"Don't be affected, O young one." Roquinito answered. "A performer, a jester such as yourself, being sad doesn't suit you, ya'know?" Aleksdair look away.
"Even the funniest creature hides their sadness behind their smile." He pouts. "A performer's greatest achievement is to make the audience astounded by their performance."
Aleksdair's fellow performers looked at him. "It's our joy to make our audience laugh and satisfied but— if we fail our very own purpose, it's like being thrown to Hellfire Realm." Roquinito smiles. "I understand, little one." Aleksdair gasped.
"I understand how serious you took your role and your team. As a fellow infernal, I don't wanna let that fire in you died out. Alas, I'll try and talk to King Lucas and hoping it'll somehow enlighten his mood." The performers bowed again. "We hoped for your success, Sir Roquinito."
And so, the performers left, leaving Roquinito looking up at the altar where Lucas is sitting. "By the way, Aleksdair, may I humbly request to accompany me to his highness?" Aleksdair points at himself. "M— me?!" Roquinito nods. "But we, the performers, made majesty's mood averse!? Me, included!"
"Don't worry, everything will be alright. Wait for my cue and I assure you, everything will go as planned." Aleksdair looked at his fellow performers. "But my companions? They should come too!" Suddenly, one of his female infernal companion draws closer and pats him. "You, Aleksdair, you alone is the very face of our group, the Duskborne Performers."
"You guys....!" Aleksdair felt grateful to his companions. "Anyways, shall we take our leave?" Roquinito humbly requested and Aleksdair come along, skipping happily.
At the top, they both heard Lucas' whimpering. "Wait, is his highness— Crying?" Aleksdair whispered. "Yes." Roquinito answered. "He may act all powerful and dominating ever since he succeeded the throne, but deep inside, he's just a confused teenager that needed guidance." Aleksdair remembered where Lucas scold him and noticed that his highness eyes bears sadness in them, which he tend to ignore and focused on his faults.
"As a performer yourself, you know how your audience feel whether they're showing amusement or not. But given how his Majesty behaves during your performance, what did you observe? Did he actually watched you or his attention is set on something?" Roquinito addresses. "Wait for my cue, I'll go and talk to his Majesty first." Roquinito left and his words struck deep into Aleksdair.
Suddenly, Lucas felt the presence of Roquinito, therefore he wiped off his tears and try to act all tough. "Wha— what are you doing here, Roquinito?!" Roquinito smiled. "Is it surprising for your advisor to check his Majesty?" Lucas lowered his guard and Roquinito sees how messy the altar looks. "It seems his majesty's in a bad temper. May I have the honor to hear your concerns? Not as your advisor, but a companion?"
Lucas looked at Roquinito and his eyes start gushing tears. "Roquinito, I... I—" he broke and covered his face, crying. "I've become worst!" He admits. "I couldn't live up my promise to my father! I talked big and mighty in front of him yet— *sniffling* I couldn't even bare to manage the Kingdom well for the past years!" Lucas showed his nimble side to him and Roquinito stayed beside him.
"Go on, release them all, your majesty. I'm just here." Roquinito pats his back gently. "Roquinito.... I— I dunno what to do! *sniff* True, I have lots of things inside my mind yet— I'm afraid! *sob* So anxious that, *grit* my emotion were uncontrollable....! I tried to ease myself by distraction, something to amuse me, but— I was hyper focused upon my fears and confusion that I unknowingly unleashed it to Aleksdair and his companions." Hearing Lucas' words made Aleksdair gasped.
"Their performance is spectacular, I know but—*sob* the problem lies in me. I AM the problem, not them." Aleksdair is watching his guilt and weaknesses. But suddenly, he caught a glimpse of Roquinito looking at his position, nodding. He seemed confused at first but remembering what Roquinito told him before, he understood.
"True, problems arises with an overwhelming moments but in those circumstances arrives answers, a solution." Lucas halt. "You see, your father, Lian Sui, he was young to take up the throne than you are, and his father left a pretty big mess to clean up to resolve but do you think he did that in just a year?"
"Of course he wasn't. He was young back then and doesn't know where to start. He cried, and wallow in despair, just like you. But— what did he do? He realized that crying won't do him good. He's the last heir of the Royal Bloodline, no one's gonna replace his role and take over the throne. So, what did he do that becomes of this kingdom you now know, you ask?" Lucas is listening. "He resolves the problem, one thing at a time. He ask help from his adviser for answers. Some takes years, and patience for it to realized and implemented."
