King

CHAPTER V

We arrived at the amusement park and I was in awe at what I saw. Everything was so huge and colorful. After a while of admiring the place, I reminded me that we were here to make up with Zynrick, not for my amusement.

“So, what do we do now?” He asked making me raise my head to look at him.

I couldn't answer him since I didn't think this through. This is so embarrassing.

“Let’s go in,” I said faking my confidence. He doesn't need to know that I'm clueless. I walked ahead but Zynrick stopped me by grabbing my wrist.

“Do you have tickets?” He asked and I c****d my head to the side. “We need tickets to get it.”

Great, now he knows I don't have a clue with what I'm doing.

I shook my head and he smiled a little. He didn’t say anything but he held my hand and pulled me towards a small booth. “You can let go of my hand,” I said and pulled my hand away from him.

“I just didn’t want to lose you in this crowd. People might think that you’re a child considering your height and your ignorance.” He teased and chuckled. What he said pissed me off but my words were harsher so I let it slide.

We were quietly waiting in line and when it was finally our turn the lady gave us two tickets. Zynrick was about to pay when I went ahead and paid for our tickets. I could feel Zynrick’s eyes on me so I turned to look at him.

“Alystair gives me an allowance just in case something goes wrong. Also, for your information, we used money back in our time for negotiations and trade. I'm not that ignorant.” I said. It looked like he was at a loss of words so he just nodded.

“Here’s your change, ma’am. Enjoy,” The lady in the booth said and we left.

We were walking around looking for something to ride when a gigantic boat caught my eyes. “Let’s try that one,” I said and pointed at the boat.

I've ridden ships before but I never rode one that swings back and forth in the air. It was supported by metallic ropes and the screams coming from the riders were making me feel excited.

“The Vikings?” Zynrick asked and pointed at the boat and I nodded. “Alright,”

We were already in line and I couldn't wait to ride it. Now that I think of it, I don't think I've been this carefree before. I used to always have my guard down because I was always a target for assassination but this place looks civil. It gave me a feeling of security and I don't mind enjoying it for a bit.

“Are you sure you want to ride that?” He asked while looking at it and I nodded with my eyebrows furrowed in confusion. I raised my head and looked at him. I was probably too excited that I didn’t notice that he was anxious. I could see beads of sweat rolling down the side of his face and I couldn’t help but want to tease him.

“Come on, don’t tell me you’re scared,” I teased and he immediately shook his head as a response.

“Of course not, what made you think that I’d be scared of riding such a thing?” He bluffed but his fidgeting gave him away.

“The sweating and fidgeting are giving it away,” I pointed out. He kept his hands away from me and avoided my gaze.

“I’m not scared. I swear.” He said without looking at me. I shrugged and just ignored him. It's fine by me if he decides to pretend like he's fine.

It was finally our turn and I happily sat down. Though I was happy I still didn’t smile. I glanced at Zynrick and he had his eyes closed. He drew a deep breath and I could hear him muttering a prayer.

“What a baby,” I said and enjoyed the ride.

The swing of the boat was already getting higher and higher and I was enjoying it. But when I glanced at Zynrick he still had his eyes closed so I held his hand and whispered a minor spell to force his eyes open.

“Oh my gosh! Why can’t I close my eyes?!” He yelled making me roll my eyes.

“You should enjoy it! Throw your hands in the air and pretend you’re having fun!” I yelled. He looked hesitant but he didn't have much of a choice. He then obeyed and moments later he was already actually enjoying the ride.

“So, what do we ride next?” He asked with a huge smile on his face. I looked around and saw something that went on a loop and pointed at it. There was a chain of small connected carts that went through the looped rails and it looked fun.

“What about that one?” I asked and he nodded. This time he didn’t look so scared. We proceeded to ride and it was fun but after we got off Zynrick got dizzy and he started vomiting.

“You could’ve just told me that you couldn’t take it,” I said and handed him water.

He gargled and took a drink before we sat down on a bench. “It’s fine. At least I had fun,” He said. The smile on his face didn’t fade and it made me feel nice.

“What rides do you want to try next?” He asked.

“You decide,” I said and threw my head back.

“Let’s go there,” He said and pointed at the spinning teacups. I nodded and we went ahead.

We rode a lot more rides and it was fun. After riding at least six rides we got hungry and grabbed some food before playing booth games. He won me a teddy bear and caught me a goldfish. We then returned to the rides and rode five more before deciding to rest on one of the benches.

“This was fun,” He said while as we eat our ice cream.

“Yeah,” I replied.

We both became silent after that. We were just looking at the sky. It was really pretty. It had a hue of yellow and orange as the sun was setting. I was appreciating the peacefulness of this era. I was wishing for it to stay this way for a while but it seems like it wasn’t the case.

