Lonely Lullaby

The sun shined brightly in the sky.

It illuminated the white marble Ana sat upon. Ana's legs dangled off the ledge she sat upon. Her eyes looked far off into the distance – they didn't focus on anything in particular.

A gust of wind filled the silence gently rustling the leaves around her. It caressed her face tousling her hair. Ana didn't mind it though, eyes vacant as they focused on the vast sky. The castle drifted for a fleeting instance through a cloud. Everything briefly disappeared as it was painted white. Then the castle broke through the white haze. Everything dispersed giving way to bright light.

Ana squinted her eyes.

When she could see again she pulled up her legs to her chest – her arms hugged her knees. Ana's yellow eyes wandered across the great emptiness unfurling below her.

From high on top here on the edge of the terrace, many parts of the castle outside were visible to the eye. In front of her unfurled a vast city for miles on end through the skies.

Marloth white marble buildings reached for the skies. They were held by rows of pillars that supported archways. There were forums with statues dedicated to their family. Around them are temples, facilities, arenas, and many other buildings that formed the layout of the city.

They intermingled with broad streets and houses built for the rich and poor alike. Some of them were giant apartments blocks others grand villas twice. Everywhere where one looked the same white marble and sandstones formed the city.

Ana's gaze drifted further down to the rows of terraces upon terraces that stretched out beneath her.

The terraces became larger with each successive layer. With it, they formed an array of ever-expanding gardens. Each laid with integrating designs and white stone paths and all manner of different plant life. But not one was similar to the other. They were carefully styled in their own unique way. In such a garden she had met Hoaqin and Vicente.

Finally, towards the end, the terraces dispersed giving way to emptiness again. Underneath you could make out the slight shimmer of the suspendium crystal that held the academy afloat above the rest of the city.

The academy, the place where Ana and the other children lived that were to become regulars, itself was situated in a floating castle that wasn't part of the city. Compared to the mothership it was a tiny speck resting above the city.

A group of floating whale sharks grabbed Ana's attention as they passed over the city. They swam over the city seemingly flying. Her eyes followed them until they disappeared under the sun. She narrowed her gaze but they were gone.

She looked at the ship again. The light reflected beautifully in the stones of the city setting the whole city alight.

It was beautiful.

Yeah, truly a sight to behold.

Ana sneered.

All of this… and yet the only thing they could afford for her was a ripped mattress and a cold damp hole without a window?

Her throat tightened up in disgust.

Glittering glamor and gloss. That was it. The city, the floating castle, the academy. All of it was fake. A façade to hide the vile underneath. Everything to uphold the glorified image of a righteous, godly family that was perfect in every way.

Oh, how many others would give everything to be where she was.

But for her, there was nothing here except Vicente and Hoaqin. Everything else was a glittering cage where she was trapped.

Ana glanced. There above the city rested the symbol she hated the most. A bright white sword. One of several throughout the sky. Her arm reached towards it. Her little hand engulfed the shining beacon as if she hoped to grasp it for herself. Her hand tightened into a fist

"I'll surpass that sword. Just you wait… I'll do it. No matter what!"

And she would. Once she became a Princess. She wouldn't wait for a slim chance at becoming a regular. No, that wasn't enough. She needed more. And if Jahad's power was the key she needed… then she would grasp it at any cost.

White eyes filled with fear flashed through her mind.

Her knuckles tightened around her arms. She closed her eyes. She sighed out. She blended out the picture that her mind conjured until it faded away.

"There is no time for sympathy or regrets now. Idiot."

There was only the way ahead now. No time for thoughts or feelings that would only cloud her mind. So she took them and buried them. Deep, deep inside the depths of her mind.

She sighed out again. Her hand caressed through her white tresses

After all in this competition – No, rather in their world only the strong survived.

