Veer was wondering. He was lost in thoughts looking at the lotus. This was probably the third time. The first time when he had lost his memories and wake up at the guesthouse. The second time after that horrendous duel with Rheon, he woke up in the same guesthouse. Now here in the land of Mythria.
Just what had happened? Was it all a dream ? He focused his energy on the location of the star chakra, and tried stirring it by his thoughts. It was like a lamp that got lit by his thoughts. It got activated.
So what he had encountered till Ancestor's teachings was not a dream. Then what had happened? He seemed to bask in the beauty of Lythria and wandering around and then called to .... yes Eryssa. Eryssa and Eleana were coming from the other direction. After that, his thoughts seemed scattered.
He took a deep breath and stood up slowly. As he gazed at the white lotus filled with flood, it suddenly shattered, and the lotus broke like glass and disappeared. Then in a moment, the door opened and Lythria came running in. She wore the same beautiful white dress and her hair now was tied with a glistening hairpin making her look magical. He shook his thoughts inwardly. Isn't it supposed to be magical.
She had a look of worry on her face as she pressed her hand against Veer's forehead and murmured, "What happened to you suddenly? You suddenly collapsed there. Fortunately, Lady Sylwen took a look at you and said it was from overexhaustion."
Veer again took a deep breath as he sensed a deja vu. It was very similar to how he woke up when he lost his memories. Forget it. I should relax, he thought as he nodded to Lythria, "I am fine now. Where are the others?"
Lythria took a breath of relief and said, "The celebration has been delayed but Eryssa, Eleana and others are there. I was guarding here for you. They are also very anxious about you. But they had to be there as the festival was basically announced for the two Chosen Ones. Let's go fast now."
She took his hand as they went outside. As they neared the celebration area, Veer could see a lot of flying lamps flowing across the arena. There was a narrow river flowing on the right side. The whole area was brightly lit. But everywhere else was faint dim light from the tree making a sharp celebratory contrast. At the center was a statue which had facial features similar to people of Mythria. The celebration was happening over there.
People were laughing and enjoying themselves. Veer noticed that John was approached by two ladies as he conversed in his usual awkward voice. So that guy was really enjoying while he was sleeping unconsious. Eryssa was seated at the seemingly peak seat along with Eleana. Caria was enjoying drinks and laughing merrily with Myrieth and the other members. Eryssa and Eleana's faces lit up as they spotted him from there and Lythria coming in their direction.
Veer noticed them. They looked so mesmerizing that Veer forgot his pain moments ago and nodded to himself. Eleana in her pure white hair and white knight's armor looked like a warrior of a goddess. Eryssa meanwhile looked like the goddess herself with her purple layered attire and blue eyes.
A few ladies came and welcomed Veer and Lythria as a girl in green attire whispered, "Isn't this Lythria and her boyfriend whom everyone's been talking about." Lythria smacked her forehead as she said, "Don't talk nonsense, Ari." She pulled Veer and led him to the area where Eryssa and Eleana were present. Everyone looked at the shy Lythria whose face was slightly red trying to adjust herself as they laughed .
The celebration was going well as Veer noticed spirits were singing and the members of Lythria's race performed one after the other. They announced Eryssa and Eleana's achievements and sang praises of them.
They pulled over Lythria and Eryssa as they danced together. Veer was feeling relaxed yet a sense of deep confusion as he took in the picturesque beauty in front of him. Why were they celebrating Eryssa's and Eleana's success that much ? They are going to go away in just a few days at most.
His thoughts were broken by Eleana as she whispered near his ears, "Are you feeling well now?"
Veer nodded as he glanced at Eleana sitting near him. She said gently in a soft tone, "Don't overexert yourself," but found Veer staring at her. Veer was looking at her face her lips consoling him. The background voices seem to vanish for a moment.
She was confused as she asked, "What?"
Veer replied in a nonchalant voice but actually woke up from his reverie, "Look who is talking. So did you get what you were aiming for?"
Eleana's face became bittersweet as she said, "I am sorry Veer."
She paused and said, "I had followed you and Eryssa not only for protecting her but also to search for the legacy. I knew it was somewhere in the ruins but I was not sure of the exact location."
She paused and continued again, "As for your earlier answer, yes I got a part of the legacy."
Veer nodded and said, "That's great. Congrats!!" as Eleana nodded.
