'Don't tell me…' she thought. The wind seems to hustle that made everything around her quiet. The fight is still going on but it seems time stopped at her. She thought, they are being attacked because of her.
She's s shaking not because of fear but of guilt. She yet again, drag others into her problems. Her mind is clouding with negative thoughts and it's all about her, being a curse and a burden.Oh, and a monster.
"Now, move aside! I don't want to fight a woman!" Lord Zereko said but she's lost.
"Hold fire! Or we'll kill them!" somebody shouted. Everyone stopped.
The women and children who escaped earlier actually met another group of enemies and they were captured once again.
This made Zoi caught off guard and let his guard down. He didn't notice that after Prince Adlai was pushed away by Faia, he was lurking in the dark looking for an opportunity to strike his brother, Zoi. He was about to strike at him from the back.
"Zoi! Behind you!" said Faia who was just awakened from her thoughts. Zoi looked behind him and just in time when Adlai slashed him, he wasn't able to dodge it. But it just hit his right shoulder.
"You coward!" he snarled and backed away a few steps from Prince Adlai. But another unfortunate thing happened. Lord Zereko appeared behind him and grab his left arm backward locking it behind him. Lord Zereko forced him to the ground and he fell down. He yelped in pain and Prince Adlai grinned and stepped on his head.
"Very good, Lord Zereko. Now, you should know our difference! I'm way higher than you! In terms of power, wealth, and status so know your place trash!" Prince Adlai spoke to Zoi and spat on him. Zoi's men tried to run to rescue him but he stopped them.
"Don't move! Do you want them to be killed?!" he shouted referring to the hostages.
His men can only clenched their fist and gritted their teeth while feeling disappointed and pitiful.
"If you had only handed her over, none of this would��ve happened!" said Prince Adlai and pointed to Faia.
Faia on the other hand, haven't felt this kind of pressure. She's fine if it was just her but she dragged others into her own mundane. Now, everyone is suffering, hovered in fear, and to extent, were killed.
"I would never give her to you!" Zoi tried to fought back against Zereko but with his injury, he failed.
"You're stubborn, aren't you? I know you sent her to annihilate the guards that were guarding the gate! A single girl. I wonder what's with her that it's really hard for you to give her up! Now, answer me!" Prince Adlai ruthlessly kicked Zoi's back of the head against the ground. Screams and cries from his fellows echoed in the place.
"You're not really giving up? Well then, give me that child!" Adlai ordered and one soldier of his handed the little girl.
"Wha-What are you doing?" Zoi asked under his breath. Adlai let out a smirk and grab the child by her neck and pointed the tip of the sword on its throat.
"I'm gonna let you see how I'm going to kill each one of you here until you hand me that girl." He said maliciousy and gave away a dirty grin.
"Stop! Don't! Kill me instead!" Zoi yelled. Everyone is crying. Even Adlai's men found this very disturbing.
"I really liked the way you beg to me to kill you! However, I'm gonna get to you later, trash! Just wait and see how I am going to slaughter everyone here with my own ha---." Adlai stopped. He felt something sharp on his nape.
"Put down the child!" she growled.
"What if I don't? You'll gonna kill me? Don't make me laugh! Before you can pierce that blade on me, my men will kill the hostages and---."
"I'm coming with you." she said. Everyone fell silent.
"Wha-wha- what are you talking about?" Zoi said under his breath.
"You heard me. I'm coming with you after you release them." She said ignoring Zoi.
Zoi slammed his palm on the ground trying to get up but Lord Zereko stepped on his wrist that made him scream in pain.
"Stop it. If you hurt him further, you won't like it." She said in a wary voice. Zereko hesitated for a moment but stepped on Zoi's wrist once again and Zoi again screamed. More cries can be heard around and the cheers from the enemies contributed to the noise. However, Faia was enraged.
"I've warned you, didn't I?" she said and her hands went to her face and touches her mask. Zoi saw it coming and he knew what is going to happen.
"Everyone! Close!" Zoi screamed and everyone of his fellows shut their eyes tight. Adlai and his men were confused.
