Dust itched and dried Arth’s throat as he coughed it out of his mouth. As the blurry sight of the dark smoke rising towards the skies grew clearer, he lifted himself from the ground. The intense heat of the enormous flames ahead caused burning pain in his skin, making him wince. Ruby … where is she? Arth looked around where light dust surrounded him. A faint figure of the woman caught his eyes. As Arth approached, he glimpsed Ruby on her knees, her eyes wide and red, staring at flames. Arth followed her gaze and there laid a torched dragon like a black mountain, covered in hellfire. He clenched his fists. The pain he felt was the same thing he had when he witnessed the death of those men back in the cave, far worse than the burning heat on his skin. Naomi had meant the world to Ruby. This made Arth recall Alice, seeing how the long spear pierced through her heart, right in front of his eyes. It was the worst feeling that destroyed him and his world. Ruby punched the ground, crying, s
They go to their hideout far from the demon city of Daeva. The goal of the Snowsong Alliance is to find the only antidote for demon-turned humans, as they would be the biggest threats in the upcoming war, and as much as possible, prevent the demons from turning more humans into their kin. Their missions continue in luring the flying castle in Daeva, as they cannot cross the river. They had their chance of getting out during the invasion last year, but they chose to stay, as they still had a mission to do, ordered by their king. To kill him. Letholdus Aragon ruled the flying city, along with the demon-turned elite warriors. Arth and the Snowsong Alliance have known about the arrival of the flying city in Daeva. So their mission has started. They would go first and infiltrate Orcus City. There, they must go and obtain the Tears of Zer’elas, the legendary king of corruption. His tears can corrupt and destroy anything it touched when exposed to air. Their mission was to get the tears and
Kael Denvorn found springtime as the season of hard work, the most difficult time among all seasons to be exact—and to be more specific; assisting all plants to bloom flowers. Right now, he was slow and careful in trimming the spikes of the Blush Orchids, as it would encourage the plants to rebloom in future months. It was a stressful task. But trimming the orchids would give them the best chance for regrowth.Kael took the trimming scissor that had been dipped in the sterilized solution, and then examined the next set of orchids for him to groom. For healthy green spikes, he would find a node under the lowest flower bloom and trim one inch above that node. For unhealthy brown spikes, he would cut all the way back to the base of the plant. For double-spike orchids, he would cut—“Oh my Lord!”Kael lifted his head, hearing his dear mother’s overly-dramatic-and-surprised voice from a distance. She stood before the opened doors of the castle, her eyes wide, reading a gold-painted scroll
The elevator trembled and chains rattled. Arth descended, rock walls sliding up in all sides. It was still a long way down, so he had the time to lean back on the wooden elevator and closed his eyes. Arth was tired. But it was very normal in every afternoon of his work.One thing that pissed Arth was his aching shoulders and back spine. And he had to endure it every day. But it would all be worth it when he’d go home to their mansion.The elevator finally settled on the ground, letting Arth open the door and walk to the large tunnel. Two columns of wooden pillars supported the rocky ceiling of the passageway. The air had gotten thicker. Wheelbarrows, crates, and buckets containing ores rested on both sides of the tunnel.Arth headed forward, passing by torchlights that illuminated the dark path. He could hear the echoing, clanging sound of hammers against chisel and shattering rocks. But then a faint presence crept behind him. He turned his head around, but saw nothing, no one behind
“Fire me with Aglaean Wine,” Tristan said, sliding a copper piece on the counter towards the alehouse owner. A sweet, spicy drink would do before he would proceed on his goal. But one thing bothered him. He couldn’t sense the Guardian in this loud, awful place at all. “Where are you …” he whispered in a monotone. Another woman stopped next to him and smiled, eyeing Tristan from head falling down to his lower, her fingers gently tapping on the table. “How can I serve a handsome young sir?” Tristan closed his eyes. “The fact that you’re brushing your side against mine makes me want to cut you into pieces and put you in a filthy sack before throwing it to whoever shit who raised you.” Tristan thought the woman was gone, until he felt her hand topping his on the counter. “My, my … how much bolder can you be? If you say so, then cut me into pieces, young sir.” Tristan opened his eyes and shifted his dead glance at the woman. “Find
The Blossomland had been his go-to-cure for a bad day. The wide terrains and hills and plains filled with vibrant colors of flowers, dancing along with the strong breeze—the serene sound of petals and leaves rustling—the smell of the aromatic azalea and windrose flowers—the warm kiss of mid-morning sunlight—they all had used to help Kael calm his thoughts down. But this time was different. The worst thing he could’ve had imagined was happening now.“He’s a complete arsehole,” Kael said as he cut the stem of another azalea flower. “He’d been cruel enough to banish me from his kingdom like an exile … and now he’s inviting me to go back?” He gripped the stem, almost forgetting to be gentle in putting the flower on his woven-basket backpack.“For heaven’s sake, Kael,” Gabriella shook her head, harvesting more azaleas, “It’s been over like what? Eight years? Perhaps the prince has finally changed his mind.”“Or,” Peter cut in, “That big-head-brat has finally come to realize banishing Kael
