Past History II

Nyi Roro Kidul nodded sadly. "Yes, and his actions set in motion a centuries-long conflict between our two families."

"...Where were you during all of this?" I inquired, eager to learn more about her role in the unfolding drama.

"I was in a different kingdom at the time," she explained. "My parents had sent me away for my safety. But I always kept in touch with your ancestor, Wali Ra Kian. We shared a deep bond, a connection that transcended the physical world."

She paused, a wistful look in her eyes. "But then..." Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air.

I nodded, remembering the stories I had heard about her tragic past, the curse that had transformed her into the Queen of the Southern Sea. It was a tale of loss, betrayal, and ultimately, redemption.

A small smile played on her lips. "Well... now it's time for you to go."

She clapped her hands twice, the sound echoing through the chamber.

Hiss!

A low, guttural hiss filled the air, and a giant white serpent emerged from the shadows, its scales shimmering in the dim light.

"Don't worry," Nyi Roro Kidul reassured me. "He's friendly."

"He?" I asked, my eyes widening in surprise.

Hiss! The serpent flicked its tongue, its forked tip tasting the air.

"Take him to the beach," Nyi Roro Kidul commanded, her voice echoing with authority.

The serpent swam deeper, its powerful muscles propelling us through the water with astonishing speed. We descended through a maze of underwater canyons and tunnels, the pressure increasing with each passing moment. But the shimmering bubble of the serpent's magic shielded us from harm, allowing us to breathe and move freely.

The underwater world was a breathtaking spectacle of colors and textures. Bioluminescent creatures danced in the darkness, their glowing forms illuminating the vibrant coral reefs and mysterious underwater caves. Schools of fish darted past us, their shimmering scales reflecting the ethereal moonlight that filtered through the water.

After what seemed like an eternity, the serpent began to ascend. We broke through the surface, the cool night air a welcome relief after the oppressive depths.

"Hahh... finally, air," I gasped, taking in deep breaths of the salty air.

In the distance, I could see the faint glow of flashlights. My cousins were waiting for me on the shore, their figures silhouetted against the moonlit sky.

I waved to them, a sense of triumph swelling within me.

***

"What the hell was that?" Aca exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment.

Dove squinted into the darkness. "Is that Xian?"

"That's a mythical creature!" Aca whispered in awe. "A giant sea serpent!"

The serpent glided gracefully towards the shore, its massive form creating gentle ripples in the water. As we neared the beach, I could see the anxious expressions on my cousins' faces, their flashlights bobbing in the darkness.

The serpent lowered its head, allowing me to disembark onto the sand. I stumbled slightly, my legs unsteady after the underwater journey.

"Xian!" Dove exclaimed, rushing towards me. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, a tired but triumphant smile on my face. "I'm fine," I assured her. "I just had a little... adventure."

The serpent nudged me gently with its snout, its eyes filled with an ancient wisdom. "Remember your promise, Xian Ying," it whispered, its voice a deep rumble that resonated through my bones. "The fate of the world rests in your hands."

With a final hiss, it turned and slithered back into the ocean, disappearing beneath the waves.

I turned to face my family, their eyes filled with a mix of awe, curiosity, and concern.

"What happened?" Yolan asked, her voice hushed. "Where did that serpent take you?"

I took a deep breath, unsure of how to explain the extraordinary experience I had just undergone. "I met Nyi Roro Kidul," I finally said, my voice barely above a whisper. "The Queen of the Southern Sea."

A collective gasp escaped the group. "Nyi Roro Kidul..." Aca breathed, her eyes wide with wonder. "So she's real?" Vill asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

I nodded, and the first thing I wanted to do was test my newfound power. "Harbinger..." I called out, my voice echoing in the night air.

But nothing happened.

"...Harbinger?" I repeated, my voice louder this time.

"Call me by my power's name, as Nyi Roro Kidul instructed," the Harbinger's voice echoed in my mind.

"But... what is my power?" I asked, confused.

"...I see... you haven't discovered it yet," the Harbinger replied. "Your power's name is... IM."

IM? I thought, puzzled. Like, 'I am'?

I shook my head, then took a deep breath and shouted, "IM!"

SWOOSH!

A blinding light erupted from my body, enveloping me in a radiant glow. I felt an intense energy coursing through my veins, my senses heightened to an unbearable degree. The world around me warped and twisted, colors blending and shifting into a kaleidoscope of unimaginable hues.

"Agh!" I cried out as a wave of pain surged through my body, forcing me to my knees.

"Xian!" Dove's voice reached me through the haze, a distant echo of concern.

I collapsed onto the sand, my eyes squeezed shut against the overwhelming light. My body convulsed, wracked with spasms as the power within me surged and raged.

"What's happening?!" I cried out, my body writhing in agony as the energy surged through me. Please, don't let me pass out...

Suddenly, the blinding light receded, leaving me panting on the sand.

"Hahh... What was that...?" I groaned, my vision still swimming.

My cousins rushed to my side, their faces filled with a mix of concern and excitement. "You did it!" Yolan exclaimed. "So, what's your power?"

I looked at them, bewildered. "I don't know... The Harbinger said it was 'IM'."

"IM?" Everyone tilted their headsin confusion.

"That's right, IM." A new voice, smooth and confident, joined the conversation.

We all turned to see a figure emerging from the shadows. It was a man, tall and slender, with a handsome face and piercing eyes. He was dressed in a stylish suit.

"Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Idiot," the figure replied with a smirk. "I'm your Harbinger... evolved."

< Chapter 077 > Fin.