Zhea

1025 hours

Herbert Fletcher Zaeheri

The sun was already high up in the skies, guarding everyone in the kingdom against unanticipated darkness and vileness that were already lingering among the crooks of the city. Herbert groaned at the rays of sunlight that peaked through the linings of the curtains, stinging his sensitive eyes. Climbing out of bed, he drew them close, staring at the bed he was sleeping in. He could remember the dream he had, and Yueru's voice slapped him awake. Only when Ac pounced onto the bedside table close to him did the vampire notice the neatly written note. He did not hesitate to pick it up, read it and trotted to all four corners of his room to get everything he needed for their journey. Herbert knew Zhea is a large kingdom, but with determination, he was certain he could find the prince easily.

If he had travelled alone, his worries would disperse, but the scouts around them that did not go unnoticed added fear in his bones. Strapping his clothed golden sword behind his back, Herbert headed out of the hotel with Ac. He watched as the wolf began sniffing on the ground, perking his head high up with his ears moving to the side. Herbert followed him closely from behind next to the flirting waves that caressed his feet at every step. If he had not been too distracted by Yueru's possibility of parading himself in the market without caution, he would have jumped into the soothing waters for some rest. Catching up with Actticus' swift pace, Herbert did not miss the sight of armies in heavy armour by the edge of the hotel. He moved ahead closer to his wolf as they headed across the river to the opposite side.

Herbert could hear his stomach growling and rumbling the second his senses were overwhelmed by the scents of steamed minced meat buns and freshly brewed coffees. He felt his insides churning like a washing machine without its clothes while he tightened his grip inside the pocket of his pants. Stopping to get a meal would be an easier task if Ac was not around. The wolf hated him for slowing down each time they were out on a mission no matter how small or big it could be. Passing by the stall where a grandmother was asleep by the hut, Herbert spotted the sight of angelic wings being carved onto the pillars. He knew enough that an angel's wing is a disguise, especially for those who are able to parade it so openly for the world.

Ac led the way further into the market until it reached the opposite end where the scent of mint, calendulas and citrus covered the area. Herbert slipped his way past the passer-by, and just as he was about to reach, the blade of a silver spear came into his sight forcing him to step backwards.

"For a wolf to trespass our area is a normal sight, however, for a legend to slip his way across the kingdom to my home seems a little absurd," the man spoke, stepping in front of him as he pushed his platinum hair backwards, showing off his unique golden eyes. "Let's skip the lies, shall we?"

Herbert rolled his eyes at those words.

"I am looking for my companion, a mini-size boy with eyes as blue as the water from the melting icebergs," Herbert answered, crossing his arms and then removing them so that he could reach out to grab his clothed sword. "Ac is a very observant and alert wolf, so if he brings me here, that means whoever I am looking for is here. You cannot lie to me, but if you proceed to do so, then I shall then show you no mercy."

"A mini-size boy? We could mistake it for a gnome," the male grinned, pointing the tip of the spear closer to Herbert's neck when he stepped forward. "If you lie, I will hang your head on my home after I turn it into a wind chime. Your hair would be a good fit for our new collection."

Before the other could part his lips and bellow, Herbert saw Yueru rushing out with another male by his side. It did not take long for Herbert to recognize those green eyes that bore similarance with some of the vampires in Roa.

"Fletcher," Yueru smiled, throwing him a huge hug after Mr Threat has stepped away as if to admire the scene where he was almost being suffocated to death by the other. "You always have a way to find me don't you?"

"Hm~ I don't," Herbert answered, patting Yueru's hair and proceeding to point towards Ac who sat by the door. "He did. He has a greater sense of direction than I do."

"You did not tell me that your companion is a legendary vampire!" Mr Green Eyes announced from behind standing close to Mr Threat. "I'm Erix and this is Arwan. It's nice to meet you for real after listening to all the rumours around. Don't let your troubles weigh on you at the moment. Come in."

Herbert willingly followed when Yueru wrapped his grip around his wrists tightly. He watched as Erix and Arwan exchanged words when they were far ahead by the large shelf filled with dried herbs he had not seen of. Ac, being the polite wolf he always was, shut the door with a kick of his hind legs. Herbert sneered at the wolf for its confidence in these people's hospitality. He glanced around the mini-size settlement with several wind chimes of different colours in one tiny corner. There was a large gold wind chime with green dahlias hung by the balcony just above the sitting area which Herbert assumed would be a perfect resting spot in the evening. Their new host had disappeared through the kitchen, leaving them in the spacious living room where Ac had found comfort in the pile of clothes.

"Did you eat anything before heading here?" Yueru asked, breaking the silence as he pat Herbert's palms.

"No," Herbert shrugged and continued. "I rushed out to search for you when you were missing."

"I did not go missing, Fletcher. I left a note," the prince stressed. "Are you feeling better now?"

Herbert shifted his attention to the younger almost holding his breath at the question. There was no fear in those blue eyes only concern. It was a rare sight for someone to be in such calmness after they had witnessed his partial or maybe one teaspoon of transformation. Besides, was that a hint of worry in his voice that he picked up? He merely nodded, offering a smile to the prince.

"Better. Nothing a good rest cannot fix," Herbert said and went ahead to change their topic of conversation. "So, you found your uncle. Do you think he knows about the whereabouts of our next item or maybe the devil mark you were trying to remove?"

"As mom said, my uncle is a walking encyclopedia," Yueru spoke proudly, offering a smile at his Uncle Erix who popped his head out from the opposite room they were in. "He knows where the bougainvillaea is, but our biggest problem now is possessing it in our hands."

