King

CHAPTER XXXII

We’ve stayed in Maharlika for a week before we decided to leave. I also learned that the swords I used during the battle were weapons of the royal family.

“Hey, Josefina,” I called out while she was playing with my hair.

“What is it?” She asked and looked at me before returning her attention to my hair.

“How come I was able to remember all of those weapons?” I asked while playing with the pillow in my hands.

“It was probably a hunch or something,” She said which didn’t really answer my question.

“I need more explanation,” I said and looked at her.

She sighed and leaned on the chair. She looked up in the ceiling and remained silent for a few minutes.

“You’re mother probably told you about it and you just forgot then you remembered when you were in battle. It was probably a repressed memory since it involves your mom or a forgotten memory. The battle probably forced you to recall the royal families use for protection.” She answered and I nodded.

That makes sense.

“Tell me; are those weapons only used when in battle?” I asked and she nodded.

“It is said that those weapons stay hidden and only show up when a member of the royal family is in need of protection. So, you can’t really summon them or use them if it’s for evil or to provoke anything that may cause a calamity.” She answered and I nodded.

I was glad I was able to talk to her about those weapons because I can’t sleep not knowing how I knew how to use those.

“Make sure you visit us soon,” Josefina said and hugged me tightly.

“I will,” I said and took a step towards Danilo.

I knelt down so we could be the same height, “You should learn to rest, Danilo. You’re too old to be working full time,” I said and hugged him as well.

“Of course, he’ll rest. I’m the queen now so he has a lot of free time,” Josefina said while looking down at us.

“If that’s what the two of you wish for,” He said after sighing.

We could tell just by looking at him that he didn’t like that idea. But after he told me about the fact that he feels like he’s going to die Josefina and I decided to make him rest. That he should spend his time doing what he wants.

Al and Zyn bid their goodbye and I teleported us back to the laboratory.

I looked around and I can’t believe I’d miss this place.

“You look happy,” Zynrick said beside me so I turned to look at him.

I felt my face heat up from seeing him. Ever since what happened in his room I can’t help but heat up whenever I see him.

“Y-Yeah,” I said and looked at Al.

He looked like he was done with what was happening between me and Zynrick so when I looked at him he just gave me a plain look.

“I don’t care about what happened in your room but please act normal around each other,” He said and turned his back towards us but before he left he added, “Both of you made the choice to do it so stop being awkward towards each other.”

My jaw dropped at what he said. I turned towards Zynrick and he was red so I sighed.

“Let’s forget that ever happened,” I said which made him look at me.

“Which part?” He asked.

I don’t know if he was teasing me or not but I felt the blood rush to my face when he asked me that.

“Forget it,” I said and turned my back at him.

“I can’t,” He said which made me look at him.

“What?” I asked while looking at him but he just shook his head.

“It’s nothing. You should rest,” He said and walked away.

I went to my room and plopped myself on the bed. I missed this.

I closed my eyes and didn’t realize that I was already in deep sleep.

“She’s asleep, maybe we can tell her next time,” I heard Zynrick say.

I rubbed my eyes and sat down. I was still half-asleep when I asked, “What is it?”

“It seems that you’re awake,” I heard Al say while looking at me.

I stared at them before I heard Zynrick say, “We woke her up, i***t,”

“That’s not important,” Al said and looked at his phone. “Anyway, I have to make this quick. I have somewhere else to be,” He said and kept his phone.

“We’ll be visiting our manor tomorrow,” Al said which made my eyes grow wide.

“Y-You’re not kidding are you?” I asked because it seemed unbelievable.

“Yeah,” Al answered. He looked annoyed so I furrowed my eyebrows and crossed my arms.

“You don’t look so pleased,” I said honestly.

He sighed and looked at Zyn. I turned my gaze towards him as well. He placed his hand on his nape and chuckled nervously.

“I kept on bothering Al to take us there.” He said which made me raise my eyebrow at him.

“I’m happy that you want us to go there but for what?” I asked.

“Since Zynrick found out about your background, he kept on telling me that we should tell you as well. I didn’t want to but when he was the one who kept on repeatedly saying he wants to go I gave in,” He explained.

