RIESKA and Eleand were seated in the exact location from yesterday. Even the High Leaders did the same. There were arguments again, but gratefully, no one dared to hurt each other physically. However, all of them were alert.
“Today, we’ll discuss different kinds of the battle strategy if the war broke….” Branigan showed the hologram on the table. All were silent and listened to the young lord.
Branigan explained the possible scenarios once the enemy tore the wall completely. The broken barrier would expose the faerie realm’s existence to humans, creating chaos between races.
Eleand thought that maybe it was Esdras’s plan all along to expose their domains because he wanted to take over not just in the faerie realm but the entire world.
The conference went smoothly. The attendees set aside their personal issues and created strategies for their survival. Although, some were not in favor, especially Aserah.
“STOP! Stop!” Rieska tried to intervene, but everybody was busy to listen. Everyone in the council defended themselves against the three intruders. Most of them were panting.“We have no choice but to unleash our full powers even if it means killing thousands of faeries!” Aserah glared at everyone.“No!” Rieska shouted and faced the Emperor, “Esdras, stop this! I will come with you!” the queen screamed.Esdras automatically halted from his attack, along with his companions. The gigantic magic circle disappeared. The Emperor flashed a triumphant smile.“Did I hear it right?”Rieska nodded. “Please don’t hurt them anymore.”“I know you’ll always pick the best choice.”Eleand blocked his body to the queen, and Zenus pointed his swords to the intruders.“I will die first before you lay your filthy hands
AIROH walked in the massive hallway in the palace of Cerratien—the Capital City of Muhler. He was on the second floor, and he could see the spacious battleground. There were two faeries training there. One male and the other was female. At a distance, he could feel the enormous amount of mana coming from them, and their fight was intense enough to catch his attention.“The High Princess is a badass,” Blythe said, following his gaze. Blythe was his General. She was his companion here since he was chosen to be an emissary from Alegerio. Airoh was sent by his father to be the diplomatic representative. “Is that her?” He was immediately drawn by her beauty. Airoh had heard many things about this alluring Princess of Muhler, who would be the next Empress soon. He witnessed how good she was using the sword. She was moving with lethal grace; her elegance hypnotiz
ELEAND was almost out of voice for screaming too much. Blood was everywhere. The pain would not subside. His body felt like tearing apart. A large amount of mana inside him was out of control. The combination of blinding light and a black fire started to swirl in his weak body, but the flow of memories kept going…Airoh and Rieska talked to the human king—Leodan. They planned how to lessen the casualty when Sorath’s plan took place.“I wish to permanently cut the ties of the faerie realm to the human world.” King Leodan said. Airoh tilted his head. “Agreed. Once the wall is built, the faeries will lose all the connections they have with mortals.” Rieska started the incantations to seal the contract using their blood… Magic shook the world. So many humans and faeries died of an extreme earthquake. The
THE excruciating pain grew even more, physically and mentally. Eleand’s bones started to crack as his mouth vomited blood. His head would explode if he couldn’t withstand the pain, his heart beating like it would come out from his chest. The memories of the past where Airoh was there continued to play inside his mind…Airoh knew his magic was fading. But he still teleported to be back in Erganiv. The wall barrier was nearly complete. It would close anytime soon. But he would take his revenge on the murderer who ruthlessly killed Ayil and Azahel.Then he recognized Elohim, drinking with Israfil—the newly appointed ruler of Argia. The two were celebrating, maybe because the war had ended. They were beside the ruins of an obelisk.Elohim gaped when he noticed him, particularly to his bloody hands holding the dagger. “Sire, you’re back!” Elohim
THE quivering of Eleand’s body was unstoppable. Zenus and Kharyn entered his room. Kharyn moved to give him support. “Don’t. He’ll survive this. Trust him.” Zenus halted her. “No…” She started to sob when she saw how Eleand suffered. “H-Help me…” Eleand pleaded. His eyes seemed to cry blood. The bleeding wouldn’t stop, along with his unruly mind—his skull started to rupture. “Please, hold on.” Kharyn’s voice cracked. Eleand wailed. He saw it again. The remaining memories of the King after thousands of years… Airoh gasped heavily and opened his eyes. He couldn’t move his body. Invisible magic contained him. Until he realized he was inside an iron box full of anti-magic runes. A young faerie peered down at him. “Who are you?” he innocently asked. “I’m Airoh, and who are you, young one?” “I’m Prince Branigan of Argia
AN AGONIZING yowl filled up the corners of the room. Eleand felt like his body exploded into bits. The internal injury started to be visible physically. But the time when he knew that death was inevitable, the bleeding in his nose stopped, even the skull wrecking head pain.He gathered enough energy to crawl to his bed. Kharyn and Zenus assisted him this time.Eleand looked at his hands. The shivering halted. His senses heightened as well, and he could feel the fluctuating power in his veins wanted to overflow. The damage in his body started to heal.Those memories, it was his. He was finally free. Every question in his mind was answered about his true origin and his strong magic.The Ancient King was back!He, Eleand Altierra, was Airoh all along.I’m sorry, my queen. I’m really sorry for remembering everything just now. He hardly closed his eyes, hoping the link between his mate would
AIROH was accompanied by Zenus when they went to the White Mountain. They used the Vanire to hasten their travel than using a dragon. The faces of the faeries there were astounded to see them.“What kind of sorcery is this?” An old demifae gasped.“Yerie, bless us! It’s true, King Airoh is back!” said a very familiar voice from his side. A female faerie who wore battle armor.Airoh turned to face her and spread his arms. “How are you, Blythe?”“Airoh!” She immediately put her palm down to her chest for a salute. Then she emotionally wrapped her arms around him. Her eyes moistened and carefully touched his cheeks.Tears cascaded to the face of his previous General. Now, Blythe was the one in charge of the White Mountain. She maintained the order of political matters here.Airoh and Rieska appointed her to rule the city since the two of them chos
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
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