CHAPTER 3

I was gasping for air while holding my both knees. I run for almost an hour just to get away from that tunnel.

I looked at my back, thinking that the old man is running after me.

I sighed when I saw no one.

Maybe I'll just go back there some other time.

'Come back here when you're ready.'

I stopped when I remembered what he said.

When will that time be?

When will I know that I am ready?

"Meow," I looked around to look for the voice.

Is it Celestine? But this is far from our house.

Afraid what might happen, I looked for the voice. Silently hoping that it's not Celestine.

"Meow," I heard it again. Then I suddenly felt a scratch on my leg. I quickly looked down only to see a black furred cat.

I sighed when I confirmed that it's not Celestine. My cat is white, while this one is the total opposite.

It was looking at me with its beautiful purple eyes. It was looking at me sharply.

Instead of getting afraid, I slowly knelt down to level with its eyes. I noticed that it's a male. I slowly put my hand above his head and he gladly closed his eyes, feeling the comfort I gave him. I thought he would bite me or something.

"You wanna come with me?" I smiled. He made a sound so I stood up while holding him in my arms.

I walked to my house while carefully holding him. Good thing he was behave all along. He would even sometimes scratch his head on my chest.

I put him down to open the huge door. I took away the steel that kept it close. When I finally opened it, I carried him again while looking for Celestine.

I bet she'll be glad to have a playmate.

"Baby, where are you?" I shouted until I heard her voice. I saw her near the kitchen while looking at the cat in my arms.

I put him down and he ran towards Celestine. I smiled when I saw them playing.

I always have a soft spot for cats.

I just saw Celestine at the place I stayed in before.

She was with me for almost three years now.

I walked back to my room. I looked at the necklace that my Mom gave me.

Until now, I don't understand what that old man meant.

The chosen one?

Just because of this necklace, he thought that I am the chosen one?

The chosen one about what?

All I thought was I was chased by every kingdom because of my skills. Because of the way I fight.

Because I can help them that way.

Or is that all?

Questions kept on piling up, but not even one was answered.

"Why does this place seems cursed? Since the day I stepped into this place, questions started adding up to my problems." I sighed.

I looked at the map again. I can't do nothing today. I have been wasting time all my life.

I looked at the X spotted place. Since I received this map, this is the only placed that was crossed.

'Crosswood River'

I read the place silently. I was supposed to visit it tomorrow but since my plan today didn't turned out fine, I decided to do this today.

I remembered my cats.

Should I leave them here? I think I should.

I decided to not wear the necklace for now.

Since I haven't changed yet, I quickly jumped out from my bed to explore the Crosswood River.

I walked out and saw them still playing. They didn't even care when I told them I'm going somewhere.

I almost rolled my eyes.

Why am I even talking to animals?

I started walking while looking at the map. This time, I'm taking the left direction since that is the path that would take me to the River.

Since it was not too far away from my place, it only took me 45 minutes to get there.

I slowly walked towards the river. I threw away all the blocking braches.

It looks like it was really putted there to hide this river.

And like I expected, this river is magical.

I have noticed that before.

Kondemnia Kingdom has the most amazing rivers.

But the difference is…

This place is covered with darkness. Dead trees are everywhere. The only thing that is beautiful is the river.

I can really say that this place is dead.

Now… what do I do?

Find what this place is?

Definitely.

I was about to walk near the river when the leaves behind me made a sound.

I felt someone behind me.

Not just one. But three.

I smirked. It has been so long since I fight. Maybe this will serve as my training or something? Just for today?

"Y'all are cowards." I teased them.

"I'm a woman but all of you are afraid to get near me?" I laughed to push their buttons more.

"We're not afraid you idiot." Suddenly one of them spoke.

"You're just a woman." Said someone and felt him run towards me.

I smiled wickedly.

I immediately turned around and grabbed the arm of the nearest man.

I twisted his arm and pushed him at the back with my legs. He rolled to the ground, shutting his eyes.

He groaned in pain.

One of them jumped from the tree and was about to hit me with his feet when I quickly kicked his feet using mine. He fell to the ground but immediately regained his strength.

I sighed when they were both breathing heavily while the other one was looking at the two. Fear was in his eyes.

I slowly walked towards him. He stepped back but immediately stop.

I smirked and run towards him. I flew myself in the air, readying my body to kick his jaw.

He was about to step back but it's too late. He fell on the ground and rolled his body. I saw how I marked his face with a cut. I smoothly landed on the ground in front of him.

I stood up while looking around.

When I saw all of them lying on the ground, feeling the pain, I knelt down near them.

"That's it?" I asked them and grinned.

"Never underestimate a woman." I whispered before standing up and walking away.

I'm going back here again. Not this time when I'm still pissed.

Who the heck are these men?

Could they be from the castle?

Are they tasked to guard this river?

I sighed when I realized that there are another questions added inside my head.