Chapter 1

The heat wave coming from the sun hit my feature, but it did not waver my focus on my tracks. The air current blows my stance, making my hair and scarf scatter. I squinted my eyes while holding my sword when a silhouette from afar caught my attention.

I nipped my hood tightly, pretending I did not see anything. I have been training for ten years for this. I have learned the elemental training and knowledge of combat. I should not let my guard until the enemy makes a move.

My eyes remained on the ground, avoiding eye contact until I felt its presence intensifies. Its low fistulous growl rang in my ears when I caught them glancing from the corners of my eyes.

Skulks.

I heard them stop from their spot when I walked past them. I halted but did not look back. I remained composed while letting the wind blow my hair. The atmosphere between us becomes shallow as I felt their grazing stares shooting through my soul.

"Show yourself, human."

I moved my jaw but did not speak. Every second I could feel the strength of their energy consuming the region. There are five of them, and I am the only human here.

"You can not run away from us!"

Before they could slash me with their large claws, I removed my cloak and stopped their attack with my sword. I could tell by their eyes that they were shocked to see me alive.

"The Princess!"

I pushed them with all my strength, then positioned myself in combat mode.

"I am ready to retrieve my land and my father!" I said with pride and honor.

The skulks glance at each other for a minute before cracking a chortle. I grimaced, anticipating that reaction. I can't blame them. The last time they saw me, I was tiny and weak. But now that I have already grown as a warrior just like my father wanted me to, I am prepared to face all of my foes.

"Humans are weak and pathetic. You can't do that alone, Princess Daciana."

The enemy up front marched an attack with its claws, and luckily, I quickly dodged their killer slash. I rolled on the ground and then shielded my sword. They mockingly laugh at my face because I am outnumbered.

But as I have said, I changed.

My land was taken away from me in just a snap of a finger. I saw how my father sacrificed himself just to save me. I could still hear the screams of agony, pleas, and destruction from ten years ago.

It's cruel that it made me sleepless for the past years.

“DACIANA! RUN! SAVE YOURSELF!”

I could still hear my father’s voice…

I gripped my sword tightly and then pushed all my strength to slice their leader in the chest. The skulk in the middle did not anticipate that. Its subordinates tried to help when I raised my sword, using my breathing control and concentration. They are all scrounged on the ground in just a few seconds, moaning in the torment of defeat.

I step on their chest, letting the whispers coming from the wind stroke my skin.

I will never forgive them for what they did to my land.

"Do not underestimate a warrior's strength."

I exhaled when they did not speak since they were knocked out already. I slid my sword into my scabbard when someone clapped behind me.

"What a magnificent fight, Princess."

Before the stranger could make another step forward, I picked up my sword again, twirled around, and then pointed the sharp tip to its neck. One push and it will slash him in half.

"Who are you?" my eyes narrowed into slits but stopped when I noticed its tantalizing features.

My clasp loosened a little when our eyes locked. Its gaze is beauteous as how its lashes move flawlessly whenever he blinks. His strong yet, great curved jawline was prominent. He has a pointy, button nose, thin, bloody red-coated lips, and fierce dark eyes. He looks unreal.

However…

"You look familiar," I stated, tilting my head to the side.

He smirks, showing his devilish fangs.

"It's me...Adolf."

I drop my sword, and simultaneously, my eyes increase into a stupor. I shook my head when he snickered.

"It's been, what? Ten years?"

I covered my mouth while tears formed in the corners of my eyes. He was about to say something when I wrapped my arms around his torso. I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his natural, earthy, alluring scent.

"I'm glad you're alive!"

Our past literally broke us, especially what happened to his father. I was about to pull away when I felt his securing arms placed just above my buttocks, pinching them slightly. My whole body went stiff when I realized we were so close to each other when we were not that close personally to each other.

I cough, then take a step back.

"I know we are heading in the same direction." his low voice dominates the area.

I nodded, but when I looked through his soulful eyes, I shoved my attention away because he really did change after all these years. He's not the same minor I knew when we were young.

Without saying much, we strolled off the scene. However, I stop in my tracks when I look back from my shoulder, looking over the skulks I fought with earlier. Something is making me troubled as I count them.

There are four of them now.

"Let's go, princess."

I was back to reality when Adolf spoke, catching my care. I looked at him, and he was waiting for me. We left the place without saying a word.

The stroll was quiet and unusual. I tried looking at him from the nook only to see him looking back with scornful eyes. He seems bothered, much more, in trouble about something. He coughed and then started a conversation.

"You grew stronger."

I look at him from head to toe. He reminds me of someone powerful and intimidating.

"Are you ready to take back your pack?"

That question made him fall into silence. He glances away, and I know I did hit a sensitive topic. I notice his hands balled into a fist. His veins were propping when something caught my eye.

"Oh no…"

We both stopped in our tracks when we saw our homeland. My heart sank to the bottomless ground when everything was scorched. All of the life sources are in the depth of extinction. Even the rivers are dry, and crops are dead.

The Land of Dawn is one whole continent, and the kingdom where all humans live is what we grew up before, The Kingdom of Peace. Unfortunately, due to the events, we were separated from our family.

"We have to do something before everything is too late."

I glance at him, looking at his side profile. He's right. There's no time to waste here. I nodded, then took a step forward to continue to our destination. None of us said a word while walking, but I could feel his intense stares behind me.

I tried to steal a glance to ensure he was still staring, but I almost lost my balance when I lost sight of my path. I thought I would fall on my face when he caught me on my waist.

"Be careful," he growled, making my skin shiver in fright.

I glance up only to see how close his face is to me. I swallowed the lump in my throat and then stood straight, continuing to where we had stopped. I curse to myself, trying to remove from my thoughts how close his lips were to mine when he spoke.

"Stop."

I did as he told me. I looked to my front, and I was not shocked to see a large city stopping us from going in further. I have been roaming almost half the place in the Land of Dawn, and this urban center is not new to me.

"The city of delinquents," I whispered.

This city is known to be the most dangerous area on the land. I grip my sword tightly when I feel a hand placed above it stops me.

"We must go through here, princess, before reaching our home."

"Don't call me princess." I groan, giving him a distasteful look.

My breath sharpened when he stepped forward, closing the distance between us. I whimpered when he clipped his fingers on my chin, raising my head a little so he could look through my eyes intimidatingly.

I was lost for words and out of breath when he whispered closely. He stuck out his tongue sexily.

"It suits you, though."

I blink, taking a step backward. What was that all about? When my vision was focused again, I noticed he was no longer there.

For a moment, I got afraid, thinking I was all alone again when I heard a commotion from the city.

He invaded the place without devising a plan.