"Achlys, Milla, aren't you cold?" Leia asked as we walked through Mon Highland.
"Eh, a little, but it doesn't phase me," I shrugged.
"You'll both catch a cold," Jude sniffled just after sneezing.
"Oh! A chance to get sick!" Milla beamed.
"You would be the only one excited to get sick," Alvin laughed.
"You're the only one of us who's got a nice, warm coat Alvin," Leia elbowed him in the ribs. "We have to endure this cold!"
Alvin gathered his coat in both hands and pulled it closed. "I love my coat."
"And you also have a nice, warm scarf," Jude pointed out.
"I also love my scarf," Alvin huffed.
I saw Rowan whisper something in his ear and then they both looked over at me. However, before anything could happen, a dragon type monster came charging at us. I pushed my way to the head of the group and as the monster came close, a dark mist formed underneath the creature, and with a fluid movement, I lifted it over the group and on to the other side. The monster seemed so shocked from this, it just kept running, not wanting to even turn around to look.
"We have no time for that," I scowled and trudged forth.
"Woah! What was that?" Leia asked while everyone else was speechless.
I shrugged. "It's a yoga movement that I learned while watching humans. I just... thought it would be a good move for battle, or avoiding battle that is."
"That is incredible, Achlys!" Rowan gasped.
"I bet you guys could do it to with your own artes if you put your mind to it. Come on. Kanbalar is not far," I gestured at them to follow.
Eventually getting to Kanbalar, Jude and Leia looked around like it was a whole other world. It just kept snowing with no stopping in sight. Kanbalar had this calming feeling that I really loved. I guess it was because of the snow gently falling to the ground, or it was because of their faith. Whichever it was, I loved it here.
"Wow, and I thought Xian Du was odd. Just look at this place," Jude said in awe.
"The spirit faith is stronger here in Auj Oule than it is in Rashugal," Alvin stated.
"Whoa!" Leia pointed to my right at the lifts. "Check those out!"
"That's something you won't see anywhere else in the world," Yurgen explained. "It's one of Kanbalar's famous mountain slide cars."
"What are they?" Leia asked.
Rowan chimed in. "Kanbalar was built along the peaks of a mountain range. Those slide cars connect the multiple districts together."
Leia looked down at Elize who was hugging Teepo. "Don't they look fun? I bet we could see forever in one of those."
Elize huffed and walked over to my side. I side eyed her and crossed my arms, confused as to why she hated Leia so much. Ever since Elize found out about Teepo and her past, she's been rude towards Leia. I wondered why. She used to really like Leia. I mean, Teepo didn't... oh.
"How do we go about meeting the king?" Milla interrupted.
"I'll request a royal audience for you when I seek permission to use the wyverns," Yurgen bowed his head. "Don't get your hopes up though. Many people come to the capital seeking an audience, so you may need to wait a bit. I suggest resting at the inn until I get back."
Yurgen walked past us and to the slide cars. I watched as Milla contemplated whether or not to just storm into the castle. I rolled my eyes. Can't she just be patient? With a sigh, I walked towards the inn with no one following me yet except Elize. I kind of felt bad. She seemed so lost, but yet, she stayed with us.
Eventually, the rest of the group piled into the inn's room that they gave us. Elize sat on the floor with Teepo, refusing to get up. I leaned against the wall in the back and tuned out all talk from the rest of the group.
I haven't heard from him in a while. I sent my raven with a letter, but nothing. I wonder what he was planning. Planning something stupid I suppose. I guess I could ask him when we eventually get to Fennmont.
"Elize," Leia's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Wanna do some sightseeing?"
"Miss. Elize, why not join Leia?" Rowan ushered.
"Gosh, now that Teepo's giving us the silent treatment, I guess I need to pick up the slack. Hey, just because Teepo's gotten quiet doesn't mean you have to. I'd love to hear more about you, Elize, in your own words." Leia tried to make a joke, but Elize got up from the ground and Teepo hovered over to Leia.
"Shut up, Leia. You're the one holding us all back, after all," Teepo announced.
"That was uncalled for!" I exclaimed pushing up off the wall.
"Elize, you should apologize," Milla told her.
"You must've really crossed a line if Momma Milla and Momma Achlys' are scolding you," Alvin said, getting up from the bed.
"I hate Milla! And Leia, too!" Elize yelled and ran out the door.
