Chapter Ten: Alexia

Raul did his best. As Rindy had made him promised. He snuck into Inner Circle, unnoticed and though it was high noon, he could sense no danger nor live about the area. Where the humans or the Night people have gone, he do not know. The Inner Circle reeked of stench of blood and sweat. And he could see the Mist.

His Mist.

But how odd, he wondered. For he did not summon the Mist.

He saw some of the pillars collapsed on the ground. The whole place was in shambles. And he did not care. He would have reduced this whole palace into rubbles anyway. Then he heard a soft cry. It sounded like a human. He briefly remembered that Virginie's ashes was still with Rindy. He hoped she wasn't too jealous that she would toss the ashes away.

He walked briskly towards the whimpering cry. His eyes darkened as he stopped infront of a big block of pillar. The whimper come from beneath the pillar. Then, he closes his eyes, mutter some ancient tongue of necromancy, and the pillar lifted.

He saw a young boy lying underneath. His body was broken and he was crying. His face was covered with dirt, sweat and blood.

He bent down and sat beside the boy. "Good afternoon."

The boy looked at him with dread. His blue eyes were fading. "Afternoon to you."

"I could give you a swift death, so that you may stop suffering. But only if you be good and tell me what happen here."

The boy looked mildly amused. "That sounds like a good deal. You one of them too?"

"One of what?"

"The dark creatures."

Raul was amused now. "That is what humans call the Night People? If that is the case, no. I am not one of them. I am of a higher order."

"But you're not a human."

Raul nodded. "No I am not. You, however, are. And I detest humans, to say the least."

"Do you know Shane?"

Now, Raul perked up. "What?"

"Shane. He is king of this world." The boy now had trouble speaking loudly. Raul had to bend down to hear him. "Tell Shane.tell him that he's been betrayed."

"Betrayed by who?"

"A man that calls himself the Fell King. It was he that burns everyone. Kills.everyone.no one left.some escaped I think.not sure."

"Fell King?" Raul frowned.

The boy did not answer him. He had passed away from this world.

"What is your name? So that I may tell my brother." Raul muttered to the dead boy.

Shaking his head, he hastily stood up. Who is the Fell King?

When Raul rushed back to the bay, bearing dark news. He was most relieved to see Rindy sitting quietly by herself, gazing out into the open sea.

She heard him coming and turned around. "How was everyone?"

"All dead."

"Who did it?"

He was mildly surprised that she did not show grief or shock over the hard news.

"Fell King did it." Even as he said it, he felt silly. Anyone would know that the Fell King, really refer to the Dark King or the Dark Lord. And the Dark Lord was him. He could think of no one else that fitted the title more than himself.

"You did it?" Rindy looked a little annoyed. "Do not jest at this time, my lord."

"I am not jesting., Rindy. A boy, in his last moment, told me. He said the Fell King burnt everything or everyone in his way. And that he betrayed Shane."

Rindy immediately cast a look at Shane. And Raul found himself more uncomfortable than ever by the concern in her eyes.

"You will not look at him again, my lady." He said coldly, mildly surprising himself.

She looked at him warily. "Raul, you need rest."

"Ever since we've awaken, you seem not to have the heart to bear yourself away from him!"

"That is not true."

"You've done nothing but hold him and look after him!" His eyes darkened and he was surprised to find himself angry. "And you even said I was evil!"

"You said you never hold a grudge." She replied quietly. It was uncanny how she could be so calm while Raul was a raging firestorm.

"Enough! Rindy! I tire of your presence here! Pry yourself away from my brother and leave my sight until I call for you again!"

She looked at Raul. Her green eyes, with the light of stars in them, shone brightly. "Shane needs care. He had fallen into shadow and now, he must be pulled back into the light. I was trying to save him." She sighed deeply. "But granny once told me I cannot save everyone. Though I did my best. I tried saving the elders too. But I failed." Her eyes now glistened. "But that did not matter. The worst of it all is I will fail in saving you, Raul. For you are the one I wanted to save most."

"I will take care of myself, Rindy. You save yourself the trouble of worrying about everyone else." His words were hard and Rindy could detect the anger, ever still present in his dark eyes. She nodded and walked away softly, into the eastern border.

