CHAPTER 37

“The undignified Lion.”

 

Raviex frowned at his Visual-C.

            “Why? What’s the matter?” asked Christine. “Is the connection here too weak?” She checked hers on her wrist but the signal was perfect and healthy.

            “No… Erik refused my call,” explained the Prince, a little unhappily. He was, after all, born in a position where people always answered to him. A refused call was not something he was used to.

            Christine smiled to herself at his slight annoyance. “Try again. He might have accidentally rejected your call or he might have been in the presence of someone.” Raviex agreed with her opinion.

            “Yeah, Raviex, it’s alright if he refused your call. I’ve refused tons of calls from girls before back at home,” blurted Kyoden. He was lying on his single bed with his legs crossed before him and arms tugged behind his head.

            The girl rolled her eyes. “I seriously don’t see the connection between your statement and the situation, Kyoden—and please! Take off your footwear before climbing onto the bed!” She was disgusted.

            “Don’t go sounding like Sonia, Christine. We only need one bossy lady in the group,” he teased, winking.

            She ignored him as Raviex’s Visual-C made a connection with Erik’s GP. A hologram of Erik was projected from Keith’s invention. He did not dawdle with his apology to his best friend and future ruler.

            “Sorry, Raviex. You caught me at a very bad time. Kaira was in my office.” It was his opening line which caused Raviex to stiffen.

            “How is she?” he asked meekly. Christine twiddled with her ponytail, trying to pretend she was not wholly interested in the conversation. It was just another one of Raviex’s call to inform Erik where they were. Kyoden observed the duo and tuned in to the conversation as well from his bed.

            Erik saw Christine beside his royal friend. He grimaced, knowing that he was to be careful as he strung his words. He was feeling drained from all the burden of lies and protecting of lies—even if they were supposedly white lies.

            “She is fine… and she believes that you live, Raviex. She is very worried about you.”

            He nodded once. “I hope my whereabouts remain a secret still, Erik.”

            “I oblige, Your Highness.” There was a touch of reluctance and dissatisfaction in his tone but his loyalty to him held.

            “Thanks,” murmured Raviex, grateful. “We’re on our way to Sage Village but right now, we’ve stopped at a small village en route. It’s the first bed we saw since we left Midas City days ago,” he added jokingly. The sky outside the windows of the crammed room was dark. It was the best lodge they could get in a small and remote location.

            Erik’s countenance changed to one of concern. “Sage Village? You never said anything about going there.”

            “I know. It must have slipped my mind about telling you my plan. The Fierell sisters were told by their master to lead me to their village. He has a lead to my quest for the Ultimate Praetor Valkyr Leo,” he said.

            “But you do know that travellers normally avoid that destination for reasons, right?” questioned Erik who was feeling uneasy.

            Raviex sighed. “Don’t worry. I’m with Sage natives. Surely, the sisters know the safest way home. It may be called the Land of Sorcery or the Land of the Living Mountains but I have, perhaps, the best sorceress in Senadon with me, too. I trust in Lorenne’s capabilities to protect us,” he assured him.

            The other did not look very convinced. “And you know that once you enter that village, no one will know how to reach you, including myself?”

            Christine recalled a tale she heard from one of her people from Mabluku who once ventured to Sage Village. It was said that it possessed such formidable sorcery that it hid the village away from sight within the treacherous Mountains of Silvongein. The only ones who knew the safest path to the place were the villagers themselves.

            Keith adopted the idea of cloaking Mabluku with invisibility from this very village. The difference was that one was by the means of technology; the other was sorcery. Sageans were well known for their secretive behaviour and their dislike to meddle with affairs beyond their mountains. It was understood that they did not appreciate those who intervened with their domestic affairs too, despite being a part of the Kingdom.

            “Erik, if you can’t reach me, it will be the same for the Valkyrians. If – no – when I make it to Sage Village, I cannot be harmed from any exterior force. It’s just that I won’t be able to contact you from there. I’m guessing the intensity of sorcery-based Sacred Energy there would most likely interfere with the communication signals,” said Raviex wistfully.

            “It’s exactly what I fear, my Prince. I worry if I do not hear from you for a while too long,” admitted Erik. “Please be careful. Keep safe.”

            “I will try,” Raviex smiled.

            As the thread of connection broke, a fairly odd silence befell on the trio in the room. Christine inhaled slightly as she stood up from sitting on Raviex’s bed.

            “Where are you going?” he asked, startled by her abrupt leave.

            She lifted her shoulders. “It’s late... and we should rest. Sonia wants us fresh for our last stretch of the journey to Sage Village.”

            “Oh… right,” he muttered. Rising to his full height, the Prince saw her to the door before giving her an affectionate hug and a peck on the forehead to bid her good night. Turning around, Raviex found Kyoden staring at him with an arched eyebrow.

            “Why are you looking at me like that?”

            “You did not even bother to explain?” Kyoden was direct.

            “Explain what?” He, on the other hand, was not.

