Sola to Romansu Book 1: Important Side-stories

by The Storyteller and his Books

Ever wondered where some of the Characters in the Story came from, or how they got where they are now? Now you have a chance to see some of them real close-up, their pasts, their battles, their believes and the choices they made. These chapters will give you insight in what happened inbetween the chapters of the mainstory, I hope for your understanding and that you enjoy it.

3. The House of Memories III, Remembering

空とロマンス

Sola to Romansu (Sky and Romance)

Important side-stories

Book 1: The House of Memories / Part 3

A/N: Warning! Long-ass Chapter ahead, you have been warned.

Darven Islands, Savarin Orphanage, In Red´s Memories.

Red´s Pov:

My dive through my memories was different than the times before, maybe because I finally got all my memories back, everything I ever had lost in my live was returned to me.

This time it more resembled a walk through an Art Gallery, only that the pieces of art each showed an aspect of my former life, once again brought back to life on the canvas.

Some memories I knew as I had seen them before, but there were many more I hadn´t yet witnessed, or even continuations of some memories I had seen before.

The first picture I dived into, showed two silhouettes on the balcony of a tower, looking over a town, maybe I remembered it because of the view I often had whenever Elh and I were looking in the vastness of the sky.

It was the memory of how my younger self, of 7 years, confessed his love towards Helena 2 years after I entered elementary School, a few days after the incident on that Park-bench.

It also was about the second Kiss we shared and which was the beginning of a relationship we had for 1 year only, before she died.

Ever since I remembered her, I wondered what might have happened to us, Chocolat, and Elh and all of my friends, if Helena never died, and I would have never left Shangri-La...

Would the Shepherd republic have been destroyed by Lares and Lemures?

What about Elh..., what about Chocolat and all the others..., would they be who they are today..., would they have survived the incident with Bruno and Baion, the attacks of Blank and Nero..., was I really crucial for all of the event´s that had happened?

Flashback, Monument Hill on Shangri-La, 12 years ago, Red´s Pov:

It was field day, the day we all loved, as it meant not to sit 8 hours long in a boring classroom, listening to boring lessons.

Whenever there was a field day, things were bound to get interesting.

"So..., what you gonna do about it Red?" Haxel asked upon the news she had just told me.

"If she wishes for it then who am I to disturb her decision?" I asked unsure what to feel.

"Is that what you honestly think..., that she would be better of with Byson, that guy is a literal jerk, you are a far better match for Helena and you know it." Haxel exclaimed in frustration.

"Yeah but Helena told him already, that she would give him his answer tomorrow, if she would not like him or even consider to be with him, then why hasn´t she shot him off instantly?" I asked.

"Dude are you really that dense, its obvious why she did it...!" Kangonas explained while I only looked confused.

We were sitting in the noon-break of our field trip to the outskirts of Shangri-La, watching and learning about the Landscapes around Moonstone.

After the break we had art-classes and we were to draw a piece of the Landscape up here and the best one would win a prize.

But I was unable to think about that now, as the news I just got in, shocked me to the core.

Byson Taurin, Taurhiza-boy and one of the Class-bullies, had the hots for Helena, with whom he had grown up with.

Of course, this news made me a little despairing, I wasn´t nearly as strong as Byson nor could I fight well, if anything, all I had were my looks, minus the nasty scar on my snout, and the fact that I was Prince Red, my father was King Maranell, the ruler of Shangri-La...

But I knew, that in terms of love and other feelings, a title had absolutely no weight whatsoever, not that I would ever use my title for something so selfish.

I liked Helena, a lot, she was not only smart and friendly but also quite compassionate and really diligent, in everything she made.

If she herself decided to be with Byson then so be it..., of course I was sad about the prospect of losing her to that guy, but who was I to force my own feelings upon her.

What if she never even looked at me that way, that one thing a few days could have mean nothing to her than a simple gesture of gratitude..., telling her then how I would feel, would only make things more awkward between us, that I am sure of...

"So what do you think is going on in her head...?" I asked Kangonas still not understanding what he meant.

"Man, you are really dense..., she likes you Red, that is beyond obvious, she told Byson to wait for her answer, but in the meantime told her friends, under them Haxel, about it..., why do you think she did that...?" Kangonas asked but I still don´t get it.

"Oh geez, Red..., its obviously because she knew that Haxel would instantly go and tell you..., that sly little kitten is waiting to see your reaction about it..., what do you think she would feel if you just give up on her now, because of that.

Girls love guys who can fight for them, who defend them and who won´t give up until they ensure their happiness, so do just that Red, don´t give up on your own feelings, just because of such a small hindrance like Byson Taurin.

You need to show her that you are a far better match for her, that at your side she can become happy.

So by all means go for it." Kangonas stated and I was buff, similar to Haxel.

"That was..., surprisingly smart of you, Kangonas." The same stated.

"I just can´t take it anymore, that´s it..., all this wobbling around each other, as if you constantly walk on a tightrope..., its going on my nerves so damn much..., You love Helena..., and it is obviously that she has quite a thing for you..., so what are you waiting for dude, go and get her, make her yours and make her happy, for god´s sake." Kangonas explained and somehow it really boosted my confidence.

"Yeah..., maybe you are right..., what do I have to lose but my face, I doubt she would just end our friendship because of that, if things go wrong." I stated with new found confidence.

"I think you should let her know how you feel as fast as possible, so go over towards her, she is currently alone over there near the cliffs..., go get her tiger." Kangonas replied laughing, as he hit my back with his bare hand.

"I´m a dog though." I retorted but stood up anyways, taking my lunch-box and my schoolbag and made my way over to the cliff where Helena sat and ate in quiet solitude.

She told our teacher, Lady Burmilla, that she wanted to find the perfect angle for her later drawing, whatever she meant with that.

"H-hey Helena..., w-would you m-mind if I sit n-n..., I mean, here?" I asked her, as she looked up.

Dammit, I stuttered as if I was drunk..., it was not the first time I talked to her, so why was I now so nervous?

"Sure, be my guest..., I would love to have a little company." She stated with a bright smile, as she gestured to the spot next to her.

"Well then, pardon me, just invading the space next to you." I replied and she giggled cutely, making me blushing.

"S-so..., you going to draw the castle I guess?" I asked the obvious as I looked at the canvas, standing there ready to be worked on.

"Indeed, I like the view from up here..., still I fear there is something missing, I just cannot put it in words, nor am I sure what it is, but I am sure, once I start drawing, I will surely know it." Helena replied with her eyes shining.

"You really seem to like drawing." I stated and she nodded.

"I like to sketch things on a blog, it helps me for my wish to become a Royal engineer." She explained.

"Wow..., you want to become a Royal Engineer, that some high-classes you will have to take there..., but as smart as you are, I am sure you can do it..., once you put your mind behind something you can do anything." I stated in honest awe, Lady Seraphina was a Royal Engineer and she always said that just becoming a normal Engineer was already difficult.

A Royal Engineer was directly contracted to the King himself and was to work on special vehicles, like the Royal airship, and the Kingdom´s Weaponry and overall technology of Shangri-La.

They had to learn the triangular relationship between Energy, Machine, as well as Magic.

A royal Engineer was the highest post, which someone, with a love for all things technological, could achieve.

As I looked at Helena after hearing this, I could see her blush deeply.

"I´m not that great, just a nerd who reads a lot." She stated with a cute smile.

"Of course, you are great, I still struggle with many things Lady Million tells us nowadays and I mean we are but only in the second grade, I bet once we learn about higher technological stuff, I will be completely lost...

I would love it, if I could then depend on your kindness, to teach me the ropes, since I know that otherwise I definitely will go under, if I have to figure all of that out by myself..., of course not for free, mind you...

What I mean to say is..., that if you have achieved something you have worked hard for, then do not be so humble about it, you can definitely brag a little about it.

Also..., nerds are cute." I mumbled that last part, as I looked aside, but still caught how she blushed.

I hadn´t forgotten the kiss she gave me a while ago, as I met her on that bench in the park and she told me about her family and how I had helped her with the medicine, which she needed for her grandmother.

"That kinda makes me happy to hear." She stated softly still blushing.

"So..., I don´t want ot be nosy and I don´t want to influence your decisions,,, but I heard Byson has asked you out?" I asked, trying to sound casual but even I could tell that that failed badly.

"Indeed he has..., still I don´t kno if I should give in to his offe ror not I mean I do would like to be closer to someone but am I really ready for a boyfriend yet..., and even if, will Byson even be the right one..., what do you think?" She asked and I could really bite myself in the butt, why did I even mention that theme in the first place.

How am I suppose to give a neutral answer now?

"I..., uhm..., well honestly said..., I am a little conflicted about it, I mean Byson has not the best of reputations..., I cannot tell what makes him so aggressive at times and if he not has a better side on him somewhere...

I don´t have that much to do with him..., I could of course tell you now not to go for it..., but I think you should decide, in a way, your heart and mind can come up with the best of compromises.

