INSIDE his room in the Golden Palace, Eleand came back to his senses. He could still feel the sweat forming on his forehead. He saw something. A bloodbath. He vividly visualized hundreds of bodies bathing in their blood.
He had a frightening dream. It was so unpleasant that he felt throwing up. Maybe this was just the after-effect of the presence of the Ancient Queen because he saw her in his dream. Although her face was blurred, he was sure the slaughter was her doing. Darkness was everywhere, and the queen held a bloody sword. The pommel was a black diamond in the hilt of her sword. There was no remorse in her face when she slew a hundred warriors.
Shit, he cursed more. He slowly got up and leaned his back on the headboard. His throat dried because of his nightmare. Maybe the evil queen cast a spell on him?
“Thank the heavens. You’re awake.”
He spotted Winzi emerge from the terrace of his room. It seemed she was here for long, looking after him.
“What happened?” His forehead creased. Aside from her hellish nightmare, the last thing he remembered was inside the library.
Winzi rolled her eyes, “You passed out inside the library. Are you that hungry to lose consciousness?” she teased.
“Maybe,” he shrugged. He was not in the mood to argue. He was not starving, and he was physically fit enough that he could stand fasting for seventy-two hours.
“It’s almost midnight. I’ll tell Lifa to bring you food. You need a full rest because tomorrow, I will send you to Fariyah’s temple.”
“Thanks,” his head still throbbed.
Winzi disappeared. A few minutes later, Lifa came inside his room with a tray of food. The faerie looked agitated. He caught her giving him a furtive glance several times.
“Something wrong?” he asked.
Lifa shook her head and moved in a hurry. He didn’t want to give false accusations, but Lifa seemed to be in a panic.
“Come on, if you want to say something, go ahead. I won’t mind. I’m leaving tomorrow, and you will not see me again for some time.” He tried to convince her.
“W-Who are you?” she stuttered asking.
“What do you mean?” The line in his forehead deepened.
“I heard you whispering the ancient fae language… earlier while you were asleep.” She lowered her gaze.
“Excuse me?” he chuckled. Granted that he may be sleep talking, but murmuring such a thing was absurd. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. I had a nightmare. What you said is impossible.”
Lifa shook her shoulder. She immediately left when the foods on the table were ready.
Eleand quietly sat in the dining and ate. He should not be bothered by Lifa’s peculiarity. He was in a strange world, with uncanny and bizarre creatures around. If he continued resisting and thought that everything was untrue, he would be insane for real. Acceptance was his key to survival here.
He had a feeling as if he had stayed here for a long time. Even he just came here a few days ago. So many things have happened during his short stay. It seemed that he would be stuck in between the troubles faced by the faeries. What would happen to him if this brewing war materialized? God, he was not ready to die. He was too young, and he had a lot of plans.
Eleand imagined the period until the blue moon for him to go back. He began doubting himself if he could make it out here alive.
He thought of his family. At least he felt relieved upon knowing Elida was safe, somewhere. He assumed that the Migus didn’t lie. If only there were a kind of magic to create a portal going back to his world.
Right! He just thought of a brilliant idea. The fork he held stopped mid-air and put it down back on the plate.
If nobody here would teach him about it, then he would do it within himself. There must be that kind of magic. If ever none, then sorry. But no matter what awaited him, he would survive.
ELEAND suited himself earlier than usual. He would join the breakfast, and he didn’t want to be late. Especially now was his schedule to go to the Autumn Region for his basic magic training. He was unsure about his fate awaiting him there, but he had already made plans last night.
“Whoa, now you look like a faerie prince. I like the glamor. The illusion suits you.” Nahil was smiling upon recognizing him. She examined him a few times from head to foot.
Just now, he remembered that Aserah put a temporary illusion for his safety. Glamor was the magic of illusions. If he was lucky enough, he could learn to use that kind of magic as well.
“Thank you,” a corner of his mouth tugged upward in a smile. These faces were the first things he saw when he woke up in this strange world. He would miss them for sure.
Eleand and Nahil come together in the dining hall. The High Corps was there. They were waiting for them.
He silently sat beside Ahldrin. The General looked unbothered in his presence, while Zanti acknowledged him in a slight nod.
Aserah started talking when all of them were settled.
“Eleand will travel going to Velidia, where he will undergo magic training in Fariyah’s temple. He needs to learn magic to protect himself.”
Zanti agreed and looked at him. “Magic is dangerous. It will not be easy for a mortal. You need to train hard. But I guess you’re a fast learner.”
Hell yes! That was the thing he could flaunt with pride. He wouldn’t be successful in business if he were dumb. He would make sure when he comes back here to the palace. He would never be afraid. And Winzi could never terrorize him again.
He witnessed Winzi lightly raise her brow, but he didn’t mind. There would be another long argument for sure. Besides, if Winzi was tasked with his send-off, he doubted her intention, especially the wicked things she might do to him along the way.
“All right, let’s feast,” Aserah said.
