Chapter Twelve: Secrets Revealed
Outside the windows of the inn, light streamed down through the transparent panels. Songs greeting the morning sun escaped from the forest as birds have awoken early. It was the beginning of a new day for those who still breathed the air.
Aurora fastened the Dragonblade to the belt on her back. She had woken up, as always on time for breakfast. She buckled her bag around her waist and wiped her tear-stained face with a wet towel. For as long as she could remember, she knew she had cried a thousand tears.
She took a breath as she regained peace. She didn't want the others to know her feelings and pity her. She was the Dragon Guardian, of course.
But she wasn't supposed to be the one.
Snores lifted about in her room. The two flying cats and the blob were still asleep. They were not used to waking up early. Aurora couldn't help but smile and shake her head. Tempted, she cleared her voice. She drew closer to them, three inches away from Cosmomi's ear.
"WAKE UP!!!"
The mighty yell triggered the cats' fright sending them to the ceiling. They clasped tightly to the wooden planks, their teeth chattering. Green jumped, its watery form quivering. But when it saw Aurora, its face filled with glee and jumped into her extended arms. She gazed up with a stretch of a smile.
"You know? You two should really take less sugar before bedtime," Aurora exclaimed, hands on hip.
"You could at least say "Morning! How did you sleep?"!" Cosmomi demanded, unclasping his claws from the ceiling. And so did Black.
"You didn't have to shout," Black grumbled, rubbing his left ear as the shout resounded on for a short moment.
"It was either this or pour a bucket of water on you," she uttered. "Now come on. Rachael should be up and making breakfast by now."
"Breakfast?" Black yelled. "I'm there!"
Cosmomi watched her smile and turn to open the door. Black flew out, his face happy. Green hopped out from her embrace and bounced out of the room. For only a moment, Cosmomi fell into deep thoughts.
'She must still be sad from last night,' he thought. 'I wonder if we really can find the relic...'
"Cosmomi?"
The platinum flying cat snapped from his thoughts as he looked up.
"Are you coming?" Aurora asked, her carefree smile still painted.
Cosmomi's furry face beamed. He nodded and took flight. The Dragon Guardian and her creature companions walked to the stairs, the cabin door closing behind them. Down the stairs, she was greeted by the many faces of friends.
Cairo turned his attention away from a book of magic while Coco helped Ms. Cartha prepare the table. Savours of breakfast flowed out from the small kitchen near the counter downstairs as Rachael carried the plate of food up. Flames landed with ease on the table, slurping with carving delight. Fiona gazed one eye up as she threw her legs back under the table.
"Morning, Aurora."
She turned an angle, meeting Rue. As soon as she made eye contact to him, his face showed concern. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Fiona agreed with Rue's terms. "You looked pale around the gills."
"I'm fine. Really," the Dragon Guardian assured them. For a silent moment, she was given stares. Aurora knew they didn't believe her. Frankly, Fiona gave a steady stare. As a demi-human, she could tell she was bluffing her words again.
"What you're all staring for? I'm really fine. Honest," Aurora declared. "Now let's have some breakfast."
SLAM!
Pairs of eyes threw to the direction from upstairs. Creaks escaped under each step as the groggily princess walked down, yawning with an open mouth. Her eyes were barely opened and she looked as if she mangled her own blanket in her sleep. For the whole night, she had slept on the floor.
"What happened to you?" uttered Fiona with one raised eyebrow.
"You looked like you had a fight or something," Cairo exclaimed.
"Or probably had a fight with herself," Coco muttered.
"Ah, shut up," Mint groaned as she took her seat.
"Well," Ms. Cartha announced. "Why not we eat? The food will get cold."
Everyone began to eat, some fighting over the favored pieces of hard-boiled eggs and chops while few chattered nosily. For the innkeeper, she enjoyed listening to Rachael as the little girl explained today's recipe but most of all, she enjoyed having company with this many people.
Breakfast finished by mid-morning. Rachael joined in aid to help Ms. Cartha with the dishes while the elves cleared the table. Once the table was neatly cleared, the four travelers went out of the inn as they discussed the issue about Mel and the cube.
"So today, you all will be visiting Mel again, right?" Fiona questioned.
"Yeah," Rue replied. "She must be done on the cube."
"The sooner, the better!" Mint droned. "It won't be long until I will have the relic!" She jumped with excitement but stopped when her so-called comrades stared gradually, correcting their ears of what she had said. "Um...I mean 'we' will have the relic! Heh-heh!"
Aurora's glare of distrust strayed away as she turned her attention to the demi-human. "Fiona, why don't you come along?"
"Nah," the demi-human replied, waving a hand. "I think I'd like to explore around for a while. I've only been the tavern, the inn and the Grass Fields."
"Suit yourself."
They gave goodbyes to the demi-human and wandered to the gates. A calm smirk lengthened on the furry face as she stretched her back. "Now I can relax and enjoy some sight-seeing."
"Hi, Fiona." She looked back, meeting the cheery face and the naïve smile of the girl, Elena. Her cherry blossom hair stirred with the wind. For what was expected for the demi-human, it could be for the worse.
The huge gates swung open slowly, the trio's access confirmed to the guards. Readily, they took off on the path.
"Wait!" A cry shouting from the inn captured their gaze. The little orange-haired girl darted, daggers in their leather slots. Flare followed after.
"What is it, Rachael?" Aurora asked as her little sister caught up.
"Let me guess. You're gonna take us what we're having for dinner, right?" Mint inquired, shining a smirk with drool.
Rachael shook her head. "I want to see Mel."
The mouths of the trio and the creatures (excluding Green for being the only clueless one) dropped wide open, nearly jumping out of their skins.
"A-Are you sure, Rachael?" Rue asked.
She nodded. "Elena told me she's very fancy. I'd like to meet her."
"Leave it to Elena," Mint mumbled.
"Um, Rachael," Aurora cried, trying to find the words. "Maybe you shouldn't go."
"Why not?" Rachael asked curiously. "Please, Aurora."
"I'm sorry," the older foster sister sighed. Gathering all her mastering of order and control, she shouted. "Rachael, I am not going to take my own sister to a place that's beyond all logic!"
The Dragon Guardian couldn't help but regret herself.
On the trail towards Mel's Atelier, Aurora's little sister gazed around to the sights of giant mushrooms and swirling plants like a child seeing new sights. Despite the master of discipline Aurora used on her apprentices, it didn't work on Rachael.
"Well, it was worth a shot," Rue exclaimed.
However that was not enough to agree with Aurora's terms. A shadow of doubt and defeat cast over the Dragon Guardian.
They proceeded on to the atelier on the flowing island and approached to the musical door. Rue seized his fist and gave a tap. The note toned, surprising only Rachael and Flare.
"Come in," the voice within called merrily.
They entered, greeting the magician and her helper. The moment they stepped in, Flare's eyes popped widely, wishing to cover the shocking scene away.
"Don't look. It's bad for your eyes," Cosmomi mumbled, covering his youngest sister's eyes with his paws.
For Rachael, it was a quiet gasp and a smile. The Poppul Purrel jumped with glee to see his new friends come.
