Chapter 10
Avnas leisurely examined herself in the mirror, taking her time to appreciate every intricate detail of the gown generously given to her by the palace maids. It was a preposterous dress adorned with jewellery and so many other details that Avnas felt woozy just looking at it. Yet, Avnas smiled smugly at how elegant and gorgeous she looked. Avnas could get used to feeling like a lady, and she wasn't the only one with the same line of thought.
Next to her, Lynas and Elian were exchanging cheerful expressions—especially the green-haired half-elf.
"Just look at me! I look great!" Lynas commented as she turned around, whirling her verdant gown. "Who would've guessed I'd end up dressing like a lady and rubbing elbows with fancy people in a palace? Not me, that's for sure!"
"You look wonderful, Lynas!" Elian smiled at the half-elf with green hair, who smirked in response.
"I know! But you really look great in that blue dress, it suits you so well. The maids have some serious skills," Lynas remarked, admiring her blue-haired friend. Elian glanced down at her outfit, unaware of how the gown emphasised her beautifully curved figure.
"My mother has always told me that blue suits me," Elian replied, oblivious to the true-meaning comment made by Lynas. "However, I prefer pastel blue."
"Yeah, of course, pastel blue," Lynas said, rolling her eyes. She then stared at Avnas and whistled. Lynas was still having a hard time coping with the fact that someone like Avnas existed. "How about you, Lady Avnas? How are you feeling in that red gown of yours?"
Avnas hummed deeply. "Good. I think I look presentable enough for a party," she said.
Avnas has never been to such a celebration before. One with gowns, dances, and nobles. All of that was new to her. Hopefully, it would differ from those parties at the company where she used to work, which were often mundane and filled with horrible people of all kinds. There was nothing to celebrate most times, just a gathering of the elite who laughed about getting richer on the backs of their employees who suffered from their abuse.
It was a naïve thought, as the two instances had no discernible difference. Nevertheless, Avnas desperately wanted to believe that wasn't the case.
"The moment you step into the hall, you're going to become really popular with men and women!" Lynas said, chuckling at the confused look on Avnas's face.
"Truly?" Avnas asked.
"Of course, one only had to look at you once, and they will fall over you," Lynas said before smirking widely. "Maybe you can snatch a noble, eh? Marrying one of them, perhaps. It will set you for life."
Avnas raised an eyebrow at the ridiculous suggestion. Marriage? Us? Nonsense. Avnas thought. "No, thank you. Married life is not for me."
The other two girls were intrigued by Avnas's words and the reasoning behind her statement. Both Elian and Lynas were about to ask her more about it. However, as they were about to inquire, a sudden knock on the door diverted their attention. Stepping into the room was Alex, the young wizard who appeared to have spent the entire evening meticulously trying on various outfits and perfecting his hair. Letting out a deep sigh, Alex observed the three women before him.
"By the Gods! Finally! I've been waiting for all of you!" Alex said.
"Waiting? We're the ones who have been waiting for you!" Lynas replied, offended by Alex's statement. "Why did you take so long? Were you shagging a maid?"
"As if! I was styling my hair. You can't rush perfection," Alex said with a huff, showcasing his ludicrous hair. Perfect and posh. Even Elian had to admit that Alex's hair looked better than hers. Maybe he used magic to make it look like that. Still, Alex ensured no one was behind him before locking the door. The young wizard wasn't one to trust anyone so fast, and with everything happening around them in such a fast way. Alex had kept his defences up all this time.
Alex could be a very distrustful person at times. Yet, there were a few exceptions—for example, his master, Avnas.
"Master Avnas, I noticed something while the maids gave me the clothes."
"Notice something? What is it?"
"That they were expecting us," Alex said, causing the group to turn their attention towards him, their expressions displaying that they knew as much.
"Obviously," Elian replied. She stared at Alex as if he were an idiot. "They knew we were coming. Don't you remember Riverfork?"
Elian's condescending voice pierced the air, causing a sharp hiss to escape Alex's lips. However, the wizard brushed off her remark, knowing that engaging in an argument would be futile at this moment.
"No, that's not what I am talking about," Alex said.
"Explain, Alex," Avnas asked.
"The clothes we are wearing on. Don't you find it strange how they fit our bodies without difficulty? How do they seem made for us? Don't you think that's suspicious?"
