Light in abyss

CHAPTER THREE : GARDENS OF REFLECTIONS

The sun hung low in the sky as Hana stepped out of the classroom, her mind weighed down by unspoken burdens.

Isan's hurried steps echoed behind her; his concern palpable in the air.

"Princess, wait up," Isan called out, urgency lacing his voice.

Hana turned, facing him with a weary smile. "Isan, what's the matter?"

"Where are you off to, Princess?" Isan matched her pace, worry etched on his features.

"To the gardens," Hana replied, her voice tinged with weariness. "I need some fresh air to clear my mind."

Concern flashed in Isan's eyes as he fell into step beside her. "Is something troubling you, Princess? You seem... different," he remarked, hesitance coloring his tone.

Hana sighed softly, shoulders slumping imperceptibly. "It's nothing you need to worry about, Isan. Just some family business to attend to," she replied, sadness lacing her words.

Despite her attempt to brush it off, Isan's concern only deepened.

"If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to let me know," he offered sincerely, his unwavering gaze meeting hers.

Hana offered him a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Isan. But for now, I just need some time alone," she said softly, her gaze drifting towards the garden's entrance.

As Hana made her way to the tranquil gardens, the weight of her thoughts heavy upon her, she sought solace amidst the verdant beauty.

In the tranquil gardens, Hana spotted Seth sitting on a weathered bench, his gaze lost in the pages of a book. The air hummed with a quiet energy as she approached, her footsteps muted by the soft grass.

"What brings a tainted soul such as yourself here to these lush and peaceful gardens?"

Hana quipped, curiosity dancing in her voice.

Seth looked up, a faint smile gracing his lips. "In this tranquil sanctuary, my mind finds solace, unchallenged by the cacophony of inner turmoil. Enveloped by the ethereal beauty of these gardens, I am granted a rare serenity, a sanctuary not easily attained in the tumultuous quest we know as dear life."

Hana chuckled, taking a seat beside him. "Now you sound more like royalty. But I wonder, what brings the prince to the Kingdom of Fulmyth?"

Seth's smile faded, replaced by a hint of melancholy. "The burden of my royal lineage weighs heavy on my shoulders, especially with my father's failing health. I came here seeking refuge from the chaos that awaits me back home."

Hana's expression softened, empathy shining in her eyes.
"I'm sorry to hear about Uncle Inoue."

Their conversation flowed, each word carrying the weight of shared understanding and camaraderie. As they spoke, the distance between them seemed to fade, replaced by a
sense of closeness and mutual respect.

Seth reached into his book, retrieving a neatly folded page. With a thoughtful
expression, he extended it towards Hana.

"I stumbled upon this torn page in the old king's library, the high priest told me not to let it bother me and yet I can't shake the feeling that it holds some significance."

Hana unfolded the page, her eyes scanning the cryptic words inscribed upon it. "There will come two, one half man the other whole. One who is an outcast and the other who will be made into such."

After reading the prophecy, Hana's mind drifts back to a conversation she had with her father long ago. He had spoken of the old king's library, claiming it held the key to unlocking the truth of the world.

Hana brushes off the memory, questioning whether her father's theory held any validity.

Turning her attention to Seth, she engages in a brief exchange, acknowledging that she'll need to investigate further.

However, she notes that her first step will be to speak
with her father and inquire if he possesses any genuine knowledge about the old king's library.

The two then stride off together, their conversation veering toward the topic of the Kingdom of Stains and its former glory as they make their way to the cafeteria.

Hana reminisces about the stories her father used to tell her about the kingdom's prosperous past, while Seth adds his own insights about it's significance in history.

Meanwhile, in the depths of the academy.

Kendrick's footsteps echoed through the dimly lit chamber as he approached the center, his imposing figure casting eerie shadows against the stone walls.

Rebecca stood trembling, her gaze darting nervously between Kendrick and the ominous artifacts he carried.

"Mr. Kendrick," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, "I-I'll take those from you."

Kendrick's gaze pierced through her, sending a chill down her spine. "Handle them with care, Rebecca," he said, his tone deceptively gentle yet tinged with an underlying threat.

"They are precious to me. If anything were to happen to them... well, let's just say I wouldn't be pleased."

Rebecca nodded frantically, her hands shaking as she gingerly accepted the artifacts from Kendrick's outstretched palms.

She dared not meet his gaze, fearing the depths of his unfathomable power.

"Y-yes, sir," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Kendrick's lips curled into a twisted smile as he watched her, his gaze predatory yet strangely intimate.

Stepping closer, he reached out to caress her cheek, his touch sending shivers down her spine.

There's no need to fear, my dear Rebecca," he murmured, his voice sickeningly sweet.

"I would never harm you... as long as you do exactly as I say."

Rebecca's breath caught in her throat as she struggled to maintain her composure under Kendrick's unnerving gaze. She nodded weakly, her heart pounding in her chest as she fought the urge to flee from the room.

"Of course, Mr. Kendrick," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
With one final, chilling smile, Kendrick turned and exited the chamber, leaving Rebecca alone in the darkness, her mind reeling from the encounter with the enigmatic and terrifying figure that was Kendrick.

As the echoes of Kendrick's footsteps faded into the silence, Rebecca's thoughts raced with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.

She knew that her association with Kendrick came with grave risks, yet she felt powerless to escape his grasp.

With trembling hands, she carefully placed the artifacts on a nearby pedestal, their dark energy pulsating ominously in the dim light.

As she turned to leave the chamber, a
sense of foreboding lingered in the air, foreshadowing the dark path that lay ahead.