Tales of Revenants

Chapter 6 – Burden

The fervor that Heavenly Heroes lacks precipitated an effect that Laken only realized under the influence of temporal peace after the Dark Wars.

Reaching his primal goal, which is crossing path with the third princess of Skyhaven Kingdom still shrouds the mind of Laken in clouds of mysteries and doubt.

Had not he heard the voice on his head tasking him on meeting the princess, he won't venture the lands and seas, yet he never knew who said or tasked him on doing so.

His memory is in a haze to fathom the person calling out to him whether it's a dream or nightmare. All he knows is that someone is special to him, nothing more, nothing less.

During their journey, both Laken and Luciella arrived in a Truffle Village that is part of the Arcanos Kingdom. They sojourn and secured food and necessity in the village, gathering information the moment they left from Skyhaven.

They got their first breather when they stayed in the inn for them to have an intimate conversation just the two of them. Luciella never had the chance to open up since Laken always drags her around places.

Luckily Luciella had a bag of coins 'cause she's a princess and was spoiled by her family and the guild without her noticing but it's a matter of time before they deprive of resources.

“I came back from consciousness when I underwent Revenant Metamorphosis. If you could do such feat, then why you can't extract the shard's magic?” Laken is perplexed as to why the shard Luciella holds in her palms wouldn't commune with the flow of magic she had.

“No... It's impossible. Rather who said I had the magic to control a shard when the Heavenly Heroes couldn't? I'm just a sheltered princess... I'd be a bother in your way...” Luciella sprawled in the bedsheet, sulking away on how feeble she is.

“Sorry... Forcing you won't do any good. Besides you did something only you could do and I'm sure you'll be a great mage.” Suddenly Laken tries to console her and even tried praising Luciella.

She was astonished when he saw Laken smile gracefully as she thought to herself that he's a better person than what she hears about him.

“I'd like to see you smile that way again.” Luciella smiled back at him.

Laken couldn't believe he grinned nonchalantly so he faced behind. He seems to purposely suppress his emotions and try to wear a facade of stern and cold guy.

“By the way, were we here in Arcanos to get a shard?” Luciella asked curling her side hair on a corner.

“The shard we had was the representation of the Arcanos itself. Somehow, Morgan willingly gave it. A slight light of emerald emits in the center of the shard means it communes with the realm of nature.” Laken stated. He was standing by the door and is about to leave the room.

“Then why is it we are–” Abruptly, Luciella's stomach growls of hunger.

She bashfully curled herself on the rough blanket the inn has to offer. Laken just peeked at her that made the situation more awkward for Luciella.

“Hm.” Laken snorted a little bit undeniably.

“Wait here, I'm going to get something we could eat. We can't go to the pub or someone might recognize us.” Laken implied and went off to take care of what he should do.

“T-Take care...” The door closed before Luciella bid farewell. Surely Laken heard her since Revenant has heightened senses of unparalleled understanding.

He smirked discreetly when he was walking down to the stairs. His primary plan of using the third princess to control the shards failed.

The idea that fate had something more up its sleeves made him feel the thrill of the divine ordeal that bestowed upon his cursed, mortal form.

In order to avoid contact with locals and other adventurers, Laken went straight to the public merchant and bought a couple of apples and refilled her mana potions and health potions.

It cost him a sum of golds and he didn't bother to wait for the change; as secretive as possible is what he thought in mind.

He also went and bought a baked corn-in-a-stick, for the reason, corn is a kind of delicacy for the elves. Laken considered Luciella's appetite of only eating apples from dusk to dawn won't suffice.

Laken now returned in the inn where Luciella stayed and with just the smell of baked corn is enough to draw Luciella from the aroma.

“You bought baked corn?! Lemme!” Luciella couldn't contain her hunger anymore. She rummages through the things Laken bought but the baked corn is on the other sack in which he gave.

“Eat your fill and get enough sleep. We'll move to Jade City the moment the sun rises.” The starving Luciella is busy munching down the baked corn she savors.

“O-Okay.” Luciella nodded agreed.

"Anyway, as I said before you went out earlier, what is your next task? And what are the Revenants? There's only a little information about them in the Tower of Sorcerers despite being the largest archive for world history and local ones.” She followed, stilling munching the baked corn.

