Chapter 09 : So I made A Promise to A Crying Sister

- "Mr. Agni, what are you doing? Where are you going? You don't want to travel with us?" Gornor says. 

I turn around and say with confusion, "You aren't scared of me?"

- "Why? Are you our enemy?"

- "Of course not."

- "Then why will we be scared of someone who just saved us?"

- "But you were looking horrified!"

Liorath says, "I bet we did. We have never seen that kind of power before. You just killed them in the blink of an eye. And that flame on your hands!" Elisa says, "Yes. That flame is beautiful and scary at the same time." I say hesitantly, "So you are alright with me traveling with you?" Gornor says, "That is my question for you. If you didn't have that power, we would have failed to save you. Those bandits were strong and ruthless. We all knew we didn't have a chance with them. But you saved us. So, if you are comfortable with traveling with us, please do so." 

A warm feeling ignites like a flame in my chest. I smile and say, "Of course." Everyone smile.

Gornor walks towards the knife I threw and picks it up. He comes to me and says, "I know you don't require this kind of weapon. But I will be happy if you accept this as a gift from us." I smile and take the knife. I say, "Thank you, Mr. Gornor. I accept this gift."

Liorath says, "By the way, Mr. Agni, can you set fire to that log?. They are blocking the road." I smile and say, "Wait." I go near the logs and strike a punch in the middle of the log. With a loud sound, it breaks in half and moves away from the road. 

Liorath says, "That's scary." "And helpful," Gornor adds. 

We continue our journey. Before the evening, Darknia stops at a place. A river side land. I and Liorath collect some dry wood. Then, all prepare for camping there. I help them. It's pretty fun to do something with a group. I become buddies with Gornor and Liorath. 

We make two tents. One for men, another for women. We light up the woods. And sit around it. They share their food with me. I only eat fruits. They have some kind of dry meats. I don't even look at those. After we finish eating, Gornor tells some story about their adventure. How they made so much profit just by selling things to a high-demand place.

Gornor says, "We have been traveling for many years. I think it's time we settled down somewhere." Liorath says, "The money we will get from the treasure will be enough for us to settle down." Hilishiya says, "How about Alnovir? The weather is perfect there." Liorath says with a serious voice, "Anywhere but there." 

Zyrra told me everything. But I want to hear from another person. So I ask, "Why?" Darknia says, "You don't know?" I ask, "About what?" 

Liorath says, "Elinshor, the king of Alnovir, is more like a leech than a king. He got the throne by poisoning his father and framing his brother. From the day he sat on that throne, nightmares fell on Alnovir. He is addicted to luxury. Everything that shines, he buys. He loots his subject's money in the name of taxes. There are even taxes for newborn babies. People starve there. A few people, who are considered wealthy there, are actually very poor compared to another kingdom's lifestyle. He has no sympathy for anyone. He kills people according to his mood. If anyone dares to protest or complain about something, he gives the order to execute him in front of citizens. He only listens to flatterers. He even sold some of his land to the neighboring kingdom. In Alnovir, the army and the guards are mercenaries. It costs money just to talk to them. Citizens want to escape from there. But they need to pay a large amount of money just to leave there. The kingdom is highly profitable for mercenaries, robbers, and slave traders. Elinshor pays a huge amount of money just to buy a golden cup, and his son, Corlious buys female slaves at the highest price. That's why we are visiting the worst kingdom in the whole world."

I can feel my blood boiling. What he said is the same as what Zyrra said. Since The Sanctus Dominion is busy with their fake purification, I will display the real purification by purifying Alnovir.

Gornor says, "I will be first, then Agni, and lastly Liorath." Liorath says, "Good enough for me. Come, Agni, you should sleep now." I go and sleep in the tent with Liorath.

I hear a voice. Delicate, high-pitched, and beautiful. A woman singing. 

I get up. So that song wasn't from my dream. The song is melting the night.

Who is singing at this time? 

I go outside of the tent. Gornor is sleeping. That's odd. I thought Gornor was a responsible man. And an experienced one. He would never sleep while staying on guard. I look forward to the voice. Then I see her.

A woman with long blue hair is sitting on the riverbank. She is singing while looking at the moon. As if she's telling her sorrowful feelings to the moon. 

She stops her singing and wipes her eyes. I start clapping. She startles and turns around. I stop clapping. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She says with confusion, "How are you still awake?" "I was sleeping. But your singing wakes me up." I reply. She stares at me for a while. Then she says, "Mermaid's song forces people to sleep. I haven't heard it ever awaken people." 

I startle and say, "You are a mermaid?" She nods. I ask, "Where is your fish-like tail?" 

She shouts with anger, "That's very rude, kid. Just because we live in water, that doesn't mean we are fish. And why would we need tails?" It's not just a question from her. My whole life is questioning me. I hesitantly say, "To...to swim?" 

She gives me a strange look. She jumps into the river. Swim around for some time, then come back to the land. I notice her hands and feet. They are kind of similar to frog feet. Webbed feet. Oh! That's the logic here. She says, "So, remind me again why I need a tail to swim?" I say, "Sorry. I thought that mermaids have tails. That's why they can swim fast." I can't say that I have learned that from my world. She says, "You insulted our race. But I will accept your apology if you tell me how you did not sleep after hearing my voice" 

- "I don't know that, actually. I can understand why Gornor fell asleep. But I don't know why I am affected. Please accept my apology. I didn't mean to insult your race."

- "You are not telling lies. And you are not like those lowlife humans. So, I accept your apology."

- "Thanks. Can I ask you a question?"

- "Sure, human."

- "Do you despise humans?"

- "Of course. Every race despises humans, even humans also despise humans."

I sigh. That hurts. I say, "I felt sorrow in your song, and you were crying. Did you lose anyone recently?" Her eyes get full with tears. She says with a tearful voice, "Yes. My sister. She is the most beautiful mermaid, you know. And the kindest one. Her...her voice is..." She can't complete the sentence. She starts crying. 

I just stand there in silence. She says, while choking on sobs, "One night she went alone on land to sit under the moonlight. And didn't return. I am sure humans captured her with magic. They captured mermaids even before. If I was with her that night...." She starts crying more.

I don't say anything, For I am unable to comfort anyone. All I can do right now is control my rage. This world is for everyone. Why is a mermaid not safe to sit under the moonlight? 

She calms down a bit. I say, "May I know her name and any details that can identify her?" She looks at me with surprise and says, "Her name is Melune. There is a...um...scar on her face. from the left side of her forehead to just below her left eye. I am responsible for that ugly scar. Why do you ask?" I say, "It may take some time, but I promise you, I will return your sister to you, no matter where she is." 

She looks at me with wide eyes. Tears are falling from her eyes.