Aeon: The Crown of Fire

Deadlines are up here and there. Raizen University is as busy as ever, graduating seniors buzz almost in every corner of the university. Everyone trying to finish all requirements just to ensure they could finally be free of school. Others however, do what most do when they are young…

"So you guys heard of the new bar in West Green…"

"But Sir, this would have been sufficient for…"

Preoccupied teens bumped to each other, one eying the other ever so hostile as coffee run down her peachy white dress. The latter however, just gave a quick shrug, if that would count as an apology before resuming to matters he's rushing to.

The group of girls who was with the girl just gaped at her. All trying to form coherent words to describe the situation at hand but before any syllable could escape their voice box, she already beat them to it.

"Don't say a word and just freaking get me a new cup of coffee…" she said in such fervor and grace.

She flicked her iridescent champagne blonde hair, a mannerism she picked on her short stay in the university. She might be someone who could portray your stereotypical queen bee in movies. With her luscious blonde locks, flawless pale white skin, pink lips, a perfect nose bridge, and mesmerizing azure doe eyes, the color of a clear summer sky, she's the epitome of beauty.

"Zaf," called the girl beside the blonde beauty.

"What is it, Raine?" her court reply, focused on her one and only goal for the moment… reaching her apartment.

"About the West Green, I hear Josh invited you on the opening night," she playfully nudged her. A small chuckle manages to escape Zaf's lips, her eyes landing on the brown haired bombshell on her left, "Yeah, how about it, want to come with me, Aaliyah?"

Pink surfaced on that girl's cheek. "Is it really ok if I go?" was her tentative answer.

A graceful smile painted the blonde's lips. She likes playing matchmaker and that little curve on her face tells everyone that she wouldn't take a no for an answer. It wasn't long before they reached her house, the two girls courtly left for their class while Zaf, change to something more presentable.

The click of her door made it very unsettling. It was unlock, her untold question that was quickly answered. Deep set of brown eyes greet her. A smile would have crept on the lady's lips if it weren't for the hostile aura she felt upon entering the house.

"Sophiel. Here for a visit?" her voice remaining calm, inwardly assessing the situation.

The heavy air just became even bleaker but her question remained unanswered. Inside was a girl a few years younger than Zaf. Honey blonde hair, pristine fair skin and seething eyes color like of cinnamon spice, she presented herself like a noblewoman a queen even.

"The Tribunal is beginning soon. You need to go home, Zafkiel," Sophiel replied in a commanding tone. Her tone triggered something in Zaf's mind making her calm demeanor crack bits of irritation.

"I can't simply leave our little brother here, alone," the blonde spoke as she walk towards the couch to place her bag seemingly directing the attention of the person in front of her to the table beside it. On top of was a picture of Zaf and a teenage boy. He had hair color of cocoa and face of an angel, gentle yet smoldering eyes the color of fire and lips a healthy rosy color.

Her eyes just became more frightening as the house ground started to quake a bit. Sophiel's gaze fixated at the blonde beauty. "Ethaniel can take care of himself. I'm telling you to go home. Do your duty!"

Restraints slowly unraveling, Zaf's azure eyes glare ominously as if silently telling the person opposite of her not to test her patience. "Father allowed me to be here. I will not participate in the Tribunal, I am looking after Ethan. Besides the crown doesn't interest me."

The blonde's statement had just caused an uproar. Cracks crept on the floor and the walls as the quake got stronger. Sophiel simply just seethe in anger and began yelling "What? You're just going to run away? Are you trying to disgrace our family? Who do you think you are?"

That instant the temperature in the entire house had dropped significantly and the air became heavy both figuratively and physically. "Mind repeating what you just said?" The older of the two hissed with so much force though her voice still soft.

Seeing her sister isn't putting much fight, Sophiel's face contorted into a cocky smile. "Mistress of the Silver City my arse. Such disgrace of an eldest daughter of the family. Both of you and Ethan are such disgra-"

Before she could finish her words, hundreds of crystal like needles fly from all direction leaving shallow cuts all over Sophiel's pristine skin. Then all melted into water. Hundreds of needles that are made of ice were used to slice cuts on her skin. The sudden attack made her survey her surroundings but with what her eyes had seen, fear started to gnaw on her heart. There are no viable source of water near. A dread came across her prideful face when the remnants of the melted ice form into a dagger, directly pointed on her neck.

"I'm not sure when you have started barking like a dog, even dragging our brother into the mud," the entire room felt like pass the freezing point. More and more water condensed, it crept to her body restraining the younger's entire movements.

