Hey everyone. I'm really sorry being so inactive lately, but… we have a few problems here and surprisingly, it's not anyone's fault. Well… almost.

You know that coronavirus that is now spreading, right? Yeah, our HQ in Shanghai cannot work because people cannot come to work. Not that they are sick, mind you, but government doesn't let them travel there. So… we do not get any new parts for repairs and need to focus hard on what we already have. So you can imagine I am rather busy and it's hard to get in the mood to write.

Honestly whole thing is just ridiculous. I think a controlled spread would be better than all out quarantine. It's just another virus with rather low death rate, so we need to gain immunity ourselves.

It's just a more infectious flu. No… that's wrong. Simple flu has much higher death-rate.

Sorry, I just needed to get it out of my chest.

Now, let's move on to something more enjoyable. At least I hope it is. XD

ENJOY!

Honestly it felt awesome, just walking around with some friends… I mean… siblings. Yeah, I think my brain didn't have enough time to process it all yet. After all… I was always alone. On the other hand, I was still just a kid back then. I longed for a soft warm motherly touch like any other. I even got two lovely siblings. A very active and free-spirited Alessa and a cool and strong big brother, Erendor.

We soon reached the meat shop. It had a big sign in front, but… of course I couldn't read. Erendor went in first and held door for both me and Alessa. We slipped quickly in and immediately heard that deep voice of shopkeeper. It was an old, muscular man. His beard was white and he had no hair. Honestly, his form itself was respectable "Ah, kid, there you are! I was worried when you didn't come for few nights."

"Hi." I cheered, rushing to the counter "It's good to see you again."

"You too, little one." He patted me on head "I see you found some friends."

"HI Mr.!" Alessa ran up to me and bowed "I am Alessa."

"Erendor." Bro was smiling at the old man. Luckily there wasn't anyone else in shop, otherwise we'd have a lot of people bowing right now… and I bet few young girls screaming.

Gotta admit, he was really handsome.

"You can call me Fred." He said rather proudly before looking back at me "So you found friends among the royals. Not bad, kid."

"Well…" Erendor scratched back of his head.

"Thank you for being so nice to sis Starsha!" Alessa cheered again.

"Sis… Starsha?" he began laughing, finally catching up "I see now. Well good for you! Being adopted to royal family! Congrats."

"Royal family owes you a great debt." Erendor bowed his head "Thank you very much for taking care of my little sister."

"It was nothing kid." Fred stood up and walking up to bro, he put his hand on his shoulder. Rather violently, I might add "What kind of man would I be otherwise! A true man always helps a damsel in distress!" We all laughed a bit before Fred rose his hands and yelled "Now come on, this calls for celebration. Wait here just a second!" He ran off to the back of the shop.

"He sure is nice." Erendor said, rubbing his shoulder "Reminds me of Uncle Hagen."

"Right?" Alessa joined in "He's so nice!"

That was when door of shop opened again and in came 3 figures. That moment… my blood froze. My eyes went wide with fear. 3 boys, about Erendor's age walked in. They all had common outfits, although the main theme was black. I knew them too well. One of them stepped closer to me "Hello there… pipsqueak."

Erendor stepped closer to me and placing a hand on his chest, he slightly pushed him back "Is there any problem?"

"That's none of your business, boy." Boy looked real bad at Erendor.

I knew them… I have to get out of here. I have to run. Run and do not look back.

Yes… run.

Every fiber of my being tensed up. Fight or flight reflex kicked in. My heart was pumping harder, faster. My breathing was getting faster. My pupils were dilating.

But door was closed… I cannot open it and run away fast enough.

As luck would have it… another customer walked in. The moment door opened, I made a mad dash around Erendor and other boys. If I was good at anything, it was running. My speed was the only thing I count on during my times on streets. I slipped past the costumer and kept on running.

"Starsha!" Erendor and Alessa yelled behind me, but… at the time I was too far gone into the fight or flight response that I didn't hear them.

"After her!" I heard those boys rush out of the shop and chase after me.

Without realizing, I was waving my wings to get even faster. I was used to this kind of run. Away from those 3… away from danger. I couldn't fight… so what else was there to do? I made a quick turn into a side alley. There was a fence, tall one. Even though they were torn quite a bit, my wings were still giving me some lift. I swung them and at the same time, jumped as high as I could. It was enough for my belly to hit the top of fence, so I could easily climb through and get down on other end. Boy didn't have much trouble either though. They just ran up the fence and jumped down on the other side. I did manage to keep my distance though.

As I kept on running, I got into a park. There was my chance of getting rid of them. There was a hole in a wall of an old building. There was no other way in or out. It used to be a warehouse, I think at least. I could fit through even with my wings, but they were too big.

"You're not gonna get away this time!"

There it was. An old brick wall with a big narrow but long hole. I was almost there. Just a little bit further.

