The Orient Pearl of Dalatica

RUN!

It was 5 o’clock in the morning, the sun should have barely peeked in the sky, yet only a thin line of amethyst sky was seen from there, that even when the sun is up, no one will notice. The place was like a large village where houses were made of hardened clay, painted in different lively colors. It was built in the middle of towering valleys, thousands of meters high up from the ground, making it hard for the sun to light the whole village.

“I didn’t know there could be a place like this beneath us,” she mumbled in the marvel of glowing flowers scattered everywhere, fruitful trees, animals which she had only seen on fairytales, and people wearing flowers over their heads.

“Yes, because we never dared to be known. It’s the best for all of us,” Maximillian said in a cold voice. He was walking along with her while observing the soldiers in their golden armor, training on a set of attacks, in the middle of a vast field. Symetra was on top of her voice, commanding them with the right stunt, position, and mindset while their arrows aiming in the air. The bows and arrows were quite different. They flickered as the warriors raised them in the air like an electric current flows through it. On the other side of the field, a legion of horsemen roamed around, unsheathing their swords from their scabbards. The swords were glimmering in blue flame as they wield them to their sparring mate.

“Your race really is superior among humans,” she remarked with benevolence, after seeing those unusual things.

“There are abilities that humans don’t have. And we’re the only ones who know what’s coming. This world is at war and you, humans are not aware of it,” he replied boldly.

“Our world,” she corrected, “We are in this together. We live on the same planet after all,” she defended bluntly.

“Yes, that’s true. There’s an approaching war, a big war. A war that has not been seen by all creatures on earth. A war that will destroy all the life within,” he continued, “We’re out there to find the solution in your world but, it seems your world has your own wars to face,”

“But, it’s our world too. We are a part of this world and that’s enough reason to make this our top priority,” Vern demanded.

“I think so, too,” he agreed and looked at Vern, “All of you can fight for one goal,” he traced back on his trail of words, “But, the hunger for wealth and power divides you all,” he stated in conclusion.

His words stunned her. She turned speechless. Somehow, a fragment in his lines hit her hard. In this world, as time turns into decades, into centuries, people tired out from their usual life and so they hungered for more. Everything became more valuable than the essence of existence. Life on earth became complex. The so-called survival that strengthened our ancestors turned into a system of race for gold and glory.

Life was not about breathing air anymore. It brought life to extents where people live their lives according to the value of material things. It turned life into virtual acceptance and fame. Digital life became the measurement for life expectancy and social criticism became the standard for living.

“And the prophecy?” she asked upon remembering his words last night.

“That’s our mission for today,” he declared, passing by her and leading the way.

“Where are we going?” she questioned while gazing at him.

“Do you see that mountain?” he directed, while pointing at the mountain at the far end of the plains, “That’s our destination.”

Vern just heaved a sigh out of frustration. She couldn’t do anything but accept that her life in this place will be far from ordinary.

They were in the middle of the woods, following on the path to the mountains.

“Will this really prove that I’m a part of the prophecy,” she wondered desperately. They’ve been walking for more than an hour and yet they were still far from their point of destination.

“That’s right,” Max confirmed.

Vern grimaced disappointedly. The journey was tiring her out. If she could only have powers, she would have transported herself to the mountains, so as not to waste time and energy. She pondered at the thought. What if Max has the power to do it and so she walked faster to follow him right at his back.

“So, you’re race owns superiority than humans. How does that define you?” she interrogated.

“You’ll discover soon.” Max was just too reticent, giving her all the liberty to talk by herself through the whole journey.

“Why can’t you just do some magic trick and teleport us to that mountain? I know you-,” she paused abruptly, when Max stopped on his path, hushing him into silence.

The bushes nearby swayed in one direction, like there was some strong wind crashed over it in a flash. Then, another hassle rustled in the opposite direction. Then, everything went still. A sound from that of a dog-like rumble reverberated in the air like an equal was trying to steal its food. There was silence for a few minutes, but then came the rustling sound on the bushes and immediately, followed by an enormous growl thundered over the place.

“RUN!” he shouted at her. Vern followed at once without any hesitation, gave it all her power, and ran as fast she could.

She ran away from him frantically. Her heart was beating fast and her breath became rugged. She followed him through the bushes, up above the boulders, and down the slopes. It was numbing and all she could think was home, but she couldn’t stop running for her life as the horse-like monster, with its fangs open and dripping of its saliva, was nearing to meet her end.