《Astral Arcana: Ethereal》


 Astral Arcana

    <u>5,000 years ago---Pandora Era(Alenharttown)</u>


    "We all have a good and bad side, Alvah. I''m wondering where''ve your stupid senses gone to," A woman with extremely long blonde hair, scowled. Her strapless and elegant dress flowed gently in the wind while pointing her small sword at the tall male figure.


    The fire burned the whole castle down bit by bit as the starry sky shone dully.


    "I would ask the same thing, Leona, but-" His pitch black eyes looked away from Leona''s icy blue eyes and jumped backward on top of a rusted street pole. "I already know what side I''m on."


    Leona narrows her eyes at him while Alvah spins a tiny, golden orb on the tip of his middle finger. He smiled wickedly at the distressed woman. "We all knew ''Pandora'' would be alive someday. Just admit it, Leona." He put the orb in his long, black jacket pocket and uncovers his mysterious face. But it was hard to see through the dense smoke.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    Suddenly, a girl with short brunette hair wearing a beautiful but a worn out pink frillydress kicked Alvah with heavy impact in the stomach. Alvah and Leona''s eyes widened in surprise as the golden orb flew out of his pocket.


    "Shit-!" He growled, landing on his feet at ease.


    Right then, Leona dashes after the orb despite her lack of energy.


    "Catch it!" The brunette'' brown eyes stare at her sister, nervously. Leona runs and reaches out her hand, panting.


    Everything else was in slow motion. No one knew what happened after that moment in history.


    Lies that it was all fake?


    Deceit with the rulers?


    Love between the two?


    Compromise between the Cornxida and Underworld kingdom?


    No one knew. Or will ever know.

 Chapter 0

    _______________________________________________________________________


    <u>5,000 years later {Astral Era; current}</u>


    The breeze flew by the lovely, evergreen fields by the edge of the kingdom, gently. Sunflowers faced the luminescent sun as the Roses, Daisies, and Lilies danced with the wind.


    By the edge of the large island kingdom, a blond pre-teen laid down on the colorful flowers, silently. His sky blue eyes looked up at the vast, clear blue sky in wonder.


    "It''s so peaceful." Despite what he''d said, a scowl came out in annoyance. "I hate it."


    Slowly standing up, he dusted off his blue jeans and red hoodie jacket.


    "It''s a good thing though. There''s no tainted demons or artificial humans here today." A teenage male calmly said, looking at the blond beside him.


    The blonde sighed a bit and looked down at his familiar, iffy. "You''re kidding, right? No demons at this cursed kingdom? Have you lost your demon senses, Nerhu?"


    Nerhu death glared at him, a bit irritated. "Have you lost your actual sense---wait, you never had any, Axel." He said back as Axel walked closer to the shore and kicked water at Nerhu, also irritated.


    "You''re not supposed to be talking back to your controller, familiar," Axel frowned and walked away from the edge of the kingdom, towards a tree.


    Right when Axel leaned on the tall Oak tree, a huge chunk of dirt fell on top of him.


    "You deserved that." Nerhu stood up also and kept an emotionless face. He started to squeeze the water out of his long, silky straight black hair and his gray mackintosh coat.


    "I really hate you." Axel shook off the dirt off of him like an angry dog. Then looked at the beautiful, huge white castle. A salty expression grew on his face.


    Nerhu''s dark purple eyes glanced at him then the charming castle also. "You know--"Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "Nerhu! Axel! Where are y''all?!" A high pitched female voice ranged loudly in the two boys'' mind. Unlike the blank-faced Nerhu, Axel clenched on his own hair, aggravated.


    "We are at the East Shore of the Corinxida Kingdom," Nerhu answered as he tied his hair in a high ponytail.


    "I know you''re in the kingdom, stupid!" She yelled then sighed heavily while Axel was close to his breaking point.


    "Anyways, Jessica wants y''all butts over here before she kills y''all in your sleep." The girl cheerfully said.


    Axel had enough and balled his hands up into a tight fist. "You little--"


    "Bye~!" With that, she left.


