Chapter 1

He was clinging on her ankle, begging, before she took her dagger and slit his throat open. The girl wiped her dagger with her bare fingers as she kicked off his dead body to the ground.

"Salvation has come. There is no need to be worried," she announced to the crowd around her, "All that House Scyaeth have taken from all of you are now returned,"

She was dirty. From her head to her toes, from all the strands of her yellow hair to all her daggers and arrows, to the black cloak surrounding her and the hoodie that fell back, she was dirty of blood and dust. She walked over the dead man on her side, and stepped over the other dead bodies in front of the majestic house.

She barged open the door as a blonde and a fluffy-haired boy followed up behind her. She breathed in the smell of victory, and walked over to one of the rooms, where the vaults were stored.

"All yours to blow, Poisoner," she took a step back.

"I have never known how you got that name for me but okay, I'll take it," the blonde boy, who had a bunch of arrows and a bow swung on his shoulder, casually said and took out a pear-shaped flask from his pocket.

He poured it over the thick wood and material that was made to build the compartment, and after a while, a small popping sound was heard as the sides of it melted.

"You see, Kay, that's how you blow stuff up," the blonde boy crossed his hands and gave a showing-off pose.

"Oh, for Bounds' sake you're humiliating," the fluffy-haired boy, with spectacles and a few little knives stashed on his belt, barged in, groaning, "Just give the people the money they deserve and I'm starving,"

"You're always starving, Fuzz Freak," he replied.

"It's not like you're not always sleeping, Potion Idiot," he said back.

"Alright, that's enough," she stepped in, "You both take the people back to Pendagline and assign them where they should live, while I build the wall around here,"

"No, you go and do that," Adrian, the blonde boy scowled, "If you get caught by the Royal Army, you're nothing but dead meat,"

"Oh, please," she scoffed, "Like they'd have a chance. And plus, how are you going to make a wall in like 10 minutes?"

"You literally need to get yourself together and realize that Kayla has killed four Coranius Guards and two noble families," Alex, the fluffy-haired kid, scolded, "And you've never made a wall, all that you've done is make pigeons turn green,"

"That is true," he replied, sarcasm in his voice, "Alright, but if anything happens, send a purple arrow back to Pendagline, understood?"

"You have to get rid of that protective-brotherness of yours," Kayla laughed, "Go,"

The two boys took the stash of money and walked out of the room, going around the crowd and citizens, giving them the amount of money that had been stolen from them.

The girl waited for the two boys to finish giving out the money which they happily accepted. After a while, with their command, they started moving out of the city, while being guarded by her army.

One by one, her revenge was plotted, connecting one dot to another.

"By the way," Adrian went to her when the last of the people left, "Who's our next target?"

Kayla stayed quiet for a while, thinking, "House Tulaine of Santelle, as we need further preparations and defense for Joalarkin. But, what's certain is that the best for the last is Coranius,"

He clicked his tongue, "I can't wait when you rip off the King's head,"

"I, myself, can't hold myself back either,"

"Me and Alex will gather information on where Santelle keeps the people's money," he continued, "We'll inform you later,"

"Alright. Thanks, Ryan," she teased.

"I am in no mood to argue," he scowled, "But..." he objected, "My name is Aye-dree-an, not Aye-drai-an. Therefore, there is no reason why you should call me Ryan. Understood?" he asked in an annoyed manner, "Sooner or later I'll start calling you Grape,"

It was all little laughter in the middle of blood-shed.

"Grape is far better than Ryan, don't you think?" she grinned in teasing mode.

He took an exasperated breath, as his eyes glared on the dagger in her waist. He aimed to grab it but she stepped back and he stumbled to the ground.

"Stealing from a thief isn't going to help you, Ryan," Kayla chuckled back.

He groaned and stood up, laughing as well, "See you later, Grape,"

"Bye, Ryan the Potion Idiot," she said back.

When most of them left, she went back to the dead bodies of House Scyaeth. They didn't even deserve to be called noble.

She bent down at first, and took most of their jewelry. From the duke, to the duchess, to the marquess and the marchioness, all of them blinded with greed to fulfill their wants from the people's money.

She took the ruby necklace, covered in diamonds, and a few other rings, along with a bracelet of pearls found from the Riverend Oceans of the Bounds.

The Bounds; she never once never hated the place. Kayla always hated the entire kingdom. Hate wasn't enough to describe her feelings, she loathed it that even if the monarchy and the nobles burnt down, she wouldn't care.

All she needed was the King's head in her hands.