"It's a flower, not a walking caterpillar," Herbert expressed. "How—"

"The fact that it is a flower made it harder to be obtained," Arwan declared, heading towards them with a large tray filled with meals in his arms. "It's not as easy as it sounds like, Golden Hands. Well, while we are exchanging pieces of information, why don't we enjoy the meal Grandma dearest had made? Erix is indeed a walking encyclopedia, my dear nephew, but I do not enjoy the idea of putting him in danger when he is being watched by the royal armies."

The delicate carvings of the cutleries no longer deserved his undying attention when Herbert heard that the royal armies were watching over Erix. Did Yueru and him bore major similarance that there were scouts close to his hotel? Or was it just a coincidence that they might be reconnoitring some other possible suspects? Perhaps, there was more resemblance between Roa and Zhea than Herbert speculated. He reached out, grabbing the bowl that Arwan had passed to him, silently thanking him. He would have gobbled the warm noodles hungrily if it wasn't for Erix and Arwan. Herbert swallowed his hunger, sniffing in the scent of chicken, herbs and tomatoes. He watched Erix showing affection towards his long-lost nephew, exchanging news about Roa's progress while Arwan updated them about their current living.

"So, back to our story about the bougainvillaea," Erix spoke, motioning for Herbert to have his meal and only when the vampire ate did he continue. "The royals guard the plant like a lost gem. It was said to bloom only once a year just when the temperature is in between hot and cold. A day when the sun is high in the skies yet invisible to the naked eye. Last year, the plant did not bloom. In fact, it had been some time since we witnessed the blooming of the plant."

"Witness?" Yueru questioned curiously, reaching out for some mantou so that he could dip them in the soup. "Is there a grand occasion for such?"

"Indeed. It was a magnificent and magical festival. For centuries, the royals would order their astronomers to mark the day. It would be a day where every citizen of Zhea would be welcomed to the royal ball regardless of their status or species," Erix explained. "It is also a day when investors and merchants from different lands would arrive in Zhea for the purpose of political or economic talks. While witnessing the blooming of the rainbow-coloured bougainvillaeas, butterflies would be released to the skies, and a grand ball would take place."

"A place where anyone from anywhere collides," Arwan added with a bright smile. "That's how I meet your uncle. Despite our differences, we did offer each other a chance to learn more."

"Was it the reason you no longer wanted to live in Roa?" asked the younger prince, turning his attention to Erix.

Herbert almost choked at the question. He straightened his back, setting the bowl on the table and watched as Yueru waited for an answer from his uncle. The prince did reveal that his memory of Erix was not one bit pleasant. Yet, the prince did insist that he wanted to listen to him, the uncle whose medical skills were outwardly but chose to live in exile from his home.

"Roa is a beautiful place, Yueru. It's my home, my birthplace, but your father made it a living hell for me when I refused to take the throne," Erix confessed, setting his spoon to the sides. "And, he never approved of my relationship when he found out. You know Roa had its apocryphal where only one son can survive, and a vampire at that. When I returned, I was no longer the vampire your father thought I was. I became an outcast, and I found sanctuary here. It's not that I do not want to be there for you, but I could not. One must be selfish to survive Yueru, and I believe you understand."

Herbert could see the pain in Erix's eyes. He could feel that the vampire was yearning to return to his home where pleasant memories still linger among the pathways and forests. Arwan's stern gaze softened as he reached out to calm his partner who offered an assuring smile. To be immortal means carrying stories of the past to your present and living through them for your future for one never knows when the past could strike again. One tiny past could tear down your world if the pillars you built were never strong enough to hold them. Herbert recalled the night before when Yueru was close to discovering his secrets. He was not ready, but the more they lived and travelled together, the more he would be exposing his vulnerability to the prince whom he had already begun to show affection to.

"Possessing the plant can never be impossible. We have a remedy here, something that could replicate a plant or a fruit," Arwan announced, sipping on his plain water.

Erix threw the man a side eye, nudging onto his shoulders.

"You are asking them to steal in order to possess it," Erix warned. "It's a risky thing to steal from the royal family of Zhea. No one is going –"

"I'll do it," Herbert cut in and nodded as assurance when both Erix and Arwan stared at him in disbelief. "We need it. If a replica can be done, then we are stealing it from them. Besides, the bougainvillaea might need a fresh look to wonder at instead of walls and bars."

"Then, I am coming along. This is my mission and I am not taking a no," Yueru said sternly when Herbert gaped his lips to protest. "What do we need?"

"We need the roots of the plant, preferably old roots and stem that could make the replica a little easier," Arwan explained. "Or else, the young ones would do too. The plant is located in the garden where —"

Heavy sobs, shrieks, waves of laughter and loud commotion gained their attention. Herbert watched the door of their neighbour burst open, revealing two children who rushed towards the specific scene. Arwan and Erix stood up, heading towards the window to monitor the situation. There were prayers being chanted, hugs and squeals. He spotted Arwan whispering inaudible words to his partner, rubbing onto his shoulders gently to ease the tension building from within. For someone who pointed a spearhead at his face and acted ruthlessly, Arwan sure had a soft spot for his lifelong partner. They trusted each other more than anyone else in the world, and Herbert could confirm that Erix had long given a part of himself to the other despite their differences.

Herbert always believed that it never mattered if his soulmate is someone of a different species or status because as long as they shared the same goals, he is confident that they can conquer the world together. Be it blood or soul. 

Word Count: 2373 words 

Cumulative Word Count: 15,387 words