3 days ago (Flashback)
The kingdom of Esgarde, situated in the East near the ocean, land with less mountains and hills but with wide fields consisting of large deep water basins which is the kingdom's one source of income. Esgarde, like other Eastern kingdoms, still hold on to old tradition and is less advanced than the Westerners. Either way, one would be most fascinated by the cozy beauty of this country but must beware of what lurks deep within this breathtaking place.
"Where are you going mother?" Prince Irith called out, following his Queen mother's shadow down the shiny cobalt floor of their luxurious castle, Queen Zindove turned to look up her son, her pride and joy, the only hope she had in this kingdom.
"To the Western lands my son, Mylinggr if you wanted to be more specific" His face scrunched up and raised an eyebrow. 'Mylinggr is a 6 day trip if taken by train and 1 week and a half if by envoy from Esgarde, a country in the Western landmass surrounded by strong winds and grassy plains. Why in the abyss would she go there?'
"What for?" Irith eyed his mother, skeptical of what she's about to pull.
"You have to trust me on this Irith, I can't lose you like your father. I promise, I'll explain when I get home" The queen held her son's face, eyes brimming with tears and a softened smile.
"Carmilla! Ready the carriage" Her hand withdrawn and with her warmth Zindove left with her handmaiden following her steps. Prince Irith was left standing by the open door but instead of showing worry he remained nonchalant and turned to his heels before--
"My Prince, the prince and princess of Jadetown are waiting in the gardens."His brows furrowed, he was certain Kamiya didn't inform him of their arrival.
'What is it this time?' Annoyed, he thought and proceeded to the venue of their siesta.
"Prepare snacks and a meal for the royals of Jadetown..."
---
The door opened and glorious Prince Irith walked out clothed in beige white as his signature wardrobe, his short white hair shone in the light of the sun but the look on his face contradicts it.
"Ohayo! Irith-sama~" Princess Kaguya waved next to her brother who laughed at Irith for his sour look.
"You two. I did not receive a letter prior to your arrival" Kaguya giggled behind her autumn designed fan.
"Friends don't need approval to visit right?"
----
"Queen Zindove, I'm glad you're here" Queen Izstahra welcomed the newly arrived ruler in her abode.
Mylinggr, country of the tempest, where strong winds reside among the plains and waterfalls of the country. A member of the Western kingdoms, situated on a large landmass next to which can be reached by sea transportation or through a longer more frostbitten path of Derfes that connects to the mainland.
A country on a plateau with its kingdom built in the center; the nation itself like Jadetown has a countryside vibe where it's surrounded by wide plains of flowers, lush forest and short mountains. Advance as it is, Mylinggr is protected by five towers keeping the barrier up made for detecting unauthorized outsiders for the guards or the Soothsayers to handle. To get inside the second most advanced territory, one must pass the iron gate under the waterfall only to be opened by those inside keeping check of the records. As for those who cannot observe the rules, no one knows that the winds in the country only conform to the royals and Queen Izstahra can keep them shut anytime.
"How was your trip?" The royals walked side by side to the garden, where a gazebo decorated for their meeting was. Aligned together were rows of Amerythis flowers blooming in the season as if celebrating an upcoming event of the kingdom. "Quite tiring, Queen Izstahra, fortunately no harm was executed in our path.... Say, these flowers looked lovely.... it's been 5 years since I last visited your kingdom" The white haired queen stopped to take a quick look at the bright and fragrant opalescent colored flower as the queen's garden contains a variety of amerythises. The blood red gem in the center of these blooms sparkled at the light of the sun as Queen Izstahra let out a shy chuckle,
"You are free to take a bouquet"
When they reached the said gazebo, the queen signalled their handmaidens and soldiers to keep their distance.
"Without further adieu, let's begin" Mylinggr's queen offered her a seat as their meeting finally commenced.
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Present
Xiuying's POV
It's two days and a half when sister left for her mission and big brother came home. Kale? Oh he and Soren got along pretty well, they seem to understand each other better over a match of chess.
Kale isn't pretty bad of a guy as sister described, interesting one if you ask me. I don't know about Linthea but he tells compelling stories about the countries he traveled so far. Plus! He's a Niâo Rén, I heard stories about these..birdmen from my kingdom although for unknown reasons they lost their existence in Missenia... I've always wanted to meet one of his kind!
