Realm's Secrets│ The Equilibrium࿐

Chapter II • The Chase

In the comfort of a warm embrace, Allura felt at ease as a familiar voice sang her to sleep. Suddenly, a memory of her and her mother appeared. A memory that she will never forget. Her mother caressed her long, dark blue hair while Allura was lying on her lap. It was thundering outside, and the little Allura was frightened by the lightning bolts flashing in their stained-glass windows. Scared, Allura hugged her mother tightly, but her mother held her hand and looked at her crying daughter.

"Don't be afraid, my dear. After the storm, you'll see the beautiful sunlight peeking through the clouds, and you'll smell the scent of the wet ground. Everything will be alright".

From her mother's words, Allura smiled at her mother and embraced her with relief.

Allura woke up with tears in her eyes and realized it was just a dream. She slept on the floor after crying last night. She stood up and fixed herself. It's another day to end. As she combs her hair, she remembers that today is the Eternity banquet. This banquet happens at the end of the spring season; it's how every kingdom around the world celebrates its strong relationships with each other. Allura wasn't expecting much about that; not all kingdoms are there for peace. Some kingdoms are there for negotiations and marriage, which is why she will never show herself at the banquet. However, she was entrusted with preparing everything for the banquet.

After preparing herself, she went out of her room and went downstairs. Her assistant, Fiona, was already waiting for her. Fiona saw her and approached her quickly. "Good morning, my lady; here is the list of embellishments for the banquet tonight. I have checked everything, and all of them are complete, except for one piece that is rare to find in this kingdom", Fiona said, handing her the list to check. Allura looked at the list and said, "We're missing the Halo Crystals; I know where to find them." "Where, my lady?", Fiona asked. "On the Reagony Mountains", Allura replied with a serious face. "Alright, I'll prepare the knights to get the Halo Crystals", Fiona said, but Allura's response made Fiona scared. "No need; I'll be getting those from the mountain." Fiona grabbed her hand and said, "No, my lady, it's too dangerous to climb up there". "I already climbed up there several times, so there's no need to worry about it,", Allura reassured Fiona that she'd be alright. Fiona nodded, but she was still worried about her lady. "Please be cautious, my lady. I'll prepare your horse immediately", Allura hugged Fiona like her own sibling, "don't worry, I'll come back safely".

Meanwhile, the King was on his balcony, looking down at his daughter as she set off out of the palace. "Where is she going?", he asked firmly to his servant. "The lady is going to the Reagony Mountains to bring back the Halo Crystals needed for the banquet". The King got furious and yelled at his servant, "And you let this happen?!". "She insisted on going to the mountain independently,", the servant replied with a trembling voice.

"Send a knight to follow her and make sure she'll come back safely. Prepare her quickly after she returns from the mountains. Tonight is not just an ordinary night,"

The King commanded, the servant bowed and promised, "Yes, your highness".

Her fast horse was able to bring her to the mountains. The mountain is not that steep, so she was able to go up with ease. Rumors about this mountain being dangerous are not true; it's the opposite of what they're thinking. The beautiful sound of the waterfall splashing on the large rocks is mesmerizing to hear. She took a break and sat on a big rock beside a tree. She felt the presence of the spirits of nature guiding her; she always felt like she was being protected.

Not long enough, the Halo Crystals finally appeared floating in the sky. She took one and looked at its crystals, reflecting the orange light of the sunset. She then took fifteen of them and placed them inside her satchel. The crystals are small, so they were able to fit inside. The moon and stars appear. While she was preparing her horse, a sudden sound from the bush alarmed her. She quickly took her sword out and bravely yelled, "Who's there?! Show yourself". She went closer to the bush and slashed it with her sword. But it's only a cute little bunny.

She sighs in relief, but she suddenly realizes that there is a shadow coming from behind. She slowly looked back and saw a huge, terrifying beast with long arms and two white eyes, with one red eye above the forehead. The beast tried to grab her by its long arms, but she was able to dodge it. She swiftly grabbed her sword and sliced one long arm of the humongous beast. The beast cried in pain and got mad. She quickly ran to her horse and left.

The beast chased her from behind. She barely sees anything due to the dark surroundings. The beast then grabbed her horse's legs and slammed them into a tree. Allura fell from her horse while her horse was unconscious. She tried to stand up, but instead, she cried in pain. She faced the beast by looking through its eyes while it was getting closer to her. But the creature suddenly stopped and stared at her. Allura was shocked to see the monster staying away from her, as if something horrified the terrifying creature. The monster finally left and ran back to where it came from. However, Allura was extremely injured and can't stand up.

Until she suddenly lit up. The strong wind with glimmering green sparkles healed her wounds. Allura was stunned to see how her scratches vanished like ashes. It seems so magical to her. While she's amused by what's going on, she sees a figure hiding behind a large tree, but she can't see who it is because of the dark surroundings.

The figure noticed her and ran away. Allura quickly stood up to follow the mysterious figure, but she suddenly heard someone calling her. It was a knight from the kingdom that the king sent to protect her. The knight quickly asked if she was alright: "Are you alright, my lady? I was searching for you until I heard you scream. Are you in danger?". Allura replied in a calm voice as if nothing had happened, "I'm alright; I just tripped from a large root of the tree. There is nothing to worry about". "Alright, let's head back to the palace; everyone is worried about you", The knight helped her ride on the saddle of the knight's horse while the knight chose to ride Allura's horse. They rapidly went down from the mountains and quickly returned to the palace for the banquet to start.

The mysterious figure watched Allura as she left the Reagony Mountains. The moon's light revealed the violaceous eyes of the person who saved her.

"The stars still shimmer in your beautiful hazel eyes as they stare at mine. Will time allow us to meet once again?".

To be continued...