King Athos's Story (Part 2)

The twenty-fourth chapter of the Crusaders of the Constellations Novel, It's about King Athos revealing how the university and he came to be. It continues from King Athos's Story (Part 1).

## Story

The king and principal tried to hold back his tears and spoke, "But... the wounds he sustained...were fatal. So the remaining Star Crusaders brought me and my father back to the floating castle and its bases. My family and I...tended to dad...until he died. He instructed me about the prophecy one last time...before he left." Athos then sobbed loudly after that. Ranald had no idea what to do at first, but then he walked to the stage and placed his hands on the king's shoulder. "Your Majesty...It's okay to cry." The students were astonished. Cerynitis walked up to Mayari and softly pointed out that Earth humans with empathy are quite rare. "Well, he can comfort children. Which means that he can comfort even a king," Bai Tu said. "I have no idea what you felt when you lost your father, and I'm so sorry to hear about what happened to your family...but the fact that you chose us to study here, and that you trained us in the ways of the first dimension warriors shows us that you want to honour your fathers' legacy in some way. And I understand that" Ranald said. King Athos nodded, thanked his student, and asked him to return to his group. Then he continued, "After the rest of my family died I decided to rebuild all that is left of Aether World with the help of the remaining Star Crusaders. The battles with the Devourer of Worlds destroyed a lot of the civilization. We made use of the powers we have to rebuild the small school and town into the university you are studying now: Aether World Cosmic University. I built the elevator connecting the university to my floating castle, and when the last of the Star Crusaders died, I went to the eight Realms and retrieved the Solar System weapons. There were blueprints for repairing and upgrading them along with the one for the Helm of Pluto hidden in the last ruin I found. So I brought them here and repaired them. I made the Helm of Pluto, and kept it here with them." The students were amazed. Caelus asked if the Solar System Weapons were meant for them, the king told them that they will know soon.

"My father also left behind the means to make winged messenger bottles. After 100 years fixing up all of Aether World's buildings, I managed to make the winged messenger bottles and sent them to all dimensions, where they met you. And you came here, and the rest is history," Athos said. And he took out a thick book titled 'The History of the Kings of Aether World' and opened it to where a sealed scroll was in. He broke the seal, and read the contents: "When the Devourer rises again and when the Void threatens to consume all, the new Guardians of the Solar System and the Crusaders of the Constellations will appear to defeat the great evil. Then the Sun Griffin and Moon Deer will reveal themselves, and imprison the devouring serpent for a long time. They will be the guides of light for the new warriors of the dimensions, for as long as the stars shine in the night sky."

All eyes were on Ranald and Mayari. Ranald had no idea why. "Maybe you both... are the ones mentioned who will lead your classmates," Athos stated. The golden locket and silver pendant they were wearing began to glow. The golden and silver lights shone for a moment before dimming. "I have no idea how is this possible... if I am trying hard not to use my Golden Griffin Warrior a lot and that I think that it gets all the credit instead of me?" Ranald asked. "You have no powers in your human form, yet you inspired us all. I have been observing you and Mayari the day you entered this academy. Now, you both have proven yourselves to be good leaders who will lead us against the Great Devourer," Athos answered. The twelve guides then looked at Ranald. "You have trained under twelve students. They will be your guardians. Be a good leader to us all."

Samson brought out the Solar System Weapons. The staff of Mercury for Odin, the Mirror of Venus for Anahita, the Ringblades of Earth for Onuava, the Shield and Spear of Mars for Nergal, the Goblet of Jupiter for Fu Xing, the Scythe of Saturn for Shani, the Hammer of Ouranos for Caelus, the Trident of Neptune for Poseidon, and the Helm of Pluto for Orcus. The Hall Leaders were elated to discover that the Solar System weapons were fitting for them. "I...like it. That's meant for me!" Nergal cried out, holding the spear and admiring the red shield with the boar's head on it. The students talked among themselves about how they will defeat the Great Devourer. Ranald was quite flustered at the idea that he was the Sun Griffin of the prophecy.

"Truth is, I am afraid of what is to come in the battle with the Devourer of Worlds. And then there's the Boogie-man, who wants to take revenge on me for foiling his plans. I don't know if I'm cut out for this," he said. King Athos walked to him and said, "It's okay if you feel scared. Courage isn't the absence of fear, but rather, the mastery of it and the resistance to it." "And it's acting in spite of that fear," Mayari said. "I have been with you since the day we met," Phrixus said. "And you have trained under us," said Asterion. "We worked together and grew together," Castor and Pollux spoke in unison. "And you have been willing to be friends with us despite your past," Heike said, adjusting his glasses. "You helped me overcome my fears," Anbesa said while hugging Arye. "And you showed me how committed you are to your mission," Kanya pointed out. "We learned a lot from each other," Tula spoke while arranging the contents of his briefcase. "And you learned a lot from the mistakes you made," Aleaqarab said. "You showed us how to manage our Super-powers and when and when not to use them," Chiron spoke gently. "And you have in some ways, surpassed us all in mundane ability," Yeomsoo spoke. "We will work together with you," Aqua spoke bubbly. "And we will help each other no matter what!" Ichiguen declared.

King Athos announced that after the first month, they will travel to the dark side of the universe to defeat the Devourer of Worlds. He told then to study and train hard for the remaining weeks ahead. Ranald offered to spar with his guides. "Sure," Phrixus said. "We need to be prepared after all," Delmare said. The friends went to the Celestial Hall of Residence to practise their attack moves and rest. The university staff though went to make final preparations for the plan to save the universe from the serpent 's maw.

Being a dimensional warrior may not be easy, but it will be worth it.