Niffa slowly put down the basket on the table as she tiptoed to go upstairs to her room, but her mother the queen notice her.
"Oh, there you are Niffa, where have you been? I've been looking for you a while ago," Queen Luize said as she put down the crochet.
"Hello mother, I just hung out with my friends," Niffa responded with a nervous smile on her face.
"Friends? You don't have friends, ah! I knew it," her mother said approaching her on the stairs as she gulp in nervousness trying not to say that she's been off in the forest.
"I bet you spent the coins I gave you yesterday. And you smell like a cookie with peanut butter on it," Queen Luize said sniffing Niffa's clothes.
"Mother, yes I do eat peanut butter-flavored cookies I'm glad you knew it," Niffa said as she pretend to chuckle and slowly making her way upstairs.
"Wait, Niffa? Tell me you're lying right?" Niffa suddenly froze on the stairs as she slowly look back trembling. She can see her mother's furious eyes towards her as the maid behind his mother signed her to run.
"Mom, I just spent my time in the woods!" she said as she quickly runs upstairs towards the corridor and looks for her room, her mother run after her as the maids in the living room chuckled from their mother and daughter's petty fight.
"I like how Niffa still admits her mistakes and runs away from the queen," the maid said to the others.
"I know Niffa always do it, it's pretty hilarious to always have this bonding scene between them," the other one said. They saw the king enter the living room as two guards were behind him. The maids greet him immediately as he smiled, then they heard Niffa laughing from upstairs.
"What's happening? Don't tell me they had another petty fight?" King Morphis ask as a smile was painted on his face.
"Niffa admits her little mistakes again your highness," one of the maids responded.
"Oh not again," he said as he sigh and went upstairs to check them.
He opened the door and saw the Queen tickling Niffa in her bed as they both are chuckling.
"Father!" Niffa said as she run towards him and hugged him.
"So tell me, what mistakes you admitted today?" he ask as Niffa looked at her smiling mother.
"I was- Uhm, I-"
"She went outside the gate into the forest."
"Mom! Why did you tell him, you promise me not to tell him about it?!" Niffa said as she crossed her arms with a frown face.
"Sorry Princess, did I tell you that? I can't recall it," the queen said teasing her as she chuckled.
"Niffa? Why are you going out alone? What if someone kidnaps you?" the king said as he kneeled to her daughter.
"But dad what's the point in teaching me your battle moves if I can't protect myself."
"Okay fine, but do not show them such strong moves, it's too dangerous," he said as he hold her daughter's warm cheek.
"By the way, you wear a maid's clothes?" he asked.
"Yes father, it was a good costume," Niffa said turning around.
"Costume? Very clever," the king said as he turned to his wife and smiled.
"By the way my queen how was the meeting with the other kingdoms?" he asked as he holds his wife's hand.
"It was-" Queen Luize look at Niffa staring at them.
"Maybe we can talk about this outside so that we can give Niffa some time to change her clothe," the queen said as they kissed Niffa's forehead and leave her alone in her room. She wondered why they need such privacy about the meeting so Niffa quietly walks outside and approach her parents' room as she eavesdrop sticking her ear in the door.
"We can't let them do this Luize!" Her father's tone was a bit high.
"I know but they figured out about our secret that we lost our powers it was just an hour ago when King Seres suddenly showed up in the meeting with some of his sorcerers."
"What is the evil king doing in the meeting?"
"He knew that we lost our powers Morphis, and he is already planning on how to make Aldon fall! I don't want Aldon to become a fallen kingdom like what happened to the kingdom of Samari" Her mother was angry and nervous.
"How did you find out that Seres is planning something?" asked her father in still a serious tone.
"Rico told me."
"Rico? The violet-eyed sorcerer? I thought he is an adversary?"
"Rico is my oldest friend, he is one of the Royalties' trusted sorcerers and I trust him too." Her mother started sobbing.
"Then let's plan something to stop this." Her father's voice was angry and serious this time.
