Done with re-living a nightmare, Nicolas grasped for air as if he haven’t inhaled fresh oxygen for eternity. Wet and soaked, it took him a whole minute to process what was happening. He sat and found himself facing an irregular rock wall. At his back was the angry waterfall while the orange ray of the sun disperses to the surroundings by passing through the water.
“Where am I?”, he muttered before coughing as he stood using the wall for balance. No sign of his pursuers can be found and that relieved his stress.
“Did I got away from those people?”, he thought as he tried walking but ended up leaning on the wall.
To his sudden return to the wall, it collapsed and he fell down head first.
“What the… you could have at least warn me if there’s something that’s about to happen”, he said checking his head for injury.
When he opened his eyes he could not believe what he saw. “A temple?”, he wondered while excitedly standing up.
The temple was large. One can even compare it to an Aztec pyramid in terms of scale and design. Some of the bricks were already deteriorating and mossy but what took his attention more was the lamps that illuminated the temple from both outside and inside as he ventured the interior of the building.
A few dozen steps and he found himself in the center of it. At the middle of the room was a circle stage surrounded by stone tablets on its side bearing an incomprehensible scripture. He took one of the lamps and surveyed the room.
He observed that even the walls had etchings on them. Although indecipherable, Nicolas can somehow understand what it pertains to, all thanks to the illustrations, a moon, swords, bows, shield, and a figure that looks like delivering a strong blast into an entity.
“Could this be the Legend of the Blue Moon that Madam Veronica talked about?”, he whispered as he ran his fingers to the engravings. “Wait could this be their hiding place?”, he thought while starting to feel worried that he might have unknowingly presented himself to the enemy as a fodder.
“I’m at the right place, I know, but in the wrong fucking time, this is suicide!”, he uttered as he rushed outside as soon as he can.
“Who the hell ruined our fully camouflage entrance to the cave!”, yells from outside made him stop on his tracks just few steps from the entrance.
“This really had gone for the worst”, he thought as he felt his heart pounding, failing to think of an escape plan.
“What the hell would you do if those pesky people found this place!”, the voice angrily said as she kicked one of her comrades.
Nicolas peeked and saw three people on the other side when everything went silent and all can be heard were the sound of the waterfall. Silence had always been the greatest treat Nicolas had enjoyed, it gave him clarity of mind, but silence in these circumstances will not bring peace, but tense.
“I told you, they already found this place you piece of horse shit!”, the voice exclaimed breaking the silence. “You, hiding at the entrance!”, it added and Nicolas was certain he’s the one they are talking about. “There’s no use hiding, your shadow is sticking like a sore thumb”.
Nicolas realized the she was right when he notice the lamp at his side.
“Should I fight them? They are only three people after all”, he thought.
“Show yourself!”, the voice mandated.
“But to fight them, I’ll need to reflect my soul, and everyone that’s looking for me will sense where I am”, he again thought.
“You’ll get out or I’ll drag you out by force!”, the voice threatened out of impatience.
“Fine!”, Nicolas yelled back while thinking to himself, “Whatever, this is do or die!”, before summoning his blade. He took a deep breath, pulled his hood up then exhaled before sprinting forward like a bull, with his sword as his horn.
The three got startled as Nicolas bulldoze his way, stabbing one of them as he ran away. He thought he was on the clear when suddenly dozens of men came ready to take him down as he passed the side of the waterfall.
“Just right in time you slowpokes!”, the lady whose been yelling this whole time said as she walked. “And as for you, it’s your not so lucky day”.
“Get away from me!”, he said threatening everyone with his sword, but they did not flinch. Instead, they revealed that they too has swords to threaten him with.
“Wait, could you be?…”, the lady examined her. “So this is where you’ve been”.
“What the hell are you talking about?”, Nicolas asked pointing his sword towards the lady.
“You’ve already forgot about me?”, she said as she slowly pulled down her hood revealing her face. “Surprise!”, she smiled.
Nicolas feeling confused can’t believe his eyes. “Eliza?”, he was speechless, “What in the world are you doing here! What are you doing with them!”.
“Well going straight to the point, I came to pick you up”
“Pick me up?”
