The Hidden Realm

Chapter 33 – TO CROEA

A MIRACLE happened.

It was Zanti and Winzi who came to the rescue. They looked horrified.

“What the hell just happened here?” Winzi panicked when she witnessed the miserable conditions of the three. She hurriedly tended the wounds of Althy and Rade.

Zanti looked after Eleand and started his first aid. “How is this even possible?”

The black smoke from his hand soothed Eleand’s body until his energy slowly returned to normal. Even in his hazy vision, he could tell that Zanti was really worried. He heard him curse in faerie language several times.

Eleand immediately looked out to the cousins, and he was relieved when their hands moved. At least now, he was sure that they would survive.

“There were creatures in black, and their eyes were appeared b****y. They could transform into red smoke and almost killed us here. They’re strong and fast,” Eleand explained everything. He motioned his body to sat down when he finally regained his strength.

“Damn, good thing you burned them to ash.” Zanti gritted his teeth.

Eleand was surprised. “How did you know?”

He averted his gaze. “We know the progress of your magic training. We know you could wield the fire.”

Eleand nodded. He stared at Winzi. She was still busy tending the cousins using both her hands, positioned on their chest. White and green light emitting from her palms bridging to the unconscious body of her patients. Winzi’s eyes were closed while whispering the ancient language of healing.

“How did you find us that we’re here?” he asked.

“Winzi and I were doing inspections in the borders of Velidia and Croea. I felt your presence. I knew something was wrong because the faint scent of dark magic lurking around, besides the ground shook, and some huge trees dropped down. We couldn’t just ignore the substantial amount of mana pointing toward this direction.”

Eleand thanked the Spy-Assassin. If they hadn’t come, all of them would perish.

“Listen to me. You have to hurry in learning different magic. You see, this world is not safe. If you want to survive, you must be the master of the four elements and other magic you can wield.” Zanti seemed uneasy.

“I’m doing that,” he took a deep, shuddering breath and let it out slowly.

With these things happening now, he couldn’t just play around and have fun while learning magic. If they allowed him to leave Velidia and train to Croea, he would go right away to study the wind magic. The clock was ticking indeed.

On the other side, Winzi smiled as she finished healing Rade and Althy.

“I’m done!” she proudly said. She casually removed the sweats forming at her forehead. She looked a little bit worn out, maybe because healing consumed a vast amount of magic.

Eleand examined the cousins lying on the ground. Their colors went back to normal. They coughed hard as soon as they opened their eyes, then slowly got up when the two realized that they were completely healed.

Rade and Althy stared at each other in disbelief.

“We’re still alive!” Althy exclaimed.

Rade nodded and examined his own body.

“Thank you, Winzi. For saving my friends.” Eleand got up and walked in her direction. He quickly embraced the faerie and expressed his gratitude many times for saving their lives.

“Hey, let me go.” She pushed him, but his arms remained around her.

They paused momentarily when someone casually coughed from behind.

Eleand smiled when he saw Enkille and Fariyah standing near them.

“Sorry, I was late. I heard you. But we were also busy chasing a Muhlerian Shadow.” Enkille shook her head. She looked worried.

“Muhlerian Shadow?” His forehead creased.

“I bet it’s the same with your enemies here. They are strong and using dark magic, and they are soldiers from the Empire.” Enkille breathed out, “Now that enemies roam around Erganiv, everything will be in chaos. It’s safe to assume that war will happen anytime soon.”

“If that’s the case, will the High Priestess let me go to Croea for my wind magic training?” Eleand looked at Fariyah.

Fariyah nodded. “You’ve already mastered the Vatranum. You are now free to go to Spring Region for your Gaoitherie.”

“Thank you, High Priestess,” he lightly arched his head.

Althy and Rade strolled in his direction after they thanked Winzi. They hugged him without warning.

“I’m sorry, we dragged you into this,” Althy said.

Eleand tapped their back. “What drama is this?” he giggled and added, “We’ll see each other soon. Let’s be careful next time. I will train hard to be stronger.”

They loosened up and faced him.

“I will always look forward to your return. Then we will drink to death in Argia.” Rade said, smiling.

They bid each other goodbye.

An approving smile painted on Enkille when she left. She trusted him that he could manage himself without her.

Enkille and Fariyah disappeared along with Althy and Rade.

“Would you like to go back to the Golden Palace?” Winzi asked.

Eleand shook his head. “No, I want you to take me to Croea. I need to learn the wind magic as soon as possible.”

“Let’s go then. Navi is expecting you there,” Zanti said.

The two stood on his side, and they vanished.

THEY emerged at the main entrance of a grand castle in Croea.

Eleand surveyed the place. The plants and trees were in spring. Magnolia trees and cherry blossoms were all over the surroundings, giving a calm vibe and filling his eyes with white and pink colors. On the other side, a large garden area was made of lavenders and varieties of roses and other flowers he just saw for the first time.

The architectural design of Spring Castle was a hemispherical structure—domes. It was like an enormous cathedral made of ancient bricks and stones. And the usual high stairs on the entrance just like the others.

“Welcome to Croea, the Spring Region of Noyuh.” An energetic voice greeted them. They were inside the grand hall.

“I want you to meet the Duke governing the Spring Region, Navi—the master of Gaoitherie.” Winzi introduced the male faerie.

“I’m Eleand.” he bowed down a little.

“I’ve been waiting for you.” The Duke smiled.

Eleand noticed the distinct look of Navi. His body built was big, fair-skinned, and had small gray eyes. His hair was shoulder-length, and the color was rose gold. He wondered if it was real or made of dye. The uke had a similarity to an Asian feature.

“We’ll leave him under your care,” Zanti said.

Navi nodded in assurance. “I’ll train him personally, don’t worry. I heard he’s quite good in Vatranum. It means he could easily learn the wind magic.”

“We’ll now proceed. The Golden Palace needs us. Especially now that unwanted visitors from the Empire terrorizing our land.” Winzi looked at Eleand, “I’ll see you soon. Don’t die.”

His lips curved a smile. “I promise that.”

Winzi tilted her head and glanced at Zanti. They disappeared quickly.

“Would you mind if I show you your room?” Navi said.

He followed Navi and did not complain when they climbed the stairs.

His room was huge. Like in Velidia, only that the paints and color palette of the interior was different. It had a touch of the spring season. The paint on the wall was white, and the intricate detail was carved in silver. The tapestries were pink. It was the color of Croea. He had seen it in the grand hall earlier, a huge flag printed with a seal of a flower.

“Rest for a while. We’ll talk tomorrow,” Navi said after he toured him around the room.

“Thank you.”

The Duke left. Eleand let out a heavy sigh.

Zanti was right. He needed to hasten his magic training because the situation was different compared to before. Enemies lurked around. He had to spend his time wisely starting today.

But would he be able to cast the wind magic as easy as the Vatranum?