Maybe you will be the girl to change him, to make him a better person than the one he is..., I don´t know if that helps you in anyways?" I replied.

"No, this has been just what I needed to know, thanks a lot." She stated with a mysterious glance which was hard to describe, it was neither a frown nor a smile, it was by all means neutral..., as if she was lost in thoughts.

"Alright you Children, break is over, now we get to the creative part of the day, so take out pencils and brushes, colors and your imagination and draw the sight you want to preserve on canvas, the way you see it.

You have until the start of the last class, then we will look for which Picture is the best!" Lady Burmilla exclaimed loudly, gaining our attention.

"Well it seems as though chatting is over, let´s get to work..., so what are you going to draw?" Helena asked me, her mood indifferent as to the begin of our conversation earlier, not indicating if my answer displeased her or not.

"I guess I will take the castle as well, I bet many of the others will take on the landscape around us, as it is easier to draw." I replied and she nodded.

"I see..., then..., could you stand a little to the front of me, I want to keep my drawing a secret before the reveal later." Helena stated and I nodded.

I placed myself to the right of the cliff to give her an open view on the castle.

"That's right you can stay there, thank you Red!" Helena stated and I gave her a thumbs-up.

The drawing lesson was absolved in silence, it was not just a means of getting the class to use their minds and think for themselves for a while, rather than quietly listening to what the teacher says, but it was also to teach us a little about artistical sensitiveness.

To teach us how to put the reality we see on canvas or paper..., for someone who wanted to become an engineer, like Helena, having near-perfect Sketching-skills is crucial..., especially when you need to make a sketch of important machines, components and the like for blue-prints, your drawing has to be as accurate as possible to the thing you want to build and construct.

Same as the work of an Architect, you could even go as far as to say, that an Engineer was at times an Architect of Machines and Technology.

Without a good plan on how things shall look, an Engineer would never know how to build something let alone make something work.

I tried my best to draw as accurate as I could, but I bet others did a way better job than me.

"Well..., I guess this is about right..., even if it is far from being perfect." I muttered as the raw Sketch was done all I had to do was to paint it in color.

"Looking good Red, it´s plenty to see, that you really made an effort this time." Lady Burmilla´s voice stated from behind me.

"Thanks a lot, Lady Burmilla." I replied blushing.

She can be nagging too much at times, but it was undeniable that she was a good teacher and I held her in high regard for that.

Her lessons were always easy to understand and to follow and the way she taught us was never boring, in contrast to some of the other Teachers of the obligatory classes.

3 years of Elementary school where we are taught the basics of common knowledge, the advanced courses then start from the 4th Grade to the 11th Grade, 7 years long, apart from the special courses, which we will attend coming next year.

By that time I will have to choose one of the Houses of the Ivory Castle and that got me worried a little.

"Say Helena...!" I addressed the Girl behind me a little more loudly.

" Yeah, what is it?" She replied.

"I was wondering..., coming next year..., will you attend Platinum or do you have another choice!" I asked her and to my surprise she was in thought, longer than I anticipated she would be.

I definitely believed she had already made her choice..., guess I was wrong.

"Hmm, it is difficult to say..., I was wondering about that myself..., I´m currently still torn between Platinum, Azure and Marble...

One each of these houses has it´s pro and contra.

In Platinum I will learn anything about technology and magic-engineering, it would help me much, as I could be a help to mother and do something directly for the Kingdom, for you and your family." She explained and I blushed remembering our conversation a few days ago in that park.

"In Marble I would get to know about all kinds of Medical treatments, herbalism and Potion-creation, as well as magical-healing arts, it could prove helpful if I had to heal someone, that would let me help even more directly, also I might find a cure for Grandmother´s sickness." She explained and it did made sense that that course would be tempting for her as well.

"And lastly, Azure..., I love books you know that much and it am really interested in the stories of the past, but then again..., to preserve the present and future history is also a noble work.

Honestly, I don´t really know what to do... how about you?" She asked.

"Well my father suggested to me that I should enter Gold, as it is the Class of Royal education after all..., but i´m unsure what to even learn specific..., then again gold teaches aspects of all the other houses as well...

So maybe..., yeah, actually why not..., how about you enter Gold as well Helena, then you will be able to have all three of your favorite houses in one, plus we could study things together, I could help you in things you lack and vise versa..., what do you think?" I asked and although it sounded like a casual suggestion was also a little hope inside of it, it would be great to attend classes with her for 7 more years.

"Hmm, that´s actually not a bad Idea..., I guess I could..., let me think about it for a while okay." She stated, once again smiling, not indicated if she would appreciate it or not.

"Alright Children time is up, please give me your drawings, once they have dried, you have half an hour of break, then we will chose the winner of the day!" Lady Burmilla explained and we nodded.

I went to give my Sketch off to our teacher before I went to Haxel and Kangonas a si saw Helena walking to her friends.

"So, how did it go?" Kangonas instantly asked.

"Well I told her my honest opinion to it and she considered to think about it, we spoke a little with each other and then I came back here." I replied and I saw his face falling.

"So..., did you now confessed your love to her or not?" He asked frowning and I blushed deep red.

"Of course not, how could I..., Byson just did it..., if I would now do it too, it would look as if I am competing with Byson for Helena´s love.

One shall never make the woman you love a price in a competition, that´s what Rose said.

The Woman I love will be treated like a queen by me and nothing less." I explained.

"Dammit." Kangonas cursed while Haxel snickered with a smug grin.

"That means you owe me an all-inclusive day at the cinema, my dear." Haxel stated with that omnipresent smug smile on her face, as she nudged her elbow in Kangona´s side teasingly, while the same glared at me in bitterness.

"Thanks a lot, you traitor." He muttered sourly, while I sweatdropped.

He knew not to bet with Haxel on things, if it came to me doing stuff, she knew me almost too well.

"I hold such high expectations of you, but you betray me every time." He mumbled and I put a hand on his shoulder.

"Mate..., you should know better, than to bet on me in such cases." I replied and he nodded defeated.

The next few minutes we talked and laughed about Kangona´s attempts to draw the castle, which failed twice before he just decided to make a last minute sketch of the sky, before Lady Burmilla told us to gather together to choose the best picture.

I had to say that some where good and others were a little too simple for my taste, not that I would have done much better.

"The next Picture if of Red, here we can clearly see a nice sketch of the Castle with the sun next to it and many clouds filling the sky, it is quite a nice picture if I may say so..., so tell me how do you thought.

Hands up for who things this should be our winner?" Lady Burmilla asked and I saw how Kangonas and Haxel raised their hands..., I looked to see who else and was a little surprised to see Helena as well, among some of her friends.

Byson of course simply glared at me, keeping his hands tight in his pockets.

"Alright, well onwards to the Last Picture, this ones is from Helena, so tell me Children, might this be your winner?" Lady Burmilla stated as she showed the pcture and an astounded murmuring went through the class.

This sharp lines and curves, the perfect forms and colour schemes, a perfect sketch of a part of the cliff with the Castle in the back, the vastness of the Sky behind it was really alive, the sun actually looked like a sun, much different than the yellow dots on some of the other drawings.

But what caught my eye instantly was the little silhouette standing on the cliff, most definitely drawing the castle, now I knew why she told me to stay infront of her while drawing.

It was incredible to say the least and obviously all eyes wandered from Helena over to me, especially Byson´s glare at me got a lot more intense, a fact most definitely not for the better though.

My hand jumped in the air before everyone else´s, not to mention that after nearly a minute of being revealed, the rest of the class raised their hands as well.

"I guess that says it clearly..., which makes Helena the winner of our little competition, as a prize you gain these self-backed cookies which I had backed yesterday, you can enjoy them alone or with your family and friends.

Congratulation, Helena." Lady Burmilla stated excitedly, while she applauded along to us.

Still, I heard some disappointed voices here and there, as Lady Burmilla was famous in the school for her homemade cookies and Kangonas, Haxel and I had the privilege to eat them more often than others.

Speaking of them both, their smug grins were worth to be carved in stone, from ear to ear the playful mock spoke out of their mimic.

The day got to an end with me having a warm and fuzzy feeling in my stomach.

The Picture was hung up in our classroom behind the showcase, across the school-board, Helena smiled the whole rest of the day long and before she went back home, she gave Haxel, Kangonas and myself each a cookie surprising me.

That night I went to bed with a certain hope which I had, ever since she stole my first kiss on that Park-bench.

The Day after Haxel had big News, after a little fight, initiated by him, Helena shot Byson´s love confession into the garbage bin.

It was literally the best morning I ever had and it got even better as she told me to meet her on the balcony of the west tower of the School-Quarter, which was accessible for the students when they needed some alone time.

There I took my entire courage together and confesses my love to her.

"I´ve been hoping that one day you would tell me this..., I feared that my kiss, a few days earlier might had been a little too forward and maybe had scared you off, you know." She stated as we stood up here, watching down onto the busy streets of Moonstone.