Winds blew a strand of my light brown hair as I gaze to the burning orange hue of the sky with a flock of birds flying in V formation...Linthea might be right, if she misses our parents, I miss them greatly too, I was too young when they died and I wish I could enjoy having them around as Soren and Linthea did. I wish I could learn more about them, enjoy their hugs and doting, cry about my nightmares and sleep in their bed; I want to hear how they met and fell in love with each other...my blurry memories could only retain their moments with me.
Now, we are only three, my brother shouldering the responsibilities as a parent of his siblings, my sister hiding most of her emotions appearing as a ticking volcano full of dormant emotions and I...I will do anything to keep them happy.
I hung my head low, the loss of our parents dealt a big pressure on both of them. I was just 6 years old when they died and we were taken under mother's trusted handmaiden, Camilla, she never said a word about my parents after their passing and moved on as if nothing ever happened.
I was told that I inherited my father's ability to control water while my brother got the signature family's ability to summon magical weapons but sister? Even Camilla never knew.. only Mom, Dad and Soren knew about her specialty and they kept it in the dark.
Like I said before, growing without our parents around induced change, Linthea developed a smug, laid-back exterior and enjoys taunting enemies with her smile but can be very cruel when she gets serious. Soren is never really serious..okay sometimes he is but paired with his strong gentle (silvery as judged by the ladies) voice and a playful attitude, he gets the eye of the crowd and mostly gets away with everything; a damn lady killer with a horde of girls chasing him.
My thoughts were interrupted when my phone rang, must've have the dang thing with me on the roof, "Hello! Xiuying Seiju here, what can I help?"I pushed the button to answer the call and instantly I heard Yato Agosti, the Whip Master's apprentice.
'What could it be this time' I rolled my eyes as my upper lips raised upwards in annoyance, 'Wait..unless,'
"Xiuying don't end for goodness sake! I'm sorry to call you but please listen to what I have to say"He pleaded and heaved a deep breath,"Linthea is in a dire state and was brought to the infirmary. We will explain the rest to you later when you get here" and with that the call ended.
Third Person's POV
Xiuying muttered a curse word and hurried downstairs interrupting Soren and Kale's match with her brother raising a brow at his sister's abrupt actions.
"What's up little sis?"He said, not making eye contact as he moved a pawn with a strategy to eat Kale's knight.
"Jiejie's rushed to the hospital-" Xiuying paused to catch her breath. A loud creak was heard as Soren suddenly stood up from his seat.
"What?"The both of them said in unison.
"Don't explain further...Xiuying, bring necessary essentials, I'll ready the techno-bikes" Soren rushed out of the door, "I'm coming too" Kale informed, following him outside.
----
"Ain't no way" Xiuying stood in astonishment when both unemployed girls and trainees started squealing Soren's name by the side entrance of the Stellarium.
Kale already hid his wings as he dismounted his bike, Soren in a gloomy state and Xiuying standing "He seems pretty popular" he commented with a smirk and eyed a girl wearing white who was stunned by his gaze.
Xiuying scoffed, "It's getting pretty annoying, hmp!"prolonging the pretty word. Seeing that the younger Seiju is more focused on her sister's condition, Kale wandered his eyes around the building. Icycilis itself was prestigious, with tall buildings none like Kayunta and streets 3 times busier than Strandethorn. The Stellarium was the building built in honour of Icycilis' Goddess of Peace tasked in managing the protection of other countries and itself. It may look simple outside but the interior was more than that, a fountain in the center with halls leading to different rooms. People of different races walked to and fro, room to room busy like ants and it seems like the girls fluttering around Soren were unbothered by their responsibilities.
While Soren was stagnant in his position as the girls swarmed around him, Xiuying walked past them with her head high, not sparing a glance with Kale following behind her, checking out the statue of a sitting blindfolded woman made of marble that's almost too realistic holding a round pitch black stone on her lap; smooth looking curves of the stone statue indicates that a woman made the sculpture. They paused just in front of the stairs leading to the second floor.
"Hey wait-!" Soren yelled behind as he was left at the entrance of the building.
"He's just too perfect!"
"You can have Gabriel Matilda, he's mine!"
"He's mine back off!"
"I can't believe we timed his arrival!"
"It was my idea!!"
"Ladies please calm yourselves I'm here to tend to my sister so please leave me alone" As if they were ignorant of his urgency, the sound of his voice made almost all the girls squeal and giggle while one already fainted. Kale turned back and crossed his hands to his chest while Xiuying tapped her foot in an impatient manner.
