The Prince Of Moonblood

The afternoon road traffic was very busy, transportation filled the outskirts of the streets of Tsirian City. I observed the surroundings while riding a vehicle that looked like a delmans but instead of a horse to pull it, it was a large lizard. It's not uncommon in Tsirian City for rare and strange animals to roam the streets.

Continuing to walk towards the East, my shabby robes were slightly exposed in the wind of Tsirian City. My eyes kept looking straight ahead, eager to arrive. I stopped for a moment at a food vendor, bought some grilled meat in a fairly large portion, and then gave it to the lizard that was with me. The lizard ate with gusto. Occasionally, it heard the sound of teeth grinding as it ate. Perhaps the big lizard could be called a carnivore. But it can also eat plants.

Resuming my journey, I showed an increasingly lethargic face uninterested in my surroundings. The way I looked at the city was very different from those who were very much in love with the city of Tsirian. Without further ado, I got off and parked the vehicle.

"Wait a moment Tculu, I have important business in this bar."

I opened the front door of the bar, revealing a three-headed snake pattern. Then entered and looked around the bar with a dazed look. This time, I let out a rough sigh.

"This place hasn't changed at all."

The sound of cheering and noise filled the bar during the day. Patrons kept coming in and ordering drinks. A few traces of vomit were seen on some of the tables.

"Please make me some chocolate milk with alcohol added to it or something that will make this noisy customer of yours disappear from the civilization of the world,"

My words were a bit sarcastic to the bartender who looked a bit busy serving customers.

Rando chuckled lightly at my unfriendly words. The bartender's name was Rando, and he was a close friend of mine from long ago. With his tall, well-built body and masculine features, Rando was the perfect bartender. Only Rando understood how I behaved in Tsirian city.

"I might be able to get rid of them from here, as long as you're able to cover all my living expenses," Rando replied with a chuckle.

"Oh my God, my life is already difficult."

"Well it's not easy, there has to be a struggle to get what you want," Rando replied.

"Again and again you come up with that signature line. You'd better tell me how to earn money without having to struggle," I chuckled irritably at the surrounding crowd.

"You haven't changed at all Othniel. Always ungrateful. If I were you, I'd be so grateful that I wouldn't complain."

Rando's words clearly offended Othniel who was staying nearby.

"Are you out of your mind? How can you possibly be grateful if you're in my position, you can't even imagine it, Ran."

"Almost every night I went to parties and danced, all my bones felt crushed."

I chuckled again with my eyes still alert.

I ignored it and chose to sip my drink with my mind raging, forcing me to get out of Tsirian city as soon as possible.

There's no mistaking it, I'm the shabby man riding a big lizard named Othniel.

I am Othniel Grissham Darksmith, a 16-year-old teenager. Of noble blood with a father who is a notorious king. Excessive laziness makes the king or my father always suppress and restrain.

"Will you do me a favor, Ran?" Rando narrowed his eyes, he was a little suspicious of Othniel's serious-sounding question. But finally nodded.

"Maybe I can help,"

Rando replied briefly without looking at Othniel.

"I want to escape from this kingdom. Come with me."

"Uhuk....!"

Rando choked on his own drink. He was so surprised by the statement I had just made. His head throbbing, he still couldn't believe that a son of the king of Moonblood wanted to run away.

"You've lost your mind Niel! How can you want to escape from here!"

Rando raised his voice. Every nerve in his head was trying to understand what I had just said.

All eyes in the bar were on Rando and me. They stared suspiciously with unreadable faces. I quickly covered my face with the shabby robe perched on my body.

"Rando! You shouted so loudly. Look at those people. What if they recognize me?"

Othniel's panicked face was very obvious.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I was so surprised Niel."

"But you really want to leave here?"

Rando asked with a serious face and a slightly tearful voice. He had lost control due to my statement just now in front of him.

"Don't ask so many questions! Tomorrow after you finish work, meet me at Basecamp. I have to leave immediately, at three o'clock there are royal troops."

I immediately bowed my head, silently, I quickly left the bar without a trace left behind.

"Almost got caught."

I uncovered the cloak that covered my face after getting close to the big lizard that had been loyal to me all this time.

"Come on Tculu, we need to get out of here."

I left the bar where Rando was working, while the royal troops scattered around looking for me in confusion.

"How are you Rando? You haven't been seen visiting the palace for a while,"

A man with a stout and handsome figure suddenly asked Rando a question.

"Not bad,"

Rando only responded briefly. He was well aware of the man standing proudly in front of him.

"You must have just met Othniel, right?"

Slightly squinting with a terrifying baritone voice.

Rando did not answer immediately. He looked at the man in front of him intently. Then sighed harshly.

