Hollow World Theory

Part 10

Two weeks and five days have passed, leaving only two days before Giosa would meet with the other Kingdoms leaders. They prepared themselves for the future that will come for them soon. They could worry less about themselves, but Kiaskin... She wasn't too sure about how Kiaskin would come to the meeting. In fact, he might not come at all. As she thought about this, Giosa walked through the halls to Kiaskin's room. They didn't expect him to be there, looking out the window behind his desk. Quietly, Giosa crept closer to Kiaskin, startling him a little bit.

"Oh, Giosa." he said, turning to them. "I didn't hear you come in."

"My apologies." She replied. "I tend to be quiet when I walk into rooms."

"That's alright." Kiaskin reassured her. "Did you need something?"

Giosa stayed quiet for a moment, before asking Kiaskin their question.

"Do you think you will be available to meet with the other kingdoms leaders?" She requested.

Kiaskin froze slightly, feeling shocked from the question. Why would they need me to be a part of it? He thought to himself. He looked away, not wanting to look at Giosa. He felt his heart beat a little faster, his breath shaking slightly. Giosa gazed at him, feeling his unease.

"Kiaskin?" Giosa asked. He raised his head to make eye contact with them, before staring at the floor again to ground himself.

"I-" he said before he hesitated. Giosa waited patiently. "I don't think I want to discuss the fires."

"... why is that?" Giosa asked, hinting the fact that Kiaskin told them about his kingdom months ago. He sighed as he closed his eyes, struggling to keep his tears within.

"I only want to remember the good memories from my kingdom," he answered. "I want to remember its beauty, its peace... its people. Not its destruction."

He wavered from saying any more, feeling his throat tighten as he slowly recalled the memory of that night. The night his old home went down in flames. When his people screamed and cried as their loved ones were lost to the fire. Those flames. Those hungering, frightening, death-bringing flames.

It was a mere moment that Kiaskin remembered that night, but it felt like eternity. Giosa put their hand on his shoulder to bring him back to reality. He looked at her, watching silently.

Giosa then nodded in understanding.

"Very well then." Giosa said. " I will meet with them. You won't be attending the meeting with me. At least, not yet."

Kiaskin looked at her, a little bit surprised. Giosa turned and left for the doorway. Before they completely left the room, however, Kiaskin stopped them from their tracks.

"Giosa?" He called. She paused and turned to him.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Thank you." Kiaskin replied, feeling a smile form on his lips. "For understanding."

Giosa looked at him for only a moment before bowing their head. When they finished, they left the prince to contemplate his fate. He may have been spared time from that wretched memory now, but it is only a matter of time before he will face his fear. Kiaskin shook his head to clear away his dark thoughts. I don't need to face it now, he thought, I still have time.