CHAPTER 1

Long before the earth had fully been open to the world of technology and science, a distant little hidden island was created by the greatest group of magicians ever lived. They called this island Wester land.

It was created to protect its people and magic away from the evil of mankind. All was peaceful for a very long time until the island was discovered.

They invaded and killed some of the inhabitants of Wester land. The others left, fled to the northern part of the island. For years, those who survived were not heard from.

The prince of Wester land, Lester, was part of the survivors. His father was killed during the war that ensued between the warriors and invaders. It was shocking to the people that survived and mostly to the young prince. They all mourned the king even without a body.

The prince lived with the king's ambassador training and learning magic and combat.

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On a bright day, Lester walked to the training field. It was springtime and he knew he was going to see her, Winter. He had always wished to express himself only that he was afraid of being rejected.

He spotted her gathering flowers and wild mushrooms.

Deliberating whether or not to walk up to her and say something, she swirled around and he decided against talking to her.

Instead, he walked towards the training ground.

"I assume you've been playing your staring role,  my young prince?" The late king's Chancellor said with irritation in his voice.

"And I assume that you know where I'm coming from." 

"Look prince, I do not appreciate the fact that you are making light of the situation. You have to be focused on the task ahead. You have to prepare for the battle I had. The fate of this land in your hand." 

"Don't tell me that. I know that defeats are going to call to me if I fight this war. This war is to be fought and won by a girl who is not me, who has to be given by the goddess of the land. I am prepared to fight by her side on the great day but please do not tell me a lie about the fate, my fate. It's all a lie."

"Do not be angered, my young prince. I am only a replacement father who wants the best for you."

He sighed. "I know and you're doing a great job. I'm just..." he faltered."I'm going to practice a bit before going home."

He shifted his weight from the table he was leaning on and stood on his feet at the same time pulling his sword from the scabbard. He approached a group of swordsmen and joined in on their practice.

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"WINTER!!!" He called out.

She swirled to find Lester jogging towards her. Her heart started racing like a horse in the desert. She tried to stop her heart from ripping out of her chest and managed to succeed before he got to her. 

"What are you doing here Lester?" she said as she tried to walk away from him. He grabbed her hand and pulled her to him dropping his hand on her waist. 

"I came to see the most beautiful creature in the world." A grin plastered on his face. Her face turned warm with a blush slowly creeping up her face.

"Now tell me why you are really here." She said trying to change the topic.

"Oh right." He inhaled deeply. "I was just thinking about you..., me..., us and... I was thinking a lot actually and..." He stuttered.

"Out with it Lester." She was surprised to see him stuttering so much.

"Okay, I was wondering..." He took another deep breath. "Will you marry me, Winter?"

Her heart seemed to have stopped beating for a while as she digested his question unsure of what she heard.

"What did you say?" She asked quietly.

"Please marry me, Winter."

She pushed him with her hands on his chest pulling herself from him.

"Stop toying with my heart like this, what did I do to you?!"

"I don't understand. I am being very serious about this. I love you, Winter, and I want to be by your side forever."

He went down on one knee taking her hand.

"Please Winter, make me the happiest prince in the world and marry me and I promise to always be with you, protect you and our children. I'll do my best to satisfy you and I will never play with your heart."

She stood there staring into his eyes. On seeing his sincerity and his undying love for her she took a deep breath.

"I will marry you, Lester Rutherford." She said smiling.

"Yes, she said yes." He grabbed her by the waist and twirled while she giggled.

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"And that is how we got married."

Winter sat in the living room with her daughter. 

"Really?"

"Yes, we got married, settled down, and lived."

"But why are we here instead of Wester land?"

"Just when our lives were starting to pick up, getting perfect, the invaders discovered our refuge. We were forced to leave Wester land forever but we lost a lot of people. The survivors are now scattered abroad." She turned sad." I lost your father to them as he tried to fight back. He fulfilled his promise to the last blood in his vein." Her voice was hoarse. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Autumn, noticing her change of mood, changed the topic.

"Don't worry mummy, daddy will come back, right?"

"Yes. Yes, he will."

"Mummy, how was I born?" Curious Autumn asked.

Winter laughing patting her legs beckoning Autumn to sit.

"We were lucky to have you. You cried hard when you came out. I and your father were beaming. You know, when we saw your hair, we already knew what to name you."

"Autumn?!"

"Yes, Autumn. Your hair symbolizes the leaves on the gerd tree in Wester land. We knew it was a sign that you will be great. The gerd tree symbolizes great fortune and power. You, my little star, are my fortune." She pointed at Autumn's chest.

Autumn clutched the heart-shaped red ruby encased in a gold plate.

"I remember when the goddess came to us and gave you the necklace, you squealed for joy like you knew what it was. She wrapped it around your hands and you started toying with it."

She laughed hard before bringing the girl closer to her side.

"I love you."

"I love you too. But mummy, is there no one to save Wester land?"

Winter watched her in amazement and surprise. She was not expecting a question like that. She reminded herself that Autumn was extremely brilliant so she shouldn't be surprised.

She quickly recollected herself.

"I don't know honey. Come on, let's get to bed. You've got school tomorrow."

She scooped her up and took her to her room. She laid her on the bed, tucking her in. She made to leave and was already at the door when Autumn called out.

"Mummy."

"Yes, honey."

"I love you more."

Winter chuckled. "If you say so."

She closed the door behind her and walked back to the living room.

She heard a familiar splash behind and sighed. She turned around to see her visitor.

"You're gonna tell her someday you know. She deserves to know the truth."

"I am not exposing her to the dangers of this mission all in the name of a  prophecy. I was given the responsibility to care for her, I will not fail. Let the goddess fight the battle."

"You know that Diana has fallen and Autumn is the only hope of Wester land."

"You have enough combat and magic Lena, you fight this war and end it."

"You know it is impossible."

"I am just protecting her, Lena!"

"From what?" She waited for a response and when Winter didn't reply, she asked again. "Protecting her from what?"

Winter ran her hands through her face and her hair.

"Without fighting this war, the whole world will start facing different chaos that will affect her so what's the use of your protection?! What's the point?"

"I'm going to lose her. They already took the prince and her mother. She's the only one I've got. She's like a daughter to me already."

"Molly..."

"It's Winter to you." She growled.

"Right. Winter, please reconsider your..."

"I'm not losing her. I made a promise that I cannot break."

Lena sighed and with a splash, she was gone.

"I can't lose her. I won't lose her." She said to herself trying to reassure herself.