Lucifenia was known to be a very prosperous country.
The land was said to be good and rich that harvests were always bountiful. The waters were always clean and clear, and the residents of the country almost never complain about anything and lived happily.
Everything about the country just seemed wonderful...Miku would have to disagree.
Miku glared at the various homes that they have passed by. The sun was dipping in the horizon, coloring the sky with red and orange.
The light from the sunset made the village look like a painting as the lights and shadows complimented each other. Miku would've appreciated the view...if it weren't part of the kingdom that ruined her life.
"Prin- I mean Miku-chan, there's an inn nearby." Gumi announced over her shoulder. "Shall we stay for the night there?"
Miku looked over to Gumi and smiled. "Yes we should." She replied. "Just don't let your excitement get to you once we stop."
Gumi laughed loudly. "Geez Miku-chan. Don't worry I won't do anything crazy." She promised as she turned back to the road. She then tugged on the reins, causing the horses to neigh softly and slowed down.
The wagon pulled over in front of the inn and Miku sighed at the fact they would be able to rest. She then glanced at Gumi, who hasn't moved an inch from the driver's seat and Miku tilted her head.
"Gumi-chan?" She called out. Gumi then began to shake visibly and sprang out of her seat. Miku quickly moved to the front and leaned forward to see where Gumi went, only to see that Gumi was twirling around and was sparkling.
"So this is the country of Lucifenia! It's so beautiful!" Gumi squealed. "It's so pretty! I can't believe I'm finally here! Yay!"
Miku let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. "Gumi-chan, I know you're excited but please save your energy for tomorrow." Miku said and Gumi paused then span around and smiled sheepishly.
"Oh right, sorry." She said and skipped over to the front door. "Please wait here Miku-chan while I talk to the owner to get a room, alright?"
Miku nodded to which Gumi nodded back and opened the wooden door, closing it behind her. Miku then pulled back into the wagon and sighed once more. She sat in the wagon in silence as she fell into deep thought. She was finally here in Lucifenia...
The last time she ever visited this place was five. A year before that...incident happened.
Miku's expression darkened at the thought but then she shook her head. No. She shouldn't think about it right now. It'll make her too suspicious. Miku moved to the end of the wagon and hopped off. She glanced around her surroundings, taking in the sight. The place looks a little different than the last time she's been here but then again, she didn't really have the opportunity to explore the village back then.
Miku moved around the wagon and towards the horses. She gently ran her hand through one of the horses' necks and hushed them as they neighed. They have been traveling for awhile and without rest so they were probably really tired. She then peeked up the inn.
The inn seemed quite small. Its walls were made of wood that seemed old and dark and almost seemed out of place due to its dark colors.
She glanced over the sign which hanged over at a small pole, next to the door. She stared at the sign which says: Toragay Inn.
'What a peculiar name for an inn.' Miku thought. Miku then shook her head and turn around to go back to the wagon and grab their luggage. Suddenly, she heard rapid footsteps coming from behind her. Miku turned around, only to have something dark crash into her, causing her to fall to the ground with a thump.
Miku groaned and her eyes were shut from the pain. Yup, she was definitely going to feel that in the morning. She then heard a grunt from above her and she slowly opened her eyes to see a hooded figure on top of her, rubbing his or her head in pain.
Miku blinked once then twice. She couldn't tell this person's gender due to the cloak he/she was wearing but whoever this was, they should definitely know that no one likes to be pin down in the middle of the street like this. Miku glared up at the figure as she yelled. "Will you get off me?!"
The person froze above her and looked down at her. For a moment, Miku caught a glimpse of light blue eyes which made Miku pause. There was something about them that seems so...
"Sorry." The person said (Judging from the voice it was definitely male) before getting up. Miku followed suit and brushed the dirt off her skirt. She was about to say something until they heard heavy, metallic footsteps coming from the corner. The person looked panicked before turning back to Miku. "Sorry but could I hid in your wagon for now?" He asked.
