Morning soon came and the sun was shining through the window into Ryder's room which is located in the pack house. After tossing and turning the whole night after her many failed attempts of escaping, Kelly just managed to fell asleep. She tried all the methods possible even the lamest method of feeling sick and needing the doctor. 

-Flashback- 

(Kelly's P.O.V) 

Shit, I've got to get out of here, I should be the one capturing him instead of the other way around, I started beating myself up for it and I felt frustrated with the current situation. After Ryder left, I finally felt my tensed muscles relaxed a little, I scrambled out of the bed and took the keys to un-cuff myself, my neck was throbbing and I reached out to touch it, the first thing I felt was 2 puncture holes which caused me to panicked, is this guy a psychopath who likes to bite? I immediately went to take a look at the injury on my neck in the mirror on the closet. 

Surprisingly the sight of it wasn't as terrible as I thought it will be, it was reddish and throbbing yet there was no blood nor did it look like a horrible scar, on the other hand, it seemed to have small swirls around and there was a small mark just like a tattoo. It was a capital letter R but in cursive, swirls extended around it and it was beautiful, I was quite shocked by this discovery as to how was it possible for bite marks to become something so beautiful, there must be something fishy going on around here. 

I looked around at my surroundings, the room isn't considered president suite big but it was quite spacious, the room consist of 1 closet that has a mirror front, a computer desk with a soft and comfy chair that is able to roll around, a double bed as well as a small table with a photo frame and a tissue box on it. Damn, I have no weapons on me and nothing here is able to get me out of here unless I can use a pillow to attack people to get out of here. 

My first attempt was to get out through the window. I went over to the only available window that is not locked and thought out ways of getting out but once I've thought up a plan I tried to attempt it but before I could even try a guy's voice yelled out to me to get back into the room, it was coming from the guy standing right at the first level directly below the room. I wanted to use my skills on him so badly but he was simply too far away for me to be able to control him. I gave up on the plan after thinking it through then I moved on to my second operation which was to bust myself out of the room and kill off anyone who stands in my way. 

The second attempt went horribly wrong, I charged at the door trying to knock it over but never in my wildest dreams would I have ever thought that his room door was not only made of wood but it seemed to have some sort of metal element in it causing it to turn studier. The sheer impact caused half of my body to turn numb and I regretted it badly. 

With the failure of my second attempt I had no choice but to resort to the lamest resort, there is the book of escaping for dummies. I started yelling out to the guards on the other side of the door. 

"Someone please, help me I feel like throwing up, I am about to die, I need a doctor!" But instead of showing compassion, they replied. "Too bad, beta Ryder told us not to let you out no matter what." 

Urgh. I was at my wit's end not knowing what I should do. . . Maybe I really should just wait till tomorrow, it is only one night I will make sure to get the deed done tomorrow. I dug around a little more and found something that was totally unexpected hiding in the closet. 

"Luminar, how are you here. . ." I saw my old stuff toy that my mom gifted it to me in the past. My heart started aching as I thought of my mother, she has always wanted the best for me, loving me unrequitedly but that did not last for long. 

She handed me over to the devil, my dad.

I've always worked hard as daddy says that I would be able to see her if I am good, even though she gave me away I do not blame her no matter what she is my mother and that fact will never change. A year later Kaylin appeared in my life, even though she is my step-sister I felt a need to protect her, she is a year younger than I am and she was easily fooled by others. It has been 6 years since I've seen mother and dad always assign missions to me and I was always busy. Maybe after saving Kaylin, I should go visit mother. 


I brought Luminar my stuffed bear into my embrace and hugged it tightly as though I was afraid it will disappear the next moment. I walked back to the bed and climbed on it getting comfortable as I snuggled Luminar, it has been forever since I had a soft toy in my arms. Even though it wasn't an easy feat to fall asleep especially in enemy territory, but with Luminar here I felt a sense of peace and the uneasiness faded away. After a few more hours have passed and the sun was beginning to rise that was only when I managed to finally fall asleep. 

Mommy, I missed you. . . 

-End of flashback- 

The sun was starting to get brighter and it was irritating Kelly, she has never been a morning person and having the sun shining right at her face so early in the morning isn't exactly what she enjoys. She buried her face deeper into the pillows and brought Luminar closer to her face trying to block out as much light as possible. The door suddenly clanked opened and she was so exhausted she did not even notice. 

Ryder walked into the room and closed to the door behind him locking it before making his way to the bed. He sees that Kelly was still asleep so before he was about to get onto the bed and hug her to recuperate his energy due to what happened to him in the night, he went up to the window and drew the blinds down so that the sun wouldn't be a problem any longer. He went back to the bed and stand no courtesy at all simply making himself comfortable and got into a spooning position hugging Kelly from behind, within seconds he fell into a deep slumber with Kelly wrapped up in his arms.

Emily's P.O.V 

A day passed yet I still feel like an outcast, I might be the Luna and Alvin's mate and even though Alvin accepts me for who I am but what about the rest. . . Maybe I am just simply not cut out to be his mate, or anybody's mate as a matter of fact. . . 

Now I feel like maybe being home bounded may not be such a bad idea anymore as it is better than facing all the judgment from random strangers.

Emily is a trained assassin, her family have been killed when she was young and she was being brought up by the Chessity family, given a mission by her 'father' she had no choice but to accept and complete the mission but, what happens when the mission she is given is mouth-watering hot and can easily out smart her? She had no idea what awaits her! 

-----------------------------------------------

 Alvin, the next alpha in line, he is smart and charming, the type of guy all girls want and he knows it. He always gets what he wants and he is possessive but what happens when someone actually says no to him? Does he know what's installed for him? Why don't you read to find out?

I was alone, resting in a garden filled with beautiful hydrangeas. The pink and blue flowers gave off a pleasant flora aroma. This garden was unique. Its flowers were delicately raised and breed to be elegant. The sun rained down on the petals, and they glimmered ever so slightly. The beauty was blinding, but I had gotten used to it. Butterflies flew from bud to bud, and birds sat atop the only tree that was providing shade. It was a scene I cherished when I concluded my studies for the day.  

I sat in a white polished wooden chair, staring into the distance. In my hand, I held a teacup filled with white tea. Beth had brewed it just the way I liked it, with a hit of lavender and a single peppermint leaf. The scent was barely noticeable, being overcome by the fragrance of the hydrangeas. Beside me was the white wooden table that accompanied the chair in a set. It's sole purpose currently, was to hold the saucer to my teacup. 

I was lost in yet another daze—my mind occupied by drowsiness and the mild sweetness of my tea. I thought of nothing as my sapphire blue eyes followed a butterfly and it's gorgeous multi-colored wings. 

It was at this moment that I received my first letter. A letter from the man I was soon to be calling my husband. It had been a week since the announcement of our betrothal, and the kingdom was set in a buzz. The letter would be shared with the public in the press, and as I knew from the past, public letters were never genuine. Though, what I expected was not the outcome. Apparently, the Kingdom of Lefort didn't follow the tradition.   

Beth had arrived with a golden envelope in her hand; it was sealed by a black stamp that bore the crest of the Kingdom of Lefort. I could tell right off the bat that it wasn't your typical Hydrangean letter. Us Hydrangeans didn't use golden envelopes; in fact, our envelopes were plain, white, and average.

"Princess, it's a letter from the Kingdom of Lefort," Beth informed. I nodded and gestured for her to read the letter with a flick of my hand. 

