King of Hearts

45.

"... and then, me being the queen of clumsiness, I slipped and fell to the ground. It was so embarrassing", Val covers her face with her hands. Ulio starts laughing out loud and the melodic sound of it melts her heart. Tears are glimmering at the corner of his eyes, that's how much he's laughing. He seems to be enjoying Val's embarrassing stories way too much. However, it doesn't bother her at all. 

"In front of so many people? God, you're extraordinary, Val", he giggles breathlessly wiping the corner of his eye. "I mean it. You really are special", he adds smiling charmingly. His glimmering eyes meet hers in a way that tells her, he's not referring to the story. The prince just stares at her, smiling mindlessly, completely lost in her eyes. Val wants to look away, but she can't because she too is lost in his sweet brown eyes. Wordlessly, they continue walking like this.

Val couldn't finish the (very delicious) cherry pie. Thankfully, Ulio ate up the rest. After their meal, the two made their way into the city. And now, here they are chatting while strolling through Senfira like a romantic couple. They didn't even manage to make a plan. They haven't talked about their mission at all. All they have been doing was telling each other stories. Val is so disappointed in herself for wasting her time like that. Although she has to admit, she's having quite some fun with Ulio. He turns out to be different from their first encounter. He's more laid back, more open, and friendly. He openly tells her hilarious childhood stories. He gladly listens to hers as well and responds every time. Val feels comfortable around him and she doesn't know whether she should be concerned.

Although she's enjoying her time with the prince, they need to set priorities. "Ulio, we have to talk about what we are going to do next," she says pulling both down to earth. Ulio rubs his chin, smirking. "I don't know. There is a bar right over there"
"You know what I'm talking about", Val cuts him off. He giggles lightly and Val blushes. "I know. You're right. I'm sorry. I just want to enjoy the time with you" he apologizes avoiding her gaze. He's rubbing his hands once again. Is he actually nervous? That's impossible. 

"Alright, we have Diamond, Sapphire, Moonstone, and Jade. And technically Ruby, too. Turquoise, Amethyst, and Onyx are missing. I think my brother's Onyx will be easy to get, once he shows up. I am more concerned about the others. Medéi Uranus, the Deceiving King is a weird guy and I do not trust him. Honestly, I don't even know where to find him. He's nowhere and everywhere at the same time", he rubs his chin, and his gaze is fixed on the ground. 

"The Sleeping Queen told me to go to the Patchwork Forest. There we'll find both Medéis", Val says. The question is, will they have to search for them? The forest is gigantic, they might even get lost. It will take them too long. Ulio turns to her. "If so, then I might have an idea. I think I know –" 

Ulio gets interrupted by a sudden earthquake. Literally. The ground is gradually shaking, and long cracks are appearing on the pavement. The shaking begins to increase and some screaming can be heard but Val can't see anything because dust is covering her sight. Suddenly, slow cracking can be heard to the right and the screams grow louder. Val is terrified by what she thinks to be seeing. A building is falling turning to a broad wave of dust. People that have been standing next to it are either running away or it is already too late. Another, taller building next to it is now also crashing. And as if not enough the next one too. Val gets pushed and hit from all directions. A strong arm wraps around her protectively. Val's eyes fearfully meet Ulio's. "We need to get away from here", he yells. As they are running away two other buildings are being demolished. One after another is falling down and Val doesn't want to imagine how many victims are taken with them.

Something feels odd. Either she's hallucinating or the dust is turning black and is way thicker than before, but Val has no time to reflect on it. In the corner of her eye, she notices a short figure. As she looks in its direction, she acknowledges that it is the cat again. It's also escaping. By now Val knows that the presence of the cat equals a warning. But Val doesn't need the cat to realize that Senfira is going down.

The dust is suffocating her and she's almost coughing her organs out. It is transforming into weird shapes. They look like shadows come alive. This is not normal. Ulio's pace slows down, and Val just wants to drag him with her but obviously, there's something wrong. Other than the earthquake. He seems to have found the cause of it. Val can't believe her eyes. An enormous beast with feathers and a beak is flying down towards them. From afar it looks like a giant crow but the feet are shaped like hooves and the eyes – god, its eyes – are big and round and scary like those of an owl. It looks disgustingly scary. Ulio simply stands there neither scared nor surprised. He unconsciously grips Val's hand. By now the other people must have noticed that giant bird as well which is why they are still running for their lives.

Now that the crow-thing is approaching, Val notices a dark figure riding it. Only when the creature touches the floor does the ground stop shaking and no other buildings are collapsing anymore. It is has become drastically silent that it almost shocks Val. Only faint crying can be heard from somewhere, but Val tries to ignore it, not wanting to imagine the pain of these poor people. 

A man dressed in black from head to toe elegantly hops down from the crow's back. Although the earthquake has stopped, the shadowy creatures are still here, and they are surrounding both Val and Ulio. Only now she realizes that the crowd is completely gone and it's unusual to see the public square this still and empty.

The shadows are moving so slowly that Val barely notices how the circle they're in is getting smaller. They are moving as quietly as their leader who is standing still only a few feet away from them. He's barely moving, he doesn't even seem to be breathing. Does he even blink? He's just staring at Ulio. His green eyes are so poisonous, dangerous, and full of hatred, that his dull smirk is barely noticeable. He's wearing all black. His face is the only visible skin. He's wearing black pants and black boots, as well as a long black coat, black leather gloves, and even a black turtleneck. His raven hair is covering his forehead. His emerald eyes and his pale skin are the only things standing out. And his crown. His crown is silver and has a round Onyx in the middle. By now, everyone should be able to recognize him: The Prince of the Underworld.