BEYOND

Beyond: Borders (PART III)

“Luca, you’re a prince?” Tamashi faced Luca and asked.

Luca, feeling his cold sweat dripping down his forehead to his neck, gulped thinking of how he should answer.

“Luca” she called out.

“Look, it’s really not of your concern”

“Why did you hide this from me? You’re a prince and you didn’t think to mention it? And if you’re prince then why are you living here by yourself? Why aren’t you in the castle? Better yet, why were you sneaking around when we met?”

Luca snatched the picture from her hand and put it in his bag as he put it on his shoulder.

“Stop with all your questions. Whatever the reasons may be as to why I was out there or why I am living here does not affect you, so let’s end this conversation”

“We may have only known each other for a couple of days but I trust you with my life. How can you not trust me with yours?”

“You trust me? You trust me?” he said with doubt.

“Yeah” she answered with confidence.

“Then why is that you have not told me where you are from”

Tamashi choked from his question. He was right. She hasn’t told him the truth about herself. How could she? It wasn’t something anyone could easily swallow.

But she knew she had to tell him at some point if she expected him to help her to get home. She’s been in this world far too long. And this world was far too dangerous to stay. It might be even more dangerous than Luciel’s world.

She wasn’t even sure how different time moves from this world to hers.

“You’re right. You’re absolutely right. But I do trust you. And you’ve been awfully kind to me since we met. So I’ll tell you the truth. But I doubt you would believe me” Luca looked at her intently and she just took a deep breathe. “So here it goes. I am not from this world”

“I don’t understand”

“To simplify it, I came to this world by magical means. But I’m not really sure how. One day I just woke up and I was in the middle of the war zone. And then by that night, Hal from the other side found me. Then while we were walking, at night, outside, I felt some sort of energy pulling me and I found myself at the border of this place. That’s when you found me. This isn’t the first time it happened. I travelled to another world before. Apparently I can hear cries of people from another world and I can’t leave until I help this person out. However, until this day I have no clue who called me this time”

Tamashi couldn’t make out Luca’s face. But disbelief was certainly written all over it. They stared at each other some more before Luca took a deep breathe. Seeing how Tamashi’s face didn’t change, he thought that she wasn’t lying.

“Alright…” he started. “Well, you definitely were telling the truth when you said you were from a place that was far away. And a place I have never heard of”

“Yup. Far, far away” she agreed nodding. “So, you believe me?”

“Not entirely. But I do believe that you’re not lying to me”

“So now will you tell me the truth?”

Luca looked her in the eyes before heaving out another sigh.

“I am a prince”

“I knew it! Then what’s your connection with the king? Is he like your older brother?”

“No, he’s my cousin. He’s the son of my father’s brother”

“Why don’t you live with him in the castle? And why didn’t the soldiers before recognize you?”

“Because inside these walls I am just a regular person living in this house. No one knows my real lineage. And it has been like that since the day I was born”

“Why is that?”

“My father was the crown prince and was next in line to the throne. But I was born out of wedlock. My mother was a woman he met during a visit at the northern island. The king that time didn’t approve of their relationship so naturally she was left there and so was I. But after my mother passed away when I was only five years old, my father took me in. But unfortunately, during my ninth birthday, my father suddenly died.

After that, the king put me into better use. Since he never approve of me, he kept my existence a secret. But he did educate me about our ancestors dream and how ever since the war began, the royals would send a spy into the eastern island. My whole existence has been a secret, so he thought what better way to earn my right to be one of them than to be their spy. I was a fast learning unlike my older cousin. Who was spoiled and would always argue with me.

By the time I was eleven, they sent me to the enemy’s borders. I pretended to be a lost boy with nowhere to go which basically was true. The orphanage over there gladly took me in. I lived there and studied at a local school. I learned about the work and their politics. I was expose to technology beyond our king’s imagination and knowledge my cousin’s minute brain could never understand.

And before I knew it, I was fifteen. One day, I snuck out of and sailed my way here. By that time the king already died and my cousin took his place. Fortunately he still recognized me and let me enter the island but never let me be known to the public which also meant I wasn’t allowed to stay in the palace. So I got this cottage and since then, I would report to him my learnings of the enemy. My last meeting with him, he told me I was to be sent back there to gather more information”

“Hang on, you have regular meetings with the king?”Tamashi asked.

“Yes”

“Is that where you go every night you leave?”

“…yes?”

“Like tonight?”

