"Wait," I held up my hands, confused. "Is that why the others want me?"
"Yes." Adriel shook his head. "It took you this long to understand your predicament?"
"Well, it didn't quite click yet."
I didn't understand fully until now. To be considered, one of the magical creatures that brought magic back into this world was unexpected.
"Wait, you were kidnapped? How?" Coco asked slowly. Baffled that her precious master was kidnapped. She started to simmer while thinking about me getting kidnapped. I was a bit worried that she would be blowing up in outrage, but she was still holding it in pretty well.
"I don't know." I shrugged. "If I knew I would have found out by now."
"Dragons and magical creatures on Earth had been hunted down for generations by the humans to collect their magical abilities. We were hunted down to the brink of extinction till the last century when the last living dragon sacrificed her life to protect all the magical creatures. Her power created a special illusion cast upon the magical race and hides us from the humans' presence. In the past, our bones, skins, and body are used to fuel these powerless humans for their own benefits." Adriel spat onto the ground. His voice was filled with hatred. "Though there were a few who had fallen in love with a human." His eyes went towards Phil, " and people like you were created."
"I wouldn't say, love. More like an experiment." Phil stated back, not really believing in the love stories.
"Experiment?" His words made me question what Phil went through in life. Was there something more sinister working behind Phil's past?
"My father fell into the trap of sweet elvish words. The arranged marriage between different species was to see if the two species could produce a powerful child. He was the best court magician in the Dragon Kingdom, and my mother was the Holy Maiden."
"That is sacrilege!" Adriel stormed. "Why would the elves allow such heinous acts between a Holy Maiden. Once a Holy Maiden has been defiled, she is no more a Holy Maiden."
"Exactly," Phil spoke. "The elven elders ruled that the old Holy Maiden to step down from her power and allow the new and young Maiden to take her place. It was all a political game for them. My mother could've stayed in the seat for another one hundred years just fine, but the old crooks instead took it a step further and tarnished her name."
Phil gripped his hands tightly, rage setting in. He still spoke calmly. "They ruled that she was unfit and unholy enough to be called the Holy Maiden any more. So they arranged for my mother to marry into the family of the court magician. It was a great event between the kingdom; the best human magicians around the world competed to wed the Holy Maiden. My father was the one who won the tournament, and the marriage was set. The union between the two species had finalized the treaty."
"So, did everything go, alright?" I asked.
"I was conceived, and my mother lost all her powers. On that fateful day, both my parents were killed by a large scale invasion of monsters. My grandmother saved my life and took me away.
The elves didn't send reinforcement as promised, and instead, the humans fought them back. Eventually, they won, but the King threw my grandparents aside, blaming us for the union's failure. We have lost land, power, and even honor from that fateful day. Both turned their back on us as if we were a piece of trash."
Phil went silent.
"I'm so sorry," I whispered, unsure to say.
"Don't be. I don't have a single pledge to either kingdom."
"That story sounds quite fantastical for the elves to give up a Holy Maiden so easily. We would fight with our teeth and body if our Maiden was given away so easily." Adriel replied snarling.
"There must be something more sinister going on if such acts condoned."
Phil thought about what Adriel had said."I never thought of it like that."
"I see now why I felt such a strong Holy energy from you." Adriel looked at Phil up and down, taking a good scan of his magical energy.
"Either way, Rei is hunting us down. We need to quickly get out of here and back home." I said, knowing that staying on Earth was a lot more troublesome than I wanted. It saddens me that I had to leave.
"Rei? The Titan correct?" Coco asked.
I nodded. People who didn't entirely catch Coco's attention, she would usually forget really quickly.
"He's hunting us down."
"Hunting?" Coco said, confused, but I could tell that she didn't have it. She bristled, showing off a bit of oppressive magic, telling us that she was angry. "I'll show him what a hunt is."
"Kahahahaha." Adriel burst out laughing, pulling his hair back. "A horse maid going out to hunt? I find that truly fascinating."
I had to completely agree with Adriel for once. Seeing Coco hunting down a criminal was a strange sight to behold.
