OC x Pyra/Mythra

50

Kai POV

After everyone was awake, we loitered around until it was time for us to attend our audience with the Praetor. 

Kai: I have a bad feeling about this.  
I couldn’t tell you why, but I did not want to meet this Praetor guy. Something just seemed… off

Kai: Pyra, are you sure this guy can help us?

She turned to me.

Pyra: I hope so… why?

Kai: I don’t know. Something just seems off. I don’t like this, not at all. 

She kissed my cheek, trying to reassure me.

Pyra: It’ll be okay, we’ll figure it out. 

I hummed in response, the apprehension I had just wasn’t going anywhere. 

Fan: It is almost time for your audience, we should be off now. 

Rex: Okay! You all heard her, let’s get going!

We started making our way up to the Praetorium’s Sanctum, where we would be meeting the Praetor. After verifying our audience time with the heavily armed doormen, we were allowed to enter the chamber. 

Kai: I really don’t like this…

There was a man on the throne in the far end of the room, his clothes were elegant, his skin was almost like a light purple, and his ears were pointed. He was clearly not human, and he looked very young. 

Amalthus: So you're Rex. I've heard much.

Rex: Hi, err… Y-you're not the Praetor, are you?

Nia: Huh? No way.

Amalthus: Indeed, I am Amalthus. I understand your surprise. I imagine you expected somebody older.

Rex: We heard that you were Cole's Driver… 

Rex suddenly panicked and went into a bow

Rex: Y-Your Eminence! Sorry, sorry!

Amalthus: No need for formalities. I am a mere representative of the Praetorium. The name "Praetor" is simply a...decoration, if you will. In any case, we're the same, you and I. Aegis Drivers. I consider us...equals.

I noticed his gaze lingering on Pyra when he mentioned being an Aegis Driver, and in a way that made both her and I very uncomfortable.

Rex: Ahaha, I feel a bit better now you've put it that way. Your Eminence.

He looked to Pyra again, now speaking to her with an odd note in his voice.

Amalthus: You're different somehow. I seem to recall a more forceful personality.

Pyra crossed her arm over her chest defensively, not responding.

Rex: Oh! I almost forgot, here- I got this from Cole. He said it belonged to you. Please!

Rex drew the dagger that Cole had given him, causing the guards at Amalthus’ side to ready themselves, polearms raised, though they went back to attention with a dismissive wave of the Praetor’s hand. 

Amalthus: Ah...Cole... That brings back memories.

Amalthus beckoned for the dagger, and Rex handed it to him.

Rex: We're looking for a way to Elysium. Cole told us...that you would know the way. I have to get to Elysium! To...to save Alrest any way I can! I mean, we won't know for sure what we can do until we get there, I suppose. But if the stories are true, it's somewhere we can all live safely! It has to be real!