[Xanthea] Healer Bazaar: Where magic meets medicine Catering needs of healers since the beginning of the time. (In collaboration with Helxton and Wrengmore) I read the words on the arched wooden hoarding. Multi-storey buildings flanked the cobblestone pathway. There was something about the vib
“They must have gone that way!” The people following us passed by. Once all of them were gone, I bit my lips, breaking into laughter. Ezra’s hands wrapped around my waist. He pulled me closer, his eyes lingering on my lips before they traveled back to my eyes. But I couldn’t stop laughing. “Wha
Baby unicorns? Real unicorns? My heart twisted at the mere thought as the horror behind the production of those vials flashed before my eyes. They no longer looked beautiful to me. “The abilities of the potion stored in them get enhanced considerably,” the owner said. “But they are not for sale.
[Ezra] “Is she the one? The cat you wanted as your healing partner?” Xanthea peered at me for a few seconds and then lowered her head. “N-no. I-I mean, I am excited about my new books.” She said, forcing a smile onto her face. I contemplated her for a while and then let out a sigh. ‘… Don’t try
She looked at me, confused. “I lack in so many ways. Every way. And I have realized that knowledge is not everything, and I don’t even have that kind of knowledge... yet. So, how do I… get stronger?” she asked. “First, by trusting yourself that you can. And second, as a mortal, you have your limit
[Ezra] “And at last…” I mumbled, staring at the building that was structured like a giant skull with two hollow eyes acting like the only two windows and a wide open jaw as its entrance. Chiseled into the giant skull’s forehead were words that seemed to leer at passersby— Bone Voyage: Alive skele
“Did you see the way she rolled his skull right into his bones?” Another skeleton asked. “How can I see, Bony? I have no eyes!” The caged skeletons chortled and goofed around. “Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!” Skully cried out excitedly, holding his skull in his palm. “Not everyone is this pro
[Ezra] Xanthea groaned, clutching her head as she struggled to recover from the impact of the realm jump. Her heartbeats turned more erratic. She glanced at me before turning her frenzied gaze outside the window as she scanned the roads of the Virgo pack for any sign of danger. Taking a tight gul
The controllers frequently singled out groups of weak bloods, forcing them into perilous situations before kidnapping the survivors under the cover of night. These survivors were subjected to experiments, injected with various drugs, and then sent back within the walls.Most died, but those who surv
[Xanthea]Asher’s tone grew heavier and I could see why through my mother’s memories.“The weak bloods were promised a permanent secure shelter within these walls…”All the giant gates and smaller exits of the walls were closed, trapping all the weak bloods while they were fast asleep.For the first
Waiting, uncertain if someone would show up, was the worst feeling. I knew because I’d felt it when I called Ezra for help with the kids and waited. Those few minutes shattered me. I couldn’t even imagine what six-year-old Ezra endured, waiting for years.“A girl had been observing Ezra all this tim
The soft flutter in my chest instantly turned into electrifying goosebumps as he wrapped his fingers around mine, his grip tightening, holding my hand with an intensity that sent a shiver through me.We stood at the same distance as before, yet somehow, we had come closer.There were no words betwee
[Xanthea]‘… to cure the curse your mother put upon us because only you can.’Asher’s words hit me like a blow to the chest, leaving me breathless and blank. I stared at him as thousands of thoughts rammed into my mind. I was scared like I had never been before.Although I couldn’t decipher who I wa
There were glimpses and unfinished sentences. Lifeless body of a child, probably a weak blood.‘Another disappointm—’Peeled skin. Severed muscles.‘Burn him, prepare the other—’Eyeballs leaking from the eye sockets. People struggling as her helpers stuffed clothes in their mouth to muffle their gr
Experimenting on living subjects thrilled her. It was all fun for her. It was astonishing how she remained utterly undisturbed by it all. She justified every action with the belief that it was for the advancement of healing and immortality.‘Thank you for your contribution,’ she would say to each te
‘And that is why they will be punished as well,’ Alpha Caelum replied coldly. ‘As for you, you are hereby expelled from the Solvaris pack — and the Celestial realm.’My mother looked devastated, but she didn’t plead for mercy.‘I accept,’ she said brazenly as she strutted out of the court.With a sl
[Xanthea]I stared at Asher, my chest tightening as his words echoed in the air, heavy and inescapable. My mind scrambled to process what he had just said.“No.” The word slipped out, trembling and frail. “That’s not… It’s not possible.”Asher’s gaze remained distant. There was a cruel pity in the w