Voyage Of The Villainess

The next day should be just any normal day to any people. The beautiful clear skies, dancing trees, and the chirping of the birds. There were also roosters singing a merry cockadoodledo. Well, it was really a nice day but Malaya and Kayden were dragged by the guards to be even bothered to enjoy any of this ordinary day. Both of their hands were tied and they were surrounded at every side. 

'I still wonder, when will I have a nice bath? Ugh, I smell stinky.' As Malaya observed her surroundings she could notice the folks covering their nose. 'Do I smell that bad?' She simply sighed. 'Enough with my smell,' she continued to look more at her surroundings. Strangely, all the people still wore masks. The houses she had seen were also made of light materials such as wood and hays.

'I felt like I went back to a more primitive time. At least in the Hacien or the other places, I already went so far, most houses were made of thick woods and had a stronger interior and exterior foundations. Oh well, if you think back on earth despite being called modern and such, there were still communities that preserved their cultural lives and beliefs even if they were going to be left by everyone's advancement. The Indigenous people. Where they are surrounded by nature because they value their beliefs and such.'

"Are they really going to that place?"

"We can't do anything about that."

"It's Master Oliver's wishes."

"But the King of the Forest only listens to him, those two might die."

"We have nothing to do with them. If not for Master Oliver, the head chief will also use them for sacrifices to Bradimyll."

Malaya sharpened her hearing to listen more to the loud whispers of some villagers as they walked past them. 'King of the Forest, huh. It sounds troublesome. Plus Bradimyll, the god of harvest and peace. Based on what I've read from before in the academy, there are not many worshippers of that god in the Heliyas continent. If I narrowed down the few groups that worshipped Bradimyll, then there could only be four.'

'The Ansfrid of the Northern part of the continent, the Peytons on our Dukedom of Marina, the Estevas that were scattered and act more like missionaries, and the last one will be the Isard that only showed themselves rarely in the public. They only appeared covered with white cloaks to give assistance when any calamity strikes the affected areas and when everything was alright they disappeared without any traces. If I narrowed what could be a part of the group, Ansfrid and Peytons will be out of the list. Only the Estevas and Isard. If I'm correct, there should be a cane and sun tattoo that represents the Estevas. The Isard, there are not many records of their identities other than they wore white cloaks that cover their whole identity.'

"We will not go here onwards." 

Malaya's thoughts were cut off when the head guard and the one with the tallest and muscular build spoke. That's when Malaya noticed that there were no houses anymore nor people aside from them.

'Since when did we arrive here? Why didn't I notice this earlier? I think I'm too busy thinking about forgetting what's happening in my environment.' Her thoughts as she observed her new surroundings.

They were now on some grassy plains and standing in front of an entrance of a strange forest. She can also notice some small unfamiliar insects crawling towards her which she just shook off. looking at the forest, from just the glance of it, there was an eerie vibe coming out of it. And it looked completely dark inside due to the towering trees that blocked the sunlight. 

"Just follow the trail ahead, and always remember this when you hear the laughter of the fairies, never speak a word until it is over."

They brought out their spear and aimed towards Malaya and Kayden. "Go inside, Master Oliver is already waiting for us at the other side." The head guard said then he gestured to his subordinates. They forced Kayden and Malaya to wear a collar used to apprehend slaves and criminals and stopped them from using their magic. Then they removed the ropes tied to them.

When Kayden's hands were freed, he tried to fight back but he was electrified just before he could hit one of the subordinates of the head guard. He dropped to his knees.

"It's futile to resist." 

"Tsh." Kayden struggled to stand up. 

"Don't be aggressive at this moment. You are not gonna win. Think before you act outsider." The guard whispered to Kayden.

Then all of the guards aimed their spears and motioned for the two to step inside the dangerous-looking forest. Kayden without speaking anything turned his back and started to walk ahead of Malaya.

'What a nasty thing this is.' Malaya touched the collar in her neck.

'I guess, we really have no choice but to go forward. What an unlucky day for us hayss. Let's see where this is headed.' Malaya, although a bit wary, still proceeded. ' I hate this victim mindset of mine but still, I wonder what trials Oliver will set to make our lives hard.' A tired smile formed her lips.

'But I really wonder how these things came to this. I thought I didn't need to bother with them after I was banished, but here am I ignorantly going forwards to the unknown that still has these main characters involved. I don't know now what will happen to us, everything was not planned. Though, I guess that's just how life always works. Full of uncertainties and mysteries.'

Malaya glanced at the man in front of him. Looking behind, his lean and tall back as he headed ahead to the trail without saying anything looked so lonely. 'He is really a quiet one. And when he speaks it's all just words of scorn. But I guess just how he is, it was his personality that made him unique. Hmm, when it comes to the personality of this man, it was unpredictable yet why is it so attractive?' Malaya simply moved her head sideways, trying to understand her contemplation about him. 'On the other hand, he was also strangely helpful at times when I needed help. Ah, speaking of help..'

"Kayden, when I think about it, I just realized I haven't thanked you properly back at that misty island. Thank you for your help at that time. I truly appreciate it." Malaya said with a genuine smile on her lips and as she expected Kayden didn't respond and just continued to walk. She couldn't also see the expression he was making, but in her imagination, it was just the same cold look on his face.

Since she had nothing else to do other than walk, she decided to just talk though it looked like she was talking to the air, the difference from the air was, she knew Kayden was probably listening to her. Well, he had no choice but to listen to her even if he didn't speak. 

"About the witch," Malaya saw Kayden's shoulder twitched but she still continued. "From our fight before at the Village of Or, and back to the mansion at the academy, she called you her son from what I remember." 

'Well, I couldn't completely say that I knew everything about Kayden and his connection to the witch, and I don't remember giving any hints that I know, right?' Malaya went on to her speaking seeing that there was no reaction to Kayden again. 'It seems, it's alright to continue.'

"However I guess, that is not really the case seeing how you hated her. And I don't know if I still need to say this to you, but I think you need to know this." Malaya paused first trying to make her voice sound normal. "She already died back then. She sacrificed herself along with the other cultists so that she would be able to give more power to the awakening of the demon king..."

*Fwoosh!*

Malaya has suddenly pushed aggressively. 'Argh.' She felt the impact of the tree behind. 

"Stop talking already," Kayden said, his red ruby eyes glinting dangerously and glaring completely at Malaya. Malaya winced when she felt that Kayden put more pressure on his hold on her right shoulder. "Just. Stop."

"It-" Malaya jerked her head and with a strong force bumped it to Kayden "It freaking hurts!" 

'Both my back and shoulders hurt, this jerk.'

Kayden staggered a few steps behind, surprised at Malaya's sudden attack as well. He held his bleeding nose. 

He glared at Malaya and Malaya as well, glared at him. They stayed for a few minutes glaring at each other.

'Aish, this is just getting out of nowhere.' Without saying anything, Malaya just walked ahead but she paused when she heard multiple waves of laughter ringing through the forest.

"Laughter?" 

{"When you heard the laughter of the fairies never speak a word until it is over."}

'Crap!' Malaya held her mouth and her eyes widened. 'Did I just say that out loud?'

The soft breeze of the wind started to become stronger and the waves of laughter became louder. As if it was getting nearer to them at each passing second.

'This doesn't look any good..' Malaya readied herself to whatever was coming towards them.