kenegi - Unfortunately your feeling is right. Sooner or later, something bad will happen. And yeah, Morgiana was around the 4-5 years old when she became a slave.
Masrur's age: 9 years old
May's age: 8 years old
Morgianas age: 3 years old
Pride of the Fanalis Clan
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By Angelbloodlover
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~ Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.
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Buddha
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Chapter 6: God of the Sun
Another year had passed, another year closer to the impending doom.
I really tried to stay optimistic but it was starting to tire me out. To keep this happy mask up for everyone's sake, it felt as if I was that weak woman who had asthma. Nothing had changed, except for the disappearance of my chronic illness. I sighed and got up, stretching my limbs. First i would train with father, afterwards mother would continue teaching me the Torran language and our customary language. A break would follow afterwards, then Marus herbology training, and last but not least Malik would train my sword skills.
To be frank, the repeating cycle was getting on my nerves-I wanted some changes.
Breakfast finished, I faced father, "When shall we leave for training, father?"
"Today there will be no training."
I quipped an eye brow, "Why not?"
Mother giggled, and even Morgiana was muffling her laughter, her eyes twinkling, "Onee-chan doesn't know! Onee-chan doesn't know!" She chanted teasingly, which increased my confusion even more.
"Today is the day where we celebrate the God of the Sun." Father explained, an amused twinkle in his eyes, "Didn't you know?"
I shook my head, wondering how I could forget the Fanalis most important day. "Will Marus-sensei use his magic to create firework?"
"Firework!" Morgiana squealed in excitement, she had always loved the pretty colors that would illuminate the dark, starry sky.
Father nodded, "He will." He stood up, "Now, May-chan, you know what this day means."
Of course I knew what it meant. How could I not? It was the only day where, "...no training." was permitted. No one was allowed to do anything strenuous, only relax and celebrate it with the rest of the clan. It was also the day where everyone did the effort to look as pretty as possible. I was actually glad that such a celebration existed; little children would huddle up and listen to the story of the God of the Sun and how he met the Phoenix.
According to the legend, the Phoenix was a unique bird, where there could only exist one at a time, which made it a solitary bird. It did not reproduce, which added to its loneliness, as only its death would bring on another of its race. So, at dawn, each morning, the Phoenix would sing a beautiful song, so beautiful that the God of the Sun would come down to Earth and listen. Day in, day out, the Phoenix would keep singing for its beloved God, and before they knew it, many years had passed. The God of the Sun didn't want the magnificent bird to die and found a way to keep him alive for centuries. Whenever it would feel its end approaching, it would build a nest with the finest aromatic woods, set it on fire, and was consumed by its own flames. From the pile of ashes, a new Phoenix arose, young and powerful. It then continued to sing its beautiful melody to the God of the Sun, the cycle never-ending.
On this day, every Fanalis would mark their cheeks with the ashes of the bonfire, symbolizing the day where we would be 'reborn' again and cleared from any sin they had ever done.
It was a day that was filled with dancing, food and magical tales, each better than the previous one. And I enjoyed listening to all of them, especially the one about King Solomon and Rukh. I couldn't help it but be mesmerized by it. I knew how Rukh looked like, but I wanted to see it with my own eyes and to touch them.
...they must feel very warm and soothing.
"Now, let's go girls, it's bath time." Mother ordered, clapping her hands. I smiled softly as she ran after Morgiana, turning my attention on father, I frowned in confusion when he was gone. What was up with that? Shrugging, I picked Morgiana up, ignoring her squeals of protest. For some weird reason Morgiana didn't love water, and I had no idea as to why. I knew that in the manga she couldn't swim, which I would teach her. i didn't want her drowning on me. No way in hell would I let that happen.
"Mother..."
Said red-haired woman looked up, holding the squirming Morgiana in her place. That little monster would try to run away, which would lead to many disastrous scenes, ones that I had no inclination to face. "May-chan?"
I sighed softly, "I-Never mind."
"No, tell me May-chan, I might be able to help you."
Looking up, I smiled sadly, "Mother, I have a feeling bad things would fall upon us..."
She picked Morgiana up and placed her on lap. I had long gotten used to this way of bathing with mother. For me, it was deadly normal occurrence that happened daily, sometimes even once every two days. "What makes you think that?"
I bit on my lip, sending her a worried glance, "I ...just do." As if I could tell her that I had 'seen' it. It even sounded absurd in my own ears.
She placed her hand on top of mine, "You worry too much May-chan." Laughing softly, she added, "Must be from my side."
I joined her laughter, but it had never reached my eyes.
