"Agh... my head is killing me."
May held her head as she slowly woke up in bed.
"Where... where am I?"
She wandered around the enormous room, amazed by how beautifully it was decorated, until the door suddenly opened.
"Zeru!"
May tried to walk toward Zeru but collapsed to the ground instead.
Zeru approached her and lent a hand.
"Take it easy now."
As Zeru helped her to her feet, May began asking questions.
"Why can't I remember what happened to me...?"
"You were out cold for a few days."
"What? Are you telling me I've been asleep all this time?"
Zeru explained everything, from when May lost consciousness to their arrival on Waena Island.
Before he could finish, May stared at Zeru, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Wait, are you saying we really made it to Waena Island?"
Zeru smiled at her, and May rushed to the window to look outside.
"Wow... it's so beautiful."
May closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of the sunlight on her face.
"So this is what actual sunlight feels like on your skin."
Zeru walked up to the window beside May.
"This island is said to be the center of the world and the most beautiful place after Pall City."
May stayed quiet for a while, amazed by what she was seeing.
"It really is a beautiful place."
May ran from window to window, trying to see everything from her room.
The entire island is a floating city on the water, with buildings built on high ground to protect against the rough sea and occasional severe weather.
Waena Island was formed by volcanic activity centuries ago. Its climate is mild year-round, fairly humid, with gentle breezes and few significant storms. The island has snowy mountains and scorching beaches.
Waena Island is encircled by mountains, with four entrances, each guarded by colossal statues portraying the four world guardians.
The eagle statue stands at the north entrance, while the dragon statue is at the south. The giant statue is to the east, and the great serpent statue is to the west.
***
May and Zeru were talking when a knock on the door interrupted them. She got up to answer it.
"Hi there, May."
"Hey, Rose."
"So, you finally woke up."
"Yeah, and I'm eager to go outside and explore the island."
Rose giggled a bit and then covered her mouth with her hand.
"First things first. Let's head to the dining room and eat."
"Sounds like a good plan to me. Let's pick up Kai on the way."
Rose suddenly froze, and her smile vanished instantly.
"May, about Kai..."
"What about him? Is he still sleeping?"
"No, he's not."
May gazed at Rose, and it was then that she realized the death stare she had been giving Zeru.
"What's going on, Rose?"
"Let's talk on our way to the dining room."
Rose grabbed May's hand, and they rushed to the dining room.
"Rose, talk to me. What's happening?"
Rose led May to a cellar near the dining room, hoping to have a private talk with her.
"May, listen to me. Stay away from Zeru. He's not who he says he is."
"What are you talking about?"
"Zeru is a murderer, and he..."
Suddenly, Zeru appeared behind them, standing like a lifeless statue, just as Rose was about to finish her sentence.
May's expression went lifeless when she saw Zeru again.
"I looked everywhere for you, May."
"Rose and I were just having a private chat."
"Is that so?"
"Would you like to join us?"
"No, but we need to talk right now."
"Why are we in such a hurry? I'm starving and need to eat something first."
Zeru grabbed May's hand and then raised his voice.
"NO, I mean the food can....."
Before Zeru could finish his sentence, a voice from the speaker in the hallway drew everyone's attention.
"Good morning. I hope you all had a wonderful time on Waena Island during your first few days. Once you're done eating, I'd like to invite everyone to the meeting room."
"The day has finally arrived for you to receive the next important information for the finals."
After the announcement, May dragged Zeru into the dining room, where the other participants were already seated around the large table, eating cuisine they had never seen before.
A maid walked over to May, ready to take her order.
"What would you like to eat, miss?"
"I... I'm not sure. I've never seen meals like this before in my life."
"What's your favorite food?"
"I don't have a favorite food, but I do eat a lot of protein-rich foods."
"If that's the case, I'll make you a dish you'll enjoy."
May went to the table and sat across from Zeru, while the maid headed to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, the servant came out of the kitchen, holding a tray.
"Enjoy your meal, miss."
"Thank you."
May's tray held two roasted chicken sandwiches with eggs and vegetables. In another bowl, there was a slice of avocado and some bananas, along with a cup of black tea.
Tears of joy filled her eyes as she took her first bite, devouring her food faster with each bite.
May looked around the table and realized she wasn't the only one enjoying her food, until her gaze fell on Zeru.
He sat motionless, not touching his food, his gaze lost in an empty space.
After everyone finished eating, they returned to their rooms to shower, change, and then head to the meeting room.
In the meeting room, the three clan leaders from Stage Two stood in the center, awaiting the participants' arrival.
YOU ARE READING
UNIFIED W
FantasyIn this world where people have crystal powers, fate chose Kai to once again reunite the seven clans, who are in a constant civil war with each other for centuries. Although Kai were chosen, his path is full of despair and pain, but a voice keeps te...
