PLACE: MERIDITH, YEAR: 1224, ACCORDING TO MERIDITH'S LUNAR CALANDER.
It has been almost six months since the incident, and Cyria is still undergoing medication, leaving Soraya anxiously waiting for her return. Soraya needs to ask Cyria pressing questions, and the urgency weighs heavily on her.
Soraya has made persistent efforts to piece together the sequence of Cyria's last words, but the identity of "them" remains elusive. Nonetheless, during Cyria's absence, Soraya ensured the stability of their universe, fiercely protecting her people from any harm.
With the capture of the Charmcaster, the worlds seemed safe, and everything appeared to be running smoothly.
However, a new situation has now emerged in Meridith Demacia, casting a shadow over the relative calm established.
*********
THE KINGDOM OF DEMACIA
It was nearly midnight when Queen Lucy retired to her chamber, enveloped by the ethereal glow of moonlight. The gentle zephyr stirred the curtains, casting dancing shadows across the room.
However, an ominous air permeated the night, hinting at impending chaos rather than tranquillity. It reminded her of the fateful day when Achlys had first invaded their lands.
In a fleeting moment, the queen noticed the movement of shadows, dark figures that infiltrated the palace. These masked intruders were undoubtedly not friends.
Silently, they made their way into the queen's chamber, stealthily seeking something of great importance.
"Who are you?" she questioned, abruptly awakened from her slumber. The unexpected query unsettled the intruders, prompting them to swiftly cover her mouth and bind her hands, ensuring her silence.
Her muffled sounds barely escaped their grasp as she whispered, "Mmm.".
"Give us the Oracle, and we shall spare you," one of them demanded, pressing a small knife against her throat. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized her helplessness. Witch's bane iron cuffs, known to weaken her powers, were fastened to her. With no alternative, she reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Leading them to her secret library within the chamber, she revealed shelves brimming with scrolls, books, and ancient knowledge. Some held their own secret spells, while others chronicled Meridith's extensive history, a realm she had extensively studied.
"Tell us where it is," the man commanded. She pointed to the topmost shelves, where the Oracle was concealed. Seizing the moment, she silently cast a spell, clandestinely sending out messages.
She knew this might be her final act. With closed eyes and a solitary tear, she whispered, "I am sorry, my friend. I couldn't fulfil our promise."
Following the acquisition of the Oracle, they wasted no time. Callously, they slit her throat, draining her lifeblood until it stained the chamber floor.
The queen of Demacia had met her untimely demise, her presence forever extinguished.
*********
Catherine couldn't sleep that night. The moonlight was too uncomfortable. She began to shift to the sidewhen something appeared before falling into her lap. A letter.
KINGDOM OF WARLOSENCE:
Victoria was sleeping when something dropped on her. As she opened her eyes, it was a letter.
THE KINGDOM OF ANGBOTAIN
Helen sang to her pet parrot to sleep. Until she found a letter in front of her.
THE KINGDOM OF ROARING
Marina was in her room, thinking about her silly life when she noticed magic before her. It was odd because no one else could do such powerful magic. It was until she noticed it was a letter.
THE KINGDOM OF PRISLUAKE
Isadora was consumed by her quest to uncover the truth about the Elder tree. The enigmatic connection between mystery and history fascinated her, driving her to tirelessly investigate. Her room, strewn with papers and books, was a reflection of her relentless pursuit.
Amidst the chaos, Isadora felt a deep sense of responsibility. Despite being aware for years that the king was under the influence of foreign powers, she now understood that it was she who held the key to their salvation. She was determined to find it, to offer her assistance in their dire predicament.
Just as her thoughts raced, a letter materialized before her eyes. Its sudden appearance caught her off guard, filling her with intrigue and anticipation.
THE KINGDOM OF ELIXIR
Sofia was just about to fall asleep after a long, tiring day when a magical letter invaded her sleep.
THE KINGDOM OF DREADVOWS
Amiera, like her six siblings, was no exception to the strange occurrences happening around them. In the silence of the night, while her mother slumbered, a letter materialized before her, shrouded in an air of mystery.
******
THIRD PERSON'S POV:
Curiosity piqued, all seven siblings gathered, their eyes fixed on the letter as they opened it together. Their hearts skipped a beat when they discovered the message was written in blood, sending shivers down their spines.
"If you are reading this, know your life is in danger. The time has come when you must really know each other! If you want to save yourself, your family and this universe, you must find Empress Soraya as soon as possible!"
As they read the chilling words, a sense of imminent danger washed over them. It became clear that their lives were at stake, and the time had come for them to truly understand each other. To save themselves, their family, and the very fabric of the universe, they had to embark on a mission to find Empress Soraya with the utmost urgency.
The contents of the letter left them bewildered, their minds racing with questions. The path ahead was veiled in uncertainty, but they knew they had to act swiftly and unravel the mysteries that awaited them.
THE KINGDOM OF ASSYR
"We are deeply honoured that you have chosen to grace us with your presence," Mika humbly stated, bowing respectfully before Soraya.
Soraya smiled warmly, her eyes twinkling with joy. "Oh, my dear friend, there is no need for such formalities. I have longed to spend time here in Assyr. It has been a whole year since I last saw Tartelon, Harris, and Dristan. Besides, spending my birthday alone is something I detest the most."
Mika's face lit up with delight. "How delightful! We are truly honoured to have you as our esteemed guest here. Moreover, it is a day meant for celebration, and we shall make it truly special," she expressed her heartfelt gratitude.
