4

The sound of deep and husky chuckle drew their attention from the flower they were bent over. They could feel their lips stretch into a fond smile as their eyes settled on the bulky muscular form coming towards them.

“What are you doing here?” They heard themselves say.

“I came to see my friend, of course.” The figure chuckled again.

Now that he was closer, they could see the figure clearly. He was handsome, with eyes resembling gold melting in a fiery furnace. He has short, dark auburn hair that reached his nape and was spikey. His hair and trimmed beard looked like blood under the sunlight. He was tall and has a muscled build, gained from eons of war and battles. His impressive muscles were decorated with battle scars, but they only intensified his appeal.

They made a sound between a snort and scoff; standing up straight. “Try again. I take it you’re running away from her again?”

The man groaned. “I swear to my father, she’s getting annoying.” He huffed. “I don’t really get why she’s so pissed off anytime I mention I’m coming over to see you.”

“She’s afraid to lose her one of her conquest to a perceived ‘nobody’.” They said, doing a finger quotation in the air. The man before her spluttered in indignation. His expression while he did so made them snort behind a closed fist. “And not only that, she’s worried that you’ll do to her what she and you did to her husband.” They continued. “And if you ask me, she deserves it.” They shrugged.

The man cocked a brow at them, giving them a confused look. “Does that mean… you want me to fuck you?”

This time, it was them who spluttered. “Fuck no!” They yelled out, getting a cackle from the man. “That’s disgusting!”

“Ouch. That hurts.” He mocked gasp, placing a hand on his exposed chest.

They could feel themselves roll their eyes, their lips thinning. They started walking away, the man following behind them.

“Let’s go train, you beast. That’s why you’re here after all.” They sighed out in an exaggerated way.

“A deity after my own heart.” The man crooned exaggeratedly. “Makes me wish I could marry you.”

“Oh, fuck off Ares.”

The man snickered.

They were walking pass a large glass window, and they decided to look at it. A skeletal form, cloaked in black and bearing red eyes stared back at them.

*******************

Herada jolted awake with a deep gasp. The pitch black haired woman laid a hand on her chest, gripping her night tunic. Her eyes were blown wide in fear. Her heart was thundering behind her chest and a sheen of swear could be seen on her face.

Realizing it’s a vision again, Herada started to calm herself down. She breathed in and out, slowing down her racing heartbeat. In a minute or two, she’s finally calm.

Herada then realized that her room was slightly dark. Only the light of the weening moon provided visibility.

“Light. On the right.” She sighed out. The floating sphere on the left side of the large bedroom flares on, illuminating the room a little. She blinked her eyes, adjusting to the little bit of light.

Herada sighed, scrubbing her hand down her face. She glanced at the large grandfather clock by the corner, sighing once more when she sees that’s it just 3:46am. With another sigh, she removed her duvet from her person, and stood up from her bed. She slowly made her way over to the alcove and sat on the soft bedding. She gazed at the weening moon, thankful that today is the last day of seeing the Golden Heldem. Even though it was beautiful, the arrival of the moon was hell for her.

When Herada was at the age of five, she started having these vivid dreams. She saw it in a first person point of view. And in each dream, she was killed. Back then, she woke up screaming, bringing her parents down to her room. As a young child, she couldn’t bear it; so they sought help.

Turned out all those dreams she had – and was still having – are memories from her past lives. There’s nothing that could be done to elevate her from the harsh memories and feeling of being killed over and over again. Twice or three days in a week, she dreamed about different past lives, and experience everything in said visions; even being brutally killed. But on the week of each Golden Heldem, her visions always took a weird turn.

Why in the world will someone name their children after gods? Well, she’s not one to talk, seeing as her name is HERAda; and her ancestor is basically an Ares with an E. But still!

Her dreams on Golden Heldem weeks were always perplexing. She didn’t know what to make of them. But before her mother died, she, her grandmother and Priestess Rinoa brought up a theory that maybe she’s seeing the deity, Cahya’s life.

Unknown to most people, Cahya was a deity who died a thousand of years ago. From what her grandmother, mother and Rinoa had told her as a child, and what she had researched and found out, they were the child of Hades, who was murdered in a horrible way. Their body was then turned into the second and largest in the sky; its golden light shining on the earth.

The three women said that maybe due to Herada, being the only one born on the rare occurrence when the New Golden Heldem moon was joined by a Luna Eclipse, she might have found a connection to the memories of the dead deity. And as every Golden Heldem came and went, that theory solidifies.

It is said that Cahya had a special relationship with various god, and the well-known is Ares. Most of Herada’s dreams were filled a man called Ares.

Herada closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. She raised her hand and willed her golden colored cover journal to come to her. She conjured a pen and started writing the vision she just had, the images still vivid in her head.

Another thing that made her mother’s theory sound real is her increase in Manna every Heldem week. The Armstrong family had little to no manna, due to them being the descendants of the legendary Sliver Werewolf, Amarai, and Ares, the god of war. As a Born Werewolf, Amarai was only able to control a tiny amount of manna due to her nature; while Ares. Like most of the gods, could control an element; his being fire. Due to their mixed blood, the Armstrong family were in-between. Although, as thousands of years go by, and due to their inter-marriages between powerful Manna Practitioners, most of them could control large amount of manna. Like Herada for example. Her mother, Morgaine, was the granddaughter of Enchantress Morgana of Europa; and she herself was a Sorceress. Due to the mixed blood, Herada was of the Witch Level; meaning that she could cast certain levels of spells, dark or light. Unlike her mother who had large manna reserves, Herada had a small core; a clear effect of being an Armstrong.

