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THE THREE WISHING CRYSTALS
The sun slowly sank beneath the western horizon, transmuting the sky’s canvas into a purplish-orange hue before the darkness of night seized absolute control. Amidst the dense forest canopy, the surviving guards of the Ice Kingdom were busy preparing a comfortable bivouac for Princess Diyah and Princess Elisha. Meanwhile, Uncle Tom arranged firewood and ignited a campfire to banish the bone-piercing chill.
Once all preparations concluded, they sat in a tight circle near the hearth. Shortly after, the rustling of leaves heralded the arrival of Ken, who had just returned from his hunt.
”Apologies for keeping you waiting,” Ken spoke as he stepped out from the shadows of the ancient trees, carrying several wild hares that had been cleanly skinned.
”Ahh, not at all, My Lord! Here, allow me to roast them for you,” Uncle Tom replied nimbly, hastily stepping forward to take the fresh game from Ken’s hands.
”Great Big Brother, you’re finally back!” Elisha cheered, her eyes sparkling with unadulterated joy. “Wah! Are we having roasted rabbit meat tonight?” she continued enthusiastically, staring at the fresh meat ready to be seasoned over the flames.
”Yes, indeed. Does the Little Princess enjoy roasted rabbit?” Ken asked with a warm smile.
”Umm… Truthfully, I have never eaten rabbit meat before. But just looking at it, it seems absolutely delicious!” Elisha explained, swallowing hard as she imagined the savory taste.
”Is that so? Naturally. A wild hare roasted to perfection will taste incredibly tender and savory. You shall experience it shortly,” Ken stated, gently ruffling the crown of Elisha’s head. “Ah, right. Earlier, before returning here, I secured some of your belongings from the ambush site.”
With a single sweep of his hand, the Spatial Ring upon Ken’s finger pulsed with a flash of cosmic blue light. In the blink of an eye, the massive wooden supply crates and the intact remnants of their carriage materialized with a soft thud upon the grass.
Uncle Tom’s eyes bulged so wide they nearly popped from their sockets. Heavens! How could his dimensional artifact possess the absolute capacity to house an object as colossal as a carriage?! the head guard’s soul quaked, astounded as he realized the heaven-defying tier of Ken’s Spatial Ring.
”Yayyy! It’s our carriage, Sister Diyah!” Elisha cheered in jubilation. She immediately broke into a light jog toward the familiar wooden cabin.
Thank the heavens, the remains of my carriage were salvaged! With this, at the very least, Elisha and I will not have to shiver sleeping upon the bare earth tonight, Diyah mused, subconsciously flashing an incredibly sweet, profoundly relieved smile.
”And… I believe this fabric belongs to you,” Ken said, extending a thin, bluish-patterned silk veil toward Diyah.
”Hmmm… Ah, my veil! Thank you immensely, My Lord,” Diyah replied, accepting her facial covering. That fleeting interaction sent a rapid rush of crimson flushing her cheeks. Flustered, she hastily lowered her visage and turned away, following Elisha toward the carriage.
Hah! What was with that reaction? Her expression suddenly turned bizarre… Did I commit an offense? Ken wondered in confusion, not entirely grasping the delicate etiquette of a royal princess.
Brushing aside his bewilderment, Ken strode forward and sat cross-legged near the campfire alongside Uncle Tom, who was busily rotating the roasting hares. Ken utilized the moment to discuss several crucial matters and interrogate the true circumstances behind the royal vanguard’s flight.
”Uncle, have you released the messenger bird to the Ice Kingdom?” Ken inquired with a serious tone.
”I have, My Lord. The missive is currently en route,” Uncle Tom answered with a nod.
”Then… what exactly is the urgent mandate that emboldened you to traverse this perilous forest, especially dragging the Little Princess along?” Ken probed further.
”A-ah… regarding that. Truthfully, we initially departed without Princess Elisha, My Lord. Our diplomatic mission was to deliver official invitations for the Pandhega Trial to the five great kingdoms, as the Ice Kingdom has been designated as the grand host this year. However, shortly after crossing the borders of the Water Kingdom, we discovered that the Little Princess had actually snuck in and hidden herself within our logistics crate!”