"You're the same as before, Tian. Always looking for attention!"

Rando really didn't feel like responding to his interlocutor.

Tian Bladesmith, a royal bodyguard with a position as the main bodyguard in the Moonblood kingdom. His body is large and well-built, typical of a true knight.

"Look at you! Aren't you also looking for attention?"

Tian tugged at the corners of his lips, smiling with satisfaction at the sentence he had just said.

Rando turned his face away, he understood what Tian meant.

"You always think that way. But you never found any evidence that I just wanted to take advantage of Othniel."

"I don't care about that nonsense of yours. Othniel is my friend. I never intended to take advantage of the situation."

Rando suppressed every word he said. Really, Rando was tired of dealing with Tian who always interfered with Othniel and his life.

"We'll see. You'll be kicked out. Your friendship is useless!"

Tian stared intently at Rando. He snorted, the long hairs on his body almost popping out.

"If you ruin this bar, it's your loss. Not me," Rando said firmly.

Tian tempered his anger, he chose to leave. Before moving away from Rando, Tian threw a package with a three-headed snake symbol.

"Where did you get this!"

Rando gave Tian a mixed look. His anger was slightly ignited.

"I don't know."

Tian smiled as if mocking Rando's flushed face.

"Damn it! That human if not related by blood to Othniel's father, he might not be this arrogant."

"Not only that, he is cunning and full of tricks."

Rando grumbled after Tian's departure from the bar where he worked.

The hot sun slightly burned the skin of anyone who was under it. I faithfully awaited Rando's arrival. The image of running away from the Moonblood kingdom had always crossed my mind for a long time. I really hoped that this time my plan that I had prepared would not fail again.

"What took Rando so long. He's not usually this late."

I glanced at the watch on my left hand. Counting the time, fearing that Moonblood's royal troops would suddenly discover my whereabouts.

"Have you been waiting long?"

Rando came out of nowhere. The sound of his bass surprised everyone who heard it.

I jumped a little in surprise. Fear and panic were clearly evident. I thought the voice came from the royal guards.

"Oh God! You scared me, Rando. When did you come?"

Othniel asked back. His gaze swept every corner of the base camp. Just in case any royal guards arrived.

"Habit! You answer my questions first," said Rando, hitting Othniel on the head.

"Ouch!"

I groaned a little in pain. It turned out that the blow that had just been delivered to my head was quite painful.

"I've been here for a long time. Probably about two hours ago," I replied with my hand still rubbing my head.

Rando nodded his head. Choosing to sit in front of me.

"There is no need to worry. No one followed me on the way here."

Rando stared, knowing that his friend was panicking.

"That's good, Ran. I'm just afraid my plan will fail again."

I said desperately, it was obvious from the frustration on my face.

"I still can't believe your plan, Niel. Are you really sure?" Rando confirmed. He hoped my words yesterday were just a useless joke.

I shrugged, unsure of what to answer. I rubbed the back of my neck, like Rando knew that I didn't have a plan yet.

Rando exhaled harshly. I had frustrated that man with my decision.

"Stop confusing me Niel. You're always giving me trouble."

Rando was a little annoyed with the answer that came out of my mouth, it wasn't what he expected. He also rubbed his head.

I just laughed awkwardly. It's true what Rando said, I've caused Rando a lot of trouble. Especially when it comes to lying to parents. Rando has always been the perfect excuse for me to make a sacrifice.

"Come on Ran. We're friends. We're supposed to help each other, right?" I seduced him and was familiar to Rando, especially my deathly smile which Rando found very sweet.

"Damn! This time your seduction won't work!"

Rando got even more upset after seeing my smile. He really hated seeing that smile, because Rando would definitely not be able to resist.

"Okay. Now tell me what your plan is."

Rando could not refuse. After all, the man in front of me had always assumed that my family had always been kind to Rando.

I was quiet for a while. I didn't know where to start.

"Niel? Don't tell me you don't have a plan yet?"

Rando asked with one eyebrow raised. Right on cue, I just smiled with a stupid face.

"Oh My God Niel! Really? What should I do then?"

"You want me to plan everything?"

Rando peppered me with questions. This time, he really wanted to hit my head hard.

"How is this... I don't know either. My brain is completely stuck on reorganizing a plan that has already failed." I replied in a low, honest voice. This time, I resigned myself to Rando hitting me for the umpteenth time.

"Hmm ...."

Rando just cleared his throat. The contents of his head were also empty. But devising a plan to escape from the Moonblood kingdom was no easy feat.

"What about your parents?"

Rando fiddled with the hem of his shirt. Actually, he asked just to fill in the blanks.

