Viator sat wrapped in his cloak, facing the lake. Green grass covered almost everything around him. The chirping of various insects hiding in the tall grass could be heard, and birds sang to one another.
A light breeze blew, rustling the grass and leaves. Even the insects fell silent. Viator's violet eyes watched the fish swimming in the lake. Suddenly, this idyll was interrupted by a young man who seemed to be flying towards the quietly sitting man.
"Viator! I'm here! I have a request!"
The birds scattered in different directions, and the insects did the same. Viator looked at Akito, who seemed about to run into him.
"What the..."
Before he could even finish speaking, Akito slammed into Viator, and the two of them went flying.
"Viator, listen, I have a request."
"First, get off me."
The breathless Akito fell off Viator, breathing heavily. After a few minutes, the young man calmed down.
"Listen, let's join the resistance forces. We have the same goal—to kill the king—so why not?"
"Akito, do you think they need a man who can't even enter a city? I don't think so."
"But your power, on the day of the assassination, we'll do it, and it won't matter anymore. You yourself said something similar to me!"
"Then why have they done nothing for three hundred years?"
"What do you mean?"
"Akito, you be the judge. I know you don't know anything, but understand, they're afraid. Most of them don't want to take risks. Do you really think such peo-"
Akito clenched his jaw. It was unpleasant for him to hear this, as he and Agnes were both part of the resistance forces.
"Viator, what if they were just building up strength? Did you ever consider that? If not for me, then for revenge against that bastard. You yourself said that you and I are special, have you forgotten?"
His blue eyes looked straight into Viator's soul. He swallowed hard, then looked away.
"Fine, but if they don't do anything, I'll just leave all of it. Not even your requests will stop me."
Hearing these words, Akito's lips curled into a soft smile on their own.
"Thank you. Shall we go to them then? I'm already in their ranks, so I think they'll let you in."
"Why am I not surprised? Let's go already, or you'll scare all the animals here again."
Now they stood in front of two guards. Akito put on a mask and introduced himself; he was let through. Viator, however, had to prove that he wanted to join them.
"Just let me in already! I told you I want to combine our forces. That way it'll be easier for both of us to kill the king."
One of the guards, Romulus, seemed to be inspecting the thin, tall, dark-haired man for the hundredth time. Akito stood by them, his arms crossed, pressed against the wall.
"Let him in. He's the same friend who was thrown into the pit."
The other guard, Kir, turned to him.
"Be quiet! How are we supposed to know if we can trust him? I still don't trust you. How do I know who you two even are?"
Romulus placed a hand on Kir's shoulder.
"What does it matter now? I believe Viator. He really fits the description of the cursed one."
"So what? Do you think that means anything!? Romulus, I really don't like how you trust everyone so easily. Do you even understand how dangerous this is!?"
"We won't achieve anything without new people. If we're always conservative, we'll get nowhere. Do you understand that?"
Kir just spat and turned away.
"This is getting annoying. Do what you want, but if they make even one wrong move, their heads will fly off in that very instant."
Now Akito and Viator sat there. Akito was doing nothing, while Viator was arguing with the others.
"If we follow this plan, we'll achieve nothing! It won't work, you're all too careful."
One of the men in a strange mask approached Viator. He was short and a little overweight, his hair disheveled as if he was trying to hide a receding hairline. Akito recognized him; it was Aldo, an authority figure here.
"I was one of the people who developed this plan. It was the best option."
"Oh really? You're all too careful. If we want to kill the king, we can't just do nothing and climb the ranks. It seems like you just want to earn money, not carry out a revolution."
"You don't understand anything! It's better if our people are close to the king, and then we'll kill him."
Viator started to laugh and tossed the hair out of his eyes.
"Your plan is foolish."
He stood on the table and looked at the people.
"If we really want to kill the king, we need to launch an organized attack! Specifically, on the day he gives a speech—next year! We have a year to gather all our forces and deliver one blow! Doesn't anyone understand!? It's better to sacrifice everything and kill the tyrant. That will be the easiest way!"
The crowd of masked people looked at the dark-haired figure. He towered over them. They began to think about something, and Viator continued. He raised his hand, and a dark purple thorn appeared beside him. The people gasped.
"I am the cursed one who survived! And my goal is to kill the king! So I ask all of you, we must gather all our forces and deliver one, just one blow that will end the tyranny of the bastard who usurped power! I can't do anything by myself, but if we unite, we will succeed. Why do we need anonymity? Take off your masks! We must have trust between us, otherwise, we'll accomplish nothing!"
Everyone started applauding and taking off their masks. Akito slowly took off his mask and continued to look at Viator, who had become a new hope.
Aldo approached Viator, still wearing his mask, but his voice trembled.
"People! This is suicide! We shouldn't take such a big risk! It's better to act slowly and thoughtfully, not commit suicide!"
Happiness turned to surprise. Everyone began to look at each other. A man's voice was heard from the crowd.
"He's right. I have a family. I won't risk it all just for one chance."
Everyone started whispering, but Viator continued.
"I'm not asking everyone to go to their deaths! Just me! But then I need to get closer to the king, so I only ask that you give me a chance to approach him."
Akito came up to Viator and pulled a shard from his pocket.
"I'll follow him! If the king is truly the bastard who killed my friends—my family! I will follow him to the end!"
Agnes took off her mask and approached the table where Viator was standing.
"Enough innocent people dying. I'm not with them, but I can't just turn away from what the king is doing."
Suddenly, a man with light brown, wavy, shoulder-length hair approached them. He had a gentle look, and a helmet was in his hands.
"Then I will follow you. I also have some scores to settle with the king."
From his build, voice, and armor, it became clear that it was Romulus. Different people began to gather around Viator. He got down from the table, and Aldo approached him. There were strange, alarming notes in his voice.
"A good speech, for someone who's been here for less than five minutes."
He handed Viator a blue rose and left.