I apologize for the long wait. Here's chapter six.
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Miharu slowly awoke from her deep slumber. The first thing she felt was the throbbing pain of her head. She frowned as she touched her face and forehead, as if the ache would go away with this simple action.
After awhile of massaging, she finally let her eyes open to scrutinize her surroundings. She doesn't recognize anything. In the dim light, she then made out the dark form of an elderly person sitting in a chair on the other side of what it seemed, to her, like a bedroom. He didn't seem to know she's awake for she heard soft snoring coming from him.
She took a closer look at the sleeping form. His attire was unlike anything she's seen. It looked similar to a normal suit. There was a silver silk shirt inside of the outer ensemble. The ends of its sleeves hung loosely around his hands. The silk also wrapped around his neck and tucked neatly underneath the suit. Silver markings were embroiled on the outer coat and rings are worn on his slightly wrinkled fingers.
Miharu began to feel fear. Fear of being in an unknown place. The latest occurrence she could recall was the lights that surrounded her before her blackout. Hwoarang's shocked face etched in her mind. Oh Xiaoyu, she thought. Where are you?
Then there's another person that mattered. Her eyes began to glaze.
Preston…I need to be in your arms…I wish you are here with me…
"Are you alright, young lady?"
She shook upon hearing the voice. She couldn't hide her tears as she slowly lifted her head up to see the elderly man looking at her. His grey eyes emitted a strange glow in the dim light. Miharu couldn't find her voice to reply him. He began to advance on her. Her fears increased with every step he took.
"Don't worry. I will not hurt you." He said reassuringly.
Still, Miharu crawled backwards until her head bumped against the backside of the huge mattress.
She eventually found her voice. "S-stay away!" And failed to sound brave.
The man held up his hands as a small surrender. He obeyed and stopped on his tracks.
Time seemed to have impeded as the two stayed frozen at their spots like statues. Miharu wished silently that this was all a dream. That she'll wake moments later back at her house, in her own bed, with the morning sunlight piercing through her blinds. And when she opens her door the sweet and familiar aroma of Ling's strawberry pancakes mixed with brewing cappuccino would greet her from the kitchen.
Home…there's no place like home…my friends, mom, dad…and Preston…
"Ah, you're awake."
A new voice.
Miharu looked toward the doorway, and her eyes widened.
There stood one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. Her straight blonde hair was tied up in a complicated but, nevertheless, fancy bun. On her forehead was a stunning crystal circlet. She wore a gown of some sort. It was so gorgeous that it would make any of the world's top fashion designers gawk in awe. Light lilac was gradated downward into deep violet, top to bottom. The fabric was unusual. It's better than satin and silk combined. They hug her curves perfectly. The length of the dress went all the way down to the floor, trailing a bit behind her. Miharu could see multiple straps of different thickness wrapped on her right shoulder. At the top right of her chest area was a half-cut diamond. It's as if it's glued onto her skin, with golden strings clinched with a sun-like pattern on her chest. She also bore tattoo-like flat crystals on her sleeveless right arm.
Even though this woman looked harmless, Miharu still could not let her uneasiness fade. And her ability of speech died away along with it.
"Poor child, you look frightened." The woman said.
Of course I'm scared. Afraid of what'll happen to me if I stayed any longer, thought Miharu. This exceptionally beautiful woman wouldn't fool her with the liberality of her voice. This place, luxurious as it looked, was not home. And nothing could change that. If Miharu could not find a way out of this strange place, well, she'll have to say goodbye to her normal life.
"Where are you from, child?" The woman asked again.
Miharu paused.
A reasonable reply would be Earth. Since this place possesses an aura different than that of her home environment. She gave Texas and Japan a try; however neither gave her a positive answer. So Miharu responded with her last choice.
"Did you say…Earth?"
The reason these people are surprised was quite unknown to Miharu.
"Is there some way…that you could take me back there?" Miharu asked slowly, and quietly.
The woman frowned. "I'm not sure I could help you, young one. I don't know where it is…"
Miharu's heart sank below its deepest level. She was afraid of what the woman might say after this.
"You see," the woman continued, "this…Earth that you spoke of…is rarely heard on our planet…"
Miharu's upper body shot up. Her biggest fear was answered. "Are you saying that…that I'm actually on a different planet?"
"Well, if you really are from Earth, then it seems that way, I'm afraid."
