Chapter 20: The Great Seven Kingdoms (3)

The silence went on for few more minutes before I decided to stand up and reach a hand over at Faram. "Give me the eye-mask back. I have to return it to Emis..."

Faram picked the mask from his side and gave it back to me in silence.

I put it back inside my pocket and remembered the favor Emis is asking me. I almost forgot about that.

If I ask him bluntly why he doesn't sleep, he'll likely ignore my question. Base from what Faram all said awhile ago, it's best to appeal to people by using something they want or care about. Hmmm.

....

Hmm... I have a crazy idea. I'm not sure if this will work but... welp, it's worth a try, I thought.

I forced myself to yawn. "So many things happened today, huh?" I said, "It's finally evening. We can all rest now. Aren't you gonna sleep yet, Faram?" I studied him.

He didn't reply.

Yep! I thought so.

"I noticed you never sleep. As your apprentice, I'll follow your example and stay awake as long as I can."

Faram darted me a look as though I said something really stupid but he didn't said anything.

"Well, I'm going back to the Bridge to return the mask to Emis." I told him, this time a real yawn escapes from me.

"You're a human girl. You need sleep." Faram says when I stood up and was about to walk out the door.

"Yeah? Well you talk, breath, and eat like the rest of us. You also need sleep." I retorted. I caught Faram's brow twitch for a split second. "I won't sleep until you do, master Faram." I added, beamed at him, and then closed the door behind me.

I'll leave it as that and see what happens next.

I walk back to the Bridge and went to Emis.

"So how was it?" Emis asks, facing me.

I glared at Emis.

"What? Why you lookin' at me like that?" She murmured, tilting her head to the side.

"Your mask made me say something I wouldn't have guts to say." I replied

"That's good, isn it?"

I shook my head. "Scias? Come over here for a sec, please?" I called out, gesturing at him as he stood up from his seat and walked over to us.

"Hey, what's up?" he asks, with hands bent behind his head.

"Can you kneel down for a bit?" I asked him.

His brows furrowed. "Why?"

"Just do, it will only take a sec. I just need to prove something to Emis."

"Ah-huh?" Scias narrows his eyes at me, glances at Emis and then shrugs. "Fine."

He got to his one knee so went to take the mask out and wore it on him.

His eyes fly open, pupils dilates,

"I want you to see my ⋇⋇⋇⋇!"

I watch his face lose color as soon as the words left his lips. (≘ . ≘) ...!?!

"See?" I turned to Emis, pointing at Scias with my palm open but Emis looked too mortified to reply.

Aide's chains suddenly wrapped around Scias face and reeled him away from me, hurling him towards the other end of the room, "The hell you just said, you dirty sick bastard!?"

"Aide, wait! It's alright! He didn't mean it. It was the mask I made him wear!" I said in panic as Aide began to cover Scias' entire body with chains like a python, strangling its prey.

"Yeah, that's kinda my fault. I didn't really tested the mask's effect. I just assumed it will work." Emis scratched a ghost itch on her head with a grin.

Aide sighed and released Scias. He gasps for air while clawing the mask off him. "This is one useless mask!" Scias growled, throwing it on the floor and repeatedly stomping on it.

"Sorry 'bout that..." Emis says in an apologetic smile. "I really did intend to make the wearer say stuff they normally couldn't say without confidence. I didn't thought I was still too vague in my request when I enchanted it! Hahaha! So did ya' made Faram wear that too?" Her smile turned playful.

"No... sadly, it's just me." I sighed, remembering.

"What did ya say?"

"Let's not talk about it anymore..." I replied in a grimace.

"And 'bout the other thing, how did it went?" She says quietly.

"I'm still on it." I answered, quirked my lips in one corner briefly.

"You should go to sleep, Aerra. The travel will take awhile. But if you're hungry there's foods at the pantry, near the cabin." Aide joins us. Emis just flashed me a meaningful look before turning away.

As if on cue, my stomach growls.

"I guess that means you're off to feed that monster in your belly." Aide chuckled, "C'mon! I'm coming with you."

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

I yawned.

It took another day before we finally reached the ports of the Krosz continent. It was already in the brink of dawn when we arrived. The sky is painted between the shade of white and gray with the morning sun scattering its golden beams like a string of light while it rises over the horizon. In the distance, mountains and vast prairie is seen pass the city.

I watched from the windows the scenic view and saw a sleepy looking city with tall buildings and lots of hovering airships leaving and arriving at the port bay. There's also a monolithic-looking castle at the far end.

