The breeze is splendid. Crystalized leaves. Bejeweled flowers. And most of all the golden white and blue, hued so perfectly in the picture perfect landscape. This is Fizenia. A place for extraordinary people who have spiritual magic. Far from the other world called "human realm".Looking like it's so far from the destruction of wars and oblivion, yet it was quite the opposite.And, not far from danger that is to come. And not far from their hatest and cruelest enemy. Zenithians. People who live in darkness. People who enjoyed having black magic. Creepy, the Fizenians would say.
Even if the Land of Zenith, who were living to the farthest north,and who were millions and million of miles away from them, the hatred between the two lands are typically overwhelming. People, who don't know might think, Fizenians are happy people. Bright, enthusiastic, friendly, and kind and they might also think that Zenithians are cruel, stupid, barbaric, and murderers. Some might be right or wrong, but the young Queen don't think so.
Fizenians, may seem to be happy lively people but in the outright moments there are dark sides, the same with their enemies, the Zenithians.
Fizenia's Palace was one of the fizenian's most admired architecture and it's sometimes even the main subject of their talented painters. The Queen's Watchtower was the grandest among the beautiful balconies and watchtower of the royal palace. It is adorned with their symbolic stone. Ruby. Flaming rubies are glowing beneath the afternoon sun, almost enveloping the Queen's Watchtower, as if whoever was going to that place is a fierced ruler, with flaming powers, enveloping the place he or she is standing. The other watchtowers and balconies, including the rooftop were also embedded with red gems but not ruby though. Every red gem stone that they have is connected to their rules. Red sapphire for example are for wisdom, which came from the first rule "Be witty and have vast knowledge for the future of this kingdom".Then, there's Red Garnet, a symbol for good health and free from any kinds of disease, the so called "healing stone".This came from the second rule which " Be in good health for the future generation of Fizenians".Next, was the Red Zircon, a symbol for virtue connects with the third rule"Be nice. Be kind. Do it for the peace of this kingdom. Everyone deserved your kindness and so are you." Red Fire Opal symbolized for birds of paradise, justlike the fourth rule which is "Ablaze like wild fire in protecting our nest"(refers to Fizenian Kingdom). Then there's Red Spinel, a symbol for eternity, infinity or immortality. This cover's the fifth rule which is " Honor and bow down before the crown forever. ".
Ruby jem is different, however. Symbolism is love. Love. Yet, it's symbol doesn't even matter to the young Queen. Whose heart had been bruised, reopened and added new wounds again.
She stared at her chair as she sat lazily on the ruby adorned chair. Atop her palace, the "Queen's Watchtower", she sat as she stared down at the billion fizenians walking up and about at palace grounds. Her coronation as a queen had just finished and she was exhausted. So, atop of the palace, Princess Zhia, or rather she was called the " Young Queen" Zhia, ruler of Fizenia, who at just a young has incredible wit and knowledge of the land she is reigning upon. She knew full well the power which had been with them but is gone because of a tragedy years ago. Right now, she watching her own people, who were look like ants because of how high where she sat. She sighed, "It has been a decade" she said, "how fast time pass"then she looked beyond the horizon, so far that even her two castle guards didn't know what she was thinking. " It has been so long, yet the tragedy that happened back then stayed, and didn't even cease."She was referring to the previous war that had happened between the Fizenians and Zenithians. For ten long years, they stayed in that conflict, even before Princess Zhia was coronated as queen. Now, it's mostly a cold war between the two clans. At the least that was she was hoping. She never wanted any wars anyway. It is most likely because the Zenithians wants to rule the realm, they want royal blood coming from them too, cause they longed to be free and they were dying to see Fizenians bow down to their kind. But, it's really a bad thing for them, cause only people who control a certain powerful gem can dominate them, and the people who has that were no other than a family from the Fizenians, so it was decided even at beginning of history, that the Fizenians are the rulers. Of course, not all Zenithians agreed to these so for every century or decade, there are conflicts and wars, and because of these catastrophes, the second king, established the "House of Guardians" where in special extraordinary, smart, wise and physically strong Fizenians are chosen from birth to become guardians of each and every member of the royal family. Then, at the time, of the third king's reign, these extraordinary Fizenians were no longer called Fizenians but "Guardian", and only a certain clan grew those special kind of guardian. Their ears were long and pointed, there hair would vary from red, white, green, and yellow the color of the seasons. They exceed in power and strength, and there specialty or main abilty was the telepathy.
