Unwelcome

Brightly colored fruits and glasses of fruit juices adorned the wide table. Vandier swallowed hard as his gaze swept the table. There were peaches, apples, and other juicy fruits brilliantly placed in the woven baskets.

"My stomach has seen what it wants," Midel eyed the peaches. Elder Iba chuckled at his declaration and Fourteen also giggled at the side.

"These are all we can offer you, but you are our guests, so please help yourselves." Elder Iba said.

"The Grand Oracle paid you a visit?" Yllana asked while picking up an apple from the basket. The others started to grab other fruits too.

"He did not. He appeared in foresight and sent a message through the oracles. He said that you must not go to the Beastlands. As for your curse, it leads to two possible futures. There are no specifics, but one thing is for sure, your fate is tied to the next demon king."

"There is a next demon king?!" Vandier sputtered juice all over Kareem's face. Their mouths were hanging as they looked at the elder's calm face. He was looking somewhere far away as he spoke. Vandier continued and pointed at Yllana with his brows creased, "What does that have to do with her?"

Kareem grabbed Vandier's hand and gave out a peal of nervous laughter, "Forgive him. He doesn't know yet who you are. We kept it a secret from the villagers." He scratched the back of his head while shifting glances around the table.

"She's the North Kingdom's Number One Holy Knight in the army. She defeated the previous demon king who attacked near their kingdom. That was his last line of defense that most kingdoms knew." Midel declared. He puffed out his chest as if he were talking about himself instead. When he saw Vandier and the isle people's jaws dropped in disbelief, he felt even prouder and displayed a wide smile beside Yllana.

Shaking her head and covering it with her palm, Yllana did not even utter a single word. Looks like she does not even need to explain her situation since people have been speaking up for her more recently. And although she would not admit it, she knows that what she did was just her duty to the people. Her motive was driven by her mother's nightmares and screams. But set that aside, she really did kill the demon king, the previous demon king. But her conscience tells her not to spill out what happened. Her instincts told her not to do so. Even Blue was shaking her head inside.

"So…" Vandier made a long whistling sound with his word as a grin appeared on his thin lips. His eyes sparkled when he glanced at Yllana.

"You were the demon king slayer and you never told me? Ahhh! I hate you! Didn't you hear that many warriors now worship you? Ahh, this is unbelievable! I am your number one fan in the Isles of Desonia!" Fourteen squealed and made small jumps like a little girl (she's 20 or so just so you know) who was given a bag of candy.

Larika enjoyed the show around the table. She knew what she had to before coming near her, but some people are just clueless about the powerful being they are traveling with. She was sitting across Yllana and the two young boys were beside her.

Vandier and Fourteen pestered Yllana from behind asking questions about the war with the demons. Yllana couldn't help but sigh and shake her head. She has to tell Midel not to spill things like that without her permission. She turned to her side and whispered in a low tone to Midel, "I won't forget this."

Midel felt a chill run down his spine. Although Yllana might be joking, he could still feel the cold aura that was emanating from her. Maybe spilling out her achievements in public is not a good idea. He thought to himself.

Hooooooang…

A deep growling sound from above rustled the leaves and blew the wind harshly. Larika's hair wildly swept from side to side.

"They're here!" Fourteen ran towards the edge of the foliage floor. Her eyes were wide with excitement and her grin was infectious. Twelve and Thirteen made their way to her side and tried to calm her down. Among all of the people from the floating isles, Fourteen was the most expressive and hard to control when too happy. Yllana's group saw that especially when they first met her. They couldn't help but be curious as to who caused such a loud sound. Or more specifically, what made that sound.

"The other warriors have arrived," Elder Iba scrunched up her eyes. The sun was too bright for her old eyes. But there was a sense of relief in them as a large animal appeared from the clouds above them.

"Is that an elephant?"

"A flying elephant?"

Nobody knew who asked the question, but they all had the same thought. Is it really an elephant? Its huge round body seems so. From its shadow, they could also see two horns beside its mouth. But it doesn't have that long trunk that an elephant has. And it doesn't have any legs. As it went down and nearer to them, they saw a massive belly line with a silver shade, and its head and back were green in color. When they came face to face with the huge creature, four round eyes stared at them. There were isle people riding on its back dressed the same as Fourteen.

Cheers filled the air as the people from the cocoons went up to greet the warriors. That was when Larika noticed that there were roughly a hundred people from that place. And these warriors were greatly honored due to the welcome that they were receiving.

Among the group who arrived, a young man with a thick black sword on his hip came forward. His golden eyes met Yllana's. He smiled at the people who greeted them but soon went to kneel before the elder seated on the table.

"Elder Iba, we have returned," said One. His voice was soft like silk and yet it contained a rough ring to it. Yllana knew that kind of voice. It is the same kind of voice she delivers to her infantry when she was wearing her helmet. It was that kind of voice that a troop of soldiers would always look up to. It was a brave kind of voice and yet soothing to hear even if you were dying in the middle of the battlefield. It was the voice of a respected leader.

"My children are home," the elder rubbed One's head and the other warriors kneeled after One. "One, meet the destined Accursed One, Yllana Saber North Kingdom's Number One Holy Knight," she continued.

One's head shot up and his brows almost formed one line. His warm gaze earlier turned frosty as he scanned her up and down.

"You haven't reached the Holy rank," he declared after measuring her up.

"I don't need your opinion,"

With that, his jaw tensed, and he stood up immediately in front of Yllana.

"And we don't need your presence,"

"Well then," Yllana got up from her chair and the others followed. They were about to go down the tree when Elder Iba panicked.

"One! Your opinion is yours only! Apologize to her this instant!" Elder Iba's ears were all red. Veins were popping out of her neck as she pronounced each word with great pressure.

Everyone was shocked seeing the elder angry at their leader. Even the warriors behind him are now glaring furiously at Yllana. This was all her fault. If she hadn't answered back One, he wouldn't have been scolded by the elder, was what they were thinking. All of them except for Fourteen thought the same. Even the isle people are now scorning Yllana's rude behavior.

Yllana opened her space ring and brought out a few gems they have picked out of the cave. She threw them on the table. The bright colors of the majestic stones sparkled under the sun's bright rays. As it rolled one by one and stopped in front of Elder Iba.

"I, Yllana Saber, personally thank you Fourteen and Elder Iba for the kindness you have shown us. Let these few pieces of treasure be the repayment for the food, lodging, and the news that you provided us." She did not face them. She spoke with her back turned to them. Her tone was cold, harsh, and unhurried. It seems that they were not welcome all along, she thought.

When One and the elder saw the stones that Yllana threw at the table, their lips shivered and eyes widened. But before they could call out to the group, they were gone. Even their shadow disappeared as soon as they jumped down directly from the top of the trees. Regret started showing from all their faces except for the girl with her hair tied up in a bun. A warm smile appeared on her lips.