JIE was so persistent in getting the job done quickly, despite all his companions' disapproval of the matter. “You’re risking Nyssa for a problem that shouldn’t be our concern, Ethros.” Damien tried to convince him not to do it, but Jie had already set his mind on it.“I’m doing this for Hanum. Taking Dreakiel Town could strengthen the resistance, and who knows, we could take Firth next.” Jie was optimistic.“You may do what you think is right. But, Ethros, we are not playing war games with Vatre. You could die taking the Rahai,” Tiedus warned him again.“I’ll do it without creating a ruckus. I still have the Orb of Oblivion. I can sneak in with it; three seconds will be enough.”“Let me come with you,” Hisila volunteered. “No, Lieutenant.” Jie pointed his finger at Jastien. “He should come with me. After all, it’s their leader's favor.”General Lantis nodded his head. “We’ll then have Jastien be with you. I can send reinforcements if needed.”“No need. I’m doing this for Cirdan. I
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
“GIRLS, free everyone. We’ll take down these monsters.” Bucca ordered the twins. “Be careful. Visagus monsters are known for stealing their prey's likeness and powers. They are extremely powerful compared to a Doppelis.” “Yes, brother!” The twins said in chorus. Deirdre and Delaina moved like whirlwinds, freeing those who were captured and unbinding them using their ice magic. It seemed like an easy feat until they discovered that the cave was the home of the Visagus monsters. “There’s a horde of them. We better get out, Princess.” Kafle forced Baharini to run away, but she was stubborn and did not flinch. “I can’t let our kind suffer here, Kafle. Look at them. They’ll all die if we leave them.” Baharini strengthened her resolve. “They were already dead when these monsters dragged them into this pit! Listen to me, Princess. Your life is more important compared to the hundreds of them. Now, let’s go!” Baharini freed herself from Kafle’s grasp and glared at him. “I am the sol
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
THE princess awakened the following day with a subtle knock on her door. She stretched her hand and immediately got up.“Come in!”Marina got inside, holding a tray with a cup of tea. “Good morning, Princess! Here’s your favorite floral tea.”“Thank you, Marina. Please put it there. What’s for today?”Marina put the tray on the bedside table. Her eyes twinkled in enthusiasm. “Lord Cariux is waiting outside. He’s elated to be with you to venture into Elsher Estate.”Tzeitel scoffed. “Elated, my foot.”Marina was shocked to hear her utter those words. “Is something wrong?”“Nothing, Marina. I’ll be out in a while.”“Yes, Princess.” Marina excused herself.Cariux appeared in a good mood while waiting in the hall near Princess Tzeitel’s room. The princess smiled radiantly in return as she greeted him despite what she had witnessed last night. The last thing she’d do is let them know about her hidden agenda in the Elsher Estate.“Your beauty shines brightly today, Princess Tzeitel,” Cariux
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
AS SOON as the stranger grabbed Jie and materialized on the highest peak, leaving the twins behind, he felt a sense of relief. The first thing he saw was Princess Baharini, she was helplessly sitting on the ground, bound by a golden, intricate magic circle. “Princess!” Jie’s eyes widened. But just like her, the elf bound him in a magic circle, preventing him from moving.Jie tried to summon his hellfire but it appeared that his power was sealed, and he couldn’t do anything to help.“Brat…” The princess forced herself to break free, but all this led to futility. The female elf let out a sinister laugh that echoed around. “Stop resisting. Otherwise, it will quickly drain your magical core. Don't worry, I have no plan to kill you since fate has already decided the outcome of your destiny.”“I will never die!” Baharini looked at the female elf with disdain.“I am Vefretta, your kind call me a witch, but I’m immortal cast out in this realm. My prophecy had always been faultless. I brough
