The Royal Family's Heirloom

"We are here."

Hazel eyes scanned her surroundings. There was a massive tree that was in the midst of a huge lake that shimmered in dark blue lights that were both enchanting and mysterious. The source of the light was no where to be found, as if it was born that way. Infront of the massive tree was an old looking altar with strange inscriptions on it. It looked like the strange words were written with an intense urgency. The rough exterior could only be made by nails because of its depth.

Hazel wondered why it was like that and who wrote them. For some reason it kept drawing her to them. A subtle seduction that was almost silent but shook her in ways unimaginable. Waking something so deeply primal in her, she never thought was possible. Unknown to her, her pink sapphire eyes glowed in the dark.

Surrounded by the strange set up were statues.

Seven statues. Mighty but lifeless.

She instinctively recognized them from the stories she was taught. In order to conquer Emperor Darden, Goddess Anne had allies.

Her eyes was immediately drawn to the statue in the middle, the one of Goddess Anne.

Her statue was seated on a throne. A veil covering every where on her face except her white eyes. The marble like color made her look like haunting porcelain doll which was intriguing. Though it was just a statue it possessed an aura of royalty as her height loomed over them.

For the shortest moment, Hazel felt Goddess Anne white expressionless eyes looking down at her.

The thought elicited chills down her spine.

Under the statues feet was the bloodied head of Emperor Darden.

Hazel admired the sculpted art. It looked terrifyingly real even though it was just made of stone. Her eyes reluctantly left the statue to observe the others.

Her faithful allies;

The Emperor's concubine who was known for her royal robes and a glass of poisoned red wine which she gave the Emperor to weaken him. Her beauty unrivaled even though a slave. So the Emperor made her his woman. An enviable position amongst other concubines and queens of the Emperor. But faithful to her people in slavery she joined Goddess Anne to destroy The Emperor.

The Foreigner, whose statue was well known for his gourd of alcohol. It was believed that he was always drunk and never seen without his gourd. It was also said the alcohol he carried was the sacred ambrosia of the gods that granted him power and made him extremely brutal in his killings.

The musician, his statue was known for carrying the first metal flute known to the now Elvish culture. Its soothing music could be heard a mile away and could destroy and drive it's enemies to sheer madness when it was needed.

The dancer, her statue was known for the now beautiful Elvish dancing attire that revealed some of the maiden foxes' skin. A female fox who had come of age was required to don the outfit during her initiation ceremony into the Elvish society. With a seductive dance to find ones mate. Hazel's cheeks turned beet red when she remembered her initiation ceremony was coming in few months when she would find her mate.

The assassin was donned in black clothes And the rapier blade was the Her symbol.

She destroyed the enemies in the shadows. It was said that The Shadows were her domain.

And finally the Mysterious Witch.

In books about them. There were depicted murals and illustrations of them but the witch was like a Morse code. No information was asserted about him. It was always vague with many missing holes.

Apart from Goddess Anne. He was the next intriguing one.

The stature bore a mask and no one even Goddess Anne had seen his face. He wore it in their first meeting and on his departing. No one knew were he came from or were he disappeared to.

" My Lord."

The priest's voice brought her back from her thoughts. Then she realized she was already moving towards the blue lited lake.

And Grandpa moved towards her to wake her up from her trance before he was stopped by the priest. Hazel's body tensed as she rose up her guard. Her nails elongated into inhumane claws at a frightening speed. Her pink sapphire eyes darkening in bright shades of red. Her fangs inching out, instinctively ready to fully transform and attack.

"Calm down, Sirae. It's fine"

She blushed at her frenzy uncontrollable reaction. Something that has never occurred even as a kid. She was a calm quiet child hardly swayed into a fight or ever lost her cool. But her she was trying to attack a priest that meant well.

Her Grandpa let out a loving smile. It made her more aware of her partial transformation

The eight tails protruding from her back tearing the rustling cloak and her dress beneath. Her humanoid ears that were now fox ears that lowered down, shyly.

"Only her can move forward from here, My Lord."

The priest's words were laceyed in underlying warning. Grandpa closed his eyes trying to control his restless dominating aura.

Hazel didn't miss seeing the stiffness of his body. He was scared underneath that facade.

She could feel it.

Grandpa's feet retracted before it could touch the ground. Hazel wanted to argue furiously but she settled for her a polite nod. Pouring all words of assurance and love in her eyes for him to see at that moment.

"Don't worry I will be back."

She muttered softly, aware he could hear her. He hesitated a bit before nodding.

"Of course, Sirae. You're strong and even if anything happens I will save you no matter what."

His weary dark eyes shone in conviction.

"I know, Grandpa." She then paused a bit before continuing, "Wait for me, I will be back."

Grandpa then removed a family heirloom from his neck an Amber amulet. Known to be passed down from the females of her family. Grandma gave it to her mother before she died and because she was up to age, her Grandpa toke it. He never removed it until now.

"I apologise for not giving it to you until now, but it was necessary to do so at the right time. I planned to give it you when you completed your task but... Why not give it to you now. He..He..He you earned it afterall. So take it, Sirae. I will be waiting for you, here."

Hazel felt conflicted inside to receive such a responsibility and didn't know whether she was worthy of it but when it rested on her dainty neck after she removed her cloak for Grandpa to wear it. It never felt so right.

She felt the strange vagueness in herself close up a bit.

"Thank you I will guide it with my life."

" No, it will protect you instead..so let it guide you until you tap it's power and make it yours. Just like your Grandmother. Afterall if you lose your life, how would I get my great great grand babies."

The Amber amulet that was forever dimmed lit up before it went back to normal.

"Grandpa!!"

The priest cleared his throat, attracting their attention.

" Your Majesty it's time"

"Oh.."

She moved towards the blue shimmering lake. Dropping the cloak at the shore of the lake. Then slowly dipping her feet in.