Uncle Tom let out a long, heavy sigh. “Once discovered, Princess Diyah immediately dispatched an emergency letter to His Majesty the King to quell his anxiety. We never anticipated that danger would strike so swiftly. We were ambushed by that bandit horde shortly after moving significantly out of the Sky Kingdom’s reach,” Uncle Tom explained, detailing the chronology while continuously rotating the spit to ensure an even roast.
”I see. Initially, I found it quite perplexing. Given the Ice Kingdom’s currently unstable state, I thought the King would have to be an absolute lunatic to permit his youngest daughter to roam beyond the kingdom’s borders,” Ken remarked, deciphering the underlying intrigue.
”Absolutely not, My Lord! His Majesty is exceedingly overprotective and strictly forbids his daughters from leaving the palace, with the sole exception of Princess Diyah, who has come of age and bears the burdens of state duties,” Uncle Tom affirmed. “However, Princess Elisha’s burning curiosity to witness the outside world was so overwhelming that she dared to recklessly sneak into our carriage.”
Ken narrowed his eyes, staring into the dancing flames. “It appears there are filthy factions deliberately exploiting this vulnerability, Uncle. And without realizing it, you may have wandered straight into a vortex of conspiracy that designated you all as sacrificial lambs,” Ken added, delivering a razor-sharp analytical warning.
This youth… His acumen in reading the political tides and analyzing latent threats truly rivals the intellect of a sovereign king. Not only does he wield god-like combat prowess, but his strategic mind is absolutely brilliant. If only a peerless man such as him were willing to stand by and shield the Princess, I would no longer need to wager my life against the demonic conspiracies of the royal court… Uncle Tom pondered, secretly pinning colossal hopes upon Ken.
”Truthfully, the moment we first detected the aura of that ambush, my premonitions were already terribly grim, My Lord,” Uncle Tom replied softly. “To me, the only thing of absolute importance is the safety of these two princesses. As long as they can return to breathe within the palace walls, I am prepared to sacrifice my own life. Because facing cultivators dispatched from within the kingdom… an aging soldier like me clearly lacks the power to withstand them.”
”We shall see, Uncle, what kind of tempest erupts once the news of your survival lands upon the desks of the Ice Kingdom.” Ken snapped a dry twig and tossed it into the campfire, letting the sparks dance wildly in the air.
After some time, the rabbit meat was finally roasted to sheer perfection. The fat dripping onto the embers produced a sizzling sound and a savory aroma that was incredibly appetizing. The tender roasted meat, enriched with natural forest spices, became a luxurious feast that united them that night.
As it turned out, that very night coincided with Elisha’s birthday. Amidst the limitations of the wilderness, Diyah attempted to celebrate it with their meager feast, and that small gesture was more than enough to summon an exceptionally joyous smile upon Elisha’s visage.
”Hey! Isn’t today the exact day of your birthday celebration? How about I give this entire, intact rabbit leg specifically to you? You may finish it all by yourself,” Diyah offered, handing the largest cut of meat to Elisha.
”Truly, Big Sister?!” Elisha replied, her eyes widening in absolute delight.
”Hmmm, of course,” Diyah nodded with a sweet smile.
”Yes, eat until you are full, Little Princess! Princess Diyah can share meat rations with Uncle later,” Uncle Tom chimed in, chuckling at Elisha’s pure enthusiasm.
”Yayyy! Alright! Thank you, Big Sister!” Elisha cheered. She blew on the meat for a moment before taking a bite. “Mmmm, it tastes absolutely heavenly!” she added, chewing so ravenously her cheeks puffed out.
After celebrating the humble yet warm dinner, Elisha suddenly shuffled over to where Ken was seated.
”Great Big Brother, since you saved me so many times today, I want to give you a surprise gift! Here, take this!” Elisha extended her two tiny hands, presenting an exquisitely beautiful crystal necklace with a blood-red pendant to Ken.
The moment that sacred heirloom was brought out, Diyah gasped in pure panic and hurriedly intervened. “Elisha! Heavens!” Diyah reprimanded her sharply, immediately sliding closer to her sister. “Elisha… darling, listen to Big Sister. You cannot casually give that necklace away to just anyone,” Diyah explained, attempting to retract the necklace with a deathly pale visage.
”Umm, why not, Sister? Queen Mother used to say I could give this necklace to the boy I like the most! So, since I really like the kind-hearted Brother Ken, I want to give it to him!” Elisha answered with sinless innocence, instantly plunging the atmosphere into suffocating awkwardness.
