《Enchanted: Past, Present and Future》


 Prologue

    That night, the moon was shinning so brightly. There''s no cloud nearby to cover the beauty of the stars. Even the liveliness of the city can''t compare to the allure of the view. At the forest not far away from the city, there''s a very big patch of land. Where there were no trees and only swaying grass. In that place, a one-storey building was built long time ago. It''s glass windows were broken and the gates have rusts on them, telling that long time has passed since the last time a human passed there. But not far from the building, few cars were parked.


    The inside of the building was very wide and only a few stacks of wooden boxes and a chair were there. Only the light of a bulb hanging in the ceiling and some from the moon outside illuminated inside. It''s hot at the same time cold, and it''s very uncomfortable. Buteven if it is so, there''s a few men armed with guns were standing in the side. It seems from there posture and calmness even though it''s very uncomfortable inside, that they''re used to this kind of job and an expert. And the very weird thing was, there''s a woman tied in the chair. Her hands was roughly tied with ropes, causing her hand to bleed slightly. And her feet was tied in the same manner. The worse thing was, there''s blood dripping from her head and body. After some time her eyes started to move.


    "Uggh!" As her voice echoed, all men straightened in alert. And a man near the door quickly exited the area.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    ''Huh? where am I? Ouch.'' The woman suddenly moved causing the rope to scratch her wounded wrists. She slowly lifted her head and roamed her eyes. Her eyes were covered with blood and she can''t see clearly. She shook her head to get rid of the blood. After that she left her head again. Since the place was dark and the bulb didn''t helped her to see farther, she closed her eyes for a moment, whispering something. and at that time, the gate opened widely.


    A pair walked in slowly while holding their hands. She opened her eyes slowly before it widen with disbelief. She can see everything brightly like in a day. Even though the light in their back made their face blurry and hard to discern, but she can see it very clearly. From their posture, she could tell what''s up. She closed her eyes again and she can''t see again like earlier. In her heart she wished that she''s just dreaming.


    She begged and begged for the God to wake her up from this nightmare. Only her wish cannot be fulfilled no matter what. And there, her hope had been broken to pieces when she heard their voices.


    "It''s been a long time, isn''t it? I didn''t think that you would live this far. " His voice turned cold and mocked her. "Cockroach life like always."


    "Hey sis, You love me right! You always give me everything I want." The girl clinging to the man walked to her, looking at her body. Mirth inside her eyes, she caressed the woman''s face and smiled: "Just this once, please give everything that you have to me."


    "Don''t worry everything that Sis loves I will love them as much sis loved them----" She whispered at her ears smiling so widely. " So please look only at me."

 Chapter 1: An Ending is just a Beginning I

    ''It''s raining again, huh?'' A beautiful woman touched the glass window at her front. Savoring the cold feeling as she watched every drop of falling water in the window. It''s been raining lately. Looking further, she saw how those teens running around playing.But still there are some used umbrellas, leisurely walking under the rain. Looking at the other side of the window seems to be so lively even though it''s raining. This window seems to be a line that separates her from the outside, alone here in this white desolate room. A small smile bloomed at her face since she''s going to leave this building very soon. She will soon see her family again. "I hope he will be here soon. It''s been so long seen the last time she visited me" She said.


    Even though she had been hospitalized for over a year, she didn''t let herself be negligent towards her daughter and vice versa. Since she has a time to spare, she''s always on the line just to hear her daughter''s talk. All of her activities, she''ll tell her first. And even her crazy addiction to her hobby. She even played a game her daughter love the most, to the point that she almost didn''t sleep for a week just to finish it to the very end. And if the other side is not free she will browse all the files and do her job as the CEO of her company. Since she''s been hospitalized she let her lovely sister managed it for a while.


    All of a sudden, her vision turned dark and blurry. A pair of slender white hands covered her eyes. "Guess who?" A cool voice suddenly sounded beside her ears. A warm breath touched her ear thus turning it red."No need to guess." Hardly maintaining her composure, she faced the person behind her. "Again?" He playfully said.


    "You yourself told the answer to me." Calmly looking at his ocean eyes, she removed the other''s hand from the back of her head. "Eh? How come?"


    "Your face looks so dumb." Faking disgust in her face.