"That's not strange, Alex," Lynas replied, unsure of what to think. "Finding clothes that fit us isn't all that weird."
"Perhaps. But I doubt that's the case in this situation. One of the maids whispered to me that these clothes were requested by the previous queen decades ago. She told the tailor to do it in these specific measurements."
"Uh? The previous queen? Why?" Elian asked, confused.
"I'm not sure. One of the older maids angrily interrupted our conversation when I tried to ask. She didn't look pleased with the maid for telling me that."
Upon hearing Alex's statement, a wave of uncertainty washed over them, causing their thoughts to swirl as they contemplated its truthfulness. Avnas stared intently at her gown. The soft fabric and its intricate details were superb. She also couldn't help but notice how the gown clung to her tall frame, which was strange since her body measurement was not ordinary for a woman. Yet, Avnas's dress had delicate curves, stressing her unique physique. It embraces her in all the right places, revealing its flawless tailoring.
Or that someone already knew our measurements in great detail. Avnas concluded that Alex's words had some truth in them. But then again. How could that be possible?
"Can magic change clothes sizes?" Avnas asked. She wanted to rule out any other possibility, but the way they looked at her. Magic took no part in making their clothes.
"I have met no tailor who used magic to make clothes this way," Lynas said. At the same time, she paid attention to her dress gown. "Besides, no tailor was present to help with adjustments."
"But how is this possible? Were they waiting for us or not?" Elian replied, feeling progressively more perplexed with each passing hour.
"They were waiting for us, but the question is, for how long?" Alex added.
Avnas's thoughts travelled towards the idea that the king was hiding something from them. Maybe he wasn't a bad person, or perhaps the king was an incredible actor. Yet, there was something the servants and the king were hiding. Avnas could either avoid confrontation and leave, or she could stay and find out how far the rabbit hole goes. In any case, what worried Avnas was not her safety. No, what concerned Avnas were those three standing there.
Avnas has consistently been an introverted person with no social connections, even within the game. But now, she was travelling with those three. It was too early to say, but Avnas genuinely enjoyed spending time with them. In her mind, she pondered how different things would've turned out without their presence there.
We don't want something to happen to them. Avnas thought, and to her surprise, no doubt or second voice was telling her to forget about them.
"Everyone, please, come here," Avnas said before opening her inventory. Lynas, Alex, and Elian watched in puzzlement as Avnas's hand effortlessly glided over an unseen object. It appeared like Avnas was moving her hand in thin air. Then Avnas hummed loudly, reading something before her that earned her attention.
Avnas had yet to learn how Antherion's items would function in this unfamiliar world and wished not to cause harm to them by giving them an item that was too powerful. Humans were weak here, after all. Still, she hoped they would provide some level of protection. It would be a worthwhile endeavour to undertake. In a mesmerising display, Avnas plucked three rings of an extraordinary colour seemingly out of thin air, leaving the group in disbelief. The aura emanating from those items was surreal to them. And it wasn't as if they hadn't seen magical items before.
"I don't wish for harm to fall upon any of you. So, please take them," Avnas said, her voice laced with an unexpected level of concern.
"These rings aren't normal magical rings," Elian's eyes widened as she gazed upon the ring, adorned with a striking red gemstone. Lynas took the ring with the yellow gemstone, whereas Alex selected the one with the purple gem.
"The magic in them, I can almost taste it," Alex mumbled, watching the ring on his hand with sick fascination.
"Where did you get such items?" Lynas asked, with not her usual playful tone of voice.
"Ah, I crafted them a long time ago," Avnas replied, struggling to recall the exact moment she created those rings. It had been years, back when Avnas was fervently crafting various items to gain more experience.
Antherion crafting system did not require a skill tree or any specific qualifications in order to be used. Anyone who desired or had the necessary resources could craft items, armour, or weapons, albeit at the cost of considerable time and gold. Of course, individuals with blacksmithing main class or job-specific talents in crafting enjoyed an advantage in this domain, always staying one step ahead of others and capable of creating items above the Legendary status. Yet, for a level 180 player like Avnas, crafting was a simple farming experience. They couldn't care less about how powerful the item was or how much gold it cost. It was all about getting the experience point and nothing more.
Avnas had so much garbage in her inventory that she had no idea how many items she had there. It didn't help that she had an unlimited inventory space. Still, Avnas was preoccupied with something else entirely. She wanted to test the power of the rings and see how they affected the people of this world. After all, they might behave differently from the game.