            The Haikenese shook his head. “The paper cannot hold in the fire for very long, Raviex. That’s what we, the Easterners, always say. She was waiting for you to tell her who ‘Kaira’ was.”

            “I will tell her about Kaira when the time is right. Besides, I’m sure she met her before back when we were still children,” he tried to give himself an excuse.

            “That was then. This is now. My advice is to come clean,” suggested Kyoden. “Girls are princesses, you know. You must treat them like one. Even if I was with multiple girls before, I made sure I dated one at a time. None of them like the thought of sharing a lover with another. Trust me; it will turn ugly if this continues.”

             Raviex knew he was right, but with the lecture coming from Kyoden, he couldn’t help feeling sceptical. “What about Sonia? She’s a girl. Shouldn’t you treat her like a princess as well?”

            “Of course not,” he replied flatly. “She’s not in the princess category. She’s the evil witch in fairy tales.”

           

            “He said that!?” raged Sonia. The mountains echoed her yell, magnifying her already thunderous voice. “KANESHIRO!”

            Shenjoon whistled. “Wow, she sounds really mad.” In order for them to enter Sage Village, they were compelled to follow a path of a mountain range, namely the Silvongein. There were numerous—the brave fools, as Sageans called those who challenged their guardians in the goal of exposing the secrets Sage Village though they were warned of the hazard —who slipped to their deaths or mysteriously went missing in these mountains.

            Kyoden winced. “Raviex, you idiot, why did you have to go running to Christine and repeat what I said?”

            “Sorry, I thought it was funny, so I shared what you said with Ryn. I didn’t know she’d tell Sonia,” Raviex apologized.

            “Girls share stuff with each other, okay? Especially when they’re close. Guys stick together. There are things which stay with us and cannot go to the girls!” he chided.

            The Flamese and the Prince stared at him in disagreement.

            Kyoden sniffed. “I hate people who are in love. They are insensitive and unsympathetic.”

            Two seconds later, the two other males in the group watched on as Sonia pulled Kyoden down on the collar to her height and growled, “So I’m a witch, eh?”

            He sucked in a deep breath. “What I’ve said, I will not deny… Yes, you are a witch.”

            Raviex and Shenjoon immediately shifted away from him. They could feel a deathly vibe from the elder Fierell sister. I can’t believe he admitted to it! Raviex wondered if she really was a witch because the clouds suddenly darkened and the strong wind blew even fiercely.

            “Sonia, something’s wrong!” warned Lorenne. A staff instinctively materialised in her hand.

            “I’ll deal with you later,” Sonia ensured Kyoden menacingly.

            Christine’s senses, which were trained to be as sensitive as a professional assassin‘s, were vigilant. From the moment she sensed something abnormal in the atmosphere; her daggers were already by her side. They were currently hundreds of feet of the ground, scaling the waist of a mountain. There was absolutely no room for carelessness. One slip and they would be free-falling to their deaths.

            “Do not activate your Skyglide lest your life depends on it. Conserve your Sacred Energy!” ordered Sonia. Her retractable silver spear extended in her hand, ready to strike. Their eyesight was limited by the gust of windstorm. Like the auburn-haired girl, Sonia tied her hair into a tight bun to keep them in place. The winds were slashing at their cloaks, threatening to rip them apart in malevolence.

            “Err… Raviex, is it me or are the mountains moving?” asked Kyoden, dumb-founded.

            “No, the mountains are moving,” confirmed Christine. The tremor became more prominent as the giants of nature altered in position. The shifts caused a roar deafening to the ears. It was all they could do to stay put and not fall of the mountain which they were on. The stretch of mountains sunk or rose, retreated or moved forward. Not one was stationary.

            “Yexi, watch out!” Shenjoon shove his unaware wife out of the way as a rock tumbled from the top. Yexi looked aghast at her near casualty as the rock crashed onto her previous spot, shattering into smaller pieces.

            “Thanks,” she uttered.

            “Always tell me when you are meditating. You have to let me cover you,” breathed Shenjoon, grateful for the close call as well.

            “What on Senadon is going on?” exclaimed Kyoden.

            “The mountains are rejecting us!” shouted Sonia to the group.

            “That’s impossible. We’re natives. The guardians should know they are our guests,” Lorenne mulled over the unexpected situation. “Unless…”

            Yexi finished for her. “You have uninvited guests.”

            A Valkyrian war craft dramatically appeared from the corner of their mountain, causing a wave of dread to wash over the group of seven.

            “Duck!” Sonia screamed.

            Just as all of them dropped to the ground, a line of laser beam swiped above them, missing them by inches. Christine smelled singed hair in the air. It did not help that the mountains were unstable. To their utmost horror, the war craft shot its laser beam vertically at the mountain they were on, intending to plunge them to their deaths.

            Lorenne shrieked as she became the first to fall off the side of the mountain. The rest soon met the same fate as the rocks cracked and gave way beneath their feet. The Valkyrians were more than determined to kill them, firing bullets after them even as they fell.

