Kieran was acutely aware that tonight was a full moon. However, he did not see its presence in the cloudy sky. He sat restlessly beside Grand Duke Elios Silverlake, who was driving faster than Serena, while Arlo and Julian sat in the back."Tell me what the magic smoke you saw was like," said Grand Duke Elios. There was something about his manner of speaking and his body language that exuded freedom and confidence. Two things rarely found among the high nobility of Valorthorn. Now Kieran understood why his parents were so fond of Grand Duke."Well," Arlo nervously moistened his lips. "At that time, Serena, Kieran, and I had just returned from Umbravale. We entered the town and—""Please, shorten your story," Grand Duke Elios impatiently interrupted. "What was the magic smoke you saw like?""There were several magic smokes," Julian quickly explained. "Unlike what I saw in the sky of Umbravale, which was scattered from a distance. What I saw today was somewhat clustered. They soared high
Serena paused, her fingers momentarily loosening their grip on the knife handle before tightening it firmly. She took a moment to steady her breath, calming herself. Then, she looked at Oliver Sablecrest before her, hidden behind the face of Kieran Nyxshade."Wow," Serena smiled. "I must admit, sometimes I really do want to hit Kieran."She moved forward, agilely dodging Oliver's sword swing aimed at her head. Progress, Oliver was no longer holding back.Serena surged forward again, spinning to Oliver's side. The man groaned as Serena's hair brushed against his eyes. Serena quickly took advantage of this, climbing onto Kieran's back, who was not as tall as Julian and much thinner. Then she pushed Oliver until he fell backward. But he managed to stay on his knees and threw Serena forward. Serena landed on the ground, gasping for breath.Oliver swung his sword again, and Serena rolled to evade it. She quickly got up, feeling slightly dizzy. But she resumed her attack. Suddenly, the door
Arlo knew he was only seven years old. Just a month away from turning eight. Yet, he was certain he would become a great fighter. Like Serena and Jules. Like Kieran.However, today, as he saw too many great fighters, far more dangerous than dead souls, Arlo wasn't so sure. He gripped his slingshot with trembling hands, desperately trying to calm himself, and aimed at anyone."Arlo!" Serena shouted. The girl was fighting off several witches attacking her. Arlo couldn't keep up with the swift movements with daggers and kicks and punches too fast, but he realized Serena was on the brink of exhaustion. "Take Kieran away from here!"Arlo glanced anxiously at Kieran, but Kieran remained seated, trying to staunch his wound."I'll stay here, Serena, don't worry about me," Kieran said. His face was pale from blood loss. "Arlo, I don't want you here. Go to safety!"As much as Arlo wanted to flee from this chaotic situation, he disliked the idea of leaving just because he was weak and useless. I
Nobody could understand Kieran at this moment, not even himself. He could feel the revenant inside his blood boiling with anger as the knife plunged into his body. And as his blood and consciousness dwindled, he could feel its curse creeping out from the deepest hole. It controlled him with rage, hatred, and agony.He could hear the curse screaming out names he didn't recognize, saying, "I want your blood. I want your blood." Until at some point, he couldn't hold on any longer, the revenant inside his blood had sat on the throne of his consciousness, taking over him.The revenant pulled the knife out of his body, as if pulling out a thorn from the tip of a toenail. Kieran could feel the wound healing and the pain he felt subsiding significantly. But the revenant was not satisfied."Queen's bow and arrow," whispered the Revenant in a heavy and cold voice. Eliora's beautiful diamond-clustered bow appeared in Kieran's hand instantly. He could see the arrow that appeared between his finge
When the Varidianth kingdom's troops finally appeared in this barn, Elios could do nothing but raise both hands above his head. He was thankful he hadn't brought his weapons to this place."It seems we have guests, Elios..." Luna Moonfire said sweetly, as if they hadn't just engaged in magic combat a minute ago. However, at least the woman raised both of her hands. "Let's just obey whatever they say even though it's useless for us," she whispered to Elios. What she said was indeed true. They could still use magic even in this awkward pose."You can flaunt your magic prowess all you want, Moonfire," Elios whispered, still smiling to ensure no one realized he was speaking. "But your body won't withstand a barrage of bullets. Your telekinesis won't be of any use here if you can't see those bullets coming."Luna Moonfire immediately turned towards him, looking offended. "Are you willing to bet?" she asked."I'm not afraid. I can create a bulletproof glass barrier," Elios replied, as the k
After successfully putting three bags of corn in Julian's car trunk, Kieran straightened his body and heard the horrifying creaks from his backbone. Julian, who had just arrived from home and put two bags of potatoes on top of the corn bags, laughed out loud."You can destroy thousands of dead souls, but almost pass out carrying three bags of corn?" Julian asked, then wiped his face with a handkerchief.Kieran's mind flew back to a few nights ago when he lost control and accidentally killed his enemies. He still haunted by the regret of that day, although no one blamed him for it.As if reading Kieran's mind, Julian gently patted his shoulder. "The incident that day was unavoidable," Julian said, smiling warmly at him. "At least you did it to protect the lives of thousands of Rainvale residents. And look at the stack of harvest they gave you..."Julian pointed to a neatly arranged pile of harvest bags on his grassy front yard. Kieran shook his head smiling at the thought of how diffic
One year ago."Kieran, where are you going? We should be going together to Remirer!" Kieran's mother's gentle voice, for the first time, echoed through the beautiful corridors of their home."I don't want to go to the palace," Kieran hoisted his heavy backpack. "Besides, I want to go to Grandpa and Grandma's place. I deserve to enjoy the holiday the way I want."His mother stared at him with wary black eyes. "Something happened at school, didn't it?" she accused. "Something between you and Dravon, isn't it?!""NOTHING HAPPENED!" Kieran shouted. He didn't mean to shout, and as he saw the hurt look in his mother's eyes, Kieran immediately set down his backpack and reached out to touch her face. "I'm sorry, Ma. Nothing happened between me and Dravon. I just... I just want to go somewhere peaceful."Suddenly, his mother pulled Kieran into a hug and stroked his hair. "Since when hasn't this house felt peaceful to you, my dear?" his mother whispered, shaken. Kieran could feel his mother's t
A few days ago,In the Queen's Palace, Frostwyn North, in the realm of Varidianth.It was Elios Silverlake's first visit to the Queen's Palace in the northernmost region of Varidianth. Just a year ago, before the tragedy of Umbravale unfolded, Queen Varidianth still resided in her palace in Remirer. A classic-style palace with numerous towers and surrounded by high walls, earning it the name Ruby Citadel. It was within these walls that Seraphina and Dravon spent their childhood.However, since the tragedy in Umbravale, Queen Varidianth decided to relocate part of her government to Frostwyn, the furthest region from the Kingdom of Valorthorn. Not only in Frostwyn, but specifically in the 'north' part of Frostwyn, which consisted of icy mountains. Thus, the palace was built right at the foot of the mountain, in a position seemingly impervious to attacks from the Kingdom of Zyronox and other realms. However, according to Elios, such a position only made it easier to be cornered."Her Maj