starlight's destiny | HIMEKO

act twenty one | do not be fooled by dreams, for reality is more haunting

"Do not come to me and say they refuse to speak."

Instead, silence was delivered. A hand slammed against a solid table, shocking Saphir. With his hands behind his back, the young man looked up to his brother, unsure on what to say next. Prince Demande sucked in a long breath before looking up. Lighting up his face was the hologram set atop a pedestal. 

"They refuse, huh?"

"Yes."

A deep sigh left the white-haired man's lips before he shook his head and ran a hand through his locks. A sudden smile cracked on his face the more he stared at the holographic figure. Anger bubbled in his stomach that none of his plans were working, but for some otherworldly reason, he laughed. 

"You know something, brother? The more I stand here and remember their faces, I cannot hold myself from laughing. They look exactly the same."

"What?" Saphir watched his brother's shoulders shake and head bob up and down. Nerves bubbled in the young man's gut at the utmost random reaction. 

"Look at them!" Demande yelled with a pointed finger, "And look at her! Do not tell me you do not see a resemblance. Do you know how and why?"

Almost hesitant to speak, the blue-haired man clutched his hands and fell tongue run dry. He didn't know what to say or how to react. 

"I don't--"

"It's because of the Crystal! The Legendary Silver Crystal!" Prince Demande slammed his hands on a table before turning to his brother, "That's why I need it: to one, stay young and rule forever and yet, no one had gotten me it!"

Fury once again flooded the man's mind at his resolve that no one has succeeded his plan. Hearing his voice bounce off the cold walls, Demande brushed his hair back just as the door creaked open.

"The more I am trapped in his castle, the more I want to grab her myself. This lot who have volunteered have all died at those young Guardians hands. Who must I talk to that will sort this problem out." A scoff past his lips, "And that Loyal Knight, psst. Who could imagine a mere child having the power in evading my grasp. He has all I need, yet these useless people can't seem to get him!"

"I am at your service, my Prince." Another voice spoke in stead of Saphir's. The brothers turned around to see a woman at the door with a bowed head. She soon closed the barrier and bowed at the white-haired man's foot. 

"And you are?" A green-haired woman raised her head while wearing a sinister smile, "Petz. My name is Petz, your Highness."

"And what do you have to offer me, Petz?" Prince Demande in the woman's face and held her chin with his thumb and forefinger. The two stared at one another in tense silence before Petz closed her eyes. 

"I honour myself up to you. My sisters have done nothing useful and I wish to turn this fight around. Please, make me your vessel in getting what is rightfully yours: your Queen."

Saphir felt his skin crawl at the smile that etched itself on his brother's face. Greed and hunger were too weak to describe the look. It was . . . it was heinous. Demande thought for a moment, looking over the woman's face with dark eyes before he nodded once. Lifting his body to stand tall, he faced the holographic figure once more and dreamed of her hands in his. He imagined of her face in his hands and at will judged by him. 

"Well then, Petz. I find you honourable of your word. I shall grant you a new name, Code 003: Operation Re-new. You shall go down to earth and defeat the Guardian who control lightening. I can see the sparks in your eyes and I pray you will accomplish your task in bringing me my Queen."