Point of view of Angelica Yue
Am I a bad person?
Slowly walking away from Drake's house, several tears began to fall from my eyes again, causing my mind to wander through the memories of the past weeks along the lonely road I was walking.
Feeling guilty, embarrassed, and sad, I walked until I remembered the kiss I had given Drake, shortly after asking myself if everything I had done was wrong. As I recalled it, my expression changed slightly, because while trying to remember the sensation of his lips, a small smile formed on my face, which remained until I reached my brother Paul's grave.
Seeing the improvised grave that my parents had made for my older brother, I broke down, kneeling on the grass that surrounded it.
Paul… I wonder at what point I started doing things wrong, becoming rebellious, reckless, and foolish. I thought, crying as I remembered the last time I saw him.
"Don't worry Angie, everything will be fine." Those were his last words to me, showing a genuine smile before I passed out from exhausting all my mana.
Pa-Paul… why did you leave…? Crying, I clenched my fists tightly, seeking answers, knowing deep inside that it was all my fault, causing the feeling of misery to grow.
I kept crying for a while until I managed to calm down, then gathered strength to stand up, only to finally say goodbye to my brother. "Goodbye… Paul."
On my way back home, I found my parents, Matthew Yue and Emma Yue, finishing loading our belongings onto the carts we would use to travel, God knows where.
"Angelica, help your mother." My father ordered in the demonic language, while avoiding looking directly at me.
He's still upset, even though more than a week has passed, and even though I told him repeatedly that Drake had nothing to do with Paul's death. I thought resignedly. He must hate me.
My parents had an argument with Drake's family, or at least that's what my mother told me, and since we had nothing tying us to Birton, they decided to leave, taking me with them because I was still underage in our race.
With everything ready, we hitched the carts to the Rucks, domestic monsters that looked like lizards, just minutes before departing.
As we left our house, we passed by Birton, intending to connect to the main road that led north.
How strange, there are more guards patrolling the city than usual. I thought, seeing pairs of guards walking near Birton. Maybe it's because of the incident Markus mentioned when we said goodbye.
Knowing I would leave soon, a few days ago I decided to visit my university friends to say goodbye, wanting to talk to someone other than my parents so I wouldn't feel so down after Paul's burial.
After finally talking to Markus, he asked me to be careful on my journey, mentioning that recently an overwhelming mana had been felt on the outskirts of Birton. This mana had caused many people to faint, putting the city on high alert in case the monster responsible for the incident decided to enter.
"I understand, thanks for letting me know." I replied, giving him a hug to say goodbye before quietly walking away.
"Wa-wait, Angelica." Markus whispered, stopping me a few meters away. "Ju-just promise me you'll send me a letter when you're settled in your new home." He said shyly.
Hearing his words, I smiled, nodding slightly before finally saying goodbye to him.
Markus is a great friend, I hope next year he can graduate successfully. I commented to myself before a bitter feeling welled up in my throat. Yes, I hope he can….
We finally left Birton, and after half a day of traveling, the road became a bit uncomfortable as Birton's characteristic forest gradually turned into a desert-like area.
If we keep going down this road, we'll end up on the transcontinental road to the Central continent. I thought, letting out a slight sigh. If that's the case, this will be a long journey….
°°°
"Careful, Angie, this part is a bit dangerous." My brother said, holding my hand as we crossed some rocks over a dark river that had blocked our way.
"Thanks, little brother." I said in my high-pitched voice.
Paul? I thought, seeing a memory from several years ago. "We're almost there, you'll see that when we reach the top, all this effort will be worth it."
If I remember correctly, I was only 10 years old back then. I commented to myself, watching as we climbed up a slightly steep hill. Yes, we were still very young, but I remember that even so, Paul did everything he could to help me see the Oman meteor shower, which appeared every 30 years in this area.
"Yes! We finally made it!" I shouted joyfully, jumping on the soft grass at the top. "Haha, you sure have a lot of energy."
"Brother, where are the stars?" I asked, looking into his eyes. "Don't worry, they'll show up soon." He replied with a smile, inviting me to sit on the grass beside him.
"By the way Angelica, remember not to tell mom or dad that we left the house, or we'll get into trouble."
Haha, that's right, in the end, mom and dad found out anyway.
"Yes yes, brother, don't worry, I'll be a tomb." I replied, smiling at him before he grabbed my head and gave me a playful noogie.
"Thank you, Angie, thank you for being my sister… thank you for being safe." He said, changing his tone to the one he used when I saw him before passing out, when the bandits cornered me.
"Thank God you're safe, because I don't know what I would have done without you, my little sister." He said, lifting me into the air after I collapsed from casting my strongest spell twice. "Don't worry, Angie, everything will be fine."
…
Opening my eyes, Paul's last words echoed in my head again, causing my eyes to fill with tears.
Paul, forgive me...
More than a month had passed since Paul's death, and from time to time during the journey, I began to have dreams that reminded me of past experiences with him.
After calming myself, I got up and went outside to think a little, but as I did, I noticed on the horizon that dawn was just beginning to break.
It's a bit cold out here. I thought, before activating a light layer of mana.