“That is correct”

“So he’s waiting for you right now?”

“He is”

And that’s when it occurred to Luca. He’s spoiled and short-tempered older cousin who was now the king is waiting for him. He panicked and ran out of the house. Tamashi just watched him and sighed.

“Well this just became even more complicated” she said to herself and closed the door.

The next morning, Tamashi was trying to convince Luca to let her go out to see Hal.

“Please. You’re already being pushed to leave then why not say yes and we can both get out of here”

“No, the king is already furious with me for questioning his decisions. If he spots me leaving with an unknown woman, he would then question my loyalty. That would lead to both of our heads being blown to smithereens”

“If you don’t agree with his decisions then why do you follow him?”

“Because he’s our king”

“He’s a king who erased your entire existence and is forcing you to live in this worn down house”

“A thank you for your hospitality would have suffice”

“Luca, come on. Leave with me and meet Hal and the others. They can help you”

“Help me with what? If they knew about my connection with the king, wouldn’t they just chop my head off and feed my body to the wolves?”

“They are not barbarians. They are kinder than you think”

“I am not saying that they are or aren’t. I’m only suggesting that wouldn’t they naturally hate me for being a descendant of the royal family?”

“Not if they know that you are against everything that they are. You are, aren’t you?”

“Of course I am. I never agreed to how they ran things and how they want world domination. I firmly believe there is a better way to live. One that involves peace and harmony with the other civilization. I mean, during my travels and learnings, I have learned so much. The people over the other islands are so peaceful and kind. When I was living with my mother, I was constantly surrounded by love and warmth. They always resented the previous king for ruing their way of life. My mother taught me our history before they came and invaded, and life then was so much better”

“See? Let Hal and the others help you. They want to end this meaningless war”

“And how do they expect to do that? Not to be harsh, but with their resources, they don’t have a chance of winning”

“Then why don’t you take your rightful place? Why don’t you take the crown from your cousin? Isn’t the first born from the oldest supposed to be the king? Aren’t you supposed to be the one sitting there? Not him? If your father hadn’t died, he would be the one sitting there. And if you weren’t edged out by your own grandfather and cousin, you should be the one with the crown. So why not take it?”

Luca looked away and thought about it. He knew she was right. It was his right to be king. But he knew it was impossible. To the world, he didn’t exist. To the royal family, he was thrash. So how was he supposed to take his crown?

Tamashi could see it in his eyes that he was struggling with a decision. And she wanted to help him but it wasn’t a decision she could make for him. As much as she wanted. So instead, she stood up and left him alone to think about it some more.

At the other village, Esme walked to Hal who was busy outside his hut sharpening the sword he took from Tamashi when they met.

“You still haven’t found her?” she asked and sat beside him on the ground.

“No” he said plainly and she grunted.

“Where could she be? Is it possible that she was caught in the cross fire? Their attacks have increased over the past days. And they are getting stronger. We can barely rebuild the houses”

“I don’t think she’s dead. I checked the battlefield and didn’t find a body similar to hers”

“Then where is she? I’m worried”

Hal stood up and returned the sword to its sheath. Esme looked at him and she could tell he was also worried about her. More than he would show. It’s been days since he lost her in the forest and since then Hal would go out looking for her in the night. However, he hasn’t found any sign as to where she was. No matter how much he searched.

That night, like all the other before, he went out and looked all over the place. He returned to the battlefield where he lost some of his friends after attempting to cross over. He looked at every burned and scared faces of the fallen men, looking for a hint of Tamashi’s face. At the same time he was hoping not to find her there.

The number of bodies have increased since Tamashi was there. The ground was close to not being seen from all of the remains. The smell was rotten flesh was something Hal was sadly getting used to.

Hal returned to the forest after and went searching for Tamashi there. He kept walking and walking until he was already nearing the border of the enemies. He quickly climbed a tree and hid himself behind the big branches as he watched the soldiers marching back and forth. Like the decaying bodies at the battlefield, their number of guards have also gone up. This got Hal wondering.

“Have there been word when we’re moving out?” Hal overheard one of them asked.

“Not yet. But I’m hoping soon. I’m getting sick of watching lifeless tree all day. And fighting with those lowlife creatures across is also dull” the other answered.

“I know what you mean. I heard the king ordered the rookies to be out there for training while the higher ranking ones are being readied for the real battle”

“No kidding? And were out here standing around? Lucky kids”

This conversation was starting to make Hal’s blood rise. He felt so insulted and angry. He was ready to pound them when he heard another one talking.