    "This face, this handsome face?" Touching his face, he also faked confusion on his face. Slapping lightly on his face, the woman smiled lightly and giggled softly. "Yes. No buts. You said we''ll go to the mall right? Let''s buy something before going home. "EHH?? Okay, I concede. I know you want to buy something for that silly little girl, always that girl. Even sister-in-law is much important than me. Hon, I''m jealous" He pouted.


    "Your just imagining things." She chuckled. "Then you''re all mine, today!" He said as a chuckle escaped from his mouth. He pulled her waist gently to his body. Just like that they exited the building. "Just only me ah!"


    They picked the nearest mall in the city. Even though it''s not big, neither it is small. They used almost 4 hours touring the whole mall. Eating in a restaurant, playing some arcade games and buying stuffs. That''s what they do and she''s very happy of that. It''s been almost half a year since the last time they see each other again. Since his husband is a popular international artist and he doesn''t have time to relax. His schedule is full packed without a hole to relax. and this time it feels like they were young again. Just doing their thing and not caring about the world.


    She''s in the car waiting for him to finish keeping the shopping bags, when she suddenly remembered something. She opened the door and walked to his husband. "I think I left the poster at the restaurant. I''ll be going back. " She''s about to walk back but her wrist was pulled by him all of a sudden.


    "Let me. Just wait for me here." He said.


    "Thank you."


    "But Hon, what would you do if someone recognized me and kidnapped me. Would you be worried?" He asked looking at the woman seriously.


    "It''s imposible." Staring at him, she said.


    "Oh. Then I''ll be on my way." Leaving her with a flying kiss, he ran.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "Why did I marry this flirt again?" Did I really make the right choice?


    After waiting for a few minutes, the white van beside her car opened. From there a group of men approached her from behind. "Miss, please come with us." The man who seems to be the leader asked her. Her brows can''t stop frowning when she heard a man''s voice from behind. "Why would I?" She suddenly turned around and saw several men surround her. Being surrounded by large men, scared her a little. "There''s someone who wants to meet you." But still she maintained her composure. "Who is it?" She asked. "You would know by then, after you come with us. And by the way, your sister is with that person." He said it like it is a matter and a fact.


    Shocked, her hands slightly trembled and asked: "My sister?" She suddenly grabbed the man''s shirt. "You piece of meat. You better be sure of it." Her eyes turned colder and colder with each passing seconds. "Here. It''s up to you if you believe it or not. But we need to bring you back." He showed her a picture of her sister, battered. Her head down as her hands were tied up in the wall. She almost lost her energy and fell to her knees when she saw her sister''s condition. ''Sofia? Who did this to you?''


    She almost lost her reasoning that time. Clenching her hand, she finally calmed down and willingly go with them. They travelled for almost two hours.


    Staring at the front, she suddenly smelled something sweet just like a rose. She felt nauseated but it was gone after a few seconds.


    They finally arrived in the entrance of a forest. The car stopped in the middle of the forest. All of them get out of the van and walked. After walking for half an hour, they stopped at the front of an abandoned building. ''Did I made the right choice?'' They didn''t go inside but stand there for a few minutes, after the man turned around and stared at her. "It''s really a pity, isn''t it? For the world to lose such beauty." He suddenly said. She can''t take it anymore and asked. "Where''s is she? You said you''ll bring me to her."


    "Humph. You''re just imagining things, Miss. I didn''t say you would meet her. I say, you meet someone." He said as several men approached and held her.


    "Then why the fuck you do that to her?" It''s really rare for her to curse but when she did, it''s always because of her family. "It''s just simple Miss. To lure you to come with us."


    "Oh is that all? Then where''s your Boss?" She said sarcastically when she saw he put a gun out from his coat. ''Sofia, just wait for me. I''ll save you.''


    "I''m sorry but he''s not my boss. Well it may seem like that because I always deliver someone to him. I think you may call me his delivery boy." He kept on waving his gun as he talked to the woman. "So, your job is not really to bring me back but to kill me, right?" She said as she kept on looking around. ''This place seemed to be familiar.''


    "You''re smart. Since just killing you is kinda boring. Let''s play hide and seek, shall we?" The man said as he kept waving the gun around. "We''ll play until the sun sets."


