“BLACK FIRE is a curse…” these words from Kharyn echoed in Eleand’s mind. Nobody should know about this. Everything was an accident, and he didn’t intend to do it. The black fire in his hand triggered because he was careless. He needed to take extra precautions not to repeat this mistake.
Damn! Eleand thought of his faerie ancestor. Whoever he was must have had something to do with his magic. Now he firmly believed that his faerie blood was special. Could it be that his ancestor was a royal?
Although, he couldn’t find solid proof as of now. But even Althy and Rade believed that his talents were extraordinary, considering the amount of mana resting inside his body. Even they were unaware of him being a mortal.
Eleand continued his study on Vatranum, and the cousins were considerate of his learning process. He never mentioned the minor accident inside his room. They must not k
EARLY in the morning, Eleand made his daily stretching after he woke up. He had not seen Enkille these days, and other faeries were looking out for him to serve his meals. Surprisingly, he found Enkille’s absence a little uncomforting since even though he loved his alone time. The current situation was understandable since everyone was busy as usual. And this time, he was thankful that no one could reprimand him once he sneaked out along with Althy and Rade.The cousins reminded him not to wear winter clothing so they wouldn’t catch much attention when they arrived in Argia. He chose the simple gray tunic accented with silver, paired with black pants and leather boots. He wore a cloak without hesitation since he was used to it, as regular clothing in this world. He picked the crimson-colored with a silver brooch.Eleand immediately found Althy and Rade outside his room. Both were smiling playfully. They were both
DOUBTS started to fill in Eleand’s mind thinking about the possibility of leaving the Winter Region soon. Why the situation had to be like this? Even there was a constant threat that the High Priestess might kill him in another sparring, his confidence was blossoming that he could give a fair fight these days. Especially that he could wield the fire now, it was a massive improvement for him. Eleand let out a sigh. He did not hesitate to drink the liquor resting on the table despite his reservations earlier. He hurriedly gulped the beverage from his glass and tasted similar to beer! He drank, thinking about his high tolerance for alcohol. The sweetness was gently caressing his throat. He lost count of time, and he was overjoyed. At this moment, he felt like he was home. The three went out, really wasted. They couldn’t even walk straight. It was dusk, and the sun was about to set on the horizon. They had to be back at the te
ELEAND gasped when they finally reached the temple. The transportation magic used by Rade brought them inside his room, and his eyes broadened when he noticed Enkille sitting on his bed. She appeared to be impatiently waiting.“Where the hell have you been?” Enkille’s voice sounded dangerous. She got up and carefully examined the three of them.Eleand averted his gaze to avoid confrontation.“You’re drunk! You reeked of alcohol.” Her eyes narrowed, and she looked at Eleand, “You’ve been to Argia? What a fool! Aren’t you aware that Erganiv is in chaos because the parts of the key to the portals hidden in different domains, gone missing!”“I’m sorry,” he murmured—still eyes on the floor.Enkille looked at Rade and Althy. “Leave us alone. I’ll deal with you later.”The cousins nodded and immediately
THE most awaited time of Eleand’s shapeshifting training arrived. Enkille was very persistent about this matter that she even kept it a secret to the high priestess until now. He didn’t know what her goals were for helping him. But he didn’t question her since this would work to his advantage.Shapeshifting was never easy. For Eleand, it was more complicated than the Vatranum. Besides, he was hesitant to try and get a favorable result. What if he could not manage to transform back to his original form?But every question in his mind regarding this transformation magic was answered in the book in his hands. The cousins were very patient in teaching him even they didn’t have the gift of shapeshifting.“Why do I need to do this?” He complained one time while they were on their favorite spot of the training ground. The plants there were thriving again, unlike the last time he accidental
“SHIT! Your wings are distracting me.” Althy complained when they reached their hunting ground.“Deal with it,” Eleand chuckled. He joined the hunting party while waiting for his mana recovery to shift back to his normal form. They were hiding behind an enormous rock and patiently waiting for the white lion to come out.The cousins chose this animal only for a thrill. They were inside the deepest forest of Velidia. The glacier was thick, and the snow fell heavily. Eleand blanketed himself of a thin fire to prevent him from hypothermia.“Be quiet. How can we lure the lion if you are shouting there?” Rade snapped.The white lion was lurking at a safe distance from them.“Wait, how can we be sure that lion is not a shapeshifter?” he asked. He suddenly remembered Harewyn, the Guardian of the Forest.“No, that is a wild animal. Shifters are usually in Gwiazda. They
A MIRACLE happened.It was Zanti and Winzi who came to the rescue. They looked horrified.“What the hell just happened here?” Winzi panicked when she witnessed the miserable conditions of the three. She hurriedly tended the wounds of Althy and Rade.Zanti looked after Eleand and started his first aid. “How is this even possible?”The black smoke from his hand soothed Eleand’s body until his energy slowly returned to normal. Even in his hazy vision, he could tell that Zanti was really worried. He heard him curse in faerie language several times.Eleand immediately looked out to the cousins, and he was relieved when their hands moved. At least now, he was sure that they would survive.“There were creatures in black, and their eyes were appeared bloody. They could transform into red smoke and almost killed us here. They’re strong and fast,” Eleand explained everything.
