A Requiem Onto the Other Side of the World

Came arose was the heavy heaving of my chest, rowing up and down at the pull of my racing heartbeats. The corners of my eyes were smeared in tears, liquid drawing invisible lines that streamed down my face as I struggled to to gulp a lump in my throat. The pain coursed through my chest, enveloping my whole body in both ache and distraught. I turned, my fists were clenched as something inside me kept bubbling up, the boiling heat raging to burn even the strokes of my flesh, pinning my bones in pressure.

I fought back the urge to scream, turning and turning until I could feel myself landing on a solid floor, my arms flinched at the sudden impact. I gradually opened my eyes, streaks of sunlight passing along the white curtain by the window in front. Cool wind stepped inside, sending the curtain to flutter as well as calming down the turmoil that was invading my body. Dizziness swept over me as I tried to stand, my hand clinging to the bed just beside where I hadn't realized I had fallen from.

Cold sweat tickled down my forehead, my long, black hair was a mess as I gaze through my reflection by the transparent jar atop a wooden cabinet placed on the bedside. I took a deep breath, ignoring the rising pain as I did so, canceling my ability to feel any pain at the moment. Pain may serve as this body's limiter, a warning that should alarm the mind, but it would only be a bother at this point. Especially so that I am apparently in an unknown territory.

The room was light, there was something about it that calms my nerves down along with a familiar energy wrapping the place, bubbling up a sudden surge of warmth that spread around my body. It made me let out a heavy breath, my heaving chest eventually returning to its usual pace. But there must be something wrong with my senses that I haven't even noticed somebody coming from the other side to open the door. I opened my palm--

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A voice spoke, monotonous and soft as a girl showed herself up.

I frowned. The figure was tall with a wavy, dark brown hair reaching just below her shoulders. Despite the animosity in her though, I calmed myself down with my eyes still focused on her blue ones with rings of brown in the middle. She looked away, unable to hold my gaze as she played with the strands of her hair falling forward. She reeked of fear and nervousness which she has been trying to contain the moment she saw me awake.

"The only way yo truly mask fear is to hide it with another emotion. Though that wouldn't work against me, of course." I didn't say it to tense her up, but she did anyway.

"The Regular Order--"

I interrupted her with a sharp sigh. "Straight down to business, I like it. But as of the moment, I don't want to hear anything that happened from that mess of a war."

"You will eventually know."

"Like I said, at the moment." I replied hastily.

I stood up, closing my eyes for a few moments, letting the dizziness fade before opening them again. Stretching my arms upward, my gaze traveled out of the window. There was a river out there, and I know now that we're surrounded by woods judging by dozens of trees on a far distance.

"You have been out of it for a month. If things go on like this, you're only going to make things easier for the World's Organization."

Annoyance rang inside me as I turned to her. "Enough with them. I don't have the energy to even think about a plan. They have ruined everything so far and I know you're aware that with my current condition, I'm only going to make things worse."

"That's because you're weak."

My eyebrow lifted, taking slow and heavy steps towards her direction before stopping right in front of her. Her height exceeded just a little over my ears, still tall for her age though. Regardless, saying I'm weak right at my face must have taken all her courage. Still, with her trembling gaze, I could only wonder who she's fooling.

"Trying to rile me up will only get you a little far, kid. I suggest you start telling me the things I actually want to hear."

"You're only older than me for three years. But forget it, things like?"

"Let's see..." I moved back, looking around, ignoring her earlier comment. "Like for example, where are we at? What brought me here?"

"Explanation is so troublesome." She sighed, mumbling to herself. "If I tell you I brought you here merely on a whim so you don't actually drown to your death, can we skip the rest of your questions? You're going to know them soon yourself anyway." She ended, her pokerface expression made me crack a smile.

"That's enough for me."

She opened the door, leading me out of that room. Though it surprised me that it was connected directly outside. What met me was that smell of woods as well as the fresh feel of oxygen immediately filling my lungs as the morning sun rose along with the dispersing mist. Trees sway gently as though in synch with the passing breeze, clanging the wind chimes hung unto each door we passed by. Most buildings were made almost identical to another. The houses are huge, as though the people living here are twice in size.

The road led to a lake waiting just up front, on the way though, barrels and empty wagons parked on every corner. Strange enough, there were also wooden shields displayed on every trees, some were over the doors and walls. Perhaps because it's early in the morning that there aren't any people in sight, and other than this young lady beside me and mine, I could not sense any energy around as well as the fact that I couldn't sense other emotions.

The girl doesn't seem to be the kind that would even entertain questions, so I took up her offer of seeing things for myself. With that thought in mind, I began hearing loud yells and booming cheers. The ground shook a little at the heavy clamours as we turned to an intersection before reaching the lake. I stopped on my tracks before I could even let out a frown. There was a huge crowd of people encircling something. A fight? They seem to be quite rowdy. But that wasn't the problem. It was the truth that they were huge, green-painted skins, visible weapons, and fangs.

"They're..." I trailed off.

