Once in the Moonlight XXI: Good Gone BAD....like old Tacos in the Fridge.

Pegleg: So you've still got about 100 pages to go through!1

Topleaka; OH Boi OH BOI!2

Haruka: *eyes bleed*3

Roxy: This takes effort you know.4

Pegleg: That's why those who read get a hug. Or a cookie. 5

Topleaka: OR AN INCIDENT SQUIRREL!??!?!?!!??!!?6

Everyone: UHHHH....7

~8

CHAPTER LXXV9

From the shelter of the Aurora tree, Roxy watched those she had always viewed as so weak two steps ahead of her. Wings gracefully bent back, they rushed forward through the woods of Eden, humming the pieces of their inner voices, trying to put them together. From what they had sung, it seemed they had nearly put together the puzzle that was being a faerie. And it was all on their own. Had they truly changed in ways she hadn’t given them credit for? Perhaps…she was seeing herself too highly. 10

She was the oldest of the four, clearly the most mature. That is, in her own eyes. Yet, as she mused in the branches, she began to wonder if she had fallen behind. Roxetta’s mind flashed back to Sabrina and Ashton walking alone, Akihiro and Haruka holding hands, and Rei and Topleaka kissing. Rei and Topleaka kissing. Now that was one she had not expected when she first met the two.11

Was it now that she was the odd one out?12

How could it be that the other three, the “young” ones had found their loves, and their loves had found them? What about the one she loved? No, it wasn’t love. But that idea only made the pain worse: was she alone while the other three of Eden moved forward?13

It was ironic, really. It was her who led their foursome in the beginning. She took control over Britteni’s popular preps within weeks of moving to Nakajima. She was the one that was most affluent in the realm of music first, the one that suggested the talent show, the one helped them all succeed and discover Musicana, really. Thanks to her, Haruka, Sabrina and Topleaka had blossomed into who they were today. Perhaps…they blossomed too much? And now, she looked over her petals and doubted. “Have I really blossomed yet?”14

She felt the first light raindrops hit her skin. The rain. She loved it. Holding power over the element of water, the rain splashing on her skin felt so freeing. It felt her pain; it tried to wash away the hurt as best as it could. Yet the loneliness stung. She asked it to leave countless times, but she only saw the droplettes ripple off her skin. She was alone, except for the constant patter of raindrops. It was like the sound of little bells: little bells calling out to her, echoing off her skin. She wasn’t quite sure what to say to that, except that this world of Musicana was one of change…perhaps it was time for her to seek change. Perhaps, Eden was not her place. 15

~16

When all was silent, I thought I heard it. 17

The inner song, the source of each Musicanian’s power, was what I never could grasp. But when I least expected it, I would hear a new line of its melody play. It was different than the inspiration for my lyrics. It was a different voice singing: one I knew was truly mine. When it played through my mind, I felt a new power and strength rise through my veins: the kind of power that has been set aside for me since the dawn of time. Though the secularizing world of Musicana liked to say “it was the power of music”, I knew it to be more than that. This was a power only God could give. 18

True; He may have chosen the vessel of music to empower Musicana, yet it was always his power behind it. That was what I could never forget. With all of the waves of chaos coming to flood me, I had to remember that I was not relying on the power of Music, but rather, the power of God. That had a lot more assurance than the former. 19

CHAPTER LXXVII20

“MORE THAN FRIENDS?”21

The royalty of Eden had an obsession over balls, dances, and masquerades. There was one for every fullmoon, “to celebrate the power given to us” they explained. So once again, I was found in the elegant Paerasis dance hall, dressed in the emerald legendary gown. There was one thing about these dances that I didn’t mind terribly though: that every masked guy tried to get one of our hands (which was an entertaining sight). 22

Among these masked men was the Kitsunwarai, who never ceased to ask me for a dance. Though he frustrated me, he also fascinated me in a way I couldn’t quite explain: perhaps it was because I always wondered what lay behind that laughing fox mask. 23

"Kind sir-you never have let me see behind that mask-"24

"You will see in good time,"25

"But I must know who it is I am dancing with-"26

But as usual, he gave the ambiguous reply, "I'm sure, fair lady, somewhere in your mind, you remember who I am,"27

