Welcome To The Land of Edin

As King Adamos said that, something seemed to strike him, making him pull his hand away immediately as soon as Evie has sat properly.

Evie's shoulders shrugged up as she held on to Acyon's neck. She was already sitting in front of the King.

She knew she could really climb up the gigantic bird. She was about to grip one of Acyon's feathers, if only King Adamos didn't intervene, and grabbed her hand.

'I have lived alone all my life. I don't need anyone,' she muttered to herself. But she didn't voice it out loud.

Acyon, sensing that its passengers were already settled, stood up and flew to the sky.

'There are no cumulus or cumulonimbus clouds as of the moment. And the wind conditions are probably just 40 mph. At least Acyon has 30% less probability of crashing than a plane.' Evie drew in a deep breath, reassuring herself that she made the right choice.

As she observed, there were also other birds flying with them. Though they seemed to be from a different species than Acyon.

Some of them were with passengers, like them. And some didn't have. But all of them gave way as they saw King Adamos.

'Is he really the real deal?' Evie contemplated, as she tried to feel the magnificent royalty behind her.

They have a foot distance in between them. But the delicate skin of her back could feel the warmth of his defined chest.

As she was thinking about it, the King suddenly spoke, "If you really are a stranger in this land, then I would like to introduce you to the Kingdom of Edin."

She was so absorbed in being cautious of flying and the identity of the King that she became oblivious of the scenery down below them.

Clutching Acyon's neck firmly, she tried to peek down below. Her pupils dilated at the aesthetic natural beauty below her.

There are numerous floating islands as far as her eyes could see. They were of different sizes. But not one of them is small. The tiniest land mass must probably be 30 acres.

Some of them were like the forest that they were in a while ago, with green trees and moss ground. The others seemed to have more bodies of water as their sparkling clear blue lakes glistened in the sun.

And the others have uniquely built infrastructures from high-end materials on top of them, appearing to be homes for the people of the land.

Evie's jaw dropped at the ethereal view. "This is impossible," she couldn't help but blurt out.

'Maybe they used flux-spinning. They must have a lot of magnets, superconductors and nitrogen.' She contemplated as she tried to guess how these islands float.

At the center of it all was one massive tree. Its size is larger than the largest floating island. She could see as if the whole of Edin gets their nourishment from it.

It appeared to be alive as its enormous green leaves sway along with the wind. It also has fruits that resembled oversized ripe pomegranates during monsoon seasons.

'Maybe that research is true after all.' she couldn't help but comment. She read about the Nobel-prize physicist's statement one time that trees don't grow on soil. But on air. Though she didn't read the entire article.

The strong winds rumpled Evie's black, shoulder-length hair to her face, making her put them behind her ears so she could view the place more clearly.

The scenery was heavenly. But she knew she would not stay there for good. 'Perhaps the plane landed among here somewhere.' her attentive eyes darted around her. But it seemed impossible to scan every area, as the place was as vast as the sky itself.

Meanwhile, the King was silent as he seemed to observe her actions. "What is your name? And where do you come from?" he asked, slightly leaning forward.

He seemed to be genuinely curious, making it appear that he was telling the truth that no one has entered their land yet.

'It must not hurt if I tell him the truth, too. He must know how I can get back.' She slightly tilted sideways before answering him in a polite manner, "I'm Evie Yang. And I'm from Singapore."

King Adamos nodded his head as if he knew where it was. Then he rubbed his chin as he responded, "Are you a fugitive?"

"What? No!" Evie immediately blurted out. "If you can only drop me at the airport, your Majesty. I can just book a flight and leave right at this minute."

"We don't have any airport."

Evie's head tilted to her side in horror, before she turned her back to the King. "Then how do you go to the other parts of the world?"

"We don't," the King replied bluntly, his gaze ahead without wavering.

Evie's muscles went weak at his statement. Her attention darted to the islands beneath her. Of course, who would be needing the rest of the earth if you have resources such as these?

Edin is the best place to live. But not for her. She could have a vacation, though. But how would she come back?

Her shoulders dropped down in defeat. She was lost in an independent country, isolated from the rest of the world.

Adding to her dismay, the King even declared, "This matter will be discussed at the Royal Meeting. And until we haven't arrived at a conclusion, you will stay inside a chamber in which you cannot come out unless I say so. Did I make myself understood?"

Evie's expression went pinched as she tilted her head downward. She hates being stuck. But chambers are cleaner than dungeons.

'I just have to endure this until I find my way back,' she resolved to herself as she nodded. 'He is the only connection I have right now in this land.'

"Good. Welcome to Paradis, Lady Evie," King Adamos said as he gave her permission to enter his dwelling place.

Evie controlled her mouth from dropping as her eyes beheld the most breathtaking place she has seen in her entire life.

It seemed to be the largest floating island around, with a picturesque Palace on top of it. It is blinding from afar, like the sun.

But as they drew near, she could see why. The whole place seemed to comprise light. She wondered if there was nighttime in this place.

To her bewilderment, a familiar sound became louder and louder as they approached the place. It is the sound from the audio clip ‌her relative sent to her.

The hair on Evie's arms stood up as it hit her, even though she didn't acknowledge it completely. Her palm flew to her chest as she tried to calm down the rush of adrenaline in her body.

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A break from everything is much needed every once in a while.