    "Why is everyone pissing me off lately?!" He growled angrily, yet he takes a deep breath, trying to calm down.


    Nerhu stares at his irked "controller" then started walking away from the shore. "We better go anyway. You can''t miss Queen Exila''s birthday."


    Axel huffed and followed Nerhu, who was going to the beautiful Thousand-Flower Forest. Palm, Oak, Cherry Blossom, and many other trees danced slowly with the wind. And thanks to the colorful and high trees, the light in the forest shined a rainbow light that was too alluring.


    "If we are in such a rush, why aren''t we teleporting?" Axel walked through the forest, secretly hating the beauty.


    "The forest isn''t that long, so we will make it in around 18 minutes or so," Nerhu answered, enjoying the short-lasting peace before going to the rowdy ceremony.


    "If you say so."


    ____________________________________


    "Celeste, isn''t it weird that there''s no evil spirits today?" The dark brown haired preteen with a very long french braid asked the brunette teenager beside her.


    Celeste''s innocent-looking black eyes looked at her. "No...? I mean, it''s not weird, but it''s strange."


    The brown haired girl swept her long bangs to the side then clips it with a multi-colored blue snowflake clip. Her hazel, almond shaped eyes slowly looked at her outfit. A white t-shirt that was a bit too long, old jean shorts, black knee-length stockings, and faded white tennis shoes. "If you say so."


    Her familiar sighed, looking right then left the crowded street. "At this rate, we won''t see the Queen for at least 10 minutes if this crowd doesn''t stop growing, Aiyana..." She leaned on a wooden shop while adjusting her simple, black dress.


    Aiyana frowned a bit, looking at the barely visible sidewalk. "I have to ask her something in person."


    "Ugh! I will not stay under this heat just for you to get in trouble!" Celeste groaned, running her fingers through her wavy hair. Aiyana stepped away from the growing crowd and leaned beside her lifelong familiar.


    "I thought demons like the heat?" She asked, yet Celeste''s face already answered it.


    "No. Only heat-based users don''t get hot, unlike other users," Celeste points to herself when she said ''other''. "I thought you already knew this?!"


    "Not really." Aiyana laughs a bit as the rainbow confetti unexpectedly flew up to the sky. When the confetti glimmer brightly, a loud and gentle sound of the flute filled the whole kingdom with the soft melody.


    "It''s starting!!"

 Chapter 1

    "It''s starting!" Aiyana smiled brightly, feeling excitement washing over her. It was her 12th year out of the 15 years seeing the Queen''s ceremony after all.


    Celeste looks at the falling confetti with a smirk. "Yeah."


    Not more than a minute later, drums and a beautiful voice took over the flute, creating an uplifting symphony. People cheered loudly, clearly touching their hearts. Including Aiyana.


    "We love you, Queen Exila!" Almost everyone cheered in unison but a bit off.


    "All hail Queen Exila of Corinxida Kingdom!" An old man in a tight red jester outfit yelled out.


    Everyone moved on the sidelines as the body dancers, clowns, elemental magicians, and the more made way in the middle of the street.


    Water magicians made a light mist for the audience to cool down from the heat while dancing elegantly in their blue, fancy outfits. Fire magicians twirled a long staff; which was completely on fire. Their red outfits were almost exposing as the body dancers. Earth just walked in their short, green outfits, growing rainbow Roses that simmered beauteous in the sunlight. Air danced gracefully, making a slight wind in each spin in their long, white outfits.


    Every person gasped in awe at the parade-looking ceremony.


    "Great, it''s crowded, Nerhu," Axel looked at the parade in a monotonous way. "It been crowded, Axel," Nerhu leaned on the wall in the shadowy alleyway beside him.


    "We can''t even cross the street this way." Axel stares at the ceremony with a blank face. Well, until the main guest came which made him speechless. His heart started beating faster each second, feeling surprisingly nervous.


    Nerhu glanced at Axel with no expression of worry nor scared. Just blank.


    Across the crowded street, Aiyana felt an invisible force hit her in the stomach hard. Her eyes squinted from the pain. "Tch-!"


