ROYAL BLOOD

THE STORY

"Yes you can." Rufus said bringing three glasses of water. He placed them on the table. Rufus noticed them hesitating so he said, "Don't worry, I haven't poisoned them. You must be thirsty. Drink it."

Lore picked up the glass and raised the glass on his lips. He could feel the cold water flow down his food pipe and in his stomach.

"More?" Rufus asked.

"No" Lore said. Rufus nodded and continued, "Tell me your story."

Lore looked at his friends. They nodded and he talked about how they found a game in an abandoned cabin in the woods and how Urbane is nowhere to be found.

Rufus paused for a while and said, "Hmm… So, your friend is lost."

Lore nodded. Rufus continued, "To tell you about this place, this was actually a part of your world. Back when everything was normal, people could travel between the two worlds anytime. It was like going from one country to another. But this place doesn't have countries. It's only this one place that covers the entire world here. The cost of travelling was obviously high so only those who could afford it got a chance. This place was ruled by Kings. One day Wyot; a black magician massacred the royal family and gained people's trust. So, having no one to rule the place, the people chose Wyot as their next ruler. However, the newly wed Prince and princess fled away in the forest. Wyot found out and ordered his men to capture them. His men found them but Wyot didn't kill them instead he cursed them saying, "After you reach twenty years of your marriage, you will meet death. This curse will pass on to your blood for generation and generation." He banished them into your world and sealed the gateway forever. He started dictating the land. He tortured the people and from that time, this place saw nothing but only sadness. That's why the people here have grim faces."

After hearing this story, Lore and Jackson looked at each other. Wisteria shrugged and said, "Is Wyot still here?"

"Oh no" Rufus replied. "He was killed a long time back. Nobody rules this land. Just a couple of representatives from each area."

Lore couldn't help but think about the grief the people here had faced till date. He felt bad and wanted to fix it. But he knew that would be impossible. He asked Rufus," We need to look for our friend Urbane and get back. Do you know where we could find him and how we could get back?"

"I think I know someone who could help us find Urbane but about returning back I'm afraid I don't know." Rufus replied.

"What? You must know a way of getting out! We can't just get stuck here." Jackson cried.

"People here have forgotten about your world. If they find out then they're going to think you're spying and will kill you. So, how am I supposed to know about how the portal? We'll figure out a way. Let's just find your friend first. It's getting dark. We'll start tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Jackson kept quiet. Rufus fed the fireplace with some logs and lit a fire.

"I don't eat fancy but I will cook something decent tonight." He smiled.

They helped Rufus with the supper and had fun. They shared things about their world with Rufus and Rufus in return talked about his life. They laughed and laughed, teased each other. It had only been a few hours since they had met and Rufus had already become their friend. Lore hadn't laughed like this in a while so, he didn't want this to end. However, he missed Leo. Despite having a fight with him every time Lore loved Leo a lot and really looked up to him. He had never mentioned this to anyone but Leo was his role model. He wanted to be strong and hardworking like him but he kept it a secret.

"Lore, are you okay?" Rufus asked.

"Huh? Yes, I am. I was just thinking about something." Lore replied.

Wisteria smiled and said, "He's thinking about his big brother. You miss him don't you?"

Lore replied, "No way."

Jackson cried," Yes! You really love him Lore. Admit it."

Lore smiled. Seeing this Rufus asked, "How old is he?"

"Eighteen." Lore replied. "But we fight a lot."

Rufus laughed, "It's normal for siblings. I had a brother once and we used to fuss over small things. He drowned in a lake while swimming and left us. I never got a chance to tell him that I loved him. I still regret it. So, no matter how much you fight, if you've got the chance, let him know how much he means to you."

Lore smiled. He couldn't imagine how it would be like for him if Leo died.

"Now" Rufus continued. "Before you kids get to sleep, I would like to recite my self-composed poem."

"Cool!" Jackson exclaimed." Come on let's hear it."

Wisteria smiled," Yes! I love poems!"

Rufus cleared his throat and said, "The title of this poem is 'A saga where I was sabotaged by a sabre of thee.' "

They looked at each other and spoke in amazement.

Rufus continued,

"O Sacerdotal! Take me to the sacristy where we sacrifice the sacristan who is a sacrilege and a sadist.

O Sagacious Saddler! Take me to a salient saint where we will salvage the salamander having a sarcoma and a scent

O Samaritan! Take me to the sanatorium where we'll salvo the samurai who is sanctimonious and sarcastic.

O Satan! Take me to the sarcophagus where we'll kill the scallywag with your scythe and eat satsuma.

Yes dear yes, I am Skeptical and scamp.

Hearing this poem you might have scammed.

But stay still because I'll scrape your meat with scimitar and feed the scraggy and sepulchral cannibal.

THE END"

"Oh Um-" Wisteria stopped.

Jackson looked at Rufus with his mouth open and Eyebrows turned in confusion.

Lore pursed his smiled and looked at Wisteria.

"What?" Rufus asked.

Jackson replied, "What was that? I did not understand anything."

Rufus frowned, "Perhaps you're too young. I'm afraid I don't have enough room to sleep so we'll have to sleep here on the sofa and on the floor. Wisteria can use my bed."

Jackson groaned, "Of course, the female card."

"Shut up" Wisteria hit his stomach and went towards Rufus's room.

The boys laid down to sleep. The fire was cackling and Lore kept staring at the ceiling trying to get some sleep. His mind was going crazy thinking about his parents, Leo, Patricia and Urbane. A new thought piled up in his head. The thought of wanting to turn this world better. He closed his eyes hoping for the morning to bring him good news.