Archive of Our Own ^beta

The night arrived in a storm. 

With winds whose haunting wails rang through the alleys and rain that splattered from the rooftops onto the cobblestones below. 

Only few lights dared to linger in the deepest dark of night – some within the stone lanterns that braved the winds outside, while others sat safe in the homes of the sleepless, as the city awaited the newborn dawn. 

One such light belonged to a young girl in the east wing of the palace, who impatiently waited for her incense stick to burn out. It was the third in a row, and soon it would be time for her to go. Though still she wished for time to go faster. 

Rocking back and forth on her bed, already dressed in deep blue combat robes, Raya waited and waited with bated breath as the ashes fell into the small tray below, until at last the embers faded and the smell of incense was drowned out by petrichor. 

Shooting up from her bed in seconds, she skidded across the polished floor to her personal – if small – armoury and equipped herself with everything she needed. 

A pair of arm-length gloves, fortified bamboo staffs, a cloth and hood to keep her face concealed and lastly her waterproof boots.

Once her outfit was secure, she approached the window and slowly exhaled. She was ready. She could do this. This was what she had been training for her whole life. 

And now her chance had finally come. 

With one foot on the windowsill and the other in her room, she paused and allowed herself one last glance at the warmth of her home. Over and over, she had wondered how this would feel. Would she be scared? Worried? Excited? Well, safe to say, there were many feelings wrangling in her heart, but regret was not one of them. 

A smile formed on her face – one of giddy determination as she made her peace and launched herself, without further ado, straight into the pouring rain. 

Now, only she and the guards were outside, who patrolled the river-like streets with mumbled curses spilling from their lips. No one would be foolish enough to go outside in such weather, but duty did not wait for the rain to dry, hence why they had to make do with slightly shorter shifts. 

Her splashing footsteps were muffled by the steady streams of water that cascaded onto the streets, and it was only through her diligent training that she did not fall from the slippery roof tiles. 

So far so good, she mused as she jumped from building to building and ever so slowly approached the city gates. If she kept up the pace and momentum, she should be able to get to the temple before the next shift. 

Confidence bordering on arrogance rose within her as she put all her focus on the task ahead. And by doing so, she didn't notice until two houses later that her neck was prickling. 

Raya slowed to a stop; her breathing even and barely audible. 

Someone was watching her. 

Her brown eyes flicked around, going from the houses to the streets and back again. The wind had lessened, and the rain was milder, yet her ears and eyes could not pick up any signs of them at all. 

In that moment, the clouds broke apart and a sliver of moonlight fell upon her city. 

That was all that she needed to see. 

From the darkest corner of the building to her right, a lone figure emerged from the shadows. Their features, concealed by a Nāga mask and the pitch black fabric wrapped around their body. But the straight pose and ease with which they carried themselves betrayed their expertise. 

Raya tensed. Her eyes glued onto the other. 

The twisting sense of nervousness in her gut grew and grew; yet she willed herself to stay. She had to. She refused to fail again. 

The second their hand twitched, Raya was on the move. Like a Finpossum, she wove through the alleys, jumped onto balconies and hid beneath rooftops – putting her smaller size to use. 

Their footsteps splashed against the puddles and tiles; the sound always close but never advancing, and she did not dare look back.

Now hidden behind a chimney, the girl stilled her breath and waited. 

The stranger was close. Closer than she'd like, but did not actively seek her out like she thought. Instead, a silence settled over them, and Raya used this chance to rest. 

However, she also knew that once her strength and energy returned, another round of cat and mouse was out of question. In the long term, it wouldn't get her any closer to her goal. 

Thus, she needed something else. 

A proper distraction. 

Just when that thought passed through her head, her ears picked up the faint sound of metal reverberating in the air.  Something shone in the distance, coming ever closer until, right next to her, with a quiet thunk, landed a needle; mere inches away from her face – its sharp tip stuck between stone and moss. 

Fear washed over her like an afterthought as she slowly turned to face it, her eyes unable to see the details from how close it was. Only faintly did she see the way her pupils shook, but that observation was overshadowed by something much more important.

Her reflection was slightly warped. 

In a way that showed that the needle was covered in something. 

And if she had to guess, it would most likely be poison. 

Somewhere in the back of her mind, the fear lingered, but she quickly pushed all those useless thoughts away. 

Right now was the time for action. 

Grasping the dry end of the needle, Raya inched closer to the corner, slightly peered around it to see her target and flung the needle at their leg. 

It tore through the fabric like a Tiger through a deer's neck and instantly made her pursuer go limp.

She, however, couldn't care less what happened as she sprang to her feet just in time to dodge a new barrage of needles and knives. Deploying the same strategy as before, Raya ran around the city and hid once more in every corner she could find. This time, the attacks were random, and her best bet was to keep moving for as long as she could, while collecting the weapons aimed at her on the way.

By now, the rain had almost stopped, and the clouds had grown thinner, letting much more moonlight through than before. Resting on a flat rooftop near the right side of the wall, Raya waited impatiently with a small pile of weapons at her feet. 

Her hands fiddled with a blade, and her eyes roamed her surroundings like a hawk. 

They could not hide forever if they wanted their things back. 

And then, at last, she saw movement. 

Squeezed between the roof and wall of a building to her left sat a figure clad in black. 

Identical in all but the mask, which had a blooming flower painted onto the forehead.  

Raya did not waste this chance. 

Faster than one could blink, she – who was more accustomed to short-range weapons – let the dagger fly through the air and watched as it sliced over the inner side of the elbow. 

Admittedly, it was not the target she had intended to hit, but a hit was a hit, and little else mattered. 

With a satisfying splash, the figure fell into a puddle of water on the street below, whilst cradling their bleeding arm close to their chest. 

Raya allowed herself to bask in her pride a moment longer before she leapt across the wall and vanished in the thick foliage of the jungle. 

The old tree she landed on was not far from the temple road and thus still caught the warm firelight from the lanterns on its trunk and leaves. The road itself was empty, with most of the guards stationed in the city and the few that did patrol here, further up the road. 

In other words, she should not get disturbed any time soon. 

The trek upwards was long and tedious. Much more so when treaded off the path. Several times, she feared she'd fall onto the muddy ground when her grip slipped on the wet moss-covered branches. Or to be caught by a guard that passed by, with their torchlight chasing away the shadows that gave her cover. 

Thank Sisudatu then, that no such thing happened, and she reached the temple safe and sound. 

From her perch atop the highest branch, she could easily see the third hurdle that blocked her way inside, as near the two guards stood another figure clad from head to toe in black, while their mask had a painted leaf on the forehead.  

Their back was rigid just like the others, and they stood perfectly still. Only the slight swaying of their body and the rise and fall of their chest betrayed that they were a human. 

The guards behind them did not care as they engaged in casual conversation, oblivious to the girl who was getting closer and closer to the branch above their heads. 

One sound and she would be dead meat. Raya knew that better than anyone. Especially when the branch she clung to was frail, gnarly and better suited as an eagle's perch than a human hideout. 