"It's Rue! And Mint and Aurora!" he cried. "I thank again. I happy to be home."
"Hello," Mel greeted. She bowed down, catching her helper's attention. "Sweetie, can you go outside? I need to talk to them alone."
The little childish dwarf frowned. "Not fair... Not happy... But Mel say, so I do." He turned back to the trio. "Bwye-Bwye! We play next time." He took off, out of the imaginable atelier.
"I'm so glad you found him. Thank you," Mel thanked gratefully. She soon took notice of the little ten-year-old girl standing next to the Dragon Guardian. "Oh. Who's your friend?"
"Actually, she's my sister, Rachael," Aurora introduced. "She wanted to come along."
Remembering what the spirit had told her, Mel examined from the long orange hair to the fashion Rachael wore. To meet a person looked alike yet different made the magician smile.
"It's nice to meet you, Fancy Mel," Rachael greeted politely. "You look very..." The little girl tried to find the right word. With a beam of a smile, she spoke. "Very attractive."
The trio face-faulted, unbelieving their ears. Flare joined in with her catty siblings in their disbelief as she had the same opinion on the magician.
"Very attractive?" Aurora echoed.
"She's enough to scare anyone away," Mint whispered.
"Why, thank you," Mel chanted, accepting the little girl's gracious statement.
"Are you done with the cube?" Rue asked once everyone took in their composure.
"Well, aren't we eager. Yes, I'm done examining the cube." In her hand was a report file. "I've written everything in here. You can read it when you get back to town."
She passed the report to the silver-haired boy as he thanked. "Thank you very much."
"We really appreciate it," Aurora added in.
"Don't mention it. I had some free time anyway," Mel exclaimed. "Well... I guess that concludes our deal."
"Yay! We're one step closer to the relic!" Mint shouted.
"Yes, about that..." The magician turned away, strolling to her mushroom seat. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you three. Do you have a minute?"
"Sure. What is it?" Rue asked.
Mel gave a glance from Aurora to Mint and finally to Rue. "I'd like to ask you 'one by one', if you don't mind."
"Well okay. We'll leave ya be. Come on, Mint," Aurora uttered, seizing the princess's collar.
"Hey! Let go of me!" the princess screamed.
Followed by the creatures and the little girl, they all exited out of the atelier, leaving Rue to his discussion with the fancy magician.
"What is it you want to talk about?" Rue asked.
Gazes exchanged as Mel cleared her voice. "...I guess I'll just come out and say it. Rue... You're not human, are you?"
He jumped back a step away, eyes growing wide. "W-Why? Why do you think that?"
"How should I explain this...?" Mel struggled, finding the right words. "There's something about your spirit. Every human has but one spirit. But you... There's something odd about you. I can see it. I see your spirit, and a shadow of another spirit. I've never seen anything like it in any human."
"..."
"Maybe I shouldn't have brought this up. I'm sorry if I offended you."
"It's ok... It's true."
He tried to resist but the truth had to be told. He reached out and took off his hat, revealing his silver hair. Three locks of silver stood up like feathers. Unusual, his own hair could have been but what was more bizarre was a gem embedded on the skin of his forehead.
"You're right," he admitted with stabbing agony. "I'm not human."
"Do you know who you are?" Mel asked kindly.
"Five years ago..." he started with a pause. "I woke up in some ruins."
The memory seemed unforgettable, no matter how one tried to forget. Time seeped backwards as he recalled back five years ago.
Five years ago...
On a cold night in the midst of winter, a castle of ruins stood lonely in the circle of evergreen trees. Within, the ancient of time was kept in silence. Surrounded by a river of blue glowing water, a black casket lined with gold was placed inside the forgotten place. Sealing over was a glass panel and slumbering inside was a boy of silver hair and a gem crested into his forehead.
The boy opened his gray eyes slowly. He was awakened. The sealed panel broke away into a blaze of light. Slowly, the boy sat up, his mind blank.
"...? What the...?" He gazed around, unfamiliar with his surroundings. "Where am I...?"
He tried to recall but failed to recall everything. "I can't remember. Is this a dream...? Who am I...? What's my name...?"
A stabbing pain ached within his skull, forcing him to fall on his knees and clench his head. "Aaagh. My head..."
The pain did not settled for more than a moment. He got up, trying his best to remember, trying his best to decide what to do next.
"I have to go..." He wandered down the passageway where far the moonlight glittered through a doorway. His vision blurred repeatedly. His grip on a weapon he found at his side tightened. His breath hung heavily.
'Where?'
"Somewhere. I don't know...?"
'...I know I have to do something...'
"I left the ruins and began wandering. I tried to remember where to go... I tried to remember what I had to do... I couldn't remember anything. I wandered aimlessly."
The snow was deep, covering the forest floor like a blanket. The boy pushed himself against his fatigue. He was far away from the ruins. Now he was wandering, until he caught sight of the cottage.
His muscles ached. His body numbed. He could not go no. He fell, feeling the cold flakes of snow touch his face.
The door of the cottage closed shut. Her gaze turned from her home to the boy that lay in the snow. She gave a gasp and quickly rushed to his side, shouting. "Oh my gosh!? Hey, are you alright? Come on! Get up!"
"That's when I met Claire. I was a complete stranger, but she was so kind to me. When she found out that I had no place to go, she told me that I could stay at her home. I wandered alone for so long, and I finally found a home... Claire was like my sister."
Two years later...
"Rue..."
He drew his view away from white blanket outside the window. "Claire...?"
"How's it looking outside?"
"I think it stopped snowing. I just saw some stars in the sky..." he answered. "It's strange..."
"...What's wrong?" she soon asked.
"The sky..." He paused for a moment. "It's really clear tonight. It's hard to believe we've had a snowstorm for the last three days. I don't know. I find it a little strange." With that he took his gaze from Claire to the wooden floor.
"You're thinking too much. It's probably from staying inside the house for so long."
"...Maybe."
"I know," she quickly uttered with her gentle smile. "Why don't you take a little trip tomorrow? I'm sure the weather will be perfect. I think you could really use the fresh air."
His face enlightened. "...Yeah, I think I will. I'm gonna leave at dawn and go to the stream in the valley. And if I see a herd of deer, there, I'm definitely gonna catch one. They often go there to get water. So if I catch one, um..."
"Yes, I'll make your favorite stew," Claire droned. "Better yet, I'll prepare a great feast tomorrow. I'm counting on you to catch a deer."
"No problem," Rue exclaimed.
"You're gonna have a long day tomorrow. You'll need to eat well and sleep well tonight. I'm gonna prepare dinner, ok?"
"Ok," he replied and watched Claire move to the stove to begin cooking. Dinner was soon made and placed on the small wooden table. The aroma filled the atmosphere. At once, Claire announced it was time and Rue took no hesitation to eat.
"Oh, I'm so hungry." He reached to seize a broken piece of garlic-buttered bread and ate with delight. Without his notice, the hazelnut-haired woman watchfully gazed at the boy ate, deep in thought. When he spotted her hands not moving, he soon spoke. "What's wrong? Why aren't you eating?"
