Erika

Mysterious Ario

Music filled the air in the castle once more as evening approach. Though melodious and sweet, it sounded a little odd to the people in the castle who was used to hearing the duet between the flute and the piano. A jarring reminder of the betrayal by someone whom many servants adored and liked.

The melody became slower and slower, reflecting the Princess' mood as tears splattered onto the black and white piano keys.

Faraway, in a small town near the border of the Kingdom Chou, the sound of flute floated in the air, lulling a sleepy young boy to sleep.

"You should really use your ability to good use." A man spoke, leaning on the doorframe.

Erika ignored him and finished up the piece. The moment the song ended, light snoring escaped the chubby boy's mouth as the boy turned in his sleep.

"This is a skill that I will never use again." Erika said. Playing the flute felt empty now, as if something was missing, and Erika knew exactly what. No longer did Erika feel complete and happy playing it.

He did not know what to feel about Princess Fiona... That she was his sister... Erika's heart sunk at that thought. Was that why he was already unknowingly so protective of her? Perhaps she knew long ago about how they were related. Erika gritted his teeth.

"Why the glum look?"

Erika looks up to see Ario beaming at him.

"I heard Sam's comment just now." Ario said, as he accompanied Erika to gaze at the stars in the backyard.

Erika did not reply.

"You should give it a more serious thought. The ones who wish to extinguish your flames will increase in numbers, and the only way you can survive, is to become an indispensable force in this world. At that time, no one will harm you, for you have the entire world defending you." Ario said. "Well, it's either that, or you can go ahead risking your life to save yourself all on your own, dying in an unknown alley."

"Are you threatening me?" Erika said.

"Threaten? Hey, I am just being a good guy and spilling a little of Heaven's secret for you. Heed my warnings if you want.  I just feel that it would be a shame if such an interesting fella like you were to die prematurely." Ario frowned.

"Why should I trust you?" Erika asked.

"Because I saved your ass once." Ario replied and left.

"Stupid Bay and her 'plans'." Ario muttered to himself, sulking a little, as he entered the kitchen where Laurance was cooking. He felt all goose-bumpy, saying those lines and acting so out of character. But the nerves of that boy to doubt his words and Piero's prediction. He cursed again.

"Good job, Ario." Laurance smiled warmly.

"No thanks to you. Seriously, why the hell did Bay put me in charge of guiding the self-pitying boy. I got insulted for nothing at all and I'm six billion years and fifty four months older than him. But I have to act like an 'oh-so-wise' fella for him? Geez!" Ario ranted, his whole calm demeanour cracking to show the fiery personality as the flames on the stove intensified in response to his rage.

"Yea, you. I'm talking bad about you. What? Want to fight?" He suddenly spoke to an empty corner of the kitchen. Laurance immediately took away her frying pan before her fish got burnt.

"Don't bother me unless it's urgent." Ario cursed before fading away into nothingness. It was like he was never there in the first place. Laurance only arched her eyebrow and sighed as she continued cooking.