《The Celestial Empire》


 Prologue: The Sun and The Moon

    In the beginning there was only light and darkness. Light brought forth the four elements to make up for its loneliness. When darkness found out about light''s children, it pined for its own and sought out light for guidance. As the light and darkness spend time together teaching each other their ways of magic, creating a world only they can understand, they both found out that they complement each other; for light can only bring forth the goodness that there is, and darkness can only create the shadows that lurk in chaos.


    To create balance to the world they created, Light gave its own children to Darkness, so it can mold them to perfection.


    Air was known to give life to the world, but now can conjure up storms that can ravish it as well.


    Fire was known to give light to the world, but now can burn it up in an instant


    Earth was known to give bountiful fruits to the world, but now can crush those around it.


    Water was known to provide nourishment to the world, but now can swallow anything it wants.


    Light and Darkness. Peace and Chaos. Perfection.


    Light and Darkness presented their world to their molded offspring, and their offspring flourished there with their power. Centuries later, their offspring grew tired of their ways and wanted their own children as well. So, they brought forth the humans, created by their imagination and yearning for something that is of their own.


    Each human possesses the mark of its parent element and is blessed to perform its powers, though to a degree. Only those who are deeply loved by their parent element can channel their full potential to the world.


    Light and Darkness saw what their children created, and the imperfection they possess. Tired from eons and eons of guiding them, Light and Darkness consummated one more time, to give their children and their offspring their final gift, before they depart from the world they created and slumber for eternity.


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    From their union, they brought forth the Sun and the Moon; a perfect recreation of Light and Darkness- guardians to their lesser progeny and its offspring.


    The Sun and Moon guided their siblings and their children; providing balance to the world. Soon the Sun and the Moon wanted their own offspring ¨C humans shaped after their own image to guide their sibling''s children in the world.


    And they brought forth the First Mother and the Blessed Father.


    The marriage of the First Mother and the Blessed man brought forth the Empire of Celestia, uniting the humans into one rule. For centuries they lived in unity, although peace was sometimes questionable, due to everyone''s innate nature of darkness. The Blood Crown ¨C forged from the blood and the heart of the First Mother and Blessed Father, became the symbol of Celestia upon their deaths, their children wearing them with pride. The blood-red jewels of the crown ¨C swirling and pulsing with life ¨C will shine like the sun and glow like the moon when worn by the one it chooses to rule the land. Always from the united blood of the Sun and Moon ¨C the royal family of Celes.


    While multiple civil wars ravaged the empire, it still stood united as the time it was brought forth into the world; until the Reckoning of the Moon a thousand years ago. What was once a peaceful and unified empire was suddenly divided into Solaria and Lunaria, representing the two main powerhouses of the empire; due to greed and anger. The Blood Crown was shattered and its pieces claimed by each kingdom ¨C The Crystal Crown for Lunaria, and the Crown of Flames for Solaria.


    Solaria got the prowess of battle, Lunaria got the death glare of magic and sorcery.


    For years the 2 kingdoms warred each other to death for the other part of the crown and seize main control of the empire, but it always ended in stalemate. Countless bodies piled up every year, due to greed and anger. As the years pass, nobody really remembers what started the Reckoning, only the anger that it brought forth to the lands, the thirst to see the other kingdom kneel and fall.


    Now, with too much bloodshed that has happened over a thousand years, the rulers of both Solaria and Lunaria have decided to unite the bloodline once more, by offering their children to marry one another.


    The Sun is marrying the Moon again ¨C a recreation of the empire being birthed once more

 The Moon

    "Why can''t you just offer my brother for marriage?" Selene asked her father during their dinner while pointing at her brother, who is clearly not listening to their ongoing conversation at the table.


    "He''s older than me and carries the Lunar name when he gets married. Do you want to unite the two kingdoms? Take him and get him married to the Sun Court" Selene offered.


    "Selene, how many times do I have to tell you that the Sun Court only has one heir, and it''s a he" The Lunar King replied. "Please understand" he sighed.


    "Doesn''t the Sun King have a daughter? I heard that she''s about my age as well." Selene said


    "He does have a daughter, but she was born from a concubine so it doesn''t count." her brother Mikael replied to her.


    "It''s not fair" Selene pouted. "My whole life is not fair. I''ve never left Lunaria, I can''t go out on my own, and now I can''t even pick my groom" she cried while crossing her arms and staring daggers at her father and brother.


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    Her father sighed once more and shook his head, not knowing how to answer back.


    "Come on Selene, don''t be like that. You are the chosen heir by the Crystal Crown. You are the one who has the skills to rule effectively. So, marry the Sun King''s son, and then take the reins in ruling the united empire." Her brother said, with a smirk on his face. "I heard that the Sun heir is all brawn with little brain."


    "That''s another issue! I heard he''s stupid!" Selene shouted. "I wanted to get married to someone smart and kind, who can talk to me for hours about topics that matter. I don''t want to get married to someone who is a simpleton" she reasoned. "Besides, what if he gets a concubine too? You know the Sun Court has little morals over household affairs. I will not stand by if he gets a concubine" she sneered.


    "He will not get a concubine. Once the empire is united we will follow the old traditions of Celestia from a thousand years ago." Her father replied. "You don''t have to worry about anything"


    "I just... I just feel like cattle being sold," she said sadly.


    Her father and her brother did not reply, they didn''t like the situation either, but they know that no matter what she does, in the end, she still has to marry the Sun Heir.

 Under the Moonlight

    Lunaria is a land that is blessed by the moon. Its days are shorter and the nights stretch longer. To compensate for the darkness, Lunaria is surrounded by crystal trees ¨C whose trunks are crystallized minerals and its leaves shimmering, giving it a soft glow. The Crystal Palace is surrounded by said trees, and with its reflective properties, gives off an eerie yet comforting aura. Its calm light is not enough to soothe Selene as she walks aimlessly on the Crystal Garden.


    "You should be in bed," a voice from behind her said. Selene turned around and saw her father. With his icy blue eyes glowing with the trees, sharp jaw, and a fit and lean body, he still looks like a young king. The only signs of his true age are the crow lines on his eyes and mouth, a reflection of the times he has smiled and laughed, and his platinum hair turning gray at the edges. Most people think of him as a headstrong and logical man, but beneath that mask, he is a warm and gentle man. And while his eyes seem sharp and cold, their edges betray the tiredness he is already feeling.


    "I can''t sleep," Selene said. "I thought the glow of the crystal trees would lull me to sleepiness." The king took her hand and guided her under one of the biggest crystal trees in the garden. He sat down and patted the space next to him. Selene sat beside her father and rested her head on his shoulder.


    "You think too much. Your marriage is in a few months at least. So, rest your head and your heart" He said.


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    "Do you think mom would be okay with this plan?" Selene asked.


    "Your mother will fly off the handle and have my head" the king chuckled. "But only for a few minutes. She''ll understand that it is necessary. We are all tired of war, and just want peace" he replied. "I reckon she might even join you at the Sun Court and leave me here, only to return once she''s satisfied with how you are living there"


    "You do know that she''ll never be satisfied. There''s always something lacking, something wrong. You''ll be alone" Selene replied with a smile.


    The King laughed and smiled a sad smile as he gazes at the stars. The late Lunar Queen Artemisia was beloved by all. Bearing the Mark of the Moon, she possesses the looks of the First Mother ¨C hair black as night, gray eyes with a hint of blue, delicate features, and the pale glowing skin that makes you want to care for her. She was the realm''s joy and was his as well. Her death marked the start of the king''s melancholy. And while he loved his children fiercely, he will always love his wife first.


    "You''re right" he suddenly said.


    "About what, father?" Selene replied.


    "Your life is unfair. You didn''t get to spend time with your mother, as much as me and your brother has" he said, with sadness in his voice.


    "It''s okay father. Your love and attention are enough for me" Selene said. "I''ll do anything to make you proud."


    "You don''t need to do anything, my dearest. From the day you were born, I am already proud to be your father." The king said.


    "This marriage thing with the Sun heir. Everything will be alright, right?" Selene asked her father.


    "Yes, I''ll make sure everything will be alright." He replied


    "A thousand stars?" she asked.


    "A thousand stars" the king replied reassuringly.

 The Son of the Sun

    The sun was peeking through the curtains in Ember Castle, waking Prince Aelius. As he roused from his sleep, he surveys his surroundings. What happened last night? he thought to himself. Blurry images of partying, drinking with his comrades, and being surrounded by noble girls all swirled on in his mind are giving him a headache. He rubbed his eyes and slowly untangled himself from the sheets of his bed. He spies the naked back of a lady on the right side of his bed, still sleeping. ''Must be last night''s conquest'' he said in his mind. He got out of his bed and slowly walked on the balcony in his bedroom, bathing in sunlight in all his naked glory. With his angular jaw and high cheekbones, wispy soft black hair, piercing gold eyes, and muscular tanned body, he is the epitome of a handsome prince who girls from all around fawn over. Not to mention his legendary strength and combat skills, further enhanced by the Son of the Sun mark on his back. And while his physical prowess and combat skills are outstanding - comparable to none actually, and his intelligence not lacking, his attitude leaves the people at court wanting more.


    A philandering, happy-go-lucky prince with a penchant for drinks, parties, picking fights left and right, and seducing girls is not a suitable heir for a prestigious kingdom such as Solaria.


    A knock suddenly wakes Aelius from his calm sunbathing. He wore his robe made of lion fur and sat on the couch in the receiving area of his bedroom.


    "Come in," he said, bored out of his mind.


    His butler, Reginald, came inside with a few maids who starts cleaning his room. One served him jasmine tea and places a plate of assorted biscuits on the table in front of him.


    "Your highness," Reginald said. "It''s already noon and you already missed the meeting with the council"


    "But you attended on my stead, right?" Aelius asked as he drank his tea. "So, what''s the issue? I have a representative there. Just tell me what the meeting was all about" he said flippantly.


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    "It''s about the unification of Solaria and Lunaria. Your marriage to their princess is in a few months, but the council thinks that you are not ready to rule anything at all." Reginald reported.


    ''I just need to break their necks then'' Aelius thought. ''That should keep the other''s mouth shut


    "You also trashed the Wind Room at the East Castle and had a brawl with the Ardeat''s heir," Reginald said. "These actions are not fit for an heir, your highness. I advise you to clean yourself up and act noble before the Sun King does something drastic" he said, as a matter of fact.


    At the mention of the Sun King, Aelius stopped drinking his tea and slowly placed it on the table. His father was cruel, and ruthless and demands perfection. His dream son was his elder brother, Helio. Always at the command of the room, always presentable, never faltering, perfect Helio. Despite the royal family''s favoritism toward Helio, it didn''t break their brotherly bond. Helio was Aelius''s confidant and best friend and was the only person who ever believed in him.


    When his brother suddenly died a few months ago, it made him the Sun Heir. The second best, good-for-nothing son who was always been treated as a spare until he is needed. Aelius still remembers his mother''s words to him during Helio''s funeral.


    "It should have been you!" The Sun Queen shouted. "You should have died, you worthless brat!" she wailed as she beats her fists on Aelius. It was at that moment that he realized that he will always be the second best. That no matter how hard he tried, his parents will never support and love him.


    "Fine" Aelius sighed. "I suppose I should take my new role seriously. It''s not like father has any spares left."


    ''If only Helio lived'' Aelius pondered.


    "You still have a few months to polish yourself, your highness. And I suggest you get ready as well, you have an audience with the Sun King to discuss the necessary arrangements for your transition to an heir before the wedding comes." Reginald said.


    Aelius stood up and looked Reginald in the eye. "Tell father I''ll meet him after an hour., he commanded, then walked towards his bathing room to get ready.


    "As you wish, your highness", Reginald said as he bowed down in the prince''s direction.


    "Oh, and by the way", Aelius said, "Please wake up the girl on my bed and give her some morning after tea. Don''t want any bastard sun child running around in the future, eh?"

 Father King

    Ember Castle sits on top of Sun Hill, aptly named as it is where the sun rises and stays. Built with fire rocks that contain embers of lava and fire, the castle does not need any lighting equipment. Forever shining as bright as the sun, overlooking its lands, like a father watching his children. While Ember castle looks warm and inviting, its architecture of it is quite opposite. With sharp angles and high walls, it is dominating and cold location, where only the most powerful of the powerful can visit or reside.


    Aelius, dressed in his formal war regalia, walked towards the towering doors that protect the throne room. He brushed his hair back and told the guard to announce his arrival.


    "His Royal Highness, Prince Aelius of Solaria!"


    As the towering doors open, Aelius can see the glorious throne room of Ember Castle.


    Six fire rock columns light up the entire throne hall and shroud it in a dark orange radiance. The artistic depictions of the Sun risings and setting on the embowed ceilings dance in the light while carved images and gargoyles look down upon the dark floor of this magnificent hall.


    A vermillion rug run from the throne to the door and is matched by smaller ones on either side of the hall while embattled banners with emblazoned tracery swing gently from the walls. Tall windows are contoured by curtains colored the same vermillion as the banners. The curtains have been adorned with emblazoned edges and gilded linings.


    Those seeking the wisdom of the Sun Royalty can do so on the abundance of brightly decorated granite benches, all of which are diagonally facing the throne. Those of higher standing can instead take seats in the extravagant balconies overlooking the throne.


    The majority of the audience came from the Verdants and the Ardeats, houses where the majority of their blood swears fealty to the Sun King. There are a few smatterings of the Saphiros and Aireas as well, awaiting what the throne has to say.


    The Verdants are the Lords of Harvests, named after their green and snake-like eyes, and dark mahogany hair. Their affinity is with the earth and can control any flora. The Ardeats is known as the Right Hand of Solaria, with eyes the color of amber and hair as bright as the sunrise. Their affinity is the fire, and their immeasurable control over it is only second to the royal family. These two main families of their affinity pledge allegiance to Solaria during the Reckoning of the Moon, thus giving them much higher standing than the rest.


    A radiant throne of gold and ruby sits at the center of the platform and is adjoined by 2 almost identical seats for the Queen and him, the heir. The throne is covered in intricate motifs and fixed on each of the broad ears is a small sun. The thick pillows are a gold color and these too have been adorned with adorned embroideries.


    On the middle throne sat the Sun King, his father. A large man with cold golden eyes and cropped black hair. His mouth is set on a permanent scowl. On his head is the Crown of Flames, a circle of gold with flames surrounding it, each tip has s small sun with a big ruby at the center. This is a man that demands total authority and fear.


    "Greetings, to the Sun and Father of the Land," Aelius said as he bowed to his father.


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    "Stand." His father said. "Do you know what time it is right now?" he asked as his voice boomed across the throne room.


    "My apologies, your majesty. I forgot about the audience today and slept late" Aelius replied.


    "Do not let it happen again." The Sun King commanded. He gestured towards his left, telling Aelius to take his seat. As he sat on his throne his father said to him "I am warning you, Aelius. You are the heir now. Make me believe you deserve all of this"


    "Yes, father" Aelius replied, as any other answer with result in his father breathing fire in his direction.


    The King''s Right Hand, Duke Reven of Ardeat announced that the petitioners of the land can now come forward and can now seek guidance from their King.


    As the audience ended and the petitioners dispersed, Aelius stood up and was prepared to go to the hunting grounds to pass time, when he suddenly heard his father call him.


    "Meet me at the Royal Study. There is something I want to discuss" his father said.