She quickly tore the golden paper open and read,
 "To my one betrothed, 
The moon shone brightly as I was writing this to you. I have heard that you resemble the moon. I have seen you not, but the words of others say you have hair like the night sky, fair skin as luminous as the moon, and eyes that glitter as splendidly as the stars. 
It was troublesome to pen a letter to someone I'd never met. Tell me, my dearest princess... does my letter fascinate you?
Till the day we meet,
Prince Reynaldus Maverick Lior Launselot- Of Lefort"

Oh, the letter did fascinate me, but I would never dare tell. His words and flattery were not something I'd expect a man to say. Was this man a 'Playboy,' like those my mother would tell me about? The men that lead women on with only attractive words and left them hanging? To those merciless souls, women were only dogs that chased after them barking for more.  

"Princess..?" Beth gulped, asking for permission to speak. 

I raised my brow. "Yes, Beth?"

She turned the letter towards me and placed it on the table. My eyes widened when I saw the page. This time it wasn't his charming words that caught my eye; it was the color of the pen ink. 

The words were written in a blood-like red. The pen seemed to be a thick quill or a heavy fountain pen. The letters were written in a glorious cursive that embodied the utmost elegance. But there was a splatter and smudge just beside the signature of his name. It was a graceful splatter like it was there because of his intent. The stain was alarming, and you could see his fingerprint in it.  

Lefort was another Kingdom with different traditions and beliefs, but writing a letter in red with such a stain was a plea for war. Was this man just insane, or was he testing Hydrangea? The idiocy that must come from him to write a sweet letter to the princess with such a stain... 

What will happen when this letter goes to press? How will the public react? Will they take this as a Lefort wanting to kill Hydrangea's crown princess? 

"Beth, please send this letter to Mother. Oh! Don't forget, bring me paper also, I'll be writing a reply." I request, picking up my tea and taking a sip. Beth nods and scurries away. 

As Beth disappears from my vision, another figure appears. 

Garnet's lilac eyes sparkle when they spot me seated in the garden. She picks up her big grey gown and tries to hurry over. I chuckle in amusement me as she almost trips on her dress when she steps on the hem. Her maid, Eve, catches her by her arm before she falls, and she breathes a sigh of relief. Garnet quickly pulls her wrist away from Eve and continues to run towards me. 

"Garnet!!! Please don't run. You'll fall!" Eve calls running after her. Garnet sticks her tongue out at her and proceeds to run. Garnet will forever be a child. 

"Zu Zu! I was looking for you! I heard you got your first letter from Mr.Prince charming~ Sis! Sis! How was it?!" Garnet shouts with a big smile. She jumps onto me so fast the chair I was sitting in tips over, and I fall on my back. 

I wince in pain as my back hits the floor. "Garnet, please calm down. You're a danger to my life." I say with a grimace. 

Garnet, who was now laying on top of me, looked into my eyes with a big sparking smile. "AZUULIIIIAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! HOW WAS ITTT??!!" She squeals. 

I stare at her, unamused. "Get the hell off me, you animal." 

"No," she smiles. It suddenly became a staring contest with my deep blue eyes glaring irritatedly into her sparking lilac ones. Neither of us looked away, and neither of us blinked. 

"Second Princess, please control yourself! I know you're excited, but you might kill Princess Azulia! Get up now!" Eve pleaded, pulling Garnet off of me.

Garnet started to whine. "EveeEe, let me beeeEe.." Her lips formed into a pout. She crossed her shoulders and glared at Eve as she offered to help me up with a hand. I took it, smiling and nodding as thanks to her. She blushed, lowering her face.

Garnet pushes her away, grasps both of my hands in hers, and looks at me with desperate pleading eyes. "Zu Zu... " she mumbles, quivering her lips like she was about to cry.  I rolled my eyes. This little...

Garnet kisses me on the cheek and chuckles, "Got you." She pulls away with a smirk plastered on her face, then winks at me before picking up the fallen chair and plopping down in it. I swear to god... 

"First Princess Azulia, I have the materials you asked for." 

I turn to see Beth with pen and paper in hand, waiting for me to tell her what to write. Eve was standing next to her examing the silver fountain pen that Beth held with a face filled with wonder.

For this occasion, I wanted to write the letter myself, so I gestured for her to give me the pen and paper. I sat down in the seat opposite Garnet while Beth placed the pen and paper in front of me. I picked up the pen and stared at the paper. 

What was I supposed to write? Is this what Prince Reynaldus meant when he had trouble writing to me?  Well, at least he had some information about me... I just know that he's the Crown Prince of Lefort. The only thing that fills my mind right now is the red ink. Its blood-like color still haunts me. I know I shouldn't mention it in my letter because the public will feel threatened, and me writing about it will confirm the discourteous red ink. 

"Uh.. do any of you know anything about the Prince?" I asked, gazing blankly at my empty page. 

Garnet leaned forward and glanced at the blank paper. She then looked up, "Oh, is that who you're writing too?" 

"I heard he was named after the blinding rays of the sun in Lefort. Apparently, his name means powerful and bright." Eve says. "In Lefort, it's scorching hot. It's said that they worship a sun god or something." 

"Perfect Eve." I begin writing frantically. So, rays of the sun, huh? 

"Well, I heard he's hot." Garnet puts in. I pause my writing. 

"Garnet, to call a man 'hot' is to lose the dignity of a princess." I put down my pen and rest my chin on my palm. 

"What? But Mom says it all the time... to Dad, I mean. "

I almost vomit with the thought of Mother talking to Father seductively. Where the hell had Garnet heard that? 

"Do you watch Mother and Father or something?" I ask with a nauseated face. I scrunch my nostrils. 

"What? No! Azulia, you just haven't seen them together in the corridors. Oh, my god, you're always reading and such. Sometimes when I wander in the halls, Mom and Dad be real flirty!" She scowls. "It's really freaky."

"Mhmm..." I reply, ignoring her and focusing on the letter. 

I'll show him how real public letters are done. They are supposed to be romantic, poetic, eye-catching,... like the Romeo and Juliet play lines. I wrote my characters with carefully structured cursive and subtle, elegant lines. I'll keep the paper nice and clean, unlike him. My letter was written with a black fountain pen-like all public letters should be. Finally, I signed my name, making sure to drag the curves of my name gracefully. My letter was perfect. 

Garnet was going on about how thrilled she was this whole time about my engagement. I was too immersed in my writing that I didn't even listen to whatever she was saying. 

I put my pen down and handed the paper to Beth. "Garnet, listen. What do you think?" I nodded towards Beth informing her to read it aloud. 

"My Dearest Fiance,
Oh, beloved, if I were the moon, then thou shall be the sun. How marvelously oneself must shine to have been named Reynaldus. It is truly admirable.  
Like flames, thou must blaze hotter than the star in the day.  Oh, how I crave, I could melt in your arms. The moon only glows, reflecting the rays of sunshine, so I'll wait till the day our paths collide. The day the apollo and luna embrace in an eclipse. 
With Love, 
Princess Azulia Del Saphare Bellerose- Of Hydrangea."

Garnet was silent for a while. I watched her hoping for some acknowledgment that I should send the letter. 

After what felt like an eternity, she turned to me and said, "I mean, the cheesier, the better."

Long long ago, there was a time of eternal harmony, when pain and anguish ceased to exist. The world was united as one under the rule of a glorious goddess. But this goddess made a stupid mistake, and chaos rained through her lands. Her people fought and fought, and she lost control over her creations. To sustain peace, she destroyed herself, and her remnants scattered throughout the lands and into the souls of her people. Her last words were to her daughter, the goddess of love, whom she had cherished, "Though I cannot fix the mistakes I've made, I can wish my people to be happy. No more endless pain. No more raging wars. Love, please. Save my world. Restore hope into the eyes of those I've created." She became the forgotten goddess after her world lost its ruler. 

