THE eastern gate of Mora was filled with imperial soldiers, inspecting the elf merchants. Kafle and the princess had witnessed the marks on every elf roaming the region.“They have cursed our kind. What can I do to free them?” the princess asked. They were near the entrance, trying to find a way to get in.“Nothing. They must have chosen to live under the curse of impeding shackles.” Kafle focused on an elderly elf with a cold expression driving a wagon. However, the elderly elf suddenly attacked the imperial soldiers.Princess Baharini, in Izora’s form, attempted to help the elderly elf, but Kafle was quick to hold her small arm.“Hold yourself, Izora. That elderly elf is done for.” Kafle clenched his jaw.The princess did not even blink when she saw the elderly elf turn into ash, as the imperial soldiers simultaneously used their fire magic to attack the helpless old elf.“Let’s take advantage of this distraction.” Kafle was swift to move. Dragging the princess, he gathered the wate

“YOU’RE awake at last!” Jie’s face beamed. They hid in a large trunk of a tree with small red fruits. “Please, put me down,” the young elf requested. “Sure!” Jie gently assisted the child as his feet touched the ground. “I don’t think you should be on your feet.” “I can walk,” the young elf said coldly. “What's your name, little one? Why would a child like you roam in this enemy territory?” Hisila asked. “She's right, it's too dangerous,” Pearlie muttered. The elf glared at the two girls. “I'm sure I'm older than your human age. I came here to scout, and another mission I can’t disclose. The imperial squad leader caught me and my companions, and he went on a killing spree. I'm the only survivor.” He clenched his fists. “Dreakiel is our home.” Everyone exchanged glances. The little elf was too young to participate in a war. “Where's your family, kid?” Damien asked. “All dead. Murdered during the invasion.” “Then, where should we take you? With your injuries

THE journey had been smooth for Kafle’s team after they left the underwater passage. Although the weather had slowed them down, they had not encountered any threat that could harm the princess. “I can’t believe Mora had become a frozen wasteland in a span of three years! The villages and towns I once knew seemed to be completely erased from the map.” Kafle could not believe his eyes as they continued traveling to their destination. Bucca and the twins were in front, clearing their path as Kafle looked out in the rear. “Hanum became this hopeless after the siege of Firth. Even some members of the royal council had betrayed our race,” Bucca said, heaving a sigh. “Like Alka. She used to be loyal to the king and the prince's trusted nursemaid. I can’t believe she’s serving the duke who killed thousands of our kind.” “It makes me wonder, Bucca. What happened to your family?” The princess inquired. “We are orphans. Our father was one of the late king’s guards, and our mother w

TZEITEL kept silent as the dragon procession from Ankhe to Kaitseri took place. Not long before the golden chariot landed on the island of rich Kaitserian soil in North Vatre, she had many companions, but as they slowly approached the Elsher Castle, Princess Tzeitel felt like it was a death march.“Princess…” the voice of her lady-in-waiting made her blink twice for being too preoccupied. She paused for a long time a few meters away from the castle.“I’m all right, Marina,” the princess dismissed her.She had been delaying her travel to Kaitseri, knowing it could be her death sentence since her betrothal to one of the heirs of the House Elsher.Tzeitel took a deep breath as she found the courage to step closer. She thought of Iridessa. Her comforting words were enough to toughen her up, as this union might obstruct her goal of obtaining the imperial throne.“The imperial princess has arrived!” a middle-aged man announced beside the gate. Based on the crest on his copper-colored unifor

JIE quickly questioned the twins and inspected their injuries. “Where did they take the princess?”“Our brother is tracking her. We’ll wait for his signal,” Delaina said. She grimaced in pain as Hisila tended to her open wounds.“Tell me about these Visagus monsters.” Jie clenched his fists. There was a feeling of guilt inside him because his team was sidetracked from saving Cirdan and obtaining the Rahai Orb. However, blaming himself wouldn't help, as everything had already happened. All he needed to do was find a solution. He was torn because Nyssa also needed urgent care, or else she would perish for good.“A Visagus can morph into their victims' bodies and steal their identity and powers. You never heard of it, Ethros?” Pearlie was curious.“It’s new to me. The monsters on my island are far different.” He heaved a sigh. “What signal are we waiting for?”“A gold flare that only Delaina and I could see,” Deirdre said.“We’ll wait then,” Damien said, turning to Tiedus. “General Tiedu