"...I was just thinking."
"About what?" he asked, taking another piece of bread.
"About the day you came here."
He stopped and glanced up at Claire as she closed her eyes for a brief moment of silence. She finally opened the brown eyes.
"It was snowing that day, too. That was two years ago," she recalled, amazed of how long it has been. "Can you believe it?"
"...Are you alright, Claire?" Rue asked with concern.
"I'm fine... I'm sorry, Rue. I don't know what just came over me."
He gave a small nod, understanding her words before the sounds of frightened animals disrupted the quiet dinner.
"What's going on?" Rue cried with steady alert.
"It's coming from the barn," Claire declared, disturbed by the sudden noises. "Something's disturbing the animals."
"I'm gonna go take a look." He got from his seat and walked to the door where his weapon, the Arc Edge leaned.
"Be careful, ok?"
"Don't worry. It's probably just a wolf or something."
He arrested the handle of the Arc Edge and swung it over his shoulder with the security of the belt. With that, he exited into the cold quiet winter. He turned to the shelter where the animals that were cared by Claire screamed with fright.
"Geez, what's going on? They're going crazy," he cried and dashed to the shelter. He scanned the area in quick caution but found no prints in the snow, no fur in a distance, no creature nearby. He began to feel uneasy. "There's no sign of a wild animal of anything."
"One night, 'he' came..."
"At last..." A misted voice alarmed him from behind. Swiftly, he turned to convene the long monstrous arm that appeared suddenly. A swing of it attacked, but Rue shielded himself with the Arc Edge, only to be thrown aside. He skidded across the snow on his feet and faced the enemy.
He knew the enemy was no original man for his facial features and the demonic arm gave it away. His twisted spiked hair was frosty white, exact color of Rue's hair. The cold eyes glittered crimson rubies in the dark of the night. Embedded in his forehead was a dull lifeless gemstone. His skintight suit of shadows was appallingly. His right arm was mutated like the hand of a three-clawed monster, enough to kill a being.
"Who are you!?" Rue demanded but the enemy heaved no answer. He took a step into battle, raising his arm. There was no way of getting answers. Rue stepped in, his weapon ready for action.
The noises resounded loudly outside of the cottage. Worried, Claire got up and walked to the door, where she saw the fight occurring on the snowy blanket.
"Rue!" she gasped.
Each strike of his Arc Edge was countered back by a swing of the enemy's arm. Power against power, Rue felt the tense of the attack respond to his weapon as he defended repeatedly. Unexpectedly, the enemy revealed open his giant hand and a sudden blast of invisible force struck Rue down across the broken snow. Pain backstabbed him hard. The enemy drew closer, seeing his victory to a near end.
Rue got on one knee, trying to regain his strength but the force has broken a rib. He glared up and moaned in utter pain. "Aaaagh..."
A small grin stretched on the enemy's face but was soon distorted when a squared blade thrust into his back. "Hey!!!"
He looked over his shoulder. Standing bravely was Claire, holding a hoe, which she took from the shed beside the small shelter.
"Leave him alone, you beast!" She was brave to face but inside, she was frightened as he turned, the grotesque hand moving.
"Claire! Run!" Rue shouted as he stood up. But to his distraction, the hand wrapped its claws around the silver-haired boy and flung him across the field.
"Rue!" Claire cried and turned back to the monster as he drew closer. She backed away, her mind shouting to run away but she couldn't when the silver-haired boy's life was at risk.
Rue could feel his bones breaking and his muscles throbbing in agony. He forced himself up to his feet but collapsed back on his knee. He gazed up, concerned of Claire's safety.
"Claire!" he yelled.
The woman locked in fear. Without warning, the enemy raised high his hand of death, the claws dangling with deadly raggedness.
"WAIT! NOOOO!!!"
Nothing could stop this from happening. The hand was brought down before the woman had one last look of concern to her friend.
The hoe broke into splinters. Blood spilled over the white snow. Rue's silver eyes widened. She lied on the snow, blood dripping from a wound on her head. She lay there, unresponsively.
"CLAIRE!!!" Rue screamed one more time.
From shock to growing anger, he turned to the monster. His grip tightened around the handle of his Arc Edge. A burning power was beginning to live within him, triggered by his rage.
"...I'll kill him!"
Light ignited under the clear night where the half-moon hung. The enemy glanced sharply and watched the light engulfing and glowing, encircling the silver-haired boy who was now instinctively levitating a meter from the ground. The light swirled like gears of gold. His hat had fallen off, revealing his silver white hair and the lively gemstone.
Finally, the power came to an end and his eyes flashed open. He dashed into battle and attacked the enemy, one powerful strike after the other. The enemy, now feeling the tense of his blade, braced against the beating forces with his monstrous arm. With another swing of the blade, this time more authoritative, he was forced away, skidding over the snow.
Rue darted, his Arc Edge in position. The enemy quickly stood his grounds, and cast another invisible compel of magic. But the shelter of Rue's Arc Edge deflected it. Before Rue could attack, taking down his defending weapon, the enemy took a leap and brought down the hand of death at Rue. Rue swiftly guarded, his weapon held against the hand. When the enemy fell back, landing on the ground, the silver-haired boy took one swing and slashed at the enemy that daggered through the enemy's protective suit.
It was over. The enemy fled away. But a instead of a victory, a life was lost.
Rue rushed to the side of the body and carried her into his arms. He shook her gently, hoping. "Claire, please... Please open your eyes. He's gone. You can open your eyes. Claire! Come on!"
The woman lay still in his arms, her eyes remaining close. Breaking into a cry, tears from silver eyes fall over her cold face.
"Claire!" he whimpered hurtfully.
A light captured his sobbing eyes. He gazed down.
A small sphere of glowing light blazed within the chest of the dead woman. It loomed out of her chest, a soul whispering inside the sphere. It floated towards the boy's eyes and slowly it amalgamated his gemstone.
Under his reaching fingers, he felt the warmth stirring in the gemstone. The wind gusted quietly. And that was all that happened on the night.
"I see..." Mel exclaimed. "Claire's spirit still lurks within you. You poor thing. You suffered so much. You still can't let her go, can you?"
"It's been 3 years already, but it still feels like yesterday. I couldn't do anything for her. That's why I need the relic," Rue explained.
"No wonder you're so determined... The power of the Aeon relic can probably bring Claire back to life," the magician stated.
"I don't care how long it takes," Rue noted, "Or how many battles I have to fight. I'm gonna fin the relic, no matter what."
"Just keep in mind that what you're trying to do is very dangerous. I've already told you. Valen's power may lead all of us to oblivion."
"Even so, if I can save Claire..."
"What if it leads to world destruction? Millions of people may die. You don't care?"
Rue remained silent. He did not wish to be the cause of millions of deaths yet wished deeply to bring his friend, Claire back from the grave.
"There's still plenty of time," Mel spoke, hoping that he understood. "Think it over."
"You wanted to talk to me about what?" Mint asked hasty, her arms folded. She had been told by Rue to come in as Mel had a word for the princess. What she didn't know was that what was going to happen next would shock her out of her leggings.
