Third's POV
[Six Centuries Before Present]
"Is this what I get for assisting you in getting a physical form, Sun God! You create sons to dote on, but they're born from my children's sins?"
Far beyond vast galaxies, within spaces of nothing, yonder and yonder, laid a Haven— a Haven for the meeting of the gods. The uproar of the Goddess was heard… as usual.
"Putting your sinful children to use? I see nothing wrong." A golden dog, having a small crown tilted on his head, spoke in a laid-back tone.
"Not to add, I also used the sins of humanity and of the few minor species. If I had included the elves' sin, my sons would never grow. Elves are too pure, humans are too complicated, but your children are more honest with their sinful natures. You understand, don't you?"
"Don't insult my precious creations!" The Goddess yelled again, defending her children, the werewolves. The blinding light that represented her essence, pulsed above the seat meant for the Moon Grace, leaving tensed feelings within all that watched. "Your sons are rivals to the Disciples I crafted to protect my children. If they ever clash, because they are born from their sins, your sons might prevail! Don't tell me you didn't know that!"
"Ehh? Do you mean that? My sons might be stronger than your disciples? Really?"
"Sun God!" The Goddess snapped, and the right arm of her throne cracked, making the candlelights that represented minor gods, flicker.
Miles away, yet within the walls of Haven, a luminescence pearl glowed softly. "Selena, Surniel." a male voice said gently. "I brought my daughter with me. Don't wake her—"
The two suggested hastily. "Then throw her into a vast sea!"
Their outburst made the Haven tremble, and few candlelights flickered off to save themselves.
One at the middle of the candlelights illuminated till a figure formed from its shadows. A young man stepped from the shadows and bowed within the four thrones.
"Greetings, Moon Grace, Sun God, Rain God. I am to report the Goddess of Fertility has calmed down, but Earth is damaged. However, as Rain God assured, Werewolves and Humans, along with the few existing Elves, can live on the surface and survive."
The Moon Grace dimmed her light, showing her relief, she cleared her throat and faced the glowing luminescence pearl. "Thank you, Brother Rain, for your assistance in making sure my children survive. I'd definitely reward you and your children—"
"Never do that." The pearl, representing the Rain God, interrupted calmy. "The only gift you can give my daughters is assuring me that none of your sons would ever seek them to mate," the glow dimmed with his voice. "I never want any of my daughters dogged by those wolves…"
There was silence in the Haven after the Rain God's departure, then the Goddess cleared her throat again, ignoring the last few seconds. "Wind Messenger, you can leave now. Ensure they're no traces of those cursed creatures of mine. Thank you."
Receiving thanks from the Moon Grace, another star appeared on the Messengers head band. He bowed, with a small smile on his lips. "Your wish is my command."
As the Wind Messenger disappeared, so did the other candlelights one after the other, till the Haven was completely dark then slowly illuminated by the light from the Moon Grace and the burning flames at the end of each crown's point belonging to the Sun God.
The Sun God laid on his throne. His small frame taking only half of the seat. "Is there a reason, you still remain here, Goddess? This is more or less my home so I'd prefer you leave."
"In the future of my children, they'd be a Blood-Hound Wolf. Why is that, Sun God?"
Silence…
"Very well, I'd take my leave since you want to stay." The Sun God snapped his fingers and a ball of fire burned above his head. "Until next time."
"Don't act like you didn't hear me." The Goddess began to materialise on her throne, making the Sun God pause.
"Alright, alright, I'd talk." He sighed when her materializing stopped, and her form returned to being a bright moonlight. "How dare you all bully me because my form is less than a millennium old! I'm still the Sun God!"
"Speak, Sun God! How dare you tamper with the future of my children? The Blood-Hound only affects daughters of a specific family but it feels all too familiar."
"Yes, it is, isn't it?" He grew a beard and began stroking it, to annoy her. "It is your vengeful side that you wished to hide away from your children. The side you unleashed during the battle with the Goddess of Fertility. You wished to cast it away but I felt it might be compatible with some wolfesses so I planted it there when you weren't looking."