"Wha-" Before Miku could finish her thought, the person ran pass her and leap into the wagon, shutting the blinds down. About a second later, two men burst out of the corner, quickly scanning their surroundings. One of the men instantly spotted her and approached her.
"You girl! Have you seen someone ran past here?" He demanded. Miku blinked then glared at the man's rude gesture towards her. She then looked up and down at the men before her. They appeared to be wearing full body armors, minus the helmet and on their armor's chest plate was the crest of Lucifenia.
So they were knights and from the way that person reacted, they were obviously chasing him but why's that? Miku didn't really want to know and was inwardly debating about the situation. She could tell them that the person they were chasing was hiding in her wagon and be done with it or she could just simply mislead them and be some sort of savior to that mysterious person. Oh, what to do?
Apparently, Miku's long silence was beginning to irritate the two knights as one of them barked. "Hurry up child! We need answers now!"
Miku glared even more at them. They were being really disrespectful to her so she was not going to be nice to them either. "He went down here and made a turn." Miku said as she pointed down the road. "If you hurry, you might catch him." She snorted with a mocking look.
The knights scowled at her before rushing down the street without looking back. Miku childishly stuck her tongue out at them as they disappeared into the corner. "Idiots." She softly grumbled.
The mysterious person peeked from the blinds of the wagon before he sighed and hopped out the wagon. "Thank yo-" The person stopped when he saw a slim finger suddenly pointing at his face.
"Don't thank me! I only did it because they were being extremely rude to me." Miku grunted as she lowered her hand. "But since I just saved you, I deserve some explanation on why you were trying to escape from those guards and decided to hide in my wagon?"
The stranger smiled and scratched sheepishly. "Ahaha, I guess you're right." He then pulled his hood off his head, revealing his face. Miku raised a brow at him. The boy seems close to her age. He had pale blond hair that shaped his face quite well and bright blue eyes that seemed to be sparkling. She had to admit...he was quite good looking.
Miku tilted her head as her gaze went to the top of his head where a pair of cat ears were set. "Are those...real?" Miku couldn't help but ask as she pointed at the boy's head.
The boy blinked and reached for the top of his head, feeling the ears. "These? No, of course not." He said. "Well, You must have to be terribly naive if you believe these things are real." He laughed, which caused Miku scowl. "I was just asking you know." She huffed while the boy chuckled.
"Anyways my name's Seewoo Kim." The stranger introduced himself with a mock bow. "And may I ask your name, fair maiden?"
Miku rolled her eyes but regardless, she grabbed her skirt and curtsied. "My name is Miku Hats- I mean Hachune. Miku Hachune." She said, catching herself. She nearly said her real last name. Tell anyone her surname would be result to her being caught or worse so its best if she stayed careful or else, her plans would be foiled. "So anyways Kim-sa-"
"Please just call me Seewoo, fair maiden." Seewoo cut in with flirtatious grin and Miku deadpanned. "Kim-san-" Miku repeated and Seewoo faltered (rather comically). "-Are you going to explain yourself now? On why knights of the Lucifenia army is chasing you?" She questioned.
Seewoo paused and smiled nervously. "Right um about that..." He began hesitantly as he lightly scratched his cheek in a sheepish manner. "I might have...well, taken some things from them."
"You mean you stole from them?" Miku blinked in surprise. "It wasn't anything big!" Seewoo defended. "Just a couple of jewels and gold coins...just two or three bags really."
There was a pause between them but Miku let out a heavy sigh. "Unbelievable. Did I seriously helped a thief escape without realizing?" She groaned. "Maybe I should've told them after all."
"Hey, I'm not a bad guy." Seewoo huffed. "They were extorting money from people by taking advantage of their position so I just stole what they took." He said. Miku raised a brow at him and Seewoo sighed. "Okay...and maybe I helped myself into some of it but that's not the point."
"Its a really long story but-" He then suddenly pushed back his worn-out cloak and reached into his satchel then pulled something out before grabbing Miku's hand.
"Here." He said as he dropped what seemed like a gold necklace into her hand. "A thanks for saving me back there."
