[16] My Promise

Petrified Potion.

Just mix the tears of South Demons, the skin of Ice Dragon, the eye of glactanaus, and the loud chant of spells in a pot. Under the heat of Izzak Volcano, the potions will appear as dark violet and green gradient.

I'm the first demon who discovered this potion, and one of the victims of this. Beyond proud I felt right now, I mean, I'm furious about this tactic.

"Thanks a lot, Limdi," one whispers beside, and even touches my neck. "Luck's on finding us! " He added.

My eyes move and gaze upon the driver horrified position as he also is petrified. Poor we. Thus, good thing I always think ahead of time.

I chant my breaking spell. "La'perri cru nizh za, eredni walhonus, break the potion, free my motion!"

Similarly, I didn't let our driver down. He got free from the potion, and I instructed him to report to the nearby East Knights about this.

He took a last wary look. "Binibining Panah, may Zonax have mercy on you." then, he drove the Bola vehicle hastily.

I inhale the scent of the demon who took Traiser. His scent is tingling with familiarity. As it didn't disappoint me on pointing out the culprit, my size initially grew into a normal demon's mass.

Wanali Taran, the male demon and leader of the Northwest Trai-rior, Traitor, and Warrior. He's one of the demons who wanted me to be killed, I may say he's my nemesis.

He's just annoying as he looks. Hardest armored skin even my knuckles will collapse if I'll hit that, a huge bloody third eye which had more paralyze effect on other creatures, and his proud long solid hair as it slides down on his waist. For diablae, he's the ideal man, but not for me.

I stopped on my running track. My feet ended up in this small island in Northwest, few kilometers away from the emergency detour we had.

If my calculation is right, I should be gone in Zonax for quarter months. Things quite had changed ever since I left, this Island of Trai-rior had a decent and awfully strange look.

There is a pleasant breeze, coconut palm trees everywhere, white and fine sand on the shoreline, and massive corals formations greeting in front.

"Zutasia, fenir" I cast a protective shell outside my body for preventing any potions to absorb.

Through the bracelet, I manage to find its traces along the sand. I really find it strange how these magnificent views came to life here in Zonax.

Until I witness the Zonax-like sight, lava freely creeps everywhere, hot steams rising from several holes, and lava crocodiles are also helping themselves around.

Wanali got up to his seat, quite surprise and then smiling widely at me. "Limdi! Welcome to our island, you're so welcome here. Will you mind if I invite you to join us?"

I look around, examining and searching for Traiser. "I shall accept your invitation if the human will be mine," said I, while still observing.

He laughs so loud. "Yes, yes. He'll be here."

"Where?"

My eyes now met his. I know that's a lustful and greedy gaze that make me feel something terrible happened to Traiser.

He pursed his lips to a smirk. "If you accept, you'll see for yourself."

In a heartbeat, I appear in front of him. He's not shocked at all, instead, he just grinned at me.

"Wine, will you mind?" he offers, already handing a bottle of wine.

I shake my head. "No. I shan't."

"You're always like that, kiddo. I'm being polite here, humble rather, to you. While you're being disrespectful-"

I place upon him my dead serious glance. "Don't joke around, Taran. I know your business and your character. If something makes sense here, get the human and bring him back to me!"

He clicked his tongue, chuckles, and then sits down, facing me. "Who is that human, anyway?"

I roll my eyes angrily. "None of your life."

"The pure virgin soul. I see you've succeeded, however, if YOU'LL MAKE IT TO THE EQUATOR!" He then bursts out laughing. I just look at him with a deadpan face.

I really don't get his pun.

"Taran, listen. If this island matters to you, bring the human back. Well, if you don't, let's see who's laughing at the end."

He quickly stops laughing. "Limdi, none of these matters actually. To be honest, I wanted to leave this world too! But, the Guardians are annoying. They won't let me in. Damn!"

He's gone insane.

"What about I'll tell you the secret on entering the portal?"

Yes, I got his attention. He blinks few times and leans closer to the table. Waiting for my next response.

I grin at him. "Unless you bring the human back."

He nods repeatedly. "COME ON! SERVE THE FOOD!"