            It was the instinct of survival which drove them to activate their Skyglides but the vicious wind kept them from good manoeuvre. Being the most clear-headed one, Sonia extended her silver spear and struck it into the body of the mountain, instantly halting her fall. She hung onto it with both arms. While her spear was able to support her, she didn’t know how long she could support herself as her muscles strained from the fighting against the gravity. She could not afford to think about others then. She had to save herself first.

            A metallic arrow shot from below, a titanium rope trailing from its tail. It encircled itself around the shaft of Sonia’s spear. “Thanks, Sonia!” Kyoden’s voice was heard, his body dangling in mid air with the rope as his only hope for survival.

            “Oh, don’t thank me. I didn’t really mean to save you, Kaneshiro! Maybe I should cut your rope, huh? I’m an evil witch anyway,” said Sonia through gritted teeth. Her fingers were sweaty, which was something worth for her to worry.

            “You don’t mean that,” laughed Kyoden nervously.

            “Shut up, Kaneshiro, I’m trying to think of a way to get us out of this bloody mess!”

            Sonia felt her heart skipped a beat as her fingers slipped from her spear. It was her blunder which would cost her life. The world around her whirled around as she fell.

            “Gotcha’!” mumbled Kyoden as he caught hold of her right arm. He gave a forced smile. Beads of sweat flowed from his forehead. “Hold on! Don’t let go of me!”

            She cast an anxious look at him and the rope. “I’m too heavy. Your rope can’t support both of us!” she argued, “You’ll fall along with me!”

            “No, you listen to me! We will survive this! This is a rope of titanium. It will not fail us. So, you will shut up now and think of a way to save us!”

            Sonia was flabbergasted by his overtaking of authority. For once, she felt relieved she was not in control.

            Meanwhile, Shenjoon had taken hold of Yexi. “Yexi, bind yourself to me with your sash.” She did as told and hurriedly wrapped her silk sash around his torso. It would have been a ridiculous task if she weren’t using her Sacred Energy.

            “Tao-Yang Energy Armour!” commanded Shenjoon. Instantly, a golden aura enveloped him to increase his defence. “Tao-Yang Energy Cloak!” This time, his strength soared through levels.

            Knowing this was the only way to rescue them; he powered his Skyglide in the direction of the mountain and swung a fist into the rocky wall with all his might. He held back the excruciating pain and swallowed a groan as his body hit the wall in momentum, knocking the breath out of him. Ramming in the second fist nevertheless, to gain a firm hold, he could not imagine what it was like to do this without the help of the Tao-Yang Energy Armour.

            “Shenjoon!” cried Yexi who had clung to his back. It wouldn’t do for her to see her husband so badly hurt for their sake.

            “I’m okay, Yexi,” he gasped, though it was an obvious facade. “I’m doing this so that you can sing to me to sleep again tonight. I don’t want any of us to die. Not now…”

            In his ears, he heard her sob.

 

            “Raviex!” shouted Christine. To her bewilderment, one second she saw him falling beside her and the next, he disappeared.

            Raviex felt his body hit a solid surface. The landing made him nauseous and disorientated. He thought he was a goner but a soft echo-like chuckle alerted his mind.

            “Yes, you are not dead… yet!”

            He rose to his feet, grasping onto Letaikno as he experienced a shockwave of Darkness Sacred Energy.

            “Look at you. You’re weak--”

            Raviex witnessed a fading blur in confusion and the next moment, he experienced an immense shove in the stomach. The strength of it did not seem to belong to a normal human. He was certain it had broken a few of his ribs. What frightened him more was the fact that he could not lay his eyes on his attacker.

            “You’re defenceless--”

            The voice was strange, as though its owner was far away yet very much in the vicinity of him. There was that fading blur again. Where---

            An agonizing blow landed on his back. He collapsed to the ground. What was going on? Where was he? Who was the attacker?

            “And you want to be king,” the assailant sneered. “You have no idea just how feeble and frail you are… just like your father.”

            At the insult of his father, Raviex retorted irately, “He was not weak!” Enraged by his provocative words, he ignored his pain and stood up, burning to strike Letaikno at the offender. But there was no one in the vast white space.

            “The game doesn’t work that way, foolish Prince. In this space, I am in control. Now, how about we invite your little girlfriend to join us, hmm?” he proposed mischievously.

            “No! Stay away from her!” he bellowed.

            “Aww… you didn’t say ‘please’!”

            Raviex’s blue eyes widened in terror as a hooded figure appeared with Christine struggling against him. “Let me go!” she screeched.

            “Ryn!”

            “Raviex!”

            “The Royal Couple, I see,” he sniggered. “Don’t worry, I will let the two of you unite—in hell!”

            The figure grabbed at Christine’s throat and threw her at Raviex who was rushing to her aid. “Didn’t I tell you I will unite the two of you?” he goaded. With a swipe of a hand, he flung Ryn off Raviex as if she was a rag doll. The violent blow knocked her into unconsciousness.