"How Morphis?! We don't have the powers to do this Niffa is still young she can't control the powers we passed her." She can hear her mother's voice tremble and started to cry.
"Then let's ask Rico to kill Seres."
"No Morphis! You don't understand! Rico cannot just show up to Seres he might be killed, I assigned him to take care of Niffa!" She was shocked by what she heard as she wondered who Rico is.
"Fine, I do trust you on that. But I can't just let Niffa go because of this war! That Seres bastard is ruining everything!" She heard a loud thud, her father punch the table.
"We have to make Niffa safe, she is our only hope to save the kingdom. If ever can control my powers to come back to me then I already did." Her mother sighed.
"But we don't have time left, we have to do something."
"Then there is only one thing to do."
"Tell me Morphis what is it?" begged the queen.
"War, we have to get ready for a war. I knew Seres for a long time and he is a big fan of beginning wars. And I will fight him." The king grab his sword as Niffa heard the sound of a sword being pulled in a scabbard.
Niffa gasped as she widened her eyes upon hearing all her parents' conversation, she stands up and accidentally hit the door by her elbow.
"Wait, you hear that Luize? Something is outside the room I better check it." Niffa heard footsteps coming towards the door she quickly runs back to her room closed her door slowly and hop into the bed pretending to be asleep. She heard her room's door open and she quickly closed her eyes.
"She was asleep maybe it was just the maids passing by," her father said as they closed the door. She opened the window to see that it was already dark, and she quickly fall asleep afterward.
Niffa smells smoke around her room as voices are heard outside panicking, it seems like a nightmare to her that she heard such horrific cries in the middle of the night. The atmosphere is also hot like it was almost going to burn her skin as she coughs smelling the smoke.
"Niffa wake up!" She was awake by the voice and the cold tap of a hand on her cheek, it was her mother crying while coughing from the smoke.
"Mother? What's happening?" She asked as she wipe her eyes to see fire everywhere, people are heard screaming for help outside and the sound of horses and swords clashing is too loud.
"Let's get out of here!" Queen Luize said as she wrapped her in her green royal cape. They quickly run down the stairs as Niffa witnessed such bloody wars inside the palace where other kingdoms came to fight with them, drops of blood everywhere as swords struck the lives of each man. They went outside the palace and she saw the townspeople losing their lives while they fight against the soldiers from the other kingdom.
"Mother we have to help them! We can't just escape!" Niffa said as they run away with the townspeople.
"Niffa no! It's too dangerous! You have to be safe!" her mother said as she was still covered by her royal cape and drags her closer. Niffa saw her father fighting a tall and huge man wearing a red cape and a crown, it was indeed King Seres they talked about.
"Father!" Niffa shouted and her mother was shocked by it. King Morphis and Seres look at them as Luize covered Niffa's face from the cape.
"Father? What does that mean King Morphis? So you do have a child?" Seres said taunting him.
"That means she had the green flame," he added and laugh evilly.
"Shut up Seres! Let's end this fight here!" Morphis said as he make his move against him, waving and striking his sword.
"Hopped in your highness!" General Malta said forcing his horse to stop in front of the queen and Niffa. They quickly ride as the horse lead them away from the war and they reach the forest peacefully as usual.
"Why is it quiet here? Where did the townspeople escape?" Queen Luize said as she looked around the dark forest.
"Others take the route to Thamali, sadly some died on their way because the evil soldiers followed them," General Malta responded.
"General Malta led us to the sorcerer's place,"
"Yes, your highness." The horse fastened its speed.
Niffa stared at her mother as she can see the fear, sadness, and infuriation in her eyes.
They stop in front of a cottage surrounded by a lot of flowers making such a violet radiant light, squirrels run away when they step into the door as queen Luize knocked on it. A tall man wearing a dark cape opened the door.
"Mister?" Niffa gasp in surprise looking straight at the man's violet eyes.
"Rico, I need your help! Take Niffa with you like what I told you yesterday!" the queen said as she grasp Rico's shoulder.
