A naked girl, matching my age, slender with a petite frame, lay in my arms. Her skin was white and smooth, smoother than any I had ever touched, and her hair, pure white, cascaded around her face. Her eyes were closed as I lifted her from the water and carried her to the bedroom chamber, with Queen Andromeda walking beside me in measured strides. I gently placed her on the bed, covering her with sheets.
"Have you named her already?" Queen Andromeda inquired, her silver hair flowing down her back.
"Yes, but I didn't name her. Meredith named her Scar. I can hardly believe this is possible; she's human," I chuckled, settling beside her, my hand stroking her white hair.
"She is a being born from your spirit, transformed into part human and part beast. She is human because of your nature, but she possesses the supernatural powers of a beast, including the ability to heal. In fact, she has healed you several times without your knowledge," Queen Andromeda explained, standing behind me. I turned, startled by her words.
"She's saved me," I murmured, turning back to Scar, whose white eyebrows slightly furrowed in her sleep.
"But I don't remember," I muttered, my mind racing to recall the past.
"When the holy flames was manipulated by the demon witch and it consumed you, she was beside you. And when you fell from the apex of the castle, she healed you with her powers," Queen Andromeda responded quickly. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of Scar's peaceful, petite white face as she slept.
"Little monster. You've been my guardian angel all this time."
"A guardian angel in your world is a mythical creature that watches over humans. But Scar is more than that; she's an integral part of your essence, a fragment of your spirit. She was bequeathed to you by your mother. Upon her passing, Scar's spirit merged with you, reborn within you."
"My mother?"
"Yes. You must understand that not all vampires possess magical abilities; in fact, only 2 percent of us can wield magic. Those of us who do are either capable of reading minds and shape-shifting into others for brief periods, or we are blood mages, manipulating nature with the essence of our blood." She paused, her voice trailing off as she seemed lost in memories.
"Each magic-wielding vampire is born with a spirit beast. Your ancestors had no such companions because they lacked magical gifts, yet their bloodline was the most potent in the kingdom. When your mother was born, her spirit beast emerged from her soul in a beam of white light, materializing as a white kitten. As she aged, so did the kitten. On the day of your mother's death, you inherited her spirit beast, becoming its new guardian."
"I see. That explains why she has been with me since Mother passed away," I whispered, my eyes fixed on Scar. As I attempted to stand, Scar grasped my right hand, her green, non-slit eyes opening gently, her aura mirroring mine. She squinted at me, yawning slowly. I couldn't suppress a giggle—did she still think herself a mere cat? She tried to speak, but only a hoarse, strained sound escaped, her neck tensing with the effort.
"Ma... Mas... Master," she struggled to say.
"Maidens!" the queen called out, and promptly, two guards entered, opened the door, and bowed in deference.
"Watch over her. Dress her and bring her to me once she's regained her strength."
"As you command, Your Majesty," they responded. Queen Andromeda and I rose. Scar clung to my arm, her white brows furrowed, her gaze imploring me not to leave. I gave her a reassuring pat on the head.
"It's alright, Scar. I'll be right outside waiting for you; I won't leave you," I said with a warm smile, and she reluctantly released me. The queen and I stepped outside, heading back to the veranda. The queen touched her forehead, and a thread of red energy, sparking faintly, flowed out, curling into a small, glowing ball of energy.
"This memory sphere contains my combat skills; I choose you as its inheritor," the queen declared solemnly, holding the red sphere in her open palm.
"I can't. I can't accept this, Your Majesty. This should be inherited by Meredith, the future heir to the throne. I'm an outsider; I don't deserve this," I responded earnestly, reluctant to claim what wasn't rightfully mine.
"I choose who inherits my power," the queen replied calmly. "Please accept." Her plea was sincere, and although I wanted to refuse, I knew that to have any chance at saving Meredith, I needed to be skilled in warfare. I nodded in approval, closing my eyes. A sharp pain pierced my head, but it soon spread and diminished, leaving behind an unfamiliar sensation. I opened my eyes.
"Thank you, Jaze," the queen said appreciatively. I felt no physical changes, but mentally, I felt enlightened. Footsteps approached from behind.
"Your Majesty, she's ready," I heard as I turned to see Scar. She was now dressed in a black hooded cloak that draped elegantly over her shoulders. Beneath it, she wore a gray crop top with a rugged, casual style. Her skirt was layered with black materials, giving it a tiered look, complemented by matching black arm warmers or gloves and over-the-knee boots, completing her adventurer-like aesthetic. She hurried to me, squinting her eyes as she took my right hand and pressed her face against my chest.
"Your Highness!" A familiar voice called out from a distance.
"Ceaser," the queen acknowledged as he approached, kneeling on one knee and bowing his head in reverence.
"Your Majesty," he responded in a low voice.
"Ceaser, I am pleased you have volunteered to guide Jaze and his spirit beast to the land of the Wolf Clan." The queen then turned her gaze to me, placing her right hand on my shoulder.
"Your journey begins here, Jaze," the queen declared. I inclined my head in a slight bow as she leaned closer, her voice a soft whisper in my ear.
"Never reveal your surname to anyone."
With a final, lingering glance, she turned and swept gracefully from the room.