38: A Lie

(Haris)

She's hovering. I can't even find the answer for cure in my booklet. I don't have any knowledge on healing. The virus infected her rapidly, her slow healing won't work against it. And there's only one way left. I look at the seal, the tattoo is fading, which means the power was lessen. Nevertheless, I used it to absorb the poison from her until she feels better.

I'm moving my fingers. Gradually I feel numb.

"Why don't you just kill her? That's a more convenient way! You have the advantage now!"

And I wonder when did he got here. The dwarf sitting on the table in front of us.

"You're not my mother to command me."

"I'm just persuading you to the right choice!"

"Your right choice is wrong in my perspective."

"Ugh! You are so boring!"

"By the way, who summoned you?"

"It is a part of my courtesy not to mention who my master is."

"You used courtesy instead of loyalty?" I brag him the seal. "You need this, right? Then go get it." my hand is infected, it feels numb. And it looks like I'm offering him a crap.

"Nnggh!! Are you mocking me?!" he tackle.

His have keen claws, yet can't cut even my shallow skin. I grab his face and throw him away. I feel tipsy. Someone is behind, and the presence seems annoyingly familiar. The foolish king. I failed to track his words when he attack us. All I think is defense.

Ashti is unconscious. I took her and teleported outside the castle. With my big surprise, the crystals broke into pieces. And for sure, Emia's house burned to ashes with this King's attack.

With Ashti state, I can't move fleet. And adding my pale condition, the best option is to run. It isn't wise to drag these creatures to the city, so I run in the forest going to the seashore. I lift Ashti on my back.

The road is swirling. I'm almost dead with this virus. But my competence never ceased, I can feel an attack coming from the dwarf. I jump to dodge, he's intention is to make me stumble. And it's unfair, he's moving fast.

He bounce back by a tree and hit my stomach. He got a perfect chance against my steel body. I was moved backward and almost kneel down on my knees. When he's coming again, I raise my chin. I bite his leg hard and he's trying to loose like a trapped bird.

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"

He scream when the crunching of his bone occurred. And I let him go. He's still weeping on the ground when King Nemesis suddenly appeared and attack me with his arm covered with lightning. We were thrown and roll around the ground.

That made my dizziness worst. I get the cane out and slide the tip that follows fire. I don't wish to burn the forest, so this flames will last only less than a minute. And that will be our chance to escape.

I can feel the waves, yet I don't have a next plan when I got here. It's too risky to detour. I'm paranoid, confounded, then fell to the sands where the water can reach. It's twilight.

She's calling my name, yet I'm kind off paralyzed. She's standing slowly and fell again. King Nemesis trample the chain. Which made us limited to move. I don't know what he's saying, but he's talking to Ashti.

It feels hard to breathe when the water reaches me. Then waved backward then upward. The waters remain in the air. I shiver with the scratching sound of metallic weapons. I force to lift my head and saw Princess Jexica's army. She summoned hundreds of silver and golden knights, with the archers surrounding her.

Both Ashti and I was sheltered in a crystal. And Davih is coming in rage. He's weapon is a stick.

"Aaaaaaahhhh! Stay away from our friends-!"

Mishu blocked his path.

"Idiot," I murmur.

"What triggers your wrath, Princess Jexica?" the King asked.

She's gnashing, her eyebrows meet, and her eyes is teary. "Your presence... is enough... to ruin my day!!"

She fired the arrows and spears at the same time. But she missed when King vanished. I can't feel his aura anymore. So I guess it's enough to be attentive. My body feels dead, but my consciousness remains.

My lips feel numb and I'm totally drained. They pull me away from the water. I can feel some touches and voices.

I only open my eyes again when I feel a little bit better. Yet the first thing I saw is the dwarf leaning on my nose. I tried to bite him but he dodge and run going to Princess Jexica. She's crying, asking if I'm alright.

And the next one was Emia. She's so worried too. I think, they thought I was dead. Even Aishmalen feel sad for knowing that I'm alive. Ino is here too. And we're here at Emia's house, devastated house.

I use the cane again to bring it back to its proper form. Yet half done. I was nullified with the lack of my strength.

"It's okay! Leave this to me!" Mishu said while stretching her arms. Good thing she didn't built a castle, just the normal layout of Emia's house. Now it's half constructed and half crystal.

For now, we're interrogating the dwarf. He's small, good enough to grasp in one hand. More like a gnome. But he doesn't have that weird hat. His nose is pointed but not for the ears. And his clothe is only made of leaf. His braided beard reaches his knees. And his skin, looks like infected.

"I'm sorry! I really don't like it! I'm sorry! I have no choice but to obey my master! I don't mean it! I'm sorry!" he's crying again.

"I understand. But you killed too many... and hurt too many... there is no forgiveness without repentance. Therefore, forsake for your sins." That's Princess Jexica, submissive and humble. Yet she somehow changed after the tragedy.

She tap her two fingers on the dwarf's forehead.

"From now on, I am your master. And your journey to atonement begins."

"How can a dwarf do that?" Mishu doubted.

"Recoup Haris' trust. And be his companion."

I release the hardest sigh I could.

"Eeeeekkhh!! But he's biting me!"

"And how did you recovered?"

"I can heal! The same I did to you!"

"Next time, I'll bite you to death."

"Eeeekh! Look! He's threatening me!"

