Their stroll would take them through the rear gardens of Castle Blackrose, on a more secluded path to shores meant exclusively for those of the royal family. The greenery of the scene around them offered for light conversation, Reza asked if such gardens existed in Iliad and Antares answered that they did. Much of what was seen in the gardens around them could be found in Castle Xerxes as well as the several other castles owned by the Stygian royal family. Antares sought to answer her questions in a brisk and surprisingly calm fashion, he was glad he could keep his feelings under control. He was still greatly troubled by the earlier summit with the other rulers, but did not want it to cloud this moment. Even if their conversation bored him, he found it a better alternative to his time with the monarchs of Aurum.

Gawain once again stole a look back, and Antares allowed him to catch him looking. The boy turned back ahead startled.

"Do you love that boy?" King Antares asked, as he pointed.

"E-Excuse me?" Reza blushed struggling to grasp what it was that was said to her, "I mean-"

Antares motioned her to look, "The boy who continues to scowl at me as though I look to take what is his. Do you love him?"

Princess Reza grew worried that the King of the Stygians would take great offense to what he had witnessed. Regardless of her feelings about him or the matter of marriage, King Antares had desired to make her his queen. That respect needed to be acknowledged by not only her but by all of Aurum. For her to foolishly allow her feelings for Gawain and his for hers, not only put them in danger, but also put her family in jeopardy too. However could the princess deny her feelings? To deny herself, for the sake of her fathers will and vision?

"Please take no offense King Antares," Reza bowed deeply. "There is much said about you by the bards, and Gawain has allowed his head to fill with many unsavory stories."

"Gawain, hmm?" Antares rubbed his chin as he thought, "You did not answer my question, but I suppose that in of itself is an answer. I take no offense, although I would advise him to be more careful if he wishes to scowl at the King of Iliad. There are many who would not be so forgiving."

Antares walked in front of her for a few paces, Reza studied his back and the way the stars glittered in his hair.

"And what of you?" his voice startled her, "Is your head also filled with unsavory stories of me?"

Princess Reza did not respond right away. What she knew of King Antares Xerxes was what she learned through gossip and great debate. So many things were discussed about the man that walked in front of her. He was the center of all things and as she was now within meters from him, is when she realized she knew nothing of the man. For all she had learned about him, he was a complete stranger. His triumphs and victories meant nothing to her. Antares was a mythical being who lived closer to fantasy and folklore than any reality she knew. Not just him, but his people too. Reza had only begun to understand that there was already an ocean separating both of them. A gulf of experience and life that she believed stood too great to cross.

Was she meant to bridge this gap? To be the one to connect humanity and the Stygians, for good? While she understood Antares to represent all Stygians, she could not see how she was meant to represent all humanity. She was a witch and knew of her people being persecuted by both Stygians and humans throughout the millennia. What games did the Gods have that they looked at her as a savior, when her people had only ever been looked at as destroyers. Reza breathed deeply before she decided to answer, in truth despite her many thoughts, there was only one question she cared to ask him, once learning about it. She hoped he would answer truthfully.

"May I ask you a question?" she did not intend for her voice to come out as a whisper.

"You have a habit of avoiding questions." Reza could not see his face, but heard the chuckle in his voice, "But you may."

"The rumors that they speak of you...H-have you ever slayed a witch?" she tugged on the sides of her dress.

Antares stopped in his walk. The cool breeze blowing through them as he turned his attention to the city in the distance, an old memory seeming to catch his attention.

"I have."

Reza's heart sank, "How many?"

"Four."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"I fail to see how any of that matters," disinterest soaked his words.

Reza furrowed her brow and stomped her feet as she walked past Antares to face him. Her eyes were ice cold just like the King of Talterra's.

"It matters to me, because I'm a witch." She was not ashamed to say it, even though many including her own mother, begged her to not draw attention to it. "And I would like to understand why a man who takes joy in slaughtering witches, would also demand for one's hand in marriage."