Raul was not happy. He had not been happy for a long time. Rindy knew she had probably upset him. And she was sorry for that. But she was wary too, of the long foreboding burden that was ever in her heart since they set foot once again in the Night World. When Raul had gone to the Inner Circle, she had set her heart and mind in spirit with Shane's. And she had manage to pry into his heart and read his dreams. They were unkind dreams and though she tried her very best, she could not pull Shane out from his dark slumber.

She also learned that Shane had harbor some feelings towards Anna. And her death must have been a blow to him. It could be the catalyst that led him into this state of half-consciousness. And Rindy felt she had a big part to play yet. She knew of Shane's heart and mind now. She could see through his eyes. She could hear him. And she could feel him. And she wanted so badly to help him. Granny said that Raul and Shane can never exist together. For it would mean chaos beyond the hopes of the world. Rindy wondered at that. She also knew that Shane had killed Granny. That was disturbing indeed. For she knew Shane to be a kind man. How she wished he would awake soon and she could have all the answers she need!

She looked about the main camp. Raul was right to say that the eastern border was gone. From the looks of the damage, Rindy could tell a battle so massive and bloody had taken place not too long ago. She could still smell the faint stench of burnt flesh.

Fayth.why would you do such a thing.?

She heard a faint song coming from the forest, leading out of the eastern border and towards the Inner Circle. A song so familiar, she trembled slightly. A song beckoning to her, calling her to it.

She took a few steps towards the forest, then thought of Raul and hesitated.

No, she cannot leave just like that. Raul would worry for her.

"Ever since we've awaken, you seem not to have the heart to bear yourself away from him!"

Why would Raul said something so untrue? She falters and felt hurt. She had left the cape with Virginie's ashes at the bay. Raul would not miss her. So hastily, she took quick steps towards the song.

Rindy followed the song curiously. She thought she heard it before. But she could have been mistaken. But she follows it all the same. And when it lead her to a clearing with three stone slabs, she realized she had wandered into the Garden of Eden. The Garden where the witches had once stood in a circle. The place where they had stand together and revolted against Raul. And then bind them together in darkness.

The smell of the flowers and the trees brought aching memories to Rindy. For this is also the same place where she was born. Or to be more exact, made. This was the place where Granny, together with the council of the elders had come together and conjure a spell so powerful, it was said to be able to curb the growing powers of the Dark Lord Raven. This spell, as pure as the morning sun, and as beautiful as a white angel would make the Dark Lord fall heedlessly in love and therefore, vulnerable to his feelings, despite his strength.

She was this spell. She was this puppet the witches had made. And now, she had brought doom not only to Raul, but to his brother, Shane as well.

They are not the only ones you bring your doom upon.

She looked around. She thought she heard a voice. But it was a voice inside her head. Inside her heart.

No, she had brought doom to the entire Night World.

The song came again. This time, she was sure it came from a flute. Her heartbeat quickened. This song.. A song of the fallen lady.

Amidst the clouds I behold a fallen angel, she wander by looking forlorn

Then I ask for her name and she whisper fallen lady

and I held her hand and kissed it.

Then the winds blew and the birds sing.

I have behold a fallen lady

And she softly blew herself away.and my eyes shall never laid on hers again.

Rindy spunned around. And she saw a young man sitting by himself. In his hand, was a long pointed flute made of silver and gold. He had just finished his song. His back was facing her.

"A very beautiful song." She whispered.

"For a very beautiful girl."

"Who is she?"

"Alexia. It meant Fallen Angel."

Rindy paused. She trembled slightly. "What happen to her?"

"She is dead."

"No."

"Yes. For she never appear before me again." His voice was soft and gentle. Rindy could see the pointed ears from his ruffled brown hair.

"I am so sorry, Iker."

He turned around and looked at her. His blue eyes glistened with tears. "It is a shame that a Dragon Knight should shed teardrops." He whispered. "But all the same, I am glad it is you, Alexia."

"I am not Alexia. I am Rindy."

He nodded softly. "Yes. Alexia is dead. She is dead for a long time."

"I like that song. I'd always like it."

"I played it the first time we met."