"Well it did come surprisingly, I admit that..., but ever since, I could not forget it and I wondered if you meant it only as a friendly gesture or if you truly meant it romantically...

I admit I panicked quite a bit, as I heard that Byson confessed his love to you." I explained and she giggled.

"Well that was the plan..., you know even without that fight earlier this morning, I would have refused Byson´s love, it is as you say, maybe there is something good on him somewhere, but his nasty characters unfortunately is a massive turn off for anyone..., unless he changes his ways, I doubt any girl in our class would truly consider to go out with him." Helena stated and it were some harsh yet true words.

"So am I correct in assuming that Haxel and Kangonas were fully involved in that plan?" I asked and she once again only smiled.

"Who knows, maybe they just figured things out themselves..., they are smart you know." She replied and I nodded.

"They sure can be." I replied as we laughed.

"Also..., considering your suggestion of entering the House Gold next Year, I think you are right with your reasons, I know that if I chose one House I will regret not to have chose the others so I guess taking them all under one hat is the best action to take." Helena explained and in my overjoy I embraced her strongly.

"Yaaahhooo, another 7 years with my Helena!" I shouted aloud not minding anyone who might hear us.

"Hehe, you sure are glad about that, did you feared I would say no?" She asked.

"Well I strongly hoped you would say yes, that´s for sure, but I would have also accepted it, if you would have chosen otherwise." I stated as I embraced her.

" Oh really, would you have done that?" She asked with a smile.

" Yes..., because I love you and respect your decisions." I replied and she nuzzled backwards in my chest.

"So..., whom shall we tell the good news first, your mother or my father?" I asked.

"You make me meet your parents at such a young age..., you are quite something my prince." She playfully mocked as she looked deep in my eyes.

"Well, I am Red Savarin Wolvenra after all." I stated, as I kissed her passionately on the lips.

We might be only 7 years old, but that didn´t mean we weren´t allowed to show our love in the most natural way.

Flashback End:

Yeah..., the question of what would have happened when, was a hard nut to crack, and yet there was one thing I definitely knew..., if nothing I encountered so far would have happened, then I would not be who I am today.

"It was most likely not for the best, all what had happened, at least not for me..., but it was most likely a necessity for the entire world.

I am sure that in the future I will have to make even more sacrifices to make a difference and stand between the continuation of Freedom and Peace and Lycan´s domination of the world.

Some things just had to happen I guess, as painful as they seem to me now, I was chosen to save the world and so I will live no matter the cost.

Some things are worth to experience and some things are painful, but they all are there to shape me to who I have to become, in order to save the world once more.

One of these things which had to happen, was the talk I had with Lady Seraphina about my mother, after overhearing Father and Shane speaking about Merveille.

The Questions I asked of why she was not up on Shangri-La with us, or why she never came to visit us.

A memory which must have happened a few moments before the funeral of Helena, before my Memories of everything were sealed.

I think I asked that question because I finally wanted to have a least one more truth told to me, to know if I was at least tolerated, by my mother in this world..., maybe even loved.

Flashback, 11 years ago, Royal Quarters, Chamber of the Prince, Red´s Pov:

I honestly had no idea how to feel anymore.

It was as though a world broke together for me.

Not the soothing voices of my friends, the comfort of my Father, not even the heartfelt embrace of Lady Burmilla could heal my broken heart.

"What am I supposed to do without you Helena?" I mumbled, sitting on my bed, hugging myself.

Thousands of thoughts raced through my mind, unable to form a clear picture of what the future would hold.

My first love, my dear Friend and partner in crime, she died before my very eyes, sacrificed her life for mine, killed by the man who I was created from.

An experiment, that was what I was, constructed for mass destruction, for executing the end of the world but deemed a failure and left to be disposed by one part of my parentage, Baion, the big bad End boss in all this, as it seemed.

However, my life was spared, only to be enhanced by my biological mother, Merveille Million, Seraphina´s little Sister, but I was taken away by Carmine and Rose to raise in an environment which was safe, away from the facility and eminent danger of Baion...

5 long years I managed to survive and live normal, but my past had come to haunt me and attacked my safe refugee as well as killing one of my most beloved.

"Helena." I muttered yet again, holding the heart-shaped necklace, with her initials in my hand, she had worn the other half of it, with my initials carved inside.

She wore it all the time and I loved the sight of it, as it meant that she had truly accepted to be mine, to love me as her boyfriend and maybe future husband.

I wanted to make her my queen..., but now, I think I never will be able to love someone, as much as I had loved her, and even if the near impossible case would appear that I do..., can I really just get over Helena..., I highly doubt that.

Right now, she was being cremated and soon a part of her Ashes would be strayed in the wind over the island, as it is tradition here in Shangri-La, while the other part was mostly buried, only a small part was used to create a so called Ashen-Crystal in heart-shape.

It had become a quite romantic Symbol of undying love, to always keep a piece of a beloved person at one´s side.

Just as romantic this symbol was, did I wished I could find the right words to form a speech for Helena´s funeral, but I had always been bad with holding a prepared speech infront of the class, without just reading the whole thing aloud.

I guess I will just tell what comes to my mind once Lady Nil-Anuha, the High-Priestess of Shangri-La and last living member of the Jackal Clan, would give the word to me.

"Knock, knock!" Suddenly a soft thumping was to hear from outside the door.

"My Prince, it´s me, Seraphina Million, you asked for me to come?" I heard the voice of the woman I wish to speak with.

"Please do enter." I stated clearly and a second later the door was opened.

The dignified and sometimes a little strict woman walked inside, closing the door behind her.

She wore the official uniform of the High-council of Shangri-La, she was a member of the 7 old Knight Clans, known as the Order of Seven, and although not a Knight herself, was she a Pioneer in everything Technological.

Not for the least was she a House-Master at the Academy, one of the Top Teachers there.

"Good Evening, Lady Million." I stated as she looked at me, I climbed of my bed and gestured her to sit on the table in the room, while I sat across her.

"I´ve been asking of you to visit me because I need to get to know something, a certain detail, before I do what I have decided to.

This conversation will be kept a secret between us and I will forget it anyways until the moment is right to remember, so please feel free to tell the truth, although I beg of you to do just that." I explained and she nodded.

I took of the medallion of my mother and showed her the photo inside, I instantly saw how she teared up.

"I haven´t seen her in nearly ten and a half years, ever since I was kidnapped alongside my Father and my older Sister by the Lycanians." She replied.

"Tell me about her, please, I want to know more about this woman who shall be my mother." I asked and she nodded.

"Merve..., that was our nickname for her..., she had always been a smart girl, just as we all were, Rosalia, myself and my mother Sorbet Cornet Million, one each of us loved technology and Mechanic.

While I was more interested in the Mechanic and Engineering itself, like our father, was Rosalia almost obsessed with ancient technology and the possibility of converting it into the technology of our current generation.

Merveille on the other hand was fascinated by Technology and Biology and how they were sometimes related, but she also found the innovations through the use of sun, wind and water as well as other elements, fascinating.

Our little family was a happy one, just your average neighborhood family..., well except of the circumstance that we owned several factories across the Republic which produced everyday Technology for the practical use in homes, like dishwashers, washing machines, irons and ironing boards and so on.

We were big in the game so to say.

Our mother was quite famous as an horologist and precision-mechanic, everywhere in the Republic the name million was known.

Everything was good and peaceful..., until the day as our mother vanished." Seraphina told me and her eyes spoke of a big sadness.

Merveille was but only 6 years old back then and she could not comprehend nor accept that from one day to another our mother was just gone, of course we searched for her, 5 long years we looked at every nook and cranny of the Republic expect for the dangerous areas such as Armenia and the Devil´s Throat." She stated.

"Devil´s throat, what´s that supposed to be?" I asked unsure I haven´t heard that name before.

"It is supposedly the place on which once Ragdoll was located before Baion apparently destroyed it..., although your father does not believe that assumption anymore, Baion might be strong but he had no force to destroy an entire island, especially not with thousands of Paladins and Guardians opposing him, that much was clear." She explained and I nodded, no sure what she meant with it.

"How did my mother met Baion?" I asked Seraphina.

"Unfortunately I have no knowledge about that, as 5 years after our mother Vanished, my Sister, my Father and myself were kidnapped as we were on the way home from a visit to a Factory in the west of the Republic.

Ever since, I haven´t seen Merveille in all this time until today, so I have unfortunately no idea what happened during this time." Seraphina truthfully answered.

"Why didn´t you ever visited her, I mean you do live since quite a while here on this Island, so why?" I asked her and she looked aside before sighing.

"Because of Baion and the Lycanians..., because I feared that me meeting up with Merveille might trigger some bad things to happen.

Back then as we were Kidnapped we were forced to build weapons and Giant magnets for the Lycanians, of course we wished to resist, but they threatened to kidnap and torture Merveille if we would not comply with their demands, but not only this..., they also had Mother in their claws.

