45.1Two veiled priestesses approached the central podium, carrying an incense holder. I couldn't help but cough briefly as I involuntarily inhaled the smoky haze that enveloped the area. On the room's right side, another veiled figure, clad in familiar black attire, stood. The shaman whom Eric had brought with him began to enact her spell. While Lady Heressa, the shaman, quietly chanted, a sprinkling of holy water descended upon me. This took me by surprise, causing me to flinch in response. Although the process felt strange, I refrained from making assumptions or seeking explanations, as I was certain that this was an entirely new experience for me.Based on the information they had provided me, the ritual would be divided into two phases. The first phase was expected to be relatively lighter, while the second one posed an undeniable and dangerous challenge that we aimed to avoid. Alpha Knight appeared deeply concerned, particularly as the ritual's commencement drew near. I recalled
45.2Upon awakening, I could only describe one prevailing sensation: warmth. My gaze met a vast, austere chamber. Initially, it appeared boundless, as if it stretched infinitely, but within moments, I could discern its intricate details. A single expansive window stood opposite a stone fireplace, and while the room held minimal furnishings, it offered an inexplicable sense of comfort. In contrast to the typically suffocating and gloomy atmosphere of barren rooms, I felt a deep sense of belonging in this space.Could this be a memory of mine?I believed this was...I searched the entire space, hoping to find something familiar that might trigger my memory. Finally, my eyes landed on an amulet, casually resting in the center of the solitary table. As I reached to pick it up for a closer look, I hesitated upon sensing the presence of others. I stepped back and overheard a brewing argument among the approaching individuals."We're not sending her anywhere,"As two figures entered, panic s
46.1The moon was the color of blood, the environment, a place I'd consider hell. There was nothing to see other than the horrors I wished I never relieved, turns out reality was harsher to witness than experience. With nothing I could do to help people who were suffering, seeing them killed in front of me, I fell into that spiral of hopelessness. If anything, I wished I'd be transported to the next place of memory, not this. Not bloodshed."Kill that monster!" A warrior ordered, possibly a general seeing the hint in his attire and that he was responsible for commanding others. I thought of General Rui and General Cassius, undeniably, fierce and serious when in battle.A person transformed into a werewolf right before my eyes, emitting a powerful, menacing growl from deep within his throat. Soon, others followed suit. As I observed the battlefield, a couple of significant revelations emerged. Firstly, the Southerners were also werewolves, and secondly, the West and South had formed a
46.2"Did you genuinely believe you could trust them?""T-they vowed to—""They do not owe you their allegiance. You have to think about this carefully. What do you really want?"When it was my turn to respond, I found myself at a loss for words. She had a knack for weaving her words and getting under my skin. After all, she was me."To prove myself..." I trailed off. That had been my sole motivation. I could vividly recall the moment I was granted a chance at life, and I had been determined to demonstrate that I was worth saving. Yet, as I revisited those memories, it dawned on me that I had every right to speak up, to fight for my own cause."Is that genuinely what you desire?" She inquired, her gaze penetrating the depths of my soul. I could sense her disappointment in me as if she had never anticipated ending up this way. But I was determined to remind her otherwise."I wish to embrace my new name and life. I am Amethyst," I declared, my words carrying a weight of determination.F
47At first, I had thought that it was all just a dream—holding hands with Knight, conversations with him as if we had just met, and the faint trickle of emotions rushing in between us. It became clear to me months ago that I was in love with him, despite our little to no interaction, which greatly perplexed me first of all. I thought I'd be less attached to him as long as I avoided him, but it became the opposite, instead my feelings intensified. His minute acts of goodwill definitely sparked something inside me. Between my constant denial and avoidance, I didn't know that I was spending time thinking about him a lot.In the recent days, I found myself with nothing to occupy my time. There were moments, particularly at night, when the cold permeated the entire temple where we resided. I had a strong desire to engage in training and alleviate my body through physical exercises, but Knight didn't support that idea. He insisted it was best for me to fully recover. According to him, my e
48Knight had been absent for hours, accompanied by Lorraine. While I waited for their return, an unexplained anxiety gnawed at me. There was nothing between us, and I had made every effort to steer clear of that subject. I was well aware of my limits, and she should respect hers too, considering I was his partner. The mere thought of it caused a throbbing headache. I had vowed to move on, but my stubborn heart refused to release its grip.My agitation was evident as I paced my room incessantly, my gaze fixed on the door. With each agonizing minute that slipped by, my concern intensified, particularly when the pain in my mark surged. It was a clear sign that something was amiss.I grasped the nearest wall for support, clutching my chest as the pain coursed through my veins. Contrary to my expectations, the ache didn't persist for long; it was a brief but intense episode. However, I still maintained my facade, gradually straightening up and regaining my composure. This all-too-familiar
