King

CHAPTER XV

As we wait for the week to pass by, I continued to train Zynrick. But to be honest, it didn’t feel like I was training him. It felt more like we were training each other. Al, on the other hand, went back to doing some research.

“Hey, look at this new trick I learned,” Zynrick called out.

I looked at him and waited for what he was going to do, “Are you ready?” He asked while looking at me with excitement.

“Yeah, show me,” I said while looking at him. He grinned and raised his hand.

He created a goblin out of the earth. It was a small bunny and he was making it move around. I was a bit disappointed because it wasn’t something we can use during a fight but I didn’t have the heart to tell him that. He looked so happy while showing me how the bunny can move on its own.

“Isn’t amazing?” He asked while looking at me to see my reaction.

“It is,” I said even though I was underwhelmed. “How did you learn that?” I asked.

He opened his mouth and was about to answer when Al called my name. I walked toward him and asked him, “What’s up?”

He took a deep breath and rubbed his eyes with his hands before answering me, “I found documents about your familiar.” He said which made my eyes grow wide.

“Thank goodness,” I whispered and he nodded and said, “Yeah, thank goodness indeed,”

“Let’s go check it out,” He said and walked away as I was about to follow him I remembered that Zyn was still in the middle of the field.

I turned around and saw that he was still playing with his bunny. “Zynrick!” I called out and he turned his head towards me.

“We’re going in! Al found records about my familiar! Do you want to come?!” I asked and he shook his head.

“They’re your familiars! You should be the one to go!” He yelled back and continued to play with his rabbit.

“You just wanted to play with your goblin,” I whispered while shaking my head.

I walked towards the laboratory and went straight to Al’s office. He was sitting on his desk with papers scattered on the table while he was reading some in his hands.

“So, what did you find out?” I asked while looking at him.

He raised his head and looked at me. He removed his eyeglasses and said, “According to the documents, they found a fox demon roaming around the place where you were found. It’s reported that the reason why it was hard to recover you was the fox demon.”

“Does that mean I was found in that village?” I asked and he nodded.

“Yeah, it seems like it,” He said and massaged his temple.

“How come you’re not sure of it?” I asked while looking at him.

“I only sent people to find you because I was busy with Zynrick. I wasn’t that hands-on during your recovery mission.” He answered while looking straight into my eyes.

“I’m confused,” I said honestly and sat in front of him.

I took some of the papers on the table and read them hoping I’d understand something, “It states here that I was found in Edengale by Doctor Sean Fernandez.” I said and eyed him. “It’s obviously stated here so why are you answering me with uncertainty?” I asked.

“It wasn’t uncertainty.” He said and I just ignored it.

I continued to read the reports and realized the difficulty they had to go through just to get me. “How come you don’t know that I was recovered there when it clearly states here that you were with them?” I asked after reading another report.

“Something isn’t adding up, Al. What are you hiding from me?” I asked while looking at him with suspicion.

He took a deep breath and it seems like he didn’t know what to do. “It was a repressed memory. I didn’t remember until I read the reports. At that time, there was something more important than finding you and the memory of what I needed to do was more important than the memory of where I found you.” He said while looking straight into my eyes.

“What did you need to do?” I asked and he took a deep breath.

“Can we not talk about that?” He asked. I could see that it was something he didn’t want to recall.

“Why?” I asked, pressing on the topic.

His eyes turned red and I could see the evident frustration in face. He looked like he was being tortured by what he was remembering.

“Al, I need to know. You’ve been keeping secrets from me. I’m trying so f*****g hard not to ask you anything but the questions in my head keep on piling up. I can’t stay hidden in the dark, Al,” I said in all honesty.

He looked at me and avoided my gaze. “I’ll tell you soon. I promise.” He whispered and looked straight into my eyes.

“I just can’t right now,” He added and looked up. “As much as I want to get rid of this heavy feeling by telling people I just can’t right now.”

Though I wanted Al to tell me everything it just seems so hard for him. I clenched my jaw and looked at his pitiful state. I hate being kept in the dark but it seems like I’ve grown soft when it comes to them.

