Hitomi POV

I spitted out my drink when I heard my mother Ayame’s words. Niana’s marriage was pushed to this coming up year after New Years. As for whom demanded it to be hurried was Luna and some big shot. This was unheard of the other name she mentioned was even something I know though I’m locked inside the house. The Shadow Empress of the underground world. All that was known of her is that she’s a Phoenix and that she knew an extensive network, was ruthless. Cold towards her enemy yet why was she pushing my sister’s wedding now. This seems strange, we have no offense with her.

“Mother, why would the Shadow Empress pay attention to sister much less hurry this wedding so fast. They’ve only been engaged for a year. Yet this coming year they’re to marry due to her words. I understand it if it’s just Luna, she’s eccentric after all. This is the grudge holding Shadow Empress whom no one has seen before. That means sister’s marriage is more complex than what even you or my other sisters think. Mother we can’t offend her but you can at least postpone this marriage.” (Hitomi)

“Fine I’ll do as you say and postpone it.” (Ayame)

“Thanking mother for consider this inexperienced daughter’s thoughts to investigate the other family’s son.”

Mother frowned at my words as she stared back at me. Instead I just smiled back at her as if I knew she wanted to confirm with me first. My feelings for these things are never wrong when it comes to politics. Yet what is this uneasy feeling I’m feeling from this. I wonder how that wolf demon is, she left in a hurry injured. Mother left me alone but feeling lonely in my room I sang.

“The winds of the north, brings the spring chirping of the birds. Crying can be heard with the heavens thundering roar off in the distance. Spring has come to us, yet I feel unrest.

My soul says it’s the long distance between my heart. The earth has changed, the owners have shifted. Yet I remain here unchanged. Like a caged bird twittering about in its cage wishing for freedom.

Oh winds, take me from this helpless place. Freedom is all I wish for in this life. Caged I maybe but no one understand me. I wish to look at the world with my wings carrying me. With the heavens above as I look at the world.”

I silently sat in my futon though my sister Niana is excited for this. An Shadow Empress, the netherworld’s heir the wolf demon on the run, eccentric Luna, and my sister’s marriage date. This is not a coincidence at all. It’s like something is rushing these things but why is that. I’m also engaged but this is abnormal for this many events to happen all within a year. There also someone instigating the dragons and Phoenixes to war again. Whom can it be, why is Luna that information loving goddess popping up now.

“Luna the moon goddess. Why is she here now in all the ages she hasn’t once said much but now she’s pushing for sister’s marriage. Usually if sister Niana is clear headed she’ll be the one mother would be consulting not me. Though mine is also accurate but sister’s is more so. Damn this means another major event doesn’t it. The last time she was involved was the dragon princess and Phoenix prince. That war was enough disaster as it was for the Phoenixes. Curse this body, if I could I wouldn’t be here instead of gathering information and helping my family get out of this problem.”

Luna, she’s never simple. That person does not seem to know her limit but she has stretched out like this. This wedding will be far from those simplistic things. Maybe I’m reading too much into it but that person whenever she showed up throughout history trouble follows closely. My hand went to the green tatami mat below my futon. I’m guessing that lovey dovey fool of sister of mine is so happy she can burst like a bird by now. (Trans: she means explode)

I stared at the lotus symbol on the sliding door. This has been used by my family for generations. It’s a red lotus which resembles its counterpart that’s found in the volcanoes. Naturally this lotus was a symbol of power for many, fire attributes can make sure anyone can survive Phoenix flames. It’s effects were strong too it gave the person who ate it the ability to control flames and become immune to heat.

“Strive for honor, protect the people and there will always be peace. Be respectful to those higher than you but remember to always maintain balance of all worlds. This is our motto passed down by Hina for her descendants. Using the red lotus as a symbol of power and reminder for us.”

My hands are so weak and so is my damn body. What did that wolf demon mean it was because my soul is too powerful for my body to bear. So what if it’s the other way I will stand on my own somehow. I will fight this cursed weak body if I have to. Lan walked into my room with her arm missing and blood dripping all over the floor. This action left me stunned, she said she was going to be at the god graveyard. I’m not usually close to Lan either. But seeing her collapse on my futon was unheard of too. That was when I noticed her stomach was cut deeply she’s bleeding faster than what I thought. Who could be so vicious in the infamous gods graveyard.

The most dangerous place in all worlds was nonetheless the gods graveyard. I quickly moved away towards the wall when I felt it was starting to get too warm. I didn’t like what I saw on my futon, sister’s intestine all over where I was earlier. Seems the cut wasn’t normal and sister teleported herself straight to outside my door too. Leaving me with zero clue on what to do but call for help. If I was a normal child I would be freaking out more. But I last saw my sisters injured during the war, this one takes the top.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Maids, come here. Sister Lan has been attacked by an unknown person. She’s bleeding to death in my room.”

When I heard them come running and carrying sister away my nerves relaxed a bit. It always stunned me how fast the 8 of them can clean my room of any drop of blood. With my sister in those 8 maids hands I feel more at ease. Even if they’re demons we hired they have such high level healing so it isn’t hard for them to help sister Lan. It’s one headache after another for me. Rather the thing that Lan was searching for was inside the gods graveyard. All this isn’t really helping me who’s stuck at home. Seems I need to organize the paperwork that’s going to stack up soon due to all this.

Ling Yue POV

The grey stone walls in this temple seems very familiar to even me. When I walked out of the temple entrance, I was stunned at the statue. She looked similar to Luna in appearance except her long wavy hair. The armor on her on her upper body covered her body figure but the lower part was a part of Dre’s of some sort. Her hand had a spear in hand as she pointed it to the sky as if going forward. This person looked exactly like that portrait I saw at the palace that Luna was at. I deflected an arrow coming towards my face. Seriously I just turn around and there’s now a person holding a bow and some arrows while glaring at me.