“Hey, have any of you heard a rumor that there might be a spy in town?”

“A spy? No way anyone can walk in there unnoticed”

“Apparently some of the folks keep seeing a girl no one recognized. And they keep saying that there was something odd about her”

“A girl? You’re telling me a girl snuck in? Not a chance”

“Yeah. She might just be from another island that was brought in after getting hitched”

“Unlikely, she wasn’t dress like a married girl. Even her attitude was unlike the others”

“Oh yeah, what did she look like?”

“I heard one of the bakers say she had brown hair. Short hair. Reddish eyes. She wasn’t very tall either”

The description matched Tamashi. Hal was certain of it. Tamashi was definitely inside the walls. He quickly left and returned to the village.

When he got back, Esme was waiting for him.

“Did you find her?” she asked as soon as she saw him.

“She might be at the enemy’s territory”

“What?” she exclaimed. “How is that possible?”

“I’m not sure. But the soldiers think she might be a spy”

“Hal, we have to save her. She can be in a great deal of danger. We have to get inside”

Hal didn’t answer her and instead continued walking to his hut. He can feel the wind blowing harder and the weight on his shoulder getting heavier as the guilt sinks into him. The guilt that he couldn’t do anything for Tamashi. That he didn’t noticed sooner that she was gone.

Inside his home, Hal bitterly bit his lower lip causing it to bleed but he didn’t care. His hands formed a fist, trembling. He felt so helpless. Powerless.

What can a lone person do to save his people? What can he do? What else can he do? How can someone who could help single girl do to help the rest of the villagers? Is there nothing?

Guilt. Sorrow. Anger. Powerlessness.

A mix of negative emotions swirled inside Hal’s heart. And in the dark and silence of his house, he suffered. Alone.

Tamashi was out in the back letting the moonlight be her only source of light while she bent out her frustration with archery. She kept firing at the same spot over and over again causing the arrows to be split in half each time she fired another arrow.

“Alright, I’ll do it”

Tamashi turned and saw Luca behind her.

“Yo-You’ll do it? As in, you’ll help me get out?”

“No. As in, I’ll take the throne”

“Are you serious?”

“Serious to death. Which may be accurate considering this may lead me to my deathbed” he said half-jokingly.

“That’s great!” she explained ignoring Luca’s last sentence.

“But, I have a condition”

“What is it?”

“We’ll do this my way. This tasks is already dangerous enough. I can’t have a girl who is supposedly from another world be in-charge”

“You got it”

And the two nodded to acknowledge each other.

The next day was a busy day for both parties. Luca and Tamashi were constructing a plan to sneak into the castle and outside to get Hal’s help. Little did they know that Hal himself was creating a strategy to get inside the wall.

Both sides were already arming themselves with every weapon they could use. Tamashi was even surprised to find out Luca also knew how to use a sword. While Hal was sharpening his sword and spears. He was also creating loads of arrows. However, he left his men out of the loop.

“Alright, were in agreement, right?” Luca said turning to Tamashi.

“Yes, we are. We get out and I’ll lead us to Hal’s village where you’ll explain your side with me backing you up because you’re scared they’ll eat you alive”

“I am not afraid”

“Sure you aren’t” she said sarcastically and Luca glared at her.

“And then, hopefully they’ll agree to help. And if they do, I’ll sneak back inside and bringing one of them to knock the guards. Then we’ll open the gates to let the others in”

“And while we’ll be busy battling the soldiers, you’ll get into the castle with your secret passage which you still don’t want to tell me to take the throne”

“Seems feasible, right?”

“Yup” she said while nodding her head to try to convenience not just Luca but also herself.

Not saying it out load, but it was obvious to both of them that it seems to easy. It couldn’t be that easy.

The two had an early dinner. That dinner was the quietest dinner they ever had since they started to get along.

Tamashi glanced at Luca who had his hand full with staring at his food intently.

“You know, if you lower your head a bit more, you could go snorkeling already” Tamashi jest, trying to break the silence between them.

“Huh? Oh, I’m sorry. My mind is just a tad preoccupied at the moment”

“A tad? Oh please, I doubt it’s only a ‘tad’. Your mind must be swirling with thousands of things right about now”

“And how would you know?” he asked.

“I happen to read and watch a lot of drama”

“Watch drama…? Like theatre?” he titled his head slight, confused with the words she used.

