(Sorry that it took so long, making a map and imagening fantasy politics is kinda tiring. Anyway, enjoy the chapter since it will contain major plot advancement, or prepare for a major plot advancement in the future chapters. :D All errors are caused by my half closed eyes and aching neck, just... just... sleeeeeeeeeeeeeep!!!!!! I correct them tomorrow as well. ;) )+I corrected the mistakes and hope you guys can now really enjoy this chapter :)

With a satisfied smile and a mustache of beer foam Hirahn left the third tavern of the day. He might be new to this world but he could already say that he liked the beverages here. On earth there was just something missing, the personality of the brewer and the rowdy atmosphere that carried the taste onto your tongue. Earth turned sterile, people rarely communicated with each other anymore, head craned down and with cadence they moved to whatever destination they were heading to. Slow but steady the humans personality was drained from their marrow, only the most primal of emotions prvailed, hate, greed, egoism and the urge to replicate. It was a sad world.

Breathing in the fresh air, untraceable in a world where smog blinded your vision, Hirahn enjoyed the noon sun that was unobstructedly shining from the azure sky. The world didn't care about pety crimes, slaughter and war, the world would live on, even without humanity. The sky didn't bother to weep for the poor souls and families that would paitiently await a return that would never come.

Was Hirahn feeling guilty? No. He did what he did and he avowed it to himself. He would continue his life and tick this chapter off as if it never happened in the first place.

Birds he had never seen before warbled on the red-brown housetops. Though science was standing still most houses were made up entirely of stone and bricks, beaded against each other to form stout walls.

Hirahn ambled along the crossing paths of the alleys, no destination set in his mind he simply wandered off into the city. He was impressed by the whole lot of females that were working and chatting with others as equals. Hirahn didn't want to be pretentious but even on earth it took a long time for females and males to stand as equals.

Maybe this is what happens when society does not forget the powerful energy called magic? In the end with magic at their disposal the physical gap between man and woman could easily be overstretched.

Of course this would change for the unfortunate mass that was not apt in using their aether to control the magic bound particles in the atmosphere and everything else.

A spark flared in Hirahn's mind and he found his destination.

Storming from one pedestrian to the next he asked them about the cities libraries, a single major library or small stationery stores. He found out that all three options existed, all centered around the castle were information could be guarded the best; and of course the biggest of the libraries stood proudly inside the castle, to Hirahn's dismay.

Having unnerved enough people with his erratic attitude Hirahn decided to make his way back to the castle. One day or another he had to face the king and the princess once again, so better now than later when the situation escalated because of his obvious lack of knowledge.

He had only entered the castle once, as a half nude savage that was told to be a prisoner of war, personally escorted by the king. After getting clothes, cleaning his body from all the blood and gore and having a good spoonful of sleep he turned into another person. His dirtied hair returned to its dark golden sheen, his face regained its immaculacy that one could only dream of and his body regained its healthy light brown tan, instead of the purplish hue that was radiating in his demonic form.

Hirahn shuddered as he thought about his 'true' nature. Were it not for the piece of Saraya that was still within his soul, so deep that he could not part from it even if he willed it, he would not be able to regain his humane form. Humans on earth have pretty much pinned the nature of Sara'ahn down, as Yin and Yang. It was a simple imagery but was the truth of Sara'ahn. As evil as Hirahn might be there is always this tiny bit of benignity that could flip his personality upside down. It was an unassailable fact.

Half an hour later, after being led by the nose by new scents and small critters that he has never seen before, Hirahn finally arrived at the castle.

The guards carefully surveyed the robed individual. It was a red robe no less than that, the sign for nobility. But they have seen this young man never before. Was this a beguiler?

"Halt, who are you?", the guards asked, palms resting on the pommel of their swords. One guard moved down the few steps, the one that was left called another few guards to him. Hirahn was surprised by the security measures, for a city that was entirely surrounded by walls the security around the castle was extremely high.

The single guard inched closer towards Hirahn, the armor rattled with each step and the sword swung playfully to and fro. As he was in direct reach of Hirahn he squinted his eyes. 'Can't say I have seen him before...', the guard thought but instead of jumping to conclusions he went the rational route.

"Sir, do you have any form of identification? It might be presumptuous of me to say this but you seem fairly foreign here in Ysolde. I don't want to hear any excuses, just show me your identification.", Hirahn nodded his head slightly in respect, this guard put thought into his actions, instead of arresting him under fleeting suspicion.

