“Define happiness.”
I
“Colonel, come have a look,” called out one of Erik’s sub-ordinates, awestruck.
Erik abandoned what he was working on at the sound of his urgent tone and headed for him. “What is it, Sunders?”
“Guess what I’ve discovered,” riddled the man named Sunders with a grim smile.
The high-ranked colonel squinted over the computer and scanned through the data on the monitor. Suddenly, he paused and gasped, “Someone’s been hacking into our satellites’ systems.”
Sunders nodded and said, “I was checking up on the satellites by chance and I located another user besides KACUSA.” When Erik tried to enter the foreign user’s file, he continued, “Don’t bother, I’ve already attempted that. They are protected—strictly protected. I was lucky to even have gotten this far.”
Erik crossed his arms as he met a challenge. “Ok, so, is this user damaging our systems or anything?” he questioned.
“Well, no, but I think he’s bugged our satellites and have been using them for quite a while,” he informed.
“Good job, Sunders,” complimented Erik, patting his colleague’s back. “I will handle this case personally and track down whoever this user is if I can.”
“Yes, sir,” obeyed Sunders willingly. It was going to be a brain-cracking time for Erik to crack open the file. He was just thankful it would not be him who had to mull over that problem. After wishing Erik good luck, he muttered under his breath, “You’ll need it.”
II
“Head on north-west for the Land of the Sages. If there’s any place that may give some clues to the whereabouts of White Ruins, Sage City would be it. It is heralded as the Kingdom’s Intelligence and home to the Kingdom’s largest and most complete library, La Gran Sabiduría. It may be a wild shot, but it’s the best route to take now,” advised Keith.
Dawn was beginning to bring the first light to the day. Raviex and Christine were prepared to set off on their journey. It was two days since their discussion at Christine’s cottage. Sage City became their destination; the first step they were undertaking to search for White Ruins. Each was given a small backpack which contained equipments from Keith and some dry food and water to last them until they arrived at a city.
Wearing the Auto-Shield was a necessity for the two of them. But Keith had modified them to give them extra protection from attacks. These two Auto-Shields were able to nullify far-range by a solid ninety-two percent—the normal ones could reduce only eighty percent—naturally increasing their odds of survival critically. Keith explained that he would be configuring their Auto-Shield’s frequency waves’ pattern from time to time to prevent enemies from detecting it. Once the pattern of the frequency waves is discovered, enemies could broadcast frequency waves which could annul the Auto-Shield’s, leaving the user back at square one, vulnerable to far-range attacks.
The blue-eyed Prince smiled as he was reminded of Erik who was working with KACUSA. What Keith was doing now with the Auto-Shield was exactly the clone of what KACUSA was doing for the Kingdom’s armies. The sole difference was that Keith’s Auto-Shields were two percent more efficient than the armies’.
Erik would be astonished!
Raviex and Christine were also provided with Visual Communicators (Visual-C) and Teleporters. A Visual-C was shaped like a casual sport watch with black and elastic strap. One of the main functions of it was to enable the owner to communicate with others whose Visual-C were linked to theirs, like a mini GP. It was also invented to enable the owner to receive information from base camp (which would be Mabluku Territory for Raviex and Christine) in terms of maps and other pictorial items. For side usage, it acted as a normal watch, compass and torchlight. They were extremely reliable since they consumed solar energy.
According to Keith, the Teleporter acted as an accessory to the Visual-C. It could only operate when it was charged up with solar power and connected to the Visual-C. It was a flat, fifteen times fifteen centimetre object and had the colour of purplish-blue. Although the succession rate was not a perfect hundred percent, this invention might come in handy since it was created to teleport things up to five times of its size from base camp to an assigned Visual-C or from a Visual-C to another Visual-C.
“Safe journey, my Prince,” said Keith with a smile as Claire stood beside him.
“Thank you for everything, Lord Keith Falcon,” thanked Raviex, shaking hands with him.