49I desired to delve further, continuing my interrogation of Teresa, but she appeared to be in a rush. It was as if someone had communicated with her through a mind link. During our brief conversation, her eyes widened in alarm. She hastily gathered the stack of clothes and linens in her arms, giving me a nod as a farewell gesture. I didn't have the chance to smile at her before she vanished in the blink of an eye.As I slumped against my bed's wooden frame, I couldn't help but do a quick assessment of the current situation. It had been a month since the roaming beasts incidents, and as time passed by, the numbers grew gradually and exponentially. The Western kingdom wasn't fairing well either. Based on her stories, I could say that the situation might've eased since the rogue attacks, but for other regions, perhaps not.Despite my bubbling worries, I still had to think about myself. They were not my responsibility at all...I should keep that in mind before doing another stunt that p
50I couldn't allow anything to pass by without scrutiny, not even his captivating eyes and charming smile. At that point, it felt like a transgression, particularly because I was now privy to all his deceptions.For quite a while we had been sparring...training in what I could describe as frustrating. The tension, sweat, force, and anger in each thrust of swords were intense. At one point, I lost, consecutively after we resumed our fighting, but I was thankful that the deal had already been sealed.When we took our break, I couldn't help but glance at him every now and then, and he was doing it as well. I craned my attention immediately, especially when we made contact. Although I could sense his want to stay closer to me, he knew that I wouldn't want to talk to him. Maybe I was showing anger unknowingly, maybe it was the way I looked at him, but somehow he knew that I was mad.I tried to plaster my smile back again, but that proved to be a little too difficult to do. I want to start
70"Head west of the City; come find me there."The boy didn't hesitate, snatching the letter from my hand. He unintentionally glimpsed at my covered face, the glow in my eyes briefly holding his attention long enough to unsettle him. Pocketing the letter, he quickly exited the dimly lit room. The echoes of multiple footsteps reached my ears as I clenched my hands together, contemplating the day that lay ahead. I needed to act swiftly, preempting any suspicion from the Northern guards regarding the threats I had sent.The flickering light and the tolling of bells disrupted my thoughts. Something triggered my senses, but it faded as Accius' presence became apparent. Too tense to meet him outside, I awaited him within the small cabin. After a brief moment, the sound of hooves ceased at the entrance. I envisioned Accius dismounting, his familiar scowl etched across his features."I was hoping you'd come to the tavern.""I couldn't, not when most of the members are my own, not when I betr
69Trigger Warning"There's always a duality of good and evil. Aligning yourself with great men is crucial if you aim to be the strongest,"Sitting by the fire, I felt a tumult of emotions, none of which carried warmth. Jean held my hand, tracing the lines of my palm with his finger. Despite the platter of food in front of me, I refrained from touching it, repelled by the presence of this monster by my side. Contrary to my expectations upon returning, the room remained empty. I used to dread solitude, but now, I longed for the company of another person."I never declared a desire for power,"Jean released his grip on me. "That is what you sought when I rescued... and trained you. I provided you with everything you needed, and in return, you betrayed us by crossing the line with our enemy."Snatching my wrist, Jean forcefully pushed me onto the long wooden table. I struggled against his hold, and a flood of malevolent thoughts accompanied a frantic heartbeat. "Why are you doing this? W
68"Jean... what does he have to do with me?""What are you talking about?"I urgently seized his shoulders, a sense of desperation taking hold of me. "Tell me who I am... h-how I grew up by Alastair’s side. Who was I before?"He sighed heavily, a weight settling in the air. "You were his aide. His spy... sometimes a champion. You followed orders, you... were manipulated into believing Alastair’s cause. But your mother... well, she led not only a rebellion but gave us all hope. Those of us who were lost and without a home."As Accius spoke, a flood of conflicting emotions surged within me. The revelation about my past hit me like a tidal wave, each word chipping away at the facade that surrounded my upbringing. The connection to Alastair, the manipulation, everything was a bitter pill to swallow. And yet, in contrast, my mother's actions painted a picture of resilience and defiance that stirred a newfound sense of purpose within me. The weight of my past is now intertwined with the po
