As I slowly opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was a wooden ceiling that creaked gently, the sound of it in rhythm with the swaying of my body. Wait? Why was my body swaying?
I took a deep breath and slowly sat up at the edge of the bed, trying to make sense of where I was. My eyes traced the small room, traveling until they reached the window, and only then did I realize that I was inside a cabin aboard a ship. The humid air mixed with the salty sea scent filled every corner of the room.
I stood up and walked slowly toward the round window next to the bed. As I opened it, the fresh scent of the sea immediately filled my chest. A small smile crept onto my face as I gazed at the vast, deep blue sea, decorated by seagulls flying around the ship. How I had longed for this view. I hadn't seen the sea since I was stranded in this world.
Unconsciously, I leaned my upper body out of the window, which fortunately was wide enough to allow me to do so, feeling the breeze gently brush through my hair. A mischievous thought suddenly crossed my mind. Slowly, I extended my hand forward, focusing on the flow of Esze that now clearly resonated within me. A gentle, refreshing wind swept through, cooling and invigorating my body.
With growing curiosity, I tried again—this time with a stronger movement of my hand. I felt a surge of energy within my body, and suddenly, a powerful wind exploded from my hand, rushing forward, hitting the ship's sail and making the ship move faster than it had before.
Honestly, I was quite surprised. So it's true. I had really received the Vitruj Soul Crystal from Goddess Allina. Now, I could control the element of wind without the need for a viglet staff or incantations. The sensation was incredible, and I smiled in satisfaction.
In the midst of my awe, the door suddenly flew open with a loud bang. Shella appeared at the doorway, her eyes widening in surprise upon seeing me standing and smiling brightly. Her face immediately lit up, and without a second thought, she rushed toward me and embraced me tightly.
"Anggi! Thank God you're awake! Thank you, God!" she cried, her voice trembling. I could feel the warmth of her embrace, a sign of how worried she had been.
"Calm down, Shella. How long have I been unconscious?" I asked quietly, returning her embrace.
"You've been unconscious for three days, Anggi!" she replied, her face filled with relief and emotion. "I was really worried! Every day, the others and I took turns watching over you and caring for you. I thought you wouldn't wake up. I'm so glad you're okay now."
Shella smiled again, her face flushing slightly from her emotions. "I'll tell the others. They'll be so happy to see you awake," she said before quickly running out of the room with excitement.
Not long after, the door opened once again, and Shella, Dimas, Indra, and Erik entered with faces full of relief. I could see their eyes shine with joy upon seeing me standing in the middle of the room.
"Welcome back, Anggi!" Dimas was the first to exclaim, his face a mix of energy and relief. He even ran toward me as if to embrace me, but then stopped after glancing at the others.
"Thank goodness you're safe!"
"Honestly, I'm relieved to see you're okay now," Erik and Indra expressed their relief, their faces relaxing from the tension they had held when entering the room.
"We almost couldn't believe you managed to defeat Strigifavorus," Indra said, shaking his head in amazement. "And your power... it's just unbelievable! It felt like watching a superhero movie up close."
I chuckled softly, looking at them all. "I just got lucky. But I don't really remember what happened after I lost consciousness. What happened afterward?"
Dimas and Indra immediately started talking over each other, eagerly explaining the series of events with great enthusiasm. They told me about the forest that suddenly turned into a vast expanse of ice because of my power, how I was able to launch the final attack on Strigifavorus, and the tense moments when we were chased by the Elite Knights.
"We were cornered so badly! Honestly, I thought I was going to die fighting that guy!" Dimas said, full of fire. "Thank goodness Shella and Erik arrived just in time."
Indra nodded firmly, adding, "After escaping the Elite Knights, we headed to a small port town at the edge of the Lurivia Empire. We sold my and Erik's warhorse and armor to buy tickets for a ship to the other continent. It's better if we run as far away as possible from Lurivia. We must have become fugitives there!"
"But, there's a good chance they'll keep chasing us," Erik added.
"That's true, but for now, Captain Guffy will certainly return to Lurich to report to the crown prince. When that happens, I'm worried Prince Alucard will send a special forces unit that's even more skilled than the Elite Knights. He's very ambitious," I said, my concern growing.
"Damn! If that happens, we might die. They're really that strong."
"But for now, we're safe. Let's think about our next move when we reach our destination!"
I nodded quietly, absorbing each of their stories carefully. After that, I took turns sharing my own experiences in the Goddess Allina's realm, how I met her, and how the one who saved me in battle was Goddess Allina herself. Since Indra and Erik had been in Lurich for quite some time, they didn't know about the Soul Crystal I received from Prince Keylan. I detailed everything in great depth. If it were to be written in a book, it might fill three volumes.
My friends listened intently to my story, their eyes widening further as I told them that I had acquired the Wind Soul Crystal, Vitruj. Slowly, I raised my hand and manifested Vitruj—a long, luxurious cloak appeared in a soft greenish light.
"Unbelievable..." Shella whispered, covering her mouth, her eyes wide with awe at the Soul Crystal in the form of the cloak I was wearing. Dimas, Indra, and Erik were also stunned, amazed by the wonder before their eyes.
I smiled. "Now I can control the element of wind without a viglet staff or incantations. My magical powers are now much stronger than before," I said, trying to calm their shock. "But only with wind."
After a few moments of awe, Dimas was the first to speak, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. "Then, we've gathered one Soul Crystal. We need to find out about the other Soul Crystals."
Indra nodded, looking thoughtful. "For sure, we have to be careful. We don't know when our pursuers will start hunting us. Plus, we have no idea what our destination is this time."