“Let’s check it out,” I said when we heard a loud crashing sound. We stood up and went to where the commotion was coming from.

People were running away from something so I kept on bumping onto people. I was feeling magic so I knew it had to be a magic-user or a mythical creature. As I was approaching the place people were running from, I heard a loud laugh. I heard the laughter of someone who had lost their mind and it made me run faster.

“What are you humans running for? Aren’t you all superior? You have all those things that cancel magic! You massacred my family and now you’re all running away!” I heard her scream. As I drew nearer I saw a fairy wearing a torn lab gown. She had burns and wounds all over her body. I stared at her and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.

Fairies aren't supposed to be aggressive and violent but based on the way she looked, it's like someone provoked her.

I was walking towards her when she snapped her head towards me and that’s when I noticed the tears rolling down her cheeks. It broke my heart seeing her like this. Just what have they been doing to everyone?

“Is that you?” She asked and slowly walked towards me. I was confused at her question but I nodded. Tears ran faster down her cheeks when I nodded.

“Ellesmiere,” She whispered and I was surprised when she said my name. If she knows me, that probably means we're from the same era.

“It’s me,” I whispered and started to walk towards her but a hand gripped my arm making me stop.

“Zynrick, let go of me,” I said and growled at him but he just tightened his grip on me and shook his head.

“I can’t have you involved in this,” He said while looking down at me. I tried to shrug my arm away from his grip but he just held onto my arm even tighter.

“What are you doing to Ellesmiere? Let her go,” The fairy threatened and I saw gigantic tree roots behind her. She aimed them towards Zynrick so I stood in front of him.

“Don’t attack him. I’m looking over him,” I said making her furrow her eyebrows.

“Why are you with a progenitor other than King Athaeas?” She asked with anger in her voice.

“We’re looking for him,” I answered calmly. She didn’t say anything so I decided to slowly approach her.

“So, it's true that he was killed during the war,” I heard her whisper but I didn’t say anything.

“Tell me what happened,” I said when I was finally a few inches away from her. She looked at me and burst into tears. The tree roots retreated and she wrapped her arms around me.

“These humans almost destroyed the entire race of fairies,” She answered and it made my eyes grow wide. I slightly pushed her away from me and looked into her eyes. She wasn’t lying.

“What do you mean?” I asked while looking straight at her eyes.

“They found a way to enter the fairy realm,” She answered making me take a deep breath. There's no use in losing my temper now.

“These humans aren’t safe,” Just after her statement, we heard people running towards our direction.

“She’s here!” I heard people yelling so I looked at her and I could see the panic on her face.

“Is the fairy still safe?” I asked and she shook her head. “Think of a safe place and concentrate on that okay?”

She nodded and I held her hand. I was about to teleport her to somewhere safe when Zynrick pulled me away and the next thing I know was that people were already restraining her. They were armed with what I think is what they call gun. They were also wearing light armories around their chest.

“What the f**k?! Let me go!” I screamed and attempted to use my powers but failed. I know this familiar feeling. I could feel the magic being blocked from my system and it made me feel mad.

“The people from the AMF cast a barrier around this area so you can’t use any magic, there’s nothing you can do for her.” He said and held me as I watch them take her away.

I could see her struggling to get away from them but they just pushed her using their guns. I couldn’t just stand there and watch them take her away. I used my entire strength to break free from Zynrick’s grip but when I was finally free it was already too late. One of them held out his gun and shot her heart.

My eyes went wide when I saw blood in the air before she fell on the ground. She had her eyes looking towards me. Contrary to how she acted earlier, the emotion in her eyes wasn't hatred. Instead, it was hope. I don't know what she was hoping for, maybe it was hope that I can save her or hope that I can bring back the kingdom she once lived in.

“It’s alright people. We had neutralized the threat. She wouldn’t harm you any longer,” I heard a familiar voice say. That's when I noticed that Tyrone was the one who shot her.

Threat? It was those humans who hurt her that provoked her. If they didn't put her in a dangerous situation then she wouldn't have gone mad.

I could feel myself walking towards him. Everything was black and nothing was going through my head except the thought of attacking Tyrone. I was ready to lunge at him when someone grabbed my shoulder.

"Zynrick, I-" I said but stopped mid-sentence when I turned around and saw Alystair. What's he doing here?

“They're watching you so don’t act carelessly. If you make a scene now they are allowed to shoot you.” He said through gritted teeth.

“Now, let’s leave before you suddenly decide to commit suicide.” He said and harshly grabbed my arm.

He and Zynrick dragged me to the car and all that I could feel as they drag me away was anger. I was still seething in anger with what I had just seen.

