-•-
Linthéa's POV
"I promise we'll be together someday."
A person with a blurred face caressed my cheek, "Don't worry I'll do anything for us to be together again." He assured me before landing a kiss on my forehead and left to the light.
"Don't forget me"
"...ea"
"Linthea?"
"Thea!"
"Sis!"
Wet? I felt a lone tear drop down my cheek and instinctively wiped it away. I ran my fingers through my hair to shake off the sleep and wake myself up.
"Jiejie!"
I suddenly remembered the door... oops.
Finally gathering the strength to lift myself off the bed, I trudged over to open the maple wood door, where my younger sister was tapping her foot impatiently against the white marble floor.
"Yes, Xiuying? Can I help you?" I stuck my head through the small gap.
She facepalmed and chuckled. "Sister, good morning!"
"Get to the point, Ying. What's so good about it?" I smiled tiredly and swung the door open fully, wiping my eyes to shake off the sleep. Xiuying shook her head, clearly disappointed.
"I distinctly remember you telling me to wake YOU up early this morning for your mission... Did you forget again?" She smirked, and I suddenly realized, "Oh dear, I must have forgotten!" I slapped my hand to my cheek. Another perfect morning to panic.
"Yes, yes, I'll be getting ready now... Thank you for waking me up, Ying Ying!" I patted her head, but she shoved my hand away in annoyance and waved me off.
I turned my back on the door and checked my bookcase for a moment. A collection of flowers in resin lined the shelves, each one a reminder of the different countries I'd visited, some for work, others for leisure.
Beside it, a complete family picture of the five of us stood proudly. We were happy then, safe. How I wish I could turn back time and... hug them again.
Two minutes. I spent two damn minutes staring at the past, hoping for something good, but it was just a waste of time. Great... Linthea, the Queen of Wasting Time.
With a sigh, I grabbed my clothes and hurried toward the nearest bathroom. In my rush, I knocked over a sky-blue vase with delicate swirling lines resembling wind currents. It fell off the cabinet with a soft crash.
Damn.
"Big sis, did you break my Jadetown vase?" Xiuying's voice rang out from her room. I looked at the shattered pieces and sighed. "Dammit, it's mine..."
"Oh, okay. Don't worry. Go prepare yourself, and I'll clean it up," she grumbled, giving a small grunt before I heard her footsteps heading toward the door.
"Thanks a bunch!" I quickly avoided the mess and continued my way to the bathroom.
-•-
After donning my regular attire, a light violet qipao with long vines bearing flowers over bell bottom pants and a pair of violet colored closed shoes I reserved for this dress, I walked down the stairs making a turn to an open room with only a metal wall separating it from the living room and another divider on the side but it ended up short giving the dining room a big opening space, and while I'm describing the house, let me tell you that this mini mansion is hellass big for the three of us.
The first floor was painted in silver, with five tall windows draped in autumn-hued curtains. Paintings and family pictures adorned the living room, while a few potted plants were scattered around the dining area, Xiuying's style of decorating.
Two round bookshelves flanked the fireplace in front of a metal-wrought sofa, with an oak coffee table between them. Soren, not content with just that, added a royal red rug underneath with yellow fleur-de-lis designs to give it a beautiful cozy glow.
The stairs leading upstairs were made of smooth lacquered wood, intricately carved from step to rail.
I walked into the dining room and took a seat at the wooden table, which was covered by a glass top. My brother set a platter of breakfast in front of me. The rich aroma of the food made my stomach growl.
"Where are you heading today, Theang?" he asked, using the annoying nickname he always calls me. He settled into the chair across from me, mug of coffee in hand. I could tell he had added two sachets, as usual. The mug had "Universally Best Bro" engraved on it.
"I have a mission today brother and I won't be back for a while" My lips formed a small curve as I stabbed a heap of lettuce in the salad.
"Cold as the dawning breeze, typical" He chuckled softly, pertaining to how I replied.
"Sorry, I am running late" I finished my meal in a short duration of time and washed my dishes before walking out of the room with the same laid back expression of a smile "Thea.. don't keep it to yourself too much" I heard him say behind my back.
"I will," I replied and pressed a button to open the metallic door before stepping outside. I jumped onto my violet-designed techno-bike, charged it up, and set off toward the Stellarium, the massive two-story, dirty gold building standing proudly in the city center, flanked by four tall neoclassical columns.
