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17 • LARICE
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2024-10-29 19:42:56HER WHOLE LIFE, Larice always feared the curse inside her. Every time she panicked, her heart rate increased, causing her blood flow to surge, forcing the curse to outburst. She couldn’t control it. However, at the very least, she had a hint of how it worked now.
“I still don’t get it. How in the world can you think my blood is an Empyreal Weapon?” Larice said as they traveled through the depths of the pine forest, going north. They’d taken a quick stop in the Rath Village earlier to have their late noon meal before they went on.
“Look, I’m not a hundred percent sure if it is, okay?” Estevan adjusted his glasses, looking down at his notes. “I’m just saying—it’s the closest one we can connect to in speaking about magic. You see, a whole lot of these weapons exist in this world too—shoes, necklaces, rings, horns … even wings—“
“You’re kidding,” Larice turned to him with a look of disbelief, “Wings?”
Estevan grinned on
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A Symphony of Frost and Flame 18 • RAEHERYS
TALL, WHITE, COMPRESSED—birch trees surrounded the small houses of Rath, the warm light of sundown painting the leaves with greenish-gold. Busy villagers became much busier as the skies grew darker. Raeherys found himself amused, observing several men chopping logs, women passing by with both hands supporting the jug on top of their heads which, he believed, contained water. Horses dragged big, wooden carts filled with more logs and fruits and animals from the forest. So this was the way these humans live … so simple, peaceful. The sight of human children helping their parents made Raeherys recall the little dragons who used to play in the meadows of Draconi … and the rest of his brethren who labored in harvests and mines. He never knew humans could also have such a livelihood. However, the image of the burning house refused to fade from his mind—the village where he and Fetyr had caused that fire. With regrets returning to suppress him, he hoped that
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 19 • LARICE
STUPID … SHE WAS SO STUPID. Larice couldn’t believe she just wasted her time with these beasts … these … stupid liars—especially that Raeherys. She had thought she would find a clue from him about the truth she was seeking, so she had agreed to talk in here. But it all turned out—he only gave her lies. A war? A whole thunder of dragons flying here? Did he think he could fool her by making such excuses? Did he think he could stop her from going to their isles? Not a damn chance. No one could stop her from getting what she wanted—because from what she had learned after leaving Shavath, no one could control her life but her. Larice strode towards the table where Estevan and the other beast had been seated. They appeared to be discussing a serious topic, and she hated to break it. “Settle the payments. We will go now,” she told him, her tone hinting no patience. “Huh?” Estevan lifted his head, eyebrows questioning her as if he didn’t seem t
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 20 • RAEHERYS
THE SUN ROSE AT ITS PEAK when Sevyh told the group to take a break. The entire morning they had traveled south, leaving Rath Village before the light of dawn touched the heavens. A long walk it had been. And it was just about time for their noon meal. Raeherys, however, found no liking on the food they had brought. The round and light … thing, which they called a flatbread, had no taste at all—too bland it was—he could not even describe the texture in his mouth when he chewed it down. He had grown used to eating dragon fruits and finelities and berries from his isles—roasted fish and meat and all. They settled at the end of the pine forest, where they could spot the Shajara Ranges ahead of them. Sevyh suggested they should wait until nightfall. A lot safer it would be for them to climb the ranges in the dark. Raeherys sat upon a large boulder, watching Larice and Sev spar with their swords under the shade of an oak tree. In the meantime
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 21 • LARICE
LARICE KEPT ON LOSING every single round. Why? She was too distracted by those eyes … those stupid, golden eyes staring at her. Seriously, what’s his problem? It made her extremely conscious of her face, wondering if something was wrong with it. Every time she caught Raeherys watching her, he would avoid her eyes immediately and pretend to look at the skies, while speaking with his older friend or father or whoever that old man was. She swore she would stab those eyes with Gray Viper if he wouldn’t stop staring. Sweat trickled on her face, down to her neck as her breath shortened, her throat drying out. Larice had been sparring with Sevyh for several rounds now, as she wanted to master her ability in creating ice weapons. So far, she could already cast much quicker than before. She also found out that it must come with two conditions. One, her blood flow had to be fast enough, as the quicker the blood flowed, the easier and faster it would be f
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 22 • RAEHERYS
TWILIGHT FELL INTO DUSK, and they began their climb on the Shajara Ranges, with Sevyh leading the group. Raeherys found the carved stairs almost similar to the ones in Volcron, except that the steep path here zigzagged over the course towards the top. Too dark it was, however, for these humans to see, so they had to go slowly. The chilling breeze of nightfall blew colder and stronger as they ascended. Pine trees and spruces and cedars filled the slope of the mountains. Raeherys could not avoid looking up ahead at Estevan, who was helping Larice. It made him frustrated all of a sudden. He could not point out why, but somehow he hated seeing them together. And he hated she was still avoiding him while staying close to that chronicler. Earlier that time, a broken step of the stairs made her foot to slip, causing her to fall backward. Good thing Raeherys behind caught her by his arms. “Are you okay?” She immediately backed aw