The Goddess was silent, her light pulsing steadily.
That silence worried him, so he sat up and added. "Wouldn't you be curious to know what good could come out from the 'ugly' part of you? If it's compatible with your children, it would protect them."
The Goddess took in his words, and finally replied. "That Blood-Hound is too powerful for someone to ever fully utilise."
"I know, that's why I kept restraint around her as well, as using my precious sons."
"Your sons? In what way?"
"Secret, secret. Let's wait till that future comes up. I assure you, you'd enjoy every adventure of your Blood-Hound."
"Hmm… My Blood-Hound easily rivals your sons so I don't know how they'd restrain her. However, I will look forward to the play you have prepared for me."
The Sun God grimaced at the words she spoke, it was as if he existed to please her.
A smirk played on his lips. "Of course, my dear Selena. Anything for you."
.
.
(Thirteen Years before present)
(At Royal Palace of Dionus)
"Let my son go, or I'd burn your children to fine dust, and your favourite wife, I'd decapitate."
The court gasped at the audacity of the lady standing in their midst. Their eyes darted fervently from the Alpha King, seated at his high throne and staring intently at her, to the dark haired Duchess glaring back with her head high.
The Duke of Fear was the one to speak first. "Duchess, let's be mindful of our words. The King understands your wish to protect your son, but you do not need to give threats to the royal family blessed by the Goddess." He said firmly.
The Duchess glared at him, but he kept her gaze relentlessly. The courts whispered amongst themselves, gauging the tension between the Duke and Duchess.
"And empty threats, at that." The King added calmly, making the hall fall silent. His lips curled to a smile and his crimson eyes never left her.
"Empty threats?" A count whispered to the one beside him. The other looked up to the Goddess with a fallen jaw. Has their King run mad? He must've had! Eight years ago!
First, he forced a Disciple, a Duchess of Deception, to marry him. Now she had a child blessed by the Goddess like her, and he wanted to stop him from taking over her legacy? He dared the Goddess herself!
A pager tapped his leg anxiously with his tab, many thoughts going through his mind. The King just had to let go of his obsession with this one wife. He should make do with the other two he had. She wasn't even his mate yet he had been so obsessed with her.
Everyone knew that the five Disciples must have an heir. Whether or not they birthed them, and whether or not they were royalty.
The Duchess already birthed a daughter and he had sons from his other wives. It'd cost him nothing to release the young boy to his calling.
The child would bring nothing but pain if he declined his calling and remained as a royal Prince. The mother would rather burn the kingdom and everything in it, including herself, than let that happen.
"Are you deathly curious and want to see what would happen, Alpha?" The Duchess asked the King, her voice raised.
The Duke of Fear left his seat, he could sense the worry growing in the court. The moment he did, everyone else in the court did the same. He had to do something since his colleague wasn't listening to him and might actually cause damage.
He bowed to the King. "Please, Alpha. Release the Prince! Let the Bloodline live!"
The court chorused after him, bowing. "Release the Prince! Let the Bloodline live!"
The amusement remained in the King's eyes, till they closed and he sighed deeply. "The Goddess just has to find another to continue their Bloodline. It doesn't have to be my son."
"But it is." The Pager reminded. "Please, Alpha. As long as there's a living Bloodline, there wouldn't be a new one unless the old one transfers the grace to their student."
"Then we do that."
"But he isn't even a Duke of Deception yet." The Duke of Fear sighed. "Alpha, please, so that you wouldn't incur any punishment from the Goddess."
There was silence for the next minute. The Duke of Fear counted each passing second till the Duchess would blow up.
"If I release our son," the King finally spoke, his tone was softer. "Would you leave with him?"
"Of course." The Duchess said with relief that the conversation was making headway. "I'd be out of your hair immediately."
The King opened his eyes and frowned. "Why wouldn't you stay?"
