As I was getting tied up and put the bag on my head to limit my vision, those two gatekeepers started to lift me and take me away somewhere I don't know. Some other knights replace their position for a moment while they carry me. These gatekeepers walk inside the Kingdom, which I noticed by hearing everyone was abuzz.
"Where are you guys bringing me?"
I said, stay calm to find a solution.
These gatekeepers are silent, say not a single word, and attempt to answer me.
One of the people inside the Kingdom comes near the gatekeepers, who are carrying me.
I don't know who is coming near us, but I hear a slow footstep, and an old lady's voice appears.
"Um... Gatekeepers... I thought... You guys are guarding... the gate."
The old woman rasped, her breath coming in slow, steady whistles.
I can confirm that's an old lady from inside the bag. A gatekeeper speaks up.
"Oh, Granny, we're carrying out an order from His Majesty."
He said, with a smile.
I can see he smiles at the old lady, hardly from the bag.
"Hey! Help me, they are kidnapping me."
I shout, trying to catch some attention.
The granny turns and looks in my direction and gently smiles.
"Tell his Majesty... to be gentle with the boy."
She said and waved at us.
Both gatekeepers bow to the Granny.
"We will tell His Majesty, please be careful on your way, granny."
They said at the same time, like a sync.
When the granny goes far away, those gatekeepers starts carry me toward a large castle ahead. A castle at the center of the kingdom, also the biggest building in the kingdom.
The castle had majestic structures built from intricately carved stones. As these gatekeepers step inside, the air fills with a palpable energy; a multitude of knights gathers, their polished armor catching the ambient light and creating a kaleidoscope of reflections.
At the forefront, many guilds stand resolutely at attention. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation, and I feel the weight of their unwavering gazes; it felt like they tried to execute me. I can feel that tension through the bag covering my face.
As I got the bag removed by one of the gatekeepers, before me, on a majestic throne draped in sumptuous silks, sits the king, a majestic figure, yet He looks old, older than I expected. He looks very presence commands unwavering respect. He has long gold blonde hair shown how majestic he is, with brown eyes that look at me with seriousness and humility. He has deep-set eyes, striking and intense. He's wearing a soft beige tunic and brown trousers, with dark brown boots. On the back of his neck is a red cape with white fur around it. On his head is a crown that has a sigil.
A Serenvale sigil was just a simple, unbroken loop of vines. A gold shiny sigil. Every leaf was carved exactly like the one next to it.
The flickering of light casts soft shadows across the room. As he prepares to address everyone inside this room, the tension inside unfolds as everyone is waiting for his words.
Flanking him on either side are four mages, covered with a black cloak that hides their face. They stand there, ready for the King's command.
As the air in the room is thick with anticipation and tension, I destroy this moment of tension by speaking first.
"Why are you guys bringing me, and can you speak instead of staring at me?"
I said, looking at everyone whom are staring at me with confusion.
The King clears his throat, making me speechless for a moment as if I'm feeling affaired maybe.
He finally breaks the oppressive silence that has enveloped us. I notice a shift in his expressionhis brow furrows slightly, and a glimmer of emotion passes over his features. His eyes locked with mine like he was trying to probe me.
"Please accept my sincerest apologies for my earlier rudeness; I am King Aurelius Valerius of this great kingdom."
The king began, his tone a careful balance of formality.
The king took a deep breath before continuing to talk.
"We recently used a powerful magic spell known as 'summon' with the intention of bringing you to us, but, for some mistaken reason, you got summoned outside the magic circle we made."
The King starts to come near me and knee himself down, making everyone shocked, and I stand there, froze of his action.
"We deeply apologize for our mistake that brought you here..."
I stop for a second before continuing.
"...And in a way that made you scared."
He slowly looks up to me.
"But we need you to help us, help this kingdom, help the entire humanity."
He apologized, his tone calm and sincere, and the tension of the room slowly melted away.
I stand there, look at him with no response. The King notices that and starts telling me a story.
"A long time ago, the Demon King had risen to threaten us, so we had to summon a Hero to kill the Demon King."
He slowly stands up and continues the story.
"The Hero got summoned and killed the Demon King."
Before he could continue, I interrupted him, causing some people to be angry at me.
"So why are you summoning me after the Demon King got killed?"
I asked, curiously.
He looks at me, knowing I will ask him that. His voice is slow and calm when telling the story, but starts to turn serious as he mention next part.
"The Hero, who helped us save the world..."
There is a long pause as he looks down, everyone's expression in this room turned into sadness, and some have a kind of expression, like hatred, maybe.
"...He became the Demon King... and ruled demons..."
I was shocked at the information he said.
"A Hero... Became a... Demon King?!"
I repeated what he said to confirm the information. A nod from him to confirm my wondering.
As I see that nod, a cold spine comes to me, a fear all encompassing
me.
Me? As another hero to kill a hero? I'm too weak for this!
I thought with terror and panicked.
"But why me? Out of everyone better than me, why me, a teenager, doesn't know how to fight?"
I said, finding something like light of hope to escape this situation.