"You might be a Tekton so your ego is understandable but you should remember who I am," her azure eyes glitter of resentment as she looked down at her no longer welcomed visitor. Her easy-going aura from before already casted out and a domineering personality is lashing through her gaze.

Sophiel's eyes flashed fear, remembering exactly the extent of the skills of the person before her. The fearful reality, in the short two years they didn't see each other, she already couldn't fathom the limits of the older's prowess. She should have listened to their father and didn't dare angered this lady but she thought she could. She is a Tekton for heaven's sake. So what if she is only the second daughter, she has rare ability, beauty and intelligence. Already two years has passed, and she is still a shadow and cannot match the other.

In the midst of the younger's reverie, she didn't realize that the water restraints were gone. "Relax. As if I have the heart to kill you." The air was back to normal, as if nothing had gone wrong. Zafkiel chuckled a bit looking the pitiable face her younger sister was making. "I had always told you, don't bark if you can't bite," she seriously told Sophiel. The brown eyed girl tried to speak but no words came out of her mouth.

"Those wounds would heal fast no need to contact Madam Zhao when you get back."

"I- ah"

"Depending on the situation, I will stay here with Ethan even if it meant I won't be part of the Tribunal," Zafkiel simply said, before she left for her room to get some change of clothes.

"I'm sorry," Sophiel muttered in a very soft voice.

Inside the room, the older had heard the apology. "Go home and practice."

Her words had made Sophiel stun in disbelief. To represent the family as such occasion is a great honor but she don't want to steal the opportunity from her older sister. "I will be back here again before the Tribunal starts, I hope for another answer." With that she left the house.

For Zafkiel however, though she was able to laugh after the outburst, she still can't fully forgive such blatant disrespect. In her mind, she is furious but on the surface her emotions are fully hidden. Just casually picking up clothes in her wardrobe. It's not like she don't understand what her younger sister was feeling. In fact despite everything she's fully accustomed to the feeling of being a shadow. A grim smile appeared on her beautiful face, thinking of the irony of the situation.

At the moment she finally found a suitable pair. The sound of the door being opened echoed the house. "I'm home," a young cheerful voice greeted. In the instant she quickly changed to a beautiful casual pastel green A-line dress and went outside her room to greet the person.

"You're back," she had a genuine smile when she saw the person.

He replied with an absent minded yeah, his smoldering molten copper eyes scanning the cracks on the walls and floors. "What happened?" His gaze finally met Zaf's. The person is only 13 years old but his eyes reflect maturity far exceeding his tender years and though his hair color was different from the extremely light ones on Zaf and Sophie, all three share some resemblances.

"Your other sister happened," she replied.

That moment, a flash of hurt appeared in his eyes. It seems like he was feeling guilty to whatever had occurred earlier. Seeing his expression, Zaf soften her gaze and pat his head. He is just a little shorter than her so their eyes are directly looking against each other. "Hey. It's not your fault, ok? Don't worry too much about it." Her simple words were enough to lighten his mood. She would like to spend a little more time to coax him and make sure he is alright but the time in her peripheral vision said so otherwise.

"I still have class, so I'll be going now. Don't think about it ok?" she chimed petting his shoulder. His faint smile is enough signal for her to know she could leave. In a swift move she grabbed her pink blazer and bag and rush towards her next class.

With much haste, Zafkiel sprinted towards the Economics Northshire building where her next class is ought to be. She barely made it in time before the lecturer had arrived and a light sheen of sweat covered her forehead. She liked this class. It taught her many things about the History of the world. Though it's only a Gen Ed subject, she listens carefully to the professor.

The lecture had finally ended after an hour and a half. Zaf's group of friends earlier are already outside, waiting for her. "Still craving some coffee?" Aaliyah asked as she spotted the Zafkiel approaching them. Raine who was with her just chuckled, "Wrong query. Since when did she not crave for coffee?" Immediately, Raine handed Zaf a new cup of her favorite caffe latte. A warm smile governed the blonde's feature as she accept it.

The beep from her phone, temporary draw Zaf's attention. Fishing her Blackberry G5 from her blazer pocket. "So West Green still up?" Raine teased, when she had noticed the dash of confusion on the former's eyes.

"Uh huh?" Zaf chuckled shoving the phone back to her blazer pocket, "It's 7:30 tonight don't forget." With one last wink to Aaliyah and a knowing glance with Raine