Nana wiped a face towel over her face as she finished preparing the muffins and slid them into the oven. She stepped out of the small kitchen in the cottage she lived with one other human girl, and entered the courtyard. The cottage was of stone, and had flower vines creeping by the sides and disturbing the opening of windows.It was a cloudy afternoon, and the cold was unbearable. Nana never knew the importance of the sun until she got to this side of the world where the sun would hide under a few clouds and the god of cold would breathe over the the land.“Ah, remdangit!” she exclaimed the way Remusians always said it. She was supposed to mow the lawn this week, and despite how small their lawn was, she hated mowing it. But nevertheless, Nana did. Afterwards, she returned to the kitchen and removed the muffins from the oven. She would have set her lunch already to eat without her cottage mate, but she needed a shower after all that work. Just as she was about to turn to her room, Ch
Chidi whimpered as her moving leg rocked pain through her. She was a skinny girl, skinnier than the three of them and always felt the impact of pain harder. Camper didn't seem to be in his right senses as he sped them both out of the orchard. She was dangling over his right shoulder, while he grasped Nana with his left hand and moved them both with extraordinary strength. Who knew the Camper who was always laughing and wavering like a dry leaf on a branch could carry two women and run.They soon reached the exit and a truck was standing there. One of the truck that transported apples to the markets for sale. The truck driver was seated in front with a frown on his face, and the entire vicinity was empty.Camper let down Nana and they walked to the truck. It was then Nana saw why the man was frowning. Verona had a nice, grey-black revolver pinned to the back of his head. She was seated beside him in front, and she was not smiling. Not like she was one to smile, but Verona's face was te
The next time the door opened and guards walked into the white room, Avril could hardly even lift her head from the cold concrete platform. She did not know how long it had been since she left the courtroom, but she knew she had not had anything to eat or drink. She was weak, dying even. And she didn't need a mirror to notice bones were jutting out of her body.Above everything that was happening, she hated the bright light of the room more. She would have loved to stay in the darkness compared to that light. How ironic was the life she was living.“Get up and have something to eat,” she heard a voice that seemed familiar. Her eyes dimmed as she looked ahead of her.“It's Colonel Hansel,” Hansel stated with a frown on his face. Avril didn't seem to hear him, so he exhaled and stood by her side to arrange the plastic containers he brought. He opened all of them and sat beside her on the concrete bench.“Up. Eat or you wouldn't be around tomorrow to stand trial,” he teased and scooped a
Avril's eyes opened again, and she groaned and clenched her jaw. Why did she have to wake up? She would have just died, so they would have to burn only a dead body.She turned around and found out she was not in her much hated white room anymore. This room was dark, smelled like dirt and urine. Something ran across her leg and she yelped in fright. She sat up and placed a hand on that leg. Her hands were tied independently to the wall, so she could move them about.There was a small light flooding into the cell from a tiny opening near the ceiling. She got on her feet and tried to see if anything else could serve as a way of escape. Then she stood still and laughed.“Escape to where?” she questioned herself and sat down again. She knew very well there was no escaping this. The cell, she knew she was in, was created for the worst of criminals in order for them not to escape. Whether she liked it or not, she was going to be burned alive publicly for all to see.Suddenly, she heard movem
Guards stood at all their post inside of the Prince's quarters. The false break was not intended for them, and they had been completely unaware of it. Which was why the plan was to just take Fiorella out, not allowing her to run into a pack of wolves.Ñiraka gritted her teeth as she used her speed to reach Avril, grabbing her arm and covering her mouth at the same time.The girl struggled and screamed for Ñiraka to let her go, but instead Ñiraka sped her to the back of a small maze.“What in the world do you think you're doing?” she growled in a whisper.“Dakar's awake. Those maidens said Dakar's awake,” Avril panted, it was as if she was under the influence of drugs—an addict who wanted more.“They never said Prince Dakar was awake. You have no idea who they're referring to. You would get not only yourself killed, but me too if you're caught. I'm not about to jeopardize my life just because I want to make up for trying to kill you.”Avril swallowed and looked towards the direction of
As expected, guards were stationed at posts but few in number. They were even only there because they had to protect the prince who is dying or already dead.Ñiraka sighted Avril by the trees to the right of the magnificent fountain. It wasn't too dark because of fairy lights decor, but the guards couldn't see her from the place they stood. Ñiraka sighed and walked straight to the guards in front of the building. There were four stationed there.“I come to deliver a message for my father,” she said straight up in that voice she used when she was still glorified. The guards looked her over in faces that showed she might have been trash.“Why would he send you?” one of them asked.“Something like ‘because I'm his daughter?’” she asked sarcastically.“Go away. You are no longer allowed to step foot in the prince's—”“Why? Because I was replaced by a human? The human you're going to kill tomorrow, but disgraced me because I knew her plans and tried to kill her first?”The guards didn't sa
