"Thank you, Master."
From the moment they had ridden their horses and traveled around the land and towns of Avalor, they had stopped in several inns. However, they were somehow taken as a pair of medics.
Master Jin was, for sure, a wise man with a lot of knowledge in several areas, even in the art of healing, he was doing a great job. The rumor about the two of them traveling together to alleviate the people's suffering spread faster, and many townspeople tried to seek a meeting with the old man for a consultation.
"It is my pleasure, young boy," the old master patted the head of the little boy that had his leg healed. He was now jumping and running while her mother was crying in happiness.
"I don't know how to repay such kindness, Master," she gave them a few pieces of bread and a few more dishes as gratitude.
"Thank you, Madame," the young boy with an impressive aura smiled at the woman, "hope you are well."
The woman blushed a little and
"Hey, where did that stupid lad go?"The mercenaries moved around the road. "He went inside that house. Surround it, he is not an ordinary fighter."The lifeless bodies of at least five mercenaries were lying on the ground with cuts and blood coming out from them. However, that didn't mean anything to the others, they had gone through worse fights. Still, to be so easily overpowered by some young lad was an insult to their clan."Get him out of there!" the leader raised a hand, they lit their arrows to set fire to the little house.Emma tore one side of the house to let the people inside move out quickly. She gave them some money too, after all, they were innocent civilians, and if not for her and her master, they wouldn't have to suffer."Thank you," the old woman said, "come with us, they won't let you live.""It is okay, grandma," Emma smiled with her boy's disguise, "I am strong, they will be over after tonight. Go before they notice."
"Well done," the old man came visible the moment his fiery disciple finished with all the nuisances. He never thought she would go to those extremes to kill mercilessly those men. She even used tricks that could be considered a bit cruel for a delicate flower like her.He thought she would just knock them out and only that, but it came as a beautiful surprise how rude she can be. Not only the gentle little girl that was sheltered inside a tower with knights and servants to do everything for her.He smiled and patted her head. "How are you?""Sigh… tired," she was almost about to faint. Even if her condition had improved in the last months, it was still too much. She had depleted every piece of magic in her cells and her muscles were about to give up.If those men had stayed for a little longer, she would have never managed to finish them off. They would have escaped. "I need some time to rest, Master," she laid on the stone bench and breathed deepl
For the last two days, several groups of mercenaries and assassins had tried to stop their way, all of them from the same group as the first one. However, none of them could even land a hand on them. They will always end up injured or killed without mercy. Many corpses were left in their path to the temple in the Southern Mountains. "I am tired," Emma had taken a few times the essence in the Healing sphere but sometimes, she had to use her abilities to heal herself. After all, the essence was a precious gift, and it should be used only in emergencies."My dear," Master Jin took a sip of his aromatic tea, it was a delicacy they had stopped to buy, "if you want to become stronger, the battlefield is the best way to start.""Sigh... but it is tiring," she took a sip on the tea and relaxed a little. "I hope we can stay here for a bit longer.""You know we can't, my dear.""I know... I only wish..." she had in mind Liam's face, every single day he was stil
"This is beautiful, Master!"They had arrived at the top of Luir Mountain. It can be said that the view was fascinating, and that was at least a bit of a relief for whoever dared to climb it. Tiring was the journey to the top, but satisfying. The magic that protected the temple had imposed a restriction on whoever wanted to enter the gates. No magic to climb up the mountain. It must be on foot. Poor Emma was left at the bottom of the mountain with only one bottle of water and the good luck cheering her Master, the old hag, gave her. It seemed, that being an old ancient Healer came with many advantages, and one of them, a secret pass from the High Priest of the temple. It will give him the route for the magic entry to avoid the journey. "It is indeed a beautiful sight, my dear Emma," they had stopped wearing the disguises as it was no point. The priest at the top could easily see their true forms even with the disguise on. And, of course, Emma
"There was a time when the three races lived in peace, Emma," the High Priest shared a meal with Emma and Master Jin when they were training. Emma had finally expanded her magic to many space spheres. Even more, she can alter the time running inside those spheres. At least for a few minutes, she can delay the time or expand it. However, the one that had helped her control it was Master Jin, it was taking a lot of his energy. "They lived in a single land and ruled by three Kings that lived in harmony... at least for some time."The High Priest Dom stayed with Emma after the old dragon went to rest inside the healing chambers. "They think that they should share the world's magic and protect it, even more, they had to seal it from going out to other worlds. You know, that strong power could only carry terrible consequences.""I know," Emma listened respectfully by the side. She had walked and seen the Temple's murals and sculptures, they represented th