Somehow the city has the ambiance of the world from my previous life. Not totally, just a little bit.

I yawned again.

I studied Nora's brooches. There isn't any engraved names on them but I still remember her name very well, Noriin Dyllan and her sister Paulin.

I turned it over and was about to put it back to my belt bag when I notice a very small carving —seen on the side, just by the frame design of the stones. Ialnis, it says.

Hm. Ialnis, huh?

I didn't notice that word before. A House name perhaps? Maybe a whitesmith? A kingdom? I wonder.

I turned around and was about to ask Aide when I notice the others are already getting ready to move out. The airship has landed and the doors are open.

"Are we just leaving this airship here?" I asked as we stepped out the deck and into the port bay.

"We can't keep using this ship, Aerra. We'll be traveling mainly on foot from here on out." Aide replied who was walking behind me as we swam through the sea of people. "Besides, we need to have better eyes on the ground in case we have to do the watch." Scias added, turning to look at me from over his shoulder.

"Where's Faram?" I ask, trying to tip toe and search for him from the crowd while I kept walking forward. I can't see him anywhere...

I faced front and bumped into someone who didn't bother to look back. Even before I could fix my balance, the horde of people around me squeezed at me. Like a tide, I was pushed and pulled to different directions.

This is the first time I feel at a disadvantage from my age and height.

"Aide!!!" I called out, reaching my hand out. I can't see anyone anymore. "Scias!!"

I would jump and hop away from this madness if I could but I'm stuck like sardines, helplessly being taken away by the current. I feel like I'm drowning, breathing is hard too. Why is there so many people here!?

At some point, I just stopped resisting and I just let the force take me to wherever.

Ah. My eyes feels heavy. This sleepless strike is starting to get me. I haven't slept for two night now. And with this hopeless situation, I think I'll just succumb and sleep.

Yes... sleep...

I closed my eyes and just...

A hand suddenly grab my wrist and began to pull me against the tide, I mean crowd.

I gasped for air when we finally got out that traumatic situation. My legs went limp and I slid down the ground as I try to stabilize my breathing and my wavering sense of focus.

"Wear this." The boy says, as a cloak is handed over. I took it on without asking.

"Thanks!" I said, tilting my head up to look at my savior.

A boy that looks around my age just eyed me coolly. He has silver hair with a bundle of black strands behind his ears which drapes down few inches longer than the rest of his hair. He has a fair but pale complexion and a sharp pointy nose that matches his soft facial features. There's this sense of elven beauty about him. And his eyes, his vermilion eyes,  glowers at me like daggers.

Wait.

"FARAM?!?"

His brows crunches, "You're over reacting. Now, stand up."

He didn't held out any hand though. He just crossed his arms as he swivels around to look ahead. "The others might be outside the port. They'll be waiting somewhere we can see them for sure." He says in his usual monotonous tone but his voice sounds more airy and soft than before.

He really looks like a boy. He's around my height too.

"Why do you look like that?" I murmured.

He didn't answer and just stood there like a mannequin with a remarkable posture. He tilts his head to eye me and I immediately felt like I asked something stupid.

Yep. That's Faram alright.

"Unlike your homeland, this place is full of dangers. Stop looking like you're lost and stand up. Don't make eye contact with anyone for now."

I pushed at my knees and stood up on my feet, dusting myself as I studied him.

"I'm more confused why you suddenly turned like that." I grumbled

He began to walk forward.

"You really won't tell me, huh?" I sighed, just following after him.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

Aide waved at us from a distance as we approach them. They all stood nearby a fountain wearing their masks and hoods on.

"So where we heading out first?" Scias asked, perching on the fountain's frame.

"Let's eat!" Emis says, raising a hand.

"A tavern it is then?" Aide glances at Faram.

Faram nods.

"Alright, let's get our fill and then leave this city." Aide throws both her hand to the side of her waist.

Scias opens a map, "There's a nearby village if we exit the eastern gates of this city. There's the mountains on the south."

We all began to walk off again.

"No ones gonna point out about Faram's appearance, huh?" I muttered, rubbing my eyes as I yawn.

"It's safer to have him on that form. Otherwise, we'd be having troubles." Emis walks beside me to match my pace.

"Why?"

"This is a port city like Ak'hilheim. Different kind of mercenaries and adventurers gathers here. But unlike Ak'hilheim, there's no regulation and order. Y'can get in trouble by simply lookin' like y'er askin for a fight. 'Best not to stand-out, yes?"

Oh.

