WIND brushed through the blond locks as the two Knights jumped from branch to branch. Iwaoka had managed to sweep Faline off her feet and carried her along the way despite her objections. Faline’s hands lightly clutched Iwoaka’s shoulders while he carried her with one arm looped under her knees and the other supporting her back. Above them was the sparkling sky with a couple puffy yellow-white clouds drifting on the wind; below them the lush treetops and twisting dirt road blurred by.
“I forgot how convenient this method of travel you are.”
Iwaoka glanced at Faline with a frown. “So I’m a convenient method of travel now?”
Faline nodded like it was the obvious answer, her blue eyes glinting with a hint of mischief.
“I could drop you, Fal," his voice rumbled in false threat.
“Even if you did," she said in a dry tone. “Levi or Hunter or even that brat Eric would miraculously appear to catch me.”
Iwaoka snorted. "They would.”
Faline blinked as h
THE floor boards of the inn room creaked underfoot as Faline gathered all their belongings that had been scattered around over the stay at the hot springs inn. Her bag tumbled over, a tube rolling out. Iwaoka, being closer, reached down to grab it. He stared at the tube a moment, realizing it was a carrying case for small paintings.“Is this...?” Twilight eyes glanced up at her curiously.Faline's cheeks flushed pink. She made a grab for the tube but Iwaoka was quick to hold it above her reach, a sly smirk forming on his mouth.“Must you do that?” she huffed with a glare, letting her arm fall to her side. Faline refused to jump for it. She had more dignity than that. Plus, if she did, it would only encourage him.Keeping it out of reach, Iwaoka twisted the tube open and pulled out the painting. As he unrolled it, the painting was revealed to be of Astora the Halequin spreading its wings as if it was ready to soar in the sky, daring the wind to overthrow it. A
THE two Knights lay curled together on top of a blanket in a grassy field. Above them, the clear night sky shone brightly with uncountable stars. Iwaoka pointed up at a section of the inky black sky that was void of any specks of glimmering light, at least to his eyes.“What about there?” he asked lightly.Faline lightly bit her lip in concentration, one of her canine teeth poking out as her blue eyes peered intently at the spot he was pointing at. The sky she saw now was rather different from the one she had seen all those years ago before General Dana gave her the power of the ice. There were so many stars that there was almost no empty space, and the shimmering dots that human eyes could see were brighter and more colorful to Faline. Small ember-like flashes occasionally sparked in the air as rocks fell from the heavens. And in the section of space Iwaoka was pointing to was...“There’s this dust-cloud formation. It seems so tiny, mote-like but it’s so far away.
THE first thing Faline became aware of was a cool, damp cloth on her forehead. Her first thought was that she had once again fainted on the battlefield after using her power over the ice. Then the occasional footsteps must be Eric, hovering after dragging her from the battle. But... the footsteps – hobbled and slow – didn’t match those of the energetic younger Knight. And the smells lingering in the air were not the scent of expensive teas and incense attempting to cloak the musk of unwashed soldiers and grime of battle. It smelled of herbs, medicines, and the faint scent of farm animals.Faline remembered then. She was retired from fighting and leading. War had ended and the Knights of Shaula were separated, though some of them were finally reunited for some reason. She had been desperately trying to reach the Liu Tribe which was now in Deirdre because...Right. She was with child, and she and Iwaoka had a promise to fulfil.Wondering where she was, Faline almost
A BRIGHT waxing moon lit the grassy plains that stretched to the curved horizon. Faline blinked as she vaguely wondered how she had gotten here. Then a red pulse entered her awareness. She turned to see a young woman with a long curly brown hair crowning her head, appearing not older than when she met General Dana back in the days of war against Illinor. She wore a sheathed sword at her hip and a grave expression, her gray eyes with golden streaks narrowed in deep concentration. Her legs trembled as she faced the distant flickering of campfires. These campfires, in Faline's horror, belonged to the witches and soldiers of Illinor. Faline realized that at the first light of dawn their archnemesis would begin to march forward, towards the heart of the land of Vestia. And this woman... this young woman would stand in their way, despite her trembling legs and paled skin."Every period of time comes forth the Archnemesis," a familiar voice spoke behind her. Faline turned and she had
FALINE finished the last bite of her bread filled with strawberry jam as she walked down the village street. The cool breeze brushed through her blond hair, while faint sunlight and fainter starlight filtered through the overcast grey sky. A few young children were running around, playing tag as their giggles flowed through the air. One little girl nearly slammed straight into Faline’s legs, the Knight just managing to shuffle out of the way.“Careful! And apologize to her!” Porcia yelled out at the kids before giving Faline a strained smile as if to say ‘look what you get to deal with in a few years’.“Sorry!” the dark haired girl piped out at her mother’s prompting, staring more at the female Knight’s baby bump than anything. The child then darted off again to continue playing.Faline smiled slightly as she recalled the play antics little prince Amaury often got into, usually with the help and under the watchful eyes of a Knight or two. A pang of pain in her hear
