Chapter Two

The banquet hall was filled with dazzling lights, elegant curtains, and crystal chandeliers shining on the ceiling. The celebrant wished for this motif that her father, the Duke did and even asked someone from the Royal Court to personally design the place. It's full of white-gold color gemstones and ornaments with black roses and purple tulips as its final touch. The overall design of the whole place is brilliant and full of spirit for celebrating.

People wear their most beautiful gowns as this event is not only about the celebration of the Duke's daughter but to access connection from the high profile people especially those who were part of the Royal family. It's not a secret that the King of the Archaic Kingdom is very close to the Duke. They were friends since birth and supported each other for years even helping the King to inherit the throne back when it's still one of the princes.

"The Royal Family has arrived,"

The Lord Steward of the Duke's household announced. Everyone stops from what they're doing and bow in its direction.

"Greetings to His Majesty, the King, and Her highness, the Queen," They greet him in a not so enthusiastic but also not so solemn voice, just enough for the King to nod in satisfaction and the Queen to smile.

"You may take your seat or continue what you're doing." Unlike the King of other nations and from the books. The King of the Archaic Kingdom, Augustus,  is indeed one of a kind. He's good at ruling the kingdom, he promotes equality and increases the kingdom's prosperity and reputation. He may be strict and serious when it comes to the government but he's also very approachable that once you saw him, you can't help but feel comfortable and admire him.

The Queen named Adelia is also such a great lady. Back when she's still young, she's considered as the Kingdom's heart because of how lovely she is. Now that she's their Queen, this title only solidified its meaning. She's also a smart woman and even gain the title of Great Scholar in her prime.

"Your Majesty the King, Your Highness the Queen, It's such an honor for us that you make time to grace our humble celebration," the Duke of the Kingdom, father of Selene named Gabriel welcomes them as this celebration's host.

"Stop being so formal, Gab. Where's the celebrant?" The King laughed at his friend's formality. The Duke also starts smiling comfortably and more relax. "She's coming already. Why don't we take a seat first?" They agreed with him and he guide them to seat in front.

The other royal family that came also started walking and talking around, using this opportunity to socialize and gain favor to their side.

Not long after, the announcement came again.

"With a title of Archaic Kingdom's moon, Lady Selene from the Aphelion's bloodline has come." Everyone can't help but to gasps after seeing her beauty. They know her reputation and saw her many times already but the dignity and elegance they're looking for right now just make her title have a lot more sense. 

She's beautiful as a moon. Everything around her becomes a plain black background as she walks down the aisle of the hall. Her bright silver hair shines while her eyes penetrate beautifully through the crowd. It strikes every young and single man in the hall. It even creates an illusion that she's looking directly at them.

Once she reached the platform with her mother, the Duchess. The host, the Duke gives the opening speech and introduces Selene again to the crowd.

"My lovely daughter, Selene." As they clap their hands enthusiastically, Selene also bows and says her gratitude for everyone who came.

The celebration officially began. The King and Queen happily greeted her after a moment. She enthusiastically answered them and they gave her a row of treasures as their gifts.

The music became loud as time goes by. There are also some performances that they prepared to entertain the guests. Selene never stops talking to everyone who came to her table and also starts going to the other side of the hall. They also began distributing the buffet and all.

Not until a high-ranked general came and whispered to the King. Selene smiles at the old couple in front of her but keeps her vigilant eyes and so, she saw this interaction. The King became serious and turn to the Duke on his side.

"It's happening," I thought. I toast my glass again before I excuse myself. "I'll just go to our table and take some rest. Please continue and hope you enjoy your stay." They shook their heads and urged me to go and rest first.

I act cluelessly as I walk towards our table, I saw the Duke and the King standing up from their sit. I didn't ask a question but only look confused at them then smile knowingly, seeing like I understand that they're going to do something important and I didn't intend to ask more what's happening.

"This -" The Duke looks at the King, asking for permission to tell me. "I understand, Father, King. Let me take over the event from here." They look at each other and nodded.

"I'll come back later, okay? Ask your mother if there's something, take care of yourself, and also, eat something first."