Tamashi forgot that she was talking to someone from a different world.

“In any case, stop filling your head with questions you know you have no answers to yet. Just focus on the job we have to do”

“You’re right. So finish your food and we have to leave soon”

Tamashi responded with a nod and they both picked up the pace.

When they were done with their meals, they picked up the bag they prepared earlier and headed out. Luca led the way across the town. They were very careful with every turn they took. Like Luca said before, the guards have steadily increased over the days. The king was definitely preparing for something big. The king who Luca have been avoided for days now. Unfortunately, that stopped that night.

After taking another turn, Luca was spotted by one of the guards. He pushed Tamashi to a corner to hide her.

“You there!” a soldier called out to him. “What are you doing wandering this time of night?” he asked as he made his way towards Luca.

“Forgive me, I was just making my way home after… grabbing a drink”

“You look too young to be drinking. Come now, I’ll escort you back to your house” the soldier grabbed Luca’s arm and began pulling him but he resisted.

“No, no. That won’t be necessary good sir. I can manage alone”

Tamashi watched from the dark as Luca struggled to get away from the soldier’s grasped. She couldn’t help but fear for his life.

“Hang on,” the guard said. “I recognize you. You’re the kid that the king have been looking for” Luca panicked from his statement. “That’s right. You’re his messenger”

“I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I have never met the king”

“I never forget a face. Now really have to come with me. I’ll take you to the king immediately”

“No! Wait! I told you, me and the king have never met before. You’re gravely mistaken!” Luca cried as he continuously tried to get away but due to his small stature, he was being over powered.

Luca looked back at the worried Tamashi. There was nothing neither of them can do. He looked at her intently as if trying to tell her to go on without him. She hesitated but ultimately, she made her way to his secret door.

Quickly and carefully, she got to the hidden pathway that they took when Luca snuck her in. Tamashi placed her hand on the wall and tried to feel where the false brick was. It took her a while before she found it. She looked behind her to check if anyone was out there, when it was safe, she went through the wall and quickly shut it.

As quietly as she could, she went through the woods following the path Luca told her about. To make sure she would find her way in case something similar happened, Luca told her beforehand in details which way to go.

As she moved in the forest where the branches and leaves danced to the music of the wind and the light of the moon, she can’t help but wonder how Luca was doing. However worrying about others was a luxury she couldn’t afford at the moment. She hurried to find Hal’s village. She ran as fast as she could.

But as if the forest had a grudge on her, she trip on a rock that was covered with leaves. A thud echoed in the forest and she felt a twitched on her knee where she was scratched. She sat up while coughing the leaves she accidentally got in her mouth from falling. She checked on her wound. When she saw it bleeding, she took out the clothes she was wearing when she got in this world from a bag she borrowed from Luca. With an arrow, she ripped a cloth from her shirt and wrapped that around her injured knee. After tying it tight, she stood up.

Tamashi dusted herself and when she turned around, she almost screamed from surprised to see Hal standing there.

“H-Hal” she gasped. “What are…. What are you doing here?”

“Is that really what you should be asking?”

“No. I just mean,” she coughed for a second before continuing her sentence while Hal stared her down. “how did you find me?”

“I didn’t really. I was on my way to get you from the wall”

“You were?” she asked excitedly that made Hal raise an eyebrow which she noticed. “I mean, you were?” she asked again lowering the tone of her voice.

“Follow me” he said and grabbed her arm.

Tamashi stared at his hand holding her while she was being pulled. She cleared her throat before speaking again.

“Yo-You don’t need to pull me”

“Sadly, I do” he answered without looking at her. “The last time we were here, you vanished”

“So… you’re worried about me?” you could hear the slight joy could be heard from her voice.

Hal didn’t answered and just continued pulling her. Tamashi had a small smile forming on her lip.

Their comfortable silence was abruptly interrupted when she remembered that she was in the middle of something. She resisted that made the two of them stopped. Hal looked at her suspiciously.

“Hal, I need your help. Well, actually, I need you and your people’s help” the look on Hal’s made was telling her he needed more details. “While I was at the other side, I met someone. Someone who shared the same idea as you. The idea of having peace in the world. I thought maybe you could work with him. But we need to act fast, he’s in a bit of trouble”

Hal let go of Tamashi and faced her properly. He looked at her from head to toe and finally noticed what she was wearing. He eyed the bow she had in her hand and the quiver on her shoulder.

