At the crack of dawn, a rose pink light glowed in the gradient bluish sky, and throughout the night and until morning came, Bakunawa did her best in communicating with the leader of the blue rabbit clan, persuading them about letting Ynez visit her grandparent's grave.
However, the blue rabbit clan never showed their faces, and they stubbornly refused to accept nor let Ynez see the grave of her grandparents until the end.
"Go back and leave our territory alone."
Hearing this rejection for how many times, Bakunawa and I glance at each other, then we both turn to Ynez. Ynez sighed as she shook her head; her shoulders were slumped down, and her eyes appeared tired.
"Let's go," Ynez mumbled, walking down the hills as she left the territory of the Blue-rabbit Clan.
At that, Bakunawa and I also followed Ynez to leave the blue rabbit clan.
Walking down the hills, Bakunawa glanced at me. [I feel sad for Ynez, but to be honest, I don't want her to stay here.]
"I agree," I said, staring at the dejected back of Ynez from a distance. "You should accompany her back to the Pariah Sanctuary."
[Of course, I'll do that after you safely return to Nilad City.] Bakunawa stated affirmatively.
Afterwards, the three of us went out of the wild forest, then we started walking to the city, and when we reached the harbor town, I saw a bunch of humanoid animals interacting with other humanoid animals.
They had blankets laid out on the ground as they haggled at the customers, who also appeared like humanoid animals. They were wearing white and brown fabrics wrapped in their waist and chest. I presume that they are commoners based on their clothings.
"I thought that the Majapahit Empire is the home of the Dark Elves?" I asked, a little bewildered with the situation.
[Majapahit Empire is a diverse land that welcomes all kinds of race and culture in their kingdom. Well, everyone except for the human race. They hate the human race so much that they built a human anti-mana Enchantment Magic System in the whole Invisible Protective Barrier of the Borders of their Empire. So be careful, and don't provoke anyone here since you can't use your own mana.] Bakunawa explained.
I didn't listen to Bakunawa's explanation as I stared in awe at the bustling crowds. "Indeed…diverse," I commented, looking at the different humanoid animals doing their own business in the morning.
[Wait here, I'll go greet the priests first. So they'll know that you're here.] Bakunawa stated as she left, leaving Ynez and me in the harbor town.
While waiting, Ynez and I roamed around the harbor market, looking bored. As we strolled through the marketplace, Ynez pulled me to the corner of the alley all of a sudden.
"What's the matter?" I asked, looking at Ynez with creased brows of puzzlement.
Ynez raised her index finger to her lips. "Shh…there are White Elves here…!" Ynez whispered quite loudly.
"White Elves? Isn't this the home of the Dark Elves? And more importantly, why are we hiding?" I said, feeling perplexed at what Ynez just said.
Ynez knitted her brows. "I also don't know why there are White Elves here…but White Elves and Dark Elves have long been in a rivalry, so I was just shocked to see White Elves here…"
"Is that so? But…who knows, maybe they are now on good terms, right?" I said.
Ynez shook her head. "That's impossible. The White Elves and Dark Elves have long been in a rivalry against each other. It's not just a matter of intense dislike, but also because Dark Elves are members of the house of Goddess Mayari, while White Elves are part of God Apolaki's house."
"And?" I urged, creasing my brows in bafflement.
"And God Apolaki and Goddess Mayari are siblings! They are fighting for the throne in Celestial Heavens after Bathala died against Sitan," Ynez explained.
I gasped in shock. "Bathala is dead…?" I mumbled.
Ynez nodded, looking at me weirdly. "I thought you already knew?"
"Not everything. I only know that Bathala and Sitan are not on good terms," I replied, still in a state of disbelief.
I didn't know that Gods or Goddesses could die. I always thought that they were omnipotent.
"But…are you even sure they are White Elves?" I stated, peeking my head out as I roamed my eyes in the vicinity.
Two 7 foot tall figures strolled the market with their spears and round shields. The two figures both have cold white skin and pointed ears. Every ornament in their body is all gold.
I glanced back at Ynez.
"They are the Warrior Class of White Elves, hooman…" Ynez whispered next to me, sounding panicked.
My brows weaved together. "So why are they here?"
Ynez rolled her eyes at me. "How would I know? I'm just as baffled as you here," Ynez muttered. "And to make matters even worse; they are more powerful during daylight, because they get their light attribute and fire attribute powers from the sun."
"What about those Dark Elves? Maybe we should look for them?" I suggested.
"Dark Elves get their power from the moon and at night, and that's why most of them are nocturnal, so let's just wait for Bakunawa to return," Ynez answered, sighing in resignation.
"Okay," I replied as I sat down, leaning my back against the wall. "Let's just wait here for Bakunawa."
"That's right." Ynez nodded in agreement.