Keith turned to Christine and gave her an affectionate hug. “You take care of yourself, understand? Don’t rush into danger,” he advised half-jokingly.
“Yes, brother,” replied Christine, half-rolling her eyes.
Keith let go of her and looked at the both of them. “You two better be nice to each other. Please cooperate together and don’t fight amongst yourselves.”
“Brother, we’re not little children trying to get along,” groaned the girl, embarrassed.
“Don’t worry, Keith, I’ll return Christine to you just as how she is now, safe and sound,” assured Raviex, grinning. The older Falcon sighed helplessly at the pair, hoping for the best for them. He blessed them in the name of the Light, praying that they would protect and guard them along their way.
The duo walked passed the members of Mabluku who were lined up formally on two sides leading to the gates of their territory. They saluted in respect as their Lady were about to leave them for the time being. All prayed for the stranger’s and her safe return.
Their first steps outside the boundary of Mabluku Territory marked the starting of their journey for the mysterious White Ruins.
“WHAT?!”
“I know this is a bit too sudden for you, Kyoden but—” said Lady Kyoko nervously, soothing her son’s fury. Unfortunately, she failed.
Kyoden slammed his silver knife and fork on the dining table, making it shudder. “‘A bit’ is an enormously big understatement, mother!” he interrupted. “I’m to wed some girl I don’t know in three days. How do you think I feel?”
The mother sighed. Why did she have to be the person to deliver this news to him? ‘That husband of mine should be doing this,’ she fumed silently, ‘he was the one who suggested it after all.’
“She’s not a stranger, dear, you know her. You two have had quite some fun together when she’s around,” comforted Lady Kyoko, putting an effort to brighten Kyoden’s mood.
Not taking in any of his mother’s words, he questioned her, “Who is this lady I’ll be marrying?” He was reluctant to hear the name.
As soon as she muttered ‘Olivia Padsburgh’, Kyoden left the dining hall without saying a word to his mother. What a major wrong move she had taken. His appetite for lunch evaporated in seconds.
Of all the girls in Kingdom Katelion, the girl he would be marrying was Olivia Padsburgh. The very name made him nauseous and disgusted. Oh, yes, Olivia would be over cloud nine if she got a hold on this news. She didn’t just love him, she was obsessed with him! Her obsession over him drove Kyoden up the wall.
The sole reason why Lord Hiroshi Kaneshiro wished for this wedding was to gain part of old Padsburgh’s wealth after his flame was blown out. He was never satisfied when it came to money.
“He traded my happiness for money,” objected Kyoden to no one, “no way am I marrying her.” How could he live the rest of his life with a girl he didn’t love?
“
Everyone in the household understood that Olivia was a living nightmare to their young master. Kyoden was a valiant man. The only fear he had was ‘Olivia Phobia’!
IV
Kairalina cradled a picture frame in her arms which was holding a picture of her and Raviex, crying quietly on her bed. Raviex had disappeared without a trace and was gone from her for a period too long. Everything on her mind then was about him. She remembered how she chased him on the very day before the Valkyr Empire attacked the Floating Land; how she failed as usual to hold him back to stay with her.
What if it is the same... only this time... I really cannot and will never find him again…?
“Kaira?”
Her bedroom door was not shut properly and Erik had been outside the door, watching her cry. Witnessing her anguish made him feel so useless. He would do anything to see her happy again. He blamed himself for not trying hard enough to stop Raviex from leaving the Palace.
Only Raviex can bring happiness to her… How could I take her happiness away from her?
She brushed away her tears and straightened herself when she heard Erik’s voice. Although she did her best to be strong, her courage faltered. She looked away from him as she broke down and cried. Unsure what he should say, he sat beside her. He reached out a hand to comfort her but retrieved it halfway.
“Your father said I’d find you here,” began Erik. Kairalina nodded slowly. “I… came to see if you’re okay… I know you’re worried about Raviex but—” Suddenly, she sobbed louder, causing him to panic. “I’m sorry if I said something wrong. I’m not exactly good with words, Kaira,” he apologized quickly.