She nodded. Somehow, the whole affair was very sad. "I told you my name was Alexia, when in fact, it wasn't."

"Yes. You said your name is Rindy."

"But I lied to you at first." She lowered her eyes. "I did not tell you the truth because I was running away at that time."

"Yes. You said fate would bring us together again. But we did not met for two long years."

She shook her head slowly. "No we did not. I am sorry."

"I always thought you were a human because I found you in the human world."

Rindy nodded. "I wandered aimlessly into the forest where you found me. But before that, I had time to mend the animals and the plants which had been disturbed by the humans."

"You told me you worked in a CD shop."

"I lied. I am sorry. I did not intend for anyone to know of my true coming."

Iker nodded. His eyes drifted away from her and they seemed to wandered far. "I have lived on these lies of yours, Alexia. I have dreamed of the day when we shall meet again."

"I know. I am sorry."

"You apologize too easily, Alexia. Not everything is your fault."

"Your pain and mine as well, is my fault. I have bring nothing but grief to everyone who cares for me."

"That is not true." he said softly.

"Did you have Fayth to kill everyone at camp?"

The Dragoon shook his head. "No. Fayth was beyond my power to control. For she had returned to her former master."

"Raul..?"

Iker nodded. "Yes. Lord Raven. He send Fayth to kill everyone at camp. He also send the Mist and the Flaming Tongue upon all at the Inner Circle." His voice trembled. "Everyone was burnt alive. Some escaped I should think. Though not many."

Rindy shook her head quickly. "No that cannot be true! Raul was with me all along! We were only recently awakened!"

"Though I know not of what you speak, because I know too little and understand none. I shall believe you at present. I, too, did not think Raul a killer. For he is my friend. Something else is at work here."

"Iker, Raul thought you did it. He thought you ordered Fayth to kill everyone at camp and Virginie too. He is angry at you." She lowered her voice to a whisper. "He may kill you."

"I am not surprised. The Dark Lord often have a short temper."

"But I will tell him. Will you come with me? We can find him at the bay. If what you say is true, then there is another Necromancer here that can speak the tongue of the dragons. So that he can order Fayth. And he must be a powerful necromancer as well for he is able to summon the Mist." She frowns worriedly. "We are all at danger here. Raul especially. His strength and will is not fully recovered."

Rindy hurried to the bay, with Iker urgently behind her. She felt a strange dread rising in her heart. And she did not understand it. But she knew something was going to happen soon. Something awful. When they reached the bay, Raul was no longer there.

"He is gone." Rindy whispered, her face pale.

"But near, perhaps?" Iker asked, turning his bright blue eyes onto hers. "Can you feel him?"

"It is strange. Shane is not here either."

"Lord Slyther? Yes, I have not seen him for a long time."

Rindy turned to Iker worriedly. "Shane cannot move by himself. Raul must have carried him away. But to where, I do not know."

"Why would Raul do that?"

"I do not know. But he is angry at me. And angry at Shane."

Iker nodded thoughtfully. "Alexia, I will scout the area to the Inner Circle. Perhaps we can find him there."

"I will go with you." She quickly said.

"It will be a dangerous road. We may find the other necromancer. Else his work may still be present. In any case, it will not be an easy road."

"I am not afraid."

The dragoon nodded and took her hand. "Yes. I fear already that you are too courageous. Come on, we shall go to the Inner Circle."

When they reached the Inner Circle, Rindy sang a prayer and the Mist lifted. Iker widened his eyes at her.

"How fair you are!" He exclaimed.

She smiled a little. "I do not know either. But it seems my powers happen to oppose that of a Necromancer's."

Iker nodded, happily. "Well, with the Mist gone. It will be easier on our hearts and minds to search for survivors, as well as Raul and Lord Slyther."

"Why do you not call him Shane?"

"I do not know. It just so happens this way."

So off they went, uncovering every rubble, fallen debris and pillars, if their strength would allow it. And they saw many dead corpses. Some look like they had been dead for days, but because of the Mist, they were left unfound. With the Mist gone, Rindy could see almost many things. Things she may have wished she could not see. But alas, they were there. Her eyes fell upon another dead body. A human body.