    Celeste looks at her, worried. "Ai, are you okay?!"


    Both familiars then looked at the tall golden throne with a beautiful woman sitting on it. Six buff men carried her as she sat there, poised.


    The citizens were astonished by her beauty.


    Her ice blue eyes were filled with pureness as she looked straight ahead. Silently watching the crowd ahead of her, she pushed back a strand of her golden long hair behind her ear.


    "It''s so beautiful today..." She then dusted her lavender, A-line dress and adjusted her silver tiara. Her cherry red lips curved into a heartwarming smile, waving to everyone.


    "Jessica, an Artificial human is here!" The short, orange-haired girl with dark brown eyes, cheered. Twirling around in her pink floral printed dress as Jessica sighed. "Right when it was a peaceful day," Jessica''s calm silver eyes looked around, standing in by the water fountain at the Kingdom Hall.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    "Where is it, Reana?"


    Before the optimistic Reana could answer, Queen Exila hopped off her throne and walked towards the only two people standing in the middle of the Hall. Waving at the people around her still.


    Obviously, Jessica and Reana stood up straight on where they were standing then bowed. "Hello, Queen Exila," they said in unison, "Happy birthday."


    Queen Exila smiled warmly at them as the air magicians lift her up in the air. Facing the gargantuan citizens, she started her speech.


    "People of Corinxida, I thank you so much for you to celebrate my birthday. Even though I''m cursed to be immortal since the Pandora Era 5,000 years ago, I''m happy that I see a humongous gathering. Humans, magical humans, and tamed demons living happily in unity are truly great."


    Jessica looks around, being cautious.


    "It''s here, Jessica!" Reana whispered silently, trying not to interrupt the Queen. "It''s above us! Southeast by the coffee shop."


    Jessica looked at the crowd behind her and sees a dark aura on top of a brand new coffee shop. "We can''t move, but we can call the Blood Knights over...even if it''s a small fly."


    Her eyes narrowed and dug into her long blue dress'' pocket. Before she could pull out the alarm, Reana quickly grabbed her wrist, trying not to grip it tightly.


    "Don''t worry, I''ll ask stupid and jerkface to do it since it''s too risky." Reana implied as Jessica nodded a bit. "Okay, Reana. Thank you."


    Reana smiled widely, moving her tiny hands away from Jessica''s arm. "No problem! Anything for you!"


    Taking a deep breath, she slowly closed her eyes, trying to find Axel and Nerhu'' minds.


    Where are they?! She thought to herself until two familiar minds she knew very well popped up.


    Found ya! Axel! Nerhu! Can you hear me?! Reana said, using telepathy.


    Axel and Nerhu groaned at the high-pitched voice. "What do you want this time, Reana?" Axel glared at the wall in front of him. "I''m trying to ''enjoy'' the party."


    Reana sighed then frowned. "Stop lying, stupid! Anyways, an Artificial---"


    At that moment, a loud crash in a clear distance caught everyone''s attention. "An Artificial human is here," Nerhu pointed above them as the half-naked man with no face jumped across the alleyway above them. The Artifical human screamed non-stop after the loud crash.


    Axel looks at his familiar, deadpanned. "Your senses stinks."


    Nerhu glares at him as Axel summoned his pitch black scythe. "Let''s go."


    Reana sighs and slowly opened her eyes, annoyed. "Can''t I at least finish, you jerks!" She mumbled angrily.


    As the citizens panicked terribly, Queen Exila looked around. "How did an Artificial human get through the barrier...?" She mumbled to herself.


    "How I didn''t sense their presence?!" Celeste''s eyes widened, ignoring the people who''re pushing right past her.


    "The Artificial probably been here but the real question is how did it conceal itself?" Aiyana summoned her duo katanas in her hands and ran forward towards the Artificial above.


    "Wait, I didn''t cast the---" Celeste stopped mid-sentence, watching her go. "Why she''s so forgetful..." She facepalmed.


