The Last Priestess

Chapter 6: Secrets

Scion's POV

"Did you find her?"

It's been a week since I lost track of Psyche. A week of finding and tracing her whereabouts. I'm positive that she must have landed at Alinthi or in a nearby region. If I had known that such situations would arise, I would have made sure that she would arrive in the same zone as me.

"Not yet, your highness."

I spent four years looking for her in the human world. I did find her, but I also lost her once again. How cruel can fate be to us, allowing us to perceive a glimmer of hope just to have it disappear and be replaced by darkness once more?

"Don't wait for Darius to discover her, else it would be our dead end. Don't stop until you are able to track her."

"Yes, your highness."

As the emperor's right hand, I felt as though I had let the kingdom down by taking so long to unearth the last priestess—his highness' sister—who represented the only hope for the kingdom to rectify its reputation.

He then dismissed me aside, saying, "Do your duty discreetly; don't make any noise."

For over five years, we have been ruled by the wicked and self-centered leader of the Drakon Empire. Our kingdom had been colonized, and the citizens had become their slaves. We did not turn deaf to their screams for mercy and salvation, but due to our own restrictions on movement and action, we were unable to intervene.

Even while we genuinely want to help the people, we cannot defeat the Drakon Empire with the power we currently have, and if we do, we will likewise be the only ones left to suffer in the end.

"I'll take my leave now, your highness."

He promptly brushed his hands in the air, motioning me to go.

Sincerely, I have no idea where to go right now. There are a few neighborhoods where I haven't stepped foot yet, and one of them is Agara, home to one of the dreaded tribal chiefs. Everyone who lives there is a hunter, so getting in is challenging.

There's a possibility that even if you only just took one step on the land, an arrow may have already pierced your chest without your knowledge. As a result, I chose not to emphasize the potential that Psyche may have stumbled there because, in that case, she may already be dead by now.

"Who are you?"

They all knelt on the ground as soon as I displayed the kingdom's emblem. The region still acknowledges and reveres Alinthi, despite its absence from power.

"General, how can we serve you?"

My eyes scanned the area. As usual, there are many people and sellers in the marketplace, and there is chaos and gambling going on as well as sumo wrestling. I'm not here for pleasure, though.

"Have you seen a strange girl? She was wearing a maroon uniform, and she was the same height as him..." I pointed to someone who was the same height as Psyche, "with a milk-like complexion and straight black hair."

Words can't describe nor justify Psyche's divine features. She's the embodiment of a goddess. But I have no picture to show them who I'm looking for.

All of them stared at each other, apparently perplexed by what I was saying.

"I think I met a foreign woman last week. I even gave her our freshly released product but she declined," one of the men confessed, and the rest concurred.

Could she really be here? Fear arose in my heart as thoughts speeded up rolling in the back of my head, unfolding certain possibilities.

Another individual noted, "Matilda even attempted to harass her but Perseus arrived and declared that she was with the woman."

The principal ruler of this neighborhood is Perseus. He is regarded as a cold, impulsive, unforgiving individual who has never been beaten by any tribesmen and is well known for detesting women. Therefore, why did he save Psyche? Does he want the girl for any other reasons?

"Bring me to Perseus," I demanded.

They all first appeared reluctant, which is understandable given that he is their leader, but they were all compelled to comply with my orders. If Perseus is brutal, I am the very embodiment of death. They should follow my orders, taking into account that I'm not here to cause mayhem; all I'm trying to do is retrieve someone I lost.

I was led by the crowd to a sizable eatery, which I guess is owned by Perseus. Otherwise, they wouldn't have brought me here if he hadn't been here. Due to the large number of people assembled inside, two spokespeople entered the eatery to give the message I wanted to relay. Later on, a man along with Pysche went out.

"Psyche Stellar."

When she saw me, her face brightened up, and began to race in my direction. She was almost where I was when she collapsed on her knees, hands grabbing her ear as if it hurt her. In response to the situation, I instantly approached her; she was groaning in pain.

