Chapter 9 – Why is this happening? – Part 1

Where did King Licht go? He responds, dazed and confused, as he picks himself off the soiled dirt, with pieces of magma stuck in mid-air.

Clearing my voice, I speak out, "Hello, sir, I'm not sure what's going on, but King Licht said it was his mission to ensure we meet. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure there is some connection that we can draw and figure out. My name is Articius CrossSpear; it's nice to meet you."

Putting my hand out to shake his as the air this high up begins to burn even in a stagnant environment.

He grabs my hand with both of his, and I feel the wear and tear of a lifetime of loss and abuse.

He doesn't answer my question but simply asks, "How am I so cheerful after all of the loss we have endured?"

Toki remains standing to the side with a hand over his chin, in deep thought about the current exchange of events, and something within the man's words seems to have affected Toki.