Chapter 11 – UNWANTED VISITOR

ON the golden throne, Aserah stood up when Zanti and Eleand came around. A moment later, Winzi and Ahldrin suddenly materialized from sight and appeared out of breath. Ahldrin’s arms were bleeding.

“What happened?” Aserah’s forehead creased.

“I was roaming around Croea when I saw a threatening vision,” Winzi said, not even blinking.

“What vision?” Ahldrin asked. His wounds were slowly healing. Every faerie of royal blood can heal themselves fast unless heavily wounded. It would take time for the body to recover.

“I’ve seen the Ancient Queen along with her trusted cadre, visiting the Golden Palace.” Winzi looked agitated.

Aserah nodded. She silently gritted her teeth, but she composed herself. She needed to add more warding spells to the palace.

“How about you Ahldrin, you rarely got wounds in a fight. Who did this to you?” she asked her General.

“I was doing my patrol in the borders of Velidia, and then I saw Zenus. He was nearly crossing the Dark Mountains in Gwiazda when we fought.”

She titled her head upon hearing that name. Zenus was Rieska’s Second-In-Command. The gossips circulating must be true, that the evil queen was back.

If that were the case, she would fortify the security in her domain. She was sure that Rieska planned something evil along with her trusted cadre.

“Get ready. Winzi’s vision will happen soon. Rieska is too powerful, and she can intrude on the palace anytime she wants,” she sighed and continued, “Rieska created most of the protection spells for the whole Erganiv to be safe. She was considered as the Faerie Queen ten thousand years ago.”

“Whoa, ten thousand years ago?” Eleand murmured beside Zanti. She looked at him, and he immediately averted his gaze.

 “A lot of things happened ten thousand years ago,” Zanti said in a low voice.

“But why is Rieska so evil? We’re not doing anything wrong. Are we?” Winzi swallowed hard, still flustered.

Aserah took a long deep breath. “Someone slaughtered her royal family, her twin offspring. The reason she unleashed her wrath in this world. She wanted revenge, and she even killed her mate for betraying her during the war. She went berserk and slew the whole argian army.” She looked down, “Until now, she couldn’t find the murderer who killed her family.”

“This is so wrong. Is there proof that the murderer came from Erganiv? How about a Muhlerian or an Alegerian?” Winzi muttered.

“She knows that an Erganivian faerie killed her offspring because of the dagger with ancient magic that only us can wield. She wants to ruin the four domains of Erganiv,” Aserah shook her head.

“Why did she come back just now after a long time?” Winzi asked again. Aserah understood her because she was the youngest among her High Corps. She was just six centuries old. She was not yet born during Rieska’s time.

“After the war, Rieska tried to destroy the wall barrier, and she was drained of her magic. She went back to Alegerio to heal herself. After that, there were no whereabouts from her. But all the leaders of Erganiv knew she would come back to avenge her family again.”

“If she could enter here that easy, meaning the wall barrier is not that secure.” Winzi was more puzzled than before.

“She belongs to those who created the wall. Besides, she knew a lot of ancient spells to break in. It’s not surprising since I know her as the most powerful faerie alive.”

Winzi stopped asking and seemed satisfied enough. Aserah didn’t want to elaborate more details about Rieska, especially her dark powers. To defeat her, the leaders of Erganiv should join the force together.

“Impressive…”

All of them paused when they heard a slow clap.

Aserah’s eyes widened when she recognized the intruders. What happened was swift, and in just a blink, the intruder stood near the throne.

All of them froze in shock.

“Rieska…” the Lady of Noyuh murmured, looking at the unwanted visitors. Winzi’s vision came in an instant, and they were not prepared for this.

“Swasah, did you miss me?” The Faerie Queen flashed her wicked smile. And she spoke in an ancient language that only Aserah could understand.

Rieska laughed, looking at their astounded expressions.

The High Corps moved fast when they finally grasped what was going on.

Winzi immediately ran to where Eleand stood. She held his shoulders and gave instruction not to look at the unwelcome visitors. She attempted to use the Vanire to run away along with Eleand, but her magic seemed sealed. Winzi remained in front of the mortal, trying to block his view by slightly floating in the air.

One of the intruders must be using a nullification spell so they could not use magic.

Ahldrin and Zanti pointed their swords at the intruders. They were ready to kill if the situation further escalated.

Aserah gestured her hand, informing them not to move. She didn’t want to endanger the life of her High Corps. She knew the Ancient Queen could slaughter anyone in just a snap.

Dark magic was lurking around. Rieska’s sinister presence made everyone ready to unleash their death blows.

A glint of silver light enveloped Rieska’s body. She was glittering. Beside her was Zenus, with an expressionless face. He wore black and silver battle armor with Alegerian insignia and two long swords resting on the scabbard on his back.

“What do you need?” Aserah said in an icy voice.

The Faerie Queen laughed subtly and looked behind her as if examining the throne.

“Is it wrong to visit? It’s been a long time since I traveled back here.” Her eyes met hers.

Rieska’s evil scarlet eyes shined in disgust and warning. The glow in them was the same over these millennia. It was full of hatred and hostility.

“Leave. You are not welcome here.” Her jaw tightened, calculating the possible scenario if she provoked Rieska.

“Aserah,” the intruder giggled, “Relax. I’m just doing some reconnaissance around since I’ve been gone for quite a long time.” She surveyed her from head to foot, and she added, “I see that you’re the supervising leader of Noyuh. Congratulations, although I’m curious what you have done to reach this position. Why don’t you tell them?”

Aserah lowered her gaze. She didn’t owe her an explanation. She sacrificed a lot just to make Noyuh safe and prosperous.

“It’s none of your business,” her brow raised, and she clenched her fist to gather more patience. It looked like the Faerie Queen was trying to lose her cool and asking for a fight.

Rieska let out a sinister laugh. “Then watch me, darling. I’m going to make everything around here my business,” she said sharply.

“I hope you never come back without a proper invitation.” She held on to herself more. If she made a wrong move, all of them would be in danger. Even they could defend themselves; the casualty would be too much, especially for the lesser faeries inside the palace.

The Faerie Queen raised her chin and shrugged.

 “You know what I want.”

“Get out… please.” She exhaled sharply and met her menacing glare. Rieska was playing a dangerous game. She would not dare to face her without a plan. She was more than willing to bow down to this evil faerie for the sake of her palace if it was for the greater good.

Rieska paused for a moment and twitched her lips for another malevolent smile.

“Hmmm…” She sniffed like she was detecting a smell.

Aserah controlled herself not to look in Eleand’s direction. She trusted the amulet she gave him, and his life wouldn’t be jeopardized. She could sense the hideous thing the Faerie Queen might inflict on the poor mortal. And she would never let that happen.

“I think you did something against the law of Erganiv.”

Aserah smiled. She was well aware of that, and she was willing to pay for the consequences when her plan sets in motion. She just wanted to confirm something, and she was sure that everything would turn according to her will. If that happens, she will defeat Rieska, and she will have her peace.