A PILLAR of early morning sunlight broke through the grey cloaked sky as the wagon rolled onward away from the city. Faline yawned, stretching her arms above her. She had been kept awake by the realization, tossing and turning as questions swirled around her like a whirlwind. It was still hard for Faline to wrap her head around it. The Knights of Shaula were formed for the sole purpose of serving and aiding the Blood Star Shaula which that is, General Dana Rein. Her power, the power that held the control over the ice, should have died with Dana Rein. So why had her power still clinging unto her inner core, and her - Iwaoka's - unborn child's?Faline tugged her cloak closer as a feeling of mild terror pressed down on her like an iron weight. A child could be threatened and kidnapped and held hostage. It was bad enough when she thought their child would be a normal Demetri. A completely human child would live under the threat of being used as leverage against her and Iwaoka by t
BLUE eyes stared as starlight gleamed through the window. The night sky was like a painting as a dusty river of stars that shimmered with dark blues and pale pinks cut through the deep purple background. Hanna's soft snores bounced off the hut walls, the white noise a droning comfort. Faline rolled uncomfortably to her side. With a sleepy yawn, the Knight closed her hidden eyes and focused inward.Her Auræ stretched before her like the open ocean bathed in moonlight. It was her inner core, the place were her power was reserved and renewed. Faline delved deeper, searching for some sort of tell. But the only not-her that she could sense was the flickering fragments of her own white Auræ that identified her as the bearer of the Blood Star's ice element. Chapped lips frowned in contemplation. If Hanna was correct about her having a Telekinetic Kryst, then she would have seen it within her inner core while the child was still unborn. However, Faline couldn’t determine if that was t
FALINE had seen the troops wearing the uniform of Colton's tribe off in the distance as she walked the dusty street through the village. It was a little unusual but the Knights didn’t put too much thought into it. It wasn’t until she was inside, resting her swollen feet and blue eyes that switches to white starting through thatched roof to the cloudless blue sky, that Faline realized they were marching toward the village. The unit was small; a quick estimate of only eighty Krysts. The majority stopped in formation a decent distance from the village, bows and quivers on their backs. The officer leading them – highly ranked based on his uniform and seeming vaguely familiar – continued forward with just a small guard, meeting a nervous Hade at the village entrance. The confused villagers paused from their daily tasks to stare uncertainly at the tribe, while others fearfully peaked out from doors and windows.Faline didn’t know the details, didn’t know what exactly they wanted wit
The ceremony was short and rushed as everyone were exhausted and distraught. They paid tribute to every single fallen Kryst and then buried the Knights of Shaula in their own monuments. Neptos was buried in the cemetery for the Rein Tribe while Vivien Li in her own tribe. Kieran Lornn was brought to the Lornn Tribe in a closed casket, never to be opened.Those who led in the war were given rewards. Barbie Lewelyn, Lucian Liu, Zabdiel Lewelyn, Clive Travis, and Jared Dale were hailed as the new Knights of Bellatrix."I know it's late. But this is how I wanted to honor her," Queen Elisa told them in a hushed voice.Barbie regained her strength two months after and it was enough for Zephrain to make some sentiments with the Krystalline Palace.Zephrain was standing right in the middle of the vast graveyard, the horizon looming ahead and the Mountain Ranges surrounded him, as if looking over on what he had been gazing at for many times in a day... everyday.He heard a rus
When the Knights positioned outside the barrier, Chloe removed her armor from her body. She wore a plain red shirt with gray pants. The young Blood Star sat on the ground, her legs crossed under her.Lucian positioned behind her, standing with his right palm pressed behind her head. "Are you sure about this, Chlo'?" he asked."I must be asking you that, Lulu-chi." Chloe smiled. "I never had the chance to thank Demetrius for this."Lucian gritted his teeth to control his tears. He didn't say anything at all, afraid that his voice might give away his sorrow.Jucel brought the Bellatrix sword to Chloe. The latter shook her head. "You must do it."The freckled woman let out a deep breath. "You're cruel."Chloe just smiled. She stared at the back of a familiar duo. "Mē, Zē." She swallowed. "Thank you."Outside the barrier, Faline Liu and Iwaoka were trying their best not to cry. They neither answered her nor looked back. The three inside wouldn't hear them, anyway.
