Arika: The legend of the lost jewel

chapter 11

Ellen gently touched the locket around her neck, the small silver pendant glimmering in the dim light of the room. “I was left the same way, just like you, Eva,” she said softly, her voice carrying a sense of sorrow and wonder,  Her name engraved on it . “This is all I had with me when I was found.”

The family listened In stunned silence as Ellen continued her story, her words painting a picture of a life shaped by both mystery and loss. “The family that took care of me—they revealed the truth when I was just nine. I had always felt… different, like I didn’t quite belong, my persistent questions Eventually led them to telling me the truth.
Eva leaned in closer, her heart heavy as she took in the tale. “What happened to them?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ellen’s face darkened as she replied, “They disappeared without a trace not long after. I don’t know what happened, but before they did they left me in the hands of a wise old man named Richard He took me in and cared for me, he was also kind and loving and thought me everything I know, but he always said strange things… about how I resembled the ancient deity, Midora. He was obsessed with her stories, and soon I became fascinated too.”

Eva’s brows furrowed in confusion. “Midora? Why would he say that?”
Ellen sighed, her eyes distant as she recounted the tale. “Richard told me I had an uncanny resemblance to an illustration of Midora—a deity who was said to guide the fates of those chosen by the gods. He believed that my life was tied to something greater, something ancient. At first, I didn’t believe him, but then I began having dreams… vague and fragmented, but powerful. Dreams of a woman fleeing, of chaos and fire, and of twin  babies.”
When I explained my dreams to him, he too revealed another secret to me, that I had a twin sister, who happened to have been separated from me during the second rogue period…”
“that’s the second attack upon the believers of the Midorian religion.” The father interrupted, Ellen shock her head turning to look at him then back at Eva

“what’s is that, the rogue period?” Eva questioned.
“well according to legend, the rogue period was the execution of all those who worshipped the Midorian religion, all in the hands of king Duncan, the first attack occurred doing the existence of Midora herself which is the first rogue period, the second took place after a century. At this time they were fewer believers, but when the great grandson of king Duncan took over  he led the second rogue period,” She explained.
“We are survivors of the second rogue period, we were once believers of the Midorian religion, it brought us prosperity and good will, but since finding Zayd we couldn’t continue due to fear of being discovered, so we decided to live normal lives.” The mother added which shocked Eva and the rest of the siblings as well as they all looked at each other.

Ellen sighed, “I know this is too much to take in but there’s more… Mr Richard revealed to me that our parents,  were too strong believers of the Midorian religion and this led them to give birth to us… you see Eva, me and you are not just ordinary twins, we are what they called the gifted.”

Eva looked confused and did they rest expect for the parents. Ellen stood up went to the kitchen ad they watched, she grabbed a knife. “What are you doing?” Eva questioned. “Just a demonstration, don’t worry.” She replied and proceed to slit her wrist, blood began dripping from the cut before it slowly began to close itself.
They all stared stunned, “This is one of my abilities, I began noticing these abilities at early age of six. Looking at you sis, your abilities haven’t awaken yet.”

“Please tell me I’m dreaming this isn’t real.”  Eva thought to herself. “no you aren’t dreaming” Ellen replied.
“what you can hear my thoughts to?” She questioned. “from time to time yes.” She replied.

“so what really happened to our parents?” Eva questioned. Ellen was quiet for some time. “unfortunately they were killed, but they left us this.” Ellen replied opening the locket, which revealed a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it and placed in on the table, “no way, that can’t be true.”  One of the brothers run towards her and looked at the map, “the map to Arika!” He yelled”
“Huh?” Eva’s expression exuded confusion. “and how do you know about it?” Kyle questioned.

“you not the only one who was fascinated by the legend, I did my own digging and found out that allegedly a map was drawn by one of the soldiers who had once been there, no freaking way…though I never knew about the gifted.” He said.
“I thought Arika was just a myth.” Eva responded.

“as you can see it isn’t, it’s real as you and I.” Ellen replied.
The father sighed and stood up. “Well I’m pretty fatigued now, we should all head for bed,  hopefully we will be able to digest all that we’ve heard tonight… remember Eva no matter what you still our daughter, this does not change anything.” He said before leaving, his wife following him.  Unable to sleep, Eva woke up and headed outside, she sat at the porch staring at the moon, her turmoil clearly visible on her expression.

Upon hearing footsteps behind her she quickly wiped her tears and turned to look at who at who it was. “Oh it’s you.” She said. Ellen walked and sat next to her in silence. “What happened to the old man?” Eva questioned.
Ellen looked at her for a moment then at the bright moon, “Well he was murdered by slave hunters and I was taken and turned into a slave.” She replied.

“I’m sorry to hear that, life must have been hard.” Eva replied.
“Yes it was, but I’ve got a feeling life is about to flourish with you by my side.”
As lavish carriages came to a halt in front of an opulent estate, the sound of horses snorting and hooves clattering breaking the morning silence. The prince stepped out, his expression showing the fatigue and frustration of their relentless search. He turned to his right-hand man. “This is the last one, isn’t it?”
The right-hand man nodded. “I’m afraid so, Your Highness.”
With a resigned sigh, the prince gestured forward. “Alright, lead the way.”

They approached the grand entrance of the house, its towering columns and ornate carvings a testament to its owner’s wealth and status. The right-hand man knocked on the door, and soon, a maid dressed in a simple but elegant uniform opened it. Her eyes widened at the sight of the prince’s insignia.

“Is your master at home?” the right-hand man asked, his tone authoritative. “The prince demands to see him.”
The maid bowed deeply. “Yes, sir. Please, come inside. I shall summon him immediately.”
The prince and his men entered the house, marvelling for a brief moment at the exquisite décor that adorned the sitting area: rich velvet drapes, polished mahogany furniture, and gleaming gold accents. They were ushered to a comfortable seating arrangement as the maid hurried upstairs.