CHAPTER 38

THE VALLEY OF BONES was a place crawling with thieves and bandits, and it was called that way because this was the place where thieves and bandits die. Bones were scattered all over the valley, old and fresh ones. The valley had become a burial ground. It was said that that the valley had a pungent smell—the smell of death and decay.

But even with a scary history, some people still lived outside the Valley of Bones. At the entrance to the valley was a town—the town of Osta, under the Kingdom of Thurene.

The town was filled with criminals—thieves, bandits, murderers, and the likes. Everyone in town was a degenerate, running from the law and hiding from the wanted list. And the Kingdom of Thurene just let them be; as long as they didn't enter the city in Thurene, they wouldn't be persecuted.

Knowing all that, Sollel was not comfortable leaving Naya behind in such a place. But what choice did she have? Their journey was much more dangerous than this town.

Sollel fixed the hood of her cloak and then Naya's after entering the town of Osta. She didn't want these degenerates seeing their faces, but Zassia didn't want to wear a cloak. Instead, she and Grath became their bodyguard.

Zassia might not be a high-tier flame sorcerer, but she was directly blessed by the Mistress of Flame. That would make her flame fiercer than anyone since her flame essence didn't come from her lineage but from the Mistress of Flame herself.

And with Zassia's flame and Grath's flaming claw, no one dared to touch them as they entered the town filled with criminals.

Almost immediately, Sollel's group saw a flying bird made of paper, and it seemed to be trying to lead them somewhere, so they followed with a suspicion that it might be Zassia's grandfather.

And they were right.

The paper bird led them to a small hut in the corner of the town. They immediately saw Zassia's grandfather as they entered the small shack.

"Grandpa!" Zassia ran toward her grandfather and launched herself at the old man whose face softened upon seeing his granddaughter again.

"Little Zaza..." Zio, Zassia's grandfather, hugged his granddaughter affectionately. "I missed you, Little Zaza."

Zassia pulled away from her grandfather's embrace with tears streaming down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Grandpa. I dragged you into my mess. I'm so sorry."

"Silly girl." Zio dried his granddaughter's tears. "Grandpa is not blaming you. It's okay. It was my decision to save you. I promised your grandma I won't let anything bad happen to you on my watch."

Zassia cried even more at the mention of her grandmother. "I'm really sorry, Grandpa."

Seeing Zassia blame herself, Sollel couldn't take it anymore and interjected, "It was my fault. I apologize."

Both Zio and Zassia turned to Sollel, but it was only Zassia who kneeled. "Your Highness! Please don't blame yourself. It was my own decision to help. You're not at fault, please..."

Zio was surprised and confused by his granddaughter's action that he found himself staring at the cloaked figure who apologized to him. "Who might you be?"

Sensing Zio's inquisitive stare and hearing his question, Sollel pulled down her cloak's hood to show her bloodred hair and eyes and introduced herself to Zio in a quiet voice but with grace and elegance.

"I am Sollel, the first blessed queen of Yther and the Mistress of Flame."

Zio's eyes widened in disbelief, but when he saw her granddaughter nodding at him earnestly and proudly, Zio was in more disbelief and became speechless. Then he found himself on his knees, kneeling and bowing.

He had heard rumors about the queens of Yther walking in Azitera again; he took the rumors with a grain of salt, so never in his wildest dreams did he think that he would meet a queen—the Mistress of Flame at that!

"Forgive my impudent tone, Your Highness." Zio's forehead was pressed on the ground as he bowed. "I didn't realize it was Queen Sollel. I am called Zio Vasserel, a high-tier wind sorcerer and the former general of the Kingdom of Treterra. I am honored to meet you, Your Majesty."

Zio's voice was steady and firm, but the truth was, he was trembling inside and only controlling himself from shaking in fear. He only heard tales of the Mistress of Flame, and he knew through those stories how strong the queen was. But kneeling in front of her, Zio realized how shallow he was to think that he could measure the Mistress of Flame's strength.

Even after reaching the highest tier of wind element and understanding the wind essence inside him, Zio wouldn't dare measure such enormous essence coming from the queen.

It was hot, fiery, scorching, blistering, and overbearing. That was the kind of essence the queen had.

To wield such power, he thought. Indeed. Only the queen blessed by deities will be able to control it.