My eyes widened as he mentioned 'food.' Is that what he meant, 'you'll see for yourself?' I almost got to boil up in anger, when Traiser appeared to be pushing the cart. He smiles at me with frightened eyes.

Wanali giggles when Traiser puts down the two plates. "Limdi, don't tell me that you jump to the conclusion of-" Before even finishing his sentence, alarms went crazy.

I quickly grab Traiser's wrist. Wanali looks confused and thrilled. He blocked our way when I plan to carry Traiser out.

"I guess, you and I need to have perfect timing. Limdi, you need to listen, but this time is crucial. For now, I won't let you take the human, instead, I'll beat you."

At that moment, I am the one who's confused. Wanali tried to grab Traiser one-handedly, thus I pull him closer, and let my tails wrap him again.

Wanali flinched as he saw my tails. Because he had no tails, only huge two horns, larger than mine.

"I hope, one day, you understand. I need that boy!" Wanali furiously charged at me, with his horns. Luckily, one East Knight came to our rescue.

The Knight blocked his horns by their horn. Wanali was about to push the knight by his hands, but they both got locked up with their hands pushing against one another.

The Knight said, "Go now! The Bullet Bola is just on the shoreline!"

I did not hesitate, my legs were run with courage. When we reached the shoreline, the bullet-shaped Bola is floating nearby.

Gently, I put Traiser in the seat, I closed the door and pressed the button of Equator. This Bola version vehicle is faster and safer. Why didn't the ruler gave this one in the first place? Crap, I'm so mad.

Traiser coughs. "Limdi, are you feeling well?"

He's kinda composed weirdly. Again, he coughs. "I'm the one who's actually asking you that. What happened?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "No, I'm fine. I guess I just breathe a lot of gas back there."

"Gas? What gas?"

"I don't know. It's funny like I'm all healed up when inhaling that gas."

"Does it have color?"

He nods. "Yes. I think, light blue."

I sigh. "That must be a Feelings smoke. A kind of smoke that can release the sensation of what you really need or your body needs all the time. Wait, you said healed up. Gosh, let me check on you."

"No! D-don't. I'm really fine, Limdi.. I'm really..." His face flushed red, and he even avoided my eyes.

I tried to study his face. "What's up with you? You're zoning off."

He smiles. "Sorry to worry you. They didn't harm me at all. They even said that I must take a rest there, and have fun."

I scoffed. "Have fun?! They are rebels in Zonax. I wish they are kind, but they are evil in their roots."

"You know, Limdi, evil and kindness depend on perspective. What if they seem so evil to you, but to others, they are kindhearted? "

Finally, he's looking at me.

"Like how the deities' followers condemn you, but I don't take grudge on you, and your race. I am so thankful for having you in my life. This life has meaning because of you." He went on.

Reacting crazy, my horns went curly and straight, then falling down. I sense warm feelings inside and out.

I staggered on saying. "Enough o-of this! I j-just want to c-ch-eck on you, dumb face."

He again avoided my gaze. "Fine. Please, be careful." then he chuckles.

I let my third eye analyze his body. No abnormalities, no health issues nor any issues.

He broke the silence between us after I did my checkup. "Wanali, right? That leader. He seems to know you a lot. That's kinda jealous, I mean, maybe you've got friends all along."

I laugh in a short time. "Silly! Wanali is a rebel, so I always hunt him down. But he always got his ways to escape, so whatever. Hmm, friends, you say? I like you to be my friend. Yes, you."

He suddenly startled. "Me? As your friend? Oh, okay." He looks sad about what I've said.

"What is it? Why you look so down?"

"Huh? No, I'm not. Just your imagination."

I grin. "Well, you don't want to be my boyfriend, okay then."

"Boyfriend? That's too.... irrelevant...Oh, see, that looks like a huge temple." His voice started with a low tone and then with a high pitch. He opened the small window, then pointed out by finger the temple of Equator Archives.

"Our only books shelves."

He turned to me with an unbelievable face. "Bookshelves? Like library? Wow! Your infrastructures are giving me the vibes of Romans and Ancient Sumerians."