It was irony as I always believe her to be dead, we all did, all but Merveille, she always was assuming that mom was still alive and kept somewhere by bad guys.

To my shame I always just thought of how stupid such a thought was, the simple fantasy of a frightened kid..., but now that the same had happened to me, I began to believe in it as well.

So we worked for them as best as we could, always fearing that a mistake might mean, that Merveille or mother would have to pay the price for it.

It wasn´t until I got aware of a certain detail in the messages, they showed me.

One constant detail which remained there over 2 years long every time, that's when I knew that the video-message was but a simple fake.

Which meant that either mom was already dead or she escaped them somehow.

3 years after my Kidnapping and my separation of my Sister and Father, I was freed from the factory I was trapped in by your Father, Shane and the others.

At first, I refused to follow them into freedom, because of my fear for Merveille´s wellbeing, but they assure me that Merveille was still well and alive in the Shepperd Republic, that's when I got to know that everything had been a lie by the Lycanians all along, and yet I understood that that lie could well become a devastating truth.

I explained all the things I had build for the Lycanians to the King and he offered me to help them in defeating the Lycanians with my knowledge.

That's how I ended up on Shangri-La

During that time you had already been born and brought up to this island, ever since I worked diligently to improve the technology in this place.

Still, I had to learn so many new things..., as I told you before was Rosalia more the ancient-technology-maniac, but here I had to firstly get an understanding of what magic even was and how it could be inserted into Technology and mechanic, for short, I had to learn about the Science of Magic-Engineering.

Since I always was a fast learned I made it up in the ranks in a breeze and before I though about it, ten and a half years had already past.

As promised by the King, I was hold up-to-date about what my little sister did all the time, all of her big achievements and everyday life, by a spy in the Republic, some woman called Julie Summers who worked at a coffee-shop in Spinon.

Several years after I arrived at this place, I got the message that the Facility in which Merveille and that Baion-guy had worked, was attacked by your father, at first I didn´t understand why he did not took Merveille with him back up here, hell I was even furious to say the least.

I accused him of playing a false game with me the entire time, just like the Lycanians..., I was really disrespectful, despite knowing nothing of the current situation my little sister was in

The King said that they still had not found Rosalia and my father and that they could not risk the Lycanians to find this place.

The King had an assumption that Baion, similar to Merveille might stand under observation and that he could not risk to rescue her until Rosalia and father were found and brought in safety, otherwise the Lycanians might decide to dispose of them, if they could no longer fool them.

If Merveille was to be saved, it had to be done simultaneously with Rosalia and Dad and maybe Mom, given the circumstance that she is even still alive.

It was certain that all of them were threatened the same way I was, and that they were maybe separated as well, who knows to which places we all had been brought to.

In that fact the King was right.

With Heavy heart I had to accept that it was yet not the right time for us to save Merveille, as long as she was yet not out of danger, especially after we found out about Baion doing evil things.

From Julie, which meanwhile had become quite a good friend of mine, I got to know that Merveille had contracted a Hunter, which happened to be an Paladin of Ragdoll, it was unclear of why, until Julie contacted us and gave us the Letter of Merveille in which she explained the details about Baion´s Plan she had found out.

Now I was really afraid of her wellbeing, if Baion would find out, she was as well as dead, I was seconds from hijacking an aircraft and get down myself.

Carmine and Rose as well as some others as backup went to investigate.

They returned, once again without Merveille, but with you and a bunch of new Informations.

She even gave us details about a Weapon Baion possessed, a semi-sentient Mecha called Berius with incredible firepower, which laid waste to the Island of Ragdoll a few centuries ago.

With the Knowledge of Berius and the Mechas build for your siblings Blank and Nero, we managed to construct a similar Mecha, which evolves with you, although the same is not yet finished.

It is partially based on ancient technology and although its operating system is still in the test-phase, if we manage to succeed, the same might soon be used in other Mechas as well.

Although I doubt that we can finish the program for the artificial Intelligence anymore, now that the main-developer behind it had died..." Seraphina explained as she looked at my half-heart necklace with just as much sorrow as when she spoke about her family.

"You mean Helena..., she was writing that program?" I asked dumbfounded, we only had begun to have Technological Classes since about 5 months, if that was true Helena was an even bigger genius than I har ever thought.

"Yes indeed, it was supposed to be a birthday present for you...

I miss her too my prince, she was like a daughter to me, the child I never had, I honestly never have met a similar young genius like her, well expect of Merveille, if they would have met, they would have surely become good friends and an even better team of brilliant minds together.

It is truly such a shame, but as they say, the good ones always die first, as sad as it is." Seraphina stated and I nodded.

"They sure do." I replied.

"And yet even the survivors aren´t always so happy, it is a surely a miracle that Baion hasn´t yet found Merveille, but due to that she had to remain in hiding, although, she does not really hide as she has entered the Kurvaz Militia, a guild consisting of several branches of offices and Agencies banded together, for the peace, innovation and overall defense of the entire Republic, she has become , similar like me up here, the Chief of developpment, still as holed up as she is in her Laboratory, she might be better defended as if she were out there on her own.

Also are there some of our Men who have infiltrated the Kurvaz, working as soldiers, engineers and in other positions..., mainly to gather intel about the course of history in the Republic and the Kurvaz Militia itself, as well as keeping Merveille safe so I am a little more calm about it, even though I do still worry about it." Seraphina explained to me.

"how so, I mean if our men are protecting her she should be safe enough..., or am I wrong?" I asked her.

"Indeed she might be safer than being on her own, but these Spies have only so much abilities and possibilities of acting, there are perhaps only 10 of them in the Kurvaz and the Kurvaz overall numbers is close to 1.000.

My fear and worry remains, mainly because the Kurvaz General, Bruno Dondurma, is in suspicion of having ties with a so called New-Moon Society.

A secret Organization of unknown purpose, which might be related towards the Lycanians, as of now we do not really have any concrete evidences though, but the suspicion is there.

Sigh, honestly I wonder if Merveille would have managed to stay out of trouble if I or Rosalia would have stayed behind on that day, if one of us was there, maybe she would have never been tempted in some way with helping that Baion in his experiments.

Whatever that guy promised her, it must have been enough for her, to throw almost all ethic overboard and do such an immoral feat as to play god and create life.

I bet he has played with her feelings of loneliness and desire of knowledge, what an evil man.

If father was with her for example..., maybe he could have prevented her from getting into such a shady organization like the Kurvaz.

Makes me wonder where Grandma and Grandpa are the whole time?" She stated massaging her temples.

"Is this Kurvaz Militia really that badß" I asked her but she only looked unsure.

"I can´t tell, although it directly concerns my sister have I not insight on all operations the Kingdom´s spies undertake, it is a wonder that I have gotten any information about this at all, but Julie has good ties to some of them, she also only tells me about Merveille and these operations do not truly interest me anyways.

Maybe some things of what the Kurvaz does are good, but I heard, that their methods are often quite questionable..., just what are you trying to do Merveille, what has anyone promised you to go to such drastic methods?" Seraphina muttered as she sat back and looked at the ceiling, her eyes spoke of sadness and worry.

"I hate it my Prince..., I hate the fact that I am powerless if it is about my own family, all I can do is sit here and worry about them, waiting for news and maybe for one of them to be found.

I feel like I´m a failure..., a failure as a sister.

But as long as Rosalia, Father and possibly also mother are still in the fangs of the Lycanians, I am unable to act myself without making things worse, your Father told me this in all clarity, as I was so disrespectful to him back then.

If what we assume of Bruno Dondurma is indeed true, then the Lycanians have their hand on the lever here, one false move of myself might kill Merveille and that knowledge makes me nuts." Seraphina explained as she slumped on the table while I put a hand on hers.

"Uncertainty is the killer of everything positive." I stated and she smiled, it was a phrase which Shane often used in class.

"Shane does say some smart things every now and then." She replied and I nodded.

"He sure does..., say, Lady Million...?"

"Just call me Seraphy, as you have always done so my prince, I don´t mind..., you might even call me Aunt Seraphina if you like.

I once hated my full name, but after I was not called it for such a long time, only ever being called `hey´ or `you´ or even `bitch´, it was nice to hear it again, Shane was the first one to call me by my name after 3 years of captivity, he even complimented how beautiful it sounded.

I guess that was the moment I fell in love with him.

Heck I still remember how Merveille and I fought about that theme shortly before we went away on that day we vanished.

Men and future Husbands, a life for the future, not for the past.

I told her that she should stop chasing after mother as after 5 years of absence she was most possibly dead, I told her to get herself a future husband as fast as possible to start a family once she´s an adult.

I was so stupid, I was heartbroken to see how my little sister chased after the host of our mother who was missed for so long, devoting almost her entire life solely to the search for her, instead of truly living.

She even researched about plasma and plasma resistant alloy, only because she wanted to pierce the plasma Clouds of the Devil´s throat, so we could search in its innermost for my mother.