She giggled through her sobs at Erik’s apology, finding it silly.
“W… what in King Leo’s name d… did you apologize for?”
“I thought… I thought…,” he stammered. Kairalina giggled harder at Erik’s innocent and stumped face.
“If Dad got you here to cheer me up, he totally chose the right person. Thanks for being such a good friend,” thanked Kairalina, hugging him, her sobs then came to stop. The astonished Erik blushed and smiled bashfully as he placed a hand on her back.
“Erik, why is it that every time I’m feeling down, you’re always the first one to comfort me? If only Raviex is half as knowing and caring as you are towards me, I would definitely be the happiest girl on Senadon,” she sighed, speaking honest words from her heart. She yawned softly as sleep caught up to her.
“You should go to sleep now and have a good rest. Don’t think too much for the time being. I’ll find Raviex for you,” said Erik tenderly. Kairalina nodded, feeling drained. He helped her into her bed and tugged her comforter around her to make sure she was comfortable. When he sat beside her again, he found her sound asleep. He brought a hand to her head and let his thumb caress her forehead gently.
Kairalina, I wonder if I could ever have the chance to take the place of Raviex in your heart. Would you ever give me the chance to touch your soul and care for you more than just your childhood friend? How can I let you know how much I actually love you?
V
Raviex and Christine had been hiking for half a day and not a word was passed between the two. The seventeen-year-old tried to strike up a conversation but couldn’t find his voice to speak out; the girl was used to working alone and the silence around her.
He had to break the ice somehow or Raviex thought he would die of boredom. They might be travelling for days, maybe even for weeks, and it would be unbearable. He stole a glance at Christine and sighed. She didn’t seem too bothered. Her eyes were plainly staring ahead, as if forgetting his existence. ‘Seriously, she can’t be that unpleasant a person,’ mused Raviex, fairly alarmed.
The second time he looked at her, he noticed something weird about her. Her face was blank and her pupils were lifeless like an empty shell. It was as if she was moving because she was programmed to do so. He stopped walking to inspect her condition but she carried on without him. She did not even turn around and yell at him like she would and demanded to know why he was stopping. Raviex tried to shake off the eerie feeling from settling on him.
“Christine!” he shouted at her. When she did not respond, he jogged up to her. “Christine,” he called her name again. This time, he stood in front of her and shook her lightly on the shoulders a few times.
Abruptly, her arm shot up and grabbed onto Raviex’s wrist. Her head snapped in his direction. Taken aback by her sudden action, he caught himself staring straight into her eyes. He knew those eyes which looked out at him then did not belong to Christine. It was a completely different person who was with him.
“Levon…”
Raviex’s eyes reflected the surprise and confusion in him at the hearing of his father’s name. It was odd that she should mention his name. Then again, he had already reasoned that she was not Christine. Who was the person calling his father’s name through her lips?
The pair of eyes closed suddenly and her body went limp as she became unconscious. Her hand slipped off his wrist. Body reflex overtook him as he immediately took hold of her arm and supported her with his body. Instead of collapsing to the ground, she fell harmlessly on his chest, her entire self resting on him.
His heart thumped and its bizarrely loud heartbeat echoed in his mind. Why did it affect him so much when she was this close to him?
What exactly happened in our past, Christine? What was the relationship that we shared?
The blazing fire kept the duo warm during the night. It was set between Raviex and Christine’s sleeping bags. Raviex was not able to get some shut eye though it was already late into the night. His mind was restless; the day’s event kept replaying in his mind. Christine unquestionably acted strangely back then. Why did she call her father’s name? The more he thought about it, the more frustrated and puzzled he was.
Finally, he decided to risk it and ask her head on. He sensed that she was not asleep either. He cleared his throat audibly and called out her name.
“What?” she mumbled flatly like she always did to him.
