PART FIVE

[NOWO's POV]

Now that the water is slowly disappearing from the flower, and the unknown plant is left rooted in the polluted land with pests surrounding it. The said flower never knew when they were going to destroy her. But even though the said pests leave the plant alone in the middle of darkness and remain alive, until when could it ever live without water and sunlight? I'm like that flower, and during these times that everything seems to be fading out of my sight, I never knew what kind of future was waiting for me out here. Either I get killed by these endless evil creatures here in the cursed land or wait until I get old and withered.

“Welcome to the Land of Astria, Nowo and Moha.”

Those were the words I heard from a man wearing decent leather armor with a sword strapped to his hip. His decent and sophisticated appearance made me think that maybe this man came from a royal family, and that he's the headmaster Mr. Arphen was talking about earlier. He brought us here where the headmaster is currently spending his time, as he promised before.

I slowly turned around while looking around the place. “Land of Astria.” I uttered to myself. My gaze went back at him, but the said man still didn't turn and face us. “So, who are you? I mean, I already have an idea about your position here in this place, but who are you for real?”

As I was waiting for his response, my eyes suddenly locked into Moha's direction. He has been silent from the moment we got here. I was about to ask him when the mysterious man suddenly faced us with a wide smile.

“I thought he looked scary. This is far from what I thought.” I whispered to Moha.

The man walked towards us, then cleared his throat the moment he stopped one meter away in front of where Moha and I are both standing. “I am Alasdair. The headmaster of this place. The eldest son of the God among Gods. If you are confused about why you were dragged in here, don't worry, I am here to explain everything from the start,” he said, then smiled at us.

Moha crossed his arms and finally started talking. “Sure. We have been waiting for your explanation.”

Alasdair nodded his head. “This is the place where you truly belong. Everyone of you.” He started turning his back on us and walked towards the huge glass window.

I was looking around the place that time, wondering why it feels like the place where we are currently in was made to prepare ourselves from death.

“The place where you all grew up, the Hope of Astria, was just an illusion made by one of my trusted comrades. That Orphanage was just an imaginary place made to secure each and every one of you from the wrath of Pricus,” he added.

“Pricus?” I asked him while furrowing my brows. He gave me a quick gaze and a nod right before he looked back to where he was staring before.

Many questions were flashing, flying like crazy bats over my head, and I'm not sure how I will catch them. But the name drew my attention the most.

I could see him looking up, staring at the dark sky. “Yes, Pricus. The one who never wanted to see you all breathing. Let me tell you a fact, I was the former King of this land. Everything was fine and peaceful until my brother, Pricus, killed the Queen of the Swan Maiden and took the Magical Stone of Astria from her. Queen Aria was the one chosen by Gods as well as myself to take care of the Magical Stone to maintain the wonderful and peaceful appearance of our land.”

“And what happened to the Magical Stone of Astria?” I asked him.

“Pricus thought that he could use the said stone to kill me and every child who was born to be the defenders of the land, but then he doesn't know that Queen Aria and her successor are the only ones who have the ability to use the power of it. From the moment he already knew about that fact, he started wrapping the stone with a curse. Trapping its power to destroy the beauty of the land. That's why all you can see is nothing but darkness, fields of wilted flowers and plants, and, of course, dangerous creatures,” he started moving towards us with a straight face, this is the kind of expression I was hoping to see before.

His words were hypnotizing. Even though he's mentioning some kind of terrible event that gives me goosebumps, it still made me want to listen to him more.

As I roamed my eyes around, I suddenly felt like a cold wind blew a small amount of air in my right ear, which made me start saying, “So, you were trying to say that Pricus is currently searching for the Queen's successor to be able to use the power of the stone?”

He nodded his head as a response.

“And what is going to happen after that?” I curiously asked him.

“Darkness and evil will reign in this land forever, and no one can ever stop that anymore.”

That sounded really terrible.

“With the help of Gods and my companions, I was able to keep you safe from all the harm that the Dark Realm might cause you. In order to put everything back to its normal state, each one of you needs to train and practice to become a real defender.”

“Train?” Moha and I said in chorus.

He nodded his head and started to walk. He made a hand gesture stating that we should follow him. We all went to the balcony. Our stares went down, and then we ended up seeing the other orphans training themselves using different kinds of weapons.

“This is what I am referring to. After your training, you all have to fight with each other until the strongest defender among all of you remains.”

I'm not sure whether it's the thought of having to fight my co-orphans as well as my best friend that bothers me or being a part of certain people who were destined to save the land itself. Makes me start doubting myself and wonder if I do have enough ability to help them fulfill their missions. I mean, I'm just a simple orphan; I don't know anything about fighting and such. I don't even know where I came from, so how am I supposed to offer my whole heart and mind to this kind of important task?

The more it gets deeper into my thoughts, the darker it gets.

[LANE's POV]

I'm known as the sweetest creature in this land, and I knew myself that my cutie patience is so long even though I'm a small beautiful creature. I never saw myself getting pissed about a certain thing, but then…

“Hey. Stop it.” I annoyingly uttered to Talaa. He keeps on poking my poor tiny back, and it's too painful for a tiny cutie like me. He's not even responding whenever I ask him why he's doing that. Even though I made it obvious that my angry little feelings were about to burst out, he still didn't stop poking me. Like, maybe he wanted to get my attention that bad. Poor man, I'm not in the mood to flirt with you.

A few seconds later, he still didn't stop. Makes me wonder why it feels like his fingers are big enough for a male fairy to have. His last poke made me burst out in anger because I almost hit the door's handle.

"Ouch-ie. My poor little back-ie," I uttered to myself.

