The Ruined Kingdom

Part 1. The Dreams

     "Will Sulphyr ever be back?" Alex asks putting up a missing poster of Sulphyr. "Who knows, they've been gone for 2 years, Alex." Esper responds, the two then noticed a man walking around asking about something, but when they hear Sulphyrs name they listen more closely. "Did you hear him? He's asking about Sulphyr!" Alex whispers to Esper. "You're right, hold on, I'll ask." He responds walking over to the man. "Excuse me, are you looking for someone?" Esper asks. "Yes, I'm looking for a Sulphyr Cora." The man responds

     "We know them, but their missing." He responds. "Name?" He asks. "My name is Jinec Aka, they're someone my boss wants me to look for." Jinec responds. "Ah, we're looking for them, currently-" Esper responds but before finishing Alex pulls him away. "His boss is Lucille." Alex tells him. "What? No way." He responds staring at Jinec. "Don't you understand? He's here for Sulphyr!" Alex responds. "Ask him about his boss and I promise you, he won't answer or try to change the subject." Alex explains. "Okay?" Esper responds returning to Jinec.

     "Is Lucille your boss?" Esper asks. "Yeah my boss is Lucille, the lord of darkness, you know too much." Jinec responds before pulling a gun out his coat. "Wait!" Alex yells stepping in. "Duel, 3 days from now. You and me." Alex tells him. "You're on." Jinec responds walking away.

     "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING INTO?!" Esper yells shaking Alex. "I know, but I'll do it for them." He responds. "You dumbass... you better return safely." He tells Alex, the two spend the next 2 days training and perfecting Alex's skill with a gun, when the time comes. Alex, and Jinec stand across from eachother, Esper and a doctor stand at the side, when the moment comes the two aim their pistols at eachother and count to 10.

     A loud bang could be heard throughout the area, blood filling up the smell, Esper began tearing up as he ran towards... Alex. "Alex! Please- Nononono!" He yells holding Alex up who was on the ground. "I'm sorry Esper, I really failed you didn't I?" Alex responds as he began to cry, his skin near his wrists began to crumble. "What... what is this?" Esper asks. "I'm sorry for you, to find out... so soon..." Alex responds, before he can respond the light in his eyes begins to get dimmer and dimmer as the seconds pass.

     "Ask him... Your father... he'll know..." He tells Esper. "Alex don't die! Please!" Esper yells, Alex's body went still, his breath went cold, the blood dripped down his mouth, and his eyes had fully lost its light. "You... you fucking bitch!" Esper yells looking at Jinec. "It had to be done-" Jinec responds but before he could finish Esper grabs Alex's pistol and shoots Jinec in the neck. The death of Alex was spread across town, one of the best soldiers they had died in a duel.

     Esper kept Alex's magic capsules, both of them and mailed one to Sulphyr hoping the letter would find him. For a year Esper had to work alone before he met Kira, Silas, and Rhebbi. Alex's body was cremated and the only thing that remained was the lower part of the arm where the skin began to crumble. The pot that holds Alex's ashes sits in the knights headquarters in a case so nobody could take it. Esper alone has done over 100 successful missions and expeditions. But was it all enough?