Chapter 77: Deadly Dance

'For me to avoid what my Mother intended for me…she wants to cure me, I guess. Separate me from the darkness of Hell itself. But that means I won't be bound to that bastard of a father anymore. Mom..I know why you would do this. Maybe I even overreacted on Xyenn, I did scream and cry, and I kept repeating the same thing over and over…but I just can't do it. Xyenn's telling me I should, but I know he's just saying that be on my side. He's cute honestly, but why are choices so hard to make? I've yearned for you, mother. And even hearing your name again, brought me so much peace, hope, and even faith as crazy as that sounds. I don't know if I can go along with your plan, mother. I can't even bring myself to just resist it, a plan you've probably worked so hard to set up. All for me to resist it. Can I even forgive myself for it? I yearned for you for so long, just to see you physically again, not by some dream or vision or ritual, but physically. And for me to..do this to you? Now, I feel hopeless again. Why did I fall in love?' Yuuna thought.

The transition was seamless, like falling through endless shadow. One moment, Xyenn and Yuuna were suspended in the void, the echoes of their emotions still raw in the air around them. The next, they were thrust into chaos—a dark grey sky stretched infinitely above them, heavy rain pounding relentlessly against broken stone and lifeless earth. 

'Why did I fall in love? I hope I didn't think that…because I'm regretting it? I'm not. Not at all. Never in a million years. My mind almost made me regret it, love is the obstacle between me and my freedom from my father. His plans of using me will be stopped. I hate this so much. Why is life so hard?' Yuuna thought even more.

They stood on the edge of a battlefield that was apocalyptic in its ruin. The remnants of a once-great kingdom lay in shattered pieces around them. Towers that had once reached for the heavens now jutted out of the ground like broken teeth. Crumbled walls sprawled across the landscape, their foundations blackened and scorched. The air reeked of blood, ash, and the acrid tang of magic. Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the carnage in brief flashes of stark, blinding light. 

'I sang songs to you, mother. The same song you taught me, I snuck out almost every night to sing them, to feel closer to you. Even when I caught Xyenn watching me that night the first day I met him, I was singing seconds before. Though I don't know if he heard it or not. I sang for so many years and nights, just to feel closer to you, mother.'

In the center of the devastation stood King Samuel, his draconic humanoid form radiating celestial power despite the destruction around him. He was a sight to behold, a king transformed into a warrior of legend. His body was an intricate fusion of human and dragon—his skin shimmering with golden scales that seemed to glow faintly, as if lit from within. His arms were thick and clawed, his hands tipped with talons sharp enough to carve through iron. His face was still regal, though partially draconic, with sharp, angular features that exuded raw authority. His golden eyes burned like miniature suns, glowing brighter with every breath he took. 

"I will bring about the Holy Land! The sword of Sovereignty…will make that happen. Darkness will be no more."

From his back sprouted immense, leathery wings lined with veins of light, their edges glowing faintly as the rain hissed and evaporated upon contact. His crown, a radiant piece of living light, hovered just above his head, shifting and reshaping constantly as if it were alive. Around his body, intricate celestial sigils burned faintly, their shapes shifting and realigning with every movement he made. In his right hand, he wielded a blade forged from pure light—an ethereal weapon that hummed with divine energy and left glowing, celestial crests in the air with every swing. 

Facing him was a towering monstrosity that dwarfed even his draconic form. Xlemmeth, the Demon Monarch of Cataclysm, was a nightmarish amalgamation of flesh, armor, and ancient malevolence. His massive, armored horse-like lower body stomped the ground with crushing force, sending tremors rippling outward. His humanoid torso was grotesque, with seven massive arms, each wielding jagged, demonic blades that pulsed with a faint, malevolent glow. His face was still and emotionless, almost mask-like, though it was marred by countless blades and arrows embedded deep into the flesh. Chains hung heavily around his neck, clinking ominously with each movement, and his wild, bushy hair seemed to writhe as if alive. 

