Her head was pounding. All Aletha had remembered was being beaten up by a group of smugglers. Other than that, she didn't remember much.
She moved her jaw and felt that her mouth was dry, her tongue like sandpaper against the roof of her mouth. A faint metallic taste lingered, a reminder of the struggle she vaguely remembered. The quiet rustle of her clothing and the distant murmur of unfamiliar voices added to her sense of unease. Aletha then thought.
(This place is warm. Where am I?)
When her eyelids parted, she recoiled against the wooden wall, puzzled and questioning her surroundings.
"Huh? This doesn't look like Clearstar!?" The first thing that Aletha thought of after she awakened was to look at her arms and check for any bruises.
Strangely for her, though, her skin was as crystal clear and smooth as it had been before. She positioned herself against the wall and saw openings of light beams through the wooden arches in front of her.
Struck with confusion and awe, Aletha crawled over to the opening, squinting and smelling the scents. Quickly, her confusion was swept away by the sight of the beautiful view.
Surrounded by what looked like triangle-pointed roof buildings was a lush garden that stood at the center of a shallow pond at the bottom of a waterfall, filled with beautiful flowers and free of any dirt spots.
Joined shrubs and a beautiful white-picket fence bordered an overgrown grassy area, forming a natural boundary around the garden's edge. The pond, terraced and expansive, lay majestically at the center, its waters brimming with lively aquatic creatures darting beneath the surface. The pond was framed by gently sloping banks that led to the water, creating a harmonious balance between land and water. The rows of flowers, though unkempt, formed dense, vibrant clusters that seemed like miniature forests for ants, their colors creating a spontaneous patchwork of beauty. The entire layout, with its charming disarray and vibrant life, was a sight to behold, captivating Aletha's senses with its organic allure.
She was taken with the idea that she deserved this moment, but deep inside, she felt concerned about the others. Aletha was tempted to wander around the garden, and so, as she walked across and bent over to touch the beautiful flowers, she wondered.
"Hmm, where did Alai go? Did she take me here? Was she the one who healed me?" She looked over and felt the soft, slippery wet leaves brushing against Aletha's face. She took a deep breath and stopped at another pond of lily pads; her eyes sparkled in awe.
"Ooo, this looks so pretty." Aletha's soft hands easily fondled the heart-shaped contours on each of the flowers. She beamed with delight as she felt the smooth, colorful petals float in her hand like leaves. She whispered.
"These flowers remind me of that necklace Rinnea showed me. Speaking of that, shouldn't I?"
Suddenly, a distant, plummy voice shouted out to her from a distance.
"Oh, Aletha, you're finally awake. Come over here! I want to talk to you."
Aletha cocked her head to one side and found a beautiful, ruby-haired girl wearing an elegant and extravagant pink kimono, sitting against a steel-black bench. Struck with excitement and curiosity, Aletha dashed over to her and answered with a beaming smile.
"Yes? What is it, Ms?"
The ruby-haired girl patted her hands against the left side of the bench, offering a seat for Aletha.
"Have a seat. And please, call me Alai. You know my name after all." She said with a charming wink.
Aletha nodded her head in response and kindly and willingly sat on the other side of the bench, looking over to Alai and then back to the beautiful sea of clouds above them. The sun's fluorescent golden rays shone on the faces, and the ground beneath them gave off a friendly and peaceful atmosphere.
As birds and butterflies fluttered vibrantly around the garden, Alai exhaled softly and asked Aletha.
"Isn't it beautiful? The whimsical trees, the laughing sun, the flowers, and life?"
Aletha admitted with a nod.
"Yes, this place feels heavenly. Where are we?"
Alai reacted with a smirk and swayed her long ruby hair in the air.
"That's wonderful to hear, haha. Every visitor I had always admitted that." As she saw the wondrous look on the girl's face, Alai kindly welcomed her. "Oh, we are in Alpine Glitterfly Range... if that's what you are asking me. This is my garden, and right over there is my house!"
She turned her gaze to the white, puffy clouds and giggled, relaxing and shutting her eyes, speaking softly to Aletha.
"Don't worry about the beating you put in; I made sure to teach those guys a lesson. Zeru healed you as well, so you don't have to worry about bruises."
Aletha smiled.
