THER MELIAN: CHRONICLES

Episode 4

Karth finally arrived at the bottom of that seemingly bottomless pit. He led Laruen down the final climb before they began exploring. The place was very dark, except for the magma river flame before them, there was almost nothing else there. A hard magma shake really

feels deafening.

“Repscar,” said. “This gap is not extensive, we will soon find them.”

“That's if they don't splash into the magma river,” Rutuk Laruen. “Why, anyway, should Eizen drop them into the abyss of everything? That guy overdramatizes everything!”

Karth laughs. “Come on, the sooner we find it, the sooner we get out of here.”

They continued searching for a few minutes without success, there was no sign of the thieves at all.

Laruen looked desperate. “This is critical,” said. “What if they really fall into the magma river?” Concerns began to sound from his tone.

“I don't think that's possible. See the distance between the magma river and the cliff wall, the distance is too far, they will not be ejected to it.”

Laruen furrowed his brows. “So, where are they?” Karth did not answer. He sharpened his vision,

trying to find clues that might be stored among the rocks that fill the bottom of the gorge. That's when he found something.

“Look,” he said pointing towards the thick ash pile that formed a kind of small crater. “They fell here, I guess they used some kind of protective magic to hold their fall.”

Laruen knelt down observing the pile of ashes. He scanned his surroundings and realized something else, a footprint walking away from the pile.

“As per my guess,” says Karth. “They have long run away.”

“Must be!” Laruen. “They're alive? But what about the girl? He got your poison, didn't he?”

Karth knelt down and felt the surface of the ash that was thick, it seemed to have been wet because it was exposed to some kind of liquid. Karth picked up the lump as big as a pebble and smelled it. “It's the scent of a rare plant that could offer poison,” he said. “With this, the girl may still be able to survive two or three more days.”

Laruen stood up. “They can't be far! Let's find them!”

Karth and Laruen follow the footprints until they arrive at a tunnel leading to the outside. They followed the path and arrived at a valley that lay behind Mount Ash. By the time they arrive the drizzle has already come down. Right in the middle of the valley, Karth saw the ruins of a city that was almost lost in ashes.

Laruen smiled with satisfaction. “They must be hiding somewhere in there.” He was about to dart, but Karth held him back.

“Wait a minute,” said. “What?” hiss Laruen was impatient.

“See it.” Karth directed his partner's eyes towards the thick clumps of Dark Mist, which, due to the wind, looked like a wall that was advancing towards them.

“Before the whole valley will be covered in Mist,” Karth explained. “We can be in trouble if we get caught in the middle of the Fog.”

Laruen's eyes widened. “So we'll let them just run away? The fog is still quite far away, still enough time to find them and return to this place!” Laruen.

Karth. “Rain is getting heavier. Soon their tracks will be erased, we don't have enough time to search for them. The best we can do now is report this matter to Lourd Valadin.”

New Laruen will argue again, but Karth interrupts. “You said yourself, they can't go far with their current condition. It's not hard for the five of us to catch up and find them. We've done it once, I'm sure we can do it again.”

Although reluctant, Laruen finally complies with Karth's wishes. They turned around and headed back towards Valadin's place.

***

Valadin took a deep breath for the umpteenth time. He could barely hide his unease from the Ellanese and Eizen sitting next to him. It has been quite a while since Karth and Laruen ventured to the base of the mountain in search of the Sapphire Relic. The longer he waited, the more unsettled his feelings became.

He took out a red rocky ring from his pocket and looked at it with a blank look. The Rubi Relic of the Aether Vulcanus, one of the seven Elemental Relics they had to obtain from the seventh Aether. To get this thing, he had to pay a high price, very expensive.

Valadin must eliminate two Gardian guards of the Templia Vulcanus. A sin that ultimately caused him to lose Schalantir, the sword of his faith that had served him all along.