    The Royal Study is as magnificent as the throne room, though not as large. A fine oakwood table sat in the middle, with a chair with crushed vermillion velvet covering it. Stacks of papers are strewn all over the table. The King sat on his chair behind the table and gestured for Aelius to sit at the other chair in front of him.


    "I''ve heard of what happened last night and of this morning" his father started. "And before you ask how I know of it, it was Reginald who told me."


    "I am sorry father. I''ll try my best to exceed your expectations" Aelius solemnly replied.


    "Ha! We''ll see about that," the King said, not believing that his son can even meet his expectations.


    "Your wedding will be in a few months. Please make sure that you do not embarrass me. Understand?" The king asked.


    "Yes father, I understood" Aelius replied.


    "Good. Good. You should stop your partying and fucking girls left and right. I have received a letter from the Lunar King, requesting that you respect and abide by the old rules of Celestia."


    "And what does that have to do with me living my life?" Aelius asked, miffed at the audacity of the Lunar King to make demands. We''re not even married yet.


    "Because we can''t have you running amok and causing trouble in the future. If you want to go back to your philandering ways, then make sure you put a baby inside your to-be wife as soon as possible." His father answered callously. "But for now, abide by their monogamous request."


    His father looked at him in the eyes, his eyes cold and devoid of warmth despite their warm color "Do I make myself clear?"


    "Yes, father. Very clear" Aelius responded. "I already instructed Reginald..."


    "I know what you told him to do. I''ve already disposed of all of your previous dalliances ever since you officially became the heir"


    "Disposed of?"


    "Yes, disposed of. I had then married off to some older nobles who are seeking young wives. Can''t have them, or their families, running back towards you demanding to be your concubine once we have united the kingdoms" his father said, nonchalantly.


    "You forced them to marry other people?" Aelius asked, incredulously.


    "Yes. As I am forcing you to marry the Lunar Princess." His father answered pointedly. "I am the King, Aelius, and I can do whatever I want in my realm. So, marry the girl and get the bitch pregnant so you can unite the two crowns." His father said.


    "And if she doesn''t want to be with me?" Aelius asked, already afraid of what his father might say.


    "Force her. Do whatever it takes. You may be not as talented and charming as your brother and I do know that you can at least get someone pregnant. So, whether she is willing or not, get her pregnant" his father replied as he sat on his chair.


    "What does that suppose to mean?" Aelius asked, shocked by what his father said. He was not expecting his answer at all.


    "Don''t worry, I already took care of the situation. They''re from a lower house anyway. They won''t bother you." His father calmly replied. "Now go. I still need to work on these piles of papers and I do not want you and your useless chatter distracting me" His father said while dismissing him with his hand.


    "And by the Sun God, Aelius, do not forget what I said earlier. Do not embarrass me." His father added.


    Aelius stood up, and walked out of the Royal Study, dumbfounded by what he just found out.

 I wish to be free, even for a moment

    With the days and nights passing by, Selene felt bored by the constant lessons about Celestia and Solaria made by royal tutors to prepare her for her marriage. She already knew what she needs to know, as the lands possess a rich history. While Lady Merca of Aireia droned on and on about how the Shadow Queen has divided the current lands, Selene was thinking of ways on how she can taste a bit of freedom away from the Lunar Court.


    ''I could ask father to give me a few weeks to myself'' she thought, ''But he would insist that I bring brother with me on my adventures, not that it would matter''


    Her brother, Mikael, was given the name the Shadow Prince for his excellence in elusive combat. His high skill of Shadow Weaving combined with his great talent for weaponry and combat made him the favorite among the court. Regardless of what the king would have said about her request, her brother will surely follow her.


    While Mikael''s prowess is in combat, Selene''s skill is in the art of moonlight. By drawing the power of moonlight, she can heal any ailment or wound, and create offensive bolts of light. Her sorcery skills are on par with the great magisters of the old time.


    Selene was said to have an affinity to Light, while Mikael to Darkness. A balanced power between the siblings. A healer and a soldier.


    When Lady Merca finished talking, Selene excused herself and went straight to the Royal Study to request something from the Lunar King.


    ------------------------------------------


    "I can''t believe father allowed you," Mikael said, as he watches his sister fix her cloak.


    Selene stood in front of her mirror checking her appearance. The pale moonlight illuminates her room while magical flames on the braziers provide warmth.


    "I told him to treat this as his early wedding present for me," Selene replied. "I''ve been alive for 20 years and not once have I stepped outside Lunaria."


    "You''ll step outside of the kingdom after your wedding, so what''s the rush?" Her brother asked.


    Selene looked at her brother. "I am going to be Queen there, and whether the prince likes me or not I intend to be a good queen to his people. And when the time comes, my child will be ruling both kingdoms. Might as well start scoping out my new territory so I can think about my next actions."


    "Or, maybe you''re just curious who your husband-to-be is?" Her brother teased.


    "Why would I be curious about him?" She asked, irritated. "I already know who he is and what his personality is. And base on the reports I have gathered, it is not good." Selene tossed a stack of bounded papers in her brother''s direction


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    "Hmm..." Her brother said, reading through the reports. "Yes, not good at all. But he''s young, and probably rattled by his new standing in court. He''ll change soon enough, I think"


    "Not an excuse brother. Look at me! I''m not the heir to the throne but I don''t cause problems at all!"


    "Give him time to mature. The Sun Court''s not exactly a very warm and nurturing place, dear sister."


    "Not. An. Excuse" she said pointedly. "Look at this!" Selene said as she grabbed the papers and flipping through them, looking for something. "This! He has bedded more women than I can count! I''m not even sure if this is the real number or if there are more. He had them shipped off to marry to old nobles in Solaria once he is done"


    "Also, this" Selene added. "Destruction of Property. Endless list of fights. He even killed someone on the spot for giving him the wrong kind of alcohol during Solaria''s state dinner! I understand that he has the Son of the Sun mark, but by the gods does his brain think nothing but chaos and destruction?" she said, all worked up in frustration. "If I marry this man, then I have to work twice as hard to make the whole ''uniting the two kingdoms'' thing work"


    "Oh my gods, stop with the endless complaining. You''re giving me a headache" her brother replied, clearly not listening to any word she said.


    "You''re giving me a headache!" She shouted, pointing a finger at her brother. "You''re not even listening!"


    "Fine. I''m sorry. Do what you have to do" he apologized. "But I''m going with you"


    "I didn''t invite you" Selene pointedly said.


    "You don''t have to" he countered.


    Selene didn''t reply, clearly already exhausted by their conversation. She knows whatever she says, her brother has a response and there is no point in continuing the conversation. She took out her bag and started to pack the things that she needs for her few months-long freedom.


    "Why do you need all that stuff?" her brother asked, snatching her bag and rummaging through it. "A notebook? A lot of potions? Selene? Don''t tell me¡­"


    "Yes, I intend to visit the Moon Imperium, before going back home" Selene answered.


    "You and your weird obsession with magic and sorcery," Mikael said as he placed the contents back.


    "It''s not about that, though I heard they have recently transcribed a very old journal detailing the final moments of the Eclipsing Hour," Selene said. "No, it''s about this weird feeling in the back of my mind lately and it''s driving me insane. It''s like something is knocking on my brain constantly. I''m going to check if there''s any medicinal recipe for that"


    Upon hearing what Selene just said, Mikael rushed to her and held her face. He looked her in the eye and said worriedly "Are you feeling anything else? Just the knocking. No itchy feeling, or sudden bouts of headaches? Just knocking?"


    "Yes, just the weird knocking sensation. Wait you know this illness?" Selene said as she squirmed out of her brother''s hold. "If you knew why not just give me medicine for this?" she asked.


    "Father won''t let you go if he knows," Mikael replied seriously. Selene noticed that his eyes suddenly became calculating and cold. "I won''t even allow you to go."


    "Mikael, don''t tell father please" she cried. "It''s nothing. I''m fine. That''s why I''m going to the Imperium, to check and prove that this is nothing, okay? Mikael, please" she looked at her brother with pleading eyes, making extra effort to look like an adorable little sister.


    "Fine. But the moment you feel something off I am dragging you back to Lunaria" Mikael conceded.


    "Thank you. Thank you! You''re the best" Selene said happily as she hugged her brother.


    "I know I''m the best" he replied smugly, "Now finish packing and get some rest. We''ll leave at dawn tomorrow."

 By The Dawn

    Lunaria is divided into two distinct areas, the Aurelias and the Imperium Lands. The Aurelias consist of bustling towns and cities, with crystal buildings providing shelter to many Lunarians. The main city, Penumbra, is a vast land serving as the house of the crown. In the middle of it is the Great Icy Lake, whose cold waters supply the majority of the nourishment needed by the crystal trees in the city. At the center of the lake lies the Crystal Palace, making an impressive view for all of those who seek to visit it. The cities of Silencia and Mirea were given to the main houses that supported Lunaria during the Reckoning of the Moon: Aireas and Saphiro respectively.


    The Saphiro bloodline is known as the Lords of the Sea, with their ultimate control over water and ice. They are the only family brave enough to sail over the 4 Seas of Oblivion and return without a scratch or missing soul. The bright blue eyes and black blue hair and tanned skin from spending all of their time at the sea. Aireas on the other hand were known as the Royal Advisors of Lunaria. Their gray eyes and white hair make them stand out from the rest. Their control over the air is outstanding, with some rumors that they can even steal a person''s breath if the Airea is strong enough. Masters of the skies, they can control the weather if they have enough grasp of their nature. A small group of families coming from Verdant and Ardeat also claim Lunaria as their home.


    Selene was fast asleep on her bed when she was woken up by her brother Mikael.


    "Wake up sleepyhead, it''s time to go." He whispered.


    "Can we say goodbye to father first?" Selene asked as she wiped the sleep from her eyes.


    "Father visited the Crypts of Ice last night and has not come back yet." Her brother replied sadly.


    "Oh, okay," Selene said. "Let me wash up for a bit and get ready. Let''s meet at the castle gates in an hour"


    "Okay. Don''t forget to pack some food. I am not sharing with you what I have" her brother slyly said.


    After her brother left, Selene got up and went to her bathing suite. Inside is a pool filled with water from the Great Icy Lake. A big window showing the full view of the moon serves as the backdrop. Along the pool, lines are small black candles with magical flames serving as additional light. Selene slowly undressed and submerged herself under the cold water to wake herself up. She took her time preparing herself since she knew these luxuries will be out of reach once she leaves the palace.


    Selene dressed simply; a cotton shirt, black pants, and sensible shoes. She tied her hair into a braid and then put on her cloak, checking her reflection again to ensure that when she wears the hood, it would hide her features. At her desk she left a note to her father, telling him that she was off and will be back before the wedding and that her brother is with her. ''it''s now or never she thought.  She picked up her bag, and went to the palace gates, never looking back.


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    --------------------------


    Mikael was already at the gates by the time Selene showed up. He was leaning against one of the pillars at the gates and was staring at the sunrise mindlessly.


    "I''m here," Selene said as she went to her brother''s side.


    "You''re late" Mikael replied sternly. Mikael was wearing the same simple clothes Selene wore, with his black cloak on top. He was already wearing his hood, which hides his hair and features except for his icy blue eyes. Selene rummaged inside her bag and handed out a potion to him.


    "Drink this," she says to her brother. "Your eyes are too distracting and they might identify you there. There are only a few people with eyes as blue as yours in Solaria" she reasoned.


    "Good call," Mikael said. He drank the potion in one gulp, grimacing at the taste. "Next time, make your potions a bit tastier."


    "Noted on that. It''s kind of hard to make the potions taste better without affecting their quality and effectiveness" Selene reasoned as she passed her brother more potions. "The effect will wear off after a day so drink these tomorrow and on succeeding days"


    Mikael''s eyes slowly went from icy blue to the blackest of black, complementing his already dark hair. "Good thing you''re prepared. I kind of forgot that we need to be a bit more incognito than before. What about you?"


    "No need. I already look like any other Airea except for my hair, but it''s not as defining as your eyes. The Moon Kiss markings are on my back so It won''t be seen by anyone."


    Mikael nodded at her response and looked at the sunrise again. "We better get going if we want to reach the borders early. The kings already relaxed some of the regulations due to your upcoming wedding and I don''t want to be stuck in a very long line at the entrance of Solaria" Mikael started to walk when Selene stopped him.


    "Wait!" Selene said "Kai''s not here yet"


    "You invited her?!" Mikael asked incredulously. "Why on earth did you invite her? I thought this was supposed to be a secret visit to the other kingdom"


    "She was interested in what Solaria looks like as well" Selene replied sheepishly. "She hasn''t been outside Lunaria too"


    Mikael started to rub his temples while his sister explained. He can feel the headache coming.


    "Sola is coming too" she quietly said


    "Oh my gods, kill me" Mikael groaned. It''s bad enough that he has to take care of his sister, but he has to babysit her friends too. "Kill me now please" he pleaded. This will not be a relaxing adventure for him.


    "Oh relax, we can take care of ourselves," Selene replied.


    "Really? The three of you can take care of yourselves outside Lunaria?" Mikael asked his sister.


    "Well¡­ Kai has good skills in controlling water while Sola will surely be at home with all the heat there, so yes, yes we can take care of ourselves." She replied. "And if we can''t, you''re there to help," She said to her brother shamelessly.


    Mikael can do nothing but grovel and groan while waiting for his sister''s best friends to arrive, mumbling curses now and then. "Fuck me" he whispered to himself in frustration, when he realizes that the sun has already risen and her friends are still not there.

 Mother, do you love me?

    Aelius was going through the usual pace of his new role as heir. His past life full of freedom and senseless activities became filled with lessons, meetings, and more senseless activities. Everyday he goes through the same motion ¨C wake up, get dressed, attend the council, attend royal lessons, attend the daily audience, be berated by his father, combat practice, more lessons, eat, sleep. ''Is this what Helio had to do every day?'' he thought while walking along the Great Hall of the Sun, as a quick respite from his very busy schedule. The Great Hall of the Sun, is a long corridor with floor to ceiling portraits of the Kings and Queens of Solaria. As he walks along the corridor her stops and stares at his father''s portrait; King Helio of Solaria. Even under his father''s painted eyes he can still feel his cold and hard stare. Under that scrutinizing gaze, he ponders whether deserves to be heir at all.


    "Aelius?" A feminine voice called out. Aelius turned to his left and saw his mother, the Sun Queen, watching him. Descended from the Verdant family, she has eyes as green as jades with a snake like gaze. Small and delicate, his mother''s features are a direct opposite of his father. Before, Aelius would try to think of reasons how a dainty woman like her survived the Sun Court and the strictness of her husband, but as the years go by Aelius learned that his parents were made for each other, each complementing their hard and cruel ways.


    "Greetings, Sun Queen, Mother of the Lands" Aelius bowed to his mother.


    "You''re not hiding from your duties, yes?" His mother inquired.


    "No mother. I have this afternoon free." He answered her query.


    "Good. Join me for tea then." The Sun Queen said as she turned around and walked. When she felt Aelius was not following her, she turned around and started at him. Raising an eyebrow, she asked "Did you hear me?"


    Aelius, initially shocked by the invitation, walked towards his mother. Once the queen was satisfied, she continued walking. "Remember, 5 paces behind me" she said quietly. Aelius just nodded and followed her to the Garden of the Suns.


    The Garden of the Suns is a sprawling forest full of tall sunflowers, accented by pastel colored roses and chrysanthemums. In the stood the tall golden statue of the Black Sun, a king from the past empire of Celestia. The Sun Queen walked towards the gazebo prepared for tea by the royal maids, and sat down. Aelius stood at his mother''s side; he knew better than to sit immediately without invitation.


