In a beautiful chateau filled with purple flowers all over their property; with aster flowers blooming along the edge of the pathways, and thousands of healthy lilac roses in the garden, this house is not to be mistaken of another noble's property other than the Ember household.
Ember is one of the most important nobles in the kingdom, they arrived during the second King's reign. An unordinary power gets awakened within the family for generations, because of this, greedy people from the previous land where they came from conspire to eliminate them and take the power for their own. This is the reason why their ancestor asked for the help of the kingdom and became a citizen.
The light magic is the power that awakens within a select few of the Ember clan. Mostly, it awakens every third generation but there was a case where it awakens in four consecutive generations and alarmed the kingdom, stripping them off of their privilege to join the council. Because of that, they were given the title as one of the kingdom's guardians. They belong to the star rank. A special rank for the Kingdom guardians.
The star rank consists of two noble households and the King's personal advisor. The name of the households who are given the title and the special rank are the Embers and the Sol. These two names are the only ones capable of fighting the darkness that's terrorizing the kingdom for years.
For every child born into the Ember household, they would pray for the child to be the inheritor but unfortunately, that house failed to produce a child who is gifted with the said power. It was only after seven failed generations that a child who possessed the light was born. Despite this, they weren't stripped of their title but was only suspended. If they still can't produce an heir after the tenth generation, they will be demoted from the highest rank and title to just a high-class household of businessmen.
A frail looking child, the only daughter of Anastasia Ember and her husband, Dale Vill, a noble who serves at the castle, was born. They worry for their child as she was born a lot smaller than the normal kids. She grew up thin and short for her age. No matter how much they feed her healthy food and always have the doctors diagnose her condition, they can't find any fault. She's just naturally short and thin.
She eats a lot, she sleeps normally, and she does physical activities without a single thing to worry about. But since she's an only child, and being the only girl out of all four grandchildren of Lord Ember V, they tend to treat her like a princess.
The whole Ember household, including their servants, treats Thenea like a delicate treasure. They are very overprotective of her. And when she accidentally activated the light magic at the age of five, Lord Ember V demanded for her to bring the name Ember. Henceforth becoming Thenea Vill Ember.
Lord Ember kept Thenea by his side, he became paranoid of people wanting to take their little Thenea once they get ahold of the news how she awoke the magic and will someday become the new head of the house of Ember.
The amount of power she has is overwhelming for a small child as she is, she's five but she is barely is 3ft tall. Despite her healthy condition, due to her mana, when she turned seven, her power grew tremendously causing her to pass out every now and then. This causes panic within the family.
Lord Ember immediately called for a priest to check on Thenea. But when a light ranked priest couldn't determine what causes her chronic fainting, he recommended for them to write a letter to a divine. They wrote a letter to the Sol Temple.
Chi came to them and checked on their youngest member, he informed them how her small body isn't compatible with how much mana she produces every day.
"What shall we do to cure her?" Lord Ember asked.
The divine shook his head, "there is no cure with this type of unnatural irregularity. But there is one thing which would help her make use of those excess manas."
"What is it?"
Chi started to move towards the door, "I shall have someone I trust come here and look after your granddaughter, Lord Ember."
The family had no idea what Chi had told them. All they can do is wait for that person and pray everything will be alright for her. That she would eventually go back to the way she used to be and live a normal life a child should be.
One day, that person they have been waiting for, a magician who specializes in mana control, arrived. Like Thenea, she too has an excessive amount of mana. This lady used to train with her sister in the Sun Temple.
"We have been waiting for you," Lord Ember greeted the lady with dark hair and green eyes. Beside him was Anastasia, Dale, and the governess assigned to assist Thenea of her daily routine.
"My name is Amelia Lui. I am the mage referred to by Master Chi."
Amelia is a person who doesn't have a specific power yet through various training, she has learned how to use it in battles. She is the only person who can physically summon her mana and use it as a weapon. She isn't a strong magician but her control is undeniable. She's perfect for the job.
"Can you help Thenea?" Anastasia asked.
"Yes, your ladyship."
Amelia's smile is so confident, they know she can do it. Especially if she was recommended by a divine, they can't argue with that.
Anastasia and Dale allowed Lord Ember's plan on taking Thenea with him to the capital to keep an eye on her at all times. Since he is about to pass his duties to Anastasia and Dale, they would be very busy to see through her training. Since Madame Ember is always at home, her parents will be at ease that someone will be with her 24/7.
They entered the drawing room to talk in private, the only person absent was Thenea.