Run.“Excuse me,” Arth hasted along the main street of Casterfall City after realizing how late he was. Crowds of people who came to watch the competition today had been blocking his path ever since he arrived in the city.“Damn it,” whispered Arth, hoping the registration had yet to close. He plunged through countless groups of citizens, hands clasped together in front of him to make way for himself.“Hey kid, watch it.” “Who was that?”The man shrugged. “Another country boy, perhaps.”Arth never gave a single care to anyone around other than registering himself to the competition, which he could have done a lot sooner if it was not for that long, pointless conversation with Robert earlier. His chest pounded fast, nervous of not making it, for it was the only reason he got into this vast city.“There it is,” Arth finally glimpsed the tall, white-painted building ahead, popularly known as the Standard Knight Academy; a three story building that
The most tiresome time of Tristan’s daily regime was here again. He was sitting on the high seat, his cheeks rested on both palms of his hands, and supported by his elbows on the table. The bright, morning light from the huge glass windows gently kissed Tristan’s ocean blue eyes, as his gaze was only locked outside. He never gave a single attention to the old and bland-speaking man at his front who was holding a book while citing the texts on it.“The two cities, Casterfall and Hailborne, were both the underlying source of the region’s…”“Seriously, do I really have to do this every day?” Tristan whispered to himself, letting out a huge breath. Thick, ancient-looking books were piled at his both sides on the table. One book was opened, resting between his elbows but the writings were too frustrating for him. They were so tiny and full of complicated words which he had never known of before.“Okay, that’s it,” Tristan finally spoke up as he closed the big book which was all about the g
A huge explosion shook the area of the Ashenvale forest.“What is this power?” Maester David was staying in the big tree watching General Kael and his student, Arth battle.He could see Arth at a disadvantage after taking many hits and blows by the mighty sword of the General. Every attack of the general and every block of Arth was slowly draining his strength.General Kael was still holding his sword one hand while Arth was already panting and wounded.“Just yield, Arth. You can’t defeat me.” The general said.“Even with my last breath, I will never yield.” Arth replied catching his breath. His brown cloak was already shed with blood and his lower ankle injured. Soil and dust are already on his face and his yellow hair.“Then I’ll force that out of your mouth.” The general quickly touched the ground with his hand and looked at Arth narrowly. “You’ll regret this.”The ground began to shake suddenly. Huge root vines came out from the ground and extended towards Arth with speed.Arth he
The plan changed. Because of the chase, I was led to east from Casterfall Kingdom. Arth thought while riding his horse in a snow plain. I guess the best route for me is Frostwood village. I want to see Chief again. He passed through big stones covered with snow. From there, snow began to fall lightly.I wonder how Grand Master Tera is doing. The knights from Ice Crown Glacier are really scary. Arth saw a hawk flying over the big stones. But the one who saved me… who is he? I heard the Grand Knight call him Grand Magus. His magic is purely immense. I want to learn those skills someday. The hawk landed over the other big stone in his left side. Arth noticed that the hawk was wearing a black scarf collar on its neck.“What in the world…” Arth felt something strange about the hawk. Then, the hawk began to cry out suddenly.Wait a sec… Arth realized that it was not a wild bird. “It’s calling someone!”He whipped the rope of his horse to run fast. Then, he began to hear running footsteps
The village bell rang in the cold and windy mountain top. The noise of the women and men calling and shouting filled the whole atmosphere with intensity and fear. After a few moments, the doors and windows of the houses were closed and locked tightly. The men which appeared to be hunters gathered towards the center village.The village was located on top of the mountains and built above the stones on the sides. Stones on the mountains have been formed to make stairs/roads from the base to the village on top. It was almost the end of afternoon and the skies are getting dark.“Sir Kael! They already reached the southern gate in the base of the hills.” One hunter wearing black jacket approached Kael who was walking towards the scout tower. Kael walked towards the wooden stairs up to the scouts. He went to see what’s below the mountains. He could clearly see hundreds of blue caped knights standing on the base of the mountains.“Quick, tell the people to pack and go all the way towards the
