Ash lanterns with blue flames illuminated a long hallway that seemed endless. Bare feet sounded the steps in the dim light. A few stumbles between feet didn't stop them from retreating until they reached a round steel door.
"How do I open it?"
They looked at each other. Silence as they thought hard. The Lantern Bearer leaned toward the wall of the hallway that displayed a series of complicated characters. The script formed a circle around a carved clover flower.
The Lantern Bearer rubbed the wooden bracelet that he had been wearing since the beginning. There was the same clover flower carved on it so he immediately placed his bracelet in front of the passage wall that held the clover spell.
Green light appeared to swallow the darkness of the hallway. Slowly, the round door opened. They breathed a sigh of relief. They quickly entered the room behind the door.
The red candles lit the eternal blue flame obtained from the crater of Mount Igen, the highest and most respected mountain among the inhabitants of the Cluster Continent. Adequate lighting further aided their activities in the room.
There was a green crystal occupying the surface of the stone table in the center of the room.
"I hope this crystal can really help." His brother nodded.
The green crystal was placed on a wooden bracelet carved with clover flowers that had been placed on the stone where the crystal had been. Again, the bright green light dazzled everyone's eyes. The crystal and the bracelet floated as clover incantations in incomprehensible script appeared on the darkening stone table.
The green light grew brighter up there until it created a loud boom. The three teenagers still didn't dare to open their eyes, afraid of something untoward happening. Until finally, silence surrounded the entire room which then managed to summon their courage.
A pointy-eared creature with a bushy orange beard and green hat greeted the vision. Green eyeballs stared intently at the people beneath it. The clover pin affixed to the hat and the dark green, high-collared coat trimmed with a blue ribbon made the three teenagers certain that he was indeed the only remaining guardian creature of Yoghiwara.
"Leprechaun!"
Slowly the leprechaun-the male elf of the west-descended right in front of the Lantern Bearer and his two brothers. Their goosebumps bristled when they saw how unfamiliar the leprechaun looked to them. Moreover, this leprechaun was said to be the only Yoghiwara guardian creature left after the massacre of leprechauns and Yoghiwara families ten years ago.
"You shouldn't be here, Human!" the leprechaun scolded angrily.
"That's true, Mr. Leprechaun, but we have no other choice but to turn to Yoghiwara's only remaining guardian for help. He is you."
The leprechaun looked at the three intensely. Each of them had deep, dark blue eyes. They almost drowned him.
"You guys... Sakerio? Aren't they gone just like Yoghiwara?"
"Not after we were taken away by Mr. Sansega and lived in an orphanage in Inlane. Then, I don't know why Mr. Sansega never visited us again after he finished his education in Jegedi."
The leprechaun grinned.
"He even hid his Sakerion identity here." The teenagers raised their eyebrows. Staring at the leprechaun in surprise. "Actually, that was my doing. I made Mr. Sansega forget the fact that he was a descendant of the Yoghiwara family and planted the false memory that only he and his cousin survived the Sakerio massacre ten years ago. For security reasons, he hid his Sakerio identity in Jegedi."
The Lantern Bearer stepped forward. His eyes held a hint of anger.
"Why would you do that?! Sir Sansega should know all about it! He is the owner of everything in Yoghiwara Hill and he should miss us... his remaining family."
The leprechaun laughed.
"A child like you will never understand." The leprechaun's gaze turned ferocious. "Tell me quickly, what do you want?"
The long black-haired girl with deep blue eyes rubbed her brother's shoulder in an attempt to calm him down. Meanwhile, the man next to the Lantern Bearer looked at his two brothers. Then gave a small nod towards the Lantern Bearer.
"A war between the Jegedi forces and the Sokrit rebels will break out tomorrow night here on Yoghiwara Hill. That war could disrupt the order of the hill and what is hidden within it including the green heirloom. We ask for your help to stop the war."
The leprechaun clenched his fingers in annoyance.
"Those humans ...."
There was a pause until the leprechaun's voice interrupted again. He muttered an incantation that the three teenagers in front of him certainly did not understand. They just listened while hoping that the creature in front of them would be willing to help or rather carry out their duties as Yoghiwara's guardians.
Green light again surrounded the entire room as the leprechaun recited the mantra. It didn't last long because a few seconds later, the light disappeared and was replaced by the light of the eternal flame candle that was still burning.
"Go home, I've taken care of it. As the war rages on, chaos will ensue."
"Are you sure they'll just stop?" asked the dark-haired man who was none other than the Lantern Bearer with a look that didn't fully believe in leprechauns.
The male elf from the west clucked.
"I have prepared teleportation magic for some important people in the battle including Lord Sansega. So, hurry back or someone will sniff out the existence of this place! Although it won't be visible to people without Yoghiwara and Sakerio bracelets, it's still a risk."
