The Elven Kingdom's northern tower was lit by the bright sun rays. Their day was good and pretty normal until the two came. All elves threw their stares at them, bothered by their presence and sudden appearance.
"We're not expecting any visitors Miya, who are they?" said the female elf in blonde hair who stopped playing her harp the moment the two arrived.
"King Estes ordered us not to entertain anybody for there are threats sensed again in this land."
"Miya, we're not supposed to----"
"An arrival spell was cast, who sent you here?"
"I'm afraid we cannot risk the portal's location" Freya immediately answered.
"Why? How can we be sure that they are allies? Miya, King Estes told us to not trust anybody."
"Tigreal and Freya can be trusted. Stop asking more questions about their identity. And Nana, the goddess was right risking the portal's location may put us in danger."
"Why?"
"We can use of that to make escapes, to defend our highlands. But when the dark forces finds out where that portal is, they'll attack every race to dominate the land of dawn. Anymore questions then I'll ask you to be punished by the King" Miya looked at Freya intently; dressed in powder blue, ankle-length dress. Her shield and armor's gone. Her hair in lightest blonde color, somehow losing its luster. Still beautiful, even looking distressed by her own life events.
"We came here to see King Estes." she spoke.
"We're sorry, you arrived quite late. King Estes is not here Goddess."
"Are you really the goddess of war?" said the other elf sitting on the nearest rock to the tower. "But you don't look like----" Freya smiled bitterly and looked down. Tigreal stepped forward..
"Where's King Estes? We need him to see this" Tigreal arched his back and raised his hand along with the magical scroll, hoping that the elves would recognize the item.
"A soul scroll? How come ---?"
"That's a major requirement to start the prelude! Why you do have that?"
"This is originally a spirit wheel that became imprinted with symbols the moment I touched the pendant of light. The moon runes was translated but I don't know what it----"
"The moon runes were translated by the pendant of light? In that case you are in for a powerful ritual that might be impossible." Nana remembered how the rituals that is initiated by that item.
What happened?
It failed.
Miya dug deeper in her thoughts; what is she trying to do? To defy? Why are they seeking for something so magical and requires some ritual to be performed?
"The pendant of light translated the moon runes then it means that it possesses the king's power. And you holding it and unraveling a thing means that you are the right seeker" Miya said, still wondering how can she fix this thing that puzzling her mind.
"That's what Queen Aurora said..."
"I don't know if I'm mistaken, I'm just wondering, have you can sense your own power in that crystal?"
Her eyes widened. It seems like Miya have knowledge about the crystal, and the magic that conceals it.
"I'll take your expression as a yes."
Tigreal diverted his gaze to Miya "So, except from Queen Aurora's power and the Great Dragon's descendants, King Estes and Freya's power seals that too?"
"Yes." Miya immediately answered. "Probably, yours too."
"That's a mystery, we're only told about the crystal. Freya's not even present when they sealed it" Tigreal stated, trying to get the details intact.
Questions start to run through Freya's head but she didn't even bother to ask them. For her, the only one who could give them the words that would suffice their neediness for information is no other than King Estes.
"Can you take us to the King?" Freya requested with high hopes that the elves would address it.
"I'm afraid we can't. Strict orders were given to us."
"We're really sorry Freya, but if you are willing to stay here and wait for the King until the end of the full moon then--"
"End of full moon? We'll run out of time. Can someone explain to us the message of the scroll? We badly need this, please."
The elves shook their heads and Miya shut her eyes tightly "We have no authority to perform such thing"
Dismay was written all over Freya's face. She wants to find out whatever that phrases mean so it will not mislead them; aware of the fact that performing and casting spells can lead them to trouble if done in wrong manner.
"Is there an alternative way to dissolve this?"
"I have no---"
"Freya, we have no option but to wait for him." Tigreal stated, believing that they have no other choice. Freya refused with that idea. 'There's always a way' she thought. "I can't just simply sit here and wait for full moon knowing that we'll delay the process and probably affect the validation of whatever magic it holds." She sighed after saying those words; her unwavering determination is her only key. If she needs to exert more effort --- she will.
"What's your plan, Goddess?" Miya asked. "I'm very sorry for not being able to help. We cannot do an action without the King's order regarding this matter, I hope you can understand how much we value the safety of our race. We cannot afford to witness another night as bloody as before." She explained her side with sullen look on her face; the same expression was drawn in their faces, wanting to be of help.
"We can only help you by giving reminders. We know that you are aware of how crucial some spells are and what you are trying to do may be one of those. Dangers may occur, it may lurk throughout the process so you need to be careful at all costs."
Freya's curiosity rises up; its level starts to maximize, making her more eager to find out its whereabouts in the shortest time possible.
"Thank you Miya. We're sorry for we cannot wait until the full moon." She stated as she combed her hair with her hands and covers it with her hood. "We will find out some answers."
"I hope we can return here if we are unlucky." Tigreal stated.
'Tell Nana I said Hi'
Freya remembered Irithel's request. She proceeds to arch her back and face Nana.
"Irithel told me to say hi to you and she misses you a lot."
"She did?"
"Yes."
"How is she? I haven't seen her for a long while."
"She's incredible and fine." said Freya
"And someone who's too intimidating and can kill you in a snap." Tigreal whimpered.
"Did she terrorized you?" Nana giggled knowing Irithel all too well.
"Let's not talk about how tiring it is to run and hide."
"Anyway, sorry for our sudden visit, moon elves and thank you for entertaining us and our questions."
They thought this place will be their last destination. Where things will be unfolded and be resolved. It seems like they arrived at the bad timing and those who can help have no choice but to deny their request. Still, the two bowed their heads to express their gratitude towards the moon elves.They understand that they are just protecting themselves and the land of dawn and still are traumatized about how the blood demons feasted upon their race.
Freya and Tigreal walk away from the Elven Kingdom and now, they are headed somewhere deep within the extents of the land, somewhere unknown but anywhere near the answer they have been looking for. As the two get farther, the moon elves watched them. Nana can't prevent herself to blurt out the questions formed in her mind.
"Miya...." she called out. Miya faced her and raised her right brow in kind manner. "Why?"
"How come a maiden is referred to as Goddess?"
"Because she was once a goddess Nana, a mighty goddess, and the legend of Nost Gal." said Miya who's currently looking as Freya and Tigreal obtains a distance from them.
"Why does she look like a normal person?"
"That's a long story but all of the things she sacrificed that night were aimed to save us all. She's still too powerful for me, even not clad in armor."
The leonin was amazed. She never thought that she'll meet the legend of Nost Gal but not in that look, somehow looking like a disguise so people won't recognize her in a glimpse. Meanwhile, Miya is still concern about the two, thinking she should've helped them. Guilt flushed through the void of her heart and conscience, but she keeps on telling herself that she's only protecting their race and that she hopes they'll understand.
And the two did, there's nothing to felt sorry about.
"Nana, quick..."
"Why Miya?"
"Quick and follow them before they'll fade out of our sight."
"Why?"
"I want to at least be assured of their safety. Regret is not an option. Besides, I never want to blame our race in case they'll be put in grave danger because we didn't help them."
"I get it. I'll get going."
"Nana... Do this in secret. Don't let them see you and please-----"
"Don't worry Miya, we're only following the King's command. Stop worrying."
"Take care then." Miya smiled, hoping Nana would be successful in tailing them. Despite of her temporary relief from guilt, she doesn't know if she will stop worrying for the odds can betray them.
And what can a feeble goddess do to defeat the ominous dark forces that can instantly end her life?
- E N D O F C H A P T E R E L E V E N -