As I heard that I just got so angry..., who would have thought that a simple fight with my sister would haunt me for 3 years straight.

And even after all that time she still has no husband, although she seems to be always together with hat Young paladin...

Although..., to say he is young is relative, he might look like that but from what I have heard paladins can be decades old without their physical appearance changing all that much, similar to Wolven Paladins...

I mean look at your father, he must be over 10.000 years old and still he looks barely older than mid-60.

Geeez, before I met Shane I really though tthat I was unpopular with Guys, while Merve got all the attention, getting 5 marriage proposals per month, sometimes even per week, was it hard enough for me and Salia to find but one man to keep.

I tell you that was so unfair somehow..., well at least she can´t say that my talk did not helped." Aunt Seraphy explained and I nodded, not sure what to say t that.

Of course, I was glad if mom was happy..., but I bet I would have been gladder if she was here with me instead.

"Do you think..., mom would still love me..., after all this time?" I asked my Aunt.

"Oh I am sure she would..., she can be a little sarcastic and she does seem unapproachable at times..., but when she loves, she loves for real.

Carmine said that she truly teared up as she had to let you go, that she was shortly before refusing to herself to let you go, even though she knew it was perhaps your only chance of survival, it was as if the mother-feelings had hit her so hard in that one moment.

I don´t know what my sister has done to you, which hidden forces she has engraved in your DNA, or why, but she did it out of the conviction that you, once you have grown up and be able to use your forces, would be the only one to defeat Baion, to stop him from executing his wicked Plan.

As I said before, I cannot understand what Baion promised Merveille, for her to do something so irresponsible, as to experiment with DNA and Genetics after ancient Methods, and create your siblings, Nero and Blank.

The same that attacked our Island and killed so many of us.

But since she also managed to create you, my Nephew, I will forgive her, I´m sure she never though her children to be capable of such evil, nor, and that I am even more sure, did she ever wanted such a thing to happen.

She never struck me as a mad scientist you know and I know that despite of what she has done to you, she does have feelings for you.

My Sister might be many things, but she is definitely not heartless." Aunt Seraphina stated with outmost conviction and I nodded as I clutched the locket with Mom´s photo inside.

"I thank you for your kind words, I think I understand now a little more than before..., I hope that the next time we see each other, I will be able to say the same about your sister.

Who knows, maybe I one day meet my mother down in the Shepherd Republic, I will make sure to greet her from you when I remember everything..., I just hope she remembers me then at all." I stated.

"If the day comes that I have to fulfill my destiny, I hope she will help me taking Baion down, with all she can do for me." I stated looking at the moon hopefully.

"That I am sure about." Seraphina stated as she nodded, turning her head to the window as well.

"If she has done something wrong, she will be hell-bent on making it right again, whatever the cost, she might not be able to take action herself, but she will be a valuable support for your actions instead.

Such is the fate of us researchers of the Million Clan, who are unfit to become wielders of Armatura Impervius, the impenetrable fortress, just like Grandfather Altor has explained." Seraphina continued and I nodded, recognizing the name of the Sword of the Million Clan, one of the Order of Seven.

"Anyways I thank you for coming and telling me all this, I will no longer keep you of your work, we will see each other at the Funeral." I stated and she nodded.

"Of course my Prince, may the Light of 10 Moon guide you." Seraphina replied, saluting in the fashion of Shangri-La, before walking out of the room.

Flashback End:

To be honest I was a little shocked, I always thought that Bruno did all he had done out of his own volition, that he got so far because of his wit, to exhaust every loophole in the Law he could find...

However, to get told that there had been evidences and rumors that he had ties to the Lycanians...

It somehow seemed very possible and plausible..., if he indeed had, so many things would make a lot of sense.

For example, the question of how he even knew about Lares and Lemures in the first place, as it was secret and ancient knowledge, mostly exclusive to the Paladins of Ragdoll themselves.

I doubt you will find any book in the Republic which tells about it, at least Elh never mentioned it, and after all she roamed this Republic for 300 years.

But If Bruno had been ordered by the Lycanians of searching for these Weapons, to add them to their army, it makes a lot of sense..., maybe Bruno had Lycanian Blood in his veins, it would at least explain the monstrous creature he had become after he fused with Lares, which looked far more like a giant three-headed Wolf, than a Dog.

If that is all true, I wonder who else is a member to the New-Moon-Society, if there maybe more of them in the Kurvaz, it would be like the perfect breeding ground for raising their future Army.

Once I meet up with Opera the next time, I will have to ask her about that suspicion, and I hope she can give me some answers...

The dive through my memories was quite long and there was hardly an end in sight, but then again it was nice to get to know the good and the sorrowful memories as well as the bad ones.

But I was in awe of the amount of memories I had forgotten all this time and which I now witnessed from anew.

Some of these Memories were simple and irrelevant for the current situations we were in, but it was nice to remember them..., then there were the ones with the biggest pictures, which just screamed, `I am important, watch me, look at me, analyze me´.

One such was a memory from about 14 years ago as I was but 5 years old, I barely started going to school.

The Memory-painting showed myself and my father sitting in a comfy room, most likely one of his private offices in the Royal Quarters, infront of the chimney, snow was falling outside the window and it seemed that my father was about to tell me something, something quite important.

Flashback, 14 Years ago, Royal Quarters of the Ivory Castle, Red´s Pov:

I heard the noise of a fire crackling, the busy tripping of feet outside of the room.

I felt how is was cradled in someone's lap, how the heat in the room filled my heart and my belly.

I smelled gingerbread and other sugary treats, outside snow was falling, it was Winter and the people began to prepare the town for the Day of the Gift.

It was a special occasion in which you offer a gift to each of your friends and family members and get a gift back from them, all in order to celebrate family and the gesture of giving something to other, may it be a gift, comfort, love or other material and non-material things.

Although it was a little similar, was it just as different from the Day of the Family or the Day of the Lovers, as the houses in town, as well as the streets, were richly and quite festively decorated.

Legends have it, that the Day of the Gift is a centuries old Tradition, from long before the Era of the Belligerent States, just as the other two days and numerous others as well.

The fire was comforting and it seemed to me that I had dozed off for a while, as I opened my eyes to see, that I was sitting infront of an open Book.

"Our world has so many Secrets, buried beneath memories and ancient artefacts.

If you find them, they just might have the answers you seeking, kept hidden for centuries, for the rightful ones to find them.

But beware, maybe our greed is our weakness at least so it is in some people, some knowledge can prove to be dangerous and some things are best left unknown.

As long as we don´t abuse our own freedom of exploring, for shady motives and to act upon our inner greed, we will live a peaceful life, persecuting the past..., cause in the end we must reap what we sow, if your actions unleash the evil that had been bound." So it stood on the open Page.

"A warning I had written in this book ages ago." I heard a voice saying, old and gentle and filled with a warmth which was stronger than the warmth of the room.

I looked up to see a pair of gentle and old eyes looking at me, a smile on the lips of the man in whose lap I sat.

It was none other but my own father, Maranell Wolvenra, King of Shangri-La.

"It means that Books and scrolls hold many knowledge about our past, but some knowledge is hidden in the minds of old bloodlines, sometimes told verbally as a family secret nobody else knows, some of the wisdom goes lost, others is preserved until our times by ancient artefacts, magical and non-magical.

But that seeking such knowledge for evil purposes might destroy you, as ancient forces are hard to control, you can learn about them, you can analyze them and find ways to counter them, but you should know better than to try and Abuse them if you are not prepared for the consequences.

On my long travels in the past, I have unfortunately seen too many people trying to do just that..., and their failure often costed the lives of many innocents.

There are relics in our World which are just too powerfull and whose power should not ever be unleashed again.

A few such relics lie right beneath us, in the Shepherd Republic, your original Home, they are still hidden, but many are already on their tracks, it is bad if they succeed in their plans, but the Strongest and most Powerfull of them are being held under seals and defended by guardians.

And even if they were to be used again, am I sure that heroes will once again emerge out of the Crowd, to take up the fight against them, just as it has happened so often in olden times." Father explained to me with a gentle but also slightly worried glance.

But the prospect of mighty heroes had me lighten up my mind, I loved stories about heroes, more than anything.

"And one such hero will have to be you one day my dear Son..., what I tell you now is something you need to know which you shall never forget completely..., and yet I will see to seal the memories of it until the time is right, until you have proved to be a whole man and a suitable heir for the throne of Shangri-La.

So listen well Red Savarin Wolvenra." Father explained as he let me of his lap and kneeled down infront of me to be on eye level.

"Red, there will come a day that I am not longer, a day on which my forces will give in and on which yours will rise above all else, not to rule and conquer, but to protect and defend when all odds are standing against our folk and the freedom of this World.

I will tell you a story now, a story of who I am, what I was, what I am, and what one day, you will become as well." My father stated as he sat himself down on the carpet and gestured for me to do the same.

