Cassandra’s brow parted on her forehead as she lifted the corner of her eyes to study him. He tried to smile, but she was already looking back on her book by the time the smiles left his lips.
“You didn’t answer my question, Cassy. Or are we going with the silent treatment?” Gareth asked, but as before, Cassandra remained quiet and continued reading her book.
It’s a silent treatment then, perhaps I should activate my malice mood. Gareth grunted unhappily. He was just trying to relieve boredom and get to know the people around him, especially Cassandra.
“I thin
She looked him expressionlessly, “Suit yourself, but I have told you that enjoy is a strong word. Try not to talk the horse to death, and it is still a long way to Landevia. At least when you are not around, then the other horses can rest too.” Cassandra seriously said before she proceed on washing her face now, and Gareth could see her eyes studying Bola, who was washing at the other end of the river.Gareth stomach knotted as he hurried back to the horses. How long had he waited for this day? It was hard to tell. Even as he made his way to the horses, he just could let the thoughts wither. His father had chased him out of the castle because he was weak, but if he presented this new prophesy to him, perhaps he would spare his life and accept him back into the Cavaliers as one of his so
Ginika released a heavy sigh, “I know. But looking-” He stopped midsentence as he felt his face heating up, turning red, from embarrassment. This earned another chuckle from Vera. She then shook her head and spoke teasingly, “Youth. They act stupid when they are lovesick.” Vera's voice was not so soft, causing not only for Ginika to hear it clearly. His face was still red from embarrassment, but he could not help glare at Vera. “What do you mean, lovesick? Who is lovesick?” Ginika asked, mumbling as he contemplated on ignoring Vera for a while. Vera laughed, “Riiggggttt….” She said, rolling her tongue as she said it. “Who is th
Ginika did not know why, but when he told Vera the story, she seemed different. He could not blame her after all since she was supposed to be a very loyal servant to the Emperor. Sometimes he even wonders why she was so good to him when he did not show any support for the current dictator. Aside from that, the story passed down by his people was really true absurd. Probably it was the most logical way for them to justify why some of them have special powers while the others don’t. Every power given by the heaven was only received by those who were blessed, so one should be grateful. Well, demon and vampires were always unique creatures that no one could even explain where they came from or how they come into existence. With that being said, the story passed d
Yes, he is safe. How many times did he encounter death but still alive until now? At least that should be a good enough proof that his luck was way better than the other’s, right? “You should not worry too much. Else more wrinkles will show on your face.” Ginaka could not help but teasing Vera. However, it was as if his stomach would fall from the sadness that was beginning to well up inside his own mind. The creases that were appearing on the woman’s face were just enough evidence to tell that she was not getting on with life after losing h
“You must have had a long journey. The sugar would help keep you focus. I want to be sure that I am not talking to some insane people,” Dante laughed. “Still cracking the same old jokes,” Vera said as she collected the cup and took the first sip.“Those jokes might be old, but they are true,” Dante said and walked back to his chair. He shifted the belt on his pouty stomach before taking a seat. “I had a visitor once from Mugot. A fine lady. She had come just at the time when I had run out of stock. Guess what happened in the middle of our discussion. She slumped right before my very eyes and refused to wake up until she perceived the aroma from the pie the children were baking that day.”The man laughed again, harder this time, but Vera only chuckled. Ginika, on the other hand, was still trying to capture everything in the man’s office. Maybe he had not seen these types of things before. Vera concluded. “Don’t mind my old silly jokes. Where is your partner?”“Dead,”“Dead?” Dante’s