After the not-so calming bath, I took out one of my few festivity dresses and put it on, the Phoenix symbol proudly displayed on the back. It wasn't an overly beautiful dress, but elegant enough to be seen with. And since the Phoenix was a fiery red with a golden touch, so was my dress. It had been a gift from father and mother when I had become an adult in our tribe.
Mirrors weren't something that we had the luxury of having, but there were a few Fanalis who did have them. This was very unusual, and most females would lend these mirrors to pretty up. As for the make-up in this time, it consisted of a black kohl and a red pain for the lips, all made through nature itself. Mother had taught me how to make them for when I would grow up, but I wasn't allowed to use it until I would become a full-fledged woman.
...this meant on the day when I would get my menstrual period.
Oh well, I had enjoyed the time without having any bad cramps. But I seriously hoped that I would get them much later-life without them was so much better. Who'd want children?
Not me if you were asking.
I'm not much of a child lover, my little sister excluded.
"May-onee-chan, how do I look?"
A smile lit up my face when I saw her appearance-she really was beautiful and I could definitely picture her how she would look like later on. A cute red dress, with the same golden pattern around the ends and her pretty chin-length hair where the left side of her hair was placed in a palm tree hairstyle, just like in the manga.
"One word; gorgeous."
She squealed in happiness and tackled me in a tight hug, thanking me. I looked at her petite form and almost started crying. Thankfully, I composed myself before mother had arrived in the room. "Are the two of you read- Huh? May-chan, didn't I tell you not to braid your hair like usual?"
I puffed my cheeks out, "But mother-" "No buts. Come here." I sighed in annoyance and walked towards her, Morgiana giggling quietly. Really, only mother would treat me as a kid whereas everyone else viewed me as an adult. I guess this was something that no mother would be able to do, that is to let her children go. As mother fumbled with my braid, I listened to Morgianas animated story wherein she explained to me what kind of adventures she had within her dreams.
I pushed my hair to one side and smiled at Masrur, who blushed at my appearances. Really, Masrur, you had to pick me out of all the girl to have a crush on. Seriously, this felt as if I was a pedophile.
"Hey Masrur-kun."
Stuttering, "M-may-chan..."
I rolled my eyes and grabbed his hand, "No need to be that shy, it's still old little May in front of you." Looking around, I spotted Malik walking towards us, a teasing glint in his eyes. Turning towards Masrur, I pulled him towards a place where we could hide from his father. "Your father is following us."
As if on cue, he groaned, mumbling some unintelligible words, "I don't really feel like facing him."
"Me neither."
He chuckled, "Let's stay here." When he looked around, he tilted his eye brow, "Where is here?"
"I have no clu-" "Mind telling me why you two are trying to avoid me?" Malik interrupted us, scaring us witless. But to my amusement, Masrur had let out a very girlish scream.
"Masrur, my boy, is everything alright?"
Masrur blushed, sputtering in indignation when his father teased him about his gender, much to his irritation.
Those two were really fun to watch, a very reliable source of daily entertainment. Of course, I had once questioned my father about Masrur's mother, her whereabouts had been a mystery to me until that day. Father had answered with a solemn look on his face, stating that Masrur's mother had died on the day that she had given birth to him. I had been really shocked to hear that undeniable, harsh truth. I had no idea that Masrur was motherless. And I felt guilty thinking that he had to witness me being smothered by motherly love, while he would remain in the cold forever.
..but even knowing that, I had no choice but to become a much better friend towards him, that was the least I could do for him.
Someone poked my forehead, and I glared at the owner of those fingers. I hated those pesky pokes, especially coming from Malik. "Yes?" I asked in annoyance, narrowed eyes locked on Malik's figure.
He chuckled, "Now, now, chibi, no need to look that hostile. I came here to tell you both that Marus wanted both your helps with the fireworks."
Ignoring that snide remark about my length, I took a hold of Masrur's hand and led him towards the grumpy shaman, Marus. I quickened my speed when I heard Malik's gushing comments about his boy becoming a man soon. That was so insufferable at times. And here I thought that Malik would be a serious guy with a few funny comments here and there.
No, I got a man who liked to gossip about everything, especially when it came down to Masrur and I, making up thoughts where Masrur was my boyfriend. I mean, come on, give me a break, I was only eight years old. Like hell I was thinking about relationships or whatnot. Besides, father and mother would kill me if I dared to even think about such things. When it came down to their daughters they were very protective of Morgiana and I.
I could hear him grumble from afar, and smiling softly, we stepped inside his tent, "Marus-sensei, you called for us?"
"Huh?" His confusion dwindled and he nodded, "Yes, yes, I wanted to teach you how to create colorful, sparkling fireworks."
Grinning toothily, I nodded, "We would love to, sensei."