“So, the Arth that you’ve talked about with Chief Gregor is the rightful heir to the frozen throne?” Tristan said with a loud voice. “Keep it down. Someone might hear us.” Maester David replied as they jumped from their horses and walked towards the entrance to the dark woods. They stopped and the maester pointed at the woods, “We have to reach the city as soon as possible. And this is the fastest way for us.”Tristan looked at the dark entrance and he could hear the echoes of the sound from the deep woods. “I can definitely sense many things here.” He said as he narrowed his eyes. Snow was falling from the white sky and a slight cold wind breezed through the two.“These woods are lived by wild beasts. I can sense them too.” Maester David replied. “No, it’s not only the beasts. I can feel something else. A group of people, I guess?” Tristan told the maester. Then he shook his head, “Never mind. Let’s go now, maester.”They began walking on the snowy path towards the entrance. “Stay al
After the tricky escape of Arth and Robert, they arrived in the secret tunnel of Casterfall kingdom in which Grand Master Tera told them before. I’m back here, again. Arth thought. The last time Arth was there was when he ran away and chased by the knights. The two entered the tunnel and it was pitch-black. They could hear the water running through the tunnel as they walked on the side. Robert casted an Illumination in a lesser energy to light up the tunnel way. “How was the academy you got into with Bran?” Arth suddenly asked while looking down in the stone way as he walked.“It was great. There are lots of things that I learned there.” Robert replied. “But Bran was still the same. He never learns.”Arth smiled as he shook his head. “I envy you. You got to learn a lot. It must be so fun.”“Why? What about your private trainings with Grand Master Tera?” Robert turned to him while walking.“We only did some training to build my stamina. And he only taught me one skill.” Arth replied.“
Now that I got these knights away from my village, I better think about my escape now. Kael told himself as he was sitting on a horse behind Grand Knight Bryle with his hands chained. He realized that there were also eight knights in a formation with them. One in front was a banner man carrying the flag of the Ice Crown. Kael and the grand knight were in the center and the other seven knights surrounded them as they travelled on their horses. I can’t fight them but I just need to distract them only if I have my sword with me. Using just magic is not enough to distract them. Kael thought as he looked at the pine trees covered in snow they pass through. He turned to the Grand Knight’s back and looked down to his elegant sword. An enchanted sword, huh? There’s clearly no chance of fighting them. “So, you’re Kael? The son of king Kaelas?” Grand Knight Bryle said smiling. “I never thought you’re alive.” Kael remained quiet after what the knight said.“I once served him. To be honest, I h
Tristan quickly walked passed through two small houses towards the big white tent ahead. There were wooden benches outside the tent which are for the people accompanying their sick or injured patient. The chief directly saw maester David wearing blue cloak sitting in the bench on the right side impatiently waiting. He approached the maester quickly.“Maester David?” Tristan called while he was walking towards him. The maester turned and was relieved to see him. Maester David stood and shook hands with the chief.“Tristan, it’s been how many years.” The maester said.“15 years actually,” the chief replied. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Ice Crown right? And what’s with the elf?” He asked with his eyebrows meeting.“I’ve got bad news. There’s a war coming.” The maester said worriedly as he sat down.“A war? What are you talking about?” the chief replied.“King Muradin will declare war with the elves if they don’t give what he asks. He sent me there to negotiate but t
“What happened to the kid?” Lord Nicholas was standing in the tiled path towards the entrance to the high garden. He was in his white sleeved clothing and brown pants. Grand Master Tera was there in the entrance of the garden looking at the fountains. The sky was cloudy but there was no snow falling. The snow that covered the grounds and plants made it seem that snow just fell earlier.Grand Master Tera looked above and saw the high towers of the castle. He sighed instead of turning to Lord Nicholas. “He’s gone.”“To where? The knights from Ice Crown Glacier became frustrated that they didn’t found the boy. You said he was there in his room?” The lord said.The Grand master turned to the lord, “I already said it, my lord. He’s gone. I don’t know how or why.”“And you were gone also by the time the knights searched his room. Is there something you’re not telling me, master Tera?” Lord Nicholas looked him in the eye as he walked towards him.“I was in my office, my lord. I just continu
The green woods and mountains of Ashenvale have spread throughout its entire region. The scent of the husky woods and the sound of the birds made the entire environment a natural and peaceful to be in.Maester Kael, wearing a blue cloak and carrying his valyrian sword, have gone through the green woods. The soft soil of the earth gave the maester a comfortable travel on it.The place seemed to be so magical. A strong spiritual energy can be felt by the maester in to the woods.The wisps have always protected their forest and brought life in it. Maester Kael thought as he walked in the pathway through the forest.He saw different friendly animals on his way through the woods. He encountered stags, birds, monkeys, and a hippo. Such beauty the forest holds. I have to get to the Guardian of the Forest as soon as possible. The maester thought.He crossed a shallow river ahead and jumped on the small rocks. After reaching on the other side, he saw a yellow butterfly flying towards him. The