The previous sovereigns might have added these extra protections, yet at the end, at the reign of the late king, Princess Zhia's father, everything was in chaos. The guardians blamed themselves for being irresponsible. Some, almost die in insanity, because of what happened to their protegee'. One of them, even fleed to her home, just for not saving the young prince, and now, Princess Zhia also blamed herself for not doing anything at the time of the incident.
Zhia sighed as she looked up at the sky. " Hey! Twin brother! I hope that your watching me, wherever you might be" she shivered, the afternoon breeze might be a little colder than usual, or maybe it was only her imagination. She look from her left then to her right. The guards didn't seem to think her insane again. She was used to it. Being stared at and being the topic for gossips because she always says that her brother isn't dead, he just DISAPPEARED. At least that was what she saw back then. Yes, everything happened too fast that she might've seen it all wrong. So, if it is wrong where is her brother's body? A huge question no one can answer yet they still doubt that the prince was still alive.
'I will not lose hope. I know he's out there somewhere'. she said in her thoughts. As for now that she's crowned queen, a husband-to-be is a must, but her guardian flatly rejects her plan, saying she's too young. So now, how will she reign without her daddy, her brother, or even a husband.
'Oh, yes. Carden is always here.' She thought.
Carden, is the best, smartest and the most loyal knight of her late father. He is the only person she could turn to in times of trouble. He was her saviour back when she was almost killed by Zenithians, when her guardian wasn't there on time. She owes him everything. He trusted her and in turn she trusted him, and it was a good thing that he didn't die.
Then, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from behind her.
"Your Majesty! " an attendant cried out, as the attendant came to her. She whispered something to Zhia, and something that she said made her stood up suddenly. Anger ruled her face.
She quickly changed her royal gown and robe into the traditional chinese cheongsam black dress, with red thunder-like pattern. Showing her body figure more, many would recognize her as a teenager with a great body with the dress she wore right now ,cause for a queen she would put in tons of symbolic garments, and her coronation gown were a lot more burdensome, it was a good thing it was long finally over. Yet. Besides the heavy gowns and robes she wore, a lot of thing are more bothersome. Just like now. She began to wonder what is it she's gonna check out. The tone of the attendant was enough to make her heart beat fast. Was it the thing that she's been bothered for awhile be discovered now? Or was it another struggle for her? Things had made her uneasy since the Zenithians had been silent for awhile. What now?
She mounted her Arabian horse, then she saw her warden came and mounted his horse as well. She pouted. Being protected is what she dislike most.
The handsome guardian sighed, slighly annoyed of her childishness.
"Enough of annoyed faces, Princess" he said with eyes closed, he couldn't stop sighing.
The guardian then opened his eyes, his ocean blue eyes, glittered under the golden afternoon sun.
Beautiful, Zhia thought. Then, the guardian frowned, "Come on. Get moving, you don't want to get there by night fall, are you not?"
Yet annoying, she contradicted her thoughts.
"Don't talk to your queen like that! "Zhia cried angrily
" Yes maam" the guardian replied bowing. Must be a sarcasm, Zhia thought.
"Idiot Soho" she whispered under her breath.
Then, they galloped passed the villages of Fizenia, and every time they pass by, the fizenians bow down in homage to her, and when the knights behind her would come right after they saluted as they saw their flag.
Finally, arriving at their destination Zhia was frozen in horror.Billions of different kinds of trees stood in front front of them. But it wasn't the trees of this forest that shocked her, rather it was the darkness that slowly crept unto it. This is Ultima Thulme Forest. The forest that divides the boundaries between Fizenia and Zenith.This forest is a large vast of land, it's millions and millions of hectares wide, reaching at the very north, which is where the Zenith's boundary resides. Yet, they didn't see this one coming, for darkness are beginning to envelop their light.
