The underground city was busy, filled with people wearing cozy and warm clothes. Everywhere I go, I see torches lit in flames. At the plaza, people were dancing and eating, enjoying their meals and drinks with their loved ones. It appears that a festival is happening in this city.
Despite living underground, the city seems to be full of light. Although, there are only a few torches and candles that light a certain area, the entire city was brimming with light. Is it because of the joy behind their smiles? The warmth they all give to each other? How jealous I feel in my heart.
I walked around the city, trying to find clues of any hidden entrance or tunnels that lead to the castle. Usually, a castle is placed at the center of the kingdom so that the ruler can see in all directions of their kingdom. However, this city is different. Their castle is built on the very far end, connected to the walls of the underground. I am surprised, however. Inside an underground has not only one city, but two cities. There is also a long bridge between the two kingdoms that connects to each other. The castle is built between the cities to overlook two kingdoms. This tells me that whoever is their ruler is powerful enough to control two cities at the same time. My guts told me something… different.
One ruler who controls two cities could only mean one thing: they have a power that gives them confidence to rule. That is the key.
After searching everywhere, I finally found a hidden tunnel. I went inside and began to explore the long tunnel. As I move forward, more tunnels interconnecting to one another appear, making me confused about where to go. I spent almost a day trying to find my way to the castle, but I just kept getting lost. If not, I kept going circles in these tunnels, annoying me. I want to use my power, to just blast these tunnels and go straight to the castle, but I don't want to cause attention, let alone in a place filled with people that are celebrating whatever festivals they are having.
I stopped and thought about the tunnels. After getting lost and circling around the tunnels for almost a day, I was beginning to see the pattern in the tunnels. I didn't hesitate to move according to the pattern. It's like a zigzag. As you move, you have to switch to another tunnel or else you will circle around or get lost. It took me an hour and half to escape the neverending tunnels.
I reached the inside of the castle. It was dark. But that was a good sign, right? Because I know I am in their underground. I put magic in my eyes, activating night vision. Everything became bright and I could finally see. I found myself in the middle of a long hallway of prison. The cells were empty. I left the underground and moved up, but their stairs were so long. Why is everything so confusing and tiring in this place? Even the stairs seemed to make me lost in directions even though there is only one path.
I reached the door upstairs and slightly opened it. On the other side of the door revealed another hallway, but there were lights already so I turned off my night vision. I heard the voices and shadows of people walking down the hallway.
"Did you hear about what had happened to Duchess Diana?" A woman wearing an expensive dressing said.
"No, what happened to her?" Another woman wearing an expensive dress asked. The two of them have one thing in common and that they wear too much damn makeup.
"She was caught having an affair with one of the knights." The woman gossiped, making the other ugly woman cover her mouth in shock.
"Oh my… Did that really happen?" As they kept walking, their voices grew distantly until I heard no more of their conversation. I silently opened the door and let myself out. Before going to the hallway, I looked around to check for any surveillance. I found none. Thus began my stealthy mission.
I admit, the interior of the castle is more beautiful than ours. There weren't that many decorations on the wall, revealing its natural beauty. Everything looks so polished, the ceilings, the walls, and the floors, even the door handles are all clean and spotless from dirt. I could almost see myself when I stared at it. I heard footsteps walking my way, but I heard a group of footsteps behind. I am cornered…
"Oh? How surprising to see you here, Duke Ban." A man greeted the duke with a smile plastered on his face.
"I can see that you are still as lively as ever, Duke Demezia. How are your kids?" The two dukes shook their hands and hugged.
"Oh my! Duchess Enna! You look gorgeous as ever!" A woman next to Duke Dementia or whatever his name was spoke.
"Thank you! I could never fathom how sexy you are despite your age, Lady Gazmin." Duke Enna said. Sexy? That woman looks like a damn mountain. Stop lying, Duke Enna. Oh yeah, I forgot, I am in the ceiling barely holding my grip. After the couples had left, I dropped down to the ground quietly. I hate this stealth. I prefer destruction and chaos. How the heck did my mother complete her stealthy missions? I could never do this.
I quietly continued to explore the castle. Everything is damn huge and long. But every other time that I turn a corner, another group of people would appear. Finally, I reached the chamber, where the rulers reside.
Before I could open the door, the door creaked open. I hid from their view. My eyes widened as I saw a familiar face in front of me.
"Good job for the day, soldier. Go and get some rest." A knight with a Captain insignia on his armor said.
"Thank you, sir. I will see you again." The man with blonde hair said. It's him… I remember him well. He used to be my mother's right hand man. In the kingdom of Borne, he used to be called the Prince Of War.