I inadvertently looked around and finally noticed how majority of people are on their hoods and some have their own masks on too. I tagged at my hood and hanged my head down, making sure I won't end up making eye contact with anyone.

Unlike Ak'hilheim, there wasn't any ambiance of liveliness in this city. Everyone has that placid expression on their faces and no music can be heard. No colorful canopies, no smiling vendors on the side walk, it suddenly feels like the place is drowning with restlessness and a hint of tension.

I secretly glance up and saw most people with no mask on or hoods have that sinister look on their face. Like their eyes are rather looking for a challenge for whoever has the audacity enough to stare back.

I suppose it makes sense now, Faram usually has an unmistakable intimidating aura. But right now, he looks less daunting than before.  I side-long glance at him and saw him wearing his blindfold now. He doesn't have any cloak on though.

Ah!

I'm wearing his...

I need to buy my own and return this to him.

I yawned again and kept walking.

The more we walk so silently like this, the more I'm starting to feel the drowsiness kick in.

Someone bumps pass my shoulder, I glanced at it but they didn't seem to even care. "Hey, don't expect someone would apologize. Keep your eyes down, Aerra!" Emis nudged me on the rib.

It's not as though I was expecting for an apology, it's more like a habit to look. I blink my eyes at her, realizing I'm too tired to even reply at this point.

"You look like shit" she laughs. "You really need to sleep if you can't—!"

Another bump to the side and my balance slips. Emis immediately held me up.

"Geez, like I was saying. If you can't keep this up, you better just sleep. Silly girl!" She chortles in quiet giggle.

"You know why I'm doing this..." I hauled a sigh but it ended up as a yawn instead.

"Fine... I'm cheering for you then!"

I stood back up and we hasten our walk to follow the others who already covered a distance.

We soon reach a tavern.

Emis had a separate table from us again. It really feels bad leaving her alone like that but it can't be helped, she likes it as well. She says she needs the space for all her order.

"Let's eat while we can!" Scias yelped, grabbing the mug and the fork laid down for us by the waitress.

We began to eat as soon as the food was served, as though we're running against time.

I look at Emis over at the next table and found her eating like the world depended on it.

"We have few more days to cover our traces before the Empire finds a way to leave their boundaries and search for us." Aide began.

"I'll take care of the airship some other time" Scias added.

"It must be tonight." Faram cuts in,

"Tonight? I thought we outta leave after eating?" Aide asks, taking a spoonful.

"We keep moving, Aide you stay until the airship has been taken care of."

"Okay, I got it. Where will you guys be heading?"

"We'll take the mountain path. I need to meet someone there." Faram replied

Scias took out the map, "We can meet you up —here." He points on to something. I just peeked at it nonchalantly.

"Alrighty then. Leave it to me!"

Few more silence passed, Scias suddenly spoke. "Aaaand time's up!"

I swivelled my head to Emis's direction and saw a bunch of men flocking around her table, obviously looking for trouble.

I hurried to drink my own mug and stood up as Faram and the rest did. Aide left the payment to the waitress as she head on out as well.

When we all stepped out the inn, I waived my hand as Aide set off on her own, "See ya soon!" Aide just waived at me as well as she soon vanished from the crowd of people on the streets.

"Is it really alright to leave Emis inside just like that?" I murmured.

Faram just perched near the doorway of the tavern.

Scias squats down next to Faram.

"Emis can take them all out. She can call an army if she wants. It's fine!" Scias chuckled, patting my head as I crouch down beside them. "It's easier for her to get away too!" And then he points out at the door that opened as if on cue. Emis steps out with her stuffed toy on her arms.

"Done yet?" Scias asked, standing up.

"Yep! I left them to play with my minions. So where we headin' to next?" Emis says, swiftly straightening her hands down as the stuffed toy vanished in a blink of an eye.

"Away from here!" Scias says throwing his arms up, bent cross behind his head.

I stood up as well and yawned. I'm more or less satisfied with what I ate and now I'm more sleepy than ever.

I began to follow a little behind them as they all walk off.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

That night, we camped out on the woods. I can see the mountains just by looking up at a distance. We're getting closer.

The crisp sound of fire burning on wood calms me from this one noisy evening where insects and fiends choirs such deafening melodies. The trees around us loomed like shadows in the darkness. They had weird twisted branches and swirls on the trunks where faces can be recognized if you look closer. "The woods here seem more alive, huh?" Scias says with legs crossed, sitting across from me. We both faced the camp fire. Emis is already sleeping by a tree root in one corner. Faram is sitting up on a tree branch nearby.

