The Hunt for the Royal Runaway

Chapter 4: Sol

Akisha Diamond’s Point of View:

“Just a li-little bit more….” I assured myself in between heavy labors of breath.

What have I gotten myself into?

“Don’t think of anything else, Akisha. K-keep running!” I added, motivating myself to keep my good distance from the palace as my whole body starts to ache from the tiredness of running.

Soon enough, my senses came knocking off. I realized that I am selfishly running away.

What about Naris? What will happen to her now?

In the middle of my determined stance, blurry bushes flash through my eyes while I continue to motion my body forward with great speed. The sky is starting to reveal the sun of the next day. Everything is so peaceful here yet I couldn’t help but feel troubled.

“Damn it! What have I done?” I cursed before finally stopping to catch my breath alongside my running thoughts. Not long after, I felt my eyes watering. Tears started streaming down my face as soft sobs escape my throat. 

“I-I’m sorry, Naris! I’m a f*****g coward!” I whispered to myself while squinting hard. I cannot stop the tears from falling freely down my crumpled face. If the king and queen would see me how pathetic I look right now, then they wouldn’t think twice of disowning me.

But it’s too late to turn back now.

Slowly, I decided to pick my stupid self up and held my head up high. Flashbacks of my mentors teaching me to be dignified at all times filled up my mind. With one swift contact of my right palm to brush my tears away, I found a new sense of courage even if it’s just a faint one.

“That’s right…I couldn’t let myself sulk further into the loneliness.” I continued my inner monologue until I heard a wimping sound at the far left corner of the bushes. I realized that I’ve been too succumbed by my emotions that I failed to observe my surroundings in detail.

For some reason, I felt that something has changed. I turned my head left and right only to realize that thick fogs started covering everything in sight. An eerie feeling travelled down the back of my neck down my spine, causing all of the hair in my body to stand up. Despite the thickness of my robe, chills didn’t fail to creep in my skin.

“H-hello?” I called for no one before I walked through the source of the wimping sound.

With my remaining bravery, I looked up the sky and saw that the break of dawn was replaced by darkness. The bushes that were evergreen earlier were now gone and my path was replaced by dead trees with withering leaves and crumbling branches.

“W-what?” I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion at the change of the scenery. Helplessly, I trailed my fingertips upon the thick fogs in an attempt to clear my path. Yet, my action only resulted to nothing. As soon as I bent my head down the ground, dried leaves started finding their way to my feet.

“Ha-ah…” I gasped as soon as I realized that this is no ordinary scenery. My heart started thumping loud when the leaves slowly turn black in plain sight. Cold sweats started forming at the corner of my head and my lips have instantly became dry.

I’ve been trapped in an enemy’s magic barrier.

This is bad news. I have been too self-confident that I thought the shortcut route to the common realm would be that easy of a reach. The next thing that happened almost shook my core. Crows have gathered above me to surround my existence. I widened my eyes in response but it was too quick. Their loud caws are enough to signal me that there are about hundreds of them ready to feast on my flesh.

“Aarghh!” I grunted in pain when I felt that one of them had successfully made its beak cause a wound on my arm.

Shit. This is really bad news. Because of their collective force, I was left with no choice but to cripple myself into a ball and crouch own the ground with both my arms crossed above to serve as an only defense. If I stay like this longer, I would be lucky if they would spare even my corpse.  Knowing that these crows were made up with magic, someone out there is controlling everything.

“Arghh! Aaah! G-go away!” I closed my eyes shut and swing my arms above forcefully as I felt that more of them are already attacking me. I started getting annoyed. I wasn’t raised the way I am just to cower in moments like this and be frightful of my unseen enemy.

I rested my heart and remained calm. I heaved deep breaths and started concentrating to channel my energy from within just as how I was taught by Lady Lana. My powers may be weak but it should be strong enough to lure this crows away at least.

“Concentrate, your highness. Feel the flow of magic rushing through your veins.”

“You don’t need to make much effort, you will feel that your magic would be ready to be released naturally.”

“You’re the one in control”

Her peaceful voice brought me solace that I didn’t feel the aggressive bites of the crows no more. In a blink of an eye, my body was transported to a whole new dimension that it seems like my soul has left my body. And for some reason, this is terrifyingly good. I’ve never felt so in control before. Even with my lessons with Lady Lana, I wasn’t able to reach this kind of concentration. How can I achieve this now?

“A-all of you….” My mouth automatically mumbled softly, letting out my monotonous voice escape.  

