High Princess Rauscher Veronica D. Huidel is a very famous figure in Raftel. Not a single soul will forget this name, even in the Three Beasts' Kingdoms. Ever since she was born, people have nothing but high expectations from her. While she is thankful for the high expectations, sometimes she wishes that she can live away from the curious eyes of people, looking at every move she makes.
It was a little suffocating at times for her.
"Rouge, dear." Her mother called. No one calls her this name except her parents and this name is only used when they are alone. Her parents often call her High Princess Rauscher in front of their subjects as a form of addressing her formal title.
"Yes, mother?" She answered, looking at the figure of her mother approaching her.
"You're escaping from your lessons." It is not a question, but a statement. Since she was 5, Rouge started taking lessons about the history of Raftel. As per her father, there is no point in being a ruler without knowing where they came from.
"The lessons are boring. I can read them from books. Why must I be required to attend the lessons?" She does not hate learning about the history of Raftel, but she wants to do it at her own pace. Attending these lessons feels as if she is being fed with knowledge. When she asks questions about what she's being told, often they say that it is not a good idea to know more when she is still young.
She felt that they do not want her to know everything, but just learn about the surface of history.
Her mother understands her. The constant pressure, the high expectations are always at the back of Rouge's mind. Every action she takes is being watched by their people. It must be suffocating her.
"Then, what are you going to do about it?"
"I'll read at my own pace and if I have questions, I'll go to you or Father."
"Alright. I'll ask them to stop the lessons if that's what you'd like." Her mother smiles, agreeing to what she wants even if she has not asked anything yet. The High Queen of Verid and Huidel knows that her daughter is headstrong, intelligent, and curious. At times, as a mother, she feels bad for pushing her daughters beyond her limits, but when she overcomes her limitations, no one's more proud than the High Queen.
"Mother... Can I ask you a question?"
"What is it?" The High Queen looks at her teenage daughter with fondness in her eyes.
"Does High Prince Sakazuki hates me?" That is a question the High Queen did not expect. The complicated blood ties between the High Queen and the current High Prince of Daerene is woven by their ancestors. She sighs, preparing herself to answer the question. One look in the High Princess' eyes, the High Queen knows that there's no way she can avoid this question.
"It is a complicated history, my dear. I suppose, hate is such a strong word, don't you think?"
"Then, he dislikes me?"
"Maybe. That is possible."
"Why?" As much as the High Queen wants to delay telling her the dark history of the three Magical Kingdoms, this is inevitable. Sooner or later, she will know the history.
"We are descendants of Ellisar. According to the seers, the moment the twins were born, it affected the succession of Al Draig. It is said that Ellisar's descendants will inherit it."
Rouge's eyes sparks curiosity upon this knowledge. "How do you inherit it?"
"No one knows. For countless years, none of Ellisar's descendants manage to wield the power of Daerene, except for Xavaria, that is." Xavaria is the most famous human princess who wielded the power of Al Draig several centuries ago. After her, no one was able to wield Al Draig.
"Why none? Are we not descendants of Xavaria?"
"No, we are not. Xavaria is Ellisar's granddaughter, born to a Halfborn father and a human mother. She is a quarter Otherworldly. That may be the case but we are not her descendants. We descended from the bloodline of her uncle who was married to a High Princess of Verid at that time."
The High Princess nodded, drinking in the knowledge that her mother provided. None of her teachers will tell her anything related to Daerene. It's as if it's forbidden and a sensitive subject. She can understand how so.
With her parents' approval, Rouge skipped the history lessons from the historians in favor of reading at her own pace. Huidel and Verid's libraries contain a lot of books that she has access to, including the ancient ones.
Rouge did not only spend her time reading books, but she also spent her time learning spells, exploring different parts of Raftel that she has not seen before. One day, she finds herself near the borders of Daerene and Huidel. The area is secluded with nothing but trees nearby.
"What are you doing here, High Princess Rauscher?" Rouge snapped her head towards the raspy voice, shocked to see one of the seers. Since when did he get behind her?
"I am just exploring this place." She answered.
The seer's eyes are full of wonders, its depth is something Rouge has never seen before as if his eyes have seen a lot of things over the centuries of his life.