"Mother? What's wrong? I thought we will going to stay here together?" Niffa asked as she pull her mother's cloth.
"Niffa listen! Rico is my good friend and I want you to be safe with him. Rico takes care of her as you promise," Queen Luize said as rub her daughter's head and walked away from them.
"Mother? Mother, please don't leave me!" Niffa said as she run towards her and hug her from behind. Queen Luize started to cry as she hugged Niffa back.
"Queen Luize, are you going to do this?" Rico asks from behind.
"I'm sorry Rico but I don't have a choice, seems like I can't witness the promise I told you years ago," the queen said as Rico looked at her grievously.
"Mother you can't leave me!" Niffa begged to cry as she can't let her mother go of her hug.
"I have to go Niffa. I have to help your father in saving the kingdom. Here take my cape with you," she said as she covered Niffa with her cape and push her softly away from her. She pull herself together as she covered her mouth trying not to cry so much.
"Mother please promise me to come back!" Niffa shouted as she kneeled on the ground.
"I will," she said and wiped her tears, she rides back in the horse with General Malta and off they go.
Niffa was still kneeling on the ground crying while hugging her mother's cape. Rico left her alone outside for a moment.
It was a bright day, Rico visits the forest early in the morning to feed the birds and to roam around. The forest was a training ground for his colossus pets which includes Meria the deer, Tobi the dark wolf, Eris the brown hawk, and his favorite Prado the white horse who can carry up the entire house when he needs to move from one place to another when he is lazy to use his power. Niffa opened her eyes as she saw birds singing around the room, it was very lovely to hear them. She enjoyed listening to them then she saw cookies and milk on the table. She was so hungry that she quickly grab and ate them all, it was so similar to the cookies she always bought from the bakery but then she remembered the kingdom and her parents, they were all gone. Tears quickly fall from her eyes realizing that her mother didn't come back last night. She walk outside as the daylight strikes her eyes, and she was amazed by the surroundings. Flowers everywhere and a lot of butterflies around the garden, the
Early In the morning, Rico woke up when someone wiggled him from behind.“Stop it I’m sleeping,” he said as he covered his face with his cape.“Rico wake up! Let’s begin the training!” Niffa said in such a joyful tone.“Training? What training?” Rico quickly opened his eyes and to his surprise, Niffa was holding his stick as she was cloth in pants, warrior boots, and a white t-shirt while her hair was in braid style.“Wow, you look like a small warrior Niffa,” Rico said chuckling as she wave the stick and point it toward him. He was surprised to see Niffa’s glare as he saw a glimpse of Queen Luize from her once again. He felt like it was Queen Luize commanding him.“Okay, let’s do this!” he said as they went outside to begin the training.“A warrior must have such discipline in fighting. First, you have to know where your enemy is aiming, second.”“I have to be tactful in every action they will make. I already knew those Rico my father taught it to me since I was eight,” Niffa said as
Niffa opened her eyes she was surprised to see a plate of cookies and a bottle of milk on the table, she took a bite and it always had the same taste as before. She always remembered the bakery she use to visit every time she ate those peanut butter cookies. She was shocked to see Rico meditating in the living room as the violet fire around him was so captivating in her eyes, she told herself not to touch it again for it was prickly hot but she can’t help herself but touch it for the second time. Her eyes widened when she didn’t feel anything upon touching it with her finger then all of a sudden her touch sparked and the house was filled with bright light as they both covered their eyes in surprise making it so hard for them to see anything, then Niffa quickly removes her finger from Rico’s fire.“Niffa? Why did you do that?” Rico asked as he turn off his flames.“I don’t have any idea about that strange light.” Niffa looks so surprised and amazed by the light she saw a while ago.“Di