"Please wear them."
The group then put the rings on and waited for something to happen, just like Avnas, who stared at them with intrigue in her eyes. "So, do you feel anything?" She asked them, and they couldn't honestly answer her.
"I felt nothing. Well, I don't know," Elian whispered, looking at the ring. "Do they work by themselves?"
"I believe it will activate by itself if you ever find yourself in combat."
"In combat? Are we actually expecting to fight someone today?" Lynas commented, feeling troubled at the thought of such a possibility.
"It's better to be prepared for anything," Alex replied, which earned a nod from Avnas.
"Exactly," Avnas said. "I do hope that it's only our paranoia speaking."
"I guess," Lynas muttered. "At least it looks good on us."
Avnas wasn't sure of what the night would bring. But hopefully, some of her questions will be answered.
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The throne hall, which appeared dusty and worn just a few hours ago, now exuded an aura of opulence. The servants worked tirelessly to bring this place back to its former glory. The room gleamed with polished marble floors, gilded tapestries, and sparkling crystal chandeliers. The air carried the delicate scent of fresh flowers, contributing to the pleasant and regal atmosphere.
Enveloping the room, the music created a backdrop for the vibrant conversations of nobles and the city elite—all of whom seemed to talk about Avnas in particular.
"This is it, a noble gathering filled with pretentious people of all sorts. Stuck-up ladies, arrogant lords and rats trying to get a bite of the cheese. Truly, I am feeling homesick," Alex muttered, watching the surrounding people with disdain. "Be careful around them. Don't let them play you."
"Why? How dangerous could they be?" Lynas asked while simply smiling and winking at some handsome nobles she already had her sight on. "They are just fragile little nobles."
"For someone your age, you haven't lived in the aristocracy world like I did," Alex replied in a whisper voice, not wanting anyone to listen to their discussion. "Feeble as they seem to be. These nobles can eliminate you without engaging in direct combat. Their game is deception, assassination, espionage and extortion. That's how they fight, and I have absolutely no doubt that they have recruited individuals, possibly heroes or adventurers, to do their dirty work."
"I agree," Elian added, most to her annoyance. "Nobility here, or anywhere, is the same. I had the misfortune to grow up near them."
"Well, if you put it like that," Lynas mumbled back.
"Heros and adventurers doing the nobles' dirty work? Does that normally happen?" Avnas asked, surprised at that statement.
"It is, sadly. It's an open secret," Elian was the one who replied. "Technically speaking, the guilds, either the heroes or adventurers' guilds, don't condemn or punish their members if they take a job elsewhere. It is all fair game as long as they do nothing illegal."
"Or as long as they don't get caught doing something illegal," Alex added with a huff. "But that's why we should be careful."
"I see," Avnas murmured, her voice barely audible amidst the cacophony of whispers that filled the grand hall. Her eyes scanned the sea of nobles before her, their hungry gazes devouring her like vultures on a carcass. The air was thick with the scent of perfume and the faint aroma of opulence. Avnas could feel their eyes boring into her, their whispers echoing in her ears like sharp needles piercing her skin. Every nerve in her body tingled with a mix of vulnerability and anxiety. She despised the way they stared and pointed as if she were some spectacle to be gawked at. Stop looking at us! Stop it! Her voice trembled with a mixture of anger and desperation. Her pupils dilated, reflecting her inner turmoil, while her hands twisted in a silent battle against the impending snap.
She thought everything was finally behind her. Avnas believed she would never have to endure such a soul-crushing feeling again. But she was mistaken. In an instant, it all came crashing down upon her like the deafening roar of a powerful tsunami. Wave after wave of memories relentlessly pierced her like sharp shards of glass. She could feel an invisible weight pressing against her chest.
Avnas's mind went back to that dark place, to the times when she would be forced to attend those anxiety-inducing office parties, where the clatter of shoes and the loud laughter of her colleagues echoed in her ears. She had to bear the touch of her boss's hand on her body and endure the teasing and mocking from her male colleagues. They would say horrible things to her without caring if she were in front of them. Yet, what was worse were the things they would do to her. Sometimes, Avnas would be coerced to make certain requests to escape such a place.
Those things made her feel disgusted, angry, and ashamed.
But soon enough, Avnas was on the verge of a mental collapse that might bring nothing but chaos to everyone around her. It was all stopped when Avnas felt a small person hugging her leg.