    "Sit down, Aelius" his mother invited, gesturing at the seat in front of her. Aelius sat at the plush velvet seat as a maid prepared sunflower tea and pastries to be placed in front of him.


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    The queen stared at Aelius for a short while before talking. "I heard that you''re currently adjusting well on you new role as heir" she said.


    "Yes, your majesty. It was a quiet adjustment as first, but I think I got the hang of it." He answered proudly.


    "You think?" she sneered. "You''re not sure?" she peered at him with her snake eyes, waiting to strike.


    "Forgive me, that''s not what I meant. I''ve got the hang of it" Aelius replied, his mother''s gaze never leaving him. Feeling uneasy Aelius began to eat some cake so he can be distracted from his mother''s eyes, while telling her about his days as the new Heir, filling the tense silence. Not once did he peeked directly at his mother to see if her eyes are still on him.


    "Sometimes, your action looks so alike from Helio that I thought you were him" his mother said softly.


    Aelius looked at his mother and saw that her gaze was still the same, but there was a glimmer of softness on it as well.


    He knew his mother was never really cruel before. According to the people at court, his mother was kind and gentle, an angelic beauty even; but was madly in love with his father. During her youth she would do whatever it takes to get his attention. And when the Sun King''s radar finally went to her, she gave him her body and soul. The king didn''t mind getting married to her, as she was the chief daughter of the main Verdant family. When the king''s desire for her dampened, she chased the king again, until she begged the king to at least let her carry his heir, for her love for him was turning into deep hatred.


    Helio was conceived from her request, and she poured the obsessive love she had for the king to his brother. She was hardened by years of abuse from his father, and his unloyalty to her and reserved her softness and kindness to her first-born son.


    Aelius was born out of hate a few years later. A result of a drunken night that they both regret. A constant reminder of a mistake. It didn''t help that Aelius inherited his father''s looks.


    "You have frosting on your cheek" the Queen said as she raised her gloved hand and wiped Aelius'' face. She then gently caressed his cheek. It was one of the few moments of tenderness Aelius received from his mother, and as much as he fought it, he gently rested his cheek on her hand. And for a short moment, the look like a regular mother and son.


    The Queen realized what she was doing and swiftly withdrew her hand and gently coughed, clearly embarrassed. Aelius straighted his seat and looked away.


    "Don''t forget, you have combat exercises with the Duke of Harvest tomorrow before noon" his mother quickly said, "Do not be late"


    "Yes, your majesty" Aelius replied. He slowly got up from his seat and bowed to his mother "Please excuse me, I have to get ready for my appointment with father."


    The Queen only waved her hand, sending him away.


    Aelius walked towards the exit of Garden of the Suns, when he turned around and asked "Mother, do you love me?"


    The Sun Queen''s piercing eyes where replaced by shock, clearly not anticipating his question. Her lips opened to reply but she suddenly closed them, hesitating to answer. She then gave him a smile with no joy and said "Of course I love you. You are my son." She answered, with her sickly-sweet voice, forcing every word she said. Now go, you''ll be late"


    Aelius nodded, turned around and walked quickly, swallowing whatever he felt. While they both pretend that her answer was true, they know better than to trust it.


    Her hesitation was her real answer.

 Water and Sun

    Aelius was forcing himself to walk faster than usual. He needed to put enough space between himself and his mother before he explodes. He already expected her answer, but it was her face and the way that she said it that hurt him the most.


    ''Calm down, Aelius. Calm down.'' He mumbled to himself. ''Don''t explode here. You have to calm down.


    As he was trying to focus his emotions, he bumped into someone small.


    "Oh!" a lilting voice cried as she tumbled down.


    "Sorry," Aelius said as he offered his hand to her. "Oh, it''s you."


    The girl was small, her head only reaching Aelius''s chest. Her hair was as fiery as the sun and as wild as the winds, and with big eyes as gold as the lava. She shares the same sharp features as Aelius and his father, but instead of harsh angles, there''s a softness in there, making her angelic looking. Mira, Aelius''s only sister; was born from his father''s concubine, Lady Mina of Saphiro.


    The Saphiros is a noble house, but Solaria was not their main location. Only a few families under the Saphiro bloodline joined Solaria during the Reckoning of the Moon, making them scarce. His father considered their women as ''exotic sirens'' due to their ocean blue eyes and midnight blue hair. Wanting those blue eyes to mix in his bloodline, he married one of them, Lady Mina. It was rumored that the Sun King has to force her family to give Lady Mina to him as a concubine; going as far as to burn all of the Saphiro''s living in Solaria.


    It was also rumored that her blue eyes were not the only reason Lady Mina was chosen by the King. It was also because she can see the future, due to her mixed blood from Airea. A power the Sun King would kill to have on his side.


    Unfortunately, those blue eyes were not present in their progeny, for Mira inherited the Sun King''s family''s eyes and looks, drowning her Saphiro blood. After giving birth, Lady Mina hid from the court and stayed at the Black Tower; A tall fortress at the edge of Ember Castle''s land, with only her closest servants and her daughter on her side. The Sun King never visited her again.


    "I''m fine," Mira said, as Aelius pulls her from the floor. "See? No broken bones, no wounds or scrapes" She gives her brother an innocent smile


    Aelius can''t help but smile at her as well. She was truly an innocent being. ''How can someone so pure come from my father'' Aelius thought.


    "How about you brother? Are you okay? You seem to be in deep thought earlier that you didn''t even see me" Mira said as her eyes examine Aelius.


    "I''m fine. I''m just busy with this whole being heir thing." Aelius replied.


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    "Hmm¡­ if you say so" Mira replied with a smile. Her eyes not believing Aelius. "You going to the armory?" she asked.


    "Yep, walk me there?" Aelius asked with a smirk.


    "Sure!" Mira replied enthusiastically, as she linked her arm to her brother.


    Mira was the light of Heloi and Aelius''s childhood. Only two years younger than him, the brother strived hard to shield their dear sister from the harsh and stinging rays of the Sun Court, and their Father''s calculation eyes.


    ''Now, I''m the only one protecting you'' Aelius thought to himself while glancing at his sister. "How is your mother, Mira? Does she need anything in the Black Tower?"


    "Mother is doing fine," Mira said happily. "And she thanks you for the new clothes you sent there last week, even though she has nowhere to wear those beautiful gowns to"


    Aelius smiled at his sister''s answer. Lady Mina was a kind and gentle soul who was just trapped by his father, thinking he struck gold with her supposed powers. She was also the only mother figure he knew, for his mother was cold, and Mina was like a warm spring enveloping him in a comforting hug.


    "Tell her that if she needs anything, don''t hesitate to tell me. I''ll do my best to provide for her." Aelius told his sister.


    "She already knows that Aelius" she replied, looking at her brother.


    "Mira, may I ask what are you doing here in Ember Castle? I thought you would be staying in The Church of Flames until sundown?" he inquired.


    "I got bored," Serene replied flippantly.


    "And here I thought you were a devout follower of the Church," Aelius said with a laugh


    "I am!" Mira answered, "It''s just one of those days for me"


    "One of those days?" Aelius asked, looking at his sister.


    "Yes, one of those days" She answered. "You know; those days where you just want something different even for a day. A day where you just want to do anything except what you usually do"


    "Oh, those days. Sorry, I don''t think I''m allowed to have one of those anymore" He replied as they passed by people of the court.


    "Why? Don''t tell me you''ll be stuck up like Heloi?" She asked with irritation. "Of the two of you, you were my favorite. You know why?"


    "Why?"


    "Because you''re fun! You don''t follow rules. You challenge everyone who says no to you." She says with a smile.


    "I can''t do that anymore Mira. I''m the Heir now, I have to be the perfect reflection of the Sun Court." He answered somberly.


    "How sad." She whispered.


    They walked in silence after that, trying to forget their responsibilities. They both know that in court, they can now only depend on each other.


    Soon they reached the armory, with soldiers coming in and out bearing swords and bows, wearing armor.


    "Why are they dressed like that?" Mira asked as she let go of her brother''s arm and looked at the people strangely.


    "Combat practice in 20 minutes. The best of them will be promoted and will be put into a new unit"


    "Yours?"


    "Yep, mine," Aelius said proudly.


    "Nice!" Mira answered happily. "Don''t over-exert them, please. And if you''re going to join and wrestle with one of them please reign it in a bit, the Church cannot heal all of them immediately" Mira pleaded.


    "Fine, I''ll control my strength for them" Aelius chuckled. "Walk safely, my dearest sister.


    "Keep safe, my dearest brother" she smiled.


    Mira walked away from Aelius when she turned around. "Aelius"


    "Yes?"


    "Everything will be alright. So don''t worry and keep doing what you''re doing" Mira said while calmly looking at her brother.


    "What?" he asked her, not understanding her meaning.


    "I''m saying, don''t push yourself too much. It''s gonna be okay. Everything is gonna be okay" she said with a smile.


    Then Mira walked away, leaving Aelius to stare at her back, thinking about what she said.

 A New World

    The sun was already shining at its peak when Kai and Sola arrived, changed clothes, and unpacked and repacked their stuff. They came together dressed like noble ladies, in which Selene had to scold and force them back to her chambers to redress and reassess their belonging. Mikael''s patience has always been thin, and it seems like the gods are there to test it as well.


    "Is everyone done?" He asked in a loud voice. "We''re already late, don''t you know that? There''s already a line on the border, and we still have to find an inn to stay in Solaria." He said in an irritated voice.


    "Calm down dude, we''re here. We''re ready" Sola said, her dark eyes staring at him pointedly.


    "You''ve already said that, 10 times!" Mikael shouted.


    "Shh¡­ inside voices please." Sola teased the prince. Kai and Selene had to stifle their laughter when they saw how annoyed Mikael already is.


    Forcing himself to calm down, he gave the three girls a hard look and gestured toward the exit of the gate. "Can we go now?" he asked.


    "Yes, we can," the girls said enthusiastically.


    With a tired sigh, Mikael leads the way toward the carriage that will bring them to the edge of the border of the two kingdoms, while listening to their girls'' incessant chattering nonsense. ''This is going to be a long day'' he sighed to himself.


    ----------------------


    The border of the two kingdoms is a giant wall of crystal and magma rocks combined. As the place of trade between Solaria and Lunaria, merchants litter the place with their stands and wares, peddling to adventurers and citizens alike. It took about an hour before the group reached the realm guards at the border to check their stuff before being admitted to Solaria.


    "Look Kai! Look at this beautiful silk" cried Sola as she caresses one of the fabrics a merchant is selling at their stall. "It suits my coloring, does it not?" she says while placing the fabric against her body and looking at her reflection in a tall mirror.


    Sola, with her wild dark hair, and voluptuous body was the envy of most ladies in Lunaria. Her seductive eyes and full lips can make even the coldest man melt. Mikael even had a crush on her before, until her fiery personality almost burned him, literally.


    "It does Sola, it does look beautiful on you" Kai replied as she smiled at her friend, "But you can''t buy it yet, we still have to go to Solaria and we have limited space in our bags"


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    While Sola was of fire, Kai was of water. Her inky hair, big ocean blue eyes that look like it''s about to cry anytime and lithe and petite body, make her look like a water fairy. Most of the time, though, she is mistaken for a teenager and is treated as a child due to her looks. It did not help that she usually just goes and follows the flow of Zola and Selene. But despite all that, she is actually the most mature out of the three.


    Sola begrudgingly returned the fabric and followed Kai towards Selene, who was busy looking at the books in another merchant''s table.


    "Selene, darling" Sola said as she touched Selene by the shoulder, "Found anything you liked?"


    "A few" Selene replied, not taking her eyes away from the books. "I just can''t pick which one I would like to buy"


    "Your brother is throwing daggers at you, Selene," Kai said, "I think he''s getting impatient again"


    Selene stole a glance at her brother, who was leaning on a wall, clearly getting angry as the minutes pass by.


    "Fine, " she sighed, "Let''s go, " she said as she grabbed the other girl''s wrist and walk towards Mikael.


    "But you didn''t buy anything" pouted Kai.


    "It''s fine, if we let my brother wait any minute more he might drag us back to the palace," Selene said.


    "Are you done?" Mikael asked when the girls reached him.


    "No," Sola said "But we figured we can just come back next time. Wouldn''t want that mouth to become a permanent scowl" she replied cheekily.


    "Fuck you," Mikael said clearly getting irritated.


    "Oh, I''ll definitely fuck me when I have the chance" Sola said with a wink, "This body was made for that"


    Kai and Selene had to stop themselves from laughing as they watched Mikael''s face get redder in embarrassment and anger.


    "Why are you friends with her?" He asked Kai and Selene.


    "Because she''s cool, " said Kai


    "Because she irritates you, " replied Selene.


    Clearly fed up with being their verbal punching bag, Mikael gave them a hard stare and turned around. "Let''s go now, if we don''t, we might not be able to enter Solaria by today," he said stiffly.


    He heard the girls laugh as he walked away. He may be stronger than them, but he was no match at their barbing wordplay.


    The entrance to the Solarian border was filled with people trying to get to the other kingdom. Lines, upon lines of citizens from both kingdoms, flock to the area. Selene watched as the Lunar and Solar guard realms, systematically check, travelers'' bags and packages, and allow them in. Seeing her getting bothered about the lack of security, Mikael pulled her close.


    "The security is usually not this lax" Mikael whispered to his sister, "But as your wedding approaches, the kings decided to lighten it to show solidarity and good faith"


    "I hope father was in the right mind when he agreed to this" Selene replied. "Placing the entire kingdom''s life in someone''s hand is not a good sign"


    "Don''t worry. I''m sure father has placed measures if ever the Sun King decides to do something drastic, which I doubt" Mikael answered.


    After a short while, they were allowed to proceed to the Celestial Gate, a towering golden barrier that forms the entrance to another world.


    "Are you ready?" Mikael asked his sister, giving her a reassuring smile.


    She looked at her brother and her friends, and then looked at the gate and the lands beyond it. She felt empowered. She felt safe. She felt confident.


    "Yes, I am"


    And the gates opened and allowed them to pass, into Solaria.

 As Golden as the Sun

    The first thing Selene noticed was the heat. It was so hot that she started to remove her cloak after a few minutes. She can see her friends try to adjust to the new high temperature of their location, while Mikael seems unbothered by it.


    "You okay in there?" Selene asked Mikael.


    "Yup, been here a couple of times. You''ll get used to the heat." Mikael answered Selene.


    "Does father know that you''ve been sneaking to Solaria every now and then?" Selene asked, her eyes laced with suspicion.


    "Maybe, " her brother replied with a smirk.


    "Father wouldn''t mind though, he knows I can handle myself, unlike somebody" his eyes looked at his sister from head to toe.


    Selene crossed her arms to her chest and grumbled "I''m not that weak you know"


    "I know, " he chuckled. "Just very, very, very, easily distracted"


    "I''m not!" Selene cried. "I''ll have you know, I wouldn''t be one of the top sorceresses in Lunaria if I was easily distracted! I can focus on anything that I want. Hell, I even memorized ¨C "


    "Hey, Selene look at this!" Kai shouted, "They''re selling beef skewers here!"


    Selene whipped her head to where Kai is. "Really? I want one!" She said as she strolled to a merchant cart selling various foods on the street, leaving her brother laughing.


    It was going to be a long, and wild adventure, Mikael was sure of it.