He adjusted himself to a sitting position with his back facing her before he continued. “What was it all about just now in the afternoon? You insisted it’s the weather making you feel unwell but to tell you the truth, I don’t believe you. I don’t think you’re a fragile person who gets affected by the sun or rain. Besides, why would you call me by my father’s name? You must have a better explanation for that.”
Only the rustling of the leaves could be heard while silence encircled them. When Raviex was about to give up, guessing that Christine was trying to avoid this issue, she returned another question at him. “Do you trust me as your companion for your journey?”
His fist clenched and unclenched as he considered her asking carefully and truthfully. He sighed when he figured out his answer. “Do I have a choice? I wish I could trust you a hundred percent but your strange behaviour is making it impossible for me. I’m gambling my life here, choosing you to come along when I do not fully understand you. I can’t depend on someone who keeps me in the dark at times.”
“I don’t blame you for not trusting me,” said Christine, simply. “You barely know me.”
No one said a thing for a minute. Aside from the noise made by the nocturnal animals and insects which roamed the woods in the stillness of the night, there was just the crackling of the burning firewood.
Raviex swallowed hard, his throat was dry. “Answer me honestly: have we ever met before on the Floating Land?”
She bit her lower lip. Why was he asking that? She slipped her arms out from her blanket and flipped over to a side. She laid her right hand beneath her head. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep; hinting that the conversation was over. “No.”
“You’re lying, Ryn!” confronted Raviex as he turned back and looked at her. He finally decided that he could not hold back any longer. Christine’s eyes went wide open in surprise.
Raviex waited for Christine’s reaction. Sleep was his last craving right now. Christine too sat up and glared at him from where she was, debating if she should continue this little chatting session. “Ryn?” she repeated his last word. That was all she could manage.
“Prince Raviex Lexondré Katelion—that’s what you threw at me on the day I woke up in Mabluku Territory. I’ve asked Keith, not even he knows my full name. So, how did you know?” Raviex grinned smugly whilst Christine merely raised an eyebrow. “It’s because I traded my full name when I was seven for the privilege of calling you ‘Ryn’, your nickname from your middle name ‘Erynna’, which only your parents could call.”
Christine folded her arms grouchily. “Till this day, I don’t understand how I could be so dumb enough to have done that.”
“It wasn’t dumb! It’s supposed to be a royal secret and would be made known to public only on the day of my coronation. Heck, the few people who knew it were my parents, my godfather and you,” countered Raviex hotly, offended. Then he added on purpose, “Ryn.”
Instead of feeling annoyed, she smiled forlornly. “It’s been two years since anyone called me that. I kind of miss it…Raviex.”
All of a sudden, he did not feel like teasing her anymore. He could have punched himself for joking with her name that contained the memories of her late parents. It was impolite and in a way, it was cruel; a quality his father would absolutely disapprove of. “Why didn’t you tell me about our past? Why did you just vanish without a trace eight years ago?” prodded Raviex, his expression filled with gentleness and care.
“Our childhood days are over. It’s not worth mentioning. I would gladly erase them from my memories if it isn’t because I want to remember the days I had with Mum and Dad. There’s nothing else which I desire to cherish,” said Christine wistfully, her gaze broke off from Raviex.
She picked up a dead tree branch and drew random and meaningless lines on the ground. “Maybe you’ve forgotten, but the only two true friends I had when I was young were Keith and… you.” Raviex started and stared at her as she resumed her drawing, her eyes hidden behind the shadows.
A small girl was sitting alone on a swing. Her hands gripped the bars; her feet pushed the ground lightly, barely swinging the swing. It was in the evening. The sun was mild and the breeze was cooling. The girl thought that it was a nice day to play outside on the playground—with the other kids.
Her grips tightened on the bars with anger until her tender hands hurt. Every time she came out to play with the other kids, they scattered away, similar to how mice do when they see a cat. She gritted her teeth when their accusations haunted her.
“Christine’s a witch!” crowed a girl.
“She’s a freak!” shrieked another.
