Rico saw King Seres from Eris’ memory, they were having a meeting with his evil soldiers and red-eyed sorcerers.
“Are you saying that the forest near Aldon was burned with the bright light?!” asked Maru the second strongest red-eyed sorcerer and also Seres’ right hand.
“Yes sir. The townspeople saw it some said that heavy rains poured down as it happened intentionally to kill the fire,” one of the soldiers said.
“What do you think about it, your highness?” Maru asked Seres who was just calm in his seat.
“I killed the royalties of Aldon. Only Luize can control the rain so how are you sure about what the townspeople said?” Seres asked with his husky voice.
The soldier trembled in fear as the others stared at him.
“But your highness, they claimed that the bright light was so powerful as it covers the entire forest! They said it was more powerful than yours!” he said as King Seres suddenly widened his eyes.
“Maru”
“Yes, your highness?” Maru looks back with his sharp eyes.
“Execute that soldier,” Seres commanded with his evil smile.
“Yes sir.”
“No! Please spare me my king!” the soldier begs for his life while Maru grabs his hair he creates red fire on his hand and without hesitation, he burned the soldier’s head as it cries in pain. The other soldiers trembled as well.
“That’s what you get when you underestimate the king’s power!” Maru shouted as they all keep their heads bowed down in fear.
“Well then, let’s begin our search for whoever did that light and fire in the forest. I know it has something to do with that damn sorcerer,” Seres said as his eyes flame red.
Eris’ memories cut off as Rico tried to seek more information but it was gone. He quickly opened his eyes and freed Eris for a while.
“I need to find a new place for us, I don’t want Niffa to be in trouble. I don’t want Seres to find out that she’s the holder of the green flame,” he said. He felt a droplet on his cheek the rain started pouring again as he remembered Niffa who was still on the cliff. He snap his finger and in just a second he was in the river, he saw Niffa sitting on the huge stone near the cliff while playing with the fish.
“Niffa!”
“Rico?” She quickly looks behind her.
“Look! I can control the rain!” she said with a wide smile while raising her hands.
“I know! I need to tell you something. Damn this girl is not listening she keeps on playing with the fish.” He quickly raised his two fingers as he controlled the water and grab Niffa’s waist. The water put her down on the ground beside Rico who seems to be in his serious-face mode.
“What’s with that face?” she asks.
“I need you to listen carefully. We have to move far away from this place.” His eyes were full of range with his concerned face.
“What? Do you mean now? But why?” Niffa said with confusion on her face.
“Seres knows about me. He knows I’m here,” he said.
“That evil brat! Then we just have to fight him!” Niffa clench her fist as she heated.
“No Niffa! You don’t know how strong King Seres was. Right now we have to be patient in killing him we need to hide first.” He grab both of Niffa’s shoulders as she stared into his angry eyes.
“I want to kill him with my own hands.”
“Niffa not now! You have to trust me on this. I already have my plan on how to kill him and I hope it will work.”
“How?”
“I don’t have time to discuss that right now, let’s go we have to move.” He lets go of Niffa and they teleport back into the house as they pack some of the important things. Rico pulled a huge old box under the table.
“Rico, what was that? Is it a treasure?” Niffa kneeled down beside Rico as she look at the dusty box.
“Nope,” he said as he slowly opened it. Niffa was surprised to see a bunch of swords from the kingdom of Aldon and she saw a piece of green clothing with a logo on it same as Aldon’s logo. She wanted to have a sword as she intend to touch it.
“Nope! You can’t have one of these,” he said as he quickly close the box.
“No way! It’s not fair!” she said as she crossed her arms and pouted as she look away.
“This will be reserved for later,” he said as he carried them outside.
“Wait, you told me that Prado can carry the entire house right? Why don’t we just use him to carry the house so that we will not carry this whole stuffs?” Niffa approaches him wiping the toolbox.
“Nice idea Niffa, but I was planning to leave the house burned down and leave some corpses behind, pretending it was just a town people’s house. Don’t worry it was not a real corpse I can create a fake one.” He beams a smile.
“I see, now I know why I can rely on you,” Niffa said as she smiled leaning her elbow on Rico’s shoulder.
“Okay then, step back and I will start to burn the house now.” Rico opened his right palm towards the house and it produce a violet fire. Niffa watch the house burn down slowly as some of the debris turned into ashes. Then Rico quickly snap his finger in concentration as two corpses suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
“Where did those bodies come from?” Niffa asked as her eyes were wide open looking at the corpses.
“My imagination. Remember I’m a sorcerer it’s my special ability,” he said as he quickly tossed the bodies into the fire.
“Let’s go,” he said as he grab the toolbox as walked away.
“But Rico, how about the forest? Are we going to abandon it?” she asked while looking back.
“I Rico the violet-eyed sorcerer and the protector of the forest will never abandon the life of the living creatures in the woods. I prepare everything and I already assigned some of my men to protect the forest.”
“Your men? Do you mean soldiers? Since when did you have soldiers?” She was confused.
“Remember your first training where you use your father’s strength?” he asked.
“Oh, those whom I just fought before. So you still have them,” she said as they kept on walking.