"Why? Why did this happen to me? What am I doing here? WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?" Miharu broke down into tears again, crying into the thick, lush blankets. "I want out…I want to go home…"
Watching the scene, Ariya's queen felt great dread and pity for this woman. She came from a different world, got dragged away from her home to an unknown location elsewhere in the universe, only to find out that there might not be a way to return.
Arthur watched silently from the corner. He felt that it's better not to interfere and say something that would discourage this foreign woman. He looked at his queen and saw a thoughtful expression on her face. He did not possess the power to read minds, therefore he was left wondering about what she could think about.
Arthur then remembered what his prince said earlier today. He heard the man say he expected this. But did he know what that expected event will be? Did the prince expect a woman to be falling from the sky and into the safety of his arms?
Arthur shook his head. No, don't think so…
The prince didn't know the exact location of where this strange occurrence would take place. Some mysterious force led him to Phyem, Arthur heard him say. So naturally he concluded that the prince didn't expect himself to have to rescue a falling woman from the sky, who happened to be from a rarely-known planet called Earth.
Arthur personally never really knew about this place, and he hasn't had any great amount of interest to learn about it any further. All he wanted to do was to help this poor woman return to where she belongs. She needn't be here in the first place.
"Arthur, will my son return soon?"
That was a sudden question from the queen.
"Err…yes. I believe so, your majesty."
"Do you believe he knows something about this?"
"The prince is capable of doing countless things, your grace." Then a thought hit Arthur. "Wait a minute…maybe your son might be able to help this young lady here."
The queen smiled. "My thought exactly."
"What about the Overlord, your grace?"
Arthur saw his queen frown and was a bit confused from seeing that.
He did not get a reply.
Miharu shook at the thought of meeting another stranger of this, well, planet. She wanted nothing to do with them.
"Ah, he has arrived. He's currently conversing with my husband at the entrance hall." The queen turned towards Miharu. "He'll be coming to greet you shortly, my dear. He might find a way for you to return to your homeland."
There was a spark of hope upon hearing those words. But judging by the woman's age, her son would be quite young. Miharu wasn't a hundred percent sure if a little boy could help her. The Japanese woman turned and faced the window, still hunched against the wall with a saddened face.
Despair filled her mind once again. Her depression brought her to a level where she couldn't even hear the opening and closing of the door, the new footsteps and a third voice echoing softly in the candlelit bedroom.
Miharu felt the bed move. She shook by it and turned slowly to see a new person had sat at the edge of the mattress.
Her eyes widened.
This was no boy.
Here, on the opposite side of the mattress where she was balled up sat a strikingly handsome man. He has slight wavy locks of champagne blonde hair parted from the top of his right eye. He has the purest blue eyes she'd seen. Underneath the gold emblem-covered blazer-like coat and slacks he wore she could picture a powerfully-built body because of his broad shoulders and bulging chest.
Miharu felt as if her whole body would melt under his fierce but compassionate stare. Her mouth was agape from the shock of his presence. This strange world disappeared around her and she found herself unable to breathe normally.
"Hello there," his gentle voice rung out, "how're you feeling?"
Miharu was still frozen at her spot. "I…I'm…"
She couldn't continue. Her voice shuddered as she tried to speak. She was still at shock from seeing the man.
He smiled softly. "It's alright. Here, hold out your hands."
He reached his arms midway between him and the frightened woman, as a warm welcome for her to take them.
Strange feelings rushed all over Miharu. She didn't think she should trust him but something told her she should, even though this man was not Preston. She looked up from staring at his rough hands and saw his tender expression. He continued to wait patiently for her to comply.
However depressed she became, she'll have to take whatever action to help her get out of this wretched place. And this man might have the ability to do so.
His expression told her she could trust him; that he's only here to help. She believed she had no other choice and slowly placed both her hands on his.
The man smiled and clasped her smaller hands into a caring grip. His hands were warm compared to her cold ones. It felt comforting to her.
Miharu still found it hard to believe that this man is that woman's son.
Speaking of that woman, she had gone. So did the elderly man.
She shook at the thought of being alone with this male stranger. She couldn't keep her cheeks from turning pink.
Miharu realized she had yet to find out why he need to hold her hands, and carefully glanced at this handsome foreigner. He seemed to be focused on something, she wasn't sure.
