VidaBurn’s Bar, New York City“What a ridiculous idea!” Vida laughed.Tessa can be a riot at times. And her suggestions are as wild as her imaginations.“Why? You’re single. You’re gorgeous. You’re smart. What’s stopping you?” Tessa asked as she wiped a tray clean.Vida lowered her voice. “I don’t want to have sex with someone unless I am sure of my feelings towards him.” Her best friend snorted at her response. “Besides I’d prefer to read books all night than scream some asshole’s name and instantly regret it the morning after because I find out he’s going through a divorce and has two children to support.”Tessa rolled her eyes. All she ever wanted was for Vida to be occupied by other things. Even if her friend did not admit it, she knew deep down that Vida was still stressed about that night. “Whatever you say, dork.”Vida laughed and turned to the window behind her and peeked. “Hey, Lance. Got that order for table 16 ready? The man’s about to pass out.”Lance peeked back and look
ColterPruneé, Kingdom of Howard"You could use a little company."Colter looked up from his fourth or was it sixth bottle of Pruneé's best booze. He had been sitting at this table for quite sometime now and ever since then, the crowd had considerably thinned and the noise died down into a quiet buzz.He had no idea what time it was but he could tell that the bar was about to close. Tables were being cleaned and there were only a few customers left. Maybe he could ask the owner if he could stay a while longer."Nah, thanks. I'm good." Colter replied as he took another shot.The woman did not give up easily. She immediately recognized Colter as soon as he walked into the bar. Only a royal could have gait like that. And that hood? It only drew more attention to himself. She slid into the seat in front of the Prince and caressed his leg under the table with her own. "You look like you needed someone to talk to. I've been eyeing you for quite some time now."Colter snorted rather disgusti
VidaNew York City, Planet EarthThe beat of the music thrummed all over the club, Vida downed her drink in one big gulp as she tried to make sense of what Tessa was telling her.“Come on, Vida!” Tessa said exasperatedly, “The Harry Fletcher! Amazing human being, drop dead handsome, one of New York’s finest bachelors! He isn’t mired in anything scandalous! He’s like a perfect human being.”Vida turned to look at Tessa, there was a hint of frustration pasted on her friend’s face as she tried to get Harry and her together.“Harry also graduated with highest honors in a school overseas! So, he’s got the brains to go with his glorious, handsome face. He’s also the owner of 5 companies that handle multiple smaller companies all over this country. How come you don’t know who he is? Are you living under a rock?” Tessa continued in between gulps of her beer.Tessa noticed that Vida wasn’t paying any attention to what she’s saying, she made a circling gesture with her index finger, signaling
ColterKingdom of Howard, Unknown The morning dawned and Colter was up, shaking off the hangover and unlocking the chest he left the sketch in. It was the same woman he just had a wild dream about, a brunette with amber eyes and fair skin. The dream felt too real for him, so real that his heart stirs and his penis hardens involuntarily just thinking of it. “It felt real. Who is she?” the young prince muttered to himself still staring his art, the thoughts kept pestering him like a mosquito buzzing insistently around his ears. He had felt her, even if it was through a dream. He had felt his body on hers, he had parted her legs and ravaged her. Plausible places where she lives suddenly filled his mind, could she be in the kingdom? Is she an Ecanus too? He had forgotten or didn’t focus enough on her chest marking. “Now I have to find her, don’t I?” he muttered, rolling the piece of paper, and keeping it in the folds of his clothing. Slamming the chest shut, Prince Colter ran out of h
ColterPalace Outskirts, Kingdom of HowardHis mind racing, along side Nimrod’s gallant gallops through the pathways, thoughts of Samuel consumed Colter. He had put the mystery dream girl aside as this new development had caught his eye. He had wanted to confirm the idle gossip that he heard from the village miles away from his current location. In the distance, as he reached a clearing, the palace. Its gates were open, and a crowd had gathered on a specific location. Unable to bear it anymore, Colter caressed Nimrod’s neck, bidding goodbye knowing that his trusted steed will be able to find his way towards the stables, and leapt off, flying towards the crowded area.He saw his parents, the King Malik Howard and Queen Regina Howard, behind them was the Deity Flora watching without betraying any emotions, before them was a figure groveling before them. It was Samuel. Colter watched the scene unfold him intently, while mindlessly muttering: “So… he really is back.”SAMUELPalace Outsk
VidaBurn's Bar, New York CityIt was totally unfair how the sun was shining brightly on Vida. In fact, it was too bright for her liking.The pair were seated at the picnic table, behind Burn's, designated for employees to eat their lunch. It was well-past 12:00PM and the lunch rush of the customer had already died down, giving them time to take a break and prepare for the afternoon stragglers."Vida babe, are you going to eat your protein bar? If not, can I have it? I need an extra boost of sugar today." Tessa said as she finished eating her double turkey sandwich.Vida nodded, not even bothering to look up from her phone.Tessa found it weird that her friend was as usual, disconnected from reality, but this time, her nose was behind her mobile phone. "Switching to e-books now, are we?"Her friend ignored her and just kept scrolling. Well, that was news to Tessa."I'll also be taking your banana yoghurt too since I'm really, really, hungry." Tessa made a move to reach for the yoghurt
