Chapter One: Aftermath

To dearest Nerry 7,005 Marchen 17th

The marriage tour has been long and exhausting. Now for the next leg of our journey. Lan-Se!

This is the first time I have visited Lan-Se! Such a beautiful and peaceful city. The Biru trees glow with such beauty. Even some of buildings made from the bark glow at night! Their buildings are so different to marble sculptures and temples of Loan.

Empress Zhen has been kind and welcoming. As much as her emotionless customs make her... It is very interesting how she cannot show any emotion at all...

I have finally met her two wonderful sons. Grand Prince Chin and Prince Chen. Chin is a wonderful and smart boy. While Chen is a cheeky toddler. Seeing them play together. I cannot wait to have children of my own... I hope it will happen soon. Aelius and I are trying as is custom for the royal family. Aelius would make a wonderful father. Him having a son or daughter in tow, it makes my heart sing with joy. He would love to be a father.

I always imagined having a son that looks like Aelius. Golden hair, white skin and handsome face. While I imagine my daughter looking like me.

I am so happy Nerry. I am married to the man that I love and I cannot wait for the future.

Love Laelia

Iolene sits by the window of the palace looking down at the destruction below. Flowers cover the field from mourners. People and dragons singing mourning songs fill the air. The once beautiful clear skies are now continuous rain and dark clouds.

Iolene exhausted from her healing efforts. Has been forced to rest before continuing her work. Gently placing her mothers letter into the letterbox and grabs a book for healers and holds it tightly to her chest.

She hears a knock at the door.

"Come in..." Iolene says as she wipes the sleep from her eyes.

Aaron walks inside and sits on her bed.

"How are you feeling?" Aaron asks. "You've been working non-stop since it happened."

"I should have kept going!" Iolene says as she slams the book onto the side table.

"You collapsed... You're exhausted. You're pushing yourself to hard." Aaron says as he takes out a small package. He gives it to her. Iolene opens it as it reveals a new healers kit. Bandages, bottles, thread and needles.

"I got them for you... I know you will make use for them." He says shyly as he rubs the back of his neck.

"Thank you Aaron... Let us go see them..." Iolene says with sadness.

"Are you sure?" Aaron asks with no hesitation.

"Yes." She then leaves the room with Aaron running close behind.

They walk through the palace. Now feeling a different atmosphere. The servants who are always working are now in a private state of mourning and are being interviewed for being a traitor. The palace is in a mess as the floors haven't been waxed and statues are not dusted.

They reach a guest room where Lexi resides. Iolene composing herself as she tries not to cry. Aaron opens the door to let Iolene in first as he always does.

Lexi sleeps on the bed. However face down as her back remains exposed. The black draconium shards has imbedded into her body. With her skin covered with dark purple burns. Lexi's long hair has burned off giving Iolene no choice but to cut it into a pixie cut. Iolene sits next to her and strokes her hand.

Iolene however started to cry destroying her composure. "I'm sorry..." She murmurs. She wipes tears from her face.

Aaron sits next to her and rubs her back.

"She protected me..." Iolene whispers. "She heard the bang and she held onto me shielding me from the bomb." Iolene then raises both her hands just above Lexi's back. Gold energy softly glows and heals a part of Lexi's back. Managing to loosen a few shards that fall of her back. Lexi groans as Iolene grabs the shards, creating a strong fist. Releasing gold energy destroying them.

Iolene looks at Lexi's arms, veins are clearly visible. As Black draconium has seeped into Lexi's blood, poisoning her. Looking like varicose veins. Iolene healing her bit by bit as the toxic draconium takes longer to heal. Simular to Samuels poisoning, when Iolene treated when she was hostage to the bandits.

"I need to get stronger... Black Draconium is so toxic..." Iolene felt exhausted as Aaron holds her stopping from falling off the bed. "The Shadow Emperor cannot keep getting away with this." Iolene clenches her fist. An anger begins to infest inside of her.

