?

Using his hands as a shield Uni walked together with the King and Lvle sweating dripping down thier faces. King Bryant was in a outfit that was supposed to made him quite inconspicuous, but I was doing the exact opposite.

He was in all black clothes with a hood, sunglasses and a mask, which was very counterproductive as it was blazing outside making people staring in his direction.

"Let's go here." King Bryant said as the led the boys down a alley. At the end of the alley was a set of stairs leading down into the forest, before going down the King looked around a bit to make sure the area was isolated.

"What is this?" Uni was perplexed as this exit did not seem like the way they should be headed.

"This is the Royal families secret exit and entrance just in case wanted to leave unnoticed."

"And If your were wondering nobody can come or leave through here without the our approval." Uni was in awe as King Bryant explained it, he was still not accustomed to this lifestyle, going from a rat infestation to walking right beside the King could be quite the experience when put into perspective.

Uni then turned to Lvle, "Did you know about this passage way too?"

"Oh yeah, of course. I would've been able to get us in like this but I'm still not old responsible to have access yet." King Bryant glanced over at Lvle strangely.

"It was never because you were irresponsible, it was just because you were too young. Your 16th birthday is when you gain access to the passageway, its tradition. Anna already had hers." As The King explained this Lvle had a peculiar look.

"You said it was because I'm too young, but then why did the nurse say otherwise?"

This also rattled The King's mind, "That's strange, I'll have a chat with her later and question her about it." Continuing to progress down the stairs, Uni was immersed in this family mystery as that's he favorite genre to read. It was the only thing that gave him excitement it such a dull environment.

So Uni began disecting all the information mention to try and conjure up a reasonable conclusion, when he found something that stuck on out to him.

"Wait Lvle, your only 15?"

"Yea, my birthday is in two months. Why you ask?" From his answer Uni's eyes began budging out his face, and he stopped in his tracks for a seconds before running back to catch up.

"There's no way right? You look at least 24, I could see a bread starting to grow in. I barely have a mustache. Must be those Royal genes."

Just a quick glance over at Lvle, you'd probably think he's a regular man with a everyday job, not a 15-year-old kid who still has to complete highschool.

While Uni is convinced that lvle is years older than he says, the father and son are quite amused by his actions.

Finally reaching the end of the passage, they were outside at last. "Ok, sorry for the long walk, but now you two and finally show me the famed, Apple Of Morana." King Bryant was now grinning ear to ear at the prospect of the famous frozen Apple being so close.

Uni stared at The King for a while before popping a question, "I'm sorry if I'm being a rude right now, but could I ask why you're so obsessed with the Apple Of Morana?"

"I understand that it gives you power equal to a God's, but why would you want that? Aren't you the strongest already?" Lvle and King Bryant had a ghostly appearance after Uni spoke.

Uni froze in the tension, as confusion pulsating throughout his veins, "What's wrong?" Still in silence, Uni suspected he touched a sensitive subject.

immediate panic infiltrate his heart, instantly attempting bowing to the King so he could apologize. But before Uni was able, King Bryant began speaking.

"My apologies Uni. The reaction I gave wasn't at your fault, it's internal problems I've yet to deal with." King Bryant said walking ahead a bit. Looking at the King, Uni could see grief and regret in his eyes.

Which lead to him turning to a Lvle for answers, but Lvle's face was of regret and sorrow as well, leaving Uni unable to find the courage to ask.

Walking ahead of the King, Lvle lead the way. Awkwardness filled the air as the continued in the forest and Uni couldn't help to feel that this was his fault.

^Man, I really screwed up this time. Was I wrong to assume he was the strongest? I want to ask about it, but it seems that's the last thing they would like to chat about. I wonder what happened?^

After a bit more walking in silence, Lvle stopped abruptly, "The apple...where'd it go?"

hearing this, King Bryant grabbed him and began to question Lvle. "What do you mean where is it??! Isn't it supposed to be here!?"

Looking Uni recognized the area from last night, but it was difficult to tell because before, everything was covered with ice and now it's nowhere to be seen. "Yea, Lvles right. it was right here yesterday."

Letting go of Lvle, King Bryant started stroking his beard. "Then where could it have gone."

This got Lvle and Uni pondering what could've possible happened when Uni remembered that Lvle said the Apple was close to the city and there was a potential of someone else finding. This the one only explanation he had so far.

"Is it possible that someone might've just nabbed it and took off without anyone noticing?" Uni said.

"That means they couldn't have taken it after we left here...but that's still too long of a time to try pinpoint someone." None of them had any clue as to how it could've disappeared, but that's when Uni thought of the small girl from before.

"Lvle...do you think the little girl from earlier is the culprit?"