Heritage

The sun was visibly coming up over the horizon in the distance by the time Aura and I had left Aurallion. We walked alongside the road, hand in hand. I felt a pleasant breeze blow pass, slipping in between the folds of my kimono and cooling my body. I paused when I felt something tug on my hair and turned to see Aura twiddling with a strand curiously. He blushed when he saw I was watching him and he let go.

“Sorry,” he said “It’s just…your hair is pretty when it’s not tied up.” I felt my cheeks heat up slightly and smiled.

“Thank you, I didn’t really have enough time to tie it up after Can-” My speech was halted as Aura pressed a couple of fingers to my lips. He shook his head.

“Don’t say his name, all demons and angels know when their names have been announced and know who said them. He’ll find us quicker if you keep saying it.” Just remembering those haunting green eyes made me shudder and pull away, nodding. I lifted my gaze towards the eastern forest and spotted a flock of horses. Wait, they were Floronies. And there were people with them. My heart raced. Floronies only accepted elves to come close to them.

“Let’s go over and ask,” I said and pulled Aura across the plain. Aura clutched onto the kimono sleeve and I began wondering about Zereria. Who was she exactly? Why has she been watching over me ever since Zack adopted me? It was confusing but I felt comforted to be around her and I always have trusted her. It felt like she was the mother figure that I never had. Aura stopped and clutched harder onto the sleeve and I saw that we had been spotted as a young girl with copper coloured hair came running over. She had copper-coloured armour on with a matching sword and shield at the ready in case anything dangerous came towards her. It struck me as odd briefly when I saw her pointed elf ears as she came closer.

“Hey!” she said “Oh, you’re elves! Have you just come from Aurallion?”

“Yes,” I nodded and placed an arm around Aura to comfort him “We’re looking for someone named Paradox.”

“Well, I’ll just go get him,” the girl grinned but as she turned she spotted another girl and waved to her “Hey, Brenda! We’ve got two more and they want to see the prince!” Aura and I gave each other an alarmed look. Did she say prince? Was Paradox a prince? I suddenly felt nervous and felt myself stroking the Nekaroses for some comfort. Another girl with bronze coloured hair, probably Brenda, came over and looked us up and down. I felt shocked, she exposed quite a lot of skin for an elf. I eyed the whip she had at her side warily. It looked like it could do some serious damage. She had a distasteful scowl on and looked down at the girl.

“Chelsea, how many times do I have to tell you to not trust strangers so easily,” she muttered.

“But they’re elves,” Chelsea huffed “they’ve just escaped from Aurallion.”

“How do you know that they’re not humans in disguise?” Brenda raised an eyebrow.

I felt a bit embarrassed as they regarded me then turned to Aura. Aura jumped at their stares and stuttered.

“I…I…uh…my name’s Aura,” he stuttered and Chelsea gasped.

“Aura?” she echoed and Aura nodded “Gardenia! Gardenia!”

“What is it?” a girl with golden hair walked towards her. She held a heavy looking lexicon and communicated through telepathy. Her lips looked firmly shut, as if they hadn’t been opened for years.

“This guy,” Brenda jerked her head in Aura’s direction “claims to be named Aura.” Gardenia stared at Aura in surprise and placed a hand against his forehead. She stared at him and her lips parted gently.

“Aura?” she said out loud and Aura’s eyes widened.

“Your voice…I know you, don’t I?” he murmured and Gardenia sobbed, throwing her arms around him. I stood there awkwardly as Bell purred when Chelsea began petting her. Aura gave me a puzzled look which I could only respond by shrugging. Aura pressed against Gardenia’s shoulders and pushed her away. He looked up at her with a confused frown. Gardenia’s eyes widened and she sighed.

“You…must have lost your memory from the attack,” she said telepathically “You were only about four years old.” Aura hung his head then Gardenia turned her head towards me. “And you are?”

“Ah, my name is Zelda,” I said and this sparked a bigger reaction, the three girls gasping and stepping away.