As Soraya settled into the embrace of Assyr, she felt a sense of warmth and belonging. The anticipation of celebrating her birthday among cherished friends made her heart soar. Little did she know that the days ahead would bring unexpected twists and revelations, forever changing their lives.
**********
"Oh dear, what is all this?" Soraya exclaimed in surprise the next day when she discovered that the entire Kingdom of Assyr had been invited to celebrate her birthday.
Queen Lucy, wearing a false smile, responded, "It is the least we could do to honour you, Queen Soraya. We want to make this day truly unforgettable."
As the people of Assyr shouted, "All hail Empress Soraya! All hail King Tartelon! All hail Queen Lucy!" Soraya's heart swelled with happiness, unaware of the lurking danger that threatened her land and her people.
Among the crowd, seven girls stood together, still strangers to one another. However, their paths were destined to intertwine. Suddenly, an arrow was launched toward Soraya. In a split second, Victoria leapt into the air, drawing a weapon and defending her Empress.
The crowd stood in shocked silence, unsure if it was Victoria's swift action or the arrow itself that had startled them. But before they could recover, another arrow found its mark, piercing Victoria's arm. She winced in pain, and at that moment, their birthmarks began to glow. Despite her injury, Victoria valiantly attempted to deflect the incoming arrows, but she was outnumbered. The villains concealed themselves, striking from safety.
"Watch out!" Sofia cried out, utilizing her powers over the wind to divert an arrow away from Victoria's eyes, saving her from a dire fate.
"Thank you," Victoria whispered gratefully.
The attackers revealed themselves, manipulated by the dark entity Achlys. Empress Soraya could hardly believe her eyes, but she found herself unarmed. Sofia and Victoria refused to yield, fighting against the possessed assailants. Victoria's skills were on full display, while Sofia offered her support.
"Retreat! They are overwhelming us!" Victoria shouted, her eyes locked on the malevolent presence.
"It's too late! They're everywhere!" Sofia replied from the other side, a note of urgency in her voice.
Amid the chaos, Catherine joined the fray, using her mind-controlling smokescreen to combat their adversaries. Her actions inadvertently saved a young boy who had inadvertently wandered into danger.
Marina, realizing the limits of her powers, attempted to create a protective wall of water. It momentarily halted the advance of the Achlys, while Catherine and Sofia guided the crowd to safety. However, Marina's control over the water proved insufficient, and the wall collapsed, causing them to retreat to the ground.
Unable to bear the sight any longer, Isadora summoned her connection with nature, transforming trees into formidable weapons. She smashed the masks of the attackers as they passed by, striking fear into their hearts.
Yet, the battle was far from won. More men arrived, bewildered by the unexpected resistance they encountered. The girls grew weary, their magic wavering unexpectedly. The dark, menacing creatures closed in on them, sending chills down their spines. Helen stepped forward, employing her light-based abilities to distract the creatures, but their resistance proved formidable. Several arrows struck Helen, and they all hissed in unison.
AMIERA'S POV:
I watched in disbelief as chaos unfolded before my eyes. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. Why had I received that mysterious letter instructing me to find Empress Soraya? Why did I come to this place? Who were the assailants attacking the kingdom, and who were the ones aiding us?
Though I had never met any of them before, I felt an inexplicable connection with the other girls. As my birthmark glowed on my wrist, I witnessed one of them being struck by an arrow. Strangely, I noticed that all of us reacted in unison as if bound by some unseen force. What was happening?
As I witnessed their pain and injuries, something within me roared with fierce protectiveness.
Let me take over. My inner self tells.
No, you cannot, we promised Mother! I shut her up. My inner self pleaded to take over, but I silenced her. My mind raced, unable to focus amidst the overwhelming anguish. It was as if I could feel every bit of their suffering, amplified tenfold compared to the strange pains I had experienced since childhood.
I saw that we all shared in the torment, whimpering in pain. And as those dark, vapid creatures menacingly advanced, the king's men tried to help, but they proved powerless against the onslaught.
Then, another arrow struck the blonde girl, and I lost control again. Before I knew it, my flames erupted, consuming the attackers in a blaze of fiery wrath. By the time I regained my composure, Marina had created a shield of water to protect us from the flames. Relief washed over me as I saw they were safe.
"Thank you," Marina said with a small smile, but I couldn't reciprocate. Fear gripped me. My mother had warned me never to reveal my powers, and I had broken that promise. I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt.
Before I could retreat, a group of the king's men apprehended us.
"You are to be presented before the Empress and King!" they declared.
"Wait, what? I saved all of you, and this is how you repay us?" I roared in frustration. But my outburst changed nothing. Although I could have easily unleashed my flames upon them as well, I remembered my mother's promise. I no longer wanted to break it.
Soon, we found ourselves standing before the Empress and King. The ladies beside me shared an undeniable connection, and I couldn't help but feel somehow linked to them.
"Tell me, who are you all, and how dare you attack Assyr?" a lady, possibly from the royal family, demanded to know.
"We didn't attack. It was those vapid creatures that assaulted the kingdom. We tried to defend and protect," Sofia replied.
"Dare not speak, you devils! You have committed crimes! Look at the destruction you've caused! As capital traitors, you all deserve to be beheaded! Guards!"
What? Now we would be executed for helping them? What kind of twisted people and a kingdom was this? I felt the need to use my powers once again. I couldn't die here, not in this absurd land.
"Stop!" Just as I was about to unleash my powers to free us, a welcomed interruption shattered the tension. "They are the lost princesses!" an elderly witch announced, causing gasps to fill the room.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
So hey guys, this chapter was from the third person's Pov. As the drama narration was hard with so many characters. Hope you enjoyed it. Please vote and share for the chapter!