[Laurent Outpost - Late Weeping Time]
The moon shines brilliantly over the sleeping settlement.
A cloudless night encapsulates its quiet.
Beneath the lunar veil, a figure lurks in the shadows.
Hooded in warrior garbs, the body carefully creeps into the King's Quarters.
Upon entrance, warmth soaks into their frigid skin. But this is no time to feel relief.
Without taking off their shoes, the figure heads further in. Peering around the corner, they find the king alone on his wooden throne. There is no sign of the son.
A singular candle illuminates the man. His majesty's hands are pressed against his head. He's pondering.
"Who..."
Thinking they're caught, the figure silently tries to step away. But their worries are unfounded for now.
"Why..."
King Bora continues mumbling to himself, lost amidst his thoughts.
As the hooded figure attempts to flee, their footsteps cause the broken floorboards to creak. Its loud, obnoxious squeal resigns the figure to their fate.
"Who's there?" The king demands. Bora's tone is not a pleasant one, he doesn't take kindly to his thoughts being disturbed.
The figure exhausts a frustrated sigh. Pulling back their hood, they round the corner.
"Lord Rawlin? What are you doing here at this time?"
"Aha, well, you know us blind folk... Always stumbling into places we don't belong."
"Blind, huh..." In truth, Rawlin is the last person the king wants to see. For a multitude of reasons. "Where is Cilas? Does he not usually accompany you?"
"Cilas is merely a butler. He doesn't need to know of everything I do."
A passive hostility strains both of their tongues.
"Forgive my rudeness, but for a lord... You are awfully informal."
"I'll take that as a compliment, your majesty..."
"And if I may... Until your visit two months ago, I had never heard of you. It's almost as if you showed up out of thin air, ready to make Miss Aureole the queen..."
"In all fairness, your majesty... My lordship was a humble one before then. But, when I suddenly found my long lost relative and heard she was capable of succeeding the throne... I couldn't just pass up that opportunity now, could I?"
"Long lost relative... is that the story?"
"..."
"Again, apologies if I'm overstepping my bounds, but... For a lumalin, you sure do lack all the qualities of one."
"I fail to see what you're getting at, your majesty..." Rawlin's tone is unraveling.
"Who are you really... your lordship?"
...
...
"My, you say that as if I'm acting as someone I'm not."
"It is merely some observations I've made."
-
Against the night's silent backdrop, a boy makes his way back from gathering firewood. From behind his messy bangs, he spots the door to his home open. Faint voices are heard from within.
Setting down the sticks, the boy quietly maneuvers near a hole in the wall of the house. He does his best not to make the snow crunch beneath him. Leaning against the wood exterior, he eavesdrops on his father and another man. A man he's been weary of from the start.
-
The lord's senses spike. His plan is falling apart at the seams.
It's time for a readjustment.
"Your majesty," Rawlin begins. "Do you know what the best part of having reduced vision is?"
"..."
"It's that my sense of hearing is exceptionally amplified."
Avoiding the king's line of sight, the lord crunches his fist.
-
Within an instance, a translucent bubble forms around the boy outside.
"What the-?"
Quilo bangs on the shield's rounded walls. But to no avail.
"Someone! Help!" But the boy's cries are unheard. His voice reaches as far as his fists.
-
"Is that so?" Bora asks. Rawlin's remark falls meaningless to his ears. "Forgive my impatience Lord Rawlin, but if you have nothing of worth to say, I ask you to leave. I am in the midst of thought."
"Oh? Is there some sort of issue you need fixed? Perhaps we could put our heads together."
"I'd rather not discuss such details with you."
"Come now, Bora. Have I ever given you a reason to think ill of me?"
"Hmph." The king cannot decline the statement. For on the surface, the blindfolded man has done nothing but offer support. His bitterness toward him may seem baseless to outside viewers. "Well, since you are so persistent... I am trying to figure out how such a curse appeared here."
"I see. But with my utmost respect, does that really matter now? The crisis has been averted, no?"
"Well, yes, but... I would like to avoid another such occurrence in the future. And... I can't help but feel that I've been failing as a leader."
"Whatever do you mean, your majesty?"