Rico saw King Seres from Eris’ memory, they were having a meeting with his evil soldiers and red-eyed sorcerers.“Are you saying that the forest near Aldon was burned with the bright light?!” asked Maru the second strongest red-eyed sorcerer and also Seres’ right hand.“Yes sir. The townspeople saw it some said that heavy rains poured down as it happened intentionally to kill the fire,” one of the soldiers said.“What do you think about it, your highness?” Maru asked Seres who was just calm in his seat.“I killed the royalties of Aldon. Only Luize can control the rain so how are you sure about what the townspeople said?” Seres asked with his husky voice.The soldier trembled in fear as the others stared at him.“But your highness, they claimed that the bright light was so powerful as it covers the entire forest! They said it was more powerful than yours!” he said as King Seres suddenly widened his eyes.“Maru”“Yes, your highness?” Maru looks back with his sharp eyes.“Execute that so
Rico just stared at Niffa wondering if her prediction was right.“Niffa, I’m not sure about that. Those memories are just not enough to explain my past.”“You’re right Rico, we still need to seek more about your connection with Samari.” Rico stared at the logo as he wipe the dust and sadness just filled his face.“What’s wrong Rico?” Niffa asks she approaches him and holds his shoulder.“I don’t know, I also can’t understand the way I feel while looking at this logo. I felt like I have an important connection towards it.”“Please don’t be sad because I will help you. I can’t stand to see your sad face, I want to see you smile.” Niffa touched Rico’s cheek once again as she looked at his confused face. She didn’t see the redness on his cheek and it doesn’t feel hot like before.“Niffa, why do you keep on touching me like this?” he asks still confused. Niffa sighed as sadness painted on her face.“Does that means he only feels the burn on his cheek when he’s talking about my mother?” Nif
Rico opened his eyes as he hear some murmurs around him, he look around and to his surprise, he was in his child-like form around 4-5 years old alone in an empty room. He saw a shadow through the room’s door half-opened. He walk slowly and take a peek outside, he was shocked to see a queen fighting someone as she pulled a sword from a gilded scabbard. Rico heard the queen shout her husband’s name in a shrieking way. Rico could feel the horror in the atmosphere and he wanted to look at the enemy’s face. He slowly opened the door and saw the king’s head cut off and lifted by a huge man with his face covered in a red cape. The strange man’s evil laugh was heard all over the castle, Rico was so terrified to see a head as blood oozed from the neck.“No! King Ferru! What have you done to him? You evil king of Veroma! I assure you that you will not be called the greatest king that you wanted because someone will kill you Seres! Someone will!” the queen shouted while she was crying and shouti
Merfoy quickly grab his magic book and tried to look for some of the important pages as the two followed him to the bookshelf.“You are Niffa, right? The daughter of King Morphis and Queen Luize. What you did in the past years is not written in the book it’s so strange. And you Rico, your dreams are showing your past, you are the true king of the kingdom Samari but my brother stole your dignity and made you his puppet for many years. I wonder why those are not written in my book. I’m confused why the both of you are anonymous in the magic book?” he asks himself as he keeps on turning the pages.“We don’t know what you are talking about, but can I read about the kingdom of Samari?” Rico ask as Merfoy close the book and handed it over. Rico took his seat to read as Niffa leave him alone and she followed Merfoy on the other side of the table.“Why did you get old so fast? Rico said that sorcerers aren’t age that much,” Niffa said then Merfoy suddenly chuckled.“It’s true that sorcerers a
Merfoy makes sure that the kingdom of Samari was not surrounded by evil soldiers and sorcerers by using his far-sight power. He close his eyes as he tried to make his sight farther going into the kingdom of Samari where Maru was slain.“I can only see a burned body. No one was around the place either,” Merfoy said with a concentration on his face.“Then let’s go now. We don’t have enough time to travel until tomorrow,” Niffa said as she prepared her bow and arrow which she get from Merfoy’s toolbox. She stretch the bow as she closed her right eye targeting one of the books from afar.“Where did you get that? You don’t need a such weapon you have powers right?” Rico asked watching her.“I want to try not relying on my powers too much,” she answered as she lowered her arrow and smiled towards him, Rico smiled back.“Should we get there now?” Merfoy asks as he looks at them.“Let me use my teleportation power,” Rico said as Merfoy look at him in surprise.“You have it too?” Merfoy ask.“
