My eyes blinked open, a fuzzy haze clouding my vision for a few lingering moments.
"Where...?" I mumbled, disoriented by my surroundings.
I gazed upward at the towering trees, their branches forming a natural canopy. The soft chirping of distant birds and the vibrant, multicoloured grass around me all hinted at one undeniable fact: I was still within the forest.
I scanned the area, and my attention honed in on a peculiar symbol engraved on a nearby tree. It bore a striking resemblance to the Shantaian symbols I had encountered in Valkami Kingdom.
Pushing myself up slightly, a glint from the ground caught my eye. Sunlight reflected off a piece of parchment half-buried in the grass. A letter.
Reaching out, the paper felt warm to the touch. My eyes slightly widened as I recognised the initials: D.K.
The parchment had been elegantly sealed with wax, bearing my family emblem, but it was shattered, its vibrant colours drained away.
A mixture of caution and mounting anticipation consumed me, and I started to unravel the message the parchment held:
"To the new Archon of Death,
Congratulations on becoming an Archon, Lyssa Anastasia. I'm looking forward to our meeting. If I were you, I'd start by taking a life. It'll be worth it.
From D.K."
The gentle rustling of leaves, paired with the distant chirping, formed a serene backdrop. But my focus was solely on the cryptic message, in contrast to the calm.
"Taking a life...?" I looked down at my abdomen; the black crystal resided there.
A gentle breeze whisked through the forest, tousling my hair and playing with the edges of the letter.
Embracing the title "Archon of Death" still felt exotic, yet a resonance emanated from the crystal, seemingly confirming its bond with me.
"Bound by something deep within... maybe retaliation or peace," I could still remember the phantoul's words, "... All I yearn for is to be with my family. If I can't even do that..."
「Watai amu fatairu...」 (I'm a failure...)
The sudden rustling snapped my focus back to the present.
Whirling around to its source, "Reveal yourself." I commanded, my eyes darting and my senses sharp.
A three-headed reptile hesitantly emerged from the foliage.
The creature blinked its many eyes, seemingly more curious than threatened.
A small chuckle escaped me. This creature, as bizarre as it seemed with its multiple heads, appeared harmless. It tilted one of its heads, studying me intently with gleaming eyes.
"I'm not your enemy," I softly remarked, holding out my hand in a peaceful gesture.
The creature continued its cautious approach, one of its heads sniffing the air while another tilted, as if listening to a distant sound.
I took a step closer to the creature, my hands cautiously outstretched. The gentle rustling of leaves and the chirping of distant birds faded into the background as our worlds collided.
"What... are you?" I queried, my voice soft. The reptile didn't answer, of course, but the way one of its heads cocked slightly, almost as if understanding, gave me pause.
I inched closer, curious to understand the creature more deeply. This reptile, while appearing to be non-hostile, moved slowly and cautiously.
There was a twinkle of understanding in its many eyes, but also an air of resignation.
Gently reaching out, my fingers brushed the soft scales of the creature.
A soft, plaintive cry emanated from it. Its heads started swaying, and then it looked into my eyes.
The reptile's colours faded rapidly, their vibrant scales turning a pale hue. A heart-wrenching sigh was its last sound, leaving it lifeless before me.
The realization hit swiftly. My very touch, a kiss of death. “How is this... possible?” I wondered aloud.
Gently, I kneeled beside the fallen creature, its once vibrant eyes now glossed over in a lifeless stare.
The overwhelming guilt and sorrow I anticipated, the emotional whirlwind that should have consumed me, was conspicuously absent. Instead, a chilling emptiness lingered, casting shadows on my very soul.
This emptiness... it was oddly disconcerting. And strange.
From the creature, a soft glow began to emerge. It wasn't exactly colourful, but neither was it purely monochrome. This intriguing, half-toned illumination captured my attention immediately.
The light swirled around me, perhaps sizing me up. It circled me thrice before it settled on the crystal embedded in my abdomen.
"Did that just happen?" I muttered to myself, trying to process the unexpected turn of events.
The surrounding forest seemed to murmur in response, but I couldn't discern any clear answers from it.
The crystal suddenly began to emanate a deep black glow.
"What the—" A burst of energy halted my words. One shadow tendril burst out from my back, half-white, half-black.