"What shall we call you?" Aishmalen asked.

"Dwarfy!!"

"Tiny?"

"Virus!"

"Stench!"

They all suggested.

"I shall call you Poc," I concluded.

"Poc? Why Poc?!"

"That's the abbreviation of Piece of Crap."

"Ugggrrh! Listen up! I have my own name! And that is Snitchie!"

We all gave a moment of silence.

"Oh that sounds cute."

"Yah, but you're not cute!"

"Hey! How rude!"

I knew this would end late night. So I fall asleep before they all do.

(Princess Ashti)

I really can't sleep. I'm staring at the fire of the furnace when Ino surprised me. Good thing I didn't screamed.

"So your name is Ashti. Why are you still awake?" he's leaning his arms behind the sofa. We speak with small voices.

"I just... can't stop thinking..."

"Hm? Are you depress?"

"No-anyway, why are you still awake too?"

"We usually sleep every morning. Most of the time, we don't. Our prey may appear anytime."

"Prey? Well if that's your principle I won't argue with that."

"Does that end the conversation?" I look at him. "You should sleep."

"Ino. Can I ask you something?" he hum. "King Nemesis told me... the way to unlock this chain..."

"Do you wish to be freed?" I nod. "But first, why did you lock yourselves?"

"Another person did."

"Mmm. That chain was made by a legendary crafter more than 500 years ago. He's great in making various and peculiar treasure. Actually after he died, many covet and stole those, that's why it was scattered around the world.

"He made that chain for his love. However, during their era, discord is unalienable. Not a single attempt of concord succeed. They have opposite tribes that curses each other. And that war thickens the boundary between them.

"And the chain, he cursed it. And the curse remains until now. They chained each other for the reason that no one can separate them. Not even the contentions and war. The curse, is their vow. They will suffer together, endure together, fight together, be happy together.

"Until death do they apart. The man died protecting his love, and the chain unlocks. "

I stammer. I'm very nervous I could die. "What are you saying then?"

"One of you must die. If that happens, the chain will unlock."

"Ino... we don't have an affair. So we're meant to kill each other...?"

"Not necessarily. But one of you is the sacrifice."

I'm pulling back the tears. That sacrifice, sounds me. I deserve the death since I'm just a commoner, chained with the prophesied hero of nations. He could possibly become a god.

"Calm yourself Ashti. Don't be too haste, you two should talk about it."

I agreed. And Nemesis said that Haris knew everything all along, I don't think I can face him meekly. And because I cried, I fell asleep too.

For the next day, some of the counselors in this metropolis came here at Emia's house to investigate. Judging from Emia's face, she's deeply distress. I feel like I need to grovel to apologize.

And at this point, we're here outside, some of the people are burying the corpses. I feel awkward towards Haris, I want to hate him but I guess that's a bad idea. I look at him, and he's looking at the secluded island.

"So they aren't Callions after all?"

"Yes they're not!" Snitchie answered me. And I don't know why he suddenly appeared on Haris' shoulder. "I don't know what do you meant by Callions but, those are my victims. They became monsters because of my spells!" from the way he talk, he's promoting his mess.

"And these is all your fault!"

"Yah! Yah! I know! That's why I'm recouping things..."

"You can do that when you save the people there." Haris said pointing the island.

"I can't do that without your help, my companion!"

"Then let's go."

"Wha-! Right now?!" I complained. He's leaving without permission again, I shouldn't tolerate this but I know he won't listen.

"Leaving again?" Aishmalen interrupted our pace. "You know, you shouldn't drag a princess wherever you go. At least, show some respect."

I can smell contention.

"...Okay." It took him more seconds to answer that.

"Okay? So where do you plan to go?"

"To that island, to help Poc recoup."

"Aaahh! I can help with that!"

"We can help with that!" Mishu hug him from behind.

When I look back, I found Emia crying again, Jexica is there for her. Even Davih. I haven't seen Ino since I slept.

We need to pass the bridge going to another island closest to secluded one. Mishu is so active, when we cross the bridge there are children running around and joined them. But just for a little moment.

In the next island, it's just like the same from before, but more crowded. As we cross the street of food vendors, we're literally tempted since we have empty stomach. Emia wasn't able to prepare breakfast and I understand why.

My mother once told me, one of the recipes of food making is a positive emotion. Or else it'll end up bitter. Yet I don't even know how to cook, the only chores I can do is cleaning, with the mix of complains.

Mishu keeps roaming around on every stall. But we don't have penny for that.

When we finally crossed those hills, down here to the seashore, Mishu wants to swim. Aishmalen must be having a hard time baby-sitting.

"Whooooaaa! Beach! Let's go swim!" when she dive, the water rejects her and dived to the sands.

"Ugghh! Why?!"

"That isn't the right way to behave, Shu."

She threw a shell to the water, sulking.

"I just wanna play!"

"We're here to rescue, not to play!"

"I'm too young for that job! I just wanna have fun!"

"Then be mature, this is reality."

And there she go ranting. Haris smirk.

"You're a great guardian for not spoiling a brat."

"Ahh... thanks?"

His mood today... what changed him to be patient?

"I sense something very dangerous in that island."

"Yap! My spell has been completed! Beware on waking it up! Leave it fatal and I will finish the trouble!"

"Alright! Sounds exciting! Shall we proceed?" said Aishmalen.