Slowly, very slowly, once she reached the perfect spot, Raya reached into her pocket and pulled from the clutter a small stone. Leaning back as far as she could with her delicate balance, she readied herself for the throw. 

"Captain!" 

The guards shouted suddenly and jumped up from their seats to salute.  

The stone nearly slipped from her hand in shock. Diving after it, one hand closed around the smooth surface while her stretched out leg steadied her on the other side.

Her limbs shook, sweat gathered on her forehead as she retained this position – the thin line between balance and falling. 

The longer they talked, the harder it got for her to keep her grip. 

Oh dear Sisu, please don't look up don't look up don't look up! She prayed fervently, with clenched teeth as the first drops of sweat pearled down her face.

Her breath came out in harsh rasps, as much as she tried to keep quiet. Flickers of white entered her vision, and a familiar exhaustion settled in her muscles as they grew weaker and weaker with every second that passed.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the two guards left their posts and wandered down the mountain. Their torchlight grew ever smaller as a new one approached the temple gates. 

The captain followed soon after, though not before checking in on the figure that stood as it had before, completely motionless. 

The second that he turned his back, she moved. 

As her body tipped forward, she kept a hand on the branch and used the momentum of the fall to swing herself inside, where she, upon impact, rolled behind a stone column and covered her mouth with her hand. 

She waited. For any sound, any sign that she had been noticed. Refusing to fall for the relief she felt when nothing around her changed. 

And her patience would reward her. 

As unbeknownst to her, the eyes of the masked figure stared at the exact spot she had landed on, with a piercing intensity. 

They, too, waited for her to act. 

One sound, one move, anything that would prove the intruder's presence. But nothing happened. And after an incense stick of time, their shoulders relaxed, and the figure turned around again to greet the new shift of guards that arrived. 

Raya let out a slow exhale and shakily stood to continue onward into the public prayer room. 

The flames of the torches, reflected in the polished floors and carved murals, and bathed the room in a soft, warm light. 

Six large columns formed the path towards the largest shrine at the back, while four smaller shrines — two left and two right — were each dedicated to one of the four deities that gave their blessings to Sisudatu during the Calamity. 

The first shrine belonged to the God of Nature. Its frame was woven from young magnolia branches whose flowers had yet to bloom. A simple cloth adorned with traditional embroidery covered the Altar that had two clay bowls standing on top of it, rather than the gold or bronze ones a temple usually used. The left bowl held multiple grains, seeds and medical herbs, instead of coins, while the second one held fruit fresh from the harvest. In addition to that, it also had the customary candles, incense sticks, pulut kuning and chalice of water in the middle, which could be found in every temple. 

The second shrine belonged to the God of the Sky and was draped in silver, black and dark blue fabric. Its frame was woven from silver willow branches on which wind chimes gently swayed from side to side. While on the Altar lay several copper coins and a plate of Otak-Otak and Satay. 

The third shrine belonged to the God of Change and was notably the most colourful of them all. Its frame was decorated with multi coloured flower garlands, paper butterflies and lanterns; as well as offerings of silver and a bowl of Roti Canai paired with Nasi Lemak.

And the fourth shrine was made in honour of the God of rain. 

The frame of this shrine was decorated with stringed glass pearls that imitated the sky's tears and gently clinked against one another in the stray breeze. The cloth upon the Altar depicted a monsoon in shades of black and pale blue, with small gemstones woven into it, while the offering bowls respectively held golden coins and a portion of Laksam. 

Taking a moment to admire each one, Raya at last reached the grandest and most important one of them all. 

Surrounded by three springs from which faintly glowing water spilt into a shallow pool, was a large statue depicting the legendary Nāga whose twisting body rose from a Lotus and clasped in her outstretched claw the mystical gem. Countless offerings lay at the foot of the shrine, carefully kept away from the lanterns and candles, and Raya too took care not to disturb them as she bowed to the deity in all but name. 

However, as much as she'd like to stay and admire the statue, Raya had to stay focused on her task. After all, she only had til sunrise to complete it. 

Swiftly stepping around it, she approached the wooden door at its back that had neither lock nor key. A design made to confuse and discourage, in contrast to how easy the solution was. 

Unfazed, Raya pushed the door to the side, letting it vanish in the slot between the wall and revealed behind it a long and narrow hallway. The yawning darkness at the end seemed to go on forever and sent an involuntary shiver down her spine. Still, she forced herself to move. 

Each step she took reverberated along the walls in a strange echo as her shadow warped and multiplied in the light of the lanterns that lined the walls. The surroundings did not change for a good while, until she reached a small round chamber that split off into five different tunnels.

In the space above them that separated them from the ceiling, was a carving of a Nāga whose body circled the burning pearl in the middle like a precious treasure. 

As she stared at it in thought, her hand slid into her pocket and fiddled with a small stone that was shaped like a carp. 

Only one tunnel could bring her to the object of her desire. But which one would it be? 

The longer she stood here, the colder it became, and her robes grew heavy from the rainwater, pulling even more shivers from her than she'd like. 

All of a sudden, her hand stilled and her eyes lit with a thoughtful spark. 

Pulling out the tiny stone, she turned it in her hand until she found the small scratch in the middle of its tail fin. 

A grin formed on her face when her suspicions were confirmed. 

Raya had found her answer. 

Shoving the stone back into her pocket, she squeezed out the water in her hair and continued onward. Deeper and deeper into the temple she walked, while her eyes traced the floors and walls in the dim firelight. 

At a certain point, she noticed something on the ceiling. 

Large hollow curves that stopped around her height were repeated in mirrored patterns all the way to the end. There were no particularly suspicious stones or markings on the walls around her, so the only way to figure out the type of trap was through the floor. 

Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a handful of smooth stones and threw them into the empty tunnel. They clattered around, bouncing on the walls and floor, each impact sounding like thunder in her ears. 

Suddenly, the sound was overlapped by another, when the ceiling shuddered and the rhythmic clacking of a mechanism appeared. 

Giant nets swooped down one by one, forming large arcs from one curve to the next that filled out almost the entire tunnel. The ropes the nets were made from were thick and heavy, with holes that were about as large as her thigh. It would take ages to cut through one of them, and little to none could fit through the gaps without getting stuck in the process. 

Raya, however, only sighed and lay flat on her stomach before beginning to crawl. 

The floor was cold and rough, while the nets constantly pressed her down and made it hard to breathe. It was as if she were moving through a narrow cave, and the temperature difference between skin and stone only made matters worse. At least this torment did not have to go on forever, as soon enough she reached the end of the tunnel and with it the first of three doors. 

It was huge and circular with three rings made of evenly sized holes on its surface. 

Each ring had a part of a Nāga carved onto it. Though the picture seemed askew. 

Studying it for a second, Raya pulled out her bamboo staffs and experimentally pushed one of them into a hole. It fit perfectly. 

Plunging the second one in as well, she turned the first ring until the carving aligned with the outer image and repeated this process with the other two, until the Nāga was whole again. A click was heard once Raya pulled the staffs out, and the door smoothly rolled up into the wall. 

The second tunnel section was not much different from the first. 

