SIXTEEN

Ow! My head.

The pain I'm experiencing is unbearable.

Ionia here drink this, it will help you.

I turned to see Lucien beside me, giving me a cup filled to the brim with a brownish liquid with a horrible smell. Normally I would say something but with the pain I am experiencing right now, my only wish is for it to go away.

I took the cup from him and drank whatever it is in one gulp.

By the spirits! Lucien the taste is as terrible as the smell.

You will feel better in no time he told me helping me sit properly.

I trust you I told him.

I noticed we are in my room.

Lucien, I remember walking to the palace thinking i've lost whoever it was following me when suddenly I was hit by a dart. I remember calling your name, and that's it.

What happened?

I heard you call out to me and when I got to where you where, I saw two men carrying you away. I fought them and brought you here. The dart you were shot with was poisoned but the brew I gave to you will neutralize whatever the poison was.

You will be fine.

When you said fought, what exactly do you mean?

What do you think I mean?

Are they dead, hmmm did you kill them?

I wanted to, but I decided to see what whoever it is that sent them will do next.

So you did not ask them to know who?

I know who sent them.

Let me guess, my family?

Yes.

What exactly is there problem, why can't they leave me alone?

But wait Lucien that means they saw your face I mean not your face since you are wearing a mask, but they know someone saved me and they might tell my family.

Not to worry I made them forget.

What do you mean?

I mean they know someone fought them but they won't be able to say or describe who.

Of cause why was I worried, it is you after all I said rolling my eyes.

I feel okay but drowsy, once again thanks Lucien.

It's the effect of the medicine and you are welcome, hmm I can keep you company while you sleep if you like?

I would love that Lucien.

But first, it's night time already eat this and go to bed.

After eating the food Lucien gave me I slept off.

I woke up the next day to see a sleeping Lucien.

I can't believe he slept on the chair, he must have been uncomfortable all through the night.

Just to keep me company he forfeit the comfort of his house and bed to sleep on a chair.

I don't think I deserve his friendship.

Is there something on my face? Asked Lucien.

Excuse me?

You've been staring at me without blinking, is there something on my face?

Hmm no nothing just thinking how undeserving I am of your friendship ever since I met you, you've been the one helping me. I can't help but feel like a parasite.

I thought you said you are my friend?

Of cause I'm your friend Lucien.

So what then is the measure of a friend's worth?

I consider friendship sacred, so I don't think a friend's worth should be measured.

If that's what you think then stop feeling bad or undeserving.

You've given me something I never thought I would have and to me it is worth everything.

Me, what did I give you?

Friendship, ionia you gave me friendship.

I'm leaving, I trust you are better now?

Yes I'm good.

If anything comes up or you are in danger you know what to do.

And just like that he left.

I wonder what's his story, shaking my head I took my bath and got ready for the day.

I arrived at the training ground to find the boys amongst us again, including Illaesa.

Hey Celeste, I greeted.

And why are you blushing this early in the morning?

Hi ionia is it that bad she asked touching her cheeks?

It is.

It's all Tyrone's fault.

Tyrone?

Yes Tyrone my boyfriend you met him the other day remember? Don't tell me you've forgotten already?

Oh right, now I remember.

What did he do?

Ionia! She whisper shouted blushing harder.

You know what, forget it I don't want to know I told her.

I really can't believe this guy what is he playing at?

Should I tell celeste.

Great! This is frustrating. I hate being in crazy situations I only have Celeste as a friend excluding Lucien and already the drama is too much!

Everyone listen up began Frances.

From now onwards we train together with the boys.

They were whispers all around.

Silence young ones said Illaesa.

Today we are going to have a test and the best amongst you will be selected for a special mission.

Excluding Frances, Jasper and Ionia the rest of you are to pick an orb each.

Already as you can see over there the orb is glowing. The test is to walk from where the orb is, back to me without the light going off.

Excuse me Illaesa, said Rhea. How are we to do that plus Frances and Jasper I understand them being excluded.

But ionia!?

Child, do you really want someone who is a light elemental to undergo a light test? Besides that, Ionia has proved herself and we all saw it.

The orbs light is fueled by your energy. So all you need do is use your energy to make sure the light does not go off. Those who don't have magic is excluded.

Frances Jasper and ionia are excluded because they've proven themselves already. The rest of you this is your test.

Now begin.

One by one the others did the test and only twelve people passed. If you add jasper frances and myself that makes us fifteen.

Celeste was among those who passed.

The rest of you continue your training, master Flynn will be with you shortly and will be in charge of you all for the time being. Fifteen of you come with me said Illaesa.

We followed Illaesa to a room in the palace close to the the king quarters and waited.

Ionia what's going on?

I don't know Celeste but whatever it is I'm not having a good feeling about it. As we were talking, I saw Leticia, Adryll, prince Emmett and Daryl and princess Isobel walking in.

I don't like the way I'm feeling about this whole situation.