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 23 • LARICE
LARICE HASTED THROUGH THE LONG TUNNEL to go after the scout. She must not let him reach the left tower. “Those stupid beasts!” Larice whispered, panting. What was he thinking? Or was it his father who had told him to attack? After all, as what she had noticed so far; he was like a puppet, following whatever his father would tell him to do. Dependence was only for the weak. Those who could not stand on their own should’ve stayed as babies, sucking their mother’s teats. Larice chased the hunter, entering the left archway at the end, then through a dark, narrow tunnel, then a few turns of left and right, until she reached the spiral staircases leading up to the top of the tower. But the scout wasn’t there anymore when she searched around. He could’ve not been that fast enough to reach the top. Larice listened carefully. The piercing clangs of steels echoed from the gatehouse. Other than that, she could hear nothing else except her strong p
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 24 • RAEHERYS
THE BATTLE LASTED LITTLE LONG since Raeherys and Sevyh had made it in time to finish the hunters, claiming the bastion as their own for tonight. The ones who were alive they captured and locked up at the dungeons of the bastion—and the rest, who were dead, they piled up inside an empty chamber. After stealing all the captives’ money, Sevyh ventured out ahead to scout if the path was clear towards the second bastion. Meanwhile, Raeherys, Fetyr, and Estevan stayed inside to wait, all seated in front of the fireplace. The woods crackled. Raeherys stared blankly at the dancing flames, paying little attention to their ongoing discussion. But after a time, Estevan’s sudden call awoke him. “You seem troubled, man,” said Estevan. “You okay?” Raeherys shifted his blank gaze at Estevan. A look of distaste was all he could give to the chronicler before facing the fireplace again. “Carry on. I’m listening.” “Okay, so since we’re talking about gods,” said
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 25 • LARICE
A SUSPICIOUS GAZE WAS ALL she could give to Raeherys, wondering what he wanted to achieve by holding her hand. But if he ever planned to blow even a tiny spark of ember at her, she swore she would push him off the edge—if not, jump off herself—no second thoughts. When Raeherys asked her again, she pursed her lips, glanced at his hand upfront, and then returned her gaze towards his face. “I’m not stupid, beast,” she said. “I know what you’re trying to do.” Raeherys gave her a puzzled look, blinking his eyes—but when he realized what she’d meant, he sighed. “I’m not going to burn your hand, I promise.” “I don’t trust you.” “You don’t trust anyone.” “Then why are you still asking?” His golden eyes became serious, looking straight at her. “I’m not asking you to trust me. I’m only asking you to hold my hand for a second.” Her eyes fell to his hand once again. Nervous. She had never held a guy’s hand for so long. The last tim
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“COME NOW, MY DEAR WHITEWIND,” her father said, reaching out both hands. “We will tell you everything you wanted to know … every memory we’ve made during your childhood. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? It’ll be fun.”Larice found herself standing in the middle of a vast meadow, watching her parents ahead of her, surrounded by checkerblooms and red lilies. Behind her parents was a cliff—but connected to a bed of clouds, extending beyond far into the blue horizon. Cool breeze brushed against her face. She blinked twice. Seeing the clouds made her recall of something very familiar … like she’d been over those white beds of cottons before … with someone.Her eyes traveled around, almost turning her head, but then her mother spoke, “Don’t look, Larice … Don’t look.” A smile lingered on her lips. “What do you mean&md
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 56 • RAEHERYS
What the hell just happened? Raeherys stood in shock as the fountain of orange liquid, falling from the hole at the ceiling, was all covered by frost. The circular pool at the center turned into icy blue. He recognized the same energy … was it Larice? He wondered. This frost must have belonged to her since she was the only one here in Drava who had such powers.Although the freezing of the fountain had surprised them all, it didn’t stop the fighting in the Alchedra. The shelves, books, wooden tables, and chairs—all burned from the fire blasted out by Myrdin and Raeherys. The Sun Guardes kept on using their purple capes to protect themselves. But this time, when one of them charged to attack Raeherys, Myrdin breathed in and blew another swirling fire—the guard covered himself with his cape, but the fabric burned out instantly into black … and then into ashes. He screamed out
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 55 • LARICE
The air in the long hall was burning hot. Larice could feel the growing heat as they approached towards the end—their wet bodies and garments from the rain slowly drying out. Then she turned to Estevan. He was using his shield in front of him to hide from the heat waves as his sweat broke on his blushed skin.“We’re close,” he said.Larice nodded. She could feel the intense power radiating ahead of them. The wall at the end of the hall glowed in orange light as if there was fire awaiting them. Now that she had thought of fire, she tried to give herself more courage. She shouldn’t be afraid now. She shouldn’t let her fear take over her this time.“Come hide in my shield. Aren’t you affected by the heat?” Estevan asked.