"You are curious, Your Highness. Curious of the world, its wonders, people's nature, the magic. You want to know everything..."
Rouge is not sure how to answer his statement or what he wants to say to her. "Is it not a good thing to be curious?"
"It is... Do not be wary of me, Your Highness. I do not mean you any harm."
"You may mean that, but your eyes are looking at me as if - "
"Please, Your Highness." The seer smiles. "When I look at you, I see hope. You will bring hope to Raftel." This only made Rouge frown. She is confused about what the seer is telling her. "It may not be today, but someday, you will."
"Hope to what?"
"Prosperity. Peace."
"Is Raftel not peaceful enough?"
"Right now, yes. The balance is about to be broken and you will play a part in that. Daerene will stand in the middle of that storm and so will you." She looked down, thinking about what her mother told her about her connection to Daerene - to Al Draig. When she looked up to ask more questions, the seer is gone. She is left there alone...
Rouge kept that incident to herself, afraid of how her parents will react to it. They've been protective of her since she was a child, refusing her requests to explore the Human Realm despite the peaceful interactions between races for decades now.
One night when Raftel was celebrating the Feast of Fortune, all rulers are required to attend, everyone in Raftel is.
Her eyes darted at the table where the seers are sitting. As her eyes surveyed the people in that area, she frowns when she did not see the seer she met in the forest.
"Father. How many seers do we have in Raftel?" She whispered to her father who is sitting beside her.
"We have three of them. Why, my Princess?"
"Oh, nothing." She shakes her head, avoiding the question.
After the celebration, it took Rouge a few days before she arrived in a firm decision to visit the same place she met the seer - or at least the person who looks like a seer.
The place is quiet, devoid of any creature. Will she meet that man again? Who is he? Why did he approach her? There are a lot of questions in her mind and that man can only bring her the answers she needs.
"You've come here again, Your Highness." Like before, the man just appeared out of nowhere, startling the High Princess.
"Who are you?" The man is not shocked when he heard her question about his identity. Of course, she will ask.
"I am a seer from a long time ago. I am dead but I am alive." His answer did not make things easier for Rouge. Her eyes traveled from this man's head down to his feet and she just realized that his feet are not on the ground. He's floating as if...
"You are a spirit."
"Not precisely. I am a soul."
"Soul of whom?"
"I am Alamir." Rouge gasped upon hearing the name of the seer. According to the books, Alamir is a seer from a long time ago, serving generations of High Kings and High Queens. He was executed for treason against the High King of Daerene.
His biggest sin is his choice to keep the prophecy of Al Draig from Othorion. Which is why he was executed.
"I thought you are executed. How come your soul is here?" Rouge asks, eyeing him warily.
"They may have executed my body but never my soul. There is a duty I must carry out. I cannot find myself to leave Raftel until I've finally fulfilled that duty."
"What is the duty that you are talking about?"
"It is not time for you to know about it, Your Highness. You will know soon. Do not be impatient." Rouge may be wary of him but she is curious. If he meant her any harm, he would have done so when he saw her.
If he will not tell her anything, there's no point in staying here any longer. Rouge has several questions, but she does not know where to start.
"Before you leave, Your Highness. A word of advice from an old soul." She stopped to look back at him. "Do not use Al Draig in your coming of age ceremony. Never use that power when you are not ready to face the consequences."
"I do not carry that power."
Alamir smiled. "You carry the blood of Ellisar in your veins. Al Draig will choose the wielder and you cannot refuse it."
The beat of her hearts made Rouge felt like she's going deaf. Sweats falling from her head, down to her neck while her eyes looked warily at Alamir who remains calm - smiling at her.
"Do not let Sakazuki know you carry that power. You must control it."
"No, I do not carry that power." She refuses to believe that she does. After telling him her answer, she left and never came back to that area.
Years have gone by and it's only a few months before her coming of age ceremony. Her mind takes her back to Alamir's statement. Even if she continues to deny it, it does not mean that she is not worried about his words.
How can she know that she has that power? All the books she read do not have that information. Asking her parents about it is not an option for her much less ask Daerenians, no, definitely not. With the way Akainu looks at her, it would be foolish of her to ask about Al Draig from anyone in Daerene.
