The Ghost King's KeeperCh76 - A Walk Towards Glory

~ Bonus Chapter ~

Ruzen hadn’t known before the joy of walking every step along the beat of the drums, and he was thankful for it. Because now that he had a taste, he was certainly addicted.  fNDiYB

The sky was a joyous blue, and the forest cheered him up with their own tinkers of greens.  

At distance, a soft vibrancy of sparkle glittered, as slight sound of babbling brook caught his attention. 

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Life had never been so alive before him, as flurry of momentums caused him to look at the bushes every second, catching a flash of dancing wings here and there.  

Ou’Ni called them forest spirits.  24wUaq

Ruzen’s steps faltered into a new rhythm, as the drum halted to make space for another sonorous sound, this time of flutes and war horns. A melody so very foreign yet so very familiar. It reminded Ruzen of the mysterious worlds and their secrets, as if preparing his heart for a great adventure. 

It had been so long since Ruzen had felt this excited for something, that too for a ritual… but here he was, anticipating what lied ahead of him, the difficulties and joys he would share with his new loved one. 

The King might be from a race of ghosts, but he had a mindset more humane than any other. To fall in love with him didn’t seem like a dream anymore. Someone who took care of Ruzen’s health, heart and fears, that someone was certainly a hidden gem. To let go of such a person would be foolish. 

With a smile, Ruzen crossed the contours of the forest land as if taking a stroll in a garden.  

His steps almost glided above the blue carpet, as nothing but gentleness caressed his naked feet. The softness of the material was silky smooth, and the furs along the edges barricaded him from the harsh surfaces. The fabric was no less than a mark on the unmarked land, highlighting distinction between him and the wild. 

Overwhelming as it may seem, Ruzen’s thudding heart still beat in his chest.  

Yet, sooner than he would have expected, his still beating heart almost halted when he finally reached the end of the forest. The huge trees parted to make way for a wide horizon, downwind the plateau, straight towards a small village.  

The village had several huts, big and small, a clean paved street and local squares. What really made him skeptical for his racing heart was the running carpet that parted the village into two sides. And along both sides of the carpet, stood a mass of villagers waiting for him. A crowd had gathered along the carpet, and they waited for him as if he was some mighty messiah.  mbVxDZ

Flowers and colorful silk already littered the carpet, as if they laid in wait for the revered one to step on them, cleansing them to their core essence. 

Two small round shadows suddenly flickered in front of Ruzen’s face, as red dots focused on his expression and being. They were familiar, these ‘beings’ that recorded him. 

So this entire journey would be broadcasted? Ruzen felt skittish, yet he also felt bubbly. He himself couldn’t tell what expression he was showing to the audience. 

Loud cheers suddenly assaulted his ears as the horizon lingered with echoes of passion and bright celebrations.  Msotmp

If the ones in wait, hadn’t heard the loud flute and horns already, they were now sure he had arrived since the ‘beings’ had done their job with recording his arrival. 

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“This is the first populated route you have encountered,” the helper from behind him startled him with his low murmur, “Please show your gratitude to them and proceed. Your ritual couldn’t be halted. Do not stop, keep walking.” 

Ruzen shifted at once, resuming his walk, ignoring the ‘beings’ which still hovered around him like satellites, as he stepped over the first gracing bunch of flowers that the villagers had left for him. 

These flowers were soft and blue, even while being stepped on they didn’t crumble, instead, a soothing scent of wild greeted Ruzen’s nose. It was alarmingly familiar, but Ruzen couldn’t pin point how.  CU7cM4

Walking down the gentle slope, the cheers and scream of the people greeting him started to overpower even his parade song. The drums and the flutes behind him, even the howls of the predator, didn’t seem to deter the passionate well wishes and curiosity. 

When Ruzen came in the hearing range of them, he almost feared that they would hound him, but to his surprise they didn’t step on the carpet, leaving a 4 meters wide berth open for him and his followers. 

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“We all wish you a long life, and prosperity, revered Keeper Ru’Zen.” A tall male shouted at him, as two kids hanging off of his shirt stared at him with excited grins. 

Ruzen just had to smile at them and it incurred an echo of feminine screams, as young woman of marriageable age looked on at him while swooning.  yWaspw

Wow. That certainly made an impact on Ruzen, who never had been on the receiving end of such astonishing support and admiration. 

So, he smiled at them as well, and felt himself blush as one girl, half his age proposed him for marriage. She was just a child! 

Her behavior certainly caught great attention as several elders and males shot her a scathing look. Ruzen felt bad, but kept walking, he hoped the girl didn’t get scolded later for her trouble. 

And who would want to marry a cursed one?   nRvVM8

It made Ruzen aware of his race once again… 

But then he heard. 

“…he belongs to the King now, silly girl, what were you thin-” 

The harsh scolding got cut off as even louder cheers from villagers greeted him, since Ruzen was walking without stopping, he met new people at every step, so his attention couldn’t keep focus on those who he left behind. Showers of flower petals fell on him as people on both sides tried to take him in, curious, hopeful and worshiping.  IMTw03

They looked at him as if he was the King himself! 