First Princess Azulia was born a human with a shocking resemblance to the forgotten goddess. Her hair was ink black, and her eyes glimmered like priceless sapphires. Her features were uncanny in similarity to the goddess, even in the way she held herself. Though the goddess's eyes were more like icicles, Azulia's resemblance was enough to make you think twice. Azulia was raised with the mindset that she would be the future Empress of Hydrangea. It was a destiny placed out in front of her and carefully sorted out. Those around her directed her life like a pawn. Until one day, comes the beak of time, and her destiny points in another direction. Azulia must learn to break the tension her family shapes and create a destiny of her own. Her world depends on it, even if it means she must destroy herself.

"Wait wait wait,", Damien said hurriedly. "So you are saying that you are going to roam around the continent with an unknown man learning the arts of an assassin?"

"Yes.", Robert replied as he flung his bag on his shoulders.

"That's stupid even by your standards!"

"Excuse me?"

"I mean why can't you join an academy?"

"Because no academy is offering that course to me," Robert sighed.

"Umm..."

"Listen here, Damien. I intended to tell you this last night-"

"Well, it is 3 in the morning; it is still dark," Damien shrugged his shoulders.

"What I am trying to say is that I have made my decision-"

"You use that phrase way too much," interjected Damien.

"FOR GODS SAKE STOP INTERRUPTING ME!" Robert smacked Damien's head.

"Owww..."

"I am going and THAT is final. I just wanted to inform you that face-to-face." Robert turned away.

"Jeez. Would it hurt you to say that you are worried about me?" Damien rubbed his head.

"Hmm?" Robert turned his head and raised an eyebrow.

"Give your brother a hug," Damien spread his arms.

"Oh shut it! It is exactly this kind of attitude that will get you bullied in school," Robert said and twisted Damien's arm to make him understand how foolish his actions were.

"Ow ow ow you know you shouldn't do that to your brother just before saying goodbye to him!"

"I don't want my departure to be sad, but you, on the other hand, want it to be exactly that!"

There was an awkward pause.

"That's because I'll miss you when you are not by my side anymore," Damien said after a long dreary silence.

"So this is it I guess. We might not see each other for years huh?" said Robert, as finally, some emotions started to paint his face.

"I honestly don't want you to go, but I know that this is the best chance you have of accomplishing your dream," said Damien and a calm yet beautifully gentle smile appeared on his face. Robert also smiled and tried to memorise the face of this brother of his whom he would not be able to see for a long time.

"Goodbye, Danny," said Robert as he finally hugged Damien. Although Damien was startled for a second, he came to realise how much Robert loved him and cared for him; a smile appeared on Damien's face.

"See you soon brother," Damien said these words and Robert finally let go. A faint teardrop could be seen on his face. Robert turned and started to walk out of the mansion gates.

"So, he went..." said Damien as he rubbed his eyes. He saw a black spot slowly disappearing in the horizon. 

"Damien..." Lawrence stroked his son's hair.

"Yes, Father I will prepare for my departure too." Damien retraced his steps towards the mansion.

Katherine sighed. The two of them were standing aside all this time, watching the brothers part.

"Have you ordered everything for Damien?"

"Yeah, all the pieces of equipment will arrive tomorrow evening," Lawrence stretched his body.

"Lawrence, please act like a noble while you are outside," said Katherine. The plea was evident in her eyes.

"Well, I don't give a f*ck about formalities... so f*ck it," Lawrence laughed.

"LANGUAGE!", snapped Katherine as she punched Lawrence in the stomach.

"AHHHH!" Lawrence flew a few meters and crashed into the wall. The wall collapsed.

"Hmph." Katherine walked into the mansion as if nothing happened.

"Ahem ahem ahem." Lawrence got up from the rubble. Some blood was oozing out of his nose. He dusted his clothes and whispered, "What a brute."

"I heard that!", an angry voice sounded from the mansion.

(O: same R: Choose your next few words very carefully)

***

"Damien, are you alright?", asked Katherine as she entered Damien's room. It was afternoon, but the room was dark since the curtains weren't drawn.

"Y-Yeah!" Damien jumped out of his bed.

"Then tell me why you were hugging your pillow and crying?"

"I-I was not crying!", exclaimed Damien.

Katherine smiled at the innocence of her child and sat down on the bed. "Come, sit here."

Damien obediently sat down beside her. Katherine stroked his hair. "My sweet Damien, I know you are sad because of your brother's departure..."

"I-Its not-"

"Listen, Damien. You see, there always comes a time when someone or something parts from us, and there is nothing we can do about it. It surely makes us sorrowful to say goodbye to the thing we hold close to our heart, but remember, such moments are not the occasions to be sad. During such times, we must look forward to the time we reunite again! This is what makes life worth living," Katherine embraced her son, "The will to reunite again is what will make you live through perilous times! So Damien, do not be disheartened, you will surely meet Robert soon."

"Mo-Mother," Damien sobbed.

***

A few days later at the Wells terminal.

"It is like a chain reaction... now I have to leave you too.", said Damien with a bitter smile. A servant nearby held the suitcase on which was engraved- 'Damien Wells'.

"Son, don't you worry. We will meet every holiday season!", said Lawrence as he hugged Damien.

"Yes, Damien, don't worry. We will telegraph you every week, and if you become a Guardian then you can access the ManaNet!" Katherine kissed him on the forehead.

"So I will stay in the Marquis' territory for a week and a half. Then with them, I will go to the academy which is on an island in an archipelago which is 75,000 miles east of the continent?"

(D: as stated before it is a big continent)

"Yeah."

"That's messed up!", exclaimed Damien.

"Alas! Our continent is very big, so it will take you half a month to reach the Marquis's territory; I guess they will use space magic to teleport you to the academy."

"Woah! Then its worth it!" Damien smiled and said, "I will miss you all."

"We will too, Damien. We will too." Katherine brushed his hair.

"Oh! And the Marquis' fifth daughter? Yeah, she has enrolled in Hydra Academy too. I believe you have met her; her name is Erina.", said Lawrence.

"Erina has enrolled too? Umm, I know her, but she gives me a cold shoulder, mostly," Damien shrugged his shoulder.

"Ho! the train is about to leave! Damien get on!" Lawrence spoke hurriedly as he escorted Damien into his coach.

"Your luggage will be sent to the academy before you, so don't worry!" Katherine waved goodbye to Damien as he looked out of the window. With a high pitched whistle, the train started moving. Damien saw his parents waving at him; he waved back. Slowly, they were left behind and all Damien could see was the terminal, which too turned into a black spot as the train sped away.

"Jeez. They could have come with me to the Marquis' territory, but it is too far away..." Damien sighed as he relaxed on the couch. He seized an apple from the fruit basket and took a bite. "A fortnight in the train... God, this is messed up!", he said with a bitter smile.

***

Damien sat in the train looking at nature's painting outside the window, bored beyond measure. It had been 8 days since his journey started. He had hoped to find a lot of people on the train, but to his dismay, it turned out to be totally empty. He tried to read the books he had brought along with him, but they too proved to be of no interest.

'Ugh. This is so boring. Nobody to talk to. Nothing to do. I miss those times when Robert and I used to be the best companions to each other. I miss him.'

Damien looked up through the window into the clouds, feeling the cool breeze of Nix softly touching his face as it moved away from him. Another 3 days passed in idling and looking to cure his boredom.

Suddenly, Damien remembered that he needed to meditate to increase his mana quality and that it had been more than 2 weeks after his tests. Apparently, after your mage tests, you are not allowed to perform magic exercises for two weeks, and Damien had followed this for quite some time. It was now time to unleash his potential.

As Damien was about to begin meditating, a thought struck him in the head.