When she was done, Ginika had agreed to adhere to all instructions, and Vera had signed with her full name on the space provided. He watched the space provide glow a little as if it acknowledges her signature. “Now, you go and meet the others. I will be with you in a short while,” Dante said, waving his hand towards where Ginika was supposed to go. He then wrapped up the scroll and dropped it back into his drawer.“See you later, Gini. Did you remember all the things that I have told you?” She asked seriously. Vera’s stomach tightened as the boy hugged her. She could feel her legs growing weak. A voice in her head was screaming at her to hold on to him and never let go. But she knew that this was the only place that was safe for him, at
Eric’s ears twitched as they caught the voice of the wind. In it was a soft melodious song that played from the downstairs. The tambourines only kept the background, but the soft voice of the lystral was heartwarming. He remembered the song from the day before when the people had gathered to celebrate his birthday. It was still playing at this moment, and he liked it so much. He could not help but get himself immersed in the song. So lovely. Eric thought, and the glass cup clattered as they touched his teeth. He then gulped the content of the glass cup and set it on the hands of the balcony. So this is all I have been missing for thirteen years? Something shifted in hi
Eric frowned as he silently thought to himself. So the power of Gini is like my mother? That makes sense. His birth was strange, not to mention the power that he has. Eric’s knowledge was also way mature than his age. His thoughts cut off when there was a knock at the door. It opened to reveal the face of one of the Cavaliers. The Cavaliers bowed in greeting, “My Lord and god. The queen of Ekron and her daughter are here. They beg for your humble presence.” The Cavalier announced respectfully with his head bowed low. Emperor Ganto nodded, “Stay here, boy. I need to get this party over with,” he then said as he stood up and walked towards the Cavalier.Yes, get it over with—stupid man. If possible, don’t go back for me. Eric tauntingly thought as he watched the Emperor leave the room. He really does not know why, but regardless of the good things Emperor Ganto had done for him or how many times the old man had called him his son, Eric really has this feeling of contempt that he coul
The calmness was alluring, and the serenity so great that she felt she could remain here forever. Nothing seems to exist. It was just as if she was just being born. There was no trouble, no worries, and certainly no death. But where am I?“My sweet child,” Someone said, and the girl could feel the hands that patted her forehead.Abigail opened her eyes, just in time to see the beautiful face of Queen Isabel, as she pulled away from her. The rich lemon fragrance covered Abigail’s nostrils lurking around the fresh morning air that was rushing into the room from the window at the far end.“Mother?” Abigail called. Even her own voice was new to her.“Rest, my child, you need it.” Isabel smiled weakly and stroked Abigail’s forehead.“What happened?” Abigail asked as she sat up from the bed. She was totally found. No part of her body ached from the training, and she was more at ease and…“By the heavens,” Abigail screamed when her fair skin. She stroked her head and laughed from the rich bl
Gen jumped on top of the watchman and ripped his throat out, feeling the sweet savor of the metallic taste that came rushing into her palate. She was careful not to bite off his head as that was a disgusting way to feed.She wiped her mouth with the back of her hands and stood up. She was not satisfied, but she must try to be on mission. Maybe she will come back and finish him off when she was done.A ray of sun tubes in through the roof, and Gen laughed. It was still a wonder to her that she was walking in daylight. She had been in the dark for about 50 years, but now, walking under the light made her realize that there is more to life that the ugly face of darkness.The hands of the sun spreads through the whole earth, blessing everything that stood in the vast distance with its grace. From this place, she could see everywhere in Arkenta. Even the border of Landevia spread out and seemed to be touching the sky. She was supposed to monitor the Cavaliers from this Watchtower, but stand
Vera nodded to Gareth and walked out from among the shadows. She followed behind the cavalier, who was totally oblivious of her presence. The man was about to round the bend when she held his mouth from behind and traced the sharp end of her dagger around his neck. She held his mouth tightly as he convulses but released him when he finally became still.“That’s thirty-two,” Gareth whispered as he walked towards her.“You have been keeping counts?” Vera asked and wiped her dagger on the body of the fallen guard.“A total of sixty-six. You are a warlord mother,” “Which way?” “There,” Gareth pointed to another metal door. The torches flickered with the little wind that walked in the air, revealing the emptiness that lies on the other side of the door. It was day, and the sun was at its zenith. But its hands have failed to touch any side of the dungeon. Dar
