Arckray's POV
While King Daemon and I were dining in an exquisite chamber, I suddenly heard loud noises from outside.
The Helian King seemed serious despite hearing the shouts.
Cassius and I exchanged glances, sensing that something was amiss.
"Stay here, Arkcray. Do not leave this room until I tell you. I don't want any harm to come to you." King Daemon said before he left the chamber.
Once the king was gone, I peered out the window to see what was happening outside, but all I could see was smoke, though I could hear the shouts of people.
I attempted to open the door, but it was locked from the outside, trapping me inside.
"It seems something unpleasant is happening outside, Cassius!" I exclaimed.
"I will go and see what is happening and why they are shouting." Cassius said, slipping out of the window.
What could be happening?
I felt anxious for all the Apollans.
I paced around the room, unable to sit still as I waited for Cassius to return.
After five minutes, Cassius appeared, visibly exhausted.
"What is happening outside?" I asked.
"It's not good, Arkcray! The Helians have captured all the Apollans, causing chaos out there!" Cassius replied.
"What about King Gideon and Augustus?" I inquired.
"They have also been captured by the Helian soldiers. This is what happens when a kingdom is not well-versed in warfare! Tsk! Anyone can easily conquer us!" Cassius lamented.
"But most kingdoms have never attempted to conquer us, even the Helians! Why now? Why is this happening?" I questioned, feeling bewildered.
"We will find out the answers eventually! For now, we need to escape from this room." Cassius said.
"But where will we go? How can we escape from the Helians' watchful eyes?" I asked Cassius.
"I'll take care of it, just wait for me! I'll open the door from the outside." Cassius said, rushing off.
Luckily, I had a clever cat father who despite being preoccupied with food most of the time, he really have some skills!
After three minutes, the door finally opened, and I anxiously waited for Cassius.
However, when the door fully swung open, I noticed that there were no more Helian soldiers around, only Cassius standing outside.
"Where are the soldiers?" I asked.
"Don't ask questions, Arkcray! Hurry! Come with me!" Cassius said, and we both ran.
"It's challenging to run in a long skirt!" I complained, lifting my flowing dress as I ran.
"Tsk! Stop talking! They might hear us, those Helians have keen hearing!" Cassius scolded.
As we passed through a secret passage in the house we were staying in, it seemed like there were no other people around except for Cassius and me.
"Is this where we're hiding, Cassius?" I whispered.
"Keep quiet or else I will scratch you with my claws!" Cassius whispered back.
"I'll scream even louder if you do that!" I retorted.
"You're so disobedient!" Cassius replied in annoyance.
"Where are we going, Cassius?" I whispered, "What about our people?"
"We can't handle or rescue everyone! We'll seek help from my friends in the Kingdom of Ikarus!" Cassius said.
"Kingdom of Ikarus? Where is that? And who are your friends? Are they cats too?" I asked.
"Just follow me!" Cassius said.
As we emerged from the secret passage, hidden in a secluded area, my two eyes saw that they had captured the two kings, and they were bound and being led towards a large carriage.
"Cassius! King Gideon and King Augustus!" I cried, wanting desperately to help them but feeling helpless because I lacked skill in combat!
"We can't do anything right now, Arkcray! We'll come back for them! Let's escape!" Cassius urged.
"If only I knew how to wield a weapon, we could save all the Apollans!" I worriedly replied.
"It's too late to regret now, Arkcray, but I promise we will free the Apollans. The Helians won't kill them because the Apollans are needed by all races for their healing abilities." Cassius assured.
"Where is Arkcray, the dancing girl? Why did she escape from my chamber?" King Daemon shouted.
My hand trembled with anger as I saw him.
I made a mistake.
He isn't really nice or good.
He is a detestable king!
I should not have talked to him! If only I had known his plan!
"Soldiers! Find Arkcray! The woman I want to make my queen cannot escape!" King Daemon ordered.
"You're disgusting!" I muttered to myself.
"Come on! They might find us soon!" Cassius said.
As I gazed at King Daemon from my hiding spot, I vowed to rescue the Apollans from his clutches. I made sure he would regret capturing our race.
And then I followed Cassius, who was running swiftly towards a place called the Kingdom of Ikarus. I had never heard of it before.
