There was something going on in Veer's mind as he gazed at the crying figure. He was thinking that this was not connected to him, is it? But he could feel something was wrong, and recalling that white lotus in the room earlier, he found it somewhat absurd. There was blood in that lotus. Who put blood in lotus. Should he ask Lythria or Lythria's motehr ? He raised his hand as Eryssa gave him a thoughtful look as he again shrank his hand.
He thought that it was not his land to say anything. He sighed inwardly.
As he was in his thoughts, he heard Lythria's mother say, "Lythria, bring the guests back to the guest room and have them rest. I am looking into this matter."
Lythria said as she bowed , "As you wish mother," as she stepped back and beckoned Veer's group.
They went as she said, "Let's go." Just then, Sylwen and Lythria's mother started talking as the crowd departed. Meanwhile, Veer and his group were going back from there. Everyone had a face of confusion as Veer occasionally gazed back.
Caria looked at Veer like as though he was a fly. Veer noticed this and said in a skeptical voice,"What ?"
Caria looked around as she saw everyone looking at her. She stuttered,"No..Nothing Lets go". She started walking infront. They started heading back with Lythria.
Veer suddenly seemed to notice a gaze from the back as they moved away. He thought that it was probably just Lythria's mother looking their way.
.......
Back there, Sylwen said, "Your Highness, what should we do?"
The crying girl sobbed, "Your Highness, please bring him back to me."
Lythria's mother consoled the girl and said, "I have already notified the protectors. Let's see what happens. You go back with Sylwen and try to see if your father planned to meet anyone in these days."
The girl nodded as Sylwen said, "Let's go ."
Sylwen before going instructed few people to take care of the celebration's ending.
Sylwen then took the crying girl as she was going somewhere. The crowd had already vanished as the celebration ended in an unexpected way.
A shadow manifested near Lythria's mother, who was moving to her quarters, as it said, "Your Highness, who should we make the vice leader now?"
Lythria's mother's gaze was deep as she said, "Let's discuss tomorrow." The shadow nodded and bowed. Then it vanished.
.....
The next day Veer woke up from bed as he gazed around the room. Yesterday everyone had been given separate rooms. No one seemed to be interested in gossiping because of the incident, as Veer had just come to his room shown by Lythria and immediately fell asleep.
He sat in a meditative pose as he took a deep breath. Starlight seemed to congregate in his star chakra, filling it up with energy. If he performed the quick style now, he was confident that he would be able to match Eleana in raw strength. So did his strength should almost surpass a golden knight ?
He looked around the room. The room was simple and there was a bookshelf with a few books. A simple bed, a lamp, and minor stuff. Perfect for a single person living.He was looking through the shelves as a book caught his eye. It was very slim book. What was that ?
He picked up a slim book that was titled, Truths of the World. There was only one page with a poem written in it.
"Seven stars, seven worlds, with the great mystic tree in the middle,
When the saints oversaturate the world,
Shall the catastrophe begin"
Just one poem was written in that book he randomly picked from the shelf. It was very confusing to Veer. He put it back on the shelf as he was preparing to meet the others. He dressed up and went outside as faint light shone on him.
Nearby there was a courtyard. The girls were having a discussion there. It seemed peaceful. As he went there, Eryssa said gently looking at Veer, "Veer, we are thinking about going back today. What do you think?"
Veer said faintly smiling, "I am just a knight . Of course I would follow your orders."
Eryssa smiled at Veer ,"Veer ... you !! Are you teasing me?"
Veer laughed,"No no let's go today."
"By the way, what happened to yesterday's matter?"
Lythria said eyebrows furrowed, "It's still being decided in the Elder's council. Let's prepare our stuff and get ready to inform mother and father before going out."
Veer nodded as he asked, "By the way, where is John?"
Caria said, "Did you remember him finally? That guy is enjoying somewhere. He will be back sometime."
Veer then talked with Eleana a bit about how to increase his fighting capability further. Eleana told him general ways. Veer actually realized this girl was a genius. Because the way she learned the moon ability was so awesome.
Eleana meanwhile thought for a bit and said, "After we go back, visit the royal knight's library. You can get a pass easily."
Veer nodded as he went to pack if anything was left. After some time, everyone gathered as they followed Lythria to the Mythria council palace. The great Ancient Sacred Tree was towering above the council, making it a magnificent view. The towering peaks of beautiful white palaces floated over clouds masking beautiful waterfalls and greenery .
Veer and the others were lost in the beauty of it as Lythria said, "Come, sister is waiting at the doorstep."
They followed Lythria as they nodded to Myrieth. Myrieth whispered to them, "Actually, a new vice leader has been already elected today at the council."
Lythria was suddenly shocked as she asked, "Is it her?"
Myrieth nodded as she said, "Yes, it's Velithra."
Veer's group didn't understand at first, but then Lythria whispered in her shock, "It's the crying girl from yesterday."
Veer and the others became dumbfounded as well.
As they moved to the inner council area, it was very grand, comparable to Drudar's court, but the architecture was a bit more mystical. Various shaped women resembling spirits were carved everywhere in the walls of the hall.
A tall golden seat was there where Lythria's mother sat with a dignified position. A crown of flower shaped ornaments adorned her as she really looked like a queen from the stories. Wait what stories. Man how much fantasy stories did he read before he lost his memory. Veer laughed at himself and then shook his head.