“Mommy says we should never play with bad children,” taunted a boy.
No one defended her. Why couldn’t they understand that she did not choose to be different? She was as normal as them. Her father and mother said she was exceptional and special, not evil. It was a burden too heavy for a little child who was five years old, yet no one could relieve her from it. It was her fate to be gifted and cursed from the day she was born.
Thud!
A pebble hit her upper left arm. She hissed at the pain. A second one was aimed at her shoulder. She remained silent and stopped swinging. She declined herself to give in to her emotion to retaliate anyhow. She was taught to be patient with life by her mother and she obeyed.
“Get lost, we want our playground back, you lousy witch!” yelled a boy who was bigger size than her. He threw a stone after yelling, injuring her on the knee. Following the boy’s lead, his fellow friends screamed at her and casted stones at her. She refused to budge from the swing. She was determined to prove to them that she was not a nasty girl they thought she was.
It went on for a few minutes. The bullies had undoubtedly developed an interest in her. It was entertaining to them to watch her cringed at the pain they inflicted with their stones. Christine was already trembling all over in agony. Bruises began to appear. There were cuts as well.
By the hands of fate, Her Highness, Queen Seraphina and His Highness, Prince Raviex were having their evening stroll in the company of six Royal Guards. The queen was watching the seven-year-old prince who was witnessing the incident. His eyes were fierce and he had stopped his pace.
As he changed his course towards the girl on the swing, two of the guards followed him. Queen Seraphina smiled to herself, observing the prince’s behaviour. She understood her son completely. He was a compassionate soul. She knew she was blessed to mother a child who readily stood for righteousness despite his age.
“He is, after all, the descendant of King Leo Katelion. I wouldn’t expect less,” she whispered proudly to herself. Then, she heard her son yelled in fury.
“Stop it!”
The boy who started the throwing of stones at Christine veered around and tossed a stone blindly at the person who he took as the one ruining his fun. Before the stone could reach within a yard to Raviex, one of the guards caught it with his bare hand. The Prince did not even flinch despite he was almost hurt.
The boy realized what he just did and began to whimper and plead for forgiveness. The rest fell to their knees and thoroughly forgot about Christine. Christine remained on the swing, with her head hung low.
“Your Highness…” the other guard began to ask on his well-being.
Raviex walked on towards Christine, ignoring the guard. He had heard of this girl; a girl rumoured to have supernatural abilities. Nonetheless, that was not good enough a reason for anyone to mistreat her. She was only a girl; neither did he thought of her as a murderous type.
She was just about like any other ordinary person. Could he be the only one who understood that?
“Are you hurt?” asked Raviex, offering a hand. Christine nodded, lifting her eyes timidly to see the kind boy who helped her. He smiled reassuringly, his heavenly-blue eyes giving her confidence and telling her it was alright. She took his hand and got off the swing.
“Leave!” he shot at the group, kneeling before him. They scrambled in panic to their feet and rushed out of his sight. When he returned his gaze on the girl, he saw her looking up to him in a blend of inquisitiveness and fear.
“Please, I mean you no harm. I am Raviex,” the prince introduced himself.
“Prince Raviex Katelion?” the girl pronounced his name meekly.
“Yes, that’s me. Raviex will do,” he said with a friendly smile. “What is your name?”
“Christine Falcon,” she replied uneasily.
When Raviex extended a hand for a friendly handshake, Christine moved a step back and looked at him distrustfully as tears started to well up in her. “It’s no use. Nobody will ever play with me. They’ll still treat me horribly. Everyone hates me!” she cried. Unable to restrain them any longer, she let her pearl-like tears dampen her face.
Feeling sorry for her, Raviex cleared her tears using his forefinger. He cupped Christine’s hands with his and put on his forever innocent grin, saying, “Not everyone, Christine. Don’t worry; I’ll be your friend.”
Queen Seraphina chuckled approvingly at her prince’s act of chivalry. This was her son.
“You will make a fine king, Raviex.”
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