Voyage Of The Villainess

"It is a pleasant morning we have today, isn't it?" 

"Yes, it surely is. Even though there is no presence of the sun here." Malaya chuckled and the head priest who was now walking in front of them also stifled a laugh. However deep inside Malaya's mind, she wanted to sigh deeply. Her morning was nothing pleasant at all. Those laughing fairies, though they served as some sort of alarm clock here in this city, she was still not used to it. The sounds of their creepy laughter and even those dark orbs that started unto you when you woke up. Everything still felt uncomfortable and somewhat irritating to her when her sleep was disrupted like that.

'I should have gotten used to it already since it is my second time waking up like that. But I guess, getting used to things such as those would not be easy. I really miss Dorris, my human alarm clock now.' Malaya stopped herself from sighing.

Once they were awakened, Lila and Malaya shared a humble breakfast with the head priest with just small talks and Lila brought up the topic of the request she made. Instead of being Malaya's life and death and servant, she just wished to visit her master's gravestone. And the High priest accepted her request as he expected that Lila would change it. The high priest set up a time to visit her master's tomb.

After a few more hours, just an hour to midday, the head priest was now leading him to his treasury room along with his three black knights and two white-cloaked men trailing behind them. Kayden was still nowhere to be seen and just reported that he was still in the dwarf's workshop.

Malaya couldn't help but just grin when she remembered the request he made to the high priest. 'How very practical of him to make that kind of request. And to think he even tells me to help me repair my Trinity as well. Sometimes the choices we made is what's made our life more challenging however it will be beneficial in the long run. The way he thinks is quite hard but beneficial in the long term. '

Malaya remembered the time yesterday before Kayden departed.

"Your wood."

That time, Malaya looked confused at him. "My wood-what?"

"Your weapon," Kayden said with a frown. "I'll also let them repair it."

Malaya was startled by what she had heard but nonetheless, she still handed it to him. And told him some specifications about the Trinity. Then he left after that, as expected.

Malaya just grinned and somehow she could feel butterflies swirling inside her stomach. 'Ah, Kayden, every bit of your actions always surprises me even the smaller ones. I think it's normal, this is just normal. He was just doing it because that's what he wants. And he wants to help me?' Malaya just shook her head. 'What are you thinking about, Malaya? You need to focus on your own request. And I should be thankful there is someone like him I can rely here.'

"We have arrived." 

Malaya's thoughts were cut off when the high priest spoke. She glanced in front of her and there was a massive white door with golden and silver linings. Two black knights were standing on both sides.

"Greetings to the High Priest, his excellency!" They gave their salutations first then opened the door. 

"Hmm. Since this is the city's treasury room, will it be alright if only I and Lady Malaya here enter the room?" The head priest said as he looked at Lila. 

"Yes, Your Excellency," Lila said as she bowed down. Then she gave a side glance of worry to Malaya. 

'I'll be fine,' Malaya nodded at her and gave her a reassuring smile.

"Then shall we enter, Lady Malaya?" The head priest said,

"Yes, Your Excellency," Malaya answered then followed behind the head priest.

When the door closed, multiple torches lit up one by one. Malaya suddenly felt the familiar burning sensation in her left wrist.

The silver bracelet along with the red stone was glowing now. 'The ornament is indeed here.'

"Lady Malaya, feel free to pick anything you desire here." The head priest said with a smile. "If you have any questions, please feel comfortable to just ask right away."

"Thank you, your excellency," Malaya replied with politeness. "Then I shall start choosing now."

"Yes, you may." The high priest gestured his hands for Malaya to choose.

The room was huge, it had plenty of items ranging from lots wooden treasure chests, craters, and items that were scattered everywhere.

Malaya picked up one item at a time to show the high priest that she was choosing one by one. While from time to time she looked at her left wrist and as she moved forward where it glowed stronger than before.

She finally stopped at a certain wooden chest when the bracelet glow was at its highest peak. 'So this is the third ornament.' Malaya opened the chest and on it, there was a dull grey stone that was glowing. 

***

All of the sudden, Malaya found herself back in the familiar space where floating orbs of fire were everywhere.

"You did a great job. You have gotten the third ornament." The priestess' solemn voice resounded.

"Priestess," Malaya turned around. "So this is the reason why the Great Dragon Spirit of Fire sent me to that island?"

"Pretty straight to the topic." a cold wind gazed behind Malaya's neck.

"Shadow." Malaya just frowned. 'This guy really loves to appear behind as always.'

"Well, that's one of the things I wanted to know," Malaya added.

"No," the priestess answered. "The truth is I have no idea what the great dragon wanted you to do to the island that is between the border of reality and myth."

"Border of reality and myth?" 

"It is the island you are staying on now. And about the third ornament, I'll tell you its function."

"Now, I can communicate with you with ease and see the future more clearly this time. When something unprecedented could happen, I will tell you."

"Just like you tell me when Oliver was supposed to become the demon king instead of Kayden. But you know that there will be a price if you change the flow of fate." Malaya glanced at the priestess' hands. "Don't just speak lightly of the future as if you can change it like changing your clothes."

"What a beautiful preach. Are you worried about me, Lady Malaya?" The priestess' serene voice resounded.

"I'm just being honest." Malaya sighed. "If you indeed wanted to tell me about something in the future, you can tell me. But don't expect I'll go change whatever it is as soon as I hear it. Besides, I still do believe in free will where we can still decide what kind of life we want to achieve. It was all about us creating our own faith. Knowing the future and everyone's fate is really such a troublesome thing. However, since you have that kind of capability then it will indeed be an advantage for my journey here on this island, right?. It is better than not knowing."

"Hmm, it seems like you are contradicting every bit of your words, Malaya." The Shadow's deep laugh echoed.

"To what extent can you have the time to see the future?" Malaya asked, completely ignoring the Shadow behind her.

"Well, everything." The priestess' white orb eyes glowed. "But I'll only tell you the significant ones so it won't feel overwhelming for you. And it's not like I can tell you about it completely, the world itself has put restrictions on the things that I can tell you."

"I see. So now tell me, is there something in the future you want to change? That is why you intended for me to do these things?"

There was a heavy silence that filled the air after Malaya asked her question. And instead of answering it, the priestess just faintly smiled.

"Let's start here when you gather the twelve ornaments, I will tell you my answer along with our name."

"Now then, my only advice for you is you need to be careful with the high priest. He is the champion of the god Bradimyll but you can ask him anything more about what is happening outside the story of Fate of the Stars."

"When you have questions, we can freely communicate from time to time through your mind. We are always at your side Malaya, just listen within you. This time your time here will not affect the time you have back in your world. That's, for now, I can provide it to you. Until we see each other again, Malaya."

The priestess didn't let Malaya speak once again or even let her know her reaction. And when she blinked her eyes, she found herself back in the treasure room.

'I'm back.'

"Lady Malaya, have you found the item you want?" Malaya was startled to hear the head priest speak behind her.

She turned around only to see that the high priest was just behind her now.

"Yes, I found the item I want ."

"I see, so now that you get the item, do tell me Lady Malaya. Who are you and to whom god do you belong as a champion?"