More tendrils surged outwards, their monochrome brilliance slicing through the green of the forest, turning flora and fauna to nothingness upon contact.
Soul after soul rose from the desolation, merging with the crystal in my abdomen. Each fusion sent waves of power coursing through me.
"S-Stop!" I shouted, the urgency evident in my voice.
The response? A deepening silence, broken only by the monochrome tendrils expanding in every direction.
I tried to resist the pull, but the power was overwhelming. The energy coursed through me, threatening to consume me entirely.
"I apologise." A voice cut through the chaos.
Turning, I saw it—the Phantoul, its expression stoic as usual.
The dark tendrils around me paused, seemingly aware of his presence. A few receded slightly, but many persisted.
"They're not obeying." My voice was thick with exasperation.
The Phantoul locked eyes with me. "I failed in guiding you," it confessed. "With your new powers, whatever you touch with all five fingers of your bare hand meets its end. Your lack of experience caused this unexpected chaos."
I was on edge. "So, I'm suddenly an archon? And these powers? How will they help me find peace or whatever's deep in my soul? Why not just lead me to the afterlife?"
"The afterlife isn't that simple." It paused, choosing his words carefully. "The archon's role is more complex."
"Complex?" I echoed. The situation was already maddening without cryptic answers.
Before either of us could continue, a powerful shadow surged from behind me.
"Control it."
The chaotic power thrummed around me, a relentless force with a will of its own. I had to make sense of this newfound role quickly.
The stronger I got, the harder it was.
Amidst the vortex of monochrome tendrils, voices emerged—human voices—approaching rapidly.
Voices? I thought, straining to listen amidst the turmoil.
"Who's there?" I tried to shout over the tumult, but the overpowering whirlwind of energy stifled my words.
But the Phantoul's repetitive instruction anchored my thoughts. "Bond with the crystal," it urged.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, I tried to center my thoughts and ground my emotions.
The world around me felt unsteady, like a boat caught in a storm, and I was being tossed around mercilessly.
Yet, amid this vortex of uncertainty, there was one thing that remained constant—the crystal.
"Steady yourself." I whispered to myself, a mantra to ward off the dizziness.
The engulfing shadows grew bolder, wrapping around me, attempting to bind my very essence.
But as I directed my attention, my very consciousness, towards the crystal, a miraculous transformation occurred. Those once-aggressive tendrils hesitated and then began to retract.
Gradually, like the retreat of a fierce tide, the tempest of shadows calmed, restoring some semblance of order to my world.
Those voices, however, persisted, and they felt dangerously close.
As the chaos settled around me, the clarity of the voices grew. Their urgent tones held a note of concern. Whispers, followed by footsteps, echoed around the clearing.
"It's here, right?" A deep voice questioned, sounding nearer.
"Quickly, we need to secure the perimeter." A hushed voice commanded, the tone unfamiliar.
In the midst of it all I noticed the phantoul had disappeared, and a firm grip held my wrist, pulling me away from the clearing. There wasn’t time to resist.
"What the hell?" I exclaimed, "Who are you people?!" I fought back.
"Let go of me!" I ordered, struggling against the unknown assailant's grip.
The figures around me were strangers—two of them, their faces hidden in shadows. Though they looked human.
"What's going on?" I managed to choke out.
No immediate answer came, and shadows consumed my hand, creating sharp claws.
"Stay still." One of them ordered.
My claws swiped, narrowly missing a face. "Back off!" I growled. The sheer force of the swing razed part of the whole forest, despite not making contact with anything physical.
A momentary silence ensued.
Staring down at my transformed hand, understanding dawned: "It's too much..."
As the words left my lips, fatigue overtook me, dragging me into unconsciousness.
---
When I woke up, I found myself in unfamiliar quarters. A simple room, reminiscent of one you'd find in a sanctuary. The events leading up to it were a blur.
I slowly became aware of my surroundings, realising I wasn't in solitude. Beside me stood two contrasting figures, their presence offering a mix of comfort and intimidation.
The first was a man, his face carved with stern lines and an unyielding disposition. His posture was rigid, with broad shoulders squared and hands clasped behind him.