But then… I was stopped. A hand appeared before me out of nowhere. It grabbed me by my shoulder and quickly tackled me to ground "Got ya!"

"Nice!" before I knew it, 4 of these boys stood above me, one pinning me to ground "Now… let's have a chat."

Two of them picked me up by my shoulders and held me still. I tried to struggle, but they were older and stronger than I "No, please. Let go of me!"

"Not much of a runner now, are ya?" one of them pulled out a knife "Now, time to pay up."

"Oh, go for the hair. Cut them!" another one cheered.

"Why not." He reached behind me and grabbing my hair in his hand, he pulled upwards. It hurts. I felt tears running down my cheeks. Once again… these boys have me in their grasp… and there is nobody to help me.

But the moment his knife cut a single strand, a shadow came over me. Something stopped him in his tracks. Or… more like someone. For a split second, I saw only boy's face, twisted and wide-eyed as a fist hit him full force right in the left cheek.

It was Erendor. He came and hit the boy while running. Boy fell down real hard. In another split second, Erendor changed his stance and made a roundhouse kick, knocking both of my holders out.

"Nobody touches my sister!" I then turned towards me "Are you alright?"

I couldn't even speak. He was so cool. He… he came for me. No, not just that. He knocked the hell out of these boys.

I was crying. I was so happy to see him. It was the first time anybody stood up for me.

I couldn't help it and I jumped into his embrace, crying like never before.

"It's OK." He whispered "Big bro is here."

"And who are you supposed to be?!" the one with knife said as he stood back up. Aside from those who held me, they were ready for fight.

"Fire bolt!" another voice joined in. Barrage of fireballs began hitting them. They couldn't do anything against magic.

It was none other than Alessa, sending one spell after another "Don't be so mean to my sister!"

"What the!?" knife guy hid behind a tree. Alessa's spells were actually rather weak compared to an adult fairy. She couldn't really hurt them or set anything on fire even if she tried.

After few more barrages, Alessa quickly ran up to us and hugged me tight "Starsha! Are you OK?"

I couldn't help and hugged her back "Yeah."

"Now…" Erendor faced those boys "You should probably know that attacking royal princess is a cardinal offense." He punched his hand "But I feel generous… so I won't kill you."

"Royal princess?" one of them said stepping out from behind a tree "What are you talking about? She's just a street rat! She owes us!"

"And that's why you wanted to harm her?" Erendor was angry. That much was clear "And for your information. Starsha has been adopted into royal family, thus making her not just royal princess… but my sister. And every dog that tries to harm her… will pay!"

Immense magical energy began gathering around. Bright blue lines of energy began spiraling around him. No… into him. Even I felt it. It was immense power, unlike anything I've ever seen. His eyes were shining blue.

So this… was power of first princes of Eraklyon.

Throughout this all, Alessa kept hugging me, obviously ready to rise a barrier at moment's notice. Her look was intense… angry. I've never seen any other expression than a smile. She was always that goofy, funny girl, but now… she was focused, ready to strike anytime.

And then… he was gone. Just like that, he vanished in thin air. Only wind remained. In another blink of an eye, he appeared behind one of the boys. Without hesitation, I saw him kick the boy right in the side, sending him flying into his friends. As he flew, he hit one and flew to another and so on.

When they were together, Erendor appeared behind them again and kicked the other way, sending them flying right into the wall of the old building.

All four of them hit it so hard they went half way in. Now they were stuck half way through the wall.

And unconscious.

With that, the immense aura surrounding Erendor disappeared and he without any word, he turned towards us and walked closer. He was so cool… so manly. Truly… Prince of Eraklyon. A hero.

"Phew." Alessa sighed "That was scary."

"You two OK?" he knelt before us.

I nodded, but of course Alessa rose her hand and screamed "Yeah!"

"Glad to hear that." He said, rather calmly "Now Starsha…"

He was going to ask about what I did to them, right? Truth is that…

"How would you like your pie?"

I looked at him, baffled and surprised. He… he didn't ask about them? Or maybe… he just didn't care?

"I want the strawberry one!" Alessa cheered. They both were looking at me then "How about you, Starsha?!"

I… I didn't understand. Why didn't they…? I'd expect them to have million questions and maybe even start hating me, but…

Why am I even surprised at this point? They never go by my logic. Maybe I should start going by theirs.

"I… I'd like a blueberry one."

"So… somebody attacked her?" Bloom asked, looking out of a window in palace.

Behind her was a shadowy person, thin, cloaked in dark and carrying a pointy silver mask on his face "Yes, we believe princess had some deals with them in past."

"Who were they?"

"Commoner children, but… one of them is a son of a possible member of criminal organization."

"Investigate them. If they ever go after my children again… show no mercy."

"As you wish, your majesty." And with that, the guy in cloak was gone, lost in shadows.

"I won't ever lose another one."