"Just let me seclude this room from the rest of the castle for a second." He stated as he closed his eyes, I could see how certain markings appeared on his hands which glowed up, a wave of bluish light flowed out of him enveloping the entire Room, stopping infront of the walls the windows and the doors in this room.

"Now no one will hear, see nor disturb us for these memories, this story I am telling you now, is only meant for you." Father stated before he recognized my fascinated look as I glanced at the markings which faded from his hand.

"Interesting right, as the Nono which come from within us and is forged by the mind, the Rano which comes from around us, is given shape with our hands.

If you combine both you create the force of Ranono, those who can masterfully skill this, will be able to possess the power to make an entire land kneel to them, or defeat a foe who uses the force of certain 10 ancient artefacts together.

But to master it requires ages of extensive training and a deep understanding of the fundamental laws of our world, you must understand what our world is and how it actually works, only then you will be able to change it to your image, as far as you administrative rights go." Father explained as he stood up and went to the window.

I followed him looking out of it, down to the snow-covered yard where I could see many dots moving around, most likely older students of the Wolpalaca, as the higher school was over by now.

"You will surely learn much about the arts of Magic in your future Royal classes at the Academy, intensively from the second year of Academy on.

In the first year you will learn more of the basic stuff ,which is also taught in the other Classes.

However, for now you should aim to do well in the 3 years of Elementary school.

Attending the Academy, once you turn 8 years old, will give you all the basic knowledge you need, to become a worthy King-Candidate, as you need to know what a true king is all by yourself.

For there are things in this world no class and no teacher can teach you.

Also are there yet Two others Candidates in this World, suited and worthy, to either become a King or a Queen for Lunaris, who too bear the Blood of Wolvenra...

However, as the Moon-throne does not choose between good and evil, even if in my opinion not worthy or even tolerable and yet of the same blood as myself, the throne might chose one of these others as well...

The one to sit on the throne, will either lead to the salvation of the world, or to its downfall.

Anyways back to the story I wanted to tell you..." Father explained as he looked at me.

"All good stories begin with a `Once upon a time´..."

Flashback, over 13.000 years ago, at B.E.R.F.A, Maranell´s Pov:

Bio-Engineering Research Facility of Armenia, or short B.E.R.F.A.

A dreaded place in the cold Tundra of Armenia.

Ever since the Wars had broken out several centuries ago, this place was filled with darkness, ice cold temperature and the dreadful atmosphere of death and despair.

I was born here..., but not as you might think into a loving family.

No it was more accurate to say that I was created here, one of hundreds of Children, created for but one purpose..., as weapons, weapons to fight in wars, to fight in place of the soldiers under the rule of Anubis Sarcophagus, King of all the Canidae-tribes.

In collaboration with the Kumear Tyrant, Donduros Bearfrost, who held the iron rule over Lofisheim since 2 decades alreadyand the Batmori Warlord, Calypsor the Reaper, Leader of Necropolis, Anubis had united a massive Army to use against the Felidae King Taniel, the Sabretooth Tiger.

However, King Taniel had the collaboration of the Elephzō Kingdom, Serengetia and the Girafu (Giraffe /Jirafu) Kingdom, Dorimanjaro, as well as some of the lesser Beast-tribes of the Savahara, the Land of Deserts and Green plains, on his side.

Through this, his army still vastly outnumbered the collaborated army of the three Kings of Alasokia, whose partnership was already far stretched as well as unsteady anyway.

It was a shame that the fighting had already bordered in the collapsing of the tectonically borders of Elysia, the once massive Super-continent, broke apart, as the Old land of Elysia, home of the Elyan, the Dragon-people, was ripped out of the middle of the Continent, set afloat on the back of the Giant Sky Whale Sumear and flew up high in the sky, never to be seen again.

In the following millennia of warmongery and global misery, the Super-Continent broke apart and was divided in many Continents.

Alasokia, Continent of Ice, Rock and clear starlit Skies to the north, which was home to the Canidae Tribes, the Batmoris, the Kumears and some other Beast-Kind Races, who had lost most of their people during the wars and remained with no such numbers as to form a new Kingdom of their own, without inevitably being dragged into the war.

Savahara, Continent of Deserts, giant plains of rich greenery and Home of the Felidae tribes, the Elephzō Kingdom and the Girafu Kingdoms as well as other Beast-Kind races that could live in the warm climate.

Terra Verte, Continent of the Giant Forest and vast green plains, home of many different Races even of the Felidae and the Canidae, a refugium for all those who hid from the War.

The Roselta Region, a massive cluster of floating Islands, tied together by large land-bridges, home to various other Beast-Kind Races which secluded themselves completely from the War and only attacked when attacked themselves.

Nautilus, the giant sea in the Sky, only held together due to a gigantic Mountain range that runs all around the entire sea enclosing it into the Sky, it was home to most of the Maritime Races such as the Dolphuka, (Dolphin / Iruka) the Orcachi (Orca / Shachi), the Shamerk (Shark / Same) and some of the Amphibian Races and some of the other races that Fled the lands once the Wars started.

If there was war on just one Continent it was worse enough, but war on two was of a cataclysmic level no one had ever expected, and that the wars lasted for 3.000 years already, surely no one had ever anticipated.

The worst however was the fact, that there was no end in sight.

Anubis's best man, General Fenrir Wolfenstein was in charge of a new Project to increase their army and fighting power, to end the wars in their favor.

And that's where we came into the game, as part of the Super-Soldier Project, we were created with Transgenic genetics, out of DNA of several Beast-Kind-Races, to find the best possible combination of creating hybrids and chimeras.

I was called Experiment #101 of the Lupycan-series, born out of the Genes of a Rhinosai and a Lupycan, but different to most of my conspecific had I no traits of a Rhinosai expect of the raw strength and physical resistance.

Needless to say, that not many of us survived the first few years.

Most of us didn´t got older than 15, only a few expectations managed to get over 20.

Then there were also those who did survived but never were the same..., and those who completely lost themselves, physical as mental.

Abominations, known as the Night-Plague, the infamous name which brought fear into every single one of us.

Hold in a separated high security area of the Facility, these beasts were the end result out of failed Hybrid-experimentations, those who were rendered unusable through the experiments were infused with a certain Liquid, known as Devil´s Blood, no one knew what it was, but the effects were gruesome.

I only once saw it, as they used it on the cell across ours, I don´t want to remember how that boy suffered for days, but at the end he was not to recognize anymore and he tried to attack the security personal with savage brutality, only to be put asleep with gas and other chemicals and dragged away into that secluded area.

It was a common threat to us, by the Security Guards and Researchers.

If you do not obey the rules and work hard, you will become a Ghoul.

That was the degrading name the Adults used for those turned into members of the Night-Plague.

And thus, our days were filled with fighting other children to the death and following orders, we were barely taught how to speak or to write, or anything fundamentally at all.

If we wanted to learn we had to do so for ourselves, but most of us only vegetated in their cells or sat in a corner mumbling whatever they knew, over and over again, to somehow not go insane in this place.

I was one of those who tried to learn as much as possible, in the little free-time we had, apart from killing and fighting to the death, by listening and remembering, what the adults were saying.

It was a means for me to stay alive, I wasn´t the most skilled fighter, I just learned to survive as long as I could before I had to kill myself.

Sometimes they send us in an arena which got smaller by the minutes until there was no chance or space to flee anymore.

I guess the reason that I was left alive at all was because I came victories out of every such Battle royal.

I wanted to live, that was the only reason I did what I had to do, even when unwilling.

Either you refused to kill and you were killed instead, or you killed just so could stay alive, but then there were also such kids who loved to kill, who got addicted to murdering others over the time they spent here.

One such was of the neighboring cells, my experimental brother, Ferros, before he was called that, he too was but a number of many, same as all of us.

We were siblings, since we were created with the same Lupycan genes, Fenrir Wolfenstein´s genes.

I honestly feared Ferros, I always hope that I would not had to fight him and until now I haven´t yet, but I think, as I was famous not to die in my battles, he was eager to kill me.

I was in here since about 8 years, either I died early or I survived until I was 20 and died then.

Still, I never gave up my one hope, to someday see the light of the sun, to escape this place somehow...

I kept having dreams of places far way from here, events that took place somewhere else, voices talking to me, telling me that I was chosen for something different, for something great.

But I was just ordinary in this place, one of 6 remaining Lupycan Hybrids, which were held in two cells.

Ferros and my Brother, later named Genma, stayed in one Cell with some others, under them also some Felidae-Hybrids, later called Shiro, Hanzo, Zora and Arcana.

I was in one cell with my brothers and sisters Marikos, Ciarella, Panmora and some other Hybrids of different races.

The cells were divided in several blocks and it was always Block against Block, rarely two cells of one block had to fight against each other, but it occasionally happened.

It was during one such fight as I finally found a way to escape.

I had planned this for months, told no one, it came to everyone as a surprise.

We were just at killing each other as suddenly a Fire broke out near the secluded Area, which let a tank of gas explode, blowing a hole in the security gate that held back the Ghouls, letting them escape.