"Can you bring me back?"
I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I paused, searching his eyes for any trace of reassurance.
"I apologize, but granting that request falls beyond our capabilities. If the task feels too overwhelming or dangerous, we completely understand. Your safety is our utmost priority. The reason why you got summoned was random; maybe God wanted you to be the chosen one."
His expression softened, revealing the relief on his face and his tone.
"As an apology, we will give you a bag of gold and a place for you to stay. But if you changed your mind, please tell us, we will be willing to help you."
Before I can speak, a voice of a young boy interferes, drawing both my and the King's attention. It belonged to Sora Sinclair, a member of the Holy Knights, who stepped forward. Sora is a teenager, a tall teenager. He has brown hair and brown eyes. He has the same armor as Alice, but the skirt is armor pants.
"Wait a minute, your Majesty."
He said, with determination.
"We summoned him for a reason. He has a duty to save the world, and he can't just run away and hide like a scared cat."
He said, his voice steady but laced with frustration. His eyes narrowed, conveying the seriousness of their situation as he leaned forward, emphasizing the weight of their responsibility.
"We have caused him a lot of trouble. I think we should let him think about it before answering our request."
The King spoke with a steady voice.
A new figure approaches, also from the Holy Knights. His hair is a striking shade of golden pale blonde, with steel blue eyes. This is Arthur Aethelred, the revered leader of the Holy Knights. An Aura around him made Sora, who spoke with determination, stop a bit. I look at him and tremble for some reason.
"He is right, Sora."
He said, slowly explain to him.
"We can't force a stranger like him to take responsibility to help us. It's a perilous task, and no one should be thrown into such danger without a choice. We need to consider what that would mean for them."
He said, his voice steady but laced with concern. The weight of his words hung in the air, a reminder of the gravity of their situation.
"Thank you for your explanation, Arthur."
The King said, nodding in understanding.
He turns to the mages, one of the mages holding a small bag of money understand that look and comes forward to give the King. The King smiles, takes the bag, and gives it to me.
"Here is the bag of money we have for you. With this money, you will easily start a life in this new world. We will also arrange for someone to accompany you, guiding you to a place for you to live."
The King's expression softened, showing genuine concern for my future as he handed over the bag.
"Wait, I don't agree to this. I want to go back home."
I said with a little worry.
"But we can't send you back home."
"I'm truly sorry."
Frustration boiled within me, and I turned to him, desperation fueling my anxiety. I try to charge toward and grip the King's shoulders and shake him for the way home.
Before I could comprehend the unfolding scene, rugged hands appeared with authority, gripped my arms, pinning them with my body with a force that was both powerful and unrelenting. In a moment, many knights are on me to stop my movement. Some knights stand around me, pointing their swords at my neck as a threat.
"What the—?!"
I gasp, trying to struggle to get out.
The King, for a surprised has a step back, but he gets himself back and comes near me to confront me.
"Listen, I understand how you feel."
"But I've already told you, we can't help you get back to your home."
He spoke, attempting to calm the tumultuous emotions that rumbled in the air, even as the weight of the knights held me down.
I'm frustrated and finally agree to his request. I take a deep breath and calm myself down, but anxiety is still there, left alone with my complex emotions.
"Fine... I will listen to you."
After the grand meeting in the throne room, everyone leave expect me and two other persons, Arthur and Alice from the Holy Knights.
I stood there nervously, clutching the bag of golds tight as the King looked at us and looked at the door where everyone was leaving.
When everyone was finally gone, only Alice, Arthur, and the King were left. The King looks outside and sees the sunset casting through the window, created a large shadow on the ground.
"It's getting late, so one of them will show you where to live."
He said, looking at me with affection and meaning.
I had initially thought that Arthur would guide me to my new home. However, as I stood there, a realization washed over me. My thoughts swirled like autumn leaves caught in a gust of wind as the King's words.
"Zin, the person guiding you to your new place is Alice."
The King stood before us, cast a meaningful glance between Alice and me.
The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, as we were both surprised by his decision.
Arthur approaches me with a tired expression.
"I thought you would be guided by me, but I was wrong, haha."
He laughed, trying to calm the heavy air from the King's words.
I laugh tiredly and fake. There is no energy in that laugh.
"Haha... I think the same thing..."
"Good luck, kid."
He said, confusing me.
"Oh, uh, thanks..."
Meanwhile, Alice stood to the side, her brow furrowed with confusion.
"Why me, your Majesty?"
She asked, knowing deep down that rejecting the king's command was not an option. But her curiosity wanted her to know why.
The king, seated on his throne, regarded her with a steady gaze.
"Because he will be living in the same house as you. You must guide him, Alice."
He articulated, his tone leaving no room for argument. The weight of responsibility began to settle on her shoulders as she contemplated the implications of her new role.
I stop myself, looking at the King and Alice, and I gasp at his response.
"WAIT, WHAT?!"
Arthur stands there and chuckles at my response.
"That's why you need a good luck."
I look at everyone repeatedly before getting dragged out of the castle by Arthur.