Erik added calmly, "I'm concerned about the Kingdom of Alegria, the destination of this ship. When I was still in the unit, I heard that Alegria is the worst place to live."
I nodded in agreement, feeling a renewed sense of excitement rising within me. With my friends by my side, I was confident that we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
"Alright," I said firmly, my eyes locking with each of them with confidence. "Let's make a plan together."
The small room was soon filled with the sounds of our discussion, exchanging ideas and hopes, as we solidified our resolve to face the challenging future ahead.
***
The Kingdom of Alegria, a land named after the ancient word for happiness, now lay in ruins—sinking into poverty and injustice. A country that once claimed to be the center of prosperity in the world now stood as a shadow of its former glory. Under corrupt rule, the nation's wealth was enjoyed only by a handful of elite officials, while the common people were crushed under untold suffering.
The streets of Alegria's capital were filled with massive holes that made it difficult for pedestrians to walk safely. Shabby houses stood precariously along the roads, leaking roofs and cracked walls becoming part of the everyday scenery. Trash piles scattered everywhere, and a foul stench filled the air, permeating the already polluted atmosphere.
The people of Alegria lived in despair. High levels of poverty and unemployment had led to a collapse in the economy and purchasing power. Corruption had infiltrated key sectors such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Corruption had become part of the work culture in many of the kingdom's institutions. This resulted in slow and inefficient bureaucracy, with many administrative requests requiring bribes. Meanwhile, beggars wandered every corner of the city, holding out their hands with vacant eyes, hoping for a little compassion. Powerless children stole money bags from unsuspecting travelers, their faces full of fear and confusion, as if they didn't know what else to do to survive.
There was no justice, no hope. The officials and their cronies grew richer, while the poor continued to struggle. They cared only for themselves, ignoring the suffering around them. Behind the curtain of luxury they created for themselves, the people of Alegria continued to groan, trapped in a never-ending cycle of poverty.
Yet amidst the rot of this world, a name began to echo across the lands—Il Maschera, the mysterious masked revolutionary group, undefeated and known for toppling several corrupt nations. To date, eight countries had fallen, three of which were now under their rule. Led by their charismatic leader, Enzo, and his seven war generals known as the Seven Stellars, they set their sights on Alegria as the next nation to be brought down. They didn't just fight to overthrow the corrupt government, but to bring justice to the long-oppressed people.
***
Isla de Felicita, Alegria
At the Isla de Felicita port, a large ship docked with a loud creak, signaling an arrival filled with tension. The salty sea air greeted anyone nearby, but at this port, the air didn't carry hope—it only carried despair.
A mysterious man stepped off the ship with a confident stride, wearing a long cloak that covered nearly his entire body and his head, leaving only the bottom of his face visible. He walked with great authority, yet his sharp gaze revealed deeper emotions—displeasure, hatred, even disdain. Two dark-cloaked men followed at his sides, walking in coordinated steps, as if they were inseparable shadows to the mysterious man.
As the man stepped toward the city's streets, his eyes surveyed the surroundings with anger. This city, once a gateway to prosperity, now appeared as a forsaken hell. The streets were filled with damage—large holes everywhere, flooded with stagnant, foul-smelling water. Uncollected piles of trash covered much of the road, and people hurried along, their faces vacant and tired.
"This place is worse than a garbage dump," the man whispered, his voice full of disgust. He couldn't hide his revulsion for the state of this place. The two men in dark cloaks beside him simply nodded, agreeing with his assessment.
"You're right, Master Enzo," one of them replied in a low voice, "This country truly deserves to be destroyed."
Enzo, the leader of Il Maschera, shifted his gaze toward the crowd on the street. Beggars, thieving children, and powerless people. He felt a boiling hatred rise within him. Everything, from the rulers to the people, was just a reflection of the injustice and social inequality that had been allowed to fester for too long. The disgust in his heart only intensified.
However, amidst the dirty, chaotic street, a small accident occurred. Enzo, walking with a sharp, calculating gaze, suddenly bumped into a young girl who seemed to be in a hurry. The girl, who had long ears like the Elvian race, was startled and fell, the octopus snack she was holding slipping from her hands and hitting the ground with a faint squeak.
Just before the girl fell, Enzo quickly grabbed her hand, preventing her from hitting the ground. Then, Enzo looked at her intently.
"My apologies, Miss! I didn't mean to bump into you. Allow me to pay for your snack." Enzo reached into his pocket, offering money as compensation.
But the girl just laughed lightly, looking at the snack that had fallen and was now tainted by the filth of the road. "No need, Sir," she said, her voice light yet firm. "That snack was awful. I was planning to throw it away anyway."
Enzo was surprised by her response. The girl seemed to care little about what had happened to the snack, or even to herself. Afterward, with swift and spirited movements, she walked away, chasing after her friends who had already gone ahead.
"Hey, Dimas! Wait for me!"
Enzo, still silent, simply watched her back as she walked away. A sense of curiosity stirred within him. Who was this girl? What was an Elvian girl doing here? Enzo's gaze lingered on her, even after she disappeared into the crowd.
"Master Enzo?" one of the cloaked men broke the silence. "What's with that girl? Finding an Elvian outside of their territory is rare, but it's not that strange."
Enzo took a deep breath, as though returning from a deep mental thought. He nodded slowly and continued walking.
"It's nothing," he replied in a low, powerful tone. "We have more important matters here. Let's meet with the others soon!"
With confident steps, Enzo continued his journey, deeper into the chaos of Isla de Felicita, a city that would soon feel the destruction that Il Maschera had long desired.