ColterTrafalgar, Kingdom of Howard"I knew you were coming to see me, Your Highness." Samuel made a motion to stand up, but Colter assured him with a look that the formalities were not required. He then scooted over to make room for the prince to sit down.Samuel wiped the tears from his eyes, not wanting to show the prince how vulnerable he was. It was already bad enough how almost the entire kingdom had witnessed his breakdown in front of the King."What do you mean by that?" Colter asked as he sat down."I saw you from the crowd. Your eyes were burning with questions for me." Samuel replied. He gave out a sigh. "But I must warn you, My Prince. Your curiosity might be your downfall as it is the lust of the mind. I won't dissuade you nor advocate for you to cross over the portal, but it is a risk that I took and now I'm facing the consequences."Colter was taken aback. The fact that Samuel had given him unsolicited advice, he suddenly felt nervous about asking Samuel his experience
ColterThe Palace, Kingdom of HowardThe day had been peaceful, there was no worry that seemed to plague the citizens of Howard. The same thing could not be said for a certain young prince who was now facing his father in the throne room of the royal palace.He nearly quailed underneath the King’s stony gaze, but still reminding himself that this is father, he bowed his head politely. “You asked for my presence here, your highness.” Colter said quietly, using the honorific in order to have a gauge on what his father’s mood is.King Malik gave off an air of rage. It seemed that the very air around him had twisted and turned by the very essence of his anger. Colter tried to ponder what was going on, focusing on many things that he had done that could have pissed his own father off but he couldn’t pinpoint it.The King descended from his throne and approached his son in a huff, his eyes showed baleful wrath as soon as he got within striking distance, he wound up his arm and landed a fer
And so, Gian Howard ruled gloriously, from a prince begotten by his ambitions to a fair king that was loved by all. The damages that Dyron and his kingdom had done to the Kingdom of Howard was repaired a few years after the attack. There was no more word of a darkness that would threaten the peace that they had earned and fought for. The blatant loss of life was unforgivable to many, yet they managed to build their lives again. He also had fallen for a kind hearted Ecanus named Delilah, their children were many and were given love that they so deserve. King Malik peacefully passed the throne to him knowing that the prince had changed for the better and as he passed away in his sleep due to his failing age, the Kingdom mourned for a whole month, The Dowager Queen Regina followed less than a year later. Colter and Vida often visited them, checking in on them while they were alive and bonding with the new king that was Gian. Tessa also tagged along from time to time, serving as some sor
Vida’s Apartment, New York CityThe heat built in his body as his hands found themselves caressing every part of Vida’s body, she was whimpering in pleasure as she felt his caresses, Colter, had found himself longing for this, hungering for her as they spent that time away from each other, and the one moment they finally did get time together, they were surrounded by such chaos. Now they had time alone.Vida’s nails buried themselves into Colter’s back, minding his now healing injuries, as Colter put his lips on her breast, he suckled on it like a hungry infant hungering for its mother’s milk. Vida moaned in ecstasy as Colter worked on her body, she involuntarily found herself wrapping her bare legs against his waist, locking him in and not wanting him to stop ever.“I love you, Vida” Colter said, rising from her body and then started biting on her neck gently, Vida shuddered and her nails moved across Colter’s back as her nerves were shot to the point of oversensitivity. They had bot
ColterNew York City, Planet EarthPowerless but fulfilled, Colter stepped out of the portal with his companions, Vida’s hand was locked in his as they walked out with Tessa blubbering uncontrollably while holding on to Vergil, who was doing his best to be stoic:“Damn, I can’t believe that wasn’t just a dream, girl!” Tessa said to no one in particular, everyone was just listening to her speak, “Like boom! Zoom! Pow! We crossed some mystical portal! That’s right up Vida’s fantasy novel shit! I can’t believe it. I thought I was going to wake up wasted in a bar somewhere! Goddamn it was real, I have these weird powers that can see visions and shit!”“Tessa!” Vida interrupted, giggling as Tessa had begun to pick up steam with her words, she simply leaned on Colter’s arms and felt the moment, he had chosen to live with her on this Earth and it thrilled her to no end.“Don’t interrupt me girl, I was on the verge over there! Like look, those things were real, yeah? Those creepy flying vultu