"I was powerless against those beasts... I relied on my warriors while I cowered here. I failed my people, and my son. If you and your subordinates hadn't come... I fear my people would have been wiped out for good..."
"..."
"While the truth is I hate this throne... The fact remains that I am their king. And as their king... I want to prove that I am capable of something. So, maybe figuring out this mystery... will give me some peace of mind."
-
Quilo, while unable to produce noise, is still able to hear his father's words. Bora's speech breaks the boy's heart. He wants nothing more than to comfort his father.
-
"That is... very honorable of you, your majesty."
"Forty eight percent..."
"Hm?"
"That's the percent of squallers in this outpost that died. Forty eight. Forty three percent was from the mother's attack alone..." Bora squeezes his eyes in frustration. "Alsi knows how many died beyond these walls..."
"You did your best. The battle is over now, you should focus on the future."
"Future, huh... I pray Quilo is a better King than I."
-
The boy silences his fists and listens solemnly.
-
"Ah, your son. He is set to be king after you, yes? Do you believe he is ready?"
"As of now... I can't tell for certain. I need a successor, but... I don't believe he even wishes to take the throne."
"Then what would become of it?"
"I don't know... He is a vulnerable child. Not someone suited for a position of power, much like I. As his father, I want nothing but the best for him. I do not wish to burden him with a path he doesn't wish to follow."
"..."
"My only wish for him is to grow happily and healthy... His powers have given him setbacks, sure, but... I believe with enough time he can learn to place his trust in others."
"Powers...?"
"Quilo holds a... unique ability. Not one like the rest of us squallers, but rather... one closer to that of the gods. One not easily controlled."
"Interesting... Ah, sorry, I will not pry any further into your personal lives. I apologize."
"It's quite alright... perhaps I needed this."
-
The boy, alone in his bubble, cries silent tears.
To know his father cares for him so much... only strengthens the unwavering love he has for the man.
"Dad..." Quilo whimpers. "I-"
Before he can croak another phrase, the lord lifts his finger.
The shield bubble encasing the boy rockets into the sky.
Gravity pinning him down, the bubble uplifts at breakneck speed. All in an instant, the outpost gets farther in farther away.
Quilo screams, unsure of what is happening. The bubble bursts through a forming cloud and disperses it entirely. Climbing to staggering heights, the bubble abruptly stops its ascension. Jolted by the halt of movement, Quilo is thrown into the top of the bubble, causing him to bash his head.
The boy falls back down to the base of the bubble, blood falling from his hairline. Pressing his palm against his forehead, the boy shoots himself up. Speechless and terrified, Quilo takes in the sky enveloping him.
Peering downward, his home is the size of a bippie. His heart beating out of his chest, the boy tries to control his breathing.
Quilo's panicked eyes land on the moon.
Majestic and towering. The celestial body peers down onto the boy, amplifying his sense of dread. But, at the same time, he can't help but think it beautiful.
He's never felt so close to the moon before.
-
Rawlin sighs.
"Man," the lord's tone is crude as he rubs his eyes. "All this sappy talk is making me sick."
King Bora is caught off guard by the lord's sudden remark.
"Oh... right, apologies... I've rambled far too long."
"I should've just gotten here earlier..." Rawlin chuckles to himself as he begins to circle the room, around Bora's throne.
"Is there something you would actually like to discuss?"
"As a matter of fact, there is..." the lord maneuvers behind the throne. "Maybe, just maybe, if you hadn't made that oath with Sirius... I could have left you alone..."
"..."
"But now..." Rawlin completes his spiraled circle and stands before Bora. "You won't even get to say goodbye to your son."
"Wha-"
Before Bora can speak, the lord drives a blade deep into the man's chest.
The king's expression is one of anguish. Blood leaks from his pierced skin, staining the warrior dagger plunged within. The man is at a loss for words. And also time.
"Have you found your answer now, Bora?"
"B-bastard... Why...?"
"It's a shame, really," Rawlin smirks. "After successfully defeating the curses sent by the Witch of Death attacking their outpost, King Bora spirals into a delusional fear of death. In his disillusion, believing the Witch would kill them all out of rage, his majesty commits suicide before she can take him. He hoped with his sacrifice, his subjects would be spared by the Witch's wrath."