Rows of seats were there. The girl, Velithra, was seated closest to Lythria's mother.As the group went closer to council, Veer felt serene yet immense pressure. Even more than when he arrived at Drudar council. Veer noticed Lythria's gaze drifting to a person quite a few times.
As they closed in, Veer could identify several of the members. Among them were Sylwen, Aowyn, and Vryger. Some heavily golden-armoured knights also seemed to stand beside the queen of Mythria.
The group bowed as they came close. Eleana spoke, "Thanks to the queen for her grace and generosity. We came here to get permission to return to our kingdom."
Lythria's mother was silent for a few seconds as the other elders also cast a heavy pressure on the group. They became a bit nervous, but then Lythria's mother got up and came close to Veer's group . She then said to Eleana, "Ok, you can go back today. Sylwen will prepare a teleportation ritual."
Lythria's mother then said with a smile that was not a smile to Lythria, "Lythria, my dear, your opponent Velithra is already ahead of you. Make sure you actually learn to be a leader. Or I will give the position to her."
As Lythria nodded, her mother then looked back to a figure and said, "Hand her the complete manual, dear. She hasn't completely learnt everything."
Veer and rest learned that was her father. He was a regally robed man in green. His skin was so fair that it compared to Lythria herself. He had a smile on his face as he nodded to the group.
Lythria's mother then looked at Veer and said in a deep voice, "Boy, don't always get involved in things you can't handle."
She took another step, "Take care of my daughter... if possible."
Veer was sweating as he bowed, "I will do my best."
Lythria's mother's gaze went to Eleana and Eryssa as she just said, "I don't think there will be any issue with you two, but be careful on the way. I have heard our members have encountered some unnatural things."
She then just gazed at John and Caria with a deep look as she nodded and went back to her seat.
After some time, Sylwen with other members prepared a wide teleportation ritual as Lythria was talking to her father. He handed her a manual and said, "Try to complete it before returning."
He was really a tall man and had a gentle smile on his face as he hugged Lythria.
He then looked at Veer and others and said, "Be careful on your way. Don't hesitate to run away when you encounter a tough enemy, haha."
He then left. It seemed he had a very carefree personality. But Veer now knew from his experience the man was not simple. He was at least as strong as the strongest knight in Drudar.
As they were entering the teleportation space, just after everyone crossed and Veer was going in, Sylwen said to him, "Ancestor said something to pass on to you. Don't be too hard on yourself. Many people care for you too."
Veer nodded then disappeared into the whirlpool.
...
As they came out at the other end, it seemed it was already noon. They searched for some time to know where they exactly were. It took some time. They were also relaxing a bit. So by the time they came out of the ancient ruins, it was already evening.
They had landed on the other side of the ruins. But it was even less dangerous. Now they found a new problem after they arrived at the place before the ruins' entrance. It seemed their horses were gone.
Caria broke down as she said, "How are we going to get back?"
Others also were wondering as Eleana said with a frown, "There is no option, let's walk by the road." Others agreed and they continued their journey. The atmosphere was peaceful with the night sky, beautiful landscape, and the chattering of girls.
Caria looked at Veer and asked," What are you and John whispering ?"
Veer and John looked innocent as Veer said, "haha,...nothing...isn't it John ?"
John also nodded but it just made look more suspicious.
Caria demanded,"Tell me John. Or else I will tell them about 'that' "
John's body suddenly shook as he said, "haha its nothing just a small thing. You can also take a look."
Veer looked at John doubtfully as he melted without any pressure.
Eryssa meanwhile looked at the thing. Her brows perked up ,"This... this is a diary..."
"A.. love diary... ?"
John looked behind as Veer coughed. "Haha it seemed our infamous knight John is going to have a wife soon."
Lythria looked at the book as she smiled ,"Wow its Veria ."
Eleana seemed to want to say something as suddenly she sensed something.
Everyone felt a sudden chill as a few bats suddenly crossed in front of them and disappeared in the woods. As they went a bit forward, a dog made a sound and went from their back. From the back,
Eryssa shouted, "It's trapping us."
Before they could understand, another horse crossed in front of them.
Veer felt a little dizzy as he seemed to have trouble knowing which direction to go. Then he heard Eryssa praying, "O great spirits of the seven worlds, I in my name Eryssa Drudar summon you illuminate the True Path ."
As she said that, her body glowed as there was a blinding light for a split second, and then everything became normal. But now in front of them was a huge figure standing. It was at least one story tall as it was pointing towards his legs deeply opened. Its skin was brown. But it was horrible looking. The scariest part was that it was headless and there seemed to be two eyes in its chest.
John muttered out loud, "What the f*ck is that?"
Caria screamed uncontrollably. Just then, Lythria suddenly leaped up as two beautiful white lotuses were conjured in her hands. They left her hand and aimed at the two eyes of the enemy.
Lythria landed in front of Veer after that and said with anticipation, "Well, I learnt somewhere that the eyes of this demon are his weakness."
As Veer looked at the dainty figure looking up at him with innocent eyes, and the unrecognizable creature crying out in the background that got stabbed in its eyes by the white lotuses similar to which he had seen before, Veer felt a deep shudder.