Queen Marigold

Desperately grasping for air, Aurelia's lungs began to contract and expand as she struggled to pull the massive boulder attached to her petite body. With the stagnant flow of Arcana passing through her veins, her will began to fade as her vision slowly began to dim.

"Aurelia cannot fall. Dumb-Dumb will bully Aurelia again!" shouted the young girl pushing her bloody feet in front of one another. "A little more, just a little more."

With sweat dripping from her face like streams, the golden eye girl neglected the tearing of her muscles, focusing only upon the Arcana that could never fully be grasped. She had grown stronger, but with each day passing her, she was met with failure. It had not mattered how much she worked or bled. Her days were consumed with failure.

Force to hear the cold laugher of her bully. She could not say she liked Zireael much. During the month's Aurelia lived with him, she found him extremely cold, strict, and insane. He cared about very little things. Aside from the days or nights they watched movies together, he remained indifferent. Nonetheless, she trusted and respected him. That much she was sure of. However, all she felt was rage and hate for the one her age on days like these.

"Aurelia, come here... sever the boulder around your waist," Zireael called out from within the carriage. "It's fine; you can relax for the day."

Shaking her head, Aurelia, with misty eyes, ignored his call. Continuing trying to connect to what Zireael told her was Heaven and Earth. Pushing her feet forward, she cried out in desperation, trying to grasp what little Arcana she had flowing through her body.

Not hearing a response, his body suddenly dissolved into light particles from within the carriage, fading into the ether, appearing like a phantom in front of the young girl with tears pouring down her cheek.

"Aurelia can continue... just a little more." She cried out, taking another step forward." Aurelia will not fail. Not again!"

"Silly little thing." Whispered Zireael in a hollow tone, "Was this what mother saw when I desperately tried to link my Dao to the heavens?"

Wiping the tears from her soft cheeks, Zireael sighed, severing the rope tied to her waist. Falling to her knees, Aurelia stared up at him,

"I can still continue. I can still walk," Aurelia pitifully muttered, the light within her eyes dim and empty like those upon their death bed. Falling faint upon the ground, Zireael did not move, merely watching the state of the little girl.

Lifting her fragile body without expression, Zireael retired to the carriage. Taking a seat near his window, he laid the little girl beside him.

"Lord Blackwater?" Talia called out, "are you going to.."

"I will just let her rest," Zireael replied in a vulnerable hue, staring out into the depths of the unknown.

Suddenly a silver air began to rise from the girl's small body. Gasping in surprise, a gentle golden mist began to take its place, growing stronger by the second until a small golden star was visible yet, such a scene did not grab the young lord's attention.

"Have I lost so much?" He questioned aloud, yet none heard. "Compared to what I was before. I am completely different. Simple emotions I now find hard to grasp."

Turning to the golden sun fading, a small grin, filled with both sadness and melancholy, consumed him, "Do forgive me, Aurelia, but by our journey's end, we may be nothing like we are now. I am broken and corrupted, and you innocent and hopeful. I wonder who will win out in the end? Will what we are fade, or will we fall farther than the rabbit's hole?"

Twitching her brow, the little angel's eyelids tremble. Feeling a warm flow of power consume her very fiber, a soft moan escaped her lips. Soon cracks began to sound one after another, bringing a sense of pure bliss.

"Congrats Aurelia Morningstar. You have officially entered the first stage of Arcane Refinement. Let the Arcana fuse within your system, for this is only the beginning." Said Zireael as he closed his eyes, entering a deep slumber.

...

...

...

Sitting upon a large golden throne depicting a large phoenix stood a devilishly attractive goddess that dimmed the heavens with her beauty. Long Azure blue eyes could be seen, matching her azure hair flowing over her arm upon her throne. Yet, as she stood still upon her throne, a firey ferocity consumed the air around her.

Clenching her golden armrest, Queen Marigold of Ferrrum pressed down with furious anger glaring down upon the knights taking a knee.

"What do you mean Talia is missing?" Roared Queen Marigold, her pearly voice echoing through the Imperial Halls. "How can the princess of Ferrum be missing? Explain before your head is removed, you wretched cur!"

"Your highness, forgive Sir Easton. He has misspoken. Lady Talia is currently in root to the Lake of Reflection with Duke Blackwater." Said, Sir Upton. Rising from his knee, Sir Upton pushed the golden locks from his face revealing a rather attractive man with vibrant azure eyes.

"Upton, do not start with me once more! Why is my daughter not here? Where you not suppose to watch over her?" Marigold voiced, tapping her throne. CLear agitation etched over her face, "Why has Duke Blackwater absconded with my daughter?"

"Aunty "

"It is Queen Marigold, Upton, and you will do well to remember." Marigold sharply barked.

Lowering his head, Upton continued not in the lease, fearful of his furious aunt "Your Grace, your husband King Cyrus removed me from my position a few moons ago."

Scoffing in contempt, Marigold bit her finger. An unbecoming action, but none dared to question the queen's action. Staring around the circular room covered in gold and luxury, Marigold's gaze fell upon a large sword held by the king during his youth. Recalling how they met, marigold arched her cherry lips.

"Has the young prince of Bremo entered our lands as of yet?" asked the Queen with a delectable smile.

"He is currently at the border. Au... Your Grace." Said Uptain with a tremor in his throat.

Scrunching her brow, Marigold scoffed, "Send word to the guards at the border and have them pass through the Lake of Reflection. Talia has never met the prince; this will be a good opportunity for my daughter to present herself to Prince Lyndon."

"Your grace, you should also know the Imperial knights are currently heading to the Lake of Reflection to retrieve Aurelia by order of the Seers. There could be some complications. "

Rolling her eyes, Marigold snorted in derision, "Them? If Lord Blackwater is there, I see no problem. From what I heard from King Cyrus, they are only courting death. Let them be and follow my order." Commanded Marigold without care.

With a breath of relief, Sir Uptain smiled, seeing his lord not putting the seers within her gaze. Lowering his head, he gave a deep bow taking his leave.

Consumed in silence, Marigold lost her earlier contempt, pacing back and forth with confusion around her throne. "What the hell are they doing? Cyrus warned them about Zireael. Why anger that monster? Does Vincent know about this shit?"

"Vincent does," Said an obnoxious voice from the shadows.

Scrunching her brow towards the empty room Marigold rolled her eyes, "Vincent, even now, you still play these games. How long have you been watching?"

"Since you awoke upon your throne. I am watching everything, and you know it's not healthy to sleep upon one's throne, correct? There is a spy, and I think I ruled you out!" Said Vincent without care, his body never showing, yet his words echoing. "Do not worry about Lord Blackwater; it just means we will gain an ally. Just make sure you keep your schemes in check. We still do not know if Prince Lyndon will marry. This could simply be a trap; we have been at war for over two hundred years, and a treaty has yet to be signed. Many things can go wrong, so be careful and trust only myself and Cyrus."