She hurried to its side. The dead boy had a head of golden hair and his eyes were opened. Rindy could see the clear blue iris in them. But she could no longer see the light of life. She sighed deeply, her heart aches. For she recognizes this human. It was Nicky. Shane's human friend. She had met him briefly two years ago when she had ran into the Human World.

There was nothing she could do for him now. Yet all she could do was lament.

"You know this human?" Iker asked softly, kneeling beside her.

She gently touches Nicky's hair. They felt soft but cold in her hands. She shivered. "Yes."

"His body looks mangled. He must have been hit by something large and heavy."

Rindy closes her eyes briefly and said a silent prayer. "He is Shane's friend. Shane will be distraught to learn this. Already, he had lose many people dear to his heart."

"Lord Slyther is strong, when I first behold him. He will pull through. Do not worry."

Rindy nodded, yet her heart grieves. Why should there be war when it brings nothing but pain and sufferings? If she could wished for anything in the world right now, she would want everything and everyone to be in peace.

"Alexia, did you hear that?"

Rindy turned to Iker. It was odd that he would continue to call her Alexia. But she decided not to correct him. And she did hear something.

It sounded like the flapping of wings.

"Something is coming." Iker whispered. And before Rindy could react, he had pulled her away from Nicky and dragged her to a shadow in the corner of a broken pillar.

After some moments, a large shadow descended from the sky. And Rindy held her breathe when she saw a large red dragon. Its eyes were round and red and its teeth sharp. Rindy trembled at the mere low growling of it. Iker squeezed her hand.

"Do not speak." he whispered. Rindy nodded, her eyes wide and intense as she stare at Fayth, wondering what she would do next.

The dragon walked slowly towards Nicky's body. Every steps she took, it makes the ground shakes. Rindy covered her mouth. She had a horrible feeling.

Fayth then bend down and looked at Nicky. She seems to be smelling him. Sniffing him out.

Rindy felt her stomach lurch. Beside her, Iker was muttering something she could not understand. It could be dragoon tongue.

Then, suddenly, with a loud roar, Fayth threw her head up and opened her mouth. Rindy could see the sharp fangs in them.

"She is going to feast on him." she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.

Iker shook his head. "Fayth do not feed on meat. Her feeds are moonflower weeds." Even his voice was that of bewilderment.

Not knowing what was really happening, the strength in her heart came to her in a sudden, that she pulled away from Iker and threw herself onto Nicky's body, covering him with her own.

"Do not!" She shouted. But her voice betrayed her fear. And Fayth could sense that fear as she looks in somewhat shock of the little petite girl now laying infront of her.

Iker was immediately on his feet. He drew his spear and charged towards Fayth, screaming something ancient and unknown to Rindy. But Fayth appear to understand for she looks at Iker, her red eyes gleaming and then she let out another roar.

This time, Iker recognize that roar. It was a battlecry and it could only mean one thing. Fayth was going to attack. He jumped agilely to the left of Fayth and the dragon turned around to face her attacker. It left Rindy and Nicky alone.

Rindy, seizing this chance, quickly dragged Nicky's heavy body to the shadow behind a pillar. She did not know why she had acted this way, even though Nicky was already dead. But she know that she cannot allow Nicky's body to be manhandled by Fayth. It would be a sin.

Meanwhile, Iker was kept busy. Fayth tried to claw at him but he was too quick for her. Several times, she breathe out fire but Iker almost always jumped away in time. Rindy watched this with a heavy heart. She knew Iker could not keep at it much longer. She could sense he was tired and this evading was taking its toll on him. She have to do something to help him. But she know not what to do. For she never dealt with a dragon before. It is beyond her control.

Do I know any ancient tongue of the dragons? She tried to recall. And she realized she did not. Raul would know. He would be able to tame Fayth. Yet Raul was not around. And any seconds now, Iker could be strike down by Fayth.

It was at this perilous moment, that Rindy abandon thoughts of herself and she raced towards Iker and Fayth with one goal in her mind. That she will calm it. How she would do it, she had no idea. But her heart told her she could. And even though she know no language of the dragons, she started to sing.