    "Then If I''m right we only have around 3 hours left?"The sun is currently past its high noon, nearing west.


    Waving 3 fingers at her : "Yes it is. As a handicap for me. 30 minutes. Ill give you 3 minutes either to hide or to escape. It''s up to you."


    As if thinking something, the woman stared at him for a while. Sensing this, the man chuckled. "Don''t worry Miss. The game will only about us. These men won''t participate. I give you my word."


    "I don''t know you at all why would I believe you?" She said as she started to contemplate where did she saw this place before.


    "hahaha! I don''t care. Let''s start shall we?" Laughing. "I''ll start counting. So start running beautiful Miss."


    Frowning, the woman started to run away.


    ---------------


    In the end, before the sun sets, she had been found and caught by the man, only by the man.


    Gasping for breath, she slowly lose control over her body. Numbness and prickling pain covered her entire body. "Hey, Miss the time is almost up. What should we do?"


    He started to poke her face, causing her to grunt in pain.


    "It really is worth it to use more than the dosage to drug you. See if I only used the recommended, I wouldn''t catch up. If ever that happens, my reputation would really be damaged."


    "D-drug?" She asked gritting her. ''To think I''ll be drugged without noticing.''


    "Yeah! You might not notice but I used it as some car freshener in the car earlier. It cost me a lot, you know? But it''s worth it." He grinned at her. "You''re really good at this as what my customer said. Hey, Miss don''t worry--- take care----body. I think--leave--------live" She could only hear fragments of what the man wants to say. She slowly lose her senses while looking at the man. ''To think, I couldn''t even save my sister. See my daughter. Kiss my husband. What an unpleasant thing.''


    Losing her sense of taste, smell, hearing, touch and finally sight, she said in her last breath: "I''ll be coming back, you fool."

 Chapter 2: An Ending is just a Beginning II

    ~Before the MC''s 2nd body was born~


    Under a beautiful and gigantic castle in an unknown world, there lies a very huge cellar which was only illuminated by a blue light. Protected by a dangerous labyrinth, A massive chunk of blue-colored diamond was situated at the end of a cellar. Standing alone. A very expensive blue diamond that can make any innocent man a sinner, was being placed there as a mere vessel for something orsomeone.


    Yes, someone. A very beautiful man was confined there right in middle of the diamond.


    His long silky black hair was floating like a seaweed under the ocean even though he''s inside one of the hardest stones in existence. And his porcelain skin which envelops his slim yet well-chiseled body, bring forth an elegant yet cold ambiance. His well-carved eyebrows and long eyelashes which was like an opened fan lightly meeting each other is hiding the eyes that can make everyone lose their breath. His proud and pointy nose and his delicate jawline was paired with a rouge-colored lips, makes you wonder what kind of melodic voice it might hold.


    This breathtaking beauty is really a God''s invaluable gift to humanity. But this gift was only allowed to be seen by the highest royalties that kingdom has.


    This kingdom has lived for thousands of years. Making it an Ancient Kingdom, an old yet dangerous enemy to make.


    It has been a culture for them to visit and pay their respects to this otherworldly man every decade. Sometimes it doesn''t need to be a decade for a serious devotee. In just several hundreds of years after the kingdom''s ascent, they started worship him as a God. That he, their god, was their very own guardian that leads them to prosperity. They even used his name as reason on every miracle that happens in the country. Even in choosing the next heir to the throne.


    As he is a very beautiful man that was said to be carved by the most-experienced and famous sculptors, it can''t be helped that there''s so many cases that women royalties even men loved him that eventually turned into obsession. Even though there were cases like that, It didn''t turn into a reason that will be the kingdom''s own downfall, but on the contrary, it turned to be it''s advantage over other''s. Which is weird, because an obsession will always turn a peaceful into a one whose not. But it constantly turned every king and queen, even princes and princesses to protect and make the country prosper and expand more. They used it as an oath to him. That they will only show their love to him by doing everything to protect what they believed he created, and that is the country they were born to.


    As the time quickly flies by, ten millennia has passed since the kingdom''s creation.


    Cracks.


    A huge fissure started to appear in the diamond. The time-tested diamond still can''t stand a chance from it''s fate, breaking. As soon as a very little fracture appeared in the diamond, the before-clear sky above the grand palace became pitch black. You can''t see anything beside a countless streaks of light accompanied by thundering roars. All of a sudden, gray ash started to fall into the place.


