The sun basks them with its warmth, while the breeze embraces them with its cold, chilling wind. They listen to the busy guards doing their routines.
"Thank you for always helping me." Ravikanth said straightforwardly and breaking his silence.
Eu turns to him with a satisfied look on her face. She is glad he is not entirely mad regarding all her secrecy.
"I didn't do it entirely for you, my Lord. I did it for everyone." Eu responded teasingly.
Ravikanth responded with a small smile. He raises his brows after Eu addressed him formally.
"I thought we had an agreement to call me 'Brother Ravi' when we are alone?" Ravikanth said dejectedly.
"Why would I? You are not my brother." Eu pouts as she looks away.
Ravikanth was speechless. He can't believe how much Eu has changed.
Eu always loves calling him 'Brother Ravi' after all.
"Does that mean you are rejecting me?" he asked.
He slumped as he felt dispirited on the rejection.
"I didn't say that." Eu quickly responded.
"Then, you accept me...?" Ravikanth asked as his eyes shine with hope.
He steals a sideways glance and caught her lips curves up a little. He can't help assume Eu is teasing him.
Eu really reminds him of that mysterious girl two hundred years ago— Eunomia.
Ravikanth was about to say something, but Eu spoke first and interrupted him.
"What do you really want to discuss with me, Brother Ravi?" Eu asked.
She has changed to a more serious tone than their earlier exchange. She knew there is a reason why the Divine Lord Foeni looked for her.
The Divine Lord Foeni remained silent. He indeed looked for her to discuss everything she has done, but he also doesn't know how to start.
Though, it is not entirely wrong that he was disappointed or mad because he knew that he wouldn't agree to most of her plans. Still, he is really thankful for her taking the initiative.
Even if it is against his will, Ravikanth is thankful Eu has decided to move behind his back. He doesn't know anyone who can do it a better job than her.
"Please. I want to know everything, Eu..." Ravikanth respond.
Eu looks at the handsome Lord quizzically. She is sure he has figured out everything already.
Why does he still want her to tell him everything?
She gave it a thought before heaving a heavy sigh. She decided to indulge him and tell him everything so far.
************************
Eu grew up in the Oracle Clan. A mysterious man brought her to the Grand Elder's doorstep and informed him of his daughter's untimely passing.
She is Anatolia's daughter, based on the man who brought her into the Oracle Clan. Still, no one can say for sure.
The mysterious man disappeared right after that.
Eu is always a gifted child. Anyone can easily assume she is not simply an Oracle. She is over talented to be one.
Some Oracles were even wary of her. She is also an outcast in her village because of her unknown origins.
Still, the Grand Elder accepted her as his own. Whether she is Ana's daughter or not, it doesn't really concern him much.
At the age of three, Eu learned she has teleportation ability. That is how she was able to eavesdrop that fateful night accidentally.
She accidentally teleported inside the Grand Hall and overheard the High Council and the Oracle Elder's conversation about a prophecy.
The Lord of Shadows dominance all over Astra.
Eu, as a child, shivered in fear and ran away. She wanted to get away as far as she could.
If her Elders knew that horrifying premonition, why aren't they doing anything about it?
She left and met the Divine Lord Foeni, who took her under his wing.
***********************
Ravikanth listened intently to her story though he has heard it before from Grand Elder Enoch.
The old man is a very doting grandfather despite his constant complaints.
He smiles as he recalls his encounter with this young girl that fateful night. Eu is really adorable as a doll.
"Why are you smiling?" Eu asked.
She notices Ravikanth reminiscing expression as she listens to her story.
He turned to her and can't believe how long it has been. Eu has grown up to be an amazing person.
"Why won't I? I remember that snotty little child I picked up as I listen to you. Then look at you now..." Ravikanth responded.
Eu rolls her eyes as she hears his explanation. How can he bring up such an embarrassing memory?
"Do you want me to continue, or you wanted to reminisce about my embarrassing memory?" Eu said as she pouts.
"Please, carry on..." Ravikanth said as he urges her.
Eu nods as she sighs again.
****************************
Eu is under the Divine Lord Foeni protection since that day. He always makes time to spend with her.
He addresses her as his little sister.
Eu's Oracle powers manifested when she was six years old. She has put Limes Temple in discord that fateful night and no one knew what is happening.