"Grandfather," the voice of Tristan, the eldest grandchild of Lord Ember V, can be heard outside of the room's doors.
"Come in child," with his grandfather's permission to enter, the doors opened revealing the four Ember children.
Tristan Ember Heirta, twenty, the eldest, son of Arthinn Ember Heirta and her husband, Collin Heirta.
Teagan Ember Heirta, eighteen, the second son of Arthinn Ember Heirta and Collin Heirta.
Tenzin Ember Heirta, fifteen, the youngest son of Arthinn Ember Heirta and Collin Heirta.
Lasty, Thenea Vill Ember, five, the only daughter of Anastasia Ember Vill and Dale Vill.
The Ember-Heirta siblings are much older than Thenea and are all fit to take over the role of being the next guardian for their expertise in handling a sword as all siblings are training at the Royal Knights Academy. The main reason why they are all suitable is how their mother, Arthinn, is much older than Anastasia. But with her refusal on the obligation, the role will be proposed to each of her sons after they graduated from the academy. Unfortunately, all three will have the same answer as their mother having the role automatically landed on Anastasia. They, too, don't want such an obligation on their shoulders. They want Thenea to take over soon, with her brilliant mind and powerful magic, and with them behind her, supporting her, she will do a better job.
The moment Lord Ember V announces his resignation from the post, Anastasia will either have to accept or decline the position. If she does, the house will have no choice but to force the title on Thenea as she is the last member of the Ember blood.
"Is that her?" Amelia smiled when she saw the blonde little girl in a puffy dress, wearing her hair in braids. She was cute.
The elder nodded, proud of his grandchildren entering with such pride and attitude. He taught them well.
Lord Ember let out a raspy chuckle, "come children, come."
The four of them sat across each other, Tristan taking the seat beside Thenea who sat near Lord Ember.
"Will she be Thenea's trainer?" Teagan asked, staring at the maiden intensely. "How do we know she's trustworthy and isn't a tattletale?"
Amelia was impressed at Teagan's display of attitude, he's very much like Lord Ember in his younger years, or so she heard.
"I would not like to harm my divine's name, especially as kind and honest as Master Chi."
"Shall we have her say an oath to ease your mind, brother?" Tristan suggested.
Teagan eyed his brother before giving their grandfather a look, "grandfather?"
"Well," Lord Ember shrugged as he stood, "shall we?"
For his grandchildren, he will do anything. And so, with Amelia's consent, she takes the magical oath.
This oath will magically bind her loyalty to Thenea and will not do anything that would harm her or her family. Even the thought forming in her head, if it will not do well for her student, she will be electrocuted. This oath is only used by the royal family and authorized nobles.
With her palm on top of the binding book, she spoke, "I, Amelia Lui, magician from the capital. Surrender my loyalty and faithfulness towards her ladyship, Thenea Vill Ember until the end of our contract."
After she spoke those words, a bright green light emitted from the book and now, Amelia wears the irremovable ring of loyalty. A green pearl on top of black band made out of zirconium.
"Miss Liu," Madame Ember called her, "welcome to our home."
Thenea spent her childhood being cooped up inside the manor Madame Ember lives in honing her skills, not missing a day of training. She's determined, she doesn't want to disappoint her grandfather. She's the sole heir of the title, she can't fail.
Because of her unwavering faith in the people around her and herself, she succeeded.
At ten, Thenea's trainer and tutors had been sending letters after letters of recommendation to the guild. But because of Lord Ember's influence, he's been blocking the guild's request for an audience with Thenea, afraid of letting their little bird fly. To them, despite her display of power, she's still their delicate youngest, and only princess.
This interference went on for two years, with every rejection letter Lord Ember sends back to the guild, grows the curious mind of Calla. She's used all of her trickery and flowery words in all the letters she sent them. She even went as far as sending expensive gifts to Thenea on her birthdays only to find them back at her desk the next morning. Lord Ember strongly refuses for his granddaughter to join such filthy and dangerous organization.
She is one of the kingdom's future guardian, she does not have to join the guild.
Eventually, Thenea found out about the guild's request.
"M'lady," a messenger stopped in front of her, "good morning."
Thenea was taking a leisure walk around their property and happened to meet the courier, "good morning, mister."
"Are you perhaps the lady in this manor?" he asked as he retrieved the letters for the Ember household.
"Yes, that is correct."
"Oh my, miss!" her governess found her interacting with the postman. If Lord Ember hears of this, she will get an earful.
