The Villainess' Mischief (Fate's Transgression Series, #6)

TVM 19: What Would Happen Next

CHAPTER 19:
What Would Happen Next

PYRA VERONICA ELDRIDGE

Masaya kaming naglalakbay kung saan man kami dinadala ng intuition ko. We do have a map, and we are familiar with the animals living on different sides of the Beast Realm. However, hindi naman maipagkakaila na malawak ito at malayo pa ang lalakbayin namin para makarating sa sentro. I don't know the exact name, all I can remember is it has an emblem of a bird when Nux showed me the map one time.

We moved through the bustling streets of Oliville, each step revealing a new marvel. The city was alive with the hum of conversation and the faint glow of ether energy that pulsed around us. The inhabitants here—animals gifted with power—walked upright like humans but carried distinct traits that spoke to their wild origins.

Foxes with sharp, observant eyes glanced our way as they exchanged goods; rabbits with sleek, velvety fur darted between stalls, and centaurs—regal and towering—moved with ease, their hooves echoing against the cobbled streets. Pero alam ko naman hindi centaurs pangalan ng mga yan dito. Why is my brain not remembering everything I've read back at home?

“Hindi ko akalain na ganito pala kadaming ether-beasts dito,” I muttered, eyes wide as I took in the variety around us.

Nux chuckled beside me. “Surprised? I thought the stories would’ve prepared you.”

“Stories are one thing. Seeing them up close is… different.” My gaze lingered on a nearby stall where a crow-like merchant was showing his wares to a pair of tall deer with antlers that shimmered with a faint silver light. “And they all look so… comfortable. Parang matagal na silang nakatira dito.”

“This is their city, Pyra,” he replied, watching my expression. “They belong here.”

The warmth of Oliville was welcoming, a stark contrast to the haunted forest we’d left behind. Vibrant banners hung from buildings, and ether-fueled lanterns floated gently above the crowds, casting a kaleidoscope of colors over the market square. My senses were overwhelmed, in a good way—the smells of spices, roasted meats, and exotic herbs filled the air, blending with the rhythmic sounds of merchants calling out and coins clinking.

As we walked, Nux leaned closer, his voice low but amused. “So, any sign of that gem your intuition is looking for?”

I scanned the surroundings, half-listening to his question. “Not yet,” I murmured, distracted by the towering structures around us, each building unique, carved from different woods, stones, and shells from the sea. “But I think we’re close. It feels… right.”

“A city on intuition alone,” he teased, nudging me. “You’ve really turned our journey into an adventure.”

I nudged him back. “As if you’re not enjoying yourself, Nux”

He grinned, shrugging. “Fine, you got me there.”

Just then, a large wolf with fur as dark as midnight passed us, nodding in greeting. His amber eyes seemed to hold an ancient wisdom, and I felt the weight of his gaze as he moved on, his presence lingering long after he’d disappeared into the crowd.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” I said softly. “To think that a place like this exists… that they all coexist, bound by ether and tradition.”

Nux tilted his head thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s not so different from our own world. They’ve simply found a way to adapt, to thrive. We could learn a thing or two.”

“Maybe.” I found myself smiling. “Or maybe it’s a reminder that even in strange lands, there’s something familiar—a rhythm, a balance.”

We continued through the market, occasionally stopping to observe or speak to vendors who were more than eager to share tales of their realm. A small fox-woman, draped in silks, handed me a woven bracelet, insisting it was for luck on our journey. I glanced at Nux, amused, as he attempted to haggle with a frog-like merchant over a piece of enchanted parchment.