By that time, I grabbed the hands of Panmora and Arcana and told them to grab a hold of the others.

Suddenly the ground under us was opened, it was a mechanism with which they usually got rid of the corpses in the arena, it managed to get us in the unsecured lower level of the Facility.

That when I revealed my plan to them, which got them looking quite dumbfounded for a while.

As I had helped my inmates to understand basic Dialogues, they knew what I was up to and Shiro and his mates got the gist of what I was explaining from the few words they knew.

31 of us would escape.

But 2 of them weren't sure about it, Ferros and Genma.

Ferros was plain against leaving, he wanted to fight and to kill and it was evident that he tried to provoke a fight with the others now, despite not even having a weapon at hand.

Genma on the other hand was not sure if he wanted to stay or go, as he constantly fought to survive, he was almost as often in the Arena as Ferros and he had killed on numerous occasions, far more than even I did.

He was not sure if he could stop killing even if he wanted to, too long he had done so and he was shortly before falling into an addiction of seeking fighting and bloodshed, the fact that he always had seemed so calm made it even more dangerous.

10 years long he was used as a mere weapon, he, as a Lupycan-Repturui Hybrid, had an amazing resistance against elements, he was fireproof, could remain for hours underwater, he was physically as hard and robust as a rock.

However, he was also quite aggressive when fighting due to what he was, Repturuis were fierce in battle and couldn´t handle it when they were mocked and insulted, to ignite the wrath of a Repturui was the worst one could do.

Genma was one of the few that had already fought in the wars outside of the facility and he therefore feared the world as he mentioned that some lands might wanted to get their revenge on the Dragonwolf, as he was called.

In the end as me and the others wanted to move on to escape, a fight broke out between me and Ferros, who was close to sabotage our escape plan due to wanting to stay, none of us could defeat the other one, but we did not had to as suddenly the ghouls, who had managed to get on the lower levels before we could make it out of there, hunted us down and were ready to kill us.

As Ferros tried to Kill Ciarella by sacrificing her to get the ghouls of his track, I pushed him backwards and shielded Her from the beat of the ghouls, which ripped up my Back, leaving a nasty bleeding scar.

Ferros stumbled back and was hit by the claw of a ghoul right across the face losing an Eye, the hatred in his remaining eye directed to me, was burning and full of malice.

He swore bitter revenge, as he stumbled away, as suddenly the burning ceiling crashed down separating us from the ghouls, giving us the opportunity to flee.

Over us, the Facility collapsed and we managed to get outside as a wall crumbled down before us.

We made our way over the icy plains with nothing but the clothes we were provided with.

We had no food, nothing to drink, we walked and walked and walked some more, always forward never once looking back.

We arrived at a hill far from the Facility as the land was suddenly illuminated by a warm light.

Flashback End, Red´s Pov:

"It was the sun..., after 8 years of existence I finally saw the sun for the very first time in my Life.

I remember that back then I cried, we all cried out of Joy, that we made it..., 30 of us made it out of the Facility, we finally were free." Father explained and I really teared up by this story, I could see it in his eyes that this story did also made him sad, so I placed my small hand on his big one, making him smile a little.

"Now that you know how we were born and how we escaped, its time to tell you what we did after that escape." Father stated and in his eyes I saw how he relieved these days.

Flashback, over 13.000 years ago, Maranell´s Pov:

We wandered, not sure were to go, as long as we moved forward, away from the Facility.

As I was the one who initiated the escape, I was told to become the Leader of our Group, I was fine with that as I had a vague idea were our travel would lead us.

It was like back then in the Facility, nights before our escape, I had visions of what to do, where to go and what would await us.

Due to that the Children who came with me, put their entire faith in me and it would have been a lie to say, that it did not put a lot of pressure upon my shoulders.

Especially since I knew something the others didn´t, something I could not tell them.

That only 9 of us, myself included, would arrive towards the place we had to.

9 out of 30, it was a horrific vision I had, considered all the expectation that rested upon my shoulders

Whenever we rested somewhere, I taught the other kids how to read and how to write, as best as I could do so myself, it was enough for us to communicate but I bet if we would have reached a village, none of the villagers would have understood a thing we said.

Four days after our escape we managed to get out of the cold tundra and the snowstorms which had enclosed that valley, 1 of the Children had died already due to high fever as he was injured during the escape by one of the guards, before the ghouls caught him.

I was not better of to be honest, the claw-attack of the ghoul hurted extremely, but since we patched it up with the cloth made out of the clothes of the kid that died, after he did not need them anymore, I was able to go on.

To stay alive, we drank the water from melted snow by eating the snow, eating we did what we could find..., greenery was hard to find out here, so we killed any small animal which came our way, eating its flesh raw.

Of course, did that meant that we often had to suffer grave food-poisoning, but it was all we could do to stay alive.

I told the children to take proviant with us, meaning, to keep some of the meat for later on.

The bones of the animals we used, by sharpening them with stones, as weapons.

We used the thick and warm Fur of the more docile Animals that came our way, but which we killed nevertheless, as primitive clothes, simply a big piece of scalped skin was wrapped around us, while we used the same cut as the clothes we wore.

The belts were made of the same materials to hold everything together, desperation made quite creative if I may say so.

None of us was taught in survival training, but experiencing things was easier than trying to figure things out on our own.

A week had passed, we knew that because we counted how often the sun rose and how often it got dark, we knew about days because of the routines at the Facility, after a certain period of time we were brought in a big room, where we were washed and newly dressed, before we had to get back in the cells.

Always after 6 times sleeping.

Maybe it was because of keeping us from being needlessly infected due to dirt getting in our wounds, or it was because the adult could no longer stand the smell, I preferred the first option, for it would mean that they at least cared a little about us.

It was then that we came across our first obstacle, a massive Wall stood right in the way we had to go.

"..., what..., doing?" I was asked by Shiro, a white lion in our Group, around the same age as myself.

"Climb..., over!" I replied and he nodded as I made the gesture appropriate to the meaning of my words.

We made our way over to the wall, hiding at the sides and in the shadow of the mountains around us, the wall was nothing if not suspicious, but I knew somehow, that behind this wall was a world we had never dreamed of ever seeing.

Behind this wall freedom was to be found.

So we made our way over to the wall, and as if made for us, a ladder had been built at its side.

On that day a massive snowstorm rushed over the valley, so visibility was already close to non-existent, but we had to go on either way, and so we climbed up.

But the prize for freedom was a hard one to pay.

2 Children of our group lost their hold as a gust of wind rushed against the wall and came from down up to us, we were already halfway up, as we heard screams, all I still saw was a face contorted in fear vanished in the snow.

The pain I felt whenever one of us died was ripping my heart apart and yet I did not entirely understand it..., but I knew that much..., these kids, they depended on me and I still could not keep them alive, no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, only nine of us would survive.

After we managed to get up on the wall, the storm began to subside, and we were in awe of the view we saw.

Deep down under us, the world spread itself into infinity, the horizon was far and filled with clouds, as we looked back we could see that the Valley we knew was circular, it was the crater of an extinct super-volcano.

The wall was perhaps once used as a Dam for the village's underneath.

Which must have meant that we currently were in winter, as the entire Crater-lake was frozen over, the facility must have built right in the middle, making it close to impossible to be taken over by ground forces and an Air raid was instantly bombed of by the guard towers, spread across the crater.

Same as on the other side, there was a ladder on the side we had to go, just as if it had been built for us.

Carefully not to be spotted we made our way over the large wall and down the ladder.

I barely could believe, finally we were about to leave the dreadful place, which we once called home, behind.

Our journey onwards led us through a tundra and forests with changing climate, once it was cold, once the sun warmed us up.

Food was plenty here, finally we were able to eat other things than raw meat, we found fruits and weeds.

Of course, since we did not know anything, we had to learn and that didn´t went without trial and error, 1 of the children, about half a month after our escape, upon finding ourselves in a forest, died on poisoning after eating various poisonous plants.

We buried his corpse just as we did with the first one, before we simply went on.

With the time we learned about a feeling, which we hadn´t before, a feeling I felt ever since that first child died, all this time before.

Sorrow.

As weapons without an own will, we were not allowed to show feelings, back then in the facility..., not that we even understood these feelings at all.

But whenever one of us died I had a bad feeling, a feeling of self-disappointment..., I walked, eat, drank, hunted and spoke with these children on my side, it was inevitable that we became close even if we could not understand it.

It lasted quite a long time until found the first village.

We were baffled that there existed more people outside than those we knew and even more we were astounded that they seemed so totally different than us.

Even the Children spoke in complete sentences, they played around, laughed, were genuinely happy, they had not to fight to the death, they had not to suffer harsh treatment.

But even more we had to understand, that we were the abnormal ones here, not them.

We were frowned at, stared at, picked at, spat at, shout at and even casted out of the village at some point as we tried to take food.

