The wind that entered from his open window made him feel like the room was made of ice. The Rigiddin chief donned his black wolfskin cloak. Raius never really liked wearing it as he had no reason to hide his scars and tattoos which he got from his countless wars. Wearing the cloak also means being cautious but with the Discerner’s presence, he never felt the need to cover. But tonight was different. Jin was out there, infiltrating the enemy camp and so just for a while, the chief had to take care of himself. As he put the cloak over his shoulders, it was heavy but the warmth will suffice the cold of the night. He knew that the weight would slow down his movements but at the very least, he would keep his blood running hot. Winter was almost upon the Rokohorta lands and the unprepared soldiers of the enemy would likely freeze to death before they could even go into battle. Imagine training with the sword only to be killed by the cold. That was a harsh death for any warrior that no one w
The Lady Rakasha couldn’t sleep. It was not that she wasn’t used to letting the chief do his patrol. Chief Raius had been doing it for how many nights already. It’s just that her anxiety was rising as the days went by. Her brother wasn’t weakling, that was for sure. If he wasn’t her family, she would regard him as a reincarnation of Rufus, the first ever Rigiddin chief and warrior of the Shore. Raius was already a leader by heart ever since they were little. When her mother was pregnant with Raeya, her mother contracted an illness and the cure was found on a foreign land. He was only six but he traveled for weeks and was able to bring home the medicine. He was only six that time. A year after, some bandits broke through the defenses of the village and the adult men were away hunting. Her brother engaged the bandits and almost lost his life because of the wounds that he got. After three days of being in a coma, they were all surprised to see him rise like he just slept. Even the vil
The legend of the purple cloud was what interested Lidon the most.For two days, they were in the facility of the new guerilla army. Everywhere that Maryan went, Lidon was there, silent as a stalker, only making his presence visible when Maryan’s safety was being compromised. Last night, they were walking through the outer parts of the facility, trudging the long staircases around the big factory. Lidon sensed something wrong in the air. It was common for the smell in the factories to be odd but he was an expert in distinguishing poisonous from non-poisonous. It was his job as Jin the Discerner and as the right hand of the Rigiddin chief. He knew what people looked like when they were putting up a front through their body language. He had to protect Chief Raius from people who had hidden agenda behind their exquisite gifts. Their palace was always being flooded by outsiders who wanted to establish good relationships with the Rigiddin clan for who doesn’t want to be friends with a dis
“Here’s to Kaihra Bashti, a full-fledged member of Absinthe, champion of Veynstown, and hero of Khenealm.” As soon as Zed said his last word, everyone lifted their cups and drank the red wine in unison. Compared to the other funerals that Macy had been to, their numbers were too little, though it was expected as Absinthe was her only family. It was a surprise to see Aegis and even sir Vance of the Triad. Still, the pain was the same, no matter how many times she had witnessed burials. She expected herself to at least be a little strong and poised because she had been in the situation of grieving too many times already. But the ceremony hadn’t even started when her tears flooded her face for how many hours straight until nothing came out anymore. She just stood there, not really paying attention. Her eyes were just on the white coffin in front beside a hole in the ground. “Macy, it’s your turn to speak.” Behind her, Raeya patted her back softly. “It’s okay if you can’t. You can j
The legend didn't start with the appearance of a goddess or a deity or the birth of a human with supreme powers. The beginning wasn't some fairytale initiated by the phrase 'once upon a time'.The story starts with a thief in his late thirties who was serving his last remaining years in jail during the time when monarchs ruled the land of Khenealm five hundred years ago.''You have no family, huh?'' one of his fellow prisoners asked in the dark.The prison was actually a former dungeon of lions, a sign that the ruling family weren't as saintly as they claimed to be. Although Biyako wasn't thinking that they were entitled to some mercy because of their sins, they at least deserved some humanity. The dungeon stank of feces and rats were running to and fro across the cold stone ground. The space was so small but there were at least a dozen of them. He was shoved in here with murderers, arsonists, pyschopaths, and other criminals who were far worse than him.''I had a family,'' Biyako answ