“Oh sorry, my bad, I mean your soul, or was it half of it?”, she said scratching her head. “Hey Fine, what did the old man say again?”, she added as she called one of the men accompanying her at the entrance of the cave earlier.
“Half and if possible more”, Fine replied walking towards his sister’s side.
“Well, you heard him… now be a good prince and hand yourself over”, Eliza stretched her hand for Nicolas.
“Why the hell would I do that”, Nicolas clearly refused.
“You really were just like your father”, Eliza giggled as she too showed her soul’s shape like the men at their back. It is pitch black. “When I also asked him to surrender that time, that’s what he also replied, so stubborn”.
“What does my father have to do with this?”, Nicolas confusedly asked.
“Nothing exactly… because they are dead”, Eliza laughed.
“What did you say?”
“I said they are dead”, she again proclaimed.
“You can’t do that”, Nicolas refused to believe her.
“Do I look like I’m joking?, I killed them with my own hands you know…”, the princess looked at him straight in the eyes, before digging her pouch then threw something out.
It was the crowns of the King and Queen of Aquilos. The insignia confirms it, though one addition was distinct, dried blood. Nicolas suddenly felt devastated and looked pale as the proof were presented to him.
“You murderer!”, he said rushing towards Eliza as he failed to contain his emotions, “Is King Ferrol behind all this!”.
“No, at least not this time”, Eliza said blocking Nicolas’s blade without a breaking a sweat.
“What do you mean?”
“Remember the incident on your birthday?, that’s his fault”, Eliza explained pushing the prince back.
“He’s fault?”, Nicolas came slashing right back at her.
“Don’t worry, he’s already dead, I killed him too. The old man said he needed sacrifices so we did, half of the people from Versia and half from Aquilos”.
“Why would you let that happen, why the hell are you even here for!”, Nicolas felt rage surge through him as he imagined the hellish sight he once lived happening again to his own kingdom. “Is Daniel also here then? so I can kill you three here and now!”.
“Daniel is with someone very important…”, she said again pushing back Nicolas. “And If you’re wondering what “you” being a ‘sacrifice’ is all about, come with us and you’ll be enlightened!”, she grinned.
“You know what?, I’m already bored of you. Shitheads!, restrain him!”, she ordered the men at her back whose just keeping watch.
Nicolas knowing he’ll have no chance for a one versus many climbed a boulder to gain a vantage point but this also placed him cornered. All he can do was push anyone away as they try to climb and subdue him but no matter how many times he push them, fall, be bruised, or bleed, they still get up as if nothing happened like the man he stabbed earlier.
Eliza and Fine just watched him from below as if they have all the time in the world.
He desperately fought for his life then suddenly out of nowhere; dozens of arrows drilled themselves to Nicolas’s pursuers causing them to all fall at the same time.
“Damn, you sure got here fast”, Eliza complained as she furiously gazed at the people from afar. “Okay boys, change of plans, kill all of them, leave no one breathing!”, she said pointing at the archers.
“Nick come here!”, Alice called for him. Nicolas’s face is visibly discombobulated about what was going on, as he slowly got down.
Elizalina also hearing the girl’s call gave another specific order. “Kill them all, but leave that girl to me”, she said setting her burning gaze to Alice.
The battle already started but Nicolas was still on the dark about what is going on. But nonetheless he found it as a nice chance to flee. He already jumped at the bushes when he saw Eliza.
“I’m glad you’re still alive and well, I never thought I would have the chance to kill you with my own hands, ALISA!”, Eliza shouted as she chased Alice whose trying to gain distance.
“Get away from me!”, Alice replied as she fired a shot, but her nervousness got the best of her. A single misstep led Alice to meet the ground and Eliza who’s just at her tail caught up to her.
“You can’t escape me!”, Elizalina stepped on Alice’s back. “Time to really die!”, she said while preparing to skewer the girl when someone tackled her to the ground.
“What the hell Nicolas!”, she complained.
Alice who’s very thankful, heard Elizalina’s squeal as she hurriedly stood up, “Nicolas?”, she thought.
“Run Alice!”, Nick yelled at her and so she did.
“Get out of my way!”, Elizalina said gritting her teeth in annoyance.
“I don’t know what’s everyone’s deal here but you should not just go around killing people!”, Nicolas yelled at the princess.