"He was called a hero, and the people of the continent had rained praises to him for many years. However...""He never forgot her," Emma said. It was easy to understand where the story was going. "What did he do?""The world at that time was submerged in chaos, the three races separated and again the dragon race came on the top with that hero as the leader. The Luriems fell, their usage of magic drop several levels and they were in discordance. Many fights and wars between them only caused their magic to drop even more and their country separated in different factions."They walked towards a hall inside the Temple. It was empty, the walls were clean and only a small desk with a chair was in the middle. The window panels made the moonlight came through illuminating the table and the stroll on top of it. "The witches' clans were at the edge of destruction, not only the devious war with the dragons had obliterated their most powerful leaders, but inside their own p
The story was something Emma didn't expect, but now she understood. The old man hadn't approached her because of her abilities or talent. Not even because of Liam, but the reason had been the pearl all along. The whereabouts of the pearl, however, why? Is it true that he wanted to destroy it? Or... he wished to use it like in the past? "From when... when did he know?" She had doubts about Liam telling anyone. Even if they had lived together a few times, she felt that she can guess his thoughts now. He won't let her be in danger. He won't ever tell her secret to anyone. Why the old man lied then? Didn't he want to tell about the story?"He had followed the traces and little hints on the pearl for many years, until one day," the old priest looked at her beautiful golden eyes and silver hair, "did you know where did you inherit such a beautiful silver hair and golden eyes?""My mom... she had silver hair; however, my golden eyes, it was said that they came from my grand
Emma knew that it was useless to keep hesitating when the man before her made such a promise. After all, he was the first one in Avalor to treat her with some decency, except for that lusty husband of hers. "I understand you have doubts....""I will tell you, though I don't know how can I be of any help after I tell you this, it is only one word, a place..."The old man's eyes glinted and as Emma's kept hesitating and looking at her hands, he smiled gently. It was not that he didn't have many resources to dig into her thoughts and make her speak. If he did that, maybe he wouldn't go through so many schemes to divert the attention of those two Princes in the Palace. From the start, he was the one that ignited the thoughts of rebellion of those two Dukes in the South and make the potion to control the minds of their people. Though, Dom, the High Temple had been of great help all this time. It is not known, but that old priest was a specialist in dark magi. After
The lights in the Hill Mansion summoned the eyes of the entire City. The spectacle, the elegance of the dresses, the makeup at its highest expression and perfection. All the glamour and wealth of the year was invoked in one day.A big event enthralled the Capital City. The expectancy grew more when the guest list was published on the web. The Major and the big shots from the four main families of White country topped the list. However, mixed with the top actresses and all people from the most influential sides of the world, a name was the focus of every pair of eyes.They could not let go of the opportunity to witness what was about to happen. To have a glance to the man who had confirmed to arrive.“When is he coming?”“I don’t
Night and thunder surrounded the castle; the tall towers of stone crumbled with the echoes of the wind hitting the walls and windows. Fear was easy to feel, anxiousness could invade the heart and soul of the weak, but the woman lying in the last room of the tower was still indifferent. The terror of residing on an earth that had been already taken over by murderous creatures didn’t make her succumb to shivers and sorrow.Even when strong golden chains gripped her fair porcelain legs, leaving painful red marks in the soft skin of her ankles, she didn’t care, nor did she make a whimper. The man who trapped her never unlocked them once from the first day he took her a year ago. He only watched as she sat on the floor with her back to the wall, occupying one corner of the room. Lonely and lost.His eyes were filled with more than desire, but a strong lo
"What is the meaning of this symbol?"The man looked confused. The sweet voice of Emma made him lose control of his words and actions. He didn't know why was that, he had never been subjected to hypnosis nor any kind of suggestive game. However, this time, it was as if some drug had entered his body and made him a week to listen to that woman's orders.Emma showed him the ring and waited for his response. The golden symbol engraved in the ring glowed with the two little red gems. It was a magnificent piece, almost as if a genius craft maker had taken inspiration from heaven. The way it was done was marvelous. A masterpiece. Victor's eyes stared at the ring for a few seconds and wondered where did she get that kind of gold. If she had sold it before, then her debt would have disappeared too. It was not as if she didn't try it, but the elders didn't let her do that. They knew it was the clue to find her real identity. However, Emma didn't hesitate to go to the ma
