Chapter 3

The Bulwarkians were making commotions about Peony's issues. They were alarmed by her presence. Who wouldn't, anyway?

The shield is protection for Bulwarkians. No one can enter the Bulwark unless if you are a Bulwarkian. Peony was from Seacrest, she was a Seacrestian. How did she manage to enter?

Peony is an official Bulwarkian now. The queen declared it. A lot of people were against it but the queen decided that she’s the only one can change.

"Anyone who dares to hurt Peony Soledad will be sentenced to death."

Peony can feel the kindness and hospitality of Amnisty and Queen Sheele towards her but it didn't make her complacent. She's still afraid of the people who wanted to hurt her.

She's experiencing nightmares.

"Peony!"

"Amnisty." she cried.

"What did you do?"

Amnisty's eyes widened while looking at Peony's face. It was bleeding. There were a lot of scratches and some of them were deep.

"They will no longer recognize me if I'll change my face."

"Peony," Amnisty said softly.

Amnisty cupped Peony's face using her both palms. She knew that Peony had been experiencing hard times. She saw how the girl cried every midnight.

"We'll clean your wounds. You'll be fine, it takes time to heal," she said softly while brushing the long black silky hair of Peony.

They sat on Peony's bed. It was just a simple bed, very different from what she used to have in Seacrest.

"It's healing," Amnisty said while watching how the wound heals on its own.

Peony sighed. She knew this would happen. She knew no matter how hard she tried, no wound or scar will leave a trace on her face. She can't change her face.

I forgot some of my memories but I know for sure that I don’t have this kind of flair, a flair that regenerates my body.

"The same nightmare, again?" Amnisty asked, keeping the first aid kit.

Peony nodded.

"I honestly don't know what to do, Peony. I have a trauma before but we are different from each other. Our past was different. The process of our healing will be different."

Amnisty Soledad, the strongest warrior of Bulwark, was the youngest warrior of the second batch of Bulwarkian warriors. She was the only one who survived among the second batch of Bulwarkian warriors.

Just like Peony, she's not proud of being able to survive. Who would be proud if a lot of lives were taken for her to continue living?

Amnisty did not face Peony. She finds an alibi to keep herself busy while talking to Peony. She knew that she'll cry any moment. She arranged the flowers near the window. It was still neat and ordered but she rearranged it.

"What did you do to heal?"

Amnisty paused for a moment. She thought Peony will ask her about her past, like how she was able to survive? She didn't expect the question.

She slightly faced into Peony's direction.

"I kept myself busy. I trained a lot, helped the Bulwark to rise and live again," she said, slightly smiling.

Peony didn't show any emotion. She was staring at Amnisty's face.

"I'll do the same thing, then."

Amnisty turned to her. She's struggling with what answer she should say.

"I'm a Bulwarkian now. I must help the Bulwark." Peony added.

"Sure, that's good. I'll introduce you to the chair--"

"No."

"What do you mean, no?"

"I want to become a warrior, a Bulwarkian warrior."

Amnisty gulped. She knew that Peony was a member of NPU, the strongest group in Seacrest. She knew because of the uniform of Peony. Some part of her doesn't want Peony to become a warrior again for unknown reasons.

Peony stood up. She was taller than Amnisty, she's five feet and ten inches. She has an angel's beauty but her aura is screaming in different ways.

She became more intimidating as the days passed by. Trauma and fear from unknown people and reasons made her darker. She thought that she don’t deserve light and happiness.

"I'll tell Mauvais."

Peony frowned.

"What? I don't want to be part of his team."

Amnisty finished her fake errand and placed the flower vase near the window. She walked back to the bed and sat. She sighed. She knows there will be an argument coming, that's why she settled herself far away from Peony.

"ClandesTeam is like NPU. It's a great team for you."

"I know that they are great but I don't want to be part of them."

"We'll visit their unit tomorrow. I'm not allowed to say things about their current situation. It's better if we'll meet Mauvais, after all, he'll become your master. I'll sleep now. Sleep well, Peony." Amnisty finally excused herself. It was better for her to avoid further arguments. Peony was persistent to follow what she wanted but she must follow Amnisty.

Peony was still standing there, thinking if she should agree to Amnisty or not.

ClandesTeam is a group of peculiar people. It consisted of five people. Mauvais Monde is the leader, he created the group. The Tourbillon twins, Audenzia and Audenzio, were the first recruits. They were followed by Gavin Debile, then Carol Bliss Allegra.

