ARCAVELL: Bluemoon Coven

Standing before two large stone statues of a man and a woman, a young girl gazed up. Her rosy face, small pouty lips, and striking blue eyes were framed by long, thick black hair. With her arms folded, she bowed solemnly to the statues, her eyes drifting to the nameplates at their base. The words were carved boldly:

"To the Fallen Heroes of Valkathis, to whom we owe our lives and the peace we enjoy. Cairos and Seraphine Aetheris."

These were her parents, the ones who gave their lives to raise the Aegis Imperium during the Great War. She had only been a few months old then and knew them only through stories of their bravery.

Seventeen years had passed since the Great War, but its scars were still felt throughout the empire. The name Sebastian was barely spoken, a fae rebel whose thirst for power destroyed Valkathis. It was said that he commanded an army of the undead to attack the kingdoms.

The heroes of the three kingdoms; Faes of Sylvaria, werewolves of Krevandor and Mages of Arcavell had fought together in that last battle. But the strongest amongst them were defeated. Krevandor's warriors couldn't stand against the endless undead, and Arcavell's most powerful sorcerers used up all their magic. Sylvaria's last breath was given to protect their people, and still, Sebastian kept coming.

The vampires were the only ones who retreated at the last moment. Duskaryn's rulers, like shadows, hid behind their citadel walls, locking their gates while the rest of Valkathis burned.

But it was Elara's parents' sacrifice that saved what little was left. With their life force, they raised a shield that spread across the land, trapping Sebastian and his undead army in the sacred forest. Their deaths were the final act, a desperate move that gave Valkathis the chance to begin healing.

Valkathis,The once thriving empire, where magic bled into every corner, now marred by scars of the great war.

To the east of the empire,is the whispering forests of Sylvaria, the lands of the faes, where silver leaves shimmered like moonlight. This was the realm of mystery, a place where the wind carried forgotten songs and unseen eyes watched over those who dared wander too far. The sky above Sylvaria always seemed just a little too close, as though the land itself sought to touch the heavens.

To the south lay Krevandor, the mountains that housed the werewolves, and deep within their shadows, the pack roamed freely. Krevandor was a land of stone and storm, where the howl of the wind and the howl of its wolves were one and the same.

Arcavell, home to the mages, rose in the west like a fortress of stars. Its crystal towers reached into the sky, trapping the sun and reflecting its light in a thousand different hues. Arcavell was a place of knowledge, where the air hummed with power.

The north shrouded in darkness, The blood-soaked lands of Duskaryn, the vampire kingdom. Here, the light of the sun never reached. The vampires had once been part of the grand unity of Valkathis, but now their name was spoken in contempt, for when the empire needed them most, they had retreated into their shadows.

And between these kingdoms, dividing them was the Boundless Sea. An endless expanse of water so deep and so dark that any who dared cross it were never seen again. Legends said that beneath it, an ancient power slept, waiting for the right time to rise.

" Wow wow wow, look who we have here, the filthy blue eyes" the voice was followed by giggles from the girls approaching.

Elara woke up from her reverie and turned to the approaching girls, Thalira, Orith, and Vessa. They are her cousin Elendra's minions, who wouldn't miss a chance to bully her.

Thalira dressed in a dark gray wool dress, with slight round cut neckline, the sleeves are long and narrow, fitting snugly to her arms, thin blue thread embroidered along the hem and sleeves adding a touch of magic, with a leather belt around her small waist, showing her delicate figure walked towards Elara with raised shoulders.

Shifting her eyes to the towering statues, Thalira gazed at Elara mockingly.

" Are you not ashamed of showing your filthy self to the Eternal Guardians? You still have the nerve to come here after being forbidden to enter the sacred hall" Thalira spat at Elara.

" I think she has forgotten her place once again " Vessa chimed in, with a smirk on her face.

Elara clenched her fist tightly, suppressing her urge to cry and lash out at them.

" Tut Tut" Thalira moved closer to Elara and stroke Elara's delicate face with her index finger, jealousy burns inside her as she sees her flawless face, despite the hardship the trash have gone through, she could still have such flawless skin.

" You're no longer the once pampered princess Elara, you're just a filthy waste, a disgrace to the mages, and you have no right to consider yourself a child of the eternal guardians" Thalira spoke fiercely

Stepping back with satisfaction, she wiped her fingers with disgust and threw the handkerchief at Elara's face.

" Let this be the last time you sully the eternal guardians' sight with your filthy presence, you're not worthy" having achieved her aim, seeing Elara's tearful eyes, she throts away arrogantly

"Bye filthy blue eyes" Oriths laughter's echoes as they disappear out of sight

Taking mouthful of deep breathe to calm down and fights back her tears, Elara turns to the magnificent statues and bowed in shame " I'm sorry" she manages to utter as her voice choke with tears.