With similar traps and tripping wires thrown into the mix. Thus, that too did not take up too much of her time. However, such was no longer the case once she reached the third and final section. As this time, there were no hazards or traps in her way. Instead, the tunnel was empty. Completely and utterly empty. 

Raya proceeded with caution, her senses on high alert. She walked in a straight line, her feet kept on the middle row while her eyes roamed the walls and floor with the focus of an eagle. 

Eleven tiles stretched from left to right where the curved ceiling began. Identical to the previous sections that she had been in. One two three four five six seven eight nine ten eleven. The same pattern, over and over again.  

For a scant few seconds, she wondered if she had lost her mind along the way, as the numbers turned more and more into gibberish the longer she counted. 

Suddenly, she stopped. 

To her right, about four stones before the wall, a tile did not line up with the others. Nor did the next, or the next. In fact, only the tiles near the faint half-moon scratch marks were misaligned. 

Stepping closer, her foot just shy of crossing the line, Raya reached for her pocket and pulled out her last smooth stone. She flipped it in the air and watched as it dropped onto the floor beyond the scratches. Her only warning was the sound of stone scraping against one another before the stone vanished in the blink of an eye. The wall had flipped, yet the only indication of it were the new moss patches as well as the obvious missing stone. 

To think what would've happened if she had not paid enough attention... 

Raya felt a shiver run down her spine. 

Swiftly, she returned to the middle line and kept walking, with her eyes trained to the floor. 

After a seeming eternity, her feet brought her to the end of the tunnel and thus to the final door. 

Letting out a deep sigh of relief, she looked up at the large door and noted how – unlike the last two doors – this one was completely blank except for a small slot in the middle that was shaped like a carp. 

Fishing out the small stone from her pocket, Raya pushed it inside. Somewhere behind the door, a click was heard, and the door slid aside to reveal what lay at the heart of the temple. 

Raya gasped. 

Beneath the large dome that hid the temple from the outside was a lush garden filled with plants more beautiful than she had ever seen before. Just like the water, they too glowed in a soft blue and filled the dome with light. Unable to hide her awe, Raya stepped inside – her shoes left at the entrance – and walked up a small set of stairs. 

The stone beneath her feet was cold, wet and in some parts covered in moss that glowed when she touched it, but all these minuscule details were forgotten once she reached the top. 

There it was. 

The treasure she'd been looking for. 

Right in the centre of a large stone platform, where a small stream flowed within the carved lines on the ground, floated atop a pedestal the legendary Serpent's pearl. 

It's brilliant blue light illuminated the entire room and pushed and pulled all water with its rotation like the moon. 

A pull that she too felt deep within her heart that compelled her to follow the gentle invitation.

She took a step forward. 

And a splash was heard from behind. 

Her body moved before she could think and blocked the hit aimed at her back with her bamboo staffs. A man stood in front of her only escape route, who, just like the ones before him, was clad from head to toe in black. The mask on his face, however, had golden lines etched into it and a burning pearl drawn on the forehead. 

Leaving her no time to process anything, he pressed on. One strike after the other battered against her staffs, the wood creaking dangerously beneath her fingers, and her muscles trembled to keep the blade away. 

He had the advantage, as with every hit she got pushed back, closer and closer to the other side, where only a large bronze bell stood within a hollow in the wall. Raya did her best to redirect them, though only managed to get closer to the second ring, where the stream was the broadest. 

For a split second, Raya felt her foot slip on the stone.

That was all he needed. 

Within one strike, her trusted staffs were gone, and a blade was pointed at her neck, while his gloved hand kept her from falling into the shallow, freezing water beneath them. 

For a moment, none of them moved. Only the sound of harsh breathing and the running water was heard. And then, as if nothing had happened, the man sheathed his sword again and pulled her to her feet. 

"You lost."

He spoke for the first time. Amusement clear in his voice as he unfastened the binds on the mask and let it drop into his hand.

"But you will get it next time."

Looking back at her with a proud expression was her father. Chief Benja. The ruler of Heart. 

No sooner than he said those words, four more people parted from the shadows and took off their respective masks. 

The first was Khalid, the oldest of the temple guard and the one who tested her endurance. A few strands of grey had begun to settle in his hair and beard, as he nodded at her with visible respect in his eyes.

The second was Jaya, who idly twirled a knife between her fingers and was the one who tested her reflexes. Only the right side of her face had a few wrinkles from her constant smirking, though this famous smirk was nowhere to be seen. 

The third was Latif, who was the one who tested her stealth. He was the tallest of the four and had a blindfold around his eyes that hid the long, thin scar from a past break-in into the temple.

And the fourth was Aida, whose mask bore a lightning bolt on the forehead. She was the only one who tested her indirectly through the traps within the maze and gave her an appreciative smile. 

Nodding at the others, her father guided her closer to the pearl and knelt before the pedestal. 

The pearl was even more beautiful up close. 

Its surface resembled the frozen water that the merchants from Spine liked to bring, while the beams of light broke in the water droplets around it and threw small flecks of light everywhere.

Smiling at her with quiet pride, Benja cupped a handful of water from the small stream and held it above her head.

"Raya. Princess of Heart." He spoke, his voice heavy with both emotion and authority. "I hereby grant you the title of honorary guardian and let you officially begin your tutelage to become a temple guard. From this moment on, you shall give your life and heart to the Serpent's pearl and protect it till your last breath."

Puffing out her chest, Raya nodded and closed her eyes as the water pearled over her face. It was a cool and gentle sensation, one that she would hardly forget, even after the droplets were pulled back by the pearl and joined the eternal stream once more.

Humming softly, her father's eyes followed the water as it moved around the pearl in a circular motion and asked a question she'd heard a thousand times. 

"Raya, have I ever told you about the legend that surrounds this pearl?"

She suppressed a sigh. If he didn't stop anytime soon, she'd be able to recite it in her sleep. But despite the mix of dread and reluctance, Raya decided to indulge him once more and shook her head – if only to see him smile once again. And thus, he cleared his throat and began to tell the tale while they slowly left the temple. 

"Once upon a time, when the carps still shed their scales and the clouds cried silver tears, there lived alongside humankind, the Nāgas. 

They were mighty four-legged serpents with the manes of lions, scales of fish and horns of rhinos, who lived in our waters – in rivers and lakes and protected us from all who wished us harm. 

Back then, this land was still called Kumandra and was a powerful nation that had presided over this river for generations. But time was always moving, and conflict never slept, until it was once again enveloped in a brutal war, 300 years ago. 

Invaders from the North, West and East plundered the fields, stole the riches and destroyed anything in their path, be it man or beast, while our ancestors fought back ruthlessly. 

For every death the invaders took, they returned it tenfold and did not stop until victory was certain, though not without a heavy loss. 

Blood stained the river red. Hunger and sickness ravaged the towns until they ultimately gave birth to the worst thing our land ever faced. 

A plague. 

It had no cure, was swift and deadly and not even the Nāgas, with their infinite wisdom, could help us find a solution. And in the midst of that chaos, the Sramol appeared. Vicious creatures that spared no one, be it man or beast and even overwhelmed the Nāga until only one was left. 

