Sword Anthem's
Chapter 23 - The End of the Beginning

Darkness is blooming in my view. Silence is like death. There is no sign left in the traces of the past. Only the future awaits filled with riddles.

"Ahhh ... Where is this?"

"Ha. You're awake apparently, Master"

"Who are you? What is this place? Why dark"

"Hahaha, then," he said, flicking his finger.

A place like emptiness is shining. In a puddle of water that appeared suddenly out of nowhere. Drops of water fell down and showed his figure. He was a half-white and half-black haired boy.

It has two different eye colors and also different earrings. On the left is white, has blue eyes ocean. Calm, manly and also deep.

Then on his right dark black hair with glowing red eyes. Anger, purpose and hope. All of this is in union with his body. With a calm face but high trust like a king among kings.

"I am Regalia"

"Regalia? Aren't you supposed to be a sword?"

"Of course I am a sword, but because we are deep in your heart. I can be like you" he said with a faint smile. "So is your hope right?"

"Why would I lie if that was my hope" I said.

"Hmm. I can see a burning determination in both of your eyes. Ok, I like you. Then hopefully we can work well together," he said and reached out his right hand.

"Hehhh... Apparently Regalia's sword is this good, huh?"

"What do you think I'm like?"

"Dark, gloomy, dim-witted, reserved, and unfriendly" I chuckled. " I'll take your hand then." I also took his hand.

"Hmph ... for a boy the size of you, you're brave enough also apparently”

"Don't get me wrong, even if it's small but 'this' is very strong," I said as I puffed my chest.

"Truly interesting then—“

With my name, Regalia. I will give my strength to him, O sword of song and the Sower of Hope. The stars bear witness to this oath, and I will melt into its power.

Vrcntree ...

"Today I'm giving up this body for you to take care of, remember to always keep it from being damaged" he said.

"Where are you going anyway?"

"My time has come, now this power is yours. Then get up, the people there are worried about you. May we meet again, Master."

Finally it disappeared like a ghost of the past and slowly this darkness began to envelop me again slowly and subtly.

"Wait!!—“

***

There was a very special feeling that touched my body. For some reason it was like water, and also my left hand was like being flinched by something very soft. Warm and also soothing.

"Hmmm... "

My eyes finally opened slowly. What I saw was probably very rare. Inside this room, precisely my room, I could see a woman crying.

"Y-mother?"

Her very pretty face was puffed up. Staring at me fixedly with tears flowing down slowly. Her beautiful thin lips and pink also trembled matchlessly. His body started to lift and quickly immediately hugged this still confused me.

"REISSS!!...."

Now I can clearly see how my mother's worries were. Such sincere tears, coming out from her eye peluk like beautiful pearls. So warm. Then when I looked at the two men behind him, at that very moment I knew who they were.

"Sister... Dad, w-why are you crying?"

Their faces look wry, I don't know why. But my mother still kept hugging me nonstop. Such situations rarely occur in this kingdom. But if both my parents and my brother are like this.

The entire kingdom panicked as well. As I recall I parted ways with the Shines in that library and then after that, I don't remember it at all.

I also embrace the woman who is crying in this concern. Although long but for the sake of muffling the worry of my mother, something like this I have to do.

"B-how much l-old?" many nervous. My strength seemed to be non-existent, just saying a word was quite heavy.

"Reiss, you were unconscious for a week" my brother replied.

WHAT?!...one week. One week from the day of the party. I didn't expect it at all. Is this the effect of the power of the Regalia Sword that has been inside my body?

"We found you lying in the back garden" said my father. He seemed very worried about what was happening to me." Reiss, we thought you were dead. But your mother Viona locked herself up with you in this room."

"If you were with you, this might not happen."

After that they both went out, while my mother still accompanied me in this room. The day passed quickly and I was ready as before. With my usual stamina and elves.

At first I couldn't move my body at all. Passing through to the second phase, I was a little able to walk even though I fell down often. The third phase dam I've been able to get back to running smoothly.

That day I met him, a white-haired boy. He seemed to have no expression. With two empty eyes and his indifferent attitude. My father introduced himself to me after I was healed.

He was the new servant in this kingdom, My father said that at that time he was in an unstable state and also very chaotic. It was fortunate that the palace healer managed to ease a bit of his problem.

And it was at that moment that I had a playmate for the first time. Not my brother or father and mother. At first he was very cold but because I often annoyed him, he began to open himself to me.

His name is Meist Gil Drawlhar. A white-haired boy who had a face like a girl. It is not that handsome he even looks beautiful if he is a woman.

Time passed quickly and we were 98 years old for myself and 102 years old for him. Now we are very close like siblings. My mom and dad were so excited to see it.

Because my brother now often fought against the demon army so that moments like now are very rare. He is very good with his skills. Like cleaning the room quickly, delicious cuisine, tidying the palace gardens with grace.

The servants put their trust in him. He eventually became a butler at the age of 117. Now the two of us always go together whether it is hunting, playing or otherwise until at some point such days turn into a curtain of blood.