The court raised their bowed heads in confusion. Did he just ask why? Why would the Duchess of Deception leave after threatening his life and generation? He preferred her to stay?!
The Duke of Fear looked intently at the King. He sensed no fear in his eyes, and if the King planned to deceive them, the Duchess wouldn't be relieved.
Then could it be... the King genuinely loved her and his son? The Duke of Fear lowered his head again. The King lost the moment he forced the Duchess to marry him. There was nothing to salvage that.
A Duchess of any bloodline hated the idea of marriage and mostly raised the next Bloodline that would come from their student. Rarely do they start families, unless after their service and the new Bloodline had been declared.
Hence for a Bloodline to bear her own successor, many had great hopes for the child and so, he couldn't be kept in the palace. He had to fulfil his mission.
That must also be what the Royal Family were interested in. Having a Bloodline with royal blood to control. But for the King, he was only trying to be with his wife and son.
"Who would keep him safe out there?" The King asked, since his first question was ignored. "He needs to be protected and watched all the time. You know how he is."
The pager glanced at the Duke of Fear as if begging him to instill some knowledge in their King. Did a Bloodline really need protection?
"My students—"
"Katerina was killed." The King interrupted. "Even a Blood-Hound was killed and she's the only one I'd trust to keep my son alive. Her daughter is too young to take that role. Also where is the girl? She should stay—"
"No. I'm taking her. It was Katerina's dying wish. I am not conceding." The Duchess interrupted back.
The tension rose and the court members hid behind the Duke of Fear. Glares were shared and an unsettling silence grew between the King and the Duchess.
"Very well. I will agree with all your demands." The King's shoulder lowered. "Do tell me where the girl is when she's settled. She is my niece, after all." The whole court exhaled at the same time. It was as if the room became cooler.
"Is she?" The Duchess walked away, making the beating hearts of the court members slow down. When she finally left the hall, another deep sigh escaped their lips as they fell back to their seats.
The Duke of Fear bowed before rushing out to meet her, but he was too late as her carriage had already left.
"May the odds be in your favour, sister."
He knew she started a battle, and one only she could fight. For the sake of the other Four bloodlines of a Disciples, she should prevail.
The royal family of Dionus wouldn't easily give up the Prince, even if the Alpha King permitted. They'd find a way to take him. To control. To control the Bloodlines.
.
.
"Cathy! Hurry!" A young boy ran through the fields, laughing and shouting back to a girl his age. "You're slow!" He laughed. "Run! Run! Runn!"
The girl ran with her might but it was only so far her small legs could carry her. She paused, catching her breath then adjusted the two wooden swords crossed behind her.
She looked up at the boy running ahead, and clenched her fists. "The Duchess should return and hold her wild pup in place—"
"Cathy! Come on!" The boy called out, waving and jumping. "Don't tell me you're already tired?"
She forced a smile. "No, your Highness. I'm just giving you a chance to go farther."
The boy laughed heartily and sped off. "I'd take it then. Catch me if you can!"
Seeing the boy making more distance between them, she stood straight. She didn't want to be seen as weak or let him hurt himself. She brushed the sweat off her forehead and sprinted to him as fast as she could. She just had to catch him by all means.
The young boy paused at a tree, and just before he could turn his back, his vision blurred with streaks of red hands reaching, and a haunting presence creeped behind him.
"Got you."
Shivers ran down his spine as a cold hand touched his shoulders, but he neither ran nor screamed. Instead he smiled and fell on her. "Cathy is the fastest, afterall."
Looking down at the boy on her feet, the girl's eyes and floating red hair finally found peace. A prey succumbed.
She slid down to the ground, making the boy laugh, and crawl to where she was. "Cathy, do you want to play another game?"
She said nothing, though screaming in her head. She could barely keep up with this one, and had to lose herself for a simple tag race.
"Are you okay, Cathy? Am I too fast?" He asked, bending over her to check her head.
She forced a smile again. "No, your highness! You can play as much as you want, it's my duty to catch up."
