The Elven Continent. My former companion rules here. Well, if you can call her a companion. Carolina, the ruler of the Elven continent, is an Elf with dark hair and blue eyes... at least that's how I remember her. During the time I was chained in the tower, my former companions never came to see me. Carolina was a beautiful woman. I hope time hasn't affected her.
Xena, my current companion, told me a bit about the Elven continent, but it seems she's uncomfortable talking about it. I've already told her that's where we're headed, though she doesn't know we're going to see the queen of the continent.
On the Elven continent, everything is beautiful. The houses are mostly made of a white material similar to concrete. Unlike other continents, there are palaces in the kingdoms. They are white, shiny, and very durable. This continent is also called the continent of light.
Because their source of energy is a light that comes from deep within the earth, the continent's other name is 'Elphame.' It's something akin to the light of Alfheim from the history books. This is also where the Elves' unique magic, the Bifröst, comes from. If that light were to go out, the Elves, or life itself, would extinguish and fall into darkness, turning the Elves into Dark Elves.
"In other words, that light must stay on no matter what?" I asked. Xena nodded as she took a piece of bread.
"Yes. There's also the possibility that the light could be stolen. But I don't think there's anyone foolish enough to steal it." She looked uneasy.
"Hmm... If that were to happen... How could the light be recovered?" I took a piece of bread and bit into it. The backpacks we carried had food.
"There's another source of light, but it's located on the demonic continent." I clenched my fist. Hearing the word 'demon' makes me angry. Xena continued, "Stealing that light would also have major consequences, but the continent that receives the light would be safe."
"In short... no matter what, that light must be in its rightful place..."
"Exactly. Excuse me, but why are we going to the Elven continent?"
"You'll find out when we get there." I thought that if we ran at my speed, we'd get there in a matter of minutes, but apparently, I've weakened. I don't have the strength I used to, and I'm not as fast as I was in my warrior days. This is frustrating.
"...I'm going to sleep," Xena said, lying down on the grass.
I have my doubts about Carolina. I don't know if I'll be able to convince her to join forces with me. She's not the type of person who would imprison someone without asking questions. Now that I think about it, when I was lying on the ground during the great war, I could hear Jino, one of my other companions and King of the semi-human continent, arguing with Carolina. Although their voices were barely audible, I felt that Carolina was against the idea of chaining me up.
To begin with, she understood me, as much as I understood her. However, we weren't that close, and due to my cold personality, she barely approached me. The few times we talked, it was about our days as children.
In some ways, she and I experienced the same events. In the book of the four heroes, it's said that we were born during the great war. We weren't born during the great war. We were born long before the Demon King arrived. We lived in peace with our parents. When the day of battle came, my father was one of the warriors they called 'Divine Warriors.' He was born with exceptional power.
The Demon King, who at that time wasn't yet king, defeated the divine warriors. The King also took it upon himself to kidnap their families. We, the children of the divine warriors, were forced to watch as our parents were tortured... You could see the blood flowing from their bodies. The screams of suffering and agony.
Our mothers were raped in front of us. Until one day, my father and mother helped me escape from there. I took all the children from the place, including my former companions. Some managed to escape, others were killed in the process, but the worst was watching my parents being murdered in front of me...
Tears began to fall from my eyes. The moon made those crystal-clear drops shine as they fell from me. The night was cold...
They didn't just torture us... There's more, but the memories are vague...
When I discovered I was a blessed child, a messenger of God descended and promised to train me to have the strength to avenge my parents. After a long training, I reunited with the other blessed children. Carolina was a reserved child. She avoided us all, but the few times she spoke to me, she could say her words fluently.
She never told me exactly how her childhood was, but she only said, 'I went through something similar,' and we never touched the subject again.
I wiped my tears and looked over at Xena. She was shivering from the cold, so I walked over to her, took off my trench coat, and placed it over her to cover her. I was left with just the white shirt I was wearing under the trench coat.
***
Xena is on my back again. We're going as fast as I can. If I calculate correctly, we'll be on the Elven continent in 5 minutes. After last night, Xena and I went to a small village. We bought some food and a sword. The money I stole from the bandits is running out.
Provisions are very expensive. The bread cost about 300 asuras [400 dolars], and the sword 2000 asuras.
Money is something Xena and I can't take lightly. If we're going to seek revenge, money for survival is important. For now, the amount of Asuras we have is 5000. If we use them well, we can survive for at least 4 more nights.
"We've arrived." Xena informed me that we had arrived.
"Is this the Elven continent?" I asked. For some reason, I felt a slight chill.
"Yes. Once we're inside the nearest kingdom, the light will be visible. The central kingdom isn't far away. It's the best place to stay." Well, the central kingdom is where we're headed.
"Understood." I increased my speed and headed towards the central kingdom.
After 30 seconds, we arrived. Dust got into my eyes, so I used magic to wash them out.
A great wall surrounded the kingdom. It was white and enormous. If I jump, I can get over it without any problems. I think it's 200 meters high... It's too big.
"How are we going to get in?" I asked. Xena was already on the ground, searching for something in the backpack.
"We're going to ask permission from the guards at the entrance. Only, you'll have to use magic to hide yourself. You're a wanted criminal."
"I guess we don't have any other choice," I said, then grabbed Xena by the waist.
"What are you doing?" Xena began to protest. "Let me go!"
"We won't be able to pass with the guards at the entrance. I can't make myself invisible either. That's not how magic works."
"What are you planning to do?" Xena continued to protest but didn't resist.
"Stop talking. Besides, you're not putting up any resistance."
"I trust you. And somehow, it feels good." I looked Xena in the eyes. She was... blushing?
