The ball in honor of the moon goddess came soon. The sky of Vadina had the brightest and fullest moon. It was said that the moon goddess herself came to grace the ball. This time in Vadina, magic soared and everyone felt stronger within them, well everyone except Amora who still was relying on the magical powers of the crystal necklace that gave its owner the ability to wield any magic of their choice. Amora didn't mind that she was powerless,she instead was getting used to being a Mystian and somehow wished that her powers would come on its own soon. The ball had everyone looking their best. It was indeed a high social season among the Mystians as ambitious mothers dressed their matured daughters in the finest of gowns and big hair to attract possible suitors and hope to be a match. The younger maidens strived to also catch their significant other. Amora noticed that the lifestyle here revolved around being a perfect match with another person and giving rise to more magical beings.
She twirled in front of her gigantic mirror checking out her gown that was magnificently made by Peppa. The ball dress was totally different from everyone's as it was a short corseted grey jumpsuit and had a detachable train to give it the ballroom appearance. The train was attached around the waist, trailing behind but giving full view of her legs. Her hair had been styled into a high ponytail, decorated with white ribbons. She brought out her phone wishing it would come on and she'd take some shots to upload. There was no electricity in Vadina, it's lights were solely magically produced just like everything else.
The Palace; Krystaling Fortress amazed Amora with its intriguing architectural designs. She was sure that it was the grandest building she had ever seen in her life as she stepped in with the rest of the family and Aquata. Once inside, she scanned the area for Bloom.
"What's up Mora check me out" Bloom appeared behind her, saying the words Amora had been teaching her. Amora gave her a smile and hugged her.
"Wow, your gown is incredibly beautiful" Bloom looked her up and down loving the style. Bloom was in another green ball gown and it made Amora wonder if Bloom's favorite color was green. Aquata left the duo to roam the ball room, prancing around like a free bird.
There was a loud trumpet sound which was followed by a rich baritone voice announcing the presence of the king and queen of Vadina and their royal guests; The Troll chief, the Pixie crown princess, The King and Queen of Fairyland and of course the chief guardian of the realm borders. Amora looked at the fairy queen in all her majestic glory. The queen wore a red gown with flower petals as it's hems and her crown was made of finest jewels. Her skin was the fairest she had ever seen and her smile so radiant. Amora thought that the artists that illustrated the fairy Queen in the children's books she read didn't do justice to her appearance. The queen of Vadina was not left out of the beauty parade, wearing a royal purple gown, matching her husband's regalia.
"Is it me or are the royals just extremely good looking?" Amora asked still staring at the royals as they sat. The king gave orders for the balls to begin. Amora noticed Siofra sitting amongst the royals and asked Bloom about her.
"Oh she's the princess" Bloom casually replied. Siofra's eyes met Amora's and the little girl gave her a smile, one that Amora replied with a curtsey.
The king gave a small speech about the upcoming Mystian games to start in seven moons time. Amora had learned from the King's speech that Vadina was the reigning champion, so the games would be held right there in Vadina and games selection would begin.
"Let the ball begin" The King's voice boomed over the large ballroom, echoing with power and much timber.
"I didn't know you had game arenas here" Amora mused as they picked cakes from a Brownie's tray. The ball was going on with people mingling and maidens trying to snag a mate.
"Well, we do and it's at the other end of Vadina, the western end" Bloom replied.
"I heard Vadina would have lost due to the carelessness of three competitors" Aquata chipped in, constantly tucking her hair behind her ears.
"Yes at that was because the daughter of the high air Lord got into a fight with Lilith and some random girl on the team which caused a major ruckus" Bloom was drinking from a silvery cup now.
The ballroom was alive with colors and music. Amora couldn't help but admire the high fashion taste of the Mystians. She had never seen dresses and hairdos so grand. She had managed to avoid Aenan who was constantly trying to get her to dance but she always turned him to Bloom and danced with her uncles and two young Lords of the Vadinian knights. They were both fire elementals and looked like they were somewhat in their late twenties. One of them, Lord Heulfryn had revealed that he was a score and six years. Amora had found him quite charming and breathtakingly handsome too.