He chuckled and beckoned us to come closer, "Good, like I had expected from the two of you. Now, watch closely..."
Marus had showed us many different ways to create fireworks and the different use of ingredients for the coloring. It had been very beautiful to see the smaller version of the giant ones. And I kept listening to his story about Rukh, "Rukh is the home of souls. While we live, we remain in this earthly world, but once we all go back to one place, this place is called Rukh."
I frowned hearing that-I had died and had been reborn into a another universe where magic was the essence of life. Does this mean that I had contact with the entity of the Rukh itself? Could this possible be the reason as to why I couldn't utilize my Magoi?
"Marus-sensei, what would happen if one died but got reborn?"
The old man frowned, a confused look on his face, "That would be against all that Rukh stands for." Those words made my heart beat like a madman, "...but if that person got reborn it could only be because Rukh allowed it to be. In reality this doesn't happen a lot, and when it does, it must be a miracle since no one could relive after dying." He chuckled calmly, a faraway look in his eyes, "This could mean that this person was loved by Rukh, there is no other explanation to it. Now, mind telling this old man why you asked me such a peculiar question?"
I laughed sheepishly, ignoring Masrur's questioning gaze on me, "Out of curiosity, nothing special, sensei."
He hummed in reply, but I could see that he didn't believe me. Fortunately for me, he decided to let it go.
Marus words had made me start thinking about Rukh in general. If what he had said was true, then why couldn't I use magic? If I was really loved by them, why did my Magoi refuse my command?
I didn't understand it, and I probably never would since getting reborn into another universe wasn't something that happened frequently. And if someone would tell me some crap like that I'd think that this person was out of her mind. All these questions would eventually kill me, pesky migraines accompanying them.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts and looked at my little sister who was sitting on my father's shoulders, squealing in delight and awe whenever Marus would launch another set of fireworks, all prettier than the previous one. Looking further I noted how everyone seemed to glow in the afterglow. I was really doing my best to change the Fanalis Fate, but was my measly presence enough? Somewhere in the back of my mind, a harsh voice told me that no matter what I did, the Fanalis would be enslaved, thus ending the most famous hunting tribe of the entire Dark Continent.
No. No. I wouldn't let that happen, no matter how small I was, every little change was welcome, every little change would have a small significance.
Every little bit helped, no matter the size of it.
And clenching my fists, I swore that I would do everything in my power to protect my family.
My ninth birthday was getting closer, my nightmares increasing to the point where I couldn't sleep alone. I slept next to mother, or Morgiana, it depended on how bad my nightmares were. If it was bordering to horrifying I chose mother, but if it was way worse, more hellish, than I opted to sleep with Morgiana.
Three months after the Fanalis tribe had celebrated the God of the Sun, something unusual happened, something that I didn't think it would happen and yet it did.
...that something was none other than a giant building that had suddenly appeared out of thin air and I had a feeling what it was and what resided within those buildings.
Most of my clan had been curious and checked the strange building out, but when a few of those men entered the place they had never returned, which forced Marus to seal that place off and forbid anyone to enter it. Of course, who didn't listen to those warnings?
...May.
That's right, I was stupid enough to pack my bag efficiently, taking one of Malik's sword with me, and took off towards the forbidden Dungeon that could help me on my quest to protect those that I loved. I knew that time was way different in those Dungeons, which was why I didn't have any doubts. I had made up my mind-if this wasn't a sign then I didn't know what was. Besides, having a Metal Vessel would help me greatly on my journey.
Even summing all the advantages it would get me, didn't ease my worry. Many bad things could happen, but for once I hoped luck would be on my side, that was all I was asking for.
Sneaking out of the camp hadn't been that much of a hassle, now getting back in, that was a problem. But one that I would think of later, because now I had other things to worry about, like surviving this reckless mission of mine.
After walking for three hours straight, I had arrived near the Dungeon where I could only see one entry. A magical-looking gate in the form of a semicircle, which radiated a warm, golden light.
Taking a deep breath, I reassured myself that everything would turn out to be alright. Besides, if Sinbad could capture a Dungeon on his fourteenth then surely I could do it too, what with knowing how it would be and how I should fight through it. Hell, it be very shameful for me if I would fail at this. Mentally, I was way older than Sinbad was when he conquered his first Dungeon. To be precise I was now twenty-nine, nearing the thirty, so like hell I would get bested by a brat.
I took another deep breath, and touched the Dungeon, grimacing when it felt similar to that of a mucous membrane, "Gross-Whoa!" I was sucked within it and saw a bright pillar of light where I seemed to fly through it. Then, blackness embraced me and I couldn't help but wonder if this had been the smartest move...
...I could only hope so.