"Ah! I totally forgot about that letter!" Damien jumped out of the bed and rummaged through his bag. A certain letter had arrived from the Association on the day of his departure, but he had been too busy so he had stuffed it in his bag without a detailed inspection. Given his tension about departing to the Marquis' territory, he had forgotten about it.

He pulled out a creased silver envelope. Drawings of slender golden dragons decorated the front. In beautiful cursive writing, written in black, was: To Damien Wells; Son of Earl Lawrence Wells.

He tore open the envelope. A white sheet of parchment appeared. Damien read:

Damien Wells,
You have been tested of your ability. Since currently, you do not hold any information about your ability, the Holy Dragon Association sends you the information of your ability through this letter.
ABILITY: 

POTENTIA CLASS:  SS

TYPE:  PASSIVE    

DESCRIPTION:

Increases the pure attributes of the person by 1.39% per day.    
KNOWN DERIVED SPELLS:



-Godspeed -God's Strength -Almighty Strike
(R: abilities can be active,  passive, toggled, conditional and so on along these lines, they can be a combination too)

"Hmm," Damien said with a thoughtful look, "Sounds cool, but it went over my head. However, if my pure stats increase by 1.4% every day, then I would become 4 times stronger each year!"

Damien was joyous. But he then remembered his mage training. He put away his letter and made arrangements for his meditation.

Damien sat on the floor with legs crossed and went into a deep meditative state. Here, he felt mana rushing through his arteries along with his blood. He tried, with much difficulty, to control its circulation. He saturated his body with mana.

'Isn't this very hard? I wonder how Robert did it.'

As Damien continued circulating mana, he found that the control of his was condensing with each circulation from his heart to his organs, and the mana was refining itself.

Another day passed in such activity, and Damien rose with a much more refined mana pool than before. Several days passed like this and finally, he was about to reach Arenhal. The train had covered more distance in the same time due to the scarcity of passengers.

***


"Oof." Damien stretched his body. "It has been 12 days already?!"

Damien picked up his suitcase and hopped off the train. He was at the Draco-Pitch Station. As its name suggested, the station was made up of pitch black marble and black wood, with pictures of dragons carved on the walls. Except for these two aspects, it was similar to the Wells Terminal. "So this is Titos - the capital of Marquis Alexander's territory!"

"Excuse me, Sir, but would you be Damien Wells, the son of Earl Lawrence?", a person in an attendant's attire approached Damien and asked. A silver badge was glittering on his breast pocket. It was the symbol of the Marquis - a shining silver turtle, above which stood the Black Dragon flag.

"Yes," replied Damien.

"Young Master Damien, I am Carl - a servant of the house of Evans. My lord - the Marquis - has instructed me to receive you."

"I see," nodded Damien as he recognized the badge.

"If you will please follow me to the Marquis' castle," requested Carl.

"Sure, lead the way."

Damien followed Carl; outside the station, a carriage was waiting for them.

The all-black carriage went through the great city swiftly. Damien didn't get to see much. It reached the estate of the Marquis, the gates of which were made from steel and had the territorial symbol of the turtle on them. A long road led towards the mighty castle Ironstorm. The castle was said to be one of the oldest castles in the empire, constructed 3400 years ago by the first marquis. It had four watch towers on the vertices, and at the centre stood the main body of the castle - a grey giant with iron plating on its walls.

The castle had two gates on opposite ends. Made from black iron, they were said to be unbreachable. The walls of the castle stood at 80 feet in height and the towers at 120 feet. This castle was said to be capable of holding against an army of a hundred thousand men for more than 8 months at a time.

"The lord is in seclusion, Master Damien, but gives you his regards in passing the mage exams. He asks for your forgiveness for not being able to welcome you personally," said Carl as he took Damien inside the castle. Guards were stationed at every corner in silver armour, holding spears made from steel.

"I am thankful for his lordship's courtesy.", replied Damien.

Damien was shown into his room by Carl. His room was not much different than his own in the Earls mansion, except that it had a grey-black colour design and his personal belongings were not there. Carl told him of where the dining hall was, that he should rest, and also that the dinner will be served in 5 hours. Carl took his leave, after which, Damien left to explore the legendary castle.

Tall walls made from black and grey stone with an arched ceiling made a maze. All the walls had some kind of decoration on them. Some were draped with banners of the Evans family or had paintings on them. Suits of armour could be seen at long but regular intervals. Red carpets were laid in the corridors and ran at lengths. The walls near the periphery had clear glass windows draped with golden embroidered red curtains. Occasionally one could see an attendant walking through these passages.

Damien walked out of his room. "This castle is huge!", he cried out. He walked the hallways and as he was roaming around, he spotted the figure of someone he immediately recognized.

"Oh! Hey Erina!", shouted Damien.

"Who?" A girl walked back around the corner and asked. She was the same age as Damien was and as tall as him. Her crown of long, brown, silk-like hair dropped till her round hips; a red bow fluttered on her head. She had a cute round face, with hazel eyes embedded into it, which occasionally sparkled. Currently, she wore a white shirt over a black skirt, with long white stockings covering her legs and a golden bracelet glittering on her wrist.

"Hey, Erina! Long time no see!", Damien chuckled as he walked toward her.

"Hmm. Why are you here?", Erina asked stone-faced. Although she spoke in an adorable voice, a tone of disgust was evident in it.

"Yeah, I will be staying here for a week and a half. You see I have enrolled in Hydra Academy too." Damien brought forth his hand for a handshake. "We will have fun!"

"Don't act like you are my equal." Erina looked at Damien with eyes of contempt.

"Haha..." Damien awkwardly withdrew his hand.

"Why don't you just leave? Your uncultured blood doesn't belong here." She tilted her head. "You must have been really lucky to be able to take the mage test. So what if you have enrolled in Hydra Academy? You will probably get expelled soon. If you must be here, then please don't disgrace this castle."

Erina turned and walked away.

'Jeez, Father. How infamous are you for your complete lack of regards? This is why I hated noble banquets. Everyone thought of us as brutes even if they didn't show it.', Damien thought with bitterness. He sighed and started walking towards his room.

To save the universe from doom, an Immortal breaks the fabric of reality and sends his memories back in the past, into the head of a young boy named Damien. However, those memories held power: the knowledge of the future. How could the mind of a young boy comprehend it all? The memories seal themselves in the deepest part of the child's conscience.

An unwitting child now possesses the knowledge that no one should ever have, and the only thing stopping him is the question of him understanding it.

***

Also available on RoyalRoad https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/20833/throne-of-origin

I wake up from my meeting and see Niroja peacefully asleep. She was holding my hand, which she must've done when I was in the white room otherwise I would've noticed it. I guess she did so because I toss and turn a lot when I'm with the Headmaster according to Young Mi, and Niroja probably thought it was a nightmare.

I used my other hand to cover hers which were feeling rather cold from being exposed to the cold air when I felt something prodding my back.

Steven: "Huh?"

I turn to find a hooded figure squatting next to the bed with my jian ready to be drawn.

Mysterious Figure: "Mister Omeo, your time has come."

Steven: "Who the fuck are you?!"

I threw the blanket over the figure and kicked them into the wall nearby. Kicking the jian away, I pulled the blanket off the figure and I was ready to blast them away with magic when they frantically removed their hood.

Madelyn: "Wait! I was just messing with you! It's me! It's a joke! I'm joking! I was pranking you! It's just a prank!"

Steven: "Madelyn?"

I let out a long and jaded sigh and sit back down on the bed. Madelyn was holding her hand, with a little blood dripping down to her wrist. She must've nicked her hand on my sword when I kicked her.

