The artifact that holds the truth of the tower of the eternal garden.
As far as I know, there are only two artifacts that had been deciphered yet.
The first one is the treasures inside the dungeons and the Enchanters' Phantasm. And what lies on top of the tower.
The second one is that the two princesses of the two most powerful beings on the continent will be born.
If the prophecy was true then that girl was probably the Purgatorian princess.
If that's the case then they're already one step ahead of us.
"If we need an explanation, then that's probably the best answer we had," Albericht said.
"So how are we going to find this girl?" The one who asked was Odette.
"That's the matter. After we parted our ways she also moved out on her way."
She said that she was looking for someone so there's no way she'll stand by in one place.
"It's just last night when she attacked the island so she's probably still here," I said.
What bothers me right now was the reason why she attack the island.
Did she finally find what she's looking for?
"If that's the case then we shouldn't waste any more second in here," Gerald said.
It seems like they already decided what to do.
"Why don't we just let them solve their problems? Those humans think they can overpower us, they already killed several Purgatorians anyway. It's just right for Purgatorians to pay back and teach them what will happen if their heads get big."Fiery who stay quiet until now was the one who said that. The Eighth Ray and also the youngest member.
Humans feared Purgatorians due to their terrifying ability. That's why they hunt down Purgatorians and post kill quests in Adventurers Guild.
The Purgatorian King pays them back by killing and showing them how terrifying Purgatorians are. But it only adds fuel to the fire.
Civil wars occurred in the continent because the Shire Kingdom refused to declare war against Purgatorians.
Even though I somehow sympathize with the Purgatorians. I don't think, letting them do as they please would be the best thing to do now.
"We wanted to unite this continent not to shatter it even more." Gerald was the one who retorted back.
"So do you think siding with the humans was a good idea?! If there's a race we should ally with its the Purgatorians because obviously, they are far more reliable than those pathetic beings."
"Humans are the only being that can enter the dungeons! In order to make use of the dungeons, we need humans to enter and clear it! We wanted to unite the continent to protect the dungeons from the invaders who wanted to take all the riches to themselves!"
"But are you sure the humans in this continent aren't the same as those invaders! In the first place, we don't need the riches in the dungeons! We only want to know what's on the top of it!"
"So are you saying it's okay for the other continent to invade our territories!"
"That's right! If the humans don't like that idea then they can go ahead and defend themselves! As long as the Enkan Forest is safe we don't need to worry about those invaders!"
What Fiery said has some sense. If we only wanted to see what's on top of it the only thing we need is for humans to clear it. It's probably much better if all the humans in the entire world work together to clear it.
But the problem is we're not sure if they work together thing will happen.
Especially the existence of the treasure of that tower. The miracle staff, called Enchanters Phantasm.
"That's right, that's probably for the best if we want to avoid war... for now. I said. "Those humans maybe weak but they're capable of thinking. What if they discovered that what was on top of the tower was a paradise? What do you think they'll do? Do you think they will let other beings enter that paradise too?"
Upon hearing what I said, Fiery face his head down and gritted his teeth.
"We can't even control the humans in this continent, much worse for the humans in this entire world."
"Your highness! Please forgive my arrogance!"
After saying all that Fiery kneel down and apologize.
Up to this moment, humans don't know about the existence of the Enchanters Phantasm or the paradise on top of the Tower to the Eternal Garden.
That's why we need to build a good relationship with them if we want them to risk their lives for them.
"You're nothing like your mother. Unlike you, she cries every time she got into an argument."Alvino said.
My mother didn't react at all. It's like she's showing that she's already mature.
"Alvino, are you ready to say something now?" My father asked.
Perhaps the reason why Alvino joke like that means he finally got something on his mind, and my father read that.
"Yeah. I think that girl was still here. It's not just a coincidence why she targeted the island. She must have a specific goal in mind." Alvino explains. "First we need to cut out her escape route. Find any mysterious things that can be used to fly or sail. We'll also shut down the pier to make sure she can't leave the island. We are the only ones who will do all of those until we confirm that she has no way of escaping the island. You understand!"
"Right!"
Alvino, the Seventh Ray. The leader of the Eight Rays of Light, and strongest among all of them.
He's the one who commands them and the army in every operation.
"Terrible News!"
Just as we were about to commence our plan, one soldier crashed into the door.
He was breathing heavily and had a terrifying face.
"Hoy, you should get permission first be—"
"Please forgive my intrusion! But... The citizens protesting in the Shire Kingdom suddenly start attacking their soldiers! Right now as we speak, a civil war was happening in the Shire Kingdom."
All of the people in the room tensed up.
We all know that someday a civil war may occur again on the continent but this is the worst time for this to happen.
"Send our soldiers to assist the situation. We'll continue the plan as it is."
"Are you sure that none of us will go there?"
"The first thing we need to do is to capture that girl. If she really is the culprit, we can use her to stop the war."
That's right, it's not like we can stop those people with just our words.
"I'm sorry! But this situation needs the Eight Rays! Along with the humans, dragons are also attacking the kingdom!"
The soldier who was still listening spoke up.
"That's impossible! Dragons only prey on humans! There's no way they can get them to their side." Gerald said.
"Yeah, but if this is a scheme made by the Purgatorians. Then it's possible that they're the ones who tamed those dragons." Odette was the one who answered.
Purgatorians can't normally fly, so to match us in the air they tame dragons to ride them or just use them as an aerial weapons.
"What are we going to do, Alvino?" Odette turned to Alvino and asked him.
"We can't just let them become foods for the dragons... Your Majesty can I ask you to use your power to protect the Enkan Forest. I have a feeling that all of the Rays here need to go there."