”Hmmm, Mother’s words were indeed true. But… for now, you are still far too young, and it is not yet time for you to give this artifact away, okay?” Diyah clarified, desperately trying to reason with her little sister, her cheeks flushing a fiery crimson from sheer embarrassment.
”Umm… alright then,” Elisha muttered, lowering her head gloomily because her gift was rejected.
Uncle Tom cleared his throat softly, mediating the awkwardness. “My deepest apologies, Lord Ken. That red gem necklace is a pure royal heirloom from the Royal Family’s lineage, passed down from generation to generation. According to our sacred traditions, it may only be bestowed upon the man who will legally become a royal life partner. Princess Elisha is still far too young to comprehend the sheer gravity of such traditions. I beg your pardon for her innocence.”
”Hahaha, it is completely fine, Uncle Tom! Relax, I understand perfectly,” Ken laughed crisply, not feeling the slightest bit offended. He looked down at Elisha. “Little One! Your Big Sister and Uncle Tom speak the truth. That necklace is profoundly precious. Keep it safe around your neck until you grow into a mature princess, alright?” Ken coaxed with a warm smile.
”But… if that’s the case, I don’t have any other precious treasures to give you to repay your kindness, Big Brother,” Elisha murmured, pouting her lower lip in sadness.
”A-ah, how about this instead! Since today is the celebration of your birthday, it is only fitting that I be the one to bestow a gift upon you,” Ken spoke gently, turning his palm upwards in the empty void.
”Umm? Big Brother wants to give me a gift?” Elisha tilted her head, her eyes sparkling once more.
”Yes. Open your palm and accept this.” Ken placed three thumb-sized crystals radiating a multicolored, magical luminescence into Elisha’s tiny hand. “These three magical crystals represent three absolute wishes. Whenever you find yourself in peril or harbor a profound desire, simply clutch one of these crystals and call out my name in your heart, and I will absolutely descend to grant whatever you request. How about it? Isn’t that great?” Ken explained, bestowing the gift of absolute aegis upon her.
”Wahhh! Truly?! I can ask Big Brother for anything at all?!” Elisha cheered, staring in awe at the three glowing crystals in her palm.
”Yes, anything. But remember, these artifacts are extremely precious, so you must use them wisely for something that is truly, absolutely important to you,” Ken advised.
”Understood, Big Brother! I promise to guard them very carefully! And starting today, I officially consider you my oldest Big Brother! Okay?” Elisha smiled radiantly. She raised her right hand, connecting her thumb and index finger to form a circle, while her other three fingers pointed straight up—a classic children’s gesture of promising.
Seeing that excruciatingly familiar hand gesture, Ken’s breath caught in his throat. “A-ah… very well,” Ken answered softly. A sudden tightness choked his throat. That simple gesture ruthlessly shattered his emotional defenses, violently dragging forth sweet yet agonizingly tragic memories of his late biological sister from the past.
”Yaaawn… In that case, I want to go inside and sleep first. My eyes are so sticky. It turns out a tummy full of rabbit meat can summon the sleep god really fast, ugh!” Elisha complained, yawning widely and stretching her body, her voice turning drowsy.
”Come, Big Sister will accompany you,” Diyah offered, as Elisha affectionately grabbed her hand.
”Heavens… you’re just a glutton who ate until you’re overstuffed, that’s why you’re sleepy this fast,” Diyah teased gently as she stood up and guided Elisha toward the carriage.
”Hehehe, is that really why, Big Sister?” Elisha giggled, staggering groggily as sleep overtook her.
While laying her little sister down upon the pile of blankets, Diyah’s mind could not break free from the figure of the man outside. Is that man truly the Supreme Leader of the Siama Alliance—that terrifying, blood-soaked legend? From the horrific rumors I’ve heard, his persona is painted as utterly heartless, cruel, sadistic, and someone who never hesitates to mutilate his foes. Yet… witnessing the way he treats Elisha, his eyes radiate such profound warmth and an abyss of loss. Diyah’s inner thoughts churned violently, attempting to decipher the anomaly of Ken’s true nature.