So, that’s why.

“So, are we going to commute?” I asked because I obviously can’t teleport us there.

“No,” Al answered which made my eyes grow wide.

“Don’t tell me you’re driving,” I whispered in horror.

He glared at my reaction but he answered, “We’ll bring a driver with us,”

“Thank God,” I whispered which made him glare even more.

It was the next day and we were on our way to the manor. I didn’t expect the ride to be long. But when we arrived, my jaw dropped when I saw their manor.

“This is beautiful,” I whispered while admiring their manor.

“Well, my family is wealthy, besides, your castle is way more gorgeous compared to this,” He said as we enter.

I can’t help but admire the interior of the manor.

I wonder if anyone lives here.

“Hey, when was the last time you were here?” I asked and looked at them.

I could see how much they miss this place. I wonder why they wouldn’t come here.

“It’s been around five years since we came here,” Al answered and ran his hand through the table wall.

“It’s well kept though,” I whispered and ran my hands on the walls as well.

We were roaming around the manor without anyone speaking. I was fine with it though.

“Something’s wrong,” Al whispered which made us stop.

I looked at where he was staring and saw that there was an open door.

“s**t!” Al yelled and ran towards the door.

Zyn and I chased after him and my eyes went wide when I saw the room.

“Don’t tell me they were able to get in here as well,” Zynrick said and fisted his hands.

“What did they take?” Zynrick asked as they look around.

“Nothing’s missing,” Al answered in confusion once they were done looking.

“We should check the laboratory,” Zynrick said and Al nodded.

I followed them to the far side of the manor and I was amazed to see that there was a laboratory in their manor.

“Search everywhere, I don’t know what papers we left here,” Al said and searched around.

I also did the same thing. Even though I don’t know what to look for, I still searched for things that seemed suspicious.

I was running my hand on the cabinets and randomly felt for the bottom of the tables, cabinets, and chairs.

“Hey, guys, I don’t know what’s supposed to be here but there’s a box,” I said when I accidentally pressed something and opened a secret compartment under one of the cabinets.

“I’ve never seen that,” Al said and approached me along with Zynrick.

“Neither of you know about this?” I asked while holding up the box.

I kept a keen eye on their expression to see if they were lying and when they shook their head, I knew they weren’t lying. I gave Al the box and he looked surprised by what I did.

“Why do you look surprised? This is something your parents kept. Isn’t the box owned by your parents'? That gives you the right to open it?” I said and he slowly nodded.

He looked at the box and then looked at Zynrick, “I don’t want to open it. I have a feeling you’re more involved in this one,” He said and gave it to Zynrick.

“It’s from your parents, don’t pass it to me,” Zynrick said but the way Al looked, it seems like he truly believed that it was for Zynrick.

“If Al feels that way, I think you should open it,” I said which made him look at me.

He sighed and took the box. “It’s locked,” He said after failing to open it.

“Can’t you try a little harder?” I asked, a little bit annoyed.

“Do you think you have a key for this?” Zynrick asked and raised the box.

Al started at it for awhile before he shook his head.

“Well, it’s not surprising that something like this has a lock,” Zynrick said and put it in his backpack.

“It’s a good thing you brought that with you,” Al commented and Zyn nodded.

We continued searching for more things in the laboratory when we heard a loud explosion.

“That came from the East wing,” Al said with fear in his eyes.

“What’s in the East wing?” I asked when they suddenly became panicked.

They didn’t answer me when I asked; instead, they ran so I followed them.

Damn, I hate not knowing what’s happening.

We ran to the East wing and it was evident that one of the rooms had an explosion inside based on the smoke that was covering the hall.

“That’s their room,” Al whispered and ran inside.

“Al, wait,” Zyn said and chased after him.

I was about to follow when someone shot an arrow at me. I was able to dodge so I searched for who it was.

“Show yourself,” I said while looking around.

The wing was covered by smoke and it was painful in the eyes. I had my hand covering my mouth as my other handheld my weapon. I was looking around when my eyes caught a silhouette escaping from where we were.

