The Legend of Azhakkstadd

CHAPTER XLIII : INTO THE FAIRY KINGDOM

-Kurezma-                    

            I saw Ashtan, Nazif, and Aisha sitting silently on the chair around the table, and some familiar faces that I have seen before. The three of them smiled the moment they saw us but didn't bother to make any sound. I guess those other people are members of the council or some other people whose concern about this meeting.           

            Those familiar faces seemed to be those who led the school and at the same time, our tribe, same as our chieftain. Everyone wore their straight faces as they turned to us not even caring to flash a smile. All their glances felt awkward locking towards us that made me somehow uncomfortable.      

            We both walked towards the table slowly and silently headed to where Ashtan, Nazif, and Aisha were sitting. There were still vacant seats next to them so we both preferred sitting there, I actually think that those spaces were meant for us. I noticed how Ashtan locked his gaze towards me following me until I sat myself down...      

            Oh wait... I'm with Kuzma, he's probably watching him and not me ahahahahaha I don't know, just kidding. I still think how cute the two of them together ahahaha I don't care if my hunches are true but I like the concept, it's so funny to think about it, it's just so cute.

            As I sat down, at first I thought about letting Kuzma sit right next to Ashtan so that... you know... it'd be great for them ahahaha kidding aside, he just took the seat first next to the one empty beside Ashtan as fast as he could possibly do that left me no choice at all but to sit between them... aww I don't want to be the one who blocks them ahahaha

            The silence that overpowered the whole room was so deafening that I almost forgot what or how a sound is like. Nobody dared to open up their mouths to even sigh or what. All I can hear are faint sounds that came from the outside and the wind blowing inside this room.

            I shifted my glances around to check on everyone. I quietly observed everyone and carefully examining their faces.      

            I don't know what's running in everyone's minds but, I really wonder what. They're just staring blankly at the table... is this really how a meeting looks like? or this just happened now? But what bothered me the most is the one staring at my direction... Ashtan... it's not so bothering actually, I just can't turn my face to him to see if he's looking at me or at Kuzma...         

            I just don't feel like turning to him, or I can't even dare to move my neck or what... his glance is freezing my bones yet I'm not sure who he's looking at. I don't want to assume but I have something in me that wants to know if he's looking at me, and wants that he should be looking at me. Among all people, he's the only one not looking at the table.           

            We all just sat there silently waiting for someone, which I think is why the meeting hasn't started yet. I looked around and noticed that our very own chieftain is still not here in this room. Now, I know why we're not starting yet, the most important person hasn't arrived yet.           

            I took a deep breath and sat myself properly on my chair not knowing what to do. I wanted to talk to someone but I prevented myself, it'd be so embarrassing if I talk. The room is so silent and I don't want to draw everyone's attention. They might hear me even if I sigh or even clear my throat and make them turn to me.   

            Not long after, our chieftain entered opening a door from the opposite direction where we entered a while ago. He must have come from a different direction that made him appear there. All our heads automatically turned to the person who entered the room as we all bowed down to pay respect.                   

            "Good Morning everyone... Nice to see you all. I'm very sorry I'm quite late, I had something that came up that needed instant attention" he uttered apologizing while walking towards the empty seat near to us. He's not that late though, so it's not a problem. The silence just felt so empty making the time run a little slower that it almost felt like forever.

            "Let's start" he initiated the moment he sat down. He sat next to Nazif who was with him when he went somewhere to meet the chieftains of other tribes.           

            Next to Nazif is Aisha, then Ashtan who's probably strangling my neck right now, and Me who intervened between them... then Kuzma who chose not to sit next to Ashtan ahahahaha just kidding, those were just my imaginations, but who knows, right?      

            "The other leaders and I already talked about the attack that happened to us last time during the graduation or this year's batch. It turned out that they were attacked too, same as us. It seems like the agenda is the same as ours, that is to ruin the blessing for those who'll graduate" our chieftain stated with his firm voice as he looked at us one by one.      

            The room started to get noisy with indistinct whispers that were made by some people who are inside. The room is so closed that even a silent whisper is heard. They all mumbled about the topic that our chieftain opened up and their opinions about it. Tsk...    

