The Moon Symphony

Fae Dragon

"Okay, here we go, guys. Let's ride in pairs. Anan and Ester, ride that strong beetle next to you. I'll go with Ani." Baku said.

What type of pairing is this. I can hear Baku and Ani giggling. These two sure are a tease. Well, there's nothing I can't do because they already rode the beetle.

There was a sort of saddle on the back of the beetles. Apo rode first and held his hand out to help me climb. I reached out for his hand and sat on the saddle.

"Hold tight!" Apo said and placed my hand around his body.

I heard someone scream. It was Ani. I thought this girl is still not okay with Apo, but why is she like this? Girls are sometimes confusing. I can't help myself but laugh at her.

Everyone looked at me.

Oh no! It's so embarrassing.

"Are you okay?" Apo asked.

"Yes, I'm okay. Let's go." I said.

"Okay, guys, are you ready!" Baku asked.

"Yes!" Everyone shouted like little kids, and how I wish that we are always happy like this.

The beetles started to take off. The wind kept on hitting my face, so I closed my eyes. I can hear everyone shouting from excitement.

"Yari, open your eyes," Apo said.

Apo pulled me closer to him. I tried to open my eyes, and wonder-filled my sights. The view was so marvelous. The flower fields, the different colors, and the fresh air thrilled my heart so much.

"It's pretty, right?" Apo asked.

"It is, and I loved it so much," I said and continued to watch the view.

After a few minutes, we arrived at the base of the tree. Up close, it was much bigger than I expected. It was a fig tree. I was amazed by the structure and the growth it had. I can also see one giant fruit hanging in its branches.

"Why is it called Pine Lagoon when the tree is a Fig tree?" I asked.

"You'll see soon," Baku said.

We followed the trail from where we landed, and on the way, there are many flowers. I can see other creatures like butterflies and bees buzzing around, hopping from flower to flower. I am enjoying these things so far. I saw the others enjoying the scenery too.

After a few minutes of walking, we reached the vast tree base, and there was an entrance going inside. Baku said that we would like it more inside. After entering the opening, everyone gasped again from what we saw.

The tree has its ecosystem inside its body. The tree's body is hollow inside, and what's more surprising is there is a village in it. Now I know why this place is called the Pine Lagoon.

Inside, there were a lot of Pine Trees inhibiting the area. It gave off a nice cool breeze, relaxing us. But wait, why is this called when all we can see are Pine trees and other plants.

We continued walking towards the other side of the tree. Small houses appeared one by one. I saw someone watching us, and I was surprised by her appearance.

The girl has long blond hair, and her features are so majestic. She is so beautiful, and the color of her eyes was blue. It was highlighted by the blonde shade of her hair, making her eye color more vibrant. She was wearing a long dress, made of the finest silk. I can tell because it gleams with the sunlight.

One by one, the citizens of the Pine Lagoon appeared with a surprised expression. They have something in common, and they are so pretty and handsome. Even the kids are so cute. I noticed one more thing, their ears! And what's amusing was they look like monarchs or nobles. What in the world is this place?

Am I thinking right? Are they the same creatures from the show I love to watch?

I looked at Baku to get some answers, but he just smiled at me.

"Later, you will find out," Baku said.

As we continued walking, I noticed that there was a beautiful treehouse in the front. It was painted with the colors of summer, bright and cheerful. There were pots of flowers hanging from the side of the house. We also saw a small wooden box that resembles a birdhouse. The owner's pet, maybe?

"We are here!" Baku said.

He walked towards the front of the tree and shouted. "Saldang, I'm here."

What happened next surprised us again. A flower-shaped flatform appeared below, next to the tree.

"Come on, guys, what are you waiting for?" Baku called us.

"Okay, please step on the platform," Baku added.

We followed his instructions and stepped on the stand. The platform glowed and started to float, and everyone gasped from the astonishment.

"Calm down, guys," Baku said.

I looked around, and the villagers were still looking at us. I can see some of their expressions, some were delighted, and others were pure disgust.

We arrived at the doorway, and all of a sudden, it opened. The inside of the house was spacious, unlike its appearance outside. The whole place was adequately ventilated, and the light coming in was so pretty. The pieces of furniture were made from fine materials.

I can smell something nice from this house.

A woman appeared in front of us, and her appearance was so marvelous. She looked far more beautiful than the villagers that we saw earlier. Her hair was long and wavy, with the shade of silver. It was almost touching the floor. The woman's eyes were jade green, and it was so mesmerizing.

Her clothes were made from the finest silk, too, with the color of spring. Above her head sits a flower crown made of different flowers. Her cheeks were rosy, and her lips were as red as a rose.

She was carrying a teapot and headed to the table near us. She poured its contents on a tea glass decorated with paintings of nature. The aroma of the tea entered our noses.

"It's lavender tea," I said out of the blue.

Everyone looked at me with a confused expression.

"Oh, how did you know this is a lavender tea?" The pretty woman asked.

"Uhm, I."

"Are you by chance the?"

She was not able to finish what she was about to say when Baku butted in.

"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, Saldang," Baku said and looked at me.

I was confused as well with his expression.

"Of course, it's my pleasure, my dear friend. "Saldang said and smiled.

Is she the Fae Dragon that Baku was talking about? Now I know why her presence was so majestic.

"I think you already know why we are here," Baku said.

"Of course, Baku. I received your message the other day from Kurdapya."

Kurdapya? What a weird name.

"Then, that's good," Baku said.

"Sure, but let your companions rest first, "Saldang said and handed out the tea glasses to each of us.

We bowed our heads and said thank you to her. The smell of the tea is undoubtedly excellent. I can feel that Saldang was observing me like she wants to ask me about something. Saldang suddenly cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself properly. I am Saldang, the Fae Dragon and the guardian of the Pine Lagoon. I am like Baku, and we both came from the same lineage. So you could say that we are blood-related or anything you wish to call that."

"While Baku served the Moon Goddess Mayari, I am one former servant of the Morning Goddess, Hanan."

Hanan? I thought we are looking for the lost village of the stars?

Everyone was surprised by what Saldang said.

"We thought you were related to Tala," Ester said.

"No, another of our kind serves her. I know you will meet her sometime. She is my twin sister in human terms." Saldang said.

"And how are we going to locate Estrella?" Apo asked.

"Don't worry, young man. I can still remember Estrella's location, but since thousands of years passed already, the path going there changed a lot. All I can give you is some information that can help you to go there."

Saldang is correct. Any information we can get is essential. I looked at Saldang, and I can still feel her watchful eyes.

"So why don't you rest first? I know your journey was tiring. I prepared rooms for you. Let's talk again late, and II have something to discuss with Baku." She said and stood up. Baku followed her

After the two left, we went to the rooms that Saldang offered. The exhaustion hit my body hard. I can feel my legs ache. Funny that I have enormous energy now, but I still get tired. We are still human beings.

Apo entered the room, and I stood up all of a sudden.

What is he doing here?

"Just stay in bed, Yari," Apo said.

I lay down on my bed again and faced him. He sat down at the wooden chair near the window.

"How are you feeling?" Apo asked.

"I'm good. Why don't you rest?" I said.

"I'm not that tired, and I want to check on you."

Check on me? Why does he need to do that. Apo should check on himself first.

Why? I asked.

"I have something to tell you, Yari."