"…Show me." Xlemmeth said.

Above his head hovered flaming orbs, their light casting flickering shadows across the battlefield. His weapons, monstrous in their design, were adorned with spiraling red eyes that blinked and twisted unnaturally, glowing with a cruel, ancient power. Behind him, a massive circle of glowing red runes burned in the air, pulsating like a second heart, feeding him raw energy. 

The two titans clashed with such ferocity that the very air seemed to scream. 

Samuel moved first, his body a blur of golden light as he surged forward, his wings propelling him with explosive speed. His blade carved through the air in an intricate arc, leaving trails of blazing celestial crests that shimmered for a split second before detonating in bursts of radiant energy. Xlemmeth retaliated immediately, his seven arms moving with terrifying precision. His blades blurred as they countered Samuel's strikes, each clash sending out violent bursts of light and darkness that lit up the battlefield like a storm of stars and shadows. 

Samuel spun mid-air, his wings folding inward as he twisted his body to avoid a downward slash from Xlemmeth's largest blade. He retaliated with a series of rapid, devastating strikes, his blade carving glowing sigils into the air with each swing. The sigils expanded outward, forming intricate patterns that detonated as soon as Xlemmeth's weapons made contact, forcing the demon to stumble backward. 

But Xlemmeth was relentless. He surged forward, his massive body charging like an unstoppable force of nature. His lower body stomped the ground, sending jagged cracks of burning earth spiraling outward. Samuel vaulted over the attack, his wings snapping open to propel him higher as he spun expertly in the air. He descended with blinding speed, his blade slamming into one of Xlemmeth's weapons in a clash of light and shadow that sent shockwaves through the ruins. 

Xlemmeth's seven arms moved in perfect unison, each blade seeking to overwhelm the king with sheer force. Samuel parried and evaded with breathtaking precision, his movements seamless and fluid as he twisted, vaulted, and spun through the onslaught. He planted his taloned feet against Xlemmeth's massive chest and kicked off, flipping backward through the air. With a single motion, he hurled his blade forward, the weapon splitting into dozens of smaller, radiant copies that spiraled toward Xlemmeth like a deadly constellation. 

Xlemmeth roared, his voice a guttural, earth-shaking sound that carried the weight of centuries of destruction. The glowing red runes behind him flared violently, and with a single motion, he swung one of his massive blades in a wide arc. The air itself seemed to split as the blade tore through the incoming light weapons, shattering them into fragments. 

Samuel landed gracefully, his blade reforming in his hand as he charged again. The ground beneath his feet glowed faintly with celestial crests that activated with each step, propelling him forward with incredible speed. He ducked under one of Xlemmeth's strikes, his blade carving a glowing sigil into the demon's side. The sigil expanded rapidly, exploding in a burst of radiant light that sent Xlemmeth reeling, some pieces of darkness sizzling and becoming one with the light.

"I can use the sword to heal and to kill. Doing both at the same time..shows me I can really bring about the Holy Land.."

But Xlemmeth recovered almost instantly. He swung his seven blades in a brutal flurry, the sheer force of the attacks carving deep trenches into the battlefield. Samuel dodged and parried with inhuman precision, his wings folding and unfolding as he vaulted over attacks and twisted through gaps in the demon's assault. 

The battle raged on, a deadly dance of light and darkness. Samuel's movements were blindingly fast, his attacks precise and devastating, while Xlemmeth's sheer size and power made every swing of his blades feel like the end of the world. The ruined battlefield trembled beneath them, the rain hissing as it evaporated against their magic. 

Xyenn watched, saying, "They're fighting like Titans.."

'So this was the battle..the first demon battle of Kyrrin..right before our eyes…'

Finally, Samuel landed a decisive blow, his blade carving through Xlemmeth's chest and leaving a massive, glowing sigil in its wake. The sigil pulsed with radiant energy, expanding outward and detonating in a blinding explosion that sent the demon monarch staggering backward. 