He didn't appreciate that response. He folded his little arms across his chest as he'd seen adults do when disappointed.
"WE are playing together, Cathy. You're not on duty. Besides, the maids are watching us there. Look." He held her face and turned her to what he mentioned.
She blinked, then widened her smile in response. Shouldn't she also watch out for the maids? As far as she knew, they didn't have swords on them.
"I see." she said simply. "They are so far away though. What type of protection is that? Well, let go of my face now."
He didn't, then smiled, putting his forehead on hers. "Cathy is so cute when she's grumpy."
Where did that come from? She blew raspberries till he let her face go, and laid beside her. "Alright, we will rest till you feel—" a carriage rode towards them. "Mother!!" he sprang up again, and dashed to the carriage.
The maid yelled. "Prince Lumiere!"
He was nearly in front of the rushing carriage when Cathy pulled him back, causing them both to fall.
The rider jumped off the carriage, shoving Cathy aside without a thought. "My Prince!" he knelt beside the boy, ignoring Cathy stumbling and falling.
She blocked her head from a hit on a nearby log but stayed on the ground, absorbing the pain of the impact.
The rider groaned as he was also pushed away. "Cathy," the Prince called, crouching beside her. "Sorry for running off. Are you alright?"
When he reached for her hand, she shoved it aside. "Finally, your mother is here. Please, go to her."
His heart fell to his stomach, but he nodded. The rider held back from scolding her for those words, when the Duchess got down the carriage and cast a glare at him.
She walked down, not to her son looking down at nothing, but to the girl that quickly left the ground and plastered a smile on her face. The girl kept her hands behind her in submission, and to hide the bruise.
"I am sorry, angel. Your mother wouldn't have wanted you to have this life either."
Cathy shook her head, the smile still on her face. "I am alright, Duchess. It's fine."
But the Duchess of Deception could not be deceived. A six year old wouldn't understand that and not believe six year olds didn't need to be a Warrior Wolf because their parent lived as one.
Not to add that, unlike her mother, Cathy didn't have a wolf, so the Blood-Hound didn't pass down to her. This was best as she could finally lead a normal life.
"You will be leaving with your Uncle Mark."
Her smile finally fell. "I'm not coming with you?"
"Yes."
"Why..." She swallowed her words and looked down. She didn't refute as she could guess why. Her hands shook by her side. It was only a matter of time anyway.
She was no longer needed because she didn't have a wolf. The Duchess wouldn't want another dead warrior in her hands.
Still she didn't move. Maybe if she stayed very still, the Duchess would change her mind.
That's what her son always did when he was scolded—stood straight, didn't blink. Maybe stillness made adults forgive you. Maybe it made them stay.
"I am very sorry, angel." The Duchess kissed her head and walked away, pulling her confused son with her. It had been only three months since her mother had passed, yet the girl hadn't been given enough time to mourn. She felt guilty.
Cathy's smile fell, realizing nothing could stop it. She whispered. "I will... go away."
The Duchess paused at hearing her words, but willed herself to keep going. She had repaid the debt to her friend. She didn't need to raise her child to be used by the royal family and face certain death.
The Duchess frowned when her son shoved her hand. "Why did you make Cathy cry, Mother?"
His eyes were already red, and she guessed he was likely crying before she pulled him away. "She's going on a vacation where you wouldn't be, that's why." She lied, or he could never let her go.
He looked back at Cathy, but didn't get close because he had been shunned before. "Why can't I come? If she wants me to come, I will come."
"No, Lumi, it's just for Cathy and her own family now. You'd meet her again someday." She said, entering the carriage, hoping that day would never come.
The maids and the rider returned to the carriages. Lumiere felt something was wrong, however having been shunned, he sat by a rock, watching her silently. He'd apologise properly when she feels better.
"I will stay. Cathy and I will come toge-"
"Fall."
Lumiere's consciousness left him and he fell asleep in an instant.
"Mark! You!" The rider pointed a sword at him. "How dare you use cheap magic on the Goddess' royal family!"
