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
TIEDUS returned after checking Turie’s report. He immediately went back to the cave after confirming the situation.“We are not safe here. I’m sure by now General Lapu has already tracked us,” Tiedus said as soon as he entered the bubble.Pearlie nodded her head and gazed up at Gilea. “I think we should be continuing our journey. If I stay longer, I’ll put everyone in danger.”“I understand. Be careful, Pearlie. Wilkina will do everything to get your head. Especially now that she learned you’re still alive.”“I’m grown up. My power is strongest in the water. We will be fine.” Pearlie sounded confident.Meanwhile, Izora, who had never spoken a single word since their dive into Azuria, maintained her sitting position as if in deep meditation.“They are all over the Azurian waters. There’s no way of resurfacing without getting cau
PEARLIE immediately created a huge water bubble so everyone could stand on a dry surface.Jie gazed at Tiedus upon hearing about his plan. “That’s too harsh. They are still your kind!”“Don’t do this, Tiedus. If only they were not under the queen’s spell, they wouldn’t be doing this.” Pearlie tried to pull Tiedus closer.“You have been away for a long time, Princess. These mermen killed their own, and they all deserve a horrible death!”General Lapu cackled loudly, hearing their disagreements. “Argue all you want; you’ll die here anyway.”Everyone fell silent when Izora spoke, despite the tension. “I don’t think genocide is the answer, General Tiedus. We’ve lost a lot of our kind, enough of the killings.”General Lapu’s eyes narrowed as he heard a child’s voice. “And who is that little gremlin? Why are you hiding behind these adults? Ah, perhaps you’re afraid to die first.”“I’ve experienced a lot more than death!” Izora did not hesitate to grab Xiru and play it. The sound created was
THE hardened bubble broke into pieces, and the rocky shore of Yuva greeted them. When the air swooshed, it gave them a chill down their bones. The night sky was so dark because thick clouds covered the moon. “Wow, I can’t believe we traveled this fast to reach this island. The temperature is so cold! I’m used to the tropical weather in Glana.” Hisila expressed her astonishment, and she added, “And look at the misty border of Hanum. Once we cross it, we'll reach the peninsula and enter Mora. By the way, is there a way for us to go directly to Firth?” Kafle shook his head. “Approaching Firth in this condition is like giving away our lives.” “I understand.” Hisila smiled meekly. She only thought about it because Hanum’s land was a crescent shape, and Firth City was a small island in the center. “That's one hell of a fog. I bet visibility is compromised if we get through it.” Jie studied the long stretch of heavy mist covering the sea, preventing them from seeing the horizon. He ev
PEARLIE and Tiedus quickly manipulated the air bubble to break into pieces as soon as their safety was guaranteed after the gate closed in the passageway. Blue runes suddenly appeared, glowing at the back of the entrance—a sign that only a certain person with distinct blood could open it.“How is Izora?” Jie peeked at the face of the little elf, who was starting to get pale and breathing unevenly.“Getting worse.” Kafle exhaled sharply.As they strolled the long and winding underwater alley, the wall gleamed in blue light. It was a series of fish patterns that would be activated when someone was there to give direction and lighting.“I never knew this place existed. I’ve been in Hanum almost my entire life.” Bucca held the patterns on the wall before he gazed at Kafle with a dumbfounded face. “Unless you are a—”“Walk faster.” Kafle immediately interrupted him, obviously avoiding Bucca’s inquiries.Jie had witnessed Kafle’s sudden change of expression. He knew he was hiding something,
NIRVANA METROPOLIS THE second full moon had brought panic to the remaining Ardhians on the surface. Aelec and the hunting team ensured the safety of their people when Ethros and Nyssa were taken away. It had been months since they left, and they had no way of knowing if they were safe. All of them would be forever stuck on the island, isolated from the rest of the world. “We are under attack!” Finn came running from the wooden watchtower they made a few days ago. “The enemies have come back!” “Everyone, hide back in the cave!” Alec ordered. “I know they'll return. What do they want from us?” Kali gritted her teeth as she helped the people hide. “We can't go back underground now. The monsters will feast on us, and this time I’m sure our people will be extinct.” “A swarm of dragon riders, just like before. What are we going to do, Chief? We can't fight back. We're just too few.” Finn held his bow tight. “First, we need to ensure the safety of the kids. You, Kali, and Amri, secure F
TARIAN attempted to attack using a dagger, but Jaeger stopped her. “Hold your ass, Tarian! Didn’t you see what happened to Aelec? I can’t deal with another corpse!”Tarian wept, looking at Aelec lying motionless. “How can you stand still when Aelec is killed before your eyes?”Jaeger held onto his weapon tightly. He breathed in and out repeatedly to control himself. Because, like Aelec, he was willing to sacrifice his life for his people. But he could not be this careless, especially since Aelec had left him with the burden of looking after the surviving Ardhians. He couldn't believe Aelec would trust a nobody like him. He was just a simple villager in Ardhi, but he could not stand this kind of persecution from their former leader.“This is not the time for that, Tarian. Can't you see we're surrounded?” Jaeger motioned his head to the men behind him to give up. Everyone lowered their weapons. Saxan chortled. “Good, you made the right decision. Your lives are all spared. Well, I heard
IT CAME as a shock to Jie to watch all his companions pay their respects to the female elf meditating under the moon’s light below the altar. The crest of the royal family, which was an intricate pattern of a silver dragon, gleamed steadily.“Wait, Grandma? Is that your true form? But how?” No words could ever describe how perplexed he was. Realizing that Izora was a princess was so mind-blowing. Not just any princess, but the sole surviving royalty of Hanum!“All of you may raise your heads.” The princess's voice was soothing in Jie’s ears. She met his gaze afterward. “Yes, brat. I was forced to take that child form when my mother was murdered. I am Princess Baharini, and I will reclaim Hanum from the empire!”Jie felt a shiver down his spine when the princess declared it. Although it wouldn’t be easy, he admired her tenacity.“Wait, you being the princess of Hanum…” He stopped midsentence, trying to grasp the idea, “Then that makes you the holder of the Agua! Isn’t it?” Jie’s eyes w