["How about going to my place on Saturday? You may find some answers to the unanswered questions you've been seeking for a long time."]
Sephiram stared at the ceiling of his bedroom, drowsiness didn't hit him as the event that happened earlier was still fresh in his mind. He turned sideward to fall asleep but the last flashback he saw during the virtual training was still etched on him.
"Augh!" he exclaimed as he sat up as he couldn't sleep anymore. "I can't sleep right now!"
He looks out the window as rain pours out in the dead of the night, clouds covering the bright moonlight. The city was able to be blessed with rain since Mufulla was able to penetrate rain and snow. He sighed at the scenery before laying back in his bed again, arms spreading out as he was still staring at the ceiling, thinking what his response would be to Krishna's offer.
"Maybe I should accept his offer then. There is no harm in trying, right?"
He tried to stay awake as drowsiness began to hit him, but sleep overtook him as he closed his eyes welcoming the lulling darkness.
*
["Are you sure this is the right choice?"
They are inside the tent. Boxes aligned on one side and a makeshift bed covered in a luxurious tapestry lay on the other side. Atop the table in the middle are the maps that were used in their strategy meeting regarding their upcoming battle.
Sephiram talked to the person in front of him. Said the person turning his back on him and looking at the surroundings outside. They could hear the shouts of the general doing drills on the soldiers and the clink of the blacksmith's hammer nearby.
"This is the only choice that we have. If we can dwindle their numbers, this is our only chance to ensure victory against the Primal Beast."
A pause.
"You're also one of them, right?" The person in question turned his head and faced him. The person in front of him is a semi-primal beast that resembles-]
'Wait a minute? Krishna?' Sephiram thought. It is a vivid memory of the past, but how-
["I disobeyed that beast ever since the day he ascended to the throne. What he and his ancestors did to my fellow semi-primal beast is unforgivable. But I believe that someone has been pulling the strings behind this senseless war."
"Someone pulling the strings behind the war?"
"You're from the Royal family, right?" The beast resembles Krishna spoke in a serious tone. "You already knew whom I was referring to."
"You mean-" realization has hit him. "No way!"
"Yes, they are the ones responsible for this which is why it is still ongoing for a thousand years." Another pause. "If this is the only way to stop this war altogether so be it. You must be ready for the sacrifices needed when that time comes."]
*
Sephiram opened his eyes as he was awoken from another episode of flashbacks, sweat dripping up. He rose and placed his hand on his forehead to wipe it out. "What was that?"
The latest dream that he had is loud and clear, resembling a vivid memory. The conversation between him and the semi-primal beast resembling Krishna indicates that there is something more to history than was thought that everyone knew by being taught in school alone.
This leads to a lot of questions: Is the beast talking to him an ancestor of Krishna? What kind of plan is suggested to end the war altogether? What sacrifices were needed to ensure that the plan would work?
And who is this someone who is pulling the strings behind in the Thousand Year War?
"What on earth is going on with me?" he muttered to himself.
*
"Mister President, here's the latest report from our scouts."
Zirconia paused at what he was doing as he got the report handed to him by his secretary.
"The investigation on the mines outside the city is still ongoing, but the scouts noticed some unusual activities in these past couple of days." The secretary continued his report as Zirconia opened the file. "People being chained in groups are being dragged by the vampires and they could hear some screams from the inside. Some of our scouts wanted to take a closer look at the mines but due to the heavy weather, they couldn't close in."
Zirconia looked at the report then his gaze turned to the secretary. "Tell our intelligence unit to have all the scouts retreat from the mines for the time being. We need the heavy weather to calm down in a few days and they can resume the investigation when the weather is clear. Remind them not to be caught."
"Yes sir." His secretary responds as he leaves the room.
"Oh, vampire troubles again?" Ricky asked Zirconia as he saw the secretary leaving the room. "Is it about the activities in the mines?"
"Yeah." Zirconia tiredly sighs as he stands up and looks at the window. "The activities in the mines have worsened as of late, and we need to clear it out as soon as possible before the third millennial anniversary approaches." He turned his head to Ricky. "Anyways, any news to Richard?"
