"The heck is this thing?!" I almost jumped when I heard Lucia beside me. She has finally woken. "Unfortunately, we are both tied and blindfolded, Lucia.""Tied and blindfolded? Wait–I remember that we stopped by a house near the forest. The old lady named Claret…"I sighed. "Yes, we were scammed. She has ulterior motives for letting us in. The incense around her place made us sleep.""That fucking old witch," she mumbled with rage. "Do you have any idea where did she brought us?""Actually… I'm not sure, but I have an idea. I think she brought us in a brothel or something like that to… you know, sell us as whores, for example. Why would she kidnap random strangers, anyway? Plus the fact that we are both young ladies. I couldn't think of any possible reason other than that.""This is insane! And my–ow! My leg still hurts!""Is it bleeding?" I panicked. "I'm sorry, I can do nothing bec

"Are you sure you want to go to River of Flames? That place is very dangerous," Orion said again when we were out of the tavern. I don't know it if it was concern or what."I need to," I simply said. "Thank you, Lucia, Orion. But I guess we should part ways at this point?""But you don't know where the River of Flames is, right? How would you get there?""Uh, maybe I will ask some people along the way?"Lucia sighed. "You know what is the reason why I don't want to tell you where that place is? I don't want you to go there because I'm worried that something might happen to you. Even we just know each other for barely a few days, thinking that you might face something dangerous alone makes me worry like hell. Please, think twice about going to that place, Ophelia. You are already a friend to me and I hope that we can see each other again soon after we part ways here.""Will you try to awaken that man you believe is just sleeping there?"Orion

The moment I stepped onto the blazing pool of flames, I didn't feel any heat. I only felt warm as though I was traveling in the middle of the winter and it was one of the few times I stop by to warm myself up. It didn't hurt me at all. In fact, it even comforts me at some point."Woah."I opened my eyes at once and turned at my back to see if I failed and got Lucia and Orion hurt. I was relieved when I saw them totally fine."You didn't get hurt at all?" I asked to make sure. I don't want them to be hurt in any way because of me."No," Lucia shook her head at the same time Orion did.Then my eyes drifted to Raja. He was just a couple of yards away, looking at the surrounding in a defensive stance as if he is expecting an unexpected attack from somewhere.I turned to look at my surrounding. Contrary to its name, River of Flames is nothing like a river. It is a cave, a huge stone cave. Only that, all the things you can see around are on fire,

My eyes were all alert as we moved deeper to the cave. I haven't seen Lucia nor Orion yet and I'm pretty worried of what they have been going through at the moment. I was the reason why they are here that is why if ever something bad happens to them, I can't forgive myself. They are very good people who truly treated me like a friend despite us knowing each other for barely a few days. I know it sounds crazy but I can really feel that connection pulling us together. I don't know why I feel that way but maybe because they are somehow connected with the mystery behind my identity?If that is the case, the more I should not let anything happen to them. If they are the way to my father, to the truth of my existence, I should grab the opportunity. Though aside from that motive, I am truly worried about them because I already treated them as my true friends. They are like the princes in Solterra. The bond between them reminds me of the bond between Demitri, Prince David, Prince Mar

The moment the three monster guards saw us approaching, they immediately sauntered forward to attack."Let me handle this. You two go in first. I will follow after I kill these monsters," Lancelot said before he touched the stone near him and made a long and huge axe out of it."You sure?" Lucia asked.Lancelot smirked. "Don't underestimate me, young princess."Lucia's eyes widened. "Young princess? How did you—""Go now," Lancelot cut her off before he leaped to face the monsters head on. I didn't waste any time and pulled Lucia towards the entrance of Nerissa's den. As expected, it was the part of the River of Flames with the most fire. A norma person would surely not take it. But because I can manipulate fire and I'm protecting Lucia, we are able to successfully infiltrate it."Do you feel hot or burning?" I asked Lucia to make sure."No. I feel warmth, but not to the point that I feel burning so you have nothing