《Project: Lily》 Chapter 1 - Last Resting Place I awoke from a deep slumber. The white sun¡¯s radiance scorched my heavy eyes. Century old dust and rubble burrowed through my watery sockets. Every blink stinged, irritating my already sensitive sight. All these years alive just to be cursed with a frail body. As the burning sensation and hazy vision faded, I fixated my stare on a crow standing in the distance. Its slender body dashed its way towards me. Instinctively, I tried to block it but my body remained still as the ground trapped me within layers of earth. The black bird managed to plop itself onto my chest, with its slim charcoal wings blocking my vision. The forceful sun steadied through the gaps of its night sky feathers. Without hesitation, it leapt onto my head. The crows'' dainty feet ran through my coarse, white hair, feeling around my scalp. In seconds, I felt a throb of pain emanate from my head. The crow had clawed its thick talons into my skin. Its firm grip cut and jerked into me, leaving nothing but cold blood to drape down my face. I grit my teeth and bore the pain, trying not to show the discomfort I felt. At my age, pain meant nothing. The crow then faced me. There was something esoteric about its unbreakable glare. as if it looked satisfied with testing me. I was neither shocked nor frightened, I stared back with coldness. With a sudden break of the woodland wind, it spoke. ¡°Destroy the empire¡± left its narrow beak. Suddenly, I found hundreds of crows gathered around me. Feathers embedded with darkness danced in the air all around my constrained body. Their sequined eyes would flash and catch glimpses of me. They were anticipating my faintest movements. By this point I couldn¡¯t even recognize the crow that had spoken to me. I was in a murder. Yet, they weren¡¯t going to murder me. I continued to lay still in my shallow grave with pandemonium attacking my eardrums. All the birds went from cawing to chanting in an inhumane hoarse voice, ¡°Destroy the empire.¡± After a while the smell of death vanished. They were gone, finishing their mission and pleasing their masters. I was being summoned again. No matter how hard I try to hide, conceal and barricade myself from the frivolous lives of humans, they always seem to come crawling to me one way or another. The world needs me to destroy the empire. The same way they needed me to massacre their gods and ravish their nations. Those instructions are both self explanatory and conspicuous. Humans always make things so broad. They think sparing me the details will appease me. With some struggle, I rose from my resting spot. The one I swore I¡¯d stay in forever, and brought a piece of my pitch-black, fur jacket to my nose. I cuddled my face into the filthy garment, taking a few deep breaths. Then I took a long sigh, soaking in the moment. I started walking away. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. I built a prison in the shape of a garden for myself, but now that the crows have found a way in. It feels like eyes are watching everything I do. As I strolled through the garden, I dusted my disheveled clothes off. The smell of soil tortured my nostrils. The beauty of the harmonious nature was nauseating, but I persisted. In the distance was the skyline, where the forestry got denser and a gray sky met a gray field. Despite its elegance, it was a fake. I lifted my right hand in a slow and gentle motion. I neared the fictitious horizon. With a swift swing a rush of ecstasy filled my veins and a hole appeared in the sky. Within it were millions of maggot-like creatures. They were whirling around the crevices of the hole I had made. Without a second thought, I leapt into the opening and left the maggots to leech and engulf me. With a blink of an eye I had crossed over, the creatures were gone. All that remained was me. I landed in a wheat field. The wheat was a rich gold and was soaring above me. When I looked up, all I saw was blue skies contrasting the hues of the towering, wispy, wheat. When I did catch glimpses of what was beyond the stocks, I saw abundances of blond land. It was like the wheat was never ending from all directions. With my arm out to defend my face from swaying pieces, I started to navigate through the vast field. After a short time of trying to find my way out I gave up and laid down. This was an unnatural amount of wheat. I picked a wad of it and put the end in my mouth. As I chewed I reminisced about tobacco, nature''s finest creation. In all my years of being alive, this might be the first time I¡¯ve ever laid eyes on such an enormous wheat farm. I sat up and adjusted my body to take