            He bent down near his head. As Raviex lay indignantly on the ground, he saw within the hood and saw a mask of a snake which concealed a pair of devilish eyes and partially the face of the person. “What did I say, Your Highness? You are useless. You can’t protect the one you love. You can’t even protect yourself!” he scoffed at him. “You have barely seen a part of my powers.”

            Raviex swung a defeated punch at him but missed miserably. He got onto his four and attempted to fight back but was kicked at the side, sliding a few feet away.

            “No matter how you try, you cannot beat me. If you live through this, I want you to remember how I humiliate you,” he hissed.

            “WHO ARE YOU?” roared Raviex in bitterness and anguish.

            “I’m glad you asked,” he said in pseudo sweetness.  “I am Lazachus Valkyr. At your service, Your Highness.” Smirking, he snapped his fingers.

            All of a sudden, Raviex found himself back at the Silvongein, falling. 

CHAPTER 38

“Guard me with your wings of sanctuary.”

 

Wake up, my child. You still have your duty to the Prince to attend to.

            “Master...?”

            Christine’s state of mind suddenly drew consciousness, as though it was compelled to. She winced as sharp, cold blizzard whipped and pierced her exposed face.

            “Ryn!”

            Her hazel eyes came into quick focus while she became aware of the horrific situation. She was falling at a dangerous speed and Raviex was falling after her, his hand outreached. Instinctively, she reached out for him. Hands joined, they shared a moment of eye contact.

            Nearing the end of the fall, a thousand emotions overwhelmed the couple. None was willing to admit to the fate of death yet neither could find a possible way to survive this test. Through those blue eyes, Christine recognised deep hurt and defeat. There were no sparkles in them; they were no longer clear—clouded by tears of anger and denial.

            You are useless. You can’t protect the one you love. You can’t even protect yourself!

            “Raviex...”

            That’s not true.

            A strange colossal surge of Sacred Energy suddenly focused from all parts of her body to the seal on her right arm. The ancient writings which formed the seal around her upper arm shone a blinding blue and burst into nothingness. Raviex’s eyes widened in awe as two glorious wings materialised from the girl’s back, widespread.

            The blizzard disappeared around them and was replaced by a tranquil peace which was totally out of place considering they were a breath away from death just a heartbeat ago. A blue translucent sphere protected them, offering a much needed sanctuary to them. Gravity did not affect them anymore, in fact, they were defying it. Linked still by their hands, now, the Yamist was gazing down at her lover with tenderness and benignity.

            Pulling him toward her, Raviex and Christine locked in embrace.

 

            “Sonia.”

            Kyoden could feel that he was arriving at the end of the supply of his Sacred Energy. Sonia understood that soon, he would not be able to maintain the titanium rope. Without a constant flow of Sacred Energy, the living titanium could not be shaped.

            “Please forgive me if I cannot save us,” he sighed.

            “Idiot... How could I blame you?" muttered Sonia. In the face of death, she thought they were facing it rather calmly.

            “I’m sorry.”

            The usually hot-headed girl closed her eyes in submission. The titanium rope returned to the heart of the crossbow though it did not choose to desert its master.

            Suddenly, both of them saw a light—a light they deemed from the life after death.

 

            “Raviex!”

            “Your Highness!”

            Raviex’s pupils adapted from sudden brightness to the current dim lighting. It was almost dark and the sun was setting.  Streaks of orange reached out in vain as darkness curtained the sky. In his arms, Christine lay unconscious but safe. Her wings had vanished but there were traces of them to remind him they were real. Around them, white feathers tainted by the orange of the sunset littered their grassy bed.

            Yexi and Shenjoon came to their side. Raviex was lost with words. Moments ago, Christine had performed a miracle, saving their lives. Now, she was much alike asleep. After feeling for her veins at her wrist, Yexi assured the Prince, to his relief, that she was alright.

            There was another shocking zap of light. Kyoden and Sonia appeared a stone’s throw away from them. Sonia was confused when her eyes were occupied by a canvas of awakening stars but whatever she was imagining; she waved it off and merely swallowed down the fact that they barely escaped death. For a scene like this, she was almost sure that Kyoden would make a loud and silly remark for which she would yell at him.

            Strangely, she heard none of it.

            As she struggled to pull herself up into a sitting position, Yexi was already checking for Kyoden’s pulse. She looked questioningly at Kyoden as though to ask him why he was just lying still.

            “He’s okay, just over exhausted but his Mortal Vein needs healing assistance,” Yexi diagnosed worriedly.

            Trying to suppress a wave of panic from gripping her mind, Sonia identified the place they were at. “We are on a hill near Sage Village. We must hurry and seek for my Master’s help!”

            Like answers to their prayers, six figures arrived on the scene in six small pillars of light.

            “Sonia!”

            “Lorenne, thank the gods you are fine!” Sonia hugged her sister and kissed her on the forehead. “But how did you...”

            “I’ll explain later. Master is waiting for us. He has sent his aid.” Lorenne was referring to the other five who had come with her. They were dressed in robes likened to a monk’s. Two stretchers were ready and soon, both Kyoden and Christine were lifted on them.

