Chroma and Achromos

Chapter 24: Going Home

Chroma was still clutching the black Aramaic robe firmly. Although Aram's body has been lost unnoticed, Chroma still rested in his place— shed tears that never stopped. All eyes looked at Chroma who was crying so bitterly. They all watched the Aramaic memory pieces, making their tongues feel so muddled. No one ever expected—even the Schatten members though—that Aram had been fighting for Chroma for hundreds of years. Even Achromos who loved Chroma felt defeated by Aram. He was not sure that he could love someone so deeply and sincerely. He really felt defeated until his tears trickled down his cheeks.

"Pristin.."

Jona drowned her face into Juna's embrace. He cried mercilessly, feeling such tremendous pain. Juna and Fen also shed tears. Aram is their leader, their 'head. And now they have to lose the figure that has been their focus. No more such a distinctive Aramaic grin. No more Aramaic little humming when he was happy. There was no longer Aram's sharp gaze when he was angry. No more obnoxious pranks of Aram. There's nothing more. As soon as they remembered it all, their hearts were instantly shattered into pieces.

"Where should we go after this?" Lirih Juna while looking up.

"I don't know.." Answer Fen sissily.

"Why should Aram??" Jona exclaimed in the midst of her cries to make everyone look. "Why.. should Aram?"

No one can answer Jona's questions. Everyone locked his mouth. It was Aram's own decision. He planned everything well. Who knows why Aram had to sacrifice himself, only Aram himself. Chroma and Achromos blame themselves for what happened. It's all too heavy for them to accept.

Chroma then got up and put on a black Aramaic robe. He moved his little legs towards Achromos, who was still lying.

"Achromos," he said in a raucous voice. "are you okay?"

Achromos looked at Chroma with his eyes reddened by crying. He began to realize that something was strange. He immediately got up and looked at his now lost wound. Even his body did not feel the slightest pain.

"Why..?" Said surprised.

Chroma looked at Achromos with a blank look. "Arama did it."

"Eh?"

"He used Xerra to wipe out all the wounds of the people who were here."

Achromos looked at Chroma with a look of disbelief. Even in his last moments Aram still had time to do something for all of them.

It's all so painful, her heart.

"Chroma. let's go home." Achromos showed a smile that was so sad. His hand rubbed the silver hair of Chroma gently.

"Let's go home."

•••

Vhor and Mysha stared at the scene before them in surprise. They had just arrived with gasping breaths as several people came out from inside there. Mysha closed her mouth as soon as she saw Achromos holding Chlari in his hand. He immediately shakes in disbelief.

"Dam. We're late." Grumbled Vhor with annoyance.

"Prince Chlari.." Mysha's words were almost choked.

Achromos then looked at the two figures expressionlessly. Behind him, Chroma and Cain followed with the same expression. Likewise with Sol who walked not far near the two.

"Your Majesty.." Mysha said as she approached Achromos.

"Your Majesty, we've prepared a horse carriage for you when we come." Say Ruu while opening the horse-drawn carriage door for Achromos. Achromos did not budge and only entered the horse-drawn carriage, followed by Chroma and Cain.

Mysha immediately clasped Ruu's arm with a careless face.

"Mr Ruu, what has happened??"

"It's all over. Schatten will not attack again. It's just.." Ruu lowered her head and looked at Mysha sadly. "Prince Chlari is gone."

After Ruu told it all, no one else opened their mouths. Everyone rode on their horses and travelled back to Chraz, leaving the still mourning Schatten members inside the temple.

That night, the echoing sound of a wolf roar sounded so heartbreaking. It was as if it was able to sense what all of them were feeling at this moment.

•••

Achromos rose from his throne, then clasped his black staff tightly. His gaze combed through the entire spacious room, staring at everyone who looked like a black sea.

"My beloved people" he said. "Today, the whole Kingdom of Chraz felt the greatest grief-deepness. Our kingdom has lost a prince, a brother, a son, and a part of our family. First Prince of Chraz Kingdom, Prince Chlari Vorein Chlanisch Chraz. May his soul return to the Lord's side in peace. Alasta rein in araste."