"Damnn.."The grey haired man chuckled, "Let's go Xiuying, they'll only slow us down" Xiuying sighed and walked her way to the right.
"I hope she gets well Soren-darling" A redhead dramatically wiped her invisible tears with a handkerchief and leaned close to him, Soren nods and mouthed his thanks to the girls with alacrity as they bid their 'Get well soon' regards before backing away from the group and ran to catch up to his sister.
"Tsk, if only I was ugly" He lamented as he quickly caught their pace. Kale laughed and just patted him on the shoulder. Xiuying rolled her eyes playfully and continued walking until they reached a pale green colored door with three fuchsia feathers dangling from its holder. Soren heaved a deep breath before opening the door to Adrianna's clinic.
Inside the room was a long spacious hallway with cubicles facing each other, wide enough for doctors to operate and families of patients to swarm into. They searched for their sister where they found her unconscious in one of the beds, her face is ghostly white as if she turned into ice and her breathing slower than usual. On the plush chairs near the lady medic's table sat Yato who perked his head up and looked at Calyx, both stood from their seat but before they could could say something Soren quickly approached Linthea's side,"What in Sa'dar happened to my sister?"he asked in an inquisitive manner, his eyes set dead serious.
"....Soren take a seat first!" Yato nervously suggested with hands reaching out but when he realized it would be to no good he retracted while Calyx offered the other two a seat but Xiuying stood by her brother's side, "I'll tell you what happened"Calyx said with his calm composed demeanor, voice slightly breaking but is quickly reinforced.
"I assumed it was a witch, we were close to the perimeter of the Lightbane territory when Linthea was shot by a dart, to make this short, she is currently under a deteriorating condition where her body is most susceptible to illnesses even at a five perimeter distance."Calyx placed a hand on Soren's shoulder and explained to his best friend with no trouble at all; Soren was taken aback by the revelation, his fists clenched by his side. At that moment Xiuying started to cry with Kale reaching out to comfort her at which she received.
"She's going to be okay...."Calyx sighed, trying to assure them, "Lady Adrianna already gave her shots and prescripts her to stay here for a couple of days...my apologies but we can't stay here any longer excuse us, we'll report this matter to the Arch Lady. Yato?" Calyx nods in sign of formality, he fixed the creases of his coat and together with Yato they left for the door but before the apprentice of the bow could fully slip out, he mentioned about leaving something on the table for Linthea.
Soren sighed, he knew this would happen any time soon but the attacks are slowly getting more damaging, he has to do something about it.
"Xiuying, tell your master to let us bring Théa home, she would be safe there."
------
"Still, the culprit will pay for what it did and I'm going there to let them have it!"Soren fumed, his hands balled tight as he gripped the sword in its sheath that has been around his waist ever since they got into the building.
"I'm coming" Kale started cracking his fingers.
"What's going on here?" Xiuying joined the conversation as she got back inside, brows furrowing at their sudden plans. Soren was calm before and now he loses his cool?
"Who do those witches think they are? Picking on my sister like that-" His tone laced with the eagerness to kill changed Xiuying's inquisitive expression to a terrified one. Soren clicked his tongue, "Tiolas shouldn't be a neutral territory by now, they've caused too many casualties"
"Whoa whoa whoa slow down! what about me...?"She reasoned out in an attempt to ease him of his anger. "Alone? But you aren't sure yet, Soren" Amanda piped behind his back and reached out a hand but then withdrew it, 'When did she-?' Xiuying asked flabbergasted in her mind at that woman's ability to eavesdrop on a number of conversations. She hates her every being for it.
"Leave me be....I know what I'm doing!"Soren replied angrily and made his way out of the room, his quick steps echoed through the halls, Xiuying glared at Amanda who followed close behind him.
'That witch made him furious even more! Why can't she just leave us be and mind her own business!' Xiuying raged in her mind for Amanda's lack of perception to her surroundings.
"Kale, please watch over my sister for a bit, I'm going to find my brother..."Sighing as she stood, Xiuying informed Kale who nodded silently, "Soren you dummy...why do you insist on putting yourself in danger?!"she hissed under her breath.
"As I always will" He muttered but she heard him well before she ran outside.
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Trivia:
Yato Agosti is the youngest of the successors but is 2 years older than Xuiying, the oldest successors were Amanda and Soren.