★64
THIRD POV
Days passed, and Hinamatsuri's affection for the boy deepened. She treated him as if he were her own, her care unwavering. Issei remained unaffected, preoccupied with playing alongside Ryota and the others.
Her worry, however, only grew until she could no longer hold it in and turned to Atlas and Elaine with questions.
"Sorry, my Lady, he only informed us he'll be leaving."
"Yes. He didn't disclose his location nor the days he'll spend."
Her face was downcast as she answered.
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"..o...ok sorry for wasting your time.."
"No problem, my lady."
"A single call is all it'll take."
The two said before they left. Still lost in thought, Hinata was more worried.
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The door fulng open, and Towa came in.
"Q..Queen Towa?"
"Stop that, not in here. Eto wasn't telling me anything, so I had to come. Is he still not back?"
"Yeah. Looks like all his clones couldn't pinpoint his location."
"It..it can't be ..."
Hinata shook her head with a smile as she spoke.
"Ati chan will never leave me...it's a promise. So I'm positive it's all his plans."
With a red face, Towa replied.
"H..he can't leave me either, and don't think I'll give up anytime soon."
"It's a competition then."
Hinata replied.
"It's cheating also. You're just a room away from him. You'll sneak off and..."
She was boiling with jealousy while Hinata smirked before answering nonchalantly.
"I've made the biggest move already."
Towa's face was dead red. She was angry yet jealous. She began to walk towards Hinata only to be interrupted.
"Forgive me, my lady. I'll be heading home with the Queen."
Eto appeared, a swirling portal opening before Towa as she rushed toward Hinata. She barely had time to react before the pull seized her, dragging her in. From the other side, she cursed, powerless to return.
"Eto, you're defying my orders! I'll report you to Asteri. And you Hinamatsuri, I'll be living on his bed soon enough just wait and watch!"
"I'll take the punishment, my queen."
He said before bowing and exiting the room through the portal.
The next day, Hinata was out watching the kids playing. Her mind was at peace, also disturbed by Asteri's absence when she suddenly heard a voice in her head.
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She startled, unable to recognise the voice or how to respond. Then another voice, almost identical to the first, spoke again.
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The white dragon reassured.
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Yang's message left her surprised along with the revelation that the dragons were communicating with her telepathically. This was a confirmation. The World of Stars and Dragons isn't a myth anymore.
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Not thinking they would share her thoughts, she was also surprised.
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Yin told her.
"I'll never do that. I have nothing to hide from you guys."
She stood locking her gaze at Ata for a long time before she turned around and left for the star. Surprised, her body didn't react to the barrier that shields her.
"I..it didn't activate?"
The two dragons came over and were flying over her. Yang, the little white dragon spoke.
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Yin tugged at her clothes with its mouth, whining and nipping as it pleaded for attention.
"O..ok. What should we do today?"
She asked.
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Despite being far from home, the pending War was etched into their being.
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They told her telepathically that her face was a bit worried.
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Yin assured. Her voice was laced with concern as she spoke.
"I have zero experience with magic. How can I help out?"
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Yang glanced at her, wings flapping.
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It turned over to her.
Hinata sat down and closed her eyes. Yang mirrored her, flapping anxiously as Yin disappeared from view. She strained, struggling to sense the faint grey Energy drifting in the Cardinal World.
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Yin muttered, frustrated.
Yang snorted.
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Yin huffed, puffing out smoke from her nostrils.
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The two little dragons quarrelled, snapping and flapping, creating a lively distraction. Hinata opened one eye, smirking at their antics, but continued her focus despite the playful chaos.
"I can't do it..m I can't even sense anything."
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Yin who flew off added.
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Closing her eyes, she struggled, but it didn't work. Antares or rather, Asteri, is a figure she can't do away with.
"I can't do this. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologise. We'll get there in time."
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Not wanting to strain its mother, Yang flew away, too. With no other reason to stay any longer, she left the star.
Later in the night, Hinata and the ladies were in the private spring behind the palace bathing.
"What's the matter, Lady Hinamatsuri?"
Elfaria asked.
"No formalities between us, please.."
"Forgive me.."
"Never mind..it's Ati chan. I'm worried about him."
"We all are. We hope he'll be back soon."
"Yes..yes we do."
The next day and a few more days to come, Hinata went back to the star and tried once more but still didn't activate the Parallel World of Energy. After exiting the star, she was exhausted from countless trials. She sat at the edge of the Island, looking at the sunset. She caught sight of Ata also enjoying the view and walking over.
"It's odd to see you not playing Ata chan."
He was startled by her sudden appearance.
"Sorry if I scared you."
"I...I'm on guard. You can't scare me."
He spoke nonchalantly, but his face betrayed him. She chuckled and brushed it off.
"I'm sorry about what happened to you. Just waking up and not remembering anything is..."
