Damon’s POVIt was inevitable, the way I ached to go back to Ariana and her yearning gaze. The redness of her cheeks and ears when she confessed to me, the innocence of her rapid beating heart, and the softness in her eyes anytime I beheld her. The fact that it all belonged to me made this trip all the more bearable.The Central Academy lay erected on a hill, as though it was attempting to stretch across to the sky. When I first learned of the shadow’s plan on coming here to harvest souls, I found it not only repulsive but strangely desperate.Regardless, here I was, like a king’s loyal butler, thinking of strategies to gather enough souls. Except, I was the king.Being an elemental werewolf was knowing the truths and extremities of power, its vast usefulness and ultimate uselessness when it came down to the universe’s commands.Here in this world one had enough to bring everything and everyone to its knees even amongst timelines yet the picture of a good day was a day spent with one’
Ariana’s POVIn a sudden twist of events, I wasn’t dead.Jasper’s sword hung above me, dancing in my face. In a way, if felt like it mocked me. The sharp blade hovering above me, capable of taking my life but just not doing it.I wondered why I wanted to live, why in that moment where I thought my life had ended, I decided not to die.I had no one and the empire my father built was in shambles. But looking at the face above me that mocked me, thrilling in his devious act of mercy, my decision had been made.I knew I wanted to kill him. I had said it, meaning every word as though I tattooed it in my bones.My death ultimately meant nothing when I thought about it so why should I decide to die now? When he’d still be alive, why would I die living in a world where he simply lived and triumphed?In my father’s kingdom, in my own domain. He had no right to be here, he had no right to take their lives, he had no right to defeat me with such power I couldn’t wield to my will, power I couldn’
Ariana’s POVI opened my eyes the next day to see that the entire kingdom had been told a falsehood, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.So I kept mute, watching as the doctor kept calling my name in an attempt to know if I was present, but I stared emptily not answering anyone, not even myself.I remained like that for three days not moving. I kept having nightmares of the moment it all happened, as well as the stark reminder that I was now truly an orphan.The doctor said I had survived a rebel group surprise attack, which to him was a remarkable feat, because my injuries were life threatening. He mentioned that I had a broken bone in the middle of my hand, and a slit arm. There was also a stab on the place above my heart, and the purple bruise on my cheek further showed my pitiful state.He tried to be sympathetic, and compassionate. He talked about my parents alleged disappearance, and his words caused a punch to my heart, not that he noticed.He spoke that Jasper had bec
Lorna’s POVWhen the time was just right, or rather when my hatred couldn’t wait without pause any longer, I lunged at Jasper with a sword in both hands, stabbing him.The feeling of his flesh being harshly pierced caused me so much euphoria I was trembling from the excitement. It pleased me so much.I was finally able to cause him pain, the way he did when he sent me to eternal damnation. He was the cause of my misery. He was the reason I had to sell my soul and that of my child. So he deserved the same fate as me if we were both going to suffer eternally.The thought to kill him first came when he’d threatened to kill all the first born children in the land. After hearing that I lost my ability to reason.So he was this demonic to really do it once and wanting to doing it consistently. I couldn’t watch another murder.Watching him torture Ariana filled me with anger and her unwillingness to bow her head to him — it captured me forever.It was almost like I was watching a more horrif
Ariana’s POVWhen I was sixteen, my mother asked me the kind of wedding I’d dreamed to have and then — though hidden — in love with my best friend, Jasper, I blushed, the daydreams of what would’ve been my happiest day flooding in.With a cheeky smile, I answered, “A quiet wedding, where we’re all surrounded by family and peace with good wishes from the people of Warwick.”Six years later, here I stood, dressed in a fully blown wedding gown, with Jasper beside me, a full prideful grin in display.There was no smile on my face, hardly any presence of life within me but when I was asked to read my vows, I did. When I was asked if I took Jasper as my husband and all it entailed, I let the silence hang for one minute before replying - “Yes, I do.”There was a shaky clap that came after, before it grew louder. My parents weren’t here, smiling at me with so much pride and happiness.The wedding wasn’t a quiet wedding as Jasper invited everyone he could, and the whole wedding looked so sour.
