Thethia: Mt. Plytois, The House in the Mountains

• Elianna •

Sleep didn't find Elianna that night. No matter how she tossed and turned, she stayed wide awake. Deciding that there wasn't a point trying to force herself to sleep, she got down her bed and wanted to find Thunder outside. The couch he usually rested on was empty and she sighed, assuming that he had gone out to hunt. 

A feeling of disappointment tugged at her heart and she sat on the couch, not knowing what to do at this late hour while being all alone in this empty house. Elianna glanced out of the window and decided that she should take a walk. Grabbing a thick stole from the hanger by the door, she draped it over her shoulders and left the house. 

The chilly winds of autumn blew steadily. Its giddy currents flowed through woodland canopies as leaves rustled upon contact with each other. She followed the stone path and reached the lake beside the house. There, she spotted Thunder laying on one of the big rocks by the lake. Carefully approaching while still observing him, she sensed sadness and loneliness radiating through those luminescent green eyes. 

Elianna stood by the rocks and blurted out her question, "Are you thinking of Jason?" 

Her voice must've startled Thunder because he stood and spun his head back, taking a defensive stance. However, at the sight of her, he relaxed and rested back on the rocks lazily. Elianna took some effort to climb up the rocks and peered towards the waters of the lake which glittered as it reflected the moon that hung low in the night sky. 

She used her hand to dust leaves away from the calloused surface of the rock before sitting on it. Closing her eyes for a moment, she allowed the cold wind to caress her cheeks and dust her wavy brown hair behind her shoulder in a gentle, playful dance. When she opened her eyes again, she found Thunder looking at her with curiosity and concern. 

"Thunder, I miss everyone." Elianna was on the verge of tears. 

Thunder purred sadly in agreement and Elianna knew that whatever that happened must've been hard on Thunder too. The panther was rescued and raised by Jason since he was a cub. Not only were they comrades, but they were also companions. Jason never went a battle without Thunder and wherever Jason went, Thunder would follow. Yet, he couldn't follow him this time. 

She peered up into the starry night sky. Raising her hand, she wriggled her fingers against the dark sky, hoping that she could reach those sparkly little spots. Lylia used to tell her that when people die, they become stars so that they can look at their loved ones from up above. Her little heart squeezed at the thought. She could only wish that none of them is up there now. Then, she closed her hand into a fist and a sudden determination coursed through her. 

I need to find them.

"Do you know the way to town?" Elianna asked. Thunder nodded but stared at her disapprovingly. With all the supplies in the house, there was no reason for her to make a trip to town. Thunder would also go out of the house every few days to hunt for food for both of them. 

"Please take me there tomorrow." she insisted. Thunder frowned and hissed angrily at her. She knew that he was telling her no.

"Please, Thunder. Even if we can't go back to the palace, I wanted to know what happened to everyone," she begged. Thunder then let out a low growl and nodded slightly. They knew each other well enough to know that even if he were to reject her, she would try to figure the way out herself. 

━━━━━━━━━━

Thethia: Floriv, Town of Central Thethia

• Elianna •

This is the first time Elianna came to town. Lylia used to tell her stories about Floriv, Thethia's most beautiful town. What Lylia said were true, the town is truly amazing. 

The streets of the town filled with shops which sold various goods. Musicians stood in the streets, showing off their talents while adding life to the already bustling streets. Merchants from foreign land set up their stalls to sell rare goods to the locals. Painters brought their easels and sat in the corners to paint the beautiful town. 

Elianna was in awe by the stimulating environment. Being all alone in Heather Palace, it was her first time witnessing a place with so many people.

She held Thunder in her arms. Before leaving the mountain, she managed to transformed Thunder into a small black cat (after many attempts, of course). She knew that if she were to walk around the town with a panther, the townspeople would be alerted and scared. Furthermore, everyone knew about Thunder. If anyone were to report them, they'll immediately be caught under the King's radar. 

With Thunder in her arms, she continued down the streets. Although intrigued by the liveliness and beauty of the town, she had things to do. She must find out what happened to everyone. 

After turning at a few corners and walking along long stretches of streets, she reached the town square. People were crowding all around the stage in the middle of the square. She maintained her distance from the crowd and from where she stood, she saw that there were three people kneeling on the stage. Their bodies covered in dirt and injuries and everyone had a sack tied over their heads. Unease crept into her as her heart raced. 

It can't be...

She stood rooted to the ground, her legs would not move no matter what. There were a lot of thoughts going through her mind and she struggled to keep them in place. Then, she watched as men moved forward to lift the sacks off their heads. Her assumptions were right, the three of them were Jason, Lylia, and Marie. 

Her heart sank immediately as she stared at them. Their bodies battered and bloody from the tortures used against them. Tears burned at the back of her eyes and she was lost at what to do. 

Jason was the first to catch sight of her. His eyes widened with disbelief before Lylia and Marie also found their gaze towards her. All of them stared at her with surprise in their expression but it was quickly replaced with impassiveness before someone was to realise. However, their eyes never once left her. 

"Jason Wayland, Lylia Thain, Marie Falcas conspired against the Queen. All of them are deemed guilty and will be executed for committing treason. Tie them to the stakes!" A big man on the execution stage commanded.

The crowd that gathered around the stage grew noisy as they murmured amongst themselves, perplexed to see the Genius and Head Maid up on the execution stage. Their faces contorted with disgust. 

No, they were wronged. Elianna became frantic, she wanted to explain for them, for the people she loved. She attempted to run forward, but when her eyes came into contact with Jason, he shook his head ever so slightly. 

Other people would not have seen it, but she saw and opened her mouth wanting to say something in return. Though she also realised that they were too far to hear her and too far for her to reach. Her small self couldn't even save them off the stage. She took a step forward and tears already started to fell. Then, a sudden pain pierced from her hand and she realised that it was Thunder who had bitten hard on her. He was warning for her to stay where she was and not do anything reckless. 

"Light the fire! We burn the evil and mourn for the loss of our loving Queen!" The big man shouted again.

The crowd went into a frenzied cheer. Some screamed angrily with a grievance for their beloved Queen while others cried in desperation. 

Mother is dead too...

Elianna stood helpless at where she was and looked at everyone. A steady stream of tears continued to pour from her eyes. Her gaze never left Jason, Lylia and Marie who had been tied to the stakes as the sea of fire quickly caught up to them. They were also looking at her. Although their faces were filled with sadness, they smiled at her. 

Finally, Jason mouthed something towards her. She saw, turned around and ran with Thunder.

Go, was all Jason said.

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