The Kingdom of Etherna: Return of the Prophesied Queen

Chapter 2- The Gift

"Khaliana, get up now, your uncle is waiting for you outside", her aunt slowly pat her shoulder to wake her up.

"Why?", she said in a sleepy tone.

"It is still 3 in the morning, why wake me up in this time?", she asked her aunt while rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"I don't know dear, he just said I have to wake you up, now, go, before he will start marching here and paddle you with a sleeper", her aunt joke and that made her smile.

She got up, clean herself in the bathroom, and change her clothes into shaggy pants and a shirt under her baggy jacket. She started walking outside the house and found her uncle at the back of the house where they usually train.

"Here, hold this", her uncle throw her a sword.

It is a new sword, maybe he got it when he traveled for the past days. When she examined it, it made her heart leap, it is a very uncommon sword, it's blade is different from any other sword that she usually used.

It was very handy and looks like it can kill in just a sway. The blade is somewhat curve at the end, it has an engraved dragon in it in the edge of the blade, the handle is not like an ordinary handle. It has dragon engraved handle with a sun and moon carved at the center and it fits her hand perfectly.

"Whose sword is this uncle?" she asked still fascinated by the sword.

"It is yours", he said directly.
She was stunned after hearing those from her uncle.

"You mean, this is mine now?" still not sure about what she has to say.

"Yes, Khaliana it's your sword now, I realized you have to have your own, especially now, that we are not safe," she still didn't know what her uncle is saying about being safe, but her mind was lost because of the fact that she has her own sword now, a very wonderful sword.

"You are turning 21 this weekend, and I will not be here in your birthday, because after today I will be leaving again, something came up and I have to make actions to stop it, that is why I'm giving you your birthday gift, I hope you like it", before her uncle can utter another word, she run towards him and hugged him tightly.

"I love it, uncle, thank you!" she said while hugging her uncle.

"I gave it to you not to find a fight but to protect yourself from harm, so please be safe Khaliana", her uncle said separating them from the hug.

"Yes uncle, I will use it properly, I will train myself and hone my sword skills by using it".

"That sword is dear to me, it's from your father", before her uncle say another word she interrupted it.

"My father?" she asked.

"Yes, it's your father's sword, so take care of it, I cannot give you another explanation about your father for now, but you will know it in due time, so no more asking questions, or else I will take it back" her uncle said firmly.

No matter how strong-willed she is to know her parents identity or any tiny information about them, she knew she cannot push her aunt and uncle because they will never say a word about it.

She frowned but she knew it already, she will discover her identity in due time.

"Thank you uncle for this gift, it is the most amazing gift I have received from you, not because it looks expensive or fascinating but because you told me the truth about it, that it is my father's belonging. Thank you for giving me this small information about him, thank you for telling me the truth". She said hugging him again.

"My child, you will be amazed on how things will turn your life into something you never dreamed about", he said dismissing her.

She stand there still dumb founded about what her uncle wants to inculcate to her. Her uncle left the house before the sun rises. She knew she will not see her uncle for how many days, she's used to it, but saying goodbye today to her uncle is a bit alarming, there is something strange with her uncle today, he looks tired and sad, he looks not confident in going, not the typical energy he exert when he goes to a trip.

They are eating breakfast that day but the only thing that occupies her mind is the face of her uncle while leaving the house.

"Khaliana, why are you not in the mood? You didn't even touch your food. What is the problem dear?" her aunt ask her.

"Oh, I just felt something weird today," she said

"What is it? Her aunt asked back.

"It is about uncle, his face before leaving is a bit alarming, where do you think he is going aunt?"

Her aunt was stunned about her questions. She was silent for a bit and talk after munching a full spoon of rice.

"Your uncle has to do something in a faraway place", you must not think about it that way, he will come again maybe next week", she paused.

"Or next next week", she paused again, "or maybe he will be gone in a year." She said in a worried face but still has a smile on her face.

"That long? Why? What is it that is so important that he needs to be there?

"Khaliana, you have to understand, it is for our good, your uncle knew about it, that is why he has to do it, let us just wait for his return, do not think about it again, ok?" her aunt concluded and start eating her food again.

Even though Khaliana has many questions in her mind, she stopped asking about it, she knew, she will not receive any answer from her aunt.

"I'm full aunt Milly, I have to train myself now," she said while bringing her plate to the sink.

"Be careful dear, do not overdo yourself with your training", she said smiling.

"Yes aunt, do not worry about me", she replied.

"I am always worried about you Mia", she replied back, but she just eyed her aunt and gave her a sweet smile before leaving the house.

She started walking to her training ground, deep inside the forest. This place is her haven, she can do many things in there.

It is a cave she discovered when she was still young, a cave under a nature carved falls. The water falling from the waterfall is the curtain of the cave, that is why it is safe to train in there nobody knew about this area and it is found deep inside the forest where everyone was scared about. She made that place her hiding place.

She even cultivate the place, the water from the water fall is hot, maybe because the place was situated near a volcano, it is an active one, but they said that it will never erupt because it was cursed. She made a hot pool out of the water that came from the waterfalls. She used different sizes of rocks and chunk of trees to made that pool. It is a big round pool and neck length deep. Over the years, it is her only companion and her only vices. Deeping into that hot pool after a day of training is heaven for her. She felt amazing when she dipped her aching body into it.

She started training that day using her father's sword, she named the sword "Draco" since it has dragon handle and a dragon carved design.

"All right Draco, let's start the day!" she swing the sword and think that she has an opponent that is fighting against her. The sound of the sword is echoing inside the cave and she felt good about it. It is like the sword is talking to her, the sound of every swing made her active and alive.

Every drop of water from the stalactite made her ears more active to sound. She used her senses to sense every single living thing inside the cave, the flying bat, the screeching rats, the hissing of snakes, and even the stumbling of the small rocks in her feet. She used it to improve her ability. It helped her a lot. Living in the forest made her animal friendly, even snakes and boar, she can understand them that is why she respects life. But sometimes, she has to do some hunting and pray for her prey instead.

Author's Pov

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