-"Dance eternally, like the moons of this world."
[One day before the test- Nation of Mina]
*Adela*
"Finally, I've made it to Xiāogāng!" I said, sighing in relief. My ruby eyes peered at the city that ran from the hills, like the one I stood on, all the way to the sea thirty-something miles to the west. My cinnabar-colored robes swayed in the wind with each step I took, like the waters of a great stream going down a mountain.
I surveyed the white clay-tiled roofs of the houses and stores. They were a common sight in the western part of Mina. 'How long has it been since I last visited this place?' I smiled. Not that it mattered. This wasn't the kind of nostalgia I sought.
'Only a few more stops, then I'll finally be able to see the boy who changed my life. That's if he takes the test. But I'm sure he will.'
"This is where we part, Adela," my eldest brother said.
I looked over my shoulder and smiled back at the handsome black-haired young man. "Thanks, Xun. Take good care of Elliot." I glanced back at the city. "I'm afraid that he'll get in trouble." I raised my hands and lifted myself into the air. The combination of flight and my flowing robes probably made me look like a bird to the people below.
He folded his slender arms and frowned. "I'll keep him safe, but I also worry about you."
I stopped in mid-air and glanced back. "What do you mean?"
He sighed. "Your nightmares. They're becoming more persistent with each passing day. I fear that something bad might happen to you. The dreams of the High Priestess of Xian aren't ever simple. Mother was the same way. Grandmother also had the same experience, as did your other predecessors."
I closed my eyes and recalled the nightmare I had the night before. One in which darkness consumed me.
"Don't worry too much about me, Xun. I'll be fine. For one, it was a dream, not a vision like the ones I see when peering into a flame," I said, smiling. I sighed. "And second, I won't allow the darkness to consume the world." I placed a hand over my chest. "Even if I must sacrifice myself, I shall stop it, just like those who came before us did."
Brother furrowed his brow. "Please don't go that far. As someone who fought against the beings of darkness nearly a decade ago, I can say that they're not an easy opponent. It took people from three realms to push them back last time. And we barely won."
I kept my hand on my chest and looked straight into his blue eyes. "I will if I must. Our ancestors, including our parents, sacrificed their lives for the fate of our country and the universe as a whole. If that is to be my own fate, then so be it." 'But before that, I must gain strength in order to repeal it. As well as see that boy one more time.'
Xun shook his head at me. "Fine. All that I ask of you is to try and find a way to accomplish the salvation of the world without sacrifice. I'm certain it'll sadden the Goddess to lose another priestess so soon."
I nodded and turned away from him. The warmth of the rising sun hit my back. While I might've been willing to tribute my life, I wasn't suicidal. If possible, I would like to live beyond the upcoming conflict.
*Iah*
[Xiāogāng's Tai Harbor]
I smiled as the ship to Wahkan came into view. 'Finally! Can't believe that I made it here without her showing up.'
I glanced at the crowd for a green-haired girl with azure eyes, but there was no sign of such a person. Instead, I saw a woman with white hair that contrasted nicely with her dark skin pass by with a group of nine people around my age.
"Follow me, I'll be showing you to your cabins," she told the group.
Suddenly a blonde girl stopped and glanced at him.
"Ah, you must be Prince Iah, or am I mistaken?" the girl said as golden crystals twirled around her arms like celestial bodies around a star. She gave me a kind smile as I just continued to stare.
I flattened my blond hair with my hands and smiled at the girl. "That's right. To think that you already know me. It's an honor to be recognized by such a beautiful young lady."
With her hands raised to her lips, the girl chuckled. "Oh my, aren't you a charmer? Unfortunately for you, my heart is already taken. Perhaps if we had met sooner, you would have stood a chance. Oh right, my name is Vermeil."
My smile vanished. "I see. I wonder who this person is." I sighed and followed the girl and her friends. 'Maybe I can find out if I stick with them long enough. Is it the white-haired guy who looks like a gangster? The pale redhead in the hoodie? The athletic black guy? Or maybe it's the one with the weird clothes? Or could it be the one with the unsettling grin?'
