THE ride back to Krystalline Academy was silent. Jucel was leaning against Chloe's shoulder, sound asleep. The brunette was wide awake, gazing at the window as the carriage entered the border of the Helengrein town.Getting a glimpse of the town where she grew up lashes at her like one of Jucel's wind whips. She missed the place more than she thought, craning her neck to look over the Helengrein town market which signified as the entrance to the place. She could also see the Melenōs Fortress looming ahead.Chloe was gazing at it almost longingly until the carriage took a soft left turn and the view of the Helengrein town was fast concealed behind the woods. Her rising shoulder dropped enough to stir up Jucel. Thankfully, it wasn't enough to wake the silver-haired best friend of hers.The carriage jerked slightly and she had to hold onto the edge of the window with both hands. Because of Chloe's sudden movements, Jucel was thrown to the other side. It didn't seem to

WHEN the sun was at high noon the next day, Faline came back from her intense training with Iwaoka and went directly to the dining hall of the Krystalline Palace's barracks.She had just sat down at the table and was pouring herself a cup of tea when her uncle hobbled into the room. Perhaps, her uncle had once been considered a handsome man.However, aged scars were marred across his face and neck. One of his eyes had been gouged out; the gaping hole hidden by bandages. The other eye was clouded and nearly unseeing. He was a veteran of war and though he was now not fighting, he was one of those who adviced the King.“Hello, Ūryi.”“Faline," he curtly greeted as he slowly lowered himself into a chair.Without a word, Faline poured a second cup of tea and placed it within her uncle’s reach. He took a few shaky sips before setting it back on the table. A couple of servants filed into the room to bring lunch and then left with a bow.Her uncle broke t

FALINE took a deep breath when Eric spoke up. "What if... What if we lose?"A wild glint lit Faline's blue eyes that gleamed with iridescence as she glanced at Eric. The Krysts around them involuntarily flinched seeing it but Eric met her glaze with understanding as fire flared in his sky blue eyes.  It just occured to Faline that they were both blonde and they both had blue eyes.They were both considered weaklings. She tore her gaze from Eric and looked back at General Dana's figure who was already wreaking havoc with both her sword and her Blood Element."There's no option here but to fight."“I see why Dana chose you," Eric chirped cheerfully. “You will surely turn the tides of this battle.”Faline blinked in surprise as her blood rushed through her and made her face flush with heat. Whatever she had expected that was not it. She unconsciously fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve.“Sh-shut up."Eric laughed, bringing him out of his n

FALINE spent the rest of her days in the Krystalline palace grounds, training nonstop under Levi and, sometimes under Hunter Lornn. She hadn't seen General Dana since then, and the Knights of Shaula, particularly Iwaoka, Siri, Ailene, Levi, and Hunter were busy training newly recruits. Faline could see who the strongest among the Knights when it comes to face-to-face combat, just by looking at the tight schedule her companions had.Astora, her Halequin, grew into a fine young eagle. It would stay by her side but sometimes, it would disappear. Faline had a hard time looking for that adventurous Halequin and so she planned to let him be.Only to find out one night that Astora was with General Dana.Faline was strolling the large garden of the Palace at the side of the northern wing when she heard a familiar squawk. She quickly followed the sound and to her astonishment, Dana was there standing under the light of the moon without her usual armor. She was wearing white

THE death of Kai Liu of the Liu Tribe spread across the land of Vestia. The leader was gone, and many of his subjects were in grief, devastated because of the loss. But none was as devastated as Iwaoka and Faline.For many days idling in the Krystalline Palace as commanded by King Seiki, the two members of the Liu Tribe and closest to the late Tribe Leader carried on with their duties. Every day, they acted as they were expected and every night they cried.Faline found him on the fourth day at the garden of the palace where she had talked with Dana. He was sitting there alone and in trance. The young lady stared at him, debating within her whether she would go and talk to him or leave him be. Before she could come up with a decision, he stood and turned to walk away.Iwaoka stood frozen as they gazed at each other. Both pair of eyes were puffy and red. Faline knew he had been crying just as much as she did.Kai was his father figure, in the first place.