This was the mighty Sisudatu, our protector and saviour of this land.

Taking this burden upon herself, she forged with her divine powers and the blessings placed upon her, a magical pearl and with it, sealed away the Sramol deep beneath the earth. 

With their banishment, the people returned from stone and rejoiced under the miracle, yet the Nāgas remained silent, and Sisudatu vanished in the waves, never to be seen again. 

As such, it is our sacred duty to uphold this peace and keep her legacy safe even from our own people. So that one day we might become one again and leave behind the shackles of hate."

By the time the tale was done, the pale colours of dawn lightened the horizon, and Raya and her father stopped in front of her chambers just before the servants and citizens would wake. 

"I am very proud of you, Raya." He said, with his hand on her shoulder. "Your hard work has paid off, and it is only a matter of time before you can take on my mask and duty. So to celebrate this day, I have gotten you a gift."

Still smiling, Benja reached into his bag and put something round into her outstretched palm. "Here, so that you won't have to leave pebbles evidence behind."

Carefully pulling her hand closer, Raya stared wide-eyed at the little Pillmadillo that blinked up at her with big, woozy eyes. 

"His name is Tuk Tuk, and I'm sure you'll be friends in no time." 

No words of gratitude could amount to what she felt right now as she stared at the small creature, before throwing herself into his arms. 

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I will take good care of him, I promise!" She exclaimed while hugging him as tightly as she could – the little creature safe in the extended hand behind him. 

Her father shook his head, but his eyes betrayed his fondness. 

"Of course, Raya and now go to bed. Tomorrow, your real training will begin."

Raya had underestimated her new role. Or rather, the workload that came with it. 

Her perfectly balanced days of lessons and breaks were over. Now all lectures were held in the mornings, while the rest of the daylight was spent on the training grounds until the night came around to end it.

She knew that this would not be an easy journey, for there was no success without hardships. Why else had she spent so long to improve herself and best their trials, if not to prove that she deserved to be a guard alongside them?

Oh, she had seen them. The looks of doubt and worried discussions whenever she failed, and they thought she wasn't looking. "She is too young", "She is not strong enough", "She should just give up". How many nights had these words haunted her? Stolen sleep in exchange for training just so that she wouldn't hear them anymore?

But no longer. She was ready for whatever they threw at her.

And that's where her mistake began.

Still euphoric after she earned her new title, she had believed that a fuller schedule, instead of the proposed, evenly split training sessions and lectures that would vary every day, was better, and she would just learn everything in a shorter amount of time.

Well, her stone-like limbs proved otherwise, as did the constant pain whenever she moved.

Slumped over on the table as she was, while her tutor droned on and on about political conflicts between Fang and Spine, she felt only partially guilty that her attention kept slipping her grasp, given how boring the topic was.

While she admitted that the other nations fascinated her, it was more so in terms of culture, history, landscape or even fighting style than this.

And thus it shouldn't come as a surprise that the window to her left called her like a Duyong and took her attention with it as its prize.

It was an arched window like any other, that showed the blooming plum blossom trees around their home and the majestic Ular biru river, within its midst, their island stood. 

Never-ending, it carved its path through the mountains to the horizon in the east, giving life to the land around it and- 

"Princess, please! Focus!" 

Abruptly, Raya snapped out of her daze when a book smacked on the table beside her head. "I know your schedule has changed, but that doesn't mean that you can just ignore the world around you, much less the affairs in our neighbouring nations!"

Her tutor's harsh words were nothing new to Raya's ears, as she tended to be on the stricter side. For many years, she had taught at the schools and temples of Tail and thus was well versed in various topics, including politics and the rules of the court. For what reason she had come to Heart, Raya never learned, though dared not ask in case it would incur her fury. And so she had taken over the young princess's education, and this duty she fulfilled with iron fists. 

"But why should I even know this?" Raya groaned and threw an arm over her eyes, "It's not like what Spine or Fang or whatever do, affects us – and stop calling me that."

The woman scoffed as a bell rang in the distance. "Now, we both know that's untrue. You may have taken on a sacred duty, but your title has not changed – false as it may be."

A softer, more remorseful tone found its way into her voice as she continued, "The people of your home will one day look up to you as their leader, and you need to know how to make the best decisions to keep them safe – something that you cannot do if you ignore our neighbours."

Raya huffed again and turned to look at her as she began stacking the books and scrolls to return them to their proper shelves. 

"But Abah can do that just fine! I don't need to know that yet, I still have plenty of time!" The young girl replied brashly, to which her instructor sighed again. 

"Ah, princess, that may be so now, but it won't stay like this forever." She said as she put away the last of the books and turned towards the window. "Though it seems you still are too young to understand. Go along then, the bell has rung, and I'm sure you're hungry."

The young princess stood at once, suddenly all too aware of the hunger gnawing at her and swiftly left the library to get herself some food. However, the doors revealed something much more surprising, as her father stood at the entrance, engrossed in a conversation with a passing servant before he turned to greet her.

"Abah, what are you doing here? Aren't you busy right now?" Raya exclaimed, confusion and excitement intertwining as her previous annoyance was left in the dust. 

"What, can I not make time for my anak perempuan?" He replied with a teasing smile and enveloped her in a short but tight hug. Blissful as this moment was, it always ended way too soon, once her father straightened again and took on the sterner attitude of the leader that he was.

"In any case, walk with me; we have something to discuss," Benja spoke and beckoned her to follow. 

Soon enough, the pair found themselves in the bustling streets of the city, with a couple of Satays in their hands that were best enjoyed with a cup of sauce. 

Raya, for all the joy she felt in the company of her Abah, couldn't help but wonder what would be so important that he'd interrupt his usual routine. It wasn't often that she saw him around midday, as he tended to either walk around the city or visit the town down the mountain and inspect the bridge's progress. 

But since it did not seem like he would tell her anytime soon, Raya took to observing her surroundings instead, in case she was able to figure it out on her own.

The city around them was always lively, yes, but never before had she seen it this active. 

Every corner was decorated by paper lanterns and flower garlands, in numbers that could rival the people that walked the streets. Vendors sold their freshest wares, while the fishermen and farmers began the long trek up and down the mountain, alongside their giggling children that they brought to ensure a quicker harvest. 

Only one place remained unchanged within all this joyous chaos, and that was the silver carp shrine. Built from bright white stone and roof tiles that matched the red of the trees it housed, it was a far cry from the bluish colour palette the rest of the city had, and thus easily visible from every corner.

Like usual, its gates stood wide open and allowed the long queue of visitors and believers inside. It was said that, while these types of shrines could be found all over the five lands – as they were older than the great divide – only here did the worship still hold true and the shrine keepers fulfil their duty of looking after the silver carp. 

As was customary, Raya and Benja received the prayer flowers at the entrance and proceeded to the gardens in the back, whilst passing the grand ornate statue of Sisudatu, at which the people prayed and placed their offerings. 

