To The Mountains of Keral

As the night of Aetheria loomed on the horizon, a bittersweet melancholy settled over me like a heavy cloak. Tomorrow is the day when I will embark on my journey to the peaks of the mountains of Keral. A solitary endeavour to hone my skills with Witchcraft, test my mettle, and finally complete my Infusion ritual.

The realisation that I will be separated from Marie until our training is over weighed heavily on my heart. Though I think she is feeling it more than me, because she hasn't let go of me for two hours now. Her arms and legs are completely wrapped around me. Her bed is on that side, but she is sleeping on mine with me.

"Marie, how am I supposed to sleep if you stay like this?" I asked.

"Sobs* *Sobs*" Marie didn't reply.

She has been crying since the time she got to know that we won't be meeting each other for at least a year now. Marie would remain behind, her path diverging as she would be undergoing training alongside the greater knights, under the watch of Queen herself within the castle.

The mountains of Keral are very far away, and it won't be appropriate to meet and get distracted before the ritual. This process was the same in our Ashura kingdom as well.

Her snot and tears have made my sweater wet.

"Marie, you'll ruin your health like this. Control, I'll be back as soon as possible." I said.

"Fuck my health!" she yelled while pressing her head on my shoulders.

"Oh, god, you'll make it harder for me to leave as well."

*Sigh**

As her reaction and affection for me enveloped my senses, a swell of emotion filled my eyes, betraying the depth of my feelings.

I gently patted Marie's hair and her back.

"Let's become strong, Marie." I said. "Strong enough to make sure we don't lose to anyone or anyone from our lives ever again."

She gulped and slowly nodded.

"So that we can go back home again and live in peace like we used to." I said. "Yui must be waiting for us, and the Ashura carnival you wanted to visit is still pending."

Marie slowly releases her grip on my neck and holds me a little more lightly than before.

"Hmm.." said Marie, wiping her tears.

I smiled and drew Marie into a warm embrace, wrapping my arms around her, hugging her tightly, offering the gentle press of her head against my breast, silent language of comfort and love, and spoiling her a little bit.

"Sleep now." I said, urging her to leave worries at bay.

"Your boobs are soft," said Marie, groping them against her face.

"Should I kick you away?"

"No, Sorry."

"Good."

......

The morning light filtered through the skies, signalling the beginning of my departure. I stood at the gate with my bag packed and an Aetheria's knight by my side. Queen asked him to drop me off at the foot of the mountains in Keral.

"Take care, Eleanor." said Silvy.

"I will. Thank you."

Her straightforward expressions and voice always intimidate me, but her actions are caring, like a song where music and lyrics are polar opposites.

"I've already relayed a message to Marthanda regarding everything about you and your journey to Aetheria. So rest assured, there shouldn't be any problem."

"I see. Thank you so much." I said.

Despite Marie's effort to conceal her emotions, her tearful eyes were transparent to me. She was trying to not meet my eyes.

"Marie.." I said.

"Hmm? Ye-s?" said Marie, acting cool as if she were all normal.

"Come here." I said, spreading my arms wide in front of her, asking her to give me a hug.

She looked at it, then at my face, and ran straight into my arms, tearing and agonising in pain.

"Elea..!!!"

"Marie.." I said.

"Elea!"

"Train yourself properly, okay?" I said. "Do not slack off. We are not in our kingdom anymore. You can't just say, I am not in the mood and leave it. We don't have that privilege anymore."

"Hmm.." said Marie, nodding on my shoulders.

"For the time being, I won't be here to reprimand you, so don't do anything stupid, okay?"

"Hmm.."

"You are not a child anymore."

"Hmm..."

"I love you."

"I lub yoiu too" replied Marie, wiping her tears.

"Take care of yourself." I said, kissing my fingers and brushing them off on Marie's cheeks as she stepped back.

"You too. Try to come back a little earlier," said Marie.

"You bet. 12 months? I'll be here before that."

"Hehe."

Finally, it feels like she has calmed down a little. Thank God, or else it would've been tough to walk ahead.

"Don't worry, I'll look after her," said Silvy.

"I am grateful for everything." I said, bowing towards her.

"I think we should leave now," said the knight who'll be guiding me. "Train will be leaving soon."

"Yes," I replied.

And with that, I embarked on a journey to the mountains, accompanied by the valiant knight, Peter. With his unwavering guidance, he led me through the winding paths of the kingdom. He told me about things and places around us as we traveled. He was silent in the beginning, but my habit of asking questions made him talk, so he made sure to stay composed throughout and answer properly. Together, we traversed the bustling streets of Aetheria, making our way to the newly constructed train station. Here, amidst the hustle and bustle of travellers, we awaited our passage to distant towns.

I must admit, compared to the Ashura kingdom, Aetheria feels slightly more developed and has beautiful architects around, along with cultural heritage. This realm exudes an air of sophistication. Yet, despite its beauty, a sense of caution prevailed, as the queen had warned me against mingling too freely with the locals, as they are anxious, scared, and angry about the fact that we are outsiders who came from the Devil's home—Murk. Thus, it was Peter who did the talking for me.

We spent an entire night on the train as it rattled fast towards the town of Keral. I couldn't sleep because this place is new for me and I am not mentally doing anything normal to feel sleepy anymore, so I was by the window side the whole time, but in front of me, Peter remained vigilant; he slept while being sat, his arms folded and legs crossed with his sword on his back. He is in full alert mode, the true embodiment of knighthood.

Upon our arrival in Keral, we swiftly procured a horse-drawn carriage to transport us to the foot of the mountains looming in the distance.

After hours of travel from the closed, packed land of the forest, the carriage finally came to a halt at the base of the mountain, where the staircase starts that leads to the top.

With a grateful nod, I bid farewell to Peter, his duty fulfilled, as he sat back in the carriage to journey back.

Sigh* Finally, I am here; the place is deserted as hell. There's not a single soul here, which kind of reminds me of Murk, but thankfully that's not the case as there are birds and animals around.

I turned towards the staircase and

"—FUCK." I said. "Will it end?"

The stairs were so long—too long—that they vanished into the clouds above. I can't even see the top, and the mountain is comprised of multiple mountains from other towns packed together, but the highest one is our destination, where this staircase will take me.

I strapped my bag tightly to my shoulders.

"Let's do this! Phew*"

With a deep breath, I started walking towards the summit. The journey to the top went on for a long time. Three hours passed, yet I couldn't see the peak of the mountain, shrouded in clouds.

I decided to take a small break, and seating myself upon the stone steps, I took my water bottle out and drank. With a heavy sigh, I gazed around, finding myself surrounded by the clouds with two eagles soaring around on the large expanse of the sky. It was a mesmerising view from here. The chill winds passed my skin, tousling my hair in playful dance. After a brief moment, I rose with determination and continued my journey, and after two more hours at long last, I finally stood upon the hallowed summit of the temple, my heart beating fast, sweat covering my whole body, and there's hardly any energy left in my legs

As I approached, the temple emerged from the rainy mist, its grey solid rocks and towering pillars standing. At the centre, a majestic figure made up of rock sat enthroned, adorned with intricate garments. With arms outstretched, each bearing symbols of power and protection, a statue of a god sits surrounded by lotus ponds, imparting an ethereal tranquilly to the sacred space.