Little did he know, those vibes are originated from our ancestors' times. He's in glee at how he asked about the Equator.

"All females are here? Then, why are you in the East?"

"Correction. All females who've been chosen by the ruler, been born naturally inside the region, and tied the knot with a demon residing in the region. We love the East region because we always are blessed by the three suns rising."

He nods as if understanding every bit of information I said.

"Three suns rising?!! That's cool! I want to see it too!" His reaction got me reminiscing on how I reacted when I was three years old about the suns rising.

I was always sitting on the lap of my father. He loved to caressed my hair, and telling me funny stories. Those moments where I found myself wanting to step on Earth like my father and grandfather used to.

I never saw my mother and grandfather, just my lovable father. He always told me lots of things about our family. He even played videotapes, voice recordings, which I felt wholesome nice feelings.

Those moments where I felt I'm not alone in this world. I've always got my parents and family in my heart.

"Limdi?" I get back to reality where Traiser is holding my hand. He's worried about something.

"What are you doing?" I asked and pull my hand away. He seems a bit of shock when I did that.

"You're zoning out. I'm sorry if what I've said made you cry. I never knew of how-"

I pat his head. "Silly, don't be sorry. I admit I got kind of zone out. Alright, we'll watch together the three suns rising."

He got his smile back. "I can't wait!"

-------

The vehicle automatically parks itself down. I offered my hand to Traiser when he's stepping outside, he gladly accepted it.

I put a cloth around his head. He even mumbled. "What do I need to wear that again if I look like a human?" His expressions were entertaining.

"This look suits you at all. You look gorgeous." I say like a proclamation.

He grins at me, then pinches my cheek. "Thank you, my queen." We both chuckle at ourselves.

We're currently in front of the King's Almighty Castle. There are numerous Knights scattered all around. Guarding with their life, the huge and tall castle made of deities' bones, what rumors said. But, I think the castle is made of crystals and solid steel.

The Knights know me, as much as I don't want to know them. They led me to the Special King Waiting Bench, which the king himself named all the rooms here.

Traiser said in low voice however demons can hear. "Limdi, is this the East? This castle reflects on your beauty, just so you know. When will the three-"

"You must roll back your tongue. We shouldn't be blabbering here." I warned him, not even glancing. He then chose to be silent, before doing so, he clicked his tongue.

Memories since I arrived at Earth and up to this moment suddenly rush into my mind. When we both enter the Waiting Bench, the thirteen Maharlika seated with their various positions seem to wait for us.

They are six diablae, six diablo, and one diablinx on their respected armor skins and horn insignias which represent their ranks. I became thrilled and somehow glad when I saw the horns insignia, the greatest gift of King ever.

"We'll take it from here, Panah. The King will reward you tomorrow. Get lost now!" Jazxus, the fifth Maharlika greets. She's likely the diablae version of Columbane here. Gosh, words cannot contain how I despise the two of them.

I take a bow and kneel on them. "Wicked. Evil. Darkness. Eternity of Zonax, I shall obey."

Traiser protested. "Limdi, who are they? I thought you'll -"

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK, DIRTY HUMAN! SHUT YOUR MOUTH OFF!" Jazxus shouted and pointed at Traiser. He gasped, shakes on his stand.

Jazxus almost hit Traiser with her nail, but my body instantly deflected it. I saw with my peripheral vision, Traiser's confused teary eyes, and trembling lips.

"Maharlika Jazxus, I suggest that you calm down. We need this human in a good shape. And, you don't want to defy the King's order." I said while staring at her.

She grins, then snorts. "Whatever, trash. Now, get lost." When she flicks her hand, I immediately transported outside the castle.

My hearts sunk as I remembered his last look. I should have taken him away, perhaps I can bend my fate.

I've felt numbness. My lips already bleeding excessively as my teeth bit this hardly. My horns softened, shortened, almost brittle textured. As well as my tails with no energy fell down on the ground.

"Binibining Panah, the ride is waiting for you. Don't worry, there three knights aboard, so you'll be safe." one knight informed me and gestured in the direction of the vehicle.

I nod. "Thanks."