Kiran held her breath as she gaped at the scenery that Aledir was flying over. Below them and the blue sky was a vast verdant landscape surrounded by mountains that looked like they were hand painted by something divine.
Their group of three set out on the next leg of their journey early in the morning, just as Noorh planned the night before. He ordered Aledir to fly toward a direction in the horizon, which Kiran could only muse was north. As basic as her knowledge was about navigation and direction in her world, she wasn't sure which was north from where they were. Primarily because…
"Hey Noorh," she began, deciding to open up about something that had puzzled her ever since she noticed it the day before.
"Yes?" Noorh calmly asked as Aledir expertly maneuvered toward the green horizon.
"Where is the sun?" Kiran began, looking curiously at Nooh.
Noorh blinked. "The sun," he muttered.
"Yes, the source of light during the day..?" Kiran e
Watching Noorh turn away and walk toward the other end of the hall with his gorgeous fiancée made Kiran remember her first experience with unrequited love. It was the first time she felt like she finally understood what TV shows said was a "crush" - a harmless puppy love. She became infatuated with a popular boy in class. It was a standard, cliché romance story of a forgettable nerd falling for a good-looking, athletic boy. Even when they ended up in one study group, the coolest boy in class didn't seem to care that Kiran existed. He knew her by name and probably by how helpful she was in academic group activities, but that was pretty much it. Kiran didn't really mind it at the time though. Her heart fluttered whenever she saw him, and he spoke to her when necessary so it was all cool. Then the group of honor students started teasing the prettiest girl in class about liking him. It would have been nothing but playful banter if the girl and the popular boy hadn't shyl
Kiran found herself standing in the lobby of her campus building. She stared at the university grounds. It was filled with youths making their way across the grassy lawn toward their respective classes. Some were happily chatting with their peers while others were casually walking alone with their headphones on. The sun was up and the sky was blue. It was just like any morning that Kiran experienced in school."Kiran!" Remy called out, jolting Kiran from her musings.She turned stiffly around and found her friend smiling brightly at her."Sorry, I'm late," Remy continued, stopping in front of her. "The professor just wouldn't stop talking. Did you wait long? I'm hungry!"Kiran stared wide-eyed at her. A part of her wondered why Remy was there, despite how it made perfect sense for Kiran to see her in school. "No, I don't think so," she answered."Let's go to the café-""Remy!" another familiar voice called out from a distance.
Dinner had been awkward. The king initiated conversations with Kiran many times since the food was served. Thanks to Diel's confidence - or was it arrogance? Kiran found herself speechless at the table. Just as Diel promised, he responded to every question that king threw her way. It reached a point where she feel deeply apologetic and embarrassed for her adolescent escort's rude behavior toward the head of Lahnthea's royal family.One particular conversation that made Kiran especially uneasy as about how Diel ended up escorting her to the dining hall. Apparently, the king was scheduled to introduce her to Diel himself during dinner so he was surprised when she arrived at the table with Diel."I was passing by her quarters so I figured there really wasn't a need for a formal introduction from you," Diel explained, keeping his sharp eyes on his plate. "We don't have any protocol prohibiting my actions, do we?"Kiran couldn't help but flinch at the flick of Diel's
Noorh navigated the hallways until he reached the door that led to the gardens. He crossed the trellises where the vines dangled their fragrant white flowers overhead. It was as if the garden was welcoming him home in its own way. He took a turn down the labyrinth of hedges where he hid behind as a child until he reached a small old cottage in the middle of it.Noorh paused in front of its wooden door and closed his eyes. He only spent a few days away from the decrepit house but it seemed like so much had changed. It wasn't the plants or the structure of the house.It was him.Noorh opened the door and stepped inside the threshold. He flicked the light switch on the wall, filling the sparse living room with a warm glow. It appeared the same as he left it. Even the kitchen looked the same. He walked to the bedroom that he called his prison cell growing up. He didn't bother to turn on the light and immediately made a beeline for the curtains covering the window.Noorh pushed the curtain
Kiran winced. "I-I mean I'm just curious!" she quickly defended. "I heard the rumor, you see, and I was wondering if there's any truth to it! It's not like I'm going to run away or any-""It's true," Diel said, cutting her off and leaving her gaping at him. "A previous Lahnthean Aria managed to return to her world."Kiran could only stare dumbfounded at him. So there really was another way for her to return to her world! And being the Lahnthean Aria was the right choice. Noorh didn't just trick her into accepting the role! If Diel could confirm that a previous Lahnthean Aria returned to her world, then maybe he could also explain how it happened. She might actually be able to return to her home soon!"Your next question is how it happened, correct?" Diel asked, smirking deviously at her.Kiran froze and anxiously bit her lip. It was as if Diel was reading her mind!Diel sighed and looked away. "Sadly, no one really knows," he said, shattering Kiran
History wasn't one of Kiran's strong suits largely because it often required memorizing dates and names of people. Thankfully, Diel - despite his snobbish and haughty demeanor - was a great storyteller. He managed to teach her the history of Lahnthea as if he was merely telling Kiran a well-written summary of a famous novel.The ancestors of the people of Lahnthea lived in a small village situated in a forest surrounded by mountains. Weather conditions were harsh at the time because the Darkness ruled over the land. One day, the small village experienced the worst pestilence in its existence. Famished beasts raided the village, destroyed their farms, and slaughtered helpless citizens. The attack also left behind diseases that slowly killed those who survived.Tired of the pain and suffering, a young and talented hunter named Nilraenne Lahn Ithea led the small group of surviving young men and women on a journey beyond the mountains in search for food. They met people fr
Don't turn around. That was what Kiran thought as she stood frozen in the middle of the cold and dimly-lit hallway. The hair at the back of her neck were standing on end as an ominous chill seemed to patiently hover behind her. In horror movies, this was the part where characters turned around despite all the glaring red flags. They immediately regretted doing so because it revealed the ghost or monster that they were hoping not to come across. Kiran stood in the exact spot she didn't dream of being in. Her mind was screaming profanities inside her head, debating on whether she should just break into a run or walk calmly away. But something within her had already frozen her limbs in place; her knees trembling as the stench of something rotten slowly spread in the air. She crouched and gagged as the scent assaulted her senses. She winced as it intensified and dug threw her insides, clawing at its contents so that she would hurl her guts out. Then a thought hit
Kiran gaped at Noorh, unsure about how to answer his question since there was a chance that Khas had been a figment of her imagination. But if her doubts had truth, then how did she end up in the sofa? Khas had to be real!"K-Khas…the other t-totem like D-Diel?" she shyly said, hoping that Noorh would recognize the description."The other totem?" Noorh muttered. "Oh!" he exclaimed, remembering something. "You mean Masielle!""Right!" Kiran agreed, remembering Khas' lengthy full name. "He told me to call him 'Khas.'""Of course," Noorh said, nodding. "The relationship between the Lahnthean Aria and the totems are special. I should have realized it sooner.""So you know him?" Kiran curiously asked, relieved that Khas was real.Noorh smiled at her. "Everyone knows the totems," he said. "And yes, I have spoken to him a few times. He keeps to himself a lot and he usually only speaks with the elders of the citadel."Kiran slowly nodd