A heartfelt conversation

Lumia noticed him hesitating. Maybe this plan of his was too personal, like hers, even though she only revealed a fraction of the truth. It was weird how fast they both trusted each other. Was it trust, or mutual cooperation? A little bit of both, perhaps.

' My family... my household was framed and subsequently destroyed 10 years ago I had to get it back up from the ground. My plan is to find out who framed my household. The union is made up of 2 royal families, the sand, and the wind. With my current knowledge, i'm sure it's one of those families that framed my household. And you, Lumia, as a magic user come in handy in that plan. '

' What was your household framed with? '

' The royal palace of the sand has a sacred area where they keep the armament given to them. An armament is a weapon imbued with magic. They framed my father with stealing it. '

' Why did they frame your father? '

' It's because my household was threatening the dual royal families with its independent power. This union is made up of 2 families. Sand and wind. They are meticulous to not let power slip from their hands, meaning they do not let anyone who has their magic outside of the family. Except my grandfather.'

' Your grandfather?'

' The one who built the annula household, a branch of the sables family. My grandfather's whole family was slaughtered at the time, by the late queen. He was the only one surviving and fled to Paradise's end, a place known for its harsh living conditions.

Anyway, what happened ultimately is, my grandfather also had the right to claim the Sables family's armament ' Stormbringer'. This didn't sit well with the royal family and they've been waiting for their chance to pounce on us.. until the destruction.'

' How are you going to unravel the truth behind the framing? They sound powerful from your story.'

' As i've said before, the union is made up of two families. Although the two of them cooperate, things have not been in the favor of the ventus family since the coronation of the current queen, Petra. '

' I'm assuming they are the key to your plan.'

' Correct. I already have an informant inside the ventus family, working for me. Of course, it's not free.'

' What do you mean? '

' The day i met you, i was going to meet with that informant, Lydia. Naturally, she wants to solidify her position in the upcoming turmoil, and i promised her that.'

' What about me? '

' Well, you are a wildcard. Capable of using light magic yet from outside the realm, how peculiar. Now that I've fully told you my story, how about you tell yours?

Sablos was grinning, inviting Lumia to talk. Lumia sensed that it was half geniune and half fake. No matter though, she didn't have any other choice. She breathed deeply and made sure her composure didn't give in. She was going to tell a highly personal story after all.

' In Orbis, i was an orphan. I later learned that i was a princess of a destroyed kingdom. The one who gave me this information was Diche, who lived in this realm. She was my guardian and best friend. Diche had a terminal illness, she was the only one who had that kind of illness. Her body was rejecting her, making her writhe in agony as she lost control of all her organs gradually. She told me that there was a certain type of energy inside everyone and everything in this realm, and it replenishes gradually. That energy was not replenishing in her body. Only getting less and less. Therefore, she was bedridden nearly all her life. She came into contact with me via a book. It was the book that was passed onto heirs of my kingdom. She was..'

Lumia couldn't hold her tears. This story was too nerve-racking to spill all over Sablos. Sablos comforted her.

' I'm sorry... It's okay if you stop here. I know you're genuine.' Sablos truly didn't have anything to say to this girl's story. And it was only the beginning. Lumia wiped her tears and continued.

' It's okay, i will continue. I don't know how that book works, or what it was made for, but it allowed the communication. Anyway, i later learned that the one who destroyed my kingdom is the dark knight, Faustus. I don't know much about him, he is stronger than me. I was facing him during the last moments of Orbis' death, and i was ready to die. Diche saved me by giving her life to teleport me here, using this gem on my head. I don't know what it is. It appeared when i got into the realm. She told me to find her brother Polaris to seek further answers in her last moments. I'm also sure that Faustus is the one who made Orbis collapse and I'M sure that he's in the realm too.' Lumia didn't tell other details and her promise to Diche, he didn't need to know that much.

Sablos was puzzled by her story. It involved many variables and unknown powers. Just who was involved in her story behind the scenes? The book, the gem, and the dark knight, they were all enigmas. Sablos felt somehow thrilled by the unknowns, it showed him just how much is unknown in the realm. Maybe she was the key to reveal them all.

Lumia noticed him deep in thought.

' Are you okay?'

' Ah, yes. I was just moved by your story. Thank you for telling me.'

Sablos cleared his head, the unknowns didn't really matter to him at this moment. He had his plan to carry out. He can't distract himself with the details, he thought.

' It's okay. It was only fair if i told you.'

' You said that you went against the dark knight. Can you show me more of your magic?'

' Ah.. That. My powers have been acting strange since i got into the realm. I get exhausted much faster and my powers have been reduced greatly.. I don't know why. '

Lumia felt slightly embarassed telling her that. It felt like her usefulness went down.

' Can i take a look? '

' Okay. '

She tried her best to show her light. Yet the only thing that came a lamplight disappointment.

' Sorry...'

Sablos didn't know why she acted this way. He found it kind of cute.

' Don't apologize. You said your powers were greater than this.. Lamplight. How much greater?

' I could light that whole district at my peak.' Lumia pointed through the window.

Sablos' eyes were wide open by amazement. If she really had that kind of power, it would be rivaling the founding households. Lumia saw his eyes and continued.

' Don't be like that. As you can see, I can't do that anymore.'

' I'm sure that i can solve your issue.'

' How?'

' I have connections. Let's go. '

Sablos grabbed her arm but forgot that she was sick.

' Oh sorry. I got too caught up.'

' It's okay. What are we going to do then?'

' I'll bring them here. I'll be back in an hour. ' Sablos smiled as he left the room.

This whole conversation left a lot in Lumia's mind. She was really in this journey. It felt somehow thrilling yet tiring. She crawled inside her bed as she waited his return.