She furiously led her horse inside the forest, for the real boundary is at the middle of this huge forest. It would take awhile even on horseback once they travelled inside it. Ultima Thulme forest wasn't just wide in hectares, the trees of this forest were also gigantic as if long time ago, giants lived here. Nothing seems odd or suspicious on their part, but how about when they come to set foot, just some inches away from the enemy's own boundaries?
Zhia immediately came down once she saw her soldiers standing in front of the dark space.
"What's going on? " she asked. Where's the line? "She was referring to the vine-like line, the line for the division for both lands.
" It's inside Your Majesty"one soldier said
"What do you mean? " she asked her heart beating fast.
"The Zenithians' powers were overpowerring ours. The line that divides our line from them are inside, meaning they consumed quite a potion from the power of our land.
She almost stumbled, when she heard this. But, her guardian caught her.
"Looks like this topic is sensitive for weak hearts" he said smirking
Zhia angrily, pulled him away. She must come up with a solution. How will they protect the villagers near the forest?
"We have to create a new barrier", she finally said, " Make it two rather, one here and one right outside the Ultima Thulme, just right near where the nearby villagers can be protected"
"I'll rely your message immediately to the House of Guardians" her messenger said.
She then stared out inside the darkness trying to make out something.
"Your Majesty?" Her guardian asked worriedly.
"Say, has anyone tried to enter in there? " she asked, "or might someone have intentionally or accidentally enter that in a hurry?"
One guard came forward and said, "I'm sorry, My Queen but nobody ever dared to enter inside that even at the cost of our life"
Zhia nodded. "Just what's on your mind Princess" her guardian asked. Reminding her time and again, that she's still a princess to him, even if she was coronated queen over and over again.
"Look, " she pointed out. "If no one really dared to enter here then those vines should be left untouched. Yet, itlooks as though someone run over it and quickly escaped, the broken vines cut down there..." then she points beneath her, "... to here. Seems a bit odd don't you think? "
The guardian removed his head protector, hair white as snow show off as if he is in the wrong season. "Why don't we discuss it with your counselor? " he suggested.
"You're right. I should." Then she looked at the tallest and the one considered strongest among her knights, "Malvar! "
"Yes, Your Majesty" he replied.
"I entrust you that nearby village, the village of Xerxes and bring some trained knights and archer with you. Protect the village. The Zenithians might soon attack... again. "
The guard nodded and followed her orders.
*****
Zhia immediately came looking for someone as soon as set foot on the palace.
"Princess! " the guardian said trying to catch up to her. She's walking way too fast, he thought. "Princess, you've been so straight forward to your knights awhile back, what's-"
"Not now Soho, I'm in big hurry right now" she said wihout looking back"I'm going to talk to Carden, as you said I needed his advice"
"But Princess, I will be there too, what's the hur-"
"No! " Zhia said, this is the only time she looked at him, "I'm sorry Soho but this discussion between he and I are confidential, you musn't come here"
"You... don't trust me... do you, Princess" he asked his bright handsome face become clouded with sadness.
"It's not that I don't trust you, right now the situation is terrible, and I needed Carden's help here"
Soho nodded in understanding.
"Lord Carden! Helpme! " she immediately cried out once she was inside."The forest... The village... Something... Not right... There's dark... Someone's betraying.... I can't... I.. I... I"
"Your Majesty! Calm yourself down, talk it slowly."Carden said standing up and assisting her. " I know you want to save out people but fretting out isn't the best solution, and besides you're too young to fight with them"
"That is why I needed your help. Tell me! What am I supposed to do.
Carden scratched his head, seeing the enveloping of the white hair as a sign of getting old. " Then, Your Majesty forgive this servant for his rudeness but may I borrow that you kept in secrecy the whole ten years. "
"You mean the 'Zeinak'" she asked.
"Yes Your Majesty, if you allow this servant please let us see to it, cause as you know only the Zeinak has the power to protect our land."
"Well... that was my fault. "
"What do you mean Your Majesty? "
"Well... ten years ago... what actually happened was different on the way I told Mom, Dad and you... I... lied actually... Back then... that time when were being chased by the Zenithians... Uhhh... Well... you see we got cornered up ... and I didn't know what had just happened... but all I know is I released a power that I could't control.... and... I broke the stone to pieces"
"What you broke the Zeinak?! " Carden asked shocked upon hearing it.