    ---------------


    Solaria is a place of the Sun, with its dry lands littered with high bronze buildings. While the air was hot and arid, the winds blowing every now and then helps the people cool down a bit. With the sun often shining, greenery was present, but not as abundant compared to Lunaria. They make up for it by the huge amount of minerals and gemstones mined in their lands. Solaria is a glittering city of rocks and sand.


    Due to the increase in the number of visitors from Lunaria, it''s not unusual to see people in hoods and cloaks roaming their sandy streets; Solarians on the other hand, wear clothes that help refresh them: sleeves blouses and tops, linen trousers, and thin skirts.


    What they might lack in fashionable clothing covering their skin, they make up for with the bundle of jewels hanging from their necks and arms. Jiggly gold bracelets adorned with red and orange gems, partnered with layers and layers of delicate necklaces and dangling earrings- men also adorn themselves with jewelry, with rings stacked upon each other in their fingers and gold anklets on their feet.


    Selene and her friends were mesmerized by the locals, with their exotic clothing and mannerisms. Solarians are born of the Sun, forged by the harsh heat; their manner was brazen and sharp, unlike Lunarian''s gentle and soft actions. They get what they want, no matter the costs.


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    Mikael left the girls in one of the town plazas while he looked for a place where they can stay in during their trip. He gave the girls enough money for them to have fun and buy things that they like.


    Sola immediately went to a dressmaker, saying that she needs to look like her ancestral Ardeat while they stay in Solaria. Kai went to look at pretty gemstones at a jewelry store, meticulously investigating each and every jewel that caught her eye. Selene however, was basking at the sight in the plaza; the Solarians in their wild habitat.


    She watched as the children ran wildly to and fro from her view, with great abandon. She watched as the women brazenly touch and whisper to men. She watched as the men laugh loudly at each other and bicker with happiness. She watched as fights started and ended and start again, in a never-ending cycle. She watched until her eyes were dried out by the sun. She watched, fascinated by these wild men and women and children, so vastly different from the culture and environment she grew up in.


    When she got tired of watching the people, she started to wander and ask if there are any bookshops available in the town. An old lady pointed her glittering finger to the east and said "I''m not sure if it''s still open, but the last bookshop that I remember is there, right around the corner."


    Selene thanked the old lady and informed her friends where she is going. "If I''m not back after twenty minutes, look for my brother, then look for me," she said. "It will be easier that way, instead of you two looking for me, and him, looking for the three of us"


    Sola shakes her head, "No, he told us to stay here in the plaza. I don''t want to be on the receiving end of your brother''s non-stop nagging while we go look for you".


    "Sola is right," Kai said with a frown. "We can go look at the bookshop once your brother is here"


    Selene, annoyed by her friends stopping her, gave them a glare. "It''s just around the corner! Nothing bad is going to happen. Why do you guys get to look at shops that you like and I can''t?"


    Sola was getting annoyed as well, she was ready to answer Selene when Kai stopped her. "Fine" Kai said. "Just come back if it''s not there. We will only wait for twenty minutes. After that, we''ll drag you out of there"


    Selene gave her two friends a big smile and hugged them. "I''ll be back," she said, and then she dashed to where the old lady pointed. "Twenty minutes!" she heard Kai shout.


    It took her a few minutes, but she found the bookshop. It was a small thing squeezed between two other large shops, and so unadorned that you would miss it if you weren''t looking for it. She entered the bookshop and was surprised it was empty. Lunarian bookshops were always filled to the brim with people. ''I guess Solarians value physical prowess rather than their brains'' she said to herself. The only person at the bookshop was the keeper, who didn''t even glance at her. Selene took a deep breath and smiled. At least she can browse books in peace here.


    After she bought an interesting book discussing the effects of the literal sun and moon on the elements and the varying degrees of power they can amplify or reduce, she stepped outside the shop and realized that the sun was starting to set, and twenty minutes has passed. She cursed herself for not minding the time and walked back to the plaza. She must have turned the wrong way when she saw that her surroundings were unfamiliar. ''Shit. I guess I''ll just go back to the bookshop and wait for Mikael and the others there'' she thought.


    As she was walking, she suddenly felt that eyes were looking at her. She can''t pinpoint who and what, but she felt being observed. Feeling scared, she hastened her pace, when she read steps behind her when she heard whispers. She started to run, not looking or knowing where to go, trying desperately to confuse whoever was following her. She was so panicked that she suddenly bumped into someone, sending them both tumbling down the street. As she gathered her stuff, she saw a strong hand in front of her. She grasped it and the person whose hand she was holding helped her get up.


    "Are you okay?" A deep male voice asked her with concern.


    When she looked up, she came face to face with a man whose eyes were as golden as the sun.

 A Taste of Freedom Again

    The heat of the sun combined with the intense training Aelius created for the audition for his unit made the soldiers tired and sweaty. Their armor of bronze did not help at all in combating the heat, rather it intensified it the longer they wear it. Aeilus was observing the soldiers on a balcony and listing the names that he deems worthy to be under his command. A tall man with silver-gray hair tied into a ponytail and a lean body stood next to him, observing the men as well.


    "How many?" he asked Aelius while staring at the soldiers below


    "I have listed 20 of them so far, 50 if we lower my expectations" Aelius replied with a frown.


    "It means that most of them are not ready for combat yet" The man sighed. "A unit with 20 men will not work, Aelius" he said as he side-eyed the prince, who was busy scribbling notes on paper.


    "Don''t you think I don''t know that? These men will be under my command, and they have to withstand any army. Father is already pressuring me." Aelius wearily replied. "He wants my unit to battle his."


    "Well then, good luck with that," the man said, patting the prince''s back. "I''ll be cheering you on"


    "Don''t be such an idiot. You''re going to battle them too! You''re my second-in-command"


    "I won''t be if I ''accidentally'' broke my leg during the battle practice" the man replied to Aelius while smiling.


    "I''ll break your goddamn leg" Aelius mumbled.


    "I''m just joking, geez'' said the man, "Ever since you''ve been named Heir, you became so serious."


    "I don''t have a choice okay?"


    "You do have a choice" the man replied. "Ditch your next appointment and have fun!  Come on, my treat. One of the families from Verdant is throwing a party tonight and I heard they were opening their alcohol stock in their cellar for the event" the man said as he ribbed Aelius''s side, goading him to join.


    Aelius looked at the man and sighed. He did have a point. Ever since he became the Sun Heir he was always busy doing royal duties and tasks. He was up before dawn and would not sleep until the wee hours of the morning. He sighed once again. ''Maybe I do need a break he thought


    "Fine, but just for tonight, got it Ambrose?" he said, raising an eyebrow at his friend.


    "Yes, your majesty" Ambrose mockingly replied, as he bowed down.


    Aelius laughed at his friend''s antics. Ambrose was the Airea House''s Heir. While their family is not highly regarded in Solaria, they rose to prominence in recent years due to their exceptional skills in combat. The once-regarded peaceful house, became the supplier of ferocious soldiers who are fast and nimble, giving the kingdom an excellent advantage.


    Since the combat exercise was a bust, Aelius commanded the officers to finish it for today and reschedule for next month, hoping that would be enough time for the soldiers to improve.


    "Give this to General Marcus. Tell him these me were the only suitable ones so far and I''ll come back in a month, expecting a lot of improvement from the others." Aelius said as he handed the list to Ambrose.


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    "And where are you going?" Ambrose asked


    "To get ready. We have a party to attend remember?" Aelius said as he walked away. He can hear his friend cheering from behind. ''I do need a break he said to himself, as he smiled.


    -------------------


    The Verdant family party was on the edge of the capital, where they grow lush green grass and flowers glowing in pastel colors. As the hosts were an offshoot of the main branch, they decorated their mansion with high-climbing vines growing plump grapes, and bushes upon bushes of sweet-smelling roses. Gold and bronze statues were placed in the vast garden, with fireflies as their light source. In the middle was the piece de resistance, a high fountain filled with wine made and aged by the family; guests were encouraged to get their drink directly from the fountain, as the hosts ensure that is was made from their sweetest and most delicate grapes. It was an extravagant affair, as expected from them.


    What they did not expect, though, was the Sun Heir''s arrival. The lady of the house rushed to make a VIP section within the mansion and the garden so that the prince can have his choice on where he will sit. She also prepared one of the largest rooms in the mansion in the chance the prince decides to stay for the night, making sure that it was primed to perfection with the softest pillows and the best furniture.


    It was also not a secret that whenever Prince Aelius attends a party, he will almost always retire at the host''s house, with a lady or two in tow. The Lord of the House, knowing this, pressed his daughters to be more presentable and more alluring than before; making last-minute stops at the dressmakers and jewelry stores to ensure that at least one of his daughters be fortunate enough to be blessed by the prince. This was the easiest way to get into the Royal Family, even if it means being a father to a concubine.


    At sunset, the guests started to arrive, eager for the wine and the fun, some more eager to see if the Sun Heir will really attend. As the night rolled in, Aelius came to the party, with Mira in tow. Ambrose was behind him, mumbling something about bringing his sister along.


    "Did you say something Ambrose?" Mira asked, glancing at Ambrose while Aelius was busy making greetings to the Lord and Lady of the house.


    "I said, we don''t need a chaperone" Ambrose replied sulkily. He was expecting a fun night with his friend like in the old times, but now with his sister in attendance, they can''t have any fun at all.


    "How many times do I have to tell you that I''m not here to chaperone the two of you? I''m here as Aelius''s partner, " she said calmly with a smile.


    "Partner? Sure." Ambrose said with an irritated tone. "But soon you''ll be all ''Oh Aelius, don''t do this'' or ''Aelius don''t do that'' ''Don''t drink that wine'' ''Don''t have sex'' ''Don''t have fun''. You''re restricting him" He said, a bit angry. This was not the night that he had planned.


    "He invited me, Ambrose, it''s not like I want to be here" Mira reasoned.


    "Who doesn''t want to be here?" Aelius suddenly chimed in on their conversation.


    "Me" they both replied.


    Aelius sighed in exhaustion. The two had been bickering since they left Ember Castle. He knows that Ambrose wants to have fun and they will, but invited Mira to join so that she can ground him before he makes a rash decision that will make his father mad with anger.


    "Enough, both of you, " he said sternly. "I went to this party so I can relax and have fun, not be a babysitter for the two of you"


    Ambrose and Mira just stood there with their heads bowed down, embarrassed at being chastised by Aelius.


    "Mira, I know I dragged you here, but some of your friends are at the corner gossiping, and the mansion has an extensive library on the second floor. Your choice where you want to go, just have fun, " he offered to Mira.


    "Okay. Don''t leave me here when you decide to go home" she said. She walked away from the boys towards to where her friend''s voice can be heard.


    "And you Ambrose," Aelius said as he draped his arms on Ambrose''s shoulders "Let''s go get drunk on wine," he said with a dazzling smile.


    "Finally!" Ambrose said. They both walked toward the fountain of wine and drank to their fill.


    Aelius doesn''t really remember much after they drank more than what they can handle. All he knows is that he was happy and free for just a few hours.


    And that was enough for him.

 Stormy Gray Skies

    A splitting headache awakened Aelius from his sleep. He doesn''t remember much of what happened at the party. As his blurry eyes started to clear up, he scanned his surroundings. ''Is this my room?'' he thought. The more he looked around, the more he realized that he made it back to Ember Castle in one piece. As he sat up, nausea hit him. He really drank a lot of alcohol last night. He cradled his forehead in his palm, trying to make the world stop spinning when a loud knocking suddenly came.


    The knocking was non-stop against his bedroom door, like a hammer pounding a nail. He got up from his bed and made his way to the receiving area in his room. "Just come in!" he shouted, irritated by the knocking.


    "Oh good, you''re finally awake, you worthless piece of ¨C AHHHH!" Mira shouted as she covered her eyes when she saw her brother. "For Sun''s sake Aelius, put some clothes on!"


    Aelius took a look at his body and then looked back at his sister. When he finally realized what was happening, he covered himself with the decorative pillows on the couch. "Don''t look!"


    "I''m not looking at you, idiot! Put on some clothes!"


    "Get out!" Aelius shouted, as Mira ran out and slammed his bedroom door. So far, his morning is far from calm.


    ------------


    After Aelius has put on some clothes and was calmly drinking his tea, another knock came from the door ¨C this time, however, was soft with a hint of hesitation.


    "Come in, " Aelius called to the door.


    "Are you still naked?" A voice from behind the door asked, making Aelius spill his tea.


    "I''m wearing clothes now. Come in"


    Mira, slowly walked inside his room, with angry and embarrassed eyes. "Who the hell sleeps naked?" she asked


    "Me, obviously" Aelius answered calmly.


    Mira stared at Aelius with suspicious eyes. "I have no time for your jokes, Aelius. Can we just pretend nothing happened earlier?" She asked


    "I don''t even know what you''re talking about" Aelius answered her. He gestured for Mira to sit on the seat in front of him.


    "So, Mira, what brings you here?" he asked.


    "I''m here to berate you, " she said with anger. "Do you have any idea, what kind of hell I''ve been through yesterday from your antics?"


    Aelius tried to remember, but all he was getting from his mind is darkness. "I''m sorry, I don''t remember anything last night"


    This made Mira angrier than before. "Let me help you remember okay? You told me to have fun with my friends, and I did. When I came back do you know what I saw Aelius?" She looked at Aelius''s eyes with fury. Aelius just stared at her back.


    "I found you, and Ambrose ¨C whose butt I will kick once I see him again ¨C having fun in the fountain of wine."


    "Of course, we were having fun, it''s wine." Aelius nonchalantly replied


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    "IN. THE. FOUNTAIN." Mira said, emphasizing every word. "You two were in the fountain! You were drinking wine by opening your mouths and just letting the fountain pour wine into it! You even pulled some guests to join the two of you!"


    Aelius tried to defend himself but was cut off by his angry sister.


    "And then, when you saw me, you know what you did? You got out and carried me to the fountain! Ambrose was pouring wine over my head while you were laughing your ass off! " Mira was so angry that she stood up from her seat and started to pace the room, shouting.


    "When I and some of the guests finally pulled you out and had the two of you be washed and clothed again with new clothes, while I stayed in the main room in my wine-drenched self, apologizing profusely to everyone, you know the next thing that you did Aelius? Do you know what you did?"


    Aelius just kept his head low and his mouth shut. Mira was mad.


    "You asked me to bring the daughters of the hosts up to your room for your inspection! I had to restrain myself from killing you right then and there! I had to drag you by your ear back to the carriage. Where you decided to vomit all over the inside of our ride! I had to get the guard to carry you from the carriage to your room the moment we got here."


    "And the worst of it all, I didn''t even get a chance to change my clothes before father and the queen nagged me for hours. Hours Aelius. HOURS! I had to sit there and take a verbal beating smelling like vomit and wine!" Mira shouted. She was heaving by the time she was done.


    "And Ambrose?" Aelius soft replied.


    "I don''t care for fucking Ambrose!" she shouted. "He can die for all I care!"


    It took about ten minutes before Mira was calm enough to go back to her seat. She composed herself and stared at Aelius.


    "And that is why I am here, " she said calmly, crossing her leg over the other, with her back straight.


    Aelius tried very hard to remember what happened last night but he can''t remember anything. But if based on his previous behavior before he was made heir, he probably did all of those. In fact, what happened last night would not be the worst thing he has done in all of his years living in the world.


