The Five Realms

Chapter 3

Amealia had gone to sleep the second she had laid down in the bed of her new room. She had hoped the heavy feeling she was experiencing would go away. But when she woke up, it still weighed heavy in her chest and the sky had turned dark.

She had fallen asleep in the clothing she had voyaged in which was black legging and a normal t-shirt. Not that it was a problem but she had wished she was awake long enough to a receive and go through the 'new realm starter pack' most realms have. They're not used often since they're only meant for the ones who are banished from a realm.

Amealia sat up on the edge of her bed like she had done before she fell asleep. She looked out the window before standing up and walking over to it.

The window was the only thing that looked like the original architecture. The only thing that seemed out of place was the glass window and latch that couldn't have been installed more than a hundred years ago.

Amealia looked at the edge of the window and saw a bit of the cobblestone that made up the outside of the large castle. The rest of the large castle grounds seemed like an intricate maze. As far as you could tell from a birds eye view, the castle was kept in its original form for however long ago it was built.

Past the view of the castle was the Shimmering City. It that glowed with life, even at this time of day. Every high-rise had plenty of windows with light shining through them. To Amealia it looked strangely peaceful. Maybe it had been the quietness around her, or the heavy feeling in her chest disappearing once she looked at the horizon.

The longer she looked out into the open air, the lighter shade of blue the sky turned. And when the sky finally morphed to a cobalt blue shade, there was a knock on the door.

Amealia quickly went over and opened the door, peaking her head out. There stood a semi surprised Jackson with a cardboard box. He stood there for a moment, staring at her.

"Yes? How can I help you?" Amealia asked, the heavy feeling returning. Jackson shook his head and moved the box closer to her.

"This is your mandatory essentials box and your things you asked for." He said as Amealia peered into the box. She made a face of realization and took the box from his hands. She placed it on the floor next to the door and looked back up at him. He looked at her again, not speaking.

"Anything else?" Amealia asked once she started growing uncomfortable. Jackson seemed to have snapped out of whatever trance he was in by subtly shaking his head.

"Sorry. A lot happened yesterday and I've been thinking about it all morning." Amealia nodded with understanding but unsuccessful in stopping the suspicion from washing over her facial features. "Yeah, King Merrik want's to speak to you. Now, if possible."

She nodded, "Can you give me a moment." Jackson stepped back as Amealia closed the door. She turned her attention to the box that was given to her.

She lifted it to her bed and started to go through it. She picked out the things she traveled with and deemed too important to lose. She placed them on her desk carefully and in a particular way that she thought was acceptable. To anyone else, it would have looked random with no sense of organization. She was less careful with the clothing.

The clothing within the box was as simple as Amealia had predicted. Nothing more than what she expected. Three long sleeve shirts, three short sleeve shirts, five different bottoms, and undergarments. Simple, mostly cotton, but needed.

She changed her clothes, not really caring for a specific colour or outfit coordination this early in the morning, even if she wasn't tired. The lack of mirror also wouldn't have helped if she wanted to look more than presentable.

When Amealia opened the door, Jackson stood up straight and surveyed her outfit choice. He shrugged before walking ahead, causing Amealia to assume Jackson wanted her to follow him again.

This time around, Amealia made sure to not trip over any stairs or bumps in the floor, even if they were going down the stairs instead of up and the flooring was mostly really old cobblestone that had been walked over for centuries.

As they continued walking, Amealia slowly started understanding that they were heading in the direction of the throne room. Passing the area when Jackson had first noticed her gawking at the stone arches. And soon, finding themselves walking into the red carpeted room.

It couldn't have been earlier than five in the morning at there was the King, sat high up on his throne. Not a single brunette hair out of place of wrinkle on any of the clothing that adorned his royal body. He didn't seem at all troubled by the time of morning.

When Amealia and Jackson got to stand in front of the throne, Jackson walked over stand next to the throne like how he did the day prior. Amealia found it his actions interesting but didn't give it anymore attention.

"You wanted to speak to me." Amealia said looking up at the man sitting on the throne. He looked her up and down before doing saying or anything.

"I've found a way for you to fit into our realm with no problems," He said leaning forward. "I think you'll enjoy it." Amealia thought for a moment, thinking that by her hearing him out, she can fit it into her plan. And what a complex plan it was.

"What is it?" She asked, crossing her arms.

"You train along side the boys who wish to protect the royal bloodline and this kingdom." Amealia looked at him in confusion. She and everyone who had watched her yesterday knew she was more skilled than what their knights know.

She glanced at Jackson, seeing how he was also confused. She looked back at the man in front of her just as he let out a hearty laugh that echoed through out the throne room. She felt herself be more confused than when the King had first spoken.

"I'm just joking!" He said, not helping Amealia's confusion. Jackson looked away, his confusion breaking down. "You can train them alongside Jackson here. I'm sure you can train those young boys into amazing soldiers."

Amealia wanted to tell him that teenage boys shouldn't be seen as soldiers. That they shouldn't be spoken of in that way. But she bit her tongue and kept her mouth shut, nodding along with what he decided her new occupation.

"Today, you'll watch how they train today and tomorrow you and Jackson can figure out how you will work along side each other." He said, visibly pleased with his decision and nodding. "But If you do anything out of line, I won't hesitate to knock you down a couple of steps."

Amealia gave King Merrik no reaction. She wasn't sure how to react with how fast everything was progressing. She felt a sense of dread fill her stomach when she saw a change in emotion flash on the King's face. It was a quick change, but visible. Amealia knew he hadn't fully trusted her. Even if he tested her self proclaimed loyalty.

With that dread, Amealia felt her plan falling apart. The plan that was carefully crafted to find evidence and flee was slowly being rebuilt to find a way to fit this into the plan.

Take your time. Don't strictly follow the plan. You will be fine.

Amealia remembered the reassuring words before her voyage, trying to keep her physical demeanor neutral. Then she nodded.

The King looked at her, pleased. He looked over to Jackson and motioned him to the front of the throne. Amealia cautiously watched Jackson walk to the foot of the large throne and bow. He turned around and made eye contact with her while he continued walking past her, motioning to her as he had down the day before.

Amealia bowed her head to the King and then made her way towards Jackson's quickly retreating figure. She speed walked until she caught up with him.

Even if they were still in the throne room, Jackson was heading towards the ceremonial entrance at the other end of the room. When the eldest son of King Merrik Ⅲ turned 26 or his father dies, he will be sworn into king hood with a ceremony. The guests of the ceremony must only enter through the entrance Ameala and Jackson were hastily walking towards.

Thankfully, to Amealia, they had reached the doors and stepped through them, slowing their pace when they turned a corner. She looked over at Jackson in bewilderment at his strange actions.

He looked at her and shook his head, "Any second longer and we would have been a lot later to training." Amealia still looked at him incredulously, he sighed. "His Majesty would have had a tantrum."

Jackson was continuously confusing Amealia. Maybe it was her views on the Crystalytes and the stereotypes that came with them or it was how everyone else from the Crystal Realm presents themselves. But this one in particular has caught Amealia off guard.

Anyone native to the Crystal Realm has stayed loyal to the Crystal King. No matter the situation. The get defensive when people speak poorly of him. Yet, here stood Jackson, mocking his King while he stood in a close relation with him.

"That seems strangely entertaining," Amealia said with amusement, glancing at Jackson at they turned the corner, starting down another arched hallway. The sky was turning a lighter shade as the sun peeked over the horizon.

Jackson looked over at Amealia, shaking his head with a dreadful look in his eye. "He would have 'knocked you down a peg' like he promised."

"I can imagine."