Her song was lovely. It was not in the tongue of humans or the night people or the dragons. It was the tongue of the faeries. Her granny used to tell her stories of the faeries and how they disappear from the world when it was overrun by humans. The song goes something like this when translated.

Close thy eyes and you shall be fine

Let your wings soar high

Never will you fade away

Come find me one day

Wings of the heavens, heart of pure

Raindrops on the havens, may they fall

When thy night comes thither near,

may you find peace and fearless cheer

And so, Rindy sang. And Fayth listened. And to Iker's astonishment, Fayth began to quietened down and ceased her attack. It almost looks as if she was dreaming.

Iker hurried to Rindy's side. "Are you fine?"

She nodded, though a bit dazed. "Yes. I am fine. I pray you are as well?"

The dragoon nodded quickly." She never had a chance. I trained her and know all her moves by heart. What song was that?"

"It was a song sang by the faeries long ago, when they still existed."

"The faeries?"

Rindy nodded. "Yes. They are winged angels. Granny used to tell me bedtime stories about them."

"What happened to them?"

"They flew away. To a land so far and never-ending, no one will ever find them again."

Iker looked at her, his eyes concerned. "How did you know of this ancient song?"

"I think I may have heard someone sang it once. I am not sure."

Beside them, Fayth was in a deep slumber. Iker shook his head sadly. "I should never have brought Fayth here. She did no help but damage instead."

"It is not your burden to bear the blame. Fayth must have been controlled by the other necromancer." She frowned a little. "Though I am quite opposed to the idea of there being another necromancer. Because I know Raul was the last of the Five Great Necromancers."

"The Five Great Necromancers?" Iker asked.

Rindy nodded. "It was in the ancient book of history, well kept by the Book-keepers, that throughout the reign of the Night World, there will only be five necromancers, ever to exist."

"Who are these Book-keepers?"

"They are the ones that keep watch of all the ancient scrolls and texts that concerns history and prophecies. Because no one should be allow to read them."

Iker was thoughtful. "So, there were five necromancers throughout history?"

"Yes. The Five Great Necromancers are known as the Tribute to the Night World. Because they are so great and powerful, they are often revered as the Saviors of the Night World. When Raul was first born of his parents, he was discovered to be a necromancer. And hence, there were great jubilation from everyone in the Night World."

"But I understand that Lord Slyther is Raul's brother. And he is a vampire?"

Again, Rindy nodded. "Yes. The Queen was a vampire. And she was married to the Dark Lord of the Night World, which is Raul and Shane's father. The Dark Lord is not a necromancer, nor a vampire. He was what they called a Drakyr. The Drakyr species are closely related to the dragons. He had wings."

"No more of the Drakyr now, I heard." Iker muttered.

"Yes. The Dark Lord was the last of the Drakyr. When Raul was born not a Drakyr but a necromancer instead, I guess the whole line just died out."

Iker nodded thoughtfully. "I'd always wondered how Raul managed to rear and speak in the tongues of the ancient dragons. Since only the Dragoons now speaks it after the Drakyr were gone. But I guess it is now plain. Raul clearly inherited his affinity with dragons from his father."

"How is it then, that another necromancer should be about?" Rindy asked. "If the ancient text were true to its legend, then Raul must be the last of the Five Great Necromancers."

"Maybe Raul was not the fifth necromancer, but the fourth instead?" Iker suggested. "Hence, the fifth necromancer will be the one we are searching for."

Rindy shook her head slowly. 'It still does not make sense for me. And if you are right and Raul is the fourth. Why then had the fifth necromancer come to the Night World at such a early time? It is said that only at every ten thousand years will a necromancer be born."

"We should not place too much hope and trust on the ancient scrolls." Iker said softly. "After all, no one had been allowed to read it. The Book-keepers kept it secret. And those that you hear could merely be myths or hearsay."

"But granny have read it!" Rindy said suddenly. "It was she who told me everything! All the history and ancient myths!"

To this, Iker remain silent. But when he speaks next, his voice was grave. "Maybe we should find the Book-Keepers. Then, we may learn the truth."

Raul stared in shock at his brother. Shane appear to be awake now, but nevertheless, he was sprouting nonsense.