I scanned my eyes around, no humans on the vicinity except for us which isn't all that comforting. I sighed, knowing now where I am exactly. This still doesn't explain how we ended up being here of all places though. Their land is more or less similar to Arizole, hidden and far from the world's watchful eyes. But I really rather just stay in Arizole than being here. Choosing this place of all the world has to offer, what is this girl even thinking?

"Irona." A voice called, coated with sharp intensity and that heaviness. We both turned around, to find a woman heading straight to where we were standing.

The olive surface of her skin basked under the early-risen sun, thick and braided brown hair falling over below her shoulders. Dark eyes eyeing us with great pressure, and I could feel the girl beside me flinch just by reciprocating her gaze. Armoured spikes covered the gauntlet on her left wrist, a hammer-like bone mace with a sharp curve of spikes hovered under the grasp of her right hand. There were those upward fangs showing just above her lips.

Heavy gears wrapped around the vital parts of her body, her muscles flexing as she strode with great steps before stopping in front of us. My height alone could only reach up to her arm, her obvious confidence radiating heavily around her that a simple look would make anyone cower. Of course, her kind had always been known for being notorious and barbaric. Their species was told to have disappeared along with demons hiding in the past after the Demon King died though, so seeing one now is hardly all unsurprising.

"Chief, may the Orclaw Order in Verdent prevail." The girl greeted, her fist placed on her chest.

"Hmm." She nodded, before bringing her eyes to me. "Is this the companion you brought with you a month ago?"

I prevented the show of surprise on my face at her mentioning a month ago. To have stayed that long sleeping, entertaining memories that aren't even mine...I could only wonder what exactly had happened in my absence. But I did tell the kid to spare me the news about what came of that war or anything else in the world around those times. I believe knowing them would only make me anxious and given my current condition who can't even sense anything exceeding five meters, I knew my body needed to rest. It's like all of the development I've done until now was sealed, reset.

"She is Caelesti." The girl, Irona, replied. I almost flinched at the name, glaring absolutely at nothing, clenching my fists. Letting out a deep breath, I turned to stare back at the orc who has been scrutinizing me at first sight. "The deal ends upon her recovery--"

"You cannot leave." She declared, placing the weapon she has been carrying, on her shoulder. She used her other finger to point at me, her expression was stern and strict. "Her state is far from recovered. Also, with the Hunt going on among the Tribes, you will only get caught up unnecessarily."

The Orcish accent always had this muffled speech in them, they speak fast and unless anyone's used to it, they wouldn't understand a thing. Though she was deliberately slowing down her words, making it understandable. Her emotion spoke of concern, she wasn't lying either. Those facts relieved me for some reason. After all, it would be bad if she suddenly decided to attack. Origin books back at the Academy did exactly mention Orcs being hostile and unforgiving towards humans, or any other races in particular.

They do not like minding anything unless it concerns their people. They did, however, conduct businesses with demons when it came to trading and barters in the past. Demons coming into hiding for nearly centuries now also sparked their disappearance. Countess tales and researches were made to trace their origins and current location, before they were considered extinct about decades ago. Nothing came up in those attempts od investigations though. Who knew I'd find them here.

"I am Ithril Arthra, the Chief Lord of Verdent Tribe." The woman orc said, drawing in the usual dominance in her tone. "Not all welcome your stay, do not make a mistake that would cost your lives, humans. You are banned from using your spiritual energies, we can detect them far better despite having none. You would do well following these rules, otherwise..." She purposely paused.

I couldn't helped but lift my brow, parting my lips to say something. "That's interes--"

"Certainly, Chief. You can trust us not to do something unnecessary." Irona quickly interrupted, ignoring my discomfort.

"Kri-krisur," another orc male called from behind, the grunt in his voice was evident. "Lat ayh beaumn aukkun afar avo be ukummonun immediaavepak."

"Jiak ukhall be avhere preukenav ukhoravpak." She replied as the orc nodded, his fist hitting his bare chest before going back. Then the female Chief turned to us, hesitant. "I am still unaware of your motives, but I do know Irona in her month of stay here will stay out of trouble. However, I do not share the same sentiment to you." Her gaze was fixated on mine in an instant.

"You don't have to. Unless trouble speaks to me, I won't do anything unnecessary."

"Hmph." She looked up, taking a deep breath. "ADALYA!" The booming sound of her voice made everyone stopped, the birds above flying away as a gust of wind blew past us.

Not minding the way the ground shook, I turned behind to see another female orc walking towards us, glaring at people who stopped by to look, making the rest return to their jobs. She wasn't as tall as the Chief, but enough that I probably would need another head to match her height. Sharp yellowish green eyes meeting mine momentarily before giving a small bow to the Chief.

She wore pretty much the same gears, except that she was holding a sword and a shield on another. Blackish green hair tied up behind her, with rings circled sround her ears. Irona pulled me back, letting the orc go past me. The fact that I needed to step away annoyed me, but it was a simple reason I'm not prepared to cause a huge consequence for.