This feeling…this feeling is strange. It’s as if I am using my physical body and my spirit separately yet at the same time. I was aware of everything yet not at the same time. Suddenly, a sense of heat vibrated up my gut. I could describe the feeling as something sort of simmering that’s waiting to reach its boiling point. Right then, I channeled my concentration to the feeling. Everything  began moving in slow motion. In the count of three I felt that the light inside my body rushed to be free and I didn’t hold back.

Soon enough, I was back to my physical senses. My bones started hurting and the caws of the crows grew louder. I bit my lip and clenched my fists while my whole body vibrated. The next thing I knew…

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” I screamed everything out in the open. Just as quickly as I regained my strength, my chest was motioned by an invisible force to face the sky. A ray of blinding light quickly escape my skin, burning almost everything that came near me…including all of the crows that took part in attacking me.

When everything went back to normal, I felt my breath became heavier than usual. Tiredness started enveloping my body as I watched all of the crows fly away from reach. I thought I have used my power to its maximum strength but I was wrong. The moment I collapsed to the ground, light particles gathered around me. I knew it was from my magic. I just didn’t know how. My eyelids started begging to be closed as I was embraced by the warmth of the particles.

My wounds and bruises surely started healing.

“W-woah, how am I able to d-do this?” I stuttered out of curiosity. I felt like there was no strength left in my body but I couldn’t afford to become unconscious here. With all my remaining strength, I dragged my body forward with no particular destination in mind.  

I lost track of how many steps I took until finally, I found the source of the wimping sound earlier. It is a baby magical fox, stuck in one of the branches of the dead trees.

“Hey there…” I whispered the moment the two of us locked gazes. Its beautiful blue eyes stared deeply and sorrowfully at me as if it was asking for help. And how could I say no this creature? They say that the boundaries between realms are filled with magical beasts and I always thought that they would be scary and dangerous. I never thought that there would also be creatures this innocent and harmless that it makes my heart melt.

“Come here…” I lowered my guard and spread both my arms towards the fox so I could gain its trust. Its beautiful white fur was tainted by blood as its arms were wounded by the sharp edges of the tree. Adrenaline rush filled my system and the next thing I knew, I was climbing the tree to help it get back down. Good thing I learned how to climb trees illegally when I was still a child.

“It’s okay, I’m here…I’m going to save you.” I assured the baby fox even if it couldn’t understand what I’m saying. The moment my skin touched its wounded body, I heard h=its wimping grew louder. I felt guilty to pull it out of being stuck but I have no choice to do so if I wanted it to live.

“I’m sorry, I know it hurts but I want you to endure it just a little more…I promise everything is going to be okay.” I added before firmly pulling him away with one final force.

“There, there.” After my successful rescue attempt, I cradled the poor creature in my arms and wrapped it up with a piece of torn cloth from my robe. The fox looked straight up my eyes and started blinking slowly. It also turned its head to snuggle further down my arms and it just made my heart melt. Once I healed the wounds of this creature, everything will be okay. I can do this.

“Don’t worry, I will heal y—“ I tried reassuring it once again but I was caught by surprise when no magic was coming out of my palm.

No, this can’t be. Not this time.

I need to heal this creature so please magic, please….

I tried concentrating like I used to earlier but everything just failed me this time. I couldn’t feel the same energy back then no matter how much I try.

“No, come on….come on…don’t fail me.” I mumbled in annoyance as I closed my eyes and be much more aware of the wimping sound of the fox in my arms. I knew that the pain its feeling right now has worsened and I needed to act quick or else…

“Come on!” I yelled again. This time, my feelings are beginning to transcend beyond annoyance. I feel frustrated that I couldn’t attend to another creature’s need for safety.

The more that I try to concentrate further the more its wounds are opening. The baby fox’s breath started to become heavier and its blue eyes are beginning to fade in color. I covered my mouth in despair .

“No…stay with me, stay with me. I can save you!” I brushed its head and reassured it one more time as I tried to concentrate again. A lump is forming at the back of my throat as I shook my head and attempted to clear my mind.

I bit my tongue while searching for the same energy I felt within me. Yet, nothing is happening. My clenched fists started losing its strength and the next thing I knew, the fox in my arms is already laying lifeless.

It’s dead. I couldn’t save it.

“I-I’m sorry…I tried.” I uttered in dismay and sadness and anger at myself. If I cannot perform even a simple successful spell to save a life, then how could I ever become the worthy queen?

“HAHAHAHA! Nice try, lovely maiden!” Out of the blue, I heard an unfamiliar and ominous voice that rushed through my right ear in a speed of light.

