Unexpected Destiny: The Half Dragon and The Nine Masks

Chapter 2

Auristela looked at the sun slowly setting along with the blue sky turning orange with a look of amazement. It was the first time for Auristela to see the sun on the mountain. Because she is a princess, she is not allowed to leave the palace without a purpose and always be escorted by a soldier. Therefore, he often pretends to be a soldier whenever Arion gets a mission that he finds fun. Of course, she had coordinated with Arion, her mother, and her father. No wonder Auristela and Arion are nicknamed the 'naughty twins'.

Do you think her mother and father immediately agreed to Auristela's crazy decision—disguising herself as a boy? Not. How could parents let their daughter become a boy even if it was only for a while? Especially with her pretense, Auristela has to do what men do. So that the charade is not exposed.

Then how did Auristela get approval from her parents? Auristela has many skills, one of which is pleading with a pitiful face. Just like she did when she ask allowed to go with Arion.

Auristela sat under a pine tree while leaning back. He didn't know where Arion would go, more precisely where would they go? Earlier they just walked in the forest.

"Rion, where are we going?" Auristela clapped her hands to kill the mosquitoes that swarmed her body.

"To a place where no one knows who we are."  Arion squatted quite far in front of Auristela, he was watching the snail walking on the leaves.

Auristela straightened her legs. "You know, Rion? Even the royal people don't know us. The only people who know who we are who live in the palace. Your words make me want to pull your ears," said Auristela.

Arion shrugged nonchalantly.

Even though they had traveled quite a distance, they only felt a little tired. Because their bodies have been accustomed to walking long distances, especially Arion who is the most active prince in following every activity carried out by the palace soldiers. Even Arion was appointed as assistant general. Apart from Arion likes fighting, there is another reason, which is that he likes exploring. He was tired of being in the palace.

From today onwards, Arion no longer had to wait for the royal soldiers to carry out their mission. He and Auristela, who love nature, will decide for themselves where their feet will go. Maybe ... they'll go to every place they've never been before.

"This is the forest and Mount Kamahi, the residence of the dwarves clan. One of the best paths for us to take, instead of having to pass through the village of the fox demon clan."

"I remind you. Maybe you forgot. I ever was here with dad, helping him find grass to eat the horses," said Auristela. Then a smile appeared on her tired face. She had an idea that she thought was a good one. "Why don't we go to the fox demon clan village? I want to buy some wine there."

Arion threw a tree branch that hit his twin sister's head, his eyes glaring at Auristela sharply. "Don't think anything out of the strange."

Auristela stroked her head which was quite sore from a tree branch. "Just wanted to give it a try."

Arion still gave Auristela a sharp look. "Never try it. You'll get addicted."

"Okay, okay. Don't glare."

Arion took a deep breath. He had to be vigilant. Because Auristela likes to be curious, don't let Auristela drink wine one day.

Auristela touched the millipede that passed beside her with a tree branch, the animal immediately wrapped its body. "You must have already decided where you want to go, right? Are we going aimlessly?"

Arion propped his chin. "To the Grassland territory, perhaps?"

"Possible?"

"Grassland is far from the elven kingdom."

"It's up to you. I'll follow you." Auristela said. After all, it was her wish to follow Arion. So, she must not protest or complain, later Arion will take her back to the kingdom.

"It's getting late. We'd better get some rest."  Arion looked at Auristela, then pointed at the tree that Auristela was leaning on. "How about sleeping in a tree?" In the Kamahi Forest, there are many beasts, they must be wary.

Auristela grinned widely. "No problem. It reminds me of our childhood."

***

Passing the cold night busy killing the mosquitoes that disturb her sleep. Auristela could not sleep at all, she was surprised at Arion who was not disturbed by the presence of the mosquitoes.

Arion stares far ahead, one of the abilities of the elves is that they can see up to a radius of tens of meters. Arion is waiting for a human who provides services across the Blue Ocean in a boat that can be boarded by five people.  Certainly not free. Arion had already prepared one gold piece.

Auristela yawned widely, she was sleepy. Because of mosquitoes, she couldn't sleep. Her hands and feet were small bumps due to the act of a swarm of mosquitoes. After getting to the inn, she would sleep.

"Stella, come on." Arion invites Auristela to get on the boat when the boat has pulled over.

Auristela tried to fight her drowsiness. Don't until she fall into the ocean just because she's sleepy. Not funny, right?

Arion smiled faintly at Auristela who rested her head on his shoulder. Arion closed his eyes enjoying the breeze that blew hard against his face. This was the free life he had dreamed of all along. He is not sorry. He had to stay alive for himself as well as for Auristela.

***

The distance between the Kamahi Forest and the Grassland region was very far. Arion and Auristela departed from the sunrise and reached their destination when the sun was directly overhead.

Just sitting in the boat for long enough makes the butt hurt and the muscles in the back tense. Auristela moved her body left and right.  "Very far."

"Yes." Arion swept a glance around. They were in the Omega Forest which belonged to the Grassland region.

Grassland is not only inhabited by humans, but also other creatures. This region is ruled by a king from the Animas Kingdom. The royal family is from the Abdian clan. Abdian clan are special humans who are given the gift of long life.

Arion and Auristela explore Omega Forest. They asked humans who are herding cattle and looking for firewood about the best lodging here.