"What do you mean?"

I was a little confused by Rando's question.

"Your parents. Do they know that you are trying to escape this kingdom?"

I sighed. Rando's question just now reminded me of the family gathering held last night.

"Don't do things I hate, Niel. You know the consequences, don't you?"

That night, Daniel Darksmith suddenly warned me seriously.

"It's up to me Dad. I want to live freely," I replied casually and unconcernedly.

All eyes at the dinner table were on me, I had expected it from the start. The looks of disbelief and disdain were clear on their faces, the extended Darksmith family.

"How can you talk like that Othniel!"

Daniel Grissham Darksmith is the father of Othniel. Daniel hated Othniel's lazy nature and unwillingness to socialize. Evidently, he only has a friend named Rando De'Fair from ordinary circles.

Everyone was silent, including me. It was obvious that Father was furious and that I had made a fatal mistake.

"Answer me right now! What do you want?"

Daniel asked with a sharp gaze, like he wanted to kill someone. His jet-black eyes with hard facial lines, supported Daniel to be a respected king.

"Why are you silent?"

Daniel asked once more. His deadly gaze did not leave Othniel.

The atmosphere at the Darksmith's big family event that night was tense. They all stopped eating, waiting for a definitive answer from Othniel.

"Never mind, dear. This is not the right time for Otniel to answer."

Iriana Darksmith is Othniel's biological mother. She is of pure noble blood, one of the most honored royal princesses. Her beautiful features and graceful, bright blue eyes made her the favorite of many males. But the one who can melt Iriana's heart is Daniel. The famously strong king of the other kingdoms.

"No. You've always been a weak mother to Othniel. No wonder he has always rebelled against Daniel."

The voice from the other end of the dining table was loud and booming. His face looked displeased at Iriana and me.

"Stay out of our business, Siren."

Iriana calmly replied to Siren's words.

Siren Darksmith, the youngest sister of Daniel Darksmith. Her tall body with gaunt facial lines and large round eyes, makes her look like a fierce and dictatorial woman. From the beginning, Siren never agreed with Iriana and Daniel's marriage. She always blamed Iriana on any occasion. But with a kind heart, Iriana always forgave Siren's mistakes.

"You!"

Siren snapped at Iriana with her eyes widening in anger. Her face was already red, she felt humiliated in front of their extended family.

"Enough Siren! Temper that anger of yours."

Daniel defended Iriana, his wife. However, Daniel understood his brother's lack of manners. Even though Daniel never refused Iriana's request. He always defends his wife, no matter what the conditions are, Daniel always prioritizes Iriana above all else. Just imagining Iriana missing from his arms made Daniel unable to breathe.

A faint smile appeared on Iriana's lips. Again, Daniel had defended her in front of the Darksmith family. Iriana's position as queen of Moonblood was highly respected. It made her feel at home to stay by Daniel's side.

"I want to leave this kingdom."

My sudden words broke the silence, making everyone at the table stare at me in disbelief. Even Daniel was silent. He digested the sentence his son had just said.

"Othniel!"

Iriana, who was known for her gentleness, suddenly shouted and stood up. Iriana was clearly angry with Othniel's answer, which seemed careless and frivolous.

"Yes... I want to leave this kingdom."

I boldly repeated the forbidden sentence.

"Prang"

The sound of breaking dishes startled everyone at the table. The atmosphere that night was really dark and full of anger. Daniel, suddenly slammed the plate after Othniel repeated his words.

"You? Don't expect you to leave this kingdom!"

Daniel said angrily. His hard face conveyed a great deal of anger towards Othniel. No one dared to speak out that night, they were clearly afraid of coming face to face with the other side of Daniel's soul. All mouths were tightly locked with many questions on their minds.

Rando sighed, then chuckled a little after hearing Othniel's story.

"Yes! You deserve to be punished, Niel," Rando said, laughing to himself. His friend was laughing at Othniel's stupidity.

Rando still couldn't figure out how Othniel could be so frank about wanting to run away from the Moonblood Kingdom. Even though it was a moment when the extended family was gathering.

"I'm honestly confused by your train of thought. What do you want to do after escaping from this kingdom?" asked Rando seriously.

Othniel was silent for a moment, he was stunned by Rando's question that had just been said.

"Ah... what do you think I should do?" Othniel asked back.

"Look, you don't even know what to do afterward," Rando replied with an incredulous shake of his head.

"I'm confused, Ran. I'm so sick of this world. I want to go to another world."

Othniel slightly emphasized every sentence he said. Everything he said was true. Othniel really wanted to leave the Moonblood kingdom.

"Another world? What do you mean?"

Rando was confused. The otherworld was a very taboo thing to mention in the Moonblood kingdom.