Rico opened his eyes, he felt the sun burning his skin and felt a cold touch on his cheek tapping it numerous times.“Rico, Rico,” he heard a woman’s voice but his ears cannot hear them properly but he knew she was calling him. His eyes half opened and can see a blurry figure, a face that was coming closer to him. He suddenly felt a warm sensation touch his lips, his wide open lips as he felt an air travels through his throat and into his lungs. The water came out from his stomach as he cough them out. Rico widened his eyes, realized he was alive.“Rico, are you okay?” He saw Niffa beside him, kneeled down with her wet hair and clothe dripping with water.“Niffa, did you swim all the way in to save me?” he ask as he saw her nod, she shed tears with a smile on her face staring at him. Niffa quickly hugged him, so tight that he felt her heartbeat syncing to his.“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” He caress her hair behind and push her slowly as he kissed her forehead.“Where is everybody?” he ask
Nanami opened her eyes, she can see the clear blue sky, and she cannot hear anything but can saw the blood spilled splattering on her face. She gasp and realized she was in the midst of war. Nanami suddenly heard Cannai’s cry from afar. She quickly stand up and find herself hidden in the entrance of the forest.“Cannai?” she uttered while peaking from the large leaves surrounding her, she saw dead bodies everywhere on the ground. They didn’t turn into smokes or burn into ashes like the way they had been killed before.“Are they real human in flesh?” she ask as she step out of the forest while the Cannai was far surrounded by bunch of the evil warriors and soldiers.“Nanami! Stay away from here!” she heard her lover as she gasp and tried to find him from the crowded ground.“Cannai! Where are you?!” she shouted through her lungs along with the sound of heavy footsteps and burning fleshes. Nanami step further as she dodge from one of the evil warriors’ flaming sword. She loo
The chirping of the birds was heard from outside, Maru opened his window and saw a welcoming message of chirps. Rico look back at the huge door, he was outside. He averted his eyes towards the horizon where he can see the sun rising, slowly emanating its light in the world. He heard the morning dews, droplets from the leaves wetting the ground for another plant to grow. Rico sigh and sniff the air of nature, it was peaceful, wonderful and always making him feel at ease.“I wonder if I can still smell this kind of peace,” Rico uttered.“Of course we will, don’t be absurd.” He heard someone.“Geuron? Why so early?” he ask and watch the young man stretch his body.“Come on, bring it on. I’m ready to be trained,” he said facing him and warming up in his fighting position. Rico chuckled.“What’s funny?” Geuron ask and fix his stand.“You said you can read minds right? Can you try to read mine?” Rico ask while lowering his head to fix his gaze into the young man’s eyes. Rico was taller, Geu
King Ciaran let out a smoke from the huge tobacco he get from Merfoy’s cabinet in the room he choose. The thick smoke can be seen, as white as snow from the darkness as he make his way out to the balcony.“It’s nice to be here,” a voice said from behind. It was Goryo approaching him.“You want some?” Ciaran handed him a stick of tobacco smaller compared to what he was smoking.“I’m sorry, your highness, but I don’t smoke,” Goryo answered.“Really? Well, I guess my granddaughter choose a fine man then,” Ciaran said as they chuckled.“What does she look like?” Ciaran ask as he let out a smoke.“My granddaughter and how did you meet her?” he added.“She was brunette, pale skin yet a healthy one. When she smile I feel at ease, knowing that she is fine and that smile is what I live for. When you look at Geuron, he actually had his mother’s smile. He was like her boy version.” Goryo was smiling while telling it.“I’m glad Merfoy saved me. I might not remember my lovely wife if I’m dead now.