"You may rise, Zio Vasserel." The queen spoke with such grace, which left Zio distracted, but his distraction was replaced with astonishment when he heard the queen's next words. "You are the grandfather of my student. No need to be so formal with me."

Zio's stupefied face glanced at Zassia, his naïve granddaughter. "S-student?"

Zassia nodded with a proud smile, and the queen confirmed it. "Yes. I blessed Zassia with my flame."

Zio nearly lost his consciousness when he heard the queen's words. Blessed?! A direct blessing from the Mistress of Flame?! Zio was lost for words as he stared at his granddaughter. No wonder...no wonder my little Zaza had become strong! To receive such honor—a direct blessing!

Still kneeling, Zio grabbed Zassia's hand and squeezed it tight. "Zassia, you have to work hard. Don't disappoint the queen. The future of Ignis Village is in your hands."

Zassia nodded. "Yes, Grandpa. I will serve the queen well. I will not disappoint her nor the villagers."

"Good. Good." Zio breathed in relief and smile. "I'm so proud of you, Little Zaza. You've grown." Then he bowed at the queen again. "Thank you for taking an interest in my granddaughter, Your Majesty. It means a lot to me. I know I can never repay your kindness toward my little Zaza, but if there was anything you need, anything at all, just say the word and I will do it," Zio swore on his life.

Sollel couldn't help smiling. The sincerity in Zassia's voice when she spoke to her, she could hear it from Zio as well. "There is one thing I need, but first, stand."

Zio immediately got up and stood in front of the queen like how a soldier would. "Anything you need, Your Majesty. I am at your disposal."

Sollel placed her hand on Naya's shoulder. "We are going to a very dangerous place, a place not suitable for children. I am hoping that you could take care of Naya for me. Zassia recommended you."

Zio looked at the little girl beside the queen. The girl had a slave collar, confusing Zio as he answered, "Your Majesty, I am not planning on staying in this town. I am a wanted man. The kingdom will not stop hunting me, so my plan is to travel to the Dwarven Kingdom to meet up with my old pal and stay there for the meantime. If my plan was okay with Her Majesty, then I will gladly take care of Lady Naya and travel to the Dwarven Kingdom with her."

Hearing Zio's plan to travel to the Dwarven Kingdom, Sollel's anxiousness on leaving Naya alone lessened. "It's okay with me."

Zio bowed his head. "Her Majesty can entrust me with Lady Naya's safety. I will lay my life for hers."

Sollel was grateful for that, but her trust issues would never go away, so she held Naya's hand and covered Naya's whole body with her essence.

Her essence might not be able to protect Naya while she's away, but through it, she would be able to feel Naya's well-being even if she was away from her. Her essence would not last long, but it'd be enough to cover the time that she'd be away.

"Thank you, Zio," Sollel replied after wrapping Naya with her essence. "In exchange, I will also keep Zassia safe. I won't let any harm befall her."

"Thank you so much, Your Majesty." The relief on Zio's face was palpable before he turned to Naya. He introduced himself before telling her their journey toward the Dwarven Kingdom.

Sollel was still worried, but she decided to trust Zassia's grandfather who risked his own life to protect Zassia from that general in Ager. And if something happened to Naya, she would know immediately.

"We have to enter the valley before the sun's goes down," Sollel said before combing Naya's hair. "Be careful and listen to Grandpa Zio. I will return to fetch you, so wait for me in the Dwarven Kingdom, okay?"

Naya nodded. She felt sad, and there was this feeling inside of her that didn't want to be away from the woman who treated her so kindly, but she knew she would only be a burden to her mamma. She didn't want to be a hindrance. If staying with Grandpa Zio meant she's helping her mamma, then she'd travel with Grandpa Zio to the Dwarven Kingdom and wait for her there.

"Take care too, Mamma."

Sollel nodded, smiled, and kissed Naya's forehead before stepping out of Zio's house. But before they could put a distance between themselves and the house, Zio came running after them and handed a paper to Sollel.

"I don't know if this could help you, Your Majesty, and I'm also not certain if the Hallowed Valley is still the same, but this is the map of the Hallowed Valley that I remember."

Sollel accepted the paper, and when she opened it, it was a messy drawing of a map, like it was made in a hurry, but a map of the Hallowed Valley, nonetheless.

"I hope Her Majesty finds Queen Gatria soon," said Zio. "I don't know where she is being kept in the Hallowed Valley since I'm just a lowly general in my time, not a nobility, but I heard whispers and rumors. I'm sure Queen Gatria is there, somewhere in that valley."