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I always asked, wondering if there was something about him that was familiar…28

But he would never give me a straight answer. Deciding to stop asking, this night, I tried to strike up empty conversation. 29

"You are a fine dancer,"30

"Thank you, milady," he replied as usual. 31

As our feet kept to the beat across the glistening floorboards, I began to think of the upcoming dance: the one that Akihiro had invited me to. Akihiro…I wondered what it would be like to dance with Akihiro here, across the otherworldly glossed floors of Paerasis’ dance floor—as more than friends. More than friends: oh how I wished for something “more than friends”. 32

“You know, Earth has dances as well…” I muttered, wondering why the words escaped my lips.33

"I see—similar to these dances?" I could tell he had a knowing smile. 34

I nodded quickly, hoping none of the high royalty would note my disapproval. "Surely many have asked you-"35

I shook my head sadly. "Earth isn't like Musicana; there, I'm just—normal,"36

Now it was his turn to shake his head. "One like you cannot be changed so much by which world she stands in-" I looked at him questioningly. "I'm sure you are just as fair on Earth as here," he said slowly.37

“Th-thank you,” I couldn’t hide the smile that rose up to my lips. “I wish…there was someone on Earth who would believe so,”38

At that remark, he chuckled lightly. “And you think that no one does?”39

“N-no one has told me so…” 40

“There is one who thinks so; perhaps he has never said it aloud though?” Stopping the dance with the end of the music, he let go of my waist. “It will come with time.”41

Surely, he couldn’t know how much that encouraged me. And why did a stranger’s words sound so intimate, and so comforting? I suppose he was more than a stranger, and yet I knew nothing about him. Shuffling towards the gold crested doorway, I smiled with a whisper, “Thank you, Kitsunwarai. I shall wait.”42

~43

Between the time of twenty four hours, I was at two dances. Now, having returned from Musicana mere hours ago, I found Akihiro and I in the Waterstone Academy Gym, faced with as many epilepcy prone lights, booming techno chords, and loud teenagers to put the NSPQR to shame. Wow, I was making allusions to Musicana. Now I knew I had spent far too much time in the other world. 44

Music did crazy things to me, maybe because I was a faerie from Musicana. Either way, music made me live on impulse, totally against my normal self. I felt my adrenaline rush with excitement, Akihiro’s presence only adding to that. When the music played, whatever was in my heart at the moment would burst right out, as if it were beckoning me to slide against the dance floor. I had to work to contain the urge to cuddle close to Akihiro and ask him to dance with me. Why now? 45

I was relieved when I heard “…Wanna dance then?” from Akihiro as he smiled at me. 46

I blinked quickly, trying to not sound overly-enthusiastic, “Sure!” He led me to the dance floor, draping us in countess colours from the lights. In the distance, I could see Rei and Topleaka dancing, which was a rather entertaining sight. 47

It felt like an electric shock when Akihiro’s arm wrapped around my waist. Unsure, I leaned a little bit on his chest, making both of our faces turn scarlet. Still, he was so calm. I was so clammy. The comparison made me even more flustered. 48

The beat filled us both, making us slide against the dance floor swiftly. I felt a cute laugh rise up to my lips. Why hadn’t I ever done this before? It was so much fun-as close to flying as one could get on the ground. I didn’t even think about where my feet were going-it was like they moved on their own. 49

I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander up to his. It wasn’t like I tried to; his eyes were just there. So dark and deep and umber…I couldn’t help but notice how close our faces were-so much closer than ever before. I almost jumped back at realizing it. 50

Which earned me a funny look. “…Are you alright, Haruka chan?” 51

“Of-of course!” I replied systematically, trying to ignore the short distance between our faces. The short distance I wanted to close up with my lips—52

The beat rose again, making us move faster. I almost ran into Sabrina and Ashton, which made me blush beet red. I tried to keep up with his smooth steps, but I was never a swave girl. My steps were usually unsure, shaky and timid. The music made me more confident, yet I still found myself a half a second behind. 53

~54

“Haruka chan,” Akihiro found himself muttering. Haruka tilted her head up curiously, still rather red. He flushed at the fact she noticed what he said, pushing off the urge to kiss her. Their lips were so close…55

