Esteria: The World of Life

Chapter 4 | Fantacia

"Maybe I should go meet her..." he thought.

Eliona noticed that Skeet already stood up after minutes of pondering. "Eh? Where are you heading to?"

"To Chela. I don't want to mess with that kitsuneko when she gets mad sooner or later." And with that, he walked his way to the training room.

...

Upon entering the said training room, Chela was already in front of him, crossing her arms. "Good thing you made it here, nya. I was beginning to think that you're not going to show up, nya."

"Oh come now," he replied. "So, what is this private meeting for?"

"Get a sword, nya." he nodded and proceeded to get a sword from the rack, "And then?"

Without saying a word, Chela rushed towards Skeet, staff on hand and on a battle position. Panicked to see her attacking out of nowhere, he dodged before the staff could ever hit him.

"C-chela!! W-what was that for?!" Skeet exclaimed.

"Say nothing, nya." Just then, Chela continued on swinging her staff left and right, up and down- mimicking a normal sword's movements. Rather than merely attacking her when he has the chance, he just keep on dodging instead.

"What are you doing, nya? Attack!" Just when Chela is so close to hitting him, he suddenly blocked the attack with the sword.

He has finally realized what it truly was... This was indeed Chela's way of training young knights, and that she always has been waiting for him to lay a counterattack on hers. However, on the moment of realization, Chela already had hit Skeet in the gut, which made him cough back to reality. The training ended even before he knew it.

"Don't daydream in the middle of the battle, nya," she said, thumping the staff to the ground, "Based on my assessment done just now, it appears that you remained good in dodging as you were 7 years ago, nya."

"However..." she added, "it would also seem that you have not laid nary a single attack on me until the last second, nya. Therefore, I conclude that you have certainly forgot how to attack against enemies, nya."

"Eh?" Skeet coughed, "B-but I was just surprised that you're attacking me out of nowhere-"

"Not an excuse, nya," she replied. "Will the villain wait for your thoughts before you could ever lay your own fatal blow? Nah, he'll never do, nya."

"Anyway, let's revisit your lessons, nya. Don't worry, nya. This'll be a quick review of what you missed during the training, nya."

...

"First thing we need to relearn is the basics of slashing, nya. You can slash upwards, downwards, horizontal or diagonal, nya. It's easy, nya. But what matters more in these slashes is the timing, nya," Chela said. "I'm no swordsman myself, nya. However, I can at least do this, nya." Chela then closed her eyes and focused onto creating a training dummy out of thin air, dropping it in front of him. "Follow where the mark goes and slash the enemy using the said technique, nya."

Chela then stepped aside to observe him. Skeet looked at the dummy. It seems to be a normal wooden dummy, although there is a vertical mark at the center, suggesting him to slash it vertically. Making his own stance, he slashed the dummy downward and grunted as he does it.

"Great job, nya. Now we proceed, nya..." and the session continued for an hour or two.

...

At the end of the training, Chela snapped her fingers to make the training dummy she made disappear out of the blue. “Great job, nya. I know there’s still a lot for you to learn, but that’s on you already, nya.” After which, she bowed in front of him.

“E-eh? Why are you bowing in front of me?” he asked.

“Because you’re also supposed to bow in front of your opponent after every training or formal battle, nya. Manners, nya would say.” With his question clarified, Skeet bowed in front of Chela.

“Nya, I’d like to give this to you.” She turned back and gave something to Skeet— a sheathed sword. “It’s a basic sword, nya. But that should be helpful in protecting the oracle, nya. And one more thing.” She raised her staff, focusing some of her energy, letting him wear a simple yet efficient armor. “There. To at least protect yourself, nya.”

“Well… thanks, but…  this feels a little too much on—” Chela glared. “N-nevermind, ehehehhe…” he looked away from Chela, seeing that continuing what he has to say seems to be too much of a shame on his part.

“Anyway, thank you very much, Chela.” he smiled. “I promise to take good care of the oracle!” he then looked back and headed for the door.

“Nya better make sure, Skeet-nya.” Before he departed, she added one more thing. “Also, if you could return here in one piece, nya… come see me for more training, nya.”

He nodded before closing the door, leaving the minister all alone.

“Skeet-nya…” she sighed. “Good luck, nya.”

…

"How do I look like now, Eliona?" Skeet came back to Eliona now wearing a chest plate as well as a sword sheathed on his back. "Does this chest plate look good on me?"