Neither Hirahn wanted to make a mess out of this, obediently he reached into his loose breeches, aside from the well-stuffed purse he also had a small golden ring with a single flame shaped ruby woven in its material.

As trusted as the guard was Hirahn simply placed it in the palm of the man and waited paitently. The man held the ring against the sun and eyed through. He observed the reflection inside the ruby and nodded to himself. "Certainly, certainly.", he pushed the ring back into Hirahn's hands. "Excuse me for the rough treatement but this is the norm, have a good day.", the guard went back to his position and conveyed the information he collected.

Slightly astonished the other guards watched Hirahn make way past them. They had no further business to conduct, the ring told them he was certainly a noble, so he had to be trusted although he was never seen.

The guards were just slightly impressed before they dispersed, collecting, as watchful guards should do, intelligence whether this individual had not stolen the ring from somewhere or maybe even murdered someone for its aqcuisition. On the surface they let him in but one guard was steadily moving in the shadows, observing this fishy noble and all his actions.

Hirahn payed no mind to the guard that was pestering him like vermins, as long as the guard let him read his books in quiet he would show no inclination to cause problems.

He wandered through the marbled corridors and the overall victorian architecture and admired its beauty. To note: The castle was seperated into three parts; the private part reserved to the king, his family and close protégés; the guard chambers and a courtyard for training and disciplining and lastly the library for lesser and higher nobles to browse through.

After relishing his eyes on picturesque images and the ornamented interior Hirahn decided it was finally time to frankly study and upskill his knowledge of this world.

Two thick doors let no sound in or out, the entrance to the library. Slightly bilgy air spread from the wide open room. Stairs led to higher levels and all around stood shelves filled to the brim with fusty literature.

Hirahn let his hand slide past the shelves and took out whatever book interested him. He went past tens of meters of books before he had fished out three thick slabs of cased parchment.

He overviewed the library, desks, seperate armchairs and rows of benches filled the otherwise empty space. People of all ages conducted their search for knowledge and hopped from one book to the next.

The urge to learn was still strong in this world, and that was good.

Smiling Hirahn took seat on one of the benches with a table connected to it. With a flop he let the books slam against the wood, annoying those that were immersed in their own little world of written language. Hirahn was mischievous to boot.

The first book was flipped open. 'Creation of Asthea' was its main title, 'History and Geology of Asthea' was a smaller title underneath. Hirahn could guess what this book was all about.

And there he got it, a dry envisaged reiteration of Asthea's -this world- history.

Having not the time nor the nerve to go through the whole thing Hirahn tried to peck out the most important parts.

Having virtually no idea of georesearch the book picked up where the first human and humanoid civilisations spawned, those that were cultured enough to leave behind some sort of memento for the next generaion to notice.

It was an informative book, not the history part that told about most likely imaginary tales that are so far off from reality that it might even prove to be true in the end, but the various specieces of humanoids that inhabit Asthea were far more interesting.

Ranging from the four main races: the Humanoids, including Elves and Pixies, Dwarves and Kobolds and last but not least, Grams; then came the demonkin, containing Dragonnewts, Orcs and all beast related population, the rest was a jumble of unspecifiable demonic looking humanoids; the third group were the Monsters, for obvious reasons there is no further explanantion needed; and lastly the Gods.

What interested Hirahn the most were the subspecies and how they were linked to the Gods of Asthea. Each and every race had a special, more apt called, regal bloodline which suddenly sprang forth millenia of years ago. Humans had the High Humans, theoretically immortal humans with higher aether capacity than their brethren. Theoretically immortal because they are only age-wise undying, disease and infighting can kill them as it can kill any other human.

Those 'High-' races had all augmented strength and intellect, some more of the other while the High Humans for example are a rather balanced variant. Enabling one to discern between normals and high variants was quite easy since most had special features. The High Human for example had hair and eyecolor closely resembling metals and gems, their features were also incredibly beautiful, sharing the top spot with High Elves and some higher demon variants.

Problems arose with the 'High-' species as they tried to enforce their morals, ethics and ideologies onto their weaker brothers, thus bloody wars spread over the globe, nearly erradicating most of the 'High-' subspecies. Now after thousands of years have passed those last 'High-' beings ascended once again their rightful rule, but they keep watch to not anger their weaker but more numerous cousins.