But Xlemmeth was far from defeated. Even though the wounded parts of his body were turning into light itself and healing, all while bleeding out. His red eyes burned brighter, and the runes behind him flared violently as he unleashed a surge of dark magic. The ground beneath Samuel cracked and erupted as jagged, blackened spikes shot upward, forcing him to retreat. 

Samuel's breathing was labored, his body battered and bloodied. The wounds inflicted by Xlemmeth's dark magic refused to heal, the malevolent energy seeping deeper into his flesh with each passing moment. He dropped to one knee, his blade trembling in his hand as he tried desperately to channel his light magic to heal himself. 

But it wasn't enough. The darkness was spreading too quickly, consuming him from the inside out. 

Xlemmeth loomed over him, dragging his jagged blades along the ground as he approached. The demon's emotionless face was twisted into something almost resembling satisfaction, the glowing red runes behind him pulsing steadily. 

'Just that one attack..took down King Samuel?! Are they really that strong?' Xyenn said in his head.

Yuuna calmly said, "That's Xlemmeth, a demon Monarch. Of Cataclysm. He's a high ranking one at that."

'Xlemmeth..'

Samuel's eyes flickered as he struggled to rise, his body trembling under the weight of his injuries. Blood dripped from his lips as he raised his blade weakly, the light within it dimming. 

The rain continued to pour, washing away the blood and ash as the battlefield fell silent, save for the sound of Xlemmeth's ominous footsteps. 

The rain poured harder, streaking the battlefield in rivulets of ash and blood as Xlemmeth lumbered forward, his massive, horse-like body crushing the earth beneath him. His jagged blades scraped against the ruined ground, sending sparks flying with every step. The glowing red runes behind him pulsed violently, as though feeding off of the destruction around him. 

Samuel, struggling to rise, coughed violently, blood dripping from his lips. His eyes flickered weakly, his draconic form battered and broken. The celestial sigils that once danced around him were dim now, flickering like dying embers. His claws dug into the ground as he forced himself to kneel, his wings trembling and folded against his back. 

Xlemmeth raised all seven of his jagged blades, their spiraling red eyes glowing with malicious purpose. The runes behind him flared brighter, their energy surging into his weapons. The demon monarch roared, a guttural, bone-shaking sound that reverberated across the battlefield. 

Samuel's eyes widened as Xlemmeth lunged, the air trembling with the force of his attack. But just as the blades descended, Samuel slammed his clawed hand against the ground, his voice rasping through the rain. 

"Kota…! I summon you.." 

Xyenn gasped, "Summon..?"

Yuuna added, "Summoning my mother..?"

A glowing crest burst forth from the ground beneath him, its intricate patterns spiraling outward in radiant, golden light. The sigils etched within the crest shimmered with astral energy, their shapes shifting like constellations in motion. 

From the crest, Kota emerged in an instant, her form radiant and ethereal. Her presence was calm yet commanding, her golden eyes shining with an otherworldly light. In her hand, she held a blade unlike any other—its form shimmering and shifting, made of sparkling, colorful astral energy that seemed to reflect the entire cosmos within its surface. The blade hummed with raw, celestial power, its edges glowing with a prismatic brilliance. 

Kota raised her sword with elegance and precision, meeting Xlemmeth's attack mid-strike. The clash was cataclysmic. 

The collision of Xlemmeth's seven blades against Kota's astral sword sent out a shockwave of destruction so immense it tore through the battlefield. The ground beneath them shattered, massive chunks of stone and debris sent hurtling into the air. The rain evaporated instantly in the radius of their clash, leaving only steam and the sharp scent of burning earth. A fissure split the earth apart beneath their feet, glowing faintly with residual magic. 

Samuel shielded his eyes as the force of the impact sent him backward, his body too broken to withstand the overwhelming energy. He coughed again, more blood spilling from his mouth as he tried to push himself up. 

