Hi dear people! What's up? Is everything alright? Hope everyone is safe from COVID-19 or Coronavirus. Don't worry, one day, this thing will be bound to leave the world. :D
Here's another chapter. Enjoy, read and review! xD
"Oh no!"
The youngest of the group knelt down on the ground. Everybody should have rushed towards her, they should have placed their hands on her shoulders and tried to appease her. But no, they also kept standing motionlessly with their jaws dropped and eyes wide-open. In front of their perplexed vision, there were the offerings of the veneration of destruction that had taken place on the previous day.
The upstretched zenith of the holy institution was broken into pieces. Its golden shards were nearly buried underneath the sandy ground. When the sunlight fell on the sands, both shone with equal brightness, making the viewers fail to differentiate between them. Just like the previous day, sand was gold, gold was sand. The tormentors had proved it clearly. Here and there, blazes of ravages could still be seen. They were performing rampaging dance on the stages of flowers, branches, leaves, fruits and roots. Literally, they were on fire.
The marble-stone columns of the temple were silvery, but cerise. Some bones and skulls were scattering on the ground as if it had been a cemetery. Pieces of colorful cotton and georgette cloths, cut hairs like the threads of butter silk were blowing in the air. From nowhere, a creepy odor hit their ophthalmic nerves as they screwed their noses. They were so dumbfounded that they couldn't utter a single word. They wanted to scream but unknowingly, sleep paralysis captured them even in their awoken condition. Fruits were rotting, flowers were burning. For peace, their souls were yearning.
"What…what's this?" The dragoon-wielder opened his mouth first, after struggling a lot, "It….it cannot be the hermitage of sage Dickenson!"
"Aren't you seeing the temple?" The purple-haired girl poked his arm, "It has been attacked, not destroyed completely."
"It's looking like the residence of ghosts!" The hyperactive American yelled, "I really cannot believe that uncle Hayashi and aunt Sayoko have sent us to such a haunted place!"
"You're a chicken, Maxie!" The female blunette didn't forget her usual duty, "You're a prince, aren't you?"
"Should princes have no fear?" Max pouted, "They're human beings, aren't they?"
"Stop it!"
Everybody became silent as the chocolate-haired princess snapped, the barrage of her patience getting wrecked by the tidal waves of fury. All the young people looked at her. She closed her eyes, the fingers of her hands trembled a bit. A droplet of tears seeped down on her rose-colored cheek.
"I've already talked to the local people who are leaving this place," Her tone seemed embraced, "Yesterday, some demons attacked here."
"What?" Everybody rushed to her. Dew and Charlotte hugged each other in fear. In dread, the female blunette got closer to the blond guy who didn't forget to throw his arm around her shoulders.
"Yes," Hilary nodded, "Sage Dickenson has already taken most of them to his secret base. From the rest, I've known its address. We have to go there."
"You cannot go there, Hilary!" Tyson blurted, "Don't you know that there are demons? We're safe in our palace. Let's go back!"
"Tyson is right, Oni-chan," Dew held her arm, "We would rather return to castle than stay here."
"Let's leave, guys!" Max started walking forward. Everybody followed him slowly. Soon, they had to stop hearing another statement from the Japanese princess.
"I'm not returning to castle, guys."
"You've been crazy, Hilary!" Dashing to her, Tyson squeezed her shoulders, "Do you want to stay here and get killed by the monsters? If something happens to you, His Majesty will burn us alive!"
"My norms will be burnt alive if I don't go there, Tyson," Hilary's eyes glittered with tears, "Seeing only the consequences, we're becoming so frightened. Just imagine what went through those who witnessed it."
From the surface, she picked up an earring. Smirches of blood were clinging to it.
"Just look at it once," She showed it to her friends and cousins, "Can you imagine what happened to the owner of this jewelry? No, right? How can you all be so selfish, people? If father were here instead of us, would he leave the place without knowing about his tormented subjects?"
"Uncle Hayashi is a king, Hil," The male Spaniard retorted, "He's particular."
"Raul, His duties aren't more than humanity, are they?" Hilary questioned that quietened all, "Besides, a daughter is a representative of her parents. Be it the in-laws' home or any other place, wherever she goes, she represents the reflection of them. People, if you want to go back, you may do that. I'm going to the shelter of those destitute people and that's final!"
"You cannot go there alone, Hil," Tyson placed a hand on her shoulder, "Let others return, I'm coming with you."
"How can you think that I'll leave my cousin alone, Tyson?" The blonde also came forward, "I'm coming too."
"Three!" The female blunette jubilated, gaining a smile from her secret admirer.
