THE MEMORYTHE sun was blinding him. No, was it really the sun?He blinked his eyes open, but he had to close it once again. He tried to move his head to the side to evade the blinding light and he winced when he felt a sharp pain from doing so. He was lying on the ground, he knew it. His back was lying on the soft grass and when he opened his eyes again, he came face to face with a large cricket with huge eyes. It was so clear. It’s as if he was looking directly through the mirror and saw himself.But then, instead of his face, all he could see was a patch of grass in his place. Does that mean he can’t be seen?Wait… he CAN see?He slowly sat up and took everything in. Everything before him was like a sharp picture of saturation and contrast. The sky seemed very near to him, threatening to kiss the ground.It was as if he was placed under an illusion or better yet, in a vivid memory of someone else.H
ZEPHRAIN often stayed at Zillah's garden every end of the week. Ciaran would catch up with him for a few hours before either of the two bid goodbyes. Zephrain was just simply catching up with his younger siblings. He kept avoiding the topic of their mother and the Blood Star.Zillah became the referee between the two princes' childish banters – all with Zephrain's witty remarks and Ciaran's realistic comments. Most of their topics varied from how the Kingdom should prosper and how they should apprehend Elantro’s high-profiled criminals.Elantro is their world, after all. Not just the Kingdom of Demetrius. The balance of power in the world of Elantro is still strong but they knew that time will come, sooner or later, someone will try to destroy it."What do you think of the Saranian?" Ciaran finally asked after a long silence. They had just finished another round of verbal war with his older brother.Zephrain rolled his eyes at the second princ
A FEW DAYS LATER, the students went back to the academy. At that time, rumors had already spread that Chloe Liu and Jucel Greyn were the ones who defeated the Illinora, and that Chloe Liu is a Blood Star while Jucel Greyn is a Saranian. The once unnoticed brunette became the specimen of the whole academy, including the teachers.At first, she was looked down because she was a Deirdre peasant. Now, she was stared at with envy and curiosity. Chloe was jealous of her best friend, Jucel, who decided not to attend the academy anymore and focus on helping the group from behind.I am not an official student of Krystalline Academy in the first place so why would I still attend? Jucel reasoned out.Zabdiel and Jared accompanied Chloe as they entered together which added to the ladies' envy on Chloe. Zabdiel and Jared, along with Lucian, Clive and Kieran were all considered charming men of Krystalline Academy as many fell for their individual charms, particularly Lucian L
CHLOE and Jared appeared inside the Rubi Tower. Chloe was still holding Jared's hand, her head was spinning, her eyes saw doubles.The poor young woman ripped her hand away from Jared's hold and went to the corner of the hallway and there she vomited. Jared went to her side and rubbed her back, cursing to himself."Are you okay?" he asked worriedly."Go away," Chloe groaned. "I might slap you hard for not warning me."Jared couldn't help laughing softly. Chloe stopped and turned her head to him. The young man tried to keep his straight face but he couldn't handle it anymore. Chloe just shook her head and laughed along with him.After a few moments, they went silent and were walking down the hallway towards their first class with Master Hunn."Why did you leave?" Jared asked.Chloe hummed and observed the intricate design of every part of the hallway. Her sight was very different from before. She knew because she once had a normal eyes
JARED and Chloe reappeared outside Krystalline Academy. Chloe had to keep herself balanced as the world before her began to spin. She shook her head to keep the dizziness away."Lliōdè!" Chloe groaned as she took her hand away from Jared and went to the side to vomit again. "I can't get used to this art of yours, Jared," Chloe whined.Jared didn't answer. She wiped her mouth with a cloth and finally looked around. She gasped audibly as she took in the view.They were on top of a cliff just outside Graire Province. The Krystalline Academy was right in front of them, just a few miles. A fog covered the woods below the cliff and Chloe was not sure if falling into it can still give you a 30% survival rate.The sun was still high and Chloe's eyes squinted against the light so she could see the whole place. The wind howled and she had to keep her weight down on the ground to prevent from getting blown.Chloe turned to find Jared and she saw him lo
PING! PING! PING!Several clanks of metal against metal could be heard everywhere in the second mainland, Markus. There were also shouts from several men, some were calling out for their companions.The North of Markus City, the capital city of its namesake, was filled with busy blacksmiths coming to and from their houses. Each house was surrounded by torches, fire licking against the warm air.The largest tribe of the North Markus was the Travis Tribe. Its residence stretched from the back of the Nishihara Fortress to the boundary of Vestia and Markus.At the center of the residence lies the main branch's house, the family of the Tribe Leader. A young man walked along the hallway of the house. He was wearing a casual black pants and white plain shirt. His lean build was not intimidating but he was considered a handsome man with sex appeal. Every woman he came across in the hallway bowed to him.He only stopped walking when he came face-to-face with a l
AS Neptos promised, he trained Chloe on her Water Element. He stayed at their house that night and never mentioned about the Blood Star's ability.Neptos Rein was silent and observing. He only talked when he deemed necessary. However, he wasn't able to hide his surprise when Chloe introduced him to her friends who were living with her.There was the Lornn, the Lewelyn, the Travis, and the Dale. Four of the most prominent tribes that aides the Blood Star in the war were gathered together even before the Blood Star was revealed. He wondered where the Liu was.He heard that the Liu suffered greatly from a fight against a witch. And a Saranian was among this group. Neptos couldn't believe how fast the Fates worked.Indeed, the delay was too long, he said to himself.The next day, Chloe went home battered up. Jared had teleported her while Zabdiel arrived after them through his power over the wind. He was carrying her things and his face was filled with terr
THE Dark Forest stretched from the center of Vestia where it separated the Krystalline Palace and the Krystalline Academy towards the North, and then bended from North to the East until it made a full turn to the eastern boundaries of the land of Markus and Vestia.The forest lived by its namesake. Nothing can be seen when one stepped into it. There were Black Shaols, terrifying shadowy creatures of their archnemesis. They were trapped by the Knights of Shaula there during the last great war against the Illinor.No one knew what will happen if they stepped inside the forest. Maybe there were brave enough to enter but none were able to come back to tell their tales.Jucel Greyn was standing just at the entrance of the Dark Forest that divided the Krystalline Academy and the Agāte Tower. She snuck into the academy at night, knowing that there will be no student or even teachers staying at the towers at this time. With her complete ability over the wind, she had no tr
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'