My stomach growls so loudly. I take a quick peek at Yoda to see if she heard it but b=nothing
My butt is so sore from sitting on Melrue’s saddle for so long. As we move past yet another town, I feel I can't take it anymore. “Can we at least get some food before we continue?” I blurted out to no one in particular. Yohan quickens up to my side. He takes one look at me and then rides past me to Mateo. What is with this guy?
“There's a tavern right up around that curve, we will stop there and grab something before your blasts our eardrums” Yoda says with a hint of humor
So she did hear that! I blush in embarrassment.
The tavern comes into view and I breathe a sigh of relief. I don’t think I can remain seated on the hard saddle for another minute longer.
When we reach the entrance, Yohan and Mateo swing off their horses with such grace that I wonder if I can do the same. One look at the ground and I know I can't. I clumsily descend off Melrue’s back. I pet him one last time and kiss him before heading inside.
The place is warm from the dimly lit fireplace. There is a beautiful woman on the stage belting out such soothing notes. She is draped in a beautiful burgundy dress and a bold red lip.
We step further in and take our seats at a table far in the corner.
A middle aged woman walks up to us to take our order and I can't help but notice how large her hands are. And her feet too. She looked like a giant. Stanking about 7 feet tall. A sharp contrast to the tiny tavern we were in. “What can I get ya!” she asks in a surprisingly jolly tone
“We’ll have some bread with Chocolate tea.” Yoda responds
“Is that right for all of ya?” she confirms and the others nod
“What about you young lady?” she asks me
“U-um can i have coffee instead?”
“Coming right up” she adds before stomping her way to the counter.
My eyes dart around the place as I take it all in until they finally land on him.
“Do you know anything about combat?” he asks
“N-no” i answer
He hits his fist on the table, making me jump
“She’ll learn, thats why shes joining the academy” Yoda says to Yohan
“How will she control the power of the Frinx if she can't even hold a sword right?”
“We will learn” Mateo repeats
“Can’t believe the future of our kingdom is in the hands of some weak pampered princess” he spits
Did he just call me weak?
“Yohan!” Yoda scolds
He really didn't like me. What did I ever do to him?
“I didn't ask for any of this” i say
“And neither did we” he shoots back at me
I feel a power buzz from my core all the way through my body then out of me.
The table that we sat at had been blasted to pieces and I looked around to see Yoda, Mateo and Yohan lying on the ground.
Oh no, what did I just do? Mateo is the first to get back up on his feet.
“Definitely isn't weak for sure” he mutters, brushing off the debris off him.
The music stops and the gorgeous woman in red struts towards us like a raging bull. “We do not tolerate violence in this place” he says with a thick accent. His face morphs into a sneer as she points at the door.
“Get out of my tavern” she says with her eyes on me
“We were just on our way out” Yohan says, i saw him up on his feet straightening his shirt.
“We’re sorry” I muttered to the lady before heading out of the tavern. Yoda and the others follow suit. As we mount our horses, the giant waiter steps out with our order
“I packed you food for ya. Eat up before it gets cold.” She hands me a bag with our food and heads back inside. So kind of her. We didn't even pay a dime.
This time Yohan takes the lead. Leaving us in awkward silence.
My stomach growls again and Mateo bursts out laughing.
I see Yoda hold in a laugh too and I try hard to remain unbothered although my furious blush gave me away.
“Didn’t think you had it in you Princess” he says
“I didn't either” i respond
“You need to learn to control it” Yoda chips in
“How?” i ask
“The academy will teach you.” she answers
I reach for a piece of bread from the bag and bite into it.
“Want some?” I gesture to the two and pass the bag to them.
“What's his problem anyway?” i ask with my mouth full
“Yohan’s just an egoistic jerk” Mateo answers
“Hey!” Yoda yells
“I agree” I chip in, peeking at Yoda.
Mateo burst into laughter again
“We’re not far from our destination. Speed up to close the distance” Yoda says before galloping off to meet Yohan
“They lost their parents when Anorems invaded our lands.” Mateo explains
My heart softened for them. I guess it would be hard to accept that the one who can save you was the very one who hurt you.
“He’s not that bad” he adds
“Maybe” I responded quietly before chugging down some hot chocolate from the bottle.