Eliona nodded. "That should make do. At least you can protect yourself with that. And oh, may I take a look at your sword?" He then unsheathed the sword that is on his back, showing it to Eliona. Unfortunately, the blade seems to be a bit short.

"A training sword?" she wondered.

"Eh? How so?" He asked.

"I don't recall that a normal knight's sword is as short as that..." she thought. "Well, I guess that should work."

Skeet then sheathed his sword back. "Okay. Shall we go?” Eliona nodded and left the castle alongside him.

...

Arriving at the gate that serves as an entrance and exit to the Mainland City, a guard stopped them on their tracks. "Halt! Under the orders of the queen, you shall not pass!"

"B-but…! We are on our way to Fantacia already..." just then, Skeet appeared in front of the guard.

"Oh, seems like you're well-armored. May I take a look at your sword?" he unsheathed the sword, showing it to the guard.

"..." The guard couldn't speak for a second or two the moment he laid eyes on the sword Skeet had in possession. "...Take my sword instead, kid." He then took the sheathed sword out and gave it to him. "Give me your sword in return."

He nodded, handing over the training sword he had before in exchange of a longer sword. "Such a shame for the oracle's bodyguard to bring a training sword along." He stepped aside, opening the path ahead of them. "Go. Walk with caution and always protect the oracle. Also, take good care of that sword I gave you."

"I will! Thank you, Mr. Knight!" He eagerly said in response and then bowed before Eliona and Skeet depart for Fantacia.

...

-Esterian Fields, Mainland Esteria-

Upon leaving the gates of the Mainland Town, the rising sun and the greenery greeted both Skeet and Eliona's eyes. What caught their sight was the rich valley covered in greens and yellows. A few foliage plants were scattered here and there, making the outskirts of the castle a tad bit livelier.

Eliona suddenly giggled. "Is it your first time outside the castle town?" She asked.

Skeet shook his head. "Uh, no. I actually go out quite often. You see, there are instances where I leave town for some errands at the inn such as buying some raw goods to Wisteria Village or some matters at Clockwork Town.”

Eliona nodded. “I see. Well, that’s good to know.” Yet, at the back of her head, she mumbled, “Finally, someone who knows the path ahead.”

“Something’s the matter?” he tilted his head, which Eliona hastily shook her head. “Nothing really.” While the two are looking at the distance, he suddenly looked to their right and noticed a small town that seemed to be in shambles. “Huh?”

“Um… what’s that place over there? I don’t think I noticed that it existed…” Skeet pointed at the said town from far right, which Eliona also noticed.

“That looks like a familiar town to me. However, for being so old, it looks like it’s been forgotten for generations…” she replied. “Anyway, shall we go?” And thus they walked their way towards the village of Wisteria.

…

While on the way, Skeet began to feel tired along the way while Eliona shows no sign of fatigue. Panting, he sighed, “Can we get some little rest or two? I’m dead beat.” Eliona couldn’t help but giggle. “What’s so funny about it?”

“Humans sure are weak… such a pity.” She shook her head and mumbled. “Does this world really depend on a human who can’t even—”

“Can’t even what?” Eliona just gave a light smile as a response, which made him realize what it was. “AH— me? Tired? Preposterous! Why would I feel tired when we’re almost there?! Right?”

“Exactly. Therefore, we must proceed. We do not have a whole day chitchatting, Skeet.” Eliona then went ahead of him. Perhaps it’s shameful to let the oracle see how humans get tired easily.

“Skeet! Hurry up, unless you want to be left behind!” Hearing that voice, he got back into his senses and scurried towards Eliona, who was ahead of him.

…

-Fae Mountains, Mainland Esteria-

“Damn it…” he looked ahead with a depraved look, just hoping that he can finally get some rest. Not even bluffing at the oracle could even save him from fatigue. “Why have we walked all the way here anyway? Crap, I can’t take this anymore…”

“Don’t worry— we’re almost there.” The oracle smiled at them, giving him hope to go on. “…And by ‘almost’, we’re literally almost there.” That at least made Skeet's mood lighten up.

“Uh, one question— why do we bother walking when we can hitch a ride from carts?” he asked out of the blue. “Cart ride hailing and horseback renting are quite the thing in the mainland.”

Eliona stopped, which made him wonder. “A-are we there yet?”

“Yes. And with regards to your inquiry…” she then looked at Skeet, removing her brown cloak, giving it to him. “I am aware that cart ride hailing and such exist to make the lives of Esters easier. However, even if I were to say that we Dryads are used to walking— which is true, that is not my reason why I let you walk from the Mainland City to here, the Fountain of the Dryads with me.”