"True, it's still chaotic and too much for your father to handle but the Kingdom sees his ceaseless efforts despite the situation—! That time is where he earned the kingdom's respect just as your grandfather, King Lian Mark, did."
"If your grandfather is praised for his immovable will, your father for resolving the chaos that his father left behind at a young age, how about you, your majesty?" Roquinito looked at him with gratitude. "Your father makes sure that you'll never experience the same mess he dealt before, that's when the Kingdom attained order and peace. A greatest opportunity to make sure you'll surpass them. What you, King Lucas, left to do is—" Lucas showed a glimpse of hope but he remembered what he has done for the past years. "Disappoint, I assume." Roquinito didn't speak. "I've already caused too much. My reputation of being a tyrant ruler, is imminent. I've did nothing but tyranny." Lucas stared at his hands. "The damage is too great that there's no hope of fixing it!"
"Then, there's no point fixing but build a new one." Roquinito answered and Lucas halt, looking at him in dazed.
"A creation that'll make a breathtaking history."
Lucas' expression softens and Roquinito looked at him in the eye. "His Majesty, your father, kept praising you for your intellect and your ideas. He believes that you, Lucas, his very own son, would achieve greater heights that'll bring change to this Realm."
"But— I've made a mess! A really, really, bad mess for all those years!" Lucas blurted. "There's no hope for me, Roquinito! I will be remembered as a tyrant ruler!" Roquinito pats the distressed King. "We cannot undone what is done, but today— is a great opportunity to start, isn't?" Lucas flinched.
"Having many ideas is daunting, but follow your father's method, one step at a time." Roquinito smiled. "You can do it, King Lucas! Everyone believes in you." He looked at Aleksdair's direction, again. "And one of them is this little fella." Roquinito welcomed Aleksdair, and the young performer is shivering.
"Gre— greetings, your highness....! It is I—! Aleksdair of the Du— Duskborne Performers." Aleksdair approaches hesitantly. "Wait, you're that performer I scolded before...?" Lucas confirms and Aleksdair rubs his left arm, showing timidity. "It is, your highness. We are sorry to displea—" Suddenly, Lucas stood up and grovel, making him surprised.
"Wha— what are you doing your highness??!" He's so shocked but Lucas doesn't mind. "I'm so sorry for showing my rudeness after your group's performance. I cannot undone what is done and all I can do is apologize to you, Mr. Aleksdair!"
"It's okay, your highness! I— I wouldn't mind, really." He felt awkward. "Besides, I'm sure the rest of my team thinks the same way." Suddenly, Aleksdair halt being timid and somehow, his expression tells sadness. "I... I overheard what you and Sir Roquinito talked about. And I'm also sorry for overlooking your inner battles. As a performer, who knows to impress towards their audience, knows one's feelings in some way."
Aleksdair doing fidgeting movement of his thumb, behind. "Your highness, in regards on how you refer yourself as tyrant, everyone knows your pain of losing our former King, Lian Sui. His death gives a toll on you, resulting your behavior and we understand that." Lucas gasped. "You were a magnificent and outstanding prince, the Void Realm knew about that."
"We'll patiently wait for you to recover from emotional pain regardless difficult to swallow. We believe that despite all that, we believe you'll create change that'll overshadow those frustrations." Aleksdair's speech strengthen Lucas' will. "Hear that, your majesty? None of us viewed you as tyrant. We're waiting." Roquinito lend his hand. "We believed that the moment you finally got up on your feat, great things will come, one after another."
Lucas somehow cheered and grabbed Roquinito's hand. "Thank you, everyone." Aleksdair & Roquinito smiled but then— "Aleksdair, thank you." Lucas faced the young performer and bowed. "I've said terrible things to you and your group but— I just want to say that... Your group, Duskborne Performers, are great performers."
Hearing Lucas' compliment made Aleksdair filled with awe. He wanna scream and shout to let it all out but Lucas is a king, therefore, proper manners must be conducted. Therefore, he bows. "The pleasure's all mine." Aleksdair humbly speak. "I'll break this news with my companions and celebrate with them." Aleksdair wondered. "I can't risk unleashing in his hiighness' presence."
"You can express it here, if you want Aleksdair." Aleksdair jolt. "Your highness, did you just read my thoughts??!" Lucas scratches his cheeks with his index finger, embarrassed. "Well, I just discovered this newfound ability right after your performance. It's vague but— I can somehow read thoughts just fine." Aleksdair & Roqunito looked at him, leaving the room in silence.