Not many know where the 'High-' races hailed from but tales are told that they are direct descendants of the primal Authority, Sara'ahn.

Hirahn swept over the white pages, one block of text was more prominent than the rest, written bold and squiggled in an elaborate frame.

Diary entry of the first High Human: Erian Wazzerer; unsolicitous translated by the novelist Eirich Maler

6. 5z. 000004

I reach my hand for the starry sky, yet I can't touch it no matter what.

My father send me out to harvest firewood, the brute imbecile hit me again.'Foul dog!' he shouts and yet he is just overwhelmed by my intelligence, lucky for my mother she left him already.

It's exhausting to keep this old man company, I just ask my self how long it takes for him to pass on.

Inside this glade I feel free. Today is a good night to stargaze, the sky is exceptionally beautiful; I can even see the twins Iraya and Ireya high up there.

The entry stops for a moment, the translator explains that part of the diary was burned down and ripped apart, the pieces had no info on them whatsoever.

My head was bleeding as I awoke. I don't know for how long I slept but in my dreams I saw the sky falling down. It was a beautiful sight, colors everywhere. I should better go home now.

Another interruption before the climax of the diary is revealed.

HAHA! I didn't knew it was that easy?! That old man dared to hit me and it took only one slap and his head was glued onto the wall. HAHAAHA! The whole house collapsed as I smashed this old fool's body into fertilizer! HAAAAAAA! It feels good my diary! Maybe now I can go and visit the twins, I wonder!~

After this rather unsettling end the history book shows the first human dictator, exactly Erian Wazzerer. With an iron rule and surprise evoked by never before seen power he domineered large portions of the two northern continents and set foot into the territories of the demonkin, stationed at the western continent. His rule ended when more and more 'High-' races emerged and fought in apocalyptic wars with each other.

'Continents....', Hirahn thought in silence.

He flipped the book onto its end page, a small, coarse map was drawn onto it. Two small continents in the north, another bigger continent underneath in the equatorial zone, one extremely large continent in the west that stretched from the high north until the deep down south. And lastly, now with northwest, northeast and southeast covered, there was a empty region in the southwest.

'Hum...?', Hirahn scrutinized over the map and read the sparse description about it. Alas he couldn't find curcial information about the southwest of this world. Taking the information with a huge portion of salt Hirahn told himself to investigate it himself when he had the nerve to do so one day.

But to be extra sure he asked one attendant that was running through the halls with books in both arms. "Excuse me!", Hirahn called out and waved with his arm.

The attendant, a youth around 14 with thick framed glasses, manouvered with professional deftness around the table and benches until he reached Hirahn. "What do you need?", the boy asked as he snuffled his nose from all the dust.

"Do you have a more up-to-date version of this map?". "Excuse me.", the boy said and changed one of the books in his arms with the one in Hirahn's hands, all in a moment. 'Wooah!', Hirahn was taken aback that a person doing such a petty job could harness such high agility.

"Oh I know this book. It's popular all around the continent.", the boy stated and further read in the book.

"It might sound idiotic so I apologize for my forgetful mind, but... on which continent are we now?", Hirahn asked sheepishly.

"Huh?", the boy looked at him asking with his eyes if this was a joke. After seeing Hirahn's pained albeit serious look he couldn't help but inform this illiterate man.

The boy put the book on the desk and pointed with his finger at the northwestern continent right beneath the two smaller ones. "We are right here.", he moved to the southernmost part of the continent with his slim fingers.

"Could you tell me the names of the continent as well?", Hirahn shrunk back as he asked. "S-sure...", the boy replied slightly hesitant.

"These are the twin continents Iraya and Ireya, named naturally after the twin stars Iraya and Ireya.", the boy pointed at the two smaller continents in the north.

"This here is Wazzerer.", his finger went towards the larger continent where Sylais rested on as well. "It was named after the later generation of the Wazzerer bloodline as they stopped what their forefathers began.", he chuckled a bit.

"The 'Demon continent' how some like to call it is officially named Xaris, that's how the demonkin call it and how it is refered to as dominion of the demon clans. Was that it?", the boy asked and waited for Hirahn's answer.

Hirahn was still sorting out the information in his head before he nodded.

"Alright, and what is this?", he pointed at the obscured part of the 'worldmap'.

"I think no one can tell yet.", the boy's lips torted into an 'S'.