He furrowed his eyebrows. “What do you mean?”

“You’ll understand what it means when morning rises at Elysia... unless you embrace and accept it. In the meantime, please step aside. I shall open the portal from this realm to ours.” Skeet then stepped back as Eliona prepares the portal to Fantacia. While she chants her spells, Eliona thought, “Maybe I shouldn’t have expected him to understand the meaning behind it right away… like how he got my context earlier.”

Just then, the torches were lit out of the blue as the wind blows a bit harshly. The water from the fountain at the center changed its flow from all the way going back up, creating a portal using the said water that used to gush within the fountain. As expected of Skeet, he was surprised at the sight he has just seen.

“The portal has been opened now, Skeet. We must proceed.” The oracle said before stepping in to the portal. Not wanting to be left out, he followed Eliona to wherever the portal takes them before it closed, returning everything in its old state.

…

-Nymphae, Fantacia-

On the other side of the portal appears to be a place filled with trees, plants and anything green along with its elven constituents clad in green clothing. This is Nymphae, the eastern sector of Fantacia.

“We’ve finally arrived, Skeet.” he didn't pay attention, but instead continued to be amazed by the scene that he witnessed, including colorful butterflies passing by.

"Where... where exactly are we?" he asked in realization. "We're... still at Esteria, right?"

Eliona giggled, "Of course, we still are! This is Nymphae, the eastern sector of Fantacia where we, the Oread live."

"Oread?"

"Wood fairies or wood dyrads, to be exact. I suppose we have come a long way to finally arrive at our destination— and by that, I am certain that you are exhausted from our trip." Skeet couldn't help but nod.

"Just as I thought. Such rueful humans..." Eliona thought.

"Well, come with me. I shall take you to my chambers." After that, Eliona went ahead, which he followed.

Entering her chambers, the wooden walls are the first thing he noticed. It seems that even the Oracle's Chamber is also made of wood. Not only that, the oracle's subordinates have welcomed her and the guest for the occasion.

"Welcome to my chamber, Skeet. This is where I spend my days as an oracle and where I do my predictions as well as sheltering the offer to the Yang Creator." Eliona introduced. "It... may not look as big as your inn, but do enjoy your stay." Two of the elven subordinates took Skeet's load to his makeshift room for the night until he is to be offered.

"Kindly follow them, Skeet. You are required to get as much rest as you can." she said. Following her advice, he nodded and proceeded to his own room.

...

"Bed at last!" Skeet could finally catch his breath and lie down for the night. All the walking literally got the best of him, but it all paid off since they have already arrived. Noticing of how dark it is now, he hurried to the window, only to realize that it is already past sunset.

"So the walking took us almost an entire day, huh?" he thought. And while he was drowning in his own thoughts about walking all the way up to here, he suddenly overheard the voices of the elves chattering just past their room. Not wanting to cause attention, he carefully crept out of his room to eavesdrop.

...

"But milady, the offer you sent is not an Ester...!" one of the elven subordinates complained. "If the Yang Creator knows about this sabotage you're doing..."

Another one added, "You might be relieved in the position as oracle on your final term of serving as the Oracle of the Dryads."

And yet another added, "What can this human do with regards to the future ahead of us? I'm afraid that this human might serve no purpose at all to not only our fate as Fantacians, but everything that exists in Esteria."

Eliona just listened and nod to them before speaking, with a crystal ball in front of her. "Yes, yes, I do know that the one I sent is but not an Ester— and that the Minister of Esteria is very well aware of it."

All three of her subordinates replied, "Then why did she allow this to happen?"

She then raised her hand to halt. "She didn't. I do. And for it is the Creator's will to do so. The chosen offer may not be able to wield magic, but his sheer will to accomplish the mission given shall be his key to succeed, even for a mere human. Moreover, he have yet to play another role in the Yin's hands, as from what I was told, and another from his own descendant." Eliona then closed her eyes, rhyming some words as if she was praying.

After chanting a short prayer, Eliona added, "This year comes a different outcome, everyone. After the ceremony, this world's fate will be on Skeet's hands... It will be all up to him whether they will actuate the plans set by the Creators, or choose to turn away from his destiny."  he then looked away from the scene, as if not believing in what he had just heard. First, he found out that he isn't not an Ester by blood, and now the entire world's fate will be in his hands?

"Ridiculous." Skeet shook his head and went back to his room to sleep.

END OF CHAPTER 4