CHAPTER 3

My chest is breathing heavily as I stare at him. Weak. I am no weak. I will never accept a defeat. Suddenly, my hearing becomes so clear, I can hear the sound of the birds, the roaring of the lions, the steps of the tiger, I can even hear the swirling of the wind. Havoc’s expression started to change, his smirk began to fade.

My body heat is increasing every second. I can feel my heartbeat getting stronger. The blue fire began glowing on my hand and my sword suddenly sharpened more.  

Words are coming out from my lips and then the next thing I knew, Aunt Louisa’s in front of me, shaking me repeatedly. She is mouthing something I could not understand. Slowly, words began to be clearer and I finally regain myself. Aunt Louisa is still calling my name.

“Avy, Avy! Wake up! Control your power. Use your inner consciousness to wake yourself. Avy!” My vision became clearer. It was when I realized that Aunt Louisa, Irina, Phillip, Tristan, and Lorain gathered inside the training area. Phillip and Tristan helped each other in carrying Havoc. The half-conscious Havoc.

“Havoc,” I whispered. I watched my hands, I could not believe what just happened. Did I do that? My hands began to tremble.

“Avy, relax. Calm yourself. Calm down.” I can’t. Guilt, conscience, anger, many emotions are running around my system. “Irina, go ahead and follow the boys. Heal Havoc’s wounds. Lorain, prepare the usual food for this situation. Come- Avy!”

Just a few weeks and I’ll fly to the Trevioux Academy to start my new journey. Only Aunt Louisa knows about this, Havoc as well, but I really don’t know how he heard the news. I’m sure Aunt Louisa won’t disclose it to others without my permission. This little sneaky bastard, I wonder what magic did he use, he’s not even a mage.

“The ball is coming. Have you decided on what theme color are we going to have for next week’s party, Aunt Louisa?”

Aunt Louisa’s face lit up as if she just remembered something. Well, she really does remember something. She lifted her fork and gestured her index finger towards Irina.

“Good thing you’ve asked. I almost forgot. I’ve decided to have the gold theme for us.” Gold. That means something eventful will happen. Havoc stared at me, he seated in front of me that’s why I immediately caught his gaze.

“What’s the tea, Aunt Louisa? Is there a new member of the Ahvaz, Aunt Louisa?” Meredith asked excitedly.

“The news and information will be disseminated on the night of the ball. Finish your food right now, the designer will be here any moment later and I want you all to prepare. I already told the designer about our theme.”

The designer Aunt Louisa is talking about is also our private designer for different events. She is excellent with gowns and different kinds of dresses. Using her magic, she can create a magical and elegant gown in just a few seconds depends on what her client wants to happen. She is undeniably talented.

We finished our breakfast and it’s Meredith's turn to wash the dishes so she started casting a spell that made the dish cleaning materials move by their selves. Some people may think that using magic really can ease the work but to be honest, using magic consumes our energy. However, we are training to control our magic energy for the right use.

However, it’s really hard for me to control it.

The designer came after an hour and Aunt Louisa. We all lined up as she entered the mansion. “Greetings, Lady Dinea.”

And our turn to greet, of course, we bowed before we spoke “Good morning, Lady Dinea.

“Good morning ladies and handsome boys.” It was the signal for us to compose ourselves. We were seated on our seats as Lady Dinea and her staff arranged all the racks with plain gold and black gowns. Just like the usual, her staff walked towards us to get our sizes, once done, they pick the exact size of the gown or suit from the racks and make us wear them.

“Please turn around, milady.” Just like Lady Dinea, her staff is also prim and proper. They are well disciplined. I turned around just like her command and she measured the width of my shoulders.

“Your shoulders have straightened more and your arms became more firm. Have you been working out, milady?” I chuckled. I have been receiving some compliments like that for a while now. Changes with my body are discernible. I even compared myself with my old picture a month ago and I really lost some weight. I even gained abs. I gained this result from training hard for the past months.

Minutes later, the staff gave me my plain gown to wear. I was instructed to enter the private room prepared by Lady Dinea. “Your shoulders are pretty. Your white skin also shined more. I’m glad that even if you are training hard, you still managed to sustain your skin.”

“Thank you, Lady Dinea.”

“Let us give you the most elegant gown for the ball. Louisa told me about the news. You’ll be wearing an off-shoulder gown with more gold colors and a mix of black. We’ll be giving some sequencing around here and…here.” I also nodded, she knows what’s best so I’ll just agree to her. “I will give you a tiara for you to wear on the ball. You’ll be the prettiest, my lady.”

“Your work will be the prettiest,” I said. She smiled.

“Suits the prettiest lady to be in the ball.” She pointed at my chest right below my collarbone. “That’s you.”

The fitting and designing of the gowns ended. As usual, our gowns were delivered to our room using teleportation. It’s one of the rules of Lady Dinea: the gowns should be kept as a secret to others before the day we get to officially wear them to the event. For the element of surprise, of course.