"Elize!" Jude yelled after her, but then turned to me. "Can't you do something?"
"What do I look like? Her mother?" I crossed my arms.
"No, but-"
"Elize certainly sees you as a mother figure," Rowan interrupted Jude.
I put my hand to my head and sighed. "Geez, you guys are making me feel older then I really am. Let's go find her then."
Jude led the way as we looked together throughout the area. She wasn't anywhere in the square. I scratched my head and looked towards the slide cars. She wouldn't go up to the castle, right? No, they wouldn't let her go by herself. We all took off to the residential area where we eventually found her in front of a fountain... with Jiao.
"No reason to be alarmed," Jiao put up his hands in a defensive way. "This is purely a chance encounter, nothing more."
"Elize," Leia took a step towards her. "I'm sorry about before. I can't imagine how lonely you must be without the old Teepo. I know I have a bad habit of opening my big mouth without thinking. Please, forgive me."
"No," Elize huffed.
"Come on, don't say that," Leia muttered. "I'll beg if I have to."
Elize turned around and stomped her foot. "I thought you and Milla were my friends! I hate you! I hate you!"
"Can't you see that I'm just worried sick about you?" Leia asked.
"Liar!" Elize yelled. "You don't care about me at all! I don't want to be friends anymore!"
Elize came charging at me suddenly. When she hit, well hugged, I stumbled a bit backwards. While she hugged me, Teepo hid behind my back, poking his head out from my side. I didn't really know what to do. I didn't really want to comfort her because she was in the wrong. However, I could tell she was quite upset and frustrated. Rowan came to the rescue just then. Thank the darkness.
"Everyone is being kind to you right now because you have them so concerned. You say that you feel hurt, but have you considered your own actions? Do you realize that Teepo's words were just as hurtful to Miss. Leia?"
Elize unhooked herself from me and turned around to look at him. "I hurt Leia?"
"Well," Leia started to swing her body in a half moon shape. "Hurt is a strong word, but you took the wind out of my sails, that's for sure."
"I had no idea," Elize admitted.
"Why don't you try apologizing to her?" Jude smiled.
"But, I said such horrible things," Elize whispered.
"I am certain she will forgive you if you ask nicely," Rowan assured her. "Forgiveness is the sign of a true friend."
Elize ran up to Leia and looked down at the ground. "Leia, I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"
Leia nodded. "Sure, but under one condition. From now on, I want you to tell me more about yourself using your own voice."
Teepo huffed. "You're not the boss of her! You're only 3 years older!"
I tuned out there conversation and glanced at Alvin. He sure was focused on the castle. I wonder if he was anxious about something there. He turned around and looked straight at me, but he seemed to be speaking to everyone when he spoke.
"We could just barge into the castle ourselves."
Jude slouched and sighed. "For the hundredth time, let's not cause any trouble for Yurgen."
"That's no good? Hmm, sounded like a good idea to me," Milla crossed her arms.
I shrugged and started walking the hill towards the castle, whistling on the way up when a voice yelled at me.
"Where do you think your going?" It was obviously Jude's voice.
I glanced back and smirked. "Going to go take a peak inside the castle without you guys."
"Wait for me!" Milla sang as she proceeded to run up the hill at me.
Everyone else shrugged and caught up to us as we got up the hill to the entrance gate to the castle. There was such a long line in front of the gate. However, the guards didn't stop us from just walking through. Something was fishy and I could tell by the look on Alvin's face. He was definitely nervous and anxious about something.
"That's quite the line!" Leia commented. "I guess this king really does listen to his people."
"The King of Auj Oule is well known for his charisma," Rowan explained. "It is said he unified this strife-torn country on the strength of his character alone."
"A guy like that is sure to help us!" Leia exclaimed, but I wasn't so sure.
"Charisma only goes so far. If his government is secretly producing children like Elize, then he must answer for it," Milla declared.
Yurgen came down the steps, actually looking happy that we were there.
"This is perfect timing!" He announced. "We are good to go with the wyverns. Something incredible happened when I requested an audience for Milla. When I told them your names, they said His Heighness was looking forward to meeting you, too."
"That's a good thing, right?" Leia said.
"Probably not," I mumbled crossing my arms.
"Anyway, I need to head back to Xian Du to ready the wyverns," Yurgen bowed his head and left.
"Well," I took a breath and led the way. "No turning back now."
