The rising sun, casting it's radiant glow upon the world was signaling the start of a new day. Aedis, being the morning person he is woke up relatively early, and began brewing some coffee. As the sunlight snuck into through the curtains of the window, Shiro's eyes fluttered opened, blinking in quick succession.
"M-Morning!" Shiro said, still a bit groggy as he pushed off the covers and slowly headed to the small kitchen.
"Oh, morning son. Made breakfast—feel free to eat up." Aedis said before sipping on his coffee.
"T-Thank you." Shiro said before sitting at the dining table. He was slowly but surely getting used to considering Aedis as his "Father."
Aedis as well couldn't fully get behind the idea of calling Shiro his "son" since he was just nineteen close to turning twenty. However, if it made Shiro happy he wasn't apposed to it.
"We'll be heading out soon to get you some clothes, so eat up quickly." Aedis added.
"Oh, right! Alright." Shiro beamed before looking at the plate in front of him—scrambled eggs, uniquely seasoned, along with a tall glass of lemonade.
As Shiro started eating, he had something on his mind he wanted to let out. "Hey... Dad, do you ever wonder about my eyes?" He asked.
"Hm? Oh! I mean it's crossed my mind once but I feel like it's not my place to ask—unless you felt comfortable to tell me." Aedis replied, as he rummaged through his bag.
"I see... you really are like them." Shiro said giving a genuine smile to Aedis.
"Like them?" He asked, glancing over curiously.
"My caretakers before I ended up lost here in this city." Shiro replied.
"I see... did you get lost because of your eyes? Are they special?" Aedis asked.
Shiro began to explain, trying to feel more open. "I haven't actually ever opened them... I can see everything as if they were open. It's toggle-able too, kind of like a switch. I had this ability since my very birth. When I try to open my eyes, an overload of energy starts pouring in me and it starts becoming unbearably painful for me, so I don't open them."
"I see. So that's why you never open your eyes. I'm not sure if there's a solution to your problem here, but I'm sure as we adventure well find something that can help you." Aedis replied.
"Y-You think so?" Shiro asked, still eating his food.
"Yup I know so." Aedis said throwing out a thumbs up, before speaking again. "But don't talk while eating. It's not proper and you'll spill food that way, alright?"
"O-Ok!" Shiro said, looking away shyly before continuing to eat.
After Shiro was done eating, the two of them swiftly got ready to leave. First and only stop, the shopping district before they would Leviathan's Paradise for Lodon. The area was quite a calm place, there were some people exploring about. Guess the early morning wasn't a crowded time. As the two walked, they passed by a few shops in which they bought from before they could start their journey to Lodon.
The shopping district was filled with different stores—ranging from small stands to full on stores, it was practically a have mine of items and services.
During their time around they found a travel gear store name "Ooltora" run by a beastmen who happened to be a hermit crab. Aedis bought a bag for Shiro, in case he needed to carry anything he liked. Afterwards, they came across a clothing store in which they acquired some clothes for Shiro. Among the clothes they bought, Shiro changed into a somewhat elegant but nature designed, yet light armor.
The shop owner said that when you follow a path of a god, that armor will also be enhanced based on your rank in the path. So I suppose that was a nice bonus considering it had a hefty price.
After all was said and done, it was finally time to get back on the road to Lodon and so they began to set out. Meanwhile over central world in Japan a 28 year old man was on his way to work, with a male co-worker who seemed to a friend of his.
"Man, did you see the news?" The co-worker said.
"No? Why?" The man replied.
"Kuro! The Lily Princess is coming, to tokyo!" The co-worker exclaimed.
"Xander, who on earth even is that?" Kuro asked, genuinely lost.
"Sheesh, man your a boomer. She's like—very famous! Huge mainstream actress, man! She was apparently raised here, and so she's coming back for a tour!" Xander replied, with a bit too much excitement.
Kuro just sighed as they entered the office. "Let me guess—you're going to try to shoot your shot at her even though she doesn't even know a nobody like you?" Kuro asked.
"H-Hey! I'll have you know we were childhood friends." Xander protested. "Did you forget her already?"
"Huh? We had a childhood friend who was a girl? I'm pretty sure I would've remembered that." Kuro said, his brows now furrowed.
"Sheesh. You can really shatter a girls heart if one liked you, y'know." Xander replied, putting his palm to his face.
"Anyhow, she's in stardom. I doubt she'd remember us anyways." Kuro added, before sitting is his cubicle.
"She does! I know she does. After all, I texted her—and gave her both of our numbers." Xander said proudly, taking his place to the the cubicle to the right of Kuro.
Kuro mid-sip of his coffee, chocked and spilled some on his desk "You WHAT?! ARE YOU INSANE?!"
A cheerful woman came to the two with her usual joyful air about her stood behind the two. "Mikazuki-senpai, it's the morning and your already so loud, that's so unlike you." She said, with a playful smile.
"Ah! Kumari-san! Cute as always." Xander said.
"H-Huh? Y-You think so?" Kumari said, now flustered and fidgeting with her hair.