I quickly turned around and faced him. My eyes were both shut at that moment. "WHY DO YOU KEEP ON POKING ME?!" I asked while wagging both of my hands and feet.

I heard him say, "Hey, I am here."

I slowly opened my sparkling eyes and ended up seeing an unfamiliar man with a straight face. He's wearing a brown leather jacket and tight black pants, holding the shaft of the spear, tightly gripping his hand on it as if he's ready to kill or something, while the other half from where the head is located is currently lying on top of his right shoulder.

"Being a nosy creature is never a good thing," he uttered with a blank face.

Talaa was there, somewhere in his back. So logically speaking, he isn't the one who keeps on poking me, but this big arrogant stranger.

"Annoying fairy."

My eyes were locked on him, and it felt like my jaw suddenly dropped because of his sudden presence and his terrible personality.

Good thing is that he didn't stay there for too long. Because if he just did, then I would sprinkle him with goodness and kindness potion using these pretty tiny fingers of mine. Me and Talaa watch him walking away from us still carrying the spear the same way.

"He never changed," Talaa uttered to me while crossing his arms. He was wearing a blank expression that time.

I copied his current look and said, "I nearly punched his face."

He suddenly burst out of laughter.

"Why are you laughing, little fairy man?" I said while pouting my lips.

His face turned serious and responded, "You never want to mess up with that guy." He stared at me and my little face was like questioning him why would I never want to mess up with that arrogant giant. He smiled a bit while scratching his nape. "Well, he is the strongest defender so far. Plus, you're just a tiny creature. He can defeat you in a single snap."

I just gave him a mad look.

"And he caught you eavesdropping behind the door, which is really not a good thing to do, Lane." He added. "By the way, why do you want to listen to their conversation?"

I just shrugged and said, "Well… I was just worried about my dear Nowo. She must be really confused right now."

He smiled as he went closer, "It's okay, she has Moha beside her, and you have me."

[Moha's POV]

"Talaa." I heard someone call his name. It's coming from the little fairy's voice, that's why it sounded like a whisper. "Yuhoo.." She added.

"Yes, Lane?" He responded.

"I'm just curious why the Annoying Giant doesn't have a guardian? I mean, I haven't seen a fairy following him." He asked him. Their conversation made me think about the Giant, the female fairy mentioned.

"Of course, he has a guardian. But instead of a fairy, a peryton was given to him." He explained to her. "I remember someone told me that he refused to have one, but then there's nothing he can do about that. But it seems like his guardian also has his own business; it keeps on wandering around the base not even minding him."

"Really annoying. As if he can protect himself. I wish I could turn him into a type of animal as well." She complained. "I wonder why Peryton? Its tameness doesn't suit his arrogant personality."

I was lowering my gaze that moment when they kept talking about the unknown person. Then I suddenly heard a shushing noise coming from Talaa.

"Be quiet. He's coming near us," he said, trying to inform the female fairy.

We were on our way to search for Nowo when we suddenly encountered a familiar person heading in our direction.

The atmosphere turned really different the moment he got near us.

"Long time no see, Moha." He greeted me with a smirk on his lips. I can see him wearing armor while carrying a spear. Maybe he's on his way to his training.

His name is Jack, one of the highest-ranked people in Hope of Astria. He is in the second rank position, with Arphen as the highest.

I nodded my head and said, "Yeah. Long time no see Jack."

I was just wearing a blank expression at that moment. Because I can feel that there's something wrong about his sudden approach and manipulative smile. He was known for being the most strict person in our Orphanage. His personality is also the worst, but she has many remarkable abilities as well.

His stares suddenly went to Lane and Talaa, "Would you leave us for a while?" He said with a warm voice.

"Why do you want them to go? Say what you wanted to say now." I spoke to him.

He smiled and said, "I don't care if someone overheard what I am going to tell you. But it's just that I can't stand the sight of those creatures, especially the female one."

I tilted my head and faced them. I can see that Lane's body is turning red. Maybe she couldn't hold her anger anymore because of Jack's personality. I gave my guardian a sign, wherein I'm telling him to go with Lane somewhere far.

The moment both of the fairies were out of the scene, I began to look at him once again. "Satisfied?" I asked him with a straight face.

"Is that the right way of greeting your Senior?" He asked me while flashing a wide, weird smile on his face. "I'm so disappointed."

I remained silent and was just waiting for him to spill it out since I have no time for his fake personality.

"You should leave this place now. While I am still asking you nicely." I can see him gripping tightly into his spear's shaft while uttering those words. Seems like he wanted to start piercing it into my chest.

"Why would I need to do that?" I asked him. "Are you afraid that you might lose in the upcoming battle?"

He suddenly laughed out loud and said, "Who said I'm going to lose? Nobody can beat me."

"Really? If that's what you really believe, then why does it seem like you feel threatened just by seeing me around?" I asked as I smirked.

I can see through his expression and movements that he was just trying to control his anger.

"If you don't have more to say, then I have to go now." I told him.

I was about to walk away, but then his sudden speech made me stop beside him. "On your way to your girl, now?" He asked. I can see him flashing a weird fake smile on his face once again. "I wonder what is going to happen the moment she finally knows the truth."

He left right after saying those words.

I know that I have already prepared myself for this kind of situation. That I have to remain patient and calm when it comes to facing these types of people. I have to keep my focus and attention to something that is even more important than this.

There will be more challenges that I have to face, so I must remain strong for the sake of everyone.

----- “Secret is like a dagger, it can be both useful and dangerous at the same time. Even though you tried your best to hide it, when the time comes that you badly need a weapon, you have no choice but to take it out. Always remember, no secrets that time does not reveal.”-----