Although, being an Armstrong limited her manna a little bit, she was still formidably in manna casting. When the Golden Heldem arrives, she levels as an Enchantress – but without the immortal aspect. She could destroy a kingdom with just a wave of her hand. Just like her grandmother, Morgana.

No wonder Enchantors were rare. They were dangerous, as well as wished for – as weapons of course. So, they stayed hidden. Her grandmother, of course, wasn’t bothered by it. I mean, who in their right mind will challenge an Enchantor as old as her?

Twenty minutes later saw Herada hovering in the air, sat in a meditative form. She was feeling the energy around her. In the plants. In the air. All around her. When she opened her eyes, her eyes were a mix between magenta and emerald green; glowing with untold power. Her hair began to float, and shadows gathered around her. The manna powered orb on the wall flickered on and off.

Herada remained like that until the clock struck 5am, when the moons had disappeared. Another three years before the Golden Heldem appears again.

Herada began her morning stretch, doing a little martial arts in her large bedroom. When it was 6am, she magically undresses herself and heads into the bathroom. She relived herself before she filled the ceramic tub with water and pour a healthy helping of vanilla and rose oil into the water. She first took her bath in the shower before she soaked herself in the tub. By 6:47am, she got out, drained the tub before going to dress. By 7:23am, she made her way downstairs, dressed in a simple green Grecian dress, which has a hip length slit on her right leg. Her mid-back wavy hair was braided, with some strands fanning her face.

She made her way to the dining room and was met with her uncle and father, who were reading various parchments; both facing each other. She greeted them and took a seat next to her father. A servant walked up to her with a tray of letter, taking a stand by her side. Herada heaved a sigh, knowing what they were, and took them one by one. She looked at the seals on them, recognizing what the Houses.

“Are the ravens, owls or eagles which delivered these letters still here?” Herada asked the servant.

“Yes, Lady Herada.” The servant answered.

“Strap them back to their carriers and send them back.” She flickered her hand in dismissal.

“Yes, my Lady.” The servant bowed before walking away with the tray containing the ten letters which had courtship proposals in them.

“Dismissing the offers again, cousin?” Valentina chuckled out, heading over to them. She sat down next to her father, facing Herada.

After the massacre of 99% of the Armstrong family, Rihardos and Rodion decided that it’s best if the four of them lived together. The two women lived together from when they were young and were practically sisters. The four of them lived in a beautiful mansion with an equally beautiful garden. The mansion had two dining rooms; one small

Herada huffed into her cup of tea. Rihardos chuckled, glancing amusedly at his cold daughter.

“Honestly, Hera…” Valentina sighed in fond exasperation. Herada sent a brief glare at her for that name, before going back in enjoying her herbal tea. “You’re not getting any younger. Maybe you should give them a chance?”

Herada dropped her tea, cocking a brow at her cousin. “Val, we Armstrong don’t get until we reach fast. Take our fathers for example.” She gesture at the eating men. “They still look as if they’re in their 30s. And also take me having manna. It will be a long time before I age. So, no. Once again, I am not interested. I haven’t taken care of myself to my satisfaction, so why will I stress myself for such a thing called marriage?” She cocked her brow again. “Just drop it Valentina, and allow me to deal with my business the way I see fit.”

The room descended into silence after that; which was broken by the arrival of a beautiful, grey owl. Said owl landed on the open window ledge, giving a soft hoot.

“Not again.” Herada heaved a put off sigh.

Rihardos cocked a brow at her. “Trouble, daughter?”

“Yes.” She sighed again. She gently stood up and walked over to the window. She coated her arm in protective manna and outstretched said arm. The grey owl gave a hoot before jumping on to her hand. With the owl on her arm, she walked over to the table.

Valentina narrowed her eyes when she saw the owl closely. It has black spots on its body, and its beak had a single brow dot on it. Where did she know that owl from?

“I have been getting anonymous letters from an unknown suitor.” Herada said, feeding the owl a fried beef strip. “The first one I opened waxed an annoying poetry that I was honestly sick to my stomach. Today will make it a week now. I have been ignoring the letters and sending them back to them; a clear sign I am not interested in whatever they want to offer.” She stared coldly at the eating owl. “But it seems my message has not been clear.”

“Whatever you’re planning to do, daughter, do not do it.” Rihardos said.

Rodion nodded in agreement. “Just keep ignoring them. It will ring in their head clearly.”

With a sigh, she walked over to the open window. “Go back to your owner.” The owl hooted before taking off. Herada walked back to her seat and began to eat.

Throughout breakfast, Valentina kept sparing glances at her cousin, her lips twisted in a light frown. It’s kind of unbelievable how her cousin kept getting courtship proposal, even for being who she was. It might even be her history that got her those proposal. People did like challenges. And to top it off, she’s the heiress of one of the most prominent and ancient House in Grecia. So, if one were to win her love, they will be held high.

Valentina felt that it’s unfair of the number of proposal she gets. Valentina might not offer much, but she has her own use. It’s unfair.

With a sigh, the light auburn haired woman focused on her food, her mind reeling with thoughts filled with her insecurities.