However, some people don’t have enough patience. Like these twins and Meredith, murmuring and whispering about the designs of their gowns and suits.

~*~

         Havoc, Tristan, and I decided to go to the market town to buy some ingredients that Aunt Louisa told us to buy. I’m wearing a simple black fitted top and white skinny jeans paired with my black boots that reach just the top of my ankle. Havoc wore his leather jacket with a white shirt inside and navy blue shorts. He looks like a model for a walk-in magazine.

Tristan focused on the road but for sure, he is also observing the environment. He has great vision and fast reflexes, just what a marksman needs. His face looks grim as usual, his eyebrows are a bit thick and just straight, he has deep and emerald eyes with a pointed nose. He’s just wearing a simple black shirt and jeans, his right hand holding the tip of his jacket hanged on his right shoulder.

What is up with these guys? They both look like models, while here I am looking like a gangster. A sassy gangster, at least.

I saw a group of young teenage girls giggled when we passed by them. I rolled my eyes and saw that Havoc winked at them, this flirty man, really. I shook my head slightly. What a playboy.

We turned left and headed straight to the brown tent located at the end of the road. The tent looks small outside but not everyone is aware that it’s actually big inside. Only in the eyes of extraordinary individuals like us.

Tristan flipped the curtain for us and we walked straight inside. Both of them stepped back while I stand still in front of the crystal ball. The lady appeared in front of me. She’s wearing a scarf and her face is covered with red vale revealing her eyes with only black colors.

“State your concern, lady.” I gathered my hair using my right hand and turned sideways to show her the family emblem tattooed on the side of my nape. The Ahvaz family symbol has the sign of a full moon with the face of the wolf, a number of ten stars surround the moon.

“We’re here to pick Louisa Ahvaz’s potion orders.”

The woman caressed the crystal ball and it turned black, it is my turn to cast the spell. I closed my eyes and used my power to cast the spell. “Velre et indei. Epone sanctum.” A huge light covered our visions and when the light disappeared, another world appeared in front of us.

The magical world is refreshing as before. Tents from the market on the center plaza can be seen from where we are standing, it’s just a few meters walk away from here. The large and middle-era structures of the house can be observed among the houses wherever you look.

The tree of Hera passed by and stopped when it saw us. “Hello there, young Avy. What made you visit the market today?”

“Good day, Tree of Hera. We’re here to buy some ingredients that Aunt Louisa told us.” I smiled. Tree of Hera nodded that made some of the leaves from her tree fall down. Rita, the assistant of Gaia suddenly appeared holding her magical cleaning tools.

“For Gaia’s sake, tree of Hera, please stop moving too much around. Your leaves are falling everywhere! It’s autumn season, I’m starting to get tired!”

“Excuse me, Rita. It is not my fault that my leaves are falling, neither my fault that it’s autumn. Just do your job.” Hera tree crossed its arms—err, branches rather. It faced me and smiled once again. “Have a nice day and keep safe, my dear Avy.”

Hera tree waved it’s right branch causing some leaves to fall again, it started floating away from us. I turned my gaze to Rita and saw her face getting all red. “HERA TREE! I WILL REPORT THIS TO GAIA AND HERA!”

We simply walked away from mad Rita and continued walking towards our destination. Maybe because it’s Friday that many people are in the market buying their own staff. We walked past by a blacksmith whose busy hammering and sharpening a newly built sword. His furrowed eyebrows show his seriousness in finishing all his masterpieces. He must’ve sensed my stares because he suddenly faced me.

“What?” He asked in an annoyed voice. I shook my head and smiled. We continued walking.

“I feel like Havoc’s trouble disorder transferred to you, Avy.” I looked at him surprisingly. Havoc on the other hand just chuckled.

“Excuse me?”

“We almost got into trouble because you stared at the blacksmith. He’s a new blacksmith in the Darkota. I heard he was thrown away from the Land of Hansata for doing a crime and his punishment is to serve and work Tauru for the rest of his life.”

“Oh, so that explains his smug face. He must be doing his job against his will.”

A crime?

Shouldn’t be someone who accomplished a crime be sent to the dungeons? Why would the King of Hansata send him here instead? Darkota is a very beautiful and lively place. And why does it have to be under Tauru’s responsibility to hold and keep someone who did a crime?

Tauru is a famous blacksmith here in the land of Darkota. His masterpieces are greatly known among the fighters working and serving the royal families. Why would someone who’s known for his great works be a punishment to a criminal?

“Havoc!” My thoughts vanished when I heard a shrieking voice. It’s the daughter of the former time traveler that’s also a friend of Master Hatsuke.

“Good morning, pretty Yana. You look lively as ever.” Of course, the young girl is so happy for the compliment that she doesn’t know that almost every pretty and sexy girl from Darkota and the human world have already heard.

“Dad also told me the same thing. Come, get inside! I’ll tell mother that you are here.” I rolled my eyes.

“Please do tell her that we are here. Not just this flirty guy beside me.” Havoc laughed.