"This... will never work," the king's voice is meek. "My people... they know me. They know I would never spiral into such madness."
"And yet they know how weak-minded you are. A ruler with no desire to be... unable to protect his people in times of crisis."
"Kynn and the others... my son... they won't allow this."
"Perhaps they could pose trouble, but what of the rest of your people? As it so happens, I asked around the outpost the last time I was here. And that of the neighboring ones... and... You're not as loved as you think you are."
Bora's heart breaks, as he knows it is true.
"What... do you want? Is this really over some oath...?"
"You pitiful man..." Rawlin grabs the man's chin and glares into his eyes. "Your country is in a vulnerable state, on the brink of collapse. It needs outside support. And who better than those who just put an end to the crisis to assist it?"
"So that's what it comes down to... power? You vile man..."
Rawlin swiftly retracts the blade from the king's chest. Grabbing Bora's hand, he opens it and places the dagger in the man's palm.
"You misunderstand," Rawlin kneels, leering into the dying man's eyes. "I couldn't care less about power. My goals are beyond you and your kin. You are... merely in the way."
"You are... no lord..."
"Nor are you a king," Rawlin stands. As he does, the king before him starts to crumble away. "Now then... all I need is to write a jumbled suicide note, deal with the boy, inform the nobles... I must say, killing snowsquallers is awfully easy to get away with. You don't even leave a body behind. Must be a detective's nightmare..."
"..."
The king is piling into snow.
"Thankfully, I have no reason to kill you. I just helped save your outpost after all, no? Our relationship is the best it's ever been."
"......."
"Now, the oath will be undone... and you... Well, you're already gone."
.......
...........
................
Rawlin begins to walk away but is stopped by the man's final words.
"I'm sorry, Eira. I'll... see you soon..."
"..."
His life fading from this realm, King Bora makes one last request.
"Make sure... Quilo grows up... happily..."
...
The man's body folds into a mound of snow.
The knife he held falls to the floor, and his consciousness departs from this world.
...
...
Rawlin stands silently.
His thoughts a mystery to all.
After a moment, the man moves. He grabs a sheet of paper on the other side of the room and scribbles frenzied words on the page.
After finishing the note, the lord places it beside the throne.
But something feels off...
He thinks over the dead man's words.
Observing the scene he's created, he realizes the faults in his logic and scraps it all.
"Damn it all..."
He crumbles the note and removes the knife from the scene. Rawlin removes the warrior tunic and scoops the king's snow into the garbs.
After making sure no evidence is present, Rawlin goes back out into the silent night. Making sure no one is watching, the lord scatters the king's snow.
His majesty's snow is no different than that of the sky's.
...
Erasing his footsteps, Rawlin begins heading back to his sleeping quarters.
"Oh, almost forgot..."
-
Quilo, King Bora's son, hovers above the world as he knows it.
In some strange sense, he finds the view serene.
Why he coasts with clouds, he not knows, but he does know he needs to return to his father's side. As soon as he can.
And almost as if Alsi herself hears his plea, the bubble he's trapped in begins to plummet. Gravity takes full control of the shield, and flings Quilo into the top of the orb. His fall is too fast. Far too fast.
If this continues, he'll splatter on the snow. This speed is fatal. He hears the wind tear across the outside of the bubble.
The outpost gets closer and closer, and closer until...
The bubble stops, slamming the boy's head into its walls.
All within in instance, everything goes black.
Everything stops.
⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗
The young squaller awakens the next morning, his head throbbing in pain.
He lies in his bed. As if he fell asleep there. Was it... but a dream?
His bedroom unfolds before him. A chatter ensues beyond the door. Lots of chatter, far more than usual. Many people must have come to see his father.
He recalls the blindfolded man speaking with his father. To check whether that was real or not, Quilo rolls out of bed and throws on an outfit. The boy leaves his room and enters the throne room, where his father does not reside.
In his place are a gathering of squallers. One of which is the warrior, Kynn.
"Ah! Quilo, you're awake," Kynn approaches the boy. "Do you know where your father is? We've been looking for him all morning."
"He's missing?" Quilo grows concerned.
"It seems so," Kynn scratches the nape of his neck. "Did he mention he would be going somewhere yesterday?"