With all the cursed goods of gold and silver in her pockets, she proceeded to build the wall to mark her land.

The 20-year-old girl began her retaliation a few months before, just right after her birthday. She thought of it as a sweet little gift.

She had taken over Pendagline, where she and Adrian Nellister had lived with Alex for the past 10 years, and slaughtered all the Royal Army guards there. The people stood with her, knowing that it was for the best. All of which in her hands, the blood of dirt was found.

She built a border around Pendagline, with her bare hands, to keep the people safe from the Royal Army and the other cities.

It seemed about right to train them in a confined area, and the people would stand with her, as they took over the Bounds in a new era of leadership.

A few weeks after taking over Pendagline, she took over Emitha and killed all of House Kareliv's people. These Houses that live in each city, they're the noble ones, or at least to be said, the people biased by King Garland, the king of the Bounds.

And now, she and her army of new ones, are in Glandithe. The dead bodies of House Scyaeth stood at her foot as she flicked her fingers of indigo flame and rocks collided to form the wall that bordered the city.

With every flick of her hand, and every touch of blue and purple flame, the wall began to form. It would just be a few minutes, and not as long as days.

Was it magic? No, no it wasn't. It was illegal sorcery that King Garland opposed, or that his little brain thought of ever since he found out the truth.

Because Kayla Nellister wasn't Kayla Nellister.

She was Kayla Allensilf. She was the 11th daughter of House Allensilf, a former noble family. And she was the last witch of her bloodline.

~~~

"Where's Guard Valente?" the black-haired boy asked, sheathing his sword back in the case.

"He's left with a group of soldiers to Glandithe, Captain Cartensen," the man in front of him replied, keeping a good posture of salute.

"Glandithe?" he wondered, "Why Glandithe?"

"Glandithe was under attack," he replied.

"By who?"

"The North," the man replied.

"The Assassin of the North and their army?" Captain Cartensen, or Jayden, asked again, "Is there still no information who they are or what they look like?"

"No noble family has come out alive when in the hands of the Assassin. Not a single citizen has told anyone from Coranius or the other cities, it seems they've taken their side," the man replied, "But Guard Valente has been ordered by King Garland himself to find the face of this Assassin of the North,"

"King Garland?" Jayden muttered, "Alright thank you,"

"My pleasure, Captain,"

Jayden Cartensen was the youngest captain to ever be elected in the Royal Army and rarely left Coranius except when he went and did his hunting. He led a quiet life with his mother, Penelope, who worked as a maid in the castle for the past 30 years.

His father, Matthew Cartensen, was the first Guard. A loyal and aggressive man, who died in the hands of his own king: Garland. Jayden was 10 when his father was executed, as he killed two citizens while searching for a felon.

And he still had grudges for it.

He was at the base of the Royal Army, as he walked out with people saluting to him and headed to the castle that was very much near to him.

The castle was up above the Bounds. It was set in Coranius, the capital city, and looked over the entire kingdom. Only the royal family lived there: King Garland, Queen Jeanette and their son Prince Titus.

They weren't a happy little family. Jeanette was forced into marriage with Garland, for something she didn't even know, and Titus lived his life as the bratty child in the protection of the king.

There was a former queen, but it was told that she died when giving childbirth. Both her and her child died, and nothing else was ever found after.

"Jayden," a woman called from the side as he entered the front garden, "What are you doing here?"

"Mother," he replied, coming towards her as she held a laundry basket, "I'm here to see the King,"

"That's quite sudden," Penelope, his mother, remarked, "On what occasion?"

"Guard Valente has gone to Glandithe to find the Assassin of the North. I'm here to request the King to allow me to join him," Jayden replied, "There is no need to be worried, mother,"

"I really wished that you didn't pick this career. It still gives me shivers whenever I hear what your father had to do for the King," she hastily said.

"I will not end like how my father did. All I have been wishing for in my life is to murder the witch who made him die,"

Penelope clenched her jaw, "Witches aren't for the blame in here, son, you know that,"

"It is both the witch and the King's fault, mother,"

~~~

"Ah, Jayden!" Garland laughed lowly with a goblet of wine in his hand as he sat on his throne, "What a wonderful visit in this fine afternoon,"

"Your Majesty," he bowed in return, "I'm here to file a request,"

"A request?" he questioned, "What request?"

"May I approach Guard Valente at Glandithe?" he asked, keeping his head low to be respectful.

"No," he gave an immediate answer.

"Why?" Jayden asked back.

"Because," the King whispered, "I have another task for you,"

Of course. Jayden Cartensen only got his extra money from the king's special tasks.

