System Hack: A Journey to Valeria

Chapter 18

Griffins POV:

As the bright light hit my face as we entered the door of thick mist, my eyes squint frrom the bright light looming over us. As we entered the premises, all eyes were on us. the locals looked shocked and confused and some l;ooked angry as if we commited sin. I looked at the poeple with us and all of them are bowing their heads as if they came here to get punished as guilt plastered on their faces.

"How dare you entered this sacred ground! and you brought and outsider and a demon!" Someone from above the large trr trunks said and emerged before our eyes. He looked somehow a little older than Amara and the others with us. this must be one of their elders.

The carriage came to a full stop and Amara went down the carriage. I looked at her as she bowed to show respect to her clan. A princess bowing her head was not on the books. the royalty were not allowed to bow to anyone in lower rank. I saw Dan approached her as he also bowed his head with her. And the rest of the group with us did the same.

"That does not prove anything! you have commited a grave crime and you are already banned from this country!" he spoke again

"I have come in peace and with good news, I do not want to disrupt the peace of our people-- I" Amara spoke with her heart but she was rudely interupted.

"Silence! no one here is your people." He spoke with madness on his eyes.

"Agra! Stop this. we will sit somewh"ere quiet and hear what the princess will say. After all, she is the daughter of our king, and your nephew." The older woman spoke and emerged from the other side of the tree trunk and she was holding a sungkod. The mans reaction who has shown hate towards the princess, grimaced and took a step back.

The old woman went forward and spoke. "All of you whoe entered, please, follow me to the kings throne room." as soon as she said that, she began to walk so we followed. Dan assisted Amara back to the carriage and he returned to his horse and we startyed to move again.

I cannot believe my eyes with the elven kingdom. there are perhaps thousands of them in this forest. I looked at them and some avoid nmy gaze and some looked angry and some, confused. Perhaps not a lot knew of the story of the princess going MIA for the past years.

We passed by a lot of elven houses until slowly it was thining out, same with the people. More big trees were what I see and just until we passed a big clearing of the woods that we came to a full stop. looked at the area and all I see are a clear field with a vast pond in frront.

"The ground is shaking," Misaki commented. and I felt no ground moving until as few seconds later, It was a strong and long vibration and I saw the water slowly moving as something was coming ouit of the water and a huge tree with gold leaves and branches sprung up to the ground from the vast pond.I wenmt down the carriage as my eyes sticked with what was happening.

Misaki followed me down the carriage and I went forward. The old woman appeared in front of us and witht eh old man that was mad with us when we entered. I saw Amara went down the carriage and all our group went down their horses.

"Follow me," the old woman spoke as the doors of the huge golden tree opened. A bridge between the tree and the other side was formed.

My emotions and disbelief with the place was still processing. this place was much more magical than I imagined.

"Come, Griff and Misaki." Amara asked us to come and so we hesitantly followed them. We passed by the old man that was angry at us as he walked last and I saw the door closed behind us.

We walked further from the main entrsance and I saw a huge stairs with a throne in the middle of it. There sat someone who looked very powerful as his body, his stance and the way he carries himself stady looked so royalty and powerful.

"King Elmont, your daughter, Princess Amara is back," she spoke.

Amara stepped forward and bowed to the king. "My king, I have come with great news."

"I thought you know the consequences of your actions Amara. Why did you return?" the King spoke in a baritone voice with a hint of anger or disappointment. I cant seem to distunguish between the two.

"Father! I did not come back empty handed."

"Do not speak to the King that way! you are now and outsider of the kingdom and so are the elvens that followed your path!" The man named Agra spoke.

"Silence!" the kings voice echoed on the halls of the hollowed tree.

"WHat is this news that you think will let you earn you place back in the kingdom?" The King asked.

"But-- Sire!" Agra spoke again and the King gave him a death glare.

"I will not repeat myself, Agra. LeaVE IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO OBEY MY ORDERS!" The King snapped.

Agra took a step back and bowed his head.

"Speak." The Old lady said. She did not mention her name, even earlier. But they looked like they are the same age with the King and that man named Agra.

Hindi ko na alam ano ang gagawinn ko dahil this is turning into a drama! parang palabas lang sa earth na mga hari at reyna na may conflict sa kanilang anak na princessa.

"I have come to offer the power of life to our clan. My King, My Queen, the legend is true and I have acquired it!" She said and there was visible reaction from them. Teka, Queen? yung matandang babae ba na may sungkod?

"That is preposterous! And absurd lie to gain her seat on the throne once again! Your life might have become a nightmare that is why you came back here because you couldnt handle it! " Agra spoke

"Do not speak to the Princess that way! She has suffered and did her best to acquire this power. Even when she was away, all she thoufght about was how to save the clan!"

"You! How dare you speak! I did not give you permission to do so!" AGra pointed out to Dan who spoke for the princess.

"Guards! Take him to the dungeon where he will rot!" He shouted like a mad man.

"Enough! Leave the room Agra!" The King spoke and stood with anger plastered on his face.

"But, but my King!" He spoke.

"Hold your tongue, my daughter still holds the title of a princess and she has a higher rank than you." He said with every word spoken with anger from the insult Agra made.

"I am sorry for my brother's behavior. Please, let your guests rest first and you and the others too. And then , we talk." The King said.

"Father..." Amara said smiling.

"Come, daughter." The old lady witht he staff called out to Amara. So it really is her mother. They are not really that old. They look a bit younger than my parents but Elvens grow old slower.

I just looked at Amara as she nodded to let her group be calm and follow the King and Queen's orders. The big hallway greeted us as we walked towards it. The tree is biogger than I expect it to be. We were sent into different rooms and were told to take a rest and not to go out without permission and everything we need will be provided. Maybe this is like a quarantine, to avoid our group from roaming arounm the halls when they have lost trust and are confused with what is happening.