“A-Akihiro kun?” she replied timidly, still looking into his eyes. Oh, how he hated the way she looked into his eyes. Yet how much he loved it. It made him wonder what she found so fascinating, which gave him a glorious yet uncertain feeling. 56

He shook his head quickly, letting his dark brunet hairs ruffle slightly. “Gomen,” he looked the other way, unable to control the blush covering his tanned cheeks. 57

The dance could not have been much more awkward. Two lovers, unaware of the other’s love, and each trying to at all cost hide his own affections in fear of denial. Both built up walls within their hearts, but to keep them up was another challenge. A glance up to the other’s eye was too hard to pass by. Swaying a little too strongly into a step in an attempt to be closer subliminally came. 58

“…Just friends,” Akihiro mused, adding “I suppose,” in a whisper he believed to be inaudible. 59

Haruka’s head cocked up. Why must he always say that—to give her no hope whatsoever? Surely, he didn’t mean to emphasise it, and yet it was always a pang to her heart. “…As you wish,” she muttered under her breath softly. 60

Still, he caught what she said. “As-you-wish?” he repeated, stunned. “What’s that supposed to mean, Haruka chan?” he grinned slightly. 61

Haruka’s delicate fingers quickly rushed to her lips, wanting to recant those words. “I mean-“ she covered up her slip, “You want—to be friends, right?” she gave him her best fake smile. 62

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” he muttered in reply, making her look up a little bit worried. 63

”I-if you don’t want to be—“ haruka began, doubting his friendship for a moment. 64

“I didn’t mean it like that-“ he quickly caught himself, pulling back a fleeing Haruka. He pulled her a little too hard, making her fall right into his arms. The shocked look in her eyes was priceless. And Akihiro knew it. Daring to pull her closer, he slowed down his pace with the slow song coming through the speakers. 65

Haruka looked up, still surprised, but unable to deny that she was enjoying this moment. The music carried them, and there was no need for words. Well, for Haruka there was a despirate craving for something-some words, to explain to her what just happened. Her eyes, wide and shimmering like real jade, she asked softly, “I-if you didn’t mean it-that way, then…w-what did you mean?” her heart raced, needing to know.66

Freakin’ tongue… Akihiro inwardly began cursing himself. Why was tonight so awkward? He hadn’t felt awkward around Haruka before, but now, he was beginning to see her differently, which he wasn’t sure of what to think of it. “It’s just that…” he groped for the right words, but nothing came. Just the darkness within him. Haruka tilted her head up to watch him, trying to not slide out of his arms. “Well…” so much for the silver tongued Akihiro. “what would you think, of being more than friends?” the words fell lamely out of his mouth, but spoke what he was truly thinking. 67

“M-more than friends?” blood rushed through Haruka as she wondered if she was awake. “You mean like-“68

“Yah,”69

Haruka was too stunned to speak. A small smiled began to tug on her lips, the only thing she was able to control. 70

“I can understand if you don’t want to-its fine, really-” he began to ramble pointlessly. Why am I rambling? Akihiro even asked himself. It wasn’t in his usual character to do that. 71

Auburn hair nodded softly. “I l-love the idea,” a blush hid her features. More than friends…rung in her ears over and over again to a point that would agitate most. But to her, they were still beautiful, and always would be beautiful. 72

“Good,” he breathed out the breath he had been holding in goodness knows how long, smiling. She couldn’t help but smile back. It was a start in the right direction, a friendship going beyond. And that was the best part: it was just the beginning. 73

CHAPTER LXXVIII74

Every man and woman has a passion. Some may call it a sin, a weakness, something to be removed. But those are only lies—they do not wish you to find your true power. It lies in this passion. In bitterness, one can overcome others and claim his rightful place. Through the lust of attention, one can gain followers and control. With the façade of timidity, one can catch an enemy off guard and trap him. Above all, however, it is said that the lust for power and command is selfish, and to be avoided at all costs. But that is only said because people do not want to be ruled by the strong. It is he who has a lust for power who will remain when all has faded…75