But above all else—and perhaps the most regrettable of his—he also had to lose Vrey. Still vividly imagined in his mind as Eizen casts his fire magic at Vrey, throwing the girl and her friends into the hole. As if the incident had not haunted him enough, he was now faced with another bitter reality. The Sapphire Relic they got from the Aether Voltress was gone. Looks like Vrey took it from Eizen's pocket as they fought.

Karth and Laruen descend into the ravine to look for him. At any time they could return to report that they had found Vrey's and Sapphire Relic's remains.

A body? thought Valadin. He was so sure Vrey was dead. Valadin could not imagine anyone could survive after falling from that height. Even if Vrey survives, Karth's poison will kill him.

Deep down, Valadin harbors hope that Vrey is not dead. But he knew there was no point in expecting a miracle. Anxiety again filled his mind.

What kind of news did he expect when Karth and Laruen returned later? That they found the bodies of the thieves and the Sapphire Relic? It was definitely good news that his friend was waiting for. But on the other hand, it was also a very deep sad news for him, because it was the same as making sure Vrey was completely gone.

A while passed before Karth and Laruen finally returned. They don't smile, they look tired.

Ellanese wasted no time trying to find them. “Did you guys find the Relics?”

Laruen shook his head weakly. “There is bad news,” said. “Either how the thieves were still alive and now they are somewhere out there.”

Almost a sudden appearance, the disappointment in Valadin's heart changed with a beam of relief. There was a slight sense of calm surrounding him knowing Vrey might still be alive. Although he lost the Sapphire Relic, but he hasn't lost Vrey.

Karth added. “We followed their trail up the valley at the back of the mountain, but it rained down and erased the rest of the trail. Then Dark Fog began to appear, I did not want to risk looking for them in the middle of the fog siege.”

Ellanese. “So you let them go just like that?”

Laruen snorted unhappily. “I think you missed the part where Karth mentioned about Dark Fog.”

Before Ellanese could retaliate, Valadin immediately stopped.

Ellanese pursed her lips and turned to Valadin. “We have to find them. At the moment they are definitely not far away, in a wounded state once we can subdue them.”

But Valadin shook his head. “Look at our own condition,” he said. “We are also not in the best condition, looking for them in a valley full of Dark Mist will only harm ourselves. We'll wait until dawn,” the order.

Ellanese could not argue with Valadin. He spilled his wrath on Eizen. “It's all your fault, if you're careful—”

But Valadin again cut his words. “That's enough!

Anyone can make such a mistake.”

Karth glanced at Valadin. “So what will we do now?”

“Tonight we rest.” Valadin knew he had to think of a new plan to anticipate this incident as well as continue their mission. But not now, he was too tired. Valadin could not think clearly. “I will think about our next steps and discuss it with all of you tomorrow morning,” he said.

Karth shrugged his shoulders. “I don't think we have any other choice. I'm going to the mountainside in the direction of the cave mouth, looking for small animals or edible plants.”

Laruen wants to come, but Karth forbids. “We can't spend the night in a place like this. Help Lourd Valadin and the others back upstairs. There's a pretty cozy place, which we passed when we got into this cave, you must know the place I mean.”

Laruen. He let Karth go upstairs. “Mari, Lourd Valadin,” he said in a soft voice. “I'll drive you to the place Karth.” is referring to

Valadin nodded and let Laruen save his bing. He limped up on a slippery cliff before walking down a long, dark hallway to return to the top of the cave. His whole body felt stiff and stiff. He was still not fully recovered after his battle against the lava golem. But there was one thing that filled his head, helping him deal with the pain. Vrey is alive....

***

Vrey wore a head covering to cover his ears before leaving the inn. Yesterday after Aelwen left his room, Vrey kept himself locked up. But today he decided to explore Shailaja City and clear his mind.

The city of Shailaja is really interesting and different from all the cities he has ever seen in the Kingdom of Granville. All the traders in the market look very excited, there is no need to master Lavanya Language to understand that they are offering merchandise.

Vrey was amazed to see the wide variety of items sold along the way. Crocodile skin, eyeballs in bottles, live snakes, and dried scorpions. Strange things he had never seen before. The narrow streets were crowded with merchandise. Vrey had to walk slowly so as not to step on anything, as well as avoid the stroller carrying passing rice and vegetables.