"Yes, I've been wanting to ask you something," Mel explained from her mushroom seat.
"What?"
"Have you heard of the East Heaven's eldest princess ran away and...she's been missing since."
Mint jumped with a startle as Mel continued on her speech.
"Rumor is that she was a very spoiled princess." Thud! "Oh top of that, I heard she was violent, indulged in luxury and was a major pain in the neck. ...Mint, what's wrong?"
Mel stared down at the red-haired girl. She was on her knees, disbelieving what her ears have collected. "Mel... Where did you hear that?"
"Oh, it's a very famous rumor. I kind of feel sorry for her. Word is that nobody at East Heaven is worried about her. Instead, her younger sister Maya is getting all the attention there, revered by her people for her graceful nature." THUD! "Mint why are you on the floor? Are you really alright?"
Mint's face met the well-swept floor. Anger swirled as she wished to strangle the nearest thing that came her way. She got to her feet, a face casting with fury.
"NOOO!!! I'm that big bad princess!" she shouted.
"Oh, really?" Mel heaved a giggle. "I never would've imagined."
'Uh-huh, yeah right' thought Mint.
The magician stopped her laughter and quickly went back to the issue. "So why did you leave East Heaven in the first place?"
"You want to know why? I'll tell you why," Mint uttered sharply. "It's all because of that snake, Maya! It happened two years ago."
Two years ago...
Dashing across the red carpets that led along the great hallway was a girl with blazing red hair. Merely bored of her studies, she turned heel, away from the books of magic and history and ran to the dining room. The doors opened, greeting her in. A blast of aromas muffled about.
Dishes of sophisticated rations were placed before her, ranging to dim sums, roast duck, soup, omelet, spring rolls, dumplings, fantail shrimps and so on. It wasn't fitted just for a king but for the entire royal family. With joy, she jumped happily as the doors closed behind her.
"Wow! Perfect timing!" she cried.
"Princess," someone spoke to her from a corner of the room. She turned back, meeting the gray eyes of the King's advisor and father. "Dinner won't be for another 10 minutes! Please return to your room at once!"
"Come on, Gramps. I'm starving. I'm not waiting. No way," she uttered and drew closer to the royal table. The smell played with her nose, making her drool ravenously. "Gosh... Just looking at this food makes me drool."
She wiped her mouth with her sleeve. Her red eyes flitted about until they caught their target.
"Princess! Don't touch the food!" the old man shouted.
Alas, she ignored his words. She leapt to the side of the table and took arrest of a fantail shrimp, popping it into her mouth. "Mmmm, yummy!"
"What bad manners! Princess! Behave yourself!" Gramps shouted again, feeling well that he would lose his voice soon.
"Hey, take it easy," the princess droned. "I'm gonna eat it pretty soon anyway. What difference does it make?"
She ran away, eyeing around to have the next taste. "Princess! Please!" Gramps pleaded.
"What should I try next? Let's see..."
This went on despite the pleads Gramps gave. From a sip from the ladle of the soup to a dumpling, she ate joyfully. However, for one dish that was served of pumpkin she cursed, angered of the cook's lack of knowledge of her distaste of pumpkins. Once her satisfaction was fulfilled, she threw herself onto the chair that was placed before the table, a leg resting over one handle.
"What are you doing!?" her grandfather yelled shockingly. "That is His Majesty's seat!"
"Yeah, but it'll be my seat in no time," the princess babbled.
"Yes. Someday, you will be queen of the East Heaven Kingdom. However-"
"Exactly. So why are you making a big fuss?"
"My goodness!!!"
The sound of the heavy doors opening thundered, bringing the princess's attention away from the advisor.
"Huh?" the princess uttered.
Two people had entered the dining room and were walking closer to the throne, a red-haired girl in the clothes and grace of royalty, accomplished by a white-haired man wearing a mask with his cloak trailing. The girl's eyes widened disgracefully but regained back their stability.
"What's up, Maya? Why is Doll Master with you?" the princess greeted.
"Why are you sitting in father's seat!?" the girl by the name of Maya cried. "Oh, my dear sister, we must talk."
"Later. I'm starving. Come on, let's eat!"
"Oh gracious...!" Maya slapped her forehead with a swing of her hand. "We have important roles in this kingdom. Have you considered that for a second?"
"My role...?" With that, the princess got off her father's seat and boldly stood before her sister. "Hmph! Of course, I have! I'm your older sister and No.1 princess of East Heaven Kingdom. And eventually, I'll be the ruler of this kingdom."
A silent moment hung steadily.
"Why do you look so puzzled? Ok, you wanna know what I think? My role is 100 times greater than yours. Because I'm smarter than you, prettier than you, stronger than you... I can go on forever. The point is, I'm the most qualified to become the next queen."
"...Not anymore," Maya exclaimed calmly.
"What are you talking about?"
"The high council convened this morning," Doll Master spoke. "They have voted unanimously against your future succession to the throne."
"What? I don't understand... What does that mean?" the princess asked, her boldness losing its sharpness.
"It means that you have lost your right to the throne," Doll Master explained with a cold smirk. "Therefore, he future queen of our kingdom will be Princess Maya."
"So you see, you're no longer qualified," Maya noted evenly.
Slow the princess was to understand this. In a short moment, she understood completely. A feeling stirred inside of her. This was the first time she felt something like this.
And it was growing. Fear.
"Whaaaaat!!!?" she screamed. She ran towards Doll Master, pushing aside her younger sister aside. "WHY!!!? WHAT DID I DO!? Who decided this!?"
"As I have said before, the high council. His Majesty also supports the decision," Doll Master replied.
"No..." The princess fell on her knees, her legs turning to jelly. Tears damped the carpet below her as she gripped the fabric tightly. "Dad...how could you...? This can't be happening... This isn't fair!"
"What did you expect!?"
The princess stood up to meet the phrase Maya gave. This was different to her. For the first time, her own sister was turning against her, even if she was the oldest. With every sentence Maya hissed, the princess took a step back.
"You have done nothing right! You have neglected your training! You break curfew every day!"
The princess felt the wall of the dining room behind her.
"You spend lavishly and only eat what you like... The list goes on and on. Did you honestly believe that a spoiled selfish person like you could become the queen of our renowned kingdom?" Maya ridiculed.
"Hey! When the time comes, I'll start shaping up," the princess said defensively.
"That lazy attitude is exactly what will destroy our kingdom."
"Our kingdom would not last one year if you were at the helm," Doll Master pointed out.
"Probably not even half a year," Gramps joined in the debate.
"Gramps!? You too!?" She was outnumbered. There was no one to help her escape this situation. Not even her father. She wished for the one person to take her away but she knew deeply and painfully, that person wasn't around anymore.
"So, my dear sister..." Maya declared. "The next ruler of East Heaven will be me, not you. I will not tolerate your childish conduct anymore. Do I make myself clear?"
In a building fit of anger, the princess became enraged by Maya's little lecture of headship. She exploded with rage. "Who do you think you're talkin' to!!!? That's it... We'll see who's better!"