Madelyn: "Ow, shit."

Steven: "Let me see it."

Dai-tai pokes her head from the other side of the bed as I start using healing magic. It was one of the healing spells I picked up from Rayna and I used a small rag to clean her blood.

She was as good as new before she even realized it.

Madelyn: "Oh! That's cool!"

Steven: "I hate you for doing that."

Madelyn: "Stop being dramatic."

Dai-tai: "Yeah, you kicked her!"

Niroja: "What's going on?"

Madelyn: "Do either of you even realize what time it is?"

I didn't have to look outside the window to know it was past morning.

Steven: "Oh, it's a little late."

Madelyn: "It's time for lunch, come and get some if you're hungry."

I decided to lay down for a minute as the girls leave the room. Dai-tai was the one that stayed with me and laid down to join me as we stared into the ceiling.

Dai-tai: "You let her off pretty easy."

Steven: "I was raised in a busy kitchen. I'm used to putting up with shit."

Dai-tai: "So if I pin you like this, what would you do?"

She pushes me down on the bed and sits on top of me and holds my arms down. Dai-tai's hair becomes a bit messy during my struggle and reveals her small horns she likes to keep hidden. I didn't realize it until she leaned down, closer to me, that I see her left horn damaged.

It was like someone tried sawing them off but only made it a couple of centimeters before stopping.

Steven: "What happened to your horn, Dai-tai?"

Dai-tai: "Huh? Oh!"

She lets my arms go and uses her hands to hide her horns. Immediately looking away from me, I sat back up as my curiosity was asking questions.

Did she do it to herself?

Why did it happen?

Steven: "Dai-tai?"

She looks at me, scowling as her eyes are building up in tears. Guilt starts to wrap me as I realized that I shouldn't have asked her. The best I could do to make up for it was to apologize.

Steven: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Dai-tai: "That's not it!"

Steven: "It's not?"

Dai-tai: "I—They did it to me…"

They…

Could it have been the Old Guard? Maybe even the orphanage…

Either way, Dai-tai still seemed upset and I was hopeless, the best I could do was hold her as she fought her own tears.

Dai-tai: "It still hurts sometimes…"

Steven: "It's fine… I'm here… I won't let anyone hurt you anymore."

Zheng De Meinu…

A beautiful town with a horrible personality…

Steven: "Come on, let's go get lunch, Dai-tai."

Dai-tai: "Could we stay like this for a little longer..?"

I obliged her and after some time she calms down. I knew she was starting to feel better when she started giving subtle hints with her body on what "I should do" next.

I only responded with a compliment.

Steven: "I think your horns are beautiful."

Dai-tai: "You'll give a girl the wrong impression if you talk like that."

She giggles and stands up. I saw her sad smile and knew she'll be like this for a while.

Dai-tai: "Come on… let's go. I'm hungry."

Someone knocks on the door before it opens.

Young Mi: "Ah—I apologize for interrupting… Dai-tai?"

She saw Dai-tai's teary eyes and immediately glares at me thinking it was my fault.

Dai-tai: "Sorry mama, I was talking to Steven… and he saw my horn."

Young Mi: "No, don't apologize, Dai-tai. Just come and get lunch."

Dai-tai: "We'll be right there."

We went out of the room and I got to see what was made for lunch. Young Mi and Madelyn got together and made chicken burgers with slaw and macaroni salad. It looks really good but again, like breakfast, I'm not feeling the mood to eat.

Steven: "Young Mi, I'm not feeling hungry, is that because I'm a Wight?"

Young Mi "Yes, you'll be fine if you eat or not. It's just that your magic sustains you as it does for me."

Suddenly, it's starting to feel like being a Wight is more of a handicap for a chef like me. If I do happen to live forever, sure, I'll have the recipes for the centuries, but I won't be able to enjoy them as I would after working hard and coming home peckish.

Steven: "Thank you for the meal."

After eating, I sit down at the couch where Lilith was relaxing and I retrieved the letter from under my tunic. It really had to be from Kanna because the letter was in cursive, her usual way of writing.

The letter had also piqued the girl's interest, and Madelyn even sits next to me trying to peek into the envelope.

Madelyn: "You have a letter? Where'd you get it?"

Steven: "It's from Kanna."

Madelyn: "Kanna?"

I opened the letter, and see even more of Kanna's cursive handwriting. She really took her time with this, as her writing was cleaner than I remember.

Dai-tai: "Ooh! Ooh! Can we see?"

Steven: "Sure."

They had already gathered around me before I had any say, and I was starting to get nervous. What if she wrote something nobody else should know about? 

Niroja: "She has pretty handwriting."

Kanna Hisakawa: "

Dear Steven,

Where are you? I didn't want to believe you were gone. Since you came, you've smiled brightly even in the worst of your times. It wasn't until you were taken away from me that I realized how much you mean to me, even more than just a servant.

I already want you to come back. I miss you. I felt warm when you used magic, as it was my magic that you were using. But no longer do I feel your warm presence when you use it as you're on the other side of the world. 

So much has happened in a short course of a month. Mom is sick and Uncle came with the Captain to care for her. They took the letter you sent seriously and didn't waste a moment. They are now using your room to rest and I am more than certain that you would've allowed it either way. 

As I write this letter, I realize that I am frustrated that you are constantly finding yourself in these situations as you've been doing since I've met you. Whether it be the Headmaster, Demons or even Cynthia's antics.

I'm not asking as your mistress or master as you prefer to use, but as a friend. Please, don't get yourself killed and come home as soon as possible. There's something important I want to tell you in person.

Yours truly,

Kanna Hisakawa

"

My eyes well up with happiness. For a short letter, I found a newfound motivation and determination to return to her. 

Young Mi: "You'll see her soon, I know you will."

Niroja: "Yeah! We'll even help you get there!"

Dai-tai: "That's right!"

Madelyn: "It'll be a companion quest."

Lilith: "I'll help too."

They didn't even hesitate to help…

Steven: "You'll all help me?"

Niroja: "You attract what you are, not what you want."

Dai-tai: "You've been brave, caring, funny, helpful, and hard working. So, it's only natural that we decide to help."

I never would have guessed that I would be the one in need of help. With everyone helping me, this would no doubt be very easy to return home.

There was a knock at the door, and I cheerfully opened the door to see Rayna standing there.

Rayna: "Steven, good afternoon."

Steven: "Rayna, how've you been? Come in."

Rayna: "Happy."

Bringing Rayna in made everyone in the cabin a bit standoffish. She was never properly introduced to the others and somehow, there's some of us believing she had something to do with my death.

Steven: "Oh, you haven't met everyone else, have you..? Everyone, this is Rayna, she was immensely helpful in Meinu."

Young Mi: "This is the time-traveler Loremaster was talking about?"

She curiously walked up to Rayna and politely shook her hand.

Young Mi: "I'm Young Mi. I think it's both amazing and reckless, don't you think? You have no idea what you could've damaged timewise."

Rayna: "I'm Rayna. Any future is better than what I've lived through, Young Mi."

Everyone else eased up and Dai-tai had offered her spot for her to sit.

Steven: "Well, what's done is done."

(Please read the Auxiliary chapters if you'd like to understand the kind of story this will be about.)

Steven Omeo was an everyday high school student. One day, he was walking home with his friend when a girl suddenly begs them for aid. Little did they know it was a trap and attacked when they were alone.

William, another friend, witnesses it and gives Steven enough time to graze her with a metal rebar. In retaliation, she stabs him multiple times, almost killing him.

He finds himself in a dark void, with only a small light in the distance.

Little did he know that he'd wake up in a completely different world... 

