Chapter 2: A New Ruler Arises!

 

My brother looks awesome with that crown.

It has been three days since my parents had left us. And now, our kingdom will have to be ruled by their next heir, which was my big brother Claude.

Claude received the crown and the throne, and had become the new king of Paxsalam. But still, all of us were not in the mood and many of the citizens mostly cried when he wore the crown. My mother and father were very excellent monarchs. Okay, I’m not saying that my brother is not a good king, it’s just that my parents were helpful and kind rulers. And that everyone loved them like they were their children.

But now, they were gone. And everyone was in despair, and felt that they had no hope without their king and queen. But hey, they loved me and my brother too. I know that my brother will be a great ruler, and we will be back in our normal state in no time… Right?

However, we were pushed through a deeper depression when we all prepared for our parents’ burial. We wore our most respectful clothing, which was quite uncomfortable for me, but I don’t care. It’s a funeral, we shouldn’t care about how comfy our clothes are right now.

We stood by our mother’s and father’s tombstones, which I heard that there were no bodies down there since they got disposed in the deep ocean. We spoke our blessings, wished them to find peace in the afterlife. We placed our flowers on the tombstones, the good old times washed over me when I placed mine down. I remembered my mother used to tell me bedtime stories at night before she left, and my father had always played chess with me, which I mostly lost because of my confusions on the game.

I can’t have those times again, because someone had took times that away from me. That witch, Melantha or something, had added my parents into her kill count. I don’t get it… What did my parents do to deserve such a fate? They didn’t do anything wrong… Well, except for that time when they pulled a prank on me with a cockroach toy on my fifth birthday. And I have feared roaches ever since.

I remembered the night when we heard the news, I swore I’ll avenge my parents. And that was not some child anger issues. I will not let my parents, and the other people that Melantha had murdered to die in vain.

After an hour or so, the people left the graveyard, leaving Claude and I alone, staring at our parents’ graves. “Hey bro?” I looked at Claude. “What is it?” He replied. “Do you remember? That I said I want to learn magic?” Claude managed a small smile. “I always remember everything you say.” “Yeah but, when will I get to learn magic?” Magic. A powerful source used by magicians to help them in various ways, to help them get over bridges, to help them solve some difficult issues, to help them commit a horrible crime…

No. Do not think about that. I told myself. I will use magic to help people out, and I will use it to make this world a better place. “I’ll teach you when you’re ready brother.” Claude said. “And don’t complain when you can’t perform a perfect charm okay?” I thought about that, me throwing a tantrum (which I never did in my life, for now) because I can’t pronounce abracadabra correctly.

“Your majesty.” A voice said beside us.

We turned around, and a man in his 40s just materialised in front of us, I mean, literally he wasn’t there before, and he just appeared there like he was invisible. The man wore a sandals with, are those wings? He wore a cap that has two wings on it, and held a staff with two snakes entangled in it.

“Hermes.” Claude said, and he bowed, as well as forcing me to do it as well. Hermes, I heard that name before. I think, according to memory, he is the god of messengers. He is also responsible for bringing the deceased souls to the afterlife.

“Transported my parents and the people on that ship?” Claude asked politely, and I ask you all to better be nice in front of a god, you don’t want to know what will happen if you disrespect one. “They now rest peacefully in the Elysium.” Hermes said. “I ensure you both that. And I am also here to deliver a message.”

A message?

“What is it?” Claude asked, in a calm voice like he always does. “It’s from your parents’ ghosts.” Both of our jaws dropped. A message from our mother and father… “What did they say?” I asked. Hermes cleared his throat. “They had said that they are doing well in the Elysium, and they told you that you should not be worried about them, because they said, that life must go on. And they said that they love you with all their heart.”

I feel like tearing up again, this are literally the words of our parents… They told us that they’re doing good and we should not be worried about them. “Thank you Lord Hermes.” Both of us said at the same time. “And I wish you all a perfect day.” Hermes replied. “And don’t feel despair over their deaths for too long. Everyone will pass on one day.” Hermes went invisible again after he said that.

After we walked out, I’m confused by Claude saying that ‘when I’m ready’… I don’t know that, I have a feeling that I’m already prepared to learn magic. “Hey bro.” I said. “When would you think that I’m ready?” Claude looked up at the sky, which was surprisingly in its regular blue color despite us losing two people so important to our lives. “If you want to learn it so badly, I can teach you the easiest part of it first. Then we’ll move on to real magic.” This is it, the time has come, I will finally get to know magic. Even though I think the first part are probably related to books. “So… When is my first lesson?” Claude pated my head. “When you’re free, and also when I’m free.”

I smiled with delight. And I don’t think I should during a time like this.