Red Knight was no ordinary guardian. Second only to the Emperor, he oversaw the operation of all realms, guarding the Primordial Realm, the Netherworld, and the Heavens. His mere presence kept the Netherworld from ever crossing into forbidden territories.
Yet even with all his power, he remained loyal and subordinate to the true ruler of the cosmos—the Great King of Heaven, the Emperor, supreme judge and sovereign of all things.
That morning, at the gates of Lucian's manor, stood a knight clad in shimmering red armor. The air around him pulsed with quiet authority.
"Welcome home, kiddo," he said.
Lucian froze mid-step. First surprised, then horrified. Of all the people to show up at his front door...
"What do I owe this visit, Great Knight?" Lucian asked, trying to mask his unease.
"It's your training, buddy. And this time, by direct order of the Great King, you're being sent to the Immortal Realm." The knight's tone left no room for negotiation.
Lucian's eyes narrowed. "I don't want to. The Immortal Realm is boring. I'd rather go to the Primordial Realm."
The knight grinned. "Then the Primordial Realm it is."
Lucian's face dropped. "Darn it..." He realized too late he'd been tricked. This wasn't training, it was likely a mission, one that needed a god capable of moving through all realms without suppression. And he was the only one.
"My father won't approve of this," he grumbled.
The Red Knight threw his head back and laughed. "Your father signed the decree himself!"
Gritting his teeth, Lucian stormed into his manor, ignoring his maids and guards as they greeted him. His fury burned silently.
"You know, acting like this only makes the Red Knight happier," came a cool, teasing voice.
Lucian turned. Irene.
She was his own Red Knight, assigned by his father but unlike others, she wasn't an Otaenian. She was Fey, a god born from the final breath of Origin's death, molded by war and flame.
"What do you want now?" Lucian snapped.
"I'm going with you. Your father decreed it," she said dryly. "I don't like it either, but do I look like I have a choice?"
Lucian grumbled, "Fine. I'll get ready."
His demeanor at home was always different, less playful, more thoughtful. He knew this wasn't just another punishment. Something serious was brewing.
Moments later, from inside his chamber, he shouted, "Actually, there's nothing to prepare!"
He flopped onto his bed, face-first, letting fatigue and frustration wash over him.
"You @$%&! Are you seriously going to make the mortals wait a millennia?! We should've left for the Immortal Realm already!" Irene shouted from outside.
But Lucian gave no reply.
In truth, he had no intention of going, not yet. He planned to vanish to the eastern reaches of the God Kingdom, far from his duties, and hide out for a year. What was the point of being a prince if you couldn't rebel now and then?
"I'm warning you, Lucian, I will find you," Irene shouted again, her temper rising like the flames she was born from.
---
The Next Morning
The day began quietly.
Lucian woke, bathed, dressed, and began packing small valuables: ornaments, artifacts, trinkets of power. Then, with the speed of lightning, he raced from his manor straight to his teacher's home.
He barged into the study. "Teacher! Let's go now. Or you'll never see this disciple again!"
The scholar looked up in alarm as Lucian grabbed him and pulled him onto the back of his hoverbike. Before he could protest, they were off.
"You know I won't join you for one of your reckless adventures!" the scholar cried out, clutching the seat.
Lucian grinned. "I know a place that'll make your old heart race."
"Where?" the scholar asked, despite himself.
"The Eastern Ruins," Lucian said proudly. "Where Origin began creation."
The scholar gasped. The sacred ruins? They were considered holy and dangerous, steeped in intense Origin energy. Only the royal bloodline had unrestricted access.
"I can't fight," the scholar whispered. "I've heard the energies there... twist even the divine."
Lucian smirked. "You've got me to protect you, Teacher."
The scholar turned pale. That was not reassuring.
But deep inside, he knew Zelda and Ray would never let their son go somewhere truly dangerous. If no guards or knights were stopping them, then... perhaps this little detour was allowed. Even planned.
"Sigh... I hope I'm not the sacrifice," the scholar muttered, praying softly to the goddess of luck, only to remember too late that Lucian had a long-standing feud with her.