-----------------------------

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/SOFGames

Bai Yaoyao clutched the letter in her hand as her hand turned pale, afraid to hear what the butler was about to say.
Her heart started to beat erratically as she silently prayed for Duan Yanhao's safety. 
She finally managed to sort out her feelings after much difficulty, not to mention that she finally managed to find a warmth that belonged to her. She could not bear any more hurt.
At that moment, Bai Yaoyao's mind started whirling.
The butler said respectfully, "Young Master only went back home. Miss Bai can read the letter Young Master left for the details."
Bai Yaoyao heaved a sigh of relief. She kept muttering to herself, "He's fine, he's fine."
The thing she was most worried about was Duan Yanhao's safety. As long as he was safe, it did not matter whether he sent her or not. She was not a child, and she could totally board a flight back alone.
As it was already the morning of the Lunar New Year's Eve, sounds of firecrackers could be heard outside.
Bai Yaoyao felt a little disappointed when she heard the sound of firecrackers. Without Duan Yanhao by her side, she really could not feel the festive atmosphere of the New Year. In fact, she felt a little lonely.
However, she would keep this loneliness in her heart.
After opening the letter, Bai Yaoyao saw the handwriting on it, which looked magnificent. It was written in bold and cursive strokes, and she gently felt his words. Now, it felt like her mood has changed. She even liked his handwriting now.
She looked at the words written on it: Yaoyao, I have something urgent to attend to back home, so I will go back first. I can't send you back, and I feel guilty about it. When I come back, I will definitely make it up to you. Take care of yourself. I will miss you. Yaoyao, you are mine. From, your Yanhao.
The last sentence made Bai Yaoyao's heart shudder. That dominant feeling crashed right into her heart at once.
As her heart trembled a little, she looked at it again and re-read the letter several times. Her heart also felt sweet and warm from it.
She was not one to be coy and always request for her partner to send her off or stay by her side. Everyone could have their own emergency situations to attend to. She could not let herself become a burden to him.
Although it was only a few hours since they had been apart, she could not help but miss him already. 
In the past, she would also have to part with Duan Yanhao. However, she would feel a sense of calm every time, because back then, she felt that Duan Yanhao was a free person by himself. It was normal that he was not by her side. Also, she did not dare to yearn for warmth from him, so she did not let loose her deepest emotions. She kept suppressing them, so her yearning for him dampened as well.
Now, however, both of them had confirmed their feelings for each other. She instinctively felt that he belonged to her, so she could let her emotions run freely now, and when she did, her yearning for him grew stronger.
Bai Yaoyao walked to the bedroom and placed the letter close to her chest and muttered to herself, "Yanhao, I miss you too."
Not long after, a servant knocked on the door.
"Come in."
"Miss Bai, Young Master just called. He asked you to take care of yourself and that we must send you back safely. When you come back, we will also be there to fetch you, Miss Bai."
Actually, Duan Yanhao called just now to let the butler quickly escort Bai Yaoyao out of Country X. After all, war was about to break out soon. He did not want Bai Yaoyao to know about the war, and more importantly, he did not want her to be in danger. 
Bai Yaoyao nodded. She did not feel that anything was amiss, so she said, "I have already packed my things. We can leave now."
"Miss Bai, breakfast is ready. Please have breakfast first. Young Master instructed that your health is the most important."
Bai Yaoyao felt really sweet on the inside. She went to wash up before going down to eat breakfast. After breakfast, she was escorted to the plane.
Just as the plane was about to take off, Bai Yaoyao felt a nagging sense of uneasiness in her heart. However, she was not exactly sure why she felt uneasy.


Yun Bixue is in dire straits—
Her fiancé has abandoned her for the country’s top socialite. Worst of all, her family has been declared bankrupt, and the media has forced her into desperation. In her desolation, she seeks help from the powerful Young Master Xie, and gains strength through her marriage with him during her lowest period. From that day onwards, she eggs herself to grow stronger to become the best wife for her husband.

This novel is a sweet, sugary book. There are no heart-wrenching scenes or misunderstandings.

Sugary Scene
Yun Bixue: "Limo, aren't you going to ask who I met today?"
Xie Limo: "It doesn’t matter who you met. What matters is that you’re here by my side now."
Yun Bixue "Limo, let's make a pinky promise. In the future, I will trust you, and you will trust me too. We will not allow external factors to affect our home, and we’ll be just like the saying 'if you do not abandon me, I will always be at your side until the end of my life'.”

Xie Limo met Yun Bixue's determined gaze and without thinking, he reached out his finger and sealed the promise before intertwining their fingers together.  

6 years ago-2014

Ever since we got on this cruise. I feel like he's hiding something from me. I think about what it might be as the warm water sprays on me from above. I wrap a towel around my body after I turn the tap off. I exit the shower, and make my way to the mirror. I stare at my reflection. what could it be? shut it brain. oh, I'm sorry for encouraging you to think for once in your life! *scoffs* "your not helping!"I reply aloud, frowning. Ugh, whatever. Maybe he wants to talk about something? I think as I put on my short off-sleeve red dress. As I exit the bathroom, I realize the room is dark and I accidentally step on something.

Rose petals. Why are petals on the floor? Then, I realize that there are candles outlining a narrow path, I follow the petals, while thinking what a waste of roses. I follow them down the room, out the door through the corridor, picking up speed now, realizing what this might be about. I keep following the candles. Through somewhat a million doors. I push past all of them, almost knocking down some of the staff, when opening them. Running past all the rooms, until it's all just a blur of the same thing repeated over and over again. Running, faster and faster. Running like I've never ran before. Until suddenly...

I stop. I'm at the bottom of some stairs. Barefoot. In front of a door. The candles stop there. The petals too. I look around. There's another candle at the top of the stairs. After debating, whether or not I should take a step forward, I place one of my feet on the first step. Then the other foot. I slowly climb the cold metallic stairs, until, I reach the top. There, next to the candle, there is a red rose, the color blood. There's a letter under the rose, I pick the rose, along with the letter in each hand. I open the letter. Open the door... if you dare! love, P it said in the handwriting I could identify ANYWHERE. Messy, yet in cursive. I hesitate, before I reach for the handle.

There he was. Pranav was standing in front of a candlelit dinner. He looks over, hearing the door creak. As I enter, a breathtaking scene lays itself in front of me. Behind my lover, and the dinner he prepared, was a moonlit ocean. That's when I realized we were on the rooftop. The darkness was lit up by a single candle, sitting on the center of the table. Around it, plates of beautifully served food was served on white ceramic plates, with silver cutlery. I took a step forward, just as Pranav did the same. There was a difference of 8 feet between us. "Jas." He said staring into my eyes, as if searching my soul. I bit back my tongue, to stop myself from tearing up. "We've been together for so many, many years. And, I just wanna say... that I love you. And I can't live without you. Nor do I wan to. So, " He said getting down on one knee, " will you spend your life with me?" I run towards him, tears streaming down my face. He gets up, right as I pounce on him, and we embrace in a hug, as he twirls me around, holding my waist. My tears mixing with his, my smile, upon his. I beautiful night was spent, as I had a ring on a finger I never knew I would have one on, and spent it in bed with my lover.

Alan is in her last year in college. Riya is the new young boss of H&M. They meet when going to their grade union party. When they see each other... something just ... clicks. Two horribly lost women enter into the adult world with a new message: Love is love.