She switched up her position again. Now Ana let one of her legs dangle of the ledge. She twisted her body to lean against the stone column beside her. Her muscles arched with the movement. Her other foot she pulled close to herself her arm resting on top of it. Finally, she leaned her head against the cold stone closing her eyes.

She was exhausted after the test.

However if Ana thought she would get some well-deserved rest after she had found specifically this spot to do so, she was wrong. Color her surprised when a while later she heard what might be the faint sound of footsteps approaching.

Ana heavy eyes shot open just when she was about to drift off. She narrowed their shoulders hunched. Her mind was instantly alert. Her hand moved to her sword which rested against the stone beside her. She turned herself around. Her feet touched the stone floor.

Her eyes wandered to the archway through which she had entered. And sure enough, somebody was coming her way. But what surprised her was who it was. Ana's eyes went round.

"Vicente…!"

He came down the hallway, a quick pace to his steps. She noticed a smaller girl that trailed behind him. She had to almost sprint to keep up with him. She hugged a pink rabbit plush to her chest. Short white hair framed her face similar to Vincente. Her white eyes stared at nothing in particular but were focused on Vicente.

She also wore a white dress that ended on her knees. Over it a long-sleeved white cardigan adorned her. Her white slippers echoed down the corridor.

Vicente's eyes met hers. He narrowed them at her. Instead of his usual stoic gaze, a frown marred his features. They both passed through the archway. Ana let her sword lean once more against the stone. She sat down and tugged her hands into her sweater. She frowned at both parties stopped in front of her.

For a while neither said anything. It was silent except for the sound of rushing wind and chirping birds.

She lifted a hand from her pocket in greeting.

"Hey, Vincente."

"Ana." He inclined his head.

Silence.

Each watched the other. Their eyes met. They stared at each other.

His scanned hers. She raised an eyebrow.

She broke contact. She opted to lean slightly backward, looking at the sky.

"Honestly this is a surprise. You're the last person I expected to see today Vicente. What brings you here?" She laid eyes on the girl beside him. She pointed at her "And who is that?"

The girl looked up. She had opted to crouch on the ground playing with her plush bunny. She tilted her head curiously at her with parted lips. Then her gaze wandered up to the brother beside her. Vicente didn't say anything. Ana's eyes stared expectedly at him. His gaze bored into hers.

Ana opened her mouth to–

"That's Anna." He said. But he didn't even bother to turn to the girl. His undivided attention lay solely on her.

Ana blinked a few times. "We have the same name? Weird."

Vicente continued without hesitation. "Don't mind her. I wanted to talk to you."

Ana watched him intently. Her feet thumped against the stone. "Okay."

Vicente opened his mouth. His lips fell. "You're injured." He stated, looking down at her leg.

Ana, brows shot upwards. She looked down. There was a light scratch on her leg the priest hadn't healed. Ana couldn't help herself. A snicker burst from her lips. "What Vicente? This has you worried?" She shook her head in mirth! She flailed her leg in front of him. "Are you kidding me?! This is nothing! Both of you have given me far worse during our spars!" She laughed.

Vicente though didn't share her humor. He frowned at her. "Where did you get it?" He asked.

Ana's lips fell at his question. Her laughter subsided. Her forehead furrowed "What are you getting at?"

He let out a heavy breath. He rubbed the bridge of his nose. He looked her straight in the eyes. "Is it true that you're a Jahad Princess candidate?"

There were a brief few seconds of silence. Ana tugged at a strand of hair. She looked to the ground then up again Vicente. She crossed her arms.

"Hoaqin told you?"

"Hoaqin told me," Vicente said. "Are you one?" He pressed.

Ana scratched her neck. She looked heavenward, then at a patch of birds than at Vicente again. His eyes pierced through hers. She sighed, shutting her eyes. "Yeah, I am." She admitted. "One day… this priest came to me. He offered me a place, training, and more… now I'm fighting other candidates to become a Jahad Princess."

A deep furrow set between Vicente's eyes. "So, that's where you have been. I wondered where you have been."

