There was something going on in Veer's mind as he gazed at the crying figure. It's not connected to me, is it? But he could feel something was wrong, and recalling that white lotus in the room earlier, he found it somewhat absurd. 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, "Ok mother," as she beckoned Veer's group and said, "Let's go." Just then, Sylwen noticed Lythria's mother, and she took the crying figure and walked towards her. Meanwhile, Veer and his group were going back from there. Everyone had a face of confusion as they occasionally gazed back.
Veer seemed to notice a gaze from the back as they moved away. 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 her 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, "Everyone is dismissed." Sylwen then took the crying girl as she was going somewhere. The crowd vanished rapidly as the celebration ended in an unexpected way. A shadow manifested near Lythria's mother, who was moving to her quarters, as he 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 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.
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 picked up a slim book 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, "Veer, we are thinking about going back today. What do you think?"
Veer said, "Yes, it's already late. By the way, what happened to yesterday's matter?"
Lythria said, "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, "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 like focusing on breathing and just practicing his own techniques. She then 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.
Veer and the others were lost in the beauty of it as Lythria said, "Come, sister is waiting at the doorstep." They followed without any issue with Myrieth. Myrieth whispered to them, "Actually, a new vice leader has been elected today at the council."
Lythria was 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, "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 flowers adorned her as she really looked like a queen from the stories.
Rows of seats were there. The girl, Velithra, was seated closest to Lythria's mother. Actually, Veer and the others knew that Lythria's father was also there, as her gaze seemed to go to the figure on the right of Lythria's mother 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 Lythria's father and said, "Hand her the complete manual, dear. She hasn't completely learnt everything."
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, and 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 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 a tall man with 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, "Ancestor said something to pass on to you. Don't be too hard on yourself. Many people care for you ." Veer 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 home?" Others also were wondering as Eleana said, "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. But 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 to relieve us of predicament and let us know the true figure of the illusion."
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. 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?" as Caria screamed uncontrollably. Just then, Lythria 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, "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.