            “I know it’s not exactly the best way to enter my home but... welcome to the lands of Sage Village.”

 

            The doors swung open to emit the masked man. The conversation halted as the other generals watched him disapprovingly. He strolled smoothly to his usual position which was on the right of Lord Valkyr who was sitting on his throne chair.

            “If you could be more punctual with respect to our lord, First General,” General Crone sneered.

            Without addressing him, Lazachus spoke directly to Lord Valkyr. “My lord, I had matters to deal with... and I could not free myself to come immediately as you summoned.”

            General Crone swore under his breath at his obnoxious attitude and excuse. “Who does he think he is?!”

            Lord Valkyr waved a hand to silence General Crone. “Our meeting shall proceed.”

            Reluctantly, General Crone agreed. “As I was reporting, my lord, I have carried out your orders. The Prince and his companions, my men successfully tracked them down in the Mountains of Silvongein. It was obvious that they were on their way to Sage Village. It would be troublesome if they did manage to but the Prince, your lordship, is a goner.”

            A greedy gleam flashed in the dark lord’s eyes. “You are certain, Second General?”

            “Yes, my lord. My men saw the Prince and the others fell to their deaths after they ambushed them,” the general answered with much pride. This time, Lord Valkyr will place me above that miserable son of his!

            To his surprise, Lazachus Valkyr mockingly applauded him. General Crone glared at him, knowing that it was impossible to be an act of sincerity.

            “I simply admire your daring, Second General, to report to our lord something that is nothing more than mere speculation with such confidence,” Lazachus chuckled.

            “What is it that you are trying to say, First General?” the other barked back.

            Lazachus stood out before the court and the dark lord. “Your men, General Crone, assumed the Prince and his companions are dead. Yes, they did fell off the mountain, but your men never witness them hit the ground and well... die, did they?”

            The elder general blustered, “There is no way they can survive such a fall.”

            “Oh?” The son of Dark Valkyr paced about with a contemplative look, hands behind his back. “If I remember right, they are in the lands where the Sages are in control. And...do you really think they will allow the Prince to die in their territory if they could help it?” Lazachus shook his head. “I don’t think so.

            “May I add, General Crone, if your memory has not failed you, the Prince and his Z-tech Crusader fell from the sky and crashed but he survived.”

            He flushed but could not retort. The First General had made his point.

            “Second General.”

            “Yes, my lord!” he answered quickly. Lazachus smirked as he smelled fear.

            “If you wish to remain in my court, you will waste no more of my time and patience!” thundered Lord Valkyr. General Crone winced, immediately falling down to a knee, pleading for mercy. He looked up as he felt a shadow fell upon him.

            Lazachus had stepped in between General Crone and Lord Valkyr. “Your lordship, I ardently hope that you would allow me to solely handle the Prince’s case. I promise you shall not hear from me any news of disappointment.”

            “Very well, the next time you come before me to declare the death of the Prince, I want to see his head! Do not disappoint me, First General,” warned the dark lord.

 

            He suddenly took in a deep breath, as though it was his crucial breath of life. The Haikenese quietly thanked and praised the Light for his survival. He opened his eyes. The room he was placed in had little light. The light from the lamp on the bedside desk was adjusted to the minimum.

            Kyoden then realised that there was another life in this room besides him. A figure was sleeping with her head rested on the side of his bed. Her unruly curls hid her face partially. He raised a hand and stroked her hair gently. So many times she played his opposition, raising her voice at him; so many times he teased her, annoyed her, and argued with her. But there were no less times that they faced near-to-death dangers together.

            Sonia stirred and awakened. As she saw Kyoden smiling faintly at her, she returned the smile.

I’m glad we survived, Sonia.

            The door to his room swung open halfway, when the person saw the scene, she quickly moved to close the door but was stopped by her sister.

            “What is it, Lorenne?”

            Lorenne opened the door again, looking rather apologetic. “Hello, Kyoden, good to see that you are awake.”

            “Good to see you too, Lorenne,” he greeted her.

            “Christine just reached consciousness too. Raviex is accompanying her right now. When we are ready, Master will tell us our next step to fulfil the Prince’s goal of obtaining the Ultimate Praetor,” informed Lorenne.

 

            “Raviex, it is not your fault,” said Christine weakly, gripping his hand.

            He could not even bring himself to look at her in the eye. “You saw how weak I was before him, before the son of Dark Valkyr. It is true, the rumour that Dark Valkyr has a son, Lazachus Valkyr. He is right, I cannot even protect myself. How can I protect my loved ones and my kingdom? You are injured also because of me...”

            Christine understood that after the confrontation with Lazachus Valkyr, Raviex’s self-confidence and pride was utterly and thoroughly shattered. He was afraid that he was nothing but a failure.

            “You’re wrong! No, Lazachus Valkyr is wrong!” she disputed. “Why do you take in his words, Raviex?”

            “He defeated me so effortlessly. I could not stand a chance against him.”

            “Go away, Raviex.”

