LUCIAN and the others arrived at lunch. By that time, Jucel had already prepared a meal for all of them.
"Where's Chloe?" Lucian asked as he went to help her in the kitchen.
"She's down the pit," Jucel answered with a smile and her usual Saranian accent which was still thicker even after months of adjusting into the language of Demetrius. She handed him the plates and other utensils. "Lady Vivien gave her a hard beating. Firing a continuous five quivers of arrows was probably tiresome."
Lucian chuckled, shaking his head at the same time. "She's been good in training Chloe, at the very least. I don't understand why she wouldn't stay until we meet each other."
"Well, you can't expect a Clover to be in the same place as the simple Krysts like us," Barbie ranted. She pulled a chair and sat heavily. "Ugh! I couldn't believe Master Froilan was joking about going easy on us," she groaned.
Jucel perked up at the name. "Master Froilan?" she asked. She could reme
"ERIKA Lornn?" Barbie asked with a raised eyebrow as she glanced at Kieran.Marjien just nodded her head. "Daughter of Hunter Lornn, one of the Knights of Shaula." She positioned behind Jucel and waited for the latter to untie her hair. "She came to Vestia, hoping to be trained under Drake's tutelage.""How old was Master Hunn when his daughter was born?" Chloe muttered as she tried to comprehend the news.All eyes, except Marjien's who was silently cutting Jucel's hair, went to Kieran. He was silent the whole time and he seemingly knew the person they were talking about."She was not Master Hunter's legitimate daughter," Kieran answered calmly. "She was a Lornn baby caught in the fire between the main branch and the third branch of the Lornn Tribe. In honor of her deceased mother and father who hailed from the third branch, Master Hunn adopted Erika as his daughter."Chloe stared at Kieran. Branches of each tribes caught in a civil war, huh. How much w
THE night fell and the moon was once again hanging in the twilight sky, full and white. It held a soothing calmness in it with the stars brightly lit up.After dinner, the group - except Jared who went with Marjien - went to play board games while Jucel decided to tag along with them."I'll be outside," Chloe announced as she started to walk away from the dining room.Lucian stared at her back. "Try not to overexert yourself, Chlo'," he called out.Chloe paused and turned to him with a smile. "I'm not planning to, Lulu-chi." Then she disappeared into the kitchen.They heard the back door open and then closed. "Is something bothering your sister, Lu?" Clive asked. They were all looking at the way Chloe had gone into.Lucian stayed silent for a moment before he spoke in a low voice. "Sometimes I wonder why I couldn't read her mind."Jucel blinked at him. "You couldn't read mine," she pointed out in a blank tone of voice.The blonde looke
THE hill was soon filled with laughter. Chloe and Ciaran were still sitting at the edge of the hill, facing the mountainous horizon and the hanging yellow moon."They aren't that strict with you, are they?" Ciaran chuckled, talking about the Seven Geniuses."Well, they are. But they can't hold me down," Chloe answered with a proud smile and a head held high.Ciaran laughed softly. "You're going to be a headache for whoever's babysitting you."Chloe huffed and looked away. "I don't need babysitting." She heard Ciaran chuckle and she looked at him. Maybe it was time to ask about something that was bothering her. "If I may ask, Særi...""Please," Ciaran cut her off quickly, "call me by my name."The young woman blushed but she shook off the feeling. "Ciaran, then." He nodded in satisfaction and smiled. "If I may ask, do you happen to know the Fray Battle in Galenus Arena?"He nodded almost immediately. "Yes. I have been notified by Drake and th
RIGHT after hearing the terrifying voice of the Great Witch, the Særi ust Trūx didn't waste time. He ordered a strict boundary restriction between three main lands of Demetrius and provided additional Krysts on every fortress to ensure that no one would be able to infiltrate the kingdom.Chloe had been asleep for a week. Jared came home, carrying her unconscious form. He told Lucian and the others that she had been in pain for an unknown reason. Blaise couldn't find fault and her health was not affected. However, no one could explain what happened to Chloe.The Krystalline Academy became stricter. Students aren't allowed to come and go as they pleased and so they were required to stay at the academy until the masters deemed them strong enough to face any danger. Lucian and his friends were forced to stay there and leave Chloe in Jucel Greyn's care.Jucel sighed as she sat beside Chloe's bed. "You better wake up, Chloe. Things are not good in this side.""Isn'