I gave him a curious stare. Regardless of what he envisioned, it had to be doable. Otherwise, I'm unwilling to do things I am incapable of doing. At the moment, Accius is in full-on mystifying mode. Sure enough, I was correct in my suspicions."You've got this. This is in your hands now. You just need to do the same thing you did in the snowy mountains,"I paused at his remark. How did he know that? Was he among the vampires that attacked the East?Concerned about his involvement, my heart raced. From what I can tell about him, he seems like a sincere individual. I'm not usually a good judge of character. However, my situation does not permit me to be judgmental. I had to make do with the resources at my disposal. That leaves him the only person I can place my trust in at this point in time. It's a gamble, but I'm willing to take it if it means getting out of this abyssal place. I need to find a way to reconnect with Knight.As a response, I gave a nonchalant nod. At the very least, I
66 He said, "The only real reason you can't is because you were in the wrong place to begin with. This is where you belong. Where you once lived. Time is not only the answer to getting your answers, sometimes you just need to go back to the past... go back to where you truly belong." I sighed, acknowledging the truth in his words. "You're right. If I want to remember, then this place is the perfect setting to harness my memories." The decision to confront the past, to explore this familiar yet mysterious place, lingered in the air like a quiet resolution. The surroundings, once overlooked, now held the potential to be a canvas for the fragments of recollection. I stood there, a silent observer ready to retrace steps that had faded into my memories. The air seemed charged with subtle energy as if the very atmosphere held the key to unlocking the doorways to remembrance. The familiar sights and sounds took on new significance, transforming into clues that could lead me back to the mo
65In the midst of the soft whispers of falling snowflakes, I cautiously made my way beyond the grand doors of the snowy castle manor. The air was sharp and cold, and the floors beneath my boots were uniformly blanketed with snow. The entire world around me had transformed into a winter wonderland—so, this is the North. The castle's majestic turrets stood tall, resembling silent sentinels against the canvas of the pristine, snow-covered landscape.I was enveloped in a snug, fur-lined cloak of deep burgundy, its rich hue contrasting beautifully with the surrounding white. In my hands, I clutched the letter from Fionna. The soft crunch of snow beneath my boots reverberated in silence as I ventured into the castle's courtyard, hoping that no guards were lurking nearby.The snowflakes continued their delicate dance, settling on my golden hair and creating a glistening crown. The scent of pine and the distant crackling of a fireplace wafted through the air, enveloping the surroundings in a
64Having regained my composure, I finally took a much-needed break, a rarity in recent times. However, Jean's icy and threatening stare continued to haunt my thoughts, and his words persisted in my nightmares.Following the tumultuous events, Jean, unable to suppress his anger, departed without providing any clarification. The uneasy atmosphere from the brief gathering would have overwhelmed me if Alastair hadn't done the same.I rubbed my temples while squeezing my eyes shut tight. I was overcome with emotion as the snowstorm raged outside. This desolate place was becoming familiar territory for my former self, but that person was no longer here. Thoughts of being involved in such awful acts, the murders, tortured my mind. What if I'm to blame for this? If that is the case, is it too late to change?After a prolonged internal struggle, I managed to regain my composure. Now was not the time to entertain such unsettling thoughts; my immediate concern was to escape.I meticulously exam
63It took me a while to fully process what I had just learned. His words echoed in my ears, casting a shadow over every corner of my mind and emotions. How? How is it possible? A myriad of questions swirled in my head, and none of the answers I could conjure seemed acceptable. Could he really be my father? I used to believe it was the man I saw in my mother's memories—Leo. Honestly, I never anticipated Alastair's involvement to be this profound. Somehow, my mind struggles to comprehend the idea. I can't fathom the truth if he is indeed my father. It just doesn't seem plausible.He won't be...everThe lingering shadow of Alastaire's presence still cast a pall over my mind after his unwelcome visit. However, he didn't depart without leaving a message: 'Tomorrow, you will be meeting someone. Bring your best behavior.'Naturally, I was terrified—terrified of the person I would meet. The horrors of the past and the recent attacks weighed heavily on my mind. And Teresa... how could I forge
62Before I could fully recover, I mulled over what had happened. Unlike the resistance the vampires show in sunlight, the energy burst from within made dying in sunlight a probability. Vampires can have enchantments and that of course was used to diminish their inability to be exposed in daylight. Teresa looked at me in her wolf form, her eyes going wide, as she too was taken aback. I could practically guess the questions streaming in her mind. But besides that, the battle is not yet finished. “Keep your attention elsewhere Teresa!” I exclaimed, and again, she responded with a growl. A flash of angry vampires showing their fangs darted in our direction. As much as I wanted to mimic the burst of power, for some unknown reason, I couldn’t. I don’t know how…I tried to hide my difficulty summoning the energy once more but they were fast, and in a rapid moment, they tipped me over, I crashed and scrambled across the ground Then one vampire approached me. I glanced around me and noticed