    This weather omen is not only limited to the kingdom. The whole world felt it. Even the sacred places that all legends resided experienced this sudden change of weather.


    A huge sleeping dragon was startled awake from the noise that the thunder made. Rage. Any person will feel this if they are suddenly awaken by loud noise especially a proud race that the dragon belongs to. But as soon as he came out from his lair, the frightening face that the dragon made is suddenly changed into fear.


    "Oh my great ancestors, this noble one has finally witnessed his awakening"


    "Guide the unfortunate ones to safety as destruction is upon them"If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Worry and fear will be stuck in his heart for years.


    The revered dragon who was famed by its overpowering prowess was surprisingly shivering.


    -----


    In the sky above the elves'' holy place the same thing happened too. The previously peaceful world that the elves lived has turned into a chaotic one. The frightening roars and the innumerable light streaks scared the residents especially the children.


    The parents quickly take their children to shelter in their own houses. Guards and fighters straightened their backs and increased their perception to sense the unknown event that may suddenly happen.


    Fear. Is overpowering the people''s heart.


    Even though nothing is damaged but the omen''s overwhelming pressure was taking over even the king''s mind. Because no normal thunderstorm could enter their domain unless it was something to be feared. The alarmed King has called an emergency meeting to all high officials and elders wherever they are.


    It only take a couple of hour for all Elders, from the youngest and lowest elder to the most respectable, The Grand Elder, to come together in the hall. As everyone is present, they have gone to their assigned seats and announce their names while bowing simultaneously.


    "I, the King Thrandruil, son of King Luthais, the previous ruler ofLothl¨®rien, invited you for thisimportant meeting. As all of us is aware that no matter what issue is in hand unless its in urgent need of discourse, I will not call you all in this sacred hall.


    I, The king whose blessed with the title of Belegon, is convinced that all of you here, are aware of the untimely change of weather outside. And you know too, that the barrier that protected this sacred place for so many millennia from hegemony and was created by our own great ancestors after theGreat WarbetweenHim, is an impenetrable shell.


    And all of a sudden, our great sky is tainted by some disturbing clouds. Its not only bound to be a mere raven-colored clouds but infinite bolts of light, loud rumbles and gray ashes which overwhelmed the entire territory.


    I hope that all of you will state every opinion you have in your very minds."


    The King curtsied as he finally break the intense atmosphere that shrouds the entire hall.


    "This old one will comply to Your Grace''s wish" The revered Grand elder stand up and bowed as he answered the king docilely.


    "Your grace, This one think something might happen to us that may even cause our our destruction. It might be a warning given by our gods to warn as from the Armageddon that has yet to come."


    "May this Elder state her thoughts Grand Elder?"


    " Yes, you may Elder Haleth"


    "This one acknowledges Grand Elder''s theory. As everyone may remember a prophecy that was given to us by our ancestors. ThatHewill woke up from his slumber and bring forth the world''s destruction yet again.Hisawakening will make sudden disturbance to all sacred places in the entire world as to our advantage. It was said that when he finally rouse from his eternal slumber, he will cause the heavens to turn. He will order countless light to paint the dark canvass of heaven and made the heavenly beast to scream his anger. And then he will offer the unfortunate his precious powder to show his compassion to the living and the dead." The beautiful tall woman disclosed her opinion gravely.


    "This one agrees to what the Grand Elder and Elder Haleth stated because no normal thunder clouds was permitted to pass the barrier unless its an omen we need to be worried about." An elder declared his agreement .


    knock. knock. knock.


    A soft knock resounded in the room as a refined elf''s sweet voice was next to be heard.


    "This lowly servant asks the King and Elders'' to be lenient for this lowly one''s disturbance. There''s a pair of letter delivered and addressed to the King Belegon."


    "Enter"


    The quiet-since-the-start King Belegon finally used his voice.


    The first letter was written exquisitely in a transparent paper covered by with a red leaf. It was sealed with a little stamp that the only the Queen of faeries will posses. While the other one was enveloped tightly by a highest quality of python''s skin and stamped by the royal insignia of the beast-men. It took a long while before the king again broke the silence.