DAMIEN used all his remaining energy to the point of exhaustion in order to travel nonstop to Magelia. He vowed to safeguard Nyssa at all costs.“Captain, how long do you think we could return to Terra?” Hisila queried as they rested in an isolated cave to replenish their energy.“Would you like to return now, Lieutenant? It's beneficial to meet General Mord and report to him in person.” Damien smiled slightly and sighed afterward. “I'm not sure if we can return with the Luominen safely in this dire situation. We can’t even resort to air travel now that several dragons are hovering in the sky. I can’t sacrifice the lives of the Knights of Terra if I were to call for reinforcement.”“I'll stay with you. I will protect the Luominen with my life.” Hisila’s lips curled up. “Somehow I feel at ease knowing we have our mother orb now.”“I hope we'll get there on tim
CRISTON’S dumbfounded expression turned into awe as a series of flickering blue lightning countered the attackers. It was not long until it was revealed that a platoon of military elves consisting mainly of mages was positioned in proximity of the border for defense.“Indeed, the military might of the Southern Hanum is state of the art. Look at that? In just a blink, the aggressors retreated. That’s the famous Starlight Regiment, stationed on the borders. Their sole task is to kill all enemies on sight.” Xylas shook his head as he chuckled, and he added, “General Ibri is surely ruthless. Rumors had been circulating that he secretly trained private elite armies of mages defying the order of the late queen.”“That’s why Advani remained untouched. General Ibri is the head of the war council after all. The Supreme General of Hanum. We’re lucky; even though they vetted on us, General Mord did everything so we could have easy access in this territory.” Criston stared at the magnificent view
ON THE rocky shore of West Advani, Pearlie crawled with her severely injured body while carrying Nyssa on her back, while Damien remained unconscious near them. The huge waves had helped them reach the island.The dawn was breaking, but the sounds of the night insects could be heard around, along with the turbulent splash of the waves and lightning piercing from the sky.“We are safe now.” Her tears kept falling from her eyes and turned into pearls as she recalled Tiedus’ heroic sacrifice for everyone to reach the shore of Advani.“Captain, wake up. We’re here,” Pearlie whispered through her dried throat. She felt her body was on fire.Pearlie fought hard not to lose consciousness, knowing they might meet their demise with the wild animals around if no one could rescue them. Fortunately, as her vision started to get blurred, she witnessed two gigantic birds—a falcon and a raven hovering above them.“It’s them!” said the man riding the giant falcon. It was Criston holding his golden gr
AS TZEITEL scurried to return to her villa to check on Izvern, she was not expecting to see his brother waiting on the entrance without his usual two guards. Agni seemed agitated.“Brother, what are you doing here? I thought you left since I haven’t seen you in the banquet hall.” She turned to her ladies-in-waiting behind her, headed by Marina. “Leave us. I need some time alone with my seventh brother.”“Yes, Princess.” Marina stepped back before she turned along with the other four maids.“What are you up to?” Agni stared at her eyes as if he saw through there the dangerous things she did.Tzeitel looked down. “What do you mean? Come in. So many prying eyes around.”“Do you think I will not notice how restless the imperial armies are around the estate? I sneaked to the nearest military camp; everyone seemed to be in chaos searching for something. I know how schem
DESPITE the current predicament of the Elsher Estate losing their precious captive, the marriage alliance between Cariux and the third princess still pushed through. The noble feast was held a day before the wedding, and several members of the imperial family had come to Kaitseri, including King Malik.Princess Tzeitel pretended to warmly welcome her family. Her two older sisters came to her just to assert their dominance since, just like her, they were married off to the powerful families to support the empire.“I can’t believe our youngest legitimate sister is getting married now,” Princess Gweyr giggled. She was the first princess. She came along with their second sister, Princess Eletha.They were in the receiving hall, and all the ladies from aristocratic families had gathered there, and some of them showcased their music skills. The festive sounds reverberated around.Eletha playfully touched Tzeitel’s hair. &ld