She witnessed horrifying events unfolding before her eyes.
Everyone was distressed hearing her woes and doesn't even know what is happening.
The Divine Lord Foeni can only hold her close and comfort her…
****************************
"Wait. What do you mean it manifested? You mean, you had an early awakening?" Ravikanth interrupted.
He was surprised by her revelation. He didn't expect that her Oracle powers manifested at such an early age.
How can he fail to notice that Eu has been enduring everything all this time?
He should have been suspicious since she requested the Shapeshifting sword.
Eu remained silent.
"I'm sorry. I should have known..." Ravikanth said as he apologizes.
"No need for apologies. Grand Elder learned about it later on as well..." Eu discloses.
"Why didn't you tell me...?" he asked.
"It wasn't necessary. You would disregard plenty of things if you knew..." Eu simply explained.
Ravikanth linked the incident in the hunting forest to the manifestation of her powers. She must post a more significant threat to someone than he initially realized.
If he knew, he would protect her more.
"Let's forget about it. What is done is done." Eu said and breaking his train of thoughts.
He doesn't need to feel guilty about it. His presence is more necessary elsewhere. They can do more if they split up and do whatever they can on their own.
"Do you know the Gateways of Realms was stolen that day? Gwyddien told me the Middle Realm was attacked around that time." Eu discloses.
This revelation rendered the handsome Lord speechless. He knew everything is connected but didn't expect that Eu is involved in such a way.
This can't be just a coincidence.
He can't believe Eu's powers manifested because of that unfortunate event from another Realm. Her very existence could be the key to surpass this.
Though he doesn't want to rely on her, it seems her participation is necessary.
Meanwhile, Eu decided to withhold the information about her relationship with the Holy Guardian Lords. It is not yet time for him to know about it.
Eu started to think about what else she can disclose to him. Fortunately, he decided to inquire more about her awakening than let her carry on.
"What did you see...?" Ravikanth asked.
"The Oracle Clan's annihilation... The Shadows… The darkness is engulfing all the Realms of Astra…" Eu straightforwardly said.
He nods his head occasionally as he intently listens and digests the information. He quickly realized her motives as he widens his eyes in disbelief.
"You are trying to prevent all these misfortunes…? How could you bear such a burden?" he asked.
Eu never had an opportunity to tell him about anything else. She wasn't able to admit her connection with the Holy Guardian Lords and the infiltration at Themis.
They continue to discuss the matter regarding her early awakening. She decided to leave things like that as she continues to tell him about something else.
****************************
The Temple Guard's intensive training routines began after she defeated them.
The three battalions he left for her protection also experienced the same treatment.
Though, they are unaware she cheated in order to win. This has prepared them to face the brewing threats.
She also started forming the information network around this time.
****************************
"You tricked them...?" Ravikanth exclaimed.
He has a surprised expression on his face as his eyes almost pop out of their sockets. He can't believe how brazen she could be.
What will they feel once they learned a child tricked them?
"How do you expect me to win over them? I am outnumbered. I should think of something..." Eu refuted.
Ravikanth lips curve up as he hears her explanation. He can't help commend her efforts to win them over.
It was indeed a daring effort.
**************************
She started her investigation around eight years old. That is when they parted ways.
Jairu formed a team for her— Seig, Di'Anon, Eirwen, Haru, and Triteia.
They have assisted her since that day.
They later met the Tanuki Twins. They belong to the Divine Lord's network but were ambushed during one of their missions.
Eu's team saved them and was secretly recruited to join her cause.
She did exceptionally well on her studies from different mentors. Eu didn't elaborate who taught her, though. She obviously has extraordinary people teaching her.
Eu's abilities are beyond anyone else after all.
*************************************
"You gained my people's loyalty and stole my men…" Ravikanth once again interrupted.
It was a surprise that she was even able to infiltrate his information network. Though, he considers that his Palace guards should benefit from her as well. She should have taken the time to do that as well.
"But you consider that I should have treated everyone the same, right? I can't do that. I am already doing things out of my way. How do you think I still have the liberty to do that?" Eu spoke as if responding to his train of thoughts.
"Yes, I know. That is why you should reconsider asking for my help. Aren't you doing enough, Eunomia? Just like two hundred years ago, you are still doing everything on your own, without even considering my feelings." Ravikanth spoke, finally expressing his thoughts.