Chapter 8 : Ancestors

"This is the main hall. We gather here every morning to hear directions from the principal," Clay explained in a trembling voice.

He was nervous because it was the first time in his life that he had come face to face with the Princess. So far, he could only see the royal family from a distance during the harvest season parade which is held once a year.

"Boring," Alex hissed, making Clay more agitated.

Kennard, who was one step behind Alex, looked at Clay pitifully. There was nothing Kennard could do to help the young man. Princess Alex is indeed the type of person who is difficult to satisfy.

"Isn't there a more interesting place?"

"T-that."

"Hey glasses, answer my question clearly. Stop muttering!" snapped Alex annoyed. She was getting tired and bored because in the thirty minutes had passed, they were just going around from one room to another.

"Forgive me, Princess." Clay lowered his head even further. Barely folding his upper body in half towards his knees.

"What's that?" Alex pointed at a park not far from where they stood. Her eyes were drawn to the four stone statues surrounding a large circular table. "What statue is that?"

"Oh, it's a statue of the ancestors. The first ruler of Erden," Clay explained quickly. "That statue has been there since the school was founded."

"Erden?" thought Alex. Now she looked interested. "Take me there."

Kennard moved quickly, blocking Alex's steps. "Princess, we must ask for the advisor's permission--"

"Since when do I need permission from others?"

"But, Princess-"

"Enough! My day is bad enough. You don't need to make it any more annoying."

Alex put emphasis in his sentence. Slipped a threat to Kennard to immediately get out of his sight. Kennard bowed deeply but didn't move from his position until Alex slammed his body roughly passed him. She ordered at Clay with voice cold. "Show me the way!"

"Y-yes," Clay gave Kennard a quick glance before catching up with Alex's fast pace.

The three of them walked along the path, relying on the dim light from the flares of torches fired in the distance. As soon as they entered the main arena in the center of the garden, the previously biting cold air suddenly felt warm. From a distance, you can hear the howling of dogs that are faintly shouting at each other.

"Princess." Kennard immediately stood by Alex's side. A bad feeling, creeping into his mind. Changes in temperature and the dog's voice makes him feel uncomfortable. As if it eas a sign of impending danger.

Flames suddenly glowed from one of the sooty silver bowls with the wick as the axis. One by one the bowls surrounding the garden lit up, the flames seemed to dance to welcome the arrival of three uninvited guests.

"What happened?" Clay pressed his body beside Alex.

"This is cool," exclaimed the Princess. She walked down one by one the statues that surrounded them.

Clay followed Alex's gaze. "This is a Earth Erden statue," he explained.

Alex stared at the statue that stood proudly on a boulder, holding a long, thick-edged sword. Second after, her eyes shifted to the embodiment of a woman dancing on the waves, her hand holding a crystal ball that refracts a bright blue color.

"That is the statue of the goddess of the water clan, Water Erden."

The third statue, a man standing straight while clasping his hands on his chest, his feet covered with a thin layer as if standing in a whirlwind. The long sword was tucked behind his back.

"This is the statue of my ancestor, the Erden of the wind."

Alex glanced at Clay for a moment then turned to the last statue. Her eyes were glued, as if there was a magnet pulling her to keep eye contact. "What statue is this?"

Kennard held Alex's hand that was about to touch the deep-veiled statue so that the lines of his face couldn't be seen. Dressed in armor with full attributes, his hand held a long staff with wavy ends, like a symbol of fire.

"What?" Alex brushed. Ignoring Kennard's ban. "I just wanted to take a closer look at it."

"Fire Erden."

"Fire Erden."

Alex fell silent. They heard the echoes of voices shouting at each other, alternating from one statue to another.

"What sound is that?" Clay gripped Kennard's coat. The deep voice frightened him.

"Fire Erden?" muttered Alex.

"Princess, what's wrong?" Kennard faced Alex. He worked up the courage to touch Alex's shoulder. In a split second, he pulled his hand back. Kennard's body shook with fear when he saw Alex's eyes wiping with a reddish mist filling the shadow behind her hazel irises.

"No! This is dangerous," Kennard thought in panic.

"Go call the palace adviser and the principal." Kennard exclaimed giving orders to Clay. "Quick!" he shouted making the boy snapped from his trance, nodded and run back to the path they were came from.

***

"Headmaster!"

Horgiata frowned when he heard Clay call him in a loud voice. "Has the young man lost his mind to forget the rules of this school," he hissed.

"Clay, watch your manners!" He rebuked.

"Headmaster, something strange happened to Princess Alex," Clay shouted frantically, ignoring the man's snap.

Marfiato and Horgiata exchanged glances.

"Come on."

Marfiato took big steps out of the room at Horgiata and Clay's trail. He begged in his heart, hopefully what he thinks doesn't happen.

***

"Kenned, what happened?" Hurried Marfiato as soon as he found Kennard screaming frantically calling Alex's name while shaking the girl's shoulder.

"Grandpa, Princess Alex!"

"Oh God! Get away." Marfiato orders and takes over Kennard's position.

Marfiato cast a spell to summon Alex's consciousness to return but all the spells he cast were unable to penetrate Alex's subconscious.

"What happened, Lehrer?" Asked Horgiata as soon as he saw his teacher retreat and shook his head.

"I can not enter."

"Sir, Princess's body is burning!"

"Eternal flame!" Marfiato muttered frantically. "Die Schutzschicht vom Himmel."

A blue-green light seemed to emerge from underground as he shouted the chant. Move quickly in a semicircle. Covering the two meter area from the position where Marfiato was standing.

"This shield can prevent other people out there seeing what's going on," explained Marfiato.

"Lehrer, it's getting hotter in this place. We won't be able to last much longer," Horgiata warned, sweat formed on his forehead.

Alex's body was covered in flames like a cocoon metamorphosing. Marfiato thought hard to find a way to connect with Alex's mind.

"Grandfather," Kennard called as if he could read the anxiety in the royal adviser's heart.

Marfiato fell silent, staring at Kennard. "Ken, I will send you into Princess Alex's subconscious. Try to shake her awake."

"Yes, Grandpa." Kennard nodded in understanding. Even though their first attempt was a failure, Kennard was sure that this time he would be able to connect with Alex.

***

"Princess, say. Where have you been?"

"M-me—"

"Why are you hiding, Princess?"

"Who the hell are you? Stop bothering me!" Alex snapped.

"I am your real father, Princess."

"No! I only have one father and mother. My father is King Achilles, the ruler of this country."

"The one who should be the King of SpiegelWelt is ME!"

Alex covered her ears tightly. The roar of anger from the no man's voice made Alex's ears ring in pain. Since leaving the palace, her nights have been filled with nightmares. Alex seemed to be sucked into a dark corner less room. She could not find the wall and the door to get out. No matter how far she ran, Alex only found empty space.

"Princess Alex, don't listen to that voice."

"Kennard?" Alex muttered doubtfully.

"Yes, Princess, I am Kennard. Please, listen to me. Try to concentrate, disconnect yourself from that voice."

"I-I can't." Alex whispered. She was desperate. She had repeatedly tried to get rid of the foreign voice from her mind but always failed. That no-man's voice was always able to break through her defenses.

"Yes, you can, Princess." Coaxed Kennard.

"Alex, you could never run away from me."

"Princess, open your eyes."

"Ken, I-I'm scared. I can't." Alex squeaked in a trembling voice.

"It's okay, open it. I'm here."

Alex opened his eyes slowly when he felt a warm touch on his shoulder. Ken.

"Come on, let's get out of here."

"No! You will never get out of this place, Alex!"

*****

[1] Die Schutzschicht vom Himmel = The protective layer of heaven