He would have liked to have blamed the meeting with the monarchs for his foul mood. However in truth it was because of King Saturn and the appearance of the emperor accompanied by Faye's child that truly soured his mood. It did not help matters that Reza also happened to share the same icy glare as her brother and her father. So in many ways, when he elected to speak, it was not directed at her per se, more so at her family who since his arrival had looked to rile him up at every opportunity. He had accepted his forced arrival here, seeing Faye belong to another because of his actions. Antares even swallowed how the southern monarchs spoke to him, but he would draw the line here. At this little princess who knew nothing of him and all the same looked at him like he was a terrible monster.

"I did not demand for your hand in marriage," his words were clear and crisp. "That was your father."

"What?" his response seemed to daze her.

The king's eyes never left hers. "I was made aware you were raised in a castle and never allowed to leave, so you have no true idea of the workings of Aurum. Allow me to enlighten you princess." Antares' tone was flat and unwelcoming. "Our potential union–among many things–is an apology presented by your father to me. I did not seek you, certainly not a union with a witch of all things. I was only made aware of your existence a little over a fortnight ago." It was freeing to admit the circumstances of their being together.

Reza faltered at the realization, the ice in her vision warming into pools of deep blue.

"I have already had the displeasure of being accused and disparaged by your family. For perceived opinions of me outside of my control," King Antares squeezed his fists. "I will not stand to also accept it from the very gift they offer to placate me. Especially given what your moth-" He stopped himself, he could see that she was retreating back into herself. It was not his intention to be so brazen and open. He sighed and walked past her.

"Why did you mention my mother?" Reza's timidness turned to anger. When Antares did not halt in his march, she grew upset and raced to stop him. "What were you going to say about my mother?" she stood in his path. Her cerulean eyes glowed with harmful intent.

"It was nothing, I was speaking out of turn. Forgive-"

"Don't be so quick to retreat now that you have spoken your mind." She declared, not willing to let him dismiss it. "Let me learn of who the real King Antares Xerxes is."

For the first time since arriving in Talterra, Antares' indifferent stoicism faltered and was slowly replaced by a growing annoyance. The king's patience was being tested, "Your mother seems to be the only one not influenced by the bards or sagatellers and their tales." Although disgruntled he would respect her mother and not share the true details of their meeting.

"We know nothing of you except what we hear in stories and songs because your people hide away in the north!" The princess had grown exasperated with their conversation, she was not allowed to share how she felt in regards to the Stygians when she was taught about them. However, now that she was in the presence of their ruler, their king, she would speak unrestrained for him to hear her clearly. Someone would finally hear her. "All we know of you and is ever spoken about are your accomplishments, your triumphs. The greatness of the Stygians and their insurmountable strength. The heroes of old." She made no attempt to hide her mocking tone. "You have no issue with those stories being told, like your victory over the Storm Lords. But those that criticize you, are where your ire is directed?"

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At the end of her tirade Reza caught herself too late. She had over stepped.

She was being too critical, no matter how she felt she was addressing a king. A being of immense power and respect, she had raised her voice loud enough that even Gawain and Sir Isaac had turned to look at them. Embarrassed, she lowered her head slightly, she had no wish to cause a scene and make a fool of the Stygian King. Even so when King Antares had mentioned her mother, she could not stop herself. She raised her eyes to meet his, expecting… she was not quite sure, but what she saw was only a coldness foreign to her.

Antares scoffed in a painfully glacial tone, "You know nothing of me Reza Altieri and the life I have lived, nor the blood and people I have sacrificed and lost in pursuit of peace." His words carried the weight of a king with them, she shrunk under his gaze. "I would have expected such an outburst from lesser nobles, the commonfolk. Certainly not from a witch. Who better I thought, to understand the false allure of tales spun by those who seek to entertain than witches who have been crafted to be the monsters in every bard's song, and every sagateller's tale?"

He did not wait for an answer and walked on ahead, leaving her to stew in his words a while longer.

In that moment, a memory reborn from his words carried her back to the first time she had snuck out of Castle Altieri with Gawain. She had begged him for days on end and finally when he relented, he took her to one of the many taverns at the base of the city. The cover of night was their concealment and she excitedly took his hand as her first outing proved to be memorable. However it would be memorable for all the wrong reasons.