"I break girl's hearts? This guy." Kuro whispered to himself as he rolled his eyes, shaking his head before sighing.
"My bad, Kumari-san. This knucklehead wrapped me up and something stupid." Kuro explained.
"Ah, that's so like him." Kumari said, giggling a bit.
"H-Huh? Am I seriously that bad to you guys?" Xander asked.
"Indeed, Kawasaki." Kuro said, teasingly.
"Nooooooo! I thought we were close! Go back to using my first name!" Xander exaggerated.
"Alright, guys. I'll see you all at lunch-time, shifts about to start soon." Kumari said, fixing her hair into a bun with a star pin.
"Alright, see ya." The two replied, before turning to their computers to start to get to work.
This place which they were currently in was known as "Oborozuki Studio" or "Hazy Moon Studio." Which was a game studio, a popular one at that. Kuro and Xander had both started working together about two years ago before Kumari arrived in their workspace.
Kuro and Xander when they were kids were childhood best friends and through the years that never changed. They had another childhood friend however, she had to move away. Kuro liked programming, it was a fun prospect to him. Creating, destroying, adjusting, all of the properties drew him in.
In essence it was like being a god, making a world how you imagined it. Obviously though he could only create games that the company had greenlit and started a project on. That didn't bother him however, It wasn't the feeling of control that lead him to love the creation of games but the very essence of nurturing what you've created.
After time flew by working on the project, it was lunch-time. So the three of them went to the rooftop.
"Your not gonna work overtime again are you Kuro?" Xander asked, clearly worried.
"I am." Kuro replied, nonchalantly.
"Dude! Your gonna kill yourself that way, I know this is your passion and your a prodigy at it but come on. We have beyond enough time, to get this game out so relax." Xander argued.
"I have to agree with Xander-senpai, your not going to get enough sleep." Kumari added.
"I understand you concern however, I'll be just fine I promise." Kuro reassured.
Xander only sighed in response. "Fine, just take of yourself better, ok man?"
Kuro nodded his head in a yes motion before taking a bite of his bento.
"Oooo~ That's the first time I've seen you with a bento, did a cute girl make it for you champ?" Xander teased.
"Stop that, you shouldn't tease Kuro-senpai, Xander-senpai." Kumari added.
"My sister made it for me, she insisted today for some reason, something about me needing to eat more. I eat often so I'm not sure why she's so worried." Kuro answered.
"Poor girl, her elder brother is lost in space. Not taking care of himself properly leaving a young girl to do it for him." Xander teased.
"Oh, stop that." Kuro replied.
"Alright you two, enough of that. Did you hear about the Lily Princess? They say she's going to be here in a days time." Kumari intervened, a bit excitedly.
"You too?" Kuro asked, sighing.
"You don't know what your missing out on bro." Xander added.
"Right! She's a really good singer along with her acting career she's like my role-model." Kumari said.
"Which is why I got us tickets to her concert here!" Xander said.
"Really?!" Kumari asked, in surprise.
"Just great." Kuro said.
The two of them started talking more about the "Lily Princess" while they ate while Kuro just watched them while eating away at his bento. Suddenly Kuro flinched incredibly hard, catching the attention of the two.
"Y-you ok senpai?" Kumari asked.
"Y-yea, for a moment I saw a glitching in the bottom corners of my eyes. Scared me senseless, it's gone now though." Kuro explained.
"Glitching? Dude are you hallucinating?" Xander asked.
"Who knows, but whatever it is it's probably not major." Kuro assured them.
The two gave him anxious looks but they decided to roll with it.
"If it gets worse go to a doctor, promise?" Xander said.
"Promise." Kuro responded, in kind.
"About the tickets, lets discuss it later it's almost time to go back to work. We've been talking for quite some while haven't we." Xander said.
The two agreed and they all started to pack up before it was time for them to return to their cubicles. Back with father and son duo, they were currently still in motion to reach Lodon. In front of the duo about a mile or two away Alena was exploring waiting for Aedis.
"Now that I recall, the hag I taught how to use tarot cards did talk about an Aedis. Something along the lines of "I know a young man with overwhelming potential and kindness to those who he cares for." Alena thought to herself.
"Don't think she ever mentioned his rank, but best to assume he is a general. Either way, I'll just kill him. After all, if that hag is the one who said he had potential he might be a danger in the future." Alena continued to herself.
Alena didn't learn much information after learning about Aedis, except a little small rumor about a supposedly "God of Anomalies" which was a load of crap. After all she knew how much gods there were and who they were as an apostle of The Fool. This small rumor seemed to have started about four days back.
"The kid's said he should make it in about a day or two so he should be around here now, no?" Alena said looking around.
"Arcana Magic, The High Priestess" Alena said throwing a card into the air.
A flash occurred only visible by Alena and soon two outline appeared in the distance.
"Well, Well, Well. Found ya big guy, lots of the kids in Lodon look up to you so I hope your fun." Alena said, waiting.
