"What you are saying, Corvus, is that Vedans are evil witches and they are not accepted in the human world," Jamari said, her voice filled with both confusion and despair. "Which is why my godmother kept me hidden, for my own safety, because they believe I am an evil witch."
"Yes, my lady," Corvus replied with a somber tone.
"If that is so, then why did my godmother hide me? She was the one who said all Vedans should be annihilated at birth. Why didn't she let me get killed like the others?"
"I do not know the entire truth," Corvus admitted. "Why your godmother helped you exceeds my knowledge. But what I do know for sure is that you cannot be out here. They will hunt you down, eventually trying to kill you."
Jamari sighed heavily and sank down onto a nearby rock. The weight of the situation bore down on her, and she couldn't help but feel the harsh reality of being so unwelcome in the outside world. She had been oblivious to her true nature and the prejudices that awaited her.
She inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself as she declared, "I am not a Vedan. I am not evil, and I can't harm anyone."
"They don't know that," Corvus replied, his voice filled with concern. "They will judge you solely based on their preconceived notions. That's why I beg of you, please remain hidden."
The realization began to sink in for Jamari. She started to understand why her godmother had kept the truth hidden from her for so long. She couldn't believe how unwelcome she was in the world, even though she had believed herself to be fully human.
As the reality of her isolation set in, she began to reflect on the lack of resemblance she shared with those around her. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place, revealing a truth she had never fathomed before.
"I wish to be alone," she whispered to Corvus, her heart breaking.
"Without me, you cannot see. It is dangerous to be out here without your sight," Corvus protested, worried for her safety.
"FLY AWAY, CORVUS!" she suddenly yelled, startling the bird. "I wish to be alone."
Corvus hesitated for a moment, his loyalty torn between his duty to protect her and her desire for solitude. Finally, with a heavy heart, he spread his wings and took flight, disappearing into the distance.
Now alone, Jamari found herself surrounded by darkness, her world plunged into an abyss of uncertainty. Overwhelmed by the truth that had been revealed, she couldn't contain her emotions any longer. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably, the weight of her identity and the rejection she faced crushing her spirit.
"I am not evil. I am not a Vedan," she repeated through her tears, trying to find solace in her own words, hoping to cling to her humanity despite the world's disdain.
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King Herad stormed into his room, seething with fury. His anger consumed him as he violently scattered the items on his table. "That cursed dragon king and the witch," he growled, struggling to gather his thoughts amidst his boiling rage.
He caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and winced when his fingers grazed the marks on his neck. The marks left by Reagan who had attempted to strangle him earlier, leaving his handprints as a bitter reminder. Once again, he was reminded of his powerlessness in the face of the dragon king's abilities.
Herad cursed, his frustration intensifying as he replayed the humiliation he had inflicted upon him in front of his subjects. The bitterness consumed him, fueling his desire for revenge.
Just then, a soft knock echoed through the room, interrupting his brooding. "Your Majesty," a voice spoke tentatively from beyond the door.
"What?" he snapped, still simmering with anger.
"The Sorceress marcella is here," the person announced.
"Have her wait for me in the courtroom," Herad commanded, attempting to rein in his fury. Reagan had become yet another thorn in his side, provoking a level of hatred within him that rivaled his disdain for the Vedans. As much as he yearned for an immediate end to his life, he knew such a wish was impossible.
Herad had witnessed firsthand the immense power wielded by Kira, the grand general of his army. Crossing paths with Reagan would undoubtedly be a death sentence, a prospect he was not willing to entertain lightly.
Taking a deep breath, he composed himself as best he could, attempting to temper the storm of emotions raging within him. He knew that his best course of action was to bide his time, to strategize and find a way to neutralize Reagan without risking everything he had built.
King Herad's guard immediately bowed as he stepped out of his quarters. His mind couldn't help but dwell on what his subjects thought of him—a weak and powerless ruler, perhaps. However, he pushed those thoughts aside, determined to focus on the matters at hand. He made his way towards the courtroom, his heart heavy with resentment and frustration.