There was an inherent authority to him, emanating not just from his well-defined physique but also from the sharp, piercing gaze of his eyes.
Contrasting him, to my right, was a woman radiating a gentler presence.
Her eyes, kind and inviting, were framed by long lashes that fluttered like the wings of a butterfly. Soft curves adorned her face, and her lips, always on the verge of a gentle smile, seemed to offer solace.
The woman introduced herself as Arisu and gestured towards the man next to her who was named Kei. Their names sounded foreign to me, unlike any I’d heard before.
Feeling disoriented, I asked, "Where am I?" My voice sounded calm, but my mind was racing with questions.
Arisu answered, "You are in our village's resting hut. You fainted in the forest, and we brought you here to help you."
Kei remained silent, his expression stoic and devoid of any emotion.
I tried to sit up, but my head throbbed with pain, making me wince. "...Thanks." I mumbled, still trying to process what had happened.
Seeing my discomfort, Arisu promptly handed me a flask filled with purple liquid. "Here, drink this."
Raising an eyebrow, I inquired, "What exactly is it?"
"It's a traditional remedy," Arisu said. "Helps with pain and minor wounds."
Studying the liquid warily, I retorted, "How do I know it's safe?"
A slight smirk played on Arisu's lips. "Suspicion runs deep, huh?" Without waiting for a reply, she poured a bit of the liquid into a cup and took a sip, her gaze never leaving mine. "Satisfied?"
Raising an eyebrow, I countered, "You might be accustomed to it. How do I know it won't harm me?"
"Or," Arisu continued, leaning in conspiratorially, "it's just a harmless drink."
I hesitated but eventually gave in, cautiously taking a sip. The relief was immediate, much to my surprise.
Arisu grinned, her eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. "See? Trust isn't so bad."
As I considered her words, the ambience of the hut, with its aromatic herbs and dim candlelight, started to feel a tad more welcoming.
I looked around, noticing the small, cosy hut with its rough wooden walls and a thatched roof.
Unexpectedly, Arisu began speaking in Shantai, a familiar language to me.
「Au haru sha rutaban isa ga?」 (Do you think she's trustworthy?)
「Watai nedito no.」 (I don't know) Kei answered tersely.
I looked between the two, taking in their expressions. Arisu had a gentleness about her, while Kei exuded a more guarded demeanour.
Kei then addressed me directly, "You haven't shared your name."
"Lyssa." I said, my gaze alternating between them.
"Where did you come from?" He didn't hesitate to interrogate further.
I hesitated a bit, unsure of what to say. "Valkami Kingdom." I decided to answer.
Arisu's face contorted with confusion as she repeated the name. "Valkami? That's a name I've never heard of before."
Kei's gaze remained fixed on me as he spoke up, "It's new to me as well."
He frowned, deep in thought, as he contemplated my words. "You claim to be from a place that no one has ever heard of?"
As I heard him say that, I thought to myself, "Either they were uneducated about the kingdom or I'm somewhere else entirely."
"Please explain yourself, Lyssa," Arisu said, giving an eerily gentle smile, "The forest has been with us for generations, and it was protected by a powerful magic nullifying zone." She paused for a moment before narrowing her eyes; her voice became sharp, "How did you cause so much damage to it?"
Arisu's question hung in the air; it wasn't an accusation, but it wasn't far off either.
"I honestly don't know." I admitted, knowing that there was no point in lying. Kei's gaze sharpened. "'I don't know' isn't an acceptable answer."
Arisu nodded. "Our village thrived because of that forest. It’s a part of our identity."
Kei's eyes bore into mine with an intensity that was hard to ignore.
Taking a step forward, his voice firm yet controlled, he declared, "I fully expect you to make amends for what you've caused."
Arisu, standing slightly behind him, added softly, "The village relies on that balance, Lyssa."
"Come with me." Kei spoke. His tone suggested it wasn't just a mere suggestion; he rose gracefully from his seated position, eyes fixed intently on mine.
"Where are we going?" I inquired, glancing between him and Arisu.
"A place you should see," Kei responded cryptically. He extended a hand in my direction, waiting.
Hesitating for a brief moment, I nodded, "Alright."
Before I could even take a step, Arisu, her energy ever-bubbling, gripped my arm. "I'll show you the way!" she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
Kei watched with an amused quirk of his lips as Arisu led me towards the journey that lay ahead.
