The Flowing Domain

Aiden Nochers

Kanno was falling into an empty space, it felt like it was some kind of repetitive loop. As he was falling down, he put his hand up as he watched how fast he was falling down to the point his clothing and hair was fluttering as he fell in high acceleration. However, he did not feel scared or worried. If the princess was nearby, it was okay. Anything just to see her smile once again and make sure that she was safe and sound.

He opened his eyes and he was laid down on the surface, at the beginning of the garden once again as he looked up at the clouds that were moving in a slow pace, much more different from what he just experienced. He pushed himself up quickly, looking around as the princess just vanished, somehow. He would huff, slowly turning his head towards the garden that was in front of him, looking at the walls that were creating the maze further, staring at it for some time as a spark would form in his eyes, then he blinked twice as he felt how the spark in his eye disappeared eventually. "Abandoned memories..." Kanno said to himself as he turned around and started walking towards the castle as he pondered to himself. He wondered how it all happened, everything just really shifted so fast it made him feel overwhelmed. This time, Kanno wasn't able to brush his thoughts off. He wasn't able to temporarily forget about the situation that happened today, in the garden. It was different. He could still visualize the glance from earlier, that gave him the same sense of comfort. But at the same time, it annoyed him. 


What is the source of this feeling? What is causing the void in his heart to bloom flowers from it?

It was a knight meeting in the morning, and Kanno was naturally there since he was the head guard. When something is important and urgent, he stays focused and so his thoughts were sort of limited and there were barriers. That explains why he did not think about what happened earlier in the garden because something different is going to be discussed now. The room that the knights and the royal advisors were in some kind of courtroom. There were seats on the left and the right of the room, and there was a horizontal table like place where the advisors were behind, some looking at the list of the knights and taking notes if there were some knights absent or present. Naturally, there was the main advisor of the princess, which was Astrophel. He looked stern, his expression was emotionless and he just wanted to get straight to the point.

He clasped his hands together loudly as it echoed around the courtroom, making the knights sulk as their chatter died down eventually. He stopped after four seconds or so, clearing his throat as he eyed every knight that was in the room, from left to right, back and forth as Kanno felt his gaze on him. Though Astrophel's gaze stayed on Kanno for longer than it stayed on others faces. "Greetings, knights of Andromeda. Today we, the advisors of the all-might royal family gathered all of you in order to inform some important news."


Some papers were handed to Astro, and he took the stack of papers and bumped them on the table, organizing them in a way before flipping through some as he smacked his tongue and started reading some important news that is about to be delivered to the knights of Andromeda. "Some of you may know that the princess Aquila will be staying in Kyrenth for 3 days. Due to that fact, we will be gathering two head guards and ten royal guards for the trip. The rest of the knights are obligated to strengthen the defence around the castle - no questions asked about that part." Astrophel would say, looking up from the papers and giving everyone a cold gaze, since he did not want any further questions to be asked. Kanno shifted in his seat slightly, listening to the advisor as he spoke, though he still did not quite get the reason why the other knights had to double protect the castle. What could happen by the absence of the princess? He wasn't too sure, though he did not question it. 

A female voice spoke up, her voice seemed to be more high pitched and sweet, less cold and angry like Astrophels. "We will now mention the names of the guards that will be travelling to Kyrenth." The female took one of the papers from Astrophel and would skim through it before speaking up once again. "The head guards are going to be Aiden Nochers and Kanno Hajime." Kanno's pupils widened, though he said nothing. He proceeded to stay quiet and just nod his head slightly as the guards and other advisors looked at him. Though he felt the sharp gaze of Astrophel once again. He seemed to be so confident and his body language was screaming dominance. He seemed submissive, however from his tone and movements, he looked superior and different. Just like an advisor, no, a wise advisor should be. Kanno's dark blue eyes flickered slightly as they shared gazes for a few seconds before he proceeded to break the eye contact with him.