"There is more to this than meets the eye." Shane mumbled, his gray eyes fixed on Raul.

"What the devil are you talking about?"

"A white angel send down from the havens!"

"Shut up about angels already!" Raul snapped. He rolled his eyes. "I like you better when you're sleeping and quiet."

Shane appeared not to have heard him. He continued, though he was sitting on the grass, looking like some lost child. "The world is dark. I cannot save it. I tried, but I cannot."

Raul stared at his insane brother warily. "What?"

"I cannot save everyone. I want to. But I cannot. I have failed."

This was familiar to Raul. Did not Rindy said something like this before? Did not she said something about saving Shane, and then saving Raul himself?

Shane continued. "The clouds came so suddenly. I was blinded. I did not see her."

"See who?"

"The angel."

Raul glared at his brother. Here, he was at the western border, wasting his time with his stupid brother. He should be looking for Rindy instead. The thought of the girl brought rage to his heart. Damn her for running away! So he did lose his temper. But he had not ordered her to run away and never to return. It was just like Rindy to take off without a word. He still remembered the time, two years ago, when she had disappeared without a word and had ran to the human world. He was still sore when he thought of it.

However, Raul had searched high and low at the Eastern Border and found the camp to be empty. Then he had ran to the Western Border like the wind and found to the same effect, a routed camp with no signs of life. He had been much disappointed at not finding his people cowering here. Also, there was the matter with Rindy. Now, where could that girl have gone off to?

"Shane. Do me a favor and keep quiet for the rest of the days until I ask for you to speak again."

His brother looked dazedly up at him. Then he nodded as if he understood. Raul sighed and sat down tiredly beside Shane. He closes his eyes and tried to sense Rindy. Funny, how he couldn't.

"Granny is most wise. And most evil. But I loved her." Shane said suddenly.

Raul turned to his brother. "Granny?"

"Yes. She plays with the heart."

"I heard you killed her."

"What? Granny is dead?"

Raul rolled his eyes tiredly. He had no mood for games. "Yes. And you're the one that killed her."

Shane was upset. "This is most depressing. And I had the heart to speak with her again."

"You killed her, dear brother."

Shane appeared not to hear him. Or he may have chose not to. "I wonder what will happen to the Night World."

"I will destroy it."

"Fair is the lady in White. She will guide me through the shadows." Shane turned and quite alarmingly to Raul, actually smiled kindly at him. "She will guide you too."

Raul was disgusted and it showed in his handsome face. "Quit your nonsense or I may have the mind to keep you silent for the rest of your life!"

"I can see the colors of the rainbows. It is up there, in the heavens!" Shane pointed up suddenly. Raul wanted to kick his brother but something was catching his brother's gaze and he felt compelled to look up.

What Raul saw caught him completely by surprise. Above the sky, there was Elessar, an aeon long forgotten by history. Its bright blue and purple wings were spanned wide apart and they covered the sunlight. The Night World was suddenly thrown into darkness. A loud wailing sound came from it.

Raul immediately pulled his brother down beside him, so that they were now hiding behind a huge slab of fallen wall.

Elessar continues to soar the sky above them, as if scouting for something.

"Do not speak." Raul whispered.

Shane looked at his brother. "But it is beautiful."

Raul felt like kicking his brother. "Elessar is not beautiful. He is evil. He is a bird of prey. And we are his prey!"

"He will eat us?"

"Shut up and look!"

Elessar turned its head towards them. He appears to have heard them or maybe sniffed them out. With a huge flapping movement, he dived down low towards the wall and with his huge claws, break the wall part.

Raul and Shane were both flung aside by this sudden movement. Now they were in the open. And Elessar could see them. Raul got up quickly. He had not lose his footing. He dashed towards another pillar, attempting to camouflage himself into the darkness. It was at this time that Raul could see his brother, still sitting in a daze, staring strangely up at the bird. He felt like cursing aloud but Elessar now landed onto his feet, and walked slowly towards Shane. Each step he took, the pillars shook with tremble.

Raul held his breath. What to do now? He would not care if Shane is to perish. But it was still an awful way to die. In the stomach of an aeon. He could summon it away but there was little chance that Elessar would heed him since he is not the one that summon him here in the first place, he would not be master to Elessar.