The princess leapt away by placing her foot on the wall and heaving herself up, giving her lift. She landed close by the side of the royal table and faced towards her sister. She was determined to show Maya who was rightfully superior.
"Maya! I'm gonna beat you to a bloody pulp! The throne is mine! Do you hear me!?"
She took her Dual Haloes from the strips of her bag. She aimed the golden rings at her sister and began chanting a spell. Light formed before the Dual Haloes as they spun furiously at her command willingly.
"My goodness... You must be kidding," Maya snorted. She held out a circular book, carved with symbols of ancient magic. She held it out like a shield as power surging from it began to activate.
The princess recognized it at once. "That's...the Book of Cosmos!"
"Our kingdom's greatest Aeon relic!" Maya explained. At her command, a light greater than the light of the princess's magic blazed from the book. "The Book of Cosmos! My dear sister, your self-taught magic is useless against the Book."
Accepting the truth regretfully, the princess withdrew her magic. She knew what Maya had said was true. Anger built strongly inside. "DANG IT! You big coward!"
The Book of Cosmos was withdrawn back for a moment. "Whatever... You can do so many things with the Book. Here, you'll definitely like this," Maya sneered, casting a spell.
The spell was cast yet nothing had happened.
A devilish laughter didn't catch the princess's attention. For a large orange round demon appeared above her and plummeted over her, hitting her head.
"UNGH!!!"
The demon bounced away. The princess got up on her feet, clenching her aching head but gasped at the sight of the creature before her. She backed away in fright. Her worst nightmare was standing before her. "P-Pumpkin!?"
"That's right," Maya uttered triumphantly. "From now on, your life is going to be a bog pumpkin nightmare. Starting tonight, you will eat what is served, just like everyone else, including the pumpkins. If you do not, I will have you confined to your room and have the chef serve you nothing but pumpkins."
"No..." Horror clouded her. She couldn't breath. Her heart raced atrociously. She let out a scream. "NOOOOO!!!"
All remained still as she breathed easily. Yet the pumpkin that waggled still terrified her. She threw a false smile to her sister. "Come on. I was just kidding around. You're not serious...right?"
"I'm very serious!" Maya barked. "Here's a hint."
With a command by a sway of Maya's hand, the pumpkin twirled forward and rolled. Rolled after the princess.
"No! Heeeelp!" the princess screamed. She took a dash to the doors. Bolting them open, she ran down the hallway, the pumpkin chasing her heels. "MAYAAA! I'M GONNA GET YOU FOR THIS!"
"And that's it. That's how it happened," Mint spoke, finishing her story.
"Mmmm," Mel hummed. "Sounds to me like your selfishness was the cause of your exile."
"Hey, it was Maya who kicked me out!!!"
"Well, now that we have that in the open, I must ask you something."
"What?"
"Why do you need the relic? Are you trying to reclaim your right to the throne?"
"Hmph!" Mint intoned, pushing away one ponytail. "Fine, I'll share my dream with you. First, I'm gonna go home and punish Maya big time for what she did to me. You said Valen's relic is the most powerful Aeon relic, right? Then I should be able to thrash Maya's puny Book of Cosmos."
"That's it?" Mel inquired. "What a silly dream..."
"What are you talking about!? That's not the end of it! After I take care of Maya, I'll take over East Heaven and all the neighboring kingdoms. In the end... I'll take over the entire world!!!"
"So your final goal is world conquest?"
"Yup!" Mint shouted daringly. "You're impressed now, huh?"
"I'll say it again. Don't take the relic lightly. Valen's powers probably can't be harnessed by anymore in this world and could lead to world destruction."
"You worry too much. How can it lead to the end of the world? I'm gonna own the world. That won't happen."
"I guess it doesn't matter what I say. You're obviously going through with it no matter what."
"When I left home," Mint began with a change of passion in her voice. "I promised myself, I would find the relic. I'm not gonna stop now. When I make a promise like that, I always keep it."
"Aye-yi-yi," Mel yelled. "Well, I guess that's the end of our conversation. Mint, could you ask Aurora to come in?"
"Sure. By the way, what did you and Rue talked about?"
"My, aren't we inquisitive... Well, why don't you wait till Rue tells you?"
"What!? You're not telling me!?"
"Maybe you should wait for the right time, until he tells you."
"Oh, fine!"
The princess stomped away, out of the atelier. She slammed the door behind her and found Aurora, Rue and the creature waiting, all their stares with puzzlement.
"Mint, what the heck happened in there?" Aurora was the first to speak.
"Nothing," Mint replied, turning her gaze away.
"Are you sure? We heard a lot of noise in there," Cosmomi pointed.
"Look, it's nothing! Aurora, Mel wants you."
"Oh, eh, alright." With that, Aurora, followed by her bestial companions, entered into the atelier.
"Mint, are you alright?" Rue asked, noticing of Mint's enraged expression.
"Yeah, I'm fine," was Mint's reply. "Just fine."
"You wanted to talk about something?" The Dragon Guardian exclaimed curiously and watched the magician nod her head.
"Yes. I don't mean to be rude but..." She hesitated.
"What? Just spill it out," Cosmomi uttered.
"...You are a dragonoid, aren't you?"
The two flying cats jumped back in fright, but for Aurora, she stood in her position, her eyes widened in awe, troubled.
"W-What...what did you say?" Aurora gasped.
"I asked if you are a dragonoid."
"Why do you say that!?" Black quickly shouted.
"Well, how do I explain this...? Aura told me."
"Aura?" all droned in shocking unison.
"Well, she didn't tell me actually but showed me. Only the soul of dragons can aid dragonoids by sharing the same body. And..." Mel took a pause. "I see your spirit in the form of a dragonoid. As we all know, our spirits take our outer appearance. That gave me a clue. And there's more."
"Huh?" Aurora gapped.
"I see a third spirit that looks almost like yours...but different."
It was then Aurora lowered her head.
"Come on!" Cosmomi shouted, hoping to cover the truth. "Does she really look like a dragonoid to you? I mean.... She's human."
"Yeah!" Black joined. "And she can't be a dragonoid because she doesn't look like one."
"It's alright..." Swiftly, the flying cats turned back with dropping jaws and widening eyes, meeting the face that sighed with regret. "You both don't have to hide my secret for me. I guess I have to tell someone about it."
"Aurora..." Black moaned.
For Green the little blob, it gazed up with a worrying face, as if it knew her feelings. Gradually, she gave a soft sigh, reached to the ribbon around her head and pulled it out, revealing the cursed symbol on her forehead that suddenly appeared on her head, as if it was immediately drawn with the swift of a brush.
The symbol of dragonoids.
"Yeah, you're right about that," Aurora spoke out calmly. "I'm a dragonoid. One of the remaining clan of all clans."
"So, there are still survivors after the Dragon War Age?" Mel asked from her mushroom seat.
"Yeah..."
"Then may I ask why do you need the relic? Is it that you want to revive the dragonoids that have died during the war? As I heard, a lot of dragonoids wanted to find the relic in order to bring them back."
"No... But I do need it. I need the relic to revive my twin sister, Angela... It was five years ago... The day when there was an attack." Pain stabbed the fragile heart, where she clenched her chest tightly as she tried her best to recount back the time she had tried to forget.