'Don't forget about me…' The soothing voice keeps playing inside my mind as if the speaker is fond of me.
"Hey miss! The lights turned green already!" A woman yelled angrily behind my back, behind her are a line of techno-vehicles honking..I grimaced as I realize that I stopped during the red light hmmm must be my hands' instinct to do that without me realizing it, "Sorry got sidetracked!" I painstakingly yelled in apology back, turning to the other direction. I saw her sour face as she muttered something on her bike....hmp! I said my sorry already, what's the deal?
I jumped out of my vehicle and walked on a row of stairs carrying a soft smiling visage, a lot of people walking in and out looking at me, it doesn't creep me out though I just don't give a damn about them, although I could hear some whispering something which I can clear made out into words.
"Is that Linthea Seiju?"
"I heard she is the Princess of Samaari together with her brother and sister"
"I like her, she's always smiling"
"Are you drunk? They ARE the remaining royalties of Samaari!"
Before I get into all of this, let me give you a quick rundown of my world. The Aureolians have been at war with the Dark Arc from the start. The Dark Arc is a faction that aligns itself with the Underworld, seeking to reclaim its lost glory. They destroy everything in their path, causing chaos wherever they go.
As for the history of the Abyssal War? It's still being researched. It traces back through older wars until it reaches the very creation of Missenia.
Pretty much a long history of how the Gods fucked up.
-•-
Just as I entered the building I instantly saw a familiar face just ahead of me, "Cressida !" I yelled hoping to get her attention, she looked in all directions before she finally saw me and replied with a smile, her ash grey hair swishing to follow her movement.
I felt myself smiling, my true smile back at her.
"It's good to see you! You've gotten a lot taller now!" I exclaimed in happiness when she nodded in agreement, comparing her height to mine and smiling ear to ear as she did, "It's been 3 years since we last saw each other..... I can finally wield my weapon better than before!"
"Holy Minala (Supreme God), that's great! We should go out to celebrate!"
"Aww you never change Théa, still beautiful and joyous. I'm happy I am finally on your level" she complimented, grasping my hand together with hers as we both erupted into small laughter.
Cressida and I became fast friends after our paths crossed during the Dark Arc's attack on her hometown, Coronas. She was on the verge of ending her life after losing her family to the Abyssal demons that ravaged her town after her parents and sister died after a horde of abyssal demons rummaged through their town for food and hostages. Such a strong sweet girl she was that even in her devastated form, she still persisted in life and stood for herself until she became who she is today and I'm quite proud of her–my best friend.
—
"I envy you for having your own solo assignment..." Cressida said, her voice taking on a tone I hadn't heard before.
"Oh, don't be. I'm sure Spear Shijo will let you have your own soon," I reassured her with a smile.
"Well, guess I still have a long way to go hehe~" Cressida giggled, "You must tell me your ways of fighting!" She moved in front of me, urging me to teach her everything I know with eyes full of determination.
"After this Cressida and if you'll excuse me, I have to talk to the Arch Lady first." Stepping away from her, I turned to climb the stairs to find the master's office.
—
"Oh Arch Lady, you've been looking for me?" Ibowed politely before a woman in her near forties. Her long cloud white hair was pulled into a big bun, encircled with a braid, the lower half of her hair remaining down which hid a tinge of blue. A winged hair piece is stabbed in her bun with droplets of small flower crystals from Majaeka dangled at its end, she wore a layered periwinkle dress that extends to her feet with long loose sleeves that flutter in the wind.
The regent's divine beauty still persists in her age which one could mistake her as a bloodline of the fair Goddess Abikohara. Her smile brightened when she saw me and motioned to stand near the window in order to give way to the servants and mercenaries passing by.
"Linthea," Valeria held to touch my cheeks as she searched my eyes with her striking green ones, "Hmm, I won't deter you no more" Her voice was slow and lilting.
What does she mean by this?
"My intel from Esgarde reported about a citizen from Kayunta sailing towards land chased by a large group..their insignia's can't be seen but I have a hunch that Hogor Rulin is behind this as the mercenary scout I assigned to spy on him reported they are into some activities lately.... Go forth to Camial to see if that sand pirate is really up to something..you know what to do next Miss Seiju"
Kayunta, the country with no welcome.