“Emm…guys, I hate to break the reunion, but I think we are in trouble.” A girl that was twice as tall as any of them in the arena said. Behind her were two other girls whose eyes were wider than the lens of Victoria.“Olivia? We are friends now?” Dodo suddenly asked as she, Abigail, and Victoria turned to the other girls. The looks on their faces told Ginika to keep off. He wasn’t ready to meddle with women’s affairs.“Ginika!!!” Someone screamed. “Pa Bola?” Ginika’s brow elevated to his skull at the voice of the man who was running into the arena from one of the metal bars. Behind him was a strange-looking woman, in breeches and some yellow shawl hanging loosely on her shoulders.“You must get out of here, now,” The man said. The looks on his face were covered with so many expressions that Ginika could not place a hand on.“Bola,” Dodo called, turning away from the girl she had called Olivia. “You are alive.” “Yes, but there is no time, we must hurry, follow me.” Bola pointed to the
A sweet air bashed Abigail’s face when she finally walked out of the burning hallway. The metal bars shut behind her, leaving her and the other children at the mercies of the crowd and their frenzy. The walls of the arena were high, more than thirty feet away from the dust and sand.“Now what?” Dodo asked as she steady her hands on the pan. Her composure was laudable, and it made Abigail want to run into her arms. The girl was showing no sign of weakness or fright. It was as if she had anticipated all the event and knew what would happen.“How long can you last out here, Victoria.” The voice of Olivia came fluttering with the numerous screams of the crowd. The mockery in them was annoying. The girl was acting as though she had everything under control.The metal door at the other side of the arena opened, and some six boys came jogging out of it. They were also Vesslers who had come to transition. Unlike the girls that were given pans, the boys held the sword, spears, shield, and other
The voice of the metals continued to scream as the hammers of the blacksmith descended upon them. The screams only stopped to a hissing sound when the men imbued them into the water pan beside the metal table, and resumes their previous beating. Those clatter and noise from the anvil could cause the ear to bleed. It’s been hours since they came here, yet none of the three blacksmith had fashion any reasonable weapon. It was as if they were toiling in vain, or were they doing this as a hobby?Abigail wiped her brow for what seemed to be the tenth time that morning. If the sweat had anything to do with the heat of the furnace, then she would have taken solace in the metal door whose air was blocked by the girl’s that clustered on it.
“This is ridiculous.” Richard chuckled, “The funniest joke in the history of the empire.”“You are a coward Richard. And your strength Is in your tongue. The only thing you are good at is staring up strife among brethren.”“Is that what you think,” Richard flared and hurried up to Gabriel, but the other children where just in time to hold the two from ripping their throats apart.“Richard.” Ginika said, and all eyes turned to him. “I don’t care if you hate me
“You ruined our lives. I said it before, you are nothing but trouble,” Richard shouted.Ginika’s stomach tightened as he studied the other children who were staring at him like some kind of god. Betty had hidden them in the forest, the same forest which was becoming like home ever since he was kicked out from the brotherhood. It was easily to see through the expression that lurked in the face of the children. They looked haggard and frightened and five years starving.“You hear me?” Richard’s voice rung in his ears but he tried his best to ignore the boy. “You are nothing but evil. Nemesis will fall on yo
Bola wiped the tears from his own eyes, not able to hold them back any longer. Seeing the reunion between the mother and son made his chest ach. He just could not shut the doors of his emotions as his mind flashback into the past, in that night when his whole family was destroyed by the children of the night. His clan had been so weak to defend themselves. They had been so powerless.“Here,” Vera’s word brought his wandering thoughts back into his body. She had was holding a small book in her hands now, a book which she gave to Gareth.“It contains my memory.” Vera smiled and parted Gareth’s cheeks, leaving a smear of red trail on them.“Please don&