"So that would answer my first question, there is no more current version right?"

"Sadly, no.", the boy answered. "Was that all you needed?", he asked as he lifted the other book from the table and tucked it under his arm.

"No, that was it, thank you!", Hirahn gave a thankful smile.

"Anytime.", the boy said while running back already.

The second book was about various herbs and fauna that could prove dangerous or advantageous, according to how one used or treated those things, for humans. The third one was all about magic but as Hirahn let his gaze roam the halls of the library he saw that it was getting dark. There were of course magical lights build into the walls but Hirahn preferred the natural light of the sun to read.

Walking up to the reception he asked a woman, at least in her forties, if he could borrow books from here. Before she asked about the name and pulled out insipid paperwork Hirahn choked her off by showing the golden ring. The woman gasped sharply before she gave the 'O.K.' for Hirahn to lend a few books. He sweared on his honor and dignity as a man to give the books back once he finished reading them, a somewhat gradiloquent gesture in the eyes of the receptionist.

With slackening steps approaching the district only for the royal family the guard that was half asleep waiting for Hirahn to make a move finally awoke from its slumber.

"Hey! You there, stop!", he shouted as he ran behind Hirahn.

Hirahn raised his eyebrows. "I thought I had permission?", he asked.

"Well, yes you do. But this is the district for the royal family only and their closest friends. I can't say I have seen you here in the past.", the guard begn to argue.

Just as Hirahn simply wanted to forfeit and walk out, sleeping on the street was better than quarreling with some nosey guard, a voice called out to the guard. Hirahn could, although he barely spent time with this figure, discern this voice amongst hundreds. 'OHHHHH! Not miss make-my-life-miserable!', he shouted in his mind and turned around. His fears came true as he saw Sara standing with shoulder wide footing and her chest raised high.

"I know him, he is a close friend of us, the royal family.", she said and passed the guard with her platinum hair.

She gave Hirahn an arrogant smirk. 'Now you need our help huh?', her smile told him.

His eyelids twitching and his fists trembling he followed the arrogant lady.

***

"So, what do you now expect me to say? Thank you my goddess? Let me lick your feet? What do you want?!", I asked with uncontained anger.

"Hehehehe.... So I win round two.", she blankly answered.

"What round two?! What are you even going on about?", the little miss really knew how to incur my wrath, she was doing it like a pro.

She choose to ignore what I said, visible by the *hmph* and the hand that oh so 'graciously' flicked a strand of hair behind her back. My steps faltered as I thought about simply bringing this castle down and then running for it. I had nothing to do with this situation, I had the strength to make everything mine and kill those that disobey me, yet... yet I knew I wouldn't hurt her, I couldn't do that, I was not enough of an asshole to do so.

Giving up on my thought I decided it would be best to just hear her out.

"Come on, should I beg you? I know you won't help me out, not if something important happened that needs my assistance."

"You haven't even told me your name yet, you devil.", she might have wanted to hide it but the pout was clearly visible in the reflecting walls.

"ARGH there you go again, DEVIL, DEVIL, DEVIL! Why should I even tell you my name, you seem to have found it already?!", I shouted and threw my arms into the air. 'Fuck this, fuck her!'

"Ok, I am sorry, but what else should I call you after seeing you... in... your... devil-form?", she asked and wondered about what I was exactly; one finger at her lips and her head tilted she looked rather cute, I had to admit.

"I told you already, I was... angry", it was the truth after all, since I was at that moment in all likeliness anger incarnate. A collection of all engative emotions that ran rampant in an empathic mind.

"So next time you get angry you will turn into a devil?", she asked.

"Do I look like a devil right now?", I countered.

"Duhhh, no.... Ohhh! Haha, funny. Asshole.", offended she hurried on with her steps.

"Can't even endure a small joke?", I followed her swaying behind with its entrancing elacticity. Don't you misunderstand me, she simply was leading the way right now, I could only stand behind her.

I pinched my nose bridge. 'This princess..... Ahhhhhhhhhhh...... One of those days.'. I could already imagine myself with a massive headache from the hangover I will get after drowning the stress in alcohol, stress caused by this arrogant missy.

"Hirahn, Hirahn is my name. No last name, just Hirahn...", I answered, half hoping to resolve the bad vibe between us and half surrendering to this childish fight.

She turned around in a speedy twist. "Ohh! So the devil's name was Hirahn after all?". 'My God! I will kill you!', ire fizzled in my head.

