The young princess, once dismissed, mocked, and scorned for lacking the Dragon's Blessings, now stood awakened— bearing the flames of Ignisia and the strength of Theron.
The same people who once mocked her, now lay scattered across the courtyard.
Their fear replaced the laughter.
Aurivelle stood over them. Burning with rage.
Behind her, something flickered.
A silhouette. Unstable.
As her Blessing rose in power, the image sharpened.
My eyes widened.
Aethon.
The Last King of Ardor.
His expression mirrored hers— laced with rage and grief.
"You mocked me… laughed at me… spat at me…"
Aurivelle's voice broke.
Aethon echoing her words.
"Why…"
Silence.
"Answer me…"
No response.
"WHY!"
The flames roared, tearing through the courtyard.
The ground cracked.
The Vanguard members shielded themselves from the flames. But I had no one to shield me.
I covered my face with my hands, expecting burns, but surprisingly.
The flames stopped right in front of me.
Aurivelle.
"She's protecting me…" I muttered.
Footsteps approached. I turned to look, and saw almost everyone from the throne room approaching.
"What the hell is happening here?" Ryona asked.
"Woah…" Tabbi stared at Aurivelle. "That's a lot of Blessing for a child."
"Get everyone to safety." Someone yelled.
The Vanguard Captains and knights tried to get their members to safety.
A wall of flame blocked their path.
"Stay.. away…" Aurivelle commanded.
"What should we do…"Chichi panicked.
Feona turned her around. "First of all get Zandren out of there before Eimira comes…"
She turned to look at Aurivelle.
"And let's hope the Blessings don't kill her."
Ryona and Chichi appeared beside me.
"Hey…" Chichi said, grabbing my arm.
"How badly are you hurt?" Ryona asked, grabbing the other arm.
"Well…"
They dragged me into the corridor.
Aurivelle still stood over the people who attacked me. Staring intently at them.
The members began to pass out from the sheer heat emanating from her.
Ryona and Chichi dropped me gently behind a pillar.
Eimira arrived with Zyron and one other person.
"What's going on?" She saw me. "What happened to you?"
Eimira rushed over.
"Well…" I tried to sit up. "I met Aurivelle after I left the throne hall, and she showed me around the palace.
I paused.
Zyron crouched beside me."And?"
"Well, when we got to the courtyard, we ran into a group, and they bullied Aurivelle. I tried to stop them and it almost ended up in me getting killed. I think the thought of someone dying because of her made Aurivelle awaken." I explained.
"Getting killed?" Eimira's eyes narrowed.
"Hmm.." Zyron exhaled. "Thank you, Zandren."
He stood. Then walked toward Aurivelle.
His body began to harden, as he used Terra to shield himself from the intense heat.
He stopped behind her.
"Oh Great Dir'Theron… The Eternal Breath of Flames, Bur'Ignisia."
"Thank you…"
He went on his knees.
"Thank you for choosing my daughter, where I as a father had failed."
His voice dropped.
"Forgive me…"
He lifted his head.
"Aurivelle… I failed you."
"You needed a fortress. I gave you silence."
"You needed a father… but I remained the King."
"I'm sorry."
The flames weakened.
Aurivelle swayed, and Zyron caught her.
He ran his hand along her face.
"My little princess. I'm truly sorry."
A shadow fell over me.
I didn't need to look to know who it was.
"Who did this to you?" Eimira asked.
Cold. Sharp.
"Hehe…"I chuckled, slightly facing away. "It's fine… truly."
She's going to hurt them if I tell her who. I'd love to avoid that.
Eimira used the scabbard of her sword to turn my face towards her.
"Who?"
I sighed, then pointed slightly.
"The guy with the mace—"
She vanished.
Her sword rang, as she swiftly approached the blonde.
Klanng!
Her blade stopped mid-strike.
The blonde fell on his behind. Trembling.
"Calm down, Eimira." A voice said. "He got hurt protecting my sister."
Pause.
"Handle him first."
Eimira clicked her tongue and stepped back, but her eyes stayed locked on the blonde.
"Whoa… I'd be scared too." I muttered.
"Yeah." Feona said. "Eimira gets a little bit too defensive when it comes to people that are under her."
"One of the things I love about her." Ryona offered me a hand.
"Wow beast lady…" I grabbed her hand. "You are a bit considerate today, hehe."
"Beast lady?" Her brows furrowed, as she tried pulling me up.
"You're usually rough and ehh.. sometimes mean?" Chichi replied.
"Well, you do kinda give off that vibe, haha." Tabbi added.
I laughed."See? I'm not the only one."
"Ha Ha. Really funny." Ryona said flatly.
"Yeah, it kinda is." I replied.
She let go of my hand, and I fell.
"Ow…"
"How's that for funny? Blehhh."
She turned and left.
Zyron returned, Aurivelle in his arms, along with Eimira and the guy that stopped her from killing the blonde.
The blonde, walking behind them.
"Zandren." He said, "I owe you my sincere gratitude for being there for Aurivelle."
He glanced at the blonde.