"I can't believe I missed these kinds of woods! The ones from your land are more unsettling." He explains

"How so? It feels more peaceful there. The trees out here looks like they're made from nightmares. And geez, don't get me started with the noises..."

"Yeah well, the fact that ya know what to expect out here feels better for me. It's loud and restless. While the woods back at your homeland are quiet. It's little a too quiet. It's eerie."

I just smiled at him in response, I guess we have our own preferences.

But if I remember it right, you can actually sense the life back in those woods if you focus. Out here is... I kinda feel weary trying to check how many creatures are out there watching us or far beyond. It's overwhelming to imagine what I'll find if I open my senses now.

"I'm gonna sleep now. You sure you're staying up?" Scias throws himself backwards, back laying flat against the ground.

"Yeah. Good night, Scias." I replied.

And so, my battle with my eyelids begins.

I tried to ponder about so many things to keep me awake until something jumps down from the tree branches. "What you're doing is pointless."

I turned and saw Faram walking to where I sit.

"It's the only thing I can do..." I answered as he just sat down.

He sighs and just held out a hand. I veered my focus to his hand and saw black asphalt like liquid began to creep out from it.

Suddenly it moved and wrapped around my eyes. I tried to claw at it but it's as though I was trying to claw at air.

"I won't sleep even if you blindfold my eyes like this." I uttered, crossing my arms tight together.

"Try to take it off."

Oh.

It just occurred to me that this is the exact same thing he did when I first met him. This is how he trained me back at the deserts.

So right now, he's asking me to take it off this time. I thought he was doing it to force me to sleep.

Once again I tried to grope at my eyes. It feels like a cloth is tied around my head but it won't move even if I pulled at it.

Think, Aerra! I told myself as I tried to focus and think of any idea how to remove it. But the longer I'm stayed like this, the more I feel like I'm about to drift off to sleep.

I slapped both my cheeks and took a deep breath.

Ok, first I'll try null!

I went still for a bit and tried to oppose the sensation of the blindfold on my head. I want it gone, I thought to myself but it's not helping. Nothing is happening.

I sighed in exasperation.

"Focus, Ri. You're too agitated." His voice sounds like a lullaby now. Goddamnit.

"It's hard to focus right now..." I said, sounding a bit annoyed.

Damn it.

So sleepy...

I need to take this off, or else I would really submit to the calming darkness and fall sleep.

"I have to make Faram sleep. I have to! I can't! I mustn't sleep!"

Oh crap— I said that one out loud!

But Faram didn't reply.

Another sigh escapes from me. Faram is right, I'm agitated and out of focus. I didn't even notice my thoughts are leaking.

I touched the blindfold again and tried to think back how it was created. It seems like it's Shadow.

Hm.

How exactly did he do this?

I tried again and again to figure it out but the harder I tried, the more irritated I became.

"I give up, I'm sorry." I murmured.

The blindfold suddenly fell off my face.

"That's why you need sleep. That's our difference." he says quietly.

He was... only trying to teach me a lesson?

"No matter how hard you try, there would always be a limit at some point. You need to acknowledge it before you take another step forward. Face it again some other time, try not perpetrate the same mistakes, and then surpass your limit." He stated, "But for now, accept defeat. Knowing when to give up and to keep fighting is also a strategy."

"To be honest, Faram..." I said, glaring at him indifferently. "It was just a 'take the blindfold off' challenge. I didn't realize how deep the lesson is all about until now... Sorry, I can't process it well."

"So sleep."

I grunted, "No!" But my eyes took about a second to open every after a blink.

Faram took his own blindfold off and steadied his eyes on mine. That made me immediately look away and fix my posture.

"Ahem. Whatever you're about to say next won't make me go to sleep unless you do." I muttered in a tone just above a whisper. Actually, it sounds like I'm just rumbling to myself at this point.

Even talking proves tiring.

Out of the blue, Faram pats my head, "Your stubbornness can be an asset too, I suppose."

I shot a look at him and found him half smiling. His sharp imperative gaze is mellow. Damn, am I hallucinating?

He stood up and walk behind me where a large tree root is seen. "Go to sleep." he says.

"I said not unless..."

"That's why I'm telling you, go to sleep." he replied.

My mind snapped back, alert.

Does this mean, he will sleep?

"How would I know you will really sleep?" I asked

He just rests his back down the tree root and took a deep breath. Not really bothering to reply to my question.