    "I got you!!" Axel and Aiyana said unison, slicing the Artificial''s body in half on top of the coffee shop together. Black blood spilled out of the grim body, screaming in flat terror until the body fell into complete silence.


    On top of the coffee shop, the two looked at dead corpse then at each other in a stupefying way.


    Queen Exila stared at the two pre-teens in front of her eyes, mildly surprised. Her chest felt tight as her breathing was suddenly difficult. Not because of the Artificial they surprisingly killed, but the two little people that bring back nostalgic feelings. The good...and bad. She was undoubtedly speechless.


    Jessica and Reana immediately helped out the Queen while the air magicians slowly put her down on the ground. The air and earth magicians were actually calm since Artificials came by almost every day in the Gaia Kingdom. Their birthplace before transferring to Corinxida.


    For the first time in years, this birthday of hers was definitely one of her favorites.

 Chapter 2

    Aiyana and Axel stared at each other until she broke the tense silence with a sweet smile. "Nice to meet--"


    "Why did you get in my way?" Axel interrupted, putting an expressionless face. Aiyana froze her smile, completely dumbfounded.


    "I just wanted to stop-" Her eyes trailed towards his scythe. "You have a demon familiar?"


    He let out an icy cold stare, "Don''t ask me questions like you know me, dumbass." Aiyana backed up a bit and looked down, avoiding eye contact now. "Sorry...I didn''t mean to."


    Celeste snarled, floating beside Aiyana. "What a jerk! Ai, are you okay?" She asked but Aiyana still looked at the ground, dispelling her duo katanas. Celeste quickly grew frustrated and pointed at Axel. "How could you make someone sad after they helped you?!" Shouting loudly, Axel cringed and started to walk away.


    "She made herself sad," Axel slowly stopped after walking a bit of a distance. "Aren''t demon familiars suppose to teach them to suck it up? It''s her fault." He looked at the tawny brown hair girl the same way.


    "YOU-!"


    "That''s enough."


    Aiyana, Axel, Celeste, and Nerhu glanced at the ever-so-serious Jessica. "Axel, shut up," Jessica commanded, walking towards them. "Can''t you see her feeling are sensitive?"


    "Too sensitive," Axel mumbled as Jessica quickly did an uppercut on him. He flew up in the air, coughing up blood. "I told you to shut up."


    Nerhu jumped up a bit high in the air and caught him. "Hm."


    Jessica rolled her eyes then smiled at Aiyana.


    "Sorry about him--" She paused, now looking at Celeste. "I see you have a familiar....what type is it?" Aiyana and Celeste gave the same clueless look. "Type?" They obviously haven''t learned about it yet. Right when they''d said that, Nerhu landed on the solid concrete ground. Reana stopped twirling beside Jessica then laughed.


    "Woooow! That''s the first, haha!"


    "Not only sensitive but stupid too?" Axel wipes the blood on his mouth with his sleeves.


    "You''re never going listen, huh?" Jessica scoffed.


    Reana skipped around them, smiling endearingly. "I can tell them!" Jessica smiled a tiny bit, "thank you, Reana."


    She clasped her hands together, extremely happy to be praised by her owner.


    ''Something isn''t right with this girl, Celeste and Nerhu thought in unison.


    "Okay, first, there are five types of demon familiars in this world," Reana ignored their mean thoughts and continued. "First is the summoning type! The most common since their purpose is to save/protect you! Second on is commanding, which is self-explanatory. Third is healing which is for people that are gifted. Fourth is battle. They''re most useful, but in battle mode, they can''t use powers, only skill. Lastly is the Knowledge Beaker that is skilled in magic but the weakest."Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Once she stopped skipping, she faced Aiyana and Celeste. "For example, I''m the commanding familiar so my host controls me! Anyone who has a familiar knows that!"


    "I was homeschooled, ma''am," Aiyana shyly spoke, feeling a slight stab in her chest when Reana said that. Celeste didn''t say anything but stared at the Queen. She was still in shock.