"Yes, father."

They walked inside the palace with the General and other Knights besides them. Some other people saw their departure but no one dared to ask where they're going.

I take a seat and start eating the untouched cake on my plate. I don't need to wait that long before they ask someone to summon me.

As I expected, a few minutes later someone came to me and even to my mother, asking us to come inside as per the King's order.

"Mother?" The Duchess holds my hand tight and walks towards inside the room. "Don't worry," She assures me then smiles nervously

The Knights open the door and there I saw my father, the King, and other three men in the room.

They look at us seriously especially to me. I calm my nerves and smile politely at them. "Greetings, my lord," My mother and I greeted. Based on their clothes they're from the above.

"You may take a seat." We sit in front of them and I keep my eyesight down, avoiding their eyes as a form of respect.

They came from the Tower of Protectors. Protector of fate and Protector of future. They maintained the balance of three divisions in Gods. Despite that, there are also some representatives in their residence and these three were supposedly part of the Ruler's as what's written in the information but there's something odd between them.

The one in the middle is the prophet and I can feel his eyes looking directly at me.

"We came directly with the order from the above. Here to say the prophecy." He take out an ancient black scroll while the two around him started chanting unknown words.

Spell? I know how this world is full of fantasy and magic but seeing this first hand, I can't help but feel astonished. The scroll starts emitting different pale colors. Soon after, letters coming from it surrounded the room before forming a group of words into a sentence.

"In the darkness there's light,

the Underworld has come to life.

Human bows to death,

Souls were tied by a thread.

Fated to live together,

their love was sacred forever.

Gazes by the amethyst eyes,

rays of silver lights.

The beauty marks its back,

A moon in a form of black.

Born in the east of the Ruler,

destined to meet this lover.

The darkness has found its light,

shining on its day so bright.

The one who she vowed with,

the epitome of the strongest wind.

The Monarch's center moon in the cosmos,

bestowed to stay with him in this chaos."

I held my breath as I call the system from my headspace. "What's happening?" It seems like he's also panicking with the sudden change of plot.

"This is not what's written in the book!"

"Well, guess what? I also noticed that thank you" I answered sarcastically to it. Today is my first day but everything's falling out of place already.

"I'll try to seek for an answer -"

Darkness. I stiff from where I'm standing but decided to just stay and be more alert as the world suddenly is covered by the darkness. Even the sounds were gone, I can no longer hear the annoying voice of the system. It's like I fell in the well of darkness.

Not long after, I start feeling creepily cold, I didn't even notice that I was numb for a moment before.

I feel like I'll fall into madness if I stay here any longer. This sensation is like how I feel in the space I stay when I died from my past life but is also completely different.

Blank dark space. Endless darkness with nothing at all.

Did I die again? Did the mission fail?

"Hello?" My voice only echoed. Interesting. A few moments later, I look in the one direction on my side. "Show yourself," I said blankly

Someone's here. I can't see it but I can feel its scorching gaze on me. As expected, the sounds of the footsteps from that direction starts coming to my side and the place also turn colder.

I noticed that despite how dark everywhere is. I can still see my body, meaning this person can also show itself to me if it wants to.

"Who are you?" From where I'm standing, I can see a silhouette of a different shade of color in that direction. It only hummed and walk even more closer.

Damn this situation! I know from the start that I shouldn't just rely on the information the system gave me. The prophet in the room look different, the prophecy sounds different, and this man -

I was still caught on guard when I saw the man in front of me. Red dark eyes and dark black locks. I bite my tongue to wake myself up and I'm glad it works. Despite the rusty taste of my blood, I start rummaging ideas to get out of this position. But I haven't think of anything yet when I heard that familiar annoying voice again.

I never thought that I'll be glad to hear it but when its words registered, the only thing I want to do right now is to dribble that piece of the ball, smash it on the wall and squeeze it harder than the last time.

"Can you repeat what you just said?" I want to kill it. I already have an idea who was in front of me but hearing it personally hits differently.

"Host! The target of the mission appears. Monarch of the Underworld, Azrael."