Ana grimaced. Her stomach fluttered in unease. "I wanted to tell you guys! Honestly! I didn't mean to… but with all the training and tests –I didn't say anything at first but I really never meant to–." She sighed out bowing her head. "I'm sorry."

Vicente shook his head. "There is no need to be sorry. It doesn't matter now. There are more important matters… Ana how far are the trials now?!"

Ana inclined her head at him. "Oh, uhm… I just beat someone. So… the geezer said… there are about half of the candidates left?" She smirked holding her chin. "I guess I made it pretty far!"

She returned her attention to him. Eyebrow raised. "Why did you ask anyway?"

When she gazed upon his hands tightened into fists. His shoulders were tight. His eyes blazed. "Do you even know what you've gotten yourself into, Ana?!"

Ana recoiled slightly but held her ground. "Yes, I'm pretty sure everyone knows what Jahad Princess's–." She tried to say but Vicente interjected.

"So you know that they can never marry? Can never have children?"

"Well, I didn't–."

He released a breath rubbing his forehead. "So you didn't think this through at all… Ana the Jahad competition is dangerous! Why would you even accept?!"

Ana stiffened. She stood up. She tried very hard not to let her irritation seep into her voice. "What the hell are you saying?! Dangerous? It isn't any less dangerous than what we're used to."

"You're wrong. It's far different from anything we know! Even you should realize that!"

Ana bit her lip. "So what? I have come already this far! What would you want me to do now, hmm?!"

Vicente didn't budge from his spot. His knuckles turned white. For a brief second he looked away. When his eyes returned to hers they looked her dead in the eye.

"Ana… you have to withdraw from the Jahad Princess election!"

"…"

"Huh?"

Her face set into a deep frown as her eyebrows drew together at Vicente. "What?"

"You heard me." He answered.

"Yeah, I did," Ana said. "I just can't believe what I'm hearing."

Vicente's expression didn't shift. His mouth was set in a hard line. His eyes stared at her intently.

Ana bit her lip. Her throat tightened up.

Seriously?!

He was serious? Yes, he was being serious, wasn't he?

Dead serious.

She unfurled her arms from across her arms. Her hands balled into fists at her side.

"And why the hell would I do that?" Ana asked with barely laced back anger in her voice.

Vicente didn't avert his eyes. He took a deep breath, unclenching his fists.

"If you continue… you'll die. That's why so please Ana, you have to withdraw." Vicente said.

Ana scoffed. "Thanks for the vow of confidence. Do you think I don't know this? I knew the risks from the start!"

He pursed his lips. "Ana… I'm serious. Please withdraw. It's for your own good."

Something inside her snapped. "And what do you know?" She lashed out, her voice dripping with venom.

Vicente flinched slightly at her tone. Good. He deserved it.

"Hoaqin supports me on this and yet you… you come here now and tell me to quit?! Now? When I have come this far?! When you of all people should know why I do this! Why?! Why are you coming here now and getting in my way?!

He waved his arm to the side. "Hoaqin doesn't know what he's talking about! I'm trying to protect you!"

"You don't make any sense! Protect me? From what?"

Vicente seemed to struggle for words. "There is someone… she is far stronger than you. So Ana… please!" He said with pleading eyes.

But Ana wouldn't have any of it. "So you don't believe in me?! Is that it?!"

"I didn't say that! But—." He sighed out. He buried his hand in his hair.

"I'm saying this one last time Ana… please withdraw! You have to! Otherwise, she'll—" However Vicente stopped when he saw Ana's eyes. They glistened with tears. Ana's hands trembled.

Ana turned away from her. She grabbed her sword and quickly strode past him to the archway. Not once did she look at him.

He turned after her. "Ana!" He shouted.

But she didn't turn around. Instead, she gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Suit yourself, Vicente." She said with hardened eyes.

"But I won't run!" She whispered to herself.