"No!" The voice of a small girl brought Avnas from that edge. Since it simply brought her nothing but confusion.
Avnas glanced down as her breathing slowed down. There, she saw the same little girl from the throne room when she met the king, hugging her, shuddering. Avnas could hear some sobbing and wondered what was happening.
"Where did that child come from?!" Lynas exclaimed, shocked that she couldn't see it before. It was as if the child appeared from thin air.
"Don't!" the child said again, and Avnas was unsure what to make of the situation. But the girl made her feel at peace.
Slowly, Avnas patted the girl's back, unsure why she hugged her leg so tightly. "Hey, it's alright," she mumbled and could feel the girl tensing her muscles, clearly afraid of Avnas. Yet, she was still holding on to her, as if her life depended on it.
"Princess!" A group of maids arrived quickly.
"Princess?" Elian and Alex looked at each other, realising who that little girl was.
"Please, my princess, everyone is looking!"
The maids were upset at the behaviour of the young princess. To their credit, every single noble in the room was looking at them.
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"We beg you, stop embarrassing the royal family!" One of the eldest maids exclaimed as the princess kept a firm grip on Avnas's dress.
"No! I can't! I have to—!" The princess's lips quivered, but she glanced up and watched Avnas with such an intensity that caused the white-haired woman to be stunned. Avnas looked around, looking for some help. She didn't know what to do with a crying child. Thankfully, the king arrived quickly.
"Mariel, enough," the king said with a soft tone of voice.
"But, father—!"
"Mariel, I understand, please," King Aferalth said, slowly bringing his daughter to his side. "Forgive my daughter, my lady. Mariel is a good child but often acts without thinking."
"No, don't apologise, King Aferalth. Children are innocent," Avnas replied, still watching Mariel sobbing. But her gaze was still directed towards her. Why was Mariel looking at her in such a way? Why did the girl rush towards her in such a manner? Avnas wasn't sure, nor could she genuinely understand it.
"Yes, they are," King Aferalth replied, glancing at his child. A strange look on his face appeared. One that made Avnas confused. That expression showed worry and sadness. "Please, take Mariel to her room."
Mariel looked at her father, heartbroken, before he kneeled before her.
"I will speak with you soon, alright?" He whispered before giving her daughter some large gloves. "And don't forget always to cover your arms."
Mariel nodded cautiously, her gaze once more filled with a mixture of fear, anxiety, and inner turmoil as she looked at Avnas. She tried to speak but stopped.
"I understand," she replied before being taken away by some maids.
"Children, sometimes, they are confusing," the king chuckled softly.
The king's appearance had noticeably improved in the past few hours. Someone had meticulously styled his hair for the grand event, freshly shaved, making him appear more youthful. However, the burdens of his kingly duties were still evident and etched into his face.
"However, for now, I beseech you to set aside those concerns, as tonight is an occasion for celebration," the king declared, gazing at the multitude of people genuinely engaged in his words. "Tonight, we commemorate the gallantry of those who bravely fight in defence of humanity! Let us honour the memory of Riverfork and those who perished! But also, let this serve as a reminder that in the face of challenges and adversities, humanity will always emerge victorious! For humanity!"
"For humanity!" The entire hall erupted in cheers, and those words were making Avnas quite uncomfortable. For humanity?
"And the hero who brought down three Damon Knights by herself! Avnas "The Alabastrine". The hero of Riverfork!"
Avnas again looked uncomfortable at the stares and the strange nickname they gave her. What does it even mean? Avnas thought, hoping she could leave now and go to the library. That's all she wanted.
"My lady, please enjoy this evening. And whatever you wish, you should have."
"I just want access to the library," Avnas replied awkwardly.
"Of course, and I shall grant you full access to our library. But please, enjoy the evening first! We've prepared a large banquet in your name."
The king said this before leaving Avnas and her group by themselves. The king would not take no for an answer, and from how quickly he left. It appeared that the king wanted to see his daughter quickly. Avnas sighed before looking at her companions.
"You heard the king. It seems that the evening is in our name," she said.
"Your name, master," Elian replied. "However, it is just a party. One filled with nobles, that is."
"I say we should simply enjoy the evening," Lynas said, shrugging off any concern.
"Still, what should we do now, master?" Alex asked, and Avnas sighed, not knowing exactly what she should do, in all honesty.