    Aelius looked at his sister, and with sad eyes and a soft voice, he said "I''m sorry. I''m really sorry. I got carried away with being free for once and I took it too far. I won''t do it again. I''m really sorry Mira."


    Mira sighed and gave her brother a smile "You''re lucky I love you, you idiot" she said. "But, you have to make it up to me"


    "Anything! I''ll do anything"


    Hearing her brother''s answer made Mira''s smile even larger. "Mother''s birthday is in a few days and I need to buy her a gift. She requested a rare book that was only being sold in select shops here in Solaria which has contacts with the other kingdom. I need you to buy that book today"


    "Today? Why today? And why me?"


    "Today, because I said so. And you, because dearest father decided that my punishment for last night is to pray for the whole day in the Sun Church." She answered. "The High Priest will probably shout at me later for leaving in the middle of mass"


    "Okay. Okay. And where is this bookshop?" Aelius asked


    "First town near the border, just around the corner in the plaza, here''s a map if you get lost," Mira said, as she gave her brother a crudely drawn map of the town.


    "Do I really have to do this?" Aelius whined; his head is still aching and his nausea is still coming and going.


    "Yes, it has to be you. I''ll know if you''re not the one who''s going to go there. I have my ways" Mira said as she looked at her brother suspiciously.


    "Fine. Let me just get my coat and prepare my ride"


    "Just get your coat; your ride has been already ready," Mira said as she stood and walked towards the bedroom door. "Oh, and by the way, don''t worry. Everything is going to be okay, " she told her brother


    Aelius stared into her eyes, there was something in the way she looked at her brother like she knows what was going to happen.


    ------------


    Aelius exited the bookshop after buying the book for Lady Mina''s birthday. It turns out, Mira had already bought the book a week before, she just needed to pick it up from the shop. ''I guess I''m done?'' he thought to himself. He can''t believe his sister would waste his offer for him to do anything she wants just to pick up a book.


    As he stepped out of the bookshop and into the middle of the street, he heard footsteps from behind. When he turned around, a body bumped into him, sending him and his book to the ground. He picked up his package and got up, and he saw a hooded figure scrambling to get their stuff from the ground. He offered his hand and helped the stranger to stand up.


    "Are you okay?" He asked.


    When the stranger looked at him, he saw a girl with stormy gray eyes, drowning him.

 The First Meeting

    Selene and the stranger stared at each other, drowning in each other''s eyes. Upon hearing footsteps, Selene turned her head to look back and faced Aelius again with fear dancing in her gaze. The stranger looked behind her.


    "Follow me," he said, grasping Selene''s hand as they ran through the street. They turned to a dark alley and hid behind the bronze structures. "Keep quiet" he whispered to Selene while looking at the corner, checking if the men following her are still in sight.


    Selene had a chance to observe the stranger. Dark hair farmed his sharp features, giving them softness. Strong jawline and high cheekbones, with tanned skin complementing his molten gold-like eyes. The stranger was very handsome and based on the strength of how he held her to avoid being spotted, the stranger was very strong as well.


    "I think they''re gone" the stranger whispered. Slowly, they made their way out of the alley. "You know, you should probably avoid wearing that if you don''t want to get mugged" he gestured at her cloak.


    "Why?" Selene asked. Her cloak was of neutral color with no embellishment. It was just a simple cloak.


    "This type of fabric," the stranger said as he grabbed the sides of her cloak, "is mainly used by nobles here. This cloak costs a fortune. This tipped those people off that you are someone of high ranking, and with a lot of money" he explained.


    Selene was shocked. ''How can a simple piece of cloak be that expensive?'' she thought. It was one of the most inexpensive things she bought for herself. Living in luxury all her life, she was immune to these practical things that her people experience.


    "I suggest you buy a new one that you can use for travel. There''s a shop at the plaza that sells these at a fair price, and uses fabric used by the masses." The stranger explained with a gentle smile. Selene can''t help but smile back and agree with him.


    "Can you help me get back to the main plaza?" she asked him. "I''m not sure which way to go and those men might come back"


    "Don''t worry, I''ll help you." The stranger replied. "Follow me then," he said. The two of them walked in silence in the street. When they reached the plaza, she saw her friends and brother talking to the locals looking worried.


    "Guys!" she called as she ran towards the group. Mikael saw her sister first, and he ran towards her and hugged her, with Sola and Kai in his heels.


    "Where the heck did you go?" Sola cried. "We went to the bookshop and you weren''t there!". Kai was in her corner with her eyes in tears.


    "I''m sorry, I''m sorry. I was at the bookshop but when I was walking back to the plaza some men tried to chase me, so I ran away" Selene said sadly. "But I''m fine. They didn''t hurt me. This man helped me hide and guided me back here" She pointed at the stranger that helped her.


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    The group looked at the man. Mikael held out his hand for a shake. "Thank you for helping my sister. And I''m sorry for the trouble she caused, my sister can be quite a handful sometimes"


    "No worries, I''m glad I could help," the stranger said, "You might want to tell the girls to change their clothes into something made from simpler materials, it can get them in trouble if you are traveling" he suggested.


    Mikael nodded at the stranger''s suggestion. Selene went next to her brother and shook the stranger''s hand as well. "Thank you again for helping me."


    "Again no worries. Besides, a girl as beautiful as you should be kept out of danger" the stranger said with a devastating smile. Selene felt her heart almost jump out of her mouth.


    "So, you guys are traveling?" the stranger asked them.


    "Yes," Kai said, "It''s our first time here in Solaria and we thought we could explore it in just a few days before the big wedding"


    The word ''wedding'' made the stranger stiff, but the group did not sense it. "I see," he said "I could take you to some beautiful places in Solaria if it''s okay"


    Mikael was about to decline when Selene suddenly answered "Sure thing! That way we can''t get lost anymore."


    "Great, let''s meet here tomorrow morning then.:" The stranger said enthusiastically, his smile becoming warmer. He reached out and held Selene''s hand towards his lips and kissed it. "See you tomorrow then, Miss¡­"


    "Calypso" Selene answered. "My name is Calypso. My brother''s name is Amaris, and my friends are Seraphina and Marella" she said while pointing at Mikael, Sola, and Kai respectively.


    The stranger raised one eyebrow and said "And my name is Cyrus. It was great meeting you all" he said. "See you tomorrow okay?" The stranger then turned around and walked away, towards the bustling town until he disappeared.


    Mikael grabbed Selene and turned her around so she can face him "What are you doing? Are you out of your mind?! You don''t know the guy!" he hissed at his sister.


    "Relax Mikael," she said "That''s why I gave him made-up names. Besides if he wanted to kill me he would have done so earlier"


    "That was very risky Selene" Kai whispered to her


    "I know," Selene replied, "But we came here to explore Solaria, and having a guide would make it easier for us."


    "Besides, he''s handsome" Sola added "No handsome guy would be a psychopath, it would be a waste of good looks," she said.


    "Ugh, you girls always focus on looks," Mikael said to the girls. "Don''t come crying to me if he''s a crazy bastard"


    "Oh look at you, jealous of some competition?" Sola teased him "Scared that you won''t be the most handsome guy here once he joins us?" She said as she smiled at him. The rest of the girls laughed at Sola''s teasing and Mikael''s tongue-tied reaction.


    "Whatever. Let''s go, the inn is nearby and the moon''s already peaking. We would need food and rest if we''re going to start traveling tomorrow"


    Everyone nodded their heads and followed Mikael to the in that he found. Selene found Kai at her side and heard her whisper


    "Selene, please be careful," she said in a soft voice.


    "Careful?" she asked her friend.


    "You seem to easily trust everyone nice to you" Kai answered back. "Just, be careful about who you let in your life, and in your heart," she said as she looked at Selene with a gentle gaze.


    Selene admitted to herself that the man was handsome and kind. She admitted to herself that she somehow got lost in his eyes which seems to pull her soul close. She didn''t know why she trusted the stranger ¨C Cyrus ¨C immediately without thinking. She knew she was taking a risk, but deep inside she felt safe when the stranger was near her, which is why she took his offer. She gave her friend a reassuring smile and held her hand.


    "I''ll be careful Kai," she said. "I''ll keep your words close to my heart. Thank you" Selene squeezed Kai''s hand and she squeezed it back.


    Tomorrow they''ll be meeting again. Selene hoped she made the right choice.

 Looking Forward to Tomorrow

    Aelius made his way back to Ember Castle, with the book that he picked up secured in his bag, and a smile on his face. The girl that he saw and saved, made his heart leap out of his chest and swell with happiness. Maybe it''s because of her gray eyes that resemble the wild clouds of the storm ¨C full of freedom and wild abandon, or maybe it''s because of her angelic face and the way her smile lights her whole persona to him. Either way, he is looking forward to meeting her again tomorrow.


    He decided to visit his sister first at her chambers at the Black Tower, to hand over the book that she has requested. As he approached the Garden of Mourning at the entrance of the Black Tower, he heard talking between two females.


    The Garden of Mourning is a vast ground surrounding the Black Tower. Named due to the night roses growing in abundance in the area ¨C roses as black as the dark night, its dew drops in the morning, falling down to the ground, making it seem to be in mourning. The black roses only grew in this garden, any attempt to transfer them resulted in the plant dying. Legend says that this is where the Mad Queen died, with her heart full of pain and guilt, nourishing the red roses with agony so intense they turned black and softly wept during sunrise in solidarity with the queen.


    Aelius went to where he heard the voices. As he neared the cleared courtyard, he saw his sister Mira with her mother, Lady Mina, enjoying tea surrounded by roses. Mira saw her brother first.


    "Aelius!" she shouted while waving "Come here and enjoy some of mother''s black rose tea". Black rose tea was obviously brewed from black roses; but it was poisonous to any being drinking it unless you have built up immunity to the poison or possess the dark attribute of water ¨C Poisoner. Lady Mina, with her face as ethereal and kind as an angel, possesses this trait, which she passed to her daughter.


    "I think I''m going to pass" Aelius replied as he sat down with the ladies. "I don''t want to get an upset stomach later this evening."


    "I thought you''re already immune to poison?" Mira asked as she retrieved the tea she made for her brother.


    "Not as immune as to be able to stomach that with no issue" Aelius replied "Black rose poison is one of the most potent poisons in the world. As far as I know, only you and Lady Mina can drink it with no side effects."


    Lady Mina chuckled at her stepson''s reply. "Don''t worry, I have already requested green tea for you before you came. They''ll serve it shortly" The tea Lady Mina requested for Aelius did come after a few minutes.


    The trio sat in silence at first, busy munching on cakes and drinking tea. The peaceful ambiance of the garden helps with the atmosphere. Lady Mina would sometimes gently push plates of cakes and biscuits to her children, urging them to eat more. Soon the silence turned to soft talking between the group, their non-descript chatter breaking the silence and turning the peaceful wind into a lively one.


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    "How did you know I was coming here?" Aelius inquired, as he drank his tea. "Did you see me walk towards the Black Tower?"


    "Sure. Let''s go with that" Lady Mina said with a secret smile on her face. She glanced at her daughter and Mira smiled back. It was during those moments that Aelius is questioning whether the rumor about Lady Mina''s prophetic visions is true.


    "So, what brings you here, dear brother?" Mira asked"


    "I''m here to deliver your request, " he answered his sister. Mira suddenly stood up when she saw her brother reaching inside his bag.


    "Don''t show it here you idiot!" Mira cried. She turned to her mother, and bid her farewell "Mom, I have some things to attend to with Aelius immediately. Don''t look for me for a short while okay? Bye, " she kissed her mother''s cheek. Mira grabbed Aelius and dragged him towards the exit of the garden, her mother''s gentle chuckle softly tickled her ears.


    Lady Mira quietly sipped her poisonous tea. She was glad her daughter has a close relationship with her stepson, the only man she can trust to protect her only child. As she watched her daughter drag the Sun Heir, she smiled. "Such a fuss for something I already know, " she whispered to the roses that surrounded her. "But I''ll play along, the fates have already woven their threads."


    -----------------


    Mira shoved Aelius to her room and slammed her door. "Are you out of your mind? Why would you take the book out in front of mother?!"


    "I''m sorry, okay? I wasn''t thinking. Here, take your book" Aelius said as he took the package out of his bag and handed it to Mira.


    Mira tore the package and inspected the book, flipping it to see any damage. "Hmm... Aelius?" She called.


    "Yep?" her brother answered.


    "This is the wrong book," she said. "Look, it''s not the one that I ordered. Did you not go to the bookstore I told you about and just bought whatever book is nearer here?"


    "No, I specifically follow your instructions. Ask the carriage driver if you want to," he said as he grabbed the book and checked it himself. It was not the one that he bought from the bookshop.


    "I think I know where your mother''s book is," Aelius said in a serious tone. "I bumped into someone earlier and we both dropped our packages. I assume she bought a book in the same bookshop as the package looked similar to each other. No worries, I''m meeting her tomorrow, we can swap the books then,"


    "She? Her? We? What?" Mira asked "I don''t follow. Where is my book?"


    "Don''t worry. Your book is fine. We''ll meet the owner of this one tomorrow" Aelius replied. "So, free up your schedule tomorrow, you''re coming with me"


    "Why would I want to go with you?" Mira asked.


    "Because it''s your gift to your mother, so you get it," Aelius said. "I''ll keep this one in my room," he tucked the book back into his bag and walked out of Mira''s room.


    Mira stood there staring at Aelius with her eyes so wide it looked like twin suns. She suddenly shook her head. "The fates have been busy, but isn''t this too elaborate?'' She asked to the air with a smile on her face. "I can''t wait to meet her too"

 The Adventure Begins

    The skies were clear and the air was fresh in Solaria when Selene woke up the next day. The inn they stayed in provided basic necessities but it was clean and comfortable, with a room large enough to fit a bed, a huge closet, and a dressing table with matching chairs. It also has a receiving area with a comfortable couch and a small table. Each room has a bathing area with fresh water being brought up through the pipes, making a rain shower for the guests to bathe. It has a sink and toilet as well. Their rooms were dainty in comparison to their rooms at home, but it was cozy - so they did not complain.


    Selene stared out the window watching the quiet town in the morning slowly transform into an energetic swirl of people. She imagined how she could help these people more once she becomes queen on this land, and empress in the near future. Her reverie was broken by her brother, who suddenly opened the door to her room and came marching in.


    "Selene, stop daydreaming and get ready. You''re the one who said that we would meet that guy in the morning" Mikael said as he tossed Selene a fresh towel he got from the innkeeper.


    "No need to shout," Selene said, not looking at her brother. "Besides, I''m taking the day in and bathing in the sunlight. The sun in Lunaria is not as strong and refreshing compared to here."


    "Now, Selene" Mikael reminded as he closed the door to her room. Selene took her towel and went straight to the bathing room, excited for the journey ahead.


    It took Mikael 30 minutes to get ready, and he had to wait at the dining area for an hour before he heard the girls talking while going down the stairs. "Took you guys long enough" Mikael sighed. "I''ve been waiting for an hour here."


    "Sorry" Kai apologized as she sat down, "The clothes we brought were too high quality. We don''t want a repeat of what happened to Selene yesterday, so we had made some changes." She explained.


    "The shops were closing by the time we gathered what we decided we can trade so we didn''t have enough time to check the clothes we bought yesterday" Sola complained. "We just grabbed what we could"


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    Mikael inspected the girls. Selene was wearing a simple dark blouse made of linen and black cotton pants, with her leather boots. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and her sling bag rested on her shoulder. Kai was wearing a long-sleeved blue cotton shirt with black pants. Her hair was in a bun and her backpack was on her back. Sola was wearing a long yellow shirt with a belt on her waist, with black pants as well. Her bag''s strap gently rested on her shoulder. All three of them had their newly bought cloaks on as well.


