~7~
We are headed towards The New Royal Capital, Erydon. Fascinating how much the world can change when you're separated from it. We had to walk two more days on foot but thanks to the General we now have horses and an escort, so at about noon we'll be there.
Now that Ayato and Mayu are traveling with us I can't have them discover my social status. I don't feel like telling them just yet.
But...because luck is never on my side..., some devilish half-breed gave me away.
"Hiro, you ok? you look more light-headed that usual" Ayame asks
"What do you mean than usual!?" I reply
"Just answer me, will you."
"I'm just fine" I say spurring my horse towards the General who is in front of us.
"What did you mean by that, Ayame?" Ayato asks her
"Well you see...how should I put it...let's say...it's a curse" she starts explaining
"A...curse?" Mayu intervenes
"Yes, a curse" she says
"What kind? Who did it?" he asks with worry in his voice
"The demon king" she explains
"For what purpose?" Mayu asks
"You see...when exiled some demons of a specific social status or that are stated powerful or dangerous, have to be casted on a kind of curse called The Solar Rupture" she say with sadness
"Why her?" they both ask
"It's because she's..."
"Come on you guys we're leaving you behind!" I shout interrupting her and probably saving myself
We can now see the walls of Erydon which are protected by a magic barrier, invisible to most humans, probably put up by The Queen.
"We're almost there" the General announces "and we should think of a plan to get our two nonhuman friends here, into the city" he continues
"Plan, General? it will probably get us through the gates but not the barrier" I state
"What barrier are you talking about?" he asks very confused
"The one...around the city" Ayame intervenes
'I knew it. Humans can't see the barrier'
"Actually, I think we'll be able to go through. So...let's get going, shall we" I happily say
At the gate, there are two guards, who let us pass because we are 'the General's guests'. As I thought we are able to get through my Mom's protection barrier.
'Thought so. The stupid barrier doesn't think of us as enemies'
We are guided to The Royal Palace, in which we enter with no problem what so ever. The guards don't even look at us, no flinch, no questions, they just did their job and opened the door for us.
The big wooden door, with golden frame, guides us into the main hallway. Two giant stairs are raising from the ground on either side. In the middle there are 12 marble statues representing the 12 zodiac goddess. A long greenish white carpet is snaking on the stairs from bottom to top. On our way to the throne room we pass through a glass hall with breathtaking crystal lamps, along on both sides. After the crystal corridor there is another giant door, this time with more guards. It's a gorgeously carved wooden door with more gold than the one outside.
The guards open the door and close it after we entered. We bow in front of the rulers trying to look as presentable as possible.
"Please raise your heads" the Queen says
"Report General, and start by introducing us to your new friends over here" the new King demands
"There's no need for that My King, now is there, Hiro?" she asks me with her gentle voice
'And...I'm dead. She just had to say it didn't she?'
"Yes,...Mother"