What should we do? Avnas knew that learning more about the world was vital to her. Yet, the question to answer was, what should she do after that? What was her goal, if any? What could Avnas do in this brand-new world? Those questions emerged from within her mind. Avnas wasn't sure of how to answer them. However, a lingering need deep inside her was slowly emerging. A need to conquer, to rule, to become a monarch. A strange feeling, no doubt. But one that was surging increasingly.
But where do we even begin? Avnas's thought left her feeling disoriented and uncertain. But perhaps the only thing she needed was a purpose. A purpose? We never had a purpose before. A goal to follow, something worth living for. But now, could we have one? Avnas never had the opportunity to choose what she should do with her life. But now, things were different.
The only thing that Avnas needed was a push and a direction.
"Lady Avnas."
A voice interrupted Avnas's inner thoughts as the white-haired woman turned around and saw an elegant young man—a younger version of the king.
"I am Prince Theo Wilhem, heir to the throne," the young man bowed slightly. "I apologise for this sudden introduction. My duties took me elsewhere."
The young prince Theo said, and there seemed to be a bit of irritability in his voice. Theo looked in his early twenties, but his expression made him appear older. If Avnas could say, the prince looked annoyed at the festivity taking place, as if he wanted to take no part in it. Or perhaps the reason for his annoyance goes deeper than that.
"Not at all," Avnas replied. "What can I do for you?"
Theo looked around for a moment, hissing at the stare of the nobles. "I wish to speak with you privately if that's possible."
Avnas raised an eyebrow, wondering what the prince would wish for her. Still, she may learn something worthwhile. So, glancing at her companions one last time, nodding at them, and hoping they would be careful, she left them behind.
"Well, I am going to eat something," Lynas said. "Maybe even drink some of that expensive-looking red wine."
"Try not to do something stupid," Alex whispered. "And don't go too far away."
"Easy there, Alex. You know I am always on guard!" Lynas said as she smiled at a young noble who winked at her.
"Maybe we should simply stay at each other's side?" Elian asked.
"It's going to be alright! Let's simply enjoy the evening."
Alex and Elian looked at each other, unsure if they could embrace their green-haired girl's carefree approach to leisurely relaxation. But would try for as long as they could.
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Avnas and the prince were strolling silently around the royal garden, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the New Altes, a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, filling the air with a crisp, earthy scent. The sound of distant birdsong mingled with the hushed whispers of the passing wind, creating a tranquil atmosphere. Nonetheless, it was not a romantic viewpoint for either of them.
"I visited Riverfork," Theo said as both stood still in the centre of the garden. "I was at Port Sofia, overseeing the refugee crisis our nation is suffering right now. But when I heard what happened, I flew there as quickly as possible."
Theo sighed, looking at the statue of one of the human gods, Tissania, the Maiden of Protection. One of the great heroes of humanity. He sort of wished she could speak with him now.
"The devastation was greater than I thought. An entire town erased from existence, with less than half of its population surviving the onslaught," Theo said before hearing the laughs from the nobles coming from the throne hall not too far away. "And we are celebrating it. Disgusting."
Avnas could hear the resentment in the prince's voice. "Not a fan of this sort of festivities, I suppose."
"No, not at all," Theo replied, giving her a good look. "My father used to make parties almost every week when my mother was alive. I hated them. But now, watching my father acting as he used to. I don't know what to feel. I am happy he is back on his feet. But also angry that it took the deaths of hundreds of innocents for him to do so."
Memories of Theo's past came rushing back, bringing to mind the hours he had to endure, standing there, smiling and waving, fulfilling his duty as the crowned prince, yet detesting every single minute. Now, he had to repeat the entire process once more. However, his thoughts were preoccupied with more pressing issues.
"Now, perhaps another holy crusade would be called, and I dread thinking of the repercussions of such war," Theo said before watching an aerocrucible flying in the distance. "With the number of refugees we get from Alberam—the constant attack from pirates to our ships, the Purple Sickness plague destroying the entire continent at once and adding that the Kingdom of Elbania and the Amunet Dynasty are on the verge of war. This holy crusade will also add misery to us humans."
Avnas painted a vivid image of how things were going in the world she arrived in, thanks to those words. And from what she could hear, things were not that good for humans.
"This holy crusades, what does that entail?" Avnas asked, wishing to learn as much as possible.