"Kota…" he rasped, his voice filled with pain and anger. "I wasn't strong enough! I needed more time! He tried..he corrupted the tree! I had to face him! I even told my soldiers to run far away from here! Even Sugred.."

Kota turned her head slightly, her voice as soft and beautiful as the rain. "You've done well, King Samuel." 

Her words were gentle, yet they carried an undeniable finality. Her hand extending toward Samuel. A sparkling astral light began to flow from her palm, weaving through the air like threads of silk. 

"What are you—" Samuel's voice broke off as the golden threads wrapped around him, growing brighter with each passing second. His claws dug into the ground, his body trembling as he realized what was happening. 

"No!" he growled, his voice rising in defiance. "I can still fight! Don't do this, Kota! I didn't call you here to—" 

"You've done enough," Kota repeated, her voice steady but filled with a quiet sorrow. "Let me carry this burden now." 

The threads began to solidify, turning into stone as they encased Samuel's body piece by piece. His legs were the first to be sealed, the draconic scales turning to solid rock as the magic spread upward. Samuel thrashed weakly, his claws scraping against the ground as he tried to resist. 

"Kota, stop!" he shouted, his voice breaking with frustration and despair. "I can still—" 

"It's okay," Kota said softly, her golden eyes meeting his. Her expression was calm, but a faint sadness lingered in her gaze. 

The magic flowed from her outstretched hand, and as she worked, she began to sing. Her voice was beautiful, carrying a haunting melody that seemed to resonate with the very essence of the battlefield. 

🎵 "In the fields where roses bloom, 

Under skies of bronze and gold, 

A song of light, a heart of flame, 

A story waiting to be told." 🎵 

The spirit's voice joined hers, soft and ethereal, harmonizing perfectly with Kota's melody. Even as she sang, she was holding back Xlemmeth's blades with just her one blade. And Xlemmeth was trying to press down on her, but Kota held her ground.

🎵 "Through the dark, where shadows stay, 

We ride to chase the night away, 

A sword of light, a bond of kin, 

A love that burns within." 🎵 

As the song continued, the magic flowed more rapidly, encasing Samuel's torso. He gritted his teeth, his golden eyes blazing with anger even as his strength began to wane. 

Yuuna noticed this, saying, "That song…the same song from the vision, from the pool of light. The same song I've been singing almost every night when I'm out alone. Ever since I was a child, the exact same song."

Xyenn added, "The spell was shown to you since you were a kid. Like she was preparing you…"

'Yuuna's mother had been planning this from the start. Either her mother was dealing with the Prophets..or she is one..or from the same place where they're from..either way, there's gotta be an explanation for this..'

Down below, Samuel growled, "Kota..,", his voice trembling with frustration. "I didn't want this. I didn't want to summon you. I was supposed to finish this… I was supposed to win…" 

The stone crept higher, sealing his arms and wings. Kota's expression didn't waver, her voice still as soft and peaceful as the rain. 

"You've done enough, Samuel," she said again. "Rest now."

Samuel's head was the last to be encased. His golden eyes softened slightly, the anger giving way to reluctant acceptance as the stone began to cover his face. "Okay…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. 

With a final surge of magic, Samuel was fully encased in stone, his draconic form frozen in a pose of defiance, his blade still clutched in his hand. A faint golden light shimmered around the statue, the celestial magic sealing him in a protective cocoon. 

The rain fell harder, washing over the battlefield as silence settled once more. 

Xlemmeth stood still for a moment, his glowing red eyes fixed on Kota. Chains clinked around his neck as he raised one of his massive blades, pointing it at her. 

"Go back," he rumbled, his voice deep and resonant, like the grinding of mountains. "Go back to that forbidden realm where you came from." 

Kota didn't respond. She simply raised her astral blade, her golden eyes unwavering as she stared him down. 

