The wood starts to creak when I was almost done cutting its branches. Just one more cut.
One more.
And more.
And a loud thud was heard when the biggest branch of the tree fell to the ground. I sighed and jumped off the tree. I carried the branch and walked to my house.
It was a little stone cave which has a little door. I ducked my head and went inside. The interior of it was the opposite of the outside. It was cozy and spacious. I placed the branch near the fireplace.
I walked to the kitchen and boiled some water for some coffee. It was cold outside so I really need something to warm my body. I sighed and looked outside the window.
I was not familiar with my surroundings because I am not originally from Kondemnia. Before I went here, I researched about the place, and that's where I knew about this secluded place behind this kingdom of Kondemnia.
"The snow is getting thicker." I whispered to myself as I saw how the trees were covered with snows. The streets are nowhere to be seen. The cars outside are full of snow either.
The house is in the forest of a mountainous part of Kondemnia so I could really see what's happening in the city. Where the Kingdom was placed.
I heard my cat made a sound. I looked around to find him near the fireplace.
"You're cold?" I asked her and she meowed with her tiny voice. I went to her bed and grabbed her small blanket to cover her while she's sitting near the fireplace.
I sat next to her while looking at the map on my hand. An old lady gave me this when I went to the market. The map of the kingdom of Kondemnia.
I examined the whole map. Trying to find a way out, if ever I need to. I usually do this whenever I find new place to stay. I was in the land of an unknown kingdom before.
More like an old abandoned kingdom but I left that placed where I lived for five years because I felt like it was unsafe for me to stay there.
Until I discovered this place.
Kondemnia Kingdom.
I listed down the place where I could possibly stay next when I saw an X spotted place. It was near my place so I decided to look at it next time.
I stood up and Celestine, my cat, followed me. We went to the kitchen to make some salad for my dinner.
"What do you want to eat for dinner, baby?" I asked her and she just sit at the table looking at me like:
'Even if I tell you what I want, I don't have a choice.'
I grinned and looked for her food. Her favorite. Meat.
She rarely like fish. Which is weird.
I put it in a bowl before giving it to her. She immediately jumped off the table and wiggles her tail while walking towards her food.
I walked back to the couch near the window and ate the salad while looking how wonderful the snow slowly falls.
I watched how the sun sets and replaced by the moon.
"Meow," I stood up after hearing Celestine's voice.
"You're done?" I asked her and she made a sound again.
I finished eating and went back to the small kitchen. This place is made of rocks but it was really amazing inside. I don't know if this was accidentally built or maybe it was purposely built as a shelter.
It was dark outside, which means I can freely go to the river to take a bath. I never walk outside when it's daytime to avoid people. If there is someone brave enough to have an adventure in this dark forest.
Though I think there's no human who would dare walk inside this scary forest. As it is named as 'Woods of Gods' where they believe that the Gods of Gods lived in this dark and scary forest.
"Let's go, Celestine." I told my cat. She made a sound before following me towards the center part of the forest. Where the magical river is found.
As we reached the river, I saw its beauty again. The blue water that is serenely moving. Such a treasure.
Celestine abruptly run towards the water and dived in. It was weird how she love water when most cats don't like it. Even touching the water is scary for them.
She made a sound again, inviting me to dip into the water. I removed all my clothes before diving. The water is so refreshing. I continuously swam in the water while Celestine is just playing near my clothes.
When I can't take the cold anymore, I walked back to Celestine and picked up my clothes.
"Let's go back now." I told her and she walked back to the cave. I went inside a small room and changed into a comfortable clothes while Celestine was sitting in front of the fireplace.
Good thing I lit it back earlier before dressing up.
"Now it's time for bed." I walked to the kitchen and poured a glass of water before drinking it. I saw Celestine lying on his little bed and closed her eyes to sleep.
I went back to my room and looked at the Kondemnia map again.
Studying every single corner of it. Analyzing my next steps and if ever, this kingdom might see me. Better to think first so they can't outsmart me.
'Greensun. A place of fighters.' I whispered. I didn't see this before.
So they have a place for fighters, huh?
So surely, they have other places for different people. And that's what I need to find out.
'Where is it?'
But the question I badly needed an answer is, "Why do they have different places for different people?"
A strange Kingdom consisting of strange people.
Somehow, I realized that this Kingdom is full of secrets. Unlike the other places I've been to, this one is different.
And I know, I can't just stay here quietly. The secrets… I need to know what those are.
But why?
Why do I feel the need to answer my questions?
Why do I feel like I need to unravel their secrets?
Why do I feel like… it has a connection to my life?
My parents. They don't have any Kingdom. They're not part of any Kingdom.
As I have researched, every individual must be part of a Kingdom.
So why does my parents don't have one?
I continued staring at the map and thinking about all of my assumptions, crossing out the places I already visited and thinking about the places I needed and wanted to visit next, until I dozed off to sleep.