TO say that the members of the Seven Geniuses were relieved to see Chloe awake was an understatement. They were beyond that."Chloe!" Barbie exclaimed as she and the other members of the Seven Geniuses rushed towards her as soon as she and Kieran went inside one of the Control Ethics practical rooms that were turned into a camping room for the students of Krystalline Academy.Chloe was crushed in a hug by none other than Barbie Lewelyn while the others within that room were shocked."We were so worried about you!" she continued to scream while she shed tears."Now, now, Barbie. You're going to be kicked out of here if you continued to scream," Lucian said gently.Barbie pulled away from the hug and stepped back to give her friend a space. "How are you feeling? Something hurt? Did that Great Witch do something to you?"Chloe looked around and saw that there were more than fifteen students in one room. There were tents lined in every corner it looke
CHLOE could feel her head fall to the side. She jerked and held up her head and saw that she was running - well, not her, she realized. She was riding a carriage right now and that made her frown.The Lornn Tribe was at the southern part of Deirdre. If they are going to travel on foot, they would be able to arrive by a month, more or less. But if they rode the bullet train from Galenus to the town of Helengrein and then travel on foot, they would arrive by one or two weeks at most.But Hunter Lornn would have none of those. Instead, he called for a special carriage to bring Kieran, Chloe and Jucel all the way to the Lornn Tribe's Residence safely. Given that there was danger looming ahead, she couldn't argue with it."You looked constricted about something, Chloe," Jucel told her.Chloe jolted and she turned her head to her friend. Kieran was silent at the other side. Her surprised expression dissipated and she looked back at the scenery outside. "I'm fine. J
"THE Third Branch decided to take the first attack. It's clear that they wanted to pulverize us before the Selection three years from the declaration of the Hwā," Lady Terra began as they approached the exit of the Lornn Tribe's main branch hideout.Kieran met up with them halfway to the exit and the lady immediately filled him up with the recent news. "I can sense the struggle of the earth. The defense is wavering," he told them."Then we must hurry," Chloe suggested with a pair of narrowed eyes.They stopped in front of the the Residence's side door. When Chloe, Jucel and Kieran arrived, they didn't see the warriors but as they moved outside they were greeted by hundreds of them. The Earth Krysts of the Lornn Tribe were equally surprised, seeing Kieran and his guests. They quickly bowed to their knee and their heads down."Young Master Kieran, welcome home!" they managed to greet.Lady Terra turned to Kieran who nodded his head and stepped forward. "T
KIERAN Lornn had been at Galenus for nearly his whole life instead of being at the Lornn Tribe. He was still a baby when Hunter Lornn brought him to his home in Vestia to keep him safe. The wise Earth Kryst raised him until he was of age to come back to his mother in Deirdre. It was Hunter who called him Kieran. Hunter and his mother, Terra, knew that Deirdre is nowhere safe for the heir of the Lornn Tribe.Ever since Kieran arrived in Hunter's residence in Vesta, Hunter took care of him and treated him as his son. Eric Travis, Ailene Ricca, and Levi Lewelyn were also there. Levi didn't mind, though since he really wouldn't mind if you, in turn, leave him alone.However, Kieran had to go back to Deirdre when he reached at the age of ten to meet his mother and the main branch members. There he met a lot of Earth Krysts, and many of those were sent and dumped by the Krystalline Academy. He was been given the task to get stronger so he could lead the tribe when he reached t
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'