The Fallen Throne

Chapter 13.1 ✦ Before Daybreak

"Imagine you could tear the world apart,
Lay it all out like a weather chart."
~ Lancaster (Stars Of Track And Field, End Of All Time)

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When they walk out of the forest, the sun is already beginning to rise over the horizon, painting the sky with a hue of pink and orange.

Lloyd still isn't too convinced on how magical the Opux is, even after witnessing it with his very own eyes. He's read about it many times before, but nobody has ever actually found one, and it was only ever named as a legend.

Yet it exceeds his expectations -- he has never thought it would turn out to be so magical; but then again there's Kai, who can produce flames out of thin air and Rose, who has control over nature.

To everyone else, Opuxes are only a mere legend, and perhaps that's what they'll always be; but to them, they've seen a whole new world, and it all started with a simple flower.

The air around Rose is lively and she's cheerier than ever, smiling brighter than the rising sun as she skips along the grassy ground, leaving her happy mark all over the place. It is rather obvious that she's extremely delighted by their little adventure that made her discover her gift of nature and made her realise nature has much more to offer than she believes.

And since nature has always been her element, she feels more than protective over every little thing it has to offer.

Perhaps that's why the Opuxes are now resting in Rose's arms, or why she'd even gathered them in the first place.

Glancing sideways, Lloyd is almost sure Lancaster has the same thing on his mind. After all, knowing him, he's always the most superficial one in the group -- he is sure to have questioned his eyes at one point or another after all the events.

But he doesn't say a word. Lancaster remains silent at the side, working out something important in his mind.

"Are you sure you're fine?" Alaina asks Kai, who looks very lethargic.

"It's about time I catch up on sleep," he yawns, then mutters, "my sister's going to yell at me --"

He stops suddenly when he walks right into Lancaster, who appeared suddenly in front of him.

"What is Caelus' Anthem?"

"What? Why?"

"Answer me. Please."

At this, Alaina raises a brow questioningly. Lancaster hardly -- never -- uses the word 'please'; he's never one to require anyone's help, anyway.

When Kai runs his hand through his hair as he thinks, remaining hesitant, Lancaster asks impatiently, "did they change the Anthem recently?"

"No. Wait -- yes," Kai replies, "only minor words, though. Why?"

Once again, Clyde's voice echoes in his mind. Just remember my words. The Anthem.

"Lancaster?" Alaina asks, when she notices him spacing out.

It isn't like him to just stand there and space out. Alaina nudges him lightly, looking curious and worried. Having discussed and talked enough about the magical Opuxes, Lloyd and Rose are finally able to catch up to them after they'd suddenly stopped walking.

"Ruler of the skies and all of lands; amidst the skies there's a heart of gold, the spark lies beyond," Lancaster says slowly, thinking back. "Is that it?"

"No, no, that's not it," Kai says, shaking his head. Thinking for a moment, he then says, "ruler of the skies and deep within; amidst the skies there's a heart of fire..." Glancing up towards the sky that's gradually lighting up, he continues, "and the spark lies within."