Despite how peaceful Raftel is now, no one can simply ignore the tension between Daerene, Huidel, and Verid. Huidel and Verid have strong bonds, after all, their rulers are mated to one another. Daerene, on the other hand, or at least its ruler, remained aloof. Rouge is not foolish to do anything that can dampen the relationship of their kingdoms with Daerene.
Left with no choice, she decided to venture back to that place where Alamir's soul wanders. For someone's soul to remain for years, Alamir must have cast a very powerful spell on himself.
"You came back, Your Highness." Alamir's voice is cheerful upon greeting Rouge.
"Alamir, how do you know that I carry Al Draig? And please, do not tell me it is because I descended from Ellisar's bloodline. Everyone knows that not all of Ellisar's descendants carry this power."
"A good question, Your Highness." Rouge remained patient while looking at the soul of the former seer, waiting for an answer. "It is very simple. Because you can see me." Alamir took her frown with a smile and added an explanation. "When I saw the prophecy about Al Draig, I knew that there will be a war coming to Raftel. The biggest war that could wipe out the entire Otherworldly especially because of what happened to Xavaria. I placed a spell on my soul. Only those who carry Al Draig can see me or can hear my voice."
"Why must you do that?"
"I must guide those who are destined, You Highness. And you are one of them."
Destined for what?
Rouge wants to ask this question but she decided not to. The more she knows about this destiny, the more she is scared.
"You said I should not use Al Draig in my coming of age. Why?"
"You know why, Your Highness. Othorion's descendants will never forget the shame they have to endure because of Al Draig - or the lack of it. I see dark events that will soon follow."
"What dark events?" Rouge grows wary at Alamir's words.
"I do not know what it is, but the seers of Raftel will tell you one of these days. My power is limited because I am dead."
"What am I supposed to do if I do not know what events will unfold?"
"Hide it. Do not let anyone know you carry that power. Only use it when it is necessary. I will help you, Your Highness." The offer made her reluctant, but what choice does she have? It is suspicious to find a seer's soul wandering in Raftel but her instincts are telling her to trust in his words.
So she did...
Alamir's soul is now stored in her necklace. It will be suspicious if she keeps disappearing in the borders of Huidel and Daerene.
With Alamir's guidance, Rouge was able to use the power and hide it. The nearer the coming of age ceremony is, the more she notices the eyes of Sakazuki's men on her. She is aware that her actions are being watched over.
Sakazuki's eyes are filled with hatred every time he sees her and her mother. As if they are the representation of his shame. Even so, she can sympathize with him. Daerenians' traditions will never allow anyone to take the title of High King if they do not possess Al Draig. Often, the current rulers are referred to as powerless High Prince or High Princess.
They live in shame and will continue to do so because of the blood they carry. It is unfair for them.
"Why did Al Draig's succession suddenly broke when the twins were born?" She asked Alamir. He is standing before her, in her bedroom, his feet remain on the air, never touching the surface.
"It was a prophecy."
"I don't understand why there's a need for that to happen."
"Prophecies are meant to happen for a reason, Your Highness. Reasons we do not know until we arrive at such time, facing it. Only then will we realize why things happened."
Even after months of knowing Alamir, it does not quell the confusion about the happenings around her. But she persevered. She continued to study magic under her guidance. She learned a lot about ancient books and languages of Raftel that were lost for centuries.
When it is time for the ceremony, she did everything she could to hide it, only demonstrating the magical prowess that everyone wants to see. As she celebrated with everyone, she can't help but notice Sakazuki's eyes darting towards her. In his eyes lie a relieved emotion. Is he relieved that she does not carry Al Draig?
What if he knew? What will he do? Those are the questions she's afraid to find the answers to.
After her coming of age ceremony, many expressed their wills to marry her, including Kings from powerful kingdoms of the Human Realm. When they heard of the Rareborn Princess, many visited Raftel to ask for her hand in marriage.
The offers are not limited to the nobles from the Human Realm. Most of the nobles in Raftel also expressed their desire to mate with her. As much as Raftelians value the fated mates, there are times that they never meet their fated ones, often spending centuries before they are even born.
It is not uncommon to see mates who are not fated.