Ariana’s POVThere were a lot of questions that roamed through my mind at that moment but I faced the most pressing issue - what did Fenrir’s presence in my room meant and what plans did he have.He continued standing in front of me, smiling, his faint bruises showing.“Even when I was about to steal your entire dream from you with blood dripping down your head, you didn’t look this dried up. What more monstrosities did he commit against you, your majesty?” He folded his arms.I said nothing, watching him with my entire guard on. The way I answered his question would determine what route of approach I had chosen to uncover his mission and his reply would be the key.“I will grant you a simple wish if you help me escape Warwick. After I discover the secret to killing the current king, finishing him off and taking back my throne.”His smirk turned into a wide grin, “You have a deal.”His reply and agreement for assistance came so quickly without hesitation it shocked me. I eyed him susp
Ariana’s POVThe border came in front of us, the heavily oppressive energy causing us to raise our guard and quieten our movements. I walked closer behind Fenrir, watching the intense amount of guards present.“Do as instructed, quickly.” He whispered harshly.I responded with quickness, popping a grape in my mouth, swallowing with a sour look written on my face.My face then began to shrunken, losing all its remaining fire, going very pale. My skin looked tired, down and without the smoothness of luxury. I had gone from royalty to roadside pauper who strangers would actually feel bad for.The grape was a potion that was created to poison beauty, creating a mockery of what was once desired. In my terms, the perfect cover.I then moved to his side, turning my face away although not fully. Fenrir walked firmly as though we had nothing to hide.When we got to the border, each eye watched us as we passed by, either suspiciously or on default as we proceeded to the gate. I found it simply
Ariana’s POVBy afternoon, Sigil and I had reached a small town just before the Central Academy.What fascinated me about this place was that regardless of if being an extremely small town, it embraced a vibrancy Warwick did not have, especially currently. There were decorated traditional lights on buildings as we passed through, and the entire place bustled with activity.“A fascinating place, isn’t it?” Sigil spoke, watching me with a smile.“Yes, it is.” I answered truthfully, filled with a strange kind of warmth.Secretly I hoped for this kind of future for Warwick. Maybe this was the dream my father struggled to actualize.He caught up to me, “You know the best thing about this place?” He asked, grinning from ear to ear.I shook my head, actually interested.“If you’re lost with no place to stay, all you have to do is walk up to someone and tell them. Instantly you’ll be offered numerous places to rest and the active officials will take their time to help you. Amazing, right?”Tr
NERO’s POV“Nero! Patience!” My grandfather would always yell at me as a child and as I progressed in age, my reaction to that sentence greatly differed.I believe as you must’ve already guessed; for the worst.To be fair, at first, I did deserve it, considering I was a menace in the body of a small child.As the young and only grandson to the leader of the dwarf clan, I wasn’t the innocent, conveniently shy child that people would envision, considering my grandfather was sweet—at least the part they knew and I was accustomed to at the time.I was a mischief, or prankster, whichever you’d prefer to call it.I played pranks on children, and I derived joy in that, seeing their faces contorted in an expression they didn’t like nor could control. I enjoyed bending them in a cage of my own doing.My grandfather, terribly sweet—and loving—never minded my mischief.Thinking back now, his dream must’ve sucked whatever energy he had to reprimand an overly energetic five-year-old.It had alread
Ariana’s POV“What happened to you while I was away? There’s so much tiredness in your eyes,” He lifted my chin gently, meeting my eyes, “I can see your exhaustion, even though you try to hide it.”Guilt came over me and I found myself evading his eyes.Did he get to ask the questions?His palm cupped my cheek gently, pulling me in his arms, his tall frame crouched gently over me. “I worry I’ve failed, I worry I’ve failed you.”My lips pressed together, and tears gathered in my eyes. “I am… tired, a little bit.” My voice croaked and he held me tighter, “I’m here now, you can rest easy.”If not for his arms that held me I was this close to buckling and my body would have surrendered to my exhaustion.It was always so easy for me to surrender to his warmth. Yet somehow, that made me feel extremely pathetic but I stayed regardless.“Something is wrong,” He suddenly spoke.“What?” I pushed away from him.“We need to go in there.” He pointed towards the forge shed where Nero was currently
Ariana’s POVA punch came right at my abdomen, on the same spot I was hit.This time, it hurt a lot worse because the force used was nearly three times faster… and stronger.Instantly I coughed out blood, my eyes going hazy for a moment.Maybe I shouldn’t have just run in front of the door leaving me with no appropriate defense or offense but it was my responsibility to protect Nero.Another punch came flying across my cheek, heavy damage falling on my bleeding gums.If I continued like this without an appropriate defense I was as good as dead.I didn’t expect this degree of power or strength from one opponent, especially one that aimed to kill me as gruesomely as possible.I struck out my fists for a punch when Milo held it, surprising me.Painfully, he bent and twisted my wrists, nearly breaking them when I yelled out.Were these one of his abilities? Predicting attacks.If he was just this good then I was in a serious problem.“I knew you were weak I just didn’t expect,” He stared