"Mm... Okay." I crouched slightly and jumped. Xena hugged me tightly.
In a matter of seconds, we went from being under the wall to being on top of it.
"Damn it. Warn me before you do that!"
"You said you trusted me."
"Damn... I thought we'd cross normally and act like we were a couple... I even got a little excited." The last part was whispered, but I heard it clearly.
"Don't you think you're falling in love with me too quickly?" Being cocky sometimes isn't bad.
"Shut up! Let's just find an inn."
"No. We're not staying overnight. We'll find my friend and get out of here."
"How are you so sure she remembers you?"
"Because she was one of the people who chained me up." I'm taking this calmly. It doesn't affect me much to talk about it.
"Wait, wait. She's...?"
"Yes. Carolina, one of the heroes who betrayed me after the great war ended."
"Why are we here? After what she did to you, do you plan to forgive her and ask for her help?" I understand her. I'd feel the same way, but first, I'll make peace with her and have her help me retrieve my sword. After that, I won't need her anymore.
"Yes... But if she refuses, of course, I'll kill her."
"If I can be of help?"
"I know you don't know how to fight, but we don't have any other option. If we go to Robert and Jino, we're dead. I don't have the same strength as before... If we end up fighting one of them, I'll surely be at a great disadvantage..."
Xena sighed. "Alright. Let's go."
"Before that... If we get into a big mess, please, run."
"Okay."
I carried Xena and climbed down the wall. I landed on the roof of a house and began running towards the center of the city, to the royal palace.
People on the street were at peace, but, evidently, there were some robberies. This is not the peace we had over 2000 years ago…
Upon arriving at the royal palace, some guards greeted us at the entrance. As with any palace, the door was enormous.
"Good morning. Is the Queen available?" I was direct. I don't like to waste time.
"Do you have an appointment?" Ah... of course. These days you need a scheduled appointment to see the queen.
"No. We are here on some important matters."
"I'm sorry, but you can't enter without an appointment."
"Ahh… Well, I'm sorry to have to do this." After speaking, I made the two guards faint. Why do they make me look like the bad guy?
"I think it would have been better to go through the windows…" Xena said from behind me.
"No… I think it's better to show that I'm serious."
"I don't think you're showing seriousness that way."
We entered the palace. Red carpet, white walls, high ceiling, and frames on the walls.
We walked through the hallways… It was very empty. In the distance, the echo of several voices could be heard. An audience? Possibly.
As we got closer, the voices became clearer. There was something strange, yet familiar.
"Wait," I said suddenly, and Xena immediately reacted, stopping in silence.
"…What's wrong?" Xena asked in whispers.
"Something feels strangely nostalgic. Let's be careful." I don't like this… Danger?
We reached the door and I pressed my ear against it.
"Don't underestimate that man!" The first voice I heard was a man's.
"It's true. It's too dangerous to let him free." Also a woman's voice. It was Carolina's; I recognized it. But… who's the other voice?
"Don't worry. He's been in that tower for too long; he's probably too weakened." Another man's voice joined the discussion. Robert!
Without thinking, I cautiously opened the door. The heavy creak of the door echoed through the place, but it seemed to warn of danger.
"It's been a long time, friends," I said. It was definitely them. Jino, Robert, and Carolina…
They looked calm upon seeing me. Too calm to be true.
"How the hell did you escape?"
"Oh, dear Jino. If you wanted to chain me up, you should have reinforced those chains with magical circles… Besides, I'm the one who asks the questions…" I said with a cold tone in my voice.
"IDIOT! Why did you barge in all of a sudden!?" Xena shouted behind me, but as soon as she saw the people in front of her, she fell silent.
"Well… I wasn't expecting to find you here. It seems we have a problem now."
"Xena!" Carolina shouted. Her authoritative voice made me tremble.
"Mother, I have completed my mission." Xena changed her tone to a more serious one. She approached Carolina and stood by her side.
(Huh?)
"I'm sorry, Mr. Gray. The truth is, I'm the daughter of the Queen of this continent. Xena Loring, daughter of Carolina Loring."
"You…" I said angrily. Xena gave a mocking smile.
"My mission was always to bring you here. In case you didn't plan on coming here, I would have convinced you."
"You planned it all…"
"Exactly! I see you still have that intelligence that brought us so much help and trouble. It's good to know you haven't changed, Corey." Jino mocked while applauding.
Controlling my hatred, I drew my sword and leaned slightly forward. At great speed, I cut through the air and part of Jino's clothing.
"You're fast, but not as much as before." Jino took advantage of a small opening and struck me in the stomach, sending me crashing into the wall.
When I looked towards Jino, Robert had disappeared. I turned around, but couldn't find him.
"Agh." I received another blow to the stomach, this time from Robert. My sword slipped from my hands.
The blow sent me flying outside the palace. Being such a large structure, the impacts against the walls turned them into debris.
I got up and looked ahead. Jino, Robert, and Carolina were walking towards me. Their gazes were piercing. They were terrifying, chilling, and… disgusting.
"Oh, heavens. The incredible Gray is already tired… Damn, you've become so pathetic." Jino mocked.
"Damn it," I complained.
Huh?
The sky began to glow. A magical circle? Jino and Robert also looked up at the sky, puzzled. The magical sky became brighter and brighter.
My body felt light. I was falling backward. When I turned around, I saw my… body. Carolina was standing in front of my body, with a sword stained with blood. She had decapitated me…
Distracted, she took the opportunity to cut off my head. Damn it.
My head looked up. A light began to fall from the sky; Jino and the others were caught by that light, but I couldn't see more.
I was already unconscious.