As they arrived at a quiet tavern, all had gathered round to listen to a group of bards who journeyed from other realms. The air was thick with ale and the sweat of people. It took her longer than she would have liked to get used to the sights and smells but once she had been given a cup of mead of her own. Her focus was on enjoying her drink. As they found a comfortable spot to sit at the back, the bards broke out in song and tale. Although she had listened to the bards at the castle, she was eager to hear of those not trained to attend to the royal family. The ones who had lived out throughout Aurum calling the roads their home.

They had started with tales she knew, the ones of Empress Xerxia Xerxes and her early adventures. They spoke of Queen Benedetta Altieri and how she built castle Altieri with the help of the Stygians. All of these she knew, the stories of Aurum that were of the better times, of the moments when unity and compassion thrived. However soon after the tone of their tales had begun to change. it start with one tale which flowed into another and then another until her smile slowly falter and eventually disappeared as she realized a common theme throughout. On and on they went, song after song, Gawain had realized his mistake bringing her here and rushed to get her out apologizing.

In truth what bothered Reza the most that night was not the countless songs and tales about the murder, defilement and hanging of witches throughout Aurum's history, no. It was how the commonfolk of her home sang along with such merriness. They knew the words, and indulged in the atmosphere. These people who lived and served under the protection of witches, enjoyed songs that retold tales of their persecution. Labeling them as monsters deserving of their punishment. She recalled how she struggled to hold back tears as she returned to the castle. A budding hatred grew within her, for those who listened and believed such horrible tales.

Princess Reza pulled herself back from her memories and turned to see Antares reach the sea shore. Her shoulders dropped a little and she found herself abashed by her actions, forgetting the pitfalls of gossip, just as Sir Isaac had told her. As she descended the last of the stairs, she elected to take her footwear off, feeling the warmth of the sand beneath her feet. The sea breeze was a welcomed addition that cleared her sinuses and lifted her spirits. The secluded seashore of the royal family was as vast as it was beautiful, it would be here her naming ceremony would begin. She could see various statues and celebratory items had been erected in preparation. Reza felt nervous thinking about what would happen tomorrow. She had spent most of her time practicing but was aware that would never compare to the real procession.

She moved her thoughts along to Gawain in the distance who looked handsome in the afternoon light. She wanted to go to him, to hear his voice and one of his many lessons about knighthood. Reza bore a sad smile and turned away, her attention on the back of a man she was sure had no intentions of marrying her. She watched him stand there frozen, his gaze slightly lowered watching the waves. Reza labored with an adequate apology. She may have doomed the prospects of peace between two ancient houses, but she at the very least felt she owed the Stygian King an apology.

The princess worked up the courage to approach and slowly made her way towards him, shoes in hand. The closer she got to him the more her focus shifted to the blue sea ahead of them. The brilliant color sparkled with the reflection of the sun's rays. Its waves moved back and forth like the rhythmic rocking of a baby's crib. The songs of the sea crashing against the shore was calming and spoke of a relaxed day ahead. The sea was appeased so it meant that there would be no trouble, Reza was mystified by it. No matter how often she gazed upon it, she would always be moved. The water rushed towards her feet with its cool touch, she looked out as far as she could, and an endless array of possibilities lay open to her. All she needed was a ship and a man she loved. They would sail the open sea, unbound by land and its restraints. The current would take them wherever the waves desired, it did not matter.

As she daydreamed she snuck a glance at Antares and bloomed a soft hue. As embarrassed as she felt she was still captivated by his appearance, this partial glimpse of his visage was enough to startle her. It was at that moment she lit up, recalling her lessons and what her teachers had told her about the rumors and the Stygians fascination and admiration for water. She did not follow their discussions closely, but she understood enough to know that the Stygians held beauty and appreciation for the ocean. Something she had a great amount of knowledge about. She would not say it but Reza hoped that the King of the Stygians would look at her attempt to educate him as a sign of an apology and her willingness to want to understand him.

"I was told that Stygians love the water," the princess spoke with a soft tone. "I do too… Growing up I was captivated by it, so I learned all I could."

Reza regaled him with her tales growing up, reminiscing about her fascination and adoration with the sea and all its mysteries. She was sharing things with him she had not even done so with Gawain. The princess hoped that somehow something she discussed would reach him and that pained look on his face would soften when he decided to look at her again. So Reza spoke as she gazed into the sea, absentmindedly to the ghost that flickered next to her.