"Technically speaking, when a holy crusade is called, all human nations in Equidaeria should send support. But that's quite hard when two of those human nations are almost at each other throats. One is facing internal problems, with a plague and immigrants forcing their way, and another one is in a perpetual state of war. It's just not the best time, truly."
"And demons are not an easy enemy to face in open battle," Avnas added, recalling what three demons could do to a town of a thousand humans.
"We outnumber them easily, but when it comes to magic power. We are not a challenge to them," Theo muttered, nervously playing with his hands. "Maybe the Eight Holy Swords and the Six Great Elbania Knights can fight the Demon King's knights. But it's not enough to win a war nor to defeat the Demon King."
"I am not ready to send my people to die at the Hellfront for nothing," Theo walked towards a bench and sat down, tiredly sighing. "I am just twenty-two and already feel old."
Avnas would admit that the prince had a burden no one would wish upon themselves. Ruling a kingdom was not a simple job to do, for the looks of it. But then again, Avnas had not experienced ruling anything at all. So, she couldn't comprehend Theo's responsibility and weariness, especially since he had lost not just his mother at a young age but his father as well. Since the king practically left his son all alone with all the obligations of being a ruler. However, no one could say that Theo was not a strong young man. Maybe she could learn something from the prince.
"I heard your father was absent for years after your mother died. Is that true?"
"Yes, seven, well, six years since I took the responsibility."
"You've been ruling in his stead for six years?"
"Yes, quite the task for a young teenager, but I had to do what I must to fulfil my duty as the crowned prince," Theo replied, sounding tired and weary.
"Your father doesn't seem like someone who is fit to rule. Sorry if that sounds insulting, but that's how I see it. He didn't seem even glad to see the throne," Avnas stated, and to her surprise, the prince simply chuckled.
"No, you're right. My father wasn't the heir to the throne, nor was he interested in it, but my uncle abdicated the throne, making my father the next in line."
Avnas frowned at that. She didn't know the king had a brother. "Your uncle, why did he abdicate the throne?"
Theo leaned back on the bench, taking his time thinking about what to say. "My uncle has always been an odd fellow, even as a child. He was more focused on researching magic and ancient history. So, I supposed the throne was not in his sight."
"Your uncle, is he here?" Avnas asked, wondering if a person like him could give her a better picture of this world's magic.
"He is, but I don't see him often. He is a private person."
"I see," Avnas replied. Soon, silence descended once more. The garden echoed with nothing but the music and cheering from the party inside the throne hall. "Prince Theo, while I enjoy learning more about you. The truth of the matter is that you brought me here for something. Do you want something from me? So, please speak up."
"I am that obvious?" The prince chuckled, but Avnas was not chuckling with him.
"Prince, at present, I am merely going with the flow, allowing myself to be guided by the unfolding events that lie before me. But that doesn't mean I won't step forward or that I am clueless about the things happening around me," Avnas spoke firmly, causing Theo to suddenly shiver as he watched those golden eyes stare at him with intensity. "And there are a lot of things that are happening right now."
"You've taken notice of strange things, I suppose," Theo said, not glad about being put in such a position, especially in front of someone who could defeat three Demon Knights by herself. "You know about talents?"
"I do, yes," Avnas replied, wondering where the prince was going with that. "Some people called them gifts, from what I am told. And not very usual at all."
"Gifts?" Theo snickered, but there was no joy, only resentment. "I call them curses."
Theo's fist tightened, his face a vivid display of swirling emotions. Anger burned in his eyes, sorrow etched deep lines on his brow, and a flicker of fear danced across his features. Avnas, for her part, was now wondering why the prince called talents curses.
"My grandmother, a woman who passed away before I was born, had the fortune of being blessed with a powerful talent. Or the misfortune, if you ask me—the talent destroyed her mind. It was too much for her, for a human to handle."
"Destroy her mind?" Avnas asked, confused. What sort of talent does that to a person?
"During the final years of her life, my grandmother was in a state of disarray. Her ability to speak coherently and make sense was greatly diminished. In all honesty, she was mad. She would issue random commands incessantly, things that made little sense back then. But now, after so many years after her death, some of those things are starting to make sense," Theo mumbled, watching Avnas's gown. "She was preparing for your arrival."
Avnas frowned deeply at the prince, who gave her a meaningful look. "You're telling me she could see the future?" Avnas's eyes bored into Theo, who gulped deeply at such intensity.
