GAMBIT 10 10|King

The young man however, didn't abide by the wise man. He wasn't used to wearing such medieval fashion during his current and real era. Back at his period, tuxedos and comfortable clothing are widespread.

"You have no choice. You cannot spill any details about Earth, not even its apparel and products." Balthasar added. He insisted and encouraged Quartz to wear the outfit even if it disagrees with the young man's sense of fashion.

With a little persuasion and influence, Balthasar was finally able to convince Quartz. However, he wasn't happy to wear the outfit. Long leather boots covered his legs, while the gloves served as a protection for his hands.

The chest plate was also made out of mere leather which only gave the young man a decent armor. Quartz looked at the mirror with an expressionless face, yearning to wear his old outfit again.

Before Quartz left, he asked the wise man one more question. "How are you able to become wiser than a human being? How can a human being like you harness the power of sorcery and witchcraft?"

"Young man, you have no idea what's possible. Remember, this is their world not ours. Run along now, for I will be here doing my respective task, and perhaps find the key to our return." Balthasar muttered upon the young man's ear. The old man seemed very suspicious yet Quartz thought upon his mind, how can an old man be suspicious?

Without another moment to lose, the young man proceeded to the main gates of the fortress. To his surprise, the guards let him through, as if the king knows about his arrival. As he enters the gate, Quartz's eyes marveled upon the guards. Each of them had their own respective task.

Some are archers, or perhaps in other terms, long-ranged men. They are in charge of shooting enemies from afar with the help of their keen eyes. Eyes which are probably sharper than those of an eagle.

Aside from the archers, there are infantries patrolling the fortress. Their swords are quite shorter than those of a knight. Do not deceive them, however, for they can take down an ogre with a slash in the heart. Yes indeed, according to the old man himself, there are creatures living upon this world that are very unfamiliar to human beings.

Aside from the infantries, there are trebuchets and a whole plethora of catapults. Each category works together in a delicate balance known as the power of one. The power of one refers to the power unity upholds.

Alone men can do so little, but when there is unity, there is strength. This is the concept the people of Sacchi believe in. Unity can illuminate the whole world.

Quartz proceeded with caution towards the majesty's throne room. Unsure of his directions, he asked for a.s.sistance from guards standing still on their post. At first he thought that the guards were nothing but statues. He was shocked however after hearing a response from a guard.

The guard led him to the golden doors of the king's throne. In fact, he could hear the princess and the king talking with each other. His heart started to pound louder as his confidence hid at the bottom of his chambers.

What seems to be thirty degrees Celsius, feels like nineteen degrees Celsius to him. The sensation of loudness shrouded his mind with sweat oozing down his face.

In front of the door, he prepared to knock. Even the guard encouraged him to do so yet anxiety pulled Quartz back. His body started to tremble as he finally makes the first knock.

Unexpectedly, the doors opened right away. Two sentries opened the doors for him and now the young man is left with nothing except for everyone's attention. The king, the queen, and the princess. All of them were looking at him.

Quartz responded with the choking of saliva. He proceeded with a shaking body, trying to keep eye contact with the king and his royal family.

"Young man, your name is Quartz Vermillion am I correct?" The king questioned with his Spanish accent. The young man nodded his head, he hesitated to speak and tried to be as cautious as possible.

"I see the eyes of a coward. There is nothing to be afraid of." The queen rea.s.sured. Avery Evergreen, the queen of the Pureheart Kingdom. Her eyes are pristine gold, and her complexion is fair and decent. The queen's statement however didn't bring comfortability to the young man's eyes.

"Father, this is the young man I was talking about. He randomly appeared in the middle of a siege, just like what happened to Balthasar Bluemagic." Princess Jupiter added.

"The Piccolo, you said it is a kind of instrument. Tell me, where did you find such a rare instrument?" The king questioned while holding the young man's woodwind flute.

Quartz didn't know what to respond with for Balthasar's instructions remained deeply rooted in his mind. He looked around his surroundings and saw a wide map of the country.

"Young man, I am over here." The king gathered his attention once more. Quartz tilted his head back to Felix but this time, he has made the perfect excuse.

"I got it from a place far away. Somewhere in the northern reaches of the country." Quartz excused with a trembling voice. The princess however wasn't satisfied with his answer.

"The northern reaches? That site belongs to the enemy. Father, I believe that this man is lying." The princess objected.

Quartz perspired even harder than before. His hands are now filled with nothing but sweat. He waited patiently for a response from the king.

"Well, if you want to keep it secret then it's fine with me. You can have your 'instrument' back." The king proclaimed as he tosses the Piccolo to the young man's hands. Quartz felt relief, but the princess seems to be infuriated at him for telling an obvious lie that her father couldn't see.

"Quartz Vermillion, starting from now on you will become one of my men." The king proclaimed. His voice trembled and shrouded the whole room.

"...Which means you will be working for the people of Pureheart. You will fight." Jupiter clarified.

For Quartz, he didn't like the idea of the royal family. He doesn't want to die with a mere age of twenty and above. Quartz has yet to accomplish back on Earth.

"You cannot resist my orders for I am the king. Men are born to fight, and you are one of them.

You can choose from my available options.

Number 1, you will fight by my side and I shall set you free once the war is over. You will be free to travel wherever you want or do whatever you want to do.

Number 2, you can choose not to fight, but you will become a prisoner of the kingdom. The choice is yours.

Most prisoners chose to fight, what will you do?" The king bargained.

Quartz continued to remain silent, thinking about the king's available options. Option two seems like a sealed fate but in both ways he'll soon meet his fate. Either die from malnourishment or die fighting. Both options have the grim waiting in the corner.

"Balthasar Bluemagic explained everything. I expect you to be familiar with the orb of purity. I am only asking you to help me defeat the enemy. It may take years, but the results will be priceless." The king uttered with encouragement. He showed the young man his necklace which contains a small l.u.s.trous...o...b..

Quartz was indeed surprised, he then started to believe the wise man's statements. The royal family waited for an answer, and finally Quartz replied with a yes. Indeed death waits in both corners, but beyond those corners is his reputation. Either die as a coward or die as a brave man known by hundreds.

Quartz's decisions brought a smile to the king's face. The destiny of Pureheart, is his to defend.