"This is the heart of our village," Arisu remarked as we entered a wide and busy street within the village. Its stalls were adorned with a blend of Shantaian symbols and mystical inscriptions.
Kei, always the silent observer, watched my reactions closely. "You recognise some of this, don't you?" He finally spoke up.
One in particular caught my eye—a symbol I had previously seen etched on a tree within the forest. "That one." I pointed.
Arisu leaned in, whispering, "That's the mark of protection. Our village has been safeguarded by its magic for generations."
"But something disrupted it," Kei said, his voice taking a colder tone. "Didn't it?"
Feeling the weight of their combined gaze, I answered, "I don't know how, but I'm trying to understand."
A villager walked up to Arisu.
「Oteimoranin! Mushi taiuto isa ga?」 (Good Morning! Who is this?) The villager greeted with a curious look, eyebrows raised inquisitively towards me.
Arisu's warm laughter broke the momentary silence as she beamed and motioned towards me. 「Oteimoranin! Tarato wa Lyssa, notushītai revida kiu. 」 (Good Morning! This is Lyssa, someone who arrived today.)
The villager's eyes lit up with understanding: 「Ah, wei, sataru saifu otei hashai.」 (Ah, okay, well stay safe friend!)
Arisu giggled, "I guess introductions aren’t necessary. But remember, not everyone here speaks Shantai."
I raised an eyebrow, considering Arisu's statement. 「Watai saiku Shantai cano.」 (I can speak Shantai.)
Arisu’s eyes widened, genuine surprise evident. "Eh?! You can?!" she exclaimed.
A moment of silence hung in the air as Arisu’s face transformed from surprise to a more contemplative expression.
Kei intervened, breaking the brief silence. "That makes things easier."
Arisu, her cheerful energy ever-present, led the way, weaving through the village streets. "Our village is old, and our traditions run deep," she remarked.
Kei walked beside me, his footsteps measured and quiet. "We've always lived in harmony with the forest."
As we ventured deeper into the village, I couldn't help but notice the various symbols inscribed on the walls and stalls. "This blend of Shantaian and... something else, it's fascinating."
We finally reached a grand-looking sanctum, its entrance guarded by stone statues depicting ancient warriors. Kei motioned for us to enter.
Inside, the sanctum was surprisingly spacious, illuminated by glowing orbs that floated around. At the far end, there was a room with three statues.
I was taken into the room.
Kei gestured towards them, his voice echoing slightly, "These statues represent the three celestials."
Arisu, sensing my hesitance, stepped in with an encouraging smile. "Don't worry, Lyssa. They won't bite."
I took a deep breath, trying to organise my scattered thoughts.
Kei's gaze was sharp, but not unkind. "How did you arrive in our forest in the first place?"
I thought back to the seemingly distant memories—the betrayal, the deaths, the transition from one world to another. "It's a long story," I began.
But as I looked into their expectant eyes, I realised that they genuinely wanted to understand. With that, I delved into my story, sparing no detail.
Arisu listened intently, occasionally nodding. Kei's stoic demeanour remained, but there was a hint of softness and empathy in his eyes.
Kei and Arisu both exchanged a glance before Kei finally spoke up. "The celestials are integral to our village’s identity. The three statues you see have been here since time immemorial."
"So you discovered these statues and built your village around them, holding them in reverence?"
Arisu stammered, "W-well, uhm... yeah." Her gaze briefly flickered elsewhere before she added with a nervous chuckle, "You're quite perceptive, hehe."
Silence followed.
"Do you know what happens when someone dies?" I asked, trying to confirm something.
Kei adjusted his stance, giving Arisu a quick glance. "Death... is a passage to the afterlife."
Arisu nodded, picking up from where Kei left off. "Not much is known about it other than it's eternal life after death."
"I remembered how the Phantoul mentioned the afterlife is on a 'higher plane'. Whatever that meant." I contemplated.
"What happens when someone isn't sent to the afterlife but ends up somewhere else? Not like eternal torture, but like an entirely new world."
Arisu and Kei glanced at me for a second before Kei spoke up.