    "This letters came from our allied faeries and beast-men, The letters are all about the sudden change of the sky. It''s confirmed that the prophecy is true. Aeglosson, Glawaron come."


    "Yes, King father?" Two men walked at the center isle and kneeled.


    "Go and pack. By tomorrow morning you''ll go and search for Him. You know that between the present and two decades from now is his time to grow and the time that he is weak. You two will take advantage of this and kill him."


    "This assembly will be dismissed for now. Everyone can go to their own respective houses. Be careful on the way." The king closed the meeting as he quickly exited the area.


    -----

 Chapter 3: An Ending is just a Beginning III

    It all happened the same with the Faeries, Beast-men and Dwarves. Dwarves only has a pitiful number living in existence at a place that can''t be called a country and a town, but between. Even Divine Beasts that were usually an aloof existence that treats the living as an ant. Like Dragons such as Wyverns and five-clawed dragon were disturbed from their wake and scared silly.


    But on the other side, you need to differentiate the Demons from the peace-loving creatures like the former. They treat Him as a messenger from God. That he is put forth to bring destruction to those hypocrites that they hate. And lead them to dominate the whole world.


    These concerned nations were engaged in using every efforts that they have in spare to prevent the upcoming calamity and the mentioned humans too. They only know a thing about the calamity that was upon them. They were so scared about it that they started to have an alliance to make an appropriate action about it. Even though the commoners were aware but they were not properly warned at all.


    And that certain kingdom. Even though they only know an inkling about it, its enough for them to panic. And most especially, something important was lost, right under their very own nose.


    And since Humans were usually weak, A huge population covered their shortcomings. That is why all of those who seeks to find him, will walk thousands of miles, meet countless of people and visit many kingdoms just to find a clue where he might be residing.


    But, the question here is: Will their hard work bear fruit in the end?


    -----


    In a certain night where you can see the sky was covered by a huge sea of stars and the round moon''s brilliance was at its highest, a huge cloud silently approached the area. And bit by bit, it slowly covered the sky.


    "How dare you do this to Faye, Rebecca?


    She''s so fragile and yet, you poisoned her to death.


    How dare you? I really regret taking you as my wife, You BITCH!"Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    A very loud voice who echoed inside a huge forest.


    A tall man looked at the other''s eyes as hate and confusion filled his beautiful orbs.


    "W-Wife? I didn''t know that you t-treat me as your wife."


    "Oh! Wife?! /pueehh/ Maybe back then I still respected you as a wife, maybe a woman. But now? You''re not even a fart compared to Faye.


    Because you, who''s supposed to take care of your now sister and her kid''s welfare, to pressure them when I''m not here, is really disgraceful.


    You even teach that twins of yours to be so evil when they''re only just a 5-year old kids. And for heaven''s sake, you let that little spawns of darkness to bully the one and only heir of this household, my son.


    You''re a failure as a mother."


    "Me? A fart compared to that bitch of yours? You''re the only one who thinks that way, Louis. I have many suitors tailing behind me to choose from. And you''re one of them, b-back then you''re still not comparable to some of them But I instead chose you as my husband. You c-can''t blame me and my twins. The very time that you take her as your c-concubine, she snatched your love away from us, Your true family. She even stole my peaceful life with you.


    And, for Pete''s sake Louis, you even treat your bloody hell of an heir gentler than your legitimate daughters.


    She''s really a BITCH, who poisoned your mind." A very hoarse voice where you can still hear a tinge of sweetness shouted at the tall man.


    "Dare say that again and I''ll cut your tongue right now"


    "Cut my tongue? You don''t have the rights to cut this lady''s tongue.


    W-Why? Because that favoritism of yours is a serious illness in the household. You favor your b-b-bloody son over my l-little angels that''s why my p-p-precious Katherine is lying in her bed for w-w-weeks without waking up.


    That''s..


    That''s..


    That''s because o-of your bloody son that m-my little angel is in d-danger.


    A-and me a failure--"


    "Shut up! You''re the bitch not my Faye."


    The tall man angrily rebuffed as he quickly point the sharp end of his long sword on the woman''s pale neck.


    "Hmph! I''m very glad that she''s not in this world anymore."


    SLASH!