He was the Bounty Hunter of the South. He slaughters and tortures. He hunts and kills.

The boy kneeled on one knee upon the King, "What task, Your Majesty?" he asked.

Because if he followed the King's rules, then he would be trusted. And it was easier to betray someone if they trusted you. Way easier.

He still wanted revenge on his father's death. And he was determined to lay his vengeance on both the King and the felon witch who got his father's head decapitated.

"Ed Wrighton has arrived, Your Majesty," a soldier from behind announced.

"Let him in." the King replied.

The doors opened to a tall boy with tan skin and curly brown hair. He had black braces on his white shirt and dirty long pants.

"Ed Wrighton at your service, Your Majesty," he bowed respectfully to him and stood upright.

Jayden's met him a couple of times. If there was a bounty hunter, there was also an informant. And Ed was the informant.

"Did you get the information I told you to get?" Garland asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ed replied, "It appears that the merchant, Eros Falecith, is also one of the trusted people of Duke Tulaine of Santelle,"

"You're saying, that bloody merchant who took my money by saying that the price of the 'pure' silk was 5 pieces of gold is the right hand of Duke Tulaine?" the King asked back.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Ed replied.

"So, where is this Eros Falecith?" Garland asked.

"He will be back at his house before 8 at night," he replied, "After finishing all his work with Duke Tulaine,"

"Very well," the King said, "Jayden," he called out, "Don't fail me like your father did and kill this man who dared to take my money," he gritted his teeth.

The black-haired boy clenched his jaw at the way the King mentioned his father.

"It's quite hilarious that the two men who are standing in front of me have their parents killed due to their stupidity," Garland laughed as if it was actually hilarious, "Hope you don't repeat those mistakes," he sneered.

"Yes, Your Majesty," the two boys stood upright.

"And Ed," he took something from his pocket: a bag of coins, "Here's your pay," his eyes hovered over to Jayden, "You'll get your pay when the job's done. Now, go, I'd like to enjoy my free time," he said, as he tossed the bag to Ed.

The boy caught it and bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty," he bowed, "I will be going now,"

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Jayden bowed as well.

The two boys went out of the gates and walked up to the front, where many soldiers were training and maids were running around doing the chores.

"Where are you off to, now?" Jayden asked Ed.

"You've never started a conversation with me, quite a surprise," Ed replied with an expressionless face.

"Well, do you want us to just keep ignoring each other when you're spying so I can do my job?" he replied, "I heard you live in Joalarkin. Are you going there now?"

"You start off conversations by asking where people live?" Ed furrowed, "You don't seem to talk too much," he started walking and Jayden followed behind him.

"Then how are you supposed to start a conversation?" he asked, "Should I ask about how your parents died in the castle?" he went straight to the point.

Ed stopped walking and glared at him, "Then how about you? King Garland said that you lost your parents as well here,"

"Parent, actually," Jayden blurted out, "My dad was executed, when I was 10, by the King because he killed two citizens in Joalarkin while searching for a felon,"

Ed furrowed, "Oh," he said, "In my case, my mother was also executed by the King when I was just a few months old. They said that she helped a felon escape, and until now, the felon hasn't been found,"

"So our parents both died because of felons?" he asked.

"Yes, overall I guess," he said, "The case was stopped as soon as the execution happened,"

"Ed!" a girl yelled from the other side of the entrance gate of Coranius.

She stepped out of her carriage, with her thin, peach, balloon-sleeved maxi dress, with pearls and other special jewels sewed on it. Her light brunette hair was laid back on her back, with a flower pin that was placed in the folds.

The girl ran towards the direction of the two boys.

Jayden noticed who she was and bowed down, while Ed bowed a little.

"Marchioness Harrivandik," Jayden greeted, "Pleasure to have you here,"

The girl bowed back to the both of them and chuckled, "Call me Summer, I don't really care about titles," she replied, then turned to Ed, "Are you done with your business here, Ed?"

"Mhm," he nodded, showing they seemed close, "All done, Sums,"

"Great," she exclaimed back and looked at the black-haired boy, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name,"

"Captain Jayden Cartensen of the Royal Army, Mar- Summer," he replied, "But you can call me Jayden,"

"All the work that you and Ed are doing for the sake of the kingdom," she said, "Just remember that there is always only one villain," she sneered, "The King himself,"

"Kind of a surprise for a noble one to say that," Jayden laughed back, "So, Ed, you work for House Harrivandik?"