"Four and five here!" The twins also shared fist-bumps with those who had progressed.
"I may be the youngest of all," The sweet sixteen advanced with tiny footsteps, "But you can count on this Charlotte Tate."
"Great!" Hilary looked at the purplette whose head was bent down.
"Dew…." She softly spoke, reaching her, "Tyson will leave you to the palace, okay? Stay safe."
"Oh yes…." The violet-head raised her gazes where there was only embarrassment, "You all share the virtues with one another and leave me as the sole sinner!"
She sobbed, covering her mouth.
"Yes, I admit that I'm afraid, but I'm not selfish that I'll leave my friends, sister and cousins alone," Dew spoke, "I'll also go with you."
"Duh, silly!" Coming to her, the navy-haired guy patted her head, "Who said that you're being self-centered? Being safe isn't a sin at all. You're coming with us and it matters the most, got it?"
"Thanks, Tyson…" Tears inside her eyes became vapors as her cheeks flushed.
"Then…. let's go there!"
Everyone rushed to their respective steeds which were waiting for their riders. Mounting her one, the brown-haired princess whispered, 'I think…...I feel…I believe that sage Dickenson must have had someone who can kick out these monsters from my motherland. Well….at least Max's prophecy says so.'
Dismounting their stallions and mares, the young people tied them to nearby trees. Then, they entered the secret camp. It was set in the center of the forest. Birds were happily cheeping; flowers were blossoming in plants. Bumblebees and butterflies were restlessly roaming around them. Because of the weight of green leaves and flamboyant, succulent fruits, trees almost bowed down. The site was surrounded with different-sized hillocks. From the highest one, a silvery cascade was flowing down, creating a creek. In it, swans and geese were swimming, letting all the worries go to hell. Seeing the atmosphere, they sighed in relief. However, their smiles disappeared as their eyes fell on the dwellers of the base.
Children were silently sobbing. Their mothers were grasping their mouths so that the sounds of their weeping couldn't be heard. Injured people were groaning in pain. Some people had fever too. Most of them were shuddering violently. They were so quiet that the royal people could clearly hear their heartbeats. From the inner portion of the huts, the tortured women were peeping outside like scared kittens. Old people were muttering something, looking at the limitless blue. The divine comeliness of the place couldn't lighten their mood a bit.
"Look, how scared they are!" Max mused.
"It's natural, Max," Mariam gloomily said, "The demons have tortured them. At least, they saw those creepy creatures doing that. Do you think that it's a matter of joy?"
"But we should bring smiles to their faces, people," The brunette strode forward, "Look, there are two kinds of services. One is physical and the other is mental. People here need both of them. In order to ensure the fact that they're getting proper care, we need to understand and handle their mental states at first."
"But how, Oni-chan?" The purple-haired girl inquired.
"Hmmm…" Thoughtfully, the princess scratched her head. Then, she opened her eyes. They lit up like the flames of a candle as she spoke:
"I've an idea."
The internal ration of the cave was half-lidded with darkness. A couple of metal torches were adjacent to the craggy walls of it from which flames were arising. The ghostly shadows of the demons fell on the ramparts, not motionless at all. They were standing facing the opposite sides, holding sharp javelins. At the center, there was a stone-made square-shaped table. Two monsters were sitting by the opposite sides of it, facing each other. They were engaged in a heavy, huddling arm-wrestling duel. Their ripped muscles became more visible as their blue veins engorged under their olive skin. They clenched their fangs, their eyes wanted to come out from their sockets. The rest of the ghosts burst out exulting, cheering the contestants.
"Slim! Slim!"
"Fatso! Fatso!"
Their hearts pounded heavily. Sweat soaked their skin so much that they started seeming to have a bath right then. Breaths were sternly held by them. After much scuffling, the fat one curved his wrist, making his opponent's back-palm lean against the surface of the table. At this, exultation vastly rose, almost shattering the walls of the cave.
"Folk!"
Everyone became silent. Huzzas stopped. From the curtains of darkness, a footstep fell on the floor. Its nails were polished black. Soon, the other foot also trailed. Then, bit by bit, a feminine figure entered the hall. Seeing her, everybody stood up and bent their heads down. She was in black, full-sleeved gown that was nearly hugging her slender, yet buxom figure. Her long, black hair was straight, blowing gently in the air. Her lips were tobacco-smeared as her hemalyke eyes shimmered a bit in the uneven obscurity of the hollow. The people inside it burst out another jubilation. The arm-wrestlers also joined them.
"Hail Lady Katherine!"
"Hail Lady Katherine!"