I glanced at the room before chasing the silhouette.

They’ll be fine. Zynrick’s with Al anyway.

As I chased the silhouette, we got out of the East wing. She broke the glass before jumping so I followed. She ran in the same direction and I was running out of breath.

“We stop here,” She said and faced me.

“Erin,” I whispered. I could feel my blood boil when I saw her.

“Didn’t you recognize me earlier? Do you like my makeover? I cut it short because Tyrone said he likes it shorter,” She said and played with her hair.

It annoyed me that Zynrick trusted someone like her. The memories of him defending her came back to my memories and it annoyed me that I was so affected by it.

“Oh, what’s wrong? You don’t seem fine,” She said and approached me.

I saw her that she was only a few feet away from me so pushed her back by using my magic. It wasn’t strong enough to harm her but it was strong enough to make her fall on her ass.

“What’s wrong with you?” I asked with my hands balled into fists.

“Why did you push me?” She asked while looking at me with a pained expression.

I wanted to punch her face but I stopped myself. She’s important to Zynrick. She was important to me too but that before I found out who she was.

“Stop looking so pained when you deserve it!” I yelled and watched her stand up.

“How do I deserve being pushed like that by a friend?!” She yelled. I don’t know if she’s playing or if she has a personality disorder. The pain and betrayal in her eyes seemed so real.

“Tell me, Elle! You said you’re my friend!” She yelled as if I was the one who was betraying her.

I shook my head. She’s just good at acting. She doesn’t have a personality disorder. She’s a traitor. She’s two-faced.

“You betrayed Zynrick!” I yelled but she shook her head.

“I didn’t!” She yelled and furiously shook her head. “I’m trying to save him!”

“Save him from what?!” I yelled because I don’t know what to feel.

“I’m saving him from Al!” She yelled while looking straight into my eyes. I was about to defend Al when she suddenly spoke. “Don’t even defend Al because you don’t know him!”

“I do!” I yelled back but I knew deep inside that I don’t really know Al nor Zynrick.

“You don’t! If you did then do you know what’s the real nature of his work?! Did you know that they had to kill people of your kind just to make those magic canceling serum?! Did you know that he locked Zynrick up?! Did you know that Al is the reason why Zynrick has blood in his hand?!” She yelled and I couldn’t answer.

I clenched my jaw and balled my hands into fists. I don’t know if what she’s telling me is the truth.

“I’ve been working with them for years before you came. I was there when you woke up. I saw through the monitor what happened when you entered the room where Zynrick was sealed.” She said which made me look at her.

I felt my heart beating erratically when I heard what she was saying.

“The knife Al used to stab Zynrick is one of the divine weapons to kill progenitors,” She said.

Is she telling me the truth? I mean, I don’t know Al and Zynrick that much.

What if what she’s telling me is true?

I was too focused on thinking about what she said that I didn’t notice her charging towards me. I dodged and kicked her in the stomach. I pinned her on the ground so I could ask her questions but an arrow came from nowhere and grazed my shoulder. I let go of her and jumped away and looked at her.

There are her eyes; it had no emotions at all, unlike earlier.

“This is why I have trust issues,” I whispered and looked at her.

I looked above and when I didn’t see anything I focused on Erin. She had a mischievous smile on her face while staring at me and I found it eerie.

 “What’s with the smile?” I asked and walked towards her.

She had her bow in her hand and she pointed it at me. I didn’t stop walking.

“Come on, shoot me,” I said and when she let go of the arrow I blocked it by casting a barrier to protect me.

“Is that all you can do?” I asked to provoke her.

She smiled and prepared another arrow but before she can shoot it, I charged towards her and had my dagger on her throat.

“Tell me, what’s happening to you?” I asked but she just laughed.

I clenched my jaw and pressed the dagger on her throat. I saw blood coming out from the cut but I made sure that the dagger wasn’t deep enough to kill her.

“Why are you attacking me?!” She yelled all of a sudden which made me wonder what was happening.

“Elle! What are you doing?!” I heard Zynrick yell from afar which made me understand.