"I know what it sounds like, but you must understand. The Wilhem family is a descendant of one of the great heroes who saved Equidaeria nine hundred years ago. Our lineage carries a heavy burden. The talent of [Clairvoyance] is our gift and curse."
Avnas was now stunned to hear that such talent even existed. At first, she thought that talents were simply class or job titles. But it was clear that they were more than that. But does that mean that the prince's grandmother predicted her arrival? How far does this Clairvoyance see? How does it work? Many questions arose in Avnas's mind. However, she then thought about the small girl, the princess, who rushed towards her and hugged her tightly.
Did she see us doing something terrible? Does she know what we are? Avnas pondered deeply, worried and feeling as if the world had become larger again.
"The girl, the princess. She has that talent, does she not?" Avnas asked, and Theo nodded stiffly.
"Yes, and the reason I brought you here," Theo said before standing up and walking towards Avnas. "Every single member of the Wilhem family that has been born with that talent has died at an early age. They all go mad. Some die early on because of how powerful some visions can be. Seizures, vomiting, nightmares, and paranoia are some symptoms this talent causes. And my little sister, a girl of ten, is cursed with it."
Theo reached into his coat and pulled out a few pieces of paper. He handed them to Avnas, who noticed they were drawings a child had made. However, they were visceral and horrid—not the drawing a child would make. One had a sea of bodies surrounded by fire, and three dark figures with horns were in the middle. Avnas saw it and thought of Riverfork.
"Is this Riverfork?" Avnas asked, shocked.
"At first, I didn't know. My sister drew this two years ago after a series of horrible nightmares. But now, after hearing the details of the attack and the fact that it was three demons. I am sure my sister predicted the attack. Still, how could we know Riverfork was the target? This is the problem with these visions, with this talent. My sister can't control it. Nor could she say for certain what exactly she is seeing, where, or when it will happen, or if it already happened."
Avnas could now see why the prince's grandmother went mad. It was indeed a horrible talent to be born with. Avnas then frowned as she saw another drawing that looked to be more recent. A tower? Avnas thought at first, but then she saw that the structure was painted red. Then she saw two figures next to the strange structure. It looked like a child and a tall person holding hands.
Is that the princess? Who is the other person? Avnas thought, confused. As Avnas examined the next series of draws, confusion washed over her. The chaotic lines seemed to dance across the page as if they were scribbled in a frenzy of madness. Each stroke formed peculiar shapes and unfamiliar symbols, leaving Avnas perplexed. However, the more she stared at it, the more those symbols called for her.
It was as if she knew them for some reason. But she couldn't put it in words. It eluded her. All of this was making Avnas anxious, as she did not know what to make of this newfound information.
"Lady Avnas, I don't know what these drawings mean or why you are here of all places. But I think something is happening, just like you say, things are strange now. Even I can feel it. In my home, I have seen maids whispering to themselves and servants meeting in the night. You ask what I want. The only thing that I wished of you, my lady, is for you to protect my sister, for I fear for her life more than anything in this world."
"Do you think someone would want to hurt her or capture her?" Avnas asked.
"That's my belief. Like I say, [Clairvoyance] is a very rare talent and is more than just having visions. My sister has been hearing voices and whispers around the palace."
Voices? Does she hear the voices, too?
Avnas's mind began to wonder if that structure she saw, that strange red obelisk and these symbols were somehow connected to her being brought to this world. At this point, Avnas would rule nothing out.
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In the silence of an empty room, the faint sound of muffled giggles and soft moans filled the air, creating an intimate atmosphere. Lynas, a seasoned individual well-versed in the pleasures of the flesh, revelled in the current encounter with a young noble whom she had whisked away from a dull date with a woman who paid no attention to him. With her body gracefully bent over a table, the sound of her passionate moans mingled with the nobleman's deep, guttural grunts. The room seemed to vibrate with the undeniable energy of their carnal connection. It required no exceptional insight to discern the nature of their activities. At 93 years of age, Lynas was no stranger to the world of physical intimacy.
Lynas has taken lovers in her long time being alive. Both men and women alike, she didn't care. Yet, she has never been in a serious relationship. Mostly because if she was honest with herself. Lynas was afraid of falling in love. Even as a half-elf, she could live past five hundred years if she didn't get killed before that. So, having a bond mate, a person she could love and cherish deeply, was quite hard unless it was a being who could live thousands of years, like another Elf. Because Lynas wanted to avoid the heartache of watching the person she loved die of old age, just like her mother did.
