“Felis, within this fog, I am the protagonist.”
With two hands, Candramawa pulled the aisikla from her body. Then stuck it on Felis.
From the cracks in the hole she made white light refracted with incredible speed. Too bright, as if the particles could seep into the eyelids and gouge Candramawa's sclera.
Candramawa turned to protect her eyes.
****
"That's not the ending I expected, Candramawa," said Deluna who appeared suddenly. Sounds a bit disappointed.
"I can no longer deceive you with this mist." Candramawa scoffed. “The real Felis always makes her opponent's feelings peaceful. The one just now didn't look the same at all.”
Deluna sneered, "You seem to know my niece very well."
"Keeping her alive is my goal in life," said Candramawa as confidently as possible.
"Sure?" asked Deluna. She propped her chin up with a fist, her other hand tucked under her armpit.
"You doubt me." Chandrawawa was offended.
"Tsk!" Deluna then hid her hands behind her back. “I told you, just now it wasn't a good ending.” Deluna shook her head.
“I stabbed her because I knew it wasn't the real Felis!” Candramawa raised her voice.
Deluna pretended to flinch. “My life ended when you were born…” Deluna imitated Candramawa's dialogue while still in the green mist with a more dramatic tone. With the intention of making fun of her interlocutor. Then her face suddenly became serious. “Candramawa, you are a smart girl. But remember, there are Lumons who are enchanted to read hearts.”
Candramawa sighed sharply. There's no point wasting time with Deluna right now.
The Quartz Bell she must get it soon—
"Please give me away." Candramawa passed by Deluna. The path to the Quartz Bell was right in front of her.
“Yes, yes. You have to save Felis," Deluna sneered while turning around as if giving Candramawa a way to pass.
"Thank you," said Candramawa.
"Of course." Deluna rubbed her hands. "Hopefully tonight will be a bright night for you." Mata Deluna followed Candramawa's footsteps.
"Not true," Candramawa responded without looking up. She walked on.
"Hmm?"
"Because tonight is a red misty full moon night." Candrawama stopped because of her own words. Once again she looked back. But Deluna was no longer there. The old cat didn't boast about speed.
***
"Mother…"
Felis fell to her knees in front of Laureen. The firmness she had slowly cracked. During this time, her life was filled with questions. About who and what she is. Blurry memories and confusing goals in life.
Garg and Furla gave her a chance to live. Candramawa gave her the opportunity to enjoy the sorrows of the past. But it was only today that Felis understood what relief is.
Laureen was always there when she needed her. Even though Felis doesn't always see it in plain sight. Anger evaporated into the air—longing took its place. The feeling of disappointment is gone. All bad feelings become relief. And, relief now means freedom for her.
The burden on Felis' shoulders is just a pile of dust that the wind can blow at any time. Like what happened to Candramawa when Felis attacked her, now Felis understands the feeling.
Felis grabbed Laureen's hand—at the same time, Alfrore released his branch from the mother's body and gave them a chance to hug. Laureen stroked her daughter. Her curly hair, was just like her mother's.
Then Markus' applause broke the silence. Felis let go of the hug. “Alfrore!” Alfrore pulled Laureen away.
"I have nothing to do with you two, don't worry." Markus stood before Felis.
"What do you want, Markus?" she asked.
"This pine tree." Markus pointed at Alfore's eyes. "I have business with this pine tree, now you two can go."
"No!" Felis said. "If you want Alfrore, then you have to get past me first."
"Felis don't!" Laureen held the girl. She wanted to stand in front of her daughter. But Alfrore's branches bound her body like a prisoner. She can only watch.
“Well, listen to your mother, Felis. You are no match for me. You better step aside now, and start a new life with your biological mother.” Markus bluffed.
But Felis didn't move at all. The girl didn't even say anything.
“It seems you really want a fight, Felis.” Markus nodded his head while preparing his weapon. The ice blades glistened, the late afternoon sun reflecting off them and making them almost purple in color.
Felis did the same. She stared at her palms, concentrating on her magic. Slowly a golden color appeared from there, then red followed.
"Felis, don't." Lauren shouted again. Never before had this woman seen Markus lose a fight. She was worried that Felis would not be able to fight the greedy man.
"Look, even your mother doesn't believe in your abilities." Markus sneered.
"Shut up!" Felis attacks Markus. She shook off the aisikla from above. Forms a vertical line. Can't wait to split her enemy in two. Markus easily blocked Felis' attack.
“Crang!”
Their weapons met in the middle. Now Felis knows that her Aisikla has lost badly compared to Markus. But that doesn't matter, it means Felis has to be faster.
"I'll bet your mother has more faith in Candramawa." Markus started again. His voice didn't change at all. He parried the girl's attack with ease.
"You have a very big mouth, Markus." Felis did not stop there. She slashed from the side. I really wanted to cut off Markus' head.
Markus parried again. Just an inch from his neck.
"I will count to ten, she will immediately beg the Gods to have my niece here." The man smiled.
Felis is annoyed. She stabbed her ice as hard as she could. Markus blocks Felis' attack. He made a circular motion with his sword.
“Craaang! Craang!” The girl's sword bounced off the ground.
"One two three." Markus scoffed. He kicked Felis with his left leg until she collapsed.
“Four, five…” Markus cornered Felis, his right foot stepped on the Reeda girl's neck.
Felis choked, and she hit Markus's leg bone.
“Oh, god! Where is Candramawa at a time like this?” Lauren panicked.
“Did you hear that Felis just now? Not even to the count of ten!” The man faced his victory with pride.
"Let Felis go!" Lauren thrashed. But Alfrore didn't let her go.
"I already let her go. But this kid is as stubborn as you," the man sneered while scratching Felis' chest. The girl screamed. But no sound came out.
"Tell me, which part of this girl is similar to her father?"
Alfrore who had only been watching earlier now took action. But before the branch touched Markus, the man cut it off.
“Oh!” Laureen gasped in horror. Never before had a single firewood seeker been able to cut Alfrore's torso.
"Aren't you ashamed to tease women like that, Uncle?" Candramawa appeared from the other side of the forest.
Markus turned to his nephew, then sighed. "Why is it so hard to kill you?" asked Markus patiently. With one hand Markus combed his hair back.
"Because I'm your niece, maybe?" Candramawa quipped. While she was sipping Markus with aisikla.
Of course the man easily fended off Candramawa's attack. "You weren't serious about the attack just now, right Candramawa?"
"Of course Uncle, I'm not serious," Candramawa replied, looking at Felis.
For the first time in a long time, their eyes met. Just two seconds. Candramawa nodded at Felis. At the same time Felis scratched the muscle under Markus' ankle. Markus groaned, and his body shook.
“Alfrore!” Candramawa gave the signal.
And the tree wrapped its branches around Markus' body—from shoulder to toe, then lifted him into the air. The more the man struggled the tighter Alfrore bound him.
"Hey!" Markus did not accept. He tried his best, but in this state, his magic would not be able to hit the target.
Candramawa approached Felis. She stretched out her hand so she could wake up.
Felis took Candramawa's hand. “Thank you,” she said.
"Yes of course." The girl smiled. "Now we have other things to do, Felis."