Miku stared at jewelry then frowned and offered it back. "No thank you." She said. "Eeeeh, why not?" Seewoo wondered with a small pout but made no move to take the necklace back.
"I don't want to be an accomplice to a thief." Miku bluntly said. Seewoo sweat dropped then chuckled. "You're a feisty one huh?" He remarked. "How interesting."
He then grinned. "Well, keep it anyways. Think of it as a commemoration of our meeting today."
Miku was about to object but Seewoo had already has pass by her. She span around as Seewoo grinned. "Until we meet again, my fair lady!" He exclaimed before dashing off and moving to a corner.
Miku huffed. Geez, that guy. Miku glanced back down at the necklace. It was quite lovely. It was golden necklace with a unique design and in the middle was a small emerald that glistened under the light. It was indeed a beautiful necklace...a stolen necklace at that.
Miku sighed. Oh well. It would be a waste to throw it away so she decided to just hold onto it for now. Miku heard a door opened and Miku span around to see Gumi walking into view and turn to her with a smile. "Great news Pri- I mean Miku-chan. I managed to get us a room and its rather cheap." She reported.
Miku nodded. "I see. That's good." She said. "But we should check out the room first to see if its good enough and perhaps we should also bring the wagon to a nearby stable too." She suggested and glanced at the horses. "They must be tried from the trip, after all..."
"Of course Miku-chan." Gumi nodded. She then turned and hopped back into the driver's seat. "I'll go look for a stable while you go and check the room, alright? I'll back as soon as I find one." Gumi said. Miku nodded in response to which Gumi nodded back before she pulled on the reins and the horses began to move.
Miku looked to the inn and took a deep breath before she walked over and opened the door. The inside of the building was surprisingly spacious. The first floor was a dining area, with a counter further within. That counter was backed by shelves that contained dozens of bottles of alcohol. The door beside the counter most likely led to a kitchen. At the side, there was a set of stairs.
The windows were closed, and so the interior was somewhat dark with only a couple of candles that lit dimly in the dark. It was slightly unnerving to say the least but it seemed like a well managed place.
At the counter was a young woman wiping a glass casually without looking up. Miku blinked as she realized that the woman had grassy green hair, similar to that of Gumi. Was it possible that that woman is...
Miku quietly approached the woman, who continued to wipe the glass and paused. "Um..." She awkwardly began. "Is there something ya need?" The woman questioned without looking up from what she was doing.
"My friend came in here just now." Miku began. "She said we have a room." This time, the woman looked up at her and scanned her appearance. Miku did the same and looked at her.
She was really beautiful and mature looking. Her grassy green hair was tied into a high ponytail and she wore a bright yellow off shoulder dress, revealing her shoulders and a bit of her cleavage (which cause Miku to blush slightly). She also wore a necklace which was shaped as a star. She was indeed a beautiful person.
The woman raised a brow at her. "Oh so you were with that girl just now." She said as she placed down the glass and reached below the counter. She then slide a small key towards her.
"First room on the right once you go up the stairs. If you have any luggage, you can put them into the chests at the foot of the bed." She said.
"You were pretty lucky to get a room at this time. With the events of the ball coming up a lot of inns have been filled up to the brim. Then again, those inns are one of those high class kinds so I get it." The woman sighed.
Miku smiled awkwardly. The woman was quite the talkative. "I see. We are quite lucky then." Miku said. "Well then..." Miku bowed then turned to go up the stairs.
"Hey..." The woman called out. "You used to be someone from Elphegort right?"
Miku paused and glanced over to her shoulder. "Yes...Is there a problem?" She asked cautiously. The woman snorted and shook her head. "Nah, of course not. As you can tell, I was a former Elphegort resident myself." She pointed out.
"It can sometimes be rough around here for those who use to live there. Its a bitter incident no one wants to remember. I reckon you should be careful around these streets, especially since you and your friend got green hair."
Miku turned back to the woman and raised a brow. "Why? Do the people here discriminate people with green hair?" She questioned, feeling a sense of bitterness in her taste buds as she thought of people discriminating her people, with pure disgust.
