Faraway Survivor

Farah's POV

I think that the inside of the castle will be chaotic like the outside. But the moment we enter inside, I can't help but be surprised at what appears in front of me.

-This is...What? (Farah)

It's another world inside the castle.

-This place must be the replicate of Ecrax's capital city. (Farah)

The only weird thing about this city is that no one lives in this place. Everything is replicated perfectly aside from the citizen of the country.

-There are some differences from the current capital city, though. And these building looks quite old and they don't look like they belong to the current era. (Farah)

Hale goes around and inspects these buildings.

-I can feel the mark I left on Sora inside this place. There is a high chance that she created this place. (Hale)

-I have an awful premonition about all these things. (Farah)

The girl who stands beside us calls out our name.

-We may have some guests over here... 

Hale and I turn our attention to the girl and find a group of people raise up from the ground. They all wear the yellow cloaks while walking with awkward movements.

-It's them again!

The girl swings her sword and blasts away those monsters in human disguise.

-Disappear!

The attack doesn't look effective since they eventually get back on their feet quickly.

-Just run, don't waste too much power on them. (Hale)

Hale picks me up and runs toward the centre of the city. The girl leaves those monsters alone and follows us. While we are running, the girl again gives us a warning.

-Something is coming...

-Tchhh, why do the troubles keep popping up one after another? (Hale)

Hale glances at me and comments.

-You are really a trouble attracting magnet, Farah. (Hale)

-Hey!! (Farah)

Before Hale can answer me, a shadow appears right in front of her and grasps her head.

-Hale!!! (Farah)

Her body quickly melts as the hand holding her face becomes tighter. I can feel something snuck inside my body.

-Why is there nothing I can absorb from this one?

This time, I can see the identity of the shadow in front of me. It's a woman who wears a veil that hides her entire body.

-What is left are a useless human and a doll...

I take a few steps back to watch her from a safe distance. The woman glares at us as they mutter with herself.

-It's better than nothing...

When I am ready to fight her, the woman suddenly turns to the opposite side of us.

-Ahahahahaha!

She laughs out loud hysterically as she stares in that direction intensely.

-The power of ice and flame...I never thought I would have the chance to meet one of the creator's enemies here.

The girl pokes her hands at me and mutters in a small voice.

-Do you understand what she is talking about?

I shake my head to reply to the girl.

-I take this back...Today will be a good day!

Then the woman disappears on the spot and leaves us behind.

-Has she gone...?

-Yeah... (Farah)

The girl turns her attention to Hale's melted body while having a bitter face.

-I will protect you in her stead.

The girl must be mistaken that Hale has already died. I have no time to explain everything to her, since I am afraid the woman will come back soon.

-We need to go before that woman comes back. (Farah)

-Right!

The girl and I head deeper inside the city's centre while running away from those monsters. We eventually arrive at the royal castle in no time.

-Hah... (Farah)

-What's wrong?

I breathe in and out hard as I take a rest.

-My body is... a little weak. (Farah)

The girl bends down and picks me up.

-Why don't you speak sooner? I have wondered why you walk at such a slow speed.

I can feel my face become hot when she picks me up. The girl's hug gives me a completely different feeling compared to Hale.

-Where should we go now?

I blush and point at the castle.

-We may find the answer we need inside the castle. (Farah)

The girl nods and runs toward the castle. As soon as we enter the castle, the monsters stop following us.

-This may be the right place... (Farah)

I spread out my mana to check the surrounding.

-Got it! (Farah)

I pick a signal in the centre of this castle.

-Just show me the way.

I nod and give instructions to the girl about the castle's direction. Since this castle is not much different from the one outside, I can easily get us to the destination.

-This is... (Farah)

We are now in front of the dining-room door. The girl uses her strength to push the door away and reveal what is inside.

-Sora...? (Farah)

Sora is indeed staying inside the dining room. However, she looks incredibly young. Her current age is around 7-8 years old.

-Who?

The young Sora asks me with an innocent face.

-... (Farah)

I can notice there are two monsters standing by her side. These two monsters wear some kind of royalty clothes instead of yellow cloaks.

-Mother, Father! These two may be new friends.