Satisfied by the market, Vrey turns into an alley filled with teahouses. His servants wore bright blue robes and carried long-mouthed teapots to pour tea. Sugar dealers lined up in front of the store, wiggling something that looked like some kind of traditional musical instrument to catch the attention of buyers. Vrey was very interested in trying the sugar when he heard a voice calling out to him.

“Vrey, that's where you look.”

He turned his head and looking for the origin of the sound among the crowd of pedestrians, Rion stood not far behind him.

Rion. “I searched for you at the inn, but Aelwen said you went to town,” he said.

“What's up?” ask Vrey.

“I already know who Aelwen is,” replied Rion.

Vrey gasp. “Are you sure?” It felt like just yesterday he had Rion investigate Aelwen's past.

Rion nodded. “When I first saw her, I already felt her face was unfamiliar. At first I thought because I had seen him in the flyer announcing your crime in Rylith Lamire, but I was wrong,” Rion paused for a bit to catch his breath. “After searching more thoroughly, I found another leaflet, with Aelwen's face in it.”

“Other flyers?!” Vrey raised next to his eyebrows. “For

Aelwen?”

“The leaflet was issued three years ago. Her face looks different, but I'm sure it's her.” Rion looked at Vrey deeply. “You want to see?”

With a feeling of uncertainty, Vrey nodded doubtfully. Rion reached into his pocket and thrust out a piece of parchment

men shabby pictured someone's face on him. Shaking, Vrey received the fragile and yellowed parchment. He read it in his heart and was stunned.

For a while, Vrey froze in place. He read the parchment over and over again, observing every detail of the inscription and the facial image listed there. “You sure this is Aelwen?” tanyanya worry.

Rion nodded. “Everything fits. His appearance in Mildryd three years ago, his age, his character, he was also an Eldynn. I'm so sure!”

“But this is impossible, right? Because the person in this announcement—” Vrey was unable to finish his sentence.

“Betul. I think this is the reason why he died to keep it a secret from you.”

Without a second thought, Vrey immediately turned around to run away from the market. Vrey hit some traders and fell their wares to scatter on the ground. Among the scorn of the merchants, Vrey did not slow down his run, he could not even hear it. His ears were like tups, his head was hot, he kept running. Vrey does not believe what he just read, he does not want to believe it.

After a few minutes, he arrived at the inn. He half ran through the narrow second-floor corridor and opened the door of his room. Rion followed behind.

Aelwen was aghast to see them rushing in like that. “What's up?” tanyakanya.

All the way back to the inn Vrey had thought of various questions for Aelwen. But a coral, when faced with Aelwen, he seemed lost for words. Vrey budging.

Rion who arrived later pushed Vrey into the room before closing the door, then turned to look at Aelwen. “We're here to make sure of something,” he said.

Rion explained. “As long as you were driving from Telerim to here, I suspected something.”

Aelwen put on a look as if he did not understand what Rion was talking about. “You mean?” ask again.

Aelwen's question ignited Vrey's anger. “Stop your password!” hardiknya.

Aelwen turned to look at Vrey. “I really don't understand what you're talking about. If you guys say it, I might be able to explain.”

Vrey stuck out the announcement in his hand in front of Aelwen. “Then, explain this!”

Aelwen's face suddenly turned pale. With trembling hands, he received the parchment.

While Aelwen was reading, Vrey continued to observe him, waiting for Aelwen to refute or say something to dismiss their suspicions. But Aelwen did not say anything, he just folded the parchment and sat down on the chair.

Rion walks around Aelwen like a hunter who beats his prey's diamonds. “You don't dispute that. So I guess my guess is right?” said. “I was suspicious from the beginning. First, you're very learned. Second, you're an Eldynn. And lastly, your appearance in Mildryd three years ago corresponds to the disappearance of the person in the leaflet.”