My body instantly tensed. I sharpened my senses to be wary of the next danger coming my way. This time, I wasn’t feeling any fear.

“Who’s there?” I voiced aloud, rebutting to the insult I just received.

“I see you’re of a rare blood.” The deep voice has grown deeper and clearer until I saw a man descending from the sky down to face my crouched body. I see, he’s in no mood to play with me.

“Who are you?” I bravely raised the question as I observe him from head to toe. Judging from his deep scars from both his cheeks, he has been through many combats before. His olive green robe that covers his neck down both his limbs tells me that he is not from the royal realm neither. But most importantly, his glowing red eyes and black wings that are twice as big, signals magic from any other being except from human enchanters.

He is dead silent.

“You…you’re the one who sent the crows to attack me. Am I inside your magic barrier?” I asked aggressively, not backing down from any danger. I gritted my teeth and looked straight right through his devilish eyes as I anticipated for an answer.

“Indeed. I wasn’t supposed to face you like this but you have caught my interest, young maiden. It’s the first time that a mere enchanter has managed to successfully annihilate my crows like that. But now that I am here, I supposed you aren’t a “mere” enchanter after all. You’re a royal runaway.” He reasoned, taking a step forward.

How could he know that?

I was quick to tell that he is attempting to shorten the distance between us so I took a step back.

He smiled sarcastically in return before shifting his gaze toward the body of the fox that lay lifeless on the ground near my left foot.

“Well, given that you aren’t able to heal that creature I made as an illusion, means that you are weaker than the other royals in THAT realm.” He added, leaving me in so much confusion. I decided to look back at the corpse of the fox only to witness it fading away in ashes.

“Is that something you have done too?” I followed, clenching my jaw. That’s right. How could I be so dumb? I am inside his magic barrier which means everything inside is under his control.

“If you want to be spared, be my woman. Live with me up the hill and I’ll help you reach your maximum potential.” He suddenly stated casually as if he just didn’t deceive me a few seconds ago.

I chuckled in response.

“What’s so funny about my proposal?” He asked in a monotonous voice and an expressionless face.

“You know what I hate the most? The underestimation against women. Just because we were alone and running away doesn’t mean we need a savior, especially when the saving comes from some creepy and scrawny-faced guy like you!” I scowled mindlessly until I felt my body levitating in thin air. Rays of light started appearing from my back and I felt the familiar heat forming from my gut again.

“W-who are you?” I heard the enemy stutter in fear. Based form his furrowed eyebrows and bent slightly bent knees, I can sense that he is shaking in terror.

The next thing that happened, happened so fast. It’s as if my body started moving on its own. I lifted both my arms and aimed my palms towards the man as soon as he started spreading his wings and flying up the sky. He was on escape but I was in no mood of letting him free.

“Get away from me!” I yelled forcefully until an aggressive ray of light cam escaping my hands and travelling straight to him. A few seconds later, a smoke coming from his burned wings appeared until a loud thud was heard below. He fell helpless from the sky and I almost fainted again.

Soon enough, fogs started clearing and the scenery started changing. From an eerie and dark surrounding, I was led to another picture that appeared to be some kind of a forest with a lake. I wasted no time and rushed to the lake to help myself drink. I don’t care if this is another trap or not. There’s no way I could not drink from this clean and sparkling water.

I hurriedly took off my coat and threw it as far away as I can. Instead of cawing crows, chirping of birds filled up the atmosphere. I stared at my reflection in the lake until I figured that I am finally in the Opal realm.

“Hands up! Tell us your name!” Someone shouted behind me, interrupting my trail of appreciative thoughts.

Just as I thought the hurdles are finally over, another enemy came. I raised both my hands up in the air since I have no more strength left to fight anymore. I slowly stood up and faced the person, ready to negotiate.

But I was caught off guard when I saw three young enchanters dressed in commoners’ clothes, aiming a sphere on me.

Children.

“Are you from here?” One of them asked.

“Y-yes.” I lied. It seemed to me that they are harmless but it’s hard to judge nowadays. I couldn’t risk telling the truth.

“What’s your name?” Another one of them followed before all of them exchanged skeptical looks.

What’s my name? Right. If I plan to continue on this journey, I need to be brave enough to change my identity.

“Sol. I am Sol.” I answered another lie.

I knew the Diamond Kingdom didn’t raise a liar but today is a different story. Forgive me mother and father. I have failed our community. With one exhale, everything went black and I felt myself collapsing down the grasses.