"He destroyed my home... He has reign over the Light Green Empire. He has a part of the Green Draconium Empire. Now he has caused havoc here." Iolene's sweet girl tone disappeared in that moment.

Iolene stands up and faces Aaron. "Stein..." she whispers and with quick motion leaves the room. Aaron quickly follows after her.

In a nearby bedroom Stein rests as he looks at his black draconium burn injuries. His hands discoloured looking like purple burns. He sighs as he looks out the window. It will never end... The Black Empire has made their move... We need to make ours... He thinks of the days before the fall of the Gold Empire. When he was trained by Elder Priestess Tulia. Seeing her face in his minds eye smiling at him.

"I choose you as my new apprentice Stein." Her soothing voice sounding so kindly. Remembering the selection room inside the temple.

"You choose me?" A young Stein asks.

"Yes Stein! You have worked hard. You are destined to one day help lead this sect and this country. Make me proud!" She says as she places her right hand on his shoulder. Her armour of shining gold and white was so beautiful. Stein reminisces as this was one of the best days of his life.

Iolene and Aaron burst inside his room disturbing his deep thought. "Stein, What are we going to do?" Iolene asks urgently.

Stein coughs as he looks at the two staring at him. Iolene sits on his bed and gently grabs his hand. Like Lexi she uses her powers to heal the purple burn. Unlike Lexi, Stein is easier to heal. The burn marks remain but the poison and dark purple markings disappear.

Feeling more rejuvenated Stein strokes Iolenes face.

"We need to help the people of Lan-Se first. I will send you away back to Aquarius City with Murray."

Iolene leans back away from Steins reach. "I am staying! I am going to help! I said to myself I am not going to run. You said a large war is going to happen. This is the start of it!"

Stein breaths in and out intensely. He nods yes in agreement. Finally she is showing strength. Not like a mouse... She reminds me of her father... "It will be too soon for the Brown armies to join. They have lost so much already. Speak to Murray. I am sure he will be up to something."

"Get more rest Stein..." Iolene says kindly as she gently taps Aaron to follow her.

It didn't take long for them to find Murray as he is in the palace. Waiting outside the throne room. Dressed in his light Blue Armour, surrounded by guards.

"Murray! You are here!" Iolene shouts as she runs and hugs him. He happily hugs her in return.

"Hello Iolene." He says as happily as he could be in this bleak time. Aaron says hello to his highness by bowing.

"I am meeting up with the Empress now. Come inside with me..." Murray says as the two large doors open to the throne room. Covered in flowers and incense. Funeral gifts lie on the side of the throne.

The Empress sits on her throne dressed completely in white. Her hair remained undone as it is long that is reaches the stairs. Instead of an elaborate hairstyle a large triangular white hat is used instead. Something the Empress has never worn. Her face emotionless as it seemed like another day. But her make up is only in white. She looks like a ghost... Iolene could feel her grief. The Emperor, her husband is dead...

Everyone bows to Empress as she remains frozen on her throne. Everyone giving her their condolences and prayers to her children. Iolene being worried for Lei has been forbidden to see them.

"Have you spoken to King Marlowe?" She asks. Her hands glowing with blue draconium.

"Yes your Grace. He has sent a hundred ships for our first fleet and for the army two thousand human soldiers, along with one and a half thousand dragons. The fleet from the ocean should arrive within the week. The army however can take a few weeks."

The Empress nods. "Thank you... And by fulfilling my promise I will help to get the gold empire back." The Empress looks down at Iolene as they stare at each other. She then breaks her stare and continues on with her conversation. "My armies have already marched south. I will join them once the funeral for my husband is over..."

The Empress gets distracted and looks up at the roof. Staring at the details of the art of the sky. Her hands clench on the throne. A roar of thunder can be heard in the distance.

She stands up and walks past the group.

"May I please see Prince Lei?" Iolene quickly asks.

She only nods yes in reply and quickly leaves the throne room. Her hand maidens chasing after her just as quietly. The group look at each other anxious of what is going to happen next.