Peony heard the news about them, many times. They were famous because of their talents and peculiar personalities. However, Peony doesn't like to be one of them because of Mauvais.

Mauvais, the guy with broad shoulders and long legs is gorgeous. He seemed always frowning and he's not approachable especially if you're not part of his team. Peony met him once and their interaction wasn't good.

"I don't want to work with that guy," she mumbled, annoyance was in her voice.

**

Peony was silently watching the children playing near the sea. They were genuinely happy, running after each other with their wet bodies.

She massaged her forehead when a glimpse of memories played in her head. She's been remembering random things, but not sure if those memories really happened or just an imagination.

"Why I only remember about Arnav and his fucking face?" she's still massaging her forehead.

"Are you okay?" Amnisty asked.

Peony turned to her before nodding.

"I'm not used to riding a chariot."

"Right." it's how their conversation ended.

They were very silent. They both know that if they'll talk about ClandesTeam, they will argue. Maybe they need to talk about it once they are in the ClandesTeam unit.

ClandesTeam unit was surrounded by vegetables and fruits. Peony was already expecting this. She heard that Mauvais is a vegetarian. The story behind it was he saw how the vampires wrecked the bodies of his parents after they sucked their blood. Mauvais will remember those memories if he sees meat or even fish.

His story is similar to Queen Sheele. She's having difficulties eating because she also saw how the vampires recklessly killed her parents and other family members.

Peony and Amnisty went out from the chariot. They were welcomed by the four members of ClandesTeam. Audenzia and Audenzio wore their formal expressions while Gavin and Carol were smiling widely.

"Welcome to the ClandesTeam unit, Amnisty," Carol said cheerfully. Amnisty responded to her with a smile and a slight bow.

The gazes of ClandesTeam members landed on Peony. Peony was silently observing the surrounding. She cleared her throat when she noticed their gazes.

"Oh? You must be the new member. Welcome to the ClandesTeam." Carol said cheerfully.

New member of ClandesTeam? Peony thought.

"Geez, we have another beautiful member," Gavin said while smiling.

They went inside the ClandeTeam unit. It was clean and well organized. There were no paintings or pictures to be found, only swords and other stuff for fighting.

"Master Mauvais is on his way. Let's drink juice while waiting or maybe you want something?" Audenzia asked with a monotone voice.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you." Amnisty responded.

Audenzia turned to Peony, but Peony was busy observing the daggers. Audenzia called her but Peony didn't hear her. Audenzia called her again but the room went silent for a second and they all gasped, except Peony when the daggers floated.

At first, they were fascinated by Peony's flair not until when the daggers pointed to their directions.

"Peony," Amnisty warned her.

Peony's eyes were blanked. She was lost. A lot of memories flashing in her mind. It was like a fast forward but she understood everything.

A tear fell from her eye.

"Peony, stop it!" Amnisty was more alarmed when the daggers went in their directions closely.

"Arnav..." Peony whispered but the others heard it well.

"Peony, calm down. Maybe you're just remembering your memories or maybe the memories that you are seeing now are manipulated." Amnisty slowly walked away from her current position. The ClandesTeam members understood her actions so they followed her but they didn't do it slowly.

All of them grabbed a weapon, ready to fight. When they took their first step for the attack, the daggers moved. Amnisty and Audenzia were able to dodge but the rest weren't.

"We'll take her down," Audienzia said in her usual tone.

"Don't!" Amnisty shouted with wide eyes. The ClandesTeam members looked at her with confusion.

"I'm sorry, Amnisty. You're in ClandesTeam unit and your friend is hurting us, that is not allowed here."

There was tension. Audiencia was doing her duty while Amnisty was protecting Peony. Why was she protecting someone who harmed them?

"Escape. You promised." Peony whispered. Her eyes were filled with sorrow.

Gavin lowered his weapon. He understood what was happening to Peony.  Carol looked at him with confusion.

"Calm her down, Amnisty," Gavin said.

No one spoke. All of them were waiting for Amnisty to calm down Peony, but she didn't. She just lowered her head and spoke in a sad tone.

"She's not Clandes. I and the Queen were blinded because Peony has similarities with Clandes, but they are not the same. Clandes is dead and Peony is a threat to us."

"What do you mean?" Carol asked, astonished by the sudden change in Amnisty’s mood.

"Audenzia is right." Amnisty met their gazes.

"We'll take her down," she added.

"But, that's illegal," Audenzio said.

"I'm an exception," Amnisty said with a lower voice.

🌸