" Crystal! "The Wolf King had several of the undeads, leeched onto his body, but he didn't care. The scenario that his eyes were witnessing, made a shiver of joyous pain, run all over his veins. Crystal, his beloved Crystal was standing in front of him. But she wasn't the Crystal he had known or seen. She was in her true form, the ethereal mer-queen. She had a power ord circulating around both her hands and with every punch she dealt in the air, the undeads went reeling back inside the pit they were crawling out from. The intensity of the shock wave was sending those leeches flying in every direction. She had her eyes locked on the Wolf King and with one blast the ones around him were gone. He ran towards her, before she could come to him. The Wolf King scooped her up and pressed her close. At last, they were in each other's arms, a tender collision that transcended time and space. The Wolf King's strong embrace enveloped the Mer-queen, his rough hands cradling her delicate form
***Somewhere in the middle of nowhere***"It feels good to be alive, doesn't it son? "The original serpent coiled his way away from the Great Serpent and hissed as his son chased after him. " You know, you cannot escape me. I will get you and drag you to that hell hole, where you actually belong. "He whisked a ring of fire around the original serpent, trying to trap him, but tripped. The original serpent had again tricked him with his visual imagery. " Hhhhmmm, the air in this era feels so fresh, so unadulterated... Let me fix that. "And he blew his deadly venom in circles, as if dancing to a symphony, all across the field. It was deadly but the Great Serpent knew it was a trap. His father was planning to disappear on him the moment he rushed to contain that. The world had to suffer a little. It was a compromise. Little did the two of them know, that they were heading towards the Sacred Lands. ***At the Ancient Well***"She has gone for hours. Should we not at least go down an
***Crystal with Mia and Boshu//Stuck at thevoid between the land of the dead and the living because they were exposed to the poison from the underworld, before the barrier collapsed***" Mia, you are the only one amongst the living who has seen the Tree of Knowledge, with her living eyes. "Mia heard her mother's voice in a whisper in her deep sleep. She wanted to move and ask her more about it. She wanted to ask her mother how she was doing and tell her how much she missed her but she could not move her limbs. They felt like solid boulders, immobile. " M... Mother... "She tried to yell, yet nothing came out of her mouth. " Shhhh, Mia, only listen. You are still under their influence. They might hear the conversation we are having. They will never let us close this gate. But the barrier between the dead and the living, must be restored. You and I both know what havoc it will cause if the breech is not contained in the earliest. "Mia was slowly understanding the situation. " The G
" And that's how grandfather killed the snake. He kicked him like this on the head and like this on his tail and he flipped him off like this... like this... "Akata was giving a full performance to his little sister, Merindale, Xie and Ruby's daughter. As an older brother, he was on baby sitting duty while the adults were busy, preparing for Xie's coronation ceremony. He couldn't stop telling her the story of their grandfather's bravery, over and over again with a lot of added spices of course and the little girl smiled and giggled, while kicking her hands and legs in the air. It took a lot of convincing for Xie to finally accept his responsibility in their father's absence. He was the worst hit because he was unconscious during the incident. He was unable to forgive himself for being absent and blamed himself for his father's death. ***The first prince had taken the helm of the Fox Kingdom very well. Who would have thought he would make such a fine king. The subjects cherished
“ Where are we going father? ” Akata asked as his little feet struggled to keep up. They did spend some seemingly peaceful years together but it seemed like their trouble had no end. Akata's powers grew with every passing day. What they never expected was that it could possibly one day threaten the Gods in the Celestial Realm. “ Father, please tell me where we are going? I have been walking for days. I am hungry and… and I miss my mother. “It seemed like the poor lad was on the verge of breaking down. But Lin looked at him with a cruel glare. The affection that he once had for his first born was no longer there. “ You miss Mia? Oh! How sweet is that! Let me remind you if you forgot, the Gods took your mother because you could not help but show off your powers. “He grabbed Akata's shoulders and gave it a violent shake.“ We have to keep walking to get your mother and your sister back. Do you understand? “Akata wiped his eyes quickly and shook his head. Mia and Lin had just rec
The school was nothing like it was during the times of Nanako and Jin. It was reconstructed as their memorials by both the foxes and the wolves. It was built across a large area of land, to accommodate students from far and wide. Merindale marveled at its sheer structure once her parents left her at the gates. “ I will manage on my own. Don't embarrass me by coming inside.Please, Mother. ”She pushed Xie out because apparently, she had grown up. It was considered a sign of weakness if parents showed up in class. Merindale was a teenager, she didn't need escorting. The teachers sorted the new students before the start of the assembly and introduced them to their seniors. “ I am hoping you will show them around the school, just like your seniors did. It is their first day. And it's up to you to make them feel welcome and comfortable.”The teacher left Merindale and the other newcomers with the seniors, to interact. As soon as the teachers left, the seniors exchanged a wicked smile.