No sooner had they stepped inside did the sounds of the city wash away and leave behind a tranquil silence, filled only by gentle rustling leaves and the wind chimes tied to the branches. 

Before them was a stretch of land, on which the majority of the ground was covered in large pools of water of varying depths, that were all connected through canals. Narrow winding paths, marked with flat stone plates, led through this maze of water and grass and allowed a peaceful walk, should one wish to venture deeper. 

Benja took a deep breath as he stared at the bright red trees that shaded the waters and began to walk once more, with Raya trailing behind him. 

These trees were called Carp's tail willows for their leaves that seemed to shimmer silver whenever they moved. Interestingly enough, travellers from the outside reported that these types of trees could be found only at such shrines and were thus considered sacred just as much as the fish that played between their roots.

Ancient legends said that carps, born with a single silver scale, could one day become Nāgas, and it was the duty of the shrine keepers to take care of them until it was time to ascend. Although this belief had long since faded, and no Nāga had been born in three hundred years, the people still prayed and continued their sworn duty until the day they died.

At last, father and daughter stopped at the heart of the garden, at which the oldest willow stood. It was a massive tree, whose roots stretched deep into the pond, providing excellent housing for the young fish; while its branches, bespeckled by the sun as they were, encompassed the sky and were adorned by hundreds of memorial trinkets of those who have passed on. 

Gentle clinking followed the winds as they brushed through the leaves and made the bright red curtain sway in silver waves, like fields of grass in moonlight, while the water's surface was covered by a red carpet of leaves that crowded around the Lotus flowers and the edge of the pond. 

Kneeling at the shoreline, Benja and Raya simultaneously lowered their hands into the water and let the flowers float on its surface, where they joined the many others like a mourning bouquet.

A long sigh escaped his lips as Benja lifted his head and let the dappled sunlight fall onto his face, as he took in the familiar scent of wet leaves. 

"Raya," he began after a moment of silence, "As you know, the great divide originated through the existence of the Serpent's pearl, as each nation thought themselves more worthy of owning it than the rest."

Raya nodded along. This she had heard more often than not in her history and cultural lessons, as well as the various books and records she was forced to read. 

"But in my eyes, the true reason for it was hatred and plain jealousy. This conflict, born from petty emotions and the desperation of survivors, has gone on for far too long. Instead of continuing to sow hatred into each other's hearts and covet something meant to protect us all, we should strive to rebuild our former nation and live side by side again as one.

"And that's what I wanted to tell you, Raya," Benja said with a hopeful smile. "To mend our bonds, someone has to take the first step, and so I have invited all nations and their chosen representatives over for a first attempt at peace negotiations, now that we stand with one another on mostly neutral ground."

For a few seconds, there was silence as Raya stared at him with disbelieving eyes. What? The other nations? Here? Was that why everyone was so busy? How come he hadn't said anything sooner? Oh god, now she was nervous.

'Isn't it bad if they come here, where the pearl is kept? But no one ever managed to get past our defences, and the only one we should be wary of is Fang… No, have faith in your colleagues, Raya; they have much more experience than you.

You can just keep watch from the sidelines, and think about it, isn't this amazing? You get to see them up close and ask as many questions as you want!'

Her rapidly spiralling thoughts came to a halt as she realised something that made the fragile joy revert to nervousness again.

If the preparations were already in order, when would they arrive?! 

Instantly, her head snapped towards her still smiling father – who no doubt was amused by her inner turmoil – and asked,

"Abah, when did you send them the letters and when did they reply?"

"I sent them a month ago, and everyone's official acceptance arrived yesterday."

"But if the answers only arrived yesterday, when will they be here?"

His smile widened as he slowly opened one eye and replied ever calmly, 

"Within two days."

The rest of the day, Raya could shamelessly admit that she was too distracted to concentrate on anything, be it a lesson or training session. How could she, when she had to sort through everything she wanted to know? 

Was the snow never melting in Spine? 

Were the gardens in Tail truly that magnificent? 

Why was Talon only famous for its port and not their Capitol?

These and many more were burning on her tongue, and before she even knew it, the fated morning had arrived. 

Dressed in ceremonial Baju Kurung, as was befitting of her status as the "princess" of this land, Raya walked beside her Abah–Tuk tuk left behind at home in his basket – and tried to still her twitching fingers that betrayed her eager nervousness. 

Everything felt uncomfortable. From the stiff clothes to the ornaments on her head and the artful display her hair had been transformed into, but despite all this, Raya had to endure. 

It would be unsightly to appear in anything less, lest she'd invite their anger in these already tense times – as her instructor and attendants had warned her time and time again when she dared to complain about it. 

Even from this far away, as the royals descended the stairs, she could see the colourful banners and people streaming onto the island across the half-finished bridge. 

The Chieftains, Royals, War Lords and other important figures had already gathered in the palace courtyard and awaited their arrival with an air of neutrality – which did not help her calm down at all.

Raya gulped when she looked at each of their faces. 

The Lord of Tail was a woman, with skin much darker than her own, who wore a Sampot Chang Kben. The pant-like cloth, which was tied around the waist with an ornate belt, resembled the colours of the desert at sunset and was paired with a white blouse at the top. Golden jewellery adorned her arms and legs that gently clinked against one another whenever she moved, while a pure white cloth covered her hair from the blazing sun. 

As beautiful as she might be, her gaze was anything but, as she looked at her with the same stern look that her instructor liked to use whenever she "misbehaved". 

Right next to her stood the Chief of Talon, dressed in his Suea Phraratchathan like a king. Everything on his body was a show of wealth, from the long-sleeved, pale yellow silk shirt that was carefully embroidered with pearls, to the purpure trousers and ornate boots. However, despite his close resemblance to a peacock, there was a quiet pride within his eyes that he and his people shared and the determination needed to forge new connections.

With lean yet strong muscles and a towering height, the War Lord of Spine was the most eye-catching participant next to Talon, of course. He was clad in light yet sturdy armour, silver bracers and pale to deep blue clothes that were adorned with colourful motives as well as parts of animal fur – no doubt hunted by himself in the mountains. A large sword hung at his hip, its hilt in the form of a fanged demon that finished off the fierce look he bore. 

And at last, there was Fang. The former royalty of their country, who also dressed as such. The Queen wore a pale, white gold Sarong Kebaya and carried herself with a natural pride and elegance only royal blood was capable of. However, as intimidating as she looked, Raya's attention was not caught by her, but by the little girl at her side whose attire mirrored her mother's. 

She was young, perhaps her age and stood with a straight spine and folded hands; ever so often glancing at her mother to fix her stance. It was kind of endearing the longer she looked at her, that is, if her gaze hadn't caught her own. 

The previous hesitance vanished instantly and was replaced by a mask of careful indifference. Before Raya could try to greet her, however, her father stepped forward and let a hush befall his guests. 

"My honoured guests," He spoke, his voice echoing loud and clear across the courtyard.

"It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Heart, and I am pleased to see that your journey here has gone without issue. From today onward, we shall take the first step to a brighter future and no longer be shackled by past hatreds. As such, I would like to invite you to the feast we have made to celebrate this occasion, for politics should never be done on an empty stomach."

