Chapter 5: My Reminiscent Gentleman
All that could be heard in the silent forest was the loud clip-clopping of the two horses that bolted through the dirt path, carrying a young man lost in thought. The forest was beautiful at night. The fireflies adorned the pine trees like fairy lights. The moonlight shone through the trees like spotlights. The nocturnal fauna danced and played in the spotlight. Some shy ones peeked around the branches to see the unexpected traveler.
Although the night was silent, lovely, and lively, the young man didn't once glance its way. His eyes stayed put on the reins in his hands. His mind was elsewhere. The young man didn't even blink as he remembered an old memory from when he was younger. When his father taught him the several codewords that royal seers use.
Aselsiel closed his eyes as he remembered that old vivid memory.
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"Aselsiel! Put that cretin down. It is time for your lessons." Lerfid called from another room. Young Aslesiel huffed in arrogance and sulked towards the training room. He gave one last pet to his beloved pet mouse as he set aside near his locker. The young boy tiptoed to reach the top shelf of his locker. He grabbed a thick velvet book and quickly shuffled to his father. "Papa! I'm here now!" Young Aselsiel called with a big smile. Lerfid ruffled Aselsiel's unruly hair. "Good boy. Now, sit beside me." Lerfid said, gesturing to the seat by his desk. Aselsiel grinned and scrambled up the high chair. He gingerly opened the thousands-year-old text. Lerfid carefully flipped through the pages, looking for the next lesson. "Papa! What's this?", Aselsiel asked, pointing at a page about codewords.
Lerfid thought carefully whether he should tell his still young son about these words. He sighed. He would have to tell him one day. This would be a good learning opportunity. He moved his chair closer to his son as he read the ancient text out loud. "These are the codewords that only royal seers know. We must only use these words in the most dangerous moments. Never use these words for play and jokes. Do you understand, Aselsiel?" The young boy nodded. His eyes glimmered with awe as he looked through the codewords. Lerfid smiled as the child-like interest that never failed to show on his son's face.
"Habiti."
Lerfid froze. He looked down at the word Aselsiel pointed at. "What does that mean, papa? It sounds cool." Aselsiel curiously asked. Lerfid shook his head. He stood up from his chair and walked towards a portrait. The frame hung loosely on the wall. Its picture was covered in mold and dust, barely visible. Lerfid blew across the surface, revealing a faded painting.
The painting showed a heavenly being whose face has aged with worry and sadness. He held a ring between his hands. Below the god, there were two types of beings. Their souls were being ripped apart. One split being was blue. The other being was red.
"This painting reveals more than you know. It speaks of the ancient story of how we were cursed. I've told you this tragic love story a hundred times. There was something I've left out." Lerfid sat beside his son again. He patted his lap. Aselsiel giddily sat on his father's lap. "There are great evils in this world. There were lower gods split in half. Some of those lower beings continued to hold that rage in their hearts." Lerfid paused as he chose his next words carefully.
"Habiti." Lerfid started.
Aselsiel perked up at the unusual word. He looked expectantly at his father, waiting for him to continue. "There are evil things in this world. They attack things that stand in their way. We, the royal seers, must keep them at bay for the price of knowledge. There will be a time where every royal seer will one day be attacked by such evil. When that time comes, the apprentice shall rise. The last word that the former royal seer will say is Habiti." Lerfid told, staring at the portrait.
Aselsiel stared at Lerfid's weary face. The young boy frowned. "Papa is going away? But...papa can't die." The young child protested. Lerfid gave a faint smile. He carried the young boy in his arms. "Don't worry. I will be with God Pelagus! One day, you will come and explore the heavens with me too!" Lerfid said, encouragingly. Aselsiel giggled in his father's arm and hugged him tightly.
"I will never leave your side, papa Lerfid!", Aselsiel said happily.
----
Present Aselsiel opened his eyes slowly. His thoughts were back to reality. He no longer heard the soft laughter of his father. He no longer heard the soft creaking floorboards. He no longer felt the warmth of his father's embrace. When he opened his eyes, all he could hear was the soft clip-clopping. All he could hear was the soft nightlife playing in the background. All he could feel was the cool night breeze. Everything was different once more.
"Why did father have to be gone so quickly?..." Aselsiel said, biting his lips.
Aselsiel looked back to the duke's estate but the mansion was nowhere in sight. He looked down to realize something was missing. There was something odd. He felt like there was something he was forgetting.
Aselsiel took a sharp inhale. He pulled the reins on his horse. "Regiis!" Aselsiel called out to the Royal Seer's horse. He closed his eyes and listened intently to his surroundings. As usual, his heightened seer's abilities didn't fail him. A faint neigh was heard from within the dense forest. Aselsiel opened his eyes and grimaced at the forest.
"Come on, old friend. Let's go and fetch your pal." Aselsiel told his horse, going towards the forest.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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