She raised a hand as once again, the people calmed down. Approaching her throne and sitting on it, she glanced all over the ecosphere. Everyone was bowing down before her. Nobody was uttering a single word. She smirked. She loved the scene. She loved to be feared, not revered.
"My lady!"
The demoness seemed slightly infuriated as the chains of her thought were severed by the sudden call. Getting her dissatisfied gesture, the caller entered.
"What happened, messenger?" She asked.
"My lady, before a while," He started, "I've seen five girls and three boys going somewhere. They were returning from the temple where we attacked yesterday."
Katherine's face flushed, eyes turned bloodshot. She stood up.
"Why didn't you follow them?" She sternly questioned but the envoy couldn't answer, only lowering his eyes.
"Why?" Katherine approached him. He retreated a bit, slightly juddering.
"I really hate cowards like you!" The monstress popped out a sharp dagger and penetrated it into his abdomen. The envoi gasped, his eyes were widened in shock and unexpected pain. Blood dripped from his wound as he fell down on the ground, turning absolutely lifeless.
"Slim! Fatso!" Not caring, she called her assistants. They rushed to their mistress and bowed.
"Go and find out the secret base of Stanley!" She commanded, almost fuming, "Then…...we'll attack there!"
"As your wish, my lady," They left the place quickly. The more they took time to stand before her, the more they had the chance of losing their lives.
"Lord Balkov!" Katherine blurted, "Don't worry. Your faithful companion, this Katherine, will fulfill your dreams. By hook or crook, she'll make you the emperor of the world!"
Flames rose high from the incinerates as all the demons wallowed, slashing the airstream.
"Oh no! Demons have come here!" The younger brunette screeched in fear. She was quivering. Seeing her appearance, all the refugees almost curled into balls. It was like some dry leaves in the fire.
"What will happen to us?" She panted, turning back, "Won't we be alive anymore? Will those monsters kill us?"
Fake tears trickled down from her eyes. She again squealed, kneeling down on the ground.
"Charlotte!"
The American princess looked at who called her right then. The purple-haired princess hurried towards her. Squeezing her shoulders, she made her stand up.
"Dew!" Charlotte held her hands, "Monsters will kill us. What will we do? What can we do? We have to die here, we have to die so young!"
"Relax, Charlotte," Dew patted her head, "Demons may come here. But…they'll attack us only when they'll see us being afraid of them."
"Really?" The sweet sixteen asked, her sapphire orbs gleamed, seeming to find a ray of hope somewhere in the murk of frustration.
"Yes," Dew nodded, "Don't you know what Oni-chan has said? Those who are brave won't be killed or affected by those ghosts. Ghosts themselves are afraid of courageous people, aren't they?"
"Then…...I also won't fear them," Charlotte tightened her jaw which fueled the fire inside the children there. They stopped crying and looked at the royal people being curious. Tears dried, smiles rose in their faces.
"Good girl!" The purplette pinched her cheeks, moving towards the refugees, "Now tell me who are with us."
"Me!"
"Me too!"
"Me also!"
The children rushed towards the girls and hugged them. They laughed as if birds had been chirping. Seeing them happy, their parents also snickered in glee. Some wiped their tears, understanding that it was not the time to weep and wail. Beams appeared in the faces of diseased and injured people too. They found a way, a reason to live more.
"Hilary," The navy-haired guy stood by the princess of Japan, "Look, your plan has worked. It has succeeded."
"I know," She nodded, "Tyson, you cannot imagine how much happy I am now. I was so worried about the children. Now they're not frightened anymore. This is the thing that we need the most. The courage and hopes are the roots of victory, aren't they?"
"Of course they are, Hil," The dragoon-wielder showed his flashy grin, "I don't know where you will go after your marriage, Hil, but all I know that the guy who will marry you will be very fortunate. Besides, if you become the queen of a kingdom, the kingdom will worship you like a goddess."
"Duh, whatever you speak, Tyson…" The brunette blushed.
'And I hope that you won't leave your kingdom, Hil….' Tyson pondered, 'Stay wherever you are, pretty please!'
The stallions stopped as their owners pulled their bridles, poking at their ankles with toes. Seeing the environment, the eyes of the Russians became dilated. Infernos were still burning the trees, plants, nests and residences. Sun had set just then in the west, nightfall unfolded its umbrella upon the troposphere. Neither the stars, nor the moon could be seen in the sky. It couldn't be guessed where they had escaped feeling ashamed of the aggressors.