Veer asked as he put his hands together, "So I have been meaning to ask, how did Princess Alicia lose her consciousness in the banquet? I was already fainted at that time."
Eleana thought and said, "When you became unconscious, Eryssa and her sisters were also unconscious. Maybe her physique is special somehow and the mysterious lady interfered with her."
Veer fell into his thoughts as he said slowly, "Do you know about Lythria following us back?"
Eleana nodded and said, "I heard it sometime ago. Actually there is no issue. There are records of many young leaders following elite knights back into the kingdom to gain experience."
Eleana then deeply gazed at him and said, "Stop all these questions and relax. Let's get some food."
As he moved with Eleana and prepared to eat, a few figures joined his table. Eryssa, Lythria and Caria joined as Caria asked, "Forgive us for ruining your date !" as she sat beside Eleana. Eryssa also sat on the other side of Veer near Eleana as she apologized, "Sorry Veer they just won't let me go."
Veer said ,"I am feeling the best now.."
Caria remarked,"Who doesn't feel best when they have so many beauties....accomanied."as John coughed.
Caria glared at John.
Veer shook his head with a smile as he said, "Let's eat!" as Lythria sat beside Veer and they started eating.
Lythria looked at Eryssa and said, "As the Chosen One of the spirits you are becoming even more beautiful." Veer subconsciously nodded as he noticed many heads turning towards him.
Veer's face became awkward as he said, "She is beautiful as always."
Eryssa's face was becoming red as Caria said, "Please don't tease her, Haha... but Veer you really seem to be surrounded by beautiful ladies wherever you go."
Veer almost spat in her face as he controlled himself. This girl what kind of enmity he had with her ? His face became distorted as Lythria commented, "Lady Caria, might you keep your words to yourself!"
Caria laughed as she again started adding remarks again, "Lady Eleana, it seems you have some serious competition," as she drank heartily.
Eleana's face remained the same but she inadvertently lowered her face. Veer felt that Eleana's face became slightly pink for a faint second as he shook his head. This girl Caria really had guts. Did she not fear her life ?
Veer found something else. It seemed John discovered the same thing. They both nodded and eat his part. He found that the ladies seemed to eat more than him but he was not going to voice that.
The dinner continued as they finished eating. Just as they got up, the atmosphere seemed to turn a bit silent. Many people had gathered together in a distant corner as Sylwen's face was deeply serious. Faint crying sounds could be heard.
The group moved towards them as many people were coming over from different directions. John also joined Veer and the group.
As Lythria gazed at the crying figure from some distance she had a complicated look as she said looking at everyone, "She is my opponent who is also being trained for the leader's position."
Then she was distracted as a figure was walking towards them from the other side. Lythria turned her head as her eyes lit up. She ran to that figure as she whispered faintly, "Mother, what happened?"
Veer and the others looked at Lythria's mother. She seemed very similar to Lythria, just that she had more maturity, refinement and elegance. Her dressing was regal white and green draped across her. A small regal ornmanent over her head and her ears. Veer again felt a pressure vast as sea from her. Veer and the chort moved forward as they bowed at Lythria's mother. She nodded and said "No need for pleasantries."
Then she gave Lythria a hug and said in a gentle voice, "It seems our vice leader has encountered a dangerous situation. His status is currently unknown. I am not sure about the exact details. Let's go meet Sylwen."
As she was moving towards the crowd, suddenly she looked at Veer and asked with intrigue, "Lythria, Is this the boy Sylwen was speaking about?"
Lythria nodded as they moved towards the crowd. Lythria sneaked a peek at Veer and as she saw his tensed face she covered her mouth.
Veer tensed when Lythria's mother cast a gaze at him but he remained steady as he also moved with the group. He could hear faint sobbing sounds coming from the crowd as a figure was crying holding Sylwen's hands."
Many people were faintly whispering as they seemed to discuss. Veer gazed into the distance and saw many children unbothered by anything playing and eating food . Some were still dancing.
As they neared the crowd made way and they noticed the figure. She looked like same age as Lythria covering her face and faintly sobbing. She had yellow clothes and flowing black hair which was a bit uncommon in Mythria.
She said to Sylwen who was standing, "Father was not coming back since morning so I performed the soul probing ritual, but it seems something happened to him."
Everyone had a face full of doubts as Veer's thoughts went back to that white lotus in the room for no reason and he felt a sudden chill.