Eleand quietly ate his food. There were slices of bacon, sausages, black and white puddings, vegetables, and potatoes. He could not miss the brown bread, breakfast tea, and orange juice. With so many foods on the table, his appetite was bland because he was preoccupied.
Could he eat like this when he stayed in the temple? He knew that the training would be hard. It seemed that this would be the beginning of his adversity. But he accepted the challenge, and he promised to ace his magic training.
AIROH deeply inhaled while staring behind Winzi. She was sobbing, and he let her mourn. They were the special room he prepared for Wallace inside the palace. Winzi stared at her brother lying inside the ice coffin. It took her some time to finally accept that Wallace was indeed sealed into that ice coffin. The king was not expecting that Harewyn would come back with Winzi a few days ago. The princess knew the bad news. She didn’t hesitate to go with Harewyn, even if it would be an act of treason against the Golden Palace. “Brother…” Her hands trembled while touching the thick ice covering her brother. Airoh pitied the Princess of Alsache. But she had to understand that her brother’s life wouldn’t be the only collateral once Esdras retaliated in full force. All of them lost a loved one, and he understood her misery. He raised his hand and gently tapped her shoulder. “I’m sorry for your loss….”
AIROH gasped for air. After he filled his lungs with oxygen, he shuddered because of pulsating sensation of power moving inside his body. He was submerged in a blinding light, and the force inside him was waiting to be unleashed.He screamed when his body trembled again. He levitated on the air, and the blinding light surrounding his body thickened in a circular motion. His body continued to quiver, and he knew his body underwent changes that he didn’t think he was capable of. He was shifting into his higher form!Airoh was never aware that he possessed this kind of ability. His raven black hair slowly turned platinum white, and it grew longer to his waist.He held his temple because he felt the pressure was too painful to bear. He was startled when he felt something in his head, a crown! A royal headband, a gold diadem with a sun emblem.His golden eyes were more vibrant than before, and he couldn’t fathom his raw
THE KING’S vision went blurry while trying to catch his breath. He witnessed his companions fall one by one. The chaos went still. Even the blazing giant targeted Zuaine’s winged warriors.Four among the eight High Sentinels were defeated. Their bloody bodies fell to the ground as well, regressing.Yerie… please let my companions live…and my queen… His eyes were dark with desolation as he tightly embraced Rieska. They were both lying on the surface. The Ebryaeans warriors surrounded them, fighting the enemies and holding the line.Sorath…give me enough power to fight. Airoh called for his deity again. He trusted his great ancestor that he wouldn’t let him down.But Sorath failed to help him this time. He didn’t feel his presence despite calling him many times. His heart was beating low. Then slower until his body felt numb.
“YOU’RE a fool, Airoh. Even if you find a way to snatch away your queen, she will not wake up unless she is freed under my power. You know my gift. I’m the only one who can wield the magic of unhealing.” Esdras proudly said. “Bring her back to me!” the king’s voice echoed. But it was toned down by the clashing weapons and magic around. Esdras laughed hysterically. He widely spread his arms, and suddenly they were all surrounded by the red smoke. “I’m tired of playing around. Any last words from you?” Esdras looked at each face of the king’s companions. Esdras was surprised when a blue and yellow light appeared coming from the sky. Zuaine just transformed into her other form. Her wings were like the Phoenix—blue, orange, and yellow. She let out a loud whistle in the air. Then a group of winged faeries suddenly came. Esdras shook his head. But he couldn’t hide his surprise when the stars in the sky moved. Ev
THERE was a complete disorder when Airoh released his black fire. Even Zenus did not hesitate to unleash his hellfire coming from his twin swords. Both of them were on Rieska’s side to get her and attempted to run, but they couldn’t make her move even an inch. The magic inside Rieska’s body was stronger than they expected.Furcas attacked them. He released his dark wind magic, which they quickly blocked. Airoh was not new to his sorcery. Any living being in contact with his dark air would suffer extreme torture from the mind.Shax and Lahash helped Furcas to attack them. But Airoh and Zenus dodged their magic aggression.On the other side, Esdras just stood like a spectator. He looked unbothered by what was happening.Everyone on Airoh’s team finally appeared from their hiding place. Some fought on the ground, and others, above, a few gathered around the queen.Although they were severely ou
EVERYONE strolled up at their fastest pace carefully. The higher the elevation, the way went harder, especially the temperature became hotter, and they could only use minimal magic to protect themselves without activating the runes. They couldn’t count the numbers of Shadows killed going up.When they reached the last part of the labyrinth a few kilometers away from the fortress, they had encountered stronger Shadows.The fight was risky. Two of the enemies almost escaped calling for reinforcements. But Zenus acted fast. His two swords had hit the necks of the Shadows then Airoh quickly burned their dead bodies to ash.They swiftly strolled up until they arrived at the foot of the two colossal watchtowers. The place was full of debris, large rocks, and other materials. Rieska had done these terrible damages. Airoh found himself smiling lightly. He knew his queen would never give up without a fight.In the