"Goodness, Qir," Thenea giggled, "why such a hurry?"
"I'm sorry m'lady," she dusted her skirt and stopped in front of her mistress before giving the mailman the attention, "will this be all?"
The governess took the letters.
"Oh, yes. That's all there is to deliver." He tipped his hat, "I shall get going."
"Goodbye," Thenea waved.
It is refreshing for her to talk to anyone, she's always at home due to her preparation for the role she'll take over soon. Although there are the occasional festivities in the capital that she's allowed to attend to, that is the only time she can freely stroll away from home.
"Miss, I beg of you. Please refrain yourself from having a conversation with strangers."
Thenea mischievously took the letters from Qir's hands and read who they were addressed to, strangely enough, in most of the letters, she saw her name.
"Qir?" she turned to the lady who trailed behind her, "why is my name in these letters?"
"Um."
Thenea proceeded to look at the details, they are from the guild and some noble households.
'What could this be?'
She opened the letter from the guild and read its content, to her surprise, she dropped all of the other letters and ran towards her grandfather's study.
"Papa!" She deliberately opened the door.
Inside was Lord Ember and some men, they seemed to be discussing something important.
Her face flushed at her sudden behavior, lowering her head, "my apologies."
"No," her grandfather stopped her from leaving, "come child."
Lord Ember sent the men away and had Thenea take a seat in front of him.
"Is there something you would like to discuss?"
She let out a deep breath before settling the opened letter on his desk.
Seeing the sender's name, the veins on his forehead bulged, "where did you get this?"
"My Lord," Qir, Thenea's governess was too late.
Thenea persistently argued with her grandfather to allow the chief to have an audience with her, it was just a talk, she reasoned out. But when he asked if she will be persuaded to join, she only gave him an answer of logic, "it is not something I can promise. But if it will be for my wellbeing, I will not hesitate to accept."
Lord Ember sighed and massaged his temples, "very well. I will allow Calla to have an audience with you next week."
"Thank you, Papa."
The twelve year old Thenea met Calla. Their meeting went on for hours, it included Thenea showing her power to Calla.
"I heard you have an excessive amount of mana," she set her teacup on the table.
"Yes."
"I have a gift for you," she smiled gently, "I believe this will help you control your mana better."
"Better?" Thenea squints her eyes.
Calla summoned a giant rose and had its bud open, the child before her was astonished. It released a staff. A beautiful white staff with golden details, a mesmerizing opal orb on top of it, with golden rays surrounding it.
"Pretty, right?"
Thenea nodded.
When the two exited the drawing room, Lord Ember's face grimed at the sight of the staff that's in Thenea's hands.
"What is that, Calla?"
The lady giggled, "Relax, it's a little gift to help her with her mana."
That night, Lord Ember had a drink in his study. Worries of countless scenarios waltz inside the elder's mind. He wants what's best for his granddaughter but he doesn't want to see her get hurt if she ever decides to join the guild. People might think he's very strict and overbearing but he has his reasons. This goes back to when both Arthinn and Anastasia were at Thenea's age.
Late at night, while both were sleeping soundly at their shared room that is located just next to their parents' quarters. A man in all black, long thin sword at hand, broke into the girls' room and abducted them. The chateau's guards didn't notice anything until the kidnappers took off and created a noise.
Lord Ember was the one who led the guards towards the pursuers and when they found out who they were, they were the neighboring kingdom's rogue knights. When they heard a new guardian would be born through the girls, they abducted them in the hopes of housing the next Ember Guardian and gaining power through it.
They were beaten to pulp by Lord Ember himself and the rogue knights were executed publicly, a grotesque warning from the kingdom to never mess with their people or they will end up having their heads cut off.
"Dear," Madame Ember knocked gently on the opened door of the study.
"Ah," he cleared his throat, "I'm sorry."
She knew all too well what he was apologizing for, his actions. For everything that's happened within the family, for his domineering personality. But she understood it all too well. She knew it was for the family, for the safety of the kids. If he would soften all the time, they would only take advantage of them.
Madame Ember went over to her husband and caressed his shoulders, pressing her face on the back of his shoulders, "I understand, love."
"What if something happens to her?"
She smiled sweetly and made him turn to face her, "husband, Thenea is a brilliant child."
Lord Ember sighed.
"She will do great. We will monitor her from afar, but we can't do that to her forever."
The woman stepped back and looked at her husband with a proud expression, "you did well. Now, it's time for us to watch what she can do."
Her husband grunted.
"Dear," she took his chin on her fingers, "we will not suffocate our kin."