    ''This is strange...first the close-related seizure then the unexpected Artificial? Maybe a tainted demon...-no. I doubt it.'' Celeste landed her feet on the ground. ''Whatever, this is new.''


    "Homeschool, huh? Whoever taught you how to fight must be talented," Jessica smirked, having an idea. "...What''s your name?" Aiyana felt a bit unsure to tell her name to a person she just met. "Aiyana. Aiyana Mariotthe."


    Celeste grew even more suspicious while the guys raised a brow. "What the heck is she planning?" Axel mumbled under his breath.


    Jessica pulled out a silver star necklace from her leather belt pocket. Reana and Axel knew that necklace all too well. "Are you serious?!" Axel groaned at the sight of this scene. Reana only frowned a bit at this. They both thought it was a bad idea already. Jessica wrapped the simple yet shiny star necklace around Aiyana''s neck with a warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Ms. Mariotthe. I''m the third of the ninth in the Imperial Knights, Jessica Zalore."


    She looks nice...I guess, Aiyana thought, but should I trust her?


    "Nice to meet you too, Ms. Zalore." Aiyana grew a smile on her face until Reana pulled the snowflake clip that held her bangs. "My clip--"


    Celeste grabbed the clip immediately with a frown. "Would you stop messing my ''Host'' hair up? I combed it all day!"


    Reana''s dark brown eyes glanced at Celeste with the same happy expression. "Sorry! I just thought her hair was too long!" Aiyana squirmed a bit, trying to adjust her hair without the clip. Of course, it didn''t work, however. "U-Um."


    "I can''t believe you haven''t cut it! It''s so long that you can be Repunzel''s baby sister!" Losing Aiyana''s long french braid, Reana started to redo her hair in a focused manner. Aiyana gave up quickly and just stood still at this awkward moment. Celeste ran her fingers through her own hair while holding the clip in the other hand.


    "Queen Exila, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?" Jessica turned behind to see the flabbergasted woman. "My Queen?" Queen Exila snapped out of her inner thoughts and went back to reality. "Y-Yes," her lovely blue eyes trailed at Axel, "just fine."


    Axel looked away quickly from her gaze and lightly touched his chest. Nerhu stared at Axel for a moment, calmly. "Already falling in love?" He joked but in anyone''s case, it sounded nothing like comedy.


    "Hell no, but-" Axel looked at the ground, feeling a bit tense than usual. "My chest suddenly hurts like a heart attack or maybe a seizure." Nerhu looked a bit unsettled at that last part then looked away. "Must have had a normal human reaction." His dark purple eyes made eye contact with Celeste''s black eyes, both frowning a bit. "...."


    "Aaaand done!" Reana moved away from Aiyana, showing off her hair skill. Celeste broke the staring contest and looked at Aiyana. Her usually long side-swept bangs turned shorter so it won''t cover her eyes. The rest of her hair went to the right side of her head in a large braid.


    "Woah, not bad," Jessica praised a bit, which made Reana easily overjoyed."Thank you, Jessica!"


    Walking over to Aiyana, Celeste put the snowflake clip on the left side of her head. "It''s nice, I guess," Celeste refused to say that it actually suits her. That would be the same as saying "you''re better than me" in her sense.


    "Than-"


    "Sorry to interrupt the girly greeting and all crap but your Highness is waiting for you, Jess," Axel spoke up bluntly at the knight. Jessica looked at Axel and Nerhu while Queen Exila waved her hands side to side. "Ahem, I''m fine."


    "If you are ''fine,'' why are you looking at us like that?" Axel questioned, being a bit suspious at all this. She smiled softly and looked away. "Sorry, Axel."


    He didn''t said anything back as Jessica went by the Queen in a serious manner. "I''m humbly sorry, your majesty. I was unfocused for a moment there." The Queen smiled gently like a lamb and gracefully bowed at Aiyana. "Thank you, Aiyana Mariotthe for saving me other than Axel," she stood up straight again.


    "Ugh, I can''t watch this anymore." Axel used some of Nerhu''s magic to float to building to the next with Nerhu following. A bored expression grew on both of their faces as they went south.