A tall cladded man, with scars all over his exposed arms, stood above the fallen Prince, staring at him in indifference.
"Keep him away from my niece, as you promised, Duchess. I do not ever want to see my niece break a sweat for him, like her mother had done."
The Duchess lowered her head, and nodded. The rider, seeing his Mistress being obedient, lowered his sword and carried the Prince away.
Mark walked over to the girl, still standing quietly still. Behind him were a runic spell and an enchanted hairpin he placed in her hair. "Cathy, let's return home."
Her head snapped up, as she frowned, staring at nothing till her lips loosened. "Home?"
"Yes, home? To the village. There's nothing left to do at this playground anymore. All your friends have already gone home."
The girl looked around in confusion, she nodded slowly. "Yes… they've all gone… they left me…" she lowered her head.
Mark lifted her to his arms and walked in the opposite direction to the Duchess' carriage. It marked the end of the Blood-Hound slaving for the royal family.
The Goddess must've wanted this when she stopped the wolf from being inherited by the last daughter.
"Don't worry, Cathy. Only good things await you." He climbed his horse with the girl and rode off. Many distance away from the Duchess' carriage, he stopped and gently placed the girl inside his carriage.
He paused as he remembered. "Do those seven princes of tomfoolery, who'll wait on her hand and foot, also count as good things?"
.
.
A figure followed their carriage closely. Mark kept his eyes on the ground, checking the shadow at each turn. The figure floated, being as high as fifteen feet. Its shadow looked like a small branch on the ground.
They must have used a spell to be able to stay up there for so long. He smirked, realizing who it was.
He turned to the little girl curled inside the carriage, resting her head on his thigh. It had been a long day for her, and there would be more exhausting things to deal with in the future.
But for the span of about thirteen years, he made sure she didn't have to be pressured by everyone. The longer she was away from them, the more effective the memory wipe would be.
"It had to be that crazy lady. The very moment the Disciple rejected her, she came to see the child." Mark sighed, but not in dejection.
At least the lady still remembered that she had a niece somewhere. She'd never want to raise the child, but if she did, Cathy might have a more balanced life like what he could give her.
The figure lowered and their shadow became bolder. They stood in front of the carriage. Mark waited until she came to the window before greeting. "Kamilla. Long time no see."
A curly red-haired woman with a patched eye smiled at him, then glanced at the sleeping girl. "She looks too much like my sister." She said it defiantly.
Mark scoffed. "Katerina never had curly hair. I think you two would make a perfect mother-daughter match." He teased, though he knew she'd never agree.
Her huff confirmed that. "You should have left her with the King. He was fond of her, wasn't he?"
Mark's face contorted into a frown. "He can never give her happiness. Cathy deserves so much more than that. He'd eventually make her serve his son who'd be a Disciple."
"And is that so bad?" Kamilla asked with a taunting tone. "My younger sister served a bloodline."
"And she was killed trying to fight their enemies." Mark retorted, trying his best not to raise his voice.
"Disciples have a lot of enemies: rogue elves, rogue wolves, and those outcasts. I'm not going to watch someone I care about... repeat the same fate."
The lady scoffed, stepping back as she could sense Mark was getting riled up. "Well, the Duchess gracefully avoided the responsibility to lie to Cathy. She'd need an explanation. Good luck with that."
"And where are you going?" Mark's frown deepened. "Do you plan to stay away forever? We have to raise her together."
"No," Kamilla walked away. "But I will take those aunty duties after I'm done living my life. No one asked Katerina to fall in love and have a child. No one asked her to serve a bloodline and get killed. No one asked her," she stopped and pointed at Cathy, "to die and leave her defenseless little girl to an uncle that has a criminal record, and an aunt who's a rogue mage."
Mark couldn't say anything. Truly, everything started when Katerina made so many bad decisions consecutively. His older brother, Cathy's father, blindly went along because she was his wife—his true mate. Mark ran his hands through his hair, tired. Now they were all dead.
