The guards attacked the mysterious intruder. They are the ones in charge of keeping the Divine Lord safe on these grounds.
They simply won't be easily persuaded and back down.
The men are dressed in dark leather armors, while the color of their scarves indicates their ranks. They are all loyal, courageous men under the Divine Lord Foeni.
The Elite Guards of Arcane Palace.
The young girl suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It's normal for them to be cautious of intruders and protect the Lord.
This young girl has beautiful purple amethyst eyes. She is well-dressed in fine silk robes and a heavy hooded cloak.
Her majestic mount is also incomparable. They never met anyone as imposing as them.
Meanwhile, the girl's skills are simply nothing they have seen before. Both are like an entirely different entity that defies anything in this world.
They can't help admiring her graceful, effortless movements. Her thick robes flutter in her every turn.
With a wave of her hand, she had brought them all down to submission. Just like that, they are all beat down into the ground and regretting this encounter.
She tried to explain, but they are adamantly bringing her in custody. They have plenty of questions about how she could effortlessly slip in unannounced.
Who is she?
Not long, the Divine Lord Foeni came and witnessed the crime scene.
The Lord was in total shock.
How can she beat them down without reservation?
What did his men do to offend her like this?
The lady is obviously annoyed when she approaches the Divine Lord Foeni. She doesn't like to act imprudent and disrespectful, but they forced her hand to defend herself.
"Took you long enough. We need to discuss how poor your defensive barrier is and how weak your palace guards are! How can you let them defend you? They can't even defend themselves!" Eu coldly said.
They all shivered as they listened to her complaints. They realized it was a mistake to take her so lightly.
This incident can be avoided if they took the time to listen. They can only lay there in regret.
"I apologize on their behalf. You came all the way here to see me, and yet they treated you so poorly." he calmly said.
The Lord bows his head to show his sincerity. He doesn't like seeing her upset and hopes to disperse her ill mood.
Eu pouts and relinquishes her earlier grievances. She raised her hand, and a calming light envelops everyone.
She basks everyone with a wide-scale healing spell. They felt rejuvenated by the calming, bright light that seems to purify their souls.
Just like that, their ailing bodies and injuries quickly vanish. They feel relieved, light, and at peace.
The girl's abilities continue to surprise them as they continue to wonder.
Who is she?
Not long, Eu finally introduces herself and apologizes to everyone.
Eu admits that she also went too far and didn't regulate her powers well. She could injure them less if she wants to, after all.
She is also at fault for not explaining herself well and coming in unannounced. They are just doing their job to protect the Lord from a potential threat.
Then again, does she look like she is one?
She inwardly sighs at the thought.
On the other hand, the guards are quite surprised to know the girl's identity. They didn't expect this is the same little girl that the Divine Lord took in from the Oracle Clan.
After a few more exchanges, they all returned to their posts. They are quite relieved to know that Eu is an ally and not an enemy.
They really don't know what to do if they start facing such a formidable opponent.
Also, they can't help suspecting she is more than just an Oracle as well.
Arcane Palace returned to normalcy after clearing the issues. They refrain from discussing the incident, and soon none of them talks about it entirely.
The Divine Lord Foeni escorts Eu to his study. This is the first time she came into the palace in person.
He can only suspect that Eu has some urgent matters to discuss as they continue to walk the empty hallways in silence.
The long, wide plain corridors are luminous white. No one walks around these paths except him.
Not long, they finally reached the room.
"Brother Ravi..." Eu began.
The door just closed behind her, and she doesn't waste any more time.
"Hmmm~" he responded.
"I know who they are, but I can't understand their intention..." she discloses and continues, "Can you enlighten me?"
Ravikanth knits his brows and wonders what she meant. He can only assume she is referring to the mysterious perpetrators that continue to plague them.
"What do you mean...? Who?" he approaches her as he asked.
"Noite and his elder brother..." she responded.
"They...? The Lord of Nether Realm...?" he murmured.
"Do you know them?" Eu asked quizzically.
She didn't expect that he knew them and where they came from, but she is glad he does. It will make things easier.
