Heritage
Paradox

The sun was visibly coming up over thehorizon in the distance by the time Aura and I had left Aurallion. We walked alongside the road, hand inhand. I felt a pleasant breeze blowpass, slipping in between the folds of my kimono and cooling my body. I paused when I felt something tug on my hairand turned to see Aura twiddling with a strand curiously. He blushed when he saw I was watching him andhe let go.

“Sorry,” he said “It’s just…your hair ispretty when it’s not tied up.” I felt mycheeks heat up slightly and smiled.

“Thank you, I didn’t really have enoughtime to tie it up after Can-” My speech was halted as Aura pressed a couple offingers to my lips. He shook his head.

“Don’t say his name, all demons andangels know when their names have been announced and know who said them. He’ll replace us quicker if you keep sayingit.” Just remembering those hauntinggreen eyes made me shudder and pull away, nodding. I lifted my gaze towards the eastern forestand spotted a flock of horses. Wait,they were Floronies. And there werepeople with them. My heart raced. Floronies only accepted elves to come closeto them.

“Let’s go over and ask,” I said andpulled Aura across the plain. Auraclutched onto the kimono sleeve and I began wondering about Zereria. Who was she exactly? Why has she been watching over me ever sinceZack adopted me? It was confusing but Ifelt comforted to be around her and I always have trusted her. It felt like she was the mother figure that Inever had. Aura stopped and clutchedharder onto the sleeve and I saw that we had been spotted as a young girl withcopper coloured hair came running over. She had copper-coloured armour on with a matching sword and shield atthe ready in case anything dangerous came towards her. It struck me as odd briefly when I saw herpointed elf ears as she came closer.

“Hey!” she said “Oh, you’re elves! Have you just come from Aurallion?”

“Yes,” I nodded and placed an arm aroundAura to comfort him “We’re looking for someone named Paradox.”

“Well, I’ll just go get him,” the girlgrinned but as she turned she spotted another girl and waved to her “Hey,Brenda! We’ve got two more and they wantto see the prince!” Aura and I gave eachother an alarmed look. Did she sayprince? Was Paradox a prince? I suddenly felt nervous and felt myselfstroking the Nekaroses for some comfort. Another girl with bronze coloured hair, probably Brenda, came over andlooked us up and down. I felt shocked,she exposed quite a lot of skin for an elf. I eyed the whip she had at her side warily. It looked like it could do some serious damage. She had a distasteful scowl on and lookeddown at the girl.

“Chelsea, how many times do I have totell you to not trust strangers so easily,” she muttered.

“But they’re elves,” Chelsea huffed“they’ve just escaped from Aurallion.”

“How do you know that they’re not humansin disguise?” Brenda raised an eyebrow.

I felt a bit embarrassed as theyregarded me then turned to Aura. Aurajumped at their stares and stuttered.

“I…I…uh…my name’s Aura,” he stutteredand Chelsea gasped.

“Aura?” she echoed and Aura nodded“Gardenia! Gardenia!”

“Whatis it?” a girl with golden hairwalked towards her. She held a heavylooking lexicon and communicated through telepathy. Her lips looked firmly shut, as if theyhadn’t been opened for years.

“This guy,” Brenda jerked her head inAura’s direction “claims to be named Aura.” Gardenia stared at Aura in surprise and placed a hand against hisforehead. She stared at him and her lipsparted gently.

“Aura?” she said out loud and Aura’seyes widened.

“Your voice…I know you, don’t I?” hemurmured and Gardenia sobbed, throwing her arms around him. I stood there awkwardly as Bell purred whenChelsea began petting her. Aura gave mea puzzled look which I could only respond by shrugging. Aura pressed against Gardenia’s shoulders andpushed her away. He looked up at herwith a confused frown. Gardenia’s eyeswidened and she sighed.

“You…musthave lost your memory from the attack,” shesaid telepathically “You were only aboutfour years old.” Aura hung his headthen Gardenia turned her head towards me. “And you are?”

“Ah, my name is Zelda,” I said and thissparked a bigger reaction, the three girls gasping and stepping away.