Xlemmeth roared, his seven blades glowing with dark energy as he lunged forward. Kota dashed toward him in an instant, her movements fluid and precise. Their weapons clashed violently, sending out another wave of destructive energy that shattered the ground beneath them. 

In the chaos, a massive explosion erupted, blinding the battlefield in a burst of light and shadow. 

High above the battlefield, Xyenn and Yuuna watched in stunned silence. The explosion's shockwave rippled through the air, causing the rain to scatter briefly before falling even harder. 

Xyenn's eye was wide with shock as he stared at the battlefield below. "Your mother was a summon?"

Yuuna's expression was unreadable, her golden eyes fixed on the destruction below. After a moment, she whispered softly, her voice barely audible over the rain. "It's strange…and that magic she had..astral magic.."

"From another world? Could she have come from one?"

"It's..not impossible."

"The astral world.."

"I don't think so. My mother is a human, but there is no dragon deity of anything astral. There is a deity of stars, but that's the closest you'll get. Though nowhere near related."

"Then she has to be from another world. Did Gabriel ever mention something like that?"

"Another world? Only briefly. He only heard him say, 'The Other Place', but that's it."

"What makes you think her astral magic isn't tied to the astral?"

"I've been around for a while, Xyenn. There is no astral magic in Kyrrin. Even if there is an astral world. But I'm not saying it's not completely unrelated."

"The Astral realm could be the bridge to this other world..or inside of it?"

"…Yeah maybe. That's why I wanna go there so bad. I wanna know more about it. For some reason, it was a place I avoided. That place isn't suitable for deities to walk around in. Based on her involvement with everything I've only seen her spirit form in visions. Spirits are from the astral realm, but not astral magic. Which supports my mothers existence, but doesn't support it because of her magical affinity."

"Seems Death couldn't hold her, escaping him as well. Wherever she's from..they have to be damn strong."

"Mhm."

"Why do you call it astral magic? If it didn't originate from Kyrrin, how do you know about it?"

"I don't know. I don't even know why I called it that.."

Xyenn inspected her, thinking, 'She's not playful right now, not even giving a smirk. After that incident with her mother and Samuel and me, she's had a lot on her mind. I miss her crazy ass attitude, but I have to understand her. Her mind is full of everything bothering her.'

The flash of light and shadow from the battlefield faded into a hazy, dreamlike vision. Xyenn and Yuuna found themselves standing in a golden field under a warm, midday sun. The rain was gone, replaced by the soft rustling of trees and the gentle hum of life. The ruins, the blood, the despair—all of it had vanished. 

Before them stood a young boy, no older than eight, his snow-white hair ruffling in the breeze. His golden eyes sparkled with innocence as he ran through the tall grass, laughing. He was chasing something—or rather, someone. 

Kota stood beside him, her ethereal form shimmering faintly in the sunlight. Though her feet barely touched the ground, she moved effortlessly, mirroring the boy's playful energy. Her glowing golden eyes watched him with a soft, maternal warmth. 

"Catch me, Kota!" young Samuel called out, his tiny legs pumping as he sprinted after her. 

Kota laughed, her voice like the sound of wind chimes in a gentle breeze. She floated just ahead of him, always within reach but never letting him catch her fully. "You're getting faster, Samuel," she teased, her tone light and playful. 

From their vantage point, Xyenn and Yuuna stood frozen, watching the scene unfold. 

"Samuel… as a child?" Xyenn murmured, his golden eye narrowing. 

Yuuna, her golden gaze fixed on Kota, whispered, "And my mother… she was with him even then." 

Samuel sat on the edge of a sparkling creek, his feet kicking in the water as he hummed to himself. Kota floated beside him, her form shimmering faintly in the sunlight. He held a small wooden boat in his hands, carefully carving patterns into its surface with a tiny knife. 

"Do you think it'll float?" Samuel asked, holding up the boat to show her. 

Kota smiled gently, kneeling beside him. "It will if you believe it will." 