"Right," Jude and the rest followed suite.
Alvin was awfully quiet. Milla and Jude were conversing with him talking about secrets and such. He responded with a don't worry, but I was. I had a really bad feeling about this. I felt my chest tighten up, which was a sensation that I've never felt before. I pushed the feeling aside as we got to 2 guards that looked like they were waiting for us.
"Is one of you Lady Milla?" One guard asked.
"That's me," Milla nodded.
"Very well, please proceed."
"Elize, why don't you leave Teepo out here with one of the guards?" Rowan pipped up.
Elize nodded and handed Teepo to one of the guards. He looked like just an ordinary doll. Rowan knew something was wrong and that put me more on edge. I focused my attention to every detail as we walked. There were barely any guards in the throne room, unless they were hiding. I kept to front just behind jude and just in front of Leia. If we had to get out of there quick, I wanted to be able to get them out of here.
"What are you doing here?" Jude ask Jiao as he came out to the throne room.
"I am Jiao the Immovable, of the Chimeriad," Jiao stated crossing his arms.
"Four warriors in personal service to the king. To think, Jiao was a member all along," Rowan mumbled.
From behind the actual throne, out came King of Auj Oule, Gaius... and Wingul. I narrowed my eyes and gritted my teeth as he noticed me standing before him and his king. We locked eyes for a minute while the king sat on his throne. Eventually, his eyes wandered to Rowan.
"It is a great honor to meet you, former Chief of Staff Ilbert."
"Ah, and you are the Ebon Wing of Auj Oule... Wingul the Nova," Rowan bowed his head.
Wingul turned his gaze to me again and nodded. "Achlys."
I crossed my arms and scrunched up my nose. "Wingul, it's been a while."
"You must be the King of Auj Oule," Milla interrupted.
"My name is Gaius, King of Auj Oule. Welcome Maxwell," King Gaius' voice boomed.
"You have requested an audience with the King, have you not? Now, please state your business," Wingul stated impatiently.
Jude took a step forward and spoke. "Boosters made in your country have already fallen into Rashugal hands. If a war were to break out between your nations, then the results would be catastrophic for everyone."
"Oh?" The King tilted his head slightly. "And you came all the way here just to tell me that in person?"
Leia pipped up now. "We're planning to destroy one of Rashugal's weapons. A really big one at that. Once that thing's gone, we know that Rashugal's king wouldn't dare declare war on you. In fact, we hoped that you might, you know, help us?"
"Is there anything else?" Wingul asked.
"Yes, there is one other matter we'd like to discuss," Rowan chimed in. "It is in regards to the booster laboratory within the Royal Hunting Grounds."
"Is it true you once abducted orphans for this facility and then you performed experiments on these children?" Milla asked demanding her correct answer.
"Well," King Gaius gave a low laugh. "I didn't see that one coming. What does any of this have to do with you, spirit?"
"I am Maxwell. It is my duty to protect both humans and spirits alike," She announced.
"Really?" King Gaius asked. "Spirits, protecting humans? Now, that is quite an interesting tale."
Heh, if only he knew.
"You forsook your duty as king, and then you toyed with the lives of your own people, didn't you?" Milla accused.
"The laboratory is entirely my responsibility," Wingul looked to me. "Have you not told them?" I took a step back and gritted my teeth. Wingul shook his head with a slight smile. "My my, you have not."
"Achlys, what's he talking about?" Leia asked me.
"We can talk about this later," I grunted.
"It was a haven for these children," Wingul continued. "They would have died without it. You imagine it as a mad scientist's lab, but I assure you, the experiments were entirely humane."
"You expect us to take your word for this?" Milla put her hand on her hip.
"But I... I was...," Elize yelled, but trailed off.
"Is this the girl Jiao?" Wingul asked.
Jiao sighed. "Yes."
"Even in Hamil, Elize was forced to live in a tiny room," Jude disclosed. "Don't you consider that-"
"Cruel?" Gaius finished his sentence. "Tell me something boy. Have you ever considered what it takes to achieved happiness?"
"To achieve happiness?" Jude questioned.
"Yes," Gaius nodded. "To try and live a satisfying life. How do you think one can achieve that? Do you even know?"
"Well," Jude shifted his feet uncomfortably.
"It takes freedom to make your own decisions and to form your own beliefs," Mlla interjected.
