KING Demetrius must have been waiting for this for so long, Faline thought to herself as she avoided a perilous attack from the Black Shaol. He must have overlooked the lands of Eriya and Karhan from the highest mountain in Vestia. What could have been the view from up there? To be surrounded with the Kingdom of Illinor, the mistress of witchcraft.
The battle was like a slow motion in front of Faline's eyes. Allies and enemies alike, fell on the ground over and over again. Each one of the Krysts were specialized with various elements. Vestia had the main nature Earth and Water. The recently acquired land of Deirdre had the Wind. Fused together, they became stronger. Faline wondered why Eric Travis' tribe, who holds the strongest Fire element, didn't show up yet.
It took her a moment to notice that there were no tribe members involved in this war except the Knights of Shaula.
Her gaze went to the spot where her comrades were fighting with endless vigor. The Knights
THE wind blew harder. The sky was clearer and brighter blue. There were no clouds to shield them.Levi, and the other men of the Knights had already shed their top as they continued on their journey. Faline and the other girls just didn't mind as they were already shedding their heavy clothes and just used thin clothing.It was the second summer of their conquest. A couple of years had passed since they started their conquest in the land of Eriya, now Deirdre. The army, which was reduced to a smaller numbers than the first time they stepped into this land, were following them.With the help of the Rein Tribe, Lornn Tribe, Lewelyn Tribe, Travis Tribe, Jōn Tribe and Li Tribe, the land of Karhan was now under the rule of the Kingdom of Demetrius.As they reached the borders of the land of Karhan and Vestia, General Dana stopped and so did those that were following her. She faced the Travis tribe who were travelling along with them."I understand that you w
ASTORA perched on the table, atop Faline's mountain of papers. She, Ailene, Jade, Iwaoka and Trūx Seiki watched as Levi gently tossed the auburn-haired toddler in the air and then caught him, childish giggles echoing off the walls of the Solar with windows overlooking the courtyard. Eventually the little prince became tired of the game and tugged the Lightning Kryst’s shirt. The prince mumbled a request to be let down in the gibberish way of not yet fully mastered speech. Levi set the toddler on the floor and ruffled his auburn hair, causing the prince to pout in the same manner that his father did.“Amaury!” Ailene called out as she held her arms wide open.The toddler ambled over and settled down in the dark haired Wind Kryst’s lap with a yawn. Ailene smiled and lightly hugged him.“When did you get so big?” she asked.“His fourth birthday is coming up soon," Faline commented as her finger lightly petted over the Halequin's head.Ailene blinked as ret
FALINE sat next to the window while idly petting Astora with her free hand. Fall turned into winter. Large snowflakes were drifting in the wind and sticking to the garden grounds, covering the barren plants and walls in a thin layer white. Ever since she was granted the power of the ice, she could see and feel the winter more than her colleagues could. Snowflakes always fascinated her since then with their never ending patterns and glassy gleam. Faline could stare at them all day.Well, she could if she weren’t once again sorting through the intelligence reports. The stack of reports was large and varied in information. A week ago, Tara decided to leave the Knights and go back to the Wild.~O~"Tara, why do you want to leave?" Faline asked her friend one night.The Knight of the Wild Beast turned to her with a slight grin. "I am not fitted in this glamorous setting," she answered. Tara looked up at the glittering crystallized palace which had once been a home
FALINE was beyond terrified as she set her eyes upon the third rank witch who was behind her, with a sharp blade stabbed on her left chest. It didn't hit her heart but she knew that once she moved, it will damage her organ.The witch cackled before pulling out the knife from Faline's body. "Surprise~!"The soldiers of Esteban Liu swiftly closed in. One grabbed Faline by the hair and yanked her half off the ground. She gritted her teeth and tightly shut her eyes as spasms of pain echoed across her body. Another pressed the edge of a sword against her neck in warning, while the witch carelessly stepped over the corpses of men until she met with the man she despised.They stopped just a little farther away. If the situation wasn’t so dire, Faline would have felt proud that even wounded she was considered a potential threat. When Esteban reached her, he bent down to eye level.“Hello, dear relative. That was an impressive display," his voice lit with false pleasa
FALINE grimaced as the female Healing Kryst finished wrapping bandages around her chest. Blooms of dark purple were peeking out from the edges of the white fabric. It had taken much effort on her part not to squirm away as the bandages tightened around the bruises on her torso and the wound on her left chest. With her patient’s wounds dressed, the Healing Kryst gently helped Faline lean back against the pillows. She then leaned back and sighed.“I managed to heal your minor bruises and broken bones. But your wound and those major bruises on your torso and arms will take time for us to heal," she informed. "Don't move too much. You are going to be bedridden for days at least until your wound will close," she continued with a stern look. She handed Faline a small pouch. "Drink one every after meal."The female Knight nodded numbly and brought the pouch to her chest. The Healing Kryst gave her one to drink. Once she had finished gulping down the tiny medicine, the Healing K
FALINE mechanically brushed through her locks of blonde hair as she prepared for bed. Iwaoka's announcement of him and the others leaving the castle, and saying that she should as well, weighted heavily on her mind. Here in the Krystalline Palace she was a leader. In Galenus City, she was a well-known figure. Thus more easily distinguished.Significance... Faline paused from combing her hair. Since General Dana's death, the Knights were distant. It was as if they were there but they were too far. Each of them had to deal with their own grief. They were once the Knights of the Palace. But just by thinking that they were back to being the Knights of the Palace, Faline felt more hollow in her heart.With Princess Elisa now the queen of the Kingdom of Demetrius and knowing the truth, there is no use to stay. If she left the palace, she could live in anonymity for a few years. She could rebuild herself before going back to the Liu Residence.The Knights leaving would al
HĒDIN'S hands shook from the cold as he attempted to light the campfire for the third time. Uninhibited by the lack of daylight, the female Knight and her assistant had continued walking for a few hours past sunset. It was hunger, cold, and Astora's tired noises and Hēdin's constant nagging that finally convinced Faline to stop for the night. They had trailed off to the side of the road and began to set camp. Above them, grey snow clouds drifted across the deep purple sky dusted with innumerable stars.A spark finally caught on the kindling and quickly grew into a proper fire. At the sound of crackling wood, Faline's head poked out of her cloak. The two of them basked in the small warmth as well. Faline was heating her chilled hands next to the flickering orange-red glow. She then quickly warmed and they ate the night’s travel rations before cocooning the thick winter blanket around her body. With her pack as a pillow and Hēdin settled not far from her, Faline fell asleep.
FALINE sat in the corner table of a tea house with her cloak’s hood pulled over her blonde hair. She had long discarded the bandage that she used to cover her eyes knowing that the people in Demetrius might have forgotten her and the Knights.As she took a long sip of her steaming tea, Faline reached out her senses to the other Knights. It was an ability she began to make use of by feeling through the waters of the Kingdom of Demetrius.Eric Travis was now in Galenus City along with Ailene Ricca, Hunter Lornn and Levi Lewelyn. The four Knights' string-like presences were mixed up in red flames, brown mud, flashy yellow, and reassuring white. It had been three years since the four reunited and Faline wondered if they will ever leave Vestia once again.Tara of the Wild - in a wild presence - hadn’t moved locations in a few years and yet she couldn't point out what land she was staying. It's enough to know that Tara was somehow between Vestia and Deirdre. Finally ther
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'