Samuel grinned. "Then it'll float for sure!" He placed it in the water, watching it drift downstream. As it sailed away, he turned to Kota, his expression softening. "Why can't anyone else see you?" 

Kota's gaze turned wistful for a moment, but she reached out to tousle his hair. Her touch didn't disturb it, but Samuel laughed as if it did. "Because I'm here for you, Samuel. Only you." 

Samuel stood in the castle courtyard, a wooden sword in hand, clumsily swinging it at invisible enemies. His movements were awkward and unrefined, but his determination was unmistakable. 

Kota floated behind him, her glowing eyes watching his every move. "Careful with your footing," she said softly. "You'll fall if you're too heavy on the right leg." 

Samuel huffed, trying to adjust his stance. "I don't want to just fall! I want to be strong, like Lancelot!" 

"And you will be," Kota said, her voice calm and reassuring. "But strength isn't just about swinging a sword. It's about balance. Precision. Understanding yourself." 

Samuel paused, lowering the wooden blade as he looked up at her. "And you'll help me, right?" 

Kota's smile was radiant. "Always." 

The night sky stretched above them, filled with stars that shimmered like diamonds. Samuel lay on the rooftop of the castle, his small hands tucked behind his head. Kota sat beside him, her gaze fixed on the heavens. 

"Do you think Lancelot is watching me?" Samuel asked, his voice soft. 

Kota tilted her head, her expression thoughtful. "Perhaps. But even if he isn't, you should act as though he is. Not because you want to impress him, but because you want to be true to yourself." 

Samuel frowned slightly, his young mind processing her words. "So… I have to be good even when no one's looking?" 

Kota chuckled softly. "Exactly." 

Samuel grinned, turning his golden eyes toward her. "You're really smart, Kota." 

"And you're really kind, Samuel," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. 

Samuel sat alone in the castle library, surrounded by books stacked taller than his head. He flipped through the pages of an ancient tome, his brows furrowed in concentration. 

Kota floated beside him, her presence calm and steady. "That's a difficult one," she said, glancing at the book. 

Samuel pouted. "But I want to understand it. If I'm going to protect everyone someday, I need to know everything." 

Kota placed a hand over her heart, her gaze softening. "It's not knowledge that will make you great, Samuel. It's your heart. Never lose that." 

Samuel looked up at her, his young face filled with determination. "I won't." 

The scene shifted suddenly, the golden field and peaceful moments giving way to the grand courtyard of Samuel's kingdom. The air buzzed with excitement as children from all over the land stood in neat rows, their parents watching anxiously from the sidelines. 

Samuel stood among them, his small frame straight and proud, though his golden eyes darted nervously across the crowd. Whispers rippled through the audience, some questioning whether he was truly fit to be chosen as Lancelot's vessel. 

"Isn't that the boy who talks to himself?" a woman whispered to her husband. 

"Yes," the man replied, his tone skeptical. "He claims to see something no one else can. Do you think Lancelot would choose someone like that? A crazy kid?"

Samuel heard the murmurs but didn't flinch. He clenched his fists, his gaze focused on the flickering flame of light hovering above the children. It was said that the light would choose the vessel for Lancelot, the dragon of celestial might. 

The flame began to move, weaving through the rows of children. It paused before some, only to drift away moments later. When it approached a boy named Sugred, a younger child standing nervously among the others, the crowd held its breath. The flame hovered for a moment, flickering as if considering him. But then, it moved on. 

Sugred's shoulders slumped, his small hands trembling as he stared at the ground. 

The flame continued its path until it reached Samuel. It hovered above him for a long moment, growing brighter and brighter until it finally descended, enveloping him in its radiant glow. 

Samuel's face lit up with joy. "Kota! I did it!" he exclaimed, turning and hugging her tightly. 

But to the crowd, it looked like Samuel was hugging empty air. 

"Is he… hugging something?" someone whispered. 

"Crazy boy," another muttered. 