"Yes. I am acquainted with both of them. Noite and his elder brother, Meness. They are the Lords of Nether Realm..." he responded.
He knits his brows as he can't believe her sudden revelation.
"Are you certain it is them? Noite is Lady Emilia's trusted Knight. He can't possibly betray the Order..." he discloses.
Eu knits her brows as he mentions the familiar name. She remembers Noite mistook her as this person.
Was that the reason he halted the attack? She reminded him of his former Mistress, Emilia.
Then who is this Mistress Emilia? This person can't possibly be her.
Why did he mistake her as this person?
"Who is Mistress Emilia...?" she curiously asked.
Now that she is brought up, the Divine Lord can't help noticing their similarities.
Their amethyst eyes.
Their light blonde hair.
Eu simply resembles her at first glance. Though the more he knew her, he is confident they are two different persons.
She can't possibly be her.
There was an awkward silence as he drowns on these thoughts. He doesn't want to comment about their similarities and offend her.
Eu can sense his hesitation to respond. She can only assume that it is regarding their physical similarities.
Not long, she finally broke her silence.
"I look like her, don't I?" Eu calmly asked.
She doesn't sound upset regarding the issue. Though, she is more curious why they will mistake her as this prominent person who died ages ago.
Ravikanth remained silent. He doesn't know how to explain his insights regarding the issue.
She looks like her but not like her at the same time.
It's complicated.
Eu stares at him for a while until she finally gave up pursuing the issue. She doesn't really need an explanation.
She heaves a heavy sigh as she decides to change the topic.
"Well then, do you know why they are seeking revenge on the Oracle Clan?" she asked.
"Seriously, I don't understand as well..." Ravikanth truthfully responded.
Looking back.
*****************
After failing the selections, Meness was distraught. He can hardly imagine how Lady Emilia ignored his capabilities.
He is very talented.
He heads back home to Lunaria, with his elderly father disappointed and depressed. He plays the scene on his head and tries to understand, where did he go wrong?
At the spur of the moment, he said harsh words and curses in front of Lady Emilia. He bit his lips as he felt remorse about his actions.
He acted way out of line.
For some reason, he finally sees his mistake and understood their decision not to choose him.
He is arrogant.
The members of the Astral Knights support one another. They are talented men in their own rights, and together they are formidable.
It is something he has failed to do during the selections.
Soon after, the issue about the selection has been settled.
Meness decided to take over his father's position in Lunaria. He started supporting Lady Emilia in his own, little ways as he serves his people.
Meanwhile, his little brother Noite became Lady Emilia's trusted Knight. He is one of the selected few who guards and accompanies her.
He remembers meeting him around the Temple during his studies. Sometimes, his elder brother comes around to visit as well.
He is sometimes jealous of their brotherly relationship.
He remembers Meness has changed and one of the chosen people during the Divisions of Realms. He and his brother were assigned as Lords of Nether Realm.
****************
He hasn't heard from them ever since the Division of Realms until today. He is quite surprised to know that they are responsible for the disturbances currently happening.
He wanted to defend and reject the possibility of their involvement. Still, why would Eu know about them?
Did she meet them?
How did she know about them?
"Are you certain...? How...?" he reluctantly asked.
"I met Noite. He is lurking around the border recently. He is also at Limes Temple during the Winter Festival..." Eu discloses.
The Divine Lord heard that the border captured shadows who managed to slipped through their barriers. They were heading towards Inner Courts and expected to create a disturbance.
They didn't alert the citizens to avoid mass hysteria. They could be wrong assuming that they intended something after all.
Though, why did Eu also brought up her resemblance to Lady Emilia?
Did she also discover that during her investigation?
He can't help drowning on his collective thoughts.
This news truly surprised him and wasn't expecting that they are indeed involved.
How did they manage to break the restrictions?
He should sense their presence if they are indeed this close to him.
Who is masking them?
He wanted to believe they are not, despite the pieces of evidence she is starting to present that all leads to their involvement.
They are supposed to be allies and comrades...
What happened during their separation...?