Scarlet's Awakening

Before Ishid left Scarlet that night, he said something to her.

"I'll do something to make it possible for me to stay by your side. So, whatever happens, just trust me."

His words echoed inside her head over and over again as she looked outside the carriage window. She didn't get what he was talking about but she decided to trust him and wait.

"I'm missing him already." She murmured under her breath.

Aqua heard what she said and she totally misunderstood it. She thought the queen is missing Eigeel since he's the only man in the castle but she was missing another man entirely.

"My queen?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think happen in Donatel that made Eireen delay her return to the palace?"

"Hmm. I don't know... I have my own speculations but I think it's better if I see the problem for myself."

Aqua bowed her head in understanding. "I understand."

Scarlet frowned when she felt the carriage come to a sudden halt.

"What's happening?" She asked Talon outside her window.

Talon urged his mount which a large white leopard with blue eyes and black spots beside Scarlet's window and spoke. "My queen, there's been an accident ahead blocking our path the the western gate."

The frown on her beautiful face deepened even more. "Did anyone got hurt?"

"No, my queen."

Scarlet opened the door and stepped out of the carriage.

"My queen!" Aqua and Talon tried to stop her but she didn't listen.

"I want to see what's going on."

"The citizens doesn't know about your departure, my queen. I strongly suggest you don't reveal yourself here. The people will immediately recognize you." Talon said with a grave expression and that stopped her.

"Talon is right, my queen. For your safety and for the safety of the kingdom of Gehenna, please get back inside the carriage." Aqua said.

Scarlet closed her eyes. "Fine."

She was about to climb back up inside the carriage when something caught her eye. It was a small stall comprising of a single table and a roof. The one watching over the stall was an old lady wearing white dress and a big hat that covered her eyes.

Scarlet's eyes lowered to the old lady's wrinkled hands, in it, she was holding a glowing white orb. The white orb was what took her attention in the first place and mysteriously, it was calling her over.

Feeling curious about the orb, she wanted to answer the call.

"Give me my cloak." She ordered Aqua, not taking her eyes off the old lady and the white orb.

"But, my queen-"

"This is an order."

Reluctantly, Aqua gave her, her black cloak. "Talon, you're coming with me." She said, giving orders as she wore the cloak over her head. "Aqua, stay here and fix the problem. This is the queen's orders."

Talon and Aqua sighed together. They were powerless against the queen's orders so they have to follow it without saying another word.

Scarlet walked over to the old lady's stall and Talon followed behind her, his hand on his katana, ready to pull it out the moment something wrong happens.

"Oh dear," The old lady said when she approached her. "Have you come to find your destiny, young lady?"

Scarlet remained stoic at the old ladies words. "Are you a witch?" she asked.

The old lady lifted her head, looking straight into Scarlet's eyes without fear. "Yes. I am indeed a witch..." She said, a smile slowly forming on her wrinkled old lips. "... and you are, Lesiris, daughter of Yaos and Arasil."

Scarlet suddenly felt a strong throbbing sensation inside her c.h.e.s.t. She gasped. Clutching her c.h.e.s.t because of the pain. that she suddenly lost the strength to stand. Talon immediately went by her side, covering her from the witch.

"What have you done to her majesty!" Talon unsheathed his sword in lightning speed, pointing it on the old lady's neck, glaring at her.

The old lady laughed softly, clearly unperturbed by his hostility towards her beofre putting away the tip of the sword using the tip of her fingers.

"I didn't do anything to her."

"Then why is she in pain!"

The old lady made a throaty chuckle. "She's in pain because her old memories were as painful, my dear."

Scarlet heard everything the old lady said.

Even though she felt like her c.h.e.s.t has been stabbed by something she still forced herself to ask.

"Who... Who's Lesiris? W-Who are you?"

The old lady mysteriously smiled. "As much as I want to introduce myself, I believe my time is up."

"What?"

"Your destiny has started it course. Look for a flower, a lotus and there you will find your fate." The old lady spoke.

Scarlet wanted to ask the old lady some more. The pain inside her c.h.e.s.t was fading away however, before she could ask, a flying piece of paper suddenly landed on her face, covering her sight.

"What fate-" She removed the paper on her face and started to ask but the old lady was gone including her little stall. "Talon?"

"Yes, my queen?"

"Where's the old lady?" She asked, staring blankly at the spot the old lady once was.

"I removed my attention on her for a second but then she disappeared like smoke in front of me, my queen. I didn't sense her disappearance at all."

Scarlet sighed. "If that witch has the power to escape like that then she must be very powerful." And very knowledgable as well. She looks like she knows something the old Scarlet doesn't know about her own identity.

"Lesiris..." She whispered the name the old lady called her a while ago. She also said that she was the daughter of Yaos and Arasil.

Who is this Yaos and Arasil?

Are they her parents?

Scarlet looked at the paper that covered her face in her hand. "Talon,"

"Yes, my queen."

"Tell Eigeel to investigate the names Yaos and Arasil. Tell him to include all information that connects with the two names I just mentioned."

Talon bowed. "As you wish, my queen."

Scarlet flipped the paper and saw a red lotus sign on it. The contents of the paper talked about an auction.

Your destiny has started it course. Look for a flower, a lotus and there you will find your fate.

The old ladies words echoed inside her head.

"Do you know where this auction will be held?" She asked the silent Talon beside her and his eyes immediately found the red lotus emblem on the paper.

"I recognize that insignia. There's only one place in this city that uses that seal."

"Tell me."

"It's the biggest auction house in the royal city, my queen. The auction house of Dhalohr."