Tangled By Fate

"If it's not important, why would I have this dream?"

Veronica usually didn't have this kind of dream. So, she wanted to find a reason behind this dream.

Arthur held her arm and said, "I understand what you want to say. But it can be because you were thinking too much about the dragon and hence saw the dream."

Darius shared his point of view, "If it's just a dream, why don't we look for the dragon? It'll also make sure that the legend is true."

Ironin remarked, "This legend is true. Or else, it wouldn't be written on a scroll and kept in the temple." 

"Can't we just drop the dragon thing and focus on the basilisk?" Zinnia asked. 

She felt like everyone was prioritizing something that wasn't important at that moment.

She gazed at Veronica and said, "You think the place the basilisk died, the blood river was created there, right? Then it means the elves will protect the river and won't let normal humans drink blood from there and become one of them."

Veronica nodded. "That's correct."

"I think that's a brilliant theory. I find logic in her words." Zinnia praised her. 

She asked her, "Do you perhaps remember the name of the place where the war took place? Please tell me you remember."

"Yes, I remember but I never heard that name before." Veronica hesitated before saying, "It was called Hypithia."

"Hypi...what?" Darius was completely blank.

"I never heard that name before," Ironin confessed.

"Me neither." Arthur shook his head.

Zinnia contemptibly looked at the other woman. "Veronica, are you sure you are remembering well? Maybe you made a mistake?"

"I knew you would say that. I thought the same. I recited the word so many times that even if I lose my memory one day, I won't forget this name."

Veronica had a feeling that it would be hard to make them believe her. So, she didn't try convincing them.

"Well, the war happened a long time ago and afterward, the names of places changed many times. The shapes of the kingdoms changed. While new kingdoms were born, old kingdoms perished."

Arthur paused and looked at his companions. 

"The only way to find out where the place is by finding an ancient map." 

Veronica slapped her forehead. "Why didn't I think of that? I'll go back to the temple and look for a map."

"You do that. In the meantime, we will look for the dragon." Darius was excited.

"Where will you look for it? Digging the whole mountain?" Zinnia scoffed.

Darius told her, "Maybe Veronica will have another dream and we can use that as our direction."

"I'll do my best. I think we need to find the dragon's nest." 

Veronica quickly finished her meal and was ready to head out.

Arthur held her hand. "Leaving so soon. Why don't you stay for the night? You just came back." 

"I didn't tell the Saint that I was leaving. She will be furious after finding out I left without a word. I was supposed to go back before dawn. Look how late it is."

Arthur stared at her. 

Sometimes, she was a responsible girl and sometimes, she wanted to run away from everything and become free. 

He had no idea what she was thinking at times like this.

He silently pulled her in his arms and said, "Stay safe and rest a lot. Don't just look for a map."

"Haha… that's not the only thing I do there." 

"What else do you do there? Pray?"

"...Among other things, yes."

Veronica didn't tell him in detail what she had to do there.

She tip-toed and planted a kiss on his cheek. "I'll come back soon. Don't worry too much."

Arthur bent his head and captured her lips. It was a deep, long kiss. He nibbled her lips before letting her go. 

"Come back safely and don't ever go outside during storms."

Looking at his gentle eyes, her heart raced. 

"I'll do as you say," she promised. 

'He always knows how to throw my heart in turmoil. I should punish him when I return.' 

She bade farewell and left the cave.

This time, she used her healing power to open the gate.

The door opened. 

She took a deep breath, prepared her heart for the upcoming scolding, and entered.

She knew at that time where Saint Ava would be. 

She went to the garden hoping that the saint would be there.

Just as she predicted, Saint Ava was in the garden, sitting on a bench and reading a scroll. 

It was her reading time.

Veronica walked forward and knelt before her.

"I'm so sorry I went out without telling you first."

"..." 

Saint Ava was still reading the scroll without talking.

However, Veronica kept her head lowered and patiently waited.

Only a few minutes later, Saint Ava rolled up the scroll and gazed at the girl below her.

"You have quite some nerve going in and out without telling me first, don't you?"

Veronica gulped, but her throat was dry.

"It wasn't my purpose. I was deeply worried about my cave. I kept it open before leaving. The blizzard made me worry. After all, I left too many valuable things and I didn't want them to be buried in the snow."

"Enough of your excuses! Why didn't you come back at dawn?"

Saint Ava's voice was like the edge of a sharp sword.

"I was too tired. I couldn't wake up until noon. I had my meal and came back. I brought something for you too."

Veronica took out something small and offered it to her. It was wrapped in green leaves.

Saint Ava frowned and took it from her hand.

"What is it?"

She unfolded the leaves and found roasted meat.

"!!!"

Her eyes sparkled.

The smell of the food was enticing. 

There was no way a person who hadn't had meat for a long time wouldn't like the smell.

Veronica said, "I was taught how to roast rabbit. I made this for you. I hope you will like it."

"You roasted it for me?"

Saint Ava's voice was surprisingly pleasant.

She couldn't wait to eat it. 

Although it wasn't time to eat dinner, there was nothing wrong with an early dinner.

She stood up and headed to the dining hall.

Even though she was hungry, she looked graceful.

Like an obedient disciple, Veronica followed her.

--------

Saint Ava liked the meal very much. Her attitude turned 180 degrees. 

"I understand your worry," she said. "I would be worried about things that are important to me as well."

"Thank you for your benevolence."

Veronica was inwardly relieved but didn't show it. 

After Saint Ava finished her meal, she wiped her mouth.

"Water the garden today. You don't have to clean the temple tonight. It's getting late."

"Okay!" Veronica went to the garden afterward.

While watering the trees, she went to the middle of the garden. The largest tree was situated there. 

She sat under the tree and let out a deep breath.

"I wish I could have more vision about the dragon. It wasn't just a dream, was it?

"The dragon was covered in snow. Whole Alss is covered in snow. Even some parts of Utahill were covered in snow. 

"How am I supposed to find the dragon with this clue? And why is it necessary to find the dragon?"

As she was talking to herself, she leaned back.

However, to her surrpise, her back didn't touch the tree but the emptiness.

"Huh?"

When she couldn't feel anything despite leaning so much, she looked around. And, her eyes widened in shock.

She saw the tree had a huge hole. It wasn't there before. If she had leaned more, she would have fallen inside the hole.

She wanted to pull herself out but it was too late.

She slipped inside the deep hole.

"Ahhhh!"

A sharp voice came out of her mouth in fear.

She reached out her hand to grab onto something but the hole was growing bigger. Her fingers touched nothing but air.

With horror, she realized there was no way she could get away from this. 

She closed her eyes.

As her body disappeared inside the dark hole, the tree turned back to normal.

At that moment, Saint Ava came to the garden.

"Veronica, are you okay? Where are you?"

She looked around but couldn't find anything.

"How unusual! I swear I heard her voice. But where is she? I told her to water the plants. Maybe she left again."

She shook her head helplessly.

"Look at this girl. She won't even water the plants. So irresponsible. How am I supposed to leave the worldly duty to her? She will surely run away.

"I did a good thing letting her go. She is not ready for this job. She won't be ready anytime soon. I'll take care of everything as long as I'm capable."

Meanwhile, Veronica was falling into the pit of darkness.

She had been falling for a long time.

She was so scared that she was unable to scream. She hugged herself and her eyes were closed.

A long time later, her body finally landed on something.