“Zelda?” I saw a male elf walking up to us with wide blue eyes. He had dark blue skin, long black hair that reached his waist and platinum plate armour covered his built body. He emitted a regal aura, so I assumed that this was Paradox. He took the basket of Nekaroses from me and placed it in Brenda’s hands. He grabbed my shoulders, gently tracing my cheek. “It is you,” he said in realisation “oh, thank God!” I stumbled as his arms came around me and crushed me into a tight hug. I coughed and placed my hands on his chest in an attempt to push him away.

“I’m sorry?” I whispered as soon as he let me go so I could breathe. Paradox stared down into my eyes and gripped my hand.

“You were only five, you wouldn’t remember that much,” he sighed resignedly then stepped away “Ready the Floronies, we’re taking them back.”

“Your Highness…” Brenda started as Paradox whistled.

“Aw, Nekaroses!” a girl with silver hair and armour ran up to her and snatched the basket off her.

“Be careful with them…” Aura said as he came to stand next to me and gripped my hand “Zelda, I haven’t been on a Florony before…”

“Neither have I,” I whispered back.

“Nothing to worry about,” Chelsea offered a friendly smile as Paradox chose the largest Florony that came to his whistle then walked towards me “They’re pretty friendly towards elves so as long as you hold on tight enough.” I tensed when Paradox placed his hands on my waist and lifted me onto the Florony. I clung onto its mane fearfully as it snorted when Paradox mounted it and placed a secure arm around my waist.

“I’m st-still scared!” Aura said as Gardenia helped him onto a smaller Florony.

“It’ll be fine!” the girl with the silver hair grinned as she balanced the basket of Nekaroses on her lap as soon as she got onto her own Florony “My name’s Selina by the way.” She gave me a salute which I responded to with a small awkward wave.

“Hya!” Paradox sounded and I closed my eyes tightly when the Florony reared up onto its hind legs before galloping off. I didn’t dare open my eyes, I was too afraid to fall off even when my fingers clung onto the soft mane and Paradox’s arm was wrapped around my waist tightly. “Zelda,” he whispered into my ear “it’s alright. I’ve got you, you’re safe. It’s going to be alright.” I then began getting the feeling that I’ve heard his voice before. But where from? I wasn’t so sure. But I felt safe. I felt my stomach jolt when the Florony let out a high-pitched whinny and Paradox let out a growl of annoyance. The Florony stopped and reared up, my head spinning at the sudden change of pace. I heard the other Floronies around us running further, coming to the conclusion that we were the only ones that stopped.

“Halt!” a stern voice sounded in the air as I breathed heavily, feeling nauseous “You are trespassing on Aurallion territory!”

“This is my land,” Paradox growled “You humans are the ones who are trespassing.”

“This land has been claimed by Lord Zack Brodka,” I opened my eyes and saw a line of policemen, shatterproof shields up and swords at the ready.

“He has no right to claim elven territory,” Paradox snarled.

“You elves have no right to deface Ethylias.”

“You humans are the ones ruining our precious planet.”

“You are under arrest for treason and trespassing.” Paradox demounted the Florony and unsheathed a broadsword. He took my hand and I didn’t think much of this as I was a bit dazed from the riding, he pressed his cold lips against the back of it. What caught my attention was the glint of his platinum blade slicing through the humans mercilessly, the scent of blood making my stomach churn violently. Their cries as they were slaughtered echoed in my head as the grass was stained red. Paradox lowered his blood stained blade after killing the last unfortunate human who hadn’t run away fast enough, turned to me and smiled warmly.

“We aren’t very far now,” he said as he sheathed his sword and came up to the Florony. He mounted behind me and I flinched when he wrapped a secure arm, the very arm that ended those lives brutally, around me again. He pressed his cold lips against the back of my head before digging his heel into the Florony and we took off. I clung onto the Florony’s mane tightly, trying to keep a distance from the murderer behind me. When the wind finally stopped blowing in my face and the arm was pulled away from my waist, I opened my eyes to see large marble gates, slowly opening to reveal a garden with ponds, fountains and large flowerbeds. Elves in simple clothing ran up to the Florony as Paradox demounted then helped me down before the beautiful horse was taken away to the stables.