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 54 • RAEHERYS
It was a lot harder for Raeherys to make haste as his numb legs felt like two logs of wood, moving and bending, and would break any second now if he exerted more. Every movement screamed with pain. The wounds and bruises he got from their escape earlier in the dungeon had yet to heal, all because his body’s recovery was too slow. The regeneration in his blood would only take in full effect when he’s in his true form.With one hand covering his bleeding ear, Raeherys tried to rush as fast as he could towards the throne room. He grew more worried, wondering what’s happening to Larice and the others now. They must’ve been in serious trouble already, he thought.So far, Raeherys only found the Grand Hunter as one threat for them. But the rest he still hadn’t encountered; the Emperor, the three left of the Sun Guardes, and the two Archon Hunters. So he had to go fast to reach them in time.The same path he took on
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 53 • LARICE
The Sun Palace shook and trembled. Chandeliers swayed above the ceiling, and the glass windows cracked and broke from the screeches of the dragons outside. Larice, Estevan, and Myrdin rushed through the long hall, their bodies, garments, and boots all dripping wet from the rain while leaving tracks on the quartz floor. Her thoughts gathered on Raeherys worriedly. She couldn’t believe she just left him there facing that skilled Grand Hunter. With that wounded and bloody condition, Raeherys wouldn’t stand a chance against Lorath, she thought. And she could never forgive herself if something bad would happen to him again.They encountered more Palace Guards, five of them, heading their way in the hall. Larice didn’t give them the opportunity to make their stance, so she advanced in a flash, driving the point of her sword straight through the eyehole of the guard’s golden helm.The man shrieked and died as Larice pulled out th
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 52 • RAEHERYS
Thunder clapped through the rain clouds as the swarm of dragons stormed down into the palace. Their loud screeches echoed amidst the night sky, their wings folded to pierce through the air and speed up their fall like meteors raining chaos upon the land.Raeherys found the scorpions and archers all facing south. These foolish humans indeed hadn’t expected their surprise attack, he thought.When the dark sound of the bell rang from the palace tower below, Myrdin called out to all his brethren in their dragon forms. “Now! Wipe out those defenses!”And so the battle began …Rain poured heavily, so the dragons couldn’t breathe fire. They had to use their physical strength—their claws, tails, and razor teeth to destroy those weapons and archers above the curtain walls and towers of the Sun Palace.As Raeherys and Myrdin landed over the highest roof, carrying Larice and Estevan—the rest of
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 51 • LARICE
Larice stood, gazing at the night sea with the waves trying to touch her feet. Her black hair danced with the strong rhythm of the breeze. In a few hours—the red dawn would finally come to paint the skies with blood and chaos. She believed it signified the end … but what end?The end of the dragon realm?The end of the Empire?Or the end of their lives?Larice mesmerized at the ends of the horizon while reflecting if they could survive the red dawn … or not. The odds were completely against them as they lacked in numbers and strength. Little chances they had, she knew. But they’re still gambling on it, since this would be their last chance to save everyone. She found herself remembering Faran. She promised she would return to the inn to live with them … but that promise was already walking on a tight rope; she feared.“Are you alright?” Estevan came and stopped beside her, facing t
A Symphony of Frost and Flame VOLUME 4 - SLAY THE DRAGON : 50 • RAEHERYS
From the east sea, the salty breeze sighed at Raeherys with his hair flailing. It was still dark. The sound of the waves crashing on the shores came by and by and by repeatedly. He sat on the grains of sand, facing Larice and Myrdin, with Estevan who was drawing a map of the palace with a stick. It was only the four of them, and they needed to devise a plan to storm the palace and get the orb before sunrise. The rest of his brethren Raeherys ordered to take the watch at the top of the ranges, in case the host from Sunvar City would show up.“… so that’s when I found the other Archon Hunter,” Larice continued. “Quarth arrived at the Sun Palace, leaving the command to the generals for the war.”“Why did he come to the palace?” Estevan asked.“I’m not sure. But when I was at their office, he said something about the new weapons ready for the war. I heard they’re already drivin
A Symphony of Frost and Flame 49-2 • LARICE
Ever since she left Sunvar City, Larice didn’t notice anyone from the imperial army riding south. The Emperor didn’t want to chase the dragons, she knew, so he might’ve been planning something else against them.Looking up, the dark clouds covered the sight of the stars in the night sky. The last time she spotted the dragons—they were flying towards the southeast. They might’ve gone to the mountain ranges of Palav, near the eastern shores of Drava.Larice galloped through the drylands of the Jahara Desert with the night wind against her. Her mind was troubled, wondering how she would talk to them when they would meet. She knew how much Raeherys hated her. He might not listen to her or even give her the chance to speak. But she would still try … no matter what.It was a long ride. She wanted to stay in the inn and live a peaceful life with Faran and her kids. But something felt missing for her—some