Miharu jumped a bit when he began to caress her hands. Her cheeks turned red in an instant. What's he going to do to her?
She stole another glance, and only saw his still-concentrated face. "Wha…what are you doing?" She asked with a tone of fear.
"I'm trying to relieve all your negative energy so you will feel better."
Right after he said those words, Miharu began to sense a change in her. She felt as if all her sadness and stress are slowly vanishing from her body. Even her tears are evaporating.
He heard her gasp and smiled. "I know. I use this power on myself all the time. It helps me feel as if I have no worries…temporarily."
After a short while the dizziness and heartaches have gone, and the man let go.
"There we go. How do you feel now?" he asked.
Miharu stared at her hands, and then turned towards him. "How did you do it?" she whispered.
"Well, the people of this world are born with certain unique abilities. Some can heal, some can withstand the coldest of weather, teleport, exert incredible amounts of strength…" he paused, "I believe the people on Earth would call us 'mutants'."
She looked at him with a look of astonishment. "But…that's impossible…"
The man nodded. "Of course it would be hard for you to believe me."
Silence followed.
Miharu still couldn't look directly at him. Partially was because of her shyness, the other was the effect he had on her when he looked at her. In addition to his attractive features, she thought he had a tough exterior. He also wore a frown the whole time he was in this room, even when he smiled his eyebrows kept a slight furrow. Why?
Her thought then transitioned into wondering about live supernatural beings. What he said was indeed mind-boggling. But what he did just a moment ago, by merely touching her hands, certainly make her feel more at ease. It was a sensation she experienced for the first time in her life. She still wanted to get out of this strange world and return home, but she stopped being depressed about it. Her mind became calm and she could think straight.
So he actually has powers?
"Well," the man started, standing up, "you must be tired. I shall let you rest." He began to walk toward the double doors.
"Wait," Miharu called out. He turned back around.
"That's it? What about finding a way to take me back to Earth?"
"We'll have time to discuss this matter further tomorrow. It's very late now, and you should get some rest."
"So you can't help me, is that it?"
"I never said that. I merely advised you to sleep and regain your energy. After you've recovered your strength, then we can spend time to find a solution for you to return to Earth."
Miharu could not argue with him any further. He's right. This is not the most perfect time to think of a resolution to her problem. It was night time, and she felt sleep catching up with her.
He started again for the doors.
"Wait," Miharu called out again, but this time she reached out a hand as if she does not want him to leave.
The man looked back at her once more. "Yes?"
Being in a strange world was intimidating enough. She does not want be alone.
Miharu looked down from embarrassment. "I…"
He came back and knelt down beside the bed. "What is it?"
She shut her eyes tight. "Can you…please stay until I fall asleep?"
Miharu didn't know why she said those words. She's grown enough to face her fears, but for some strange reason this man's presence made her feel safe and sheltered. With him here…she wouldn't feel alone.
He smiled. "Of course…"
He stood and lifted the bed sheet. She crawled underneath it and laid down. He covered her and tucked her in. "I'll protect you overnight."
"Don't you need to sleep as well?"
"I'll leave after you fall asleep. By protection I meant the shield I placed around this chamber so the others living here will never sense your presence, and they will not see you if they walk into this room."
Miharu was again amazed of what he could do, however she was too tired to show any reaction.
She then realized something. "Um…I don't know your name…"
"I'm Steve, Steve Fox. I am the prince of this land Ariya. What about yours?"
"…Miharu Hirano…"
He smiled. "What a beautiful name. I'll be right here to look after you, Miharu. There's no need to worry."
"Thank you…Steve…" she whispered. The thoughts about finding ways off the planet slipped from her mind momentarily as she closed her eyes.
With a wave of his hand an armchair floated from across the room and landed behind him. He sat down on it and scooted close to the mattress.
Miharu's left hand was laid on the pillow close to her face. He took hold of it and held it closer to him.
Minutes have passed and he could sense she was asleep. He was entranced by her loveliness and reached out a hand to touch her cheek. Before he knew what he was doing he leaned in and kissed her forehead.
"Sleep well, m'lady…" he whispered.
The prince tucked her hand underneath the bed sheet, stood up, and floated the armchair back to where it belongs.
He reached the door, opened it, took one last longing look at the sleeping beauty, and exited the room.
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Thanx for all your patience guys.