"But still…why are we hiding?" I mumbled, tilting my head to the side, still confused.
Ynez groaned to herself, looking at me with impatience. "Are you not listening? I already told you. Those White Elves are enemies of Dark Elves…!"
"So what?" I said, scratching my neck clueless. "That has nothing to do with us, right?"
"Arrrggghhh, Nasrin, you're the lady moonlight…!" Ynez yelled irritatedly; her face flush red like a volcano.
"You human!"
Ynez and I both widened our eyes as we both glanced at the two tall figures, standing next to us.
"Come with us." They said, pointing their sharp spears to our necks.
I swallowed, feeling nervous and scared. After all, these two look tall and macho. I glanced at Ynez; her brows were pulled up together, looking frightened as she hung her mouth open. At that, I knew that I needed to be strong for the two of us.
I raised my chest, taking a deep breath, and with one loud sigh, I grabbed the two spears, pulling it under my armpit. With one spring from my legs, I jump, kicking the two in their stomachs and stealing their spears. I managed to take the spears and made them fall on their butts.
However, I already expected that as I threw the spears to the side. My goal is for Ynez and I to escape.
In urgency, I turned to Ynez. "Run!"
Ynez bit her lips, looking at me and the White Elves.
My brows crumpled, seeing the two White Elves glaring as they strode forward. With no choice, I dash forward, grabbing the two.
"Hurry!" I yelled at Ynez. "Run now."
Ynez panicked as her eyes teared up, running away. "I'll be back! I promised!"
I heaved a sigh of relief as the anxiety in my heart faded. But the peacefulness didn't last that long.
I felt a huge hand grabbing the back of my neck, lifting me up off the ground. I tried exhorting my mana to use the skill Monkey Dance, but I found that I couldn't sense anything. My eyes widened as I realised my situation. "Crap…"
At that, I glanced at the two with a friendly wry smile. "Hi!" I greeted them as my eyes met theirs, and they glared even more menacingly.
I gulped nervously.
"Uhm, I'm a friendly human being, and I come from the friendly planet of earth, what do you say?" I suggested, curving my lips in a wry smile, then I glanced at the two back and forth, clasping my hands together as I expectantly asked, "...friends?"
They grinned at me, displaying their pearly white teeth. I smiled, grinning back ear to ear. But before I knew it, my stomach met their large fist.
I grimaced in pain as I glared at them. "That's playing dirty, you bastards!"
"Huh? She didn't faint?" The guy, who is holding the back of my neck, mumbled, rubbing his bald head, staring at me baffled.
The one with a scar on his face, gritted his teeth. "You, come with us to the ship," he muttered threateningly.
"No," I muttered back, kicking scar-face in his private area. "You asshole!"
"Acck!" He shrieked, covering his lower body. "Hold her!"
Bald-head grabbed my neck tighter, almost choking me.
"Stop…!" I protested, feeling suffocated as I struggled. But they didn't listen as they punched me repeatedly in the middle of my stomach.
This can't be happening.
'Not again,' I thought as I felt the twisting pain in my stomach, and in my heart, I felt so upset that I broke my promise with Pula. I promise I'll take good care of myself, but here I am again. It's my fault for being weak and powerless.
"Uh..." I groaned as my eyes blurred.
They slapped me in the face, and my cheeks burned as my lips bled. I clenched my jaw as I stared hard at the two, smiling very sweetly. "I'll get back at you two. One day, you'll see…"
They frowned, knitting their brows as they threw me to the ground, kicking me in the stomach.
I cackled, laughing hard as I felt my twisting stomach. "I know your face, your skin, your race!"
"This human talks too much." I heard one of them say. "Just faint already!" They yelled, kicking me again in the stomach.
"Hide now while you can..." I muttered as my eyelids became heavy, and before I lose consciousness, I continued to threaten, "...piece of shit."
***
Freezing water is what woke me up as I felt the cold liquid being splashed all over my face.
As I quivered my eyelids open, a bunch of 7 feet tall figures greeted my sight. Glowing white skin under the heat of the sun, and shining gold ornaments and jewelries decorated in their body.
As the gale blew aggressively, the red silk robes they were wearing fluttered in their burly macho body, holding spears and shields on both of their hands.
I could tell with their pointed ears that they are White Elves, especially seeing those two assholes standing along with them.
Being surrounded by tall macho men and women, I immediately raised my guard up, and soon, I became aware that both my hands and feet are stretched out and tied to the ends of the pole. When I tried transforming my right hand to a sword, no mana was felt in my body or in my surroundings.
At that moment, I knew that the only choice I had was to negotiate my way out through peaceful talk. Even though I know to myself that it's not effective in this world, I can only try my best in this situation.
