New Dawn

"Those who want to follow General Rua will be banished from the South and North Kingdom." Yllana's firm words rang loud and clear. The bloody field before the palace quieted down. There were a few who stood by the general's side and walked with him outside of the northern gates.

"Once you walk out of that gate, you will no longer have a place here, general." Empress Blanche announced. She was still hoping for him to change his mind. He has been an honest general so far. His only flaw was his endless support to Darion Anavel, the South Kingdom emperor who tried to control all his subjects to form an army.

The general stopped for a moment. "Today, you are their savior. Tomorrow, who might you be?" Then he walked away never looking back again. A thousand soldiers went along with him.

When the North Kingdom's gates closed, Yllana also closed her eyes. Sleep. It felt good right now to rest after two consecutive battles. She let her body fall to the ground. No matter how strong she had been these past few days, she is still human. She still needs sleep.

Three was standing by her side that time. He caught one of her arms, and the other…was in Lucien's. "Her neck's gonna break if you two keep glaring at each other!" Two huffed up his chest and bear-hugged Yllana off the two men's grips. Lucien and two were left staring at the giant bulky knight's back.

"Are you that bear's friend?" Lucien's eyes almost bored holes at Two's back.

"I doubt that now," Three looked at his comrade's back too.

"Since she has the emperor's seal with her, why didn't she just show it to the southern army?" Nine asked Three.

Empress Blanche clenched her fists. "The South's imperial seal is different from the other seals. Since it is the most powerful kingdom on this mainland, it has been given an enchanted seal that measures the great potential, skills, and future of the holder. It only chooses one 'ruler' in over a hundred years. So, only the imperial family knows what the seal looks like. If she had shown it to the soldiers, they may not have realized that they were fighting their own ruler."

"Your Majesty, an oracle has arrived along with Southern Kingdom's Empress Larika." A soldier yelled out in front of the main doors. All of them went still. The empress is still alive?

"If she's alive, then where does that leave One in the South Kingdom's palace?" Ten asked. His yellow hair and blue eyes the same as Nine's.

~~~~~~~~~~

"It smells like apples and cinnamon." Yrah perked up her nose. She felt the morning chill became a little less cold that morning. There was news all over New Hills that the emperor has been overthrown.

"Pies, do you like pies, dear?" An old woman in a messy bun appeared out of the kitchen. There was flour on her hands and cheeks. Age has taken a toll on her skin. But the crinkles on her eyes and lips assures anyone who sees her that she has lived a full life.

"Of course, grandma! I missed your pies. I remembered pigging out on a whole pie when mother was not looking." She laughed at her memory. It has been days since they've told the story about what happened to the North Kingdom. They grieved. They cried. But it did not take long for them to try to move on with their lives.

"I've found the vein of gold ore that a merchant told me back in the imperial city. It looks promising." Theoden took a sip of tea and sat across Yrah. He looked at his daughter's eyes. For today, she chose to cover it with a white ribbon.

"I could help you find a business partner for turning those ores into jewelry. The capital of the north might also be interested in investing in it." Prince Devon sat beside Yrah. Since they came to the province, he had been a little helper beside her.

"You know that no matter how much you impress me with your negotiation skills, the age difference between you and Yrah will stay that way."

"Haha, don't be too harsh on the little brat Father. He just finds me as a sister figure."

"But you are more than a sister-"

"Shush! I reckon you might just grow a bit more and then you'll find a girl for yourself."

"But this prince wants a powerful girl like you,"

"Powerful girls like powerful men. And I am not into children."

The prince finally shut his mouth and sulked beside her.

Shiiba rushed into the kitchen leaving a rattled Imari and Kheera on the hallway. "Sha Empwow hath been dethwoned!" A piece of bread was stuck on her mouth while talking. She was also hugging two huge bags of meat and vegetables. When she caught their attention, Imari and Kheera went inside too and shut the door tight. She swallowed the piece of bread and drank water hastily. She coughed out before continuing to speak.

There is a knot in Theoden's forehead as he recalled how the villagers here also heard the Grand Oracle's prophecy. There was only one girl whom the description fits exactly, Yllana. But he knew his daughter would never succumb to such fate. He sighed, reassuring himself that his daughter was someone not easily believing in such things. "Who dethroned the emperor?"

"Yllana,"

~~~~~~~~~~

Yllana petted Laia's head. "Good girl. You deserve some treats." She smiled at her little rabbit on her hands while feeding her some soul stones.