    The tall man can''t stop himself slashing the other''s neck when he heard the woman''s poisonous words. The woman''s rouge liquid stained his favorite white trouser.


    "/auggh/ HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! /auggh/ Be care... w-w-w-with... your life.. /auggh/ Ha..Ha.. Ha.."


    The woman choked as she madly laugh at the the man''s grief due to her own doing.


    The woman''s charming eyes dimmed as she slowly slump on the dirty forest floor.


    The man''s heavy breathing resounded in the area when a group of black shadows suddenly appeared behind his back.


    "My Lord?" A man moved forward slightly as he call the man respectfully.


    "Take that thing away from me."


    "As you wish, my Lord" The man bowed as he ordered everyone behind him to start what they are tasked to do.


    The man slowly walked away from the area as he watched the dark clouds completely covered the earlier bright moon.

 Chapter 4: Rousing from Long Slumber I

    ~More than 10,000 years ago~


    tweet! tweet! tweet!


    At the top of a huge mountain covered with clouds, a sea of trees are swaying so gracefully as the cold morning breeze pass through.


    tweet! tweet! tweet!


    A group of cute little yellow chicks are chirping so happily. They finally met their mother whom they long for. Even though she''s just gone to find some worms moments ago.


    Really is a scene to behold.


    Not far from them, a very big patch of grassy land is in sight.


    Some parts are plowed which several types of vegetables are planted. Some parts are not, which few orchids and vines are crawling in the area. Even pens for pigs, chicken and some cows are there to make you feel nostalgic because of the beautiful mise en sc¨¨ne.


    Being surrounded by these, A not-that-big house is standing proudly.


    Inside the house, a small yet cozy living room will surprise you. Not far away, a simple dinette and small kitchen is fixed side-by-side silently.


    As you go further, you''ll find four doors with distinct name tags in its textured surface.


    At the bed inside one of those doors, A woman hugging a boy slept there. Sleeping deeply as the snow-white blanket cuddles their body.


    Beside them is a big window. Decorated with a very peculiar yet exquisite carvings. The white window curtain is tied up nicely at both sides of the window. There, A man holding a sleeping girl in his arms was sitting at the frame of the window. Patting the young girl''s hair many times.


    The rising sun''s soft and warm light veiled the two. Feeling the warmth, his thin lips curved up. Some of the light passed through them. That light caress the woman''s delicate face making a slight crease found its way on the maiden''s face. Her Icy blue eyes wandered for quite a while and smiled when she saw the man at the window.


    "Is it morning already? You didn''t wake me up again! I hate you." The maiden pouted as she said those words. "Why would I wake my wife when she''s sleeping peacefully?" The man opened his eyes and a pair of obsidian orbs happily stared at the brown-haired beauty at his front.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    Her blue eyes just like the beauty of the ocean pulls him to stare at her longer. Her long brown locks spread widely at the soft white bed. And her smiling face made him fall for her deeper. Even though she''s not the most stunning girl that he met he can''t take his eyes away from her. She''s not like a girl that you''ll fall for her at first sight of her beauty but the more you resist her eyes when you look at her, you''ll only drown more. "You spoil me too much. I don''t know if I can face your pursuers and be left alive." She chuckled.


    "Let them be. They are just used to have me in their side. Just let them adjust. If that day come, I''ll make sure you three that I love will be safe and happy!" As if the young girl in his embrace sensed her father''s feelings. she started to squirm and woke up. "Father, Would you mind to tone it down a little?" The girl said as she looked up to her father. Her Icy blues coldly looked at him as if challenging his father. Even though she looked at him in that way, his father instead looked at her tenderly and full of love. " Father will do. Just sleep my darling." He said as he start to pat her hair again.


    "By the way, I need to cook. I''m sure the twins will surely be hungry when they woke up completely. What do you want for the lunch?" She started to stand up and covered the boy with the blanket. "I don''t want anything in particular. Just cook it with love, It will surely be delicious." He said as a gentle smile bloomed at his face.


    She blushed and pouted at the same time when she heard his sentiments. "Hmph! You dare say that when I can only cook simple dishes while you!"


    "hahahahahaha!" He laughed and laughed when she ran away like someone was chasing her.