As the two got nearer to Lodon, they realized that there was someone in front of them. A woman, wearing an ocean-like blusher of a veil over her face and an elegant royal blue sheath dress with a necklace that seemed to have a theater mask as the pendant. She was quite gorgeous, but the air around her seemed free yet deadly.
"Oh, hello miss, is Lodon just straight ahead here?"Aedis asked, as Shiro hid behind Aedis.
"Indeed, however I'd like to have a chat with you, Aedis." The woman replied.
Aedis eyes slightly grew wide. How did she know his name? It couldn't possibly be more trouble could it?
"You know my name miss?" Aedis asked.
"Indeed, your quite popular with the kids in Lodon and so I came to find you to see you for myself, you may call me Alena." The woman revealed.
Everything suddenly clicked, there were two kids who lived in the Bourland before they moved to Lodon with their families. There were many kids in Bourland, but I'd say those two looked up to Aedis the most. So it made sense that those two would share their experience with him to the other kids they'd befriend and interact with.
"Alena, I see, now that you've met me are you satisfied?" Aedis asked.
"Hm? Well, not fully however, do you don't care that I'm a human?" Alena answered, asking another question.
"Not in the slightest. I have no resentment to humans, why do you ask?" Aedis said.
"Oh, well isn't that interesting. Well, if you don't mind I have a few questions. You don't mind answering them do you?" Alena said with an smile and her hand clasped together as she leaned forward.
"Uhm, sure. Lay it on me. However, if I help you with these questions, can you be my guide—until I reach a city outside of Ashviel." Aedis replied.
Alena put her hand on her chin for a moment pretending to think about it, before she spoke. "Alright, you've got yourself a deal, your going to be a big help to me after all."
"Great! What's the first question?" Aedis asked, somewhat excited now.
Exploring on their would be great however since he was with a kid now he couldn't put them at risk of getting lost and starving in the middle of nowhere.
"That elf behind you, is he your slave? I'm assuming not due to his high quality clothes but I just wanna confirm that." Alena asked.
"Oh, this is Shiro, he's my son." Aedis answered, gently pushing Shiro to come from behind him.
"H-Hello." Shiro said before looking down.
"I see... well no matter, Aedis what's your goal when you leave Ashviel? I mean a general like yourself should have a grand reason, right?" Alena continued.
"General? I'm not a general, honestly... I feel like I'm about a tier 3 demon soldier in terms of power, however for my goal I just want to explore the world and discover all there is to know." Aedis answered.
Alena looked shocked for a second, however she quickly gained her composure. "Was I wrong? This was my only lead, yet I didn't expect my inference to be incorrect! Unless he's lying to me, either way I've got to kill him since he's already seen me." She thought, as she eyeing Aedis carefully.
"Oh, I see I suppose that was my mistake." Alena said with a gentle smile.
Disgusting pest.
Shiro & Alena both looked shocked, completely taken by surprise from Kuro's voice.
"What's wrong with you!" Shiro thought.
Can't you see her act? She has clearly has intention on helping us. She only wants us dead—just like the rest of them.
"W-What?" Shiro thought.
Suddenly Shiro's thoughts were broken as Alena suddenly burst into laughter.
"O-Oh dear, I almost believed that act of yours Aedis. Who would've thought you were carrying around an anomaly. You planned on letting it grow until it became another danger like the dark lord." Alena said, chuckling in between.
"W-What? What are you talking about?" Aedis said, confused on the situation and how it had turned so upside down.
Her expression hardened before speaking her next words. "Arcana Magic, Death." As she threw a glowing red card at them. "Chains of Demise."
The card which had been flung momentarily suddenly had dark red chains emerging from it and lunging straight towards them to impale them—however the chains were swiftly destroyed after they collided with mysterious jet dark cosmic looking blade.
"If you wanted to die, you should've just let me know and bowed your head." Kuro said, his black eyes cold and piercing.
"Guess, I was right and by the looks of it you should be a rank II or III anomaly. Nothing I can't deal with." Alena said.
Aedis who was still momentarily stunned from the chains that were about to hit them then came back to his senses.
"H-Hey! What's this all about?! We were just talking a moment ago!" Aedis exclaimed.
"Don't speak to me General Aedis. If you want to enter Lodon, your going to have to go past my dead body." Alena said.
"Until I meet a suitable god to serve under I will not be dying. So indeed—we W̲i̲l̲l̲ be walking past your dead body." Kuro responded.
"A God? You think a god would really accept an anomaly like you-" Alena proclaimed before stopping, her expression shifting to realization. "You don't mean that 'God of Anomalies' do you?" Alena asked.
"Indeed. This man who's my father also happens to be an apostle of his." Kuro answered.
"When did I say that?! I said I knew a god as their 'apostle', never said it was the God of Anomalies!" Aedis though in the spur of the moment.
"I see... so he's real." She muttered. "Who would've thought. No matter exterminating both of you should still be relatively do-able even against another apostle." Alena continued.
It seems, this white lie and rumor would soon to be known as true across the lands. How is Aedis going to respond to this as an "Apostle."