"Exactly. It takes freedom," Jude agreed, but did he really believe that.
Gaius smirked. "Well, I disagree. When a man loses his way in life, the ground beneath him starts to slowly crumble, until there is nothing left. A man who cannot find his way becomes trapped. The more he struggles, the deeper he sinks into uncertainty. True happiness comes from following a noble path across an entire lifetime without getting lost. My country does not produce failures. Now, let me tell you in no uncertain terms why I've called you here. I know you stole the key from the lab in Rashugal. Now hand it over immediately."
"No!" Milla exclaimed. "The key was not meant for human hands. When faced with a power that could destroy the entire world, no human can control him or herself."
"It seems as though you haven't heard a thing that I just said, spirit," The King's voice got lower.
Milla gave a chuckle. "Something about royal guidance and noble paths? I've heard it before. You humans never change. I've watched you for 2,000 years."
"All right," Wingul turned to actually face us. "Then, why don't you tell us where the key is?"
Alvin walked past me up a couple of steps. I guess he heard my short gasp because he twitched. Alvin? Something in my chest burst and I felt a pain. This wasn't any pain that I felt in my life. What was this thing? I wanted to cry too. I mean, I wasn't going to cry. Especially not in front of Wingul, Gaius, or Alvin, but I felt like it.
"What are you doing?" Jude asked.
"Sorry guys," He replied. "I'm just doing my job."
"Alvin, who did Maxwell entrust the key to?" Wingul asked him.
Alvin gave me a glance and then turned back to Wingul. "The handmaid Ivar. He's probably sulking back in Nia Khera as we speak."
Just then, a woman, known as Presa came running into the room. She looked around before speaking and took a step back when she saw Alvin.
"Al, what're you doing here?" She asked.
"Hey Presa," Alvin did that lousy salute of his. "Long time no see."
She noticed me then, too. "Achlys?"
"Hi!" I smiled brightly.
"Presa, what is it?" King Gaius interrupted.
"The Rashugal army has invaded Hamil," Presa announced.
"What did you say?" Rowan bursted.
"I'm afraid the casualties are high. Those not killed were captured. They were then sent to Rashugal," She continued. "We also found evidence that the power of a great spirit was used upon the village."
"A great spirit?" Gains seemed surprise. "But no one has successfully summoned the four great spirits for two decades."
Wingul turned to me. "Achlys, what do you know?"
"Me? What am I? Some kind of fortune teller?" I hissed at him.
"Send word to the troops that we have declared war! No one shall harm my people!" King Gaius turned from us and left.
Wingul turned to the group. "Well then, we will no longer have any need for the likes of you. But, if His Heighness were to have the Spirit Maxwell and the Great Spirit of Darkness as his captives, even the unruly clans would be forced to bend their knees."
Guards surrounded us. I gritted my teeth and glared at Alvin who adverted my gaze. That asshole. How could he do this? Heh, well, I shouldn't be talking now should I?
"Teepo now!" Elize yelled and Teepo head butted the guard and hovered to Elize.
"Wingul! You want to see one last magic trick?" I grinned as dark mist enveloped the group excluding Alvin. "Vanish," With that, we were transported to the gates of the castle.
"Thank you, Achlys," Rowan did a quick nod.
"So, Alvin really is a big fat liar," Elize sighed.
"I assumed he had his reasons, but this time, he took it too far," Rowan told her.
"Stupid traitor! Lemme at him!" Teepo yelled.
"Why would he betray us like that?" Leia asked sounding concerned.
"I'm afraid even I can't read his mind," Milla answered.
"How could he do this to us?" Jude snarled. "He better not show his face around us again!"
"You can say that again," I whispered to myself as I felt the pressure in my chest again.
"Come on, we better go."
We ran to the slide cars but the gate was closed. The panels were turned off as well.
"If we poor mana into each of these panels, it will open the gates," Rowan said hovering his hands over the main panel.
There were only five, so I stayed back and watched as one by one, the panels were filled with mana, except for Leia's. She seemed to curse at herself and I heard light sobs from her. I could feel her aura and she must have really thought that she was holding us back. I walked over and put my hand over hers.
"We'll do this together," I winked as I helped her fill the panel with mana.
"We did it!" leia jumped and hugged me. "Thank you, Achlys!"
"Come on! Hurry!" Jude gestured us into the car.