The king and the entire council of elders including the kings of Rania, Hantis, Vira, Khegalla and Yaenem walked in with their representatives.

The room could be considered a meeting room since chairs where arranged.

My king we all greeted and bowed.

You may all be seated.

After everyone sat down the king began.

We are all here today for one common enemy.

The monster known as the demon of Ataraxia.

He has been terrorizing our lands and taking innocent lives. He thinks he's above us but it's time we show him who truly is the master.

This demon has caused pain, suffering and destruction to the kingdoms present here today and we say enough his enough. Today we join forces to put an end to this monster. Everyone present here has been selected for your abilities and we have masters ready who will teach you spells, potions and combat techniques to help you kill this demon.

Young ones look at the faces around you, for the next weeks you will be training, eating and sleeping together and eventually fight together.

This is a time to put differences aside and unite to take out a common enemy.

This mission is top secret no one outside this room should be informed we don't want the demon to find out before we are ready. So for your safety and ours you all must keep this to yourself.

Am I clear?

Yes my king came the chorused reply.

Wait what's going on? They are trying to kill Lucien, this meeting is to plan Lucien's death?

Excuse me my king I said without realizing it.

Yes Ionia what is it?

I don't think I want to be a part of this.

I can't be a part of this.

Why child, are you scared?

My king forgive me my weakness I said kneeling down. Whatever it will cost me I will never be a party to this evil.

It is your right my child get up. I do have to admit with your display the other day it is a shame you won't be joining the others however you are free to go but remember no one is to find out about this. If word gets out it will be your life on the line.

Now is there any amongst you who do not want to be a part of this mission.

Everyone remained seated I was about leaving when Celeste stood up and came to stand beside me.

My king I'm sorry but I don't think I can, I am not strong enough.

It's alright you two are free to go but make sure you don't tell a soul.

We won't my king.

I need to go see Lucien I need to talk to him to warn him he has to know what's going on.

Celeste I need to go somewhere I will see you later.

It's fine Ionia, I need to go see Tyrone we have a date.

I still don't know what to do regarding Celeste and her sweetheart but for now Lucien is my major concern.

I got to my room and called Lucien.

You called.

Seeing him in front of me I immediately hugged him.

You are in danger they are planning to kill you I said hugging him tightly.

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it's okay calm down I'm here I'm fine he said stroking my hair.

I let go of him after I calmed down.

You need to keep a low profile for now, I told him.

Without saying a word he brought me to his home.

For someone who just found out that the kingdom he has been protecting is joining hands with outsiders to kill him you are too calm, I blurted out.

I know.

You know?

What do you mean you know?

I've known for some time now that my life is in danger.

What! Lucien I'm confused.

Look they are training people to come kill you, they even included me I told them I can't and I just left the meeting hall when I called you.

They are probably still there thinking and planning of ways to end your life. This is real Lucien why are you acting as if it is all a joke I asked sounding annoyed.

Calm down, no matter what they do they won't be able to hurt me.

Lucien, I more than anyone knows how powerful you are. But this time around it is different this is not just a war with weapons but with magic.

If you add all these kingdoms together with Ataraxia that's too much power even for you.

But what did you do, I thought you and the king are in good terms why would he want you dead?

He feels threatened.

What do you mean threatened?

My powers, my existence threatens his rule.

But why would he be threatened by you no matter how powerful you are, you cannot rule Ataraxia.

Only members of the royal family can rule regardless of their abilities. Ataraxia was once ruled by a king with no magic.

In other words you have to be a member of the royal family for you to rule.

Why would the king be threatened by you, a commoner it makes no sense.

But you see ionia I am not a commoner.

I am Lucien Draconia son of Alaric Draconia and descendant of Otis Draconia the first king of Ataraxia.

What! I stared at him with my eyes wide open not quite believing what I'm hearing.

That's impossible a prince won't be living alone in the woods and why have I not heard of you before. The whole of Ataraxia only know of two princes crown prince Emmett and Daryl that's it. We don't have any other prince.

What are you saying Lucien?

I am telling the truth Ionia I am indeed a prince of Ataraxia.

How is that possible Lucien?

Why are you living here then?

Why are you not in the palace with the rest?

Why have I not heard of you before?

Do people even know of your existence?

Where you banished?

Calm down will you.

One question at a time.

Why don't you sit down, I will answer all your questions.

What I'm about to tell you, i've told no one before in fact not many people know the story.

First I need you to not worry about me. The people who wants me dead don't even know how I look like so if they don't know how I look like how will they be able to kill me?

What do you mean by they don't know how you look like?

Apart from you, no one else knows that this is how I look like not even the king.

To them I'm a hideous monster.

But is that not the image you project for them to see when you go to war?

Yes that's the image, but that's the only image of me they have. To everyone else that's how I look like so even if they go in search of the demon that's the description they have and that's who they will be searching for not the me sitting next to you.

Spirits protect us all I said.

So you see, you don't have anything to worry about I will be fine.