Although quite many seemed reluctant, the temptation of food was too great to resist and led them, one by one, into the Hall the banquet took place in.

A large buffet stood in the middle, with so many dishes, a cookbook would run out of pages before they were all named. 

Among the crowd, servants made their rounds with trays of snacks or drinks, while the guards flanked the exits and kept an eye out for any danger that might occur. 

Every so often in the sea of adults, as she listened to the various conversations taking place around her, Raya would see a familiar face pass by. Sometimes carrying a tray, other times in a guard's uniform, but always with a small silver Nāga clipped onto their person. 

A secret smile formed on her face, but she said nothing and continued to steal food from the table whilst being bored out of her mind from all this adult talk. 

As she looked around, in the farthest corner where shadows hid from the setting sun, she spotted that girl again. The daughter of Queen Virana, who, out of all the guests they housed, seemed both fitting and out of place.

Underneath all her haughty demeanour, with which she kept the servants at bay, loneliness clung to her frame like a curse and try as she might, Raya couldn't help but feel pity.

It must be difficult to be in a foreign place with no one familiar to talk to... But this also opened up another grand opportunity. For Raya, to make her first friend! 

Straightening her clothes and hair in a last attempt to look her status, Raya hoped that her giddiness was not too obvious as she approached the princess with eager steps.

"Hello, my name is Raya, what's yours?" She said brightly as she bowed at her waist and looked up to see a startled expression on her slender face. 

The stories were true. Royals really did have some of the prettiest faces, Raya mused as she studied her closely, only dimly aware of her ever reddening cheeks. Thick eyelashes framed those amber eyes, which resembled rubies in the sunlight. Hair, dark and glossy, fell over her shoulder like a waterfall while the calluses on her skin told of a warrior trained to fight. 

After a moment, the other girl gathered herself and schooled her expression into a much more formal one, though the red on her face had yet to fade. 

"Good evening. You may call me Namaari." She spoke. Her posture perfect, and face impassive yet welcoming.

Raya couldn't help but be impressed. No matter how much she tried to appear formal, next to her, it was like a fool's impression of a king.

A glimmer of light caught her eyes that led them down to her chest, on which, right beneath the throat, hung a small necklace. It was made in the image of a Nāga with a bright blue pearl in the middle – a symbol Raya was all too familiar with.

"Is that Sisudatu?" She exclaimed before she could stop herself, to which a startled silence followed. For a moment, panic seized her, for she feared that she had overstepped. But then it happened. From one moment to another, the regality she wielded like a weapon slipped away and revealed the childish glimmer in her eyes that those her age should carry.

Namaari nodded almost shyly and reached up to fiddle with the pendant as she asked in a much quieter, gentler voice,

"What's… what's your favourite story?"

And so the pair fell into an easy conversation. 

Like a lotus flower in spring, Namaari opened up and started telling her animatedly about the stories and legends she'd read back in Fang while Raya shared hers with equal enthusiasm.

They talked and talked, about their homes, annoying tutors, love for fighting and preferred fighting styles, their favourite meals and everything that could be found under the sun until they reached the topic of Sisudatu again.

"You know," Namaari started as she reached behind her back, "I'm actually not supposed to have this, but in our old records, there is this scroll that tells of what happened after the Abu Hidup were sealed ."

True to her words, she pulled out a scroll and unfolded it before them, which showed the intricate drawing of Sisudatu as she used the heavens' gift, before falling into the river.

"Abu Hidup?"

"Ah," Namaari replied, embarrassed, "right, I think the more common term is Drunn? Well, regardless, the legend says, that Sisudatu did not disappear afterwards, but dissolved into water and floated to the river's end, where she rests to this day."

"Wow…" Raya whispered in awe, "Can you imagine, if we could wake her up again? Does it say which river?"

"Haha, of course not, it's just a legend, but a nice thought nonetheless. Maybe with enough time, she will reappear and fix everything…" Namaari trailed off, her eyes unseeing as she stared into the distance, before she looked at her new friend again.

"Anyway, I know it might be sensitive to ask, but… have you ever seen the sacred pearl?" She asked in a whisper and leaned closer so that none could hear their passing talk. 

A few soldiers in white passed by as she did so and vanished in the crowd again.

Raya hesitated for a bit. No one ever spoke of the pearl. It was forbidden and considered sacrilege to talk about it in front of outsiders. Even more so when one was a temple guard. But Raya took her duty seriously and, as much as it pained her to lie to her friend, some things were just too important.

"No, but I've heard that it is beautiful! I don't think anyone has ever seen it after it was found. Some old stories talk about it in passing, but, well, it's never anything precise. Only that it's blue or that it pulls water towards it, but other than that, nothing."

Raya answered with a shrug and went back to eating her Nasi Kerabu with its bright blue rice. And thus did not notice how Namaari's eyes quivered, while her smile remained the same.

After the banquet, the esteemed representatives and their entourage were granted a week-long stay, during which they were allowed to explore the land while the negotiations took place at the palace.

Predictably, Rayas' training did not stop but – in a small show of mercy – allowed more frequent breaks than before, as the guards and tutors needed to tend to their guests and duties as well.

Thus, she had the pleasure to join some of the tours their guides provided, and as luck willed it, the one with Namaari, her four personal guards and some people from Talon and Spine as well.

The tour started – as usual – at the palace before continuing to the city, where the guide began to tell the long history of their home that Raya knew by heart.

Heart was a land of the people. They were fishers, weavers, farmers, hunters; simple folks with no glory or fame, but the community they had forged with one another.

It was one of the core reasons why the other nations deemed them unworthy of the pearl, but if not even they managed to steal it… Well, that fact spoke for itself.

The city served not only as a home but as a watchtower as well, due to its seat at the mountain's peak from which they could easily warn their citizens of any approaching dangers, such as floods or the like. This was made possible by the various bell towers that led down the mountain and could be found even on the mainland, where most of the villages and fields resided.

A must-see of the city was, of course, the silver carp shrine alongside the many smaller ones scattered around, which showed the worship of the four deities alongside Sisudatu; a by now somewhat uncommon practice, as most put their focus on Sisudatu instead.

Raya was delighted to show Namaari around and take her to her favourite places whenever it was time to take a break - though not before shaking off her three guards, of course. She took her to the food stalls where Namaari first tried Char Kway Teow and some Roti Canai and could proudly say that she liked them. And showed her the largest plum blossom tree she knew, before coaxing her onto its branches, as one could see the Ular Biru river in its entirety from there.

And while Raya was happy that Namaari enjoyed this so much, it was not these sights, flavours and beauty that made these moments special, but the simple fact that they were shared.

Soon enough, their path led them downwards to the foot of the mountain, at which the largest town of Heart stood.

Busier than ever, the merchants, farmers and common folk eagerly exchanged tales and wares with their guests, whilst slowly building up new connections that would hopefully strengthen the already existing ones.

Namaari was visibly fascinated by this day-to-day life, which she most likely only ever saw from her window. Her two guards always stayed close, unwilling to stray far when surrounded by the common folk, but barely anyone paid them more mind than a couple judging glances.