It embarrassed him a great deal. But to think that these people talked of him as if he was married to the King… well that certainly eased his darker thoughts.  

And it didn’t bother him, to be associated with the King, it actually made him giddy. 

“Keepa Keepa, fla~” a childish scream got his attention, as a small child stumbled over the carpet, running towards him with a flower in hand. His steps were so wobbly, Ruzen feared the child would fall before even reaching him.  ROdHoq

“Ju’Ah, come back here!” a distressed mother called for the child, but would he listen? Certainly not. Because without taking the child by hand, the child certainly won’t budge. So the mother was in a great dilemma.  

“Child, come back! Someone call him back, the mother, couldn’t you have kept an eye on him?” 

“Oh no, the ritual will be broken…” 

“Whose child is that?”  hg6CDu

“Hurry, pull him away! If the Keeper decides to force him out…” 

“Oh my, the child cannot interrupt!” 

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So many people were showing worry, but the child paid them no mind, he kept stumbling over to Ruzen, who was slowly catching up on the distance even if his pace was slow. 

“Will it interrupt the ritual?” Ruzen asked his helper, slightly worried now.  sQyw 2

The helper replied quickly, “It will not, but the child certainly blocks your path, it is not a good sign.” 

Ruzen nodded, as he walked a little faster, the cheers had started to falter with traces of worry and helplessness. Yet the child didn’t stop grinning at him. Standing right in his path. 

“Give the flower, child,” Ruzen said to the child before he reached him. But the child didn’t seem to understand, as he kept walking up to him, almost crushing the flower in his hand upon a stagger. 

Sighing, Ruzen let out a slight helpless smile, this kid was so adorable, but he really made Ruzen worry.  RmkIOP

Just when the child looked like he would clutch on Ruzen – several people screamed at him to stop, some even stepping on the carpet anxiously – but Ruzen did one thing that nobody thought he would. He got hold of the hand that reached for him and started to walk with the child. 

The child certainly seemed surprised in his own little mind, but he grinned and kept pace with Ruzen. So, the two walked along, much to other’s shock. 

One cursed one, robed in blue and tall, one little child, still holding the flower, the two walked forward as if it was a common curtsy. 

Gasps and awed murmurs started to resound around Ruzen. Generally, those who were interrupted would get angry or try to get rid of bad omen, but this Keeper, he did none of that.   0mPol9

The villagers were now even more interested in him.  Some couldn’t help but stare unabashed. 

Ruzen felt himself getting embarrassed, conscious of his clothing, but the glowing red eyes of the ‘beings’ diverted his attention. They were actually watching him so closely, Ruzen felt like someone could do eyelash count if they paused the transmission. 

“Long live the King’s Keeper!” 

“Keeper Ru’Zen, I saw your fight in that competition. You were praiseworthy!”  CShoAv

“Well wishes young man, we will always support you.” 

“Send our love to the King, he chose a wise man, you will achieve great success.” 

Several people shouted their love for him, and Ruzen smiled at them all. He had never felt so honored and so responsible.  

Now everything held more weight, everything felt more real.   1KtVCo

The King protected these people, and Ruzen felt obliged to do the same. They showed him such worship, when they didn’t even know him personally. It was their faith and belief in the king and in turn him, that made Ruzen realize the depth of his commitment. 

But surprisingly, he didn’t feel burdened.  

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It perhaps gave him one more reason to keep walking, wherever the path may lead him. 

“Have our blessings, you kind child.”  Pl7fH2

“Keep walking, may you never falter and fail!” 

“Take care of the King for us~” 

Ruzen looked on, as the child next to him started to struggle to run free, probably trying to get to his mother now. So Ruzen let him go, watching as the child threw his flower at him and ran away somewhere behind the crowd. 

Chuckling at the immature kid, Ruzen caught the flower that the child had thrown, sniffing it as he kept walking. And he was well aware that his every action was being recorded.  xyzmed

The village stretch seemed to finally end a few minutes later, but the crowd didn’t seem to be diminishing. What’s more, they seemed to be getting denser. 

These people, their excitement seemed contagious, as Ruzen himself felt his steps almost skipping and gliding again. 

Happy and warm, Ruzen lifted his chin up and fastened his pace. Greeting with smiles, chuckles and nods, his parade went along the sound of drums. 

How he wished to keep receiving this care forever… because if not for the King’s guidance, he might have never experienced this in his entire lifetime.  b5RxWj

Maybe one day, he would be strong enough to reciprocate the same… to not only the King, but even his people. 

~

A/N – This chapter is powered by Alice, Robot Butterflies, Ko-fi supporter and Ina. Thank you for your encouraging words and donation. Love you dears. And I am glad my novel felt ‘different’ and unique to you Robot Butterflies. Also, thanks Ina for your comment! 😀