Meanwhile, Barbie ducked under Kirsten's staff and swiped her leg under the latter. Kirsten lost her balance but regained herself, and flipped away before she could reach the hard ground.Barbie stood and twirled her sword while her dagger was positioned in front of her. The electricity from her body was back, recharging her energy through the wrath that she felt.Kirsten charged again and swung her sword before giving Barbie a side kick. The latter crossed her wrists to block another kick but grunted when Kirsten's high heel dug on her flesh. She gripped Kirsten's ankle, electricity ran through the Great Witch who screamed. Barbie hurled her away, the heel ripping her skin in the process.Blood oozed from Barbie's wrists and ran down her fingers then dripped to the ground. She could feel her nerves shaking on her right wrist where a hole from Kirsten's heel dug into. An open wound near her large vein."Tch," Barbie said as she wrapped her left hand around her righ
Snow endlessly falls down from the cloud-covered sky. But despite that, the whole land of Markus was not freezing in cold. The Fire Land was warmer below at the same time colder in the surface. Although the surroundings were frozen in ice crystals and covered with snow, it was not enough to freeze a Demetri.Chloe Liu walked for a few meters to the center and stopped under the tree. Her golden eyes roam around and saw that she was surrounded by Black Shaols.The young Blood Star smirked. "You really brought them out for your gain, Liege."A large man with a black armor emerged from the crowd of enemies, a triumphant smirk etched on his face. He had a golden crown with the symbol of Illinor at the center. He's holding a large sword with broad blade. Chloe thinks he could cut a large tree with it.But, not her.She figured out that the Southern Region has a tunnel underneath it, used by the same enemy fifty years ago to infiltrate the land of Markus. It doesn't fa
The time had been ticking that moment. It runs around the clock day and night. Not even the prince I served, Særi ust Trūx Ciaran, can stop the time all at once. There will be choices to make. There will be memories of pain.The Great Witch, with Kirsten Zūng as its vessel, has ordered a massive hunt for our deaths. The Kingdom of Demetrius, my home, experienced its biggest war in history.Once again, many shall lose their lives for the peace we so wanted. Witches from Illinor began to make their way to the Eastern Region where they will be able to invade the city of Markus.The whole population of the bloodlust witches and traitors of Demetrius bounded off around the Ahn Mountain Pass and made their way to the city of Markus, the city which the great General Dana Rein conquered. The Land rich of Fire Element. There's no mercy, no holding back.I haven't been into this kind of war. None of us have. Bellatrix of Orion, will you save us from sure death?Only I, a Mnemos
Jared landed on the ground face-first. He pushed himself up and sighed softly as he opened his now blazing dark green eyes. He pushed out of the way in time to avoid the axe of the enemy. Jared picked up the fallen soldier's sword and swung it blindly in front of him, cutting deeply on the skull of the enemy.He grimaced as he stood limply, his injury now bothering him than before."Red!" Clive's voice rang through the noise of the battle. He turned and raised his hand to catch his sword. Jared didn't waste time swinging his blade across the approaching enemy's chest.~O~O~O~"Damn it! Where the hell was Kirsten?" Tara asked as she kicked away an opponent and swung her spear to another Illinora.Vivien swung her two white silver swords across the Illinora's face and whirled around the enemy's side before bringing her blade down their injured necks. She put her blades together and ran the blades across each other. The blood was quickly wiped off the blades, clean
Clive and Celine stepped back as another explosion occured at the boundary.Huge dark brown ugly-looking beasts were roaming around; snarling and shaking their heads furiously as blood were oozing from their faces and body.Clive whirled at Celine who was standing calmly beside him. Celine began to bark orders in a calm voice. Fire began to float all around them, courtesy of the Fire Element Krysts."Archers!!" Celine shouted. Clive raised his hands and the fire enveloped him. It made him smile with joy. Being enveloped in fire made him think about the time he discovered his power as a boy.The archers notched their arrows and aimed at the borders. Clive brought his hands towards the arrows, the fire began to lick the tip of the arrow notched.Celine smirked at him and nodded. She looked at those beasts that managed to enter the borders. "Hold!!"Silence enveloped the whole area. Five kilomenters. Four. Three. The archers didn't move an inch.Celine pulled an ar
The Krysts began to follow Ciaran and Zephrain's instructions. The Travis Tribe and the other tribes from the Markus City vowed to help in the war against the Great Witch. They prepared traps everywhere. It took them a whole day to prepare.Lucian and his friends decided to get over the grief they had over Kieran. With Jucel and Celine's efforts, Zabdiel's consciousness came back.Upon hearing about Kieran's death, Zabdiel didn't know what to say. He started to blame himself, but there's no denying that no one wanted to lose Kieran Lornn."Where's his body?""Chloe said he's at the palace back in Vestia," Lucian murmured.Zabdiel could only nod his head and then he went back to his trance, mourning for his older friend. He clenched his jaws and his fists. Zabdiel vowed that he will seek revenge on Kieran's death.Three days came and no Kirsten Zūng appeared. Celine brought Lucian, Barbie, Zabdiel, and Clive to a storage room."What are we doing here?" Clive aske
Queen Elisa stood at the first steps outside the palace. She was covered with wool coat to prevent the freezing cold from seeping through her body. Her white hair cascaded on her shoulder and her crown sat atop her head.The soldiers are already positioned, all of them sitting on the Pegasi - another type of horses used for battle. These horses have the wings of eagles they can fly the soldiers towards Markus and pass the Dark Forest. Because of the vulnerability of the Pegasi under the sun, they had to wait under the weather was colder so they can use them for transportation.Chloe was sitting on her own Pegasi, a jet black horse with stronger, wider wings than the others. Her golden eyes looked up at the Queen and found her staring. Chloe just nodded at her which she answered a small smile and a nod. The Blood Star then took hold of the reins and bounded to the front lines.Jucel and Jared went out of the palace. Jared still looked emotionless as before. Ever since Jucel'