“Zelda?” I saw a male elf walking up to us with wide blue eyes. He had dark blue skin, long black hair thatreached his waist and platinum plate armour covered his built body. He emitted a regal aura, so I assumed thatthis was Paradox. He took the basket ofNekaroses from me and placed it in Brenda’s hands. He grabbed my shoulders, gently tracing my cheek. “It is you,” he said in realisation “oh,thank God!” I stumbled as his arms camearound me and crushed me into a tight hug. I coughed and placed my hands on his chest in an attempt to push himaway.

“I’m sorry?” I whispered as soon as helet me go so I could breathe. Paradoxstared down into my eyes and gripped my hand.

“You were only five, you wouldn’tremember that much,” he sighed resignedly then stepped away “Ready theFloronies, we’re taking them back.”

“Your Highness…” Brenda started as Paradoxwhistled.

“Aw, Nekaroses!” a girl with silver hairand armour ran up to her and snatched the basket off her.

“Be careful with them…” Aura said as hecame to stand next to me and gripped my hand “Zelda, I haven’t been on aFlorony before…”

“Neither have I,” I whispered back.

“Nothing to worry about,” Chelseaoffered a friendly smile as Paradox chose the largest Florony that came to hiswhistle then walked towards me “They’re pretty friendly towards elves so aslong as you hold on tight enough.” Itensed when Paradox placed his hands on my waist and lifted me onto the Florony. I clung onto its mane fearfully as it snortedwhen Paradox mounted it and placed a secure arm around my waist.

“I’m st-still scared!” Aura said asGardenia helped him onto a smaller Florony.

“It’ll be fine!” the girl with thesilver hair grinned as she balanced the basket of Nekaroses on her lap as soonas she got onto her own Florony “My name’s Selina by the way.” She gave me a salute which I responded towith a small awkward wave.

“Hya!” Paradox sounded and I closed myeyes tightly when the Florony reared up onto its hind legs before gallopingoff. I didn’t dare open my eyes, I wastoo afraid to fall off even when my fingers clung onto the soft mane andParadox’s arm was wrapped around my waist tightly. “Zelda,” he whispered into my ear “it’salright. I’ve got you, you’re safe. It’s going to be alright.” I then began getting the feeling that I’veheard his voice before. But wherefrom? I wasn’t so sure. But I felt safe. I felt my stomach jolt when the Florony letout a high-pitched whinny and Paradox let out a growl of annoyance. The Florony stopped and reared up, my headspinning at the sudden change of pace. Iheard the other Floronies around us running further, coming to the conclusionthat we were the only ones that stopped.

“Halt!” a stern voice sounded in the airas I breathed heavily, feeling nauseous “You are trespassing on Aurallionterritory!”

“This is my land,” Paradox growled “Youhumans are the ones who are trespassing.”

“This land has been claimed by Lord ZackBrodka,” I opened my eyes and saw a line of policemen, shatterproof shields upand swords at the ready.

“He has no right to claim elventerritory,” Paradox snarled.

“You elves have no right to deface Ethylias.”

“You humans are the ones ruining ourprecious planet.”

“You are under arrest for treason andtrespassing.” Paradox demounted theFlorony and unsheathed a broadsword. Hetook my hand and I didn’t think much of this as I was a bit dazed from theriding, he pressed his cold lips against the back of it. What caught my attention was the glint of hisplatinum blade slicing through the humans mercilessly, the scent of bloodmaking my stomach churn violently. Theircries as they were slaughtered echoed in my head as the grass was stainedred. Paradox lowered his blood stainedblade after killing the last unfortunate human who hadn’t run away fast enough,turned to me and smiled warmly.

“We aren’t very far now,” he said as hesheathed his sword and came up to the Florony. He mounted behind me and I flinched when he wrapped a secure arm, thevery arm that ended those lives brutally, around me again. He pressed his cold lips against the back ofmy head before digging his heel into the Florony and we took off. I clung onto the Florony’s mane tightly,trying to keep a distance from the murderer behind me. When the wind finally stopped blowing in myface and the arm was pulled away from my waist, I opened my eyes to see largemarble gates, slowly opening to reveal a garden with ponds, fountains and largeflowerbeds. Elves in simple clothing ranup to the Florony as Paradox demounted then helped me down before the beautifulhorse was taken away to the stables.