off my fur jacket. Then I draped it over my pale body and curled myself within its warmth. From afar it must look like a giant furry creature that dawned a human girl¡¯s head. It was in peace as it rested in a bountiful wheat field. Any horrified bystander would turn me into folklore right away. Actually, if I recall I am already in encyclopedias documented as a mythical legend. How could I forget? I was the Ferocious Chimera of the Western Hemisphere. That was my universal name, but I went by many. The Great Calamity, The Winter Beast, my favorites were the names that drunken men must¡¯ve made up. Lass from forbidden Grass had to be the kitschiest of them all. Humans, in spite of all the bloodshed and carnage I created during my reign, always turned my vile legacy into art. I could shred towns to pieces, leaving no survivors and there would still be a folk song about my power and beauty. That¡¯s where the name Lass from forbidden Grass comes from. Lass from forbidden Grass. Lass goes out to pick lilacs. Lass takes home a big bouquet¡­ That''s all I can remember. It¡¯s a foolish song anyways only kids would recite it. I stared up at the blue sky and closed my eyelids. Trouble tends to come to me so there was no rush. With that in mind, I went to sleep. Chapter 2 - The Empires Fools My eyes opened to the sight of a man poised on top of me. His palm weighed heavy on my chest. Every breath he took came with jingles from his opulent jewelry. I stared at him as he failed to notice my awakening. His gaze was dead set on my bosom. This is¡­ inconvenient. ¡°Are you going to violate me?¡± I said in a cold but apathetic tone to break the silence. ¡°NO! WHAT?!¡± the man said, ripping himself away from me. ¡°Misunderstanding!¡± he stammered, "There''s been a misunderstanding!¡± The man shot himself off the bed I was laying on. Now further away I could get a better picture of him. He was quite young and his face was bright red from ear to ear. He had his brunette hair styled in an updo and wore some sort of religious garment. Not one I¡¯m particularly familiar with. The white fabric of the robe wrapped around him in a modest manner and hung precious gems and metals. ¡°PULSE!¡± he cried, ¡°I was checking your pulse!¡± As he murmured to himself pleading for forgiveness, I sat up and glanced at my surroundings. I was in a large room occupied by stone walls and tree roots; a lot of them. My body weighed on a giant plush bed. Across the lavender linen sheets, the man stood before a giant window. it''s shape resembles more of a hole in the wall. My fur jacket sat right beside me on a chair, folded neat and clean. When I peered back at the young man he was facing away reciting some sort of prayer. ¡°Forgive me my Empress¡± was all I could make out. The rest was some new age nonsense. A crowd of maids and servants could be heard gathering outside the door of the room. Guess it¡¯s not common for a man of his pedigree to be making such a commotion. Interesting. Before I could get any words out, a group of people rushed through the door. Three young looking men and an old servant came hastening in. leaving the entourage of gossiping workers outside. ¡°Brother Benedikt, is everything alright?¡± a young man with a pretty face and thin build asked. So Ponytail''s name is Benedikt¡­ ¡°Everything is fine here Brother Luciano¡± Benedikt replied. And the womanizer''s name is Luciano¡­ ¡°Master Benedikt!¡± an unrecognizable voice shouted. A tiny boy with tall animal ears popped out of the crowd of people, he was so small I missed him completely. Now this was rare. I haven''t seen a new species since my mortal days. Whatever this thing is, it¡¯s unnatural. The mutant shielded Benedikt, showing its teeth to me. ¡°No need for that Dog.¡± Benedikt said. The half boy half beast creatine backed away but bared a bitter face with eyes like burning candles. ¡°Dog you are scaring the guest,¡± said an unfamiliar voice, ¡°Go fetch some water for the maiden.¡± ¡°Certainly Brother Mantana!¡± it shouted. Wait, the creature''s name is actually Dog? There were thousands of names to choose from and you cursed its already damned existence with the name, Dog? The unknown man rushed up and knelt down towards me. His curly copper hair stood out as he leaned in. He was much more mature but still was suspicious. ¡°Hello Miss, I¡¯m Mantana, a Doctor under oath to the Mione Palace. You''re looking a lot better now.¡± ¡°I am.