I think he could tell that the words still haunted me. Looking down through the slits of his fox mask, he noted, “You know that she’s trying to deceive you all,”76

“Oh!” the icy voice of the Queen shattered from my memory once he spoke. Smiling sadly, I replied, “I know. And yet, I can’t help thinking about what she said.”77

Only minutes before, the Queen of Atlantis had attempted to ambush us four faeries. That’s of course, when the Kitsunwarai came. How he found us, I was never quite sure, though I had trouble denying that I smiled whenever I saw him.To make a long story short, he saved the day. Cliché, but true. However, the day was far from normal, for the words of the Queen still troubled me. 78

“That’s what she wants.” He replied at last, giving me a frown. 79

In determination, I replied, “I won’t fall for it though! I just have to wonder if—“ 80

His steps stopped. “If…what?”81

“I wonder if any of the other princesses took it seriously.” A bit of my fear surfaced through my eyes, remembering the vivid expressions on my friends faces. Bitterness…Timidity…Affection…Power… As the Queen spoke, the four of us found our weaknesses surfaced: the ones we believed to have been buried for all of time. 82

Perhaps it was out of shock that the Queen saw our deepest secrets so lightly that we looked to her in surprise, but Roxy… When Roxy looked up, I almost wondered if she believed the words. She had always fought for leadership, for power, but did she truly crave it as much as the Queen made it appear? She wasn’t actually tempted to follow the Queens words—was she?83

My stream of nervous thoughts was broken when I felt his hand on my shoulder. “You can’t be accountable for their thoughts, their responses. You can reassure them, talk to them, but the final choice is theirs: of whether they choose to remain in the light, or follow the darkness. And even if they do choose the wrong path, don’t be swayed. Remember: you can never trust the night.”84

You can never trust the night… The words sounded so familiar, and yet I couldn’t place where I had heard them before. However, that hardly seemed to matter when I noticed the blood trickling down his arm, running from a wound he must have gotten from holding off the Knights of Atlantis. 85

“Your arm!” Without a second thought, my fingers gently traced the wound. 86

Not sounding much different from the men on Earth, I heard him mutter, “Oh, its nothing,”87

Humming a faint melody, I watched as the skin slowly began to cover the gape. With a grin, I noted, “There are moments, I suppose, when I’m grateful to be over the element of Life!” 88

“Vitaelia…” The way he said my faerie name made my muscles freeze in place, watching him in curiousity and surprise. His hands held my arms, for it seemed all I could do was watch him with wide eyes, unsure of whether my heart was racing fast in fear or passion. The lip of his mask hovered centimeters from my chin, but stopped there, as if he found himself being too forward. “We shall meet again soon,” he said softly, sending a chill through my spine (out of delight, I wasn’t quite sure). But with a blink of my eyes, he had vanished, leaving only a final drop of blood from his arm in the dirt. 89

~90

Once in the distance, he pulled the laughing fox mask. He never could quite explain why he had chosen the traditional Noh mask, particularly in a more Medeival world than Heian. But did it really matter? It was a mask, a way for him to never show this world who he truly was until the moment he chose. 91

But under the shade of the branches, there was no one to recognize him. Running a hand through his brunet hair, he looked over the panorama of Eden’s empty green hills with his deep umber eyes. With a sigh, he mused over the scene he had just left. Haruka…he laughed to himself, It’s just as hard to speak to you here as it is on Earth. 92

~93

“Where does he come from? How does he always know where the princesses are? Why did I not know of him sooner!” Queen Aryelin nearly pouted as she paced across the iced halls of the central palace of Atlantis. 94

“If they were all dead, there would be no problem!” The knight called Jack hummed to himself, leaning against the endless silver wall. 95

She threw him a sharp look. “Death solves very few problems. It only seems like a nice quick solution.” Clenching her fists, her eyes of gold ran over the iced corners of the room. “However…now may be the time for an exception…” Jack’s head lifted in slight interest at the consideration. “Whatever the cost, those two will pay for their interference with my plans…The other three, however, are needed.”96

“For what?” he groaned in boredom.97

“Their souls can be rather profitable for us,” She slowly strode over to where he stood, her golden leather sandals silent against the tile. Deathly silent. “Perhaps I should not degrade Eden so much; there is much power that they are capable of. However, it is not enough to match Atlantis’…”98

