chapter 1

Morning comes and we all prepare to depart. Lana fixes some foods in a basket and something we can use in a big bag she carried on her back. I also insisted to carry the shoulder bag made of leader where Lana put something she said I can use in times of trouble that she embedded with her magic. I don’t know what she means but I just carried the bag nonetheless.

“Don’t forget this.” Lana said wrapping a greenish shawl on my shoulders with this weird emblem that when Vlashmere saw it his eyes widen then he seems to freeze but after a while he returns to his usual cold and mysterious aura, turning back to his invisible like presence.

“Shall we get going so we can arrive to the town by tomorrow noon?” Flora said as they look at us checking if we are ready to leave.

“The early the better, we need to be very careful. Monsters and beast lurks this area and the rest of the way we will travel to.” Leo said making me look at Lana and to them with a fright in my eyes.

“M-Monsters? Beasts?” I softly said with the look of being frightened by the idea of it.

Lana rubs my arm and look at me as if saying everything will be okay. I sigh then look at the others to see them looking at me and they look at one another as if I had said something out of the ordinary.

“Riri don’t worry we will be fine. Whatever might happen during our stay here, it will be okay. I will protect you and you will be fine even on your own, you are stronger than anyone else. Don’t forget…… you are Rianne Carpolya, the only princess of your parents and your brothers.” Lana said leaning her forehead to mine as she whispers those words calming me from my frightened state.

“O-Okay we sure will. Ahmnnn we better go, time do pass really fast. And we have wasted minutes of it.” I said as I look at them and Lana nod in agreement.

Leo and Flora walk ahead of us as Vlashmere walks behind me and Lana as if guarding our backs. We have been walking for almost hours and I notice how sweet Leo and Flora are acting ahead of us, their constant glancing and sweet smiles made their relationship too obvious.

“We can rest here for a while and probably find something we can eat. Then we can continue our journey after we get some rest and regain our strength. The next path ahead is far too risky and dangerous. Monsters and wild beasts live and roam that place. Not to mention there are group of bandits hunting on that area. Don’t worry; we will do our best to protect you two…… don’t be afraid Miss Riri.” Leo said making us all stop and look at the place we stop to. Well! That seems assuring; hopefully we won’t get to face those mentioned by Leo.

We are in the edge of the forest were stones and flowers bloomed and a little bit of trees. Lana and I sigh as I slowly sat on a big rock. Lana looks around as Flora fix her sword on her hip while Leo unclip his cloak that is hanging on his back and is covering his sword held in his hip. He rolls it and put it down on the rock beside me then he smiles towards me.

“I will go find something we can eat. Vlash, you should stay here and look after them.” Leo said as he looks at the surroundings.

“I will go with you Leo, stay here and rest for a while don’t worry Vlash is a great warrior despite his cold attitude. He will surely protect you with his life.” Flora jested as she follows behind Leo.

I look at Vlash to see him slightly blushing at Flora’s remarks then it suddenly fades like the gush of the wind.

“Be very careful, we will be fine in here don’t worry.” Lana said as she seats on the grass just beside me and she pick a flower before she starts to hummm a beautiful melody, I swear I saw Vlash face paled and look at Lana but then he look away and his hair hangs making his face darken by his hairs’ shadow.

“Ahmnnnn Lana what is that song you are humming?” I ask out of curiosity as to why Vlash looks so weird, I don’t even know why but I get to observe their reactions from time to time but…… Vlashmere’s reactions are WAY too catchy because of his usual cold and way TOO EMOTIONLESS face.

“It is a native song of the kingdom of Comios, it a song sang on the day of the commemoration of the death of Princess Balyne. Blue Light Melody, that’s the title of the song.” Lana said making me look at Vlash to see that certain shock in his face but again he bows his head covering his face with his hair.

“Princess Balyne? W-What happened to her, who is she?” I ask out of curiosity seeing these sudden changes of reaction in Vlashmere’s face.

“Yes, it is a sad story to begin with. Princess Balyne, she is the first child of the king and queen. A promising queen, beautiful, smart and amazing…… but she died saving her brother from the hands of the followers of the dark king from the kingdom of Lebron. So in her memory they made that song and sing it on the day of her death.” Lana said as she hand me a flask full of water.

“I-I see, she must be someone worth treasuring in our memories. Where ever she might be…… she must be looking after everyone dear to her. That’s what I will do if it is I who dies.” I said looking at Vlashmere’s face from my peripheral vision.

“Of course you will…… that made you special and you.” Lana said smiling at me and I see that certain smirk in her face as if saying that she is saying those things on purpose.

We turn silent for a few minutes when I notice something from afar right behind us. Something big is moving towards us.

“U-Uhmnnn L-Lana Vlash…… i-is that trouble or…… shall I hide?” I said trying to mix humor into my already shaking voice as I stand and step back tripping on a stone but instead of falling Vlash is already behind me.

I look up to see Vlashmere’s face closer to mine but he is intensely looking at the moving creature coming towards us. Vlash’ arm in wrap into my hip and his hand on my stomach. He pulled his sword using the other one as Lana stand and look at the creature making her pull her sword which I have no idea was in her hips this whole time.

“O-Oh no! Does this mean trouble…… oh gosh! And I was hoping we can rest with ease.” I said almost a whisper but since Vlash was so close to me…… he looks at me making us look into each other’s eyes.

There it is again but this time it is different. I saw a lake and someone is drowning in it as red color tint the water. I saw two hands raise in front of me like I was looking at my hands but not mine…… the hands are full of blood and a golden sword placed on my lap…… but not mine. It is as if I am seeing someone else’s experience and memory.

“You better get behind me Miss Riri. You will be fine.” Vlash said making me get back to my senses and he slowly let me go.

“Y-Yah I guess, thank you.” I utter as my face starts to burn.

“Ah Riri…… do us a favor, whatever happens close your eyes. Trust us…… just close your eyes. I will hate myself if you will be tainted by what you will witness.” Lana said making me froze.

When the creature looking like a beast starts to run towards us, the two get in position. The creature has this scales on its back, a horn on its nose and head, 4 legs like of those to elephants, the eyes are as yellowish as gold and in short…… it is way to terrifying.

“Do you trust us? And if you do…… please close your eyes, Miss Riri until we ask you to open it.” Vlash said as he blocks me from that creature.

“Alright, make sure nothing happens to me okay.” I said with a deep sigh, he looks back at me and he nods making me smile at him.

With that I slowly close my eyes and the last thing I saw is Lana attacking the creature follow by Vlash. I am in a pitch of darkness since my eyes are shut but I hear terrifying growls and screams from them. I also hear clashing of swords and the movement in the ground from their movements. I heard a tumbling sound of something running towards me and a gush of wind hit my face making my hair flies with the gush of wind. Then I heard something drops in front of me but I remind frozen in my previous spot with my eyes close. Putting my trust and life into the hands of Lana and Vlash, I just listen and wait until they will let me open my eyes.