"Not work," Summer interrupted, "He's family. But with his skills, the King has ordered my stepmother to allow him as a spy for Coranius. No one else knows except my family, the King and you, Bounty Hunter," she gave off a thin smile.

Jayden was stunned. It was the first time he'd talk to a noble person this humble. All the other noble people he's talked to, they either treat everyone else like garbage and of no value, but this marchioness of Harrivandik, she makes everyone her friend.

"I see," Jayden said, "Well then, have a safe trip back, Summer and Ed," he bowed one more time, keeping a smile and then turned around, back to the Royal Army's base.

He needed to prepare for the hunt that night.

~~~

As far as the eye can see, Kayla squinted her eyes at a group of men on horses heading towards Glandithe as the walls were still forming.

She flustered, and brought down her hands for a while and put her black hoodie on her head, covering her mid-length dirty hair and made sure the indigo flames had faded as she stopped making the walls.

From afar, she saw that the man leading the group had a star on his armor, meaning he was a Guard. The Sixth Guard.

She stopped forming the wall, and let the group of men in. No witnesses should see her and what she did. And even if they didn't, but they were right in front of her, they had to die.

The group of men arrived at the entrance of Glandithe and the leader of the team stepped down, approaching the girl in black who had her head covered.

"Are you a citizen of this place?" the man with a star said, "I'm Guard Valente from the Royal Army,"

"They've replaced the Guard very quickly these days," Kayla looked up with only her nose and mouth visible to the men, "And I'm very proud that I'm the reason why,"

She flicked her hand under her black cloak and one of the soldiers at the back was tossed to a house in her colored flame.

Valente staggered and muttered, "It can't be- A witch?" he took out his sword and all his men as well, on their horses as they neighed up high.

"Let's do this without animal abuse shall we?" she lifted her hands and tapped the air a bit that the horses were somehow transported to outside of the walls, leaving the men dropping to the ground, "Okay, now we can start,"

Valente gritted his teeth and charged, running on his quick human feet with his sword high on the air, swaying to the girl, as she lifted her arm and took the sword out of his hand, and with her other hand, she swept him off his feet to a hut.

Another man sprinted towards her, with his sword, and she blocked him off with the sword she stole on his neck, and slitted his throat, leaving him bleeding on the ground.

She put out her hands again and her fingers swayed, lifting two swords as she struck them out to two men and stabbed them in the abdomen. They bled and died.

The four other men exchanged looks of worry as they gripped their swords tightly, stepping one foot at a time.

"Are y'all seriously making baby steps?" Kayla asked in disappointment while suddenly, her neck felt strangled.

Valente grabbed her from the back with his arms and dragged her up back. He was reaching from her dagger as she grunted, but she was quicker. She elbowed his abdomen and grabbed his shoulders, flipping him over.

She took her dagger and stabbed the man on the throat, while on the other hand, two out of the other four men had bolted towards her.

They swayed the sword against her head as she dodged and rolled back, grabbing the soldier's arm and punching it once to break it. He groaned and she took the sword with ease, and stabbed the other soldier in the heart with it.

She lifted the broken-arm soldier with her enchantment and threw him off to one of the tall buildings. The soldier hit the solid wall and fell down, as his bleeding head stained the streets.

From afar, the other two men yelled in shock, and began to run away, to escape. They went back to the entrance, where they could see that the horses were just outside, but it blocked them.

Some sort of translucent wall was blocking them, and as they turned around, the girl was putting the walls closer and closer together, as the rocks built on top of one another, and her hands up. Like a witch.

Her hoodie had fallen off and the two could see her face. Now, they really had to die.

The two soldiers gulped and clenched their jaw as their feet lifted off the ground and was about to run away. Away from the blonde girl with illegal sorcery.

Kayla sighed, and took a crossbow from one of the dead soldiers and aimed towards the two soldiers that were trying to run away to the alleys.

Click.

An arrow was released and hit one soldier as the other hysterically screamed.

Click.

She pulled the trigger and the arrow hovered through the air in the speed of light. A small yelp was heard as it hit the other mouse.

She put down the crossbow beside her and threw it off. Kayla went back to Valente, who had a throat of gushing blood. She bent down and pulled the dagger off his throat. Blood started exploding out like a volcano.

She wiped the blood off the surface and put it on the belt of her waist. Her eyes glanced back to the star. Shiny, she liked anything shiny and expensive. And the star looked as if it was made of pure gold.

She took the star off his armor, admiring it in her hands.

She grinned in astonishment at the sight of it and mumbled, "This one goes to my private collection,"