Outside the carriage, Uncle Tom approached Ken, who remained seated cross-legged, staring at the embers. “Lord Ken, it would be best if you retired to your tent to rest. Allow me and the other soldiers to take turns standing guard outside tonight,” Uncle Tom offered with utmost reverence.
”There is no need, Uncle. Quite the contrary, you and your vanguard must retire and sleep immediately. You have all endured a severely draining battle and flight,” Ken declined politely yet firmly. “Allow me to assume absolute command of the night watch tonight. And remember my warning… whatever tremors or noises erupt out there tonight, Uncle does not need to awaken. Leave it entirely to me.”
Uncle Tom fell silent, grasping the mysterious, absolute finality behind Ken’s warning. “I understand, My Lord. I beg your pardon for constantly burdening your shoulders,” he replied, bowing respectfully before withdrawing to his tent.
Once the entire vanguard had retired to their quarters, the profound silence of the forest reclaimed its dominion. It left only Ken, sitting like a stone statue beneath the starry canopy, accompanied by the crackling of the campfire whose flames danced wildly.
Several hours drifted by. The night air grew increasingly bone-piercing. Diyah, unable to force her eyes closed, slowly slid open the carriage door and stepped outside. She gazed at Ken’s silhouette, still keeping vigil alone. Why does he insist on shouldering the burden of the night watch all by himself? Where did Uncle Tom and the other guards go? she wondered in confusion.
Pulling her fur cloak tightly around herself, Diyah walked slowly toward the hearth. “F-forgive me for disturbing your solitude… Am I permitted to sit here?” Diyah greeted with a nervous tone, shattering the silence.
”Oh, Princess. Yes, please have a seat,” Ken answered without turning his head; his heightened perception had already acknowledged Diyah’s presence the moment she opened the carriage door.
”The night has grown so late, why are you still keeping watch, Sir? Are you not the least bit sleepy?” Diyah asked after taking a seat a short distance from Ken.
”I have no desire to sleep just yet. My instincts prefer to remain vigilant. What about you?” Ken replied, redirecting the question.
”I… I kept closing my eyes but could not fall asleep. Perhaps because of the freezing air, or perhaps I am simply not tired,” Diyah explained, wrapping her cloak tighter. “Umm… truthfully, my primary reason for coming out was to apologize for the insolence of my little sister, who has troubled you, Sir.”
Ken furrowed his brow, staring at Diyah in bewilderment. “Ah, troubled me in what way?”
”Yes, naturally because of her antics! You sacrificed so much to save our lives, yet my little sister shamelessly extorted you, forcing you to hand over such an invaluable crystal artifact as a gift for her,” Diyah explained, lowering her visage, heavily burdened by guilt.
”Oh, heavens! Relax, cast that burden from your mind. I genuinely intended to bestow an absolute aegis upon her,” Ken answered swiftly so Diyah wouldn’t have to feel guilty. “It was merely that the situation earlier was slightly pressing. Fortunately, my instincts managed to formulate the most fitting and functional gift to secure that child’s life in the future.”
”Is that truly the case…? For some reason, you seem to radiate a profoundly warm, fatherly aura every time you look at Elisha,” Diyah remarked, her eyes shining with gentle curiosity.
”Hahaha, is that truly how you perceive it? I don’t know, perhaps it is because every time I gaze into the sparkle of her innocence, I feel as though I am violently dragged back into the past… looking at the silhouette of my own little sister,” Ken explained, a bitter smile gracing his soft laughter.
”A little sister? So you… also have a younger sister?” she asked, her intrigue deepening.
”Yes, I did. In the past, I had an incredibly sweet little sister. However… she has long since passed, torn away in a blood-soaked tragedy alongside my father and mother,” Ken murmured thoughtfully. His eyes stared blankly into the roaring campfire, as if watching the phantoms of his past massacre dancing amidst the embers.
Diyah instantly covered her mouth with one hand. “Heavens… Forgive me, Sir! My tongue was far too insolent. I absolutely did not intend to dig into your scars and offend your past,” Diyah apologized in panic, profoundly regretting her inquiry.
Witnessing Diyah’s panic, Ken actually let out a genuine, hearty laugh. “Hahaha… This entire time, you have done nothing but endlessly apologize and stiffly address me as ‘Sir’,” Ken said, his eyes reflecting a hint of amusement at Diyah’s rigid demeanor. “Judging from your aura, I reckon we are around the same age, and furthermore, you are a blue-blooded princess. So, discard those formal titles. You don’t need to call me ‘Sir’ in the middle of a wilderness like this!”