SURV Elsher gathered all the members of the family in the private hall of his residence to discuss their current dilemma. His old face was fuming in anger and scolding everyone.“Father, calm down!” Lord Filus tried to pacify the Elsher patriarch. “It already happened. An ordinary person could not even set foot in this estate, let alone abduct our source of healing power.”“What are you trying to say, Filus? If you were not so lax around here, this would not have happened!” Surv pointed his finger to his eldest son. “If that creature managed to return to Hanum, how would we answer to the empire?”“We control a military might in the North, we have the strongest armies. Who would dare to provoke us? I heard the intruder used an advanced technique of portal magic. Only Iridessa is capable of doing it.” Lord Filus sounded calm.Surv gritted his teeth. “A mere rebel dared to trespa
TZEITEL observed the three of the Elsher siblings gathered in the courtyard of the main house, drinking in celebration for the upcoming wedding, which would be held in two days. Using her portal magic, she could hear their conversation from a distance. Hidden on the roof of her villa, she prepared to return to the forbidden dungeon.“How’s the feeling of tying the knot, little brother? I heard Grandfather punished you the other day for having a tryst with your lover. How brave you are to disobey our elders while you're with the third imperial princess!” Fenton laughed as he teased Cariux. He raised his wine glass and clicked it to Halix’s glass.Halix chuckled upon hearing the words of their oldest brother. “I can’t believe you’re this immature, brother. You're carrying this duty, a task specifically given to you. You can’t mess this up.”Cariux chugged his wine. “Am I not fulfilling my du
TIEDUS reinforced the water bubble while Pearlie tended to Damien, who was still unconscious. They were traveling southward, holding out not to use their last resort to swim, as it could easily lead to their demise. “Captain Winward will kill us if he finds out we left the lieutenant to die,” Pearlie’s body trembled, remembering Hisila’s sacrifice. “The dead will remain dead. Why would we drown ourselves in regret? It’s useless! This is war, Princess. Thousands of lives will be the collateral. And now we have no choice but to cross the Lightning Sea. Maybe it’ll be our turn to die next.”“I know,” Pearlie gazed down. “Perhaps I’m too young to understand these things.”“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you reach Advani safely.” Tiedus strengthened his resolve, knowing the very low probability of survival. Crossing the Lightning Sea was a suicide.The water bubble came to a halt for a moment as they witnessed the sudden change of turbulent rift in the water from a distance. The roar of thu
BAHARINI quickly checked Hisila’s pulse, praying that she could feel even a faint throb, but there was none. It was difficult for her to accept that the lieutenant had already passed away. Silently, she blamed herself for her immaturity; had she heeded Kafle's advice to avoid wasting time in the pit, she might have avoided capture. This tragedy may not have fallen on Hisila if they had followed their plan.“She’s gone,” Baharini’s voice cracked. “It's my fault.”Kafle did not say a word. He looked around to check if he could find Damien and the others, but they weren't there. “We need to keep going,” Kafle said as his face was void of expression. Baharini turned to wipe her tears. She gazed down at Ethros, who seemed frozen on the ground. “Can we give her a proper send-off?” The princess suggested. “I'm afraid we don't have time. Our enemies are approaching. I can't risk your life.” Kafle had to make a hard choice, knowing time was of the essence.Jie finally came to his senses. H
ISLAND OF ASTRAEAIRIDESSA kept pointing to the island of Kaitseri on the map as she conversed with her deputy chief inside the war room. They had just finished discussing war strategies with other officials a while ago since the grand fleet of the Empire initiated an attack on the West Astraean shore.“Aren’t you worried we might lose this main base?” Nacht mused. He crossed his arms as he studied the cold expression of the liberalist chief.“You’re not helping, Nacht.” Iridessa heaved a sigh.“Take it easy, Chief. We’ll find a way to save your adoptive daughter.” Nacht teased her again.Iridessa rolled his eyes. “Tzeitel can fend on her own. I’m just waiting for her report.”“Her wedding is approaching. With the Elshers keeping her hostage, how can we guarantee her safety?”Iridessa scoffed. “Worry about your kids, Nacht. If you are not too foo