“I'm visiting a friend of mine. She lives peacefully on the southern boundary of Jade City.“ Laken took a bite on the apple. He ate the skin and the seed together.

“About the Revenants... I'm not sure of myself.” Laken replied.

“Is that so?” Luciella sprawled on the bed again after filling her hungry stomach until she couldn't move.

“Reach the water for me,” she lazily reached her hand in an attempt to wait Laken get the water container for her.

Laken passed the bottle as he openly gazes at the open window. He sat on a wooden chair near the creaking table.

“Luciella... once again I apologized for dragging you into this mess.” Laken finished the apple and drank water at once.

“It no biggies. Besides, there's no turning back now, after all the scariest world criminal captivated me,” she faced the wall on the corner; a dead silent air remained.

“No seriously, you can go back to the capital. It's too dangerous for you to stay beside me.” The dead air again filled the atmosphere alone. Laken closed his eyes, moving towards the door as if denying the existence of her presence.

In reality, Laken is trying to ditch her and venture alone; that is the true purpose why he went first in the Truffle Village rather than going straight to Jade City's border to meet his alleged friend.

As things turned out, there's no way he can use Luciella to use the power of shards even if he collected them. Laken planned to seek again and again a method to extract the power of the Shards of Creation so he could claim what he lost.

The blink of a second and two, gust entered the window, Laken intended the moment he exited the door; he would leave Luciella to prevent her from further exposure to danger.

Little did he know that Luciella had seen through his blameful facade. After all, it's already unusual for the most wanted man on the lands to treat a princess so nicely.

Additionally, the miraculous light Luciella acquired makes her able to hear the voice hidden in Laken's heart.

As if she can understand that Laken fears the fact of losing someone important to him and preferred going alone, carrying the burden of the world on his back; slashing golden dust along his path.

Before Laken could touch the silver doorknob; Luciella in distress leaped towards him, kneeling as she embraces his waist. “You'd abandon me too like my father and everyone else...?” She started sobbing, her sorrowful countenance was too much for Laken to look upon.

“Huh...? What's this all of a sudden?” Laken acts covertly but he's too blatant for Luciella to be able to keep secrets.

“I went to the outside world to meet amazing individuals and to escape my birdcage. But it doesn't turn out as I expected and they despise me when they hear I'm a half-elf... I'm weak and always get the ways of the others...” Luciella began to cry her heart out holding Laken like there's no more dawn. Laken stays silent, awaiting her wail to cease.

“Laken... You'll definitely leave me here... But I couldn't accept it! You're the only one who desired my magic... so please I'll accompany you until I'd master to extract the shard on my own... so, please Laken,” when she finally stopped crying and calmed a bit, Laken also knelt patting her head to console her.

Luciella took away his hand as if saying she's no longer a child. At that time Laken became ascertain; the girl is just the same as him. She thrived and wanted to help someone, just like how Laken wanted salvation to the world.

When Laken is going to leave; Luciella will no longer stop him because she voiced out what's in her heart. But a whim might have turned the wheel of destiny turn a few circles.

Laken turned back to face her once more. He openly offered his hand and stood like a real knight in shining armor bearing the white cape of purity.

“Sorry if it's too late for this but... would you accompany me in my perilous journey Luciella? I can't save you all the time, but I promise in my name that I would protect you at all costs.” Laken declared and the jsorrowful eyes of Luciella turned rounded of happiness.

“It's a pleasure. Same goes to you.” Luciella answered with determination. She accepted the cold handshake he has to offer.

On the other hand, it was Laken's warmest hand-holding he ever received since he became a Revenant.

Not much word exchanged after a formal party up. Laken's stern and serious demeanor still tucked Luciella appearing awkward whenever he just stares at her openly.

Luciella went to bed. She offered Laken to sleep beside her. Of course, Laken refused, it's just 'cause she feels pity Laken is going to sleep sitting on a chair.

Until she finally fell asleep, in the meantime Laken was too cautious and never closed his eyes.

He protects Luciella in the shadows because he knows the burden of carrying the life of someone is heavier than grasping the world as a whole.

The wheel of destiny turned again, along with creeping darkness to corrupt the core of the very foundation of world and magic.