“Zelda!” I turned and ran towards Aurawho cut across the courtyard. We huggedeach other, a little bit shaken from the new experience of having ridden on aFlorony. I was aware about their speedbut didn’t realise how it would affect me. We pulled away and Aura looked around. “It’s very beautiful, isn’t it?” he murmured softly.

“Yes, it is,” my eyes were drawn towardsthe nearest pond, spotting the small golden fish hiding underneath the lilypads.

“May I show you to your rooms?” Selinaoffered as she came over “I put your Nekaroses in the one you’ll be staying in,Aura. Can I just say that they’re soadorable!” She blushed when she squealedin her last sentence and hunched her shoulders.

“You may take Aura to his room,” Paradoxsaid “Zelda, please wait for me in the East Drawing Room. Brenda will show you where it is.” He began taking his gauntlets off whilestriding off towards the front doors of the palace, a group of elves with plainkimonos and plain shirts with trousers surrounding him, helping him remove hisarmour and asking why he had arrived later than the girls. Brenda snorted, folding her arms and comingup to me.

“You’d better come with me then,” shesaid. I looked towards Aura uncertainlyas he clung onto my sleeve, a bit nervous to be leaving me again.

“Can’t Aura come with me?” I asked.

“The Prince said for him to be escortedto his room, that is what Selina will do,” Brenda stated “No harm will come tohim. You will see each other when lunchhas been prepared.” We exchanged anotherworried look and I took hold of his hand, squeezing it comfortingly. I slipped him one of my fans.

“Just in case,” I mouthed as he took myfan and tucked it into his trouser pocket. I followed Brenda into the palace as Aura followed Selina reluctantly toa separate building across the courtyard. The inside of the palace was furnished beautifully with wooden floors, exotic plants and tapestries covering thewhite walls. Animals like Hicalisons, abreed of dog that had steel claws, wandered the palace. They were often used in battles byelves. I watched a young puppy run afterits parent, its growing claws clacking against the smooth wood. I smiled to myself as I admired how cute itwas as Brenda slid one door open and stepped aside.

“Make yourself at home,” she said. She may not have meant to say it in such acold tone but her voice didn’t sound welcoming or warm. I entered the room, regarding the comfortablelooking cushions for me to rest my knees upon. There were marble benches and wooden chairs too but I’d rather kneel inthis formal place. I took a step towardsthe cushions but Brenda’s voice stopped me. “Are you blind? Those are for theservants.” I glanced over my shoulder tofrown in confusion. She brought her whipout and I took my fan out, just in case she attacked me. With an amused raise of her eyebrow, shecracked the whip. The bronze cord missedmy face by inches and I fell over on the bench she pulled to me. She smirked and I folded my fan, tucking itinto the sleeve of my kimono.

“Do you normally treat your guests insuch a manner?” I asked softly as she rolled her whip up.

“Normally, guests don’t go towards theservants’ place,” Brenda attached her whip back to her belt and folded her arms“I don’t really believe that you’re the Zelda that went missing thirteen yearsago.”

“How could I prove myself?” I asked,feeling a bit intimidated by her swagger.

“You can’t. I’m just wondering what kind of enchantmentyou’ve put over the prince.” I opened mymouth to say I hadn’t put any kind of enchantment over anyone but the door slidopen and Paradox entered, his armour replaced with a dark red kimono.

“Brenda, you may leave us,” he waved hishand dismissively.

“But, Your Highness…” Brenda muttered asshe bowed to him.

“I said to leave us,” Paradox said in amore forceful tone, making the both of us wince. Brenda regarded me coldly from the corner ofher eye before stepping out of the room and sliding the door shut. Paradox gave me a warm smile and sat downnext to me, holding my hands in his larger blue ones. “You must tell me what happened,” he said asI shifted uncomfortably.

