✘ —; 10 years. 43 missions and 105 drills later – finally. He took in a deep breath of air of the grassy fields and lush which surrounded the kingdom. Azure irises gingerly opened, eyes peering out into the distance at the towering silvery acropolis – Tenebrae. He crunched the grass beneath his boots as he made his way toward the gates. Irony greeted him as the two guards who mocked his youth when he left to join the Kingsglaives of Insomnia were still there but this time saluting him as a man instead of a child.
A simple nod was given in their direction and as he entered, his eyes wandered, slowly as to keep his excitement at bay. It warmed his heart to see not much has changed – everything but one thing and it painted a smile across his pale lips as he noticed it rather quickly ; the beautiful yellow lilliums that she swore would decorate her entire kingdom after she grew them herself. A small snicker hummed against his chest as he found joy in seeing she had accomplished one of her simple pleasures.
Once again his face fell flat and stern, marching head high with his shoulders back – like a good soldier boy. The closer he got to the castle, the more anxious he began to feel. It was here he made a vow that would change his life forever. To finally be within arm’s reach to his aspiration made being back here almost surreal. To be worthy of protecting the flower of Tenebrae was no longer a pipe dream – but a reality. His hair had grown longer, a tradition favored from being stationed in Galahd for many years left a braid along it with the side being shaved. Quickly, he marched through the courtyard and was met at the towering marble doors by the guards who seemed to have expected him.
Quickly, they escorted him to the throne room and as the door’s echoed from being slammed shut, he tried to find a moment to relieve the tension in his shoulders. There was no room for doubt but there certainly was something that troubled him. His mind began to wander along the songs to his heart and unburdened the childish feelings he once carried – a misplaced love most likely dawned from his youthfulness – or so he likes to blame. He hoped those sentiments would not return to him now as a man – as he was sure that would be the only weakness to his dedication to his line of duty.
He was a quiet, awkward 13 year old boy completely mesmerized by everything that she was. Now at the age of 23 he was so sure that those reckless feelings had since diminished. As the announcements were made of the Princess and Oracle of Tenebrae arriving, his body tensed, arms behind his back as he faced front strictly in his place. The tapping of heels mirrored his heart beats and oh how frenzied his entire begin became as he was finally going to lay eyes on his beloved best friend – Princess Aerith.