Samuel didn't care. He turned to Sugred, whose sad, tear-filled eyes made his heart ache. Samuel walked over to him, extending a hand. "Hey, buddy. Do you want to be my friend?" 

Sugred looked up, his eyes wide with surprise. "Friend?" 

Samuel grinned. "Yeah. And maybe… my apprentice? We'll learn together!" 

"…Why me?"

"Because you looked down, and I didn't see anyone trying to help you out, so I gotcha!"

Sugred hesitated for a moment, then smiled shyly, taking Samuel's hand. "Okay." 

The two boys stood together as the crowd erupted into cheers, the flame above Samuel burning brighter than ever. Some didn't want to cheer, mostly because they didn't want a "crazy" kid getting the blessing of inheriting a large fraction of Lancelot's power. And since he was a child, he wouldn't have been given the entire power of a vessel in its entirety, but the more he trained his body, the more he grew older, the power of a vessel would be given to him in fractions.

The dim light of evening filtered softly through the high arched windows of the study, casting golden rays against the stone walls. The room was quiet except for the faint crackle of a fire in the hearth, the warmth of its glow complementing the soft hum of magic that filled the air. 

In the center of the room, Samuel stood on a wooden stool, his hands raised as he drew glowing lines of light in the air. His magic danced like paintbrush strokes, creating a sprawling, golden outline of a magnificent landscape that hovered in the open space of the room. Mountains, rivers, and cities took shape in the shimmering light, all connected by winding paths and radiant structures that seemed to hum with life. 

"And here," Samuel said, gesturing dramatically to a section of the glowing map, "is where the Great Hall of Unity will stand! Everyone will come together here, no matter who they are. No more fighting, no more hurting." 

Sitting cross-legged on the stone floor, Sugred watched in awe, his pale blond hair ruffled and unkempt. He tilted his head as he studied the glowing map. "The Great Hall of Unity?" he asked, his voice small but curious. "What's that gonna look like?" 

Samuel grinned, hopping down from the stool and rushing over to Sugred's side. "Oh, it's going to be amazing!" He knelt beside his friend, using a smaller flicker of light magic to draw a rough sketch in the air. His fingers moved quickly, creating the outline of a massive hall with towering arches and glowing walls. "Big glass windows! But not normal glass—light glass! It'll glow all the time, even at night. And there'll be a huge table in the middle where everyone can sit and talk about important stuff. Like… like making sure no one's ever sad or hungry again!" 

Sugred's pale blue eyes widened as he stared at the glowing sketch. "That sounds… really nice," he said softly. He hesitated for a moment before adding, "I'd like to live in a place like that." 

Samuel turned to him, his golden eyes bright with excitement. "You will, Sugred! We're going to make it happen! Lancelot told me all about it—about how things are right now, and how they should be." 

Sugred tilted his head. "What do you mean? What did Lancelot say?" 

Samuel's expression grew a bit more serious as he sat back, the glowing sketch still hovering in the air. "He told me about Hell. He called it the Dark Place. But Kota told me it was really called Hell. About how it's… broken. It's just pain and darkness, thanks to the First Monarch. And I'm gonna defeat him once I get stronger and stuff."

Sugred frowned, hugging his knees to his chest. "That sounds awful." 

"It is awful!" Samuel exclaimed, jumping to his feet again. He started pacing, his light magic following him as he drew more shapes in the air. "But that's why I'm going to change it. I'm going to turn Hell into something better. A Holy Land! A place where no one gets hurt, and everyone can be happy." 

Sugred's eyes lit up at the idea. "You really think we can do that?" 

Samuel stopped pacing and turned to Sugred, his hands on his hips. "Of course we can! And you're going to help me, buddy!" 

Sugred blinked, pointing at himself. "Me?" 