Otherwise, life around town was simple. Fish hung in the sun to dry, fishermen brought in their nets full of bounty, while hunters returned with the traps of wildlife to skin and prep them for all that was needed. Here, the simple joys of life were cherished the most and set them apart from those seeking glory. They tended to the spirit houses that stood beneath the trees, played with the children on the fields, harvested the fruits and vegetables and all without ever gloating over the Pearls' power since it was not what gave them this, but their own effort and experience.

And hopefully, their guests understood this too.

Once they reached the half finished bridge, at which the workers toiled away bit by bit to finish the remaining middle part, the tour came to and end and allowed them to look around and get to know the people better, before a guard would fetch them and bring them back to their rooms; which sadly was also the point where Raya had to say goodbye, as her afternoon training was about to begin.

In any case, Raya didn't get to see much of Namaari except for such few instances, but still tried to use every moment she could spare to get to know her better.

From those basic questions that she'd asked at the banquet, they slowly delved deeper into more personal territory, such as fears, worries or struggles at home. Through this, Raya learned, for example, that Queen Virana was a strict yet honourable person who was so dedicated to her work and people that she had little time left to spend with Namaari, who insisted that she didn't mind, even if her eyes said otherwise. Most of these, however, ended up aimed at Raya herself, though she didn't fully understand why this unnerved her.

Compared to hers, Namaari's questions tended to be more… bizarre, for the lack of a better word. For example, she asked where the closest streams were or for how long the guards took breaks. Well, Raya couldn't really fault her for it, given how awkward she looked after asking, as she was probably raised in a much more adult environment and thus didn't know how to talk to those her age.

However, that was not all that was happening, as at the same time, Raya heard more and more often of strange sightings around the mountain top. Guards, visitors and even hunters often mentioned that there was someone in the woods, as footprints seemed to appear near the rivers. Of course, it did not take long for these claims to become outlandish, ranging from ghosts to Orang Bunian and whatnot.

Although she did not want to believe them, something about those rumours struck her wrong since the timing of the arrival of their guests was quite coincidental. But still, there was no need to become paranoid. The guards and soldiers would make sure that everything was resolved without issue.

And so, when the last day before the departure arrived, Raya found herself stacking all the books and scrolls in her room, that she needed to return to the library before she'd get scolded to death again by her tutors and the archivists.

All the copies she was forced to make were safely stashed away in her sealed box and would remain there until it was time for her to get them checked, which was still a few days away, so she was not in much of a hurry.

However, just when she was about to gather them in her arms and go on her way, a knock sounded on the door.

"Yes? I- Oh! Namaari! What are you doing here?" She exclaimed as she opened the door, which once again brought that strange blush to her friend's cheeks – something that happened suspiciously often if she thought about it.

"Ah, well, I… I wanted to visit you. One last time to say goodbye and uhm, well, I wanted to give you this." She stuttered, her voice quite shaky compared to her usual, effortless regality.

Instead of waiting for an answer, Namaari shoved something into her chest that Raya managed to grab just in time before it would clatter onto the tiled floor. From the shape alone, she could tell that this was the necklace she had seen on the very first day and let out a loud gasp as she slowly unfurled her fist to gaze at it.

It was as she remembered, a worn yet incredibly detailed piece of art on which every scale could be counted, making the figure seem almost alive.

In face of her silence, Namaari continued whilst wringing her hands, "I know it's nothing special, but I just thought that … argh, no, never mind. It was stupid to give you this. I'll get you something better."

"No! No, I love it!" Raya denied and quickly turned away to save it. A watery smile, as radiant and pure as the sun, stretched across her face and made her eyes twinkle like stars when she looked at it again and lovingly ran a thumb across its surface.

"Thank you, Namaari. It… it means a lot to me that you gave me this. I promise I will cherish it for as long as I remember, my dear kawan."

For a moment, Namaari stood before her, her hand still outstretched. She seemed speechless, and the red on her face continued to spread until it almost reached her neck. This trance thankfully didn't last too long and was interrupted by her embarrassed cough.

"I'm… glad, t-teman." She replied softly before straightening again as was proper and trying, yet failing to keep her smile concealed. "Then I'll leave you to… your things?"

Now it was Raya's turn to blush. How improper, her room was a complete mess! If her mother were still here, she would've surely scolded her for this. Quickly placing her gift onto her table, she gathered the needed documents into her arms whilst mumbling a mixture of curses and apologies, before vanishing around the corner with one last wave, while Namaari remained where she stood and sent an unreadable look at her door.

And as the day came to a close and the veil of night descended, Raya's very first mission as an (honorary) guard began.

Her excitement knew no bounds as she began the long trek up the mountain, which gave her the chance to think of a final farewell gift to give to Namaari in return. It irked her a lot that she hadn't thought of one beforehand, but at least these dark hours would give her the needed time to fix this mistake. Additionally, it only helped that this mission was a rather simple one.

Every other week, they would do a routine inspection of all the traps within the temple to make sure that everything was fine. This also served as a good way to better familiarise herself with its layout, after all, maps could only do so much if one had never seen it themselves.

The night air was cool and filled with cicada songs and the calls of the jungle beneath the crescent moon. Walking alongside the flame-lit path, the winding road was a pleasant comfort in its mundanity as she enjoyed the quiet that it brought.

However, for some reason, there was a lingering unease within the air. A tense, low but ever-present feeling of wrongness in her gut, that persisted even after she reached the temple doors.

What first struck her was that the guard's post was empty. Yet she couldn't recall ever seeing them descend. It was impossible for her to have missed them, as it was protocol to always have at least one guard stationed at the door.

A frown replaced her carefree expression as her body automatically fell into a battle stance. This could only mean that something was wrong. And she needed to find out what it was.

With barely any sound, her feet led her inside. The prayer room was empty. No offering had been disturbed, no statue touched, and even the garlands betrayed nothing.

But still the quietude – this omen of danger, persisted.

Ever so slowly, she moved forward, ears straining for any sound, eyes flicking towards every corner, and hands hovering above her bamboo staffs, ready to strike.

It was only when she rounded the statue of Sisudatu that she found the disturbance. As there, in the space between the wall and the plain door, was a crack.

Someone had moved it.

Instantly, Raya jumped into action and ripped the door open to reveal the empty hallway with not a single extinguished torch.

She ran ahead, eyes focused solely on the darker end until she reached the chamber with the five tunnels.

At once, her worst fear was confirmed. There on the floor lay five red threads with bells at their ends, which were tied to a dagger that had been rammed into the space between the tiles.

Each one led into one of the tunnels, and out of five, only one remained taunt, proclaiming the fate of the others. However, what was even worse was that the survivor had gone into the one and only tunnel that led to the chamber of the pearl.

A new wave of desperate fear overcame her. Without looking back, Raya rushed forward and dropped Tuk tuk to the ground to help her avoid any and all traps in the sections.

With every trap she passed, her horror grew as she saw just how many had been avoided or disabled, while the thread led onward through every single door.