The second secret of Biyako was intense. It was more all about his daughter on his second wife.Raii Shin Nohani suddenly had the urge to take down her teacher.When she was about to enter her room, a familiar set of glasses awaited her in the hallway.“Good to see that you’re not late,” her friend greeted with a smile as she fixed her glasses.“Yeah. Morning, Dawn,” was Raii Shin’s reply. Both of them entered and half of their classmates waved at them, specifically to Dawn’s direction. One of the girls suddenly came from behind and hugged her there asking Dawn how the party last week was. She wasn’t able to reply because a group of girls and boys flocked and greeted her. It was obvious that Dawn looked uncomfortable and looked at Raii Shin for help but Raii Shin was already taking her seat. Raii Shin was invisible and she didn’t have any problems with it. It was the usual Monday for a college student. No breakfast, a tied but uncombed hair, face drenched in sweat with all the runnin
Despite all the confusion on what happened last night, Regina was sure of one thing. She wasn’t the one who sent the distress call.“What do you mean by a distress call?” Again and again, Regina told the officers. “You think I’m an expert in advanced moon arts?”The officer who was taking down notes in his tablet fidgeted his chin, remembering that Regina was just a part-time amateur. Communication using moonlight required maximum concentration and an endless source of power reserve and stamina. It was not hard to learn it, she heard. It was the resources that it consumes that makes it not that really recommended, unless it was for an emergency.“But if it wasn’t you,” he looked at Sir Tanori who was beside the clinic door, observing the interrogation keenly. “Then who was it?”Regina had a faint clue. There was only one person who always knew if she was in danger and that person was not present last night, much less around Jazel. So how? Or was she overthinking and hopelessly dreami
Sir Tanori and Amethyst were just having their coffee outside the office. It was overlooking the city of Jazel at night as they were high up on the cliffs. The veranda was always their favorite spot.“If that woman is really a Moonling, what would you do about it?”For the first time in a long while, Tanori had no quick answer. He just stood there looking at the full moon, the heat of the coffee escaping in small wisps of smoke that dissipated into thin air. His cup was still full. He was again thinking deeply.Amethyst knew why Sir Tanori had no answer.“Restoring the relationship of the Moonlings and the Earthlings seems too impossible for now, sir. Moonlings don’t even show themselves to us anymore. Who knows how many years that woman has been hiding her real identity.”All moonmages knew the stories. The Earth and Moon were once two spirits who fell in love with each other. But then, the Moon was infected with an illness and decided to kill herself so as not to harm Earth. Earth w
''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
''You can't kill me'', Raeya blurted amidst their wrestling.His strength was overwhelming her and her muscles were becoming sore and overpowered by him. She had to do something. She had to find a good spot that she could use to break free.''Oh? How sure are you? Don't tell me its because you believe that I still love you.''No, she didn't believe that. Seyin was the second to confess his love to her after Jin. She was the one in-charge of handling new applicants to Aegis when Seyin entered the hall where they would be taking the Shore test. She was assisting Fhae in conducting the tests that would determine if the applicants had the potential to harness the power of the Shore.Instead of asking about anything significant about the test at that time, Seyin stood and boldly asked her out, embarrassing both of them at that moment. After that, she kindly but firmly said her no. Seyin cried in front of her but in the end, she offered what she could–friendship. Until now, she didn’t know
''Tomorrow?'' Chief Raius couldn't help but laugh. ''Who do you think you are? Some savior who could turn the world upside-down with a snap of a finger? How do you expect to bring down Hearth, an enemy that even the Triad is having a hard time with? Could you erase a three hundred year-old company tomorrow? Could you?''Believe it or not.'' Ryder was offended. Earlier, his face held high reverence for the chief. Now, Ryder's voice was plain and he was looking at the chief at eye level without bowing or nodding, unlike earlier. But with the chief's words, it was bound to come to this point. ''I have been in touch with Sir Vance. he said that the preparations are complete. All that's left is for your consent.''Ryder wasn't even addressing him as chief anymore. Jin discerned it then at the moment. The Roar didn't come to be pitied, nor to ask for pity or forgiveness. He didn't come to grovel and take the blame for what happened to Raeya. That was just the surface. That was what he want
''You can't kill me'', Raeya blurted amidst their wrestling. His strength was overwhelming her and her muscles were becoming sore and overpowered by him. She had to do something. She had to find a good spot that she could use to break free. ''Oh? How sure are you? Don't tell me its because you believe that I still love you.'' No, she didn't believe that. Seyin was the second to confess his love to her after Jin. She was the one in-charge of handling new applicants to Aegis when Seyin entered the hall where they would be taking the Shore test. She was assisting Fhae in conducting the tests that would determine if the applicants had the potential to harness the power of the Shore. Instead of asking about anything significant about the test at that time, Seyin stood and boldly asked her out, embarrassing both of them at that moment. After that, she kindly but firmly said her no. Seyin cried in front of her but in the end, she offered what she could–friendship. Until now, she didn’t kn