I stood up and walk to where he is.

I sat down beside him and watched him as he closes his eyes.

"It's not pleasant if you keep staring like that." he stated, opening one eye to peek at me.

"It's hard to sleep if you force it..." I told him. I look at his slender hands resting idly on his side and gently placed my hand over it.

His hand is warm.

Both his eyes opened and looked at me.

"When I was abducted by Cerguz back at the deserts, I was actually sleeping normally despite the situation. It's because I had Nora around to sing a lullaby for all of us. She had such a beautiful voice..." I told him. I closed my eyes and remembered the melody. "It helped me sleep..."

Slowly, I began to humm it, the song of the Ancients. A song to remember as Nora said once...

As I went in humming the song, the lyrics is no longer played inside my head. I realized, I have forgotten them... but the melody inside me lived on. Like a beautiful ghost Nora left me with.

And as a promise I said that day at the deserts, I will never forget you Noriin 'Nora' Dyllan. Whatever happens, a part of you will stay in my heart... just like your song. And with this, I'd always know you're never truly gone.

I opened my eyes and saw Faram's eyes are closed, not too tight, not too lax either. My mind feels like I'm floating over waters so I laid down next to Faram and went on humming the song, over and over again, as I tried to relieve the days when I was with Nora. And for some reason, the nostalgia filled me in a such a calming bittersweet feeling. My body began to relax and my consciousness soon wavered.

After that, I began to see my thoughts as if I'm in that moment. How she smiled at me:

"You have no idea how you affect people, Aerra. So don't put yourself so down too much!" She says, taking my hand, "You're humble and you know how to empathise well with people around you. If anything else, I think you're more amazing!"

I felt my cheeks hot.

"I-I-I'm not!!! I'm just—" I stuttered.

She giggled. "I'm so relieved someone like you is my friend"

I stared back at her with wide eyes.

Ah.

Now that I think about it.

I never had any female friend before, not in this lifetime.

"What?" She tilts her head to the side as she studied me.

"It's just that—!" I murmured, flustering. "I never had any female friend before.  So it's... just kind of... relieving to hear that you regard me as one."

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushes softly in a pink glow. "Really?"

Suddenly she leaps on to me in a tight embrace as we both fell back to the waters.

"In that case, you're my best friend from now on!"she grins at me. "I never had a best friend before. I'm not even sure if asking it like this is the right way to make someone your bestfriend!"

I chuckled.

That sounded silly.

I bursted out laughing.

"What?" she pouts as I pulled away from her and we both stood back up.

"Okay, Nora! From now on, we're bestfriends!" I told her.

She nods vigorously as she planned to launch at me again, "Stooop! We're drenched enough! We'll get sick if you jump on me again!"

"Aww. Kill joy!" she pouts.

We exchanged glances and laughed at the same time.

I feel so happy right now that I've forgotten the dread I was brooding about awhile ago.

...

"Aerra," she takes my hand, "This world is full of darkness. Everybody has a little dark secret on their own or sadness they try to hide and control inside their hearts. Don't be scared in facing any of that. While we can all train physically to fight and be skilled at it, there's no way we can all be prepared emotionally with anything of what's to come. All we can do is hope. No matter how much we try to prepare for anything at all, there will always be a situation that we won't be able to control but— you don't have to fight it all back. Sometimes you just need to learn to live above it. Or if it's really dire, maybe embracing it is the best option."

~ [Ch. 6: Desert Quarry]

"Keep smiling, Aerra. You don't have to beat your destiny! Own it and live above it. I'm sure you can do it! You are my adorable Aerrandria after all! Hahaha!"

...

Nora really has... such a beautiful voice.

••▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅••

I opened my eyes...

And saw two shadows looking over me. I sat up and looked at them, "Oh... it's you, Emis... Scias..." I yawned and stretched. What a nice dream. "Good morning!" I greeted them.

They just looked at me in disbelief.

"What?"

Emis pointed down.

I followed the direction of her finger and realized Faram is beside me, still sleeping. Our hands intertwined. I abruptly pulled my hand away.

I look back at the two and found them smiling teasingly, Emis's tail is waging so snappily too.

"Stop it! I was just..." I mummbled,

Faram groans and opened his eyes.

"Good morning!"

"Morning!"

Both of them greeted Faram at the same time.

Faram sat up and glanced at me impassively then stood up, dusting himself. "Let's keep moving. We'll hunt for food on the way" he says in his usual flat tone while walking pass us as though nothing is amiss.