Just as Maya knocked on Sandra's apartment doors in the Spirit Realm after being called by her, she was quickly pulled inside by her sleeve and dragged towards the cutely decorated bedroom. Sandra quickly sat Maya on her large pink bed and called out in surprise, "Maya, you won't believe what just happened!" 
Seeing the happiness and excitement on her best friend's face, Maya smiled and give herself a chance in reading Sandra's mind, "Let me guess. Was it Devil Face that just invited you for a date?" 
She looked dumbfounded and her wish to see a shocked Maya quickly crumbled as she asked unhappily, "Wait, how did you know? I wanted to surprise you..." 
Maya giggled and answered as if it was obvious, "You are holding a letter? Also, there is nothing else that could make you so excited other than a date with your lover, hehe." 
Naturally, Sandra who had a hard to show her true feelings, snickered and called out loud, "Pfft, lover? He wishes! I hate him to the core! Lover? Never!" 
Although she said so, in her mind, she was actually considering, asking herself, 'But what if this happens…?' Each time she thought of Devil Face, his handsome face was resurfacing like a ghost, haunting her innocent mind. She wasn't dumb but rather the opposite. Still, even though she knew that she should at least try to test her feelings, it was still impossible for her to admit the truth. 
Maya laughed as she pulled Sandra onto the bed before rolling with her a bit as she questioned, "Then why were you just jumping like a little fawn after tasting her first tuft of grass? Don't lie to me, I know you are excited about this date more than you show." 
Sandra didn't hide her enthusiasm anymore but still did not admit to liking Devil Face, "Tsk, so what? I'm only excited cause I will finally get a chance to scold him properly. You forced me to this date so I might as well enjoy it..." 
Maya didn't want to push her too much so she finally calmed down the situation, asking curiously, "Okay, okay, it is all on me then. Now tell me, what did he say in the letter?" 
Knowing that Sandra was so excited, Maya expected that Devil Face sent a nice letter but then she saw Sandra change her expression and say while glancing at the unpacked letter, "I don't know…" 
This made Maya roll her eyes and question, "What? You still didn't open it? How do you know he invited you then?" Although they were Spirits, inside the Spirit Realm they didn't have X-ray vision. 
"It was sent from him…" Sandra commented as she checked the sender once again, seeing Devil Face's signature on the top and she clenched her first as she warned under her breath, "It better be an invitation for a date or else I will for sure beat him up…" 
"Haha," Maya laughed happily, knowing Sandra would do exactly that and hurried her, being curious herself, "Alright, open and see. I want to know what he wrote too."
"Mhmm, it smells like roses and the paper is so nice…" Sandra remarked as she took a big whiff of the letter but just as she was about it open it, her hands froze and she couldn't finish the move. For some reason, she was really anxious about that, not knowing what to expect and quickly pass the letter to Maya to, pleading sweetly, "Maya, please, can you open it for me?" 
Seeing the puppy eyes that Sandra made and the letter that she presented with both hands, Maya couldn't reject her, exhaling helplessly, "Sigh, fine, give it to me."
She took the letter and didn't hesitate to unpack it, pulling out a neat piece of paper in pink colour. Maya immediately smelled a nice flowery scent coming out of the letter and complimented the boys out loud, "Not bad. I bet it was Wuxing who thought of this idea. There is no way Devil Face is this thoughtful."
"Do you want to look at it toget—" She asked curiously but then realised that Sandra was already sitting while hugging her two long legs tightly, squeezing her favourite pillow in between on her belly and thighs. She was already waiting for her to speak so Maya forgot about the question she wanted to ask and changed her mind, saying, "Okay, never mind. I will read it out loud." 
"Thank you, Maya…" Sandra naturally thanked her as she knew it would be hard for her to do it herself and waited anxiously. There was this feeling inside her stomach as if someone was skewing it left and right even though she ate not long ago. 
Just then, Maya glanced at the letter inside and noticed the neat words written in cursive right away.  She couldn't help but call out in amazement, "Oh Whoa… This is indeed an invitation for the date… So romantic, I envy you…" She was born playful so she naturally had to tease Sandra some more, making her regret not reading the letter herself. 
Sandra quickly frowned and pouted while asking hurriedly, "What did he write? What did he write? Stop teasing me…" 
She was getting more and more impatient with each second but that still didn't make her steal the letter and read it herself. With her best friend next to her Sandra was more at ease. It was her first date after all. 
"Hah, okay, let me read." Maya only laughed and finally began reading.
Dear Lovely Sandra…
——— 
One hour earlier, when Wuxing finally returned to his apartment, he heard a cry coming from Devil Face, showing how desperate he was, 'Ah! You told me to message her but what do I write??? I have been trying to write a letter but it is always so bad…'
Wuxing rolled his eyes as he asked curiously, "You have been away for the last few hours. Did you spend it all on writing a letter…?" For him it was a job that required a few minutes, not hours. 
Devil Face felt useless as he admitted quietly, "Yeah… I suck at this…" 
Wuxing put down his chicken wing that he ordered as he felt pity for him and asked, "What did you manage to write?"


The prodigy of mercenary world, the youngest officer in Seven Stars Special Forces.

Betrayed by his partners, people he considered friends. 

Sentenced for murder he didn't commit.

Placed in a high-security prison. 

Jokes on them.

In the first day, he acquired an ability, able to change his body at will. 

In the second day, he met the love of his life, taking her with him on the path to get revenge.

Join Li Wuxing as he claims what's rightfully his. 

.....................................

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The next day was Saturday, so Kyro was free, and Iris employed him to bring her to the cafe to meet Elise. She first went in the form of a fox, then changed midway through the journey in a bathroom. 

When they reached the cafe, it was some five minutes before eleven, but Iris could already see Elise sitting inside. She was holding the black cat from before, whispering something to it. 

"I'll wait here, don't take too long." 

"Thanks!" Iris smiled at him and left the car. There were only a few steps to the cafe, and she went straight for Elise. 

Due to it being the weekend, there were more people around. Everyone was sitting around and chatting while playing with the various cats. A tabby even jumped down to block Iris' way, demanding attention. 

She bent down to scratch its ear, then walked to the table and sat down. "Hey, how have you been?" 

"Good," Elise said, looking up. On the table before her lay a sealed letter. 

Iris picked it up and was surprised to feel that it was heavier than she'd expected. There was something more inside it than just a single sheet of paper. That something was in a box, however, so she couldn't tell what it was. 

At the front of the letter, there was 'To Gale' written in cursive. The letters were small and neat, beautiful to the eye. 

"But you seem to have been busy these days," Elise said, taking Iris' thoughts away from her letter. 

"Mhm? Oh, you mean the Jane affair?" Iris grimaced. It wasn't something she wanted to remember in detail. "She brought it upon herself." That was all she could say. 

"Really? Was that actu—" 

Her words were interrupted by a sharp ring of the phone. Iris apologized and picked up the call from Kyro. 

"Hey, give me a few—" 

"Leave! Change and disappear now! The authorities are coming over as we speak!" 

Kyro's voice was rushed, panicked, and for a moment, Iris just froze, unable to grasp what he was saying. Leave? Change? Coming? Then the gears in her brain clicked, and fear surged through her. 

"I'm sorry, I need to go!" she told Elise, then hesitated. The letter for which she had risked all of it, what was she supposed to do with it? 

All her effort to acquire it would end up wasted if she left it, but… When she changed, she would have to run for her life… 

"Iris? What's wrong? You don't look okay." Elise rose from her seat, sensing the alarm in Iris. "Can I do—" 

Iris shook her head as she grabbed the letter. Whatever came, she should finish helping someone if she promised to do it. "If anyone asks, know that I didn't approach you for any other reason than what I said. Trust me." 

Then, she ran out of the cafe and into a supermarket nearby. It would be too conspicuous to change in a place where someone was looking for her. Even though Elise might do it only out of care, it would still be detrimental. 