    "You guys look a lot better now. Almost like a regular adventurer" Mikael chuckled. "Come on, let''s order our breakfast, I have a feeling it will be hours before we can eat again."


    ------------------------------


    The sun was high when they went out and head to the town plaza to look for the stranger ¨C Cyrus. They found him near the plaza fountain, watching the water flow and dance in the air.


    "Remember," Selene said, "We have made up names okay? I''m Calypso. Sola you are Seraphina, Kai is Mirella and Mikael you''re Amaris. Got it?" she whispered to her friends and brother, who nodded at her. "Don''t slip up."


    "Cyrus!" Mikael ¨C Amaris, shouted, his hands waving to get his attention.


    Aelius ¨C Cyrus, looked in the direction of the voice and saw the group approach him. He noticed that they are wearing less expensive clothes, clearly following his advice. "Good sun to all of you!" he greeted.


    "Did you wait too long?" Amaris asked as he shook Cyrus'' extended hand. "The girls took their sweet time getting ready"


    "It''s fine, I just got here a few minutes ago," Cyrus said with a smile. "I hope everyone here is ready, we are going to tour Solaria''s most famous region, as well as visit the royal family''s frequent resting spot."


    "You seem confident" Sola ¨C Seraphina said. "You''ve been around all of Solaria then? I heard that only nobles do that" Seraphina asked as she eyed Cyrus with suspicion.


    "Nobles AND their servants" Cyrus countered. "I was a pageboy before for an up-and-coming noble in Solaria during my youth. When I reached adulthood, I was promoted to be one of my master''s trusted servants. I have accompanied him in his travels across Solaria" Cyrus lied smoothly, producing a noble crest from his pocket to show the group that he is telling the truth.


    With Cyrus''s declaration, the group''s worries pacified for a bit. Their tour guide knows the way around the kingdom.


    "Well then, Cyrus. Lead the way. Tell us where we are going?" Selene ¨C Calypso asked.


    "Why my lady, you seem to be in a rush. Don''t worry I''ll take you everywhere your heart desires" Cyrus jested with a twinkle in his eye and a handsome smirk, making Calypso blush and the girls giggle. Amaris snorted in derision at the man''s attempt to flirt with his sister.


    "Have you ever been to the Hanging Gardens?"

 The Hanging Gardens

    Aelius led the group to a carriage near the exit of the town. "My master let me borrow this for my personal use" he reasoned. "He is a generous man"


    Sola squealed in delight once she opened the carriage door and found that the seats were made of plush velvet. While the carriage itself on the outside is unornate and plain looking, the inside of it tells a different story. Gold trimmings at the sides with velvet cushioning, as soft as the clouds above.


    "This is no ordinary carriage, Cyrus," Mikael said. "Why would your master give this to you for personal use? He questioned Aelius.


    "I deal with some of his personal requests, which is why this one was made to be incognito from the outside" he answers as he patted the carriage. "Inside, however, he wanted to retain a bit of his status so as to not to offend his ''personal'' guests" In reality, this carriage was used by Aelius before to escort various ladies across the kingdom back to their homes, once their ''session'' was over.


    Mikael gave him a stare, not quite believing the man''s reasoning, but decided to go inside as well since the girls already made themselves comfortable inside the carriage.  Aelius went in and closed the door, and banged the side closest to the driver, signaling him to go to their destination.


    "How long until we reach the Gardens?" Selene asked as she stares at the window, watching the scenery pass by her.


    "Only a few hours. The man outside has Airea blood, making the ride much faster than it should be." Aelius answered. It was typical for the men belonging to lower houses of Airea to do this kind of job, for their powers in making the rides swift are much sought after by higher-ranking nobles.


    "The Hanging Gardens are the pride and glory of the Verdant House," Aelius explained to his guests. "While Solaria is mainly made of sand, the city gifted to the Verdants ¨C the Jade City ¨C is flourishing with plants and flowers. It is a preferred spring vacation for a lot of nobles in Solaria. If you look outside later, you''ll notice that we''re we are near the city. Trees and grass will suddenly appear, sparse at first though."


    As the minutes pass by the view on their window suddenly changed. From vast dunes of sand sprinkled with bronze buildings glittering in the sun to flora sprouting in between the cracks of the land, to longer stretches of grass. Soon, there was no sand in sight, but miles and miles long of the greenest grass full of various flowers and tall trees. It was a huge difference from the usual look of Solaria. In a few moments, they were greeted with a high arch made of vines as thick as a person, with the deepest violet clematis you can find blooming.


    "Welcome to the Jade City. Next stop, Hanging Gardens!" Aelius exclaimed to his guests, who were busy oohing and aahing at the magnificent entrance archway.


    The Jade city is more of a forest rather than a city. The grass is everywhere and tall trees make up most of the view. The buildings made of jade are either on the branches of the trees or beside them, as long as it looked as if the plants are swallowing the structure meant of the humans living there. Blooming flowers can be seen everywhere, ranging from the darkest of the violets to the whitest daisies. In the middle of the city, stands the Jade Towers - five tall towers made entirely of jade; home to the head Verdant family. In its backyard is the Hanging Gardens ¨C a suspended piece of land made up of strong, thick, intertwining vines serving as a base, with the most magnificent and rare plants and trees growing and blooming. The vines are attached to the five towers to help support the load in the middle and make it suspended in the air.


    Their carriage stopped at the public entrance to the Hanging Gardens, located at the first tower of the Jade Towers. The group disembarked their ride. "Leave your stuff at the carriage," Cyrus said "We won''t stay long here, as the gardens are only open to the public for only a few hours."


    "Are we going to the next stop after?" Kai asked, her excitement for the day still hasn''t died down.


    "Nope, we''ll be getting an inn here to stay for the night. You guys need rest before our next destination" Aelius replied.


    The group nodded in approval and went inside the Hanging Gardens.


    -------------------


    The garden was more than what they had hoped for. It was the most alive thing they have ever seen. While Lunaria has its famous Moonflower Bend, it pales in comparison to the Hanging Gardens.


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    A luscious field of grass is framed by luscious tall bushes. The flower beds are unkempt, but look all the better for it; they''re giving off a plethora of scents. Huge fruit-bearing trees offer shade from the glaring sun, and snacks for those who are hungry. Roots and vines are seemingly content with their positions in the garden, none trying to reach beyond. Various marbles hint at paths around the garden, beckoning people to explore the garden, and showing them the best sights at the same time. A Jade pagoda stands near the right edge of the garden, complete with a great seating area, and next to it sits a small bird bath. With the sun at its peak, the pagoda gives off a soft glow of green life, magically making all the plants in the garden to be more beautiful as well.


    Selene was mesmerized by the garden; she can''t get enough of it. The sweet-smelling roses paired with the freshest apple plucked from the tree, she could just stay here for hours and hours and she won''t even complain.


    Well, she did have one complaint, the garden was too crowded by her standards.


    She went up to Aelius, who was standing at the side admiring the newly bloomed carnations near the pond. "Cyrus." She said. Aelius turned his head to face her. "Is there someplace here in the gardens that are not so crowded?"


    "Why?" Aelius replied. "The Hanging Gardens is large enough to accommodate a lot of people. It''s the most popular place to hold a wedding for the masses"


    "I know it''s huge, but I was imagining it to be somewhat quieter. More somber and peaceful. Like, I can hear my thoughts type of peaceful." Selene replied wistfully.


    Aelius stared at her for a minute, in deep thought. "I might know a place," he said, as he grabbed her hand to take her there. Selene did even have time to register what happened when they suddenly arrived.


    "This," Aelius said as he gestured his free hand to the area, "is a secret place in the Gardens. Only those with high enough status know about it"


    "And you know about this because?" Selene asked.


    "My master often visits this place and I accompany him as his guard. This place is usually open after the public garden is closed. We still have half an hour before they open this one to the high-ranking people"


    The public garden was already grand, but this one was even more than that. Golden leaves from golden trees gently swing in the soft breeze, decorated with moonflowers. Fireflies flutter to and fro, creating an ethereal atmosphere. The sun here is less harsh compared to the public garden. Butterflies are in abundance, dancing between blossoming flowers. A small hot spring was at the center, with a waterfall gently falling down, providing extra sounds to calm the mind. The public garden pales in comparison to this ¨C this garden feels like the afterlife.


    Selene couldn''t believe the scenery. She just stood there, eyes wide open with her mouth in awe. Never had she imagined a place as beautiful as this garden.


    "My master usually comes here to rest for a bit." Aelius suddenly said next to her. "Sometimes, I accompany him while walking, wandering aimlessly in the grass, thinking of nothing." He said, remembering the times when he ran here to hide from his responsibilities.


    "Your master seems kind, Cyrus" Selene softly said.


    Aelius smiled to himself. No one ever thought of him as kind. Burdensome, yes. A menace even, especially his parents. But never kind. The two of them walked aimlessly side by side.


    "They''ll be re-working this garden soon." Aelius he suddenly said.


    "Why? This place is already perfect!" Selene cried.


    "In preparation for the Royal Wedding. This place is going to be the reception area for the nobles in attendance" Aelius said.


    The wedding. Hearing it made Selene stop for a moment. She forgot that she was offered to be the bride of the Sun Heir in a few months.


    "They don''t need to change anything. It''s perfect" she said.


    "King''s orders" Aelius replied, with a hint of bitterness.


    "The Sun King? More like the prince''s orders" she snorted.


    Aelius looked at her like she suddenly grew a third head. "The prince''s orders? Pray tell, Miss Calypso, why did you think that?"


    Selene looked at Aelius and saw a hint of irritation in his eyes. She must have struck a nerve. "The people of Lunaria have heard some reports" she carefully said. "They say the Heir is irresponsible and wild, with a bit of a control issue"


    Never in a million years would Aelius have thought to hear that he has control issues. If anything, it was his father, the King. Aelius swallowed his irritation and replied, "Well I hear that the Lunar Princess is no prize too. She''s the Lunar Heir but she''s too soft, too kind. Easy manipulated by a small plea and a single tear, like malleable clay. Solaria is a kingdom that prizes bravery and war, we do not need soft people like her."


    Now it was Selene''s turn to be irritated. ''Kindness does not mean softness'' she thought to herself. ''And I am a kind princess,'' she said in her head ''so I will forgive this poor man in front of me.''


    Selene coughed and said, "Can we just agree to disagree? We clearly both think that the two are not suitable for each other"


    "Agreed. The garden is too nice for a fight" Aelius replied with a smirk. A smirk that made Selene smile back and laughed softly. She stared at his sun-like eyes, and he stared at her stormy grays, their heart calm with understanding and something else.


    They continued touring the garden, with no words being said. Their heart was at peace ¨C whether this peaceful feeling was because of the place or because of their companion, nobody knows.


    They just know that what they''re experiencing now, they want to experience for the rest of their lives.

 Snakes in the Grass

    The two spent some time in the private garden, quietly enjoying each other''s company under the large, golden trees. Soon, Aelius saw that the sun was starting to go down, indicating that the golden hour is about the start, and nobles will now flock to this private place.


    "We should go now, Calypso," Aelius said as he stood up. He offered his hand to Selene to help her get up, but Selene was watching the start of the sunset, ignoring his offer.


    "Give me a few minutes to watch this," she said. "The sunsets in Lunaria are lackluster at best. This might be the only time I can watch this in peace."


    Aelius leaned against the golden tree they are under. "Why would you say that? You can visit Solaria anytime and watch the sunset" he asked her.


    "Can I?" Selene scoffed. "You have no idea what my life is going to be like after¡­"


    "After what?" Aelius asked, staring at her with curiosity.


    Selene looked at him and smiled a sad smile. "Never mind. It doesn''t concern you" she replied. "Come on, let''s go. Help me get up." She said as her smile grew. Her smile might be happy, but her eyes betray what she really felt.


    Aelius wanted to pry a bit more, but he knows that it really doesn''t concern him. He is a stranger to her who just happened to help tour her group around Solaria.


    The two went to the exit of the garden, with Selene looking back one last time at the setting sun.


    --------------


    They joined the rest of the group outside the Hanging Gardens entrance. "Where did the two of you go?" Kai asked them. "We didn''t see you when they announced that we had to leave the public garden"


    "Really? We were at the back. I had Cyrus tour me a bit more around the garden since there were a lot of people there." Selene lied smoothly. She cannot let the others know where they went. They might think something indecent happened.


    Mikael eyed her sister and then Aelius. "If you say so¡­" he replied to the two. "But next time, no leaving the group." He said sternly.


    Aelius nodded his head in agreement with Mikael''s request. As a big brother himself, he understood his concern. He would be wary and concerned if a Mira even disappeared for a second with a stranger.


    "So, Cyrus¡­" Sola asked, her voice laced with a hint of flirtation "Where are you taking us next?"


    "Your home for tonight." He replied matching Sola''s tone. "You guys needed to rest before tomorrow, and you, pretty lady, look like you need it," he said with a smirk and playful eyes.


    Sola was stunned by Aelius''s reply for a second. No one ever talked to her that straight before. When she gathered her thoughts, she laughed and playfully slapped his arm.


    "I think you and I will be fast friends." She said as she laughed. "Lead the way, pretty boy"


    Aelius laughed at Sola''s reply and led the way to the inn the group will be staying. Sola went beside Selene and Kai and whispered, "He''s great. I like him"


    "Like him for yourself?" Kai asked playfully.


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    "No, no. Not for me." Sola said as she waved her hand in derision. "I think we''re too alike. If we became a couple, we would burn the place down within a few minutes of fighting."


    "That is true," Kai replied back.


    "But, I like him as a friend. He seems nice and laidback." Sola said to the group. "He might even help us adjust once we come here after Selene''s wedding?"


    "Wait what?" Selene cried. "You''re staying here after the wedding?"


    "Why not?" Sola replied, shrugging her shoulders. "And, do you really think we would leave you here alone with no friends? I don''t think so."


    "We will go, where you go. And in a place like this, you would need all the help you can get." Kai said to Selene.


    Selene was dumbfounded by her friend''s response. "But I would never ask you to uproot your lives just to make mine better"


    "You don''t have to," Kai said. "We are willing. Besides, I would like to know the healing ways Solaria uses. I heard that while they still use Aqua as the main power, their application is very different from Lunaria.


    "And I''m getting tired of the same old boys there" Sola added. "I want to see and touch someone new," she said with a devilish smile.


    Selene only smiled at her friends. She was grateful for their sacrifice, but it burdened her heart.


    --------------


    The inn Aelius chose was at the heart of the city. The walls of the rooms were made from marble, the floors from jades and the ceilings were inlaid with tiny sparkling emeralds that look like little stars when you lie down.


    "I already took the liberty of booking your rooms. I asked the innkeeper to put all of you in the best rooms they have possible." Aelius said with pride.


    "This is not going to break your bank right? We can pay for ourselves." Selene said, worried for her new friend''s pocket.


    "Don''t worry Calypso, I have plenty enough to spare. I have too much actually" Aelius replied. "I offered to tour all of you, and that includes making sure you stay somewhere comfortable and feels like home. All you need to worry about is your food and the souvenirs you will bring back to Lunaria."


    The group was thankful for Aelius''s generosity, which made his heart swell with happiness. ''I should do this more often'' he thought.