“Fine, if you can’t tell me now then I’ll wait but make sure to tell me before something bad happens.” I said and Al nodded.

I guess the longer we stayed together the more vulnerable we became towards one another. I don’t hate what’s happening right now but I hope that we wouldn’t have to end up fighting each other.

“Okay, calm yourself down before telling me what the plan is.” I said and he nodded.

“Thanks,” He whispered and smiled at me. “By the way, if you hate being kept in the dark then why do you still trust us?” He asked.

“The curse of the ring was never activated,” I answered. Even though I still trusted them because I was growing soft for them I would never admit that.

“Oh, right,” He whispered as if realization hit him that we were actually wearing a cursed ring. “I forgot about this,” He said while looking at the ring.

“Okay, let’s go back to talking about what our next step is.” He said after taking a deep breath.

“Okay, I’m all ears,” I said and he looked at the paper in his hand.

“It’s said that the only time that the fox vanished was when I went with them. That was the date you were recovered.” He explained and I nodded.

“What happened after that?” I asked while he was looking for a different paper.

“You were taken in here and were kept in the room you woke up in. We had machines checking your vitals as we find a way to wake you up.” He said and looked at me. He looked like he was making sure that I had time to process everything he was saying.

“How did you wake me up?” I asked because if I was asleep for a thousand years then that means that I was cursed. In addition to that I have my memories sealed and I have a feeling that my familiar had something to do with it.

“They found something written on the wall beside you. They took a photo of it and tried to search for a meaning or in what way it was written. After searching they found out that it was written in Alibata.” He answered while looking at me.

I had my eyebrows furrowed at what he said. “Alibata?” I asked. It sounded familiar.

“Do you remember it?” He asked and I shook my head.

“I don’t but it sounds familiar,” I answered and tried to recall it.

“It’s how the Maharlikans used to write,” He said and gave me a time to think.

“Okay, continue,” I said when he was just silent.

“They had a Maharlikan translate what they found and it said, Sa ngalan ng mahal na reyna ng Maharlika, ika’y aking isinusumpa, ika’y makakaranas ng walang hanggang tulog. Ang sumpang ito ay aking inilalapat sa anak ng mahal na reyna sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng mahikang ipinahirap sa akin ng kanyang minamahal na ina. Ang sinumang makakabasa ng sulating ito ay mabibigyan ng abilidad na alisin ang sumpa sa pamamagitan ng pagbanggit ng mga sumusunod na kataga, ako ay biniyayaan ng pagkakataon na gising ang mahal na prinsesa mula sa kanyang sumpa. Sa pamamagitan ng katagang ito aking inaalis ang sumpang bumabalot sa kanya. Pagpapakawala.” He read. I wanted to laugh because of the way he read it but I couldn’t because I was bothered by the fact that I understood it. “Did you understand any of that?”

“Yeah,” I answered shortly.

“Okay, tell me what it means then,”

“In the name of the queen of Maharlika, I am cursing you. You will experience an eternal slumber. I am placing this curse on the daughter of the beloved queen through the use of the magic her beloved mother lent me. Whoever can read this writing is given the ability to remove the spell by saying the following term, I am given the chance to wake up the beloved princess from this curse. Through this term I am removing the curse that envelopes her. Release.” I answered. Al looked shocked by my answer.

“That means you’re a Maharlikan. Not just an ordinary Maharlikan, you’re the daughter of a queen.” Al said in realization.

“How can you be so sure?” I asked. I myself couldn’t understand what was happening. All of this information is hard to process.

“It’s just a speculation but if the fox demon is your familiar and she wrote that on the wall then that means you’re the princess of Maharlika. I mean, you were able to understand what I said.” He said in excitement. It was the first time I heard him so excited over something so simple.

“Didn’t I tell you?” I asked in confusion.

“Tell me what?” He asked while waiting for what I have to say.

“The fox demon is my familiar. I talked to her and I was able to confirm it.” I said shortly.

He squinted his eyes at me and the excitement in his face vanished. “You should’ve told me that sooner.”