Inside the supermarket's bathroom, Iris swiftly took off her clothes and stuffed them into a trash bin. Any embarrassment she might have felt was pushed away by the fear of being caught and locked up in some prison. Who knew what they would do to her there? Especially if they had an inkling about her ability to change. 

Iris unlocked the cubicle's door and changed shape that instant. There was no one else around, so she quickly trotted out. Her hurried walk through the supermarket caught quite a few people's attention, but before they could call someone about a wild fox, she would already be gone. 

Outside the building, she saw a lot of uniformed men rushing out of cars. They were all moving toward the supermarket with a clear goal in mind. With a chill running down her spine, Iris hid beneath a toy car near the exit doors. 

As she lay on her belly with a large letter in her mouth along with a sim and credit cards, she saw numerous dark boots pass by her. Every pair was there to catch her. And if it ever came to combat or running, Iris had no doubts that she couldn't win against a single pursuer. They were trained specifically for such things, and she… she was a little scared girl. 

One that was even a fennec at that moment. 

'Enough,' she ordered herself. 'You can pity yourself when you're safe.' Collecting her fleeing courage, she made sure all the officers were away and made a mad dash for the exit. A few customers were startled, attracting attention, but Iris didn't care. She left the supermarket and sprinted to where Kyro had parked his car. 

Yet when she got close, she saw that he was detained by two officers while a third one was going through his car. Kyro was arguing with the first two, looking aloof and annoyed if anything, but she knew it wouldn't be true. She'd heard the panic in his voice when he'd called her. 

Her fur stood up as she watched the proceedings, but there didn't seem to be an end to them. Even when the search was done, the officers didn't let Kyro go. They all waited until the others went through all of the supermarket. 

Every minute was like an hour for Iris, but she didn't know what else to do besides waiting for Kyro. It was her best option to hide beneath a coffee shop's wooden banner which detailed some kind of daily deal. 

She was small enough that no one noticed her presence, and she could remain unnoticed until the search was finished. However, when she calmed down, believing everything would be fine, Kyro was taken away. 

Her hiding spot was far enough that she couldn't see his exact expression, but the rigid posture betrayed that he wasn't happy with what was happening. He talked with the officer that had stood around him for a bit more, then sat down in one of their cars and left. 

He didn't glance back as he did that. 

Fear gripped Iris' heart, but not for herself. What were they going to do to him? Why did they take him? 'It's just to questions him, just to question him,' she told herself, but didn't believe it. Water began to collect in her eyes. 

What had she done?

Iris didn’t think much of her life until one day she found herself in the body of a baby fox. Before she could wrap her head around it, she was bullied by a kid and saved by a handsome stranger. It was almost like a fairy tale ending, just why is she still a fox?! Is there like a certain duration or will she need to stay like this forever? No way!

If you want to chat about the novel or ask me anything, visit my discord ^^ https://discord.gg/ZegeFhH

His office had no window. A computer desk stood in the corner with two black leather chairs. To the right, a large bookshelf ran through the entire wall, full of meticulously arranged books. At the back, a whole row of file cabinets stood. Stacks of files and papers crowded the place at every available surface.

Someone had gone through Angelo's files. They'd done it somewhat carefully. The place wasn't ransacked, but they didn't return the records to their original location, instead choosing to stack them on the first surface available.

As I stepped through the doorway, I felt a spell close behind me. Arcane symbols ignited with a pale blue glow, forming intricate patterns on the gray carpet. Angelo took the time to seal the room with his blood, and more, he added my own to the key. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to see and read the spell so easily. Reading some of the symbols, I understood the idea behind the seal.

'Now anything I did in this room would stay in it, including magic, leaving no echo behind.' A spell of this complexity would take at least a month to set up with non-stop chanting. Why would he do that?

'He does not trust the Order to leave everything here for me even after he set me up as his beneficiary, he took the time to create this seal, there must be another one hidden.'

I looked between each book in the bookshelf. It held a respectable collection of books, holy books from every known religion to some general cultural references, and fairy tales. Ahad the Bible, the Quran, The Dao De Jing, The Book of Shadows, and many others, but no book called for me, the seal wasn't here.

I made my way to the file cabinets. As expected, they were mostly empty. The shelves were marked in Angelo's own unique code, which I couldn't read. It didn't actually matter, I would use mine.

I started picking up the files and reading it's introductory texts and sorting them in the cabinets I would be using for each category, It contained mostly information about the cases that Angelo worked through the years as a paladin-venator.

About five hours later, I finished storing the papers that were on the floor and chairs and was about ready to start on the stacks that were covering the desk.

When I approached the desk, a postal envelope came into existence. It lay on top of it as if magic itself decided to move every stack out of its way. It had my name written with golden ink in Angelo's cursive writing.

'So there it is.'

I took the stacks that were on the desk and put it on the file cabinets, pulled up one of the chairs, and emptied the envelope onto the desk's surface. A photograph and a letter. In the photo, two couples stood side by side. I only recognized Angelo and his ex-wife as he stood by a lovely Indian woman. Ayna. His first and only wife. Unlike the other couple, they both stood a little apart, each maintaining a barely perceptible distance from each other as if by touching their individualities would strike a spark. Angelo's eyes were mournful and sad.

The other couple, the male a hulking, black-haired man, enormous shoulders spread wide, one arm around an otherworldly beautiful blond woman.

I put the photograph down and opened the letter, and started to read it, hearing Angelo's voice in my head:

"Corben,

It pains me that you might one day read this letter, I made it in case of an untimely death.

I won't delong it, there are three things I must tell you. 

First and foremost, vengeance is an illusion, don't get entwined in its trap, In its conspiracies & plans, as well as in its schemes. By keeping the burning coals of anger in heart, you will burn yourself alone.
Know that all I've ever wanted was for you to be happy and safe, so forget my death and the one who killed me.

'Fat chance Angelo for vengeance is mine.' I murmured.

Second, the photograph I've attached in this letter is the only one I have left of your parents, yes, you had a father and a mother once, even if you don't remember."

'Some children retain memories of their deceased parents, a shadow of a voice, a hint of a scent, an image. I recalled nothing of them as if they had never existed.' I thought and kept reading.

"Third, I have to say I'm sorry, you probably never understood where your rage at me came from, thinking about teenage hormones or something like it, but I know it comes from the memories I've kept from you.

Yes, I have stolen all your early childhood memories, but it was for your protection, for your lineage comes with a little peculiarity. Your power would never come to maturity until you learn of its existence.

I had once told you that your magical powers come from your late mother and that she died giving you birth, and that I had never met your father. That is partially false, your mother wasn't only a respected mage as I had told you, she was Yodel, Isara's late Archmage, and she died not by childbirth, but by protecting your existence.

This is my last warning Corben, if you continue reading this letter, all the protection and preparation I and your mother made will be for nothing.

The information that will change your life forever is that your father is of the Fae, and not any Fae, one with potent blood, your father is Gwen or Gwydion, leader of the Wild Hunt."

As I read that, the world seemed to stop, the clock ticking in the wall slowed to a crawl. Power surged through me and, my muscles started to spasm, my lungs constricted, the room became black as I was forced to close my eyes and concentrate, my heart beatings slowed but continued powerful as if with each beat, a church bell rang inside my body.

My original power surged, trying to make things stop, and bring everything back to my control. Still, it was failing, the power was too wild and untamed, it wouldn't be leached again. I felt myself losing control, and I was beginning to hurt myself. As I throw up some blood on the floor, something activated, and a third very familiar power appeared. It was Angelo's power trying to show me the way guiding my own power not into control, but as partners and in cooperation union, trying to unite, to become one and the same.

As soon as the merge started, Angelo's power faded away, and oblivion welcomed me.

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