The raindrops persisted, saturating every corner of the underground city's main entrance. The city felt even more drenched than before.
Ignoring the two figures, relatives of her lover, Heya's hands instinctively grasped the main door handle, sealing it against the invading water.
"Mia, hear me out." Heya's wet hands cradled Mia's delicate face, pulling his lover's face close. His eyes locked onto Mia's with a determined intensity. "Your father and twin brother harbor disdain for all of us. They won't assist us. We must find another way to save our city."
Heya knew Mia too well, recognizing the mix of sadness, disappointment, and fear in his lover's expression. His heart ached at the sight of Mia's shattered emotions.
"I should've told you the truth that day," Heya sighed. "Back then, I managed to meet your father before he ordered his men to cast me deep into the woods. He disapproved of his daughter being pregnant with a commoner's child, and furthermore..."
As Heya's sentence lingered unfinished, Mia swallowed the lump in her throat and inquired, "Furthermore?"
Heya sighed again before revealing, "They despised your talents and intelligence. They deemed you a curse that needed elimination. That's why they confined you to this underground city, falsely claiming it guarded the seal of The Night's Edge. In reality, the sword's seal was intact and the sword… it's just like any other sword. Your father fabricated it to gain more respect and admiration."
Mia gasped in disbelief, pushing her boyfriend away amid confusion, denial, and rage. She shouted, "LIAR! HOW DARE YOU SPOUT SLANDER ABOUT MY FAMILY?"
Heya recoiled, hurt by Mia's force and the cutting words. The echoes of her voice reverberated in the damp chamber, water droplets clinging to Heya's soaked clothes, mirroring the weight of the truth.
"Mia, please," Heya pleaded, reaching out to steady himself against the wall. "I know it's hard to believe, but your family is not what you think. The truth may be painful, but we need to face it together if we're going to survive."
Mia's chest rose and fell rapidly as she struggled to process the revelations. A storm of emotions tore through her, shredding the fabric of her reality. Despite the improbability of Heya lying, she was scared. Scared to accept the truth. In the midst of her chaotic emotions, Mia felt her body enveloped in a comforting hug. She knew unmistakably that it was the embrace of her lover.
Heya's hands gently patted Mia's back, soothing her troubled heart. "It's okay; you always have me here. I won't abandon you like your family did."
Mia wept heavily, her body trembling with her tears.
Heya took a deep breath and stepped back from the entrance. Still holding her crying lover, Heya issued orders to everyone present. "Stop trying to patch up the leaks. This is clearly the work of Antarans. They've ousted us and want to eradicate us. The more effort we expend, the more determined they become to destroy us. Let's retreat and take refuge in the town hall. Maybe, they'll think we're all dead and cease their attack."
This is clearly a desperate calls for desperate measures.
Just like a stay animal who pretended dead to avoid the eyes of predators but Heya couldn't come up with any idea other than that either.
Trusting in their leader's boyfriend, everyone quickly retreat and walk to seek protection in the city hall.
The group moved swiftly through the labyrinthine tunnels of the underground city, their footsteps echoing in the damp, dimly lit passages. Mia, still grappling with the shocking revelations about her family, clung to Heya's arm as they navigated the familiar yet now foreign territory.
As they reached the town hall, Heya took charge, organizing the residents and fortifying their temporary refuge. The atmosphere in the hall was tense, a palpable mix of fear and uncertainty. Mia wiped away her tears, her resolve gradually taking over as she observed Heya's leadership.
She brought herself up from her former squatting position and walk over to the middle of the hall. She know a little of protection spells but she also know her power is yet to be strong enough to protect everyone but she have to try her best.
Heya turned to look at her lover, who appeared better than before. Heya's arm quickly found its way to wrapped around her shoulder and bring her close to his side, "Feeling better, love?"
Mia smiled a little and nodded, "Sorry I yelled at pushed you before." she said apologetically.
Heya chuckled and ruffles his girlfriend's hair out of adoration, silently accepting her apology.
Not forgetting the current issue at hand, Mia quickly step away from the hold of her boyfriend and scan around the room, "Everyone, we are currently facing a crisis. I need all of you guys to keep your loved one close to you. Those who wish to apply the life replacement spell to your loved ones are welcome to do it now that you still have the chance to do so without disturbance. To add, I will also put a protecting spell on this building, I will do my best to protect everyone but please do not only rely on my power and use your own if you can or you need too. Is that clear?"
The room fell into a heavy silence before the residents began to nod in agreement. Mia's determined gaze met the eyes of each person present, conveying a sense of unity and shared responsibility. Heya stood by her side, a silent pillar of support, his presence reassuring to all who looked upon them.
As Mia began to chant the protective spells, the atmosphere in the town hall shifted. A subtle energy enveloped the space, a fusion of Mia's innate talents and the collective will of those who sought refuge. The residents, realizing the gravity of the situation, closed their eyes and focused, channeling their own abilities into the protective barrier that Mia was weaving.
The sound of water outside intensified, a symphony of chaos that mirrored the urgency within the underground city. Mia's voice, though soft, carried the weight of determination as the protective spells took shape. The air crackled with magical energy, and the residents could feel a shield forming around them, a barrier against the impending threat.
Once the protective spells were in place, Mia took a step back, visibly drained but resolute. The residents opened their eyes, a mix of gratitude and determination reflected in their expressions. Heya, his admiration for Mia evident, squeezed her hand in silent support.
"Now, we wait," Mia declared, her voice carrying a newfound strength. "We stand together, united against those who seek to harm us. Let's prove that our strength lies not just in the walls that surround us but in the bonds we share."