“Zelda!” I turned and ran towards Aura who cut across the courtyard. We hugged each other, a little bit shaken from the new experience of having ridden on a Florony. I was aware about their speed but didn’t realise how it would affect me. We pulled away and Aura looked around. “It’s very beautiful, isn’t it?” he murmured softly.

“Yes, it is,” my eyes were drawn towards the nearest pond, spotting the small golden fish hiding underneath the lily pads.

“May I show you to your rooms?” Selina offered as she came over “I put your Nekaroses in the one you’ll be staying in, Aura. Can I just say that they’re so adorable!” She blushed when she squealed in her last sentence and hunched her shoulders.

“You may take Aura to his room,” Paradox said “Zelda, please wait for me in the East Drawing Room. Brenda will show you where it is.” He began taking his gauntlets off while striding off towards the front doors of the palace, a group of elves with plain kimonos and plain shirts with trousers surrounding him, helping him remove his armour and asking why he had arrived later than the girls. Brenda snorted, folding her arms and coming up to me.

“You’d better come with me then,” she said. I looked towards Aura uncertainly as he clung onto my sleeve, a bit nervous to be leaving me again.

“Can’t Aura come with me?” I asked.

“The Prince said for him to be escorted to his room, that is what Selina will do,” Brenda stated “No harm will come to him. You will see each other when lunch has been prepared.” We exchanged another worried look and I took hold of his hand, squeezing it comfortingly. I slipped him one of my fans.

“Just in case,” I mouthed as he took my fan and tucked it into his trouser pocket. I followed Brenda into the palace as Aura followed Selina reluctantly to a separate building across the courtyard. The inside of the palace was furnished beautifully with wooden floors, exotic plants and tapestries covering the white walls. Animals like Hicalisons, a breed of dog that had steel claws, wandered the palace. They were often used in battles by elves. I watched a young puppy run after its parent, its growing claws clacking against the smooth wood. I smiled to myself as I admired how cute it was as Brenda slid one door open and stepped aside.

“Make yourself at home,” she said. She may not have meant to say it in such a cold tone but her voice didn’t sound welcoming or warm. I entered the room, regarding the comfortable looking cushions for me to rest my knees upon. There were marble benches and wooden chairs too but I’d rather kneel in this formal place. I took a step towards the cushions but Brenda’s voice stopped me. “Are you blind? Those are for the servants.” I glanced over my shoulder to frown in confusion. She brought her whip out and I took my fan out, just in case she attacked me. With an amused raise of her eyebrow, she cracked the whip. The bronze cord missed my face by inches and I fell over on the bench she pulled to me. She smirked and I folded my fan, tucking it into the sleeve of my kimono.

“Do you normally treat your guests in such a manner?” I asked softly as she rolled her whip up.

“Normally, guests don’t go towards the servants’ place,” Brenda attached her whip back to her belt and folded her arms “I don’t really believe that you’re the Zelda that went missing thirteen years ago.”

“How could I prove myself?” I asked, feeling a bit intimidated by her swagger.

“You can’t. I’m just wondering what kind of enchantment you’ve put over the prince.” I opened my mouth to say I hadn’t put any kind of enchantment over anyone but the door slid open and Paradox entered, his armour replaced with a dark red kimono.

“Brenda, you may leave us,” he waved his hand dismissively.

“But, Your Highness…” Brenda muttered as she bowed to him.

“I said to leave us,” Paradox said in a more forceful tone, making the both of us wince. Brenda regarded me coldly from the corner of her eye before stepping out of the room and sliding the door shut. Paradox gave me a warm smile and sat down next to me, holding my hands in his larger blue ones. “You must tell me what happened,” he said as I shifted uncomfortably.