"In all honesty, apple-head please stop calling me devil.", I spoke with all my mustered seriousness before breking down into a grin.

"What did you call me?!", her love for apples was an obvious one, I could still smell the faint sweetness wafting from her smooth hairs and tender skin. 'What the fuck Hirahn! Get a grip of yourself!'. My mind was a mess.

I choose to ignore the ranting princess for the rest of the way, maybe the alcohol had a different backlash in this world and that's why I was thinking such puberal thoughts.

Still fuming the princess bumped against a massive door. "Ayaya!", rubbing her nose she openned the door and entered, followed by myself of course.

Inside was a table laid with masses of food and a smiling king at the top. I still had no idea how he was called nor did he know what my name was.

Miss important-princess was continuing to tend to her red nose, with teary eyes she sat down at the table, on its side. Alone from the seating and the way the king smiled 'warmly' at me I knew this had something to do with... me.

Sighing I pulled a cushioned chair back and sat down at the table, my elbows resting on the wood while I supported my head on my scissored hands. I glimpsed at the wine that stood prepared at my side. 'No, not now.', I shock my head and locked my gaze with that of the king.

"I am Alexander Aries the First, and former Vilis.", his voice seemed a tad saddened?

"Vilis?", I couldn't help but ask.

"The title for the strongest and since you beat me, the stongest of High-Humans, the title is now naturally yours.".

I choked a bit.

"Uhm... No?", I asked or rather stated.

"I guessed as much...", the king sighed and rubbed the armrests on his seat. "Could you tell me your name?", since he didn't keep calling me DEVIL -I glared at the little miss and she jolted up, returned a glare of her own.- I really had no problem in telling him my name.

"Hirahn is my name, plain Hirahn."

"Alright.", he poured himself a glass of wine. The purple liquid shone brilliantly in the yellow light provided by magically powered chandeliers.

His lips nipped from the glass and he let it rest back on the in white blanketed table.

"No need to feign ignorance or any formalities right?", he asked and raised a brow.

"Of course not.", I smiled in the same crimson as the wine.

"Then let's get straight to it. I need your help. What am I saying, you guessed as much already, right?", I only replied with a nod.

"Good. There are some problems that need my attention in the next days, also...", he fumbled with a thin document in his hands. The smudged ink and scrawled words reminded me of the existence of the deadly burocracy, the paperwork that literally sucked ones soul out. Right then I noticed the rings under the king's eyes. 'How long has he been keeping up with those little shits?', I asked myself as I glared at the documents with their smooth surface but lethal edges.

"Sara my dear could you please?", he asked and passed the document to the missy.

"Of course. Here, Hirahn!", it seems she dislikes the name apple-head as she put extra emphasis on my name to get on my good-side.

"Thank you, Sara.", I said and her chest rose with pride. 'What a simple girl.'

I skipped over the document.

Carefully I gazed back at the king. "Me, a bodyguard? For the little miss nonetheless?". "HEY!", I heard her shouting. "Sorry apple-head, won't happen again.". "Muhhh... you bastard!". I knew I had won this argument, resorting to simple insults was as good as a loss. "You knew anything of this?", I held the document into the air and questioned the princess.

"Yes, of course. Why do you think I picked you up from the library?". 'Oh right there was that.'.

"So, you think I will agree? You don't have anyone more capable to protect the little miss?", the task was a simple one. Instead of a meeting of the kings it would be a meeting their heirs, held in two weeks. Each person could only bring one guard with him or her, in case someone is in a rather stab-friendly mood.

"There are more trustworthy people, but noone as strong as you. If you decline I will take somebody else. But I think you made it clear already that you want to learn more of this world.", he knocked on the table. "So why not keep my daughter company?", there was nothing wrong with that logic, really.

I shifted my gaze to the princess. "Are you ok with that?", I somehow couldn't imagine it.

"That way we got surveilance on you and at the same time I can learn more about you.", she didn't even try to hid her intentions, they were obvious from the start but it is still etiquette to keep ones desires hidden from the other party.

Pushing myself away from the table with my arms I leaned back with the chair. I watched the magic crystals build in the chandelier flicker from time to time. "I guess I could accompany you.", I said in a low voice.

"With that out, let's eat.", neither of us three kept lingering on the topic and we simply enjoyed a delicious meal.