Akata watched the beautiful creature beside him squirming in pain. Seeing her suffer was uncomfortable . His iris was still adjusting with the light setting in the outside world. But he reached out to her. “ Water… Water… ” Merindale was shivering and begging to be saved. Akata looked around for any water source. He ran up and down the mountain, but not a drop was found. In desperation Akata strained his shoulder to look beyond. And there was the ocean, far away in the horizon. Akata scooped Merindale up in his arms and ran. The pebbles and thorns under his feet did not bother him at all. He ran as if his own life depended on it, hoping that the ocean would come over to him, because Merindale seemed like she wasn't able to breathe. She was hyperventilating. Perhaps because she was heavily dehydrated after coming in contact with the Eternal Flames. Akata was still a few miles away from the ocean but it seemed like the waters could hear his plea.A gigantic wave splashed over them,
Akata stood beside the grand windows, gazing at the sprawling gardens below. His eyes held a mix of wonder and confusion, lost in everything around him.Merindale and her mother watched him. They were at the door. “ Should we not give him a name? ”Merindale asked Ruby. “Ummm, what about Akata? ” Ruby suggested. “ Nooooo! That's my brother's name. You can't give it to someone else. Ummm, what about Leo? I think I will call him Leo. ” she suggested. “ Seemed like a nice name, ” Ruby smiled, “ I will leave you kids to yourselves. I need to tend to some work. ”Merindale bade her goodbye before entering the space, where Akata was staying. “Are you feeling better ?" Her voice was soft, tinged with concern as she placed a hand on his shoulder. Merindale was a gracious host with an air of gentleness.He turned, meeting her gaze with a hint of melancholy dancing in his eyes. "Merindale, thank you for everything. I just wish I could remember how I ended up there.” he exclaimed, referring
Fast forwarding a few years:Merindale tried to tuck her hair back with her muddy hand, painting her cheeks with mud in the process. Akata rolled over on the other side of the field as he saw her. She had not noticed that he was coming. “ What's so funny? ” she pouted. “ Nothing. I just saw the cutest flower amongst all the flowers in this field. ”Merindale instantly melted. How many times would her man make her fall for him, over and over again. She knew she was blessed and she cherished him. “ Now come on, you worked enough. Wash your hands and come and get some breakfast. I made some fresh pancakes. ”Merindale jumped up at the mention of pancakes. According to herhe made the best pancakes in the world. “ I'm coming, ” she literally jumped over the bushes, trying to hurry up when a certain whoosh of the air made her fall back. She rolled her eyes. The triplets were there again. They never left the two of them alone, barging in their peaceful mortal life, away from the hust
Akata's brows furrowed as the God in front of him pulled out what looked like a luminescent moon from his pocket. The moon swam around Akata, finally coming to rest in front of him, floating in the air. With one swing of the God's hand, Akata saw movements inside the orb. “ Father… ” Akata flew towards it, grabbing it with both hands. He could see Lin, inside the orb, fighting for his life in the midst of those Night Crawlers. He were all over him, in the count of thousands. “ Father… father… you are alive? ” Akata grabbed the orb and shook it violently, smiling through his tear. “ Father, I am coming. Don't worry. I will save you. ” His head swing at the God beside him. “ How do I go to this place? Tell me! ” He demanded. The God smiled at Akata. “ There will be no need for that. I can bring your father completely unharmed over here. Right now. But it will depend on your decision. ”Akata looked at him with suspicion. “ What decision are you talking about?”He asked . “ You
Merindale felt a little nudge at her feet when she looked down she saw a very familiar face. But she wasn't expecting to see that face in this realm. “ You! You are that ghost from my school. What are you doing here? Am I dead? What happened to aunt Mia? “ She paused momentary but didn't wait for the girl to reply. “ Shit! Don't tell me. Are we in the Celestial Realm? ” She looked around amazed, finally realising the heavenly beauty around that place. “ But you are a ghost right? Did they kidnap you as well? ” Merindale quickly turned back to her. The little girl shool her head and for the first time she spoke. “ I am Arawan. I am daughter to Mia and Lin, Akata's sister. ”Merindale’s eyes were about to pop out. “ Akata has a sister? ”“ I was in my mother's womb when the Celestial Beings brought us here. They kept my mother in her Soul form ever since. I was born as a Celestial Creature, devoid of a physical body, just like all the other beings born in this realm. ”Merindale c