Quilo shakes his head and ponders. The only thing he can think of is that man.
"I..." the boy's head pounds. "I'm going to go check something. Do you know where the Lunalir lord is?"
"Oh blindfold? He offered to help search for your dad, he should be by the medical hut reconstruction areas."
"Okay, thanks..." Without clarifying further, the boy slips on his shoes and heads out the door. Blooming Time should be starting soon, the sun is almost at its zenith. Construction is in full swing, so Quilo scurries through volunteers.
Eventually, the boy stumbles across the man and his butler. Approaching the duo, the boy is uncertain of how to begin.
"Um," Quilo breaks into their conversation.
"Oh? You're the king's son, yes?" Rawlin smiles. "Perfect timing, we're looking for your father right now, do you have any idea where he might be?"
"Huh-" the lord's words throw the boy off balance. "Oh, no, I was hoping that you would..."
"I hate to disappoint you, but I haven't seen him since Aureole and Sirius' departure yesterday. I was hoping we could discuss some matters today before I left."
"...So you didn't speak with him last night?"
"Last night?" A convincing confusion spreads across his features. "I don't believe so, I was out like a light come sundown."
-Was it really just a dream then...? But then why does my head hurt so bad?
"Oh... Okay, sorry to bother you." Quilo begins to turn away, unsure of how to process these thoughts.
"I do hope he's alright," the lord claims. "Do you want to join us in searching for him?"
"Er... That's okay, I'll go search on my own, I know some spots."
"Suit yourself," Rawlin grins. "Good luck."
"Mm, you too..." Quilo scampers off.
...
Quilo checks all the places he can think of. He ends up at the lone tree him and his father used to spend a lot of time at. It is also where Sirius and the boy spoke.
"Not here either..."
His concern develops further, morphing into downright worry. His head continues to pound. Why...
His mind keeps circling back to his interaction with the lord. He didn't seem to have any recollection of last night, nor did he seem to be lying. Was it really just a dream...?
...
Quilo runs back to the King's Quarters, his home.
Kynn and a group of guards are just arriving as well.
"Quilo!" Kynn shouts. "Have you found him? Or any clues?"
The boy shakes his head.
"No..."
"This is worrisome, no carriages or animals are unaccounted for, so he couldn't have left the outpost without walking. We've scoured the entire outpost, even the cellar, where could he be...?"
It's evident that Kynn is stressing himself out. Bora is like a father figure to him, after all.
...
...
The day carries on. More and more squallers join the search.
Construction ceases so that all effort can be allocated to finding the king.
...
Their efforts prove fruitless.
Not a trace of the man is found.
...
Lord Rawlin declares it time for him to head back.
Kynn and others group together to send him off. Quilo lurks behind the crowd.
"Thank you once again for everything, blindfold," Kynn smirks, masking his underlying concern. "I wish you safe travels."
"Thank you," the lord nods. "I apologize for needing to leave in such a fretful time. If I come across King Bora on my way back I will be sure to drag him back."
"We'd appreciate it," Kynn grins.
"If for some reason he doesn't turn up, please do not hesitate to rely on me for support. I, Aureole, and Lunalir will gladly come to your aid, no matter the circumstance. I will make sue of it."
"So you can be kind and considerate when need be, huh?" Kynn jokes.
"Hmph, I am a lord, believe it or not."
"...Farewell, blindfold. Make sure to give Sirius some time off to come visit me some time."
"Very well," Rawlin chuckles, before finding Quilo amidst the crowd. "I pray for your father's safe return."
The boy cannot shake a looming sense of dread. But he thanks the man all the same.
With those last words, Cilas sends the carriage on its way.
And so, the blindfolded man and his butler depart.
...
...
Time stretches on, and his father is nowhere to be found.
Quilo's heart pounds out of his throat. He's scared. Terrified.
Wilting Time encroaches, and takes the sun away.
Kynn and his fellow warriors scour beyond the outpost's walls. Guards search within the perimeter. But it is all in vain.
Cold and alone, inside the empty throne room, Quilo decides to go gather firewood. Maybe it will bring some warmth back into his home. His mind in shambles, he drags his feet out the door, and into the hardened snow.