"Iah!" a voice called. Shivers ran down my back.
I stopped making my way toward the ship at the edge of the pier and turned around. A green-haired girl with blueish-green dragon-like eyes stood behind me.
I gave the girl a thin smile and sighed. "Sorry, Ciji. This is my decision."
She stomped over. Her eyes might as well have been launching lasers at me. "So you're ending it here? Like this? It's because of that girl that you were talking with just now, isn't it?" Vines formed in her hands. "I'll teach her to steal my boyfriend!"
I sighed. "It's not her fault. I barely met her, to begin with. It's yours. You're the one who gave me the ultimatum. I would've liked to have continued this relationship, but you just had to try to control me. It made me realize..." I looked her straight in the eyes. "You're not the one for me. I want a girl who allows me to have some freedom. I already have enough issues being a prince. I don't need my life partner to chain me too."
Tears dripped down her face. "You CAN'T!" she screamed, drawing the attention of others. "You... can't abandon me. You can't end it like this!" She hugged me. "I love you, Iah! Please don't leave me."
I sighed and pulled her arms away. "I can, and I am," I said, backing away.
"You... you'll pay for this! Iah Wudi! You hear me! We'll see each other again, and when we do, you'll regret having abandoned me!"
I pinched my nasal-bridge and took a deep breath. 'How in the world did I end up dating such a spoiled girl? I mustn't have been thinking right when I accepted her confession. I am such an idiot. Though, I'm sure that Uncle Huang will be able to deal with whatever issues her father will cause for the kingdom. Also, I doubt that the man would be so dumb as to waste the political power that took him years to obtain for his daughter's temper tantrum.'
My eyes came to a stop as a pink-haired girl ran past me. I stared at her in awe. "Adela?"
'No... It can't be her. Why would she be boarding the boat for Wahkan? To take the entrance exam to Nine Petal? That is ridiculous. The girl hates Kyuu Seishin even more than I do!' I rubbed my eyes. 'I must be imagining things. Right? Ugh, but what if it is her? I'd rather deal with my ex than her.'
*Adela*
I briefly turned around. I didn't expect to see the crown prince of Mina here. How long had it been since I last saw him? Five years? Four? I lowered my head. It was probably best that I avoided him for now. Doubted he would be overjoyed to see me. Given the last couple of interactions we had. Iah could hold a grudge as well as I could.
My eyes shifted to the azure sky. It was as blue as the lightning of the boy from my childhood. If only the one here were Lei.
I snickered. I didn't need to hope. It would soon become a reality! Even if Lei weren't taking the exam, he still resided in Wahkan. But he mostly likely would. It was his dream to become Magus Maximus, after all.
*Lei*
[Meanwhile back in Caelum, Wahkan]
"Time to start another day of training!" I said, jumping out of bed. I ran to the bathroom to brush my teeth. Only one more day until the big day...
I ran a hand through my messy brown hair and grinned as I stared at myself in the mirror. I could do this, I knew I could. I just had to have faith!
I turned away from the mirror and chuckled. 'Wonder what kind of people I'll meet there. No, I shouldn't be thinking about that. The test is every person for themselves... though it still wouldn't hurt to make some new friends, right?'
"Lei!" Yen yelled. "Breakfast is ready!"
"Coming!" I said, returning to my toothbrushing. 'Maybe I'll get to see some old friends too. Like Adela. Although, would she even go to Kyuu Seishin? People from there did kill her parents. She probably wouldn't want anything to do with them.'
I stared at my hands. The image of blood popped into my head. I shook my head to get the memory out. It wasn't like I had a choice. If I hadn't killed those thugs, they would've kidnapped Adela or killed her too.
'Why did they want to take her away anyway? I don't think we ever found out. Well, not that we could've. We killed all of them.' I sighed. Should've left at least one alive to interrogate. That side of me was frightening to recall. But even though I wasn't fond of it, I would've done it again if given the option. Anyone who messed with my friends was my enemy. I wouldn't touch my heart and spare them. Especially if they were murderers.
**Solar Note: Hope that you enjoyed the chapter ^^. Thoughts? Theories? Predictions?**