            The Prince was stumped at her abrupt tone of coldness.

            “Go away. You are not the prince I have faith in. Your courage, your sense of justice and righteousness, your eagerness to defend your people... where are they, Raviex Katelion? Are you abandoning your mission because you encountered defeat?” 

            “But I—”

            “You protected me when we were children not because of your strength; it was because of your kind and compassionate soul, my Prince.”

            A tear rolled from the corner of her eye.

            “Ryn...” He chided himself for making her cry. “Please don’t cry.” Just as how he had brushed away her tears during their first meeting on the Floating Land years ago, he did it the same way. She smiled as she saw that her words had touched him.

            “You are right. I will find a way to protect my kingdom. I won’t give up,” he assured her.

            “Excellent, Your Highness. I’m pleased to hear that.”

            Raviex and Christine turned to see an ancient, benevolent-looking man entering the room. He was balding and his short boxed beard was as white as snow but his owl-gray eyes showed that he was still sharp and alert. He was dressed in similar robes as those who had come to aid them when they first arrived but his was pristine white while theirs were dark green.

            “We have a lot of work on our hands but of course, it will all start after we are ready,” he said. Chuckling, he added, “Pardon me. Allow me to introduce myself, Your Highness. I am Sonia and Lorenne’s master, Riordan Orestes.”

 

CHAPTER 39

CHAPTER 39

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.”

 

Yexi tapped lightly on Shenjoon’s head, disrupting his intense gaze on his urn which was placed on a table in the room especially provided for them.

            “Why are you looking at it like that?” she asked. Without seeking his opinion, she wheeled his wooden wheel chair next to the bed.

            “I did not remember taking my urn along when I was trying to save us,” he blurted. “And it just appeared in our room!”

            Depending entirely on Yexi to move his body onto the bed, Shenjoon yelped when he accidentally banged an arm against the surface of the bed.

            “I’m so sorry, Shenjoon!” His wife apologised quickly. Since he was suffering more from physical injuries, the Sage healers could not do much but to leave his injuries to recover on their own. His hands, lower arms and legs were heavily bandaged with strange-scenting herbs.

            “It’s okay, Yexi.” He shrugged it off. “But I just can’t stand the smell of my bandages!”

            She sighed with remorse. “Sometimes I wish I were a healer, a healer of the flesh at that.”

            The pair of dark Flamese eyebrows knitted together. “That’s weird. Grandpapa always said to be born a Lundea is a great blessing by the gods, plus, you’re a Yamist. Why would you want to be a normal healer? You have to be a non-Lundea to be that.” It was obvious that he disapproved of the thought.

            Yexi’s fluent movement of adjusting the blanket and fluffing the pillows so that he was in the most comfortable position possible, paused for a moment as he reminded her of her duty to the Light, not that she had ever forgotten it. She resumed her doting actions quick enough so that he did not realise the odd stop.

            “Well, if it isn’t because you keep getting yourself injured physically, I definitely would not have such thoughts!” she replied sensibly. Restoration of the body whereby the damages are done by physical inflictions is the one thing the Sacred Energy could not be used for. Resurrection of the flesh was impossible. Otherwise, the rule of the living would be breached.

            “Yexi, you know that the Tao-Yang Energy in me hastens my recovery. Christine and the others get physical injuries from fights too and they have their Sacred Energy to help them heal, even though they don’t heal immediately,” he said, placing his arms on his body to avoid lying on them in his sleep.

            The wife laughed quietly. “You’ve become more talkative lately.”

            Shenjoon smiled at the remark. “I think it’s because of this journey.”

            “I agree, Shenjoon. We have found very pleasant people for friends.”

            He closed his eyes, prepared to sleep.

“Yexi...”

            “Hmm?”

            “I like listening to your songs.”

            Following his words, a soft melody filled his ears, sending him off to the dream realm.

 

            The Prince dragged his feet on the grass, unable to lift them up to walk properly. He gritted his teeth as he felt terrific amount of gravity tugging onto his body due to the weight bags strapped to his four limbs. Master Orestes had told him to hike along the circumference of the small village with the weights. Two hours had gone by but he was not making good progress, barely completing one-quarter of the circumference.

            He leaned against the defense walls which protected the village within. They were not brick walls; they were simply crude walls of stone erected from the grounds. Sage Village was outlandish. Everything was, in a way, natural. While the interior of the homes of the villagers might appear the same as any other homes in the outside world, their exteriors were actually gigantic trees. The types of trees were decided according to the residents’ preferences.

            As he was fit to commence his trainings before the others, the Fierell sisters’ master insisted he used his time productively. He was of the same opinion but he didn’t expect his starting task to be as gruelling as the present.

            “If we had more time, I would have you carry out this training the way Sonia did. However, she began since childhood. You don’t have the luxury of time, hence, you might find my trainings more severe than any of which you have undergone.”

            Those were the master’s words.

            His lost of focus caused him to trip over a stray stone on the ground.

            “Argh!”