"Nothing. I'm alright. It might take a while, but I may recall what happened, so don't worry Hinat...I mean Lady Hinamatsuri. I'm sorry."
His face was timid, but it immediately turned red as she held his little face with her hands facing each other.
"No need to apologise. Just call me Hinamatsuri, ok?"
"O..ok."
His eyes were sparkling. She let go of his head and turned to face the orange sun as it sank.
"What do you plan on doing when you grow up, Ata chan?"
He thought for a bit before answering nonchalantly. He stood up, pointing his right hand forward as if wielding a sword.
"I want to make lots of friends and family. And have the power to protect them. If someone messes with us, I'll deal with them no matter who they are, humans or monsters."
She couldn't help but chuckle at his dream.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Apologies, not because it's funny, but you've reminded me of someone."
"Oh..who's that?"
He asked, his face lighting up.
"Someone with your dreams, the ruler of this land."
"The green-eyed guy?"
"No, he left days before you arrived. He told us he'll be back in three days, but now it's almost two weeks."
She was frustrated by the looks, Ata cleared that off with a positive reply.
"Well, I'm sure he's alright. Maybe something important came up, and he's attending to it. So don't worry, Hinamatsuri san, he'll be back in no time."
Those words raised her hope even though it was from a little boy who knew nothing about the world. Without hesitation, she drew him close, his face pressed gently into the soft curves of her bosom.
"Thank you...I needed that."
She said before releasing him
"It's almost time for dinner. Let's head back to the palace."
Unable to answer, he nodded, his face still red. The two went back to the palace and dined with the rest.
The next day, Hinamatsuri was strolling around the island when Atlas appeared in front of her.
"L..lord Atlas?"
"Just Atlas, my lady. I'll be quick. While training, some of the students were sparring, Gaara, who specialises in earth magic, was against Raiden, a lightning user.
Long story short, Raiden used Thunder Lance, which gave birth to a crater ignoring Gaara's defence. Beneath the crater were found gemstones."
She halted and was surprised.
"Yeah, the lance pierced the earth about 40 kilometres or so. Forgive me for not taking precautions. I only protected the surroundings and minimised the damage..."
She cut his words off.
"It is not a problem as long as no one gets hurt, but this is. It'll be good news for Ati chan. Mind taking me there?"
"Sure."
Before the two teleported, she spoke.
"No teleportation."
"As you wish."
They walked to the training grounds, and people gathered around observing the site, although they couldn't see what was deep below.
"News spread fast. I'm sure my barrier trapped all the noise."
Atlas spoke before forcefully using magic to pave a way for them to pass.
"That wasn't necessary, but.."
She kept that to herself and proceeded. As Raiden saw the two, he went on his knees
"I'll take any punishment as fit your highness."
"I think you deserve a reward."
No hint of sarcasm in her words, she walked up to him and whispered not to his ear, though. It'll be considered cheating.
"I'll be happy to inform Asteri of your discovery."
His eyes widened, and those ignorant could only feel pity towards Raiden. They assumed he would face some serious punishment.
"Atlas, let's see the stones."
Gesturing with his two fingers upwards, several stones of different sizes, shapes, and colours emerged and flew towards her. The crowds couldn't help but stare at the beautiful stones.
She saw something as she reached for a couple of them.
"It's natural but..tainted..wait how am I? This place will be off limits. I'm sorry but you'll have to switch to a new training ground."
"That's not a problem, my lady. Orders effective immediately."
Atlas spoke, and the crowd was cleared, leaving only a few people, Atlas, Elaine, Elfaria, and Hinamatsuri.
"You sensed it, didn't you?"
"Yes...it's super faint, but it's natural."
"I wonder why it's like this."
"Sensed what?"
Elafria asked, dumbfounded.
"Whether it's their natural composition or the influence of the land itself, the gems contain energy."
Elaine replied, lifting one of the crystals so the light caught its inner glow.
"Energy?"
Hinata echoed, her brows knitting together as she focused on the gem.
"Yes. Magical energy."
Elaine said.
"In this world, it's called a magicule. These gems absorb magicules from the environment over time, like sponges. But don't misunderstand, not all energy qualifies as magic."
Atlas folded his arms.
"Exactly. Mana is what we draw on to cast spells. Magicules are simply the smallest measurable units of that magical power. They're the fuel, nothing more."
A faint pause followed.
"Wrong, Atlas."
The voice cut in, calm but absolute.
"Mana is a system, a framework for spellcasting. Magicules are its particles, yes, but they are not the source. Energy is the existential force that governs both mana and magicules. Without it, neither could exist, let alone function."
Atlas clicked his tongue.
"Right. Brains. I get it."
"Ok, brawns. Which, fortunately, I also have."
Elaine replied dryly.
"Let's wait for Ati chan, I can't make such decisions."
Hinamatsuri said before separating the gems into four and giving those presents, ignoring the arguing Stars.
She quickly turned and started walking before anyone protested.
To be continued...