Prince of The Abyss

Chapter 364: Praise and Fate

A new day had come; how wonderful.After waking up, Iris found herself on the floor. She got up, a bit embarrassed; it was ironic how many times she fell out of her bed. After all, she was a princess, the Vessel of Praise, and couldn’t sleep without falling.

But hey, it didn’t have anyone.

Looking around, Iris noticed the uniform already prepared for her by her maid. She smiled, happily walking to it and picking it up. Every time she looked at it, she got great joy out of it. She didn’t know why, but she loved it.

Changing into the uniform, she made sure everything was perfect, fixing her skirt, even the slightest strand of her hair not in the right place. And after a long time, after she considered everything was perfect, she walked out of her room.

Today was going to be a great day.

"If only it was normal to be as happy as you in the morning, Iris." She glanced in the hallway, where her brother was approaching with a smirk on his face.

"Brother-" She stopped as he started ruffling her hair. "There, this so happy?"

She froze for a second before looking up with a big pout at her brother. "You’re so mean, and to your own sister."

Keres tilted his head, flicking her forehead. "And you’re such a crybaby. Either way, have fun at school." Then he turned to leave, but Iris grabbed him by his shirt. "Where are you going this time?" Her brother had been starting to leave more and more recently; she really didn’t understand what was happening. He had reached Enlightenment, so he didn’t need to go after books anymore, so then why? And many times he was out, her teacher was also; they had to be going together, but where?

Kere’s eyes widened; he hadn’t expected his sister to be so blunt with her curiosity. "I’ve told you already, I’m going to the Wonderland."

Iris didn’t buy it. "But why? There is no reason for you to go there. What is happening... you can tell me, I’m not a weak Reader anymore, I’m a Seeker, and while I can’t fight for myself, my support is extremely valuable, you know that, Father knows that, so why is no one telling me what’s wrong?"

Keres sighed, patting his sister’s head. "Iris, I know how you’re feeling, but this isn’t something you should take part in. We don’t even fully understand what’s happening; we can’t risk anything. That’s why only high-class awakened are in this mission, so don’t be sad." He gave her a reassuring smile.

Iris stared at his face, then said something he wasn’t expecting. "What about Lilith? Is also with you guys; I haven’t seen him at the Academy as much."

Keres instantly looked away, not sure if answering her question would be the right thing; he knew the truth, but should she? Would it be worse or better if he shut up...

He sighed, looking back at Iris, a little hesitant. "Lilith... he is with us. But outside him, the only people inside are Harbingers... Lilith has proven he could take opponents much stronger than him on, even if he doesn’t win; plus, his body is able to take on more than any in his class; plus, Avius thinks having the influence of a Vessel could trigger something... and he is close to becoming a Bearer. I know, you don’t think it’s fair, but I promise once we learn more, I will take you with me, alright?"

Iris sighed, before nodding. She knew that as much as she tried, her brother’s mind would not change.

After this, Keres waved goodbye, leaving. Leaving her alone.

She put on a smile on her face, trying not to let her morning be ruined.

...

...

Arriving at the Academy, Iris met her friends, who, after seeing her, instantly ran to hug her. Seeing them made her morning even better.

She was quite popular in the Academy, one if not the most popular; the only ones that came close were Sena and Lilith, but Lilith wasn’t here most of the time, and Sena was a bit weird; many didn’t like being near her, not like that girl cared. Plus, just like Lilith, she wasn’t one to stay in class that much. Outside them were some Celestials and some famous knights, like Orion.

She had many friends; she thought that being friendly with anyone was the best thing. She didn’t see any advantage in having a bad relationship with someone.

Walking up to class with her friends, one of them said something really interesting... something she had not expected to hear.

"Have you heard? Apparently we have a transfer student from the Withered. I wonder how he got it... and apparently he’s a guy. I really want to see how he looks."

Iris’s eyes widened. ’From the Withered?’

It had been some years since she had been there. It had been... far different from how she had expected it to be. She remembered chasing down the Abyss, but unable to find him, and then the Withered started a Rebellion... and from what she heard... some of the friends she made in there, were part of it, including... ’Aether.’ T

She... didn’t blame them. After seeing the conditions they were living under, she understood why they would want freedom, but it did still hurt a bit... though, from what she heard, they were killed once the rebellion fell... by none other than Lilith.

She couldn’t say she wasn’t a bit jealous of him; he was strong, stronger than any Vessel, and he was trusted by so many people: Avius, Keres, even her Father trusted him. Maybe more than some Harbinger, and she did understand why. Not only was he a Vessel, but his family was very close to theirs; she had seen him many times when they were children, when both of them weren’t even awakened.

Her friends chuckled. "If he’s even close to average, then I will be very surprised. Withered people are disgusting."

Was this the opinion people had on the Withered? Sure... she had almost been killed by one, but not all were like that.

Iris shook her head, deciding to change the topic. "Have you guys seen Orion around?"

Her friends looked among themselves, until one spooked out. "Apparently, he was chosen to be the new student’s guide"

Orion? That was unexpected. Why would her father choose him out of all people? He wasn’t one who was that good with people, and she doubted he was better with people from the Withered, but she trusted her father’s judgment, so she wasn’t going to question it.

As they were passing by, heading towards the class, Iris noticed Sena, heading the opposite way, was she really skipping class again? She had been absent from more classes than she had been to.

Iris let her friends continue while she approached the Vessel of Fate.

"Senny, again? The professors are going to get really mad if you don’t come even more than they are already." Sena looked at her, confused, taking out her lollipop.

"What kind of nickname is that? Plus, Iris, I don’t really care; they can get as mad as they can, it’s not like they can do anything to me, even if my grades are low, do you think that affects me?" Iris sighed; for her, someone from a very important family and more importantly, a Vessel, grades were nothing. They couldn’t kick her out, and even if they made her repeat a year, it wouldn’t change anything.

But still, classes matter.

"I know, but hey, I’m also a Vessel, and the princess, and I still care about grades, even if they don’t matter as much to me."

Sena frowned. "Well, I’m not you, Iris, and I don’t want to be you. Not everyone is so happy and full of life and hope as you, Princess. If everyone was the same, the world would have long been hollow. Accept that." And then she didn’t wait for her to answer, leaving.

Iris stared, before sighing.

She and Sena never had that good of a relationship; their personalities just didn’t match; they were like complete opposites. She had tried to get close to her; after all, they were both Vessels, and they had been made to work together many times, but it never worked. Even now, it felt as if he had made things worse.

It was just not meant to be... though it was weird, since she was good with Lilith; they were not friends, but they didn’t have each other.

She was... a very strange girl.

It made her wonder what her reason for skipping was today, what interesting thing had she seen this time?

...

...

...

Sena walked down the hallway, looked out of the window, staring at the cherry trees... before her eyes looked down at a boy standing alone on a bench... but more importantly, his uniform had a Withered Rose on it.

"There you are." She smirked.