"Nice of you to grace us with your presence," he sarcastically remarked as he approached Marcella, Jamari's godmother. Marcella, a woman in her sixties with long dark hair and a hint of grey, was dressed in a flowing white robe, clutching her rod. Despite her age and weathered features, she possessed an undeniable air of wisdom and elegance.
"What took you so long?" Herad demanded, his bitterness evident in his tone.
"I am afraid I had to attend to something important on my way here, Your Grace," Marcella explained, bowing slightly. "Please accept my apologies."
"Apologies will not change the mockery I have endured at the hands of that evil king," Herad retorted bitterly. "There must be a way to rid ourselves of him."
Marcella remained composed as she replied, "The only way is to pray that he leaves as quickly as he arrived, without invoking his wrath upon us."
"You speak as though you were not the very Sorceress who eradicated the Vedans all those years ago," Herad sneered.
"The threat posed by the dragon king far exceeds that of the Vedan," Marcella explained calmly. "There are forces beyond my power, and this, my king, is one of them."
"What good are you if you cannot handle this, Sorceress?" Herad questioned, frustration etched across his face.
"If the king of dragons poses any threat to His Majesty or the kingdom, I shall do whatever it takes to stop him, even if it means sacrificing my own life," Marcella declared firmly. "But for now, he has not shown aggression. So why should we seek war and destruction when we can find a way to avoid it?"
King Herad sighed, his anger somewhat quelled by Marcella's words. Before he could respond, a royal messenger interrupted their conversation, bringing urgent news.
"What is it that you have to say?" Herad asked, his anger still lingering.
"I have heard from the villagers that a Vedan was sighted in the market today," the messenger reported.
"If it is a Vedan baby, have it killed. Why bother me with such information?" Herad dismissed the news with a wave of his hand.
"No, Your Majesty, it is not a mere baby," the messenger corrected him.
Marcella's ears perked up as she turned her attention to the royal messenger, her heart pounding with trepidation.
"Then what is it?" Herad inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"It is a grown Vedan woman. She was spotted with a crow in the market earlier," the messenger revealed.
Marcella gasped in shock, struggling to hide her fear. She knew with certainty that it was Jamari, and she couldn't fathom how she had managed to escape. Panic threatened to overtake her, but she fought to maintain her composure.
"How is that even possible?" Herad exclaimed, rising to his feet. "Where is she?"
"According to a witness, she ran into the woods," the messenger informed them, his voice filled with urgency.
"Marcella, I want you to gather as many guards as you can," Herad commanded, his voice filled with determination. "Search the woods and bring the Vedan to me alive."
As the order hung in the air, Herad couldn't help but wonder if this Vedan could be the child his wife had given birth to all those years ago. The thought flickered briefly in his mind, but he swiftly dismissed it. In that moment, all he desired was to see the Vedan before him and deal with the situation at hand.
Marcella, despite her growing panic, maintained her composure. She struggled to comprehend how Jamari had managed to escape and find her way into the market. A myriad of thoughts raced through her mind, but she knew she had to keep her fear hidden. She had to think quickly and find a way to protect her daughter.
"I will be right back, Your Majesty," Marcella announced, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her.
"No, I don't want you out of my sight for now. Stay," Herad insisted, a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes. "Aren't you curious to see a new Vedan, a fully grown one?"
Marcella managed to fake a smile, concealing her true emotions. Her heart ached at the sight of her daughter being hunted down, but she knew that openly opposing Herad would only lead to more harm. Her hands were tied, and she had to find a way to navigate this treacherous situation without endangering Jamari further.
As she stood there, a whirlwind of thoughts consumed her. She pondered every possible move, considering how to protect Jamari from the clutches of Herad's guards. Marcella's maternal instincts fought against her duty as the royal sorceress, torn between loyalty to her king and the overwhelming love she held for her daughter.
Time was of the essence, and Marcella's mind raced with possibilities. She knew that simply waiting and hoping for the situation to resolve itself was not an option. Her daughter's life hung in the balance, and Marcella had to find a way to keep her hidden, to shield her from the wrath of King Herad.