Vrey looked into Aelwen's eyes. “So it's true?” tanyakanya. “You are the one who was in that flyer?”

Aelwen avoids Vrey's gaze, making Vrey more convinced of the truth of Rion's words. “From the beginning, there was no such thing as Aelwen, right?” Vrey's voice felt stuck in his throat. “From the beginning you weren't a girl, were you? You're the guy who pretended to be a girl!?”

Rion continued. “At first, I couldn't believe it either! It was impossible for a man to disguise himself as a woman for three years and not raise the suspicion of those around him. But you are not just any man, you are Prince Leighton ftaddeus Granville, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Granville who disappeared three years ago! As a member of the Royal family, you have a slender posture and a graceful face. Besides your speech is soft, it's not too difficult for you to disguise yourself as a woman, right?”

Rion paused for a bit, giving time for Aelwen— or Leighton— to argue. But Leighton just bowed, he did not dispute Rion's explanation at all.

Vrey's gaze was fixed on Leighton. “Say something!” the hardic. “Really? Is that really what Rion said? Are you really lying to me? No. .. not only me, you lied to everyone in the Wild Cat Shop even though we believed you all this time?”

Leighton finally raised his face as pale as a corpse. With a slightly different voice from the usual ‘Aelwen’ voice, she started talking. “Your guess is right,” he said. “My real name is Leighton ftaddeus Granville, First Prince of the Kingdom of Granville.”

Rion did not seem surprised to hear it, instead he was calm and in control. Vrey doesn't know how to respond. The anger that had appeared suddenly disappeared, replaced with a very disappointment.

Leighton approached Vrey, intending to provide an explanation, but Vrey spontaneously withdrew.

“Don't approach me,” said Vrey.

“Listen to me, Vrey,” pinta Leighton desperate. “I never meant to deceive you. There's a reason why I escaped from Granville Palace three years ago. After that I avoided chasing after the soldiers and bounty hunters who wanted to capture me. It was then that I realized that with my figure, I could easily disguise myself as a female. I finally got to Mildryd as Aelwen, then met you. I don't intend to deceive you or any other friend,”.

Vrey squinted his eyes. “But after that, you stayed with us for three years. Three years! And you keep lying to us! Why?” His voice shook with anger.

“I ... I'm afraid to tell you the truth,” replied Leighton in a flat voice.

“Fear?” Vrey hisses. “Oh .. I understand.” He snatched the leaflet from Leighton's hand. “There is a gift for those who send you back to the palace, right?” Vrey held up the leaflet. “You're afraid we're going to complain you for money, are you?”

“No!” rebut Leighton quickly. “Three years in Mildryd was the best time of my life. Traveling with you was my most incredible experience. I want to stay with you guys. That's why I retained my identity as Aelwen.”

“Stop lying to me!” scream Vrey. His eyes were wet, tears dripping down his cheeks uncontrollably, the anger and disappointment from earlier mixed and deathly held him as if exploding just like that. “I understand kok ... Not you, not Valadin, it's the same. In the end, in your eyes I'm just a thief, right?!”

“I never thought like that,” denied Leighton. “You're my friend. These three years we've been through everything together, right?” Leighton stepped closer to Vrey.

But Vrey doesn't want to hear anything else. He turned around and ran out of the room, unable to be in that place anymore.

***

Leighton heads to the door to chase after Vrey, but Rion confronts him. “Soaring!” hardik Leighton's.

“I think you better leave him alone first,” said Rion kalem. “The last thing he wants to see right now is you.”

Leighton's tongue is twisted. Rion's right. He realized that this was all his fault. Covering one lie with another, and when everything is exposed, he hurts the feelings of those closest to him.

“What should I do?” tannya

“It's clear, right? I will drag you back to Granville and take the prize for you,” replied Rion lightly.

Leighton gawked, but Rion laughed instead. “Quiet, I'm just kidding.”

“Thank you, Rion. If Vrey could forgive me as easily as you.”

“Do not equate us,” said Rion. “I've only known you two weeks, you've been together three years. I can't even imagine his feelings right now.”