Rouge is showered with flattery but she continues to refuse their offers. She will not marry anyone she does not like. Her mind is full of determination to master her powers, enhance her magic. Now that she is of age, equipped with knowledge from the past, she is seeing things in a bigger picture.
She can feel it, this peace will not last long. She knows that this peace is just a calm before the storm. Her instincts are always ringing in her mind whenever she looks at Sakazuki and Teach.
Marshall D. Teach, a noble from Daerene, is one of Rouge's suitors. Despite the numerous rejection for mating, he never gave up, always insisting to be mates with her. She can feel nothing but disgust at the man. Whenever she looks at him, she sees nothing but evil.
For a long time now, she grew suspicious of him and the rumors surrounding him. There is no evidence that can prove that he is doing evil deeds, but Rouge can tell.
And she is right. During the Feast of Fortune, everyone was quite shocked when they heard the turmoil from the Purgatory. When they arrived there, the barrier of the Blazing Inferno was broken.
For half millennia, the barrier was never broken until now. Rouge saw the dark mist surrounding the barrier as if consuming the magical prowess from it. No one noticed, but she did.
Everyone was busy re-sealing the barrier, fighting the prisoners that broke free that no one noticed how the dark mist is flickering in Teach's hands. Everyone except Rouge.
She has no time to ponder on this as more prisoners broke free of the Blazing Inferno. One of them is Charlotte Linlin. She is amongst the powerful prisoners in Blazing Inferno.
If that wasn't enough, Kaido also broke through and is now facing Whitebeard.
It was chaos. The prisoners spilled the blood of Raftelians, anger visible in their eyes upon seeing the Raftelians who sent them to that prison. Their waves of laughter echoed in Raftel as they slaughter their way through the crowd.
Rouge cannot bear to see her people suffering. And when she saw Charlotte Linlin's sword, swinging towards everyone else, she knows she must do something to prevent blood to be spilled.
"You cannot use that power! If you use it before you are ready, the downfall is what you will face. It will give birth to tragedies!" Alamir warned her through their telepathic communication.
"My people need me. I will not let them die!" As soon as she said that, she closed her eyes, mustering all of the powers hidden within her. It's as if calling a storm, that is what she felt. A storm coming from her soul until it reaches her mind, waiting to be released.
This is the first time that Rouge uses this power against someone so she won't know how it will impact anyone else. But there's no time to think. Not when her people are dying.
With the final command, she sends her will through the prisoners, as if sending a wave of aura directly to their soul.
The wave caused distraction even towards her people. They all felt it, the surge of power none have ever felt before - at least most of them are. The wave of her will was sent directly to Charlotte Linlin and the prisoners. Some of them felt it deeply into their soul, making them lose consciousness.
But not the powerful ones. Some of them remained standing but shaken. The momentary shock they received gave an advantage to Raftelians to launch a counterattack against them.
All of them joined hands to drive the prisoners back to the Blazing Inferno before Rouge along with the Elves and Daerenians cast a spell to strengthen the barrier.
It was arduous work. The spell is a temporary solution until they find a more permanent barrier to seal the prisoners.
"Oh, no..." Rouge heard her mother mutter to herself as she approaches her only daughter. Fear visible in her eyes while looking at Rouge. No, she does not fear her daughter's power, but she fears that she will carry Al Draig.
"Mother..." She whispered back, apologetic for hiding the power. Her mother only shook her head, telling her not to explain anything. She must have understood Rouge's reason for hiding the power.
Raftelians celebrated after that incident. Not because they won, but because of Rouge and her power. She was congratulated yet she felt nothing but worry after revealing her secret. Sakazuki's eyes bother her. He looks at her as if she is a thorn on him - his mark of shame. It does not help the Daerenians were eager to welcome her.
With the revelation of her power, word spread like wildfire. Not only to all of Raftel but towards the Human realm as well. Countless people woo her, asking for her hand. Many have taken the refusal well, but not all.
Many were insulted that she refuses their advances. Even if they want to insist, they cannot for they do not hold the power to demand anything from them, much less her.
What Rouge finds disgusting is how these people view her as nothing but a prize, a trophy of their valiance. As if marrying her symbolizes power for them - an achievement. It was insulting to her.