”So… what should I call you? Am I permitted to simply call you Brother Ken?” Diyah asked, tilting her head slightly with an exceedingly enchanting little smile.
”Yes, absolutely. That is far more pleasing to the ears,” Ken agreed. “As long as you do not address me as GRAND-FATHER, I shall respond,” Ken continued, delivering a dry joke with a completely deadpan expression.
Hearing that dry joke delivered with such a deadly serious expression, Diyah could not contain her laughter. “Pfft… Hahaha! Very well, Brother Ken,” Diyah managed between her melodious giggles.
It turns out that behind his wall of ice, that warm demeanor surfaces due to his profound yearning for his late sister. Deep within the abyss of his heart, he is an incredibly kind man. Perhaps… it was the harsh, blood-soaked storms of life that forced him to grow and forge himself into an absolute protector who is merciless toward his enemies. Diyah’s inner thoughts began weaving a complete comprehension of Ken’s persona.
”By the way, is the true destination of Brother Ken’s journey genuinely directed toward the frozen territories of the Ice Kingdom?” Diyah asked, lowering her voice until it sounded like a clandestine whisper.
”Yes, precisely. The compass of my journey points directly there,” Ken explained, turning to look into Diyah’s pristine eyes.
”If it isn’t too insolent of me… may I know what monumental affairs bring Brother Ken to that snow-covered capital?” she probed further.
”Umm… before I answer that, are you the type of woman who can lock away a secret absolutely?” Ken asked in return, his tone shifting into profound seriousness.
”Mm-hmm, absolutely. My lips are as sealed as a coffin,” Diyah answered confidently, nodding her head slowly with a reassuring smile.
”Very well. My purpose for descending upon your kingdom is… I am tracking someone’s traces. Someone who shares an immensely profound thread of past destiny with me,” Ken explained slowly.
”Someone? Is… that person a woman?” she asked again, a strange, inexplicable pinch of curiosity tickling her heart.
”Yes, she is a girl. Our first encounter occurred roughly ten years ago amidst the depths of despair,” Ken answered, his gaze drifting into the past. “However, I have no absolute certainty of her appearance or her fate now. With a gap of time that vast, it is entirely possible she has already been wed as someone’s wife… or, in the most tragic scenario, she might have perished, swallowed by the cruelty of this realm.”
”Ohh… I see,” Diyah murmured. “Then, what if destiny dictates that she is indeed married and living happily with another man?” Diyah asked, attempting to unearth the absolute depths of Ken’s feelings.
”Well… that is perfectly fine! To me, witnessing her happiness would be more than enough. At the very least, I would have fulfilled my sacred oath to see her once again,” Ken explained with a genuine smile that radiated profound maturity.
”Umm….” Diyah fell silent. For some inexplicable reason, that profoundly sincere answer left her utterly devoid of words to continue her interrogation.
”Now it is my turn to ask. What about yourself? As a crown princess shouldering the colossal weight of a kingdom, what is the absolute zenith of your ambitions or your life’s purpose?” Ken asked, scrutinizing Diyah intently.
”My purpose…? For the time being, I am concentrating the entirety of my ambitions on ascending the throne and becoming a True Queen,” Diyah explained, initially hesitant but her voice slowly thickening with ironclad resolve. “That was the final testament and the greatest aspiration of my parents. I wish to see their proud smiles in the afterlife when they witness me successfully donning the crown of the Ice Kingdom.”
…Happy in the afterlife? Wait a minute, could it be…?! Ken flinched inwardly, his mind rapidly assembling the scattered fragments of intelligence. “Are… are both of your parents truly no longer in this world?” Ken asked softly, afraid of tearing open a wound.
”Hmmm, mm-hmm.” Diyah nodded slowly. “It has been roughly eleven years since that tragedy snatched them away for all eternity.” Although her eyes began to glisten as she fought back a pool of tears, Diyah’s lips stubbornly forced a resilient smile that sliced at the heart.
Sensing that identical aura of profound agony, Ken smiled warmly. “Looking at the absolute fortitude in your eyes, I would wager my life on it… you will undoubtedly grow to become an exceptionally majestic and wise Queen.”