¡± I blurted. There were still two men I was unfamiliar with both standing besides the door. They don¡¯t look like they''re going to introduce themselves. Their demeanor was belittling; they don¡¯t want to be here. One of the men was young with thin spectacles and golden hair. The other was an old servant with hairs as white as snow who stood next to his master in pride. I could feel their glares piercing my soul. ¡°Is there anything bothering you?¡± Mantana asked as he checked my pulse with his rugged hands. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± he insisted. If you keep inquiring it¡¯ll be you who''s bothering me. ¡°Brother Mantana, you ought to keep a close eye on the lady¡¯s health. She didn¡¯t wake up for 3 straight days.¡± Benedikt ordered. ¡°Absolutely.¡± he replied. Benedikt walked to the bed I was sitting on and held my hand. He then bowed his flushed head and knelt. ¡°About earlier¡­¡± he paused. Articulating his words better, ¡° The incident, please accept my humblest apologies.¡± I said nothing. There were many words I wanted to say, but none would be fitting. I pulled my hand back from his gentle grasp but he pulled my arm back in. With a wide eye gaze and flushed, red cheeks he held my hand again. ¡° I also apologize for transporting you in a wheelbarrow.¡± he stammered, avoiding eye-contact. I looked at him in bewilderment. ¡°I tried waking you up but you weren¡¯t coming too and I was quite tired from working all day and traversing through the wheat fields. I thought a nearby wheelbarrow was the quickest option but I¡¯m realizing now a lady should not be treated like that thanks to Luciano¡¯s teachings-¡± Is he dense? ¡°The wheelbarrow was pretty beaten up and rusty too, please forgive me madam I wasn¡¯t in my right mind. If you weren''t one of us you could¡¯ve gotten badly injured. No, injuries aside, your dignity was hurt because of me. I¡¯m so very sorry-¡± One of us? ¡°If my Empress bore witness to how I treated you, she would¡¯ve burned my skin as punishment. What I did was beyond discourteous, it was uncivil and as a man of the -¡± Before Benedikt could get another word out, Luciano with a tender smile, smacked Benedikt¡¯s head. ¡°My apologies fair maiden, this devoted meathead may be an Elder but he never learned how to talk to women properly in his youth.¡± Luciano added. I stared at meathead Benedikt and then looked back at Luciano. ¡°You are all like me?¡± I asked ¡°Yes, we''re all Elders,¡± Luciano said, ¡°You, however, are a Foreign Elder.¡± ¡°Foreign Elder?¡± I questioned, tilting my head. ¡°Some of the terminology we use isn¡¯t universal yet brother Luciano¡± Mantana interrupted. ¡°Forgive me, you are correct. Who do you hail as your master young one?¡± Luciano asked. Watch who you''re calling a young one, pretty boy. ¡°Master?¡± ¡°Do you not know your master?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± I wish I could say I was acting dumbfounded on purpose but I have no idea what any of this meant. ¡°Miss, do you know what your name is? Where you come from? How old you are?¡± Mantana asked. I paused for a moment to think. I was pondering if I should pretend to not know anything at all. It¡¯s probably better than trying to fit in and it can buy me some time to plan out my affairs. I tried my best to give a disoriented expression as I opened my mouth. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°I don¡¯t remember.¡± I stammered. ¡°This isn¡¯t good.¡± Mantana¡¯s voice softened in concern. Dog came running into the room disheveled. ¡°The water is here Master Mantana!¡± he declared. ¡°Thank you,¡± Mantana hesitated, with a look of guilt in his eyes, and said, ¡°There is something I must discuss with my brothers. Please excuse us.¡± Dog placed the cup of water next to my bedside, and backed away. Despite his small size he was a quick little thing. He hid behind Benedikt¡¯s robe, clutching it as one does with a satchel in a busy street. Mantana bowed his head and waved his arm to the exit, signaling everyone to leave. ¡°I will check on you in a bit. Please rest in the meantime, you were out for a long period and we want to make sure you''re well. I will leave our palace¡¯s head servant Pierre to watch for you.