    Once everyone was settled in, he bid them goodbye, saying that his master needed him back by dinner time. He told them they would meet again tomorrow, with a new destination.


    --------------------


    Aelius went back to the Hanging Gardens and sneaked into the private garden where he took Selene in. He sat down under the golden tree, he tried to understand the feeling he had earlier ¨C the calmness in his heart and unfamiliar happiness bubbling beneath it. The woman, Calypso, was breathtakingly beautiful, and her eyes the most expressive he has seen. The way she speaks and acts brings happiness to his heart. The more he watched her, the more he wants to will time to stop so the happy feeling he has won''t go away. He was deep in thought, ruminating on what is happening to him when his reverie was disturbed.


    "I knew it. That was you" a slithering voice suddenly said.


    Aelius stood up, and looked in the direction of the voice, behind the tree. There a woman was peeking.


    "Come out." The prince ordered.


    The woman slowly revealed herself. Hair as black as soot, cascading in soft curls, a body with curves at all the right places, with her emerald green dress clinging to her curves. Lips as luscious as roses, and her snake-like eyes as green as jade, it was no other than the Verdant princess, Ayna.


    She walked towards the prince, her hips swaying. ''By the gods, she looks like walking sex'' Aelius thought as he stared at the woman, his eyes roaming. He was already familiar with her body because Ayna was his most favored bedmate before his duties of being Heir took over.


    "You haven''t called for me in months," she said, her voice seductive, as she traced Aelius chest with her finger. "Did you replace me with that girl earlier?" she asked.


    Aelius shook his head. "No one can replace you" he softly replied, as he caressed her face in his hand. "However, I am the Heir now. I don''t have time to play with you anymore"


    "Are you sure about that?" Ayna whispered as her hands glided across his body. She can hear Aelius''s fast breath and low growl when her fingers delicately danced from his belly down towards his pants.


    She leaned against his body, "You say you don''t have time" and whispered in his ear, "but your friend down here says otherwise". She gave a deep chuckle that made Aelius mad with lust.


    "Your room. Now" he growled at the woman, who took his hand and guided him towards her chambers. Aelius''s mind was now lost in a deep haze of hot fire desire and lust, consuming his being. His feelings of calmness and happiness earlier were forgotten and buried deep in the dark recesses of his mind.

 The Temple of the Sun

    A stray strobe of sunlight hit Aelius''s eyes, forcing him to wake up. His head was pounding and his throat is parched. ''Where am I?" he thought, as he sat up and observed his surroundings.


    He was sitting in a large four-poster bed covered in dark green silk, with clothes strewn around the outside of the bed. Wine bottles littered the area, and the room smelled of roses and cigarettes. He noticed that he was naked, and the woman sleeping next to him was naked as well, her wild hair slightly covering her face.


    ''Fuck me'' he mumbled to himself, slowly remembering what happened the night before. He slowly untangled himself from the sheets and gathered his belongings. As he was zipping up his pants, he heard movement on the bed.


    "Leaving so soon?" the girl purred as she propped herself to the side, removing any covering on her body. The sunlight at her back accented her lovely curves, drawing Aelius. He looked away and tried to finish dressing up.


    "Yes," he said. "I have to be somewhere."


    "Are you sure?" Ayna asked. "You could postpone it and stay with me" she smiled seductively, her snake-like eyes staring directly at him with lust.


    Aelius shook his head in her direction. "I can''t" he replied. "I thought father had married you off?"


    Ayna threw her head back and laughed a bitter laugh. "Do you really think he can marry the Verdant Princess to some smelly old noble, like the other girls?" she sneered. "I am the heir to Verdant, and it is not wise to anger us"


    Aelius just resumed putting on his clothes. Once he was done, went straight to the door.


    "Not even a goodbye kiss?" Ayna asked with a sultry voice, still naked in bed.


    "I''m not your boyfriend" Aelius replied, not even giving her a glance. He shut the bedroom door and went on his way to meet the group.


    ---------------


    The group was already waiting outside the inn when Aelius showed up. Mikael went to him and made a sniff.


    "Did you go off drinking last night?" Mikael asked.


    "Sorry" Aelius replied. "My friend visited last night and we had a few drinks."


    "I think it''s more than a few drinks" Mikael muttered. "Are you sure you can guide us, Cyrus?"


    Aelius took a deep breath. He rushed out of the Jade Towers back to the Royal House in the Jade City and hastily took a bath and prepared himself so that he''ll look presentable. He already had a stressful morning and was not in the mood to be interrogated.


    "I am more than capable" he slowly replied. "Can we go now? Our next destination will take an hour or so drive and it''s almost lunchtime"


    "I wonder whose fault is that" Mikael replied. He took his leave and helped his sister and her friends to the carriage. Aelius took another deep breath to stabilize himself and calm down, before boarding the said carriage as well.


    ----------------


    The sun was at its highest by the time they arrived at their destination. The air was arid and the heat almost unbearable, except for Sola and Aelius. The rest had to remove their cloaks and fan themselves to cool off. Mikael had to remind them that they had to conserve their water if they want to last the trip.


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    "Where are we?" Kai asked, fanning herself to feel even a bit of relief from the heat. Sweat was beading out on her forehead.


    "This," Aelius said as he gestured at a tall building on top of a hill "is the Temple of the Sun. Home to the flame priests and the Essence of the Sun God"


    "No wonder it''s hot in here," Sola said. While she was fairing well compared to the rest, she was accustomed to Lunarias cold mornings. "And you expect us to climb?!"


    "Why yes" Aelius replied with a smile. "The Temple is a very popular place for visitors, and walking up the Dragon''s Rest is a mark of respect for the Sun God."


    The group groaned at the prospect of walking. "Come on, if you want to get out of the heat, we have to make it inside," Aelius said as he happily started to trek Dragon''s Rest.


    Dragon''s Rest is a huge hill made of red soil with sparse vegetation. Stairs were carved at the side of the hill and marked with golden-colored marble to help visitors and pilgrims alike climb the hill toward the temple.  The Temple of the Sun is a large domed church made of gold and bronze, its a roof made of glass to reflect the sun on its head. Tall towers are placed on each corner of the temple with some guards placed.


    "Those are the Red Guard," Aelius said to the group as he pointed to one of the men outside the temple. "Their main priority is to maintain peace in this temple. Any person deemed unruly will be either thrown out of the hill or suffer at the Flaming Jail" Aelius explained.


    "Flaming Jail? What''s that" Selene asked as she wiped her sweat.


    "Its name implies what it is. The high amount of heat is put in those jails, almost cooking the skin, since it will be surrounded by large flames supplied by the Red Guard" Aelius told her. "So better behave"


    The group entered the temple, where they are greeted with refreshing wind, but even harsher light from the reflecting sun. Braziers on the side produce blue flames that add to the already blinding light. A long red carpet was laid out in the middle of the main hall, with a very ornate altar at the very end. Oak pews lined the sides of the carpet for devotees to pray to the Sun God in peace.


    The devotees currently kneeling in some of the pews wore a black and red veil, covering their heads and faces, regardless of gender. While the priests currently present wore long white robes with gold trimmings, and a large Mark of the Sun embroidered on the backs; a white veil was covering their faces as well, held by a cowl over their heads.


    The group dispersed quietly to check and admire the Temple of the Sun. Golden statues of past Kings and Queens lined up on the side, posing as guardians of those who are praying. Selene slowly went to the glorious altar of gold. As she neared it, she saw that behind the altar was littered with small suns embossed on a large carving of a half sun. Blue flames sprung for each sun ray. In the altar held a large book, mainly used by the High Sun during their masses.


    Selene was mesmerized by the opulence of Solaria''s church. The Lunar Temple was simple and minimalistic at its best. And while she was fascinated by the designs of the temple, there was one thought that kept bugging her. ''What a waste of gold'' she kept on thinking.


    She looked for the others, wanting to join them, and spotted their guide at the side, hiding in the minimal shadows provided in the temple.


    "Cyrus," she called as she neared him. "Are you okay? You seem tired?"


    Aelius sighed. He was not tired, but rather trying to hide from the people and priests. He already had to glare to those who wanted to greet him, just to get them away from him.


    "I''m fine, no worries Calypso" he replied. "I''m just enjoying the wind here inside the temple"


    Selene cocked her head to the side, curious as to why there was wind inside a very hot temple.


    "The wind comes for several Airean Sun Priests, whose main job is to provide circulation inside the temple. If it weren''t for them this dome is going to be like an oven" he chuckled.


    Mikael suddenly joined the two of them. "Cyrus," he said. "You mentioned the Essence of the Sun, is it there on the altar?"


    "No. The Essence is encased in the Holy Solarium" Aelius explained. "Only those willing to be Blessed by the Fire can come inside, accepting the purest form of the Sun."


    Mikael was curious. "And how does one get to be blessed by the sun?" he asked. "Not that I want to be blessed, rather I just want to compare the blessing from the ones we had back home"


    Aelius looked him in the eye. "Anyone can be blessed, however not everyone will."


    "Why is that?" Selene interjected.


    "Because you''ll be burned alive" Aelius replied. "And only those who survive will receive the blessing.

 Solas Choice

    Selene and her brother must have had horrified faces since Aelius started to backtrack. "No one is forced to take the blessing" he explained. "It''s voluntary, and the priests explain the risks to anyone wanting to be blessed by the fire" he reassured the two. "Guys, come on, again no one is forced to do this."


    "Do what?" Sola suddenly popped, with Kai at her side.


    "He''s explaining how one gets to be blessed by the fire from the Essence of the Sun" Selene quickly explained. "Apparently you first have to burn to a crisp before receiving it."


    "We''re not that barbaric" Aelius countered. "Healers are at the door waiting. They''ll sense if someone is near death. So far only 10 people have died this year" Aelius said proudly.


    "10 people?!" The group was shocked. In Lunaria, nobody dies when receiving the Kiss from Luna ¨C those undeserving only get sick for a couple of days.


    "Again, nobody forced those people" Aelius explained again. "And they only died since they fought the healers hard when they tried to drag them out of the Solarium. Again, healers are outside waiting and sensing if the person trying to be blessed can take it or will die"


    "You okay there Sol- I mean, Seraphina?" Mikael asked her, noticing that she was unusually quiet.


    "Seraphina?" Kai asked in a small voice, her eyes wide with worry. "Are you okay? You seem to be in deep thought"


    There was a few seconds of silence, then Sola whispered. "I''ll do it"


    "Do want Seraphina?" Kai asked her friend as she tenderly grasped her arm.


    "I''ll do the Blessing of the Fire"


    There was an unpalpable tension between the group, its silence slithering to their shocked minds and faces.


    "Are you out of your mind?!" Kai suddenly shouted, her voice echoing in the dome, disturbing the devotees and priests inside the temple.


    Aelius noticed the number of eyes staring at the group, and Mikael noticed them as well. "Is there a private place we can talk?" Mikael whispered to Aelius.


    "Amaris, gather the others and follow me immediately" Aelius whispered back with urgency.


    Mikael grabbed the girls and follow Aelius to a corner of the temple, where a hallway was present. Aelius checked a couple of rooms in there, opening and closing several doors before finding what he was looking for.


    "In here" Aelius waved at the group. The room was spacious, with a couple of chairs and couches for visitors.


    "They usually use this room as a receiving area for high-status guests" Aelius explains. "Tea can be made over there," he said as he gestured towards a table at the back.


    Selene made a beeline there and started to make tea for everyone, while the others sat on the chairs. Sola was in the middle, surrounded by the others.


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    "Can you please explain why you''re doing this, Seraphina?" Selene asked as she served the tea to others.


    Sola took a deep breath to compose herself and gave everyone a steely gaze. "Because I want to" she simply said.


    "Did you knock your head in the pavement earlier?" Kai asked, annoyed by her friend''s answer. "Didn''t you hear what Cyrus said? You''ll be burned alive! 10 people died!"


    "I''ll be fine" Sola replied flippantly. "I am an Ardeat, I am born from fire. Receiving the Blessing of the Fire seems fitting for me." She explained.


    "Are you sure about this?" Aelius asked, concerned. "The Essence of the Sun is strong, even too strong for some Ardeats who tried to receive it. Think carefully about this"


    "I. Am. Sure." Sola replied pointedly. "Please believe me. When have I ever failed on what I tried?"


    The group was silent, debating on whether they''ll allow their friend to burn herself.


    "No. I won''t allow it." Kai said, shaking her head in disappointment. "We''re going back to Lunaria if you keep spouting nonsense"


    "I''m with Mirella" Selene softly said. "We can''t risk it"


    Kai looked at Mikael, her usually mocking eyes, were big and pleading. Mikael sighed, "I think we should let her do it" Someone smacked his head as soon as he answered.


    "Are you fucking stupid?!" Selene shouted at her brother.


    "Oh, so now you agree with her when she wants to kill herself? You''re despicable" Kai said to Mikael with malice. She was shaking with rage so much that she just stood up and started pacing the room.


    "I''m dragging you back to Lunaria" Kai said coldly.


    "Enough! I want to do this. And who do you think you are to decide whether I''ll be doing this or not?!" Sola exploded. "I control my own life, so I decide, so you can''t stop me"


    Angry tears started to form in Kai''s eyes, making her look even more in despair. "Fine! Die for all I care!" Kai shouted as she stormed out of the room.


    "I''ll calm her down" Mikael offered, as he got up from his seat and tried to follow Kai.


    Sola was still drinking her team calmly, but the shaking of her hands and her watery eyes indicate that the words of her dear friend hit her deep.


    "Seraphina," Selene slowly said. "Don''t take her words to heart, you know that she''s just angry at your decision."


    "I know. I just wished she supported me on this." Sola said with a controlled voice.


    "She always supports you, no matter how stupid your decision is" she replied with a smile, "But not when your life is at stake" Selene calmly explained. "Please try to understand where she is coming from"


    Sola nodded, unhappily. "I know you don''t approve as well, but I think you also know that there is no stopping me, right? She gave Selene a weak smile. "I want to do this. I have to do this."


    "Why? You''re already an Ardeat, one of the fiercest and most fiery ones in Lunaria. So why?" Selene asked.


    "Because I''m here, in the Land of the Sun," she explained. "The birthplace of flame, my ancestral home. My ancestors before me all took the blessing before the Reckoning happened. I''m here, at the same place they took the blessing. The strings of fate weaved this location to our travel so I can receive what is mine"


    Selene stared at Sola with newfound respect. Never has her friend so eloquently explained her desires. She usually just says surface-level reasons, but this is the first time she requested something from the heart.


    Selene took her friend''s hands and enveloped them in hers. "I do not approve of this," she said, inhaling deeply, "but I trust your decision and will support it. If it makes you happy, then I''m happy"


    Sola hugged her friend tight, whispering thanks. Selene pulled back "But if I hear you scream in agony I''m dragging you out there"


    "You can''t drag her actually" Aelius suddenly said, making the girls jump in surprise. They''d forgotten that he was still in the room. "Only those who already received the blessing can withstand the heat."


    Selene''s eyes mirror the panic that starting to bubble in her heart.


    "But, if Seraphina starts to shout that she has had enough, I''ll alert the priests to drag her out and direct her to the Healing Well" Aelius provided.


    Selene looked at Sola, "Shout if it''s too much okay?" Sola nodded at her. "I''ll take care of Kai, don''t worry"


    Sola gave Selene a smile and then turned towards Aelius.