“This is an Academy?” i askWe stood at the edge of a long bridge that hung above an enormous earth crater about 30 feet up in the air.On the other side of the bridge was a dark and enormous structure that lot out of a horror film. The fence around the school stretched for miles that i couldnt see where it ends. “Did you tell her that she could possibly die on this bridge before she even gets to the school?”Mateo asks Yoda“What does he mean?!”“Theres a negative pole down there in the crater. And if you are not deemed worthy, you’ll fall through the bridge and have all your life sucked out of you” she answers casually“What do you mean if i am not deemed worthy?”“Exactly that. The bridge choses who’s worthy of this academy” Yohan answersHe had been quiet since we got thrown of of the tavern.“And you chose to tell me this now!!”“Quit whining and get on with it” Mateo teasesI gulp and take my first step unto the bridge.“Go on,” Yoda urges. With an amused smirk on her faceI ta
We walk into a very large courtyard filled with students divided into four groups in perfectly lined up rows. “I heard that your Paliar is Gaia” Kwaku asks with a bit of doubt on his faceAmongst the people I’ve met here, he’s the one I like the least. Well after Yohan.“Yes” i answer“May I?” he stretches out his hand, like he wants to receive something. I get confused. What does he want from me?“Give me your hand Princess Arina” he asks smoothly.I glance at Yoda, unsure, but she gives me a nod of agreement before i place my hand in his. His palms feel rough and hard. He gently flips my hand over and presses his thumb deep into my palm till it hurts. “O-oww” I howl, snatching my hand away from him. “I’m sorry about that, but that was the only way to bring out your Paliar,” he explains. I look at my palm and I see it glowing a bright Red light for a few seconds. Then it changes to Blue, then Green and then silver light.A few students who were close to us and could see what was goi
“Look for your names on the notice board in front of your dormitories to find your rooms” Yohan directsWe begin to disperse.“I hope we’re in the same room.” Evelyn squealed“Yeah, me too” I replyWhen we reach the notice board, the path clears up for us again like before. Evelyn takes the opportunity to strut through, dragging me along. The last thing that I want is to be the sore thumb that sticks out like a rotten carcass.I keep my gaze firmly on the floor, ignoring all the eyes following us.“You look from the top for our names and i’ll start from below” she says“Okay”I take note of the first name on the list. Reina Sam. I wonder in what order these names are ranked.“Oh I’ve found your name” Evelyn taps meI follow her finger to the bottom of the list, where my name is, inscribed in pencil, as if added at the last minute.I guess this makes sense. I didn’t exist to them until three days ago.“Found mine too” she says in a disappointed tone.Next to my name is the letter X an
The night is so cold that I feel my bones freezing. I sit up on my bed and stair out of the window. There are sheer curtains draped in front of it but I see right through it. “Can’t sleep?” a quiet voice speaksIt's the girl in glasses who was reading.“Yeah” i respond“Are you really an Anorem?” she asks with curiosity“I was… until now”“Oh”“Yeah”The conversation drops into an awkward silence for a few seconds.I watch her as her eyes skim my appearance. She looks at me as if she's searching for something odd, that would maybe definitely show my Anoremic heritage.“What year are you?” i askHer eyes cut back to mine. “Oh I’m a first year too, just like you”“Somebody mentioned that the rooms are assigned according to performance?” i ask“Yes” she sits up straight in her seat and pushes her glasses farther up her nose bridge“Once you reach the age of 20, you might activate your Paliar. Some people activate theirs much later though. Once you do, you will be enrolled in this academ
I wake to the sensation of someone gently stroking my hair. My eyes flutter open, and I’m met with the most magnetic blue eyes framed by jet-black hair. I try to speak, but my throat is dry and aching.“Shh,” Mateo whispers.I glance around, taking in my surroundings. I’m lying on a stark white clinic bed, with thin blue drapes hanging on either side, likely separating me from other patients. Mateo lifts a glass of water to my lips, helping me take a sip. The cool liquid soothes my throat.“You’re not supposed to be doing this,” he mutters.“Doing what?”“Training. Fighting. For Daryn.”I let out a slow breath. “I haven’t even fully processed why I’m here.”“It’s just…” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You were sent away to protect you. It doesn’t make sense to throw you back into battle.”“You think a battle is coming?” I ask.“Yes. The Anorem won’t stop until they have the power of the Frinx.”“And somehow, I’m the key to stopping them?”“That’s what Her Highness Frieda b
The halls of the academy are eerily quiet at this hour. The moon’s silver glow filters through the arched windows, casting faint shadows that stretch and twist along the stone corridors. My pulse is steady, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.“You’re sure about this?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.“Of course not,” Evelyn replies with a mischievous grin. “But that’s what makes it exciting.”She moves ahead, leading me down the eastern corridor where the iron gate looms before us—the last physical barrier between us and the underground chambers. It’s enormous, its surface carved with swirling sigils of protection. Every student knows this passage is forbidden, but that hasn’t stopped Evelyn from trying.I place a hand against the cold metal, my breath misting against the chill in the air. “How do we get past this?”Evelyn pulls out a small glass vial filled with a swirling silver liquid. “A little something I borrowed from the Aqua Wing.” She tilts the v