Leighton smiled wryly. Rion was right, all this time he was so worried that his secret was exposed. Leighton had not thought at all about how his friends would feel had they known he had been deceiving them all along.

“I don't understand,” said Rion suddenly. “You are a Prince from the largest Kingdom in the continent. Why did you leave all that behind to live in a remote town like Mildryd?”

Leighton lowered his head. “I knew you'd ask. And the answer is long once.”

“Ngak anything. I want to hear it, I also have no job.”

Leighton exhaled a long breath. “Since childhood I was educated and groomed as the future King of Granville. Then one day I learned that I was the son of the King's concubine. The Empress could not give any children after ten years of marriage to the King, so according to the law, the King had to take a concubine to give birth to the royal heir.

“I have no problem with that, but nearing the time of my coronation as crown prince three years ago, the Empress became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy. Then, suddenly everything changed.” Leighton stopped to sigh. “The Queen's family demands that my coronation be annulled, and it is the second Prince who should be crowned heir to the throne. But my mother's family disagreed because I was born first.”

Rion nodded. “I heard the problem about four years ago, the tension even felt up in Telerim.”

“That's how it is,” says Leighton. “That was the worst time of my life. I see how greed can change the face of a person I know. The people I trust and my friends are suddenly not what they used to be. Turns out they only gave their loyalty and friendship because I was the rightful heir.”

“It's understandable. Such a conflict would divide the entire Kingdom. People did not know they had to give their allegiance to the empress or concubines. All must be busy securing their respective positions until it is decided who will be the next King.”

“But that's not what made me decide to run,” Leighton continued. “At that time I found out my own birth mother and her extended family were secretly planning to finish off the second prince, my little sister.”

Rion. Leighton smiled sadly, then continued again. “For the sake of power, they could finish off innocent little children. I can't let it happen, I can't live with all that. That's when I decided to disappear, away from the palace and rotten politics.”

“So you decided to run to Mildryd?”

“Yes ... After I arrived in Mildryd, Vrey and his friends accepted me with open arms in their home. They are thieves. People who are considered lowly, evil, even barbaric by most people. But with them I felt a sense of warmth, I found a true friend, something I had never had in Granville. Not only that, Vrey taught me a new way of thinking about life. He is the reason I am who I am now. So it's not like I don't want to tell her my identity. I'm afraid that if he finds out, his attitude towards me will change.”

Rion broke the silence that followed. “I think Vrey's head must be cold enough by now,” he said. “We'd better find him before dark. But first I thought you needed new clothes. Seeing you like this will only ignite his anger.”

Leighton agreed. This time he will meet Vrey and face the girl as himself.

***

Vrey ran out of the inn room, he could no longer hold back his tears. Vrey doesn't know where he's going, which is clear for now he doesn't want to hear Leighton's voice, let alone see his face. With tears breaking, he continued to run until he arrived at the top gate of Shailaja City.

Vrey stopped to catch his breath. She had already managed to control herself, tears were no longer flowing down her cheeks, but she felt a huge void in her heart. Until this morning, he had a friend who meant a lot to him. A friend who has taught him so many things, a friend who is always there when he needs, a friend who has saved his life many times. But now, he knew his friend was not real.

‘Aelwen’ is just a character that Leighton has played so perfectly for three years!

Vrey's eyes are hot. His gaze began to blur, he felt the hot liquid back down his cheeks. Vrey menae ngis. Without realizing it, the presence of ‘Aelwen’ for three years, especially the last two months, has been so meaningful for him. Although he did not know of all his memories, how much was true and how much was just a lie.

Vrey fell to his knees next to the city gate, staring at the sky with empty eyes. Fake or not, Leighton aka Aelwen is the reason he can finish the Nymph's Cloak. Leighton has been faithful to her all this time and has done so much for her. Vrey knew he wouldn't make it this far alone.

For a moment, there was a feeling of guilt about leaving Leighton and Rion behind. Knowing the nature of Rion, he would definitely not waste the opportunity to capture Leighton and ask for the promised reward.

