Maly sat on a soft bed in her cell while Obsidian lay on the other side, staring at the ceiling.
"Maly, what will we do when we finally get out of here?" Obsidian asked, his mind clouded with thoughts of the future.
Maly sighed deeply, her gaze fixed on the floor.
Hearing approaching footsteps, both turned their attention to the corridor. The King, the Prince accompanied by his right hand, and the new Chief Knight appeared before them.
Fleen, the new Chief Knight, bowed to the King. "Your Majesty, we are here."
"How are you, Maly, Obsidian?" Ghilarre greeted them, causing Maly to avert her gaze.
"Maly Ekliyepsis, or rather Maly Fiteria of Mirasol, as per the request of the late Chief Knight Seron Ashikan’s wife, you will be transferred to the Ashikan's custody." Maly froze as these words sank in.
The feared red sea serpent, not meant to be released, was to be freed?
A smirk appeared on Maly's lips as she stood and approached the iron bars that separated her from them. "Have you lost your mind? I’m the reason Seron Ashikan is dead. You want—"
A woman's laughter interrupted them, drawing their eyes to the dark corner of the cell. Emerging from the shadows was a woman with hair like crystal threads. "I will guard you."
"Who—Astrala?" Maly stammered.
Ghiliyan laughed. "I am an Ashikan on paper. Ghiliyan Ashikan."
When Fynilopi learned about Ghiliyan, she convinced her that she could live outside without being known as a Dandelion. Given that Ghiliyan had only two years left to live, the king agreed and altered her identity.
"What will you do with her?!" Obsidian shouted from the other cell, his eyes blazing with fury. "What happened to the Herres?!"
Fleen turned to him. "Obsidian Kane. For now, the Herres are under strict watch, but with the help of their new head, we believe they won't rebel again. They will remain here in the kingdom."
"But if they have any ill intentions, you know what will happen," Fynilopi added.
"And as for you, come with me, Obsidian. I'll make you my guard," Ghilarre commanded, extinguishing the fire in Obsidian's eyes as he slumped back onto his bed.
"But before everything else, we want to know your story. Tell us, Maly Fiteria." Maly nodded.
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Centuries ago, the Fiteria of Mirasol split into two factions. One rebelled against the iron hand of the kingdom, while the other adhered to its rules. Maly belonged to the rebels.
Being one of the most skilled clans and given the king's heartlessness, the members of the Fiteria were pitted against each other. Within the Fiteria clan, there was a forbidden ability that granted eternal life and immense power in exchange.
"Lady Maly! Don't do it," a woman cried out, her body covered in bruises and wounds.
"Everyone, stop!" Maly shouted, but no one listened. The fighting continued among the Fiterias.
The kingdom played with them, but some of them remained blind. Maly's heart ached as she watched the relentless violence around her.
The sun set, replaced by a massive moon. Few were left alive, surrounded by corpses. As the moon turned red, Maly used all the animal traits she had acquired in one go.
"Maly!"
A red smoke enveloped Maly, expanding its reach until a giant red serpent with dragon legs, antlers like a deer, teeth of a snake, and eyes of a lion appeared before everyone.
Its roar echoed throughout, halting the battle. As the smoke spread, the animal traits used by the survivors disappeared.
"Enough! Enough! Enough!" the red serpent repeated.
"That's... that's the Bakunawa! The red sea serpent is born!" one of the Fiterias exclaimed.
"Enough!"
Anyone who tried to stop Maly lost their abilities. A powerful curse for eternal life.
When peace finally returned, Maly reverted to her human form, sparing only one unique and good-hearted Fiteria family.
"I trust you," Maly said bitterly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
After that, she left the Kingdom of Mirasol.
Outside, she witnessed atrocities no one should see. Throughout her life, she couldn't count how many times she saw lives stolen away.
In the end, she tried countless times to break the curse of eternal life, but none of her attempts worked. Filled with grief, pain, and anger, she decided to erase all abilities from the world.
She ended up in the Eklipse Village, home to skilled sealers.
"I am the red sea serpent, and when the moon turns red, I will erase your abilities upon my awakening!" she declared before a unique stone made of floating letters from the Ekliyepsis consumed her.
When Mirasol learned of Maly's actions, their new king tasked the Fiteria clan with a mission. Each generation’s eldest was sent outside the kingdom to find the Bakunawa.
The Ekliyepsis hid the Bakunawa well, and centuries passed with the Fiteria continuing their mission, even as their kings changed. Ultimately, the Rosvill, the royal family that initiated the 'Iron Hand,' was defeated and replaced by a better king. To survive, Tharia requested to be sent outside the kingdom instead of a Fiteria to capture the Bakunawa.
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Maly bowed, tears streaming from her eyes, tears from many years past.
"That's why I don't like sad books," Ghiliyan quipped.
"You’re right," Ghilarre agreed, a small smile forming. "Finally, Maly, you’ve let out all your negative feelings."
"Maly..." A tear fell from Obsidian's right eye.
"I involved so many. Many—"
"No matter what you say, Maly. We can't change the past. Many are gone. Let's just strive to live as good beings with the opportunities we receive each day and today," Fyn responded.