Odile
Her Story
Once upon a time, there was a Princess that was cursed by a sorcerer. She was cursed to turn into a swan when morning comes.
The princess was about to give up the possiblity of becoming human again, until she encounter a prince from the neighboring kingdom.
They both fell in love at first sight. However, the Princess couldn't be with him no matter how much she loved him. She was to be a swan whenever the sun arises.
The prince who found out about her curse was determined to end it. He seek out many powerful wizards and witches to find the cure.
A very powerful wizard told the prince, the only way to end the curse, was to pledge his heart to the princess.
The prince had already set his heart on her, so there was no difficulty in pledging himself whole heartily to her.
However, the sorcerer who cursed the Princess found out about the prince. To make sure the Princess stayed forever as a swan, he turned his own daughter into the princess and tricked the prince into pledging his love to her instead.
Sadden and ridden by grief, the princess could only end her life as she could no longer become human to be with her love one. The prince who found about the mistake he had committed decided to also end his life with her.
Their love was so great for each other, the curse was broken and it backfired on the sorcerer, ending his life for good.
The prince and princess were then married and lived a happily ever after.
Odile
And this was how my father and my fate was sealed...
Odile
History rewritten, and erasing the truth that had occur.
Odile
Maybe because only the victor could write the story.
Odile
Maybe because in their eyes, we were the one who were evil.
Odile
My one and only father...
Odile
The one who raised and loved me...
Odile
To me, he will always be my beloved and kind father.
Odile
To those who knew of the Swan Lake story...
Odile
And to those who have never heard of it...
Odile
May you read on without judgment and with and open your mind to listen to this side of the story.
Odile
I will not say that I am a good person, nor will I deny that I am a villainess in others eyes.
Odile
However, I will say this...
Odile
I am Odile, the daughter of the evil sorcerer, Rothbart.
Odile
And this is my story...
The Encounter
There was rustling sound in the forest, as two men emerged out from the night.
Benno
Are we at Kakanao Town yet?
Benno
When are we going to get there...
Siegfried
Judging by what the map says, we should be there soon.
Benno
Ah... Why did we have to lose the horse...
Siegfried
Well, something scared them off when we arrived at this forest.
Benno
Maybe it's the left over miasma left by the evil sorcerer Rothbart?!
Benno looks around with a frightful expression. He walks closer to Siegfried while keeping a lookout behind them.
Siegfried
Hehe, is the great Benno that scared of ghost?
Benno
Human and creature can be cut down but not ghost!
Benno
Who knows if the lingering vengeful ghost of the Swan Lake Kingdom will come looking for us!
Siegfried
Even if this was once the fallen SwanLake Kingdoms place, its filled with nothing but creatures and beast.
Siegfried
There is no ghost.
Benno
Apparently, you haven't heard of the rumors, young master.
Benno
Many travelers who passed by this place have already disappeared.
Benno
And those that were able to keep their lives said that they saw a ghost by the lake where the Palace of the Kingdom of Swanlake once stood.
Benno
Guuhh... Just thinking about it is giving me chills...
Siegfried
You've fought against beast, and dragons, and yet the one thing you are afraid are ghost?
Benno
Those can be killed!
Benno
Ghost however... Can't!
Snap of twig made Benno jump in freight. He quickly grabbed a piece of Siegfried's shirt with his teeth chattering.
Benno
S-s-something is behind us...
Siegfried
Maybe it's a rabbit?
Benno
I know your making fun of me inside if your mind!
Benno
But if it turns out to be a ghost you better be prepared that I told you so!
Siegfried and Benno kept their eyes at the direction where the snap of the twig came from.
Soon, there was found of foot movement, giving Benno a more scare.
Benno could feel someone staring at them, and the stare did not feel like human.
Benno slowly stand behind Siegfried.
Siegfried
Hmph... I'm not sure who is the bodyguard anymore.
Benno couldn't say anything since he was too scared to even speak.
The moons light shines down on a dark figure that slowly came out from the forest.
Just as it was about reveal itself, a loud cry made by an owl that was on the tree behind Benno made him jump in shock.
Benno faints a few second later and fell flat on the ground.
Siegfried looks at him with a small sigh and smile.
He turns back to the person who have now walked out from the forest.