"Thank you."
"Yup!" Alai added with a prideful face, fidgeting with her loose ruby hair. "You know, Aletha, seeing you defenseless like that in the alleyway, it reminded me of when I was weak and powerless." She bit her fingernails anxiously, explaining. "Not long ago, when I was thirteen years old, I had no powers, nothing. I was just a weak and poor peasant who didn't know any better." She opened her eyes and looked over to the crimson-leaved trees.
"But then, I stumbled upon this garden, where I met a sensei who offered me help and strength. She was a beautiful woman with pink hair and orange eyes. This garden kind of matches her appearance."
Hearing this, Aletha's eyes flashed and sparkled with awe and wonderment,
"Ooo. She must have been beautiful."
Alai couldn't help but giggle in response, blushing and smiling, remembering.
"You bet she was. Beautiful and strong. Unlike me, she could defend herself and slay beasts just with her fists and legs if she had to. Then, she put me through this training process and taught me her tricks. Little did I know that it would turn me into the strong young woman I am now! Ha ha!"
While she talked, Alai led Aletha to the bridge arching over a crystal turquoise stream that ran through patches of flowers, vines, and trees. Aletha couldn't help but feel surprised by Alai's claims, which were invested in her past. Still, at the same time, she couldn't forget about the problems that had come before, such as her shared memories with Rinnea and their hunt for The Necklace, a mystical artifact that held more secrets than she had imagined. The thought of Zahir's recent announcement, which had sent ripples throughout their community, lingered in the back of her mind as well. She leaned over in interest and heard Alai speaking.
"Anyways, back in the day, my old sensei taught me that beauty doesn't always work in this world. To fend for yourself and be independent, you must be strong, intelligent, and healthy. That's why everybody who met her was impressed by her ability. They never expected her to be powerful."
Alai keeled over and turned an eye on Aletha. As she got distracted by a pigeon, Alai observed Aletha's appearance from head to waist. Her long, shimmering hair, her beautiful gray eyes, her soft and clear skin; to Alai, Aletha looked like a goddess.
And so, as Aletha turned her head and plucked a leaf from a tree, Alai considered.
"Speaking of beauty, Aletha, you look lovely today."
Suddenly, a line of scarlet swept on Aletha's face, backing away and stammering.
"H-Huh? What made you say that?"
Alai admitted, hoisting both her arms in the air and striking a silly pose.
"What I'm saying is that you're beautiful, Aletha! That's what I am saying! Maybe the woman was jealous of your looks. She could have just walked away and said you owe her two million gincoins, but instead, she kicked you. Did you pay attention?"
In response, Aletha gulped down a fresh breath of fear, shivering and answering anxiously.
"Y… Yeah. She said I didn't deserve my appearance."
Without hesitation, Alai snapped her fingers, lifted herself, and raised her voice.
"Then she's right! Aletha, you don't deserve your beauty, well, at least… not yet." She pushed Aletha, snapping her out of her trance, claiming. "From how my sensei sees it, beauty in a woman comes from effort and care. An intelligent woman knows that beauty can be used as a utility; A strong woman knows that they can defend themselves and use it to fight. So, how about I offer you something?"
As they approached the bench, Alai placed her hand on her heart and expressed with a confident and radiant face.
"I'm confident to say that after my sensei retired, she gave me the honor of replacing her in her position. Aletha, I don't want to see you like that again, so… How about I put you through the training my sensei did to me?"
With tight lips, she swung her arms, jumped up, and pointed to the skies.
"Don't think it'll be easy, but I assure you that once you go through it, Aletha, you will become the strongest and smartest woman alive! With your beauty and your new strength, you can pretty much do anything!"
She twirled and grabbed Aletha's hand, smiling and nudging her shoulder.
"You can even teach those guys that beat you up a lesson as well!"
After Aletha heard the offer, she turned away and took a second to ponder.
(I… don't know if I should accept and take the offer. I…) She flinched as she recalled the incident that had happened in Clearstar City. (I… don't want to be complimented like that again. They might see me as some sort of doll, not an actual person. If I were to show them my strength, maybe… I can come closer to the Ruler I once was.)
Her mind flashed with memories of her weak moments, all the way from Pladtioa.