Lynas's mother, a person dear to her heart, fell in love with a human male—a simple man who was not exceptional or particularly rich. Lynas's father was a simple farmer, but Lynas's mother saw something in him and did not care what her family said and bonded with him against their wishes. Lynas loved her father dearly. He was a great person, a great husband, and an amazing father. But he was still a human. A human and an elf falling in love always leads to pain.
Lynas saw her mother being completely heartbroken when the inevitable came to pass.
And that's the thing: elves were monogamous, forming a lifelong bond with their partners. A bond that was more than just a ring or a piece of paper to confirm their union. It was a magic bond. Lynas's mother would never love again. She would never be complete, and while she would not die of a broken heart. Lynas's mother would always carry a deep wound in her soul that would never heal. Perhaps that's why Lynas was so afraid of falling in love, of bonding with someone. The pain of watching them die was something she did not want to experience.
So, for now, Lynas was content with simply enjoying her life with no romantic attachments.
"Gods!" the nobleman grunted while pulling Lynas's hair before filling Lynas with his passion. Lynas moaned in content, enjoying the feeling of it. The nobleman hugged her tightly from behind, wanting nothing more but to remain in that position forever. But of course, that wasn't possible since Lynas chuckled, nuzzling him away.
"And to think, you could be still waiting for your date to dance with you," Lynas said teasingly.
The young nobleman chuckled. "Good thing I came here with you. But I am not missing anything. She won't even let me hold her hand. Really, and we are to marry soon. We are going to be quite miserable."
"Nobility problems, poor you," Lynas replied as she tried to fix her dress and make sure the nobleman's seed was not staining her underwear.
"Could we, perhaps, repeat this?" The noble man asked, a bit embarrassed.
"One time wasn't enough?"
"It's the first time someone has shown any interest in me," the nobleman replied almost in a whisper, and honestly, Lynas felt bad for him.
From what she heard. This poor man was the youngest of his family. No one expected anything from him. Not even his fiance. Also, this poor man knew that his soon-to-be wife was probably having an affair with no other than his older brother. It was an incredibly cruel situation for him. He didn't deserve it. No one deserved it. Perhaps that's why she went for him. Lynas felt bad for him. He seemed like a decent person who wanted to be loved or at least make his parents proud.
"Alright, just don't expect me to fall in love with you or have your babies," Lynas teased, and the nobleman blushed.
"Of course not, my lady! That would be—"
"You finished inside me, remember?" Lynas said, and that seemed to shut the noble. "Don't worry, they made potions for this, and I already took it."
The nobleman breathed deeply, clearly realising his mistake. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done it. Please forgive me."
"It's fine. I didn't tell you to do it outside. I wanted it inside me."
He is very cute. Lynas admitted it in her thoughts before stopping herself from seeing him for nothing more than a fit partner in bed.
"So, shall we—" Lynas halted abruptly as a warm liquid splattered across her face. It took her a few moments to grasp the situation. However, she quickly witnessed the decapitated head of the young nobleman soaring through the air. Then, she promptly evaded the dagger going directly towards her.
Lynas jumped away as far away as possible while trying to find a position to defend herself. Everything was so fast that she couldn't even mourn the death of the poor young man whose body was now lying on the ground.
Standing before her was a cloaked figure radiating with such a killing that it was hard to focus on anything else.
"Osht'ken!" the figure spoke, and those words froze Lynas immediately. "Why, I am not surprised to find a disgusting Osh'ta Uhmene opening her legs for a mere human. Don't you find it insulting to fill your womb with disgusting human seed? Our ancestors cry in the Heavens, watching how far their descendants have fallen."
Lynas's eyes turned cold as she glared back at the figure. "You speak loudly of our ancestors, Tahok. But your sole existence is a disgrace to them."
The figure emitted a low, sinister hiss as he slowly unveiled his hood. In the dimly lit night, a pair of intense red eyes glimmered with an otherworldly allure. The figure's dusky complexion, long ears and flowing silver hair distinctly marked him as a member of the enigmatic race known as the Dark Elves—the mortal enemy of the High Elves.
"We shall see," the dark elf whispered as he prepared for the next attack.
Shit. Lynas thought, realising that she was in trouble.