The Month of December

After placating himself, he look forward with anticipation. 

In a low, authoritative voice, he leaned back on the seat, then tap on the armrest with his index finger.

"Come to me…" He said in ancient londric, stirring a mass of light in the dimly lit hall.

If one were to observed closely, this 'light' was countless particle of white sand, moving in mystical manner.

He used the subtle connection which allows him to wield a minute amount of authority to stir this space.

Originally, 'this' happened a couple of years later. But this time, Yin San pushed this 'node' forward in time. Thus, what should have occur much later has been brought years ahead of its time.

It seems like the process and function remains the same… That's good. He nodded in satisfaction. The lingering trace of worries vanished from his mind.

After what happened from observing the mural on the gate, he grew more wary and apprehensive about the future.

I can't be stuck on the Crimson Shore this time, it's much easier if I can reach the land beyond… Even with all my knowledge, escaping is impossible alone. I need help! People I know I can trust, and people that is beyond this crimson land! 

Yin San felt a wave of fatigue hitting his body. He wasn't surprised and closed his eyes to rest. 

After a short moment. 

The castle shook and trembled slightly. Yin San lips curled as he raised his head to look past the ceiling dome. Above was a dark blue sky, two white moon.

More importantly, on the ceiling itself, was two symbol slowly manifestation, as though someone was carving into it into existent. They were mosaic, emitting an ominous aura as well as mysterious feeling to it. 

"Will it be the same people?" He murmured under his breath. Even with all his experience, Yin San can't help but take in a deep breath. His fingers began tapping on his armrest with increasing frequency. 

It didn't take long for the symbol to finish. What was left on the ceiling was a leaf symbol, and next to it, a 'wave'.

"It seems… to be the same." He nodded in acknowledgement, then closed his eyes to rest for a bit, before opening them to see two mass of white light slowly forming two figure. 

"Welcome." He greeted with a friendly voice, this startled the two people that appeared.

Where am I? I was just going to bed… Is this a dream? The shorter figure thought, then hastily exclaimed in excitement.

"What a strange dream this is!" She exclaimed.

Because of the heavy layer of fog in the castle, they couldn't see each other appearance clearly.

This was not a problem for Yin San. As the 'owner' of this space, he naturally had more authority than the 'guest'. This was a matter of having elevated status, a privilege of sorts.

Even without this privilege, he already knew who these two were.

One was a young lady, blond hair, she exude an air of a refined noble.

Next to her is a tall man, black hair. He was on guard and tense, as though Yin San was his enemy. But he didn't act on his assumption, simply adopting a 'cautious' attitude.

Cautious as always. Yin San remarked inwardly.

Meanwhile.

Dream? Impossible! This matter is not as simple as a dream… He thought, noting that the feminine figure next to him was speaking Lomese.

Yin San simply smiled at her strangely cheery voice.

Perhaps it is due his connection to the castle that he could see their change in emotion much more clearly. 

Compare to the cheerful noble lady, the man next to her was more vigilant. There was a mix of fear, confusion, and awe.

His observation seemed to attract the attention of the young lady. 

Noticing that the atmosphere was not quite right, she quickly recovered her demeanor and thoughts, before frowning.

This is not right… It can't be a simple dream. How am I awake? Who is this person next to me… 

Perhaps it was due to shock and bewilderment, they didn't registered his presence it until now.

Although the fog blocked the details, they could still somewhat see.

Yin San was sitting leisurely on the chair at the foremost center. While they were standing not far away from the roundtable.

"Sir, this is?" She asked deliberately, but her voice was somewhat weak. 

Remembering all the mysticism that she had attempted over the past recent months, she might have came into contact with an unknown entity! 

The man next to her was glad to hear her ask first. 

"An accident." He said in a deep voice. 

An accident!

"What a frightening accident!" They both gasped, but their thought was kept to themselves. 

Suddenly, this figure in front of them became more mysterious, added with the layer of fog, their fear slowly turn into reverence as one of them asked weakly. 

"An accident… Sire, may we leave?" 

Yin San looked at them, his thought was colliding as he reply," You can be considered my guest, if you wish to leave, I will not stop you." His tone was polite and friendly, but there was a hint of authority and weight behind them. 

In the past, he actually trapped these two and later used them for himself, but this time, he approached it differently. 

If possible, I can nurture these two as my followers… 

Hearing this, their tensed shoulder dropped as the fear in their mind dissipate a bit.

"This 'person' is clearly not ordinary. His method is extraordinary and bizarre, if he wish me harm, then I can do nothing to stop it…", She thought, then corrected herself. 

"No — I can't be sure it's a 'he', he could also be a she…" 

Yin San let out a wry chuckle inwardly as he could somewhat guess her thought.

"I did harm you… I do have to apologized for the past me… "

The man also shared the same thought. Perhaps it is because they are 'weak', this consolating thought brought them a sense of comfort. 

She looked around, then at the man who was in the same situation as her, before landing her gaze back at Yin San.

"How may we address your excellency?" She felt that facing such a mysterious figure, it was appropriate that she show a certain level of respect. So as to not elicit any negative response.

This was a smart move, even the man next to her can't help but nodded at her question. 

Yin San gaze landed on her, then smiled.

She couldn't see Yin San's face, but could feel his gaze on her for a long time.

At the same time, the silence made her uneasy, this silence, aided by the vast empty hall digged into her soul. Each second passes, her heart rate continue to rise, she could tell her anxiety was about to claw its way out her chest. 

Yin San let out a chuckle, it echoed along the emptiness of the hall, startling both of them. 

He ignored their anxiety as he thought for a moment, then answered.

"You can call me December." 

December? The end month of the year? They instantly thought. 

The air in the castle seemed to stir and pressed down on them when he uttered the name. 

A hidden entity! This word arise in both of their mind, their face failed to reel in the shock of Yin San's declaration. This was the only way they could describe Yin San at the moment. 

Seeing their expression, Yin San nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly the kind of reaction he was hoping to elicit. By stirring the bit of power of this space, he could 'add' an effect to the simplest action. 

This aligns with his persona of a 'mighty' figure, or in their words, 'hidden' existence. Both of which carries different meanings from their respective place of origin.

Yin San acted as though it nothing happened, waiting for them to recover their senses. 

This wasn't the first time he acted this way. In his second cycle, he also did the same, but of course, with less proficiency

It took a moment before a feminine voice shatter the silence. 

"As you willed. " She replied, offering a bow as she lifted her skirt slightly with both of her hands.

Yin San recognized this gesture of respect from the custom of the Lom kingdom and nodded. 

The man next to her offered a similar gesture, paying his respect.

Seeing his acknowledgement, she smiled, then looked at the roundtable, wondering," May we sit?" 

"Of course." 

During this entire interaction, the man next to her didn't speak much. Yin San did not mind this, treating it as though he wasn't offended by his action. 

After both of them sat down, she can't help but speak her mind. 

"Mr. December, do you know the way for one to become a dustborn?" 

Instantly, she retracted her voice, mocking herself for asking such a silly question. For this mighty figure, that question was no different than asking a person how to breathe!

Hearing this question, he chuckled.

She interpreted this as him simply treating it as a childish question. She can't help but lowered her head in embarrassment. 

It is at this moment that the man opposite of her spoke up for the first time.

"Miss, how much do you know about dust and the extraordinary?" 

Hearing his question, she quickly replied like a student being tested on her knowledge.