What just happened? Did my father just disown me?
Looking at my surrounding it has become clear that this place is all I have right now.
Don't cry don't you cry
Crying changes nothing
At the very least you are not homeless you have a place to stay some have it worse than you do. You've managed to survive all these years this too shall pass.
Taking a deep breath to calm my thoughts I sat there for some time before joining the party.
Ionia welcome back.
You still look the same you know, in fact you look worse. Why don't we go take permission and go back to our room I'm sure the leader will understand all she need do is to look at you.
It's okay lets stay a little and go back
What did I miss?
You missed everything . You need to see the gifts the queen received they were all so fancy and beautiful.
Well she is a queen that's to be expected I said while eating and avoiding looking towards my family.
I'm full do you think it's okay for we to head back now?
Yes I think so, some people are leaving already.
Let's go we have someone coming over tomorrow. We need all the rest we can get I said to celeste already on my way out.
Ionia do you know who it is?
I don't, do you?
No idea but I heard some of the senior guards saying it's someone important.
Walking to our quarters I said goodnight to celeste and entered my room.
once inside my room, I sat on my small bed and looked around. Apart from the small table and chair at the side and the small wardrobe opposite them, that's all there is in the room. It is small but okay since it's just me. It may not be fancy but at least it's clean.
Lying down I decided to sleep not even wanting to think of the events of today.
Tomorrow is another day and with it comes its own blessings and promise.
With that thought in mind I drifted off to sleep.
As much as I would very much prefer to be in my room sleeping rather than sitting here waiting for Frances or "leader" as she preferred to be called I do admit that I am curious on what's to happen.
The boys and girls have different training ground, occasionally they do combine us if there is any important information that involves us jointly working together
I've been with them for six months now and I've only seen this happen once.
Looking around me I could see the boys interacting with the girls laughing and chatting with ease.
Ionia good morning, you look better today.
Thanks and good morning to you celeste.
So have you seen any strange face?
No, but I wonder what is going on. Since the boys are here.
Come on ionia can't you behave like a girl for once. How can you be thinking when there are hot hunks around you. Every other girl here is busy chatting with a guy or in a group and here you are sticking out like a wilted flower.
Need I remind you celeste that you are here with me.
That is because I saw you alone and wanted to come keep you company.
Wow! you chose me over these hunks i'm flattered.
Hmmmmmmmmmphhhh stop teasing me will you.
Hahahahahahahahahaha look at your face look how red it is celeste!
Stop already look everyone is looking at us I'm guessing they can't believe their eyes seeing you laughing. You have a beautiful smile you know and when you laugh it sounds beautiful.
Oh please!
Enough with the flattery already will you? Look our leader is here.
Frances our leader walked into the field alongside her twin brother jasper who also happen to be the leader of the boys. They come from a line of magical warrior fighters with insane fighting abilities. They are both known as the formidable twins considering they are both leaders of their gender. They have pride and ego written all over them and they carry themselves like the warriors they are. And it does not help that they are both good looking.
Hey is that not your brother ionia?
looking at the direction celeste was pointing, I saw adryll walking towards jasper with a lady beside him.
What is he doing here I asked no one in particular.
Hush everyone started jasper.
You all know adryll fallenvale he needs no introduction. Beside him is illaesa she is here to tell you all something.
Looking at the lady illaesa as she is called with her green long hair pulled back to reveal a round time worn face. Glistening golden eyes set tightly within their sockets. Watching enthusiastically over the lands they've looked after for so long. Illaesa is part human part wood elf and her kind has protected the land of Ataraxia for generations.
Good day warriors I'm here to pass a message to you all from the king and counsel of elders.
In ataraxia it is believed magic comes from within. All living beings possess magical energies within themselves, but only a select few are able to tap into those energies. For better or worse, life has changed drastically as result of all these magical energies and the limits are far from discovered.
In ataraxia those with magic are divided into different sets.
Edrasos is the magic of the earth. It is believed that the earth radiates magical energies this energy flows all around. Only those who can connect with this energy can make use of them.
Thelsia magic comes from the force of life. Magical powers connect everything to everything those with this ability are able to bend these magical energies to their will.
Alevia is the magic that comes from the gods and the most powerful of them all. Only those that are deem worthy are granted this ability.
However they are those with no magical ability at all. That does not make them less important or strangers to us.
You all are considered guardian and protectors of our land. Some of you have abilities some don't. Together we all protect ataraxia from threats within and without.
As you all know ataraxia has a magical barrier that has protected our home and its inhabitants for years and it will continue to do so for years to come. However our town keeps growing thanks to the different creatures and people inhabiting the land and soon we'll have to build outside of the protection of our magic. So we need to extend the shield with more magic. I need you to divide yourselves in groups and take these crystals and place them far outside the barrier, far enough for us to expand for years to come. Say these words "Clarienum Caninius" to activate them. Only those with edrasos can activate this crystals. So your group must be made up of people with different abilities.
Excuse me I heard celeste say while raising her hands.
Yes, you may speak.
What about the demon of ataraxia is he not out there? how are we to fight a tall bulky monster, with bulbous eyes, a tiny nose, a large mouth, two broad arms, stone like hands with long fingers and top it all he also has magic or so the rumor goes.
Well what's your name?
Celeste my lady.
Celeste the demon of ataraxia though real is not someone to randomly attack anyone. As long as you don't venture into his territory or offend him you all are safe. Now if that is all, warriors be careful out there who knows what's outside this barrier.
You've all heard her, began Frances although no one here has Alevia majority of us has edrasos and thelsia. We are sixty in total and we have four crystals. We are dividing into four groups with each group having fifteen members. Myself jasper and adryll will be team leaders for three group. Clarissa called out Frances you will be leader of the fourth group. We are all to meet at the barrier after the job is done and my brother and I will report back to you illaesa.
Sounds good Frances once again good luck
After the group has been divided with me ending up in Clarissa's group as much as I hate being in her group being in adryll's group would have been worse. The only good thing is that celeste and I happen to be on the same group.
I was waiting for celeste when I saw adryll coming my way.
Hey little sister.
I'm no sister of yours.
Good to know you have the decency to follow orders for the first time in your life. Look at you ionia you are nothing, a nobody. I am the first born of father and a fallenvale my abilities speak for itself. I feel so ashamed to be related to you.
For starters adryll the only reason you are older than me is because our beloved father couldn't control the thing between his legs and went ahead to impregnate your mother despite being married to mine. As for the rest adryll you are entitled to feel however you want to feel I don't care. Please stay away from me as I do you. I want no business with the lot of you.
After saying my piece I went in search of celeste not even waiting to hear whatever comeback adryll has prepared.
I saw celeste walking towards me.
Together we joined the rest of our group and journeyed towards the barrier.
Everyone stop we heard Clarissa say once we reached the barrier.
Okay we are about to cross the protective barriers, that means whatever dangers we face we are on our own. Although outside the barrier is also ataraxia lands this lands however does not have people dwelling in them. Thus we don't know what to expect. We are to work as a team if we are to complete this task and go back unharmed. Stick together, do not wander on your own and once you see or here anything suspicious alert the group.
Okay?
Okay everyone chorused.