“I was about to but you left and went to the government. I then forgot about it.” I said and shrugged. He sighed and smiled at me.

“It’s fine. At least now, we’re making more progress.” He said with contentment in his voice.

“You’re right,” I agreed, “By the way, what are we going to do next?” I asked and he answered, “We’re going back to Edengale.”

“When?” I asked.

“Tomorrow, so rest well for today, we don’t know what might happen tomorrow.” He said and I nodded.

“Okay, you too, you better take a rest. Stop overworking yourself. Also, don’t forget the vitamins the doctor gave you.” I reminded and he nodded.

“I know. You don’t have to act like a mom,” He said and fixed the papers on his desk.

“I was just reminding you. I don’t know what would happen if you suddenly collapse in the middle of a fight or something.” I said and rolled my eyes at him.

“Right,” He said and I left.

I went to the field to tell Zynrick that we were living for Edengale tomorrow but when I arrived there I was surprised.

“What the hell?” I asked while looking at the gigantic goblin he created.

It was so huge. It looked like it was at least 50 feet. Aside from the gigantic goblin he created there was also a herd a rabbits surrounding him.

“I didn’t know you can do this?” I said when I was finally standing beside him.

He turned his head towards me and smiled. “I’ve been practicing while you were doing something else.” He answered.

We were both looking at the goblin and I couldn’t help but feel proud. “I’m so proud of you,” I whispered and I felt his stares on me.

“You are?” He asked and I nodded.

“Of course, I am.” I said and looked at him with furrowed eyebrows. “Should I be disappointed?”

“No, I was just taken aback that you actually said that,” He admitted and I tiptoed to ruffle his hair.

“Silly, of course I’d be proud of you for accomplishing something like this,” I said and when I backed away I saw how his cheeks turned red.

“Thanks,” He said while holding back a smile by biting his bottom lip.

“Besides, I came here to tell you that we’re leaving for Edengale tomorrow so clean this up and rest well.” I said making him furrow.

“What’s with the sudden change of expression?” I asked.

“Don’t talk to them as if they’re not alive,” He said and I rolled my eyes. He’s so childish I swear.

“They don’t have lives. They’re just dirt that is being manipulated by you.” I pointed out but he glared at me.

“They can move on their own for your information.” He said making me roll my eyes again.

“Fine, just rest when you’re done playing,” I said and left.

Before I rested I decided to go to Erin. Ever since Al and I started training she was given other works to do because she had a lot of free time.

“Hey, Erin, I just wanted to stop by and tell you that we’re leaving for Edengale tomorrow.” I said and she nodded.

“Awe, then that means I won’t have someone to gossip to while you’re gone,” She said jokingly. I giggled at what she said.

“We can do it now while I help you with your work.” I said and she gleamed.

“Really? That’s awesome!” She said and instructed me what to do.

After I was done hanging out with Erin I went back to my room and laid there. As I stare at the ceiling I couldn’t help but wish that after finding Athaeas we’d all be able to relax and just spend time together.

“I guess they really are growing on me.” I whispered before drifting off to sleep.

The next day came and we arrived in the village. The village chief seemed like he was happy to see us. He greeted us warmly along with the villagers. We had a meal with them before Annaliza and the village chief guided us to the cave.

“I’ll go ahead and check,” I said and they nodded.

I went straight to where I found the carving. I excitedly touched it but I was disappointed when I didn’t feel anything.

“What is happening?” I asked myself as I try to concentrate on trying to connect to my familiar.

“Please, connect,” I whispered as I focused on what I was doing.

After almost an hour of trying I decided to leave and tell Al and the others what happened.

“What’s wrong?” Al asked upon seeing me come out.

“I can’t feel anything,” I answered honestly.

“Did the AMF do something?” Al said out loud.

“They tried to do something but it seems like they were unsuccessful.” The chief said making us turn our attention towards him. “I thought I could trick them into not coming here but it seems like they were confident about knowing that there was something here.”