“Is this something normal?” I asked and Alystair nodded. I bit my bottom as I tried to control my anger.

And here I was thinking that this was a peaceful era. I guess no matter what time I had woken up there would still be conflict. It seems like peace is just a concept.

“Why didn’t you help you?” I asked while glaring at Alystair. "You seem like you're someone situated in a high position,"

“We can’t. If we helped that fairy after she made a commotion the government would lose their trust in us and we can’t risk that. They’re the only protection we have against the AMF especially now that they’ve seemed to have garnered a lot of supporters.” He explained. I took a deep breath to calm myself down.

Erethydnia was a kingdom that provided aid to countries who were at a disadvantage during wars. That's how they made connections. Even though it was a country that relied on violence, I've never seen someone kill legally a fellow Erethydnian in such a public place.

I couldn't help but scoff at the thought that I actually admired this place.

“There was nothing you can do back then,” Zynrick said making me turn my head towards him. “It wasn’t your fault,”

“Just shut up,” I said. His words didn't mean anything. Of course, he'd say that to me because he was the one who stopped me. He has no right to comfort me and help me calm down.

The whole ride back to the chateau was completely silent. The atmosphere was so heavy that neither of us dared to start a conversation.

“I had fun today,” Zynrick said once we arrived at the chateau.

It was only the two of us since Alystair went back to the lab. It was like he only went there to check on us. “Thank you for that. Also, just tell me when we start training.” Zynrick said while looking at the ground.

“We start tomorrow,” I said and he nodded. I went straight to my room and lay down. I stared at my ceiling and thought of everything that fairy told me earlier.

The fairy realm isn’t safe anymore. That line kept on replaying inside my head so I decided to stand up and look out of the balcony. I was looking at the whole city and it seemed peaceful from here. It made me feel sick seeing how tranquil it looks from here.

“It’s for my peace mind,” I whispered to myself. I don't know if the fairy realm in my memories and the fairy realm now are the same but I can't keep calm knowing that something happened there. I took a deep breath and did my best to recall what the fairy realm looks like. The image in my memory was a bit blurry and vague it was still worth a shot. So, with my fingers crossed and the vague memory I have, I snapped my fingers and teleported myself to where the fairy realm was.

I was relieved when I arrived when I saw fairies starting at me with shock and confusion. I looked around and I could see the visible damage. The trees and other plants weren't as bright as I remember them to be. They were more on the pale yellowish side. The grass was also brownish and there weren't many animals around.

“Who are you and how did you get here?” A fairy asked while pointing her staff at me. I raised my hands as a sign of surrender.

“I don’t mean any harm,” I said but instead of backing off, the fairies who were standing on the sidelines surrounded me. It seems like none of them know who I am. They must be a new generation of fairies.

“Call the head of the fairy council,” I heard her say and one of the fairies flew somewhere.

“What’s your business coming here?” She asked and I saw her staff glow a bright golden color.

I don't remember ever meeting a fairy who threatens other people without provocation. I guess those humans did something so bad to them for them to change their personalities like this.

“I saw a fairy in the human realm. She said the fairy realm isn’t safe anymore so I came to check it out,” I answered truthfully and I saw how her suspicion grew. She squints her eyes at me and placed her staff in front of my chest.

“That sounds suspicious,” She said and I felt that her staff was ready to blast me so I shielded myself. “I see, so you’re a magic-user,”

She gave out a blast and I just kept on shielding myself. I did my best to avoid the fairies that were gathered around but it made it hard to dodge and shield myself while avoiding having the fairies getting involved.

“Why aren’t you attacking me? Stop with the pretending and show me your true self,” She said and continued attacking me but I just kept on dodging.

“Samantha, stop,” I heard a voice say and the female fairy stopped attacking me. I thought I was safe but a strong gush of wind threw me to a huge tree. I fell on the ground, just when I was about to get up, vines wrapped themselves around me and pinned me to the tree. I saw another female fairy approaching me along with a male fairy.

She had green eyes and white long flowing hair that reached her knees. She was wearing a white long-sleeved turtle neck dress that reached her feet. The dress was tightly hugging her upper figure while the lower half that started from her waist was flowing freely. The man on her side was had a dark complexion. His eyes were white and his long black hair that reached his waist was tied in a ponytail. He had a sword around his waist and he had this stoic expression on his face.

“I swear I’m not here to hurt you,” I said while looking at them. I should be careful with my words. I can't risk provoking them.

“Sweet mother of peaches, Ellesmiere, is that you?” She asked and I nodded. Though I don’t remember her, it seems like she was alive during my time.

“Yeah, it’s me,” I answered and looked at her face. I was trying to remember who she was but as I try my best to remember my head started throbbing.

