[Floating Island, above Ennore]   With every contraction came intense pain. Loud screams dominated the royal chambers, stretching to every corner of the nearby rooms. The silk sheets soaked in blood. When the contractions subsided, only for a brief moment, the woman took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried to cope with the pain. But, as soon as that moment passed, another wave of agony followed, taking over every section of her body. The woman screamed again. Nothing could be more brutal than that sharp piercing pain. Over a dozen maids attended to her every need. Some brushed her sweat. Others held her hands. While the rest made sure she was warm and as comfortable as she could get. -        “Wait. Wait. All right. Push.” The woman nodded and let out one final grunt. Her lower body tightened, her flesh stretched, and the baby slowly fell into the hands of the midwife. After a short while, the

Newly clothed trees stood tall in a wintery landscape. The dim light from the Waxing crescent brightened up the snow, reflecting some parts of the perfect white. This icy serenade was a stunning beauty, far away from the bustling cities, crowded markets, and dangerous roads. It was an isolated place. Not even a single road led up to it. In the distance, behind dense evergreen woods stood the North Grove Estate. A mansion so guarded, one might think the king lived there. Yet, the woman who stared right at its bright windows knew otherwise. She let the ice crackle underfoot as she walked closer to the estate. Although she wore thin clothing, she barely felt the cold. The only steady pilot flame was the rage that burned inside.  The assassins stationed at the trees, not far from the entrance, sensed it. That anger. They immediately signaled the rest of the human guards to take up defensive positions. -        “Intrude

The mining tunnels became the arteries of Wolfmore, blackened by the abuse that’s been going on for years. The beatings and torture behind closed doors went on and on without end. The only ones who were exempt were the little children. While the corpses of those who tried to retaliate were fed to the lizards that lived nearby. Every day more humans died but were quickly replaced by new ones recently captured during an elven raid. In just two years, the slaves lost their will to fight back. They decided it was best to surrender and live their lives to the fullest. All for the sake of the children. Aiko stared in horror. Then, the girl stood up. Every muscle in her body shook. Wolfmore was nothing like she remembered. What she had for this mining village was only a childish image. A foolish expectation. Fleeting hope. -        “What is this?! Ren? Is this…is it true?” -       &nb

Tonight Ennore was brimming with lights. The lanterns fueled by magic, hovering in the sky became a focal point. The crossing bridges, magical waterfalls, perfectly constructed sky towers, and grounded buildings were the epitome of the elven kingdom. As if these pristine white avenues were never exposed to the deadly scourge that roamed the lands. The roads laid empty. The citizens inside their homes seemed to be waiting for something. They heard the sound of boots long before they saw a mass of bodies gathering. Countless human beings stood in formation. Dozens of rows flocked the streets, their eyes trained to look ahead. The army was packed with men, covered in armor from head to toe. Their faces blanched, unreadable under the shadows of their iron helmets. To these soldiers, it was boiling hot outside. Their armor was too heavy and thick, trapping their body heat and soaking their skin with sweat. Nevertheless, their gaze remained resolute. They were obviously used to th

The waters of the frozen fjord shone like an unrefined pristine jewel as if the watery surface emerged from both above and below. Just when the eyes would get used to the calm and tranquil bliss of pure divine, the area changed into a bloody scenery. A massive glacier broke through the ice and flew towards the woman’s unguarded cheeks. Though Nora dodged the onslaught with ease, a transient, yet overwhelmingly powerful wave came forth, pushing her back once more. Mesmerized by the speed and power of the watery gaze, the assassin felt tension building up inside.  And when the woman finally stood on solid ground to take a breath, mineral rocks lifted by the power of magical steam rose upward and flew towards her feet. The burning stones dug deep near the thousands of glaciers already covering the floor, quickly melting everything that stood nearby. If those rocks were to hit her, she would have immediately lost her ability to walk. The woman’s jaw clenched. <