my gown and have a special favor to ask later. I'm sure disappointment will be the least of your worries tonight."

"Glad we can come to an understanding of one another's terms, love. I'll be with you after the meeting, so you can attempt to tame this beast once again." I chuckled, "this should be fun." I sat back in my seat with a smirk.

"We shall see, Leonard. Be careful with what you agree with once it comes to my favors." She smiled triumphantly, walking from the table.

I watched her go sipping my wine, as I continued to eat my Grand Mango and Pine. "Indeed, my love, we shall see." I closed my eyes with a chuckle, "Seems things haven't changed too much."

The bell chimed overhead, as I stood to my feet, walking to meet Nicolae at the entrance. I approached my brother, who stood leaned against the door frame. "Brother, have you eaten this fast?"

"No, I wasn't hungry. I did check the menu, and none of this food sounds very tasty, let along recovery boosting. So I think I'm gonna take my chances of starvation than on things that I can't imagine is added to the ingredients of these dishes."

I looked at him, "Very well, suit yourself. But, starvation is the lamest way to end existence. Also, one that is unnecessary, but it's your body, not mine. I give you another hour before you fail, you were never the one who could stick to a no-food diet. Come, let us go, we're going to be late. And these elders hate tardiness, making Ammon a walk in the meadows, compared to the punishment of the Afflicted ."

I walked past him as he followed me. "Graceona seemed satisfied. Almost happy. I must say, brother, the woman has had it rough, her base was destroyed as well as the forests of Uzeterra. Ammon is in the processes of creating a large city there, as a memorial for Ara, with the Lupir's and Vipir's that were once mighty behind Graceona, are now enslaved, forced to build the city, even having to create the material. It's good to see some order being dealt with you around."

"Brother, I bring order wherever I roam. It's not only a superpower but also my middle name. You of all people should know how I feel about building up a good name since the Shepherd name was built by my blood, sweat, and tears. While you were a mere chef, I took this name from the ashes and made it into a legacy."

(Nicolae's Point of View)

I looked at my brother, who wore a grin on his face, "Well Leonard, you're wrong, your middle name is Ronan, you do know how to bring order. But if my memory serves me correctly, I had some dealings with raising the Shepherd name into a legacy, the weight wasn't entirely on your shoulders."

Leonard chuckled, "Still the same small-minded, delusional little brother, I see. Perhaps things will never change once it comes to your understanding of the true origins of the name Shepherd. But now is not the time to quarrel. We have bigger injustices than the lack of your memory cells."

"Whatever you say, brother." I sighed, "Whatever you say."