But the anger and disappointment that had been stirring within him left him blind. And Vrey won't let himself admit that. It was then that Vrey realized the townspeople were starting to notice him. He hurriedly wiped his tears, ran, and stayed away from the city.

Vrey stepped aimlessly, walking through the terraced rice fields on the edge of the city. Every now and then, he passed by a small altar scented with incense and incense, or a very modest house of the people. The quiet and tranquil atmosphere of the countryside helped him clear his mind and forget for a moment his problem.

A thin drizzle descends from the gray clouds that cover the sun. Vrey sat in a hut made of bamboo and weeds. Around him a green rice plant glittered. Vrey doesn't know how long he's been sitting there.

The drizzle subsided, the blue sky turned dark purple. The sun had also long since set, its rays replaced the pale moonlight.

Vrey hummed softly, singing the only song he knew. Fireflies and other insects began to emerge from behind the rice plants, flying around Vrey. His singing voice mingled with the whirring of the wind and the gurgling of the water. He enjoyed that calmness until he heard the sound of footsteps.

Vrey looked back. He saw a slender-bodied young man standing there. The young man had blue eyes, as blue as the sky. His face was very attractive, beautiful as well as handsome. Her long blonde hair was neatly braided.

“Vrey,” the young man mentioned his name. “Luckily I found you. I've been looking for you all day until I hear your singing. We can talk, right? I promise I'll tell you whatever you want to know about me. There will be no more secrets.” He was now standing right in front of Vrey, his face looking increasingly clear under the moonlight.

Vrey flinched and immediately stood up. “Aelwen ... I mean, Leighton!?” He really didn't recognize Leighton in men's clothing. Even so, Vrey quickly hid his surprise. “Leave me alone!” Vrey turned around and walked down the rice field.

But Leighton followed suit. “I was afraid to tell you the truth. But not because I'm afraid you're gonna complain to me. I'm afraid you'll change after knowing who I really am.”

Vrey's move came to a halt, Leighton continued his explanation. “I really consider you my friend, Vrey. I always keep my word to you, right?”

Vrey glanced over his shoulder. “While at Pedric's house,” said Vrey, “I asked if you were still hiding something from me. And even then you lied to me. How could I possibly trust you again now that you lied right before my eyes?”

“I'm really sorry I lied to you.” Leighton walked over. Slowly and hesitantly he touched Vrey's arm with his fingers. “You were the first friend I had, you meant a lot to me. I don't want to lose you, Vrey,” he said.

Vrey felt his body tremble as Leighton's finger touched his open arm. It felt so strange, Aelwen's usual touch now felt so different.

Vrey unknowingly pulled his arm and moved away from Leighton. “Yang is right!” Vrey spontaneously tried to cover up his nervousness. “A prince like you thinks a thief like me means something!?”

Leighton was struck by Vrey's words. “I know you will definitely say such things,” he said flatly. But disappointment was evident from his voice.

Vrey soon realized his mistake. “I didn't mean that. I—”

“Already,” cut Leighton. He smiled bitterly. “You have the right to think anything about me. But now that it's late, you should go back to the inn and rest, you've just recovered.”

Leighton reached out, but Vrey did not accept it. He actually wanted to get close to Leightveon, holding his hand like he used to hold Aelwen's hand but he couldn't, it all felt strange. Vrey felt awkward facing Leighton.

The young man standing before him right now is ‘Aelwen’, his best friend for three years, as well as a stranger.

Leighton let out a short sigh while putting his hand back into his clothing pocket. “I understand,” he said softly. “But I want you to know one thing. It all starts with a lie. But I'm really happy to meet and get to know you, Vrey.”

Vrey lowered his face, staring at the waving paddy plant in the wind between his legs. He tried to find the right words to respond to Leighton's words, but his tongue was cackled, his lips tightly clenched. And you know, Leighton's been walking back towards the city. A little reluctantly, Vrey followed behind him.