"Alasta rein di araste." Everyone immediately followed Achromos' speech together, causing a voice that echoed in the spacious room.

Achromos sat back on his throne. Tears fell down his cheeks.

"Truly, Chlari, you're so mean to me. Alasta rein di araste's. May your soul meet the Light." Achromos.

At his side, Cain stood up blankly. How his young and vulnerable soul was so shaken at Chlari's death. Although Aram did it all for the sake of Chroma and Achromos, but Cain still did not accept Chlari had to be a victim. Chlari died protecting her. All this was too painful for tears to come out of her eyes.

Cain then stepped forward and stared at the sea of humans before him. His body turned towards the coffin then his hand moved out a sword from his waist. He then knelt before the coffin and put his sword up there. Everyone was immediately flabbergasted, including Achromos who immediately rose from shock.

"Cain, what are you..??" Exclaims.

Cain pays homage to Chlari and then faces Achromos. He stripped the gold pin with the sword and shield emblem attached to his military uniform and handed it to Achromos.

"Your Majesty King Achromos, I beg your approval. Servant, Cain Avareist Chlanisch Chraz, first knight and third prince of Chraz Kingdom, declares resigning as knight and exiting the Military Division of Chraz Kingdom." Cain knelt before Achromos with a golden pin on his palm.

"Cain. you.." Achromos can say almost nothing. He did not expect Cain to resign as a knight and leave the military division. His decision was completely insane and sudden. The whole people of Chraz knew how difficult it was to become a royal kstaria, what else was the first knight. Cain alone spent five years to be in his current position, although it was already extraordinary because usually the first knight was only elected after ten years in the military division.

Hundreds of pairs of eyes in the room are still fixed on the figure of brothers in the middle of the room. Everyone was too surprised to react.

"Prince Cain!" I whispered with a look of disbelief.

Cain was the head of the royal knights including himself, Fuu, and Ruu. He is an incredible leader. He had an invincible analytical and fighting ability. One of the reasons why the Chraz Kingdom was able to expand its territory was because of the strategy initiated by Cain. So efficient and effective. Though Cain is someone who usually always thinks with a cold head, but at this time he can barely understand his crazy decision. Chlari—'s death and all the things that had happened— really took him to the bone marrow.

"Cain, rethink your statement." Achromos' voice sounded so heavy and serious in the midst of the silence.

Cain did not answer and remained in his position. Achromos was eager to throw his heavy crown, throw away his scepter, and curse at Cain right then and there, but what a force his people were watching. With a heavy heart to make him sigh, Achromos grabbed the golden pin from Cain's hand and sat back on his throne.

"For now, let me keep it. I will think about your request. Remember, you haven't officially resigned from your post." Achromos.

Cain got up and nodded slowly. He then stepped out of the room. Achromos rubbed the base of his nose tiredly. There were too many things he had to take care of, but he was still mourning the departure of Chlari and Aram. Chroma hasn't eaten since she returned to Chraz.

I really want to escape it feels like. Achromos.

But what else could he do. He was a king, and he had duties and responsibilities that he had to live. At the moment he can only hope that all the problems that exist can be resolved immediately.

•••

Chroma was sitting on the side of the window in the same clothes as she arrived in Chraz. He was still wearing a black Aramaic robe that already looked shabby. His eyes were fixed on the full moon hanging in the dark sky without stars.

"Aram, I'll see you." Whispers slowly.

•••

That night, Achromos returned to the room with a tired face. Chlari's funeral service lasted a full day and she had to wear a royal crown that weighed nothing. As he entered the room, he immediately realized Chroma was not there. There was only a piece of white paper on the bed that read,

I decided to leave. Don't look for me, Achromos. I'm not coming back.C

Achromos squeezed the paper hard and rushed out of the room.

"Shya!"

———