He was aware when she approached, and started talking. He could hear her heartbeat quicken and then slow, and quicken again. He was aware of the three knights around them and the several others out of sight. He felt the gaze of the boy that loved her on him, his glances sporadic yet hateful all the same. However Antares did not care, from the moment he watched the waves crash against the shores and eventually reach his feet he was resigned to waiting. As for what it was he was waiting for, he was unsure, but he knew he could not look away. An ominous feeling crawled over him. A vile sensation churned his innards and he fought the urge to lash out in protest. He just waited and watched, as the sea kissed his feet lovingly, slowly as the blue waves turned a deep crimson red.

Blood was the first scent that filled his nostrils, the rich metallic odor was thick with a familiar taste accompanying it. It was the kind of smell you could only find in the aftermath of a brutal battlefield. It tasted like conquest, rich in flavor and yet poison all the same. As he raised his gaze he watched the ocean bleed red not seen since the War of Storms. In fact, he was sure it was that very same fateful day laid out before him. But that could not have been, for those waters where on the shores of the Storm Islands, they could not be here in Longshore. He was sure of it, nevertheless, the bloated and ripe carcasses of his men stared back at him with nostalgic scrutiny.

Water had rotted their corpses, they looked like living boils ready to burst at the slightest exertion of effort. Some stood up right, others plunged below up to their eyes. Most were in pieces, white bone, exposed decorated with muscle and guts strewn about. Each of their deaths was as painful and as bloody as the last. Many of them their last moments submerging deep into the cold abyss below. None of them spoke, those that tried only managed gurgled silent screams as though they were perpetually drowning. Most resigned to their fate just looked at him. Their decayed flesh fell off like leather and black oily ooze poured from exposed wounds. They understood what came of their journey to quell the twin Storm Lords. Even so Antares to this day still blamed himself for their spilt blood. The thousands he offered to the sea, so much so it ran red with delight.

As he gazed across the fallen, their numbers grew. Their ranks now included those of the Islanders who warred against him, their hateful eyes in their final moments. However slowly one by one they raised their hands, pointing, forcing him to look further into the ocean. A final act of suffering they wished to inflict on him. In the very distance, too far to make out, a silhouette he knew all too well. Twilight eyes blazing with radiance greater than any setting sun, stars atop his head more mesmerizing than the clearest moonlit night. His god the sea had also claimed, the one he could not stop from leaving, the one who abandoned him. His guiding light, his Hyperion. Antares carried no hatred for what he was forced to do, nor did he plead for mercy. He was too experienced for that–instead–he simply did as he had always done. He bore witness, he would not forget their faces an impossible task even if he tried. He would bear it, because none else could.

"King Antares..?" Reza called out, "Are you okay?"

Antares exhaled not realizing he had held his breath for quite some time. "We do not love water."

"Sorry-I don't understand," she moved closer.

"People believe Stygians admire water, but it is not accurate. It is not water we love, but the properties of it. Its formlessness in response to external influence. It is the antithesis to how we understand life; the rigidity of the glacial cold of reality and our callousness to all things that are different from us. It is how we wish to one day operate as: formless, free, accepting of all life."

The princess could not explain it but she felt as though she had greatly offended the king further.

"As for myself," he learned all he could from the waves. "I have come to learn that I loathe the sea."

He did not wait for a response and returned to the road ahead. Reza stood there with a reflexive smile on her face. She fought back tears, she was unsure why she was being punished. She knew she was no queen, she had never desired to become one, least of all the Queen of the Stygians. So she did not understand why he judged her as though she was, and when she failed, assigned her blame that she was not. She struggled to maintain her composure in the presence of those around, not wanting to cause more of a spectacle than she had already done. Reza wondered what offense to the Gods or her father did she commit. She feared whatever the reason it would not matter, for the princess professed to herself that she could love no man who did not wish to be loved. Who was so cold and alien in his demeanor that approaching him felt intrusive. Princess Reza Altieri looked at the cold figure who walked up the stairs. She was sure of it, of what she had learned of this short meeting with him. King Antares Xerxes had no desire to love, nor be loved, a more potent yearning gripped him, one she felt was sinister. Whatever this vile thing was, it was tearing him apart.

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