"Truly, you are a fascinating creature. I would like you to join my house." Adriel blatantly spoke. He took a few steps towards her to scrutinize her.
I couldn't help but feel that Adriel wanted something from Coco. It was just a gut feeling as I watched the two.
"No." Coco flat outspoke. She crossed her arms and looked the other way. She turned around and walked towards me. "Young mistress, are you feeling better now?"
"Yes. Thank you." I replied, a bit uncomfortable in Adriel's stare.
"Are you sure about that? I can treat you with wealth and riches."
"Young Mistress, what would you like to eat today? I'll make something good when we find a safe place to rest." Coco spoke with elegance. She didn't even turn towards Adriel.
"Hey! Are you listening to me?"
"Well, I would like some apple pie," I said.
"I will gladly make you some apple pie, young mistress."
"Stop ignoring me!" Adriel stormed over and grabbed Coco by the shoulder.
It happened in the blink of an eye. Coco grabbed hold of Adriel's hand and did a perfect shoulder throw. With a loud thump, dust puffed into a small mushroom cloud as Adriel was on the floor in pain.
Oh, my god.…This is the second time that Coco flawlessly injured Adriel without a care in the world. At this rate, she might actually die.
"Coco..." I mumbled, unable to say anything. I felt a harsh energy coming from Adriel himself.
"Don't worry, young mistress, he is just a puppy that does not know his place. A bit of training, and he will become a wonderful dog."
My mouth fell open. She just called him a puppy. Wow.
"You truly are a maid worth having. I like that." Adriel got up, not hurt at all. "I want you more and more."
"I decline."
"That's too bad. One day you will work for me." Adriel spoke with confidence.
"I decline indefinitely."
"There is always another day." Adriel patted his shoulder as he got up.
Silence followed after, making all of us uncomfortable.
"What are we going to do? We need to get back to the Blue Host Club by tomorrow." I spoke out, trying to diffuse this uncomfortable atmosphere.
"Don't worry, we are less than a day away," Adriel said.
"That's good to hear, but what about Rei? He's on our backtracking us down every second."
"Don't worry about him. If my intel is correct, he can't find us easily with me being near you." Adriel said confidently. He walked towards the door and stopped in front of it. "We should leave now."
We followed and continued outside, there weren't many people walking about at this time. There were only a few scattered people walking about. We walked through the streets, making our way to the train stations as we boarded.
"What is this?" Coco was staring around in excitement. Her inner child was brimming with happiness as she looked around like it was some kind of new toy.
"A bullet train," I spoke, taking a seat. I was glad to be off the road.
"We don't have one of these back at home," Coco replied, she brushed her hand on the seats, realizing that it was kind of soft.
"Yea, they are a bit more difficult to make." I really didn't know much about engineering. I might have to consult or find someone who could when I get back. That would be amazing.
"But they are such a cool young mistress. We should take one of those metal contraptions with us back to Torren."
"That would be a little difficult," Phil spoke. "The door is not big enough to fit a train."
"It's called a train." Coco once again was looking out the window as the train started to move. The loud sounds of metal screaming against each other as the train shook.
"By the way, is there a magic store?" I asked Adriel. I wondered what the Magic Stores were like on Earth. Did they have a creepy feel, or were they more modernized? Possibly they have some underground dealing that I don't even know about.
"Yes, but not many."
I wondered what he meant, but Adriel didn't want to continue on with the conversation. He was too engrossed in trying to figure out how to keep Coco on Earth. I didn't want him to take Coco with him, so I vehemently denied him.
We eventually made it to our stop. I got up as well as the rest, we waited at the door to leave. With a loud whoosh, the door opened, letting the flow of air through. Stepping out, we got off the packed train.
"Young mistress, please stay close to me." Coco grabbed my hand.
I swear we look like mother and child while walking through the busy stairs. I felt a bit embarrassed, but I knew it would keep me safe. Coco was a fierce guard.
"This way." Adriel turned to the right. We weaseled our way through the thick crowds and went into a local mart. He pushed through the employee only sign door, and we walked downstairs.