"And thus in our storied history, have we traveled the stars to arrive in this system. One day we hope to ease the burden placed on us by capitalizing on the abundant resources below. For now, this is an impossibility, as the planet remains uncivilized and mainly controlled by the beasts."

A young boy yawned, barely managing to keep his eyes open as his head bobbed lower and lower. He wondered if this tutor was secretly a shadow-blessed, given how easily she cast sleep on him.

"MISTER WYNN!"

SNAP CRACK!

A wooden ruler cracked over his desk, splintering into many pieces from the force of the impact.

It was one way to get his attention, but an unwelcome one. The girl by his side shot him a weary look as she released a quiet sigh.

"How many times must I tell you to pay attention when I'm talking to you?!" screeched the tutor.

"Dunno," he crooned. He lazily turned his head to the brunette to his left. "How many, Shona?"

"Third time today by my count, Sholto," she replied. "If you want to be done with this sooner, you should pay attention. Making her stop every thirty seconds to scold you isn't helping," she advised.

Sholto slumped forward, resting his chin on the desk. "It's so boring, though. I want to do something," he groaned. "I don't need to learn this--that's what she's for," the boy addressed the teacher while gesturing at his fellow brunet with his head.

"Education is supremely important!" shrieked their teacher.

"But why? She's the princess. I'm just a nobody as far as everyone else is concerned," he snipped back.

The teacher opened her mouth, but Sholto continued. "Even if something happens to her, one of her court takes over as queen, not me," he added.

"You're still expected to--"

"Waste my time?"

"No! You should still be educated! Knowledge is what separates us from the savages below!" barked the teacher.

"Making an awful lot of assumptions about people you don't know," he mumbled.

"What was that?!"

"Oh nothing," he sang. "You savage," he muttered under his breath.

The teacher's glower remained on the young boy for a moment longer before she returned to her lesson, having not heard his slight against her. "Hmph, as I was saying."

"I don't get it Sho-Sho, why are you like this?" wondered Shona.

As the two walked the halls, attendants bearing long floppy ears bowed to the pair, refusing to continue their work until the children were out of sight.

The pair stopped. "It's boring," said the boy. He stepped over to a nearby window, taking in the vista before him. Surrounding the tower was the castle grounds, and beyond that a field of grass that stretched out well past the horizon. That was except the paved road that cut the meadow in twain. Sholto's eyes rested on the single escape from this plane of reality--a tunnel that went into the ground at the end of the road that left the castle.

"What would be fun for you then?" wondered Shona.

"Dunno," he crooned. "Maybe I need a partner," he mumbled.

"Hm? What was that?"

"Nothing nothing."

Every day was the same. He got up, got yelled at by some old lady, ate food at the same times, then went to bed. Rinse, repeat every single day.

Nothing was fun. Nothing was exciting. Nothing brought him joy.

If someone descended from the stars and told him he was stuck in a time loop, he'd believe them. There was not a thing that differentiated one day from another.

That's why if they wouldn't provide him the enrichment he desired, he'd seek it out on his own.

For the castle, that day started like any other. The servants rose and attended to their daily tasks. The young ones were whisked away to their education under their respective tutors. The court convened to talk about policy.

Sholto however, did not follow any of the preordained tasks of the castle. Instead, he sat in the loading bay where supplies were brought into the castle from the outside. A large truck rolled in, with the back of its container facing the bay.

The young boy watched the dock workers remove the cargo carried within, and load it back up with incidentals that were destined for the wider world. He bid his time, watching every worker move. Finally, he saw his chance--the boy darted from his hiding spot and dove into the back of the truck while eyes were away from the transport. He nestled himself among the boxes and waited.

It wasn't too much longer before the doors were slammed shut and he was plunged into darkness. He closed his eyes, allowing himself a small rest while his vision was useless. The truck soon departed from the palace he called home to destinations unknown. Despite coming from a place of such wealth and splendor, he did not carry a phone or watch on his person. For one as young as he was, he saw no need to carry such luxuries.

Besides, they could probably track them somehow. He couldn't be certain of the mechanisms behind such a feat, but a nagging feeling told him it was better to go without than to carry the electronics with him.

Unfortunately, that meant he had no frame of reference for how long he sat in the back of that lonely truck. It was muggy inside, with no air conditioning to speak of. Part of him seriously regretted several aspects of his plan. One, his usual green robes did not make good attire for the environment he was in.

But also two, he was even more bored in the back of the truck than he would have been in that dreadful classroom.

"Uhg, I'm an idiot," he grumbled, burying his face into his knees.

More time passed, again, with no way to tell how much was abandoning him. As such, his mind wandered in absence of meaningful entertainment. His grip on reality began to loosen as his current predicament melted into that of fantasy. Colors blurred past his vision while imaginary sounds tickled his ears, and the distinct feeling of ghostly touches clawed at his under-stimulated mind.