As I walked and reflected on the uneven sand, I started thinking about the future, about what I would do until I turned 40. I'd like to know what Mom and Dad will think when I tell them I'm going on a journey...
Deep in thought, I decided to return to the wagons, prompted by a ray of sunlight hitting my face, making me realize some time had passed.
As I made my way back, I observed that the desert we were in stretched for quite a while, as nothing but sand dunes could be seen on all horizons.
When I was close, a large shadow completely covered me. It was one of the stakes along the path, used to prevent travelers from getting lost, as unlike dirt roads, one could easily lose their way in the desert due to the frequent sandstorms.
"Daughter, where did you go?" My mother asked in the demonic language after seeing me arrive. "Nowhere in particular, I just went to stretch a little, to be ready for the journey." I replied with a smile.
"Ahh… I see. By the way, I need you to do me a favor." She said, bending down to pick up some things and take them near the campfire we had made yesterday. "Sure, what do you need?"
"I'll need some firewood to cook our breakfast. Do you think you could go around and find some?" She asked, leaving the items and heading to the wagon where I had slept to fetch some of our supplies.
"Yes, Mom, while I was walking, I thought I saw some cacti in the distance, over there." I said, pointing west from where we were.
"Excellent, thanks daughter. I'll tell your father to help you when he wakes up since he stayed up during the night on watch, and I wouldn't want to wake him just yet." She commented, before taking out vegetables, meat, and other utensils needed for cooking.
Returning along the path I had walked before, I began collecting some dry branches I found, along with the few cacti scattered across the desert, as even though they weren't very flammable, they still served to keep the campfire burning.
It took me about half an hour to gather everything I could, and as I was about to head back, I spotted a few more cacti not too far from me, leading me off the path. I wonder if Dad is still sleeping. I'll need his help if I want to carry these too.
When I got close, I dropped the sticks and cacti I was carrying onto the sand and pulled out the dagger I had with me to cut and remove the thorns from one of them.
As I was doing this, a sudden tremor in the ground disoriented me, making me quickly look around to see what was happening. Finding nothing, I felt even more confused, until I was abruptly lifted off the ground and then struck by what seemed to be sand, but with hair.
What? What is that? I thought as I watched the imposing beast rise and emerge from the sand that enveloped it. Don't tell me it's a Sandstalker, but… what is it doing near a road?
Sandstalkers were desert monsters, experts at camouflaging to ambush their prey. And now, what do I do? Facing one of them alone would be very dangerous.
Feeling cornered, I began to cast some water spells, which in theory were the monster's weakness, but after throwing several water blades and balls at its head and body, I couldn't injure it due to the thick fur it had.
Seeing that my attacks weren't very effective, the Sandstalker lunged at me, attacking me repeatedly with its long arms, even managing to hit me twice.
What should I do? In the condition I'm in now, I don't think I can escape from it until Dad and Mom see us. I thought, hurt and exhausted, as I tried to heal a wound the Sandstalker had made on my leg.
"GRRUUUAAAARRR!" It roared ferociously, happy with its earlier victory, quickly approaching where it had thrown me.
If advanced-level water attacks don't work, I'll have to use the expert-level one, but if I do, there's a chance I'll faint from the lack of mana, just like that night. I thought, anxious about the situation I was in.
What do I do? What do I do? I thought, before making a decision and starting to cast Hydroplosion, the strongest spell I knew at that moment. Well, I guess it's better to give it my all instead of just giving up.
With the Sandstalker close enough, I directed my spell toward it, causing it to veer off to the side, crashing violently a few meters away from me. As I turned, I saw an immense amount of water starting to pour out of its body.
Having it immobilized, I quickly stood up and continued with my spell, slowly moving away so it wouldn't affect me. Water that shortens the impossible, air that suppresses what I do not desire, come and help me with this spell, Hydroplosion.
Once I finished casting my spell, the Sandstalker began to be lifted off the ground, while the water surrounding it grew until it finally formed a large sphere of water around it, causing it immense pain as the incredible pressure kept increasing.
The monster tried to free itself, making its body tremble and its mouth open, causing my spell to have a greater impact on it. After a few seconds, the pressure of my spell caused the large water sphere to compress to a quarter of its size.
Feeling my vision blur, I finally completed my spell, making the compressed water shoot out in all directions, creating an incredible water explosion over the area.
I-I think I did it. I thought, seeing the Sandstalker lying on the sand with some deformities on its large body.
Feeling more at ease, I tried to return to where the firewood was to head back, but after just a few steps, I fell to my knees from the dizziness that was starting to set in.
That Hydroplosion was the largest I've ever done; no wonder it drained all the mana I had left. I thought, deciding to rest a bit from my previous battle, before a slight sound came from the Sandstalker, making me turn towards it with a fearful look.
"GAAHHK… KHAAKK! COUGH! GHHHHUUH!"
The monster began coughing violently, spitting water onto the sand, both from its mouth and nose.
No way… Feeling terrified, I started begging for help inside, watching as the Sandstalker slowly got back on its feet. Someone… please help me.
By the time the monster was fully standing, it began to limp awkwardly toward where I was sitting, trying to move away from it with the little strength I had left.