Thenea Vill Ember became an official guild member at the rank of pearl, the highest rank for an adventurer for Jade Ranks are only given to those who are affiliated with the castle. Her missions have always been done quickly but neatly.
Calla has her eyes on the young lady, her first year in the guild was smooth. She was their first candidate for establishing the next generation of ruby rank. But because of Ember's interference, to avoid having Thenea receive A+ to S+ rank missions, they always scan her missions before letting her have it.
This action causes her progress to slow down. And eventually, the guild has no choice but to give the first ruby title to Viv as they have to establish the rank with all the chaos happening within the kingdom.
Thenea received the rank at the age of fourteen, two years after she joined the guild. Despite the lack of required number of high ranking missions, the council has decided to give her the title due to her reputation and her power.
Her joining the rank did not stop the Ember elder to check the letter of request addressed to Thenea; he became obsessive in keeping her safe.
Lord Ember was in his study, reading the letter of request from the guild. A request delivered for an S rank mission he's been burning.
"This again," he grumbled, "how many times do I have to tell them to carefully select Thenea's missions?!"
"Mission?"
A surprised blonde girl arrived in his study, confused with what's happening.
"Is that for me?"
Lord Ember shook his head gently, "no, it's not."
"That's the guild's seal," she observed, "the guild only ever sends a letter to me."
The older one crumpled the paper on his hand, "are you not listening to me?"
"Papa, what is that?"
She already had suspicions of her family meddling but to prove her concerns, she has to see the context of that letter.
"It is none of your concern, child."
The fifth master of the house turned around swiftly; she took notice of this. He walked by the fireplace to burn the letter.
"That's mine!"
Thenea unexpectedly released a huge wave of her mana and blew up all the glass windows of the room; her grandfather's eyes widened. He can see anger in his granddaughter's eyes. She is serious in working for the guild.
"Child," he breathed raggedly.
"If you don't want an Ember to become an adventurer," her fists clenched tightly, "then I will bring my father's name. The name Vill will soar high and I will never touch the Ember name ever again."
"Are you threatening me, Thenea?"
"I am not, I am only expressing my options. I will become an adventurer no matter what name I bring."
Lord Ember gulped the lump he felt in his throat, this is the first time his dearest grandchild has ever spoken to him that way. She was always reserved and cute, but this time, she showed him a side he never thought she had.
He sighed in defeat, "fine. But you will bring one of your brothers with you."
"Then, I will go with Tenzin."
The following week, the Ember cousins took off to the northern forest. Her next assignment is to figure out the cause of why the forest has lost its touch; the leaves are turning yellow and red, the flowers are dying, and the animals are slowly fleeing.
"Brother Tenzin," she broke the silence, "make a stop here."
Although he was confused, he told the driver to halt.
"I will be the only one going inside the northern forest, wait here."
"My job is to guard you, Thenea." He reminded her.
"But my job is to make sure I do this--alone."
"You will not stop unless I agree, won't you?"
She nodded.
"At least let me see you enter that gloomy forest."
Thenea only chuckled and the two climbed down the carriage.
"It is indeed gloomy," she commented.
Tenzin put a hand on her head, "I'm worried."
Thenea hugged her elder cousin and assured him, "I will be the next guardian, have faith in me."
As the two cousins were talking, a short dude with a deranged appearance staggered towards the forest. Both of their brows raised. But the light mage took notice of the gems stuck on his gloves, a ruby gem like hers.
Like him, she also took the gems off of the ring and placed it on her staff to enhance its magic. She's happy to have personally met another ruby adventurer.
Thenea galloped towards the boy and greeted him with a smile, "hi!"
"Oi, Thenea!" Tenzin ran after her.
This is the first time he's treated as such, not even Oz would smile at him that wide. He thought the girl in front of him was odd.
"I'm Thenea," she introduced herself, eyes sparkling with excitement, "you're the first ruby, right?"
Viv only nodded.
"I have heard rumours about your skills, I want to watch you fight!"
Viv didn't answer but stared at her blankly.
Tenzin did not like the look on his face but he mustn't attack, he will get an earful from Thenea if he does.
"Are you here for the forest spirit too?"
Viv blinked, 'what's she talking about?'
"Come on," she took his hand and dragged him towards the woods, "let's go together!"
"Thenea!!!"
Tenzin could only watch the little one go off with a strange guy.
"Damn it!"
Meanwhile, Viv looked so confused with her actions. He just let her drag him towards the forbidden area in the northern forest.