The woman hummed. "Not exactly sweetheart. It's more like the opposite." The woman said. "With the population of Elphegort being cut to a handful due to the war, people began to think that people with luscious green hair as some kind of last treasureof the country of green or something. There were a lot of crimes because of that. You wouldn't believe the things people would commit in order to obtain that green hair."
Miku let out a snort. "Are you serious? That's just ridiculous!" She couldn't help but remarked. People would commit crimes all because of green hair? That was just absurd in more ways than one!
"Believe it. As stupid as it sounds its true." The woman sighed. "There were some cases where people would forge green hair by mixing it into some weird powder and sell it in black markets but in bigger cases, there those who would kidnap people with green hair to either cut the person's hair...and perhaps their body up, or to sell them to slave traders at a high price. Especially the women."
The woman then stared at Miku. "You should be the most careful sweetheart. With hair as long and luscious as yours, especially the fact that you're a pretty lass, would make you a high price target." She warned.
Miku lightly twirled one of her long pigtails with her slim fingers. "Oh, I'll be fine ma'm." Miku reassured. "If anything, I'll probably be the one to toss anyone who gets in my way to the gutter."
The woman blinked at her before she snorted and laughed. "You're an interesting girl, ya know." She chuckled. "I like you a lot. I'm Sonika by the way. What's your name, kid?"
Miku blinked then smiled. "I'm Miku...Miku Hachune." She said as she curtsied.
Sonika snickered as she leaned forward, planting her elbow onto the counter and cupped her cheek. "Oh? You're the polite one huh? Definitely different from a minute ago." She said and Miku scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"Anyways I shouldn't keep you here any longer. You should go and see the room for yourself." Sonika said, gesturing her to go. "If ya need anything, just ask alright?"
Miku nodded. "Yes, thank you." She said and bowed before she turned and climbed up the stairs. Miku glanced to the right and moved over to the first door, fitting the lock and entering it without a word. Miku walked deeper into the room and glanced around.
The room was a bit small but looked like it could fit in two people. The room was bare, apart from a pair of simple bed frames with accompanying chests. Both beds had black and white sheets sitting on top of them. As Miku looked out the window, she saw a view of the purple sky getting darker as night time crept around. The stars and the moon shone brightly above the small town.
It seems like they were able to get a really good room. Miku nodded in satisfaction before she walked over and sat down on one of the soft beds. She then remembered the object in her hand and looked at the necklace. What should she do with it? She wasn't really fond of jewelry and giving it Gumi would make her feel like she was trying to make Gumi look like a thief.
Miku mentally cursed at that blond haired thief. To think she had helped a thief without realizing it but then again...he didn't seem so much like a bad guy...
Miku sighed as she tossed the necklace to the side before falling back to the bed. She stared up at the ceiling as she thought about her plan.
The only reason she ever came to this country was to get her revenge. It may seem like a long shot but it was going to be worth it.
Miku folded her arms underneath her head as she thought of what Sonika said. She knew Lucifenia wasn't the 'wonderful' country it seems. She still couldn't believe there were those who would chase after her people merely for their green hair. She had to do something.
Miku scowled at the thought. She was going to bring these five countries to ruins. Just like what they did to her kingdom. She rolled over to her side and closed her eyes, wondering how she can start her plans.
A/N: Heya guys! Its been a long time! I am (somewhat) back in business! I hope you guys are enjoying yourself because I...am just here, isolated from the world. Yeah, even though right now I'm having a vacation after a whole grueling year of school...I realized I have no idea what I am going to do.
Yeah, Its a real pain but its better than being hunched over all day, writing notes and listening to endless lectures of stuff that I know I'll forget within a week or so. So yeah, I'm doing great so far.
Btw the name Torogay Inn is actually in the evillous chronicles so I thought why not place it here since I already got some of the names of the kingdoms (sorry but I'm horrible at naming places ^^;)
Anyways there isn't much to report right now. Please review and fav when you have the time okay?
Well for now, bye bye!
-Yugao702