"Expert level magic, Windcleave."
Several transparent blades appeared beside the Sandstalker, piercing and cutting through it repeatedly, causing its body to be divided into several parts before collapsing dead onto the sand, bathing it in its purple blood.
Turning my gaze in the direction of the familiar voice that cast the spell, the terror I felt was replaced by happiness.
You're here, Dad.
My father, Matthew, had arrived just in time to save me, before the stalking monster could get close enough to kill me.
Seeing me lying on the ground, my father hurried over to where I was, showing a face of genuine concern.
But, why does he look like that? Didn't he hate me because of Paul? Feeling sensitive, I started crying like a child before he finally reached me and gave me a comforting hug.
"Dad! Dad!" I cried, hugging him tightly. "It's okay, sweetheart, you're safe now."
After a few minutes like that, he gently carried me in his arms, taking me back to the camp.
When we arrived, Mom was surprised to see us like that, but upon noticing that my clothes were dirty and I had some wounds, she assumed something bad had happened, so she prepared some blankets on the sand for me.
Later, they asked me what had happened while they finished healing me, and their expressions kept changing as they listened to my story. I don't understand. Why did they look so worried after I told them what had happened? Why?
Now calmer than before, I gathered the courage to ask something I had wanted to for a long time, something that made my heart ache with pain every time I thought about an answer.
"Mom, Dad, do you…" I said fearfully, feeling a knot form in my throat. "Do you still love me?"
My parents' faces changed again when they heard my sudden question, and this time my mother hugged me upon seeing the sad look on my face after not getting an immediate answer.
"Of course we love you, sweetheart, we love you so much! Why would you ask something like that?" My mother answered tenderly.
"Your mother's right, we both love you." My father continued, before taking my hands firmly once my mother let go. "If you thought we didn't, it's my fault, sweetheart, forgive me, I've been too hard and irrational with you."
"… I-I love you too." I said in a broken voice, before starting to cry again.
°°°
The days, weeks, and months went by until we finally arrived at the kingdom of Dunumese, after traveling for over four months.
A few weeks after the Sandstalker incident, my parents had finally revealed where we were headed, and that place was the coastal city of Swaford, in the kingdom of Alum.
I remember feeling happy knowing I'd be in the same kingdom where I would meet Drake in the future, and what made me even happier was when we arrived in the kingdom of Dunumese, especially when we passed the shores of Lake Crafle, because as we passed that lake, I could see the great tree of origin.
Wow, it's truly gigantic. I thought, marveling at its grandeur, knowing it was two months away by carriage from where I stood.
It's true, the promise I made with Drake to see that tree together is still standing. So, it will be a place to visit in the future! I thought happily, recalling that old promise.
For the rest of the journey, the pain of losing Paul had lessened within my family, allowing the hope of starting anew to grow inside us.
From Lake Crafle to Swaford, in the kingdom of Alum, we traveled for one long month more, and after that long journey, we finally arrived, settling near the sea.
My father had an old friend who worked for a noble family in Alum's capital, with whom he got a job once we arrived in Swaford.
On my part, I started giving private lessons to a couple of young nobles, knowing I would need money for the trip I would take once I came of age. Additionally, I used my free time to keep training, because I wanted to become strong, so I wouldn't depend on anyone to protect me.
Time passed, and it wasn't many years until my parents announced something that even surprised me, something that made me doubt traveling in a few years.
"Matthew, Angelica, I'm pregnant." My mother said, smiling with happiness, before we joined her in a celebration for the big news.
After celebrating with the family, that night I found myself reflecting in bed, once again wondering if I should write to Drake or not, because since I arrived in Swaford I've wanted to write to him, but I haven't dared to do so because we promised to meet again in Slorah.
I would really like to write him a letter, tell him that we should meet a few years later, since I want to be with my new brother or sister in their early years. I thought, feeling indecisive because of the inner conflicts I had, before making a decision. No, I can't do that, I promised myself when I got here that I wouldn't write a single letter until we meet in person in Slorah.
Scolding myself for being so indecisive, I decided not to write to him, because I knew my parents would be fine with my new brother or sister, so I planned that after meeting him, I would visit my family once every 5 years.
With a firmer attitude, I started thinking about the things I would do in the next days, now that I knew I would be an older sister.
Well, with my feelings cleared up, now I have to think about the exam I'll give to Gean and Angel. I thought, starting to create a test for my two students, before seeing the letter from my friends on the table.
It's true, I also have to respond to the letter Markus sent me, and also send one to Sila, now that she has arrived in Nolicia, in the Kingdom of Mitian.
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Joshua_Goose: Hello again! I have a lot to tell you, but I think the first and most important thing is: Sorry for uploading this chapter so late! >.<
The truth is, I'm trying to give this fabulous novel a more original and detailed approach, so I hope you understand.
In addition to focusing on the quality of my story, I've been working on the new website I mentioned before, so in the upcoming chapters, I'll be sharing the fabulous link with you, so you can read it there, as a chapter will be uploaded there before it is here. (In case you were wondering, the website is free and ad-free, plus it's very intuitive.) Also, I'll be answering some questions you have there, so stay tuned.
See you in two weeks!! :3