"I didn't mean to it! I swear! " Zhia cried out in defence, "no one knows that I broke the gem... except for my twin brother... and that is why... I lied to Mom and Dad... even to you... But, actually I never intended to hide the truth for long... I wanted to tell Mom and Dad everything.... Yet... I didn't they'd... die... before I could even talk it out... "
"So Your Majesty where is the gem right now? The kingdom is at stake if we don't have it. "
"I don't exactly know. But, I remembered my twin brother Zhian, picking up the gem... so desperately as if his life depends on every single shard... while I... being a useless sister... just stood there frozen in horror of the mistake I've just done. Then, that time, another group of Zenithians came and... I felt determination to illiminate them... yet, it was another vain mistake... I wanted to save ourselves so badly that with that feeling... I released another blast of my power... then... for all I know.. that time... the Zeinak gone... my brother died-no-not died... he... he... disappeared... He did! Together with the gem... that's what I know... It's all my fault!... I made my brother disappeared... it's like I... his only sister.... I.... KILLED HIM! It's... It's my-"
"Your Majesty pull yourself together! " Carden cried out worriedly. "It's not your fault okay!? You had just did it because of your survival instinct. Don't be too hard on yourself! "
"If you didn't went there in time to see me,maybe.... just maybe... I could've known where both my brother and the Zeinak went... for all I know... he's not... I know he isn't dead... so maybe if you hadn't save me back then, then I... could have both of them safe with me... "
"Your Majesty! " Carden said heavily sighing, putting his hands on her shoulders" this isn't the time to be blaming yourself over and over again. Listen, if I didn't save you, how could I have save your parents from insanity, and how will you protect this kingdom if you wanted that to happen. Also, do you want Soho to cry out in insanity, like what happened back then? "
Zhia grew silent, tears falling down her cheeks
"You see Your Majesty. Wuthout you here alive, Fizenia is long been under the power of Zenith. Can't you see how your survival, save the lives of us fizenians? "
Zhia nodded in understanding.
"But... " she said wiping her tears, "If it is the Zeinak that the kingdom needs in order to be protected from their power, then I'll risk my life to find it" she said determined.
Carden sighed hard. "But, where in the world had the Zeinak gone, and your brother? "
Zhia sighed, "I don't know. Maybe at the end of Zenith and Fizenia's boundary? "
Carden lookin ed at her in shock, "You mean the human's realm Your Majesty? "
"What's the 'human realm'? " Zhia asked innocently.
"It's a very dangerous place Your Majesty. People in that place are quite different from us. "
"Do you think the Zeinak flew over that realm? "
"We'll try to find out Your Majesty" Carden said
Zhia thought for a moment, "Wait my lord" she said, "don't instruct anyone, it would be quite dangerous, let me do it"
"But Your Maj-"
"No! " she said in determination, "I made out my mind, I will correct the mistake that made back then"
"Your Majesty, it's too-"
"I know, that is why for you not to worry, I will assign you to take care of me until you sent me safely there. Is that okay with you? "
Carden bowed in defeat. "Alright" he said, "as you wish Your Majesty. But how about Soho. How will you explain this to him"
Zhia looked at the door. Just beyond it, is where her guardian is waiting patiently for her. "Keep this from him, until I set foot to that place, okay. "
Poor Soho. Carden thought. How will the guardian be kept from being insane, if his protegee' is acting recklessly again.
"And also I'll leave this place in your hands" Zhia said, "Take care of it until I return"
Carden sadly nodded in obedience. He knew that he couldn't go against her if she is determined.
"You've really grown up" he said proudly. He had been the acting father ever since this young Queen's parents passed away.
"Let's go. Ready all preparations" Zhia said.
Then, when their meeting was finally over, they came out where the concerned Soho was begging to ask where she's up to. Zhia gave him a cold shoulder. He was trying to hide it but he was deeply hurt by her actions. Soho watched as he looked at Zhia longingly and with hurt on his eyes saying, "Where are you going again without me, Princess"