"Anyway, thank you, you two for your encouragement. I am somehow— relieved and enlightened from anxiety." Hearing Lucas' words, Roquinito and Aleksdair smiled. "Aleksdair, will you and Duskborne group perform once more?"
Aleksdair flinched. "Of course, your highness! We'll be here tomorrow and expect new things just as you reque—" Lucas interrupted. "No, I want you to perform just as your group does this night." Aleksdair's surprised. "Eh?"
"My words before— they're the result of my frustrations and troubled thoughts which was unconsciously unleashed. I was ashamed and wanted to ask for forgiveness but I realized— what if I'll let your group perform again?" Aleksdair's speechless. "Just— let me know if your group's gonna perform."
In Void Realm, only darkness prevails, but the moment the Rift Reaper Sword splits in two, nebula and other sparkly things creates light upon darkness. That's where the two swords, Nebulous & Adamantine Swords, found their names. Nebula acts like how Sun works from the Mortal realm; Void Realm has Day and Night.
"I'll — I'll inform my group right away, your highness!" Aleksdair replied and Lucas smiled. "Thank you." Lucas sit back to his throne, as for Aleksdair & Roquinito they made their leave. At the staircase, Aleksdair let out a great exhale. "So, how does it go Mr. Aleksdair?" Roquinito checks. "I thought he'll be angry with my presence! Phew! I'm so glad it goes smoothly." Aleksdair felt relieved.
"By the way Sir Roquinito, how'd you know his highness' inner struggles? Do you happen to possess a mind-reading ability just like our highness?" Roquinito shakes his head. "No, King Lucas strongly reminds me of the 1st Ruler, Lian Mark, a lot. The time where— Lian Mark is in his early ruling years."
Aleksdair flinched. "Eh? Seriously???" Roquinito nods. "What can you expect? Like Grandfather, like grandson." There's a moment of silence between the two, then Aleksdair starts talking. "I heard from the elders that the first king is somehow— well, like King Lucas, a tyrant? I... I don't want to insult or something! I just wanna confirm."
"Well, he sure does branded as Tyrant Ruler, and he truly lived up to it." He smiled. "King Lucas mentioned that his actions qualified to earn himself the title of Tyranny but— reality speaking, it's a mediocre that of what Lian Mark did." Aleksdair's eyes widened. "Say— what?"
"Mr. Aleksdair, you were still young and missed many trivial events of this realm. Lucas' actions doesn't even matched to those who comes before him. Still— everyone has their own preference so it's quite understandable, really." When they're in the ground, Roquinito looked at Aleksdair. "So Aleksdair, are you in perfect shape to perform once more?" Aleksdair looks pumped. "Yes! Though, I can't forget the fact his highness' wrath from our last performance. Still, worth to try again!"
Roquinito pats his head. "That's the spirit!" He cheered him up, making the little one flattered. "Now, now. Tell your fellow performers about the news and I'm rooting for your success!" Roquinito gave him a fist of encouragement, and he enthusiastically cheered up. "I will, Sir Roquinito." So, Aleksdair quickly headed to their camp and—
Meanwhile....
As the Duskborne Performers resting, Aleksdair's running like mad. "Everyone! Everyone! I have a great news to tell!" With his uncontrollable excitement, he tripped. Since he has unique bone-like powers, it activated, protecting him from complete impact. Now, he looks like an inflated pufferfish that's stuck in a tight space. His fellow performers burst into laughter.
Aleksdair's team, the Duskborne Performers, consist a members of five; Dark Mist Infernal(male), 4-winged Bat-like infernal(woman), Half-knight half Horse body Infernal(male), a giant-like muscular infernal(male), and 4-armed infernal(male).
"Aleksdair's truly the star of the show!" The dark Mist infernal compliments as he tries to hold his laughter. "That kid's like that of a puffer fish, I must say." The 4-armed infernal expresses and everyone once again burst into laughter. "Now, now. That's enough guys!" The 4-winged Bat-like infernal calms them. "Hey, giant fellow, do the honors of taking Aleksdair from his pitiful position." The giant-like muscular infernal headed to the poor Aleksdair and removed him from his awkward state.
"Thank you!" Aleksdair felt relieved and the giant-like muscular infernal put him down. The young lead cleaned himself and— "Everyone, his highness summoned us for our performance!!!" Everyone looks shocked. "And it'll be tonight!"
"His highness? Tonight? We have few hours to form a new stuff, we'll only embarrassed ourselv—" the 4-winged Bat-like infernal looks worried but Aleksdair pats her shoulders. "Don't worry, we've got this!" The room is filled with silence after Aleksdair's enthusiastic attitude.