“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
PRINCESS Tzeitel was restless as soon as she returned to her room. She kept walking back and forth, thinking about the snow-haired elf trapped in the forbidden dungeon.“Who is he?” She mumbled. The question preoccupied her mind. Despite her reluctance to make a snap judgment, she inferred from the elf's hair color that he belonged to a Hanum royal family.I need to know who he is, she thought.Tzeitel sat on her bed. She only had a few days left before the wedding. If she wanted to help the elf escape, she must do it now. However, considering how tight the security in the Elsher Estatewas, it may be impossible for her to do it without compromising her identity. Worse, she couldn’t return to the imperial city alive.The next morning, Cariux picked her up again. He was waiting outside the villa holding a bouquet of fresh flowers.“For you,” Cariux said, smiling ear to ear, especially when he
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