"Thank you."

Zio kneeled again and bowed his head. "Be safe, Your Majesty, Little Zaza. You can leave Lady Naya to me."

Sollel, Zassia, and Grath nodded before the three left the small shack and went back to the town's main street, toward the back of the town where the real entrance to the Valley of Bones was located.

With her hood on, Sollel walked on the street. On her left was Grath with his menacing gait, and on her right was Zassia with her powerful staff.

No one dared to block their way or make a scene in front of them. All the residents could do was whisper to one another while stealing glances at them.

Sollel couldn't care less about the residents and the whispers; she was too focused on the real entrance to the Valley of Bones that she immediately saw a family figure leaning on one of the trees at the entrance.

A figure that she knew so well.

Sollel didn't know how to describe what she was feeling—if it was relief, excitement, or happiness. All she knew was that it was overwhelming as she pulled her hood back and stared at her hunter's eyes who also held her gaze.

"Hakken..."

Sollel was not certain what emotion it was, but when Hakken's lips formed into his usual charming smile, she smiled too.

"My lady..."

"What are you doing here?" Sollel asked when they neared Hakken.

"I missed you," Hakken replied while looking into Sollel's bloodred eyes. "Mind if I tagged along? No payment this time. Just...let me fight for you and let me keep you safe. I know you're strong, my lady. I know you can fight your own battles, but will you please put me out of my misery and let me accompany you? I promise, I'll be useful. I won't—"

"Okay."

Hakken's speech was ready. He already practiced it a hundred times before showing himself because he knew it'd be an argument with his lady, so he was shocked to hear his lady say okay.

"Come again?"

"I said okay," Sollel repeated her quick reply and smiled at Hakken. "You can accompany me."

"R-really?" Hakken was still in shock. "Y-you still want me? I—I mean, I'm still useful to you?"

"I never remember saying you're useless," Sollel said with a smile and Hakken's eyes were glued to Sollel's lips. Seeing his lady smile, he was sure it was doing something to his chest.

"Welcome back, Lord Hakken." Zassia was happy to have a strong companion again.

"It's a relief to have you back, Lord Hakken," said Grath who was relieved to have a reliable ally by their side.

Zassia and Grath's voice pulled Hakken back from his reverie, and he smiled back. "Yeah. Glad to be back." Then he moved to stand beside his lady and asked in a low voice. "My lady, did you miss me too?"

Hakken was not expecting a reply. He was just teasing his lady, but it looked like he got teased back because of his lady's reply.

"Yes," his lady answered. Hakken's breathing literally stopped. "A little."

When Hakken started breathing again, he sulked. "I was already happy with 'yes.' No need to add 'a little.'"

Sollel couldn't help chuckling at Hakken's sulking face, and seeing that, Hakken had to look away and beat his chest a little for reacting so violently.

Let's not look at my lady for a while. It's not good for my heart. Not good, Hakken decided, but a few seconds later, he found himself looking at his lady's face again, like an addicted man who couldn't get enough.

He had been traveling with his lady for months now; they had fought a fair share of enemies while traveling, and all that time, her cloak's hood covered her whole face and hair, and he got used to it. Because even though she was fully covered from head to toe, he still adored her. But now that her beautiful face and hair were in full show, he became more drawn to her than ever.

Hakken knew he was not a shallow man who based his affection on a beautiful face, but he also couldn't deny that his lady's face was enthralling.

"I have one condition before I let you accompany me though."

Hakken immediately gave his full attention to his lady. "Anything...I'll do anything."

Hakken saw Sollel's lips formed into an amused smile at his fast reply, and his heart was at it again that he had to take deep breaths to calm his chest down.

"I lied to all of you—to you specifically," Sollel said quietly as she looked deep into Hakken's eyes. "I introduced myself as 'El,' and I apologize for that. That's why before I let you accompany me again, I want to right my wrong and introduce myself correctly."

Sollel straightened her back and did a curtsy for Hakken; it was an unusual sight to see a queen do that for someone, especially the queens of Yther who were revered. But Sollel didn't hesitate to show her sincerity, hoping that Hakken would reciprocate her honesty.

"I am Sollel Vatra Sarragny, Krahika of the temple of Ignis, the first blessed queen of Yther and the Mistress of Flame. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hakken."

CECELIB | C.C.