Taking a deep breath, Marcella resolved to devise a plan. She would need to be resourceful and use every ounce of her power and cunning to protect Jamari. Her mind raced with strategies, weighing the risks and benefits of each approach. She knew that the fate of her daughter rested in her hands, and she would stop at nothing to ensure Jamari's safety.
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"A grown Vedan," Kira repeated, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.
General Cedrick nodded in response, affirming the accuracy of the information.
"Where was she last spotted?" Kira inquired, her eyes focused on Cedrick.
"In the woods," General Cedrick replied, his tone filled with certainty.
Kira's mind raced as she processed the information. The urgency of the situation weighed heavily on her shoulders. She knew that they had to act swiftly to retrieve the Vedan before any further harm could befall her.
"Who else knows about this?" Kira questioned, her voice edged with caution.
"The King of Konica," Cedrick revealed. "He has dispatched his guards to retrieve her."
Kira's eyes narrowed as she contemplated the implications. The involvement of the King of Konica added a layer of complexity to their mission. Nonetheless, she remained determined to fulfill her duty.
"I shall go and search for the girl," Kira declared, her voice filled with unwavering resolve. "Once His Majesty is finished with his meditation, inform him of everything."
Cedrick nodded, acknowledging her orders. Concern etched his face as he reached out and grasped Kira's hand.
"Be careful," Cedrick pleaded, his voice filled with genuine worry.
Kira gently removed her hand from his grip, her eyes meeting his. She offered him a small, reassuring smile.
"I will," she replied, her voice filled with determination.
As she made her way towards the exit, Kira swiftly picked up her sword, sheathed it in the case fastened around her waist, and tied her hair back. She retrieved a black hood and pulled it over her head, obscuring her features. With every step, her resolve solidified, ready to face the challenges that awaited her.
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The night was already late, enveloping the surroundings in a cloak of darkness. The symphony of crickets and nocturnal creatures filled the air, their sounds blending with the gentle rustle of leaves. Moonlight bathed the landscape, casting an ethereal glow upon everything it touched.
Jamari, seated on a solitary rock amidst the tranquility of the night, found herself lost in a whirlwind of thoughts. The weight of her existence, her identity as a Vedan, burdened her heart. She longed for answers, for a sense of belonging in a world that seemed intent on rejecting her.
"Corvus!" she finally called out after hour of being alone, hoping her bird had not gone too far. Her voice was filled with desperation, as she struggled to rise to her feet. She was sightless without him, unable to distinguish her surroundings.
Unlike the familiar cabin she had spent years in, where she knew every nook and cranny, this new environment was a daunting mystery. Panic crept into her heart as she stretched out her hands, cautiously patting the air, trying to prevent herself from colliding with any Unforgiving objects in her path.
"Corvus!" she called out once more, her voice tinged with remorse. She regretted yelling at her loyal bird, realizing now that his absence only left her more vulnerable. Corvus had always been easily startled, his instinct to fly away and seek safety in the face of danger.
With a sinking feeling in her chest, Jamari wondered when Corvus would return. She longed for his familiar presence, his wings beating against the wind as he circled overhead, guiding her with his keen senses.
"Corvus, please come back!" she pleaded, her voice echoing into the darkness as she continued to move forward, her steps hesitant and uncertain.
As she pressed on, a sudden misstep caused her to lose her footing. Her body tumbled over the edge of a small hill, and she plummeted to the ground, rolling uncontrollably down its slope. Pain radiated through her body with each impact, her cries of distress swallowed by the night.
Finally, the descent came to a jarring halt when she collided with a big log in her part, she lay still wincing in pain, her breath ragged and her body aching. In the encompassing darkness, she felt a wave of despair wash over her. Tears welled up in her sightless eyes as she struggled to comprehend her current predicament.
As she struggled to regain her composure, her body throbbing with pain from colliding with the large, unyielding log, a sense of panic began to overwhelm her. She desperately needed Corvus by her side. The darkness and silence closed in on her, intensifying her anxiety.