"Yeah, I will take care of my kingdom. However, Finn goes to Alvino's house and take them all here. There's a big chance that the siblings are the ones being targeted. The only thing we can do now is to focus on the defensive, for them not to achieve what they want."
I nodded as a response to my father.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Alvino said.
He turned to the others.
"Prepare for battle! Our objective was changed, we need to aid the humans and fight some dragons! I will explain our strategy once I got more information, right now gather all the soldiers!"
"Right!"
*********
The surrounding grows darker and darker as Anzai, Maurelle, and their mother was waiting at the dinner table for Alvino to return.
They didn't touch the food that became colder after the long while of waiting.
"They must be talking of some serious stuff for their meeting to last this long," Maurelle said.
Usually, their father never misses out on their dinner even with or without a meeting.
"I'm starving," Anzai mumbled.
"You should eat your food then. Don'tworry, your father will be back soon."
Her mother, Aria replied to him.
Anzai's mother wasn't a fairy but a purgatorian. Although she's living now in the Enkan forest where fairies and other being lives. She's still not officially accepted by some of the beings here.
"That's why I'm not eating my food. I don't want to be so full if father came back with delicious food."
The both of them laugh after hearing what Anzai said.
"Good morning! It's surprising, I woke up early today!"
Luna who's sleeping earlier woke up and head to the dinner table where the others are.
She's so tired after playing too much earlier that's why she falls asleep.
Apparently, she's thinking that it's already morning.
"You're having breakfast already!"
She said upon seeing the food on the table.
"It's dinner," Anzai said with narrowed eyes.
"Huh?! Oh yeah! I didn't eat anything last night so basically, it's still dinner for me!"
"Nope!Not even close! Are you still sleeping!"
Anzai blurted out after hearing what Luna said.
"Jeez! You don't have to yell at me!"
Luna yell back to Anzai.
The classic bickering between the two was about to light up again.
"Your Highness, do you want to eat something?"
"Yes!"
Luna ignored Anzai and face his mother who offer her to eat.
"Do you sleep well? Luna."
While Aria was getting food for Luna, Maurelle asked her.
"Yes, but why aren't you in my bed when I wake up? You said that you'll sleep with me."
"Sorry I help mother to prepare this yummy food. Here! Wanna taste it!"
Luna nodded her head. Maurelle scoops the food on her plate and feeds it to Luna.
Luna was happily eating the food while she was being watched by Maurelle who was delightedly watching her eating the food she made.
"I made the right choice! Staying here with you was the best than staying in the castle with my brother."
Maurelle pinched Luna's face being attracted by Luna's cuteness.
"Luna you're so cute! If only Anzai was the same as you."
Maurelle peeked out to Anzai. Who was now eating because he was feeling left out?
"Don't drag me into your drama!" Anzai shouted.
"I think Anzai was cute though especially right now." Luna teased Anzai.
The both of them giggled while Anzai soured his face.
"I'm gonna go and get more food."
Anzai stood up and headed to the kitchen.
While Maurelle feeds Luna more food. While they're talking and laughing together. They heard the sound of a plate shattered coming from the kitchen.
"Mother!" Anzai's voice reverberated in the house.
"Anzai what's happening?!"
Maurelle hurried to the kitchen to check what was happening. Luna followed afterward.
Her heart beats rapidly because of the odd feeling she's having right now.
She's trying to convince herself that what's this feeling wasn't real.
But her heart shattered upon seeing the scene in the kitchen.
Anzai has a terrified face while dragging her lifeless mother away from a girl the same age as him. She has a black dress and a white tiara above her head that matches her white eyes.
"Anzai, stay back!"
As Maurelle said. Countless mist form snake charges towards the girl.
But every single one of them was disappearing before it touches her pale skin.
"Anzai, we meet again." She said with a cheerful smile on her face.
"Anzai! Do you know her?" Luna was the one who asked.
"She's!... She's the girl Finn and I meet before!" Because of fear, talking normally was hard for him.
Maurelle created two snakes when it approaches the girl, it spits out fairy dust from its mouth.
The girl, to her surprise, created a black wall to block the fairy dust.
The explosion created a huge smoke.
Maurelle wants to use the smoke to attack again. But a black long pointy vines headed towards her.
Even though she rapidly created a black mist-formed snake to block it, one of it slipped and pierces her right leg.
"Ate Maurelle!" Luna was the one who reacted.
Maurelle fall to her knees then Luna runs towards her side.
"Anzai! Your sister is—" Luna called out to Anzai to tell him about her sister's condition.
She was upset that Anzai didn't react after his sister's leg had been pierced. But she stopped after seeing the blank expression on Anzai's face while staring at his mother.
"Mother is cold." He said.
Maurelle's eyes widened and some tears slowly build upon it.
She ended up enraging and plans to attack again, ignoring the pain on her wounded right leg.
But Anzai stops his sister by hugging her waste.
"Sister... stop. You are no match to her."
Maurelle can't do anything but grit her teeth. While the girl looks at Anzai with admiration.
"Except for your mother, I don't have any plans of killing you. I just wanted to talk to Anzai."
"If you think you can get your hands on my brother— Over my dead body."
"If that is what you wish."
All of the sudden, the shadow surrounding Luna, Maurelle, and Anzai was about to devour them.
"Wait!" Anzai shouted, "If you only need me, I'll go with you. Just don't hurt my sister and Luna!"
"Anzai! What are you saying! Get back here!" Maurelle attempted to stop her brother but she can't walk a step because of the wound in her leg.
Even how much she begged, her brother, Anzai already made up his mind and go with the girl. Leaving his sister and Luna behind.