Daraton was following fast on his heels, trying to say something with urgency in a low tone, which I couldn’t hear.
I looked down at my lap and took the flower with my free hand. The beautiful and rare flower looked like jelly but it was as hard as plastic. I only heard some things about this rare flower from my fellow Aigleans. It was the first time thought that I got to touch it and peruse it in person. The flower was indeed a wonder.
I smelled its sweet scent with a smile, thinking about the stranger.
Oh, why, oh, why? Why couldn’t I shake him off my thought? We only met twice but he left me such a deep impression, which was entirely bugging me.
‘He knows me. But I don’t know him.’
Aside from being the only half-breed on this planet, who everybody must have known me by reputation and name, he seemed to really know me. Personally. That was odd. Who could have told him about me if he was from the north?
“Oh, you got yourself an admirer, I see.” Oleifa’s voice boomed in my ear and I looked up with a startle. She was also staring at the flower I was holding with fascination. Then, she took the seat where the stranger left vacant. “You know, there’s a story that I know about this guabula flower. It was told by my late mother.” She smiled amiably at me.
My brows went up. “Oh, your mother was from the north, right?” I just recalled. She lived there before the Furezos existed.
“Yes, she was Indic.” Oleifa smiled, nodding. “So, you see? That’s how I got to know the story.” She paused, and I nodded. “A very long time ago, there was once a young Indic woman who lived near the Black Forest. Her job was to gather nectar from different kinds of flowers for the royal family. One day, she found this rare flower, the guabula. As she never found such beauty everyday, she never picked one. She studied the flower for a long time and found out that it could cure almost all wounds and diseases. It is considered as an elixir of life. She then decided to grow this rare flower in her secret garden. And for years, she was known to be the greatest healer in the entire Aryan world. All those who needed the nectar of guabula would go to see her.
“One day, a very sick young man came to her. No one knew of his disease. His skin and flesh fell off from his body part by part every other day. She took care and nursed him to health. You see, she made him healthy again with the help of this rare flower. Then, it turned out that the young man she was taking care of was the Grand Crown Prince Alkieth himself. And because she was so kind and patient in taking care of him and didn’t want anything in return, the Grand Crown Prince fell in love with her and married her. He didn’t even bother to undergo the selection of crown princess ceremony. He just married her right away when she said ‘yes’!”
“Oh, so that’s the story of the grandfather of the late Queen Aciel!” I just remembered that King Alkieth was the one who married a healer. That was in my history class before.
Because of the story, I remembered my own mother. After Queen Aciel died, her husband married another woman—a Nazian named Dioresh— and after she died mysteriously, my mother was the next Queen, who also died mysteriously. And currently, it is known all over the Aryan world that the King is looking for another Queen.
With this thought, I sighed.
There were theories that surfaced in my mind. One was that the King himself murdered his Queens. And two was that someone who hated him so much that they did not want him to be happy did it. They wanted the King to suffer and maybe pin their deaths on him.
“Yes. And now, you know why I said you got yourself an admirer. Guabula stands for love and care, Xerra.” Oleifa looked at me knowingly with a gentle smile on her lips. “The one who gave you this must feel something very akin to love and care for you,” she added suggestively.
I looked at her with puzzled eyes while my heart drummed harder within my chest. How could a stranger give me such a flower then? It was ridiculous if he did feel love and care for me, right? We only just met! Perhaps, there was just something that that stranger wanted to tell me that he couldn’t yet. And about what he said that he knew all about me for a long time now, could it be that he was stalking me all this time?
Instead of feeling fear, I felt an extraordinary excitement run through my spine, my entire system.
‘I must be crazy! A stranger can’t just let me feel things I’d never felt before. It’s crazy, isn’t it?’
Again, I should not read between the lines… or his actions. It must mean something else. Wait, could it be that he also knew about my plan of joining the upcoming Banatan?
I heard Ponpon sigh and comment, “That was quite a romantic but sad story, Oleifa.”
“Well, every story has its different sides—sad, happy or something else.” Oleifa paused and sighed before she continued to speak. “But that is how life is in this fourth-dimensional world, Ponpon. I should think you’re better off to be in your state at the moment. You don’t need romance!” she teased and laughed at Ponpon mockingly.
I smiled and then laughed along with her. It was hilarious when I think about it carefully.
“That’s so mean!” Ponpon grunted. “You’re making fun of me! I hate you both!” he uttered.
Oleifa and I continued to laugh at him, at his expense.
