FIRTH, CAPITAL CITY OF HANUM THE council chamber was full, and all the newly appointed aristocrats to oversee Hanum were there, sitting around the oval crystal table. Several minor fire orbs were put in each corner to serve as heaters to counter the freezing temperature. Duke Balrius headed the emergency council meeting because of the news that the holder of the Luominen was abducted, and the empire lost it at the expense of so much damage on the night of the Bestowing. “We will fortify Firth, they’ll surely be in Hanum in search of the Great Healer since the high mage gave her a sleeping curse,” Duke Balrius said. He was a man in his late thirties, young-looking enough to be mistaken for a man in his twenties. He assumed the position of Chief Minister of Hanum after his father died before his appointment. “But these lowly elves keep resisting, Your Grace,” an elder said. His name was Strauss, the deputy chief minister. “I thought they wouldn’t dare to show themselves in the capita

FOUR DAYS EARLIERKAFLE and Izora were stuck on Amaris Island after they separated their ways with Ethros and the rest of their companions. Although they successfully reached the island, it made it hard for them to cross Endellion because of Admiral Zion’s presence along with the hundred ships belonging to Vatre’s grand fleet. “I'm sorry for being in haste to go home, Izora. Now we're stuck here for a few weeks already,” Kafle said.“It's okay, father. At least we're getting nearer.”They were hiding in an inn in the busy city of Bardunn—the center of trade since Amaris was composed of several smaller, uninhabitable islands. Bardunn City was the largest and thriving, and it was open to all the citizens of the Learaf archipelago. Compared to the temperature in most of Vatre, Amaris was less humid because the rainfall was frequent during this solstice season. “I will meet the other members of the Knights of Terra. They've finally responded after contacting them for a while. Most of th

JIE’S jaw flexed hard as the man riding on Kafle’s back whipped him, forcing him to crawl in front of the stage. Even Izora swallowed hard, watching her father do such a thing. She looked at Jie as if asking what to do, but Jie’s eyes remained calm despite his raging emotions. “Look at that! Isn’t it your father?” Junius asked Izora, pointing to Kafle on the stage while laughing. “He’s perfect!” Izora tried to break free, but Junius pulled hard on the magic leash, causing her to be electrocuted. “Oops, did I overdo it?” Junius smirked as he noticed that the little elf had quickly recovered. “Let go of me! I’ll make sure every one of you dies. You all deserve a cruel death for hurting my kind!” Izora couldn’t hold on any longer. Her eyes welled up as she watched a lot of child elves suffer this odious situation. Being a Hanumese, she knew that their race could not easily reproduce, which was why their population remained so small despite them living for up to a thousand years. A

EVERYONE was in awe as they witnessed large, different sea creatures for the first time. Translucent jellyfish that glowed in different colors swam around the bubbles as if curious about them.“Whoa! I wonder if that giant squid is edible.” Jie’s eyes followed the gigantic squid with a gleaming turquoise lining. “Does anyone of you have been to Azuria?”Everyone shook their heads, except Kafle. “I was there long ago. During King Ragat’s reign, it was a good time.”Pearlie looked up at him. “You met my grandfather? I heard a lot of good stories about him. Too bad that he died before I was born.”“He was a good king who took good care of all his subjects.” Kafle smiled, remembering him. “Those were the good times. He maintained good relations with other kingdoms on the surface.”“Pearlie, how old are you, if you don't mind?” Jie queried. He carried Nyssa on his back.“I'm seventeen now. I ran away from Azuria three years ago to seek help on the surface. Only to find out that it's a lot

SEAWATER splashed out when hundreds of Azurian warriors resurfaced half of their bodies and created a path for their queen. Each warrior held a trident, and their eyes were all white and void of emotion. It was the effect of the water curse that made them follow the queen’s order. “Wilkina, the Queen of Azuria! Welcome aboard!” Admiral Zion spread his arms as the tall and slender lady sprang up gracefully from the water. Although her green tail appeared ordinary, the speck of gold scales made it look like she was royalty. Her tail color matched her long-braided emerald hair, coiled in perfection with a crown atop. There were two mermaids-in-waiting behind her who, just like their queen, instantly transformed their orange fishtails into human feet once they were out of the water. The three of them rode a white magic circle that brought them up to the deck of the largest vermillion ship. “Admiral, what can I do for you?” Queen Wilkina fixed her pearl crown since it slightly moved u