Pride of Songhara
They are now departing in the direction where Lynel went. Leaving the Crimson Mountain illusion behind them. Gradually, the scenery is changing to those of the forest near Sari Village. The kind of animals and trees that they encounter also can be found near the Sari Village.
Niva concludes that the voidlings possess a great power. They can form the realities around their victim. In Niva's case, he met Krilo, the one dearest to him at the last place he saw him at the village. Meanwhile Lula met Niva, the one person who accepted him after a year of exile. WIth her favorite place is her hometown in the Crimson Wind Mountains.
He is also surprised that three of them were from an upper class family background. Circumstances made them exiled and now is a wanted fugitive.
Niva hoped that Lynel finishes with his encounter
They are now standing on the lone road without anyone on it except for them. "Go there! I saw him running in a different direction from me."
Niva nods and jogs towards the direction. They must preserve stamina but at the same time save Lynel as fast as possible. It's all over when he agrees to grant his wish.
'If my theory is true, then that means that there will be an illusory place that formed from Lynel's mind. Something relates to him in a close and intimate relationship. it's …'
Niva and Lula stop in their tracks. They are now looking at a different environment. A cold northern forest that immediately changes to a tropical jungle. The trees have different physics. Large singular leaves with yellow greenish fruits hanging from the stem. The only fruit that grows in this area of the Voltingen Kingdom. Banana Fruit.
"Lula, have you been to Songhara?" Asks Niva.
"Never. My life has been bound to the Farathor since I was born. Also, It's a miracle for a servant to wander outside of town. Let alone in another region,"
The two look at the sight of Merbabel City. The capital city was made by the Humans and Foxtren of Songhara. The building and design is out of this world. An architectural marvel that passed down through generations.
The Foxtren are a communal people. Living together in one building with another Foxtren family. Different with humans that loves individuality above all else
Buildings there are mostly made of wood and somewhat minimal in enclosed space. Only the roof that protects them from rainfall and such.
The wall is deliberately made like a tall fence. Exposing them to cold windy nights, small jungle animals, and noises. Their motto is to be closer with The Nature.
The woods there are exclusively chopped from nearby areas. Symbolizes their ancestors' place that came from this very soil.
Its strong characteristic is capable of supporting many floors of the building. Foxtrens loves to build everything tall. Average floor that can be built in a communal house is 5 floors.
The capital city is one of the few that does not have any wall between the royal palace and commoners. Lord Tynel believes that he is the voice of the people in Songhara. Human and Foxtren alike.
Lula is looking at the scenery with her jaw dropping. Even if there is something wrong with the capital. That is understandable because it's her first time here.
"Be on your guard!" commands Niva to Lula behind him. Night time makes the city is even more scary. But thankfully the torches in the city are somehow lit.
"Okaaay." Lula reluctantly obeys the blue haired boy.
Sometimes Niva thinks if [The Puppeteer] is actually working without the victim actually going through a life or death situation. To prove that, he takes a peek to see what kind of behavior she exhibits right now.
Still with a bubbly head as before, she is being told to comply. She is not on her guard even when Niva tells her to. Nor does she experience a sudden heart attack. That calms Niva a bit. At least he knows the extent of [The Puppeteer] a little more detail.
When talking about the culture of the Songharans, it still feels incomplete when no people are around. Their people are the result of the lifestyle that has been passed down generations.
The same ghost town like what they had witnessed before. No muscular Songharan boys and girls running around. No loud screaming and feets stomping ground.
Unused bows and arrows litter the outdoor archery range. 10 years old soon to be [Ranger] Songharan can hit the bullseye 5 consecutive shots without a sweat. Meanwhile the soon to be [Warrior] can hunt gigantic boars with only swords at their disposal.
Even the rock dumbbell and barbell in the fitness field are unused. It is strange to see this place empty.
Niva senses no sign of Lynel around here. He is confident because Lynel's presence is usually the largest among the three. His grunt, and random swearing seems so loud and impulsive.
They proceed further into stone staircases. To the biggest building in all of Merbabel. The Garden of Life. In terms of concept, it is similar to the communal building but bigger and has more rooms.
This is where House Wisteria resides. They are the prime example of The Songharan pride and joy. Rumor spreads that Lynel and his siblings train 10 hours everyday, after that they should check the wellbeing of the inhabitants of one city in Songhara and report it to the head of the house. The day after is still the same routine but with different cities that they have to individually check.
As Niva had already guessed, a sound can be heard from outside the Garden of Life. Sword clashes, wood floor squeaking. The fight is already begun. But the question is, has Lynel made a pact with the voidling?
They run through the stairs of different floors. There are no shortcuts except the excruciating steps.
'Dang, Songharan are really straightforward kinds of people.' thinks Niva as he compares Richter's palace to this.
Finally at the last step they met Lynel with a black figure of a man. Thick tail, blonde ears, and facial feature that is similar to Lynel. Except this man is taller and bigger.
"Why won't you die, old man?" Screams Lynel as he catches his breath.