As you might can imagine was the concept of trading or buying completely unknown to us.

We were used to get food by adults when we killed someone and we were denied of it if we did not.

After killing one of the Cowboars in the village, before asking for food, we were chased out of the village by a mob of angry farmers.

We ran away to the next forest hiding, Shiro and Genma, suggested that we should attack the villagers just as we were taught so, but I refused, killing the mob might just mobilize the entire village to attack us.

But they did not listen and so they attacked in the dead of the night, of course we helped them, once we got aware that they were gone from the resting places we had sought out, but we paid the price for their actions, as I was badly hurt, while 2 more children died.

The girl I once saved, Ciarella, saved me, dragged me away from the battlefield with help of Arcana and Hanzo.

We managed to get away with just these causalities, but it did not help us.

We hid in a den deep in the forest after killing the Giu who had nested there, there we rested back up to health.

Due to our different genepool our wounds healed quite rapidly, even the Wounds from the ghoul claws were meanwhile healed back up.

Shiro and Genma cried the entire night, after Arcana and Ciarella shouted at them with the few words of insults we had heard from the villagers.

Ever since that day they never went against my orders again, also we finally learned the difference between right and wrong, careless killing was not helping anyone, the very least other people.

In this outside world, killing someone or something which did belonged to someone else, was a really bad thing to do, enough to ignite the wrath of an entire village.

It however also told us that we were just so completely different than the rest of the world, it made me angry to think that other children were spared of the misery we had to go through all our lives, but I knew better than to act on this anger.

The House I saw in my dreams was definitely not to be found in the village, so we marched on once we were all healed up.

We marched through the forest day and night always forward, a vague sense of which direction to go.

The visions I had, told me where to go and what to expect to know we were right, the vision of 9 children never changed, but I saw what awaited us, the silhouette of a man and a woman who looked different than the Villagers.

Meanwhile about 2 months had passed ever since we left the facility, we came across 3 more villages in which we plundered the public garbage bins for anything still edible to find, otherwise we stole from the market and due to our better reflexes, we always managed to get away from our followers.

Of course, we gained much attention this way, so we never stayed close to a village longer than 2 days at most.

Due to the trash diving we found many books, difficult as well as easy ones, with the few words we knew we tried to read which was surely hard, but some of the books had pictures which went along with the story.

Through playing the stories we managed to learn some more words even if we could not pronounce them rightly.

About 3 months after our flight the worst thing happened.

We came across a village and we though that there everything would go just as before.

But we had no idea how infamous we already had been, after all we killed up to 6 villagers in that first village and stole many things in others, often knocking out and hospitalizing the chasers.

After we arrived in town we were greeted by a small patrol of Soldiers, the same kind from back then in the Facility.

They instantly went on the attack and we logically fought back.

Since our reflexes were far better than those of average Soldiers, we manage to slaughter many of them, but then they brought out the heavy weaponry.

They did not care about the villagers and their houses, if the witnesses were killed it was easier for them to later on cover things up.

We killed 10, but there were still a few remaining, not to mention that 4 of us died during the battles.

In the end we managed to flee the battle after Arcana and Ciarella sabotaged their weapon in a way, in which it exploded, taking half the village with it.

We managed to flee into the mountain range outside of the still intact village.

However, this incident divided our group, we were but 20 children anymore.

There was a young Caninu who had lost one of his closest cell-mates during the battles in the village and was furious with me, as it was me who lead them towards that place.

A fight broke out in which result 11 of the children left our group.

With a shock I had to witness that our group only consisted out of 9 members anymore, I was afraid of leading them any further, but I knew I had to, so we made our way further through the mountains.

Eventually we came up to a hill and what we found there astounded us greatly.

We found a farmhouse within a valley, surrounded by mountains and rivers, Cowboars were calmly eating grass, looking up, their glances falling on us, before going back to eating grass not disturbed in the slightest by us.

A Man and a Woman, unlike in had ever seen, worked in a small garden, before looking up as we arrived, they greeted us with the warmest smile I ever saw before.

I burst in tears as I recognized, that the place we had found, up here on the hill so far away from any other village or civilization, was the house from my visions.

From my group there were only 9 left and it were the 9 I saw in my visions; the vision finally came true.

Here I stood with the Man and the Woman, with the House I had seen and with my siblings and friends who were granted the luxury of gaining names, Shiro, Genma, Hanzo, Marikos, Arcana, Ciarella, Zora and Panmora.

It was a real shame that that Caninu and the other 10 children left us before seeing all this, but I was glad at least they did not died..., so I hoped at least.

As I cried like this the woman came up to us and while the others were wary of what she might do, I just sat there, while she kneeled down and embraced me.

And my tears turned into tears of sheer happiness.

Flashback end, Red´s Pov:

"It was the first time I experienced something like interpersonal love...

The Woman and the Man called themselves Amaterano and Susanono, and believe me, back then I had no idea, that these two were just a disguise for what they truly were and that they were the offspring of Lady Yulungur, for me they were just the friendliest adults I ever had met in my life.

But they were not ordinary in every sense, they were send here to wait and guide those who would turn this world around, and those 9 were we, due to a calculation which Lady Yulungur made ages ago.

Back as we finally got to know about that detail, it worried me a little, what if we hadn´t been the ones they were waiting for, would they have just casted us away.

They assured that only the ones for whom the message of Lady Yulungur was meant for would have find their way here, no matter what else would have happened before, but that it was necessary for them to find their own way towards them, rather than just being taken from the Facility.

We had to march on our own and suffer many hardships to learn and understand the way this world truly looked, to learn the value of Friendship, Care, Kindness, Leadership, Loyalty, Compassion and Faith, the seven Virtues which they would teach us.

But even more we had to learn the value of life, moral and trust, that these were the most important aspects of life, outside the boundaries of the captivity we knew, where we were only rewarded and to survive, when we disrespected these aspects.

It was really like coming from out of hell into paradise, the best of my years were spent there while I learned anything I never knew, we finally were taught on how to express ourselves, how to write, read and properly talk.

Our Fighting skills were sharpened by Susanono, from the rough style which we used before, just to kill the opponent regardless of how, to a style in which we performed splendid swordplay.

We were taught that we should only attack after being attacked first, unless we know that the attack would not only hurt ourselves but also many people next and behind us, those we were supposed to defend.

We were taught to love by Amaterano, as she showed me how I could I tell Ciarella how I felt about her, ever since she saved my life in that village instead of leaving me behind, that I liked her and wanted her to stay with me forever onwards.

Shiro on the other hand got infatuated with Arcana, ever since back then as she told him off, due to the attack on the villagers, as he had rarely seen a woman so fierce than her.

We stayed many years at this place until we were old and ready enough to do what was required by us.

A requirement we had seen and witnessed ourselves.

We had to fight to end this stupid war, take out the chess pieces which ignited the war always from anew, for personal gain.

But before we had to seek likeminded people and that's where things get even more interesting Red." Father explained before he took a sip of his coffee while I looked at him with curiosity.

What he then told me shocked me to the core, the secrets he told me, about the whereabouts of the Full moon Sphere, the secrets behind the Seven swords, the Moon throne, as well as the Cardinal Trials, even the original reason of why our world was created by Yulungur in the first place, in the way it is now.

Especially the important significance to complete the first trial he explained to me.

It was important not only for me but even more so for White and for other potential kings and queens of other Region who had an important reason themselves, of why to participate, father told me that it would soon happen, once the Battles at Ragdoll were all over, that I was asked for the allegiance of several regions for the upcoming trials.

He told me that even as a prince, trust was something to be earned, not to just receive through a titel, and I knew, thanks to his story, what he meant.

If you cannot trust your neighbors, how will you ever defeat the enemies you see, not knowing if your Neighbor might not have ties to them.

You have to get to know your Neighbors in order to trust them, the same was with the allegiance of a folk, get to know your own folk and you will have it easier to earn their trust.

I found out about so much, things I did not know about the past and also, so much about the man I called my father, that I was almost overwhelmed with the amount of informations I received.

This talk was however not the only Memory I was about to see, so much was clear, this Memory was just one of many to still come.

Were three hours even enough for remembering all of what happened?

We will see, I just hoped that Chocolat was okay so far.

To be continued...

A/N: the Continents in this Chapter are being based of remaining 5 continents which had been set afloat by Yulungur, as in my Info stories to read, Elysia was the Supercontinent which Yulungur created out of these Continents once, but during the State of Belligerent states, from which part of this chapter tells about, it broke apart in 5 tinier Continents after removing its center point, named the Old Land Elysia,.

The Five continents created are Alasokia, which represents Northern America, Savahara, representing Africa and Terra Verte, representing South America.

Nautilus, which represents part of Europe and Asia around the Black Sea, up to France in the East, towards Poland in the north, Part of Russia and Kazakhstan in the west down to Greece and Turkey in the South

The Roselta region, consisting of the separated parts of Europe and Asia, mostly Russia, which floated and clashed together forming this region.