There were more couples on the dance floor, getting to know each other and expressing their feelings for each other. Aquata had been whisked away by a chubby man and from Aquata's scowl, Amora could tell that she wasn't having the time of her life. Amora laughed hard internally at the scene before her. The fifth song came to an end and the band led by a golden haired female dwarf was about to start another song when the doors flew violently open and then there was a cloud of smoke. The song stopped abruptly and all that could be heard was gasps as the smoke moved into the ballroom. The people made room for the entrance. There was a chant going on by some females, because of the smoke, they couldn't be seen.
"Hail the moon goddess" a voice from the smoke cried and other voices replied. The smoke disappeared to reveal seven beautiful maidens led by an older woman, making the eight in number. Their leader had long white hair done in braids while the other maidens who were mixtures of air elementals, water elementals, naturite , healer and witch had their own flowing down to their lower backs. Their eyes were blank as they stared into space, moving their bodies in an entrancing rhythm.
"The Caelix" Bloom whispered to Amora who was lost staring at the people in front of her. The older woman now was uttering words and praising the name of the moon goddess. "The harvest shall be bountiful" she said. "But something shall soon go amiss" The lady warned.
"Caelix?" Amora asked.
"Yes they are the messengers of the gods to us. They are selected on their abilities and taken to the temple to be groomed to hear and speak from the gods. They possess strong powers just like the essence. They are the strongest beings after the essence" Bloom explained to Amora who was getting more and more confused.
The leader of the Caelix suddenly locked eyes with Amora. Amora could feel the lady dig into her soul with her eyes. With one swift move, the lady was in front of Amora. She moved around her smiling and uttering words. The other crowd of the ballroom only looked and listened to what the witch had to say.
"You are closer my child,open your heart and mind. Things will go amiss but only then shall you ascend fully" She said and laughed hysterically. Amora tried to ask her what she meant but the lady just walked away back to her disciples and another smoke crowd gathered again as the ladies disappeared.
"What was that?" Amora asked Bloom. Bloom and Aquata didn't know either. Amora decided that she wouldn't rest till she finds the true meaning behind the cryptic messages of the Caelix.
The ball continued with dancing and everyone acted like nothing had happened which made Amora feel uncomfortable. She left the dance floor to go find something to drink and on her way back, she bumped into someone, spilling the drink over the person's regalia.
"Oh I am so sorry" she apologized quickly without looking up trying to pick up the silverware. When she finally stood, she saw the face.
"You again?" Amora blurted out quite angrily, suddenly wanting to take her apologies back. She had bumped into him once and he was the most arrogant person in the entire Vadina. His red hair and piercing blue eyes and that face that held a scowl. He was scowling at her and Amora could tell that if he lost the scowl, he'd be more handsome.
"You rogue! You always don't watch where you are going. I must be cursed to have bumped into you again" He said to her as he made attempts to clean the stain on his fine blue regalia.
"I just said sorry did I not? Why are you so arrogant? You bumped into me too, you should also apologise to me" Amora snapped at him,her face getting all reddened up due to her building anger.
"Get lost and stay out of my way" He spat and pushed past her, walking away.
"What the hell?" She said to herself. She began to mumble curses to herself. She walked back to the drink area to get herself another drink. She was still cursing when Siofra approached her. The eight year old was wearing a beautiful pink gown and silver tiara. Her long black hair was tied up nicely.
"Greetings! She said to Amora. Amora looked up and saw the girl. "Well, hello there your highness" Amora smiled and gave a bow.
"Oh please don't do that" Siofra laughed and then positioned herself beside Amora. "Are you enjoying the ball?" She asked. "I was until some arrogant person ruined it" Amora said quite coolly.
"I'm really sorry about that" Siofra's eyes held sincere apologies. Amora smiled and then the two began to talk about everything and Amora learned that Siofra had the gifts of pixies but was a witch and a struggling fire elemental. Siofra noticed a woman in the crowd searching for someone.