”Thank you for your blessings,” Diyah expressed, wiping away a stray tear. “And what of your own ambitions, Brother Ken? Where lies the finish line of your blood-soaked journey?”
”My ultimate ambition is exceedingly simple. I merely wish to continuously shatter the boundaries of my cultivation, ascend as the absolute strongest existence, and hunt down every single demon that corrupts this realm… specifically, to plunge the rotten upper echelon of the Fire Kingdom into the deepest abyss of hell,” Ken answered. His confident smile radiated a terrifying yet mesmerizing aura of absolute dominance.
”Wah, what a blood-soaked and terrifying oath. But after you successfully reduce the Fire Kingdom to ashes… hmmm… does Brother Ken harbor absolutely no desire to ascend a throne and crown yourself King?” Diyah asked, launching a question laden with hidden implications that only her own heart comprehended.
”Become a King? Hahaha! To be perfectly honest, I harbor absolutely zero lust to sit and rot upon a golden chair,” Ken clarified, punctuated by a crisp laugh. “Eh, hold on, I do not mean to insult the exalted title of a King or a Queen such as yourself, alright! What I mean is, my soul is far too wild to be shackled by palace bureaucracy. I vastly prefer true freedom, exploring the infinite expanses of this continent while continuing to serve as a shadowed aegis, butchering evil monsters and vile tyrants.”
Ken looked at Diyah, who was stunned listening to his absolute mission. “Therefore, when the Princess is officially crowned as the Queen of the Ice Kingdom in the future, you will no longer need to live in the terror of darkness. I will personally guarantee those threats are annihilated by my own hands. Well… unless the Princess suddenly transforms into a wicked, tyrannical Queen, then you shall also be added to my hunting list!” Ken continued with a smirk, injecting a sharp, dark jest to thaw the tension.
”Hmm, exploring the infinite expanses of the world?” Diyah murmured, ignoring the ridiculous threat, far more captivated by Ken’s philosophy of absolute freedom.
”Yes, absolutely. Based on my comprehension, the cultivation realm out there is unfathomably vast. There are still countless untouched continents, unrevealed miracles, peerless individuals with noble hearts, and also brutal, god-tier monsters we have yet to encounter,” Ken explained, his eyes drifting toward the heavens.
”Hah! Does a world that vast truly exist…” Diyah whispered, closing her eyes to visualize just how suffocatingly narrow the palace walls that had imprisoned her all this time truly were.
Suddenly, Ken’s ears caught a bizarre fluctuation of energy. The tranquil night air abruptly turned phenomenally dense. Three… five… no, there are dozens of killing intents moving closer. Quite a massive swarm! Ken’s senses sharpened to their zenith, instantly realizing that their forest perimeter was being besieged from the darkness.
”Princess, I believe our time for conversation has expired. Return to the carriage and sleep. I must also… rest,” Ken stated with absolute firmness, abruptly terminating the conversation to ensure Diyah entered the safe zone immediately.
”Ahh, oh… yes, very well.” Diyah snapped out of her beautiful reverie. She remained oblivious to the lethal tension in Ken’s eyes and hastily stood up to leave the hearth.
Princess Diyah stepped back up into her carriage cabin, laying down beside the softly snoring Elisha. However, her eyes absolutely refused to close. Her profound conversation with Ken continued to spiral, dominating her mind.
All this time, the noble men who dared to approach and curry favor with me possessed one uniform objective: they dreamed of taking my hand to secure the throne of the Ice Kingdom and become King. But… this mysterious youth is vastly different. He rejects the seduction of absolute power, refuses to be shackled by a throne, and vastly prefers a blood-soaked path for the sake of true freedom to guard the realm… Diyah analyzed inwardly.
Or… could the reason for his rejection be because, physically, I do not fit his criteria for an ideal woman at all? A knot of absolute doubt suddenly crept into her heart. Ahh, whatever! What in the heavens am I thinking?! I only just met him today, and he only just laid eyes on me. However, one thing is certain… listening to the way that man views the world has truly pulverized my walls of arrogance and awakened me to how suffocatingly narrow my world has been all this time. Diyah’s inner thoughts continued to churn violently, pondering the lone, isolated god of war named Ken, who now stood alone to face the impending darkness of the night.