“What do you mean?” I asked uncertainly.

“Tell me everything after theattack.” I lowered my eyes from his faceand stared at the floor. I told him howI woke up in the orphanage with burns on my hands and face. I told him about the times I was adopted andhow every time it had ended tragically. I told him about being adopted by Zack. At the mention of his name, Paradox let out an audible growl, squeezingmy poor hands in his grip. I managed toyank them out of his grip to massage them and he snatched them again,apologizing. His hands were cold, thosehands had slain those poor humans who were only doing what they were told todo.

“It’s fine,” I said as he insistentlystroked my hands, saying he was sorry “Please, may I just have them to myselfnow?” He gave me a hurt look but letthem go so I could fold them neatly in my lap, the sleeves covering them sothey could warm up more. I kept ontelling him about how Zack tried to push me towards being human and how Imanaged to learn about elven traditions. I told him about how I escaped Zack and how I found out about hisallegiance with a demon. I was about toelaborate the struggle I had to escape Cannabec’s assault but his fingers laythemselves on my lips.

“It’s alright, Zelda,” he soothed and Ishifted uncomfortably as he brought an arm around my shoulders “Everything willbe alright.” He brought me into a tighthug and kissed my forehead. I pressed ahand against his chest and shifted away slightly. I looked up into his deep blue eyes.

“Did we know each other before?” I askedhesitantly. Paradox blinked down at me,confused then realisation dawned.

“Oh yes, you mentioned your amnesia,” hesmiled and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear “Zelda, you aren’t aware ofwhat kind of family you came from, is that right?” I nodded and Paradox took hold of my handsagain, stripping them from their warmth. “Your parents were the King and Queen of the Central Elven Kingdom. You’re their youngest daughter.” I felt my heart still briefly and I tugged myhands out of his grip.

“They were that important?” I said witha curious tilt of the head.

“And you are still important now,”Paradox smiled “You are the sole survivor of the monarchy.” Did this make me a princess? I shook that thought away. It sounded so…important. I didn’t like to be labelled as important. “We knew each other when we were muchyounger,” Paradox continued speaking “I was to marry your older sister.”

“I’m…sorry that you lost her,” I saidnot really feeling too sad about losing her as I had gotten used to the feelingand I couldn’t remember so much about my family.

“The relationship between us didn’t workout very well anyway,” Paradox said dismissively “So, I asked to our parents ifwe could be betrothed instead.” I jumpedand stared up at him in disbelief. Hejust smiled and cupped my cheek. Icontinued staring, the news just registering in my mind.

“Why?” I could only manage to speak “Imust have barely been able to walk and talk…”

“I found your sister to be repetitiveand dull and I enjoyed your company so much,” Paradox explained “You reallyliked to play with me too. I figuredthat if we continued to enjoy each other’s companies then maybe the marriagebetween your sister and I will fall apart. I didn’t want to take that chance.”

“But…but…” I looked away, staring at the floorblankly. It explained why he had been soaffectionate to me since he learnt of my name. And if we did enjoy each other’s company before the attack, then why wasit so uncomfortable to be around him? Istared up at him again and shuffled away. “It’s so sudden,” I said softly.

“I understand that you can’t remembermuch from before the attack,” Paradox nodded and stood “But don’t worry. We’ll help you restore your memories.” He carefully placed a hand on the back of myhead and bent down to kiss my forehead tenderly. I suppressed my flinch at the cold contactand he took my hand, helping me to my feet. “Please, allow me to show you around.”

“I’d like to see Aura now,” I said as hepulled me towards the doors.

“He’s resting in his quarters for now,you will see him when lunch has been served,” Paradox said firmly as he slidthe doors open.

“Please, I want to know if he’salright,” I pressed as I lay my hand on his wrist to ease him from squeezingtoo hard on my hand.

“Zelda,” Paradox looked down and oureyes met “Trust me. You will see himsoon. But not just now.” I don’t know why but despite my uneasinessand discomfort, I trusted him. So Iwalked alongside him around the palace, the lingering worry for Aura resting atthe back of my head.