The celebration was held at the palace ground that very same night. Foods and drinks were served in a matter of less than thirty dots. It would last until midday. And before that was over, the prisoners of Uzob were all freed and joined this rare celebration. It must have been a very historic day for everyone in the Aryan world.But before that, Miryeob and my sister Shahrae, together with Kaiyahv, had a priceless reunion. It filled my heart with warmth and joy as they embraced each other. I smiled watching this happy moment for our family. I watched them with a smile on my face. They were talking animatedly like they really had a lot to talk about. Well, I thought that was true since it had been a long time since they had been separated from each other. Thinking that my sister’s father was already dead, there was indeed a lot to catch up. The whole evening would not suffice it, I’m sure.Rugien embraced me from behind, watching the scene that I was focused on. The King
“Free all the prisoners in Uzob. The only thing they did wrong was go against the impostor king. That means they’re all innocents,” Rugien said. He then informed them where Uzob was located.They nodded. They were about to go when Rugien halted them. “One other thing.” He glanced at me first before he continued. “Frith’s body.”“We’re going to take care of it,” Bullox said. “Right now, he’s going to be washed clean by a couple of our fellow warriors before he’s going to be sent to his family. That’s the least we can do for him at the moment.”However, Rugien shook his head. “No. Frith can still be brought back to life. Will talk to Healer Ulf regarding this matter.”I snorted. “Huh? Are you saying that he still has the chance to be alive even after his life source is sucked by the Creyer?” I asked Rugien about that unbelievable suggestion.He turned to me and all eyes were on him now. “The old palace healer has found something in their research, Xerra.
It was then that Rugien and I grabbed it at the same time that it was taken away from Isoog like his strength diminished. Together, we thrust the staff through his chest and to his heart. Blinding light erupted from within and it seemed that he just melted into a mist, into nothingness, only to appear the real King.I knew it the moment his green eyes were settled on Rugien. The Grand Crown Prince could tell it, too, that it was his real father.“Father!” He embraced the older man.The two males looked happy with this reunion. Well, who wouldn’t? I looked at the staff that was now solely in my hand. I couldn’t feel its surging power now. But I didn’t care. All is well now. My eyes met Zelian’s who stepped closer to us. He bowed to the two royalties and so did the others, including the Furezos and the remaining elite warriors. It looked like there was less than half of their number that was still alive.“Zelian! It’s been a long time since I last saw you,” the
As the General told me his real name, he attacked me with a whip that he manifested. I barely realized that the name of his brother’s staff was Creyer, which was taken from his name after all. The impostor loved his brother dearly—it was crystal clear to see. It was quite admirable. I could understand since I had a precious sister that I loved so much.Anyway, it was good I was fast enough to dodge his attack. My poniard blocked it the second time, which was caught by it. In turn, I pulled it and slashed it. His hold was broken. I quickly bluffed a thrust but attempted to slash his leg. He was quick to dodge both times it was amazing. He was amazing. I gave him that. However, he just got motionless all of a sudden.I whipped around to look behind me to see who it was. Of course, it was Frith. He used his favorite weapon, the needle, which made the General paralyzed. I smiled, satisfied, at the unmoving Crey.I then paid attention to Rugien and the King who are stil
“Or you’re going to break my neck? Is that it?” I sarcastically told him but my hand was still tightly holding my weapon. I refused to be threatened by him despite of the current situation.Rugien suddenly made a more-than-a-superbeing move. He stood right in front of us in less than a split dot. His face was grim that I’d never seen before. His eyes burned with fire as he looked at the General of the Elite Aryan Army.“Ah, my son!” The King followed as well after a dot passed by.I looked at his Creyer. With this distance, I could probe into the King’s mind. However, it was blocked somehow. He looked at me with a mocking and evil grin. He shook his head unaffectedly.“I know your ability, Xerra. However, you cannot use it against me.” He paused. “Even you, Rugien. No matter how powerful you are.” He turned to the Grand Crown Prince.Rugien reached out to my mind, I realized. I let him probe into mine. Now he knew what I discovered. His face went grimme
The Furezos spread out quickly and with agility that I’d never witnessed before. I realized that they indeed worked hard to be able to defend themselves and to protect their land against the King, although it was unsuccessful until now. The King and General Isoog just got out from the flying capsules, which obviously warped from the palace to get here quietly and quickly.I ducked when a flying sword was aimed at my direction. I quickly ran to take cover behind a tree. The leipods or simply called as follow-the-enemy flying weapons were deployed all over us to automatically track and attack us. They were as big as an Aryan hand with a triangular shape and steel gray color. They flew without sound, hence perfect for surprise attacks as well. Once it sees and locks in on its target, it won’t stop until the target is terminated.“Execute all the rogue warriors and the rebels!” I heard the King’s command.I swallowed and looked at my poniard that was in my hand.