"Class Alpha is ready to go, according to him," Ricky replied. "But he is still worried about Augustus' little bro. Still experiencing some headaches while undergoing their virtual training."
Zirconia sighed. He fully turned to Ricky and smirked. "I think I need to pay him a little visit."
*
"Sorry for calling you here, Lena."
"That's okay, Sephy! I know you will get lost in the Western District if you and Annie go there alone."
"I want to know what the Western District looks like. I can't wait!"
Sephiram, Annissa, and Lena waited for the bus that would take them to the Western District on a sunny Saturday morning. Before that, Sephiram asked Lena if she could accompany them since this was their first time going to the district.
"You accept that meanie's invite, haven't you?"
"Well, if this is the only way for me to have these headaches while fighting stop so be it. I don't want to be plagued by it forever and hope that they can find a temporary remedy for my headache." As he finished talking, the bus stopped in front of them, and they hopped in. They took a seat in the back as the bus started running again. The three can discuss some non-school-related topics for four hours until the bus arrives at their destination.
"Here we are!" Lena announced that Sephiram and Anissa got off the bus. Anissa's face turned green due to motion sickness. "Are you okay, Annie?"
"I'm fine. Really." Anissa tried to compose herself as she tried to fight the nausea welling up in her throat by leaning her hand on the street post while covering her mouth with the other. Sephiram gently rubbed her back for comfort.
"This is her first time riding a bus, Lena." He told her. "There are no cars or any kind of transportation back in the mainland."
"Oh." Lena put her finger on her lips like she was thinking. "Maybe we should stop by the herbal tea shop here, but for now." She turned her back on the siblings. "Welcome to the Western District."
The Western District is a section of the city in Libertas where the semi-primal beast and other demi-humans reside. The buildings and shops are a combination of Oriental and Western cultures, and humans also come to the district to buy herbal medicines or oriental goods, which is their main source of income.
The district is ruled by the Sliversnow clan, the most influential clan in Libertas due to their allegiance to the Royal Family during the Thousand Year War. The people living in the district revered the clan with the utmost respect and despite experiencing discrimination in rare cases, demi-humans can peacefully coexist with humans.
The shopping center of the West District is the largest place in Libertas, and it has been teeming with people since it was sale day.
Lena, Sephiram, and a now relieved Anissa entered an Eastern Tea Shop after they were bursting in with the crowd outside. The atmosphere has a calming atmosphere with its eastern design. The staff available at the counter saw them enter. The staff is a middle-aged lady with white hair and white rabbit ears wearing a cream-colored plain dress with a brown apron. Her air is tied in a bun.
"Welcome!" She greeted her customers then she saw Lena. "Oh, Lena dear. I'm glad to see you stop by our shop."
"Hi, Granny Miles." Lena waved to the lady and then went to the counter. "Me too! I wanted to see you! I'm so busy with school lately."
"Ho, ho! Judging by your looks, you've looked so stressed out. I hope that you guys are tired on your journey. " She said then she looked at both Sephiram and Anissa. "Are these your friends?"
"Yup! They're Sephiram and Anissa, my friends at school!"
"Nice to meet you, ma'am." Sephiram greeted her. "I'm Sephiram and this is my adopted sister, Anissa."
"My, you're a fine young boy indeed." Then she sees Anissa not trying to throw up as her nausea acts up again. "Oh dear, your female friend here is not feeling well."
"Annie is nauseous because she is not used to transportation," Lena explained.
"Well then, I'll prepare some nausea-relief tea with some snacks. What about you, Lena? The usual?"
"Yup!"
"Well then, take a seat while I'm preparing your food. Be right back." The lady turned away and went to the kitchen to prepare their food.
"How about we find a table to sit in?" Sephiram suggested.
"I know one! That was my favorite spot in this shop and-" She looked around at her surroundings and found her favorite spot, but she was shocked as a familiar face sat in said favorite spot, drinking tea.
"Wait a minute! You're-!"