The First Pawn

The maiden could not let this opportunity go, she needs this human to avenge her father, her people. Even if she have to leave the Sacred Tree of Life. The maiden's decision is final, she already concluded that she will use this human to act her revenge.

"Merlin? You know the infamous Sage of the Kingdom of Alvarez? The friend of the Hero, Morgana's brother?"

Luci immediately catched the situation. He saw the sparkle of curiosity in the maiden's eyes, he saw something similar, the eye of someone who wants retribution.

This is it, an ally, someone that could help him in his goal. But, Elves are righteous beings, they are known for their upright personalities. Therefore, he needs to lie, to sugar coat his words in order to obtain this powerful maiden.

"Merlin isn't just someone that I know, he is someone that I need to dispose, someone indebted to me."

Luci acted as if Merlin did something so horrible to him, something unforgivable, something like killing a loved one.

Luci is a master of acting, his a professional pretender. He pretended to be an innocent, upright, kindhearted priest for 10 years of his life in the Kingdom of Alvarez. Fooling the maiden is nothing compared on how he fooled a whole Kingdom. For him, this isn't even a challenge.

He was grinding his teeth, made a face full of anger with nonstop tears falling from his eyes. His crocodile tears were so realistic that it reached the maiden's heart.

Deborah was stunned, she was too stunned to speak. She saw something similar, a familiar emotion that she once encountered. It was the feeling of anger, hatred, guilt, it was grief. The emotion that made her suffer for decades, the obstacle she still couldn't handle. In her eyes, Luci is someone pitiful, someone like her, someone worst.

But, something isn't right, something is wrong. Deberia is puzzled. Everything doesn't make sense, according to humors, Merlin is a righteous, kindhearted Sage. He would never do something terrible to anyone. Everything doesn't add up.

Luci saw the doubt in Deberia's face. He immediately grasped the situation. This can't go on, he must do something to remove that doubt.

"I am the remaining royal of the Kingdom of Agura. I am the son of King Arde, the 3rd prince of my Kingdom. My father discovered something that he shouldn't have. He discovered that Merlin is still in cahoots with his evil sister Morgana. The traitor of Humanity. "

Luci said is fake, everything about Merlin is a lie. Merlin never did such a thing. He was never involved to the destruction of the Kingdom of Agura. Merlin was in seclusion for hundreds of years. Thus, it's impossible for him to be involved in the war. In fact, King Arde was a close friend of Merlin.

"This claims of yours is impossible. Merlin helped the Hero defeat the Demon Lord Daimonas who listened to Morgana. I won't believe such claims, specifically from a mysterious person like you."

Luci grinded his teeth, he was annoyed by the outcome of his act. He can't believe that he cannot fool the maiden. Knowing that his act was a failure, he immediately changed his expression. The sad crying face turned into a serious gaze.

" So you showed your true colors huh."

"..."

Luci did not reply and ignored the maiden. He fixed his composure and turned his back on her. He started to walk away from Deberia.

"You cannot leave this place. No one can. Any creature that comes here is forever stuck inside this barrier."

Luci stopped walking. He stood still for a second. Suddenly, he sat down with a straight back and with his feet flat on the ground. It was a meditative posture. Luci was meditating.

The maiden was puzzled. It was a puzzling reaction that she have never encountered before. Deberia is over a hundred years old, there were few humans who came before Luci, and all of them had the same reaction. They panicked or cry. But this human is different. Aside from being fearless, he's also a man the she can't predict.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm meditating."

"Why? Shouldn't you cry or panic?"

"Why would I?"

Deberia was amazed. It was her first meeting a human like him.

"So you will meditate for the rest of your life?"

"Of course I won't. I'm meditating to calm my mind so that I could think clearly in order to create a plan to escape from here."

"HA HA HA HA HA!"

Deberia laughed. She knew he's not that special. Just like the other humans that she encountered, he's also pathetic like them. A person who doesn't know his place.

"Escape? You think you can escape? The barrier that's keeping you lock in here was made by the Goddess of Life herself! So you think you can out power a God? Don't make me Laugh Human! HA HA HA HA!"

"Yes I can. The power of God isn't invincible it can be beaten by a power of another God."

Deberia was silenced. It was an unexpected answer. Is he implying that he also has a power given by a God?

"Power of another God? You have a power given by a God?"

...

Luci did not answer. For the second time, he ignored Deberia and continued his meditation.

"I'll take that silence as a yes. Human, tell me your name, and I shall tell you mine."

.....

Luci ignored the maiden again. He just continued his meditation and never answered Deberia.

"You're still ignoring me? Even if I'll help you escape from here?"

Luci stopped. He immediately stopped his meditation. He opened his eyes and made his response.

"And why would you help me?"

"Introduce yourself first Human. I would never make a deal with someone who's name is unknown."

"Luci, my name is Luci. I'm a priesr of the Kingdom of Alvares."

"From being the prince of the Kingdom of Agura and then becoming a priest Kingdom of Alvares huh. How ironic. Then, my name is Deberia."

"Deberia? Just Deberia?"

"Silence! I'm not the one who's in need of help, know your place."

"... "

"I'll help you escape from here in one condition."

"What's that Deberia?"

"You'll take me with you."