Humps along the road were always Auretta’s enemies, yet she chose to stay composed–don’t be terrified. She still felt like she was in that wagon–along with Truce and his companion, except this was open and it was bright.

Fortunately Truce and the man were gone now. But the word princess rang through her mind. Auretta perked her head up, glancing around her environment. Could the princess be looking for her because of the stone she found in the ruins?

“Heron, have you perhaps met the princess before?” she blurted, covering her mouth as he looked at her. “I’m sorry–could you repeat?”

She left her mouth wide open, shifting her gaze to the wooden floor. “Nothing… Nevermind.” Auretta clapped her hands over her lap. The wagon most certainly wasn’t comfortable sitting on, but it was better than being confined in that cramped room–in the dark, especially back in the orphanage. Just the image of the place makes her hunch her back as her hands shake.

Her eyes squinted shut as she buried her onto her knees.

Everything’s fine.

Everything’s fine.

She thought.

She was far away from that orphanage now. Her breathing was erratic, gripping onto the ends of her skirts. “We’ve arrived.” Auretta flinched, drifting her gaze at Heron as she took several deep breaths.

Auretta felt the air, prickling onto her legs like ice. It’s a good thing she wore her coat despite the warmth from the western coasts.

Her plan now was to quickly get her things and escape. She didn’t know where to run off to, but it was definitely far from this place.

Cracked and pale stony walls began to tower over them. Auretta felt sadness, peeking through them. Even the atmosphere didn’t feel too happy here in Andromedius. She glanced at Heron, holding tightly onto the reins of the dark stallion. She furrowed her brows at the sight of him wearing a hood. What for?

Crowds scattered across the streets, the same buzzy noises and murmurs filled the air. Auretta didn’t know if it was a relief or not to be back here.

“Could you just drop me off here?” “I can’t hear you!” he shouted, earning a huff from Auretta. Screw the noise of the crowds. She stepped closer to him, tripping forward as the wagon took a halt.

She groaned, looking up to see Heron reaching out his hand to hers. “Be careful,” “Watch yourself!” yelled a middle aged man, just across another wagon. “Sorry for the accident,” Heron replied, pulling tightly onto his hood as he let go of Auretta’s hand.

“Sorry–what were you saying earlier?” he asked, slipping his hand off back onto the reins. “Could you just drop me off here, please?” Auretta replied, gripping onto the rough wooden edges of the wagon, praying she wouldn’t get a splinter.

“Not yet–just a little further. We’d be blocking the streets.” Auretta turned around, glancing at the crowd which had multiplied in number. Gaping her mouth, she groaned quietly.

Her eyes shifted toward Heron again, noticing the slightly tensed shoulders. He seemed uncomfortable. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you wearing a hood?” she tilted her head.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as the stallion halted. “I think it looks cool?” he replied, hopping off his seat, pushing his way through the people who were next to the wagon. He reached out his hand for Auretta, assisting her as she hopped off the wagon, a soft scream escaping her lungs.

“Thank you Heron,” she muttered, shooting a smile at him as she pulled her hand away from his. “You’re welcome, now just be careful… I guess this is where we bid each other farewell.” he muttered, gazing away at the gray skies.

His expression matched the color of the sky–gloomy. Perhaps it was just Auretta misunderstanding his facial expressions–he didn’t even bother to tell her his name the first two times they met.

Even if that is so, Auretta would look forward to seeing him again. “Well I have one question… Do you know any alternatives to the Revelation Stone?” Heron’s sullen face shifted into a frown. “I told you before to refrain from-” “I know… It’s just…” Auretta bit her lip, grazing a strand of her hair aside. “Nevermind–sorry.”

Heron pulled onto a saddle, hung over the stallion. He pulled out some apples, handing one to Auretta. “Here you go,” he moved aside, feeding another to the stallion. “Well, it was nice meeting you again.” Auretta muttered, flashing a beam at him as she waved at him, taking slow steps backwards.

“Goodbye!” she yelled, watching Heron wave softly at her as she disappeared into the crowds.

Now–plan is to collect her things from the inn, second bid farewell to the innkeeper. She’s leaving this city for good. Who knows what other terrifying thing could be waiting for her in this place.

Buried in the deepest darkness of the palace–there laid a cracked mirror, underneath a rusty chandelier, covered with spiderwebs.

Dew drops and footsteps filled the quietness of the secret cellar. Fingers brushed through bright crimson strands. This young lady marched forward, dressed in the finest milky white silks of Pyralis, orange rhinestones matching her eyes that made you feel you were watching the sunset.

Her delicate hands brushed through the rusty edges of the mirror as the other rubbed her lower lip. “Master, I bring words…” she muttered, keeping a conceited and unpleasant expression.

The mirror shimmered brightly. What once was cracked, showing the reflection of the princess, was now a beautiful woman, hair as dark as the midnight sky and eyes bright as pearls. A foul smile was painted over her face as her eyes met the crimson haired young lady.

“What news, Princess?” “Don’t be too excited… One of my father’s magicians and soldiers were found dead,” said the young lady, keeping the same face as the woman in the mirror shifted to a furious expression. “They failed to bring the girl?!” A subtle nod met the woman.

Out of fury, the silver haired lady became hysterical, taking slow breaths as she glanced at the princess again. “We, however–suspect Jaemilus is still alive. Judging from the burnt marks of the corpses.” she stated.

The woman rubbed her chin, furrowing her brows. “Wherever Jaemilus could be, he could be under the protection of remaining Lumerionthians. Find them and obliterate them completely, along with the girl.”

“It is not precise as of now, but I’ll carry out your orders. I’m sending more men to search for the girl once again.” she curtsied, bowing her head. “Oh faithful child, you’ll be blessed once I’m freed from this mirror, with the Song of Lumerionth.” the woman muttered. “If only that pathetic book keeper never locked me up here in the first place.” she hissed.