“Of course as long as my mind is still working, I can produce what I imagined.” He beamed towards her.
“Wait I just realized something, you mean all this time the cookies and the milk come from your imagination?” Her eyes were wide open.
“Yeah, sort of.”
“No way!” she said as she covered her mouth in disgust.
“Don’t worry I imagined it well-cooked and fresh. If you are hungry just tell me if you need some,” he said as he stopped and stares at her for a while still with a beaming smile.
“Ugh, no thanks! I already know where it came from I thought you baked them?” she said as her eyebrows furrowed looking dismayed.
“Relax, it’s cleaner than the fresh ones you keep on buying.” Rico pat her head and left her looking so shocked.
“Did he just pat me?” Niffa thought.
“Come on,” Rico shouted towards her.
“Well, can you give me a whole cake then?” Rico just chuckled, Niffa looked at his pretty face as she felt the burn on her cheek once again. She just ignored it as she chuckled with him.
They came across the river, then down the slopes, and saw another forest as they entered it and rest behind the trees for a while.
“Why do we have to walk this far? We can always use your colossus or just snap your fingers like before.” Niffa said as she pants and wipe her sweat.
“I can only use teleportation when I know the place we're going. Besides you have to remind yourself that you should’ve relied on your powers that much. You also have to be strong in your own way without using them.” Rico lay down on the grassy ground.
“Fine, that’s a lesson from you that I will remember for life. But right now I need water I’m so tired and thirsty,” she said as looks around, she cannot see any signs of bodies of water.
“Wait let me help you with that,” Rico said as he snaps his fingers and a glass of water was in his hand.
“Here, take it.” He handed it to her but she insisted.
“No, I don’t know if it’s clean or not.”
“You really don’t trust me, aren’t you? Of course, this is clean I always thought about cleanliness when it comes to creating foods.”
“Fine, I can’t resist it though I’m really thirsty,” she said as she grab and drink it. They decided to rest a little more as they both are laying down on the grass looking at the bright sky.
“By the way Niffa, you succeed in creating the rain so you are called the rain keeper,” Rico said as he looked at her lying beside him.
“Rain keeper?” She asked.
“Yeah, it’s your mother’s term from her power.”
“Okay, what about it?” She look at him as he tried to explain.
“There is more weather you need to find in order to complete Queen Luize’s full power.”
Niffa widened her eyes upon hearing it as he look at Rico pointing at the sky.
“See the sun? It doesn’t actually shine as bright as before.”
“Sun keeper?” She asked upon realizing it.
“You guess right Niffa. The day you were born Queen Luize lost her powers that the sun only shines in a glimmer way until now.” They look at the sun. Rico was right, it wasn’t so shiny.
“So you knew me since the day I was born?” Niffa asks as her eyes concentrate on him.
“Of course, I’m a friend of your mother,” Rico responded with a smile on his face, she saw a paint of red on his cheek as she feel his cheek.
“What are you doing?” Rico asked in surprise. Niffa was shocked by her actions as she quickly removed her hand as she looks away feeling awkward.
“How can the sun retrieve its light then?” she asked trying to get back from their topic a while ago.
“You are the chosen one to do it.” Rico was still looking at her but she just look at the sky.
“How can I do it?”
“Well, I guess you need more meditation to find it.” Rico turned to look at the sky as well.
“So we meditate to find something we need right?”
“Yeah”
“Like the way you do? So tell me why do you meditate sometimes?” She cannot help but to look back at him, but his eyes were closed this time.
“To find my past,” he responded still eyes closed.
“Of course you do, but did it help?” she ask as she trace her eyes on his side-viewed face.
“In some ways yes but the last time you dream about Samari 10 years ago, it actually helps me remember some of my past.”
“Maybe you have connections in Samari,” she said. Rico opened his eyes in surprise at what she said as their eyes locked.
“I don’t know. Maybe I’m.”
Suddenly they heard the sound of horses coming from afar.
“How did they find out were in this direction?” Niffa asked as they quickly stands up.
“I’m sure the sorcerers know about it,” Rico said as he quickly grab Niffa’s hand.
“I don’t have a choice but to be in this place.” Rico snapped his fingers and to their surprise, they were inside an abandoned area. The place was burned and wrecked while ashes thickened on the floor.
“Rico? I’m sure this is a castle,” she said as she walk further and look around.
“I know. How many years is this being abandoned?” Rico kneeled down and touch the ash. He can feel by his sorcerer’s gut that it was more than 20 years ago.
“Look! I saw a logo of this castle,” Niffa said as they quickly run towards the huge dusty blue banner beside the burned chairs of the royalties. Rico wipe the dust from the banner as he saw a rose, bow, and arrow design on it.
“Wait, I know that logo I’ve seen that before in my mother’s book I think it was Samari? Yes, I’m right we are here in Samari. But how did you know about the kingdom of Samari?” Niffa ask.
“I saw it in my dream,” Rico said as he touch the banner.
“In your dream? That means I’m right your past has to do here in Samari.”