It felt like a dozen furnace was lit in Dakar's chest when he awoke after almost a week of being unconscious. He couldn't lift his arms, neither could he shift in his bed. But mercifully, he could move his head sideways with little difficulty. A gasp from his bedside got him almost jerking up.“My Prince,” he heard a surprised whisper.“Oh goodness,” the maiden rasped again and ran off without another word.Minutes later, she returned with the Beta who looked like he had seen the greatest miracle of all time.“Prince Dakar," he rasped and sauntered to his side.“Did I get hit by a car?” he joked in a very hoarse voice.“That would have been preferred,” Federico replied and placed a hand over Dakar's arm. He was shirtless, and had series of tubes connected to his arms, his chest and his nose. His chest where the dagger went through was bandaged clean.“What happened?” Dakar inquired. His mind was foggy, and it felt stressful to think deep.“Hmm, a terrible event. The kingdom has been t
Avril sobbed as she raced down the hallway, down the flight of stairs and into the living room. Her cries were increasing with every step she took. She didn't know where she was going, but she was going. The air was too choked up for her to breathe. She had to go. She had to find a place she could breathe.“Fiorella! Shit, you scared us!” Camper called as she made her way to the front oak doors. She didn't look back at him, didn't comprehend what he said. She grabbed the door handles and pulled them apart. A gust of wind slapped her hood off her face, and whipped her hair behind. Yes, this was what she needed. Air. She stopped crying and ran into it.“Fiorella!!” Camper cried from behind.“Told you that girl was crazy!” Ñiraka shrieked as they bolted after her. The four guards in front were on high alert now, after the alarm went off. They couldn't leave their post to join in the search because they had to protect their prince.Avril sprinted beside them, and they let shock wash over
“No! No! Give me those!” she screeched and flew at Camper who didn't move an inch. But before she could reach him, she was blasted off into the cage Avril's friends just vacated. Camper hurried over to Prince Dakar.“You came right on time. They've hurt Avril,” Dakar said. Camper looked at the white fog and clenched his teeth.“Verona will help. She's coming. They are coming.”Dakar nodded and took one of the clear crystal balls and lifted it up.“Camper feels emotions more than anyone else can. Which is why he's a playboy, he enjoys the pleasure a hundred times than an average person. And when someone is overexcited, or is hiding something where they've channelled all their protective information... Camper can trace where all those emotions are headed,” Prince Dakar said as Athena began to rise.“Where your treasure is stored, there will your heart be,” Camper recited. “While you were busy flirting and trying to make him take you there on your garden floor, he was looking deep into
Avril had only just slept for a half an hour when she heard a masculine scream pierce through the serenity of the room. She jerked awake, causing a terrible headache to erupt in her head. The scream continued on. Obviously, that person was in deep agony. She rubbed her weak eyes with her weak fingers and realized this agonized person was right there on the floor in front of her. Then she realized it was Dakar.“Dakar!” she screamed and ran out the bed, only to fall on the bed because of how numb her legs were. She groaned but crawled on foura to where he lay. His scream and cries were terrible. She grabbed his arm but he shoved her off as he continued to twist and contort in pain.Avril burst into tears when she noticed he was bleeding from his nostrils, mouth and ears.“Help, please!” she tried to shout but no way her voice could be heard above his.She crawled back to the bedside, grabbed the pitcher of water and tossed it over him. He stilled immediately and lay unconscious. Avril
“Gently get the girls to wake up. We're leaving. Pick up everything. Leave no personal belonging behind,” Dakar warned strictly. The two men nodded and darted into their room.“Where's Verona?” Avril asked.“I'm here,” she replied and showed up too. Verona looked agitated and vigilant.“I can't believe I was such a fool to bring you all here,” Dakar said to himself and looked her he could slap his own cheek. The candlelights were enough to show the look of regret on his face. He held Avril's good hand and led her out while Verona also darted inside the room. The others were already frantically moving and packing stuff.In less than ten minutes later, everything had been packed as affirmed by Camper. They then quietly started out without a word or sound from anyone.They got to the throne room which was empty and dark too. Instead of them to go through the main entrance, Prince Dakar turned them to a different direction. He tugged gently on what was like a door and a secret passage ope
