FALINE woke to the sound of displeased baby gurgles, her heavy eyelids reluctantly fluttering open. Eyes that were a reflection of her own stared intently at her as Lucian’s hungry whimpers loudened. Faline went to move but Iwaoka's weight stopped her. His arm was locked tight around her waist, and he was laying half on top of her. It was almost like he was worried she might vanish while he slept. After a few tries, Faline managed to loosen his grip and shift free; Iwaoka rolling slightly to the side at her absence. She sat up and glanced down at her lover’s sleeping form. Her hand lightly brushed twilight bangs from his face, which even in sleep was lined with exhaustion. Usually Faline was a light sleeper but he remained unconscious despite the infant’s noise and her touch. Iwaoka had truly overextended his power to arrive as quickly as he had. Faline didn’t expect him to stir back into the realm of waking for many hours.
Lucian’s hungry garble
THE sound of pen strokes on parchment filtered across the room and mingled with the crackling noise of the fire. Faline was seated at the table, writing out a list with a steady hand. She took a deep breath, the smells of ink and green tea from her still steaming cup drifting in the warmed air.“Up you go," Iwaoka's voice sounded from behind as he lightly tossed Lucian from his cradled hold and up an inch or so into the air. Happy baby gurgles, an almost laughter, chimed from the infant as he safely caught him again.“Iwaoka, he’s too young for a game like that," Faline stated as she wrote down another item on the list.“Lucian likes it," he replied instantly but soon settled his down on the futon next to her. Lucian gurgled again as he flailed his feet, while his tiny mouth formed an o-shape. Both Iwaoka’s hands reached down, a thumb brushing Lucian’s cheek as a rare warm and gentle smile lit his lips. “Do you want to fly again, Lucian?”“Iwaoka," Faline war
THE forest canopy was lush with new leaves and the first tiny buds of spring, a few patches of snow still lingering in shadowed spots. Birdsong weaved through the branches as colorful birds flew in the cool breeze. The small village hidden within the foliage was hectic with activity. Some villagers were out foraging, while some were herding the sheep and goats. Others were doing laundry, and some were working on expanding a few of the huts. Even more villagers were in the midst of preparing enough food for a feast.At the edge of all the activity, Faline shifted impatiently on the balls of her feet. Lucian was held in her arms, his little hands gripping at the pendant dangling from his mother’s neck as his blue eyes glanced at the passing villagers. Hēdin was on her left side while Iwaoka stood on her right, his boot tapping with excited energy on the fresh grass and his expression even more impatient than hers. It wasn’t too surprising; Faline had seen Hunter and Ailene a lit
CHLOE was awoken by a gentle voice calling out her name. She scrunched her eyebrows together as she slowly opened her eyes, only to close it once again when the light coming from the window blinded her.She groaned and moved her head, realizing that she was lying on her bed with the blanket covering her half body. A shadow blocked the light from the window and she sighed in relief.“Chloe, it’s already noontime. We need to go back to the Krystalline Academy now.” It was the voice of Jucel Greyn, her soft-spoken silver-haired best friend. There were shuffles around the room; Chloe could only guess that Jucel was preparing their things.“Just a bit,” Chloe rasped and proceeded to rub her eyes out of her sleep. She didn’t remember going to bed last night. All she could remember was that her foster parents and Tara of the Wild visited her. And what was that dream? She could absolutely feel all kinds of pain, grief and suffering that even until now it bothered her.
THE ride of the trip back to the Krystalline Academy was quiet. Chloe was looking out of the window with her cheek leaning against the heel of her palm while Jucel and Kieran dozed off in front of her. It was dusk when they reached the Galenus City. The sky was the combination of orange, yellow and red as the sun comes down in the horizon. Clouds covered the blue-turning-twilight canvas above them. People, adult and children alike, were still roaming around the streets of the Galenus City. The market was buzzing and alive.“Hey, Dana,” Chloe finally called out inwardly.Inside her inner core, the part where her power was cultivated, Dana raised her head and opened her eyes to look at the hovering Chloe Rein. “What do you want now?”Chloe squatted in front of Dana and wrapped her arms around her knees. “You knew Hwa Elisa as much as you know Neptos Rein, right?”Dana raised an eyebrow. “Neptos Rein had been my companion ever since I was born. That comparison a
WHILE Chloe enjoyed the silent leisure of eating with her brother Lucian and their friends, she was not entirely hidden from the attention of the awed Krystalline students. They were shamelessly staring at her once in a while, most of them trying to catch a glimpse of the infamous young 27th Blood Star that invaded the Galenus Arena under the hideous name Bella the Werewolf. While many were awestruck by that, some didn't particularly like on how she gained her fame.At the end of the second table, just across the table where Chloe and her friends were sitting, sat a group of young men and women. The girls were outrightly glaring at Chloe Rein who laughed at something that Zabdiel and Barbie Lewelyn joked about.One of them cluck her tongue. "It can't be helped. Chloe Rein is a Blood Star and thus, she can fo whatever she wants," she whispered, bitterness obvious in her tone."That's not a reason to flaunt her power and strength and kill in that arena. She's just an
"WAS there anything that could help us determine the Great Witch's vessel?" Chloe asked Jucel."Vessel?" Clive butted in. They all had a confused look in their faces that Chloe forgot they were in the present times wherein both Blood Star and Great Witch were almost legends itself.Chloe inhaled the cold air and then she exhaled through her slightly opened mouth. The fog coming from her breath was thicker than the other nights. "I'm having dreams about the war that occured more than fifty years ago.""Is that something beneficial with a Blood Star Shaula as your 'mentor'?" Blaise asked with a playful grin. He was back to earth.Thankfully, Chloe sighed inwardly. She ignored his remarks all at once. "These dreams were about the time when General Dana still had to conquer the lands of Eriya and Karhan. It is now called Deirdre and Markus, respectively.""Wow..." Zabdiel mused. "That's a story I often hear from my mothers and clan elders. But it must be ni
LUCIAN sat under the tree, leaning against its trunk. Chloe was at the distance, just a few feet away from the target board. A thwack of a bowstring being released and thuds could be heard in a two-minute interval as she continued to practice archery. Sweat could be seen on her forehead down to her neck and she was huffing in slight exhaustion."You need to practice using your eyesight," Neptos told her, his voice was rough and clear. "You're slacking."Chloe glared at Neptos through the side. "You're the one who's slacking at teaching me, old man," she rasped.Neptos had been away ever since Jucel and Chloe went after the Black Shaol together with the Five Leaf Clover. No one knew where he went. The Krystalline Academy released the students. However, those students staying in dorms and had no family or house to live were forced not to get out of the academy premises. They would take their missions directly from the masters.Right after the Seven Geniuses wer
DARKNESS.The kind of darkness that gives her the chills and jittery ever since she was a child. The kind of darkness she ran away from several years ago.There were a few torches serving as light throughout the place but it was not enough to enlighten the whole room she was in. Darkness filled everything, from the hallways to every corner. Darkness filled the soul of those living there.The feeling of emptiness. The pain. The anger.Howls of sexual laughter, pain, pleasure, and all kinds of disgusting noises echoed through the dark hallways and reached her ears.She sighed and turned her back to the door. The chains that held her down by the wrists and ankles clang as she lay on the soft mattress. She felt a warm liquid on the corner of her eyes, running down her temple and then on the surface of her pillow. She closed her eyes.She wanted to get out of this wretched place way too badly. But she's scared. Not for herself but for the people that s
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'