Rico opened his eyes, he felt the sun burning his skin and felt a cold touch on his cheek tapping it numerous times.“Rico, Rico,” he heard a woman’s voice but his ears cannot hear them properly but he knew she was calling him. His eyes half opened and can see a blurry figure, a face that was coming closer to him. He suddenly felt a warm sensation touch his lips, his wide open lips as he felt an air travels through his throat and into his lungs. The water came out from his stomach as he cough them out. Rico widened his eyes, realized he was alive.“Rico, are you okay?” He saw Niffa beside him, kneeled down with her wet hair and clothe dripping with water.“Niffa, did you swim all the way in to save me?” he ask as he saw her nod, she shed tears with a smile on her face staring at him. Niffa quickly hugged him, so tight that he felt her heartbeat syncing to his.“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” He caress her hair behind and push her slowly as he kissed her forehead.“Where is everybody?” he ask
Nanami opened her eyes, she can see the clear blue sky, and she cannot hear anything but can saw the blood spilled splattering on her face. She gasp and realized she was in the midst of war. Nanami suddenly heard Cannai’s cry from afar. She quickly stand up and find herself hidden in the entrance of the forest.“Cannai?” she uttered while peaking from the large leaves surrounding her, she saw dead bodies everywhere on the ground. They didn’t turn into smokes or burn into ashes like the way they had been killed before.“Are they real human in flesh?” she ask as she step out of the forest while the Cannai was far surrounded by bunch of the evil warriors and soldiers.“Nanami! Stay away from here!” she heard her lover as she gasp and tried to find him from the crowded ground.“Cannai! Where are you?!” she shouted through her lungs along with the sound of heavy footsteps and burning fleshes. Nanami step further as she dodge from one of the evil warriors’ flaming sword. She loo
The chirping of the birds was heard from outside, Maru opened his window and saw a welcoming message of chirps. Rico look back at the huge door, he was outside. He averted his eyes towards the horizon where he can see the sun rising, slowly emanating its light in the world. He heard the morning dews, droplets from the leaves wetting the ground for another plant to grow. Rico sigh and sniff the air of nature, it was peaceful, wonderful and always making him feel at ease.“I wonder if I can still smell this kind of peace,” Rico uttered.“Of course we will, don’t be absurd.” He heard someone.“Geuron? Why so early?” he ask and watch the young man stretch his body.“Come on, bring it on. I’m ready to be trained,” he said facing him and warming up in his fighting position. Rico chuckled.“What’s funny?” Geuron ask and fix his stand.“You said you can read minds right? Can you try to read mine?” Rico ask while lowering his head to fix his gaze into the young man’s eyes. Rico was taller, Geu
King Ciaran let out a smoke from the huge tobacco he get from Merfoy’s cabinet in the room he choose. The thick smoke can be seen, as white as snow from the darkness as he make his way out to the balcony.“It’s nice to be here,” a voice said from behind. It was Goryo approaching him.“You want some?” Ciaran handed him a stick of tobacco smaller compared to what he was smoking.“I’m sorry, your highness, but I don’t smoke,” Goryo answered.“Really? Well, I guess my granddaughter choose a fine man then,” Ciaran said as they chuckled.“What does she look like?” Ciaran ask as he let out a smoke.“My granddaughter and how did you meet her?” he added.“She was brunette, pale skin yet a healthy one. When she smile I feel at ease, knowing that she is fine and that smile is what I live for. When you look at Geuron, he actually had his mother’s smile. He was like her boy version.” Goryo was smiling while telling it.“I’m glad Merfoy saved me. I might not remember my lovely wife if I’m dead now.
Half day of travel, it was afternoon when they got to the forest of Aldon and crossing across the river outside of Aldon.“It was tiring and hot. Can I bath for a while?” Geuron ask panting while looking straight to the river. The water was low yet flowing fast, so clear that they can see the grayish stones inside the water.“That sounds refreshing but we have to go,” Therens said as he handed him his water canteen covered in leather.“Thanks.” Geuron uttered and poured the water into his face.“Hey, you have to share,” Maru said running towards them.“It’s fine, you have plenty of water around you,” Merfoy said as his eyes avert on the river.“You mean we can?” Geuron ask. Merfoy smiled and nodded.“Yes! Thanks Merfoy.” He quickly run towards the river while taking off his dirty white shirt. He jump off the river with his dark pants with the water splash across his entire body.“This is fun! You have to try it!” he shouted towards them.“I thought we need to get to your place as soon
I wonder where the others, what happened to them, and where is Merfoy all this time? Niffa thought looking behind her as she see the entrance way to the forest. It was part of Aldon’s forest, Aldon has the widest and longest forest out of the five kingdoms. She still doesn’t know if the forest near Mt. Sadeste was Aldon’s territory or its just what everyone know since no man got here at Mt. Sadeste like how Merfoy told her, only royalties and magical creatures can enter Mt. Sadeste.“Niffa! Watch out!” She gasp as she look back in front, the violet flame was coming her way, as she quickly crouch with her hands crossing above her head. He never failed, she thought, her body will surely marked with scratches and bruises and burns after this training.Niffa stands up to check her right elbow, it was bleeding, the burn was mark like a splattered blood, shapeless yet creating a map-like mark on her skin. The bleeding burn was not as serious as her wound in the back still wrapped in bandage