Tall shadowed trees pointing up into the night sky covered in glittering stars. Through the dim shadows of the woods, Kendra runs along with the sway of the breeze; like she has become one with wind herself.
As Kendra ran through the dark woods, following the fading trails from Emilia's traces of footsteps on the east. Kendra saw a light and a small smoke coming from a distance from the west.
Little by little, more small lights of fire started to appear in random places from every corner in the distance, lighting up the dark forest a bit. One small light also appeared from the east, and it is where Emilia's trails are headed to.
Seeing the small light of fire and smoke from every direction; Kendra stopped running as she pursed her lips.
[It seems that the night is also not going to be easy for me. Especially since Emilia also lit up a campfire on her own...] Kendra thought to herself.
If that's the case, Kendra wouldn't be able to approach Emilia easily either. At this, Kendra released a sigh of resignation as she sat down inside the bush next to a tree, leaning her back against the trunk to rest for the night.
Being unable to use the fire element is like she had one of her legs cut off. The problem is, it became a huge handicap for Kendra as she is unable to operate with one glimpse of fire.
Now, Kendra has no choice but to postpone her plans for the time being. Or at least until these lights and smokes of fire slowly disappear.
As soon as all of these fires faded, Kendra would immediately continue. After all, time is precious in this competition, so Kendra better not waste any single moment of it.
Anyway, Kendra has already prepared an alibi. And the plan is Kendra would tell those two that she doesn't know how to hunt as an excuse, so it would also deceive her enemies watching her from the audience.
In truth, Kendra's alibi is not all lies.
It also held some truth. Because Kendra honestly has no idea how to hunt. Kendra's forte is not in this field after all. Having said that, it also doesn't mean that Kendra is helpless against hunting. In fact, Kendra has a basic knowledge on how to hunt.
It's just that, what Kendra used to hunt was not monsters but people. It happened back when Kendra hadn't time travelled into the past yet.
During her marriage, because of the increasing number of people rebelling against the aristocrats and the royal family; the scumbag Cliopatra placed Kendra as the healer and as the tactician of the Kingdom's militia.
Since the people they were at war with were their own fellow people. Kendra didn't feel happy about it.
Even if those people are rebelling against the royal family; Kendra didn't want to have a war with them, so Kendra declined. Although, under normal circumstances, Kendra would accept these requests from Cliopatra with no question.
But her father's last wish before he died was for Kendra to join the rebel army. Since Kendra was still blindly in love with Cliopatra at that time, she ended up choosing to become part of the aristocrats instead, marrying the scumbag princess.
In spite of that, Kendra never regretted loving Cliopatra, but Kendra blames herself for being unable to help with the situation of her own people. After all, Cliopatra prohibited Kendra from joining the world of politics.
So Kendra chose not to take a stance on the matter of war as well. Only accepting the position of the healer. But Cliopatra is the type of person who wouldn't give up until she succeeds in getting what she wants.
Because right after Kendra's refusal, Cliopatra tried all sorts of ways to convince Kendra that what they were about to do would be for the greater good of the kingdom. That scumbag princess used emotional and mental manipulations on Kendra.
According to what Cliopatra said to Kendra, what Cliopatra only wished was that the war could be stopped with no single blood spilt. Cliopatra hoped that Kendra would help with Cliopatra's patriotic endeavour.
Feeling that Cliopatra is finally returning back to her original ways; Kendra finally succumbs to Cliopatra's offer, accepting the position.
Because Kendra also hopes that the war can finally be put to an end, and Kendra also feels delighted that Cliopatra is relying on her again. At first, Cliopatra only asked Kendra to form a strategy that would capture the spies inside the militia alive.
Hearing that Cliopatra only wished to capture the spies alive; Kendra felt relieved and started building up a strategy plan wholeheartedly. Afterwards, Cliopatra asked Kendra on how to locate the headquarters, saying that she wished to capture everyone alive.
Everytime Kendra would hear the word 'alive,' Kendra would cooperate with no question.
In addition, Kendra trusts Cliopatra's word. After all, it was Cliopatra who rescued Kendra many many times during their academy days. Kendra trusts that Cliopatra is finally back to her old self.
After Kendra finally completed all the strategy plans, Cliopatra made Kendra immediately resign from the position of tactician in the militia.
Cliopatra said that she is willing to take all the blame alone for Kendra. That the people of their kingdom only need to blame Cliopatra for what they are about to do, is what Cliopatra is trying to imply.
Kendra didn't want to agree with this.
Because Kendra doesn't want Cliopatra to get all the blame from their people alone.