    "Father. Your voice." "Okay! Okay! Your father is just happy." he said as he looked outside. Thinking back to those days when he he hadn''t met his wife, surely was lonely. His life with his friends made him happy and colorful. But still he felt that there''s a huge gap in his heart. That he needed to search for something to fill the gap.


    After a very long time, he finally found that thing that can fill that hole. He didn''t realize it at the first time he found it. But after so many days, he finally realize what is it. Brown locks and blue orbs that has been at his reach all the time. And that is a woman, whom everyone was disgusted to be with. Almost everyone didn''t like her, particularly the girls. But even though it was like that, he can''t stop himself to love her.


    Her sweet laugh and thin skin that showed every emotion that she felt, such innocence was hard to find. He loved her because of that. But not everyone like it.


    "Darling, I have a question." He looked down at the girl in his embrace.


    "What is it father?" She asked as she looked up to her father. Curiosity passed in her eye for a second which the man caught.


    He smiled and said: "Is your father deserving to have you, Lila, Ali and your mother?"


    "You always asked that. You don''t need to ask that almost everyday father. You not only deserved us but you''re the only one who''ll have the rights to be our family. And nobody does." Her lips curved happily as she said those things.


    "Darling, that''s very long. I''m happy to hear that from you." He''s shocked a little by her daughter not-actually-long-but-for-him-it-is reply.


    "Tsk. Stop your nonsense father and let me sleep." She said as she buried herself more to his embrace.


    "Hahaha!! That''s why I really love you darling." He lowered his head and kissed her hair as he closed his eyes too.

 Chapter 5: Rousing from Long Slumber II

    Darkness.


    That''s all I can see for now.


    No light. No noise. No smell. But one thing is clear for me, I''m shivering.


    Maybe I can''t see or hear but currently I can feel. Cold.


    ''Is this the hell they''ve talking about?''


    I curled myself wondering why is hell so cold. Why hell I say? That''s because heaven won''t surely be like this. Heaven is a place where everything is so ethereal. Where you can be happy. But everything here doesn''t align with my thoughts. Then it''ll only be hell.


    But everything is so cold, where it is supposed to be covered with fire.


    Where you can see a vast ocean of magma, torturing the crying souls.


    But in this abyss of darkness, I can''t see anything that is in my playful imagination.


    Only a vast sheet of darkness, eating my very soul.


    Compared to this, the fiery hell is somewhat tempting to be in.


    You can scream, feel pain and see the light. Making you aware that you are still conscious.


    ''Is this what they call purgatory? If it is, I will surely like hell more.''


    Not in here, where you even don''t know if you still exist. Without my knowing, A very very long time passed by.


    ''Adam, come'' All of a sudden a sweet and gentle voice spoke. It felt like I''ve been called by my lover. Like she''s luring me to hug her and cherish her.


    Woken by the sweet temptation, I slowly opened my eyes. A very tiny dot appeared far a way from me.


    ''Adam, here.''


    Entranced by the voice, I crawled my way to the tiny dot of light. Even though I can''t feel anything except for the cold, warmth flows inside me with each time I get close. In every step that I made, I caused a ripple to appear beneath me.


    The earlier tiny dot became a large ball of light.


    ''Love please, be happy''


    I don''t understand anything the voice say. I reach for the ball of light as if the voice came from in it. And made my thoughts directed to the ball not to the voice.


    When I finally touched the ball, the light covered me thus making me faint once again.


    ''Remember! I''ll be waiting for you.''


    --------


    This very day, the clouds were spread far apart revealing the beautiful blue sky. Alone in his castle, the king sun moved leisurely to his throne. Gazing at everyone below him. This time was the season that the cold prince of the north(winter) was about to leave as his sister, the sweet princess of east(spring) keeping his white blanket away. (Melting of snow)


    The slightly warm breeze passed by as it made my silver hair swim gracefully with each passing wave. A sweet scent produced by a freshly picked jasmine, find its way to my nose that brought me to a state of calmness. In just a year, so many things happened. That made me confused and a little stressed.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.


    And later, I need to meet those bird-brained old fossils. Ugh! I really don''t understand how come they became respected and known.


    "Aissshh!!" I unconsciously tightened my grip causing the already fragile cup to suddenly broke, thus making the golden tea stain my laced gloves.