What should Cassius and me should expect in that place? But I hope we can seek help and I want to learn how to wield a weapon. That way, when we eventually save the Apollans, I wouldn't be afraid anymore.
Wait for me, King Gideon and King Augustus, the dancers who have supported me, and all my Apollan friends. I will return!
I will come back for all of you and set you free!
...
...
...
After three days of traveling...
"Are we still far, Cassius? I'm exhausted! It's so difficult to walk in women's shoes! My feet are covered in blisters!" I complained, lifting my legs with every step since my feet were already bleeding from continuous walking.
"We're almost there! Just endure a bit longer, or if you can't, just walk barefoot!" Cassius replied.
"What are we going to gain in Ikarus? Will they help us free the Apollans from the Helians?" I asked Cassius, as I groaned in exhaustion from walking.
"They are my closest friends." Cassius said.
"Who are they? Are they talking cats like you?" I asked, "What is special about the Kingdom of Ikarus?" I inquired.
"It is a kingdom known for their expertise in weapon forging." Cassius explained.
"Weapons?" I questioned, "I need that! I need to learn how to wield a weapon! Let's go, Cassius!" I said, suddenly feeling energized.
"But you can't just use those weapons right away. It requires proper training, and without any knowledge, you'll have a hard time using them." Cassius explained.
"I'll do whatever it takes to learn. Even though the Apollans don't possess magic, I still want to learn how to handle a weapon! With that, I can fight!" I declared. "So, let's go! I'm excited to reach the Kingdom of Ikarus! I need to learn to fight for our race! I'm angry, Cassius, angry at all the Helians, especially King Daemon! He took advantage of the kindness of the Apollans!" I added, quickening my pace.
"Hey! Wait for me! You don't even know the right direction!" Cassius shouted.
...
...
...
After nearly another hour of travel, we finally reached the entrance of Ikarus, and outside stood sentinels armed with large weapons, deterring anyone from attempting to fight them!
As we stood before the guards, they immediately blocked our way with their sharp spears.
"Who are you, and what is your purpose in the Kingdom of Ikarus?" one of the guards asked.
"Hello! I'm Arkcray, and this is my cat, Cassius!" I said with a smile. "We come from Apollo. I hope you won't harm us since we come from the land of healers."
"We don't accept any visitors, even if they are from Apollo. You may leave, sir." the guard replied.
"I'm a woman! Can't you tell from my attire?" I asked, showing off my smooth legs.
"Arkcray, your makeup has smudged so you don't look like a woman anymore. Plus, you look dirty." Cassius whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me? How embarrassing!" I whispered back.
"You can both leave now!" the guard stated firmly.
"How stingy! You're so ugly!" I exclaimed in annoyance, and suddenly, I found a spear pointed at my face. "Just kidding! Hehe! I'm leaving!" I shouted, distancing myself from them.
"It seems we won't be able to enter Ikarus so easily without a reason." Cassius remarked.
"Why didn't you mention that you were meeting your friends?" I asked.
"Do you think they would allow a cat like me?" Cassius questioned.
"Just sneak in by yourself first." I replied.
"I can't leave you here, Arkcray! You're crazy!" Cassius replied irritably.
"My cat dad loves me so much! Come on! I'll even give you a kiss!" I said, laughing, as I hugged Cassius.
"Stop it, Arkcray! We need to find a way to get in!" Cassius said.
"The question is, how?" I answered.
I looked around with Cassius to find a way to sneak into the Kingdom of Ikarus.
And as we observed, we saw a carriage that seemed to be entering Ikarus.
"Cassius, do you see what I see?" I asked.
"I think I know what you want to do. But how about you, Arkcray? I can slip inside the carriage, but what about you?" Cassius asked me.
"Arkcray will handle that! When it comes to mischief, I lead the way. Hehe!" I grinned.
"Whatever you're planning, I hope you succeed." Cassius said.
"Come on, while they're still far, I need to execute my plan!" I whispered to Cassius, and we hurried toward the path of the carriage.
There, I placed a stone covered in dirt. And at the moment the carriage hit that stone, I would begin my plan as if I were the one they accidentally ran over!
Mehehe!
...
...
...