Five years ago...
The sun's rays blessed the serene town of Hikoria. In the marketplace, the villagers talked cheerily as they did their shopping. The bell of a church rang, greeting the people to mass. The oceans at the coast chanted. Sounds rumbled above in the atmosphere, giving the town its name, meaning 'Village of Sounds'.
At a dojo near a temperate forest, the sounds of students training racked about. In one training room, a girl threw practice fists, beating the air. Sweat drenched from her forehead down her body. Her cerulean eyes shone with fighting determination. She fired a kick, her cerulean hair slapping around.
She took her breath, resting her racing heart. "Heave-Heave-Huff-Huff... When will Master Yong Chen give me a break? I'm already tired and it's not even noon yet..."
It was soon she noticed someone standing by the door. There her twin sister stood, watching her practice run on.
"Oh, Angela. I didn't even hear you come in," the girl uttered.
"Aurora, you take this training really seriously," Angela giggled, her tender smile beaming.
"Well, we have one thing in common. I wanna learn karate as much as you wanna learn chorus for that church," the girl pointed. "I don't know why you bother going there when most of the girls are jealous of your singing."
The smile painted on Angela's face slowly faded away while her eyes darkened with guilt.
"So, what are you doing here anyway?" Aurora asked, not aware of the change of her sister's face.
"I...won't be around," she whispered.
Aurora blinked several times, puzzled of her meaning. "What'd you mean? You're going somewhere?"
Angela hesitated, her worrying gaze to the floor. Quickly, she drew back her smile to her sister. "I'm just going somewhere. To do something. That's all."
She watched Aurora glance suspiciously at her. "Are you alright, Angela?"
"Yes." She nodded. "I'm fine. Really."
Aurora could not take her stare away but finally accepted her answer. "Alright. Oh, and Alicia told me to tell you that there'll be a lot of customers coming to the inn so be back this afternoon."
"Sure..."
"I'll see ya later then," Aurora uttered before turning back to her practice.
"...You won't be seeing me at all, Aurora."
The whisper alarmed her by a fraction. Aurora turned to the opened door where her twin had already left. "...What'd she mean by that?"
"I'm home," Aurora cried as she closed the door of an inn called Ocean Inn. Gazing over the counter that exposed a kitchen, a woman of an age ten years older than Aurora. The older girl's azure hair was tied in three ponytails: two falling down her shoulders where one strayed down her back. Her teal blue eyes gleamed away from the kitchen stove to the girl that stood at the door. She welcomed a smile to see her youngest sister.
"Now where have you've been?" Alicia asked as she left the kitchen though the swing door. She took off her gloves and laid them on a table. "By the sweat and dirt all over you, you looked like you fought someone."
"And hello to you too, Alicia. I had training an hour ago. Big deal," Aurora droned, shrugging her shoulders. "Hey, has anymore suitors been buggin' you again? If there are, I'll make sure I'll kick them out of here."
Alicia shook her head with a smile, knowing how overprotective Aurora was. "No, Aurora. And why would suitors be after me? I'm already engaged."
"Which reminds me, where's that (explective)?" Aurora growled, eyeing around the inn to spy a particular person in mind.
"Aurora, would you stop being so domineering? I engaged to Shal because I loved him. His answer is just the same as mine," Alicia declared.
Aurora knew that fact. She knew Shal was a decent man, honorable to hold a weapon and protect everyone he lived to love. She knew Shal was indeed, Rachael's first foster brother. Yet she still didn't trust of Shal's capability of looking after Alicia.
"I know, I know. I just don't trust him at all. And will never trust him." Aurora thrust her head, her arms folded.
"Oh, Aurora. You're as worse as Grandfather."
"By the way, where's Grandfather?"
"In the library. He's having another lecture of the 'History of Warriors' again. And to think he would get sick of reading that book. He read it about a hundred times."
"A hundred and twenty-two, actually," Aurora corrected. "I'm gonna help Rachael with the cooking now."
"Did you tell Angela?"
"Yeah. She seemed kinda depressed. I don't know why but...I feel that something's not right."
"Well, she has been chosen as a Holy Song of the Goddess of Cytherea. Maybe all her new duties have run her down a little," Alicia suggested.
"Yeah, maybe..."
A bolt of the door distorted the quietness. Coming in as he panted breathlessly, a man stepped in. His eyes flashed widely of dark indigo eyes. His hazelnut hair that reached past his shoulder was damped with sweat. In his hand was his weapon, a thin pole made of wood from a gader tree. A cut deepened on his arm.
Carrying the man over his shoulders, a young boy by a year older than Aurora gasped the air. The fringe of his blue-black hair enveloped over his left eye, hiding it away from the world. Only his right eye shone blackness. Under a leather vest he wore a loose shirt. His pants were baggy, reaching over his legs. Attached to the back of his vest by a belt was a swallow, its two blades gleaming its sharpness. He had given it a name of 'Whirl Ockeyani'. Following behind, a blue-scaled cat soared into the inn with a pair of fin-like transparent wings. Like the haircut of a punk, a line of indigo hair ran from the top of the blue cat's head to the tip of his tail.
The door slammed shut behind them.
"Shal!" Alicia carried, rushing to the injured man. "You're hurt!"
"Don't worry," Shal reassured. "It's just a scratch."
"What's wrong!?" A voice shouted from the kitchen.
"Nothing, Rachael!" Aurora yelled. "Just stay where you are!"
"...Okay." Aurora sighed with relief at Rachael's answer. If Rachael had left the kitchen to see the condition her foster brother was in, she would feel hurt and that, Aurora didn't want to see on her little adopted sister.
"What happened, David?" Aurora demanded calmly.
"You don't know? The village is under attack!" the blue-black-haired boy answered as Alicia took Shal away from his helping arms and to a seat nearby.
"How can that be!? No one would attack Hikoria," Alicia uttered worriedly.
"Well, this woman did just a few minutes ago!" the flying blue cat shouted. "It's like a war-zone out there! She just attacked the west side of Hikoria with all these monsters! They're spreading towards east, a mile away from the inn. "
"What's all that ruckus out there?" a voice spoke from the library. Stepping out of the library with one book, a tall man dressed in white robes gazed at everyone with blue eyes below thick eyebrows. White hair was only grown around his head and over his ears, leaving a bare spot on top. He was strong enough to live for another ten years. With a knowledgeable face and a calm expression hidden under his bread, he awaited an answer.
"Grandfather..." Alicia uttered.
"Lucius, the town has been attacked!" Shal yelled, struggling with his wound. He groaned in pain.
"Shal, don't move," Alicia ordered. "You'll only make it worse."
"We think this attacker could be another survivor of the Empire of Vor," David suggested to the grandfather.
"That's crazy talk," Aurora yelled. "I thought the Empire of Vor was destroyed ten years ago!"
"So..." Everyone turned to the old man, his shaggy chin resting on his hand. "They have come to rid the descendent of the First Dragon Guardian."
"What do you mean, Grandfather?" Alicia asked as she began to stop Shal's bleeding.