"I'd like to question you why you hid that power, but I believe I can understand." Her father said one day after the eventful refusal of a king from the human realm. "They keep coming here, demanding as if they have the right to marry my daughter. Had it not been for your mother, I would have cursed those lot."
Rouge and her mother laughed at the High King's anger.
"Do not worry, Father. I have no intention of marrying those fools." Rouge answered. Mating or marriage is out of the question in her mind right now. Not when they just received a prophecy from one of the seers.
'The world shall be at peace, for the existence of different creatures shall be granted. Raftel to prosper than it was before. The creatures with no mates shall find what they cannot here. Halfborns, the bridges between Raftel and Human Realm. Rejoice, everyone! Prosperity is yet to come!'
She feels that something is not right with the prophecy. Was it just her imagination? No. Alamir said that prophecies are meant to happen for reason. The prophecy they received is nothing but a mask - this is what she feels.
Years passed by in a blink of an eye, peace is evident for everyone to see. Otherworldly creatures finding their mates, friendships are formed - yet Rouge feels that something is not right. She cannot feel at ease with the events, not when she is still suspicious of Teach and Sakazuki.
The two of them spend a lot of time together and this does not bode well for her. And she is right. One day, one of the seers approached her. They talked somewhere private where no one can hear them and at this time, the seer's eyes glowed, turning into white and said:
'The peace shall not last for the darkness shall grow. The might of Raftel cannot stop it. Power will hide… and hide and hide… until it is fully ready to counter the Dark. The Rareborn princess is not the solution… She could never be for she will be the cause of the destruction of the Peace.'
'Should the war be upon us, bring the battered to Xavaria and wait for them. They will come.'
'They? Who are they?'
'You will know, for they will carry the Soul and Power that you cannot. Let the war be upon us, for it cannot be prevented anymore.' The third prophet said to the princess.
'You bring this knowledge upon me, how can you ask me to let the war grace its harsh consequences to my people and all we can do is to hide in the valley of Xavaria?!' She is beyond outraged at this knowledge.
'There is a good reason why this must happen, Your Highness. Reasons I cannot tell you for it will endanger everyone.'
The seer left Rouge to ponder on the words.
"Is this what you talked about, Alamir?" Her voice is almost whispered, commanding Alamir to show himself before her.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"I do not get what war this is you speak of. Tell me how to prevent it."
"I believe you already know how this war will prevail. The darkness is already here, Your Highness. You know who they are."
Rouge's mind circled to the events after her coming of age ceremony, the incident in the Purgatory... Teach's suspicious movements. Everything is connected.
"They want to release the prisoners." She said.
"I am afraid that is not as simple as it sounds, Your Highness. I do not know what it is that they want, but if there's one thing I am sure of, whatever it is - it will bring destruction to Raftel."
With the knowledge that the third seer and Alamir provided, Rouge focused on enhancing her magical prowess and cast another ancient spell to strengthen the barrier in the Blazing inferno. It drained a lot of her stored power, but she is not fazed by it. Not after seeing the glare that Teach and Sakazuki are sending her way.
Their eyes are telling her that it is not over. But Rouge only wishes it would. She's wrong...
Because not long after strengthening the barrier, the elders of Daerene told her that they will pass the title of High Queen to her should she decide to finally mate with someone.
The decision did not shock the Raftelians. They knew that this will happen sooner or later. What shocked everyone is Sakazuki's acceptance.
"It is only right for the carrier of Al Draig to be the rightful ruler of Daerene." He smiles at her, bowing to show his respect. As everyone cheered, they fail to notice the glint in his eyes as he slowly looks at her. Rouge sees nothing but rage and desire in his eyes.
That bothered her for a long time. She could never forget the look in Sakazuki's eyes that she made a decision to confront him afterward.
"Why did you agree?" She asks.
"It is only right that the one with power shall rule those who are weaker." The words struck her.
"What are you saying?"
"Don't you find the humans overbearing? They come here as they please, demanding something from us as if we owe them."
"Coexisting with humans have brought peace to Raftel."