Merindale's eyelids fluttered, battling the weight of slumber, as her mind groggily began to piece together the fragmented memories.Her thoughts spiraled in a dizzying whirlwind, voices echoing in her mind. "Where... am I” She murmured as she gradually awakened, her senses swimming hazily. She tried to touch her head because it hurt badly. But her hands weighed down with the weight of the shackles that seemed to be made with light. Merindale tugged at them realizing that she was a captive. But with every tug, those fragile looking shackles became heavier by the seconds. Merindale immediately gave up because she understood that she was making it worse. Her predatory senses kicked in and her eyes began to search for a way out. It took some time for her to adjust her gaze to the overwhelming light condition in the Celestial Realm. She shifted her weight and tried to sit up but she could only position herself on her knees. Her body felt exceptionally lightweight. She could almost
The Wolf Queen stood in the front, looking down at the flame leaping with its vicious tongue towards them. “ Can we believe this woman? ” Roe asked her brother. Xie placed a hand over Roe's shoulder and said, “ I can see something is different about her.I am no saint. Let us give her a benefit of doubt. There is no other knowledge that we can implement at the moment. Let's see if her method works.” “ But what if she tries to manipulate us again? What if we lose more … ”Xie pressed her hand, “ Watch… ”.They saw their mother slit her wrist and then she made a drop of that blood fall in the furnace.The fire reached the height of the heavens. It's color turned the darkest crimson and then it dropped down to its normal height. The fire changed its color a couple of times, matching Lin's changing eye color. And then something miraculous happened. The fire split from the middle, creating a way for them and everyone looked at each other in surprise. “ How did you do that? ” Roe aske
Akata and the old wolf queen helped Xie inside the Bird Tribe. He looked devastated. And the birds scattered here and there at his arrival. Roe rushed to the site and was shocked to find her mother and brother together. “ What brings you here mother? ” Roe lunged at her but she held up her hand. “ I know you don't trust me but I had nothing to do with this. It's about Merindale… They took her as well. ” she spurred. Roe had no time to gasp as they hurried inside with Xie who was almost on the verge of exhaustion. His eyes fell on Lin who was hurdled in the corner. Xie freed himself from everyone's grip and literally ran at his feet. “ Forgive me! ” he began to sob uncontrollably. “ Merindale was right. I never tried giving you my best. I always thought about the safety of my family and my kingdom first but look at the cruel twist of fate. I have neither a kingdom nor a daughter. ”He turned at his mother, “ Turns out I took after you,mother… Is it true that you cheated on m
The soldiers flew on either side, startled as Merindale swung the door to her father's chamber open with a loud kick. Her eyes were blazing with fury as she stormed in, her cloak billowed behind her like a tempestuous wind."Father," she spat, her voice was a mixture of anger and betrayal. "Why did you do this? Since when did you become a coward?” she huffed. “Merindale? ” Xie and Ruby were in their bed. They sat up as she entered. “My dear girl…where are you coming from? What happened?” Ruby tried to ask.“ Don't try to act like you have been doing over the years. I know everything. I saw uncle Lin and what you did to him.”Ruby opened her mouth but Xie raised a hand. “ I acted for your well-being. You cannot fathom the dangers lurking beyond our realm. I know what I did might not have been the best thing to do but that was all I could think of at the moment and as the Wolf King and your father, I am entitled to my decision." He concluded. "Enough!" Her fists clenched as she pac
Boshu was sobbing profusely as he saw Lin's motionless body. He held his hand and cried like someone who had lost everything. “ Forgive me! ” he could barely utter through his whimpers. “ Forgive me for not being able to be with you when you were suffering at the lands of your own people. Forgive me for being so engrossed in my own life that I… that I… ” he was almost on the verge of vomiting because he was crying and drooling so much. “ Papa! Take it easy. Your friend can't hear you. Let him come around first. ” one of the triplets patted his back. He had been guilt ridden for living in ignorance for so long. Besides he had never seen Lin in such a vulnerable state, be it any battle. Akata walked in at that moment. Boshu immediately wiped his tears at his arrival. “Don't worry. He will be up and running any moment, young man. ” Akata watched his father from a distance, smiled at his uncle and then left. Everything about his present situation was overwhelming. It was too much
“ What's going on? Is he not Akata? How the hell did your brother banish him? Why does he call himself Leo? ” Boshu poured his heart out but Roe stayed quiet. “ We need to go back. Let's take Akata to the Wolf territories. We don't have a proper facility to give him the required care. I need to talk with my brother as well. Things don't seem right at the moment. You stay back and take care of the kids, I will leave with him immediately.”*****At the Wolf Kingdom -Roe might have left her lands for love but her land never stopped loving her. Every leaf she stepped on rustled in greeting. Dust danced in the air, and every stone she trod upon seemed to echo a silent welcome.There was a stir amongst the guards as she walked through the gates, with Akata in her arms, going straight towards the palace. The soldiers standing tall and vigilant, softened at her arrival, acknowledging her with a respectful nod. It was as though the very essence of the kingdom recognized her, embracing he