"You can't pretend you don't know what I mean, Ran," Othniel said seriously.

"The human world?" guessed Rando with a serious look on his face.

Othniel nodded steadily in reply to Rando's words. The look on his face showed an interest in the human world.

"What? You've gone mad! How could you go to the human world Othniel. I've never even dreamed of it."

Rando responded with a shocked and confused face. His friend was beyond Rando's reasoning and logic.

Othniel's life was boring. His slightly thin body with a gaunt face that looks messy, shows how much he doesn't want to live in the immortal world. Ever since he turned 16 years old, Othniel has been trying to find a way to escape from the Moonblood kingdom. He couldn't stand his father's orders that demanded Othniel to be the next successor.

"If you don't want to help. I won't force you, Ran."

Othinel stood up. Her steps looked steady leaving Rando who was still pensive.

"Wait!"

Rando raised his head. He stood with a slightly doubtful look.

"All right. I'll help you, though..." Rando's words were cut short. It was clear from his face that he wasn't sure all his plans would go smoothly.

"Really?"

Othniel's eyes lit up. He grasped Rando's hand tightly. As if channeling confidence that their plan would go smoothly.

"Early tomorrow morning. Meet me in the forest behind the kingdom, I have everything planned. Trust me. I'm just asking for a little help from you."

Othniel's words sounded very convincing. At that moment, Rando could only surrender. The royal back forest, where forbidden things existed.

"How could I? Don't you have a plan?"

This time Rando was not only confused by his sidekick, but wanted to hit Othniel hard on the head.

I've been waiting for Rando since an hour ago. Hoping anxiously, walking here and there with an occasional scratch on my head that wasn't actually itchy.

"Rando should have been here 30 minutes ago," I said indignantly. My face couldn't hide the irritation from earlier. My emotions were all over the place.

"If Rando hasn't arrived in 30 minutes. I'll open the portal myself."

The man's eyes were fixed on the door of the forbidden forest in the Moonblood kingdom.

Faintly in the distance came the hurried steps approaching Othniel's whereabouts. The thin man immediately turned his head.

"It must be Rando."

Sure enough, Rando ran very fast towards Othniel. With ragged breathing, he tried to say something.

"Hi! Calm down," I tapped Rando on the shoulder. The man seemed to be in a hurry.

"Ah, damn it! How can I be calm. The royal troops as well as Tian are after me!"

Rando finished his sentence in one long breath.

"Seriously?"

I, who heard the royal troops mentioned, became even more agitated. I was afraid that this time the plan I had laid out would fail again.

"Hurry up and open that door! Or we'll be killed!"

Rando urged Othniel to immediately open the entrance to the forbidden forest.

Without waiting long, I took out some sort of iron plate with a three-headed snake pattern.

"How to insert this iron so that it fits properly?"

Othniel looked more and more panicked. It turned out that putting the iron plate into the door in front of him was not as easy as he had read in the ancient book.

"Gosh Othniel!"

Rando snapped at Othniel. Then he took over the iron plate with some force.

"Why is this so difficult," said Rando, who tried to insert the iron plate.

Faintly in the distance, footsteps could be heard coming closer and closer, and of course, the steps had a rhythmic beat.

"Come on! We're running out of time!"

Rando shouted a little. He was frustrated because he could not open the door to the forbidden forest while the royal troops were approaching.

"Hold this ancient book, Ran. I'll try to match it."

I handed the ancient book to Rando, then spread it out before him.

Observing the book carefully. Othniel tried to stay focused, even though soon the royal troops and also Tian would soon find them.

"Othniel! Let's use your brains to the fullest," snapped Rando who was looking very panicked.

"Patience! I'm not focused if you keep pushing me,"

I snapped back. I started to sweat, now in a panic.

"Ah! I know."

Othniel with trembling hands put the metal plate back into the hollow door.

"Come on! Oh God. Just help us this time," said Rando, praying with sweat dripping from his temples.

"Splash"

A sparkle of light instantly penetrated both of their retinas.

"The glare!"

Othniel and Rando said simultaneously.

"Let's go in quickly!"

Othniel's hand was outstripped by the arrow that was heading straight for Rando's arm.

"Rando!"

Othniel quickly pulled at the hem of Rando's shirt. However, the arrow had already scratched his friend's arm.

"Ah! It hurts like hell," Rando moaned.

The two of them had now entered the forbidden forest of Moonblood. The door automatically closed after Othniel removed the iron plate.

"Hang in there Rando. I'll treat you soon." Actually, I didn't know how to treat Rando's wounds either. But I tried not to panic. The forest was quiet, not even the sound of animals.