MERCIA
59. Innodale the Land of Witches.
Hollylands.
"Hey Elda.. How's your training going?" ask Xara.
"i've mastered all the secrets of this phoenix" Elda said.
"What's? you are indeed amazing it is not wrong for the phoenix to choose you" Xara said in astonishment.
"That's because you always help me." Elda smiled.
"By the way I told you that Queen Sheila wanted to see you" Xara said.
"Alright, I'll see him soon after I clean myself up" Elda said.
"Then I wait for you there" said Xara blinking her eyes and disappearing.
About fifteen minutes later Elda was present to meet Sheila and Xara who had been waiting for him.
"i'm sorry to keep you waiting" Elda said.
"it's okay, Xara told me that you've mastered the whole phoenix secret, really?" ask Sheila.
"True queen, all thanks to your and Lady Xara's help" Elda said.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me queen" Sheila said.
"I'm sorry, I want to honor you for helping me, well I'll call your name" Elda said.
"what about your memory? is there progress?" ask Sheila.
"It's all the same, it's just a woman's face that I hate so much" Elda said.
Sheila was pensive as if thinking of something.
"I think it's time for you to go" Sheila said.
"Go..?" Xara and Elda were shocked to hear that.
"A.. did I make a mistake until you kicked me out?" ask Elda.
"Sister.. Elda did nothing wrong why did you tell him to leave?" Xara asked.
"You two misunderstood, Elda you're not wrong, I didn't kick you out, sooner or later you have to move on with your life, find out who you are" Sheila said.
"I don't know where to go, what if I don't want to remember?" said Elda.
"Maybe there's someone out there worried, looking for you, waiting for you, your parents, your friends or something" Sheila said as she opened the necklace she was wearing and gave it to Elda.
"Take this necklace, it's my gift to you."
"this necklace is the key to getting into Hollyland, and also a compass that will help you find an answer" Sheila said.
"i can't accept your gift, it means a lot to you" Elda said.
"You need it more" Sheila said.
although with a heavy heart Elda received the gift of Sheila. "Thank you."
"i still don't know where to go" Elda said.
"wear the necklace, the only clue you have is the woman's face, I'll open the portal the necklace will take you to find it" Sheila said.
"Well I'll go, thank you for treating me so well." Elda hugged Sheila and Xara.
The taste of haru enveloped the three of them.
"Don't be sad Elda we'll meet again, you're the strongest woman" Sheila smiled.
Elda's open portal looked back at Sheila and Xara. "I'll be right back" said Elda then stepped inside the portal and disappeared.
The atmosphere was silent after Elda's departure.
"So why didn't you tell him?" ask Xara.
"about what?"
"Dying Hollyland, I was afraid when he returned this place was destroyed."
"This place has indeed been destroyed, our existence here is only to keep the phoenix artifact find its master, and our task is complete" Sheila said.
"I feel like we're so evil that we lied to him" Xara said.
"what are you talking about? our next task is to prepare something to help Elda in the future" Sheila said.
"this is one of the reasons why I asked you to help me, you have a lot to learn, see Veric tell me you're all set for the next step."
"alright" though still not understanding Xara, still obeying Sheila's orders.
**
Two days later.
"Mercia after we pass through this small forest we will enter the land of Innodale, if you two want to change your mind now is the time, because after this there is no way to return" Aruna said.
August glanced at Sylvana, Sylvana just nodded slowly.
"Whatever Aruna we'll meet there we'll face it all together, the three of us will take care of each other" August said, patting Aruna on the shoulder.
"alright, when we get there avoid staring at them too often" Aruna said.
The three of them entered the small forest, with their ability it took them less than thirty minutes to get out of the forest and arrive at a city gate.
The city looks ordinary like cities in general, many activities of the people here and there.Traders who peddle their merchandise, or drive back and forth vehicles or carts transporting crops. the three of them mixed in leisurely walking but remained in high alertness.
The atmosphere began to change when they entered the second gate, although there were still some activities here and there that looked very contrasted with the first gate, the gripping and cold aura they felt. the three of them continued walking, the third gate was already in sight. when they thought all went smoothly an unexpected event happened.
A twenty-seven-year-old woman was seen carrying two baskets filled with cakes and fruits wanting to cross the road to a stall building on the left of the three of them, when the woman was about to arrive, about ten meters in front of August and others were seen the freight cart lost control, the wheel of the cart was broken because it entered into a hole covered in puddles.
Aruna is surprised he knows August very well and tries to keep him quiet, but too late August has reacted with his instincts he screams.
"Awass..!"
the woman was surprised to see the wagon heading towards her, August ran to save the woman, saw August react Aruna and Sylvana did not stay still, Aruna jumped to save the driver, and she jumped, sylvana cuts the restraint rope that binds the animal.
The wagon bounced when it hit a roadblock and was crushed, the animal continued to run free, while the woman was surprised to see a handsome man saving her.
"You okay?" ask August.
"You are so handsome" said the woman.
August realized his hood and face cover were removed, while the aftermath of the incident suddenly made people come out to find out what happened.
"the contents of your basket seemed to be crushed" August said, not responding to the woman's words and helping her to her feet.
"no problem, I've finally found my hero" the woman said.
August feels awkward, he re-wears his face cover. "sorry. I have to go." August returns to Aruna and Sylvana continues her journey, but their steps are stopped, and Aruna's fear ensues.
"Wait for you not to go, especially you're my hero" said the woman walked up to August and gently blew August's face.
"I'm not leaving" said August.
"Mercia." Aruna and Sylvana were shocked to hear it, but suddenly they held her neck, a silver needle stuck in their necks, their bodies instantly limp as the two finally fell.
"Take the two women to Minerva say I Helena sent her a gift" said the woman, who turned out to be Helena.
Some people then went forward to lift and take Aruna and Sylvana away.
"what's your name?" ask Helena.
"Mercia."
"Mercia will you go to my house?" ask Helena.
"Of course I want to." replied August.
Helena then took August's hand and walked away. Aruna had seen the woman holding August's hand, he was eager to kill the woman but his body felt paralyzed, his tears dripping.
'Mercia forgive me.'
Aruna's gaze grew darker and he was finally unconscious.Not far from the place, in a two-story building, a pair of eyes observed the incident from behind a curtain with a faint smile on his face.
"Do you want me to save him?" I heard a man's voice.
"no need, let Minerva see it."
"What about that guy?" ask the man back.
"I don't care." You just keep an eye on that woman.
"Well, Miss Freya." the man bowed respectfully and left.
'Finally you're back, I've been waiting for you for a long time.'