In the midst of her fear, she became aware of a faint sound—the sound of breathing. Her heart raced as she strained to locate the source of the mysterious presence.
"Who is there?" she called out, her voice laced with apprehension. Her words echoed into the darkness, unanswered.
The breathing persisted, but now she realized it was not just one person. Multiple breaths intermingled in the night air, making it difficult for her to discern their origin. Uncertainty gripped her as she awaited a response.
"Who is there?" she repeated, her voice tinged with urgency. The question hung in the air, unanswered for a moment that felt like an eternity.
"How can it tell we are here already? We're not even close to it," a whisper emerged from the darkness, filled with surprise and concern.
"Silence," another voice commanded abruptly, cutting off any further discussion.
Jamari's heart pounded in her chest as she strained to make sense of the cryptic exchange. Who were these people? What did they want? And most importantly, could they help her find her way or pose a greater danger?
"I can hear you! Who is there?" Jamari asked again, her voice tinged with fear. Silence hung in the air, intensifying her anxiety with each passing second.
Footsteps approached, growing louder and closer to her position. Jamari instinctively backed away slowly hoping to escape the impending threat only to be stopped when her back collided with a hard object or person.She stood frozen, her heart racing in her chest as she braced herself for whatever was about to unfold.
Suddenly, a strong hand clamped around her wrist, causing Jamari to let out a piercing scream. She struggled against her captor, desperately trying to break free from their grasp.
"Quiet down!" one of the men commanded, attempting to subdue her frantic movements.
"Leave me alone! Release me this instant!" Jamari's voice echoed with defiance, refusing to succumb to their control.
"She seems blind as a bat. Can't see a thing," one of the men observed, his voice filled with curiosity and caution.
"We've found it at last. Bind her tightly and take her to the palace. Ensure the ropes are secure. These creatures can be highly dangerous, even if this one appears weak," another man ordered.
"But what if it's just a façade, concealing its true evil nature?" one of the guards pondered aloud, their words coated in suspicion.
"It matters not. Just restrain it," another voice stated, determination seeping through their words.
Before the orders could be fully executed, chaos erupted. A mysterious force or individual swiftly descended upon the guards, incapacitating them before they could react. Panic and confusion spread among the remaining men, their confidence shattered.
"What was that?" one of them cried out, fear dripping from his trembling voice.
"Argh!" another guard screamed as they, too, were swiftly silenced and disappeared into thin air, unable to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.
Only five guards remained, their expressions filled with terror and disbelief as they tried to figure out what was going on. It was in that moment that Kira emerged from the shadows, her face hidden beneath a black hood that concealed her identity.
"Release the girl, and I shall spare the rest of you," Her voice resonated with an unwavering command as she stood poised in the face of the panicked guards.
"Kraa kraa," Corvus cawed, appearing out of nowhere and momentarily distracting the remaining guards
A triumphant smile graced Jamari's face, happy to hear the sound of her loyal companion as her vision returned, thanks to her connection with Corvus. Through his eyes, she could finally see her surroundings and was shocked to see a huge man who held her in place. her gaze darted to Kira, as she attempted to decipher what she believes to be a mysterious figure concealed beneath the dark hood.
"Kill her!" the man holding Jamari commanded, his voice filled with desperation and rage, as the remaining guards charged forward, ready to attack.
Kira swiftly moved between the four men, her movements fluid and precise. With inhuman speed, she slit each of their throats before they could react. The air was thick with the stench of blood as the guards collapsed to the ground, lifeless and gushing crimson.
Jamari stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock. She couldn't comprehend the sheer speed and skill displayed by Kira. The woman seemed almost supernatural, effortlessly dispatching the guards without breaking a sweat.
As Kira appeared behind the man who had held Jamari captive, she whispered in his ear, the cold blade of her dagger pressed against his throat. "Release her, and perhaps your life can be spared," she threatened.
The man, fearing for his own survival, quickly released his grip on Jamari. Trembling, he took a step back, realizing the dire situation he was in. Kira's unwavering gaze bore into him, her intent clear.