¡± Mantana said before leaving. With that, everyone left and I was finally alone. By the power of pure laziness, I somehow managed to infiltrate an empire, but was it the one I had to destroy? Staring at the vast blue sky I found myself thinking too much. There was no need for all that. I arose, picked up my coat and walked to the window. The cold stone floor was smooth to the touch. Hugging my fur, I looked down. Distant buildings stood all around, encapsulated within a tall wall. Massive brown roots and branches engulfed the town, leading up to where I was looking down. I was in a tree, a very big tree. With the breeze streaming through my hair, I leaned closer to the edge. The height was incredible. Without some sort of power, you would never be able to reach these levels. The sheer size of the tree made it impossible for your average human to climb. The tranquility of nature was nice from all the way up here. After this is all over I¡¯ll come back to sleep in this tree. As notes of timber ravished my sense of smell, The gravity of the situation started to hit me all at once. Elders? Is that what we''re calling ourselves now? None of these people are like me. All of them are youngins. They couldn¡¯t be more than 100 years old. Burying my face in my now clean coat I let out a long sigh. Something happened. Something really bad happened while I was asleep. I stared at the cup of water the creature, Dog, left. I need a drink, but this will not do. I walked over to the door and found the servant Peirre, standing right outside. His skin sagged, especially near his smile lines. His eyebrows looked angry and his build was quite thin. ¡°Do you need anything madam?¡± Pierre said in a kind tone. Now was the time to put my acting skills to test. If living for hundreds of decades taught me anything, it¡¯s that I¡¯m good at most stuff. I will woo this man with my sheer talent and get what I need! ¡°Do you have any booze?¡± I asked whilst blushing like a newlywed. Pierre leaned in close to me with an alarmed look. ¡°Madam my apologies but alcohol has been banned in this region for 25 years now.¡± These sick freaks banned alcohol? ¡°I strongly advise you to not mention alcohol to anyone from now on. It could get you a life sentence.¡± Pierre added. ¡°My apologies¡± I said. ¡°Is there anything else I can help you with?¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be all.¡± I shut the door, quiet enough that not even a creak could escape. I understand now why I must destroy the empire. I jumped into the bed and wrapped myself in my fur and the lavender blankets. I need a nap after this discovery. I stared at the ceiling that was an amalgamation of wood and stone. My eyes closed and I dozed off. I awoke to a knocking coming from the door. The sky was pink, yet it didn¡¯t feel like I was out that long. ¡°May I come in?¡± Benedikt said in a formal tone, ¡°It¡¯s important.¡± No. I wish I could say no. I don¡¯t like this man at all! ¡°Come in¡± I shouted. With that, the door flung open, with his jingles following every movement he made. Standing up straight, he made sure to close the door behind him. ¡°You¡­¡± he stammered, ¡°you called me.¡± Glaring at him I said nothing. ¡°When you were in the field I heard you calling for me.¡± ¡°I was asleep.¡± I explained. ¡°I know that, but you were calling me. My name! I heard your voice in my head!¡± he stuttered. Benedikt sweat dripped from his forehead. His eyes flickered as his breath rapid. I could hear his heartbeat move at an unnatural tempo. Maybe it¡¯s worth hearing him out on this. ¡°How did you know it was me?¡± I inquired. ¡°I didn¡¯t know at first which is why I brought you here. I figured if I heard your voice I would be able to recognize whether the person that was calling my name was you and it sure was.¡± He came closer and grabbed my shoulders. I could feel his arms shaking as he gripped me. ¡°You''re real?¡± he stuttered, ¡°You¡¯re special.¡± I stared at his arms fore I didn¡¯t want to look him in the eyes. Sensing my discomfort, he let go of my shoulders and sat at the end of the bed. ¡°My apologies. I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. Let''s talk about this later when you get settled. My brothers believe you are a newly made Elder. One that was made irresponsibly. We wish to grant you refuge into our country.¡± ¡°refuge?¡± ¡°Yes. Sorry, you don¡¯t know what any of this means, but you should be lucky you were found by me. I¡¯m quite an important figure after all. My brothers and I are sworn elders to the palace and we maintain peace for all. Both Elders and mortals alike. Our country doesn¡¯t treat Elders any differently!¡± Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted Benedikt¡¯s patriotic speech. ¡°May I enter?¡± Mantana asked. ¡°Enter.¡± Benedikt responded. Mantana came in, breaking the anxious tension in the air. In his hand was a brown leather bag. ¡°Greetings Brother Benedikt. I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be here.¡± he said with a slight grin. ¡°Greetings Brother Mantana. I was informing the maiden of the conversation we had.¡± Benedikt said. ¡°Good,¡± Mantana said looking at me, ¡°you may stay here for a while. Elders are very important in our society. We don¡¯t want to see you struggle to get back on your feet.