    "So Cyrus, where are these priests who will tell me about the risks and guide me? I''m ready"

 Blessed be the Fire

    The ceremony of receiving the Blessing of the Fire is fairly simple. Flame priests can perform and guide those who want to receive it anytime, as long as they are of sound mind and understand the consequences. Anyone can request it at the Temple, and they are guided by the priests before performing the ceremony. Aelius went outside and found a flame priest that can help Sola understand what she is about to receive.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell them I am the Sun Heir, do you understand?¡± Aelius whispered to the priest on their way to the room where Sola and Selene were staying. ¡°Tell them the truth and I will burn all of you to the ground¡± he growled.


    The priest nodded at his request, knowing full well that the prince will deliver on his threat.


    The Flame priest was dressed in white robes with a cowl and veil covering their face. The only decoration they have in the huge Mark of the Sun on the back of their robes. The priest handed Sola a white gown and a long white veil.


    ¡°Sister,¡± the priest said, its voice calm ¡°Wear this. This is a sign of rebirth and commitment to be cleansed by the very Essence of the Sun.¡±


    Sola took the garments and glanced at Selene for reassurance. Selene offered her a smile.


    ¡°This young man here,¡± the priest gestured towards Aelius, ¡°has informed me that you wish to receive the Blessing of Fire. Are you aware of the consequences if the blessing failed?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cyrus has already explained it to me more times than I can count¡± she chuckled. ¡°But I am determined to receive it¡±


    The flame priest smiled at her response, though they can¡¯t see it due to the veil. ¡°Good. Did he explain the benefits when the blessing is a success?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Sola said, ¡°he never said any benefits¡±. She shot a glare at Aelius for hiding such important information.


    Aelius shrugged. ¡°I didn''t want any of you doing it, to be honest¡± he reasoned. He pointed at the flame priest. ¡°This one was present when I received the blessing. By the end of it, I was clinging to life by a thread.¡±


    The flame priest swallowed a gasp at the blatant lie the prince had said. Aside from Aelius¡¯s late brother, and the King, the prince was unscathed when he presented himself to the Essence of the Sun. By the end of the ceremony, he was actually quite bored.


    The priest just nodded its head and said. ¡°It¡¯s understandable that someone who has already received the blessing will bar anyone from receiving it again. The process is quite traumatic. Nonetheless, the benefits outweigh the cons, if you remove death from the equation. Dress up now, I¡¯ll explain the benefits on our way to the Solarium¡±


    ----------------------------------


    The group slowly went to the Solarium. Sola was dressed from head to toe in white, the long veil hiding her face. Devotees and other priests saw their little group and bowed down to Sola, giving both their respect and farewell, in case the blessing resulted in death.


    ¡°The Essene of the Sun,¡± the flame priest said, ¡°Provides the world life and light. Without it, the world will be cold and dark. Receiving its blessing means that you are now welcomed by the Sun to embrace it and feel its presence. Your power will increase tenfold; you can invoke the sun¡¯s name to heal anyone from their ailments or burn cities to the ground. Those are the benefits,¡± the priest concluded


    They walked in silence after that, with Aelius at the tail, glancing at their surroundings every now and then, barring anyone who would try to talk to him or to his companions.


    ¡°We¡¯re near¡± he whispered to Selene.


    ¡°How did you know?¡±


    ¡°The temperature changed¡± he replied.


    Selene noticed that the winds normally inside the temple has died down, replaced by the scorching heat. She had to mumble a few cooling spells to keep herself refreshed against the onslaught of the sun.


    The flame priest stopped in front of a golden door, its handle gleaming red. ¡°We are here,¡± it said. ¡°Behind this door is the Sun itself. Dear sister, are you ready to receive its blessing? Once you are inside, there is no turning back¡±


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Before Sola could answer she heard a shout. ¡°Wait! Wait!¡± a shrill feminine voice called out. The group turned to where the voice came from and saw that it was Kai running towards them, with Mikael running behind her.


    ¡°Wait!¡± she cried. ¡°I have to talk to her first¡±


    The priest nodded and gestured them to the side to give them some privacy.


    Kai grasped Sola¡¯s hands. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± she started. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for getting angry earlier. It¡¯s just hard to understand your decisions sometimes, and when you decided to risk your life something snapped in me. You¡¯re my best friend and I couldn¡¯t allow anything to happen to you¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for getting angry as well. I know that I can sometimes be rash, but I really want to do this.¡± Sola held Kai¡¯s hands tighter.


    ¡°I know¡± Kai sniffled. ¡°And if I hear you shout I¡¯ll drag you back outside. Just don¡¯t die okay?¡± she said as tears slowly fell from her eyes.


    ¡°I¡¯ll try¡± Sola replied with a chuckle, her eyes moist with tears threatening to flow. She hugged Kai with all her might and held her for a few moments.


    Selene and the boys were watching the scene. She nudged her brother. ¡°What took you so long?¡± she asked.


    Mikael gave her a glare, ¡°I¡¯ve only ever handled that fire witch and you before on your tantrums, but never her¡± he reasoned. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize Saphiros were crybabies.¡± He sighed, exhausted. ¡°I couldn¡¯t get a word in edgewise during our talk since she kept on crying and making gasping sounds. It took me a long while to get her to calm down enough for her to listen to reason.¡±


    Selene only patted her brother¡¯s back for a job well done. It was not easy getting a Saphiro to calm down while they are crying, but her brother did it anyway. ¡°Good job. And thank you¡± she said.


    The flame priest interrupted Kai and Sola¡¯s embrace with a cough. ¡°It is time,¡± it said. ¡°Dear sister, may the Sun embrace you with all its power, and grant you its blessing. Glory to the Sun, Glory to the Fire, Glory to the Everlasting Flame¡±


    Sola took a deep breath and stepped inside the Solarium, while the others watched in fear.


    ----------------------------


    Sola entered the Solarium alone and was greeted by a blinding light and unbearable heat. Sweat broke out on her brows, as she neared the source of the flames.


    In the middle stood a gigantic ball of flames, floating like a little sun, with solar flares bursting every now and then. Determined to receive the blessing Sola opened her arms to welcome the Sun.


    Flames started to lick her robes and veil, eating them away. Her lovely skin slowly began to blotch red, pain radiating from it. She looked at her body and watched in horror as blisters began to appear in painful spurts. Her clothes and skin melted and fused together, charred at the edges. She took a deep breath and endured the increasing pain.


    Pieces of her skin started to peel as the fire surrounded her, cooking her flesh. Fat and blood bubbled and boiled on the surface and a smell of burning meat surrounded her. Her feet and legs, burning and sizzling from the fire¡¯s embrace, buckled, no longer able to support her weight. She kneeled on the bronze floor, using her hands to help her fall, as her hair started to burn as well. The palms of her hands had started to fuse with the floor, cooking it. She tried to breathe but found it difficult. She bit her lips to keep herself from shouting in pain, but her lips slowly tore from her face - the flames making her meat tender. But despite the maddening pain Sola kept her mouth shut. Smoke began to form on her every pore, until she finally burst into flames, becoming one with the sun.


    ---------------------------


    Outside the group stared as the Solarium burned, the golden door heating from the inside, turning it into glowing red. The flame priest gathered the other priest and kneeled down and prayed to the Sun. Selene was holding her breath until she smelled the smell of cooking flesh. She looked at her brother with horrified eyes but Mikael was busy staring at the door, waiting for Sola¡¯s scream so they can release her. Kai was at the corner, far away from the door, cradling herself as she watched the entrance of the Solarium.


    ¡°What¡¯s happening inside?¡± Selene asked Aelius, who was standing beside her, watching the ritual as well.


    ¡°She¡¯s being burned alive¡± he simply whispered.


    Whispered prayers from the priests can be heard from every corner, making the atmosphere eerie and strange. Shadows danced as they waited with bated breath.


    Until they heard a scream.


    Selene will never forget Sola¡¯s pained screams echoing around her. Aelius and Mikael started to rush towards the door when it was suddenly blocked by the priest. ¡°You cannot disturb the ritual,¡± it said in a low voice.


    ¡°She¡¯s dying there, get her out now!¡± Mikael screamed as Sola¡¯s song of pain danced in their ears, making their heart bleed.


    Aelius stared down at the priest, ¡°Get her out now!¡± he cried, but the priest stood still, his gaze daring him to interfere.


    Kai started to cry inconsolably, while Selene tried to calm her down. ¡°You said they take her out if she screams!¡± she shouted at Aelius. ¡°She¡¯s screaming in pain right now! Get her out!¡±


    Selene walked up to Aelius, her eyes pleading. ¡°Please,¡± she said as tears flowed freely from her gray eyes, ¡°Please...¡± she cried, as she pulled Aelius¡¯s shirt, clawing it with desperation.


    Aelius can only give her a sad look, as the priests held Mikael and force him to kneel down when he tried to force himself to the door. Selene¡¯s soft whimper and Kai¡¯s anguished cries were too much for his heart to ignore. He was about to order the priests to stand aside so he can go inside when suddenly the screaming stopped.


    Silence enveloped the whole area as they looked at the door. But only smoke came out on the edges, bringing the smell of charred flesh.

 Burned to Perfection

    Silence. That was all everyone can hear when the screaming stopped. Selene dropped her hold from Aelius and mindlessly staggered towards the door. The priest stopped her before she touched the burning metal. ¡°You cannot,¡± it said.


    She stared at the priest who dared to stop her. There was no emotion in Selene¡¯s eyes, only a blank stare, cold as the dead of the night. There was a knocking inside her head, making her thoughts muddled. With her emotions in haywire, her shaking hands were about to unleash her power when suddenly the area became dim. They all looked at the Solarium at the same time, before a huge burst of light and heat suddenly bloomed around them, blinding them temporarily.


    The priests let go of Selene and her brother and slowly opened the door. Four of them entered the Solarium. Soon, they came out, carrying a charred body beyond recognition. They gingerly placed it on the floor outside the Solarium and kneeled before it, their heads bowed down in supplication.


    The rest of the group was too shocked to say anything else. Selene fell to the ground, kneeling, unbelieving. The body was obviously their friend, but their minds won¡¯t process it, fearing the truth. One of the priests touched the blacked skin, feeling it. ¡°Burned to perfection,¡± it said, mesmerized by the state of the charred body.


    The priest¡¯s comment made Kai go wild, she shouted obscenities and sprung up to attack the priest. It took both Aelius and Mikael to hold her down, while Selene was still on the floor, staring at the body.


    ¡°Burned to perfection,¡± another priest said. Soon the rest of the priests followed, chanting those damning words like an incantation. Their voices went deeper and deeper with each enunciation, louder and louder with each syllable uttered, their ghastly sounds ringing in their ears. Their non-stop chanting sent chills down the group¡¯s spine.


    ¡°Burned to perfection¡± as the shadows on the walls danced against the light of the sun.


    ¡°Burned to perfection¡± as the tears fell down from Kai¡¯s face and Selene¡¯s stoic eyes, stained the bronze floor, marking their untold agony.


    ¡°BURNED. TO. PERFECTION!¡±


    Selene¡¯s mind was going wild. The knocking became a pounding, tearing her mind apart. The dark recesses of her mind shouting, screaming, crying at her to destroy everyone. Her wild eyes stared at one of the priests when they heard a crack.


    Sola¡¯s burned body started to crack and break. Small pieces of burned flesh fell from the body. But instead of revolting cooked meat, glowing skin was underneath it. Soon, the cracking intensified, horrifying the group. The priest suddenly sang praises, glorifying the Sun and its marvelous generosity.


    ¡°Cyrus, what¡¯s going on?¡± Mikael asked when he saw Aelius¡¯s face ¨C he looked both relieved and elated.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    ¡°She¡¯s being reborn¡± he answered with reverence and delight. ¡°She received the Blessing of the Fire!¡±


    Upon hearing his answer, Kai and Selene went towards the body, their terrified and angry eyes transformed into one with happiness. As more of the cooked flesh fell and remove, more of Sola¡¯s original skin appeared. The girls watched with macabre fascination at their friend¡¯s smoking rebirth.


    ¡°Get her a robe, quick!¡± A priest ordered its fellow priest as more of Sola¡¯s body showed itself. The priests scrambled to find her a robe and clothe her so that her dignity will be intact and hidden from prying eyes.


    When the new flesh of her face revealed itself, Sola opened her eyes.


    --------------------------------


    It was a momentous occasion, both for the group and for the Flame Priests, both for the same reason ¨C Sola survived and received the Blessing of the Fire.


    ¡°Praise be the Sun!¡± the priest chanted. ¡°Praise be the Blessed Flame!¡±


    The flame priests offer their congratulations to Sola, glorifying her for being chosen by the Sun. One of the priests begged the group for them to stay at the Temple of the Sun since it was customary to provide a small feast for chosen one and their family. They will even provide their lodging within the Temple of the Sun, to observe Sola as well.


    While the group was busy celebrating Sola¡¯s rebirth, Aelius took a priest to the side. ¡°Treat them well¡± he ordered. ¡°And don¡¯t let anyone know that I was here today, do you understand?¡± The priest agreed with his request. It was wise not to anger the Sun Heir.


    ¡°Give them the best accommodation the temple has. I¡¯ll be back tomorrow¡±


    ¡°And where will you go, your majesty?¡± the priest asked.


    ¡°I have to go back to the Palace,¡± Aelius said. ¡°So, they are now in your hands. Remember my order¡±


    The priest gave a deep bow to Aelius and went on his way to prepare the group¡¯s rooms. Aelius went to the group and offered his congratulations.


    ¡°I knew you would survive,¡± he said with a smile.


    "No, you didn''t" countered Mikael, "You almost tried to fight the priests earlier when her screaming stopped."


    "There is always the risk of someone dying" he replied.¡°But given how Seraphina held herself before doing the ritual, I had an inkling that the Sun will see her as deserving. How are you feeling right now?¡±


    ¡°I feel lighter,¡± Sola exclaimed. ¡°And I also feel warmer, if that makes sense? I also feel a bit flighty and like I can¡¯t stay in one place¡± she giggled.


    ¡°That¡¯s normal. Just rest for tonight and don¡¯t exert yourself further for today¡± he advised. ¡°The fire within you is settling. You¡¯ll feel normal tomorrow¡± he said. ¡°Rest well, and enjoy the feast the priests will provide for the whole group. I¡¯ll pick you all up tomorrow to our next destination¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re leaving?¡± Kai asked, ¡°But you need to celebrate with us. You¡¯re the one who told us about this and inspired Sol- I mean, Seraphina¡±


    Aelius gave the group a sad smile, ¡°My master needs me¡± he reasoned. His master, the King, does need him at this hour to discuss his imminent marriage.


    ¡°Can¡¯t it be delayed a bit longer?¡± Selene pleaded. ¡°Cyrus, you¡¯re a part of our group now, we can¡¯t celebrate completely without you¡±


    It pained Aelius to see her smile so brightly, unburdened by responsibilities. Envy caressed him while staring at her gray eyes, warmed by the light of the Solarium. He gently shook his head no, disappointing her, curving her lips into a frown.


    ¡°I really can¡¯t.¡± he excused. ¡°But, we can celebrate tomorrow again, if you like?¡±


    A small smile crept on Selene¡¯s face. ¡°Tomorrow it is then, you owe us,¡± she said. ¡°Be careful¡±


    Aelius gave her a smile, and bid farewell to the group. He hastily went away, willing his feet to create as much distance from the group as possible, fearing that they might see his face, green with envy at their happiness.