            He stumbled and plummeted down onto his four. He smashed a fist onto the ground, frustrated. The late morning sun was beating down on him. His whole body was drenched with his own sweats. He turned over to face the sky, lying on his back.

            I’m so tired...

            A gentle breeze brushed against his cheeks. He heard chirpings of the birds and rustles of the leaves and grasses. It seemed so peaceful and tranquil in this part of the Kingdom. Who would believe there was a great evil haunting the world beyond, where peace was so fragile?

            He opened his eyes when a shadow cast over him, blocking the blazing sunlight.

            “Lorenne!”

            He struggled into a sitting position. The Yamist of Wisdom giggled as she watched him made his effort.

            “It’s not funny,” the Prince grumbled, a little annoyed.

            “I’m sorry, Raviex,” she apologised, smiling mildly. “Forgive me but I really don’t think you should be resting.”

            Raviex exhaled. Master Orestes must have sent her to check on me.

            “I came because Christine wanted me to make sure you are not slacking.”

            The pair of heavenly blue eyes blinked, then, its owner slowly ruffled the hair on the back of his head guiltily. “It’s just so... tough.”

            “Persevere, my Prince. Master knows what he is doing,” comforted Lorenne.

            He could only nod wordlessly.

            “Christine would have come here personally but she can’t, of course. When she heard about your training, she told me that it would be better for you to have company as you carried it out,” the girl explained.

            It was strange how the simple, kind thought from the red-haired girl could easily conjure a smile on his face.

            “Thank you, Lorenne.” He felt much rejuvenated. Finally, he was back on his feet and prepared to finish his task.

            “Don’t thank me just yet. My duty is not over. Christine would have used the Visual-C to talk to you but since it can’t work within Sage Village, I’ve promised her that I’ll keep you companied until your mission is accomplished.”

            He laughed aloud. “Alright, why not?” It was better than hiking alone.

            You understand that I am weak when I’m alone, right, Ryn?

            The weight bags did not feel as heavy when he recommenced his training.

 

            The sun was going to set in a few hours when Raviex dropped down in exhaustion before the entrance to Sage Village, sitting with his back against the stone wall. He let out a cheer whilst Lorenne clapped happily for him.

            “Mission not accomplished if you don’t step into the village, Prince Ax.”

            A light chuckle followed. “Come in already, Raviex.”

            Raviex turned his head to see Sonia, Kyoden and Christine welcoming him back from his training (Kyoden and Christine were sitting on a wheel-chair). He laughed heartily. “Hey, you’ve no idea what’s it like!”

            “It can be monstrous, I know,” Sonia said. “Apparently, you’ll be consistently stretched to your limits by Master. I honestly doubt if you can withstand it.”

            “Don’t worry, I’m not too certain myself,” replied Raviex half-jokingly.

            Christine wheeled herself before him. “One step at a time; take your training day by day. It’s easier that way.” She offered a hand to him. Taking it, he pushed himself up, staggering slightly.

            “How are you feeling today?” he murmured as he bent over to kiss her forehead tenderly.

            Kyoden coughed. “Excuse me, there’s another person who is injured severely during our Silvongein expedition which caused the fella to be stuck in a wheel-chair too.”

            “I did not forget you, Kyoden,” remarked Raviex, amused.

            “Then you shall kiss my forehead too.”

            “No, thank you, Kyoden,” the Prince declined instantaneously, retreating behind Christine.

            “Okay,” the Haikenese sighed.

            “It’s not even funny,” Sonia uttered mercilessly.

            “You’re saying that only because I did not ask you to kiss my forehead,” he returned her a haughty retort.

            Sonia kicked his wheel-chair so that he flopped onto the ground clumsily on his belly. “I’m a patient, you witch! I am so reporting you to Master Orestes!” wailed Kyoden.

            Lorenne hurriedly helped him back to his wheel-chair; the other Fierell grunted as she left. “And I thought the two of you would have gotten along a little by now,” she muttered. Kyoden turned a deaf ear on purpose.

            But that’s how we communicate...

            “Raviex, Master Orestes is waiting for us,” informed Christine. He nodded once and began wheeling her in the direction of the Sage’s home. Lorenne and Kyoden trailed just behind.

            Trees of exotic kind greeted them as they walked. Most were roughly as tall as a two-storey building, with leaves as large as a man’s palm and branches which reached out. The flowers which blossomed from the trees, however, varied.

            Just before they took the left route to Master Orestes’ tree, Raviex’s eyes lingered upon a peculiar weeping willow located further down the right route beside a pond. It would have passed off as a normal weeping willow if it was not for its white leaves which possessed the sparkles of diamonds. His hair on the back of his neck pricked up as he felt invisible eyes on him, observing him from the tree.

            “Lorenne, who does that weeping willow belong to?” he asked, his sight still fixed onto it as they walked on.

            There was only one tree on the other path they left behind, so, she instantly knew. “The Three Silent Sages reside in that tree, Raviex,” she replied uncomfortably.

            “Silent Sages?” repeated Christine who became interested to. It was hard not to notice such a tree. “Don’t they have names?”