Only in the final tunnel did she stop and see with fear that the thread was stuck between the final gate.

How had they done this? Raya wondered and reached into her pocket to take the keystone out.

It was not with rationality that she acted, but with raw desperation to be proven wrong. To not have failed before she even started.

And as she watched the gate vanish in the stone and reveal the sacred garden within, her relief could've floored a man when the pearl was still in place and everything was as untouched as it should be.

Right behind her, a soft splash was heard, and without even looking, her instincts kicked in and sent whoever it was sprawling onto the mossy ground with a well-placed kick.

In one fluid motion, she turned, her bamboo staffs raised and eyes steel cold to face the intruder, before they froze and gave way to surprise.

Before her was no warrior, no black robed assassin or bandit as she had thought, but a young girl in light white combat robes.

"Namaari..." Raya asked incredulously, "What are you- How did you get here?"

Her friend remained silent, even as she heaved herself back onto her feet and stared ahead into nothingness, with a gaze so blank, a mask would've shown more emotion.

With slow mechanical movements, Namaari pulled out a glass bottle and a scroll from behind her back, all whilst never once looking at her.

Her left hand slowly tilted the container and let the water spill onto the ground below. Yet not a single drop reached it as just shy of the impact, the pearl's power enveloped and merged them with its eternal stream.

Her right hand, which held the scroll, let the paper unravel on its own and revealed the hasty, incomplete sketch of the temple interior, in a penmanship Raya knew all too well.

And as if that was not enough, Namaari finally said in a cold, apathetic voice, as her eyes jumped for a split second to what lay behind Raya's back.

"I just followed your stories."

This was the last straw.

Instantly, Raya's face became blank; as a seething rage enveloped her, raw and unrestrained like the pain she felt within.

"I trusted you!" She snarled, her teeth bared like a beast, "I showed all my favourite places, told you all my favourite stories, only for you to use me?!"

Namaari remained silent, with no move to defend herself, though a hint of hurt snuck onto her face; not that any of it mattered anymore.

Lunging at her like a tiger, Raya opened the fight with a blow to the face.

Each punch, each kick, each grunt was drowned out by adrenaline as her body began to move on its own – even now, with her vision clouded by tears.

How could she have been so stupid to ever think she'd get a friend? She wondered with gritted teeth. The other guards were right all along; she was not ready yet to take on the mantle. What was she worth if she managed to lead her enemy where no one had been able to get to in centuries?

Every thought, every mistake she ever made came flooding back. It was the pain that fuelled her, that helped her stay focused even as weakness threatened to overcome her muscles.

Raya did not know how long they had gone on like this. It would've made no sense to fight as they were both equals, yet here they were, trying to take the other down even as the adrenaline threatened to wear off.

Perhaps it would've gone on forever until they both passed out, if Raya hadn't slipped after a particularly hard punch to her temple and let her back collide with the bronze bell in the wall.

A loud, thundering gong broke the tranquil silence of the garden and sent tremors through plant and stone. Each time the clapper slammed against its shell, a new ring was heard, deafening both Namaari and Raya 'til they could do nothing but cover their ears and wait.

Even after the sound began to quiet, their shared daze continued, and the cotton within their ears stayed in place. Hence, they did not hear the ever-increasing voices of other people who followed the red string until a large group of soldiers from all five lands burst inside and promptly surrounded them like vultures.

The frontmost warrior that stopped before Raya spoke, but she could barely hear him, the sound still too muffled to understand.

Her silence irritated him as his face began to twist, yet before anything could happen, five shadows descended from above; each clad in pitch black clothing and a Nāga mask on their face, which the frontmost warrior removed to reveal the face of Chief Benja.

His gaze was cold as ice as he stared at the intruders and only dared to spare a second to see if she was alright.

"Leave now, and I'll ensure you'll be spared." He demanded in a low, threatening voice as he brandished his sword, the message clear to all that dared come closer. But as it was with humanity, the chance for peace was always overshadowed by greed.

And thus the careless sound of a bow string decided all of their fates.

Missing Benja's neck by a hair's breadth, the arrow nicked his skin, leaving behind a bright red gash; before continuing its path straight forward and towards the Serpent's pearl.

It was as if time had slowed when reality dawned upon them. With frozen expressions, they stared as the arrow came ever closer 'til in one fell swoop, it pierced this ancient relic and burst it into five big shards.

At once, all water dropped to the ground and flowed downwards like a corpse. In tandem with the falling shards, the earth rumbled and groaned, sending shivers through the entire dome that coated them in dust.

Panic seized, and like starved, desperate beasts, the soldiers surged forward and grabbed whatever shard they could until the only one remaining slid straight to Raya across the cold, wet floor.

The young princess no longer had a choice. The second her hand met the surface of the relic she was meant to protect, the temple split open, revealing beyond the stone roof the starry skies, while the cracked earth glowed in an eerie, ominous purple.

Without wasting a second, Benja rushed forward and heaved her onto his shoulders to run, just in time to see how a screeching, howling monstrosity crawled to the surface, and filled the air with the stench of burnt foul ash.

Afterwards, Raya remembered only fragments of what happened.

While the other four temple guards left to get their citizens to safety, Benja ran and ran, while Raya got to see the destruction of her home.

The sound of the bells echoed across the mountains as the earth continued to split apart, swallowing people whole who only wished to get to safety.

The cries of anguish and fear drowned out the screeching Sramols, as parents and children were crushed by rubble or turned into ice-cold stone.

All while their "honoured guests" took the boats of the fishermen and their desperate families to save their own ungrateful and undeserving skin.

Especially Namaari, who had the gall to even look in her direction with such sad eyes, stood safely beside her mother on a boat as their soldiers pushed them into the water; all protected by the glowing shard within the queen's hand.

It was by a miracle that both father and daughter even reached the half-finished bridge, whose wooden constructs creaked and groaned under their weight, unfit to support such large masses.

And just as predicted, a large tremor shook the earth once more and left the fragile wood to crumble into the roaring water below, sealing the fate of all that tried to leave.

With no way out, her Abah, the strongest man she knew, set her down before him and placed his hands on her shoulder.

His face had grown ashen, as blood continued to spill from the wound on his neck, which had gained an unhealthy, green-blackish colour, marking it as the work of poison in his veins.

"Raya, listen," He said as he wrapped the strap of his sword around her. "Whatever the future may hold for you, never give up hope. Take this sword and shard and leave, do not look back, for as long as there is light in this, there is still a chance for change."

Raya looked at him with teary eyes and helpless desperation.

"What- what are you saying? You're still fine, we can go together!"

"No, it is too late for me, but you are the key to peace, Raya. And never forget that I love you, my greatest pride in the world."

A bitter smile formed on his lips as he looked at his beloved daughter and kissed her forehead one last time before shoving her into the Ular Biru river.

As her back broke through the icy torrents, Raya could only watch in horror as her father's soul was swallowed by the Sramol and his expression of loving grief was forever captured by the stone.

And before long, as the cold seeped into her bones, the world around her was embraced by darkness, and she was left with the only thing her heart still carried.

Hate.