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± I mumbled. ¡°I better get going now. I am needed in the chapel.¡± Benedikt stated. ¡°Of course.¡± Mantana replied. Benedikt got up, nodded to Mantana out of respect and left, ensuring the door clasped on his way out. Mantana placed the large leather bag onto the lavender sheets of the bed. He looked at me with a smile but there was an unexplainable grief in his eyes. His brown skin glowed as the setting sunlight hit it. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± he asked. ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°Do you usually sleep this much?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± I didn¡¯t say much. There was nothing to say. All of this was bullshit. I am immortal, why do I need a doctor? Also, our kind being treated equally? These fools are living in a delusion. Mantana took out a notebook from his black garb, like that of Benedikt¡¯s, and started writing. I fired a fierce glare. It took him a moment to notice it. ¡°Oh, this? I just want to keep track of your condition. Please don¡¯t mind.¡± Mantana hesitated. My glaring started to make him uncomfortable. I did have a sort of deadpan look in my eyes. Nonetheless I continued to watch him as he documented things until he looked back up to me. He was tense, yet continued to smile. ¡°Is there something about me that''s bothering you?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± I paused for a moment before continuing, ¡°Actually, I have a question.¡± ¡°Ask away.¡± Mantana said with wide eyes. ¡°Is there something wrong with my heart?¡± I inquired. ¡°Your heart? No, everything looked okay. Why? Are you feeling any pain?¡± he answered with great concern. ¡°No¡­¡± I muttered looking away from him. My answer didn¡¯t please him at all. His cheerful grin completely vanished and he now bore a worried expression. His thick copper brows creased. I wasn¡¯t prepared for such an intense reaction. He had a sort of fire in his eyes that I haven¡¯t seen in a long time. A determination built off fears and agony. This man has been through something. Without second thoughts, I turned my head and pointed at the brown leather bag he had placed nearby. ¡°What''s in there, Doctor?¡± I said, in hopes to change the subject. ¡°Oh, these are medical supplies. I know us Elders don¡¯t have to worry about this kind of stuff, but your case is particularly special, so I brought it. However, you''re looking quite healthy now so it was probably unnecessary.¡± he said chuckling. His mood changed so quickly! I stared at him, analyzing all the words he would write down in his notebook. What on earth could he be writing, we barely spoke! Then a loud knock came from the door. ¡°Master Mantana, Dog would like to have a quick word with you.¡± Pierre shouted. ¡°I¡¯m busy at the moment!¡± Mantana responded. ¡° He says it¡¯s of utmost importance that you speak with him.¡± Mantana¡¯s eyes met mine and then he looked at the door and sighed. His facial expression changed, irritated he has to stop his work mid session. ¡°I¡¯m sorry madam, I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Mantana shrugged. He exited, leaving the brown bag of his unattended. Without any hesitation I slipped my hands in with malicious intent. He out of all people should have it. I felt the hardness of cold metal objects brushing my finger tips before gripping what felt like a cork. Wrapping my hands around the entirety of the corked item I pulled it out and gawked at its beauty. A slim bottle sat in my palms. Its small brown cork held a clear-like liquid prisoner. With brimming life, I popped the cork off. This smell¡­ It was alcohol! I chugged the small amount of booze down. The burning sensation thrashed at my still fragile throat but the flavour alone was worth the risk. I made sure to get every drop and then shoved the bottle back into the bag. Banned my ass. Mantana returned with sweat dripping down his forehead. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he exclaimed, ¡°something came up and I¡¯m going to have to end our session early.¡± With a poker-faced look I stayed silent and nodded. Mantana grabbed his bag in a hurry and bolted to the door. ¡°One last thing. I¡¯ve assigned Dog to give you a tour of the palace. He¡¯ll come for you first thing tomorrow! Pierre will bring you dinner from the cafeteria. Please rest for tonight.