"Kri-krisur." She said, and I immediately noticed the way her grio tightened around the hilt of her sword seemingly made of both metal and bones.

"Jiak wanav lat avo moniavor avhem boavh. Orcuk do noav avake humanuk kindpak auk jiak do, avhuuk jiak expecav lat avo keep avhem ouav ro avrouble." The Chief crossed her arms, challenging the other with the gaze she was throwing.

"Humanuk..." she let out a sharp breath, mumbling to herself. "Nalkren grudgingpak annoyaumn."

"Be percepavive, Adalya. Jiak do noav wanav anoavhas miukavake." The Chief no longer said anything, giving me last comprehensing look before moving away, leaving us with the other orc.

Adalya stormed away, with Irona pulling me to follow after. Closing in our distance, she whispered, "Orc Country's the best place to hide, I do urge you not to get too riled up."

"Why would I even need to hide?"

"With your current condition? Once your enemies wind up with the truth of you this weak, things would only be at your disadvantage."

"I'm not that weakened."

"You sure do look like you can't even summon a weapon at the moment."

"That's my business, not yours."

"Whether we both like it or not, your business is mine. Plus," she looked around, frowning. "I don't think they would let us leave. Orcs aren't fond of humans, especially when an information of them living somewhere in this world gets out."

"You're saying that at the very least, they'd try to keep us as long as necessary here and that Hunt is a bit worrisome." I said, sighing. "Well, judging from human history, I don't blame them for being not fond of us." If humans actually consider me as one of them. "But I am interested."

"Why doesn't that sound good?"

"Because it might not be."

The female orc stopped, seemingly aware of our conversation just now. I expected her to say something when instead, she pointed at a--a large wooden cage sticked together by bamboo strips. Leathered strap of ropes were attached around the chain surrounding the necks of two bulls, big enough that even an orc can ride them. There were a lot more of these cages, except that what filled them were stacks of food and water. A group of orcs were lining up towards a giant gate a distant ahead. Each of them wore heavy gears and weapons, and something was telling me my premonition might just be right.

"We're riding that thing?" Irona asked, the first I actually heard her question something.

Adalya tilted her head, a challenging smirk etched on her lips. "Unless you want to march with us and get trampled down the way by our sizes, feel free to do so."

Her accent was giving her away, it sounded even muffled but slower compared to their speech. Irona just glared though as Adalya opened the cage to let us in. It was empty and clean, the smell reminding me of the natural scent of forest that I hadn't even realized the door was already shut closed. The ground was comfortable enough to sleep despite the shaking against the subtle soil beneath. The cage wasn't dark, surrounded by wooden bars that we could still see the outside from each side.

We settled it as the cage began moving, and it wasn't as uncomfortable as it looked with wheels below. Loud footsteps clad the ground, with orcs marching from wach beside us. I sat down, leaning myself against the enclosed wall, closing my eyes. I could feel the familiar nauseasness setting in as I did so, the cage going past the twin house towers, the gate branded with bones and spikes opening upward.

Irona was quiet along the way, but I could feel her burning gaze from across the space, probably thinking I was asleep. I don't think she could look at me like that directly in the eyes though, there's always something about me that makes people cower or doubt my motives. Perhaps it's the way I see things or the heavy atmosphere around me. Honestly, I think I'd want to settle in somewhere far someday...without worrying about people, the world, amd just everything else.

"Confronting your hatred would make you feel better." I suddenly asked, opening my eyes which made her flinch before looking away.

"...maybe. It's not that I hate you, I just dislike you."

"Say that to someone who can't feel emotions."

"Fine. I do hate you." She wrapped ger arms around her knees, her fingers tapping along her biceps.

"Hate me enough to help?"

"I'm helping Celeztie, not you." Her words were determined, a distant memory playing through her eyes. "That girl has nothing...but she's giving everything for you."

I snorted, looking outside where we seem to be passing through a rough terrain, with rock formations almost everywhere. "She's just guilty. A guilt and anguish so deep that she chose to defy time to relieve it all."

"You're making it sound bad. You have a habit of doing just that."

"Because truth does sound bad, and reality's only making it worse."

"Whatever her reasons are, we would always jump in it together. Something our parents refused to do with you."

"They did. It's just that we ended up landing on different places all at once. They would, only that we found each other coming from different sides."

"They don't trust you."

"They would trust me when I don't and I would trust them just as the same. We were not friends nor we were enemies, rivals but at the same time we aren't. We use each other as goals to surpass, and the trust we have is so deep that we could feel each other's heartbeats and thoughts. A trust that defies anything else enough that we could kill each other without any particular reason."

"... that's just twisted."

"It is." I smiled. "But I like it better this way."

"You like things that are convenient for you."

"I like things that I have control of-even myself."

Hours passed by almost in a blur, and every time they do, the terrains would change. Still, they seem to be used at traveling by foot that they haven't even stopped for a rest. They did though, eventually when the sun was barely even out. Pitch dark skies painted the horizon, a group of migrating birds flocking over the sky as swirling gray smokes hovered on a looming distance.

Finally