Faia removed her mask. Zereko, and everyone that can be reached by her eyes looked at her with awe. For a moment, they adored her unusual beauty but after they jaw dropped due to her beauty, everyone's face were in pain.
"What's wrong? What's happening?" Adlai asked. However, they are not likely to answer. In another moments, they became red like a burning coal, like a shining ember. Steam was released from their bodies as well as smoke. Every men of Adlai panicked. Then, the ability of her power climaxed. Everyone who looked at her washed by the wind after they've turned to ashes and only their clothes were left.
"What did you do to them?!" some of Adlai's men failed to control themselves but to no avail. They suffered the same fate.
"Stop right there!" Adlai said and pointed the sword to Faia. "Put back your mask or I'll kill you."
"Did you really think that you can kill me?" she said. Adlai was taken aback. He doesn't have any idea what she can do.
"I told you. I'm coming with you. Release every one at once and don't you dare hurt them!" she said and put on her mask.
"No! You're not coming with us! We're gonna kill you right here!" Adlai's men exclaimed however, Adlai stopped them.
"No, we're going to bring her. Alive." Adlai pronounced. Everyone was in shock.
"But your highness!" one said but stopped abruptly after the prince glared at him.
"No she's not…. Going… with.. any.. of you! She's staying here!" Zoi shouted as he opened his eyes only to be kicked by Faia in the face that sent him away and his back on the ground. The cheers that was supposed to be a support for Zoi faded.
"Didn't you get it?! I'm cursed! I'm destined to bring misfortune and death to everyone around me! Stop this rubbish and just let me go! If you think… If you think.. If you think that I wanted to stay here, you're wrong! You're nothing but a burden to me! If you have not just saved me, things would be different! I would've died and would've not killed any one! Forget about me! Don't ever think about me! And….. Don't go after me!" Faia exclaimed. The silence made it seem to make her voice louder. The wind whistles as if to match the loneliness that comes from everyone whom she shared shelter for few days.
She turned her back from Zoi who was lying on the ground. Zoi gritted his teeth. He lost too much blood already that he can't get up. He wanted to stop her but he doesn't know what to say. It is the same for everyone. They know that deep inside her, she's thinking that it is her fault. They don't know how to convinced her especially that her eyes looked so determined.
She walks towards Adlai. It is still night time but the flames brought light to the place. This reflected her eyes. She looked at the prince fiercely.
"In exchange, don't come back here!" she whispered to Adlai and his eyes widened. "You'll gonna let them live in peace and never disturb them again. Especially….. Zoi." She said and looked back at him. Only Adlai could hear her at the moment.
"Okay. I'll understand." Adlai said. "We're going back!" Adlai added and all of his men went back to their horses.
Faia was handcuffed and was given her own horse to ride on. While they were getting farther from Zoi, a rain had poured down. But only on Zoi's place. It poured down on them. Usually, they would rejoice if rain would come but right now, they could feel that even the rain mourns with them. Zoi is still lying on the ground helpless. Tears running down his cheek. He doesn't know why but he felt ashamed that he can't go against his arrogant brother, disappointed of himself because he wasn't able to protect everyone, and worst of all, weak because he can't stopped Faia.
When the rain finally killed away the flames, along with the thunder and lightning, his voice, with mixed emotion reverberated across the mountains of Amane.
Meanwhile, Faia and Adlai are on their way to the capital of Amane. When they get back at the death cliff, a familiar thing showed up. Faia's eyes widened and stopped the horse. She looked up with a scared expression. Prince Adlai found it very odd.
"What's wrong?" he asked. She failed to answer him because of her fear.
"Hey! Answer me!" Adlai got angry and directed his horse to her. He reached out his hand to land a slap on her face.
Faia was awakened. She pointed above.
"What are you pointing at?" he asked
"Can't you see it?" she said and she really sounded scared.
"What are you talking about,woman?" Adlai getting irritated. "Tch! Anyway, just get moving!" he commanded. "Get moving or we'll leave you behind!" he said at Faia.
What she saw was the giant snake which chased her before Zoi saved her. But there's something strange. Tonight, it's not moving. Even so, because of the fear that was inflicted on her by that creature, she's shaking to her bones. She tried to ignore it until it disappeared on her view.