A silent sight came out of my mouth, and with a deep breath, I plastered a sweet sickening smile on my face. A teaching that was taught to me in my original world; always smile in the face of adversity; it was one of my father's favourite phrases whenever he is facing a stumbling block; that he doesn't know how to overcome.
To smile in face of danger and to laugh arrogantly at defeat. After all, smiling makes things a bit lighter.
At that, I stretch my mouth, smiling as sweet as a honey at every single one of them. "Hey assholes," I mumbled, staring at Bald-head and Scar-face, giving them a smirk.
Their brows wrinkled, glaring at me unkindly. I glance at my surroundings, taking notice how utterly cold the weather is around this ship.
'Wait, ship?'
My eyes widened as I roamed my eyes, seeing the blue sea. "Where are we headed to?" I asked loudly.
"Snowy Mountains of the Great Elven Kingdom; home of the White Elven Race." A feminine arrogant voice resounded behind me, and soon, footsteps echoed as the 7 feet tall slender figure of a white elven woman came into view.
The White Elven woman stared down at me probingly, leaning forward as she gazed particularly at my face. "Lady Moonlight, huh?" She muttered in a ridiculing tone.
My brows creased. "And you are?"
The White Elven woman smiled as she straightened her posture in an arrogant manner. "I'm Princess Decima of the Nordika Royal Family; the tenth princess of the Great Elven Kingdom," she stated in a proud tone.
"Hmm…so why am I being held captive, your royal highness?" I inquired.
Decima grinned as she stared up, extending her arms as she basked herself under the sunny sky. "To offer you and get my reward."
"Huh? What do you mean to offer?" I questioned suspiciously; I feel like I'm going to become a sacrifice of a bloody ritual.
Decima glanced at me. "Lord Apolaki has given us an oracle about you through my mother's dream," Decima replied, narrowing her eyes at me.
My brows knitted together. "And what does the oracle say?"
"The prophecy stated that the Lady Moonlight will pose a threat to the House of Lord Apolaki. For that reason, the Church of Lord Apolaki's House gave the task of subjugating you. That task was thrown at me. I am not to return to my homeland unless I find you and have brought you back to the Kingdom," Decima explained vehemently.
"That's absurd," I muttered as I furrowed my brows even more. "And are you even sure it was about me?"
"You do not need to worry. The Pope taught me how to sense soul aura, and before bringing you with us, I have already checked your mana attributes and soul aura. You have the dark attribute, earth attribute, and wind attribute; as well as the sealed attributes in your body," Decima stated as she paused, roaming her eyes up and down to my body.
Sealed attributes?
My brows weaved together even more, feeling dubious. But I didn't interrupt as I waited for Decima to continue. What's important right now is to gather information.
"Well, half of your soul is clear and transparent like water under the moon, and half of it is as dark as the night; it perfectly matches the description in the prophecy," Decima added in a calm gaze.
Hearing what Decima said, I recalled how Bakunawa described my soul energy. Decima describes my soul similarly to what Bakunawa said.
I gulp, feeling the anxiety creeping to my heart. "What does your people want to do with me?" I probed.
"That I do not know of. My only task is to bring you back with me. And I'm going to do that even if I have to use force," Decima said strongly, squinting her eyes.
I swallowed as my face turned grim, but soon, it disappeared as I heard the familiar callings coming to the ocean, and sea waves became huge and violent, swaying the ship side to side.
"Haaah heeeh hiiiih hoooh huuuh…"
Decima widened her eyes as she hurriedly ran through the ledge of the ship, peeking her head out as she leaned on the wooden handrail.
"Sirenas!" Decima exclaimed angrily, then she glanced at the other Elven Warriors and yelled. "Cover your ears with something to block the sound!"
One by one, both men and women put cottons on the entrance of their ear canals, holding onto something as the ship swayed roughly.
The waves became bigger and bigger as the salty sea water entered the deck of the ship, drenching our clothes. Decima ordered her crew to steer the ship.
However, it was already too late to escape, the waves grew larger and larger until the whole ship ended up being capsized and overthrown to the sea. And I ended up drowning once again as the ocean water entered my nostrils and mouth.
Afterwards, I fainted from suffocation.
When I woke up again, my eyes narrowed as I squinted hard at the transparent ceiling. I feel like I'm hallucinating, seeing what was on the other side.
Huge fish, Giant crab, Big octopus, and other Gigantic ocean creatures seem to be looking at me as they wave their fins, claws, and tentacles.
"Are you awake, my princess?" An ethereal feminine voice sofly uttered from next to me.
I glanced beside me, and my eyes widened seeing the face of the woman. Except for the colour of her hair and eyes, everything about her facial features looks similarly to mine.
"Welcome to the Sirena Clan, my dear daughter," the woman said, smiling at me with gentleness.
I gasped in disbelief. "Dear daughter...?!"