Light of My World

The glowing crystals and Echo Flowers lit up the cavern along with the lanterns that were spread out around the cavern. A ranch house was inside this cavern which housed the Marked Skeletons, along with their many Disorder Monsters. Two figures were sitting on the porch of the house while the Disorder Monsters rested nearby. Quiet breathing and snores emitted from the various creatures as a subtle conversation was taking place on the porch. A tall skeleton with the Mark of the Disorders carved into his bones and a four-armed reptile with the Mark also painted onto his scales. The reptile had been a long time friend of Franklin and Lucida while on the Surface ever since the Disorder King and Queen had gone mad.

A low voice spoke in the cavern. "So, Franklin, how have you been lately ever since joining the Royal Guard?" The reptile asked while taking a bite of his Crab Apple. Franklin had sighed then sat back in his seat. His thoughts wondered about the times he first started in the Royal Guard. Meeting the King, training with the Captain of the Guard, then her. He leaned forward while gazing to the field of resting Disorder Monsters. All the memories of fighting, capturing and taming them swirled in his mind. All those memories had her by his side. The reptile's fiery irises studied Franklin's face as he sensed the radiate emotions that seemed to come straight from the heart. The reptile couldn't help but smile from Franklin's feelings just taking a mind of their own. He didn't need Franklin to be in his Faux Human Form to know he was smiling like a lovesick fool. Franklin had torn himself from his thoughts to be met by a smirking lizard by his side. Franklin had jumped a bit. "W-What you looking at, Solon?" Franklin stuttered while fidgeting in his seat. Solon had chuckled at the Marked Skeleton who was stumbling on his words. "I'm looking at a lovesick skeleton who can't stop thinking about her," Solon answered then he raised a brow. "Am I wrong, Franklin?" he continued. If Franklin was in his Faux Human Form, his face would be two or three shades of red but Solon could sense those feeling regardless due to the Mark of the Disorders' powers. Franklin's eyes had wondered then were brought back to Solon. "Who's the lucky woman, Frank?" Solon asked. He was eager to know who stole this Marked Skeleton's heart right from under him. Solon had folded his lower pair of arms on his lap while the other pair held his head up. Franklin had brought his clawed hands to his mouth and he began to weigh the options of this situation. He knew she wasn't anywhere nearby but it still unnerved him to say it aloud in the caverns with Echo Flowers nearby. He also knew if he kept to himself, Solon would keep on asking until he got a name. Solon was a persistent man. Franklin's glowing eyes shifted while he was in thought. He took a breath then gestured for Solon to come closer. Solon had leaned closer to the Marked Skeleton. Franklin brought his hand up to cover mouth then hesitantly whispered, "Lucida."

Solon's ears perked up as his eyes lit up then a smile started to form when he turned to look at Franklin. His form was a bit shrunken since he revealed something that he would never share. He may be a social butterfly but he's still a nervous wreck when it came to talking to women. Though he felt more comfortable with Lucida since they worked together to hunt Disorder Monsters. He was used to talking to her and he loved being with her in general. Just thinking about her made his head spin and for the longest time, he thought it was the Mark of the Disorders doing that to him. Boy, was he wrong... A question came to Solon the instant Franklin confessed. His tone became a bit serious as the grin faded. "When did you start to fall for her if I may ask?" Franklin fell back in his chair and sighed. It was a good question. Franklin delved into his thoughts once more to give Solon a reasonable answer. The Marked Skeleton's eyes gazed up to the side then he spoke, "I would say before she was kidnapped." Solon had shot Franklin a stunned look when the word "kidnapped" reached his ears. This was the first he heard of this. The Marked Reptile went to the edge of his seat as one his hands grabbed Franklin by the shoulder. Solon had to know what happened to his friend, Lucida, in this alleged "kidnapping". The Marked Skeleton turned to the veteran and knew he had to explain since he brought it up. "It was the Original Disorder Queen..." Franklin stated almost wearily like he was going through the pain once again. It hurt for Franklin to remember those days with her missing from his sight. It was like his minor fear of being alone worsened without her nearby. He mostly feared for her safety and well-being. Every day, every hour, he would check his necklace that was in tune with Lucida's soul, making sure it was still glowing. He wanted to make sure she was still alive even though he had no idea where she was.

The Marked Reptile's eyes widen at name spoken before him. Solon had not heard that name in ages since the Great War on the Surface between the Monsters and Humans. Solon remembered the Original Disorder Queen was once human but was turned into something monstrous when she was tortured by her own kind for information. Her curse had been triggered, forcing into the infamous Disorder Queen Form. It was after that event, she began to lose her sanity along with her husband, the Original Disorder King. Solon had seen this happen first hand since he was amongst their ranks of soldiers. He too was once human but the Mark of the Disorders slowly turned him into something resembling a monster. The King and Queen had placed the Mark on him and his soldiers to enhance their abilities and performance on the battlefield. It helped tremendously but there were backlashes to using the Mark of the Disorders. Many soldiers perished because of it. Solon had pulled himself away from those dark memories to listen in to the story that Franklin was about to entail.