My heart drops as my eyes lock with his.Yohan stands at the mouth of the passage, broad-shouldered and silent. The golden torchlight reflects off his hair, giving it an almost ethereal glow. My pulse quickens, though I refuse to let him see any fear. His posture is rigid, his stance sharp—like a blade ready to strike.“What exactly are you doing here?” His voice is even, but there is no warmth to it. Just scrutiny, cold and unrelenting.I square my shoulders. “I could ask you the same thing.”His gaze doesn’t waver, but for the briefest second, something flickers in his expression—hesitation, perhaps. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. But I hadn’t.Evelyn fidgets beside me, uneasy in the weight of the silence. Finally, Yohan exhales through his nose. “It doesn’t concern you.”His tone is clipped, dismissive.I press my lips into a thin line. “Neither does this concern you.”Something shifts in his jaw. He stares at me for a long moment, unreadable. Then, without another word,
“You’re late.”Yohan’s voice cuts through the training room the moment I step inside.I scowl at him.The ropes of the sparring ring quiver as Reina climbs inside, rolling her shoulders in preparation for me.I glance around. No sign of Yoda or Mateo.“Where are they?” I ask.Yohan doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns on his heel and strides toward the ring, ignoring me completely.I grit my teeth. Who does he think he is? Without thinking, I yank off my boot and hurl it at his head.I don’t expect him to react so fast.Before it can hit him, he sidesteps effortlessly, spins, and incinerates the shoe midair with a burst of fire from his palm.I blink in shock. Well, I guess he’s Section Leader for a reason.“Excellent display of reflexes,” Mateo remarks, entering the room.Yohan’s gaze flicks to him, his expression darkening.“You’re late,” he mutters before stepping into the ring.“She’s sparring with me today,” he tells Reina, who is already strapping on her fighting gloves.“Be my gue
The morning after the incident with Reina, I wake up to a dull ache throbbing through my limbs. Every muscle protests as I shift in bed, my mind replaying the moment I lost control. The flicker of flames. The blast. Reina’s lifeless form sprawled across the gym floor.I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will the memory away. Mateo had said she would be fine. That the AQUAs would heal her. But doubt gnawed at me. I had never felt that kind of power before, and the thought that it could happen again terrified me.A soft knock at the door startles me. I glance at the clock—training isn’t for another two hours. Pushing myself up with a wince, I mutter, “Come in.”Evelyn steps inside, shutting the door behind her. “I heard what happened.”I don’t respond immediately, staring down at my hands. What if I lost control again? What if next time, I really did kill someone?“Arina.” She kneels beside me, her voice softer now. “I know you’re scared.”I scoff. “Scared? I nearly killed Reina.”“But yo
“You’re late.”Yohan’s voice cuts through the training room the moment I step inside.I scowl at him.The ropes of the sparring ring quiver as Reina climbs inside, rolling her shoulders in preparation for me.I glance around. No sign of Yoda or Mateo.“Where are they?” I ask.Yohan doesn’t answer. Instead, he turns on his heel and strides toward the ring, ignoring me completely.I grit my teeth. Who does he think he is? Without thinking, I yank off my boot and hurl it at his head.I don’t expect him to react so fast.Before it can hit him, he sidesteps effortlessly, spins, and incinerates the shoe midair with a burst of fire from his palm.I blink in shock. Well, I guess he’s Section Leader for a reason.“Excellent display of reflexes,” Mateo remarks, entering the room.Yohan’s gaze flicks to him, his expression darkening.“You’re late,” he mutters before stepping into the ring.“She’s sparring with me today,” he tells Reina, who is already strapping on her fighting gloves.“Be my gue
My heart drops as my eyes lock with his.Yohan stands at the mouth of the passage, broad-shouldered and silent. The golden torchlight reflects off his hair, giving it an almost ethereal glow. My pulse quickens, though I refuse to let him see any fear. His posture is rigid, his stance sharp—like a blade ready to strike.“What exactly are you doing here?” His voice is even, but there is no warmth to it. Just scrutiny, cold and unrelenting.I square my shoulders. “I could ask you the same thing.”His gaze doesn’t waver, but for the briefest second, something flickers in his expression—hesitation, perhaps. If I had blinked, I would have missed it. But I hadn’t.Evelyn fidgets beside me, uneasy in the weight of the silence. Finally, Yohan exhales through his nose. “It doesn’t concern you.”His tone is clipped, dismissive.I press my lips into a thin line. “Neither does this concern you.”Something shifts in his jaw. He stares at me for a long moment, unreadable. Then, without another word,