¡± Mantana said while leaving. There''s something I still had to ask but I decided to wait. Too much has happened in one day. Within seconds of him leaving Pierre arrived at my room with a tray of many dishes. There had to be about five, all filled to the brim. Every plate had engravings with gold accents and looked to be of the finest china. Not a blemish insight. On the plates were a bunch of different meals. One had fish and peas, the other had beef, another had chicken. It was never ending. I looked at Pierre in disbelief. ¡°Madam, your dinner is served.¡± he said with a bow. He then exited and left me alone, one on one, with the feast. I looked at the food in disgust. The smell of cooked meat was nauseating. Once you get a whiff of bodies burning in a smelting fire, with an explosion recoil so strong skin starts to peel to reveal the red, plump muscles underneath, you grow a certain disdain for meat. Clasping the elegant tableware, I placed them on the windowsill. There it was far enough to radiate its odor without interfering with my presence. Eating was not a concern for me. I¡¯ve grown accustomed to the feeling of bubbling stomach acid and throbs of pain. If anything, eating will mess up the efforts I put into fasting this long. Jumping back onto the bed, I huddled myself underneath all the blankets and fell asleep. Chapter 3 - Cynical Occurrences ¡°Good morning Miss!¡± exclaimed a childlike voice. Rubbing my drowsy face, I look around the room. There was no one in sight. ¡°Down here!¡± it said again. I slid my pale hands down the cool lavender sheets to the edge of the bed. My position was that of a feline stretching. As my messy hair dangled, I loomed over the edge and saw it. Dog stood before me. He was very petite. His chestnut beast ears were as tall as him. His fur was an earthy coloured that glowed red in the sunlight. His face bore smooth tanned skin but his body was furry. I leaned over the bed more. There I met his wide eyed yellow gaze. Interesting. The mongrel smiled and greeted me again, wagging its fuzzy tail. ¡°You''re finally up!¡± he said with glee. ¡°Mn.¡± I answered. There was a discomforting pause between us. ¡°Uhm,¡± he stammered, ¡°uh?¡± Does this kid not know how to socialize? Great, now I actually have to put in the work. ¡°You can wait outside. I will be ready in a minute.¡± I ordered. ¡°Absolutely!¡± The disgrace ran out, closing the door. My head fell into my arms. I let out a loud sigh from deep in my diaphragm. With a scrunched up face, I got up. Something felt different from before. Though this place was all new to me I looked up and down and swore on my immortal life that something was different. The gaping window now had tiny branches growing from it. The food I left out on the windowsill disappeared and the floor. Did they always have this many roots between the grooves of stone? I put my jacket on and crouched down to observe the floor. The roots were all starting to connect to each other like a loom of thread. How strange. Did I miss this on the first inspection? I got up and brushed the question aside. I needed to get more information. Using the amenities provided, I attempted to tidy myself. Then I made it out the door. Right in front of the entrance the mutant was waiting for me. In his paw-like hands he held fluffy charcoal slippers. In a formal manner he knelt down and spoke. ¡°Here,¡± he rejoiced, ¡°for your feet!¡± I paused, standing in silence. ¡°I got fluffy black ones like your jacket.¡± He stammered. I let the beast put the slippers on my bare feet as his tail wagged. After ensuring the slippers fit, we made our way down the corridor. Akin to my room the walls and floors continued to be amalgamations of both stone and wood. Roots were breaking through the rock and again, they intertwined with each other. How peculiar. With confidence the mutant rushed in front of me. I stopped to observe the uniqueness of the place, but caught up before he could notice. ¡°As of right now, your room is located in the vacant housing just outside the main palace. But don¡¯t worry Miss, my masters are working hard to get you citizenship status so you can sleep in the royal wing!¡± Dog said. ¡°Why?¡± I asked. The royal wing would be a good place to be in from a genocidal standpoint but aren''t they letting a stranger in too fast? Something suspicious. ¡°Uhm, " he stammered, ¡°Where you''re from might be different but over here we really value Elders. All Elders in this region work for a high position within the palace and now you will too.¡± My eyes widened. I wanted to laugh but I kept a straight face. My kind have never been treated with fairness. We don¡¯t deserve to be on equal footing as mortals. ¡°Don''t the humans have an issue with this?¡± I asked. ¡°Well, we have some humans on our council. It¡¯s not like it''s the dark ages anymore. We can support each other.