The man let her stay in his lap for the rest of the journey. As they were moving around the roads, she noticed that they were leaving the small town and entering what seemed a base surrounded by tall trees and a metal fence."We will stay here, for the time being, my love," the man whispered and kissed her long hair. Emma didn't care as she was tired. For now, she shall pretend to agree with the man and his needs.She closed her eyes and slept without care. When she felt that he carried her to a room and into a bed, she let him caress her face as she succumbed to her dreams. Again, the man with the red eyes showed up. This time, however, the symbol on her ring appeared in the chest of the man as he was more intense in making love to her. He pulled her to his body and it was as if he was really there sharing his warmth. Emma didn't fight it, she wanted to see him, to touch him and remember when she wakes up in the morning. "Who... who are you?"She whispered as s
Nothing.The eyes and the figure suddenly disappeared without a trace. There was no red glinting and calling her that night, but the feeling remained. She knew it was someone from her memories, that person was looking for her eagerly and she wanted to be found. She returned to the restaurant that night with many thoughts filling her mind. The man's figure, the red eyes, the longing in her heart. She even forgot about the testing of her powers, she had more important things to figure out that night. However, just as she was about to reach the entrance of the street, she heard screams. The voice was from her aunty and many other men. "Trash everything! Don't leave a single piece standing!""No, please," the voice of the old woman came with a painful cry. "Leave him alone, he is already badly injured." "Shut up!"Then more screams and shattering of windows and wood. There were at least a dozen tall and strong men with bats and metal long bars dest
The restaurant, which once was filled with chatters and laughter, was now echoing with silence. The few last days, the old elders kept it closed as it seemed that no one would enter the business for fear of the consequences, they will go to the neighbor town to sell some of their goods, though the journey there was a bit long."I will go out," Emma said after her training in her room. She had been having more progress in controlling her illusions, but it was not enough, she needed to test them. She came down the stairs and the two elders were already finishing preparing for the next day as they will go to a faraway market. "Is there something you need from the shop?""Darling, I thought you were already asleep," the old aunty came forward with a caring look, "you should go and sleep, you must be tired."Emma smiled, she knew that the old woman had seen her training, "I am fine, aunty, but I wish to take some fresh air now. There is something I want to test
I turned around. There was a young boy with a tired face, dark circles underneath his green eyes, disheveled black hair and wearing a long white hoodie with an image of a smiling face. He seemed to have just woken up from the look of the dried saliva in his mouth and cheek. I didn't need to guess who he was. "Jason""Yes, Mr. Hill asked me to fetch you, but...""You fell asleep," I smirked at the cynical face before me. He was not even feeling guilty. "It's okay I arrived fast and well," I said with a smile that was not reaching my eyes. Later I will have a little play with him."Mr. Hill will call you for your first task this evening, *yawn...*"Mr. Hill was one of the top assistants of that old man. I had never met him before, but I heard about him by listening my father's talk over the phone. His tone was always respectful even when he was the son and heir of Peter Lark and Mr. Hill was only a mere assistant. It was evident that Mr. Hill was not a
They lived without worries for that entire week, with no news about the mafia group nor their men. The old madame was still recovering in the hospital and afraid to return to her house though. Her younger daughter came to see her take her away from that town as quickly as she was informed. Her son, on the other hand, never showed up, no one knew where he went. However, it was almost like an illusion of safety. Quiet and calm in the streets, not many passersby, just dust and the clash on the windows. Everyone knew that the thugs will come, they had already waited a lot of time to unleash their attack. The residents and friends who had heard about the situation with the Larks were afraid to go to the restaurant; those days not many customers went to eat or even order some take-away. Only after the harsh efforts of Emma going around the neighborhood town to set a stand in the market, they were able to complete the rest of the money for that month. "Emma, my dear, you
The local police arrived at the small house with a small ambulance to take the old madame to the local clinic. They all knew her, and some of the neighbors had already reported the situation as they heard the scandal from afar, however, all of them were scared to get out of their houses. Even the policemen that arrived."Miss Emma, she will be fine, are you alright?" The old officer kept looking at the man on the ground who was still mumbling incoherent words. His team and he knew very well the identity of the man. In fact, Emma also knew it as there was only one mafia group that controlled the town, and those men were from that group. The same one that had lent money to almost all the little business in the town. However, their shady treats had made the little town fear the consequences of not paying their fees. "Miss Emma, this..." one of the police officers looked at Emma with a bit of worry in his eyes. "You should go to the old Larks, they are waiting for