[i][b]Allo[/b], [b]Domund[/b] and [b]King Dezi[/b] stood outside of the castle entrance. [b]The king[/b], still hesitant about allowing the two to embark on their short journey, handed over a small slip of paper to [b]Allo[/b]. On it was a short strand of text written in a language that neither [b]Allo[/b] nor [b]Domund[/b] had seen before.[/i] [b]Dezi[/b]: “When you arrive at the gate, give it to one of the gatekeepers and you will be allowed through.” [b]Allo[/b]: “Understood.” [i][b]Dezi[/b] placed his left hand on [b]Domund’s[/b] shoulder and his right on [b]Allo’s[/b].[/i] [b]Dezi[/b]: “Remember what I said?” [b]Allo[/b]: “We may only stay there for 2 hours in our time and we are not to cause any trouble. If any of us disobey, we both face the consequences.” [b]Dezi[/b]: “Good. I believe you know the way. You may leave. And keep your promise, Allo.” [i][b]Allo[/b] and [b]Domund[/b] turned around and began walking towards the main village of [b]Paradisum[/b].[/i] [b]Allo[/b]: “Alright, Dommie, the gate is on the other side of the kingdom, so I hope that you aren’t a slow walker.” [i][b]Domund[/b] remained silent and began to accelerate his walking speed, surpassing [b]Allo[/b]. [b]Allo[/b] noticed this and began to pick up the pace in order to keep up.[/i] [b]Allo[/b]: “I never said it was a race...” [i][b]Dezi[/b] watched as the two moved towards the horizon. He turned around to enter the castle, but as he did, he was greeted by his other son, [b]Erphos[/b].[/i] [b]Dezi[/b]: “Were you going to say goodbye to your brother? You just missed him.” [b]Erphos[/b]: “No. In fact, I was waiting for him to leave so I could have your full attention.” [b]Dezi[/b]: “Always the selfless one, aren’t you? Why didn’t you want to go with them?” [b]Erphos[/b]: “If we both learn the same things, the playing fields won’t change. Besides, if I focus enough on my strength, then it won’t matter what knowledge he acquires.” [b]Dezi[/b]: “I wouldn’t get so arrogant, Erphos. The Selection Battle is in a few days and a lot can happen then.” [b]Erphos[/b]: “It doesn’t matter what happens. I’ll be the one to win no matter what. There’s nothing that my fool of a brother can do in ‘a few days’ to change that.” [b]Dezi[/b]: “Why is it that you refer to your brother in such a disrespectful manner? It’s starting to sound like you hate him.” [b]Erphos[/b]: “I thought that it was obvious by now. First off, if it weren’t for him, I would be king in a matter of days. Second, I’m surprised that you don’t harbor any sort of resentment to him either.” [b]Dezi[/b]: “...what do you mean?” [b]Erphos[/b]: “You know what I mean, father.” [b]Dezi[/b]: “Choose your next words carefully, boy.” [b]Erphos[/b]: “Is that a threat?” [b]Dezi[/b]: “Don’t paint me as the villain. It’s a warning, and you know it.” [b]Erphos[/b]: “You tend to give me more warnings than you give to Domund. It’s odd, considering the fact that—“ [b]Dezi[/b]: “Erphos!” [b]Erphos[/b]: “HE TOOK MY MOTHER FROM US!” [i][b]The king[/b] furiously stomped his right foot forward. The clanking of his metal boots echoed throughout the area. They both stayed silent for a moment. [b]The king[/b] responded in a calm tone and broke the silence.[/i] [b]Dezi[/b]: “For the last time, your mother died from illness. It was not Domund’s fault. It was never his fault, so stop acting like it was.” [i][b]Erphos[/b] remained silent. [b]The king[/b] began walking past [b]Erphos[/b] and through the castle doors. He stopped and looked back at his son.[/i] [b]Dezi[/b]: “She wouldn’t want you to be treating each other like enemies. We are family. So please, treat him like your brother. Nothing more and nothing less.” [i][b]The king[/b] went into the the castle and headed back to his throne room. [b]Erphos[/b] looked out into the horizon and saw [b]Domund[/b] with [b]Allo[/b].[/i] [b]Erphos[/b]: “...he’ll have to earn my respect first.” [spoiler]Fades Away[/spoiler]