            "And we knew that all were just a set up. As we all thought, Yanars and Sahirs were attacking us..." he uttered again but paused for a while before continuing his sentence "but it was all done by the Periits and Umbras..." he stated the shocking truth... I thought they were locked deep under... if that's it then...     

            "Do you mean they escaped from where they were kept hidden?" someone asked from the opposite side of the table stating the obvious fact    

            "I'm afraid, yes... they have broken the seal that kept them underneath and managed to get to every tribe and deceive us... perhaps to cause another trouble? We still don't know what they were up to... but we still need to be ready" our chieftain agreed with a disappointing and worried tone...       

            I didn't like the news I just heard. Does this mean that a new problem had just started within Azhakstadd? Is that the reason why I had this kind of power? So that I can help bring back the peace? Gosh... I didn't know it'd be that difficult and frightening. 

            I never encountered Periits and Umbras before. I haven't met one since I was born. I had his thought that they are smart and strong to have this kind of strategy that stirs all the tribes in Azhakkstadd in such confusion, anger, and fear. I just thought that they planned to deceive us, but they wouldn't make it too obvious... 

           I wonder what they are plotting. "So what are we gonna do?" someone asked again to our chieftain about what they have talked about with the other chieftains... Everyone inside the hall are mixed with emotions. I can feel their fear, nervousness, and confusion.

            "About that, our boy Nazif here heard all of it. So this is what we have talked about..." our chieftain remembered looking at Nazif as he paused for a while "We are planning on sending our best student to the Fairy Kingdom to train with their men to become stronger so that they can fight against our enemies" he continued    

            "Fairies have the highest power, have the most effective incantations, and the quickest training methods... our heroes will become more equipped there" he added as he turned to the Shamans and counselors who don't have any violent reactions basing upon their facial expressions.    

            "Who are you planning to send there?" someone from the counselors asked our chieftain about the concern, yet we all know who he'll be sending... it's that obvious... it's between the four of us...

            "Kurezma is an exception, since she is ordained by the Gods... she has to be there to train more... so I am sending her brother with her... Kuzma" he said mentioning both our names          

            Another sounds of whispering indistinctly noised all over the room talking about what they just heard. I don't know what to react to, yet I don't know what they were chattering about... I don't know if they are against it or what...           

            "That's a good choice my Lord... Kuzma is indeed strong to be the Trueno hero, and Kurezma is also needed... but how about Ashtan, and the other two? They're quite strong too" another man from the counselors asked         

            "I wanted to send them all, but the grand counsel only needed one for each tribe... they have a reason though... one is that I think we still need strong Truenos to be left here in case of unexpected attacks... right? During Kurezma and Kuzma's absence, we needed Ashtan, Aisha, and Nazif's strength to protect us..." our chieftain added           

            "That's right... they've learned many things these past few months... maybe they could train the others to be like them... just for additional power... right?" someone from the council suggested which gained agreement from everyone around...          

            I looked at Ashtan who was just looking at me with his sad expression. I don't get it... why is he like that... is he going to miss me when I'm gone? oh no... he's gonna miss Kuzma when he's gone ahahahaha    

            "Tomorrow, I want you two to get ready to be sent to the Fairy Kingdom ... you're actually two days late already... others from another tribe are probably waiting for you..." the chieftain reminded us as he chuckled a bit due to embarrassment "As for the three of you... you heard what has just been said... your training isn't done as well... you still need to train hard" he turned to the three of them talking to them They all just nodded as they agreed to what the Chieftain told them. I went back to Ashtan and saw him not breaking his gaze at me... he's being weird...  

            "What?" I whispered silently as I looked at him, he just smiled at me and shook his head telling me that it's just nothing... I heard Kuzma sighed behind me... I bet he noticed what just happened... they're gonna miss each other...           

             "Are we all clear now?" the chieftain asked for the last time... everyone just nodded agreeing to what has been talked for the whole meeting saying that they all understood everything   

            "How about you two?" he turned to us, to which we responded with a nod "You only have half a day to prepare... I'll be sending you immediately first thing tomorrow" he added reminding us     

            "Let's call it a day..." he then added and spoke some words after telling us that the meeting is done. After that, everyone stood up exiting the hall.