Chapter 338 - . . . Through the Garden

What do you know about Stormy and Ethan?

The question should be very normal for someone, who knew and kept tracks on Malgino, as Stormy and Ethan were his right-hand woman and man. But with the way, Oziyat let out the names "Stormy and Ethan" made Chris realise that maybe there was something personal. There was an edgy aura in his perfect and smooth attitude. Honestly, Chris hadn't felt someone's aura like this in a long time.

"They work for Malgino," Chris replied staring right back at the red eyes of Oziyat. "I had to face them a few times before. They are powerful if that's what you're asking. Specially Stormy is unbeatable and very devoted to Malgino. Ethan is strong too but I didn't have much problem fighting him."

"That's what I thought," Oziyat gave a stiff nod then turned back to examine a small white bud. "I think, it's your turn to ask, Christina."

"Yeah," Chris nodded absently. She was thinking about what could be the connection between the vampires and Stormy and Ethan. Considering what Oziyat said, they hadn't paid attention to Malgino even after he was out but judging by Oziyat's expression Chris guessed he had met or least knew something about Stormy and Ethan. What could it be? Chris thought for a second that she could ask the question right now but then something inside her told her she wasn't going to get that answer out of Oziyat, at least not this quick. So she decided to ask something else. "Hey, yesterday you said no one had gone to the south-east hill and came back alive. What was that about? What is in that part?"

"To be honest, I don't know everything clearly about what is actually near the Undefeated hill but I know that whenever someone thought they could be successful and try to go there . . . They never returned. My mother always warned our people that, 'only a chosen one can conquer the Undefeated hill.' So everyone including me believed her. But I always wondered what is in that hill so powerful? A powerful spell? Curse? Or something completely unknown?"

"Hmm. . . but you said --" Chris began but Oziyat suddenly held his left hand up.

"Christina!" he said in a low voice. His eyes were trained at the white bud.

Surprised Chris looked at Oziyat and then leaned forward to look at the bud and sucked in her breath. The white bud was slowly unfolding its petals. One by one the petals were unfurling and Chris watched the scene mesmerised. She hadn't seen anything like this before. The bud took a long time to bloom and Chris couldn't take her eyes off it. Oziyat remained calm and Chris held her breath, all of her thoughts and questions forgotten. Finally, the white flower blossomed and glowed catching the moonlight.

"Wow!" Chris let out a shaky laugh looking at the flower. She hadn't felt happy like this in a long time.

Oziyat leaned back and looked at Chris with a thoughtful expression. After a moment Chris felt Oziyat's gaze and turned around to face him.

"You don't smile much, do you?" Oziyat asked and instantly the smile dropped from Chris's face.

"Not much," Chris replied straightening her posture and making her face expressionless.

Seeing her, Oziyat gave a small knowing smile. "Do you know what flower is that?" He gestured at the white flower.

"No," Chris said after thinking for a moment then said, "Never got the time to explore simple things, you know, I was too busy to learn magic and fighting ancient evil wizards."

"It's a moonflower," Oziyat's smile turned into an amused smirk. "And to be clear that's not a simple flower, at least not to us. When someone is going into war or any type of quest we present this flower to them to wish them luck and to assure them that we believe in them to win."

"Nice, it is a beautiful flower," Chris gave a stiff nod and stepped away from the flowers. That's when she caught a glimpse of a figure with a sword, standing behind a faraway tree. Immediately, Chris held her wand and Oziyat turned sharply to see what's wrong. But as soon as he saw the figure, his alarmed eyes turned into a scowl.

"I asked to be left alone," he said very loudly. His voice rang through the almost silent night.

Chris didn't lower her wand but she was very startled by Oziyat's sudden change. All of sudden, he looked terrifying. Chris hastily turned back to see the shadow figure behind the tree . . . but there was no one.

"Who was it?" she snapped.

"One of the Royal Guardians," a dark look crossed Oziyat's face before he composed himself.

"What was he doing with a sword? Was he --"

"He wasn't here to harm you," Oziyat cut Chris off with a dismissive tone. "Do you have anything else to ask?"

Chris wanted to ask, 'What the hell just happened?' but glaring at Oziyat she changed her mind. "Why do you people use weapons?" she asked instead.

"For the same reason, everyone uses weapons, to protect ourselves," Oziyat answered looking confused.

"I mean, can't you all do magic?" Chris explained.

"Oh! that!" Oziyat got back into his silky voice and started walking. "Well, yes most of us can do magic."

Chris was still feeling uncomfortable about the swordsman and didn't like the way Oziyat changed his attitude. But she was also curious, so she followed.

"Our magic is a little bit different from the wizards," Oziyat continued. "Because of our nature and with the lack of wand, our magic develops differently. Actually, the weapons we use are fused with magic. We use magic but not with spells, we use our inner-energy-force to do magic and because of our history, we also have good mastery over natural elements, like fire, water, air and earth."

"Wait, you mean you can control these things?" Chris almost shouted.

"No, we can't control it," Oziyat replied calmly. "We use magic with the elements' help."

For a minute Chris was stunned by this new magic theory then something clicked in her mind.

"That explains why I was suddenly breathless when I was fighting with your Royal guards and also the sudden earthquake," Chris muttered. "They were using elemental magic."

"They were?" Oziyat sounded surprised.

"Yeah, how else I was defeated?" Chris rolled her eyes but noticed Oziyat frowning for a moment but then again his frown was gone.

"Anyway, I think after so many of your questions, I can ask you a few," Oziyat said and stopped in front of a beautiful water fountain in the middle of the garden. "So what made you think you are the chosen one?"

"I didn't decide that," Chris stared at the falling water. "It was decided for me. Like every chosen one."

The title "Chosen One" reminded Chris of Harry and her heart gave a painful tug.

"Okay, what about your family?"

"My family is none of business," Chris answered coolly.

"You know, what you just gave are barely any answers, especially compared to my answers," Oziyat raised his eyebrows then smiled looking up at the sky. "But that just means I gave to ask the right questions next time. I love a good challenge. Now, I think you should rest Christina. It's late."

"Good," Without even sparing him a glance Chris turned back towards the way they came. "Good night, Prince."

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To be continued. . .