So, that’s how you play.

I stood up and looked at Zynrick with a dead expression.

“What do you think?” I asked while looking straight at him.

“You’re attacking her! Look at the wound on her neck,” He said and helped Erin up.

I clenched my jaw and fisted my hands. “Do you believe her more than me?” I asked hoping he’d say no.

Just choose me and make the pain in my chest leave.

“I see,” I said when he didn’t answer.

I walked away with the pain in my chest. Maybe Josefina was right, I have feelings for Zynrick but it seems like the feeling wasn’t mutual.

“Wait, Elle,” He called out.

I stopped on my tracks and waited for what he had to say. If he says sorry maybe I can go back to him.

“What?” I asked when he didn’t say anything.

“Al, we need to save him,” He said.

I could feel my eyes water when I heard what he had to say. Is this all I am to them? A person who would come saving their ass if something happens? I thought we saw each other as friends, if not that, then people who were more than acquaintances. But I guess I was wrong. I was the only one who thought that. I was the only one who started to value them.

“Is that all I am to you?” I couldn’t help but ask.

It was selfish to think of myself instead of saving Al but if Zyn didn’t let Al be taken then Al would’ve still been here.

“What are you talking about at a time like this?” He asked with annoyance in his voice.

I wasn’t able to stop my tears from falling.

It was good that this happened. At least, now, I know what I am to them.

“We need to save Al!” He yelled and grabbed my arm.

I turned towards him and glared at him. I shook my arm and pushed him away.

“Don’t come near me!” I yelled. The tears just kept falling as I yell at him.

I saw him clench his jaw and fist his hands, “Stop acting like a child throwing a f*****g tantrum! Are you mad that I saw you attacking Erin?!” He yelled which made me seethe in anger.

“I’m glad I know how you see me,” I said and wiped my tears. It was a waste to cry for these people.

“Fine, let’s save him,” I said and created a platform.

“Thank God you’re back to your senses,” He said and got on as well.

“Erin, could you stay here for a while? Please call someone to get you,” He said in a soft tone which annoyed me.

“Okay, thank you, Zyn,” She answered in a bubbly tone.

I rolled my eyes and focused on tracing Al.

“I think you should teleport us to the AMF,” Zynrick said behind me.

“Are you stupid? That place cancels magic. I can’t teleport us there,” I snapped.

I could feel the tension in the air but it didn’t matter.

Once I find out where Athaeas is then I’ll leave them. I’ll search for him alone.

“Right,” He whispered and released a sigh.

I followed the van that came from the manor. As much as I wanted to settle this quickly, I didn’t want to involve innocent people.

We followed the van and when we were already outside I put the platform down.

“We’ll sneak in,” I whispered and checked if there were guards but I was surprised when there weren’t.

We went in cautiously but it seems like no one was there to stop us. We followed the people that had Al from a distance and it seems like they didn’t notice us.

“Something’s strange,” I whispered as I look at them.

I saw them enter a room so I motioned for Zynrick to follow me.

“We can’t just bust in there, there are guards,” I whispered, “We need my familiars,” I said but he shook his head.

“We don’t know where your familiars are,” He said which pissed me off.

“We can find them,” I said but he shook his head again.

“That’ll be a waste of time. We don’t know what they can do to Al while we search. Also, if we look for your familiars then there’s a higher chance that we get caught,” He said.

He had a point but I was mad at him right now. I didn’t want to agree with him but I also didn’t want to waste time by arguing with him so I just nodded.

“Fine, then how will we save Al?” I asked and he shrugged.

“I don’t know yet,” He said which annoyed me.

I saw guards approaching and there was no place to hide.

“Zyn, we don’t have a choice,” I said and burst through the door.

As we enter, my eyes went wide at what I saw.

“Oh, so I was right, you did follow us,” Tyrone said while holding Al who was unconscious.

“What did you do?” I asked while looking at Al’s bloody face.

He looked like he was half dead and I couldn’t look at him.

“This? This is just payback for what he did to me,” He said and then before we knew it, there were people holding us down.