Tristan nudged my elbow. I gave him a questioning look. “Relax, we don’t want to be in trouble, do we?”

“We’re not here to flirt as well, are we?” I glared at Havoc. He just raised hands as a sign of defeat.

They both chuckled. “Don’t be jealous, Avy. We’ll always love you.” I rolled my eyes at them that made them laugh more.

A servant opened the door for us and guided us towards the receiving area where we will meet Madame Poly. Another servant appeared holding a tray of drinks and snacks. She put it on top of the table before leaving us with a bow.

“They’re very hospitable, aren’t they? They always serve snacks even though not all visitors drink nor eat them.” Havoc's statement made me giggled. It’s a fact, though. That’s why even if I’m full, I always grab a bite or even a sip from the food they prepared just to show respect.

“Havoc! Mother is here!” Does she only notice Havoc? Are we invisible?

We stood and bowed our heads to greet Lady Poly.

“It’s still early for Louisa to buy new ingredients from me. There’s still a week before the start of the new month.” We watched as she seated on the single sofa placed in the middle of the room. We took our seats after her.

“She didn’t tell us a lot about the reason behind this. However, she provided a letter for you to read.” Tristan opened his hand and started casting, “Epone et indei etera.” I smiled when I saw that he’s doing great in casting a simple spell. Even though Tristan is a marksman, his original skill is magic. According to him, his Dad was a pure marksman and her Mom was a mage.  He inherited the skills of a marksman but he went to Aunt Louisa to help him gain his skills as a mage.

Lady Poly extended her hand to reach for the sealed letter. She crossed her legs before reading the letter. My eyes moved towards her daughter who’s busy flirting with Havoc. This girl has a lot of confidence, just enough for her not to be ashamed to act like that in front of us and her mother. She’s like the total opposite of Lady Poly. Lady Poly is conservative and is well reserved while she’s a very open person, especially about her feelings.

“Go out with me, Havoc.” My eyes widened. Tristan and I both turned our heads to see the daughter of Lady Poly. Her eyes are like shining while looking at Havoc. Even Havoc is stunned by her sudden statement. Dear Gaia, she’s blunt!

Havoc awkwardly smiled. Of course, there are girls who have been straight to the point concerning their feelings but no one really said those words in front of their parents.  Literally, just in front of her mother! This girl has no shame. I turned my gaze to Lady Poly, her expression is still the same. I can’t even read her thoughts about what her daughter just said.

“Umm.” Havoc scratched his nape, unable to respond. I rolled my eyes and faced Lady Poly.

“We’d like to finish the transaction as much as possible, Lady Poly. We still have more transactions with other potion dealers.” Lady Poly smiled at me.

“No worries. This seemed to be an urgent matter. Come, follow me towards the basement.” She stood up and just like her instruction, we followed her.

She made us follow her. Paintings from different eras and generations are present on her walls. Statues are everywhere as well, she must have brought them every time she travels back or travels in the future. We entered an empty room with only another door present in it. Lady Poly opened it and it revealed a large staircase going down. This must be leading towards the basement.

Come to think of it. This is the first time that she will bring us to her basement. Before, whenever we take orders, she would just let us wait inside a room upstairs. Today, she let us enter her basement.

What special order did Aunt Louisa have with Lady Poly?

The stairs is circular that made Havoc annoyed. He hates these types of stairs, it’s making him dizzy. “Shut up, Havoc. Lady Poly might hear you.” I whispered to him. He heaved a sigh and scratched his nape.

“We’re here.” Lady Poly opened the door at the end of the stairs and we were amazed by the scenery that appeared to us. I am left with nothing but amazement and surprise.

The door is like an entrance towards a large paradise. Different fairies are flying around, we can also see different varieties of birds. All the flowers are in full bloom and the leaves are all green. On the far right side, it’s snowing! Another variety of life is placed and other types of fairies are taking care of the eastern part. The western side reveals a rainy season, the fairies are glowing with blue and purple colors making them look like stars or universal lights in the midst of darkness. The flowers are also glowing with different colors but most of them are dark.

We are star-struck! We didn’t expect this to happen! We didn’t expect to see these!

“Am I dead? This place, it looks like heaven.” Havoc whispered.

“You seriously think this looks like heaven, you haven’t been there, idiot.” Tristan joked. I chuckled.

“You’re always bad on supporting other people. You know it’s just an expression.”

“I’m just spitting some facts. We also don’t know if you’ll reach heaven, Havoc. Your name alone doesn’t stand a chance up there.”

“Th-this guy!”

I laughed slightly. The both of them continued arguing until they started hurting each other. I didn’t bother to stop them, I know they’re just playing around. They didn’t even notice that I’m leaving them behind already. I continued following Lady Poly.

“Excuse me, Lady Poly. These fairies, did you create them?” She turned her face to the right and smiled.

“They were the fairies we saved five thousand years ago in the middle of the war between the Parkova, Rezuna, and Falaxio against the four kingdoms of Darkota, Hansata, Latuca, and Trevioux.”