“Really?, coming from you Nicolas?, as if I don’t know you tried to kill her just today”, she said charging in. “You know, I really wished you had succeeded, so I can see your handsome face, terrified as you found out that she’s the person you admired the most”.
“What the hell do you mean!”, Nicolas pushed her back but she just went back again for another slash.
“You’re really too dense do you?, she’s Alisa you cold hearted prince!”, Eliza said.
“She’s dead and you know that!”, Nicolas replied not giving in to such obvious lie. “You’re deranged!”.
“Don’t worry, let me be and she really will!”, holding her blade with her right hand she deflected Nicolas’s sword to the side then delivered a punch with her left, which took Nicolas by surprise.
“Did not expect that don’t you?”, Eliza proudly said to Nicolas who is grasping for air and kneeling on the ground before continuing her chase with Alice.
As soon as Nicolas caught his breath, he too pursued but Fine had other plans. “Sorry, but I will be your opponent”.
“Have I misheard it? Or did she really called him Nicolas?”, the thought lingered on Alice’s mind as she was once again tailed by Elizalina.
“Run girl! Run!”, she said laughing.
Alice ran to the safety of the forest as her last resort then she quickly hid behind a tree preparing to shoot with no intention to miss.
“How does it feel being protected by the prince twice?”, Eliza shouted, echoing through the woods.
“Nicolas?”, Alice again thought upon hearing it loud and clear.
“No reply?, how rude. Didn’t your mother educate you on how to treat a princess, Aaallliiisssaaa”.
“Enough with this nonsense!”, Alice replied. “I don’t know who you are but Nicolas is dead, almost ten years ago in his birthday!”, she fired a shot seeing that she has a stationary target.
Eliza was surprised but she just sliced the arrow with ease while charging towards where it came from. She attacked the back of the tree with all her strength but no one was there.
“I see, you fancy hide and seek?”, she said before chanting the game’s song.
“…When I count to three, to seek you will be… One!”, Alice’s heart began to raised as she heard the voice getting close.
“…Two!…”, she’s already tense but there were no more large trees so she’s out of options.
“…….”, the third count did not came. But the second that Alice thought she was safe; she was once again caught by her hair. “Threee!”, Eliza startled her.
“Such a well groomed hair you got here, the strands are strong and long enough not to brake, good for catching you!”, Elizalina threw her to the ground.
“Could you imagine that Alisa?, how do you feel being the target for two murder attempts in just a day especially when the other one was by your prince?”, she laughed kicking the poor archer in the face.
“Oh such a beautiful face you also got there, perfect place for my foot”.
“He’s already dead!, and even if he’s alive he’ll never do that to me!”, Alice replied weakly.
“What?, are you implying that me? Princess Elizalina Versia is a liar?, she again caught her by the hair.
“Versia?”, Alice uttered.
“Oh!, So you at least remember?, How nice of you!”, Eliza said happily. “For that, fine, I’ll give you a chance, run, and if I haven’t tagged you after r 5 seconds, I’ll let you live”.
“And if I don’t?”, Alice asked.
“Of course you’ll die, how silly of you”, Elizalina giggled pulling Alice close to her face. “Now prepare to run okay?”
She had let go of Alice who wobblingly stood and determined to get out alive.
“…One, two, three, go!”, Eliza clapped.
Alice placed all the hope she had left on her first step as she desperately ran. She felt the fresh breeze and the ray of light from the setting sun as she pushed forward. But it looks like gravity had other plans.
“Ooops”, Eliza said retracting her feet.
“You liar!”, Alice squealed.
“Didn’t I told you that I don’t tell lies?, I just said I’ll let you run, there’s no such statement that I can’t impede your escape”, Elizalina explained.
Alice crawled her way trying to get away as far as her strength can while the princess laughed her ass off to what she thought was a comedic act. Eliza raised her blade up in the air with its point towards Alice going for a sure kill, thrusting it down with a smile on her face.
The blade bored itself deep and fatal, as Alice accepted her faith on the forest floor, not knowing the truth. She saw a bright light illuminating her field of vision and she knew it was the end of her, bleeding on the forest floor, food to the passing wolves and fertilizer for the tall trees.
“Alisa!”