“Explain Emile’s loss then,” At his challenge, her face crinckled in rage, remembering the fight hours before. 99

“A stroke of luck, a stroke they will never be given again. It was insightful, however: I, for one am humbled,” she laid her hand gently on her heart with a soft smirk of insincerity. “It made me realize: their power must be used for us. Why waste their power in death? Why not harness it, and give wings to Atlantis’ flight from Musicana?”100

“Hn,” he shrugged, a glint of blood lust hiding in his eye. His whole body jumped when a deep knock echoed off of the door behind him. Opening the door with a strong swing, Jack muttered to the one at the door. “You know you don’t have to bang it down…”101

“Hey, its still attached to the wall,” the stranger muttered, stepping into the light. Her familiar violet eyes shimmered when she saw the Queen. Kneeling on the ground, she asked, “Forgive me for my foolishness, but would you bless me with a second chance?”102

Smirking in satisfaction, the Queen remarked, “I had a feeling you would return. Eden does not deserve your abilities.” Seeing the young faerie rise to her feet, Aryelin asked, “But how can I know of your true intentions?”103

Chuckling slightly, the raven haired faerie replied, “I thought that would be clear. Fate has chosen me. How can I betray such signs? My domain is over water; my Earthly life lived on Crete, and my heart for power. “104

Temporarily satisfied with the answer, the Queen’s eyes gleamed for a moment as she replied, “And power you shall receive.”105

CHAPTER LXXIX106

Once more, Aquitane checked the map before her. It was a map of the provinces of Eden—the woodlands where the Kintaurs dwelt cicled in red. This was supposed to be it. Yet before her lahy empty fileds of dried lilac coloured grass. Cursing aloud, Roxy asked, “Why now? When I’ve come so far…” 107

The Queen had been gracious enough to giver her a chance for redemption. The Kintaurs, having been former allies with the Kingdom of Eden, having broken their alliance bitterly, would be a good colony to meet first. Their bitterness against the rest of their land would make them a likely candidate to assist Atlantis in its return to Earth. The Queen had considered it a good test to see how loyal the princess really was, and how serious she was about assisting Atlantis. Queen Aryelin was not a fool; she was well aware of the possibility of Aquitane’s “assistance” only to discover the inner workings of Atlantis. So she kept information at a minimal. The princess could understand, yet at the same time was outraged by the Queen’s doubt. 108

Then again, she doubted herself.109

What had made her want to betray the rest of Musicana? Bitterness of being underappreciated? A craving for a challenge? Insulted by the limitations it brought her? A lust for power? Annoyance at being dragged around by three girls and bossed by some prince and a clock-panda-thing? Disgust of being ignored? A simple curiousity? Or perhaps a combination of them all. Fighting for Atlantis would pose as a good challenge for her, a good test of her skills. And what was so wrong about Atlantis returning to its home? The people of Paerasis always fussed over it: saying that Atlantis was betraying them, that Atlantis on Earth would result in cataclysmic results, that Musicana itself may fall with its absence. But those were just rumors, right? They had never seen a land leave the world of music before, now had they? 110

“What’s a faerie from the high city doing here?” the wind whispered in her ear. Turning around in shock at the sound, she realized it was a voice. She had heard of the Kintaurs before, yet she had never laid her eyes on the Centaur-like creatures. Similar to the Kirins of Chinese myth, the Kintaur had subtle antlers on his head, the soft tail of a lion and delicate scales over its legs and stomach. Supposedly being related to the giraffe, the kintaurs too had long fair necks, giving them a mask of gentility. 111

This kintaur had long thin brown hair, framing a soft deer-like face. Her eyes however, revealed the ancient power resting within her kind, eyes not much different than that of a dragon’s. Her expression giving no chance for grace, she repeated in a sharp voice, “What is your business here?”112

“I seek a meeting with the head of the Kintaurs,” Aquitane replied, her eyes just as unforgiving. “It involves the end of Paerasis, perhaps.”113