"I hope the others are alright. Bright, Black and Cosmomi have all scattered out to search for you and Angela," Blue uttered. "But since you're both here, I'd better gather them up quickly."
A fright impaled the cerulean-haired girl. Her twin sister wasn't with the family. She was still out there in the midst of the sabotage. Alone.
"Angela! I forgot about her!" Aurora darted to the door, grabbing her two swords, The Alpha Sword and The Omega Sword, which leaned nearby. She reached for the knob.
"Wait!"
She stopped in her tracks and looked back to her grandfather, seeing his concern within his blue eyes.
"Do you honestly think you can fight against this attacker when you do not know what she is capable of?" the old man asked. "You still need more sword training. You are not ready for battle yet."
Tense minutes passed quickly.
"Even so..." Aurora whispered. Her gaze was to the floor. She glanced up to the grandfather who she knew cared mostly of her and her sisters, for it was he who looked after them for five years. "I can't let Angela get hurt!"
Aurora turned and bolted out of the inn, hearing her elder sister shout her name. She ignored her cry. She darted down the hill and spotted the burning village in sight. She ran as fast as her feet could carry.
'Please... Please be all right...!'
The sky darkened as lighting electrified the cotton clouds. Aurora sprinted on, feeling the pain in her lungs but her resolution forced her to go on. She was determined to find her. She had searched along the crowded streets. She had pressed on, passing the panicking villagers. Yet, she found no sight of Angela.
There was one place that wasn't investigated yet. She was running to that place, a rift valley. The cliffs encircled around her, covered with thorn bushes. Cracks were everywhere on the dry ground. She tripped over a crack. She groaned as the cracks slipped a cut on her leg.
But she couldn't stop. She jumped to her feet and ran. She ran until she came to a crevice between the rocky cliffs.
There across a meadow of orange flowers was a battle. The heads of the flowers tore away from their stalks as boots moved quickly. The sounds of weapons combating each other resounded under the thunder.
Angela held up her weapon, a blade with the capability to change to a range of deadly weapons. Her enemy stood prepared with a rapier in gear. The color and aura of the stranger's rapier glowed an eerie darkness. Engraved in the rapier was a jewel of bright blackness. Aurora knew of its existence.
It was the brother and the enemy of the Eternal Light, Undying Darkness. Or for short, Dark Ember.
"Angela!" Aurora cried. A boom of thunder deafened her cry. She scurried to aid her sister but unexpectedly, three black monsters appeared before her from the ledges of the cliffs. Devils of the night, their appearances were alien yet horrifying.
White masks hid their faces, yet a pair of wicked eyes were painted on the masks with the paint of blood. Horns, eyes and cackling mouths clothed over their fissured skins. Their abdomens thinned to a length of thirty centimeters.
'Clay-men!?' Aurora recognized the living nightmares. 'Aren't they already extinct since the fall of the Empire?'
They flashed their daggering claws and hastened madly towards the cerulean-haired girl. Bravely, she swung her swords at the monsters.
Angela fought on heroically. The weapons contacted, drawing strength to each other. The stranger pushed Angela aside but she screeched on her feet, only destroying the precious flowers. Movements her hands made, shifting and changing the metals, bolts and the blade about. In a final form, it took the shape of a bow. A clear light shot from the tip of the bow to the lower tip, forming into a strong steady string of light.
Angela clasped the string and pulled. Out of the blues, a flash of light materialized, fixing into position. It transformed into an arrow made of fiery light. She pulled the string to its limit, took aim, and fired.
The arrow of luminosity darted enormously. The stranger gave one stare at it before she arrested her rapier and rocked it at the arrow, annihilating it. Angela's eyes shot wide, disbelieving what had happened before her very eyes.
The stranger took a step and vanished into thin air, but reappeared before Angela. She stared widely, shaken. The stranger was quick, too quick to be noticed.
"Say goodbye, Dragon Guardian!" the stranger shouted, raising her rapier to a point that aimed at Angela's chest.
"Angela! Look out!" Aurora screamed, finishing off the last monster. She rushed to reach in time. Time seemed to slow down.
But it was too late. The thin blade ran through her chest. Blood splattered everywhere. Blood battered against Aurora's cheek. She stopped frightfully as she watched her own twin sister fall, losing more blood. Her twin lay lifelessly on the ground.
Aurora fell on her knees, her wide gaze at the motionlessly girl. Her two swords, The Alpha Sword and The Omega Sword scattered on the ground, undetached from her grips.
"So..." the stranger spoke, spotting the twin in shock. "You must be her twin."
The words entered her ears but Aurora did not respond. She continued to glance at her sister bathed in blood. She did not take notice of the stranger drawing near with the rapier, where her sister's blood dripped down the thin blade.
"Well then..."
The lake of blood spread, touching Aurora's gloves. She awaited, hoping to see life stir but nothing happened. A tear fell from her right eye, mixing with the blood she shared with her sister since birth.
The stranger stood a foot away from the crying girl, a grin lengthened.
"You will join her soon enough," she purred coldly, bringing up her rapier. "I shall fulfill your wish to be with her again."
The blade fired, aiming at her shoulder but with a sudden swift, a hand gripped the rapier. Blood tinkled down the cold thin blade. Aurora had snapped into reality and recklessly grabbed the blade. She glared at the stranger with eyes of fury and before the stranger could react, she was discharged by a blow to her face. The stranger held her bruised chin but turned up swiftly to the staying cerulean-haired girl.
"...Damn you..."
A threatening whisper resounded in the midst of the thundering skies. Her grip tightened on the swords she now took. A light shallowly glowed from the pocket of her shorts. Slowly, the glow engulfed the swords of the beginning and the end.
"I won't forgive you!" she hissed. Her teeth grounded hard. Anger burned inside her.
The unsteady light exploded, swallowing the entire swords. With a swing of her hands, she swung her swords to each other. They transformed at a touch of their blades. Shaping, changing, a weapon was taken place in front of her.
The curtains of light faded, unveiling a two-handed blade, reborn from the light. A jewel glittered, shining its power. Aurora gripped the weapon and seized it into battle.
"I'LL KILL YOU!" Aurora screamed angrily, preparing for battle.
"Impossible!" the stranger shouted, taking sight of the blade in her hands. "The Dragonblade!?"
The stranger thrust her head with astonishment as two eyes of fury gazed at her at a near distance. Aurora had taken the first move and was now ready to attack. The stranger dodged the attack, jumping away.
"How can she be the one when I killed the Dragon Guardian!?" the stranger spat.
The battle went on. Each quick strike of the Dragonblade felt like a might swing of a dragon. The stranger could feel the potency vigorously empowering before her. She tried to counterattack.
But Aurora was quicker. With a thrust of the Dragonblade, she stabbed the stranger's shoulder. The stranger backed away, clutching the wound with her free hand. Seeing the disadvantages overcoming, the stranger had one last option. Her free hand dug into her armor and revealed out a stone of a rune, reflecting the word, 'Titan'.
Taking a leap into the air, she flung the rune to the ground and spoke an incantation. "Yome'usitan! Titan of evil, keeper of death, accept this offering of blood and obey at my will!"