"There you are! Are you finally off duty, Sergeant Hazmuth?" A young man spoke. Hearing his name again gives me nostalgia for the old days. I remember when I was a little kid, he used to take care of me whenever my mother was on her business.
Tears fell from my eyes and down to my cheeks. I wiped my tears away. I'm glad he is safe and found another city to defend. As much as I want to go and greet him, tell him that I am alive, I have a mission to do.
When the vicinity was clear, I moved quickly but quieter. Before the door could completely close, I slipped inside without being undetected. I moved in the shadows of the chambers, listening and watching their movements. I see them. The king and queen sitting on their seats. Guards are everywhere around them. They are heavily protected. I didn't bother listening to their conversation. My eyes found what I was looking for.
In the middle of the room was a table. On top of the table, was a floating key that was exuding great mana.
"Well, it is time, honey." The king stood up and grabbed his cane. "The main event is here. Let's boost our people's morale, shall we?"
The queen stood up and smiled at her husband. "Yes, darling. Let's begin our ceremony."
The king and queen left to the balcony and millions of people from the two cities erupted in cheers as they saw their ruler. When everyone was on the balcony, I took the opportunity and stole the key. I wasn't stupid to just steal it and leave. Before coming here, I bought a fake key that almost looks identical to the original. I replaced the key that I stole with the fake key and left the scene after.
I left on the same path that I took. Finally, I got the key. All I gotta do is to secure two more keys and steal the other key from the monster and I'm good to go.
As I was about to turn into the corner, a figure slowly appeared in my vision. The world stopped for a brief moment. That long, white hair… Those red eyes… That milky skin. Lastly, that sword..! Everything was familiar. Memories of my mother's demise resurfaced once more. A painful memory that I would like to forget, but never leave me alone.
"Cecilia!" I roared in anger.
Cecilia looked at me and smiled. "Oh my… You are alive after all, Princess Ashe."
No more words were exchanged. I quickly burst in green flames and exchanged blows against Cecilia. But Cecilia was just parrying my attacks with her fingers. Rage overtook me and I released more magic which she deflected in turn. I kept attacking her, leaving dents and chaos behind us as I slowly pushed her back in the series of tunnels. Finally, the tunnel that we were in gave in. The tunnel collapsed, our bodies free falling but I never stopped attacking.
"You have grown, dear princess. Since when did you get this strong too?" Cecilia asked. She is playing with me. This damn bitch is playing with me!
"Shut up! I'll kill you! How dare you smile at me like that after killing my mother!" I roared. Finally, one of my attacks hit her on her face, causing her to bleed from her nose.
The air suddenly felt heavy. Her red eyes lit with magic. "Oh, is that your reason why you are so mad at me? Well…" She chuckled. "Killing your mother was the best damn thing, princess!" Cecilia erupted in laughter. My anger exploded, causing all the tunnels to explode as well. Soon, we found ourselves fighting outside the public.
"Cecilia!"
"Ashe!"
Our magic clashed. Each impact of our magic created a strong surge of shock waves that shook the entire underground. None of us were holding back. I could see from my perpetual vision that everyone was panicking and running away from us. Knights slowly surrounded us from each side with weapons in their hands. But I didn't stop. I just kept my eyes on Cecilia.
She was… smiling? I clicked my tongue and called out my serpentine. My pet heard my call and resonated along with my anger. We both attacked Cecilia on both sides, cornering her. While my serpentine was biting her flesh, I was giving her a good jab and slash on her face. But why… Why does she have no wounds at all?
"Oh, I'm getting annoyed." Cecilia pushed us back with her magic, my back hitting the wall. I opened my eyes and a huge blast of magic was shot towards me. Before the magic hit, I instantly moved out of the way, dodging my way towards death.
I'm not dying here. No, not when my vengeance is not yet finished. We both exchanged series of magic and physical attacks, shaking the floor and walls of the underground. Soon, debris from the ceiling began to fall.
Arrows were flying towards us as we fought, but we just parried it with our magics. Meanwhile, a huge rock was raining down against us. But we still kept fighting. My body is covered in bruises and blood, yet the only thing that was damaged is her damn armor!
"I admit, you are strong. But not yet at my level. I bet your mother is disappointed at you for being weak" Cecilia provoked.
"Shut your damn mouth. Just like how I killed Alexis, I'll make sure your torture is brutal." I declared.
Cecilia sighed. "Alexis was stupid. So are Nashia and Vivian. But, they are on their own. I have goals to do." She smiled.
Then, a very loud roar echoed throughout the air, erupting all of our ears.
"What the heck was that?" Concerns from the knights filled the air, but the roar became even louder. Soon, the floor shook. It feels like a giant was walking, but it wasn't a giant. It was even way worse.
"Holy shit." Was all I could say.