Getting down from his typical white horse, the slate-haired Russian pulled out an arrow from the basket attached to his back. Taking the bow, he adjusted the weapons with each other. Keeping his eyes at the condensed clouds, he launched the projectile upwards, mumbling some chants. It headed towards the vapors with sheer force and velocity. As the missile pierced the clouds, the first rumble of thunderbolt almost deafened them. Its sparkles enlightened the gloomy firmament a bit. Dribbles of untimely rain rushed towards the third planet of the solar system. Her surface got soaked, then drenched. Fighting and struggling a lot, the flames accepted their defeat. Nature spread her arms widely, welcoming the first gush of rain cordially at that night.
"Good job, Kai!" The redhead gently slapped on his shoulder. In return, the phoenix prince smirked a bit.
"Now, let's go to my hermitage," The bald man commanded, "That is the place which ought to be protected."
They mounted their stallions again. They careered in the speed of whirlwind. Their hooves smit the ground, splashing the sands.
Illuminating all the directions of the world, the sun had just risen. Opening the door of the hut, the royal girls came out. Birds flittered their wings, welcoming them. From a nearby tree, piles of tiny flowers became showered upon them. Smiling, they headed towards the kitchen.
"I'll make breakfast today," Mariam cheered, "Hil, Juli, Dew, Charlotte-just handle other sides."
"Sure, Mariam," Hilary agreed, "I'm going to help the physicians here so that we can cure the patients as soon as possible."
"I'll water the plants and feed the birds!" Charlotte exclaimed in joy, "Bye, girls!"
The purple-haired princess heaved a sigh. Then, she took an earthen goblet and poured some water into it from a pitcher. Completing her task, she reached the gate. In front of it, there was standing a certain navy-haired guy. One of his hands was firmly holding a lance. He was almost on the verge of snoozing. But somehow, he was resisting himself from doing that.
"You didn't enjoy a single wink of sleep last night, did you?" She asked, expanding her hand that was holding the water pot.
"Umm…nah, I was guarding the area," Tyson sheepishly scratched his head, taking the water, "Thank you so much, princess Dew. I needed it."
"I knew you needed it," Dew bowed, "If anything is needed, don't hesitate to call me. Okay?"
"You're so kind…." The dragoon-wielder took a sip from the chalice.
Dew blushed furiously. Her heart pounded fast, she lowered her gazes in love.
"By the way…is someone coming here today?" Tyson asked, quenching all the liquid of life, "Just guessed."
Dew's eyes lit up. She leaped, "Yes! I've heard that sage Stanley Dickenson has gone to Russia for bringing two capable warriors. They can come here anytime. Bye!"
She ran towards the abbey. Had she had noticed, she could have seen the dragoon-wielder dropping the goblet on the ground, completely shattering it into pieces. His eyes turned bloodshot, jaw got tightened and fingers clasped the javelin so sternly that it might nearly break.
'Why?' He furiously breathed, 'Am I not capable enough to face the demons?'
Through the other gate, the princes entered the hermitage. In front of their eyes, children were running here and there, chasing butterflies and bumblebees. Women were gossiping with one another. Their smiles were saying that they were very happy, at least not worrying at all. Men were practicing how to launch arrows or move a sword. Some children mustered around old people who were telling them stories. With satisfied ears and opened mouths, they were listening very attentively.
It wasn't looking like a safe-house or a secret base after all.
"People here are very happy," Tala commented, "But what's the reason? Not that I'm complaining, just curious to know."
"Hmm…..." Kai closed his eyes, leaning against a tree.
'Someone must be here….' He pondered, 'The one whose presence encouraged the refugees. The one who has touched them with the stick of liveliness. Who is he…or she?'
Children were singing there, pleasing the ears of the strict Russians.
Hesitation is another name of defamation,
Don't be afraid, when comes danger's imagination,
Free yourself from all kinds of fears,
Hold the strength in your heart, be lively and fierce.
Charlotte and Dew joined them, sprinkling flower petals. The hyperactive American and the male Spaniard thumped the thick roots of the trees with their fingers, like playing drums.
Let's save the weak and shove the evil,
Never consider yourself unprotected and feeble.
"Strange!" Dickenson looked at the princes, "This is the dialogue which should have been delivered by you. But…...but someone has already taught them this lesson. Who?"
'The one who can read my mind…' The phoenix-prince thought, enjoying the song of life.
Free yourself from all kinds of terrors,
Don't be afraid depending on yourself, there aren't errors.
Done!
As the chapter says, free yourself from all kinds of fears. Yes, courage is the most needed thing now.
Do read and review. Pardon all the grammatical and spelling errors. Take care :*
-Misty ^_^
P.S: Don't be serious about the stunt done by Kai in this chapter. It's a story, a story of fantasy, magic and myths. It can hardly be performed in reality :P