"That's where you are wrong. They are greedy and selfish which inevitably leads to war. A neverending war amongst ruler. Why have war when you can end it?" Rouge steps back away from Sakazuki. His eyes terrify her. If it terrified her before, the fear she feels now is different, as if she is seeing someone who was lost in an unknown world.
Granted, her relationship with Sakazuki has never been pleasant, but she still respects him who brings order to Daerene. Yet, now, she cannot see the same man she saw years ago.
"I don't think I know what you are talking about."
"You have Al Draig. You have the power to rule above all." He grabs her shoulders, looking down at her. His eyes are demanding her to listen and obey his words. "Prove to me that you are worthy of getting the title away from me! Prove to me that you are worthy to stand above all."
"I do not think that Daerenians will agree to those ideals, High Prince Sakazuki."
"They may not, but they soon will." He smirks at her. "Excuse me, Your Majesty." And she was left to ponder on his words.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Sakazuki's words bothered her, even more so when he acted as if nothing happened after that conversation but she tried to distract herself from these thoughts, finding herself in front of the ocean, staring at the blue waves.
"If it isn't High Princess Rauscher. Good day to you." The High King of Ipraecia greeted.
"Your Majesty." Rouge respectfully bowed before him.
"Do not be too formal. You know I've always treated you like a daughter." The High King of Ipraecia is a welcoming man with a great sense of humor and intelligence. His words of wisdom are greatly desired in times of uncertainties.
"Well, you could always make another child. I am sure Marco will love to have another sibling."
"Instead of having another child, I'd very much wish to have Grandchildren instead. Ah, it's a shame that you and my son are not fated together." Rouge can only laugh at that statement. She could never see herself to mate with Marco, no. He is like a younger brother to her.
"It will feel like marrying a brother, which is unacceptable." She answered and the High King shrugged.
"Why don't you visit and join us for dinner? The Three Beast Kings are going to have a drinking contest. We'd be honored for you to act as an overseer."
"Again? How many times have you lost to Vaelon?"
"Not today! I will win!" He said while beaming with confidence. Rouge has nothing better to do so she decided to join them. Sometimes, spending time with them made her forget the dreadful things she is thinking about.
Without hesitation, she followed the High King of Ipraecia towards Beogia's grounds where the rulers are gathered for another drinking contest between the High Kings.
This is a common occurrence for the three of them, always competing against each other. But there's a sense of relief every time Rouge looks at how these creatures interact with one another. Spending her time with them is a good distraction for her, lest she will worry nonstop.
"And here I thought you are here to stop this nonsense. I should have known that you are here to entertain yourself, yoi." As soon as she heard the voice, she knows who was speaking informally to her.
"Let them have their fun. Don't be too uptight, you'll age terribly." She teases. High Prince Marco was younger than her by almost a century. She watched him grew up as well as High Prince Kidd and High Prince Zoro.
"I'd rather train and hone my swordsmanship than watch old men get their asses drunk." High Prince Zoro said while looking at the three revered High Kings of the Beast Kingdoms, getting rowdy. He rolls his eyes while looking at them, acting like children.
"Father won't train with me because he's busy. I should have known that it is because of this ridiculousness." Another figure approached their group. It was none other than High Prince Kidd.
The three of them are the future High Kings of the Beast Kingdoms. All of them are talented and powerful. There's no doubt that they will lead their people well.
"Let them be. You three are so uptight. You have to live a little."
"Rauscher, they do this every month. I don't doubt they will do this every day if not for our mothers threatening them." This earned a chorus of nods from the other High Princes.
"You talk as if you don't drink, Kidd."
"At least I won't ditch anyone just to drink." Now, she gets it. He's sulking because his father canceled the training to drink with the other High Kings. Knowing Kidd's personality, he's going to ignore his father for the next two days as a punishment for setting aside the training.
"Since our fathers are busy, why don't we spar?" Said Zoro which was immediately agreed upon by the other two. Looking at them, Rouge can only smile fondly.
Marco is the voice of reason, the calmness in the raging storm. Kidd, on the other hand, is the bullheaded one of the three, always losing his temper. Zoro can be calm and at the same time reckless. The three of them balance each other. Their brotherhood is unlike she had ever seen before - a beautiful sight that she wishes will remain forever...
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
She wishes for an everlasting peace but that seems to be impossible.