ColterThe Great Hall, Kingdom of Howard"Brother,"Colter approached his brother on the balcony of the Great Hall. Gian was staring off into the distance, watching the sunset on the horizon. Days had passed since the war against Havocc took place. The Kingdom of Howard has been slowly rebuilding itself from the wounds of the attack. What was left of the Royal Guards helped the citizens rebuild their homes and establishments until they had a sense of their lives back. "Colter," Gian said, nodding.He settled in to stand beside his brother and looked at what was once a thriving capital below them. Colter knew that the entire Kingdom would be back to its former glory in no time."What an experience," Gian said. "All my life, I have always thought Howard to be untouchable, a haven, that no harm would ever befall it. Seeing it being razed to the ground is something I will never forget.""I could say the same," Colter said."But we're getting through it. Just look at how fast the Ecanus
King MalikThe Kingdom of HowardThe capital has been devastated greatly, they had suffered many losses and everyone had a somber demeanor. Houses were shattered, the gates were splintered, there was still blood on some parts of the pavement and the royal palace was almost in ruins. The bodies of the fallen Ecanus were being transported for burial, with the highest honors they could be given. Those who were still able to move helped out, finding people trapped in the debris of their homes, giving out food and just giving words of affection towards those who were severely saddened by the recent events.King Malik stood in front of them all, his wounds were still undressed, the blood all over him had dried up and gave him such a scary look, but he wanted to address all of the people before he took care of himself. He wanted to give him hope, and thus, casting the spell once more that would allow the people of his kingdom to hear him clearly:“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the
ColterThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard“Then let us have a duel to the death!” Dyron roared in fury as Colter slowly approached his foe, he could notice the king’s dark magic twist all over his body, “I shall send you straight into the pits of the underworld, and soon afterwards, everyone in this failure of a kingdom”Colter’s powers were at their peak now, three of the four elements worked in tandem as he leapt forward the elemental sword in his hand glowing with a bright light that radiated hope. He swung down as he descended on his enemy, but he was met with resistance. The sword of light clashed against the sword made of pure darkness.Dyron’s wounds from Vergil’s earlier attack burst with blood as he struggled, “I shall have this kingdom and no one will stop me” Colter just stared blankly at Dyron’s claims, they clashed swords once more, this time with blinding speed as each combatant gave their whole strength into it. Sparks of fire flew around their battle area, along with
ColterThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of HowardIn the blink of an eye, Colter stood before King Dyron, his hand was firmly grasping the king of darkness’ neck, “Have I ruined your plans, King of Darkness?” Colter taunted the struggling enemy in his hand, Dyron squirmed and tried to fight back, but the prince’s grip was too strong.“What are you doing, son?!” Dyron gasped, trying to regulate his breathing as Colter slowly tried to crush his larynx, “I am your father, do not give in to the lies these filthy Ecanus have fed you!”Colter tightened his grip in anger as he felt Dyron’s magic try to corrupt him again, but the prince’s aura swirled around his senses in protection, this time anticipating the attack.“Your lies bear power no longer, King Dyron” Colter said in an angry whisper as he slammed the king down into the ground.Hope swirled in the hearts of every Ecanus and human in the room, Colter was slightly weakened by the ordeal, but they were glad that he had returned to his normal
VidaThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of HowardShe ran towards Colter, slipping out of Tessa’s grasp who only screamed in horror as her friend put herself in mortal peril.“Vida” she screamed but Vida did not mind her, she had moved herself through the debris, stepping aside the blood and fire, and managed to reach Colter who instantly hesitated when their eyes locked.“Please remember me” Vida thought fervently as Colter’s crimson eyes found her amber ones, he let out a ragged breath that was filled with panic as his arms were still motioned upwards, wanting to stab down at his fallen brother.As Colter hesitated, Vida found her opportunity in his hesitation and grabbed Colter, locking him in a tight embrace.“Colter!” she cried out, tears spilling uncontrollably as she felt the heat of his anger burning inside him, his heart was also beating fast, “It’s me Vida. I crossed a world for you, please remember who I am. Remember who you are. Look into your heart, Colter. It’s me.”She heard Dyr
King Malik HowardThe Royal Palace, Kingdom of Howard“Colter is under the imperium-class spell; it is a magical poison that seeps through every corner of his body. “ Malik announced finally recognizing its effects, he remembered how often it was used in battles before Gian and Colter’s time, “There is one weakness that Dyron has not accounted for.”Dyron glared at the king and flung another black ball of magic at him, and he dodged it cleanly. “Your ambition will be your downfall, old friend” Malik taunted the furious Dyron this time, finally putting it all together. Colter running away. Vida coming over to help and Tessa assisting. It had been in front of him all this time, and finally, a way to save the lives that could still be saved.“The poison indeed courses through every part of their body, except for one” Malik announced, “It could never breach the heart. The mark of Ecanus protects the heart from being fully poisoned, this is why Colter fluctuates in and out of control whi