"WINZI, where have you been?" Ahldrin asked the newcomer. He sounded displeased.
"There's an Alundra on the loose. It needs to be captured or killed before it goes berserk," said Winzi.
"I can handle that," Ahldrin volunteered, "Nahil, come with me."
Raven black wings materialized from Ahldrin's back.
It stunned Eleand. He could not even wince. Black and green light covered the two, and they vanished before his eyes.
They are scaring me as fuck! Eleand lost count of how much he cursed hard. He felt his throat drying because of fear. He even tried to joke on himself that he just watched a fantasy movie to alleviate his state of mind. But hell no, why those creatures had wings? What in the world was happening?
He flinched when Winzi scrutinized him. She looked dead serious as she examined him as a whole.
"Eleand Altierra." The woman nodded as if satisfied enough to know something.
His eyes widened. "How did you know my name?"
"Well, I can easily read your mind." Winzi shrugged.
A shiver ran down his spine. Earlier, two of her companions flaunted their wings. Now this woman could read his mind!
"Don't hurt me, please," he pleaded. This girl seemed fragile because of her petite built, but he could feel the danger she could inflict if she harmed him. He needed to be back home and live his normal life so that he would know what happened to Elida.
The accident was his fault. If he didn't let his emotions dashed over, if only he had remained calm and think rationally. Maybe this time, they were at their father's side.
"I would love to make you suffer. But I won't do that." She paused for a moment, "Stay here. I forgot to bring your clothes and food. I was chasing the Alundra. That beast is getting to my nerves."
She disappeared before he could even ask, "Wait—"
This is insane! He should know his exact location. Until now, his brain found it hard to process all the things he just experienced. Those creatures were out of his league. He had to plan his escape.
Eleand went out of the hut. He held his breath when the surroundings unfold before his eyes. He stood at the highest elevation of a hill, and he could see the vast forest below. The lush greenery was thick, and a blue lake stretched to the eastern side.
Mountains of different peaks surrounded the forest, and it fascinated him. Especially to watch the sea of clouds seemed dancing in the wind.
His face beamed with admiration as he turned around and peered to the lofty waterfall behind, colorful flowers squeezing each other on both sides of the falls. The rocks underneath were shimmering gold, scattered above and underwater—mushrooms of different sizes sprawling around, majority red and blue.
The place was so magical that he had to close his eyes for a moment and open it again to be sure he did not imagine things.
What place is this? He could not believe the things he witnessed. He was almost lost in words to describe the beauty of the surroundings. He felt more puzzled than before. Questions filled his mind again, hoping he found answers. He stood here inside a paradise. Everything was calm. The soft caress of the wind seemed to communicate with him.
"I'm back."
He was aghast upon hearing the voice behind him. It was Winzi again. She held a tray with various fruits. She carried a satchel as well.
"You should eat and change. We have to get back at the palace, or else you'll perish." She handed him the tray and the satchel she carried from her shoulder.
"What you mean I'll die? I'm not hungry." He just stared at the fruits from the tray he held. For all the weird things that happened to him, his appetite would be the last thing he was concerned about.
Winzi's brow raised, "You should gather enough strength. Don't worry. The food is safe. I didn't put any poison in those."
"I just want to know where I am. Why you guys look so different?"
Winzi clicked her fingers, and the tray in his hands vanished.
His jaw dropped, and he stared at her in disbelief.
"Didn't they inform you are here in Erganiv? Well, in the land of Noyuh—the Summer Region, to be precise. The portals were open during the night of Lunar Trifecta, and you accidentally entered here."
"I'm sorry, what?" His forehead crumpled. He could not understand a single thing!
Winzi rolled her eyes. "Erganiv is a hidden territory. This is invisible to the mortal world. Erganiv is divided into four domains—the Argia, Alsache, Gwiazda, and Noyuh. The faes of royal blood govern these territories." She inhaled deeply before she continued, "I'm not in the mood to discuss history. I'm sure you'll know everything since you'll stay longer."
"Hidden territory? Faes? You mean faeries?" his mouth opened, but he couldn't find the right words to say. Goodness gracious, he entered a faerie world! Things were slowly sinking in his head. That explained their looks were similar to elves.
"Yes, that's correct. Faeries. Now, suit yourself. Before any beast get here and eat you alive."
