But Always, A Warrior Comes Home

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Akea looked back and saw the other girls fast approaching. She clutched her bamboo sword clumsily as she walked awkwardly, two steps away from entering the bushes. She tried to distract herself from their taunting by counting the stars in the sky. “Twenty-six, twenty-seven…..”

“Twenty-weak. You silly excuse of a warrior. Girls? Did you see her at training earlier? Such a pathetic grip she's got.” Anika, the strongest warrior in training yelled. “You do not belong here Akea. Go and live in the forest where you can sing lullabies by the river.” She mimicked Akea’s gentle voice while the other girls laughed.

Akea increased her pace. Just then, a strange rider in a Keffia and metal shield came racing like lightning and almost brushed Akea out of the way. She quickly dived into the bushy path bruising her arm in the process.

The dust screen that the stranger's white horse created was gathering the attention of curious villagers. Whispers quickly traveled as some of the villagers began trailing the horseman.

“He looks like an emissary.”
“But he is not from the seven kingdoms.”

Astonishment, and confusion consumed the villagers when the horse halted in front of Akea’s home. Her father came out to meet the stranger who handed him a scroll.

“A request from the Royal Reigns. The heir to the throne, Prince Elif seeks the hand of Akea Ludav of Norak in marriage.

“Akea? The Royal Reigns? There has got to be a mistake. It should be me. It should be.” Anika, sickened to her stomach, walked out on her friends.

Norak was the smallest Kingdom among the Seven Kingdoms in the North. They were a small but mighty group of people who took pride in farming and producing exotic female warriors. Kings and Princes of neighboring kingdoms often sought the hands of their daughters in marriage. These proposals would often come with alliance and recognition within the seven kingdoms. Norak was quickly gaining popularity but it was the first time that a royal from somewhere other than the north would come to Norak for a Nuptial proposal.

To Norak’s astonishment, the Royal Reigns, the most formidable kingdom, had come for the weakest warrior in Norak. The Royal Reigns were famous for their power and strongholds across all kingdoms. Myth had it that their wealth and abundance came from an annual secret sacrifice called the Galiath sacrifice.

Weeks passed and preparations for a grand wedding were booming. The news had spread across the seven kingdoms and beyond. Akea’s parents were in their proud era but Akea was struggling with her new popularity. On the one hand, she was thrilled with the idea of a new home. She had met Elif and he was the epitome of a fine man. He was kind, gentle, and loving. On the other hand, she had a hunch that just would not go away. Akea wondered what was so peculiar about her. She wasn't the most eligible maiden nor was she a strong warrior.

The night before the wedding, Akea went to sit by the river. She began singing the traveler’s tale that her grandmother had taught her before she passed. Akea had made it a ritual whenever she felt like her heart was burdened. Whenever she sang, the birds would come around to listen to her melodious voice and the trees would sway causing the air around to appear enchanting. That night however was different. The birds didn't sing nor did the trees sway. And when It was time for Akea to leave, the creatures of the forest trailed her to the edge. It was as though they were beckoning her to stay. Akea was astounded. She had a thing with nature but that was strange.

After the grandest wedding that all the kingdoms combined had ever seen, Akea was set to leave Norak with Elif on a carriage with six horses.

“Akea my delicate flower.” Her mother tried to hide her feelings but her daughter knew her too well.

“Mother! I'll miss you too. I promise to visit whenever I can.” Akea held her mother's hand in hers and kissed her. “I love you, mother.”

Akea joined Elif in the carriage and the journey of a thousand miles began. All of the tension quickly seeped away from Akea when they got to the gates of the Royal Reigns. Akea was instantly entranced by the spectacle before her. She had never set her eyes on such an expanse of lush scenery. The Royal Reigns looked like hundreds of magnificent castles surrounded by huge mountains, further surrounded by a field of exotic flowers and trees.

“All of it is yours,” Elif said, looking straight into Akea’s eyes. He held her hand and let her out of the carriage.

Soon, Akea’s fascination was cut short as almost the entire kingdom came out to witness their arrival. Akea had never felt so overwhelmed in her entire life.

Another round of celebration and merriment ensued and nightfall came quickly. Akea was already starting to ease into the Royal Reigns. She sat on a large table full of feasts with her new family.

The king, a gray sturdy man with a stern face and a bold crown upon his head stood up. “Now the merriment is over. Let the games begin.” He announced.

“Game? What game?” Akea looked at Elif and his face turned sour.

“Every new bride in the Royal Reigns must walk across the sacred bridge. If she is bold enough to cross, she wins.” Elif muttered quickly without looking at Akea’s face.

“And if not?” Akea’s eyes widened as two palace guards came to lead her away. “Elif? Elif.”

Elif adjusted himself uneasily. He watched as Akea was being led away and a pang of guilt rushed over him.

“Listen Akea.” He ran towards Akea, shoving his father's arm away. “Whatever you do, don't fall. If you do, the Galiath will have you.”

“The Galiath?” Akea’s voice went low as realization hit her. The Galiath wasn't a myth and the Royal Reigns were harboring a monster.

Centuries ago, the Royal Reigns was only a barren ground, home to a giant beast called Galiath. A group of men, the ancestors of the Reigns, discovered the land and wanted to keep it. So they made a pact with the beast. In return for the land, wealth, and power, they would sacrifice a bride to the beast every year without fail. The consequence of failing - Eternal damnation. Ever since then, the Royal Reigns had become the greatest Kingdom.

Akea lowered her head as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face. In a blink, her life had gone from celebration to despair. She knew it was all too good to be true and she felt sorry for herself. “The useless fragile Norak girl was the perfect prey in the ploy to feed the beast.” More tears flooded her face as she was led outside the gates. They reached a path where a slim slab of wood connected two massive rocks.

Akea looked back at the Royal Reigns as all their sinister eyes rested on her. Barefoot and defeated, Akea began treading on the wood. Her fate had been condemned and she didn't have any fight left in her. She simply let herself go. Six steps later, Akea fell between the rocks into what seemed like a wide forest ditch.

She'd lost consciousness and when she opened her eyes, she could barely move. Soon, she felt the earth beneath her shake from a thunderous stomping. Akea slowly rolled over and hid behind a tree. She peeked and saw the most hideous creature she had ever seen. It had one eye, a big protruding belly, and thick long furs. Slime drooled like showers from its mouth. Akea could hear her heart move through her chest and her body vibrated.

“I can hear your breath.” An echoing voice repeated.

“Am I going to just die like this?” Akea challenged herself.

She gathered what little strength she had in her. She ripped her dress and began to run for her life. As she ventured deeper into the unknown, she found pieces of clothes, crowns, and jewelry of the victims before her. The sight broke her heart once again. “They never made it,” she whispered.

Akea came to a small river and fell to her knees. “She goes where no one has gone, but always, a warrior comes home…” she began singing the traveler's tale.

Akea noticed that the trees had started to move slowly. Birds were fluttering and perching on plants. A ray of hope sparked inside of her. Just then, a very tall tree bent its trunk low enough for Akea to climb. Nightingales began singing accompanied by a strong melodious wind. Akea felt blood rush through her body. Like a tossing game, Akea was thrown from one massive tree to another until she was floating miles away from the Royal Reigns.

From the distance, Akea could hear furious growling and stomping. The Galiath was headed for the Royal Reigns.