"We were asked... A similar question arose a few days before we found you." He revealed, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
I got intrigued but decided not to stray away from what I wanted to know.
"What happens?" I asked again.
"When a soul doesn't find its way to the afterlife, it's instead ushered into a personal limbo—some might even liken it to a new home."
"They normally stray away from the afterlife because something deep in their soul forces them to." Continued Arisu.
"Is there a way to tell?" I asked.
Kei and Arisu exchanged another contemplative glance. "A pedestal here has been used for generations to glimpse into one's soul," Kei said, his voice echoing the gravity of the revelation.
"Using it, we can understand your deepest desires." Arisu added, her tone gentle and her eyes reflecting genuine concern.
I'm willing," I asserted, feeling the weight of the revelation, "I need to understand."
Arisu hesitated. "This isn't a light matter. Delving deep into one's soul could reveal truths that are... awkward."
Kei chimed in, his voice colder, "And some truths are better left buried."
I locked eyes with Arisu. "Regardless, I have to know."
A brief nod from her was all the approval I needed. Kei, his face inscrutable, directed me to the pedestal. The intricate engravings on it beckoned, promising revelations.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward and placed my hands on the pedestal. The intricate engravings seemed to come alive, glowing with a soft light.
A rush of memories flooded my mind. Moments of betrayal, love, loss, and finally, the driving force: a thirst for retaliation.
It wasn't a petty desire for revenge, but a deeper yearning for justice to right the wrongs I had faced.
The vision ended abruptly, leaving me gasping for air. The room remained silent for a moment before erupting in whispers.
I looked around, trying to gauge their reactions.
Arisu's eyes were filled with sympathy, but there was also a hint of fear. Kei, ever inscrutable, remained silent, processing the information.
Arisu stepped closer, her gaze softening. "Sometimes, the truths we uncover are not what we expect." She murmured.
Gazing at Kei and Arisu, I noticed another slip of parchment sneakily placed on the base of a statue behind them.
A question popped into my mind, "Do you know who D.K. is?"
Arisu's eyes sharpened immediately. "D.K." She whispered, her eyes flicking to Kei and back to me. "That name carries a weight around here."
Kei leaned in, breaking the brief silence. "D.K. is a name that haunts this world. Whoever they are, they've been a thorn in our side."
I glanced between them, the weight of their words palpable. "I see. So, coming across that name isn't mere coincidence."
Arisu tilted her head, studying me intently. "Why do you ask about D.K.?"
Kei interjected, a subtle edge to his voice: "The bigger question is, why now? What relation does D.K. have with you that brought about such disruption in our forest?"
"D.K. seems unusually drawn to me. A series of his letters have trailed me."
Arisu's brows furrowed in concern. "More than one letter?"
"Exactly. Just take a look behind you." I gestured subtly towards the parchment, its edges just peeking out from behind the statue.
Kei and Arisu, in synchronised surprise, spun around to notice the elegantly folded piece of parchment that seemed out of place in this sacred chamber.
Kei, ever the cautious one, approached the letter, his fingers brushing its edge before he deftly unfolded the piece. He began to read aloud, his voice dripping with a mix of caution and intrigue:
"To Lyssa Anastasia,
I notice you have found companionship in unfamiliar territory. But remember, do not stray from what drives you. Your hunger for retaliation, your yearning to reunite with your family, especially your beloved mother. It'd be a tragedy if you lost sight amid these newfound bonds.
From D.K."
"Did...Did you put this here?" Arisu questioned, her gaze flickering between the note and me, a hint of worry lining her eyes.
I shook my head, a weariness seeping into my voice. "Not in the slightest. These letters always find a way to trail behind me, regardless of where I am." I responded, feeling a mix of exhaustion and resignation.
Arisu nodded, rubbing her temples as if trying to ward off a looming headache. "This is getting complicated."
"First, the destruction of our forest; now this?!" She continued.
She paused for a moment, releasing a long, vexed sigh. "As troubling as this is," she mused, her voice teetering between sarcasm and genuine intrigue, "it's almost... fascinating."
Taking a step closer, she whispered, just loud enough for me to hear, "But it'll be very dangerous to indulge with someone like D.K."
[author] I swear every new chapter I post gives like -1 motivation point for me. Please give feedback :)[/author]