            “Umm... I don’t really know a lot about them, to be honest with you. I’ve never seen them out of their tree nor met them personally. The villagers here merely refer to them as the Three Silent Sages,” said Lorenne.

            “It’s not just them. I feel the people here generally are quiet,” commented Kyoden. The other foreigners were of the same opinion. Raviex was uncertain if it was the appropriate word to describe them but he saw that they were far different from the people he met in Little Dai Town or Kaza City. While they do associate themselves with one another, they would speak very softly despite the non-existence of such regulation. He realised also that the villagers wore similar simple robes.

“It must appear strange to all of you,” admitted Lorenne. “Those of us who live here, we are close to nature. The way we live revolves around the principle of respecting nature. That is why, though we seek comfort, the villagers here always make sure nature is not harmed,” Lorenne explained.

“To live with nature...,” mused the Prince. They literally do live with nature.

“But why is it that you and Sonia do not dress as how the villagers do?” questioned Christine.

Lorenne’s green eyes fell to the ground. “We aren’t real natives from Sage Village. Master said our parents left us with him in order to stop the Civil War of Ignorance.”

Raviex, Christine and Kyoden murmured their apologies. The Civil War of Ignorance occurred roughly a decade before the Kaza War in Sage City between three groups of people: Flamese-Sage and Millen-Sage, who made up the larger share of the population of the city, and the remaining minorities.

Sage City was not one of the Eight Powers which existed before the kingdom. It existed after the formation of the Katelion Monarch; its existence came also after Sage village (there was no connection of history between these two places). The civil war broke out when the people became intolerant with one another. It was discovered later that it was the Valkyr Empire which fanned the flame of hatred among them. While there were those who tried to prevent the war from occurring, damages and casualties still happened.

“Master Orestes brought up my sister and I here where it is peaceful and distant from dangers but he did not bind us with the traditions of this village. He told us that we do not originally belong here and one day, we will live this village to lead on our lives,” added Lorenne. She smiled when she thought of her sister. “I know Sonia loves to venture out of here. It is not the same for me. I love this village. If the Light could grant me this wish, I hope to live out my life here without worldly worries.”

Deep within, Raviex yearned for the same wish too. He knew it could not be so since he was the Crowned Prince. The peace of the world was his responsibility. It was not a choice but fate.

The walk to Master Orestes’ home was short since it was, after all, a small village. It marked the end of the conversation. The old Sage was watering the bushes which grew by the side of his tree. He looked up at the group.

“Can’t you magic the bush to water themselves?” asked Kyoden, frowning, as though it was the smartest question one could ask on that very spot.

          Master Orestes laughed heartily. “If you can do it on your own, why should you not accomplish the work with your own hands?” He then beckoned them into his tree.

            The three who came from beyond Sage Village sat around a round table as Lorenne dutifully prepared tea to be served. They had not passed the stage of awe as to how the interior of the trees could become homes to the villagers. Inevitably, they suspected there was sorcery at work.

            “You have finished your hike earlier than I expected, dear Prince,” the Sage remarked with favour. “Your grounding is fairly well but do not be too pleased just yet. The journey is not a breeze.”

            Raviex found difficulty to move with the weight bags around his arms and was about to remove them when Master Orestes stopped him. “You will carry out daily activities with those on until I say you may remove them,” he said sternly. “You will walk with them, sleep with them, eat with them, do your trainings with them et cetera, but I will exempt you from them when you are going to take your bath.”

            He was compelled to say ‘yes’ and grabbed his cup of tea with much clumsiness. “I feel sorry for you, chap,” sympathised Kyoden.

            “Kyoden, you are no exception. Your training will commence three days from now. I am positive you will achieve full recovery by then,” Master Orestes directed his attention to the Haikenese.

            “Me?” he gasped in horror.

            “Yes, you, it is quite unnecessary for you to make me repeat myself when you clearly understood my instructions,” chided the teacher.

            “Okay,” he said meekly. I would love to know if I can further development my skills anyway. “What about Christine? Why doesn’t she get trainings too?” he whined.

            Master Orestes cast a glance at the girl. I’m sorry, Allegar, there is nothing I can do to help her. “She will assist the Prince when she recovers.”

            Christine looked away from the pair of grey eyes. She understood immediately the reason why she was not having any training. It was not because she was really strong but it was because he was unable to help her with her problem. Since the time her seal was brokened, she had not used skills which required Sacred Energy. She dared not try, afraid that she personally no longer had the control over it.

            “Master Orestes, do you know how I can find the White Ruins?”

“Raviex, I will tell you when the time is ripe. For now, you must concentrate in your training,” advised Master Orester. “From what you have told me, your enemy is incredibly a threat.”

“Yes, Master.”

Christine held his hand, giving him an encouraging smile.

            Watching the scene as he stroke his beard, it occurred to him the relationship between the two. Levon’s son and Allegar’s daughter? He chuckled. Fate was something unfathomable. My beloved friends, who would have guessed that I would be a guardian to your children?