He did not mind her threat. "I need to go home. How can I go back? My family needs me. I don't even know if my sister is still alive."
"It will be a long process before you can go back to the mortal world. You have to wait for the blue moon before the portal from the forest of Mirasaen gets open."
"Blue moon? When will it happen? I'm in a hurry. Every minute counts. Besides, how will I know that the flow of time here is the same as my world?"
"Don't worry, the flow of time here in Erganiv and the mortal world are the same, I guess. As for the blue moon, you're going to wait at least two-and-a-half years for that. Although, I doubt if you can survive here that long. Because with that delicate body of yours, even the weakest creature here can shatter every bit of you in just a snap of fingers."
Eleand's hopes were fading. He just stayed here for almost an hour, and he felt like choking because of fear and anxiety. Could he endure the next two-and-a-half years? He doubted it.
"Is there any other way for me to get back? I can't stay here that long." He buried his face in his palm. He thought it might be better for him not to survive the accident. He could rest in peace by now. But thanks to his parents that they didn't raise a loser. He could not give up easily. This, too, shall pass.
"I'm afraid there are no other ways." Winzi hardly shook her shoulder.
Damn! Could he survive?
"Then tell me what I need to do?" He tangled his hair out of frustration.
"Nothing. You just need to stay alive until the blue moon. Best of luck!" Her lips formed a wicked smile as if she conveyed that he would die soon.
"I am just dreaming, right? This can't be true." He closed his eyes hard. Probably he was just in a nightmare. Hidden territory? Faeries? Damn it! Those things did not exist. He should wake up!
He opened his eyes again, still in denial. He flinched when he saw Winzi's silver eyes shining in disgust.
"Shit!" He cursed several times. He wanted to scream until he ran out of emotions. He could feel his brain was about to burst, processing information he could not fathom.
"You are not dreaming. Do you want me to throw you down the ravine just to realize it?" Winzi tried to push him.
"Don't!" He maintained a safe distance. Winzi looked serious.
She smirked, "Now suit yourself. We'll immediately leave here. If you want to rest, then we'll go to the Golden Palace."
He was hesitant as he stared at the satchel in his hand. His mind debated whether he should obey or run for his life.
"You're testing my patience. Do you want me to use magic for you to change clothes?" She threatened him again.
"All right!" He hurriedly went inside the hut. He changed his clothes in silence. Even his mind resisted Winzi's order. The clothes were horrible for his taste. It looked like he would attend a costume party.
He wore brown pants paired with black leather boots, his shirt made of a white tunic, and a gold waistcoat adorned with small white diamonds. He cursed when he held the red cape with gold insignia.
Eleand was astounded when the glittering white lights, just like the fireflies, covered his entire body. Until he noticed that the cape from his hand was already in place on his back.
"Now, you look like a native Noyuhian from the Autumn Region," Winzi said behind him.
He guessed this annoying little faerie didn't know the term 'privacy.' She just appeared from nowhere; even the door was locked. How dare this one used her magic while he changed clothes!
"Darn! You have no privacy in this world?" He exhaled sharply.
"I hate waiting. Let's go!" Winzi carelessly clutched his arms. A bright light covered them, and he almost lost his senses. His vision went blurred because of extreme dizziness. A moment later, they stood in front of a massive palace in the middle of the forest.
"This is Mirasaen, the Summer Region of Noyuh." Winzi proudly said.
Eleand held his breath as his eyes surveyed around. This must be the so-called Golden Palace that Winzi mentioned earlier.
The palace was indeed gold—high and enormous. Its architectural design seemed to be a combination of Gothic and Romanesque, totally spellbinding. The designs were intricate, even to the smallest details. The massive stairs lie into the front elevation where the immense golden door stood. He could tell that a mere mortal like him would have a hard time scaling the stair going up.
The river on the right side of the palace caught his attention. It was the source of the towering waterfall going down.
The trees around were gigantic and colorful, and flowers sprawled everywhere. He could not miss the various kinds of huge birds that seemed to play on air. They were bigger versions of peregrines, ravens, and owls. But he wondered why it was so quiet and no other odd creatures around. Weirdly enough, he could not see a thing, but he could feel a weird presence shivering through his spine.
An invisible force seemed to lurk around him. He silently prayed that this was not the place where he would offer his life.