Chapter 5

Upon arriving in the city, my excitement overwhelmed me and I couldn't help but gasp. After a long journey, it was hard to believe that I had finally made it. Taking a moment to observe my surroundings, I found myself standing in the middle of a bustling road. People dressed in tunics and long dresses were engaged in lively conversations, while guards kept a watchful eye on the crowds. Street merchants were busy selling their goods, filling the air with the aroma of freshly cooked meat. As I stood there, people hurried past me and the sound of wheels turning echoed in the distance.

With a wide grin and a sense of anticipation, I couldn't wait to find a place to rest and continue my journey. Being in this kingdom reminded me of the days when I used to explore my old kingdom with my sister, before it was destroyed. However, the pressing question of where to find a place to rest weighed on my mind. I walked forward, searching for a suitable accommodation, but after a while, I grew disappointed as I struggled to find one. To make matters worse, my feet began to ache once more.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar caught my attention and I looked up at the sky, witnessing a flash of blue lightning. Realizing the urgency to find a place to rest, I refocused my attention and continued my search. Despite the mounting pressure in my mind, urging me to give up, I remained determined. It wasn't easy for me to just simply quit..

However, the clouds above began to shed their tears, and I gazed up at the rain pouring down. The once lively chatter ceased as everyone hurried home, and the street shops closed up. Another bolt of lightning illuminated the sky, accompanied by the echoing sound of thunder.

As the mysterious voices reverberated all around me, I lowered my head and surveyed my surroundings. The origin of the voices remained a mystery to me, yet they perturbed me greatly, and I yearned for them to cease. Despite my fervent desire for the voices to stop, I found myself powerless to halt them, rendering my efforts futile.

My glance roamed around until it spotted something intriguing. "Huh?" No one in sight besides a figure in dark brown cloak. That cloak was tattered, and the person's eyes were obscured by shadows when she faced me. As soon as she departed from my presence, it vanished into the mist.

Confunded by her nearness, I cautiously strolled forward and yelled, "Hi?" I went after her, considering the environment for any sign revealed by the mist, however all remained tricky. Coming to a halt, I surveyed the area once more in a fruitless attempt to locate the mysterious individual.

Perplexed by the disappearance of the figure, I continued my search in vain. Suddenly, the voices echoed once again, this time emanating from my right. Turning towards the source, I discovered an open house and a cleared area.

Raising an eyebrow at the doorway, I took a few steps back. The sound of a wolf reverberated throughout the kingdom, prompting me to turn left and hear distant screams shrouded by the fog. Despite being unable to see through the fog, I trembled and swallowed nervously. Alternating my gaze between the open doorway and its surroundings, I searched for an escape route but found none amidst the enveloping mist.

The guards’ voices or footsteps echoing from behind me in the distance. Looking back and forth, I wanted to go to the guards until the creature attacked them too, making me nervous for a bit. Desiring to find a safer hiding spot, I hesitated to enter the ominous room beyond the open doorway. Unaware of the perils lurking in the darkness, I felt a sense of foreboding about what lay ahead.

As the monstrous figure approached me, I instinctively turned away and prepared to flee in terror. However, a gentle touch on my shoulder made me look down to see a wrinkled hand reaching out from beneath a floating cloak. Startled, I glanced back up to find the same mysterious individual I had encountered earlier. She unleashed a radiant spell that banished the dark, smoky creature with glowing red eyes, saving my life. Grateful for her intervention, I eagerly anticipated expressing my gratitude. I pondered whether she might be a divine being.

When the woman smiled down at me and invited me inside, I realized she was an elderly lady. Gesturing towards the doorway, she indicated for me to follow. I hesitated, then asked, “Do you reside there?”

“Why, of course, my child,” she replied.

“Oh...I see. Are you a goddess?”

“I shall reveal the answer in due time. Let's get inside for now,” she urged.

“Very well.”

As we entered the darkened room, she closed the door behind us. Just as I was about to speak, she chanted a spell, illuminating the space with candlelight. Surveying the room, I noticed a desk near the bed, a large mirror reflecting ourselves, and a table with several smaller tables beneath it.

Motioning for me to sit, the woman patted my arm and said, “Take a seat, my dear. I imagine you must be hungry.”

I glanced up at her and offered a smile before taking a seat at the table. As I settled in, my gaze shifted downwards to find only a solitary candle adorning the surface. Intrigued, I pondered whether she possessed the ability to conjure food through her spells.

Before the woman could join me at the table, she gracefully waved her hand, causing a bowl filled with bread pieces to materialize before my eyes. Astonished, I couldn't help but gasp in excitement. Pointing her palm towards the food, she declared, "Help yourself."

Taking a portion of the food from the bowl, I expressed my gratitude to her once more. To my surprise, she then mentioned my intention of resurrecting my older sister in the secret world. Bewildered, I couldn't fathom how she was aware of my objective. She explained that she possessed the ability to read minds and assured me that she was not a deity.

Initially hesitant, I eventually decided to trust her as she reminded me of how she had saved my life. Reluctantly, I revealed the map to her, and she proceeded to show me the exact location of the secret world.

Re-expressing my gratitude, I continued to enjoy my meal and took some time to rest. I fervently hoped that her revelation about the location of the secret world was not a falsehood. The anticipation of resurrecting my sister consumed me as I eagerly awaited my arrival in that realm.