Stick War: Inamorta and beyond

Chapter 43: Challenge

19th March, 7.03am

Kim's POV

I'm here again. I looked around and the scene is still the same.

Fire.

Fire everywhere. It burned the plains, burned the trees and burned my soul.

I looked around again and saw a small boy, around 5 to 6 years old. He was about to die.

All I could do is watch, I watched as the boy's soulless eyes looked up into the starry night sky.

Then, a man in the distance came running towards him. The man held him out and checked the boy's pulse.

Tears started to fall from the man's eyes. His face was full of hope, sobbing as if he has lost everything.

That man was my foster father and the boy was me.

My eyes slowly opened. That dream again, ever since the talk with Kotex, that dream has been coming more frequently. Why? Why does that memory kept reoccurring in my dreams?

I decided to not think so much and got up from my bed. I equipped my uniform, armor and grabbed my holy spear, Shanballa. I walked out of my room and looked around. Seems like not many people has woken up. I stretched a little and went to take a walk around the palace.

Two days ago, we reached Orilon City and they put us in their royal palace and categorize us as 'diplomats'. We were actually treated quite nice, despite our two factions being at war with each other.

We are to speak with their ruler, Emperor Alexander at 9am this morning. Since it is still quite early, I guess I'll go for a walk. I then walked towards the royal garden to get some fresh air.
The royal garden is beautiful, there are many different types of flowers, a calming pond and a large tree. The birds were chirping peacefully and I could hear the croaking of frogs.

I stretched out my arms and sighed. The air is very fresh here, well we are at the top of a massive mountain. I started to exercise and so some basic training with Shanballa.

There is something about Shanballa that I don't understand. Why did it change it's go when I held it? It was red and black when Basil held it. But when I held it, it became yellow and white. Why?

"Hey Kim!" A voice shouted behind me.

I turned around and saw Mark and Ace waving at me.

"It's almost time for breakfast! Come!" Mark shouted.

I gave him a thumbs up and walked towards them. We three then headed to the dining quarters.

Breakfast was delicious. After a week of eating military rations, we finally got to eat real food.

Timeskip 9am

Kim's POV

Finally, we are going to do what we came here to do, talk to Emperor Alexander and clear up the misunderstanding.

"You have a plan?" Elizabeth asked me.

"Yeah, go in and talk with the Emperor." I said casually.

She rolled her eyes.

"Just kidding. Of course I have a plan." I chuckled.

"Soldiers of the Order Empire, welcome to the royal court!" A soldier shouted and the two giant doors opened inwards.

Inside revealed a giant room with advisers and military commanders on the left and right side of the room. In the middle laid a red carpet and at the end of the carpet sat Emperor Alexander on his throne.