Chapter 15

Erraius

               The winds howled against the earthen walls of the dome that had sprung from the ground. A terrible storm was devastating the land, the trees were uprooted and the rivers flooded the lands near its bank. Hurricanes accompanied the storm and it caused more damage to the livestock and the properties of the people. Though the storm was harming the regnum the hollow inside of the small earth dome was safe and dry. The young earth master who created it was the most powerful elemental master of his regnum; the solid walls of the dome he had built exemplified his ability. The walls were impenetrable. Not even water could break into it. Inside the dome he sat in a fetal position, his shoulders and his arms protected his most precious companion from the horrors of nature outside. The little white creature was trembling in fear as he nestled it in his arms. Beside him was his trusty eagle who like the creature he hugged closely was snuggling next to him. He breathed slowly as he closed his eyes and waited for the storm to pass. He knew that he had made a wrong decision when he decided to go hiking in the forest that day. He had not heeded the warnings of his eagle Shai-ra or the whimpered whines of his beloved fox Chi-chi, now they were stuck in the forest cornered by the heavy storms. Chi-chi was very afraid he knew his scaredy cat of a companion hated thunder and lightning. He tried to murmur soothing words to it in hopes of calming down the whining fox.

                “Chi-chi it’s just a storm it will pass soon.” He told it, but the fox merely gave him the death stare that told him of its annoyance. Shai-ra too looked at him annoyed. He sighed and hugged his fox closer letting Chichi’s body warm him while he sang a song in hopes of easing his companions’ troubles.

                When the winds had ceased he came out of his hiding only to be met by dirty flood waters. He gasped for air as he found himself at the bottom of the river. He swam to the banks while he clutched Shai-ra. The bird was soaked and could not move because of the waters. Chichi swam close to him. Before they could even reach the banks whirlpools suddenly formed and it dragged him back to the waters. He used his powers and forcefully made the river bed rise from under him destroying the whirlpools. He climbed atop the island he had made then he realized that his fox was not behind him; panic was all over his face as he searched around him for his fox. Chichi was nowhere to be found. He stood up and yelled its name.

                “Chichi! Chichi!ERRAYA!!!!!!!!!”

                He glanced at the waters around him in hopes of finding the white furred loved one of his. He plunged into the waters as soon as he saw his beloved pet being carried away by the strong rapids. He swam and swam but Chichi was too far away. He could see it struggling against the currents as it tried to keep its head up. He conjured up two strips of land to appear right in front of him then he pulled the unconscious body of his fox ashore. They lay upon the earth exhausted. His eagle flew towards them and landed just a few feet away. He carried Chichi in his arms as the fox exhaustedly tried to get up on its own. He walked on the dirt path as he carried Chichi back to the palace, Shaira followed close behind him. The moment he reached the top of the hill that overlooked the capital and he stood still, the once magnificent city was now in the rumbles. The palace was destroyed, the city was turned over and the people were injured.

                The crown prince merely looked on with a little sense of remorse as of the moment all he cared about was the fact that his fox was injured and there were no physicians to look after her. He caressed Chichi’s fur and made his fox more comfortable in his arm while he checked his reflection upon the waters of the brook just beside the hill. “To hell with it all!” he thought his fox was injured and he was a mess! He was worried sick about his fox’s condition the capital and the people would have to worry about themselves.

                King Kazuya of Erraius busied himself with his precious garden that overlooked a man-made hill just alongside the palace. He happily tended his flowers and his hanging plants while he constantly took a sneak peak at his reflection at the polished brass that were attached on the walls. He smiled at his glamorous reflection every now and then. His deep brown hair was parted at the middle and was allowed to cascade down his back like a waterfall. His fair complexion glowed against the high sun while his green colored eyes mirrored the hue of his plants. He was a tall and stately man with very graceful features that were almost feminine in nature. One look at the king and the only thing one could make out was the fact that he was a vain man. It was expected of the man who considered himself as the handsomest man in Tartharac. Upon his self-proclaimed glorious form he wore the best clothing that his gold could buy. He wore numerous jewelries all over his body from bracelets to necklaces to anklets. The precious gems he had on glittered like stars on the night sky. He admired himself more as he trimmed the branches of his rose bush. He never paid a cent to the storm that brewed not far away from his very own capital.

                The Royal Consort hurried through the main hall as the generals informed of him of the danger that was fast approaching the capital. The rest of the regnum was already in chaos and only the capital was left untouched by the massive hurricanes that were devastating the whole Archaneaux. He was followed by the royal advisers who like him grew anxious at the news of calamity. He ordered the immediate safety of the crown prince while he ordered the evacuation of the capital. He reached the dining hall and found his sole children sitting upon the dining table as they nibbled upon confections paired with tea. He grew outraged at their uselessness and vent out his frustration at them. His eldest son Kevin lathered on more make up upon his face as he drank his tea while his youngest Heechul was fixing his already arranged hair. They were both pathetic he thought both incompetent, useless royals who like their father the king knew nothing of ruling a regnum. He headed for the arboretum where he was sure his lover was preoccupied by his narcissist endeavors of tending his garden. He loved his garden more than he loved his regnum. The Royal Consort wasn’t pleased with the king’s uncaring attitude towards the regnum but at the same time he was also somewhat pleased. The king’s attitude had literally made him the true ruler of the regnum a fact that the king never noticed because of his obsession with his vanity. It was he whom the nobles obeyed, it was he whom the nobles trusted and he was he whom the people revered. As sweet as his victory may