"Yeah, you!" Samuel said, grinning. He crouched down in front of Sugred, his eyes sparkling with determination. "You've got light magic too, remember? We'll train together, and then we'll build the Holy Land together. It'll be our place! I don't have anyone else to do it with because they think I'm a weirdo. To share my dream with. I see the way people treat you, treating you like they treat me."

"My light magic isn't really as honed as everyone else's."

"That's not an issue!"

"Adults think I'm not worthy enough to take on darkness, as most children my age have a good grasp on the light."

"That's not an issue! If you were a leader here, what would you make it like?"

"…The—."

"HOLY LAND!"

Sugred hesitated, his gaze dropping to the floor. "I don't know… I'm not as strong as you, Samuel. And my parents…" He trailed off, biting his lip. 

Samuel's grin softened into a warm smile. He placed a hand on Sugred's shoulder. "Hey. You're strong, Sugred. Stronger than you think. And as for your parents…" He paused, his expression darkening slightly. "They don't get to decide who you are. You do." 

Sugred looked up at him, his eyes wide with hope. After a moment, he nodded. "We might get laughed at. I'll start crying."

"That's the spirit!" Samuel exclaimed, ruffling Sugred's hair. 

"Crying is the spirit, yeah definitely."

The two boys worked together late into the night, practicing their light magic and sketching out their plans for the Holy Land. Samuel would draw glowing outlines of buildings and landscapes in the air, explaining every detail with boundless enthusiasm. Sugred would listen intently, occasionally adding his own ideas or asking questions. 

"What if we had a garden," Sugred suggested, "where everyone could grow their own food? And… and maybe there could be a pond with fish that glow like your magic!" 

Samuel's eyes lit up, putting his hand on Sugred's shoulder, "Sugred..that's brilliant!" He quickly added a glowing pond to their sketch, complete with tiny, shimmering fish swimming in its waters. 

Sugred beamed with pride, and for the first time in a long while, he felt like he belonged. 

As they got older, during their training sessions, the room was often filled with laughter as the two boys experimented with their magic. Samuel's control over light magic was strong and confident, while Sugred's was more timid and clumsy. 

"Focus, Sugred!" Samuel said with mock seriousness one afternoon, his hands on his hips as he watched Sugred attempt to form a simple sphere of light. 

"I am focusing!" Sugred shot back, his tongue sticking out in concentration. The flickering ball of light in his hands wobbled dangerously before exploding into a harmless shower of sparks. 

Samuel burst out laughing, doubling over as Sugred glared at him. "Hey, it's not funny!" Sugred protested, though a small smile tugged at his lips. 

"It's a little funny," Samuel teased, wiping a tear from his eye. 

Sugred crossed his arms, pouting. "Well, let's see you do it then, Mr. Perfect." 

Samuel grinned. "Watch and learn, buddy." With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a perfectly round sphere of light, spinning it effortlessly on the tip of his finger like a glowing ball. 

Sugred groaned, but he couldn't help but laugh. 

One evening, as they were sketching out yet another addition to the Holy Land—a massive fountain that would glow with rainbow-colored light—Sugred noticed Samuel talking to the air again. 

"Kota, do you think we should add flowers around the fountain?" Samuel asked, tilting his head as if listening to a response. "Yeah, you're right! Roses would look great!" 

Sugred raised an eyebrow, smirking. "You're doing it again." 

Samuel turned to him, confused. "Doing what?" 

"Talking to Kota," Sugred replied, grinning. "You know I can't see her, right?" 

Samuel huffed, crossing his arms. "She's real, Sugred! Just because you can't see her doesn't mean she's not there." 

Sugred laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I believe you! Kinda." 

Samuel rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. "One day, you'll see. Kota's the best." 

Sugred chuckled. "If you say so, buddy." 

As the days turned into weeks, the two boys grew closer, their bond strengthened by their shared dreams and laughter. Together, they began to imagine a brighter future—a Holy Land where kindness and light would reign, and where no one would ever feel alone. 

For Sugred, Samuel wasn't just a friend. He was hope.