After an eternity passed, the boy came to when a beam of light hit his eyes. The creak of the truck door was just as bad as when it was shut centuries ago. Sholto half expected to walk out of his imprisonment with a long, flowing beard.

The imagination of a child ran wild when not grounded in reality. Perhaps that's why Sholto found himself disappointed when he stepped off the truck and found himself in another warehouse, only an hour older instead of the years he imagined passing.

"Hey kid! What are you doing in here?!" The booming voice of an annoyed adult sent the child scampering away and onto the streets.

Aitken wasn't where he had intended on going, but it's where he ended up, and for that, he trod through the town. He grimaced, knowing exactly where he was thanks to that annoying teacher of his.

A crater city at the base of Mt. Leibnitz, it recently was in a boom for rare Rubato crystals discovered in its depths. As a result, the city was busy with many humans and rabbits alike, looking to strike it rich. The smell of upturned soil drifted through the air, and all the surrounding adults were rough, covered in dirt, callouses decorating their hands as medals of honor to their craft.

His sixth sense buzzed--rhythm was so thick in the air it was hard to ignore. The talks of many rubato crystals being here must have been true. The boy clicked his tongue, the annoyance hanging over him like a coat as he understood what was happening here better than he should have for his age.

At any rate, studying the economy of Aitken wasn't why he was here. He tucked his arms into his sleeves and walked the streets. It wasn't just the miners that were taking in the glory of the economic surplus, but all facets related to the support of that industry. It was like the old proverb said "rising tides raise all ships."

Not that they had any concept of such a thing. That was a saying for those who dwelt below.

Sholto took in the majesty of the sky box. Being told the crisp blue sky was fake did something to his worldview.

Not quite shattered, but definitely chipped at it. He couldn't claim to understand what made it a forgery, but ever since that particular lesson, he knew he hated it.

He hated this artificial world. He hated the people who looked down from their splendor without a care for those below them.

It was a race to the top and everyone left behind was just the consequences of progress.

He was no exception. He lost his sister to this despicable society. They were absconded with at such a young age. Had her infinite kindness not taken him with, he would have stayed in squalor forevermore.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

No, by sheer chance his sister was a princess candidate, and he was just her mere twin. Not even a back-up. Just kept by her side as a luxury.

His bitter thoughts were interrupted by a tingle within his scale, his network of rhythm that coursed through his body. The sensation tickled him, but drew him towards the cause.

In this moment it was as if he and the source were the only two beings in this lonely, artificial world. Without thought, he marched. No one could shake his path, the world was theirs alone.

When they locked eyes it was as if he finally found the piece of himself that had been missing all this time.

Fur as black as night gave way to the pristine white at the tip. Her large triangular ears were nothing compared to the attendants who dwelt in the castle. Her clothes spoke of one who had been spurned by society at large, being barely scraps.

Even so, her yellow eyes shimmered like gems. Some may have misinterpreted her distant gaze as ignoring them. But not Sholto; he saw the truth--she wasn't looking through him--she was taking in everything he was. It felt so personal he almost wondered if it was improper to have such a tender moment in public.

A gentle curl rose on the girl's lips as she curtsied to him. "I'll happily follow you to hell, Sho."

Needless to say, Sholto's escape wasn't without consequence.

It didn't take long for the royal guard to make their way into Aitken and apprehend the young boy. He refused to return alone. He refused to return without a fight.

So now the boy and his new companion sat before the princess and her assigned prince. The prince was a long ear, just like the many attendants that graced the palace. He carried a dignity that the lowly servants did not.

Either way, the prince cared not for his princess' baggage and watched on with apathy.

"Sholto, why did you leave the castle?" Shona questioned.

The girl by her brother's side whispered something into his ear and he nodded. "Simple, I wished to study the people of Aitken. After hearing of their economic boom I grew interested with them."

Shona raised a brow. "I see. Why did you not simply ask to be guided there? Surely there was a safer way to obtain the information you seek than going out on your own."

Once more the strange girl whispered something into Sholto's ear.

"People are not honest--especially when the royal guard gets involved. This much I observed when we were apprehended. The people fear your enforcers, dear princess."

And now her face contorted in bewilderment.

Sholto smirked as the girl whispered something into his ear, he motioned forward with a jerk of his head and the girl rose.

"Our apologies, Princess Shona. Sho thought it'd be best to demonstrate my capabilities with a practical example." Just as she had done with Sholto before, she curtsied. "I am Aeris Lucius, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Shona opened her mouth to speak.

Aeris closed her eyes and smiled. "You're going to ask-"

"What is it you want with my brother?" both girls spoke in tandem, with Aeris adding a "right?"

