In a strange kingdom.

The scene at that realm, was just so surreal. It was like an answered prayer for me, and was also a moment of sober reflection.

At this moment, I was just praying that I'd be leave here alive.

"But queen mother, he can't find us here..." The spirit man said in defense, and she stroke him with her sword.

He fell flat immediately, like someone who had been hypnotized.

"The reason why we ran to the deepest part of the sea is because of them. In the past, they had defeated us in numerous battles, and posed a threat of taking over our kingdom." She spoke with anger.

At this point, I just stood still, while watching as the whole drama continued to unfold.

"Now if they find out that she has been held captive in my kingdom, they will wage war against me." She cried out in anger.

It was at this point that I knew that the matter was very serious.

"I'm sorry, queen mother..." He begged from where he was lying down in a dejected manner.

At this point the only thing that I could do,was to look around in fear. I was trying to think about what my fate was going to be.

Well, I felt better with the way that everything was going. At least, I had hope that the whole drama would end well.

"You know that apologies are forbidden here, right?" The spirit woman, asked him with anger in her voice.

At this moment, the only thing that spirit man could do, was to lie down weakly, at the mercy of his superior. A part of me,was very happy to see him on that vulnerable state.

After all, I was the one that was begging him that way some minutes ago, and he didn't pay any attention to me. Well, it was glad to see a reverse.

"I apologize, queen mother." He begged. "This bride is just so beautiful that I couldn't resist the urge of having her as a bride." The spirit man continued.

Immediately he said that, I stared at him with so much disgust. I just couldn't imagine myself having a thing with a spirit. It was just so unbelievable.

"In the past, you've been warned countlessly about lust, but you disobeyed. Now, it has overwhelm you. You wouldn't go unpunished, this time..." She yelled at him in anger.

Each time that she spoke in anger, things broke and shattered. It was as if the whole kingdom would fall apart.

"Young lady, what were you doing at the sacred river? Are you not aware that it belongs to the spirits?" The queen mother asked me in anger, and I froze.

What was I even going to say to her in response?

What was the reply that I could give her, to justify my actions?

"I was..." I began to stutter, but she cut me short half way.

"You were running away from your reality, isn't it? You think you can run away from what the moon goddess has designed? Of course not. No one can run away from destiny and fate..." She thundered.

At this point, I was filled with fear. It was something that I couldn't hold back. Each time that the female water spirit spoke, I would feel a cold shiver run down my spine.

One thing that still baffled me, was how they lived under the water, and they weren't inside the water. Staring from the top of the ocean, one wouldn't believe that such a thing exists.

"I tried to run away, because I was actually tired of my destiny. Others are given a good life, but I've only known suffering since I crossed the path of mortality. Why is that? Why is my own case always different?" I asked her in tears.

At this moment, I had a lot of questions to ask because I had a lot bothering me.

"That is what I cannot answer. Your life has already been designed by the great one, including the good and the bad. One thing is sure, you cannot run away from any." She continued.

I didn't know how to feel at that moment, as it was just like she was consoling me.

"At this point, I'm honestly tired of living with Alpha Roman. He has made my life a living hell..." I continued crying.

I didn't need anyone to tell me that the worst was waiting for me at the hands of Alpha Roman, as he would be waiting to destroy me for trying to run away from him.

"You don't have a choice, Ember. You have a mission to accomplish, and a great destiny to fulfil. For that to come to pass, you have to be patient enough and wait..." She said, and her words echoed through my ears.

I have to be patient enough and wait?

Was she prophesying to me?

Was the moon goddess speaking through her?

"For how long would I have to endure all the sufferings that I've been encountering? Is it until I die that the moon goddess will show me mercy?" I asked in tears.

This matter was getting tougher than I expected it be.

"You have no other choice than to go back to Alpha Roman, and bear all the pains that he would inflict on you..." The queen mother continued.

Another thing that caused me to raise unnecessary suspicion, was the reason why she was unusually calm to me.

"Please ma'am, take me with you, or at least help me to get to a safer place in the mortal realm. I do not want to go back to him." I continued in tears.

It was as if she was kind of having a rethink about what to do with me.

"Unfortunately, I cannot do anything to help you. It is your fate, and you have to face it..." She continued.


"No... No..." I cried in tears.

Just then, we heard a sudden banging sound that shook the entire kingdom, which threw all of us upside down.

What was that?