The halls of the academy are eerily quiet at this hour. The moon’s silver glow filters through the arched windows, casting faint shadows that stretch and twist along the stone corridors. My pulse is steady, but I can’t shake the feeling that we’re being watched.“You’re sure about this?” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath.“Of course not,” Evelyn replies with a mischievous grin. “But that’s what makes it exciting.”She moves ahead, leading me down the eastern corridor where the iron gate looms before us—the last physical barrier between us and the underground chambers. It’s enormous, its surface carved with swirling sigils of protection. Every student knows this passage is forbidden, but that hasn’t stopped Evelyn from trying.I place a hand against the cold metal, my breath misting against the chill in the air. “How do we get past this?”Evelyn pulls out a small glass vial filled with a swirling silver liquid. “A little something I borrowed from the Aqua Wing.” She tilts the v
I wake to the sensation of someone gently stroking my hair. My eyes flutter open, and I’m met with the most magnetic blue eyes framed by jet-black hair. I try to speak, but my throat is dry and aching.“Shh,” Mateo whispers.I glance around, taking in my surroundings. I’m lying on a stark white clinic bed, with thin blue drapes hanging on either side, likely separating me from other patients. Mateo lifts a glass of water to my lips, helping me take a sip. The cool liquid soothes my throat.“You’re not supposed to be doing this,” he mutters.“Doing what?”“Training. Fighting. For Daryn.”I let out a slow breath. “I haven’t even fully processed why I’m here.”“It’s just…” He sighs, running a hand through his hair. “You were sent away to protect you. It doesn’t make sense to throw you back into battle.”“You think a battle is coming?” I ask.“Yes. The Anorem won’t stop until they have the power of the Frinx.”“And somehow, I’m the key to stopping them?”“That’s what Her Highness Frieda b
The night is so cold that I feel my bones freezing. I sit up on my bed and stair out of the window. There are sheer curtains draped in front of it but I see right through it. “Can’t sleep?” a quiet voice speaksIt's the girl in glasses who was reading.“Yeah” i respond“Are you really an Anorem?” she asks with curiosity“I was… until now”“Oh”“Yeah”The conversation drops into an awkward silence for a few seconds.I watch her as her eyes skim my appearance. She looks at me as if she's searching for something odd, that would maybe definitely show my Anoremic heritage.“What year are you?” i askHer eyes cut back to mine. “Oh I’m a first year too, just like you”“Somebody mentioned that the rooms are assigned according to performance?” i ask“Yes” she sits up straight in her seat and pushes her glasses farther up her nose bridge“Once you reach the age of 20, you might activate your Paliar. Some people activate theirs much later though. Once you do, you will be enrolled in this academ
“Look for your names on the notice board in front of your dormitories to find your rooms” Yohan directsWe begin to disperse.“I hope we’re in the same room.” Evelyn squealed“Yeah, me too” I replyWhen we reach the notice board, the path clears up for us again like before. Evelyn takes the opportunity to strut through, dragging me along. The last thing that I want is to be the sore thumb that sticks out like a rotten carcass.I keep my gaze firmly on the floor, ignoring all the eyes following us.“You look from the top for our names and i’ll start from below” she says“Okay”I take note of the first name on the list. Reina Sam. I wonder in what order these names are ranked.“Oh I’ve found your name” Evelyn taps meI follow her finger to the bottom of the list, where my name is, inscribed in pencil, as if added at the last minute.I guess this makes sense. I didn’t exist to them until three days ago.“Found mine too” she says in a disappointed tone.Next to my name is the letter X an
We walk into a very large courtyard filled with students divided into four groups in perfectly lined up rows. “I heard that your Paliar is Gaia” Kwaku asks with a bit of doubt on his faceAmongst the people I’ve met here, he’s the one I like the least. Well after Yohan.“Yes” i answer“May I?” he stretches out his hand, like he wants to receive something. I get confused. What does he want from me?“Give me your hand Princess Arina” he asks smoothly.I glance at Yoda, unsure, but she gives me a nod of agreement before i place my hand in his. His palms feel rough and hard. He gently flips my hand over and presses his thumb deep into my palm till it hurts. “O-oww” I howl, snatching my hand away from him. “I’m sorry about that, but that was the only way to bring out your Paliar,” he explains. I look at my palm and I see it glowing a bright Red light for a few seconds. Then it changes to Blue, then Green and then silver light.A few students who were close to us and could see what was goi
“This is an Academy?” i askWe stood at the edge of a long bridge that hung above an enormous earth crater about 30 feet up in the air.On the other side of the bridge was a dark and enormous structure that lot out of a horror film. The fence around the school stretched for miles that i couldnt see where it ends. “Did you tell her that she could possibly die on this bridge before she even gets to the school?”Mateo asks Yoda“What does he mean?!”“Theres a negative pole down there in the crater. And if you are not deemed worthy, you’ll fall through the bridge and have all your life sucked out of you” she answers casually“What do you mean if i am not deemed worthy?”“Exactly that. The bridge choses who’s worthy of this academy” Yohan answersHe had been quiet since we got thrown of of the tavern.“And you chose to tell me this now!!”“Quit whining and get on with it” Mateo teasesI gulp and take my first step unto the bridge.“Go on,” Yoda urges. With an amused smirk on her faceI ta