“If it’s you then show me,” She said making me raise my head and furrow my eyebrows at her. She just called out my name. How many Ellesmieres could she know for her to doubt me?

I didn’t know what to do for me to convince her so I stayed quiet for a while. “You must be a fake,” She said and motioned her hands to the side. I was thrown by a strong gust of wind once again.

She continued to move her hand and wherever her hand moved a strong gust of wind would throw me into that direction. I was starting to accumulate wounds and bruises so I decided to direct my hand towards her and released create a magic orb. She was able to dodge but it seemed like it was a wrong move because she moved her hand and I was being strangled in the air without her touching me.

“I swear I’m Ellesmeire,” I wheezed out but she continued to strangle me.

“Don’t you pretend to be her,” She said through gritted teeth and flew towards me. We were only inches apart and she looked like she didn’t believe me so I had no choice but to use my powers on her. I created spears around her and she released me.

“It is you,” She whispered while looking at me, wide-eyed. I coughed and inhaled as much air as I can.

“What did you do that for?” I asked in annoyance when I was finally able to breathe properly.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that humans were able to get into the fairy realm and wreak havoc. They also pronounced Athaeas' and your death after the war. I just wanted to make sure it was you,” She said while looking at me.

“Well, what made you believe it was me?” I asked and stood up to dust off my clothes.

“You’re the only one who uses this type of magic,” She answered which confused me.

“I’m not the only dark witch in this world,” I said which made her furrow her eyebrows at me.

“Did you lose your memory?” She asked and I nodded. “No wonder I can’t enter your mind,”

“Did you just try to enter my head?” I asked and she looked at me with a concerned expression.

“I did. I wanted to read your mind but I couldn’t. Think of the oldest memory you could remember up until the latest,” She said and I nodded. I’m not sure who she was to me before but I felt secured to let her enter my head. She looked straight into my eyes and her green eyes slowly turned gold. I was fascinated by what I was seeing but I did my best to focus on the task she gave me.

“I see,” She whispered and looked away. I stared at her when she didn’t tell me anything.

“You’re memories are still probably sealed. If you don’t remember my name’s Yuriko. I don't know what happened to you but maybe this would help you remember.” She said and waved her hand in the air. A circle of leaves was formed in the air and I saw a younger version of myself.

“What is this?” I asked while watching what was inside the leaves.

“These are the memories I have of us,” She answered with a small smile on her face.

I didn’t say anything. I continued to watch what was in the leaves and we were both walking around the fairy realm. We both played with fairy children and magic as well. We had playful duels and serious conversations. I couldn’t hear anything we were talking about but I could see myself smiling and laughing and it made me want to recover my memories quickly.

“We must be close, huh?” I asked and she nodded. I looked at her and she still had that smile on her face.

“Sadly, you can’t remember anything but I’m glad you’re alive.” She said and I nodded. I want to bring back my memories. Come to think of it I’ve never bothered about trying to remember anything. All I thought of was Athaeas. I didn’t even bother to wonder if I had other people who cared about me.

“How’s Athaeas?” She asked. I didn’t answer immediately and I think she understood the situation.

“I see. It seems you still haven’t found him.” She whispered. We were both walking around while she told me stories about the past. She sounded ecstatic while telling me everything and it made me smile.

“It’s been so long since I’ve smiled,” I said and she didn’t say anything.

“If you don’t mind telling me what happened during the war? I couldn’t remember much.” I said. I glanced at her and there was this expression that was telling me that she didn't want to recall it. But there's also this sad expression that made me even more curious.

“I was here when the battle broke out. I didn’t intend to join in but when you sent me a message that you needed help I left to look for you. Upon arriving in your kingdom I saw that the castle was already crumbling. I followed the guide you gave me and I found you in a cave. There was a boulder that had a seal on it so you couldn’t escape…” She stopped when we heard an explosion coming from the northern part of the forest.

“They finally broke through the barrier,” She whispered and I could see the fear in her eyes.

“You better leave,” She said and dragged me to the southern part of the forest.

“Let go of me. We need to save your people,” I said but she shook her head.

“They’re slowly eradicating our race. I can’t risk them finding you. Not when you don’t have your familiars.” She said making me freeze.

“I had familiars?” I asked but she didn’t answer. “Answer me!” I demanded and she stopped dragging me.

“Look, now isn’t the time to explain things to you. What matters now is that you find where your familiars are,” She said and dragged me.

“No,” I said and pushed her away from me. I saw how she tried her best to control her anger.

“Don’t be so stubborn. The last time you forced yourself to fight nothing good came out of it. So, just follow what I say and leave.” She said making my headache. I felt the familiar pain in my head when I saw Alystair’s face at the lab.

Why did I think of him?