The princess gasped, as did the gathered court around her. Even the prince sat up straight with newfound appreciation for the strange one before them.

"An excellent question, our dear princess. I wish no more than to be your brother's bonded. Just as you have taken the vow with your prince, I wish to be his. My eyes see no better fate than to be by his side."

The prince stood up and made his way to the stranger in his court.

"Why should we accept a peasant in this court?" Aeris and the prince spoke together. The prince shook his head, not used to having someone copy him right down to the cadence of his voice.

"Shall I go on?" Aeris said, with a coy smirk.

"That's Dilatazione Temporale," one of the members of the court muttered.

"She's Seres-blessed."

"They're so rare."

Aeris held herself with such dignity, it was as if she belonged to the court already. Sholto remained by her side, knelt as if he was her knight and not the other way around. After a moment, she copied her bonded to be's positioning.

"Perhaps my usefulness would be bolstered by training of a court maiden," she offered. Her ears twitched, listening to the immediate dissent among the rest of the nobility. They were all children in this small version of the royal court, but even so, they were raised with noble teachings. They carried the same biases as their adult counterparts only one royal court away.

The murmurs grew louder. Despite the dissent, the long tailed maiden remained confident.

"I'll have order in my court!" Shona barked.

With that shout, the side conversations immediately halted. The prince snorted and returned to his seat, continuing to look down upon the peasant in his midst.

"Thank you princess. You did that a little faster than I envisioned. Excellent work," Aeris chuckled.

"Your future sight is not absolute?" wondered Shona.

"No, I gaze upon the pages of the Book of Kairos as Sage Seres does. Any further that a few seconds and my accuracy falls. Seeking an answer into the far future creates a world unlike the one we walk."

The prince finally had enough and spoke his mind. "It's beyond proper. Surely we don't mean to admit a fox into our ranks?"

"Oh don't worry about me my holy fluffiness," Aeris taunted, earning many gasps (someone even hit the ground, having fainted). "I think you'll find your princess in disagreement with your opinion."

Shona remained unreadable.

"In tales long past, foxes hunted rabbits. Perhaps a demonstration is in order," spoke the vixen with malintent in her gaze.

The guards raised their weapons and pointed them at the audacious fox. She didn't flinch, in fact, her smile only seemed to grow as her eyes sparkled with brilliance.

"Tch, this false prophet will only bring the kingdom to ruination," spat the rabbit man.

"So says one fearful his seat of power is being challenged," Sholto spoke up (earning more gasps (and another fainter)). "I don't see why we have to have purely rabbits in our employ. As long as they're of lunar blood, it should not be a problem," he pointed out.

"Per castle regulations, there is no stipulation that states the breed of shadow-blessed must be rabbits," Aeris informed the rest of the court.

Uneasy muttering followed as no one had a rebuttal for that.

"I saved us five hours of deliberation by the way. You'll find the exact treatise on the third shelf in the fortieth row of the library," Aeris added knowingly.

The prince barred his teeth with a hateful scowl. "Someone-!"

"Don't bother, prince," Shona cut him off. "Miss Lucius is right--I do not agree with your opinion. Her presence is a net positive. We'll see to her education. She shall be my brother's bonded. Now lower your weapons unless you wish to be made an example of," the young girl's glare swept across the guards who quickly complied with the command.

"I appreciate your expedience," Aeris kept her head bowed to the royal before them.

"No, I appreciate your guidance. I imagine Sage Seres whispered a much longer deliberation into your ears?" questioned the princess.

"At least six hours, but who's counting?"

Sholto and Aeris were led to his room, the entire time the vixen kept a grip on her bonded's hand. When they were finally alone, the girl collapsed.

"A-aeris!?"

"Sorry for showing you this side of me Sho. My eyes take so much rhythm to use. I'm just glad Sage Seres blessed me for as long as he did."

"Oh, that was no thanks to that bookworm," a third voice spoke suddenly.

"Who?!"

Sitting in the windowsill was a man. The twinkle of the stars behind him offering meager light to illuminate his features. Even so, his presence was familiar in a way.

His red eyes glowed with a loving malice. The two slips of paper that hung from his ears were blank, ready to attain purpose. His blond hair was tousled naturally. The robes that hung off his form matched the starscape outside the window, turning white around his chest. The gold that accented his attire spoke to wealth, or perhaps a fool's desire.

"Greetings Sholto Wynn, Aeris Lucius. May I be the first to congratulate you, my Lunar Hero?"

The two children glared at the intruder. Aeris' tail puffed up, her ears folded back as she barred her fangs at the stranger.

"You really did go and tucker yourself out, didn't you Aeris? That's good. I hate when Seres answers my questions before I ask them," the blond man chuckled. "You're not blessed by Sage Seres. That's Bridget and Felix. No, I'm your patron sage--I am Sahji, the sage of desire."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.