It was a woman with dazzling golden hair and deep ocean blue eyes.
The light made by the moon made her ever so more enchanting.
Siegfried's breath was taken away. But he had to take care of Benno who was foaming from the mouth.
Siegfried
Are you a ghost or a human?
She didn't reply to him. Instead, just stared at him. Siegfried was entrapped by how beautiful she was, but he was also concern about Benno.
He leans down and helped Benno up.
Siegfried
You don't seem to be a ghost.
Siegfried
Sorry to bother you, but do you know how to get to Kakanao Town?
The woman didnt answer him again. Instead, she points to a direction.
She nods at him, and turns away to leave. However, before she could, Siegfried called out to her, causing her to stop.
She turns around and looks at him with her expressionless eyes.
Siegfried
I know I'm asking a lot, but could you help us get there?
Siegfried
My friend and I have been lost in this forest for two days now.
She stared at him for a bit and then at Benno who was still unconscious.
Hearing her voice for the first time made Siegfried smile even more. Her voice was just as beautiful as her.
Before they continue walking towards Kakanao Town, Siegfried made a wooden sledge to pull Benno.
As they continue to walk through the dark forest that was only lighted by the moonlight, Siegfried started a conversation to pass time.
Siegfried
Isn't it dangerous to walk around here in the forest at night?
Siegfried
You sure are a brave girl.
Siegfried
Compare to my friend here...
Odile
Anyone who enters the Swanlake forest would be afraid of the rumor ghost.
Siegfried
I suppose the ghost would be you?
Odile
It is the resentment of the former royalty of the SwanLake Kingdom.
Siegfried
The royalty resentment?
Siegfried waited for her to answer his curiosity, however they had already reached the Kakanao Town.
She turns around and points at the gate of the town.
Just as she was about to turn away, Siegfried stopped her by holding her wrist.
Siegfried
It's dangerous to walk around when it's dark out.
Siegfried
I have enough money to rent out a few more room, so I can take you back home first thing in the morning.
Siegfried
Take it as a thank you for showing us the way to Kakanao Town.
She gently pushes his hand away and shakes her head.
Siegfried
Then, why not stay in the inn for the night?
Siegfried
I'm worry about you.
Odile
Thank you, but I'll be fine.
She turns away and proceed to head back into the forest.
Siegfried
How can I meet you again?!
She stops in her footstep without turning around.
Odile
...If it is fated to be, we will meet again.
Odile
Stay away from the forest when nights come for now on.
Siegfried wanted to ask her name, but before he could, she had already disappeared into the forest depth.
A warm smile found itself on Siegfried's lip.
Siegfried
I will definitely meet you again.
Walking in the dark ominous forest alone, a small ball of green lanterns came floating towards her.
She places the lantern into her hand, as it glows.
She could hear the voice within the lantern.
Odile
...The only thing that passed by here were just animals, father.
Rumors Goes
Morning came, and Benno slowly opens his eyes at the sound of hearing birds singing beside the window.
He jolts up awake and looks around.
Siegfried
I see you're awake.
Benno recalls fainting from thinking that a ghost had found them last night.
He quickly went down on his knee on the floor with his head down.
Benno
Forgive me for failing to protect you, Prince Siegfried!
Siegfried
As long as you know what you did wrong, I forgive you.
Benno
...Did a ghost really appear last night...?
Siegfried smirks at Benno and left his question unanswered.
Siegfried
Now then, since you're awake, let head over and meet the mayor.
Deep in the Swanlake forest, there was a cave that was well hidden from the outside world.
Odile
Father, I've returned.
A middle age man mumbles to himself as he pours in unknown liquid into a flask. His black ash hair was like the night itself. And his red eyes that was filled with nothing but madness glances behind him.
Rothbart
Welcome back, my dear daughter.
Rothbart
Did you find what I asked?
She took out a glowing red flower and a few other mythical plant and hands it over.
His eyes glows in a deep red color as he takes the plants into his hand.
Rothbart
With this, I can complete my plans.
Odile
...I will go make breakfast if that is all.
He didn't hear her and continues on with his work.
Crow
Welcome back, milady.
Crow
Why did you lie to master that there was no human walking around last night?
