CHLOE spent her whole couple of days getting drowned. Literally. Nobody told her that the lake got a sucking energy from beneath it, for Demetrius' sake!
"AAAHHH!!" she screamed for the nth time for the day before being pulled by the strong pressure that goes to the bottom of the lake. A bubble of water enveloped her before she shot up into the surface.
"Focus, Chloe!" Neptos shouted from the side, comfortably sitting at the big rock and holding his jug of beer. "I can't look after you all the time!"
He set her down on the flat stone, breaking off the bubble of water. Chloe fell onto her knees and hands as she coughed the water that invaded her system. "You...you're not helping," she panted.
Neptos rolled his eyes and stood. "Rest first. Don't jump in. I'm not going to save you." He walked away and into the house.
Chloe groaned as she rolled to her back and closed her eyes. She lets her breath become normal before she opened it and stared at the sky.
"Hey, guys. Chloe here. Crystal Falls is a magical... Well, like any place in Demetrius... But this one needs the permission for entrance from the Knight of the Wild Beast whoever that was. Neptos said that he was friends with this Knight and he can go whenever he pleases. So, I don't think you can visit any time. But don't worry, we will see each other soon. I'm doing good here, I have a friend named Hemera. She's the guardian of the Crystal Falls. She was like a nagging mother. No one can still beat my best friend, Jucel Greyn.I'm still not able to master the meditation, Lulu-chi. But Neptos said I will be able to after a series of tasks to strengthen my inner core for the Blood Element. Who knew what that means? And, hey, Zab! Go easy on Master Xeinmi. He might go insane if you continue teasing him like that.I might not be able to come home on my birthday or send a message to you again. I still have a lot to learn here and conserving my magic power is a must. If not
"I WONDER when they'll come back," Marjien said.Vivien looked up at her, watching her friend poke at their small campfire while she gazed out at the horizon. Zephrain, Angelica and the men had gone to spy on the village, leaving the others behind at their makeshift camp. Yesterday, they had found a small, out of the way place that they could use as a base while they figured out how to deal with the town's "bandit" problem."They'll be back before sunset," Celine said. She perched on one of the nearby rocks, her left leg drawn up to her chest while her right leg dangled. "Or maybe not. They have fire abilities, after all.""They'll come back by then. They know Vivien will worry about His Highness, if they don't," Marjien said in a teasing manner. She was sitting on the other side of the fire, roasting one of the birds that Celine and Marjien had shot for them earlier. Marjien was assigned to cook, with Celine remembering that Marjien helped out in cooking back in t
"I'M GOING.""Vivien, you should stay.""No, I'm definitely going this time.""It's not safe."Elija turned his head back and forth between Zephrain and Vivien as they argued. He wasn't sure why exactly Zephrain tried to argue with Vivien when she was just as stubborn as the Saeri was. He always ended up giving in. The group discovered that when Vivien decided she wanted to do something, she would figure out a way to make it happen, even if her way was unconventional. In this instance, she would probably just say she was going to go until Zephrain stopped trying to dissuade her.It was early morning, and they were getting ready to go back to the village. However, no one was really sure who was actually going to the village just yet since Vivien had decided that she was going. That would mean that everyone would be going since Marjien will decide to go with her friend too.He turned to Marjien who was munching on the flat biscuit that Celine had ma
FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, the group continued to sleep outside of the village and walk in to help the villagers during the day. Some would want to travel by carriage or Chimeraes. There were some who only stopped in cities and towns that were prosperous enough to accommodate them. They had gone past villages like this one before, but the transportations didn't stop. Vivien understood. There was no point as the places like this didn't have anything to offer, anyway. In the places where they did stop, children and even women were forbidden from going into the slums of the city.But both Marjien and Vivien were not using any kind of transportation. As a traveler on foot, Vivien had seen poverty like this before. Each day in the village was a struggle to survive. People were still starving or stricken with illness, and there was nothing to give them hope since the fields were barren and water was scarce and far away. Their group had started going hungry, sharing all of the food they
KEEPING themselves with their power going consistently for this long was exhausting. Even the elite Krysts, Celine and Angelica were struggling. These bandits knew how to deal with Krysts. They had weapons that could deflect magic, which in Celine's suspicion was that they acquired it from the land of Markus. Celine and Angelica fought with their fire and ice, respectively. As the hours grew longer, the two would often elicit grunts whenever their fire and ice diminish.Vivien gritted her teeth as she moved away from her opponent, her crystal scales falling away due to the impact and then it slowly grew another bunch. Compared to earlier, the replacement of her crystal scales began to decrease. She knew that their inner core would break once they exhaust it to their limit. Maybe with more meditation, Vivien would be able to keep her power longer, but for now she was reaching her current limit. Once it was gone, the three of them wouldn't be able to do anything to protect each
"WHEN I arrive, she was already laying down with four mutilated bodies," Lukas murmured.He knew that Vivien already took care of those bandits but he just wanted all of them to stop... existing.Marjien must have noticed the anger emanating from Zephrain. She appeared at Zephrain's elbow, her hand resting on the man's arm and her gentle voice soothing. "She'll feel a lot better soon, I promise. It's not the first time that she used the Crystal Beast to protect someone. She will regenerate after a few days rest."That helped cool Zephrain's temper somewhat."It's my fault," Celine said, tears brimming at the corners of her brownish green eyes. It was not always like this wherein they were put in so much danger. Usually only Celine and Angelica were enough. "We should have brought our weapons with us. We should have been careful in deciding our actions."Angelica dropped to her knee and bowed her head. "Punish us, Your Highness. We failed to protect Vivi
"W-WHAT?" both Marjien and Vivien exclaimed."We kind of just agreed to go in a survey on our own," Celine said. "Zephrain here was present in the meeting when the lord of the Graire Province boasted about their economy rising. He wanted to know what was really happening. When Hwa Elisa gave him a silent mission, as he wasn't supposed to be revealed until he became the Trux, he decided to drag us along and see this place."Vivien had heard so much about this lord of the Graire Province but they haven't had any encounter with the man yet. Zephrain seemed to take his time, reaching out to the villagers instead of going after their good-for-nothing leader and create a rapport with them. Vivien saw this as an opportunity for Zephrain. Once he was revealed as the new Trux of the Kingdom of Demetrius, he was already loved by the people. And he would become a leader who knew the hardship of his people."I hope your day was less eventful," Angelica said, glancing at Vivien
FOR the rest of the afternoon, she and Lukas worked around the village, repairing buildings, helping the elders, and entertaining the children. Both of them sang while they worked, bringing a tiny bit of levity to a village who hadn't experienced much joy in a long time. It was strange, but Vivien felt comfortable around Lukas. He didn't really remind her of Kaiden, but somehow she got the same big brother feeling from him. It helped that he was so nice and friendly to her in any way, and while he flirted with her, she could tell it was only gentle teasing and not intended to be taken seriously. Not even Zephrain took his flirting seriously.When the sun began to set, Lukas came to get her to take her back to the town where their group was currently based. She looked up from putting the last few stitches in a shirt hem to find Lukas blocking the last rays of sunlight."You'll go blind trying to make such little stitches without light," he teased.Vivien smiled. "I'
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'