“Could you please elaborate?” Al asked and the chief nodded before continuing, “They came here looking for a familiar. It seems like they were looking for the same familiar you were looking for. They asked me if I knew and I denied. I thought they would be convinced if I feigned innocence but they were adamant about me knowing. They asked me to bring here but when I denied they threatened to destroy the village.”

“But this village is protected by us,” Al said and the chief shook his head.

“I thought so too,” He said. “But it isn’t anymore. The senate voted that the Magic Reservation Centre has no right over this village anymore.” He answered with sadness.

“How could that happen?” I asked.

“The AMF are good at convincing the senate. After all of the trouble the magical beings had committed over the years it must have been easy for the AMF to convince the senate to remove your right of protecting us.” He explained making me clench my jaw. I balls my hands into fists. I was seething in anger at what I heard.

“We’ll make sure that we can protect you. I promise,” I said while looking at him.

“Thanks, Elle,” Annaliza said but she didn’t seem so ecstatic about it. “But you’re the person we need to protect.”

I was confused by what she said, “You’re the only group of people who can bring back King Athaeas. If bringing him back means sacrificing our lives for you then we would do it.” She said which made me mad.

“Why would you do that?! Don’t you want to see him?! Don’t you want to live under his kingship?!” I couldn’t help but raise my voice at what she said. I didn’t like the idea of having people sacrificing their lives for me.

“I do but if it comes to worst I’d rather sacrifice my life so the others could live in peace. Elle, I respect you and I believe in you, but sacrificing my life doesn’t mean it’s only for you. It’s for the future of the others a well because I don’t want the children in this village to grow up with the fear of being killed. In this era one wrong move could kill us. I don’t want that for the next generation.” She said and I took a deep breath.

“I’ll make sure you won’t have to do that,” I said and she smiled.

“Try checking the waterfall at the other end of the village. You have to cross the thick woods to get there but I’m sure that it won’t be much of a problem for you lot. A fox demon was reported to be seen there. Maybe she’s the familiar you’re looking for.” The chief said and I nodded.

“Okay, we’ll be heading there now,” I said but Zynrick said something that stopped me from proceeding.

“You go with Al. I’ll stay and protect the village in case something happens.” He said so I looked at Al before looking back at Zyn.

“What if you lose control of your powers?” I asked and Zyn smiled.

“Are you saying that the training you put me through is useless?” He asked teasingly.

“No,” I answered and snapped his fingers before saying, “Exactly, I’ve been training with you for months. I’m sure that I can control my powers better now.” He said with confidence so I just nodded.

“Okay, but you’re going to be alone,” I said before I felt something hit me.

I was knocked down on the ground and I stood up before saying, “What the heck was that for?”

“He’s not alone. He has us. Remember, we have powers too.” Annaliza said making me scoff.

“You’re right,” I said.

“Ethan’s personal security is also nearby. They’ll be useful if you can’t use your magic.” Al added.

“So, it’s settled then,” Zyn said and we all nodded in agreement.

“We’ll meet you soon,” Al said and started to walk away. I was about to follow but before I did.

“You better stay alive,” I threatened Zyn.

“Why? Are you going to miss me?” He teased with a mischievous grin on his face.

“I still need you so don’t do anything reckless, okay?” I said making him blush.

Recently, this guy has been blushing so much. “Well, that shut you up,” I commented and he scoffed.

“Right, just go, you also better come back alive.” He said after I turned my back on him.

“Nothing in this world can kill me,” I said confidently before chasing after Al.

“That took you long enough,” He said when I was finally beside him.

“I’m sorry.” I apologized and we continued to walk towards the waterfall.

As we were walking I realized something, “Hey, Al, how did Annaliza and the chief know that we’re looking for Athaeas?”

“I told them,” He answered casually.

“Why? I thought you don’t trust people easily.” I said and he shrugged.

“The chief seemed trust worthy. Besides, if he really is someone we can’t trust then he wouldn’t have bought time for us when the AMF suddenly came.” He explained and I agreed.

“Sometimes you just have to take a risk and place your trust on people hoping they won’t betray you,” He said and gave me a meaningful glance.

“That’s true,” I said and we both walked silently after that.