"You must be ready. I can feel a storm brewing..." Alamir warned her. He does not need to, because she can feel it.
With every refusal of marriage means an enemy from the Human Realm. It did not take long before rumors started spreading in the Human Realm, causing panic and doubts amongst the people.
Things get more chaotic when people said that beasts are attacking the nearby villages. A few villages North were burned down by a Dragon. Not long after that incident, another kingdom was attacked by a magic spell that killed humans.
"All of them were killed last night. According to what is reported, they died staring at the ceiling. As if they've been enchanted and their souls are taken out of their bodies." One of the Warrior Commanders of Ipraecia said when the rulers of Raftel called everyone else to discuss the events happening in the Human Realm.
Everyone knows that the blames are placed on them. Rumors are spreading that the Otherworldly is going to take over the world now that they have a very powerful High Princess.
Everyone's eyes are on Rouge. No one blames her, she knows this, yet she can't help but feel guilty.
One incident after another, it was endless chaos. Humans started to attack the Raftelians living outside of Raftel. They burned them alive, enslaved the Halfborns, and joined hands together to overthrow Raftel. They firmly believed that Raftel will be taking over the world and kill humans.
The Beasts are enraged with the atrocity that humans pulled against them.
"We cannot act rashly. We must discuss this with the rulers of Kingdoms in the Human Realm. By using our powers against them, we are proving them right." Rouge spoke. She does not want anyone's blood to be spilled more than it already has.
"And are we to wait until they listen to us? Are we going to stay here and accept the barbaric insults these weak creatures are throwing?!" A Warrior Commander from Beogia spoke.
"And what do you want to do? Kill them? Release your powers and slaughter your way through the Human Realm?" Too much blood has been spilled, no one needs any deaths.
"They are slaughtering our kind in the Human Realm! They deserve to be punished by the crimes they committed!" Several Raftelians voiced their agreement to this statement.
They are thirsting for the blood of the humans who wronged them, threw insults at them, and killed their kind. No one wants to listen, all emersed in their emotions, their anger. The rulers are fighting amongst themselves on who is right and who is wrong. Rouge is tired of hearing the endless arguments.
"SILENCE!"
Her shout resonated in Raftel, sending shockwaves to everyone. It was not powerful enough for all of them to lose their consciousness, but it was powerful enough to silence them.
"We will find a way to resolve this mess with no violence." She said before leaving the hall to be alone. Her footsteps echoed on the ground, her eyes surveying the area, looking at the Raftelians who are now as silent as the night. Then she met their eyes.
"You have a lot of reasons to be wary of the two of them." Alamir voiced out as soon as she was alone. "Do not hesitate, Your Highness."
"Raftelians will not forgive betrayals, Alamir. If they betrayed us - " Rouge does not want to think about how Daerenians will feel should that happen. "I must confront them and stop them."
But she's too late.
Before she can confront them, the Humans launched an attack against Raftel, bringing several dark mages on their side. As soon as those poisonous arrows were released, Rouge knows that there is no stopping this war.
Raftelians have no choice but to fight back, killing enemies. Rouge has no choice but to join them by leading the Elves and Fire Faeries into the battle.
While the Elves are casting spells, she sensed danger coming from somewhere, a power full of malice. It was the same malice she felt during the incident in the Purgatory.
"NO!" She shouted as soon as she saw the dark mist surrounding the Elves and Fire Faeries. Rouge summoned her magic to protect as much of her brethren as possible. Along with the Daerenians, they are able to drive the dark mist away or so they thought.
The dark mist grew stronger, swallowing a few beasts into a dark pit. They heard screams from the creatures being swallowed until there's nothing but silence. Before they know it, the dark mist spread across the battlefield, taking more lives as it goes.
Rouge summoned more power from inside her, sending her will to the enemies. It worked, some of the humans lost consciousness but there are still a few more standing. This is the least of her concerns. What she is concerned about is the dark mist and who the creature is controlling it.
"Teach!" She shouted, sending fire magic spells and her will towards him. Her shout shocked the Raftelians.
"Zehahaha! I didn't realize you've become more powerful than we expected." He laughed, blood dripping from his mouth after receiving Rouge's attacks.
