Oz is a locality at the border of Center Isle and Terclaws. Its position made it a potential target for barbaric wolves and a first line of sight for the Centerners, in case of a resumption of conflict from the Hunters’ side. Its strategic location placed it at the center of a long-running dispute as to who should rule it. This only meant it becoming a bitter flashpoint. The unobvious road that traverses it, the Limbo Line, had seen one of the most violent battles and defeats.
“Such a strong-willed girl; now, take some rest for you will need it to speak before our people.” Nai wiped her bruised face with a cloth dampened by the morning dew.
“Their evil is back! We have to leave.” Cautiously whispered Saina, in an all-out effort to spill what she knew. She dozed off afterwards.
Outside the cottage, a lady with hair as white as the brightened clouds and face toughened by time was heard speaking to a circle of six friends aged 13 to 14 years old who sat on the mildly lit grounds of Oz. Her name is Lila.
“The wolves once ruled Nim. Back then, their first ruler Chieftain Admenon was first to discover the Amethyst crystals in a mine just five miles southwest of the Fallen’s Talon. He accidentally transformed himself into a real wolf on the night of the red full moon. He was then feared by most.
He started the Hunters civilization. Some desperately ambitious Natives visited his den and sought for the blessing of the red moon. At that time, self-transformation was barred by the pagan ritual rulers. They knew it was not destiny bound by the good gods, and so they had to stop the insanity and kill those who sided with Admenon.
But as internal strife bloomed, more and more Natives believed the ritual leaders were bogus and that right before their eyes there appeared miracles of the new life promised by Admenon - as wolves. Chaos began. Priests and priestesses, viewed as sacred messengers of the gods, were slaughtered. Long periods of invasion and flight caused dramatic famine and violence, displacing thousands and forming factions of Nativity. Nobody, except Chieftain Admenon, ruled most.
Innately feisty and stubborn, Admenon’s wolves enslaved others. Back then, many hid underground to look for ways to evade capture and worse, death. Others lived in trees, inside caves, and by the sea coast.
Angered by Admenon’s abuse, Kalaio, the great god of Fire, intervened, stood from his golden seat above the gloomy sky and closed his fist. Balls of flowing fire rose from different parts of Nim killing a lot of wolves and Natives. His actions had permitted his sister Helio, the great goddess of Water, to despise him.
Hurt of what was happening, Helio shed a tear which then fell towards Nim.
Rain heavily poured down and caused a waist-high flood. The molten magma that rushed up the grounds subsided, cooled down, forming impure Amethyst crystals deep inside. ”
“You’re funny, lady.” Not intending to insult the lady’s story, a small, brown-haired boy giggled.
Another one, this time a girl answered to disbelief, “How would you know that? Don’t you think listening to this crazy storyteller makes us all fools?”
“Were you part of it?” A little green-eyed, rosy-cheeked innocent looking boy asked. Lila stood up, approached him, and whispered.
“In time, you will know, Kan”. She showed off a mysterious smile and went into the woods.
Kan was shocked to find out the Native knew his name. He turned his back towards the direction where Lila went, and sought her. In the middle of the woods, almost near the entrance to Terclaws, he saw a white swan swimming in the narrow stream. Scared of crossing the wooden bridge, Kan decided to go back to Oz.
It was the third day now since the attack, and Saina has regained a fraction of her strength. She woke up. The sun was already about to leave its track while the sky was being eaten up by darkness.
“Hello, what’s your name?” Kan, almost the same age as her, fervently asked. His eyes were as green as emerald, a physical attribute that only fairies and gremlins possess. She knew it from her historian father who, did not only tell about wars of the past but, showed her the features that were unique to each kingdom.
“I’m Saina; I come from Trentsbury. From my place, you can feel cold blood,” she wept unstoppably. What she’s been through created in her the urge of wanting to forget.
“Oh. Here, in Oz, you shall feel safe. The Reign has assured us of this. You can stay here as long as you want. My brother, Irvin, brought you here. You were trying to run away from something; what was it?”
“The wolves; they have gone hunting us again.” She tried to move up, but she failed. Kan offered his hands and assisted her back, lying against the cottage’s wall. He uttered in disbelief.
“We are safe here,” he confidently said.
“I have no home; they destroyed everything.” Saina’s tears dripped out of her eyes once more.
“It’s almost dusk. Take more rest. No one will harm you here.”
In the dim of the starless night, Nai carried her pixie lantern out into the dark forest of Center Isle and sought for Reign Teseree to reveal the shocking news. She passed by singing wild daffodils that serenade wanderers to lighten up heavy and fearful hearts. A pair of fairies, together with their pet fireflies, smiled at her with joy and compassion. On her way to the trip, she also visited the Well of Oras that predicts a happening in the coming days. She pulled up the rope that links the pail from below and touched the water. It glowed and then turned red; it was a bad omen. Good luck is often described by glowing water and an approach of silver butterflies. She swiftly rushed towards the Citadel.
“People from Trentsbury who went to find a safer place in Terclaws have been brutally murdered, your Reign. And the water in the Well of Oras has turned red when I touched it. Something bad is going to happen.” Nai expressed her fear and anxiety.
“My friend, your judgment must have fallen out of place. The Hunters have sent us pixie-filled flowers and impure Amethyst stones as a sign of good faith and improving relations between the two kingdoms.”
“Allow me to introduce myself, your Reign.” A man in his 30s showed up behind Nai’s back, with chin so lovely and hazel eyes that seemed to enthrall. At that time, Nai was certain the Native, who wore a beaded necklace with two fangs that support a pendant, wasn’t a fellow Centerner. He was a wolf.
“Good night beautiful damsel, I am Messenger Hermes of Terclaws. I was asked by the Chieftain of the Hunters to visit this wondrous kingdom of yours, and I didn’t hesitate coming here for this is one idyllic kingdom – one that I’d truly want to become a part of once our two kingdoms’ rapport becomes a lot more stronger. Of course, your warm welcome is mine to keep.” He comically stressed his last words to Nai, who then beamed up a smile to show her subtle indifference and hostility.
“I have invited important guests from the other three kingdoms to come join our simple gathering tomorrow to show that Nim is a much safer place to live in, now that everyone’s in agreement with one another.” The Reign made it known.
“I have sent out my bumble bees to deliver the message. I will play host, and I could still invite one more, would you like to come?” she excitingly added.
In Nai’s sight, it prettily seemed subtle that the Reign was somehow interested in the messenger. With that tantalizing look and physique, Nai was almost falling for it. Almost.
“It is an honor for me to attend your gathering, but travelling here from Furia tired me, your Reign. So, if you don’t mind, I have to rest for a while and replenish my energy. And if I happen to rise up early, I will have to ask the Chieftain about it, and I swear to you dear Reign, I will be here if the Chieftain says so.” He humbly rejected the offer.
“Your Reign, this may seem to show disregard, but I have to look after my children. May I leave Citadel?”
The Centerners’ Reign looked at her and hugged her as a symbol of gratitude for visiting the Citadel. She then spun her legendary staff and pointed it over Nai, resizing and transporting Nai outside the Citadel.