But who then had summon the beast? Raul had no time to think. For Elessar, with a quick sweeping movement, swept Shane up into his back. Raul watched in awe as Elessar then took off, soaring back into the sky and leaving the area.

The light came back. But Shane was gone.

Iker watched curiously as Rindy paced back and forth. She looked troubled.

"What is it?" he asked softly.

"The Sword of the Earth. I cannot recall where it is."

"Sword of the Earth? You mean the gap that separates Night World and the souls."

Rindy nodded. "After sleeping for two years, I'd lose all sense of time and direction. The Sword of the Earth was the gapping hole in the earth created by Raul when he first became the Soul Eater. Countless Night People who were then oppressing the Royal Rule, was suppressed by Raul then. He did that by eating their souls. And these soulless creatures then fall into the gap, which is now known as the Sword of the Earth."

"I know very little about the history of the Night World. For the Dragoons are ignorant creatures, only dwelling quietly in their own lands."

"I much envy the way of the Dragoons though." She said softly. "They are not ignorant, but peaceful."

"Tell me more about this Gap then. Why would the Night People oppose the Royalty."

Rindy sighed. "The history go much deeper. The deceit lies deep in the roots. Ancient scrolls or books would have tell of how wondrous the King and Queen had been during their times. It was not so. Wondrous are they in person, but nevertheless, the Night People, some of them, hated them. These are the ones that formed a Resistance Faction and oppose the Royalty."

"Why would they hate the King and Queen if they are kind?"

"You know, the Night World consist of three main species of creatures. The vampires, werewolves, and then witches. The Queen is a vampire as you know. Most beautiful and powerful. But the King is a Drakyr. The Night People feels that he is not part of the order of the Night World, which consist only of the three main groups. Hence, he was considered unfit for the Queen. When they got married and two sons were born, one was a vampire, and the other a Necromancer. The Night People originally wanted the vampire son to be the new King. But the Necromancer over-rule them all. For he is most powerful."

Iker frowned. "I thought the Necromancer is considered their Saviors. The one that would reshape the Night World into a better place."

Rindy nodded. "Yes. That is what all the previous four Necromancers did. They build Night World into the world it is now. They protect it from hostile takeovers from other creatures unseen and unheard of. But in the end, they are still Necromancers, still different from the Night People. Still not one of them."

"What happen to the late King and Queen?"

"They perished."

"How?"

"They were murdered. In their sleep. Raul immediately got crowned King the next day since Shane was taken to the Human World by Granny."

"Do you know who did it?" Iker asked quietly.

Rindy shook her head. "There were plenty of speculations. But no one was sure. Most seem to think it was Raul."

"What?!"

"They felt Raul was impatient to be King. Since he had that power, I guess people automatically assumed it was him."

"You never ask him?"

Rindy shook her head. "I know he did not."

"How can you be so sure?"

She sighed a little. "Because I knew. He loved his father more than anything. I guess he felt sort of close to the King because he was just like Raul, a unique breed that everyone is afraid and suspicious of."

Iker nodded, he looked about him. They were in a field surrounded by white lilies. "So what is this place?"

"I think it is near the Gap. I can barely recalled it but I think it is somewhere around here."

"Why are we looking for the Gap?"

"Because the Book-Keepers dwell inside the Gap."

Iker widened his eyes. "But you said the soulless."

Rindy nodded gravely. "Yes. The Book-Keepers are victims of the retaliation of the Royal Rule a thousand years ago."

"A thousand years.?"

"I was created during around that time. I've been with Raul ever since."

"But you seemed to know everything. Including those events that had happen before your creation."

Rindy smiled sadly. "Yes. So you notice. I guess Dragoons are really keen on ears and eyes as the saying goes. I know everything. It is in my memory."

"But how.?"

She shook her head. "There is no how or why. It is just there. I was created to be the perfect key. The perfect weapon so to speak."

"The perfect weapon?"

She chuckled but her green eyes were grave. "You are confused. I do not blame you. Sometimes I almost lost myself along the way. But we will find the Book-Keepers. They will then tell you everything you need to know about me. And Alexia."