I thought before turning my attention back to her words, "They will be under your supervision" she added and signaled me to go with a soft flick of her hand, "Yes Lady Velaria, I shall go there at once" I gave her a small nod before walking away through the white walled hallway.
"Be careful child" I turned back to her with a smile on my face.
3rd POV
"Destiny wants my help?...How interesting" Valeria chuckled to herself as she walked to her office for an upcoming meeting.
—
"Sorry sorry~ I took a lot of time." Linthea rushed to Cressida smiling apologetically while scratching the back of her neck.
"No don't worry Té, besides my Master is keeping me company and I'm asking HIM when I could have my own solo assignment." Cressida huffed, putting an arm around Linthea's shoulder who didn't mind the contact. Beside her is Kiovan Rolskv, the famed Spear Shijo known for his strict but kind personality and to add, his good looks.
Oh my, after all this time… I still can't believe he's already married!
Linthea exclaimed in her thoughts after seeing the man in his near thirties, carrying a silver plated spear behind him. He wore an open high collared trench coat with grey buttoned leather shirt underneath, black pants with pocket straps for his other utilities and knee high combat boots.
He looked damn single as usual, I mean who would believe he was already married with that kind of look. Linthea's pretty sure that 1/3 of the ladies in the headquarters would agree how that midnight hair fits him so well and probably just a smile would send them fainting inside.
"You'll get it soon Cressida ...Be patient and for you too Miss Seiju, take care of yourself there" Kiovan advised, giving her a fatherly gesture that made some girls in training drop their jaws and complain, "I hear that Camial these days is quite hot for your taste."
"Sure~ I always do! Thank you Shijo Kiovan but time is ticking. I have to go, Goodbye Cressida !" Linthéa smiled with closed eyes and walked past them waving a hand back, heading off to a ship at her disposal.
"Bye Thea!" Cressida waved off with her master who stood watching.
The fan apprentice sat inside, flipping some switches and starting the vehicle which floated inches above the metal floor of the flyway area. She looked back under now seeing her Shijo, Shigemi Nobutaka wearing an overly modified apricot kimono, the upper part of the clothing is kept while the lower part is retained slightly close to its roots; paired with white socks over okobo sandals.
She looked absolutely fantastic as she should.
Shigemi raised her hand and waved goodbye in which Thea chuckled to see her master at the last minute.
Without delay she took hold of the controls and flew out.
-•-
The way to Camial was surprisingly not boring with the help of the music she installed on her device that kept her active in the ride to the Desert Flower of the land.
Linthea looked above the scorching sun of the deserted place wishing she could finish the whole thing fast so she can go back home or rest in the lounge with her peers, "Well I have no choice" she sighed in defeat adding a little tone before jumping down from her flying vehicle shaped like a medium size saucer. Stepping on the sandy terrain of Camial, she instantly regretted her choice of shoes as the sand easily found their way down her toes, Linthéa's face soured before she moved her foot back to cease the sands underneath it and walked carefully to find an oasis to fill her canteen.
After a few minutes of walking under the sun, she saw an oasis situated near a tall hill with palm trees and small patches of grass decorating the perimeter. Upon filling her canteen full Linthea heard loud voices behind the sandy hill and decided to climb up and see what's going on.
Her sapphire eyes grew wide at the sight as she gritted her teeth seeing the group of Rocio's pirate crew dragging a couple of dead men out their rusty ship, she hated the fact that those pirates are free to side with anyone in the war brandishing their stand to be 'neutral'. They don't pose a threat to both factions as their main focus is money but their hostages do.
From the look on the pirate captain's face, the dead man seemed to have struck his nerve, thus was dispatched and left in the desert to rot away.
"Alright, saves me the time since I know where your hideout is....tsk" Linthéa's simply shrugged as if pointing a point and skidded down the sandy hill, picking her pace back to the ship cursing at the fact that sand is already getting in her feet. She set the direction to Mercuda Station and a long ride started while being followed by a couple of sand eels swimming in a wave-like motion around the yellow colored surrounding of nothingness but sand and dark orange gorges.
—
Linthéa quickly formulated a plan to enter the home base and possibly steal one bike back to her own flying vehicle. She hid behind a tall unequal stack of rocks with yellow bushed plants growing around that seemed to help hide her presence.