Jin had a feeling his discussion with Fahazi about leaders going at the forefront jinxed the night.“Go!” He commanded as he pulled Fahazi to his feet and pushed him to get him running. As they ran, Jin looked behind. He could make out nothing because of the darkness but he felt shadows following them. He grabbed Fahazi’s hand and sped across the tunnels. They only had one flashlight. Fahazi must have lost his own light during the explosion.Jin felt something was about to fall on them. He felt dust and debris fall upon his face as they ran. “Fall back, Fahazi!” Both of them were able to stop just in time before the ceiling gave way. If they had advanced one second further, they would have already been buried in a pile of huge blocks of cement and dirt.It didn’t stop there. A slight tremor was felt from above.“This way,” Fahazi suggested as he pointed to one of the tunnels which didn’t seem to be shaking. Jin nodded and they entered the tunnel to their left.“Do you think we can st
Grey wasn't someone who was easily intimidated. Even with Ryder and Leison had him on gunpoint and swordpoint, he still wore the same smug expression.''You're pretty confident this time, Aegis.'' He wasn't fazed at all with the pressure around him. ''Have you finally moved on from your humiliation in our last war?''This position was familiar with the battle at Hearth. Ryder had also cornered Grey in their laboratory. Grey wasn't yet a fighter or a conjurer back then, just a normal scientist who only knew how to wield science and technology. That was why Ryder decided that he wouldn't kill him. He diverted his focus on the Shadows that Hearth released. However, Grey took advantage of Ryder's soft heart back then. He summoned Absinthe and the rest was history.''You're provoking the wrong people. You should be telling that to your bosses,'' Leison answered.''I wouldn't call that a word of provocation. It's just called a taunt.'' Grey was feeling extra powerful now. Was there some rea
If Raeya could recall properly, the men said they were going to answer her questions after they had tied her up but now she was the one tying all of six of them up. It was a good thing she found a rope in one of the toolboxes of the saleslady or else she would have to knock them unconscious every five minutes that they woke up.Raeya pressed the switch and a single dim bulb was brought back to life. Its light was yellowish but it would serve its purpose just for the room to do away with the darkness. She tried calling her friends but she was stumped after realizing that there was no signal. Raeya hoped that Aegis was doing well and that nothing bad happened. Raeya didn’t know why but she was feeling ominous like something big happened. Or was that her overthinking? After securing their hands, she dragged them into the corner and made their backs lean on the wall, away from any object that they could grab and free themselves. She was waiting for the leader, the one with a red turban,
''So? Where did you come from? How did you meet with Jaiyo?''Infiltrating the camp was hard enough but questions like these were harder. ''My family of guerillas received your notice. I simply answered your call. Fortunately, the man with a purple headband who led me here and your attendant recommended you to me,'' Lidon answered as they walked the mountain trail.''I see.''She was not to be underestimated, unlike her hired soldiers.Jin and the chief already knew the basic structure of their camp because they flew over them once. He was pretty confident that he could get inside without doing anything not until he saw the entrance.The ones going in and out had some sort of special tattoos on their skin which they were showing to the guards. Jin was at a loss not until he spotted a group. They didn't show any part of their skin but they were accompanied by some sort of leader with a purple headband.It was that leader who let them in. Jin waited for a few nights at most before spot
Lidon was still wary of the guerilla army.He had wrapped his dagger to make them think that he had lowered his guard. But since no one was still attacking them, then it is safe to assume that they are safe for now. They led them through the forest until they reached a hanging bridge. In this time, it was unusual to see a wooden bridge when they were living in the age of development. The bridge was just a collection of blocks of wood bound together by rubber ties and twigs. A river with sharp rocks twenty feet spread below.“Let’s go two at a time or else the bridge will break,” the woman with the golden tooth said. That goes without saying. It was as if the bridge was designed to not welcome visitors.As ancient and old-looking the bridge was, the new guerilla army seemed to have no problem with it. Wayl and the woman went ahead first. It was only the two of them but the bridge swayed so much.“That seems scary,” Maryan whispered beside him.“We can’t do anything about it, can’t we