"Where is Azimuth?" she asked Lucien who was silently following her.

"Taking his punishment,"

"Punishment for what?"

"Failing to protect you,"

Yllana shook her head. These half-bloods really are good at cruelty.

"I don't need someone to tail me all the time. So, what did you hear about me being cursed?" Lucien went silent. "I know you have been gathering information about me too. I just want to know what the oracles have been saying. But it does not mean that I am just going to believe whatever they say," she smiled at him.

"Nobody actually knows the exact curse that the demon king placed on you. What they mostly said was what the Grand Oracle and Grand Mage have been telling all these times. A girl with red hair and red eyes, like blood and fire combined, will be the greatest downfall or the greatest rise of powers in this mainland."

"They make me seem like a goddess of war or something like that," she stroked her chin. There was no sign of contempt on her eyes about the curse on her. Then she looked at the sky. "I, Yllana Saber, the North Kingdom's Number One Holy Knight will carve my own fate! No matter what curse or destiny you try to pave for me." The sky darkened for a moment and a lightning bolt came thundering down beside the spot where she was standing. Her eyes widened and she wrinkled her forehead. Something does not feel right about the heavens these past few months. She looked at the dark spot that the lightning bolt left. It was so black, you might just misinterpret that it could have been burned by a dragon's breath.

"I told you the heavens are crueler,"

Did he just hear her thoughts earlier about half-bloods liking cruelty? A suspicious look passed by Yllana's face. Impossible. The heavens did not grant anyone of that power, because if they did, wouldn't that be amazing as hell?

The warm rays of sunlight fell on them as they strolled into the palace's garden. This was the empress' rose garden. Since it belonged to the empress, it was always well-maintained. Rose bushes of mixed color roses line up the walls and hedge of the small maze. Since the air was cooler this time of the year, there were a few flowers blooming. Red, pink, blue, and orange roses form a circular border with two entrances in the fountain at the center of the garden. The gardeners just finished trimming the bushes and grass, so the air was still full of the smell freshly cut grass and soil. It was a refreshing scent after being bathed in too much blood in the past few days.

Lucien stared at her. A corner of his lips raised. He raised his hand to touch her shoulder. But before he could tap her, a series of shrieks and squeals from the garden's gates sounded.

Yllana turned her head into the entrance and saw a familiar shadow arriving. "It seems that there is news." She handed Laia to Lucien and sat on one of the stone benches near her.

Three was still scratching his head when he approached the two. "Are you going back to the south?"

"Did the empress ask?" Yllana poked softly Laia's button nose.

"She didn't. She knew you have to go back."

Yllana wore a long face. Yes, she had to go back. She hadn't completed the recipe for Yrah's spell yet. She still had three more ingredients to collect.

"But before you go back, we want to introduce ourselves properly since the queen already demystified the training grounds and our armors." Three's eyes went over the entrance of the garden again. Two and the twins suddenly walked in and hopped in front of her.

"Who would have thought that the strongest among us is a girl?" Nine's eyes were almost formed into a thin line. His blue eyes only show when he was surprised, like now.

"Do you have any problems with girls?" A dangerous glint flashed across Yllana's eyes.

Ten hit his brother's head. "He means well. It's just that law that made him amused. I'm Eiron and this blabbermouth is Eiren. We're from the Iansys clan."

"Andryll Ravania," Two just raised his hand. He stayed as quiet as he could be.

"Knave Forsworn, nice to finally meet you Yllana." Three's eyes peered to Lucien from time to time. He offered his hand to Yllana.

"I'm a knight too. No need to be formal." Yllana refused. She laughed nervously when she felt there were invisible daggers between the two men. 'This is going to be a long day.'