"Oh uh, yeah." He bowed. "I'm sorry about my attitude toward you. Please forgive me."
"Good,." Zyron said, "You'll be dismissed from your role in your Vanguard, for the assault of the royal family."
The words came out sharp and firm.
"Y-Ye-Yes." The blonde stuttered.
Silence, as we all watched him walk away in shame and regret.
----
A few hours passed. Evening settled in.
We were in one of the Zyron's private chambers— the royal quarters. A place for rests and quests.
Silks draped across the room, rich fabrics tossed aside like they meant nothing. Gold-lined furniture sat between carved pillars that held the balcony above. Pillars shaped like muscular figures carrying the weight of the structure. Beyond them, the balcony stood open.
The sun dipped low, painting the sky in fading gold.
What a view it was.
I lay on a soft emerald sofa, its frame trimmed in gold. Across me, Aurivelle rested, still unconscious.
Zyron spoke with the others while a healer worked on me.
She looked about my age. Dark hair. Slightly brown skin. Just like mine.
"You really went against Dazrael, uhn?" She said.
"Who's?" I frowned.
"The guy that attacked you,"she replied. "Dazrael. An arrogant bastard that thinks everyone's beneath him."
She scoffed. "His pride must've taken a hit."
"I see.." I shifted slightly. "Can I ask you something?"
I tried to sit up.
She pushed me back down
"Stay still. He got you real bad." She exhaled softly. "What's it?"
"Why does he get to insult the princess so openly?" I asked.
She leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"He's the son of Duke, the King's advisor and best friend."
A pause.
"Also the only reason he's in a Vanguard."
"What are you two whispering about."
Feona cut in, peeking her head above the sofa.
I jolted.
"Jeez, Feona. Don't do that."
"It's nothing." The healer chuckled, nervously. "Just telling him not to move too much, but he won't listen."
"I know right." Feona said. "He gets hurt a lot. I wonder how he's not dead yet."
"You want me dead?" I asked.
"Hey…" she grinned. "Still considering."
The healer giggled. "You guys seem close."
"Meh." Feona stood. "Anyways, Arlen. Are you done with him?"
"Yeah. I think. He just has to rest now." Arlen replied. "His body heals so well…"
"He has the body of a true man, haha." Zyron approached. "You may take your leave now, Arlen. Thanks for your service."
Arlen bowed and left.
Aurivelle stirred.
Everyone moved at once.
I forced myself up slightly. Eimira sat beside me just as I managed to sit up.
"The healer just told you to rest." She said,
"Oh Arlen?" I chuckled. "I'm fine… I feel better now."
Zyron reached Aurivelle first.
"Hey princess. How are you feeling?" He stroked her hair gently.
"Hehe." Aurivelle giggled.
Zyron pulled her into an embrace. "I'm sorry. I failed you as a father."
"No… it's okay." She replied, weakly.
Her eyes searched the room.
"Where's Zandren?"
I raised a hand.
Her face lit up immediately. She waved, energy returning to her body.
Then her brother stepped forward, blocking her view.
"Aurivelle." He said, "You're the second dual-blessing bearer in Terraka."
She looked at her hands.
"I guess… so."
I leaned toward Eimira.
"What's a Bearer?"
She shifted closer.
"There are two actually," she said. "Bearers and Holders."
"What's the difference?" I asked.
"Well, Holders are born with blessings and have to train to strengthen them. And Bearers are chosen by the Elemental Dragons at any point of their lives."
She paused.
"For Bearers, it's basically the Dragon planting a part of itself…" She poked my chest. "...inside you."
I nodded.
"Most Holders need to channel their body or weapons to invoke their blessings." She continued, "but most Bearers don't. It's like the blessing is a part of them, because— it actually is."
"Also… not everyone becomes a Holder. Some may never receive a blessing unless they are chosen by the Dragons." She added.
"I see…" I hesitated. "What about dual Blessing bearers like you?"
"Rare," she said simply. "No clear reason that I know of…"
Then she looked at me.
"What about you? Why don't you have a blessing?"
I froze.
"I… don't know."
A pause.
"I don't even remember where in from—"
She studied my face.
Then,
Soft.
Quick.
A kiss on my cheek.
She stood and walked away like nothing happened.
"... yeah" I muttered. "I feel better now."
Aurivelle called for me to come close.
"When I saw Zandren being attacked, I tried to help him, but I realised I was too weak to— And that made me very sad." Aurivelle said.
She sniffled and wiped her face.
"Out of nowhere… Everywhere became b-black and I was scared.
"Then… I saw him."
Her voice trembled.
"I felt how sad he was too… just like how I was sad."
"He had long hair that was just fire.. whoossh— it roared."
"So I got scared and tried to run and I fell into the darkness—"
She paused.
"but he caught me before I fell deeper."
"He pulled me up, then hugged me, as if he knew me."
"He cried. His tears burned me, but I couldn't push him away."
Silence filled the room.
"He said something."
"Ju'ae pu… ig ne'ae… gix chu Ignisia"
"You will be Ignisia's new vessel, since my kin is tainted." Zyron translated.