“I need your help Hal. I know you want to end all this violence. Hal, this is your chance. You actually have a chance to win. With help, that is”

“A guy from the other side wants to help?” he said with doubt.

“I know it’s hard to believe. But it’s true. His name is Luca and he’s a prince—“

“A prince?” he interrupted.

“Yes. He’s the son of the first son of the late king. He’s a good guy who wants nothing but to end all of this. We have a plan. I’ll lead you inside the wall and while we keep the guards at bay, he’ll go to the castle and overthrow the king”

“Overthrow the king”

“Yeah, so please, please Hal. We have to hurry”

Hal turned around and started walking away.

“Hal, wait! Please, I know you want to stop this war but you said so yourself, you don’t have a fighting chance but you still fight” she rushed in front of him and him look her in the eyes. “Now I’m giving you a chance and you walk away?”

“Tamashi, you don’t know the hell we’ve been through. And the people who are responsible for that are the people from the other side of that wall. The people who pull the strings to use us as target practice are those royals. Now you stand here, in front of me, telling me a prince from that very same town, that very same family, wants to help me by overthrowing the current king” he reasoned mockingly.

“I know it sounds crazy and you’re natural instinct is to not believe it b-b-but I’m telling you, he’s good. He has a good heart and his intentions are pure. H-H-He wouldn’t even think about all this is if I didn’t put the idea in his head. Now Luca is trying to be brave, he’s being brave enough to stand up for what is right. He’s ready to fight for what is right. Like what you said before. Now it’s your turn to have a brave heart. Be brave enough, be strong enough to believe in people. Not everyone is trying to hurt you, Hal”

Hal looked away for a second and stared at the beauty moon shining that night. It looked so peaceful, shadowing the reality of the war. He took a deep breath and faced Tamashi once more this time with a face that seemed too familiar to her. That very same face she once saw on the heartbroken Luciel.

Tamashi reached out her hand towards him, hesitating. But she held him by the cheek, feeling his jaw trembling. That’s when she realizing that he was always holding back his tears, his frustrations, his fears. Always trying to be strong for other while he suffered alone.

She looked him in the eyes and saw the truth about him, how lonely and sad he truly was.

She walked closer to him without averting his gaze. She pulled him to her embraced. She held her tighter while he just stood there.

“I can help you. Please let me help you” she whispered to him and the only response he gave her while a soft nod. “Come on”

She slowly pulled away and held his hand. The two proceeded to Hal’s village swiftly. There everyone was surprised to see Tamashi, and was even more surprised to see her holding Hal’s hand. They eyed it for a second before she let go from embarrassment.

She cleared her throat and glanced at Hal. Esme appeared from the ground and the minute she laid eyes at Tamashi, she rushed to hug her.

“Are you alright? Are you hurt?” Esme asked, talking so quickly while looking at Tamashi up and down. “You knee! It’s bruised”

“I-I-I’m fine, Esme. Don’t worry about”

“What are you wearing?”

“That’s not important. W-W-What’s important is that, we need to get inside the wall. Quickly. I n-n-need your help”

“What are you talking about?”

Just before Tamashi could speak, Hal beat her to it.

“I need every man we have to arm themselves. We’re invading the wall”

Everyone looked at Hal as if he was talking in a different language. His people couldn’t believe what he just said but Tamashi gave him a grateful and encouraging smile.

“Tamashi and her friend at the other side is giving as an opportunity to win this dreadful fight. Anyone who is brave enough to make use of this tiny hope given to us, be ready to move out in ten minutes”

Hal started making his way through the crowd and towards his hut. Tamashi watched him for a second before rushing to his side while Esme looked at the two of them, clenching her hand over her chest.

As soon as Hal and Tamashi was out of their sight, every man in the village hasten to sharpen their weapons and put on their armors, including Gil, Forrest and Jedd. Everyone hurried to strap their weapons and bid their families goodbye, having fear in the back of their mind that they may not return home.

Inside Hal’s home, Hal was preparing himself as well while Tamashi watched him.

“Hal, are you alright?”

“Y-Yeah. I’m fine. Are you ready? I noticed the bow…”

Tamashi smiled at him, half feeling proud of the accomplishment she made after being away and half assuring him she’s fine.

After a while, they were all gathering at the gate. Before leaving, Tamashi briefed them with the plan. Although some of them had doubts about this, their loyalty lies with Hal and because he believed in Tamashi, they chose to follow him.

TO BE CONTINUED...