"You created this war!" The High King of Ipraecia shouted. There is no further explanation needed especially when several people wearing black armor suddenly marched through the battlefield as if they were summoned through the dark mist surrounding Teach.
The Black Army started slaughtering the Raftelians along with the humans, fighting side by side.
"Kill these vermins!" One human shouted.
While the Black Army kept the Raftelians occupied, Rouge is left facing Teach. Around her, she can see her parents struggling against the effects of Teach's Dark mist.
"Why are you doing this, Teach?"
"Oh, I thought you would know. But maybe, you will not understand when you have the power you needed. Zehahaha!"
With a shake of her head, Rouge raised her hand above her head, calling the power of the wind before sending it towards Teach. He defended himself through the Dark Magic he is using. Whatever that magic is, she knows it is evil.
"Zehahaha! Your power will belong to me!" His laugh sends shivers down her spine as she slowly feels the dark mist enveloping her, devouring her into nothingness, but before she was consumed, a warm hand pulled her out of the dark mist.
It was the High King of Beogia.
"Pull yourself together!" He reminded her.
Why is she panicking at the situation? They can win this. All they have to do is kill Teach.
With that determination solidified, Rouge summoned the power of Al Draig again, directing all of its power to Teach, catching him off guard. In that split second of victory where her guard is lowered, someone took the initiative to launch an attack against her.
However, she is quick to cast a barrier to defend herself along with the High King of Beogia whose face is now contorted into a shocked expression upon seeing a very familiar man.
"You - "
"All of you are weak. Especially you! None of you will hinder when I create my world."
"Sakazuki!" The yell came from behind Rouge. The yell is filled with anger, grief, and pain. When they looked back, they saw the High Queen of Vaelon on the ground with a hole on her chest. Rouge stared at Sakazuki and saw the blood dripping from his right hand.
"Traitor!" Some of the Daerenians shouted at Sakazuki upon seeing him attack the High Queen of Vaelon as well as siding with the humans.
"Useless fools." He answered before swinging his fist of lava directly towards the elders of Daerene, sending them to their deaths. It seems that he is not satisfied that some are still alive so he sent another wave of attack towards the Fire Faeries. Before the attack reaches them, a bisento is swung towards Akainu, sending him flying.
"Whitebeard." He growled while getting up from the ground.
Looking around her, Rouge wanted to cry but this is not the time to hesitate. More of her people are dying, she could never let this happen. The Black Army continues to slay many Raftelians alongside humans.
She drew a magic circle on air, floating in front of her. It is an ancient spell that no one has seen for thousands of years. Placing her hands on the circle, she whispered the ancient language of Raftel and with one last word, she sent the spell towards the Black Army.
It's not enough, she knows this, so she called a storm, manipulating it to help attack Sakazuki and Teach who are fighting against the High Kings and High Queens of Raftel.
Teach must have used a forbidden spell to summon Dark Magic. As for Sakazuki, he's more powerful than what they know of and the mark on his shoulder blades indicates that he received his power through a forbidden spell. There's no way that he could have gotten this powerful without intervention.
But this is the least of her concerns. What she needs to do now is to drive them away and to save her people. With another spell to release, she added the power of Al Draig within the spell before sending it to Sakazuki.
The impact shocked the man. He is shaking while kneeling on the ground as she looks at Rouge with evident hatred in his eyes.
The battlefield favors the Raftelians despite being outnumbered by the enemies. Sakazuki is aware of this.
"This is not over." Just as he said this, Teach engulfed him with his Dark mist, including the Black Army until they slowly fade away, disappearing from Raftelians' sight.
What is left are the humans who realized that their main source of power is long gone.
"Fall back! Fall back!" One of the Kings from the Human Realm shouted, making the soldiers scurried to follow the orders. They have no chance of withstanding the magical powers of Raftelians.
They may have won the battle, but Rouge felt as if they lost. She can't count how many lives were lost in this unexpected battle. Teach must have used his powers to transport the human soldiers right in front of Raftel's entrance. This is why they failed to notice the attack.
"This war is not over." Alamir whispered to Rouge and he's right. There's more to come.
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AN: Hope you like it. also, I am using Conqueror's Haki as a sort of reference.