Half day of travel, it was afternoon when they got to the forest of Aldon and crossing across the river outside of Aldon.“It was tiring and hot. Can I bath for a while?” Geuron ask panting while looking straight to the river. The water was low yet flowing fast, so clear that they can see the grayish stones inside the water.“That sounds refreshing but we have to go,” Therens said as he handed him his water canteen covered in leather.“Thanks.” Geuron uttered and poured the water into his face.“Hey, you have to share,” Maru said running towards them.“It’s fine, you have plenty of water around you,” Merfoy said as his eyes avert on the river.“You mean we can?” Geuron ask. Merfoy smiled and nodded.“Yes! Thanks Merfoy.” He quickly run towards the river while taking off his dirty white shirt. He jump off the river with his dark pants with the water splash across his entire body.“This is fun! You have to try it!” he shouted towards them.“I thought we need to get to your place as soon
I wonder where the others, what happened to them, and where is Merfoy all this time? Niffa thought looking behind her as she see the entrance way to the forest. It was part of Aldon’s forest, Aldon has the widest and longest forest out of the five kingdoms. She still doesn’t know if the forest near Mt. Sadeste was Aldon’s territory or its just what everyone know since no man got here at Mt. Sadeste like how Merfoy told her, only royalties and magical creatures can enter Mt. Sadeste.“Niffa! Watch out!” She gasp as she look back in front, the violet flame was coming her way, as she quickly crouch with her hands crossing above her head. He never failed, she thought, her body will surely marked with scratches and bruises and burns after this training.Niffa stands up to check her right elbow, it was bleeding, the burn was mark like a splattered blood, shapeless yet creating a map-like mark on her skin. The bleeding burn was not as serious as her wound in the back still wrapped in bandage
Not the end yet, the end of Geuron’s mind-reading power session for everyone. As they both return upstairs, across the dark hallway, and into that room once again, he can almost hear murmurs of thoughts passing through his ears. It was so loud, the murmurs are like buzzing bees that none of the words they are uttering are understandable. Geuron covered his ears as he crouch.“Geuron? What’s the matter?” Therens ask looking at him from below as he should supposed to hold the door knob.“Should I open the door?” Therens ask one more time.“I don’t know, my mind is uncontrollably reading a lot of thoughts. It’s so painful to hear,” Geuron answered with pain in his voice.“Okay, then let’s stay here for a-”Therens’ words were cut, and the door suddenly opened. He can see who it was even when the room was dim and the lamp was too far from them, it was General Malta.“Therens?” the general uttered, he was as shocked as he is.“I suppose to look for you and the young man as well,” the gener
They spent their night, sleepless nights talking about the happenings for the past days during the tsunami and after. The snoring soldiers were left downstairs, resting for the night after the cleaning and eradication of dirt in the entire kingdom happened the whole day.“You happened to be a hunter?” Nanami asks combing her long dark hair with the wooden brush.“Yes, my family is a hunter. Only hunting animals that were not forbidden,” Liana answered, them seated on the floor with their legs crossed. Maru and Therens were watching the moon through the window in the corner, their shadows are visible from where Liana and Nanami are seated.“You said you had a friend named Rico and he is out there somewhere? Is he royalty like you?” Therens ask.“Yes, he’s the King of Samari, the fourth kingdom among five.” Maru painted a small smile, it’s a smile of sadness, and he might be thinking about where Rico is for now.“If he is a flame holder like Niffa, he is safe,” Therens said seemingly co
After lunch, the sun was up making the cows and goats hide under the huge trees on every corner of the farm. Maru stands on the wooden platform balcony-like outside the wooden house. The air was different, it was warm, clean as if he was sniffing peace mixed with how he felt lately. He was in love which makes him unable to go back to do his obligation as a prince. He watches the goats run back to their cage as the other worker on the farm run towards them with his stick. He wonders why Liana had to go to the castle to work instead of staying in a peaceful place like this.“Isn’t it peaceful in here?” the voice of the man from before asks. He look behind him and he saw the man in his brown clothe with his dark pants folded up to his knees. The man removes his brown cap and wipes his sweaty forehead with the white towel hanging on his right shoulder. He stands beside Maru.“Uhm, yes it is sir,” Maru said stammering.“Who are you to my daughter?” he suddenly asks that making Maru widen h