***

I wonder where everyone goes? I can't even find Father, Mother, Brother not even Meist. Then I looked for them around the palace. With my body starting to juvenile my running speed also became faster.

The front garden was no one, only the birds were flying freely. Now I went from there and immediately went into the palace. In the main hall was no one. Now my mind started to fidget and was very worried that something had happened to them.

And finally I reached the garden behind the palace. There I saw my brother staring at the sky. So calm, he seemed not to be his old self. Then I went to him.

After arriving right next to him, I called him, "Sister? What's brother doing here?" The look on his face had not changed at all, his two eyes seemed to be filled with worry.

His facial expression was like losing hope that was just blown away by time. Then I pat her on the shoulder so she'll wake up, "Sister!!

..."

"Huaaa.. Apparently Reiss, what are you doing here?" tanyakanya.

"That was my question before, so?"

"Ahhh. Nothing special"

"Then did you see Mom and Dad?" When I asked that question, his face became tense. It is like fear or more is restless.

"Reiss, there's something you want to talk to about here. Right now," he said seriously.

"Okay, so what is it?"

"Sister wants you to kill all the royal members. Without the rest, including me, Dad, and Mom."

At first I thought it was a new joke. But if it's a joke, it's really too late. To kill? Looks like my brother is sick. But the look on his face did not indicate a joke at all.

"So, you gotta be kidding me, right? Where could I do it. What am I supposed to kill them all for anyway?"

"Reiss, this is for the survival of all living things" he said seriously.

After that he pulled my right arm firmly. Then walked towards the palace, quite hastily walking in every corridor. The two of us passed through several hallways and also the room quickly.

And finally it was the two of us at the end of the first-floor hallway close to the warehouse. Beside the two of us was a giant door that was quite sturdy. If not mistaken this was the second hall other than the main hall that was in the middle of the palace.

"So Reiss, brother please hurry up. We don't have much time left" he said suddenly.

"But brother –

"Please Reiss, you know that you don't want to do it." His face was extremely agitated once now but not long after it returned to normal.

"At least give me an explanation first," I asked curiously.

"We don't have time anymore, so forgive your brother, Reiss," he said, looking at me with an apologetic look.

"If so let me come along with you guys –

"No, you have to stay alive for whatever reason"

"Reiss, you're the only one who can do this job"

"What do you mean, I don't understand at all. The assignment? What task does Brother mean?"

"mega? Whatisit? it's a monster. If a monster ma—“

He shook his face slowly, and his gaze turned soft. A wry smile graced the face at that moment. With a face that has begun to turn red, he now seems to lose control of his emotions.

"Reiss, please. Brother will trust the Sword of Regalia in your hands"

"How did you know?" chirpku surprised.

"When you were unconscious, I checked your body and I said that the fate of the Sword of Regalia is in your hands"

"Mother knew what father's words meant at the time so she could not let you go, for the one who had the sword's destiny was willing to sacrifice his life for the life that remained"

"Nor do you want to bear such a heavy burden, but I can only be silent about it. Even our mother was willing to exchange her life for the sword, but it was a waste. Because the sword has chosen you" he explained.

"So please once again, please do this last request of your brother, Reiss," he continued with a big smile." Unplug this sword when you're ready" he said, then pulled out two colored swords

black and white then stuck it right in the middle of us.

"It's just a container, while the real power is inside you"

"Sister, I can't afford—“

"Reiss maybe you'll be able to see their faces all—“

My brother then opened the door that was beside the two of us. In which there are all the royal personnel.

"Dad ? mammy? Why are you here?." But they only smiled with faces wrapped in masks of sadness.

Even all the royal members were there. Minister Lags, Minister Einhalk, Minister Prompto even the guards and also the royal knights. They looked at me with little smiles like they were hoping for something.

They smiled widely with radiant faces. Mom and Dad joined hands and gave me a smile that I did not understand at all.

While the ministers stood up while puffing their chests. The knights raised their swords and the guards spread their hands and dropped their golden shields.

At the sight of it all my knees shook violently and finally bowed limp. My face is now very pale and my teeth are grinding. Both my hands shook while my body shivered. Now my face is full of unwilling tears.

Everyone who sees it can only smile, even if they don't really want something like this to happen. While my brother started to hold my shoulder gently.

"Reiss, my son, strengthen your heart. Your father and mother are proud to have a child like you" my father said calmly.

"Prince, we know we shouldn't have given you this heavy duty" Einhalk's minister said.

"Religion, if we can meet again. Do not forget to invite us to play as usual," said the knights simultaneously.

"Reiss, look at them. Even your brother wouldn't be willing if you had to do it"

— Reiss ... Pengeran .. my son .. we beg that the life that exists is not

disintegrated.

"Stop that," I murmured softly.

Then I shook my head to see the man I called my brother. My brother smiled with tears in his eyes, he sobbed and did not want to see my beloved sister do things that he could not forgive.

"WHAT ARE YOU SAYING??! I-I DON'T WANT TO KILL YOU GUYS!!! YOU GUYS ARE A VERY PRECIOUS K-FAMILY TO ME."

