"I wonder what it feels like… to be human."
Ethan's voice was calm—yet beneath it lingered something unfamiliar.Something… longing.
"My lord… can you do me a favor?"
"What is it?"
There was a brief pause.
"Can you… humanize me?"
John's brows furrowed.
"…Why?"
"I want to walk behind you. Not as something hidden… but as someone real. Like a true servant."
John fell silent for a moment.
Then—
"I'll do it. But not because you serve me."
He exhaled softly.
"I want you to live. Not exist for me."
Somewhere beyond sight, in that unseen plane—
Ethan smiled.
A single tear fell.
He has finally found a ruler for who he could die.
The sound of raindrops filled both of them with positivity and determination.
John, with goblins and soldier, continued their journey in heavy rain.
The feet of horses making clacking sound with each step.
Regardless of the rain, they kept continuing their journey.
The path so far was simple.
The straight soil road with forest on either side.
Blood moon shining irrelevant of rain.
After a while they take a break.
They reach a city.
The City of a Golden Knot.
They stand at the gate made out of pure gold.
"My lord, we will be here for a day or two. Until the weather gets a bit normal."
The city was not too big but it had the beauty of a large kingdom. There were numerous shops and markets. The place was energetic and crowded.
Vibrant houses and kids roaming in streets gave John a feeling of happiness and freedom.
The town was shining bright and the rain made it even better.
"This place looks beautiful, right??"
"Yes, My lord."
There was palace in distance. The white palace had a shade of red because of the moon.
"My lord…this will be your room."
"And what about you all??"
"We will be sleeping outside."
"What? Why?"
"We can't sleep near our lord. We always need to be below you."
"…"
"Then, we will be taking our leave, My lord."
The soldier and six goblins that joined John with his journey, left the room.
Silence.
The only sound that come was of the rain drops falling high from the sky.
John locks the door.
He removes his coat and hangs it on the door. He walks towards the bed which was next to the tinted window.
He rests his head at the wall.
He closes his eyes.
(I wonder what Syd must be doing. Getting mad over small things?? Screaming over small things??)
Thoughts started clouding his mind.
John gazes outside, looking for something.
Even he didn't know what it was.
Just looking outside kept his mind at rest.
"My lord?? Do you have anything on your mind??"
"No…nothing."
"Are you sure??"
"…"
(Maybe I should be more like Ethan, focusing only on one goal. I should also keep my friends and this world safe.)
He starts getting images of Syd, Daniel and Angela.
He closes his eyes and rearranges himself.
John lies down and closes his eyes.
"Good night, Ethan."
(I hope I don't get any vision.)
Ethan summons himself.
Completely silent.
He grabs the blanket and puts it John.
John doesn't even twitch from this movement.
(I guess My lord really is tired. I hope he gets his sleep with peace.)
The night ends, the rain doesn't.
John wakes up with a yawn.
Suddenly, someone knocks the door swiftly as in case of emergency.
John gets up and opens the door.
The sudden eye contact with the Goblin soldier opens his eyes.
"My lord, the king of the city has asked for you."
"For me??"
"Yes, he wants to meet you, The Goblin God."
John nods and tells them to wait for him downstairs.
(What does the king want from me?? Are they gonna capture us??)
"Hey Ethan??"
"Yes, My lord??"
"Be on your guard from the moment we get downstairs, alright??"
"Alright my lord!"
(I can't trust anyone except those higher beings.)
John grabs his coat and heads downstairs.