"I only have a sword. I'm not lying." There was a voice in the distance like someone begging for mercy.

Arion and Auristela had promised not to interfere in human affairs, but because the one begging for mercy was on the path they were about to walk. Arion approached the people who were blocking their way.

"Are you robbers?" Arion's green eyes scanned the clothes and sharp weapons held by the five robbers. Then saw a human standing with a pale face, his hands were bleeding, and his clothes were torn on several sides. It's a sad appearance.

The robbers laughed amused at Arion's question. "You ask a very funny thing, young man." One of the potbellied robbers pointed his samurai at Arion. "You don't seem afraid of us." The robber was offended by Arion's gaze that seemed to challenge them.

Arion turned to Auristela who was motionless on the spot. Then he took out the sword slung over his waist. "I didn't want to interfere, but you guys have hurt him." Arion fights against the five ruthless robbers.

Auristela approached a man who seemed still in shock over what had happened to him. "You're hurt." Auristela was shocked to see the blood flowing on the hands of the man wearing the blue shirt. "I'll treat it," Auristela asked the man to sit down.

The man noticed Auristela who was agile in treating her wounds. It was obvious that the woman in front of him was used to dealing with injured people.

"Is the wound serious?" asked Arion as he put the sword into the scabbard. Even though he had just finished cleaning up the robbers, he wasn't breathless at all. It will be certain that the robbers are deterred if they come back to face Arion.

The brown-eyed man whose wound was being treated by Auristela was amazed to see Arion who managed to make the robbers run away like being chased by a wild animal.

"No. Just a little scratch."

"Cro-" A man and woman approached them breathlessly after running non-stop. "What happened to you?"

The man whose wound was being bandaged by Auristela with a white cloth groaned in pain.

"Ah, sorry. Looks like I pulled the cloth too tight," said Auristela with regret.

Arion shook his head. This is what happens when Auristela is too eager to do something.

A man and woman who had just joined together stared at Auristela.

"Thank you for your help." The man in the blue shirt stood up and introduced himself politely. "My name is Andres Clayton. If I may ask, what are your names?"

"I'm Auristela. He's Arion, my brother," Auristela replied, pointing at Arion who was standing tall next to her.

Andres smiled kindly. Then introduced his two friends whose faces looked pale. "They're my friends. Their names are Anthoni Hale and Almeta Walace." Andres looked at his two friends. "Arion and Auristela have saved me from the robbers." Andres looked back at Arion and Auristela in turn. "I'm very grateful."

"We're happy to help you." Auristela smiled broadly.

Andres smile. Arion and Auristela are good people. Helping selflessly. Even though they didn't know each other. Good people like these two are extremely rare.

"You're elves, aren't you?" asked Almeta who accidentally saw Arion's pointed ears.

Auristela nodded.  "Yes."

"Nice to meet the elves." Almeta's eyes lit up.

Auristela and Arion looked at each other with blushing faces.

"Nice to meet you. Hopefully, we can meet another time and I can repay your kindness," said Andres sincerely. Then Andres, Anthoni, and Almeta excused themselves because they had to go somewhere.

***

Auristela and Arion stood in front of a building that was quite majestic and luxurious. This is a place to stay that is recommended by herders. Auristela does not care about the facilities provided by the inn, the most important thing is that she can immediately stretch her legs and lay down. Then to dreamland.

The burly and tall innkeeper gave Arion and Auristela a probing look while assessing their appearance from top to bottom.

"The price for one night is two gold pieces," said the innkeeper. It turned out that not only was his body terrible, his voice was heavy and loud no less scary.

"I booked a room." Arion placed two gold pieces on the table. "I want a room with windows facing east."

The innkeeper agreed to Arion's request. "My name is Rox."

"That's a very fitting name for you," said Auristela.

Rox was flattered, she gave a room key to Arion.

"Is it true that Mr. Hans' house was attacked last night?" Rox asked a man who had just arrived and sat down across from him.

"Yes. Again someone was attacked. I don't know who did it."

Auristela still wanted to listen to Rox and the man wearing the straw hat, but Arion dragged her to find their room.

Auristela looked around the room. Not as big as her room in the palace, but not too bad.  The mattress is quite wide and soft.

Arion checked the bathroom which he thought was quite good. He had to buy soap and some other toiletries.

"You are hungry?"

"Yeah, but now I'm sleepy."

"Are you okay with us living in the same room?"

"Yeah, that's fine. You must have a reason why we have to share a room."

Arion sits on the edge of the bed. "Yeah. I can't let you stay in a different room. I'm worried."

Auristela covered herself with a blanket.  Ready to go to dreamland. "We can't say we're twins, can we?"  Arion nodded.

"Don't forget. Don't use the name Sclater."

"So what are our last names now?"

Arion pondered far away. Think of a name that matches their name. "How about Geoffredo?"

"Arion Geoffredo and Auristela Geoffredo?"  Auristela considered. "It fits. I like it."

"Okay, now that's our name."

Auristela nodded.

Humans consider twins of the opposite sex to be taboo. They thought it was a sign that they were mating and were intentionally united by God from the time they were in the womb

However, not all humans think like that.  Some even think that having twins, especially twins of different sexes, is a very special gift from God. Because not everyone can have twins.