However, if only Kendra took some time to think about what Cliopatra said; Kendra would be able to sense that Cliopatra doesn't really need to take any blame, as long as Cliopatra works according to the plan.
But Kendra didn't dwell too much about it. Her affection and attachment to Cliopatra made Kendra filter out all mistakes and flaws that Cliopatra had.
At that time, Cliopatra threatened Kendra; that if Kendra insisted on taking the blame together with Cliopatra, then Cliopatra would divorce Kendra.
Even with this threat, Kendra didn't feel afraid. Because Kendra wants to share those burdens as Cliopatra's wife. But Cliopatra locked Kendra up in the castle by force. Kendra was left with no other choice, but to wait for Cliopatra to come back.
When her birthday came. Cliopatra came back with other nobles, surprising Kendra with a small party. They told Kendra that the plan succeeded.
Hearing this good news, Kendra felt ecstatic, because it means that the dispute between the rebel army and the kingdom's militia have finally been put to an end. Kendra felt elated that she was part of the reason why this happened.
So Kendra accepted all of the drinks that they offered to celebrate the happy occasion. Even though Kendra doesn't like the advances of those alphas who came to approach her, Kendra tried to get along with everyone.
The next thing that happened, Kendra woke up inside the sealed transparent container. The alpha nobles tortured Kendra with pheromones.
This is when Kendra discovered that Cliopatra lied to her. Cliopatra did use Kendra's strategy, but Cliopatra didn't keep her word. And many innocent people died because of it.
In addition, Kendra later discovered that Cliopatra had put all the blame to her.
Because it was Kendra who created the strategy plan, and since Cliopatra always acted benevolent, good-natured, warm queen on the surface; the oblivious crowd were easily swayed by these lies from Cliopatra. It became easy for Cliopatra to win the hearts of the commoners and every other rebel.
In return, Kendra was ostracised and persecuted by the people, and many started a petition to bring down Kendra. And exact justice to their indignation.
At that time, Kendra still doesn't know a thing about it. Because Kendra was still waiting for Cliopatra to come and save her inside the sealed transparent container.
The one who told Kendra about it is Lory. After they both time travelled back to the past; Lory hurriedly came to Kendra. The two of them discuss all the unspeakable things that happened.
Kendra's sister Lory has always believed in Kendra's character, so Lory sneaked inside the castle to confront Kendra about the accusation that Cliopatra put on Kendra's head. But Kendra didn't believe Lory at that time. Due to this, the two of them ended up being trapped inside the sealed transparent container.
Cliopatra then set them on fire, which was being recorded live for the public that is seeking justice against Kendra. That's how Kendra and Lory miserably died.
Under the glittering sky, Kendra's ocean blue eyes watered once again as she stared at the night sky in a trance.
Seeing those small smokes of fires from a distance made Kendra recall everything. It's like those fire of smoke in the sky is trying to make Kendra remember her sins.
Feeling sick in her stomach, Kendra gags but she couldn't vomit anything anymore. Her stomach was emptied from throwing up earlier. Kendra hugged her knees, feeling her heart pound from restlessness.
Kendra's heart has nothing but hatred. She hates Cliopatra for betraying her, but more than that, Kendra hates herself.
Until now, all those sins are haunting Kendra to her sleep. If Kendra only does not blindly believe Cliopatra, then those innocent people will not die from the strategy she created.
Even though Kendra knows that she could finally re-do everything again. Deep inside, Kendra is aware that things will never be the same again.
What Kendra really desires for is forgiveness from those people who she committed a sin from. However, Kendra could never ask that forgiveness from them ever again.
Those sins are yet to happen, and Kendra will not let those sins happen again. The only way to atone her sins is to bring all the aristocrats down, including those cult members.
This is also in order to avenge what happened and those who lost their lives for it. Because for Kendra who can't forgive herself nor asked for forgiveness; this is the only way for her to ask for atonement. Even if no one knows about it.
This is Kendra's debt, and Kendra needs to pay for it even if it means sacrificing her happiness, her morality, her dignity, her beliefs, and everything in her life.
In other words, this is all for the sake of atonement.
In any case, Kendra would never have it any other way. She would rather sacrifice herself than others for this atonement. Most probably, Kendra believed that this is the reason why she was brought back to the past.
Kendra believes that she is here again for the sake of peace for her fellow people in the kingdom. And Kendra's goal is to seek justice for them.
While in a trance.
Kendra narrowed her eyes on the fluttering paper near the tree branch where Kendra is currently positioned.