After a few hours, they arrived at the gate of Amane. The memories were still fresh to her. Adlai's men looked at her with hate and disdain. But she can't blame them. She just killed their comrades.
When they were about to enter, Councilor Balthasar was there to greet them. He looked at him seriously. They took off their hats to salute.
"What is it Lord Bal?" the prince said with annoyed look.
"The king, your father is dead."
Shocked expression was drawn to the face of the soldiers except Adlai. This did not escape the eyes of the Divine Councillor.
"It seems that you are not surprised, my prince." Bal stated.
"I've expected him to die. I never even thought he could last this long." The prince sad plainly.
In the divine general's mind, he's thinking that the prince is already showing his true color. The prince proceeded inside followed by his men. Faia stayed behind.
"Is he not in good terms with his father?" she asked.
"I don't know how to answer that. And you are?" Bal asked her.
"I am Faia. I was given with that name by Zoi." She stated.
"Zoi? You've met the Lord Zoi?" Bal asked surprised.
"I don't know if the Lord Zoi and the Zoi that I know is the same person." She replied. When Bal looked at her closely, he could see her hands were tied, she had her mask on and her eyes looked like they were on fire.
'She must be it.' He thought to himself.
Faia was then called by Adlai to follow. She went inside as well and found herself in awe.
The place was filled with water fountains but the biggest one lies in the center. It has a statue of a man sitting on a rock and its body has flowing waters on it. She roamed her eyes and thought that it was different from where she came. It is her first time seeing much water. However, even with its beauty, the people looked sad.
"The prince have arrived!" the leader of the platoon said. Everyone's attention was on him. Murmurs filled the plaza as they've arrived. Questions about the new king.
"Now that the prince is here, I shall now announce now the contents of the king's last will." General Rupert said. The prince went behind General Rupert together with the other generals. Faia on the otherhand, stayed with the guard as per ordered by the prince.
"I know that the late king had been very great and kind during his service. As to commemorate his memory and the journey of his reign,tomorrow, in this same place, a play will be performed and it is all about his life. And now, the content of his last will." Rupert paused and an attendant handed him a scroll.
"He started it with a letter."
"' To my beloved citizens of Amane. It's been my honor and pleasure to be of your service. During my reign, a lot of things and obstacles had happened and we've faced all those together. Those moments of glory, defeat, triumph and strife will be my best memory of my life because I experienced it with you. I know that in time, I would have to leave this world. If I would have a chance, I will live again and would not change a thing. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of you who have been loyal to me and apologized to things I might've done wrong. To my Divine Circle, thank you for being the strong foundation of this nation. I have always hope that you will continue to support this country even until the new king will be crowned and swear your loyalty to him. I wished I could've lived for so long. To see how far Amane and its people can go. To my sons, may you find the understanding and the bonds in your hearts. I hope and pray that one day, you will marry the woman you deeply love and have children—Oh! I am very disappointed not to see any of your own. But, I want you to remember this. I love you both, and lead this country greatly. Long live and prosper citizen of Amane'"
"That's what he said in the letter." The reading of the letter ended with applause and cheer from the crowd. Some even cried. It was the simplest yet the best letter from a king they've ever heard.
"What a moving letter!" Councillor Shun exclaimed with his usual fan on his face.
"That's the kindest letter we've ever had." Councillor Bal said. During the reading of the letter he can't take his eyes off Faia.
Everyone is delighted and glad but Prince Adlai seems not to care.
"Now then, about the main content of his will. It talks about the enthronement of the new king." General Rupert said and everyone went quiet. Prince Adlai had his full attention. This was what he was waiting for.
"I, King Amos, one hundredth sixteenth king of Amane, would like to pass my throne to….." everyone was listening intently. Others were grinning and others were giggling
"To my son, Zoi." Everyone were in shock and confusion. Because even the citizens expected Prince Adlai to be the next king.
"Isn't it amusing?" General Shun said.
"I don't like where this thing is heading." General Jotham replied as he saw the look on Prince Adlai's face.
"I DON'T ACCEPT THIS!" out of the blue, the prince shouted.