"The Tongue of the Ardorians, I haven't heard that in a long time." He added.
'So it was Aethon…' I thought.
Her brother stood.
"I'll have the chef prepare a feast to celebrate the Awakening of our princess."
Aurivelle chuckled nervously. "Oh no. You don't have to."
"What are you talking about, hehe." Her brother parted her head. "I'll write to mom too"
"Yes, Aurivelle." Zyron said. "You deserve so much better."
Aurivelle smiled and hugged Zyron.
"Thanks Dad."
Everyone looked away, giving them space.
I turned to Eimira but—
She looked… distant.
Then she walked out to the balcony.
I followed.
Each step hurts.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
"You should be resting." She replied.
"I'll just walk it off."
She leaned against the carved railing.
Silence.
"Seeing her awaken…" she said softly. "...it just reminded me of mine."
"Oh."
I stepped beside her.
"Wanna tell me about it?"
"Did I tell you about the invasion of Nymirel?" She asked.
"Yeah. The day you lost your…"
She chuckled nervously. "Yeah, yeah. That."
Her expression faded.
"I was also without Blessings when I was young."
"My parents, who were nobles, met with a two-eyed Writer…"
"Two-eyed Writer? What's that?"
"You'll know soon enough." She chuckled. "Well, the writer told them, I was a part of a prophecy."
She paused.
"I was… the prophecy."
"Prophecy?" I frowned.
"I never really knew the details. I was young when they told my parents."
She looked out to the horizon.
"You know about the fall of Ardor, right?"
I nodded slowly.
"Yeah, sort of."
"Veils," she said. "They appeared out of nowhere."
"No one knows why or how…"
'I kinda do. But I can't tell her that.' I thought.
Silence.
"An entire nation… gone overnight."
She paused.
"How strong do veils have to be to burn an entire Kingdom, known for its offensive prowess, to the ground."
My brows furrowed.
'Wait—'
"You think the Veils were responsible for burning Ardor to the ground?"
"Yes. That's what the refugees said." She replied. "They said that the veils were so strong that they made it rain lava."
"Wha…"
'That wasn't what I saw… what's going on here?'
"And because of that, no one has seen the beauty of Emberia ever since."She chuckled, dryly. "Sorry. I'm supposed to be telling you how I awakened."
"It's fine." I said, "take your time."
She inhaled slowly.
Then spoke.
"The prophecy the writer told my parents was that—"
"I am the last chance to reunite with someone before the essence dies…" she chuckled. "I can't really remember, but it was something like that."
We both laughed.
She continued.
"Then the day Nymirel got attacked, and my mom got killed,"
"Everything went dark…"
"A storm. Violent winds. Waves as tall as mountains."
"A white dragon rose from the sea."
"It roared… and flew straight at me."
"It's jaw opening."
Her voice tightened.
"I tried to swim." She laughed. "I don't think I moved an inch though."
I laughed too.
"But then…it all went dark."
I noticed Feona watching us.
Ryona tried to come meet us, but Feona pulled her back.
Feona nodded.
I nodded back.
Eimira swallowed.
"In the darkness… I heard someone crying."
"A woman."
"I saw her."
"White hair. Just like mine."
She chuckled, softly.
"Funny thing. I was the only one with white hair in my family."
"Really?"
"Yeah." She replied. "It was one of the fulfilled prophecies also."
"I see…"
Eimira continued.
"The woman was kneeling… covering her face."
"She kept asking herself, "what have I done?""
Eimira's voice trembled.
"I walked up to her, and touched her shoulders."
"She looked at me."
"Her eyes were blue. Like mine."
"But…"
"Her skin…"
"Scales…"
"Her hands… Claws."
"She held me… and kept apologising."
Eimira paused, catching her breath.
She continued.
"I asked her why she was crying."
She said.
"I made a grave mistake…"
"A mistake that puts all of Caramien in Danger."
"Danger?" I asked.
Eimira continued.
"A danger that corrupts everything."
"A danger I trusted… because I was desperate."
A chill ran through me.
"I didn't understand…" Eimira said,
"How could someone like her… rule a nation?"
Eimira looked down at her hand.
"Then she said…"
"Eimira… I have to go now."
"Before Elyndra catches up to me."
"But I can still entrust this to you."
"She pulled me closer and placed her hand on my chest… then I felt her claws dig into my skin."
"You carry the balance we had."
"Gentleness and Resolve."
"Aqualis and Aeris."
"I leave them with you now…"
"For I am you… and you are Us."
"Then I felt my body being filled with energy." Eimira said softly.
She placed her hand on her chest, and slowly unfastened the top of her cloth, revealing a part of her chest.
The scars remained.
She fastened them back.
Then continued.
"I heard voices…"
"Thousands of them— all at once."
Then the woman grabbed me.
"She's here…"
"Elyndra… The voice of a Thousand gods."
"She started fading." Eimira whispered. "But I asked her name."
Silence.
"Then she replied."
"I am Nyseria… The nexus of Aqualis."