"YOU REALLY DID IT!!!" Emis squeals, grabbing my hand, her tails is almost spinning in circle out of joy.

Scias repeatedly slapped my back, "I'm really impressed! Amazing kid! You have my respect!!! This is grand! Wait till Aide hears about this!"

"Stop it..." I grumbled, as I moved away to evade Scias's vigorous pat as he laughed like a lunatic. Geez, so noisy. I sighed.

But then again, I can't help but to smile. These guys are so contagious.

Scias marched off, "C'mon! Let's not ruin the day by making him wait!" he hollers.

"We're right behind you!" Emis answered. "Hey, I have something to give ya!" Emis added, facing me.

"I finally finished it. Here, I hope you like it!" she says, reaching both her hand out as suddenly a dark energy charges and a black mask materializes out. "This will be your own Ouboros mask from now on!"

My eyes widened.

I look at Emis and then down at the mask before me.

"Try it on!" she says.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Scias and Faram standing from a distance. They just watched us as I took the mask on and wore it.

"It fits perfectly" I told her. It feels like I'm only wearing an eye glasses, everything is still crystal clear.

Emis grinned, "Since your Faram's apprentice, I thought a half facemask will be perfect for ya! Like a blindfold! But, heh! Since you're from a noble lineage, I thought it would be ironically better to make it look like a crown. And I really think you would look great in it, especially when you grow older." she explains with a suggestive wink.

I beamed at her, "I really like it, Emis. Thank you!"

"C'mon! Shall we?" She says, jerking her head to where the guys are.

I nodded and followed after her.

Faram just nods briefly when our eyes met.

Emis began to walk forward and lead the way while Scias, who walk a little behind her, just pats my head. So I then marched on ahead to catch up as they already covered a distance; Faram soon followed, walking few feet from behind me.

I look up at the canopy of leaves from all the trees around us and saw how the light of the sun sparked through the slits —like crystals.

Yesterday, all I saw was a place full of restlessness and tension. Maybe it was because I was just really sleepy. Now, I feel so refreshed! And I'm beginning to appreciate the green vibrancy of the world around me. The dark motif of our group seems more calming for the eyes now and the stoic guy behind me... well, he doesn't seem as intimidating and cold like I thought. He just needs a little more time and I'm sure, I'll get to pry him open.

Hey, Nora?

I'm fine now.

I'm making more friends from the most unlikeliest source! I'm sure you'll be surprised!

I wish Aeron will see this side of the world too.

Before, I've always been afraid of the destiny I'm leading to. No matter what I do, it just keeps heading to that direction and I thought, maybe it may really be impossible to evade.

Nora was the first person then to tell me to overlook through my doubts and fears about my own destiny.

But now that I'm facing it all head on— that particular something that I have been scared of— that I realized my own power; what I can really do; all the endless possibilities; and that there are plenty of choices I still yet to make. And being at this certain point in my life now, I feel that I'm more able to spread my wings and grow.

There will always be fear and I'm ready to learn to live above them. Learn anything as much as I can!

But what I'm truly after— is to learn everything I could from where that centennial tradition began, how is it connected with the rot, how is these fragments the Ouboros are collecting related to the rot, and what I can really become.

After falling from the tree back when I was eight, I realized I regained my memories from my previous life. My ability to process then made me consider that I might be the Fallen One from the prophecy. But as time pass by me, I began to see things beyond what the books can't offer, even way beyond the golden sheltered life I had as a Duke's only daughter. In the land where I came from, dark elemental magi are likely killed; only those with the nobleblood have rights to hold power over terrains; how impregnable the entire continent has been for several centuries; and how the real history of the land has been kept away from all the citizens living inside the very continent. Everything has been a façade of a safe haven. A fairytale-like adventure for a naive girl which I have been.

All crowns have secrets, but I feel the High throne has the darkest of all. Now that I think about it, the twisted tradition of a centennial summoning of a priestess and to have her, together with her familiar, fight and stop the Fallen One seems more to me now as cover-up and redecorated story just for a hunt-to-kill.

I shook my head in dismay, mildly laughing at my own eureka moment.

Prophecy? Traditions? Impregnable continent against any outsiders? A land where only Light magic exist?— where the powerful stays in power and the powerless are deemed weak?

Tsk. What a joke.

I guess... this journey is my calling to discover why I am reincarnated as the real fated villain.

It's time to break open the Seven Kingdoms continent to the world. I'll end their tradition and become their much awaited prophecy.

I promise, I shall return.

———End of BOOK ONE———