“What do you mean?” I asked uncertainly.

“Tell me everything after the attack.” I lowered my eyes from his face and stared at the floor. I told him how I woke up in the orphanage with burns on my hands and face. I told him about the times I was adopted and how every time it had ended tragically. I told him about being adopted by Zack. At the mention of his name, Paradox let out an audible growl, squeezing my poor hands in his grip. I managed to yank them out of his grip to massage them and he snatched them again, apologizing. His hands were cold, those hands had slain those poor humans who were only doing what they were told to do.

“It’s fine,” I said as he insistently stroked my hands, saying he was sorry “Please, may I just have them to myself now?” He gave me a hurt look but let them go so I could fold them neatly in my lap, the sleeves covering them so they could warm up more. I kept on telling him about how Zack tried to push me towards being human and how I managed to learn about elven traditions. I told him about how I escaped Zack and how I found out about his allegiance with a demon. I was about to elaborate the struggle I had to escape Cannabec’s assault but his fingers lay themselves on my lips.

“It’s alright, Zelda,” he soothed and I shifted uncomfortably as he brought an arm around my shoulders “Everything will be alright.” He brought me into a tight hug and kissed my forehead. I pressed a hand against his chest and shifted away slightly. I looked up into his deep blue eyes.

“Did we know each other before?” I asked hesitantly. Paradox blinked down at me, confused then realisation dawned.

“Oh yes, you mentioned your amnesia,” he smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear “Zelda, you aren’t aware of what kind of family you came from, is that right?” I nodded and Paradox took hold of my hands again, stripping them from their warmth. “Your parents were the King and Queen of the Central Elven Kingdom. You’re their youngest daughter.” I felt my heart still briefly and I tugged my hands out of his grip.

“They were that important?” I said with a curious tilt of the head.

“And you are still important now,” Paradox smiled “You are the sole survivor of the monarchy.” Did this make me a princess? I shook that thought away. It sounded so…important. I didn’t like to be labelled as important. “We knew each other when we were much younger,” Paradox continued speaking “I was to marry your older sister.”

“I’m…sorry that you lost her,” I said not really feeling too sad about losing her as I had gotten used to the feeling and I couldn’t remember so much about my family.

“The relationship between us didn’t work out very well anyway,” Paradox said dismissively “So, I asked to our parents if we could be betrothed instead.” I jumped and stared up at him in disbelief. He just smiled and cupped my cheek. I continued staring, the news just registering in my mind.

“Why?” I could only manage to speak “I must have barely been able to walk and talk…”

“I found your sister to be repetitive and dull and I enjoyed your company so much,” Paradox explained “You really liked to play with me too. I figured that if we continued to enjoy each other’s companies then maybe the marriage between your sister and I will fall apart. I didn’t want to take that chance.”

“But…but…” I looked away, staring at the floor blankly. It explained why he had been so affectionate to me since he learnt of my name. And if we did enjoy each other’s company before the attack, then why was it so uncomfortable to be around him? I stared up at him again and shuffled away. “It’s so sudden,” I said softly.

“I understand that you can’t remember much from before the attack,” Paradox nodded and stood “But don’t worry. We’ll help you restore your memories.” He carefully placed a hand on the back of my head and bent down to kiss my forehead tenderly. I suppressed my flinch at the cold contact and he took my hand, helping me to my feet. “Please, allow me to show you around.”

“I’d like to see Aura now,” I said as he pulled me towards the doors.

“He’s resting in his quarters for now, you will see him when lunch has been served,” Paradox said firmly as he slid the doors open.

“Please, I want to know if he’s alright,” I pressed as I lay my hand on his wrist to ease him from squeezing too hard on my hand.

“Zelda,” Paradox looked down and our eyes met “Trust me. You will see him soon. But not just now.” I don’t know why but despite my uneasiness and discomfort, I trusted him. So I walked alongside him around the palace, the lingering worry for Aura resting at the back of my head.