As the rune contacted the blade of a grass, a black enchanted circle emerged from nowhere. A being rose from the circle, as if coming from the underworld.
The massive inhuman creature bared out its huge teeth. Veins that looped outside of the monster's body throbbed repetitively. Three eyeballs embedded in each of its shoulders, staring at Aurora. A large monstrous skull fused to the top of its head. It gave a terrifying roar but the cerulean-haired girl stayed, her glare fixed at the monster.
"Yome'usitan! Destroy that girl!" the stranger commanded.
Aurora seized the Dragonblade with both her hands and dashed to the charging monster. The stranger did not stay for long. Bat wings appeared on her back, giving her flight. She fled away, still clenching her wound to stop the bleeding. The stranger cursed that one day, she would not lost to the girl she had lost to.
The titan raised a claw at Aurora, ready to crash her between its fingers. But she took a leap, held up the Dragonblade and let out a cry, driving out her emotions of rage and sorrow.
Rain poured down into the rift valley, flooding the cracks. Loud breathlessly gasps filled under the sounds of the beating raindrops. The battle was over a moment earlier. Her muscles ached and her lungs and heart were about to burst. Water and blood stained Aurora's clothes.
On the meadow of broken flowers, the titan rested dead. The Dragonblade had been driven into its chest, stopping its heartbeat. Its eyeballs shut closed.
Aurora stared down at the monster. The titan was dead, which assured her that it wouldn't be coming back. But another thing was in her mind. This was her first battle against a monster. She survived it. What was more, she had killed the titan.
A groan alerted her ears. Her cerulean eyes widened. Aurora rushed to the side of her twin sister that lay stiff on the ground. Carrying her in one arm while holding her hand in Aurora's, Aurora called her name, pleading and praying for her to live.
"Angela! Wake up!" she shouted into her ear, hoping to wake her up. She prayed deeply to the Goddess of Cytherea for the first time. She prayed her prayer would be answered.
Unhurriedly but weakly, the twin opened her eyes and gazed up at her sister.
"A-Aurora..."
"What were you thinking!?" Aurora screamed. "Running off to get killed without telling me!?"
"...I'm sorry..." she managed to whisper. "I didn't...want you to get hurt... That's what older sisters...would do...to their younger sisters..."
The spoken words astonished Aurora. Of all her life, she was afraid that Angela was envy of her being the Dragon Guardian for she was older than her although she was a twin. But instead, she showed no jealousy but a sisterly love.
"I guess...I should have trained more... Then it would have be...an easy battle," Angela whispered feebly with an unbroken smile.
"Don't say that!" Aurora shouted, trying her best to find the right words. "You did good... You really did."
"...Hee-hee," she laughed softly. "You always...get to the point... Aurora, it was great while it lasted..."
"Don't you say that!" Aurora demanded furiously. "Grandfather can find a way! Just hang on!"
But Angela just smiled. "I am sure...you'll find a way to bring me back..."
"What are you saying!? Angela, you're not going to die! You hear me!"
"...I'm sorry I broke the promise... I hope you'll forgive me..."
"Aurora... I know you'll find a way...even if it means waiting..." Her eyes closed. Her limbs fell motionlessly. Her smile faded away. Fear cast over Aurora as she quivered uncontrollably.
"Angela?" she cried and shook the body. "Angela!?"
No whisper escaped from her immobile lips. Aurora shook her head, no wanting to know the truth.
"No... No, no, no! Not you! Not you, too! Angela! ANGELA!!!" she cried painfully, her tears mixing with the rain and the blood.
The rain poured on as the valley was drenched with growing water.
"Angela..." Her muffled cries were deafened by the blaring thunder. Far from a short distance, a dragon hybrid stood by, watching the events happen with a grief face of wrecked calmness. The spirit could not aid in battle to prevent what was done. She strolled closely to Aurora and laid a claw gently on her shoulder.
"Why...?" Aurora asked. "Why did she have to die? Why couldn't it be me instead of her!?"
"...Because then, it would be her grief over your grave, Aurora, if it were you in her place," the Dragon Spirit replied wisely.
The cerulean eyes shot wide open. She realized the truth. She gazed back at the girl and whimpered again.
Aura watched, a feeling burdening inside her heart. A feeling she would not expect to feel for someone who has faced death before. She thought for a moment and soon gave a nod. She kneed down and reached out, a claw targeting at the chest of the dead twin. Her clawed hand entered in a blink of light.
Aurora stared bewildered. She gazed up to her guardian angel.
"If she said that you will find a way," Aura spoke again, her voice in tangles of wisdom. "Then you must not cry but to find that way."
Her hand emerged soon, bringing out a broken orb that was the size of a clenched fist. Cracks impaled on the surface of the orb, beyond from being repaired. A dim light glowed from within the sapphire glass. She held it out in front of Aurora and spoke.
"Do not die for her but live. And if you live, you can bring her back."
"How can I live? When..."
"Try."
Aurora stared shocked at Aura, only receiving her calmness. She gazed down at the orb that rested in Aura's clawed hand before stretching out a hand and touching the broken orb. A calm quiet glow erupted from the orb. It gently shattered into pieces of sparkles. She felt the stream of blue sparkles emerge inside of her.
She felt something else.
The presence of a spirit.
"I understand now," Mel replied after the story has been told. "Angela's spirit is inside you, am I right?"
"Yeah..." Aurora managed to answer. "I don't know what happened at that time. But I do know Angela's spirit is inside of me. That's what Aura said."
"But still you cannot let go of her?"
Aurora shook her head and gave a meaningful look. "I can't. You don't know how much pain I felt for the past ten years. I already lost two people who I loved most. Now...I don't want to lose her as well. Not when I've been given a chance now."
"There could be a chance Angela will be revived by the Aeon relic but there is a risk it will lead to world destruction. Many people will die."
"...I know that," Aurora told her. "But still...although I am a Dragon Guardian and it's my choice to protect the world from that destruction, I'm not gonna stop bringing her back. There's no other way. There's no way I turning back now. Angela would have done the same for me..."
"...Aye-yi-yi," Mel uttered. "Aren't we stubborn. I guess I can't talk you out of this but think it over. Even if you are a Dragon Guardian, there's still a risk. You may not be able to stop that destruction from happening. So, think about it."
Aurora gave one nod of understanding before two rapid knocks on the door distracted them from their conversation.
"Hey! What's taking you so long, Aurora?"
"Aye-yi-yi. An impatient girl that Mint is," Mel hummed. "I guess you should go now. Your friends must be waiting impatiently."
"Yeah..." Aurora exclaimed and tied back the ribbon around her forehead, veiling the symbol away. you not tell Rue and Mint that I'm a... Well..."
"As a friend of Aura, yes."
Three pairs of eyes stared up at the magician. Aurora and the flying creatures stood there, surprised.
"Your secret is safe with me," Mel assured her.
"Thanks," Aurora answered after a capsule of silence filled the atmosphere. She left the atelier where the silver-haired boy and the red-haired impatient girl waited for her.
Vickie: The story has been revived! Please read and review!