On his path to the storage, he happens to retrace his steps back to where he dreamt the night before. He finds the same hole in the wall and peers through, but his father isn't inside. With a heavy sigh, the boy lowers his gaze to the ground.
But, instead of lone snow, the boy finds something else atop the powder.
Firewood.
...
The firewood he dreamt of getting, sits nestled before his eyes.
It was real.
It wasn't a dream.
He did go to get firewood. He did see his father speaking with Rawlin. He did get sent up into the sky...
That man lied.
Lord Rawlin lied.
-He... what did he do to dad?
...
Quilo returns and lights a fire.
The room now lit, the boy sits in his father's throne.
His head against his knuckles, recollections flood throughout his mind.
-'I need a successor, but... I don't believe he even wishes to take the throne.'
'Then what would become of it?'
'I don't know... He is a vulnerable child. Not someone suited for a position of power, much like I.'
...
...
-'If for some reason he doesn't turn up, please do not hesitate to rely on me for support.'
...
...
...
"So that's your aim..."
The boy pieces it all together.
And his anger boils far past the tipping point.
An empty expression resides on his face, but an insatiable fury dwells within his eyes.
His hands tremble and the room begins to shake.
A power his father told him to lie dormant begs to be released.
"You're dead... aren't you?"
Quilo's eyebrows knit and his eyes begin to water. This feeling is indescribable but so very simple.
The boy storms out his home and scowls at the moon.
-While I looked at you... my father was being killed... If only I used this god forsaken power... I could have saved him... I could have easily saved him...
He won't get away with this... Not that man... Not you... Nor your people...
Lumalins... All they do is hurt you...
Quilo squeezes his eyes tightly. His devouring emotions control his every thought and action. And so he returns to the throne.
...
...
...
Morning arrives.
With his father not found, Quilo tries to convince the others of his findings.
But not a soul believes him.
...
"Why would the guy who helped save us kill our king?"
"What reason would he have for doing that?"
"Relations with Lunalir were already going to be better than ever before. That doesn't make any sense."
"Why didn't you tell us this yesterday?"
"I get you're upset, but... we'll find him, okay? You don't need to go blaming people for no reason."
...
Quilo's hatred spreads.
...
Days pass. And the squaller's king is nowhere to be found.
Many suspect him to be dead. But for what reason, they know not.
Consumed with relentless anger and determination, Quilo takes the throne, albeit silently.
"Alsi law states that if the country's king is absent for an extended period, their predecessor will assume the throne in his place."
"Quilo," Kynn's heart is close to breaking yet again. "Listen, I get you're upset, but you're too young for this. You shouldn't need to take this role... not yet. We'll find him, just... give us more time."
"You all are wasting your time... My father is dead. And it is all that man's fault."
"Quilo... please..."
"Trade will continue as my father directed, and so too will our 'good relations' with Lunalir. But this will be a temporary measure until I am to prove his guilt to the nobles. And if what I suspect is true, that the nobles are aware of this treachery, I will insinuate war."
"War...? What are you talking about? You don't even sound like yourself anymore... We don't have the manpower to go to war! Not to mention your claims are baseless!" Kynn holds out trust in Rawlin.
"Quiet, fool," Quilo sneers. "I have no need for an army. Nor do I need my people's support. I will have justice for my father, no matter what."
"..."
"The truth will always prevail... I will make sure of it."
...
...
The outpost is conflicted and torn. Squallers are unsure whether to mourn or not, and Quilo's designs remain a mystery to most.
News of Quilo's kinghood is kept secret from the public.
Construction resumes, while a few teams searching for Bora continue to set out. Though the boy knows it is pointless.
...
After another long day, the breaking boy returns to his home.
He slips off his shoes and stares at the empty throne.
Quietly approaching, the boy kneels.
His head held low, the boy speaks to his deceased father.
"Dad... Another day has passed and... I still feel the same."
The boy's voice is quiet but clear.
"I will not forget. I know the truth. And I swear I will avenge you.
You hoped that I would be happy... and I can promise you that this will make me be. This power you've given me... I will use it properly. I will be a king you can be proud of.
...And I know I told you, that I'd try to make friends. That I'd try not to hate people, but...
I'm sorry...
That was a lie."