When she almost drowned and depended on her brother to save her, when she was nearly torn by a monster, and relied on a stranger to protect her, and when she continuously got hurt by the kitsune and depended on her brother for help. The continuous cycle, again and again.
Throughout most of Aletha's life, it was Asahi who always protected her. Not her-- herself.
But now, at the present moment, Aletha finally had a feeling like she wanted to change-- to shift tides and protect herself, instead of depending on her brother and everyone again and again.
Overwhelmed, Aletha covered her eyes with one hand and put both palms on her forehead, fingers splayed, mumbling.
"I… I want to be independent. I want to be strong. I don't want to depend on anyone but myself. Ugh, I don't want to be weak." Suddenly, as her eyes met with Alai's crimson pupils, a past voice of her brother resounded in her mind.
"Sis, you can't depend on me ALL the time. There will be a time when you have to defend yourself, you know."
At that specific moment, that's when Aletha's realization kicked in. "He's right. There will be a time I have to defend myself."
In confidence, she stood up straight and stepped forward to Alai, placing her hand on her heart and grinning from ear to ear. Her pulse raced with excitement; the adrenaline of the moment caught up to her, ripples of determination quivering with joy. Alai stepped back and crossed her arms, asking impatiently.
"So… what do you say?"
As Aletha looked up at the glistening yellow ball of light in the sky, she took a deep breath and announced with a motivated tone.
"I ACCEPT THE OFFER!"
The wind blew silently between them. Alai's face flickered with red, her eyes bulging out of shock from the response. Aletha's scream echoed through every corner of the place, reaching even the mountains, disturbing the birds nesting in the trees.
There was power within that scream, Alai thought.
Even the garden felt amused by that reply. As Aletha stood there, breathing heavily from the scream, Alai's unsure frown curved into a fawning, amused smile.
She slowly approached Aletha and placed her hand on her shoulders, jumping up and down, saying.
"GREAT! That's exactly what I want to hear!" (Also, it's not a waste of time.)
Aletha rubbed her hands together.
"So, where do we go? When do we start?!"
Alai pushed her away and settled her down, exclaiming.
"Hold your horses, girl! Lemme do somethin' real quick."
From her pocket, Alia pulled out a silver bell and threw it up into the air, letting it ring and chime.
(RING)
Each corner of the garden and establishment was blessed with this chime, loud enough to alert others.
Aletha, excited and anticipating what was to come, bounced up and grabbed Alai's hands, asking.
"What was that for?"
Alai winked.
"You'll see."
Suddenly, five individuals quickly sprinted out from the building and staggered to Alai. To her surprise, Aletha recognized every person who emerged.
A mint-haired girl who wore distinct attire and a red skirt. "PRIDIA?!"
A tall, slender, silver-haired man. "Ubel?!"
A voluptuous, golden-haired, mature woman. "Aurelia?!"
A small, light pink-haired boy with glowing cyan eyes. "Katib?!"
A man wearing a scarf over his mouth. "Phthonus?!"
Aletha couldn't help but feel shocked at the appearance of each of these individuals. Before she could even say anything, Phthonus stepped forward and revealed.
Look, I only volunteered to do this for you, Aletha. Your bravery in Dreamtoe Forest, when you single-handedly diverted the kitsune to save the villagers, let alone the cunning strategy you devised in Pladtioa to repel the Queen, was enough to gain my respect for you. So, I decided to help Alai out so that you can get stronger."
Aurelia shrugged her shoulders and stepped forward as well, elegantly fixing her attire and nails.
"I was a friend who had owned this place a while back. So it's no surprise I would have fun teaching you, newcomer. Also, I've heard what happened to you back there. Some people from my nation can be cruel and merciless when it comes to money." She sighed and shook her head, smiling. "If you do succeed… then I'll pay for the entire train you destroyed a while back."
Aletha's eyes shrank.
"R-Really?"
The blonde-haired lady nodded.
"Absolutely."
With so many questions bouncing in Aletha's mind, it was only natural for Aletha to be confused. Alai giggled and stepped in front of the five of them, commanding as Aletha started to feel dizzy and pass out.
"Alright, we got her. My friends, let's get started!"
Just before she saw the five walk up to her, Aletha's consciousness was quickly robbed away, and she fainted on the floor.