Chapter 2: The Dryad

Chapter 2: The Dryad.

Nieves' Point of View.

We have started our journey. Looking for a shelter where we can stay, but we found none that's why we created one by plucking woods.

Honestly, this fairy creeps me out, still. Who would think that all along, this Pixie is living with me from my childhood days?

She encountered every cry that I scream. She knows how I hated the darkness succumbing to my existence.

Should I trust her? Knowing her objective before is to cope up with information about us.

No wonder that whenever I am crying, I feel like there's someone is watching me. 

I have no choice, but to trust her since we shared the same dream. That is to create a kingdom where everyone could lives. 

May it be cursed or not, as long as their intention is to commit peace, why wouldn't I let them?

I need to gather more team who is worthy to become my comrade. I know it is hard, but it's not impossible.

Thus, I need to be careful, since it was engraved in the book that every race is separated and enemy.

Joy is helping me. I expected that I will be having a hard time building such, but then, she shows me her power.

The power to create barracks, shelter, and such. As long as there are materials that could be used, we don't need to worry.

“Nice. I bet when we finally gather a lot of things and comrades, it would be easier for us to create a castle,” I happily uttered.

But then she bows her head and that made me wonder. She looks so sad upon hearing it.

“What's the matter? Is there something that bothers you?” I worried.

“I-I...”

I waited for her phrase to be completed.

“I-I can't c-create one. I can only create houses,” she completed.

That made me humming. I smiled and pat her hair.

“I know you can do it. Maybe, not now, but what is our journey for, if we won't improve or train ourselves?” I cheered.

I am not that good at cheering up someone, since I lived up in the castle, suffocating myself in the scent of unfairness. 

Those aren't the things that I should have to do. Being a princess is not just always living elegantly, but also shedding blood to spit peacefulness.

I wanted to say that to my mom, but I have no strength. Adding the fact that I am aware that she will listen, but she won't understand me.

I disgust people like that and even she's my mom, I disgust her. I disgust her personality.

Joy smiled and seeing this smile of her melts my heart. I want people to smile like this whatever their races are.

“I will guide and help you whenever I need you, Sister Nieves,” she joyfully said.

I feel like crying upon hearing her treating me as her older sister. Well, I don't know how old is she, but based on her face and personality, I bet I am the oldest one.

She yawned, so am I. After a long journey, who wouldn't wake all day long, anyway?

“Good night, Sister.” 

“Good night, sweetie.”

I kissed her forehead and she closed her eyes. This shelter we built can still foresee how glowing the star is.

The way it blinked, seems like cheering me up. Giving me the chill that I can do what I am striving for.

I closed my eyes, feeling the breeze of the wind cupping my face.

Upon feeling what it brought, I heard cries, shouts, and the music of how swordsman does wield it.

What happened?

I opened my eyes, only to see how red the sun, while I am wearing my armor, back then.

This is not good! Someone is running behind me and when I looked back, it is about to hit me that's why I defend myself.

I am in tears. I can't withstand this situation. Where is Joy? Is she okay? What are all those incidents that happened earlier?

Wait, am I under the illusion that's why I ended up dreaming about it and waking up, seeing people fighting?

But those dreams... I meant it. There are no mistakes!

The man is about to kill me, but I killed him first right in the middle of his chest.

I grinned my teeth. He holds my sword and I looked at that person. 

Joy?

My eyes widened. I even tried to make sure that if she's that person, but there are no mistakes.

I STABBED JOY!

“Y-You killed m-me, sister...”

What have I done? I stepped backward, slowly. Can't accept what I did.

But why is she trying to kill me? AND... THE FACE IS NOT THE SAME! WHAT HAPPENED?

She smiled before me after her body falls.

I closed my eyes and when I opened it. It's already morning. I am panicking. I wander my head, only to see Joy is sleeping beside me.

I hugged her and she woke up. My tears are flowing like a waterfall. Those nightmares.

I don't want it to happen. Please don't.

She patted my hair and she hugged me back, “I bet you're having a bad dream, sister.”

While hugging her, I can feel the comfort and I know to myself that losing her would be a disaster event in my life.

I don't know, it is still the seconds day that I knew her, but it seems like I treasured her a decade ago.

Well, probably because she's with me during my downfall. I may not talk with her, but considering the fact that she understands me is a big reason to make her one of my pearls.

—

We started to walk again alongside with my baggage which served as our storage. Gladly, Joy can control it, so I have no problem with it.