The dark brown haired woman looked over with a smirk plastered on her face throughout the wide electric fence that guards a large forsaken piece of ship made of metal, with some dent around possibly made by an attack and counted the rows of smaller saucer ships and techno bikes. The pirates would always relocate to any place in Camial but as always, she has strong instincts that aids her out.
She cracked her knuckles and made a smug face, "Sometimes, being neutral has its own disadvantage....This is going to be easy"
~*~
"HELLO ANYBODY HOME?" Linthéa cheerfully yelled in front of the large wooden door as if she was only there for a family visit, knocking thrice before the door opened.
Rocio went outside with a shocked expression upon seeing her, "Well, the Orchid Princess has come to grace me with her presence?... say, what do you want with this lowly pirate, your majesty?" He faked his bow at her.
"You have something from Kayunta...yes?" Linthéa replied in a smug face in which greatly confused the pirate leader but he soon regained his thoughts.
"Did you bring any...cash?"Rocio pressed his thumb together, rubbing it as a gesture of money.
"Ah.. unfortunately I don't! Hehe~" Linthéa gave him one of her deceiving close eyed smile as she tilts her head sideways, her pompous brown hair following suit. He squinted his dull brown eyes and gave a signal.
"Boys!"
On cue, a group of men piled around them carrying firearms and blades, forming an offensive line around her
"Oh c'mon...well, someone left their post so why don't we settle this difficulty" Linthéa eyed the circle but kept her sweet smile and calm composure.
"What do you mean?"
The brunette gave them a smirk and pressed a button in her hand, in an instant four of Rocio's small floating saucers were blown to bits.
"Want more? Oh! Of course~ you have a lot to spare" her hand heavily hovered above the red dome of the device.
"Alright bitch! You're allowed to get him, just hurry and leave this bloody place!"Rulin's eyes went wide as plates and fumed at the sight of seeing his hard work get blown into small pieces, his old scarred face reddened with anger and his right eye seemed to twitch,"Cell door to the left"He heaved a big sigh.
"I always knew you were a great friend Rocio!" Thea beamed and smacked his shoulder before walking to the said direction. Some of his men couldn't understand what the hell happened and voluntarily asked to follow the girl and dispatch her.
"Boss, what's going on?"
"No, don't attack her, Princess Linthéa has her ways in getting what she wants." Rulin advised them eyeing Linthéa as she hummed her way through. "But it's even worse if that woman knew about this" His humiliation can only pale in comparison to his fear upon imagining how 'that woman' would react and at the thought of losing his money.
"We need more men, those who won't....slack off on duty, Fredgar!" Hogor called his second assistant who rushed to his side within a second.
"Bring me those scums on duty to guard my ships, I.need.them.dead!"
—
When she reached the cell room Thea flipped her fans open and made a close wind attack on the metallic door to blow it open where she saw an unconscious young man possibly in the same age as she in a dark red trench coat with a black shirt underneath, wearing tight black pants.
"We don't get to see this everyday" her mind laughed about the overall fashion sense. Well speaking of Kayunta, in her defense, it's one of the places an idiot shouldn't wear trenchcoats.
"Geez"She rolled her eyes and draped one of the boy's arms around her shoulder as she shakily lifted him from the cold wooden floor and carried him out of the cell. She peered to see that no one was expecting her outside and shrugged her shoulders knowing that Rulin cleared them out for her.
"I expect a big thank you for this rescue" Linthéa turned to the man who's in a deep sleep with a thin smile before hoisting him to the samel she stole from the post.
Minutes after, she felt a slight movement infront as the stranger woke up in shock, bumping her head in his abrupt action.
"You're awake already? Don't move so much if you don't wanna fall" Linthéa whispered close for him to hear. He seemed slightly embarrassed at their current state and made a slight turn of head to give her a cold gaze of his blood red eyes.
"That's not a good first impression!" She laughed and urged the animal to move faster much to the boy's liking.
"Hang on tight!"
"Woah!--"
—
Trivia:
Thea is loved by many due to her happy smiling face and tone but some are confused as to why she is always like that but as her master, Shigemi Nobutaka would say with a thin smile ,"Just go along with her".
No one really knows the reason why.