At this remark, her eyebrow rose. “Follow,” was all that she said, walking out into the fields of lilac. With the step of her oxen like hooves into the grass, up sprung the trees Aquitane had expected to face earlier, encompassing them both into woodlands. The raven haired faerie let out an accidental gasp, seeing a whole hidden world fold out before her. “This is the hidden land of the Kintaurs,” the kintaur’s face was still frozen emotionlessly, “In these woods, I am called Willow.” Motioning towards a hall of bramble (a glorified fox’s den, stretching out into the distance), she noted, “Down here is where the elders of the Kintaurs meet. You should be able to discuss your plans with them.” Giving a short bow, she slowly trotted into the distance, until Aquitane found herself alone in a clearing, looking to the looming hall with slight nervousness.114

This shall be your test.115

Following what she believed to be her desire, she took a deep breath, stepping into the dark room. In the distant end, she saw a candle flicker. Following the light, the faerie continued forward in the foreign room, until the ancient eyes found hers, making her jump back a step in the darkness.116

“What is the meaning of a faerie coming to our presence?” one voice demanded, clearly old yet not withered in any way. “Here to bargain to purchase land?” another scoffed.117

Clenching her fist tightly, Aquitane kept her voice level and calm. “I was sent by Atlantis to bring you news of the Queen’s plans,”118

Dispersed mutterings broke from amongst them, snatching glances at her in disbelief. “A faerie? From Atlantis?”119

A soft smirk of confidence rising over her lips, she replied, “Atlantis’ power is rising. The world of Musicana sees that their plan to return to Earth is wise,”120

“Return to Earth?” several voices demanded at once. “Has the Queen gone daft? How dangerous is such a notion, how ridiculous—“121

“It has been tested,” Aquitane’s fair brow narrowed. Though she knew the real intention of gaining the support of the Kintaur was for the strength to return to Earth, the Queen had told her the reasons to list for their benefit. Creatures love to hear what they are rewarded with, the Queen had once said. “It is not as foolish as it sounds. It will bring the splendour of Earth back for all people, a freedom from this restraining world. It will return life to the way it is supposed to be. And besides—“ she paused, “The only two of the nations to object so far are—the NSPQR…and Eden.”122

~123

Wiping the sweat off her brow, Manuel grinned with satisfaction. Looking over the counter to her customers, she saw the looks of delight as each person bit into the irresistible Churo: a taste of Earth. I really should make another batch… she mused before a new figure stepped up to her counter.124

“Oh, hello!” she greeted hesitantly, noticing their foreign look. She remembered how only a few days ago, the prince of Eden came to this humble shop (oh how handsome he was!), warning her of foreigners. He had mentioned how their were plans against Eden, plans for Atlantis’ resurrection, plans she should not trouble her pretty little head with. Pretty little head…125

“You’re of these lands, are you not?” he asked, scrutinizing her carefully.126

“Perhaps,” she frowned, trying to be vague. The open, perky Manuel was not particularly good at being vague though.127

“Then you must know the names of the princesses, do you not?” his eyes sparked gold for a moment, then returned to a still yellow calm. 128

But she noticed, remembering the words of Prince Eron: Do not trust anyone. The days of innocence are over in these lands. “I am only a commoner,” she replied dully.129

“But surely you pay homage to them as your leaders? Surely I must as well being a visitor here?” he sounded so innocent; she wished to believe it was so. 130

“We only pay homage to the one true God,” she frowned, growing more and more suspicious. “We trust him to endow our leaders with wisdom and guidance.”131

Smirking, he asked in a low voice, “So you choose to live as an ignorant fool, holding no power to your own fate?”132

“If that’s what it means to trust those I put faith in, then yes.” Getting angered by this conversation, the blonde picked up the trail of her skirt and went into the kitchen, leaving the stranger behind. 133

Watching her, he only could delight in what he believed to be her future. “Then you shall face misery, so be it,” And with that, he walked out of the Pastery shoppe, turning to the next place to find the names of the princesses. 134