My brother did not budge at all, then he walked towards his father, mother, ministers and knights and guards. Then my brother stood in the middle of them while smiling towards me.

"Reiss, we beg you," he said softly.

"YOU DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL NOW, DON'T RULE ME ANYMORE! I-I TOLD YOU I DON'T WANT TO KILL YOU ALL."

Even though I have yelled and refused. But all of them did not move in the slightest from his position or doubt the heart of the brunette, that was me. They were sure that he would carry their last hope even though, in return was their own life.

Then with fear running through my body, I got up with my legs shaking violently. Two swords were right in front of me. Stuck on the crystal floor, I unplugged. The right sword is black while the left sword is white.

Then I held them both with my left hand. I quickly hit myself in the face with my right hand. They were all shocked, but after I showed my face back.

They were relieved, because now my face became filled with determination as well as responsibility. They back smile then –

—Reiss ... Prince ... My son .. I hope we meet again another day.

They smile very sincerely. Then I lunged at them, playing with the two swords in my hands. Very quickly and in just a few minutes, the room was drenched in blood.

And in the midst of it I was bleeding with two swords. I came back crying out loud, a scream coming out of my mouth unceasingly yelling at the people he loved.

At that moment I didn't realize that there was one servant alive, and he saw me bleeding. She screamed and finally ran away scared away from me.

"I-this isn't as s-as you imagine," I said tearfully. My leg is still limp from this incident.

My tears can't stop flowing. However, moments later there were some heavy footsteps coming here. I'm sure it's the Guardians. Father, Mother, Brother and the others goodbye.

I immediately jumped towards the window to avoid their pursuit. The sound of broken glass was heard loud enough that the other Guardians managed to see me. But, I quickly blinded their eyes with light magic.

Immediately I ran straight to the front garden, through a secret passage that only the royal family knew about. I managed to escape from their pursuit. But—

"Where should I go .. hikss, I have no place to go other than here .. hikss."

With my mind starting to go right. There's only one thing I can do, which is find a place to hide. I hope everything will go well, even though my heart still hurts.

I had to choose between being quietly caught or running astray. I chose to run lost and soon after that I immediately ran through the thickets of the high barrier area of the palace and also the houses of the royal residents.

The residents screamed in fear at the figure of the prince who was once jolly now running with a body filled with blood. I ignored everything and believed what my brother said.

If it is my duty to save the life I have left then I have to accept it even if it hurts later. Will my heart be torn apart by it. Only a future full of mystery is waiting for me.

The road began to narrow and the Guardians almost managed to catch up to me but out of nowhere a hand pulled me in all of a sudden, "Meist? Where have you been?"

"Ssssttt .. silence, I will take you to a safe place" he said.

"But where to? It is a giant island floating in the air. Even if I managed to hide from them, one day they'd find me"

"Shut up and follow me."

Turns out it was my best friend Meist. Now he's helping me escape the Guardians. Passed some unknown paths and met with the residents who seemed to be suffering.

Their house is very dirty, small, there is even a pungent smell. "Could this be—“

"As you may have guessed, Prince Reiss. This is where I used to live." That word made me feel a little guilty.

Throughout our escape, I saw injustice everywhere. And since I am currently a prince—ahh, no but a former prince, I feel guilty for not glancing at a matter like this.

We also reached the end of this sky island.

"This prince is the hiding place I told you about."

I looked at a white cloud floating quietly. Guided by a manly wind. Some ground stood out in the carry there and it was earth.

"Earth? Are you sure? I could die there," I said, then I turned back and—“

Meist stabbed me with a sword big enough. Right in the middle of my stomach, then he pulled it back. A gush of blood came out of my mouth and stomach along with nausea.

Linu was like a shrill, burning voice. Lalum vomited blood out of my mouth. "Ahkksss!!...”

Now not only the outside is covered with blood, but the inside and all of my body have been dominated by it.

"A-what are you—“

But he immediately grabbed me by the neck very firmly, "Sound this spoiled prince, I'm the one who has poisoned the entire royal family. Unfortunately, I did not manage to poison you. What a lucky fate."

After that the look of his face turned very dark and looked full of hatred.

"Do you think playing with you is fun, huh? No, not at all. It's sickening even I don't want to know you at all. Not from now on but I do hate you when I haven't been brought to the palace."

Once he stabs me firmly, the I who can't help him can only give in to this terrible pain.

“ARghh!! Bhuakss!”

"Pa–ahh no, former prince, Reiss. Then goodbye .. I hope you rest in peace with the former prince, "he said and pushed my body.

Since my body had completely suffocated, I could not fight it and I fell from the sky island in the end.

"M-M-Me.... "

All I feel now is a feeling of emptiness and pain all over the body. My eyes slowly began to close, hoping that this was all just a nightmare. But regret, unfortunately, and it was so real that it made me want to cry and curse myself.

*

Hi everyone! My name is ReIN and thank you for giving me the opportunity to accompany you to singles night! If you like this story then give a thumbs up and if not enough votes then spread this story. Do not forget to comment so that the Author remains excited about updating the story!