¡± The mutant stopped in front of a large passageway. From where I stood it looked like it led to some outdoor garden. A decorative fountain was visible from a distance. Suddenly, I came eye to eye with the creature. ¡°What is the real difference between us Elders and mortals? We may live way longer, but there''s no guarantee a human wont turn into us one day and get that opportunity, right? We both technically die, right?¡± Dog asked with a dark tone, ¡°So, why should we hold grudges against each other?¡± ¡°What are you getting at?¡± I questioned. ¡°I mean, for years we worked to service mortals with our abilities but were really not that different, we all live in the present. None of us are promised tomorrow, much less the next hundred years. I risked my life at a disproportionate price all because I''m an Elder. How can we lose what we do not have?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand.¡± I expressed. ¡°Ah, well,¡± he stammered, ¡° I just wanted to know what this all might seem like to you. You have little memory of everything¡­¡± We stood in silence for a moment. Despite its unnatural existence, the small thing was capable of critical thoughts. But he''s still a fool. A very stupid fool. Maybe I can use his willingness to talk to my advantage. ¡°Sorry. Forget about what I just said. I crossed the line.¡± Dog groveled. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. I found it hard to look at Dog the same after that. All I saw was a scared little boy unsure of the world, but do not be mistaken, he is not a little boy. We walked down the short staircase and made our way outside. My eyes met earth, actual grass shimmering in the gaps of sun poking through shaded leaves. We were in a garden, a well maintained one at that. Lush bushes and flowers illuminated the land. We took a stone path that led us to the fountain I saw. Up close, it depicted a beautiful woman in a saint-like manner. The statue was clean, without a speck of dirt on it. Dog¡¯s tail hung low, still awkward from before. ¡°This garden is the heart between the maids quarters, servants quarters, the watchhouse and of course, the inner palace,¡° Dog stammered, ¡°Oh, and despite our foundation being made up of our grand tree, we can still plant a ton of agriculture!¡± I stopped and paused in front of a bunch of white flowers dancing across the fountain. They were beautiful. The way they swayed was nothing but graceful. ¡°Are these lilies?¡± I asked. ¡°Correct! Our Empress adores lilies. They''re our national flower!¡± Dog said with childlike enthusiasm. I crouched down with my fur coat grazing the ridged stone path and leaned in towards the flowers. I closed my eyes and felt the tranquility of them enter my airways. ¡°Do you like lilies Miss?¡± Dog asked with his tail wagging. ¡°They smell nice. I guess I don¡¯t hate them.¡± I replied. ¡°Then why don¡¯t we call you Lily? I mean,¡± Dog stuttered, ¡°until you remember your name of course.¡± My eyes turned away from Dog. What a dull name. You can''t even smell a flower without someone jumping to a brainless conclusion. I said nothing fore there was nothing to say. I stood up and continued walking forward without Dog, catching glimpses of the delicate lilies embellished throughout the garden. ¡°Miss Lily, wait!¡± Dog shouted. Annoyed, I kept walking ahead as Dog chased to catch up to me. A stupid name from a stupid mutant named ¡°Dog.¡± We walked down the stone path until it led to a giant fenced gate. ¡°Miss Lily,¡± Dog huffed with sweat dripping down his face, ¡°this is the inner palace gate!¡± I paused and glared at Dog for calling me Lily without permission. Then I headed closer without much thought. ¡°Wait Miss Lily!¡± Dog wailed. His furry, beast-like paw grabbed my arm and I shoved him off with a flick. He flung back and gave me a harmed look, that of a child who lost his home in war. He froze. His staggered gaze looked at my disgusted, lifeless face. It took him a moment to recollect himself, but once he did, tears started falling down his soft cheek. They dropped and got lost in his mangled beast fur. I don¡¯t know what he thought we were but I wasn¡¯t summoned to play Mommy with a monster. Dog brushed himself off and wiped his tear filled face with his fuzzy arm. ¡°I¡¯m sorry Miss Lily,¡± he said with a raspy voice, ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have grabbed you so suddenly like that.¡± I looked away and avoided replying to him. ¡°I know you think of me as some kind of beast, but I¡¯m well trained, I promised!