Ariana’s POVThe shadows wasted no time in attacking us.The unhinged offense of their attacks made me know that they intended to leave here with our lives under their belt like an accomplishment from work.Judging from the looks of two of the faces it was easy to decipher that they were students.It had already gotten this bad?I quickly ducked, avoiding someone’s feet from connecting with my skull. Judging by the projected force, it would’ve actually hurt.“This is bad.” I said, moving backwards to a safe distance.“What are we going to do?” Bach asked, using his telekinesis.I froze.Yes, that was it. Telekinesis.“Bach, if you can hear me, say my name.”“Ariana.” He responded. I exhaled in relief, “So what’s the plan?”“You’re going to read their thoughts the same way you read mine. You need to be able to tell us their next form of attack before they act on it.”I stared at the only remaining shadow that didn’t come forward to attack. He simply stood there, hands crossed with his
Ariana’s POVFootsteps approached me. “How long have you been sitting there?”I sat under the shade of a tree. Looking up, I stared at Sigil who was accompanied by Bach. “Give or take; five hours.”His forehead creased in worry, “You’ve been waiting that long? It’s hot in the afternoon and we have no idea when he will be done. You could’ve gone home, you look like you need some rest.”I turned my head to the small building where the intense yet consistent sound of metal being beat into resurrection was heard. I squinted my eyes, trying to control the deep heaviness inside them.“He hasn’t come out ever since he laid his hands on that plan. I have no idea what kind of person he is but I don’t think I could leave here knowing how much pain is being put into making that sword.”“That was his decision to make, not yours. Whatever remorse you might feel is not yours to take. You need to remember that you are the one who wields the sword in the end.”I turned to face Sigil, “Do you know he
Damon’s POVFootsteps from behind approached me and instilled.“I thought you’d have left the school by now.”I turned to face the owner of the voice.Klaus.“Then I’d just be doing you a favor I have no interest in granting.” I spat in response.Klaus stepped closer, “I see you’ve figured it out already.”I placed both hands in my pockets, “It was hard not to. The shadows increasing, the lack of interest in how many souls I could acquire for you. You’ve turned this academy into your little breeding nest.”“Calling it a nest would mean something motherly— a thing that needed to be protected. Their souls hold none of such sentiments, at least to the dark shadow’s appetite. Now that I can easily heighten their demise without needing to deal with a lonely elemental werewolf,”—My jaw hardened—“I don’t intend for that luxury to end anytime soon.”“So you came here to kill me? I wouldn’t call that a sound plan, at least on your ends.”“No, I have no sadistic interest in your life. You will
Ariana’s POVI became alert.It was the only right thing to do as I caught a whiff of that ominous smell.Every picture of what could possibly go wrong came to mind and my anxiety returned. Was this a trap?Had Sigil unknowingly led us to a trap?“Who are you?” Sigil questioned and for the briefest second I blinked back in shock.How did he not know the identity of the person whom he’d led us to?“And who are you?” The short boy replied back, and I could only hiss.“I can only answer that if you are Nero, the sword smith.” Sigil shot back, and the look on the boy’s face suddenly changed.A sense of familiarity struck him and he said in a low voice - “Then you’ve come to the right place.”I raised a brow. Sigil did to.“I am Nero.” He said again, and relief followed by a shocking sense of wonder coursed through me.Nero was very short.He was a dwarf—a really buff one.“We have come to the right place, Ariana.” Sigil whispered slightly, moving forward and I followed him. He added almos
Ariana’s POVI stood in front of Fenrir’s door.He’d been discharged that same morning and was now staying at his quarters.I’d spent approximately four hours searching through shops for the materials Darko told me about only to end up here.If there was someone that could help me with finding ‘things’ he was my… only answer.I sucked in a deep breath.Extending my hand, I exhaled through my mouth, molded my hands into fists and knocked.There was no response.I was about to knock again when the door opened, revealing Fenrir.He didn’t look bad physically as he was still recovering from his injuries, but he didn’t look good either.I opened my mouth to speak but he beat me to it.“You want something from me?” He asked and I froze. “Don’t you?” He asked again“I do.”He said nothing.“There’s no one else that can help me with this but you.”“Yet you called me greedy with disdain on your face.”I bit my lip, looking down at my feet and feeling extremely self-conscious.“I guess it is ea
Ariana’s POVImmediately Damon disappeared from my line of sight, I went searching for Darko after.After retracing his peculiar steps, I found myself back at the library. And at the same table where he sat before.He was there, and his focus were immensely consumed by the book in front of him.To the normal eye, it would seem nice—motivational, but to me, I found the way his eye pierced the book as if to consume it whole off-putting.He had successfully created an image of a harmless butterfly, someone unaware of pain and how to inflict it.He looked like the perfect student and not like the scary creature he really was.As though he’d heard all my thoughts, he stopped reading and looked up.Our gazes met.I stilled.His eyes were completely blank, dark, scary, boring deep.I swallowed hard and took a step close.When I got close enough, I took a seat opposite him and sat down.“I’ve returned.” I began.“And no one except for the both of us seated here are aware of this, I believe?”