A P H I A
"I thought there's no magic in your world. How come this pokemon has magic?" Erskine curiously asked.
I sigh. "It's just an anime. It's not real." I explained, and he looked at me in confusion. "Can we just stop talking about pokemon?" I moved my head closer to him as I pointed my forehead. "Can you see this? What is this thing doing on my forehead?!" I yelled.
"Will you loosen a bit, Lady Aphia? You're scaring me." He said while chuckling awkwardly, and I breathed out as I calmed myself. He's right. I need to calm down, or else I might strangle him. "Before anything else, I would like you to meet our Arcovian Knights." He said as the five of them suddenly stood up.
They are Arcovian Knights?!
So, it explains why they look like that and the sword too.
"She was from the other world. She's Lady Aphia Gray, our priestess." Erskine announced, and I threw him a death glare. How dare he introduce me as their priestess? I don't even know if I can wield the power he is talking about. It instantly reminds me of the responsibility for this kingdom. Do I really deserve this?
Now that I noticed, all five of them are still young. All of them are probably in their 20's too, and they are unbelievably beautiful.
If they are in my world, they are a famous boy band now.
"I'm Gunther Atkinson, commander of 1st Order of Knights." He's the tallest of them all. He has brown hair and light brown eyes.
"I'm Clovis Elffire, commander of 2nd Order of Knights." He was the guy who caught me! I gulped as his electric blue eyes met my newly evolved light emerald green eyes. Those eyes are beautiful. His golden blonde hair compliments his beautiful face and eyes. Wait… what am I doing?
I quickly diverted my gaze away from him to the only girl beside him. Gosh! I can feel my cheeks burning up.
"I'm Aloisia Jenkins, commander of 3rd Order of Knights." She said as she smiled at me. I don't know why but I want to be friends with her. She has a beautiful face, sexy figure, and badass aura. I can't believe she's a commander too!
"Nice to meet you, Aloisia. You're gorgeous!" I said as I smiled back at her. She chuckled at my remark.
"Thank you." She replied. I wonder which of these guys likes her.
"Wow. Did you just compliment a girl like yourself?" I heard Erskine comment.
"Should I compliment you, then?" I retorted, and he laughed. The five knights looked at him in surprise. What's wrong with them? Are they shocked to see him laughing?
"I'm Howard Griffiths, commander of 4th Order of Knights." This guy has gray eyes and black hair. He has dimples on both cheeks too.
"I'm Elbrus Granger, commander of 5th Order of Knights." The last guy said. He has hazel eyes and dark brown hair.
They are all gorgeous! Why am I so captivated with their eye and hair colors anyway?
"It's nice to meet you all. Please forgive my unsightly appearance earlier. I did not have any idea that it's unacceptable to roam around like that in this world." My attendant informed me of the dos and don'ts in this world. I learned that this world is very primitive.
"Now we understand why you acted like that," Howard said. "You looked hot by the—" Aloisia punched his stomach that stopped him from talking.
"Please forgive his rudeness," Aloisia said, and we both laughed awkwardly.
"They are the five commanders of the Order of Knights. They are directly reporting to his majesty himself, and you will be working with them soon." Erskine announced.
A few minutes more had passed, and the five commanders bid their goodbyes. They are going to the training ground to supervise their subordinates' training.
Erskine and I are now sitting on the couch, across from each other. He flips the page of an ancient book as he searches for an answer to my questions.
"The mark on your forehead is a golden trinity Celtic knot or triquetra." Erskine finally said after several minutes.
"A what?" I asked in confusion.
"A trinity Celtic knot or triquetra. It is three interconnected ovals – one pointing upward, the other two pointing down to the left and right. It seems like your power has awakened." He described it as he read the text on the book. "It symbolizes how life and eternity are interconnected." He added, and I unconsciously touched my forehead.
"According to our book, it also symbolizes the infinite power of the priestess and her endless protection for the kingdom." Wow. He just pointed out my responsibility in this kingdom. "It glows whenever the priestess uses her magic."
"Really?" Did they install some LED lights inside my forehead?
He nods. "The former priestess had the same symbol on their foreheads too."
"What?!" I asked in surprise. "Does it mean I am really the priestess!?" I feel like my little hope I have instantly vanished. I'm scared of responsibility and the possibility that I won't return back to my world.
"You have to start accepting your fate now, Lady Aphia. I'm surprised you haven't realized it sooner." He said as he shook his head but I decided not to mind him since I'm still mourning. I'm mourning for the freedom that this world takes from me.
"The book also states that all the priestess we had from the first until before you has brown curly long hair and bright emerald green eyes just like how you look now." He added, and I can't do anything but look at him in bewilderment. I'm lost.
He sighs. "Take your time processing it, Lady Aphia. I am just filling you up with the information we have here." He explained, and I did not react.
"The magical symbol on your forehead also symbolizes the past, present, and future. Meaning, the powers and magic of the past priestess transfer to the present generation, and the present will transfer it to the future generation of the priestess. Perhaps it includes the appearance to identify that you are a priestess."
"Tell me, Erskine," I said while staring at the book. "Should I be happy that I am the priestess? What would I get from being the priestess? Why should I help this kingdom?" I asked as I think over all the things about this.
I miss mom and dad. I'm their only daughter. I wonder how they are doing now.
Erskine closes the book as he looks at me intently. "You are our only hope, Lady Aphia." I instantly looked at him. "Our knights can't handle the dark magic of those monsters and evils. Physical attacks are not enough to totally defeat them. We need the priestess's holy magic, and it's you who can only do that."
"Those monsters and evils started emerging all over the kingdom two years ago, and we have a hundred casualties already. The king, his majesty, had to do something about it, and the last option we had was to summon you."
"I know it's not enough reason for you to help us and risk your life, but I'm begging you, Lady Aphia. Please stay and help us save our kingdom and our people from monsters and evils." He begged as he bowed his head.
I suddenly felt guilty for questioning him just like that. It's just that I got overwhelmed with all of these. The other day I was just a normal human being, and now I have powers to save a kingdom. It is out of this world, right?!
"Let's call it a day, Lady Aphia. Take it slowly and rest for now." He said, and I nodded.
My attendant led me back to my room, and I got hungry when I found delectable foods on the table. I ate all of them before going to bed.
Do I really have an option about it? Isn't the purpose of my existence in this world is to serve the kingdom? What am I whining for?
My thoughts about being the priestess, my powers, my responsibilities, and the world I abandoned wander in my head until I fall asleep.
The next day, I came up with a decision and listed things I had to do. I have made up my mind, and it's no turning back.
"Erskine," I called him as I opened the door of his office. He was startled to see me, but he smiled later on. "I would like to request your assistance," I said as I closed the door behind me.
"It would be my pleasure, Lady Aphia." He said, smiling. "What is it?"
"Please teach me how to use magic," I said, and I swore I saw his eyes twinkled in happiness.
I realized that I had to help this kingdom or else they would throw me away. I can't wander around in this unfamiliar world as a beggar. I have to survive in this world no matter what happens.