Voyage Of The Villainess

Lila continued on to her story about the dark orbs. 

"I still vividly remember, this happened back then when I thought I was going to die, they suddenly appeared. I was scared at that time and felt hopeless then those laughing fairies appeared in my visions. And this is the interesting part, you know what?" Lila said with full of energy while gesturing her hands "During that time, all I remember was that my body started to float, like this.." she used her right hand to uplift it, Malaya just kept watching her. "And the next thing I knew I was in an absolute dark place with only glowing fireflies flying everywhere. I thought I'm dead and at that time I must already be at the Origin of Life. But as time passed, I met other people who became monsters. But they don't have an as horrendous appearance as I do." Lila stopped as flashes of painful memories passed her mind. "Hehe, I thought when we first met, you would ignore me because of my appearance. But you are different from the rest that is why I'm so happy when you stay here at my house."  Her face became brighter when she remembered the first day they met.

Malaya just smiled and didn't say anything. And gazed at Lila with a complicated look in her eyes, even though she was smiling but her eyes spoke differently.

Lila then went on to what she was saying after she calmed herself from the negativity she was feeling. She was looking down, knowing that she could sense what she felt inside based on Malaya's expressions. She was now afraid to look at Malaya and see her look of ridicule or insult. 'Why did I even start this? She must be thinking that this is really troublesome for her. She has not even spoken anything since I started talking. I should just finish this fast. Ugh, Lila, you're such a talkative.'' Lila thought, feeling deep anxiety and shame rising inside her.

"Then, as I said before, this city was not yet here before. This city is just a decade old. Back then, we just lived in separate tribes. But as I told you before, the high priest appeared together with his men, and started building the city uniting everyone in the Abyss."

"Then a  society with normal human standards and rules was established. Though from what I can see, everyone was happy with the city, when it comes to me? It was rather hard for me at first. No one would hire me, because they were afraid of my appearance. You see I really look like I am someone who will eat anyone. Well, who wants this kind of appearance? Even me, I don't like it. I lived that hard life very hard for the whole three years until I met this one guy that truly changed my whole life. He is Gregor Orient, an old man who is one of the vassals of the high priest retired to live a peaceful life in this mansion. He was quite strict, but because I learned a lot of things such as embroidery and even how to control my magic. He was like both a father and a teacher to me." Lila's expression became subtle as she remembered the times she had with Gregor.

'Gregor, huh. If he is Lila's teacher, then he must be a very good one. And he is one of the vassals of the high priest.'

"The following two years of my life were the most enjoyable of all time. But I learned hard enough that you will not always be happy in your lifetime. Life is like a roller coaster where there is always ups and downs. Lord Gregor, was summoned to District 1 by the high priest. And I remember that he came back later that night. And said that he will be going on a journey to someplace. But I secretly followed after him when he left and found out that he will be going to the above ground."

"I was able to sneak past the guards and blend in with the other scouts. But I still didn't lose sight of Lord Gregor. We reached the high grounds and followed him secretly in the forest. He stopped in a certain clearing in the forest and I hid quietly behind the bushes. I remember him calling out to someone, the wind grew stronger and I could hear the laughing fairies. But Lord Gregor asked something that is still not quite clear to me. He asked no one particular in the thin air, like this, 'Are the one who is doing these murders?'"

"And after that multiple explosions happened that I couldn't help but cover my eyes."

"That repeatedly sinister voice of, 'don't laugh,' was what I can still vividly remember. And when I came back to my senses the next thing I found out was Lord Gregor's lying there with blood oozing out of him. Then there's a word that I will never forget. He told me in his last dying words how happy he was when there was someone beside him to witness his death. Then he told me to find friends that I will care about and be honest with them always. He was the kindest and generous man I ever met in my life." Lila stopped speaking as she tried to stop her tears from falling. She took a deep breath and continued.

"And after that, I continued hearing from the scouts how that sinister voice was glued to the laughing fairies above. It was like whatever that thing was, they were using the laughing fairies as a shield or cover to do their horrendous crimes. And so far, only Lord Gregor was the one who made real close contact with it."

There was a silence that filled the air. And a few more moments had passed and there was still silence. 'Why is she not speaking? She thought it was too overwhelming for her or she's simply not interested in my story? ' Lila was becoming more nervous than ever before. She gathered her courage to look at Malaya.

But as soon as she raised her head, she was enveloped in an embrace that startled her. "First of all, I want to say thank you for your vulnerability. I know this is not easy for you to share this stuff, I hear you and feel you, Lila. You did a pretty great job holding all of this for so long." Malaya patted her back. "I used to think you were a tough person, but that no longer appears to be the case. You are indeed strong being Lila for overcoming those challenges. As a friend of yours, I'm so proud of you."

Lila, who was startled by the sudden hug, buried her face in Malaya's shoulders. Tears streamed down her eyes. "Since I became a monster, no one has ever hugged me like this before. Thank you, Malaya." Tears continuously streamed down her face.

" If ever no one tells you this, I want you to know that you are beautiful just the way you are and your presence makes you so much attractive to me," Malaya said and after that, she  didn't speak anything anymore. 'I'm such a cruel person for not being honest with Lila either. It would be fair enough if I told her part of myself too. Really at this time, being honest is what I can give to her even though we just met like yesterday. But living a noble, and even in my past life. I know whether a person is sincere or not. And she is one of the sincerest people I've ever met.'

Malaya waited for Lila to calm down. A few moments later.

"Lila," Malaya retracted herself from Lila. "Actually, I'm not a scout or the person you thought I am."

Lila, hearing Malaya's words, became a little distraught. She just looked blankly at Malaya. 

"Would you also listen to my story? As you do, I wanted to be honest with you. Because that's what true friends are." When Malaya said those words another pang of guilt hit her. 'I'm saying this, but it is still like the past life, I can't simply tell anyone. I'm really the worst. No, I've never been a good person, to begin with. I'm sorry Lila that your first-ever friend is not a good person. I hope you will still accept me after you hear my story.'

Malaya faintly smiled at Lila. "Then I should begin my tale now. It would be quite a long one as well."

Malaya told her story, from the time she lost someone important to her, her academy years while omitting the Fate of the Stars, the fight at Taleba, her academy ball, her dream voyage, the strange events that leads to the Misty island and somewhat her fight and defeating the demon lord. She omit the part of being with the priestess and now she told her, she was on the island because there was something she needed to get from here. Telling all of these, Malaya faintly smiles at the adventures she already experienced, somewhere not great but she made it through because of not only her but the people who cared and love her.. She survived because she was never alone in the times of the challenges she faced in her life.