Odile
Father has no more use for human experiments.
Crow
But eliminating those human that enters the forest at night are orders given by master.
Crow
Surely you haven't forgotten the reason why?
Odile
I deemed it as necessary to not kill them. That's all.
Crow
Milady, I hope you do not regret that choice in the future.
Crow flew out of the cave and scout out the forest.
At night, it was Odile who scout the forest, and in the morning it was Crow.
Back to Siegfried, they met up with the mayor and taking about the trade route business.
The reason why they were there was because of the difficulty of transporting goods from the Nobam Kingdom and Enchantia Kingdom.
In between the kingdom was once the Swanlake kingdom, but it was ruined 13 years ago due to an unknown catastrophe.
There were many rumors as to how is came to ruined, but the most well known and reliable rumor, was that the Swanlake Kingdom was destroyed by the evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart.
Ever since the Swanlake kingdoms ruin, cargo and transportation teams have been disappearing whenever they enter the SwanLake Forest.
Therefore, the Nobam Kingdom decides to take a longer route to trade the goods, however this route took at least three weeks to reach the Echantia Kingdom, instead of a few days when going through the Swanlake forest.
Siegfried discussed with the mayor of the Kakanao town because that town was the bridge between the Nobam Kingdom and Echantia Kingdom.
However, there was progress done in the discussions. The mayor value his men greatly and refuse to travel through the Swanlake forest if it puts his men at risk.
Siegfried
Very well, then why don't we take a break for the day. I will come back and discuss this again in a few days.
Siegfried left the mayor house after bidding him farewell.
Benno
Judging by your expression, the talk didn't go well?
Siegfried
The mayor is afraid of something inside of the forest.
Benno
Maybe he's afraid of the Swanlake's kingdom Royalty resentment?
Siegfried
I heard that before, but what is it?
Benno
Hee, your the prince of Enchantia but never heard of these rumors before?
Benno
It's a rumor that's been going around since traders have been disappearing in the swanlake forest.
Benno
Some says that the royal's deceased spirits are snatching people to find the one that ruined them.
Benno
Others says that a green lanter wonders the forest as the Swanlake royalty's spirit to find a body so that they can return to the living and have their revenge.
Benno
So, the rumors goes.
Siegfried
Perhaps it's not a rumor.
Benno
You really think it's a ghost?
Siegfried
Someone thought so yesterday and fainted remember?
Siegfried
I'm joking Benno.
Siegfried
Perhaps, it's just bandits that are raiding and killing the traders.
Benno
Then there would be bodies and signs of fighting.
Siegfried
But there wasn't any clue that showed that?
Siegfried
That's why many people assumed that it was the resentments of the Swanlake Kingdom royalty that did it?
Benno
Moreover, some people even saw a white silhouette at the lake where the palace once stood!
Siegfried
But these are just rumors right?
Benno
Cause if ghost really exists...
Siegfried
You might leave me behind and quit being my knight?
Benno
When did I ever say such thing?!
Siegfried
Come on Benno, we've known each other since we were young.
Siegfried
Every time you think there was a ghost you would run away without a second thought and even tried to run away from your knighthood training.
Siegfried
Did you just click your tongue?
Benno
Come to with a different way to persuade the mayor?
Benno
The king of Nobam did say that as long as the mayor agrees, then he has no problem how the trading goes since it's his men that are doing the heavy lifting.
Siegfried
Well, we're going to go to the forest and scout it out.
Siegfried
We're going to the rumor forest to find out why people keep disappearing.
Siegfried
We'll depart tonight.
Siegfried
Get thing ready.
Benno grabs Siegfried shirt.
Benno
It's that rumored forest!
Benno
The forest that has ghost you know!
Benno
The one where we got lost last night you know!
Benno's knee went weak on him. He fell on the ground cursing his fate for following this prince that loves to push him to face his fear.
Just why did he have follow this person who would fearlessly jump into a lion's mouth?
There was no use persuading Siegfried not to go. Once he made up his mind, there was no changing it.
Siegfried smiles and walks back to their inn while Benno get their stuff ready.
He wanted to go to the forest to find out why the traders were missing but also because he was looking forward to seeing her again.
Siegfried
I wonder if I'll encounter you again in the forest.
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