She turns and left the square in quick pace, wiping her eyes clean of the tears "stop being a cry baby Elara" she urges herself as the tears flow the more she wiped.

stepping into the bustling wide kitchen, Elara met Norah's angry face, despite her heart beating wildly, Elara tried to maintain a clam face as she pits her hand together and gave a curt bow " Hello Miss Nora" her tony voice barely audible.

" Awwwwwn, she who decides to finally grace us with her presence" Norah retorts with raised brows.

"Move your feet 'blue eyes' and quit standing like a moron, the cabbages aren't going to cut themselves" she then turns to leave but not without giving her a stern look in warning.

Breathing in relief, Elara rolled her sleeves as she moves towards the heaps of cabbages and starts cutting.

With Norah's exit the kitchen maids continues their gossip with excitement. It's another year for the "Alliance meeting" and Arcavell is the host this time. Royals from Krevandor and Sylvaris will come over to Arcavell but the young maidens focus is Fenrys Thorne, Alpha King of Krevandor.

Fenrys rose to power at the tender age of twelve after loosing his parents to the Great War, the young wolf had eliminated all foes and threat to his throne and created a massive bloodbath teen years ago. Rumours says the moon goddess didn't grant him a mate because of his ruthlessness.

But this only encourage many young maidens across Valkathis to dream of the dashing and powerful Alpha king, even the kitchen maids are no exception.

Elara shakes her head at their delusions, focusing on her cabbages.

Norah returns amidst the clamoring, glared at the girls in contempt.

" You all will follow me to the sanctum now, and make sure you keep your mouth shut if you don't want to lose your head, especially you Sarah" Norah instructs sternly.

" The sanctum uhn, it must be Elendra, I hope she doesn't notice me this time" Elara mumbles as she joins the line of maids moving to the white hall

The hall is an expansive space, with vaulted ceilings that seem to stretch endlessly, adorned with intricate patterns of glowing runes that shift colors depending on the nature of the meeting. Chandeliers made of enchanted crystal hang overhead, casting a soft, otherworldly light that illuminates the vast stone floor. Tall, arched windows made of stained glass, casting colorful shadows across the room when sunlight or moonlight streams through.

The walls are lined with carved reliefs of mythical beasts. The dais at the front is raised and imposing, where those of high authority stand to address the gathered crowd. The air is often filled with a soft hum of residual magic, giving an almost tangible sense of power to anyone who enters.

Sitting on the highest sit is Elendra Eldris, Magistral heir of Arcavell, granddaughter of the Sovereign Elder of Arcavell and Elara's older cousin, Dressed in midnight-blue silk gown, embroidered with delicate silver thread that glimmers subtly, the neckline is high with a slight v-shaped slit at the front, the sleeves are long and fitted but flare out at the wrist in bell-shaped cuffs, embroidered with magical runes in silver and pale blue, from the waist the skirt flows down in gentle waves giving it a floating appearance when she moves. Around her shoulders is a light cape of the same midnight blue fabric, clasped with a small gemstone brooch.

Her whole look screams royalty, lifting her head subtly to look at the maids arranged in two horizonal lines before her, Elendra scoffs in distain then lifts her dainty fingers to pick imaginary dirts as she address the maids.

"The Alliance meeting starts tomorrow and as the host, everything must be perfect" putting away her lazy demeanor, Elendra rose from her seat and walks down the platform, her shimmering gown moving in soft waves giving a floating illusion.

Elara's heart beats wildly as she keeps her head down hoping Elendra won't step down the dais, nor notice her presence.

" Royals from all of Valkathis will be here" scrunched her face in distain "well except Duskaryn, a single mistake will not only cost you your life, but your family's too" the threat in her voice unhidden.

Moving elegantly in front of the maids, her inquisitive eyes checking them out as she picks those who will serve the royals, deliberately leaving out the beautiful and curvy ones, dousing their excitement.

She thought smirkingly "even you lowly bitches wants to go near my man? Keep dreaming" then her eyes fell on a skinny maid with her head down squirming at a corner, trying to escape her sight.

"There you are blue eyes" Elendra face burst into a radiant smile as she walks briskly to Elara, puts her slender finger under Elara's chin to raise her head, seeing the "blue eyes" she always yearn for fierce jealousy burns through Elendra

Elara signs in resignation, it's always been this way, she always hope that one day Elendra will let go of her mad jealousy of her bloodline since she's proven useless, even after being spayed to a kitchen maid, Elendra never got tired of mistreating her.

"You'll serve Alpha king Fenrys" Elendra voice echoes, making the hall pin drop silent.

Elara eyes widen in shock, disbelief and fear as she looks into Elendra hazel eyes, gleaming with scheme and ruthlessness.

" Why? Why do y-you hate me this much?" Elara asked with shaky voice as her eyes turns blurry with unshed tears. "Why?"

'Cause you stole everything that should have been mine,' Elendra replied in her mind as she turned away briskly, ignoring the trembling Elara. 'There can only be one of us In this world Elara, either you or me.'