DURING the breakfast, Eleand was invited personally Duke Navi and his wife. He met Nikola, the Duchess of Croea. She looked stunning. Her complexion was fair, and her hair was golden blond. And just like her husband, her gray eyes were like Asian.“I hope you enjoy your stay, Eleand.” Nikola’s voice was sweet.“Certainly,” he smiled.Eleand’s training immediately started when Navi brought him to the library to learn the basics of Gaoitherie. He gave him thick books to read.“Learn all the magic inside those books. Then let me know when you’re ready. I will assess your improvement.”“I’m a fast learner, don’t worry.”“I know. I will not assign anyone to assist you aside from me. I believe in you, Eleand.” The Duke tapped his shoulder and left.Eleand was caught in surprise while studying the wind manipulation. It was ea
ELEAND’S eyes were used to the enthralling surroundings in Erganiv, but he still gasped in surprise when he saw the temple in Aderawiel. It was a castle designed with bricks made of ruby. Ancient symbols glowed and floated near the main entrance—protection runes.Another highly elevated stairs welcomed him. There were six guards near the door, wearing silver armor and a crimson cloak.The gigantic trees enclosing the massive area had a combination of red and yellow leaves. Sunflower-like plants scattered around in glittering vermilion, and a blue river stretched on the other side of the castle. But a certain tree caught his attention. Its leaves glowed bright yellow-green. Even at a far distance, it looked enticing.“That is the Nizu River. It stretches from Gwiazda passing here, then to the Great Sea in Alsache,” Navi explained before he could ask. The duke pointed to the glowing tree, “That is the Tree
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
ALONG with Branigan and Enkille, the king went to Penrith—the town near the border of Cerrathien and Eriraseth. Two days of searching were done, and they couldn’t find a single trace where the queen was taken. There were no clues left in Cerrathien, the Capital City of Muhler seemed deserted.Airoh asked a handful of peasants during his search. They were in hiding, and their body trembled to see him, thinking he was an enemy. But found a ray of hope the moment he introduced himself. However, they didn’t know the whereabouts of the new Emperor. One thing was sure; the war had begun in Muhler when Esdras forcibly took the throne.Harewyn greeted them when they reached an abandoned building. “Thanks to Yerie, we are all safe!”Everyone around acknowledged the king. He checked his subordinates one by one. Thankfully, they all looked good. On the right side, Blythe’s team stood, still had snow traces on
MUHLER lived in tranquility in the past. The night here was spectacular, full of life. There were never-ending festivals in every corner in honor of their different deities. Faeries danced and laughed under the music. But now, the place seemed to weep. Esdras turned this part of the Empire into hell. Almost every corner blazed a fire, and the ashes scattered in the air.He remembered there was a thick forest nearby but gone now. All that was left were the barren land where trees and plants were dried. The small community near the Southern Gate looked like a ghost town. The residential dwellings were all abandoned and destroyed.They had seen other groups of warriors under the possession of the Kaluwahs. They were not considered faeries now, but demons. The price must be really high when Esdras sold himself to Luxus because the demon lord could only take over into the body and mind of a faerie if one bore extreme hatred. The reason why Luxus
THE KING gathered everyone in the war room, the special command center inside the palace. The various maps of Alegerio, Erganiv, and Muhler were set up, and the miniatures of warriors neatly placed on the map rested on the huge rectangular table. Each group of replicas represented their flag color. Even the aerial armies were visible on the map, floating few centimeters above. They looked real, holding their weapons, but only on a small scale.Everybody was seated beside the table, aside from Elida, which the king ordered to rest in her room. He knew she had a lot of questions in mind, but he couldn’t waste more time. The clock was ticking, and the more he slacked off, the queen’s life would be threatened in the hands of Esdras.Airoh calmed himself when his heart beat faster than usual. He couldn’t be impatient; one wrong move would lead everyone to a trap.The strategies were carefully formed. Zenus helped him expl