“You dare trespass sacred ground.”

The way she’s dressed looks like a miko from the Phoenix island but the white and red outfit means she’s a royal. But as for why she’s here I have zero clue to why she’s here. This place is only known to me, Mei and Luna I think. Though I did pick up 10 books on techniques from the bottom shelves before I came out.

Although this girl in front of me who looks like a normal teenager makes me feel funny. Because I have never seen her before this yet her archery was on par with Arisa’s. But when I looked at her level I was stunned it showed level 3,450. Yet her age showed 340 years old. Did she cultivate in her mother’s womb for it to be that high.

“Seeing as your a Phoenix too, do you know Mei.” (Ling Yue)

“How do you know my older sister. Also where is she at now. She’s been missing for 1,400 years now.”

“As if I would know I was just about to ask you. By the way what is your name.” (Ling Yue)

“Ivy Ember.” (Ivy)

“Seems a certain someone dislikes her father’s family.” (Ling Yue)

“As if he dotes on older sister and forgets me. Sure I love older sister too but father is too much of a...... let’s just say I’m still searching for her whereabouts.” (Ivy)

Before I could say anything else we both were surprised by the scene before us. An angel being impaled into the stone pillar in front of the temple. It was none other than Fiona who was supposed to be at her home. It left both of us speechless that she was here. But who would be able to keep up with this angel who’s nicknamed the speed goddess. Well what was left of half of her upper body. Yet we don’t see blood dripping off of her in front of us. As if her bottom half had been sliced cleanly off and purposely burnt so that no blood would flow out.

“See this Fiona, this is retribution for helping that wolf demon clan princess who lives in the netherworld.” (Eric)

Damn it’s the annoying bounty hunter father usually sends after me. This annoying blond vampire loves torture the most. Fact he’s like a pesky roach that can’t die. But it creeped me out how he’s now playing the song Caged Heart with his violin. It’s a well known here in Stone Age and modern era cities. Meaning it’s well known everywhere, him playing it here is creepy. It’s a sad horror song based on a mirror demon’s sad love story she composed for her ex lover. So hearing this maniac playing is making me feel goosebumps all over. Hell I don’t want to hear it from this crazy vampire boy. But those floating wind blades mixed with flames on the side is bad news. Is it me or this stalker of mine is the most annoying.

“Oh lookie here I found my other birdie trying to dispose this annoying one.”

I scream in my heart, you’re the birdie, your entire family are birds. Eric always manages to get me angry somehow with his poisonous tongue. Before knowing him I thought all bounty hunters were small fry annoying pests. But seems this one is a roach more than a vampire. Even if he has clothes of a noble and loves wearing white. His perfectly tan skin and evil smirk is a dead give away.

“Hey why do you have such a irritated expression.” (Eric)

“How about killing your self instead of talking to me. Also sealing her with your spear onto a temple. On what basis should I a daughter of the lord of the netherworld lower myself to your level.” (Ling Yue)

“You know him.” (Ivy)

“Eric a bounty hunter who threw his last name away though he is a vampire. He would stoop as low as to jobs that kills others like an assassin but with more malice.”

“You make it sound like he’s on drugs and hates beautiful things itself.” (Ivy)

“Yep that’s how he looks. Like a host but more black than a white lotus female.” (Ling Yue)

“I’m no white lotus. In fact I’m as pure as the snow in the winter.” (Ivy)

“Totally he’s sick enough to play with me for 3 days straight.” (Fiona)

Wait so I stayed in the temple for 3 days, but this guy is as creepy as ever. It’s no wonder Fiona is stuck there, looking closely it’s obviously an unaging seal. It makes me want to throw up knowing this sicko bounty hunter. Sure he may look good but he’s worst than a slut. Yes that’s it his attitude matches one though.

“Wait why are you giving such pitying eyes for Ling Yue.” (Eric)

“Because you have something against beautiful things that look prettier than you.” (Ling Yue)

“All you women are so arrogant that’s why you need to be punished.” (Eric)

Hearing him, I held my head sine this person is especially mental. Common sense here don’t work on this fool either. Reasoning with him is a zero chance to negotiate.

“Which reminds me do you also have something against your own mother then.”

Ah, yikes the blonde went dark and stopped playing his violin. Even Fiona on the pillar can see he’s gone off the deep end. Wait why is Ivy looking at me like I’m dead in her eyes now. He’s always crazy to begin with and have a poisonous tongue. If you don’t respond back he’ll put you down. Actually it matches his twisted personality how he looks sinister but not when all three of us are in front of him. If I had a choice I’d send him into a mental asylum. Although that’s just my thoughts on things since this sicko is worst than a stalker. Without another word I teleported all three of us to the land of souls while he’s distracted. Since Fiona was impaled into the pillar I teleported that portion with us.

“Where are we.” (Ivy)

“Welcome to the land of dead. Where souls are now dead from their last life. My lady are these beauties for me.” (Arthur)

Those words made me gag, he’s a narcissist when it comes to this. He should look at his age first before that. Sure he’s King Arthur but this is disturbing for even him to be hitting on such young girls is a shame on him. All I fell towards this is disappointment for all he’s trying to do. At least he’s not as disappointing as my own father who tries to kill me all the time. Seems I have to heal Fiona somehow before I look for a way to free her from that seal. As for Ivy being my guest it was unplanned for, also it left a foul feeling in my mouth if I just left her alone with that sick bastard.

“Ah that reminds me, my lady a letter was sent by your grandfather saying that you will be attending a all girls school in modern time F city. Something about he wants you to act more feminine.” (Arthur)