The Sakerio teens obeyed. Slowly exiting the room without forgetting to close the door again. While before completely closing the door, the Lantern Bearer looked back to see how the leprechaun that had been talking with them seemed to melt into green light and return to its crystal stone form.
He was slightly amazed. However, his look didn't last long as his sister told him to lock up this entire hidden place immediately.
As a secret place that held many precious objects, Yoghiwara's basement was never discovered by people who did not have Yoghiwara's special bracelet. The long dark passageway with countless treasure chambers had always been the target of nations from all over the world, but once again, this place was too difficult for anyone to reach.
Including a King though.
❄️❄️❄️
"Do you like mushroom soup with a little grated ginger and fairy powder, Sir? It can warm the body," asked Sin as he helped Sansega sit down even though the doctor felt he didn't need help.
There was a long pause for breath. Sansega glanced at the window that showed a large field and elven children playing happily. These included Yus, Yos, and Yas, the boys he knew to be Sin's younger siblings.
There were also some pixie fairies who usually guarded the garden flying and laughing happily. I don't know what made them look so happy. Sansega let out an exasperated breath.
Ever since waking up from his stupor he had been thinking about the war. He was supposed to be there, on Yoghiwara Hill; fighting with the others to defend Jegedi, but suddenly when he woke up he was in a fairy village.
It made no sense. How were the others? Did they experience the same thing as him? Sansega was sure that all of this was due to the tornado and the soldiers who went on a mass rampage that night.
Then, what made things so chaotic last night?
Sansega grimaced softly as various thoughts rushed through his head. He glanced at Sin who was still faithfully standing next to his bed.
"What village is this?" Sansega asked.
Sin smiled broadly.
"White Jasmine Fairy Village, Sir. It is located in the western part of White Rose Village which is the center of the Jegedi fairy kingdom."
As far as Sansega knew the Jegedi Fairy Kingdom had ten villages that took the place of cities. White Rose Village was the capital while White Jasmine played an important role in livestock development. The fairies here sourced vegetables and wheat from the Survavo estate—the border between White Jasmine and White Rose—for livestock and daily life.
Then Sansega nodded. Meanwhile, Sin again offered him food with the excuse of restoring his stamina. Sin's words were agreed to by Sansega who then led the doctor to follow the steps of the fairy in front of him.
In the all-wood dining room with magic lights burning in the afternoon, Sansega sat on one of the wooden chairs. Meanwhile, Sin was busy taking one bite of food after another, causing the wooden plate she was using to be full; overflowing with various side dishes.
Seeing that, Sansega gave a small grimace. Even Bika, the Assistant, had never taken him food despite being at the same dining table. Speaking of Bika, Sansega remembered them—Bika and Osie.
"How are they, huh?"
"Yes, Sir?"
Sansega smiled slightly.
"No, no. I was just thinking about something."
Followed by Sin who nodded in understanding.
"There must be too many questions in your head. This incident is indeed quite strange."
Sin's statement was right on target. However, Sansega did not have time to think. He planned to return to the human territory, more precisely to the Jegedi army headquarters. Sansega was curious about what had happened.
While he was enjoying his meal, Sen came running over in a hurry. He stopped in front of Sansega and Sin. He was breathing heavily like he was being chased by something.
"What's wrong, Sen?" he asked.
"Dragon attack! We must get out immediately!"
The faint sound of the fairies' cries echoed throughout White Jasmine. Suddenly, flames appeared from behind the dining room window. Sin quickly pulled Sansega's hand to leave the house.
Outside the house, the trees that had stood tall to accommodate the fairies' dwellings were reddened with flames from the Dragon's spray. The sky bridges connecting one tree to another also fell victim. The foliage that thrived at the top of the trees was no longer there.
Sin followed the lead of Sen who claimed to have evacuated their younger siblings to a safer place. The horror really showed in the eyes, Sin could see some fairies screaming painfully as the fire burned their bodies. He didn't realize that tears had filled his eyes. Of course Sin wanted to save his fairy friends, but the opportunity was like a mirage. In fact, he too was on the verge of death.
In the midst of panic, Sansega stopped his steps and tried to create magic in his hands. Green light gathered into a ball ready to be thrown at the red-eyed dragon with a pitch-black body that was still spitting fire.
The dragon almost fell over when Sansega's magic hit its bat wing. Feeling threatened, he immediately spread fire around Sansega. Of course the doctor did not remain silent, he quickly created a protective wall of magic covering himself and Sin.
The sweep of fire came back, making Sansega curse because the magic shield he had built was not strong enough to block it. Demon dragon, that was most likely what Sansega had in mind.