We picked up plants and fruits to be served as our food. We even hunted a lot of animals, then cook them.

My journey is not boring as I expected, since Joy is talkative and I love the way how she talked.

She's too genuine and pure, unlike the castle, their voices annoy me. I HATE TO HEAR THEIR WORDS!

“Joy, can you sing for me?” I asked for a favor.

She cheerfully nodded. I really love how pure her soul is, despite being cursed as a dark fairy.

She's humming and singing. Her voice feels like the angel sent from above. I can feel the calmness within me, as I heard it.

I tilted my head, joining every beat of the rhythm of what she sang. I don't know what she sang, but I love it.

I am vibing with it. I am about to join her, but then I heard a sword swinging at each other that's why I stopped Joy from moving.

As an elf, I can point out the incident in my ears. It is a battle between woman and man.

I tried to listen to their voices and I finally figured it out.

It is a battle between Dryad and Warlock. This is bad. We can't make our way. What should we do?

It's not miles away from us. It is near from where we are right now. I should take this opportunity to negotiate.

“Follow me,” I ordered.

I walk slowly. Before I will rush out, I must observe the battle. As much as I wanted to, I need to save them, however, I need to save myself too.

I'm not selfish, it is necessary.

I sneak out of nowhere, only to see the Dryad completely lose the fight. There are only three warlocks left and one Dryad that slowly crawling.

“Are you going to surrender yourself to us? Or we will force ourselves to kill you?” The middle of the warlock asked.

Whatever the choice is, they will still kill that woman. That is a warlock. I can't trust them. Most of them are manipulating races, but in the end, they will betray them.

“I offer my soul to the greatest goddess. I cannot flee for thee,” Dryad strongly claimed.

“Oh, very well, then I'll end you alongside with your faith of your Goddess!” The warlock shouted.

He swung his swords and the Dryad accepted her defeat by closing her eyes. Before it could even hit the Dryad.

I winged my bow and shot the feet. I cannot let this Dryad dies in vain. She's kind. Maybe, I can team up with her.

“Team up with me and I won't hurt you. Let's build a kingdom where every race can live up,” I uttered.

“Reveal yourself, you fiend!” Boastful.

“Answer me, would you like to taste the spell of death or the spell of peace?” I threatened.

“We will make you spill blood and savor the death, coward! Reveal yourself from us.”

I guess I have no choice, but to kill them. I do not need these people. I will kill if I needed to.

I revealed myself to them and preparing to shoot them my arrow.

“Damn you, witch! Kill her!”

“We will master!” 

The Deity really meant what she said. People will perceive me as a witch, instead of a dark elf.

The two of his comrades are attacking me.

How fool is they to swing their swords with their anger. It will only send them to hell.

They wield it to me, but I jumped and lean on their swords to make my jump higher.

I shoot them with my arrow. I know the arrow is not enough to kill them, but they can't withstand the poison. 

I aimed at their necks. Their whom-so-called-master is trembling upon seeing me walking to his place.

I swayed my swords and cut his head off. His blood spreads along with my clothes.

Bingo!

I looked at Joy and she started to pack up the swords of our enemies. She even smiled and jumping.

I heaved a sigh. You really are weird, Joy.

I looked with Dryad and she's standing here. Preparing her sword. 

“If you are here to kill me, I won't yield until I am knock off.”

I looked with her calm, yet fierce.

“Look I am not here for battle,” I started.

“Yeah, you are planning to team up with Warlocks and create empires.”

Oh yeah, I said it. I wanted to create a kingdom. I don't think she will understand me, but I will still try, anyway.

“Yes, you heard me right,” I answered calmly.

“Ha! What made you decided like that? Ate you going to start the holocaust? And why is your appearance looked like that?” She asked.

I put my hand in my chest.

“I am from the citadel of Elf and I escaped from my race and I was cursed along with her,” I explained and pointed out Joy who's happily storing up.

“I am not going to start the holocaust. I will spread scented flowers and when people will going to smell it, they will going to breath peacefulness,” I added.

She turned down her sword that she pointed out to me.

“I want to create a kingdom where every race can live without being threatened and seeing war.”

She cried at what I have said. Did I say something wrong? Did I flatter her?

I lend my hand to her, “Come along with us, Dryad. Let's craft a better place.”

She opened her eyes and looked at me with tears. I think this will do.

I thought she's going to reject her because of her facial expression, but she kneel before me.

“Take me as your alliance and let's create a Disparate Utopia where people can live up with peace and nature.”