Chapter 1

On the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom, on a large pavilion overlooking flower-covered mountains and crystal clear streams, a woman's figure could faintly be seen lounging lazily on a marble bench. Soft, cloudlike fabric billowed out through the marble archways of the pavilion, dancing gracefully in the wind. Blue and silver moonlight washed over the woman inside, illuminating her goddess-like beauty. Clothed in a dark purple cotton dress, it framed her graceful curvaceous figure perfectly, hanging loosely on her small upper frame and splitting into a multitude of tatters mid-thigh, showing off her pale, luminescent skin. Her thick dark curly hair was loosely pulled back, and covered by a hair scarf, which matched her dress and was adorned with pearls and shiny crystals on the edges. Her face was calm and relaxed, eyes closed and appearing as though she were asleep. One of her pale arms was arched up, supporting her head, while the other rested carelessly beside her. She was the picture of beauty and perfection, and any being, mortal or immortal, would be entranced by her immediately.

Suddenly and in sharp contrast to the idyllic scene displayed just moments ago, anguished screaming could be heard nearby, drawing closer by the second. Anyone who heard it would tremble in fear and horror, but the woman on the bench was seemingly unperturbed, as though it were a usual occurrence. As the screaming grew louder and more panicked, a large dark figure appeared out of the shadows, bowing on one knee to the woman and crossing his heart with his arm.

"Mistress," he spoke, sounding nervous to disturb her. "We have interrogated the prisoner for hours as you have commanded, but he has refused to utter anything more. How should we proceed? If we continue this any longer, he might..." The man stopped speaking, cut off by the woman, who had raised her free arm to silence him. Slowly, she opened her eyes to look at him. Had it been anyone else, they would have gasped in amazement and horror. Underneath thick, graceful, and dark eyebrows were the most astounding pair of almond-shaped eyes. Storm gray surrounded her pupils and gradually bled into the most stunning and Jewell-like purple color one could possibly imagine. But unlike her beautiful appearance, her aura was cold and calculating, her eyes shining with a spark of evil mischief, causing goosebumps to rise on the back of the man before her. He quickly lowered his head, afraid to look at her any longer. She pushed herself up, swinging her legs over the bench so she could sit up straight. A wide smile broke out on her face, but no joy could be found anywhere in her expression.

"Addis," she cooed, making a tut-tutting sound at him. "How long have you been a part of my Moon Tribe, hmm?"

The man, named Addis, gulped before quickly responding, "Three years now, mistress."

The woman let out a cold and playful laugh, as cold sweat began to break out on the man's forehead.

"And in these three years, you still haven't learned how we do things, is that right?"

"N-no, mistress, that isn't true, I just thought-"

"Silence!" She hissed at him, before standing and walking towards him. "I don't keep worthless ones like you around long, and you should know that. Come, tell me, who am I?" Addis took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

"You are mistress Asteria, leader of the Moon Tribe and most powerful being in the Five Kingdoms," Addis stated matter-of-factly.

The woman, Asteria, shook her head. Bending down, she grabbed his jaw and forced him to look at her in the eyes.

"You aren't wrong, but you aren't right either. Let me show you who I am. Make sure to remember what I am about to show you, Addis, as I am not always this generous," she says, before the sound of footsteps are heard approaching hurriedly. Another man approaches, clothed in luxurious garments that scream of high status. His straight, shoulder-length brown hair is pulled back into a low ponytail, half of his face is covered with a silver mask shaped like a half-moon. He bears a stark resemblance to Asteria, only with much more aggressive features. He bends forward slightly, before speaking in a low voice. "Sister," he says, "You have summoned me?"

"Aries, it seems I must demonstrate to Addis here what happens to useless people in the Moon Tribe. Bring that squealing pig to me. Since he holds no further value to us, it is time we send him on his way."

"Understood, sister. Marcus!? Bring him here."

The sound of screaming stops, turning into faint painful moans as the sound of something being dragged approaches the pavilion. With a thud, the hunched-over body of a man is tossed onto the pavilion in front of Asteria, Aries, and Addis. The smell of blood and burnt flesh permeates the air, and the scene before them is no less nauseating. The man's clothes have been seared into his skin, the majority of his body so burnt it would be hard to acknowledge him as a human. Several of his fingers are also missing, his breath so faint it was almost impossible to know if he was still alive.

Asteria smiles at the sight, reaching down to lift the man up into mid-air. Her eyes start to glow, looking even more purple than they were before. The man's body starts to glow as well, looking as though purple embers were burning him from the inside out. Before he even has a chance to scream again, his body dissipates into smoke, which in turn is carried away by the wind.

Addis trembles with fear, and immediately bows his head on the ground, apologizing profusely. Asteria turns to him, her smile no longer there, replaced by a cold, emotionless look.

"I trust that next time, you will feel no pity for such insignificant prisoners. Whatever end they meet at your hands, it will be much more merciful than if they were in mine. I have thousands of ways to make someone suffer, and this was the most lenient of them all. I am your mistress, but I am also just as the rumors say: cold, ruthless, and evil. Do not make me repeat myself again, or you can accompany his soul in the underworld as well!"

"Understood, mistress! Thank you for your lesson." Addis exclaims, still bowing in fear.

"Get lost!" Asteria hisses, and he scrambles away quickly, feeling lucky to have preserved his life. A chuckle is heard from the side, causing Asteria to glare at Aries, who has lost his respectful, reserved demeanor from before. He rolls his eyes.

"Really, sister, must you scare him so? He may wet his bed tonight, and the laundry maids will have reason to spread rumors again!"

"Serves him right, ruining my divination ritual. Luckily, I was able to ascertain a great deal of information before he so rudely interrupted me." Asteria says as she walks to the edge of the pavilion, looking up at the bright moon. Aries frowns, his face turning serious. He stands beside her, glancing sideways through the corner of his eyes questioningly.

"And? What is the next step? More information gathering?" He asks.

Asteria smiles, a sad look in her eyes as if recalling memories from long ago.

"No, brother. Not this time. This time....we are going back."

Aries' breath halts as he fully turns and faces her.

"You mean...." He trails off, not daring to believe what he suspects her of hinting at.

"Yes, Aries. Home. After six years, we are finally going home."

Home. A word that once meant warmth, safety, and love. Six years ago, the two siblings standing side by side were almost unrecognizable to how they are now. Because six years ago, they had everything. Family, love, a promising future, and friends who cared for them more than anything. Until it was all ripped away and butchered before their very eyes.

Home. Did they still have that anymore?