Athena plastered a too wide smile on her face as she smoothly walked towards them like she was gliding and not actually taking steps. Her outfit was all gold, blending too much with the throne room itself. If her visible skin and hair were also gold, she would be invisible in the hall.“Pleased to meet you again, Athena,” Prince Dakar said with courtesy. Athena turned her full attention to him as she stood a few feet away.“Ah, my handsome nephew. You look amazing despite everything you've been through. I guess strength and good looks runs in the family. How is your father?” she asked and cocked her head to the side.“He is doing very well. Sends his kind regards,” Prince Dakar answered. Athena grinned and moved closer to him. A little bit too close. She looked up into his eyes and tucked loose hair behind his ear.“When this is all over, I would love to see his final look,” she said then grinned again.Avril frowned but quickly tucked her face right. What did she mean by ‘his final l
Prince Dakar got up, then jerked his jacket by the lapels to get it aligned with his body. He took a deep breath, relief flooding in that Avril was not dead. And she was right at the other side about to come over. He heard a feminine gasp like the one had made and made a quick turn to see the person who had come out. But he was disappointed to see the slim, black friend of Avril. Chidi. She wasn't crouched down like he was, but she was standing straight and breathless.“Are you all right?” he asked as she stood rooted to the spot, oblivious to him standing there. After he spoke, she raised her eyes abruptly and saw him. Then she looked back at the innocent look archway.“Congrats. You got out. Come over, let's wait for the others,” he said again and walked a few feet from where he was standing. Chidi followed silently and leaned against a tree with her eyes closed. Dakar was tempted to ask her what she saw, but he didn't want to intrude. Chidi however surprised him.“T saw Avril fall
The Porta Metus was situated in a vast region of land that was very mountainous. Solid, smooth rock was the ground and scorpions could be seen tittering around. Flying, giant bee-like creatures swarmed about and scared the living daylights out of the traveling group.The gateway itself was an archway of smooth grey rock that began on the ground but went over to cover the small bridge. There was a deep ditch dividing the rock terrain, and earthy terrain.“We have to be very careful. The Porta Metus is the archway. It doesn't come up this time of year so I'm worried about you all. The Porta Metus brings out your greatest fear. Between you and your greatest fear, only one will make it out. To reach your destination, you must defeat your greatest fear against all odds.”After Prince Dakar's information, everyone stared still at the harmless looking archway of rock.“What if you do not have a greatest fear but just little little fears?” Xiao Wéi asked.“Then I consider that person the luck
“What in the world are those thing?” Nana yelled amidst the screams. The horses that were at the far end of the cave startled up and began to neigh and thump around.“Stealth wraiths. Half-dead creatures but more dead than alive. Which means you can't see them. They're very rare!” Camper shouted out.“How do you kill what you cannot see?!” Avril shrieked as Camper sliced through the air again and black blood poured out of nothing.“They are as cold as ice. You feel their chill and strike,” Verona answered as she trotted to the entrance to assist Camper. The rest shifted back but didn't lose their guard. The horses were causing a scene on their own and Avril instinctively ran over to calm them down. It didn't work.A cold chill was taking over the entire cave, the entrance had turned into a battle ground. Camper and Verona were fighting invisible, shrieking creatures that seemed to be pushing them backwards and not the other way around. Whatever does things were, they were plenty and t
They trespassed through the Soot Forest, as Camper had called it, for five hours straight. They only rested at most ten minutes while standing because of the human girls who were not as tire-proof as the wolves. Avril and her girls even surprised Prince Dakar. They didn't tire as easily as other humans.“One more hour and we'll be out,” Camper announced to the group.“I hope there's a place we can sit our butts down?” Nana grumbled.“Well, I see sitting your butt down is very important to you. Seeing you carry a lot over there of course,” Xiao Wéi joked and the girls burst into laughter except Verona who had not smiled since the journey began. As was usual of her.“If we don't sit soon, I'm afraid I'll lose all my assets,” Nana replied. Avril slapped Nana's butt.“Nope, you're still good even if you walk the whole day,” she teased and Nana butt-kicked her. Avril wasn't expecting that move and it pushed her, making her feet unbalanced on the ground. She yelped as she felt herself desc
Avril laughed loud again and everyone rushing food at the table looked over at them. “Is there a comedy show going on there, Fiorella?” Verona asked grudgingly. “Are there any tickets left? I need a good laugh also,” Nana spoke and Chidi elbowed her. “Don't mind them. Just talk and laugh all you want. You're not bothering us,” Chidi said and glared at Nana who shrugged. She looked away and her eyes caught Camper staring at her friend in amusement. He had his fork twirling in his salad as he stared at Nana. “It's going to be too obvious that you like this girl. Put that face straight,” the new guy ordered with a frown. Everyone at the table frowned except Camper who smirked at him. The way he spoke was so authoritative and haughty. Who was he? Avril's laughter rang up again but nobody looked back at them this time. “Why are you all looking at me like I said something bad?” he questioned. “That's because you sound like a nagging mother. It doesn't suit you,”