"Here it comes! The carriage is arriving! Let's hide, Cassius!" I whispered.
Both Cassius and I waited for the carriage to reach the trap I had set, so I could execute my plan.
After a minute...
(Thud!)
"What happened!" shouted the man driving the carriage as he came to a stop.
Fortunately, his carriage was too high for him to see me on the ground. So, I secretly lay down in front of his carriage and started my act.
"Ouch! You ran over me! Aaack!" I screamed.
"Oh, my goodness!" exclaimed the man as he quickly got off and approached me. "Are you alright, sir?"
"Alright? Do I look alright to you? You ran me over with your huge carriage, and now you're asking if I'm alright? Are you serious?" I replied in annoyance, pretending to be in pain. "My dreams are shattered! I won't be able to walk anymore! All I wanted was to go home to Ikarus! Huhu! And you run me over! Unbeknownst to me, innocently walking on the road!"
"But I didn't see you earlier." the man said.
"I told you I got run over, and now you're arguing? Ouch! Huhu!" I continued.
"I apologize, sir. Let me escort you to Ikarus." he said.
"Very well!" I said. "Do you have any water? I'm thirsty." I sniffled.
"Yes, I have water inside my carriage. Come with me." he said, offering his arm as he guided me into the carriage.
Hehe! I'm really good at acting. Wahaha!
Once inside the carriage, the man handed me a cold drink of water.
"Sorry again for injuring you. We're leaving now, and you can rest here." he said.
"That's fine. I'll just rest here. Ouch! Ouch!" I said, pretending to be weak and in pain in my lower back.
As the man left, he closed the carriage door, and Cassius immediately appeared beside me.
"You're something else, aren't you? You even asked for water!" Cassius exclaimed, irritated.
"Leave me alone! I was thirsty, and we're here now, so let's make the most of it!" I replied.
"Where are you from?" a guard asked outside the carriage, causing Cassius and me to fall silent and hide, fearing they might look inside the carriage and see us.
"I am from the Kingdom of Aramedia and the things I carry are ingredients for cooking." the man driving the carriage answered.
There, Cassius and I heard as the carriage was opened, and I curled up in the corner, making sure we wouldn't be seen.
"You're alone?" the guard asked.
"I have a companion, a man." the carriage driver replied.
"There's no one here." the guard said.
"Oh, is that so? Perhaps he left." the man responded.
"You may proceed into Ikarus." the guard said.
Cassius and I grinned widely, almost hugging each other tightly because we were finally able to enter the Kingdom of Ikarus!
And then, we felt the carriage start moving again as the man drove it.
I peered out the window and saw Ikarus, which looked entirely different from Apollo. Here, weapons are being sold everywhere, men and women are competing in battles, and children are practicing with swords, bows, spears, and various other weapons.
Customs and ways of life truly varied from kingdom to kingdom. I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for my own Kingdom that I grew up in.
"Do you think we can free the Apollans from Helios, Cassius?" I asked.
"That depends on whether my friends here in Ikarus can help us." Cassius replied.
"Who are they?" I asked again.
"They are called Ikarians, the people who reside in Ikarus, the ones we're looking for." Cassius explained. "But the one I want to speak to now is my friend, Zephyr. He is a skilled warrior with the power of speed."
"That Ikarian you're referring to sounds impressive. I hope he can teach me how to use a weapon! Maybe even a sword! I bet I would look handsome while wielding a sword?" I chuckled.
"I'd rather not say anything, Arkcray." Cassius replied.
After a while, the carriage came to a stop, and the man opened the door.
I greeted him with a smile, which surprised him.
"I thought you were gone!" he exclaimed.
"I just fell asleep! Hehe! Thank you so much for helping us get inside Ikarus. I'm telling you, you will be blessed by our deity for your kindness! Next time, I'll buy plenty of ingredients from... what was the name of your kingdom?" I asked.
"Aramedia, sir. Thank you very much." the man replied.
Cassius and I then got off the carriage.
"No, we should be the ones thanking you. Because of you, we're one step closer to freeing a captive kingdom." I said with a smile.
"It's my pleasure." the man replied.
"We'll go ahead. Until we meet again." I said, and Cassius and I started walking to find the Ikarian friend he mentioned, Zephyr.
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