Voyage Of The Villainess

"Since I open my eyes, I only knew that I live in the streets with another person close to me, his name is Callan. We're both orphans, and we survive with the help of each other. Life is hard but as long as we are together, I'm already happy with that."

Malaya listened carefully as Dorris started telling her story.

"Day by day, we managed to survive. But...that certain time came." Dorris paused as she watched her breath. "Goons who were notorious in our area almost got us killed but he came. The man who became our father. He saves us from those goons and adopted us. He takes care of both of us like we are his real children." 

"He...he..." Dorris' hands that were on Malaya's hold trembled. "That day was raining when father still didn't go home. I decided to look for him since he didn't bring an umbrella with him. But I wish, I haven't done that. As the rain trickled and the air sent chills to my body, once I turn around in a corner, I saw father..."

"He was...killing someone by sucking their lifa until only a dry and empty shell body was left to that woman." A bitter smile emerged from Dorris' lips. "I was so frightened back then and didn't know what to do. In order to explain why he was doing such things, my father told me that he did all of that to survive. And it was for Callan's sake as well. Callan has an illness and if he didn't get enough lifa energy he would die. With my father's offer, I attract innocent people, and bring them to my father for him, to kill them."

Malaya narrowed her eyes as she listened to Dorris' tales. But Dorris went on...

"Then that accident to that dumpsite came. The authorities of the Aravan deducted that whoever commits these murders were people living in the slumps. They left a bomb inside a wooden chest there. And one of our innocent friends opened it..."

"It explodes..." Dorris released another deep breath. "And the blast sent me to the sea. The only thing I remember was how I was drowning."

"And the next thing that happened is we found you on the coast of Marina with amnesia." Malaya continued the rest of her story for Dorris.

Dorris simply nodded her head. "Now that my memories are back, I couldn't stay with you now, Milady. A murderer like me, can't stay with..."

*Fwoosh!*

Dorris' eyes widened when Malaya lock her to her embrace. "Is that really what your heart wanted, Nesha? Choose what would make you happy, and I'll support you as a dear friend of mine." 

'Milady called me with my real name.' 

"Then let's work hard together Dorrisin reaching our dreams." Those memories from the time they were at the Marina household flashed through Dorris' mind.

Dorris wasn't able to answer, her heart squeezed. "Milady..." she pressed her lips, confused about what to say.

"Milady, I..."

Dorris suddenly felt something was off when Malaya's weight became heavier. "Milady..." she called once again, but Malaya didn't respond. Just then, Dorris felt something wet on her hand. Her eyes widened in horror when she saw red liquid. 'This is blood!'

"Milady!" 

Malaya was sweating profusely.

"Wake up, Milady."

*Bang!*

"Seriously."

Dorris winced from the sudden intrusion of light from the outside. 

"That's why I told her not to move too much or her wound might open." Iris entered the door. 

"The drama is over for now," Iris said as she walked in their direction. "I'll handle the rest for here kiddo."

Iris said as she tried to carry Malaya. But after more minutes...

"Help me, kiddo, she's heavy." Dorris' stupor was cut off when Iris looked at her with a troubled expression.

They carried Malaya to the next room.

"What happened to her?!" Dorris asked. Fear and worry laced her voice.

"You struck her, remember?" Iris just gave her a deadpan look. 

"I'll treat her, so get out here now," Iris said as she pushed Dorris out of the room.

--⚓⚓⚓---

Meanwhile...

"They are here." Rein said as he gestured towards Nicholas.

"Why am I involved now with your fight?" Nicholas begrudgingly asked.

"Sir Elred even joined us." Rein gave a sidelong glance to Elred who was on his left side. The man just returned his glance with a nonchalant smile. 'This guy is still suspicious, but for now, I need all the people I could get to help me.'

Rein returned his gaze to Nicholas. "Please, I know you have the heart to help those who are in need." Rein said with a sly smile on his face. But his mind wandered to somewhere else. 'I hope Milady and the others are alright.'

"You are the one who could manage this ship right now." 

"Yeah," Nicholas said. "It seems I really don't have a choice."

The wind started to get stronger and hit the ship causing it to shake rock and forth.

"Where is Nesha?" Callan's voice boomed all over the place. Behind another person with dark shadows surrounding him appeared. It was no other than Charrio. Together with the two of them, dark clouds were forming above them.

"There is really something in my mind that bothers me," Nicholas said as he readied himself for a fight.

"What is it?" Rein asked as he readied his sword.

"Nevermind," Nicholas said. "Let's just end this once and for all."

Callan gestured his hands towards him and a strong blast of wind came out from it.

"I guess, this could serve as a payback from blasting me from before." Nicholas stretched both his hands and with a quick motion, cards formed a barrier in front of them from the wind.

"Fight them?" A sinister smile escaped his lips. "Then bring it on!" Nicholas said as more cards came out from his sleeves.

"Good," Rein said. Satisfied that this man help him.

'Who knows that just after being banished from the empire, she is already causing another problem in another country. I waited in this ship only to end up being dragged with this fight.' Elred thought as a violet light started to envelop his hands.

'I'll help this time.. Since the more she would owe me something after this, my mission would be finished right away.'