    "Young Miss!" A worried voice sounded beside me as the owner of the voice immediately taken out another pair of laced gloves.


    "Young Miss, please take off the gloves. Are there any wounds?" A teary lil girl was about to reach my hand when I waved my hand signalling her not to worry. That girl had a slightly small stature even though she''s actually three years older than this body''s original age.


    "I''m really sorry! Giving you this much worry about me, Royce."


    "Young Miss!! This one is really blessed to have you as her master." The lil girl smiled as she politely passed the gloves to me.


    "Hahaha... By the way, what happened to what I told you before??" I said gloomily. I tilted the new cup I got from Royce, watching how a petal moves from a corner to another. Everything seemed to be perfect at the first glance, the atmosphere that was light-hearted while me sitting inside the roofless pavilion at the center of the lake. Drinking a cup of jasmine tea, enjoying the scenery. But with a sentence, the mood changed entirely.


    "From what we expected, His Grace really had a hand on it. But Young Miss we didn''t manage to get a solid evidence against His Grace."


    "It''s fine. Time is ours but getting caught is a not. I don''t want that Old man to know our moves."


    "This one will always remember!" She said as she bowed deeply at my side.


    "You may retire first. I''ll need you later so rest well. And.. You may call Rafielle to attend me for now."


    "Then, Please excuse this one." The girl left me at the second my command is released. Giving me a time for myself, to rest and think.To think I''d dream that darkness again.hmmm..


    Drinking the newly replaced tea, I let my eyes closed for a while. Continuing my earlier reminisce of the past. The first time I stepped in this world.


    -----


    A familiar yet not surrounding surprised my eyes the moment I woke up.


    "Huh? Where am I?"


    I sluggishly moved my body out of the bed.


    Thump.


    I suddenly lose my strength the moment I stand up. "Huh? Am I not dead?" Not noticing my body''s current state, I tried to stand up again. Walking my way to the door without care of my surroundings, I quietly open the beautiful door.


    "This is? Literally, I''m fucked up."


    Seeing the long corridor, I cursed while walking. ''Why am I here? Is he playing with me?''


    "This thing is surely not a house, its a small castle. I murmured when I peeked on one of many massive windows in the corridor. ''Everything is getting weird.'' A small staircase caught my eyesight. I immediately walked to it.


    "This place? Why does it feels so familiar to me?" The floor below was almost the same from the upper floor. Except that it is widerand have fewer rooms.


    Continuing my adventure, I finally get what I want. Seeing a door that leads to the outside world, I immediately opened it. A cold breeze touched my face the moment I opened the door.


    A big ball of light overshadowed the loveliness of the sky. Helping me to see a beautiful scene in front of me, the beautiful yard. I walked for a several minutes when I found myself at a small pond beside a huge rock. There were some koi-like fishes swam inside it. Even though the pond was quite blurry, I can see the moon''s reflection clearly. Taking off the gloves that I currently wear, I sat beside it and quickly washed my face with the cold water to help me awaken my senses more than I did before.


    Thus giving a shock to my heart.


    "What the? Fuck! I''m dreaming, am I?" I fell to my ass when I saw a reflection of a very beautiful woman in the unstable waters. I sat up and crawled back to check if I saw it wrong.


    I gasped as I saw again the reflection of a beautiful woman.


    Silky silver hair which glitters when a light pass through them. A slim figure that can bewitch anyone with just standing alone. Pointy nose, delicate jawline, crescent eyebrow and a dark pair of bloody orbs were placed perfectly, giving anyone who see a jolt.


    But that cold eyes was staring at me, giving me goosebumps. A perfect beauty with a cold graceful and elegant air.


    ''This? Is it m-me? Okay! Okay! I died and what''s next? Did I just re-re-incarnated? Unbelievable!''


    Not giving much of a thought in the end, I put the gloves again to my hand and walk into the forest. Not long before I leave the pond, I missed the changes in the pond.


    I followed a long trail, maybe it''s made by the previous ones who wandered here. I tried to wound myself with a branch that I saw in the way. Seeing the rouge liquid in my shoulders gave me the confirmation that I''m not in dream. I continued my walk for a short while. When I''m almost at the middle of the forest, I hear a slashing sound in front of me.


    A tiny figure of a girl caused me to gasped.