~135

Of course, the fair princess Aquitane could give the other three’s yme names. However, the Queen found that too relient on her new servant. Still suspicious of the young faerie’s loyalties, she sent her knights out to find the names of the princesses. As she dared not point out to her servants, the exodus of Atlantis from Musicana would be impossible without the power of the princesses of Eden. It wasn’t that Atlantis was too weak to bring their land across, but that they did not have the necessary abilities. Though they were of the water, how were they realistically able to carry over the water from the nearest Gate of Moonlight to surround their island? 136

The Queen saw the many other logistical problems, but felt it imperative to hide those from those below her. If they ever lost hope in her plans, the entire operation would be destroyed. They only needed one thing now: more power—any sort of power. That was why she sent her prodigal daughter to the lands of the Kintaurs, Vamprima, and giants: to seek all the alliances that could possibly be gained. With strengths from every element of life, any challenges to the merpeople would dissolve into the waters. Whatever elements Atlantis lacked could be found amongst its neighbors. And to gain the power of the princesses and of the embittered against Eden would not be a challenge, she was sure. 137

~138

The crimson panda like creature jumped when greeted on the street. He had never seen an outsider before. It was often said that Paerasis was a melting pot of sorts, but never had Patience beheld a pure blooded merman before. He remembered what Prince Eron had been saying regarding the people of Atlantis, how their actions were questionable against the United Lands of Musicana, and how one must beware telling them anything that could be used for ill will. At the same time, Patience hated the idea of discriminating against a perfectly innocent traveler. The reason Paerasis was founded 4,000 years ago was to create a haven for all creatures, a sanctuary. This one looked perfectly innocent as well. 139

“Pardon my intrusion, but I am new to this place. I have heard across the countries of the four princesses that rule these lands though,” His expression was of wonder, fascination, delight in this new city. Or so Patience thought. 140

The Wielder of Time surely could not know what danger was weighted within the words, as he replied naively, “Such as Princess Vitaelia?” For surely, what could any Musicanian do with only one name? Its not as if they could find her Earth name…oh, how absurd!141

Vitaelia…I believe the Queen mentioned that name once before. So it is true that their kingdom is so naïve…it is perfect. The Atlantean mused to himself, prodding further. “Vitaelia…are the other names so fair?”142

“Why of course!” Patience grinned, his ears flopping to the side. “All the names of Eden royalty are fine and fair! For there is Hinata, mistress over voices; Vitaelia, the mistress over life; and Hoshye, mistrees over the heavens. And none can forget Princess Aquitane, the mistress over the waters! Her abilities impress even the chief elders of the council of Paerasis!” the clock-bellied bear grinned, showing off the wonders of his kingdom. It was a proper introduction of Eden, was it not? And what could possibly taken from that and used for Atlantis?143

“Quite interesting…” the Atlantean thought for a moment, realizing where he had heard that last name before. Aquitane…is that not the returned servant of the Queen: the faerie? And she is to be named the most powerful of all of Eden? The Queen should be amused to hear that… “In the western islands, the rulers are given authority of the gods on land. Tell me, how does Eden treat its royal house?”144

Curious question. No matter, Patience resolved to answer any ways. “The years have put much faith in—“ But before the Time Wielder could continue, he noticed Centarius Augustus coming from the distance. “Master Augustus!” he cried, leaving the Atlantean where he stood with open ears, racing towards the Roman. “What brings you here so soon?”145

Seeing the Atlantean before him, Centarius tried to mask his fury in fear of making a scene before the most condensed population of Eden. Giving a sharp glare to the Atlantean, he replied, “Our lands do not rely on the power of the royal household. These lands, as this world, were established by God, and so they shall remain.”146

Keeping a look of serene innocence, the stranger passed off the sharp tone from the Roman. “It was nice speaking with you,” he noted with a wave, disappearing into the sea of people. 147

Seeing that he was gone, Centarius held back no rage, grabbing the creature by the shoulders, demanding, “What were you thinking, foolish bear! What were you told about holding back your tongue? You nearly gave vital strengths of Eden away!”148

As Irony so decreed, Centarius never even knew about the names proudly proclaimed. 149

“But—“ Patience began, but finding no words to come to his mouth, drooped his head in shame. “A thousand apologies. But what can Atlantis do? We are the great kingdom of Eden!”150

“This was the mighty kingdom of Eden…but we must still be alert, for no longer can every man be trusted.”151