"Run, my lady," Corvus urged Jamari, sensing the danger that still loomed. Jamari didn't waste a moment. With gratitude and fear intertwined, she sprinted away, the sounds of her hurried footsteps echoing in the night.
Kira let out a weary sigh as she released the man, her attention still fixed on Jamari's retreating form. "don't make this hard for me woman" she muttered.
The guard she spared reached for his sword, fueled by rage and desperation ready to kill her. Kira's reflexes proved superior. With lightning speed, she drove her dagger into his neck, silencing him before he could mount a attack. The guard collapsed, blood gushing out of his neck while he clutched at his mortal wound. Kira calmly retrieved her dagger, wiping it clean before resuming her pursuit.
Meanwhile, Jamari sprinted with every ounce of strength in her legs, her breathing ragged and her heart pounding in her chest. She dared not glance back even if she wanted to, k her focus should remained forward, on escaping the clutches of those who sought to capture her. Corvus flew above her, serving as her vision as usual and alerting her of any potential obstacles in her path.
The world outside her secluded existence was far more treacherous than she had ever imagined. Fear gripped her heart, yet determination fueled her steps. She raced as swiftly as her legs could carry her, desperate to find a place of refuge, a sanctuary where she could catch her breath and gather her thoughts.
Adrenaline coursed through her veins, heightening her senses and sharpening her awareness of the world around her. But even with Corvus's watchful eyes, a split second of distraction was all it took.
Before he could warn her, she collided with someone or something, knocking her off her feet and sending her sprawling onto the ground in a painful heap.
Despite her throbbing head, Jamari managed to lift her gaze and was startled to find Kira standing right before her, seemingly appearing out of nowhere. Confusion clouded her mind as she questioned how Kira had managed to reach her so swiftly.
Before she could make sense of the situation, Kira seized her hand with a firm grip, pulling her upright. Jamari resisted, attempting to break free from Kira's hold.
"Let go of me!" she pleaded, her voice filled with desperation.
But Kira's grasp remained unyielding, her strength overpowering Jamari's struggles. With an intense gaze, Kira scrutinized her, as if searching for something within her very being.
Meanwhile, Corvus, fiercely protective of his companion, cawed loudly, preparing to launch an attack against Kira. But his efforts were in vain, as Kira swiftly snatched him out of the air with her right hand, holding him captive her gaze still focused on jamari. Jamari's heart raced with fear for her beloved bird.
"Please, don't hurt him. Let him go," she implored, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation.
Kira's focus remained fixed on Jamari, her gaze unwavering. Yet, a glimmer of curiosity danced in her eyes as she brought Corvus closer, her grip tight but careful, allowing her to examine him more closely.
"You are blind," Kira finally stated, her voice carrying certainty and revelation. "And you see through its eyes." She glanced at Corvus, the realization dawning upon her. "The prophecy was true. You exist."
Jamari stood there, utterly stunned. How could Kira have unraveled her secret so effortlessly? She strained to catch a glimpse of Kira's face, longing to read her expressions, but it remained concealed.
As Corvus struggled in Kira's grasp, he spoke to Jamari, suggesting a plan. "I will create a diversion. When I do, make a run for it," he whispered urgently.
Kira's response, however, caught them both off guard. "If she runs, I will crush you in my hand, bird," she declared with an unwavering resolve.
Jamari and Corvus exchanged shocked glances. Such a threat was unprecedented, and they couldn't fathom how Kira possessed the ability to comprehend Corvus's speech.
"You can understand him?" Jamari blurted out, her voice filled with both awe and confusion.
Kira's response was simple yet profound. "I can. I am not so different from you," she revealed. With deliberate movements, she reached for her hood, slowly peeling it back to unveil her face.
Jamari and Corvus stood frozen, their eyes widening as they beheld Kira's features. It was the first time they had encountered someone who shared their distinct characteristics.
"You are a Vedan," Jamari uttered in astonishment, the realization sinking in. The encounter had taken an unexpected turn, unveiling a connection that ran deeper than they could have ever imagined.