¡± He said with a forced smile. His eye bags were puffy red but he was holding back from breaking down. His paws clenched his white tunic, as his tail tucked behind his feet. Backing up, he started looking down, as if staring in my direction would puncture him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I need to go.¡± Dog muttered. Wasting no time, he turned away and ran off towards the fountain. I watched as he bolted. An all too common sight for me. I shouldn¡¯t have done that. I¡¯m too old to be losing my cool like this. ¡°Miss?¡± a breathy voice called from behind. I turned around to see Luciano coming out of the gates with an entourage of women. There had to be about six to seven of them. A lot of them looked like servant girls and maids, but in spite of that he treated them well. He held their hands and touched them with grace. His light coloured hair flowing in the wind reminded me of the wheat field I landed in. ¡°Ah, I thought it was you. What are you doing here?¡± he said as if I was a familiar friend. ¡°Dog was giving me a tour.¡± ¡°Ah, disciple Dog is quite a cutie isn¡¯t he,¡± he said in awe to his group of girls, ¡°where is he now?¡± ¡°He ran away.¡± The cluster of girls looked at me in dismay. I could hear their mutters as Luciano frowned. ¡°Why?¡± he inquired, holding one of the girls in his arms. ¡°I made him upset.¡± I said. The group of girls gasped. The woman in Luciano¡¯s arms gripped him tighter and the whispers got louder. Luciano tilted his head and cracked a grin. ¡°You speak quite blunt.¡± he chuckled. The response brought the group of girls to ease and the tension lightened. ¡°Don¡¯t worry my friend, Dog is sensitive. He once cried over losing his wooden comb.¡± he added. The girls all laughed in unison to Luciano¡¯s remark. I could make out some mutters on how adorable Dog is. The damsel in his arms looked at him and he looked back. She chuckled and bit her lip. Luciano smiled and released her from his arms. ¡°My girls, I need to talk to the new maiden now.¡± he said with a smile across his face. Audible awes came from the group. Then he looked at the damsel he was holding before. ¡°Meet me in my bedroom tonight, my love.¡± he said while kissing the maiden''s hand. The girls made off squealing as Luciano waved goodbye. ¡°Sorry about my friends,¡± Luciano laughed, ¡°their a little much.¡± I stared at him in silence. I just wanted to go inside the gate. ¡°Not a talker are you?¡± he asked. My stare turned into a glare. ¡°Hmm, did I do something to offend you Miss?¡± Uninterested in whatever this was, I tried to walk past him, but he stopped me by blocking my path. ¡°Wait, I wish to speak with you,¡± he demanded, ¡°why are you in such a rush dear?¡± Annoyed, I met his gaze. All I could see were eyes the colour of rain clouds. His long lashes were as light as his hair and he had a pleasing face, one you¡¯d see in paintings. ¡°I need to meet with your emperor.¡± I replied. ¡°King? We don¡¯t have an emperor.¡± he explained. ¡°Then who rules this empire?¡± ¡°Our beautiful Empress. We''re a proud matriarch.¡± Shocked for a moment but came back to my senses. This was rather unexpected. I lived so long but never saw a matriarchy. Now I really need to meet her. ¡°I need to speak with your Empress.¡± I corrected myself. I tried to get past Luciano again but failed. ¡°Wait a moment. You need proper permission to be given an audience with her majesty,¡± he said, ¡°now why does our amnesiac maiden need to see our great Empress?¡± ¡°None of your business.¡± I stated. ¡°I could grant you that permission.¡± he smirked. I was at a crossroad here. Either tell the womanizer I¡¯m here to ¡°maybe¡± assassinate his entire empire or go back to my room. Obviously the first option was out of the question. I backed down and attempted to walk away from Luciano. ¡°Ah, Miss where are you going? Wait up!¡± he exclaimed. I walked away from Luciano. I wanted to get as far away as possible from him. He continued to chase after me. I felt shivers throughout my whole body. I had a premonition and it possessed me to run. Whether it be instinct or desire, I ran away from him like I did to my Father, my Mother and God all those years ago. There wasn¡¯t much land on this grand tree, so I prepared to jump the edge. ¡°Stop, Miss!¡± Luciano belted. I halted, taking a few steps back. Breathing with force, I harbored all my might into my feet and jumped into the vast blue sky. Before I could sway my arms to create a wormhole, a small creature, the colour of coal, shot at me. It smacked into my head, leaving me staggered. Its sharp pains were familiar. As I fell, droplets of my own blood rained over my architecture. I saw Luciano¡¯s troubled expression looking down from the ledge. And so, I plunged to my death.