Once upon a time, the world was without order. Those who lived were allowed to roam free — without laws and without morals.
The Goddess Elysia chose humans to represent her hope, yet it was humans who brought about desolation. Thus, the Holy Egos came to be. They exist as the dark truths behind the light of hope, but none are as prominent as Strife itself.
Strife. Strife. Strife is their sustenance. Under their watchful gaze, peace is all but a distant memory.
How long had it been since Caelus knew of such a thing? Even as he walked upon this path lit by daylight, he knew only the darkness that followed his every step. Voices in his ear whispered of unspeakable notions — to see these towers bathed in flames. All he needed was to give in, and they would guide his path.
What of the people? These innocent students who have yet to do wrong?
It mattered not, for those who desired peace were often undeserving of it.
And so, Caelus lifted his hand at the sun, peering through the rays that shone in the gaps of his fingers. Cold was the air, yet he didn't feel it. Warm was the sun, but it was just as lackluster. For something that provided light to so much color, the world before him seemed uncannily bleak.
Almost two months. That's how long it's been since he returned to the human realm, and what he'd seen so far was more than unjust.
A lie spun in the name of House Luvelaine.
A noble's insatiable thirst for authority.
A prince who oppresses his sister over a political game.
A guilty woman who walks free from murder.
Caelus returned to the empire and came to Rhodeia for one reason alone: to find traces of his mother. Yet, like clockwork, fate was against it. It was as if his mother had orchestrated these encounters to stop him from reaching her. The more the hypotheticals emerged, the more impatient he became.
"Perhaps strife... is necessary."
"Caelus!"
He turned around, and the moment he did, a pair of arms tightly wrapped around his body. Everything else seemed to fade into nothingness — the stone path, the grass, the trees off to the side, and even the wind itself. And in their place was a head of pink hair pushing against his chest.
"Ca... Castorica...?" he gulped.
Before he even had time to rationalize this situation, Castorica looked up with a disappointed frown, her hands now latching onto his arms.
"Where have you been?!" she exclaimed. "You hadn't been to class in three whole days, no one's seen you around, and you haven't been replying to my letters!"
"...L-letters...?"
"Yeah. I wrote to you at least two times per day over the last three— wait! That's beside the point! What happened to you, Caelus?! I thought you... y-you...!"
Unable to control her outburst of emotion — shock, anger, and ultimately relief — Castorica dropped her head onto Caelus's chest once more.
"I thought you'd gotten expelled..." she whispered. "I thought... I'd never get to see you again."
He had no words, yet words were all that filled his mind.
What is this? Why is she acting like this and saying such things? And why... does she look so sad?
Of course, he knew the answer, but he was neither willing nor empathetic enough to believe it. After all, why would anyone feel such a way toward him?
Even then, the encroaching darkness began to slip away. What dull colors existed before were now replaced with life and vibrancy. A warm vapor cloud escaped Caelus's mouth, trailing above like campfire smoke. The cold... he felt it.
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Castorica," Caelus gently said.
"...I know," she sighed. "That's why I'm trying to find any reason to be angry right now, but I can't. You're just... so stupid."
"Hah... You're not the first to call me that."
Later, when Castorica finally calmed down, the pair sat next to each other on a bench beneath an oak tree. Here, they had a beautiful view of the campus courtyard and all the activity.
"Feeling better?" Caelus asked her.
"Just slightly. I'm still annoyed at you."
"It was completely out of my control."
"Oh yeah? Challenging the crown prince was completely out of your control? You couldn't have just walked away? If your little altercation had happened anywhere else but the college, you would've been sent to the gallows."
"As if I'd go along with that."
"Caelus..."
He turned to see her gaze, still irritated but with a hint of distress.
"I don't know how much you remember about this empire since you've been away for so long, but it's not that easy," she mumbled. "The imperial family's reign is absolute. You anger them, and you will spend the rest of your life as a wanted criminal. Never will you be able to rest. Never will you know a good night's sleep. Not until you die."
Caelus had so many questions, but none seemed appropriate to ask. Even if all of that were to happen, why should he care? This empire has made it clear where they stand in regard to people like him. Fallen, commoners, and foreigners — they're all one and the same. Assets to be stepped upon and tossed aside once they've exhausted their usefulness.
There was no reason for him to respect those who would never do the same for him.
"There are things about me that you don't understand, Castorica," Caelus said. "Things... I will likely never tell you. The last five years of my life, I wouldn't even wish upon my worst enemy. But I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge that those harrowing times were what shaped who I am today. So, rest without worry. I'm not someone who will die at the hands of pretentious humans."
Perhaps it was just her imagination, but as Castorica watched him and listened to his words, a subtle ray of sunlight brightened his face.
"...Hah. I can't win against you," she scoffed as she stood for a stretch. "Fine. I'll let this go. But if something happens, don't say I didn't warn you."
"As if I'd ever."
"Pfft... Not to worry, Caelus."
Castorica stepped onto the path and came to a halt beneath the shadows of the oak. With her hands behind her back, she turned — not fully, but just enough for Caelus to see that heartwarming smile.
"I went the past three days thinking I'd lost you, and I don't wanna feel that again," she said. "That's why... I'll keep you out of trouble."
Caelus stood with a light chuckle.
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
"I have my ways~ Now, come along, Caelus. I need you to catch me up on the drama."
The pair walked together through the courtyard. Every so often, students would stop to stare at them, but they were lost in the conversation.
Caelus felt a sense of ease as opposed to just a moment ago. His mind was clear, his shoulders were loose, and it felt like he could breathe at long last.
Perhaps strife is necessary... but for today, there shall be peace.
They stopped beside an auxiliary when someone blocked their path. Or at least, it was seemingly blocking their path.
"...Aria," Caelus said, neither welcoming nor dismissive.
But unlike him, Castorica hid nothing in her tone.
"Your Royal Highness," she muttered harshly. "I thought I made myself clear when I said I wouldn't take you or your brother's side. Was there something you still needed from me?"
Aria said nothing. Then, slowly but surely, her gaze shifted to the one beside her.
"Caelus," she said, much to the surprise of Castorica.
"...Yes, Your Royal Highness?" he replied as calmly as he could.
"I'd like to request a private meeting with you later on today. Would that be possible?"
"What? I mean, I... I'll be rather busy after my last class."
"I-it'll be quick. Just one minute. I promise."
A private meeting? With me? For what?
So many questions rang in his head, left then right, up then down — bouncing off his skull like it was a circus performance. It should've been natural, but with Castorica staring him down like he'd just committed a heinous crime, anxiety settled in. But he was ready. A few seconds was more than enough time to craft a suitable response.
And so...
"...Sure."
"Wonderful!" Aria exclaimed with a dauntingly bright smile. "I look forward to it."
With that, she continued on her merry way down the aisle as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Caelus was left to deal with the aftermath, which consisted of one too many stares.
"What the hell did you do this time...?" Castorica said, a little too close to growling.
"I... don't know what you mean," he gulped.
"Yeah, right! Why is the crown princess asking for you by name?! Did you manage to tick her off, too?!"
"What? Of course not!"
"Then explain to me..."
The one-sided argument went on and on. Meanwhile, someone lurked in the shadows behind them, bearing witness to what just unfolded.