"What happened?" I pondered.

She didn't respond and kept her hand on the back of her ear. Out of curiosity, I looked at the back of her ear and saw her tattoo. Is her tattoo hurting her?

"Is your tattoo hurting?" I questioned again, and this time she stared at me, her eyes slowly widening in recognition. She dashed back inside the restaurant, leaving me and Perseus outside with the others I'd been with earlier.

"Did you hurt her?"

Perseus gave me a bored expression. "Do you think she's still alive if I hurt her? Common sense isn't expensive, you might as well use it," he mocked.

The tone of his speech offended me, causing my face to deepen. I asked respectfully, therefore I should get a decent response. Is he under the impression that being a leader of this barrio has any effect on me?

"Scorpions! f**k them!" people screamed, running out of the restaurant.

I just stood there as everyone else panicked. Perseus stared at me with lifeless eyes, perhaps knowing it was my doing. I will not tolerate disrespect, especially from those who are not on my level. Except for the woman I love, I would only accept rudeness and arrogance from the emperor.

"Get them out of my place, Scion," he demanded with full authority.

"Make them," I challenged.

My scorpions are not to be taken lightly; otherwise, you will perish, since one sting is enough to kill a person. I don't get the nickname "stinger" for nothing. I live for it every day.

Perseus scowled at me as he started killing them. What he doesn't realize is that when he chops them out, they multiply into numbers. My scorpions do not die; instead, they reproduce.

"f**k you, Scion. Still arrogant as ever," he growled.

My mind flashed back to our first encounter. It was six years ago, during His Majesty's birthday party, to which every barrio in the borderlands was invited, including Agara. That was our first meeting, and because he didn't make a good first impression, I almost locked him up in the cell. I wasn't acting arrogantly at that time, but rather with authority.

"Humble yourself, Perseus; it's your arrogant aura that's causing the problem."

"Shut up, stinger."

A smirk rose from my lips, seeing how annoyed he had become. Out of pity, I decided to stop teasing him as he appeared to be sick of killing scorpions that never died. His restaurant is likewise vacant since customers fled early, which is a huge loss for him and his employees. Enough for the tease, otherwise we'll end up in a more serious situation.

"What are you two doing?" Psyched asked.

She appears to be in better condition now than she was previously. There's no more pain etched on her face but rather a more livened-up expression.

"Do you guys know each other?" she added.

"No."

"Yes."

Perseus glared at me after I uttered to deny it. My words are partly true. We met once, but that doesn't mean I knew him or that he knew me—well, maybe by name.

If knowing one person is based on familiarity or name, I beg to disagree. I'd only claim to know someone if he was one of my pals, but he isn't, so I'll treat him as a stranger. He's a well-known hunter, but he's not someone I'd consider a colleague. So, no, I don't know him.

Psyche looks at us with a perplexed gaze. "What is the truth?"

"I don't know him," I responded, emphasizing the word don't.

"Okay," she said flatly before turning to face me, "why are you here anyway? Are you here to take me home?"

I shook my head and declared, "someone wants to meet you."

"Who?" she wondered, arching her brows.

"I'll tell you later."

But instead of coming with me, she just stared at me, an uncertain expression etched on her face. As though she was skeptical of my remarks and didn't trust me enough to follow through.

"I've learned my mistake. I won't go with you until you tell me who," she stated emphatically.

Perseus was standing close behind Psyche, listening and appearing to be interested in what was being discussed. I wanted him to leave so that Psyche and I could talk, but he did not appear to comprehend what I was expressing and seemed to be provoking me more. Gossiper!

Left with no choice, I cleared the lump in my throat so words would flow seamlessly. "The Emperor wishes to meet with you."

Your older brother. This was supposed to be included in my narrative but then I came to remind myself that this isn't my story to tell. This is a family matter, and I am not in a position to divulge sensitive information. This is Orion's business, not mine.

"Why?" she inquired.

I shrugged my shoulders. "You'll find out."