"Katerina is still your younger sister, despite her mistakes. Cathy is still your niece, and as far as I can guess, the only kid that would ever be in your life."
Kamilla smiled. "For good reason. I don't want kids at all. Katerina and I were raised damaged. I wouldn't want a second Katerina, or worse, a second me."
She folded her arms. "But do your best, Mark. Raise her the best way you can. On the day of her wedding, and only then, send me a letter to come and see her."
Mark sighed, watching Kamilla march further away from the carriage. She disappeared in the blink of an eye, and the carriage started moving, as if it had been caught in a trance earlier.
Mark held onto the girl tightly. "Don't worry, Cathy. You'll be alright. We'll figure it out together. I promise."
After a half-hour ride, they arrived at the small village at the outskirts of the Duke of Desire's region.
Everyone minded their business. No one made eye contact. Mark looked at the sky. The reason the Duchess helped clear his past records was for the girl's sake only. He knew not to mess up this chance.
"This is a liberation for me."
"Hmm?"
He turned to the big-eyed, sleepy Cathy, rubbing her cheeks. "Someone had a very long good sleep. Uncle Mark was really lonely throughout the ride."
She pursed her lips and looked around her new environment. Her confused expression slowly faltered when she saw the statue in the middle of the market area.
"That really old Duke, right?"
"Yeah, crazy one too." Mark smiled.
Chances they would ever run into him were zero, because that Duke never visited small places like these. And he was reasonable enough to not get entangled with any trouble that could affect his villages.
"I bought a house and a store in front already. This is our new home here. The best place to raise a leader." He rubbed her back.
Cathy didn't follow, so she took her head back into the carriage. Her sour expression replaced the curiosity, and her shoulders fell. She propped her head with her hand, lost in thought. Mark noticed and patted her head.
"Don't worry, little one. You have thirteen whole years to live for yourself. Every lingering bad memory will soon be gone."
(Two Weeks Later)
"Change name?" Cathy asked, gripping her sword in one hand and the big bear toy in the other. "Why? My name is nice."
"Well, I do want you to get a new identity and your name is actually your mother's nickname. She never had time to register a name for you."
He opened the door of the registry hall and got in after her, making sure to check if they were followed first. Even in a new environment, his habits always kicked in.
The judge sat on a high seat, with a candlestick beside him. He adjusted his glasses when he saw them and started writing.
"Mark, yes?"
"Yes." Mark brought her closer. "The child I spoke about. She's originally Cathy Lorraine but we'd like a change of name as her new guardian. I am her uncle."
The judge nodded without looking up at them. He didn't seem to care. "As long as you brought all the required documents... what's the new name?"
Mark looked at the girl, then at the judge. "Her name would be Cecil…?" He felt a tug on his trousers. "Don't you like it?"
Cathy walked ahead with her wooden sword. She pointed at the name inscribed on it. "Me."
Mark and the judge bent to squint their eyes. They read the name. Mark straightened up first.
Why did she want the name of her sword, which was also the name of her grandfather's trusty pickaxe? That was quite a spirit.
"Alright, but it is a long first name."
The judge adjusted his glasses and nodded. "Bless her. It's a beautiful name." He said it monotonously.
Cathy's expression changed at being complimented, and she smiled. The interaction surprised Mark, who hadn't seen her face move a muscle for weeks.
"It has been decided. Esmeralda Kate Malcolm." The judge announced.
Mark cheered.
The judge and Cathy looked at him in disappointment, and he shrank. "Sorry, I got excited."
"But I am the one getting a new name?" Cathy raised a brow. The judge's lips twitched at that before clearing his throat and assuming his straight face.
Mark smiled. He had been struggling with so many doubts about having to raise a child, but day by day, he grew more confident.
He would make sure his niece enjoyed everything thirteen years could offer—until those ones came for her.
[it is about past events. the most important is seeing Esme (Cathy) relationship with the young Prince Lumiere as it was the basis for his obsession in the future.]