"I have to run along now before my caregiver finds me here and report to my parents" Siofra said to Amora.
"No worries, we'll always talk some other time" Amora assured the girl who was running towards the other end of the ballroom. Amora was laughing at the sight of the older caregiver, trying to get to Siofra.
"Greetings my lady" came a voice that startled Amora. Amora turned to look at the person who had spoken and her face immediately twisted into a frown.
"Your frown my lady, did I disturb you?" The young lad said. It was the same person Amora had bumped into earlier and now she was wondering why he was here again. His face wasn't scowling, it was calm and friendly. Perhaps he has come to apologise so she thought.
"Are you here to apologise or further insult me?" She asked.
"Insult you? Why would I do that to a beautiful lady radiating so much grace" He asked, sounding quite confused.
"So you are going to pretend nothing happened? The nerve of you" Amora was flashing anger now and this guy in front of her didn't know what she was talking about.
"I'm sorry my lady, but I do not know what you speak of and if you'd let me introduce myself mayhap you are mistaken" The guy spoke and this made Amora burn more with anger.
"I do not want to hear anything from you, just go. You conceited liar, arrogant Buffon"she cussed him. She went on with the name calling and some people beside, could hear her now and we're stealing glances at the duo.
"I see you are here my prince, please your attention is needed" A royal messenger approached them and was bowing to the guy. Prince? Amora then knew the source of his arrogance.
"Oh so you are a prince that's why you choose to be arrogant? Calling me rogue?" Amora kept cussing.
"You must be mistaken my lady, I know not what you speak of" His eyes were sincere.
"Azar, we are needed" Another person approached the trio. Amora stopped and stared at the person who had just approached them. It was the person she had bumped into and she knew that now because his regalia was still stained. Her eyes widened as she looked from left to right at the two young men who looked alike.
"I see you have met her" The one with the stain spoke while glaring at Amora. "I shall see you in a few minutes" he said flatly and walked away with the messenger who had approached them.
Amora thought her head was going to explode as she tried to process everything. " My goodness I am so sorry" she said to the one in front of her.
"Can I introduce myself now my Lady?" He smiled at her making her smile too. " I am Prince Azar Tanwyn and that was my twin brother, Alev. I am sure you must have bumped into him" Azar said with a smile.
"You look so much alike. I am sorry for my behavior,I was really angry. Your highness" she did a curtsey.
"Oh please cut that out. Just call me Azar" Azar laughed hard.
"Very well then, my name is Ulanni Amora Daeva my Lord.. sorry Azar"
Azar gave a bubbly laughter and then he held her hand up to his lip and kissed it. Amora felt giddy. Azar was very much handsome and charming. Amora and Azar talked about how people always thought him to be Alev most times and Alev to be him. Amora apologised some more to the handsome prince. The song changed from slow to upbeat and Azar asked her to dance with him. Amora removed the detachable train, leaving only the short hugging jumpsuit.
Alev watched his twin brother dance with the redhead "rogue" as he had nicknamed her. She was beautiful and had a charming laughter. He watched as his brother's hands circled her waist and felt his jaw clenching at the sight of it.
"My Lords, I think you should see this" a messenger said to Alev and the King. The two exchanged glances and left with the messenger.
Amora was enjoying dancing for the first time as Azar made her feel like she was the only girl in her room. He made her laugh with his jokes and she enjoyed being close to him with his scents filling her nostrils. Her eyes scanned the room for her friends to check if they were having a good time like she was and then her eyes fell on Lilith who was glaring at them as they danced. Lilith's face was expressionless and then she turned around, walking out of the ballroom.
A messenger came and whispered something to Azar which made him end the dance with Amora. "I'm sorry my lady, but my attention is needed. I shall hope to meet you again" he said with a bow.
"Me too Azar" Amora returned the bow with a small curtsey and immediately went after Lilith.
Azar, Alev, the King and Queen stared at the sacred tree with utter shock and fear in their eyes. The guards who were supposed to be guarding it, began to fear for their lives.
"What happened here?" King Egan's voice thundered with his eyes flashing angry flames.