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Chimera: A monstrous hybrid created from fusing the different body parts of different organisms. In the old legends, they form the legions of the Originals, who had crafted them out of space, earth, and darkness.

They are undead, also known as Abominations and require continuous supply of energy, in the form of pure magic to sustain themselves. Alternatively, feed them human emotions, and you can control an undead legion of army. To kill a chimera, one must behead it or turn them into dust. Anything else would not kill it as long as it is connected to its maker's magic.

- Page 245 of the Royal Archives. On Chimera.

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- Elena -

I'm fuming mad but I had to arrange my features into a neutral mask, and grace my face with a small smile. You must maintain your composure. It's drilled into me since young, countless etiquette lessons, mannerism teachers, elegance building classes. As a princess of the High Court, I can't let this mask slip.

No wait correction - the second princess of the High Court.

My court holds the greatest power in the Fae Realm, ruling over the other courts and it's also my prison. It stands tall and regal in the sprawling mass of Alba, the centre spot of land in the fae kingdom. A massive gilded cage, housing an extremely lonely princess.

Being a princess isn't as easy as you think. I mean the rights to be heard, the rights to demand what I want and the privileges to exquisite wardrobes. Who has it easier than that right?

But a princess' life has already been dictated since they were born. I am either destined to be married off to a potential future husband, as a bargaining chip or – the other option is to play the supporting role to our future heir. Yes, unfortunately this applies more so to me because I just found out that I have an older sister.

"Get ready." The two words were meant as a reminder and a warning. My father's tone bodes no room for argument, despite its gentle murmur.

Mentally I rolled my eyes. If this happened minutes ago, I would have shot him a nervous smile. I would be the same spoilt princess who whines for attention, begging my parents not to let me into the council meeting. I would employ everything in my arsenal - pouting, then puppy eyes, and then finishing off with whining.

But the words I heard just a minute ago changed everything.

All the meeting councils sound like boring adult-talk to me, and they are really long. Since the day my parents called me to join them for their council meetings, so I could master the delicate web of fae politics, I'll always find a way to give excuses to skip whenever I can. Wheedling my way out to play is my favourite hobby. But sometimes I'm in this rare sorts of mood to listen to serious matters and I would take it seriously.

Like now.

"You have an older sister Elena. Her name is Gabriella." My mother's voice echoed in my head as I mentally replayed the conversation.

"What? Is that true father?" I asked him, shocked. He nodded gravely.

"It was a sensitive subject so we didn't mention it frequently, but we told you when you were very young. Just that as the years passed, you seemed to have forgotten about it." My eyes widened as I processed the information.

"We're letting you know because in this meeting some of them might mention her. So in the case that happens, at least you know beforehand."

So knowing just five minutes before the meeting that I have a sister is considered as "beforehand"?

"She was sent to the human world that's why you've never seen her. Only a handful of our subjects are privy to the details. However, we have been tracking her growth discreetly from time to time." A look between a mix of forlorn and wistfulness twisted in my mother's eyes and for the first time, I felt that my parents have been keeping many secrets from me.

"She's now 18 years old, attending the top university in Soren." My mother continued with a faraway look in her eyes.

"Can I see her? Please?" I blurted, unable to keep my curiosity in check.

I have a sister! An older sister! Curiosity, disbelief, and shock unfurls in me. The heavy weight of loneliness eases a little off my chest. And happiness, joy, surprise. It's a mixed bag of feelings right now.

But that was as far as I can get.

My father rubbed his temples and my mother's breath caught. The only signs that they heard my question and that's it.

Anger blooms inside me. Why can't I see her? Aren't I your daughter as well? But I bit my lip and stared pointedly at my father. It felt like eons later when he shook his head curtly ending the conversation.

My sister is older than me by 21 Summers. But that was only when we're comparing the time of our births. Time flows differently in the Fae world compared to the Human world. It ebbs slower in the Summer and Winter Solstices, but still faster than the Human Realm. I'm turning 56 Summers this year, which is 19 years old in human terms. This means if my sister is to return now, I'll be older than her by two summers because of the time discrepancies.

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My mother is Queen Diana, the High Queen and my father is King Alandis, the High King of the High Court.

The burst of faint murmurings indicated that my father's subjects were already seated in the council room. "Sir. We are ready to start." A knight said as he stood in front of the doorway. My father nodded and he pushed open the doors to the council room, escorting us in. A hush fell upon the room as we walked in.

"Your majesties." They stood up gracefully and swiftly, bowing before us. None of the chairs made scraping noises against the carpeted floor because that's how the fae subjects treat my father. Utter loyalty and respect.

"Please take a seat." My father gestured as he sat at the front of the long table.

"We shall start with the war." One of his subjects spoke when we were settled down. I'm sitting to my father's left and my mother on his right.

"Pray tell Gerald. What news do you bring about the Decays?" My father said as he fixed his full attention to a dark-haired broad shouldered man. Duke Gerald has been under the High Court for many years and fought alongside my father in many wars. He's one of the most trusted subjects in my court.

However, before the duke could speak, another courtier spoke up. "There are reports of missing humans in some countries. Mainly Soren, Velin, Farshen, and Aleba. They are targeting those prominent and large countries so they could get away with it. But they failed to account for the advanced technology that some of the humans have developed... It has already begun your majesty."

I recognize him. He's a young rising courtesan in the High Court that I heard the servants gossiping about. It's hard not to recognize someone as prominent as him; sea green eyes and brown hair that makes wood nymphs green with envy. He noticed me staring and shot me a grin.

"The hunt for sacrificial subjects. They are using humans as the offering." Another one of my father's subjects said. A wizened fae who should be our court's royal advisor.

"I heard they are also creating abominations, your majesty. Reports from our alliances talk about monsters that do not look like any of the Fae Folk." Duke Gerald cut in, offering what else he knew. He's mildly annoyed that the two of them had said most of everything he heard, but he knows his words carry a greater effect. After all he's my father's camaraderie, part of a special small force that shadows the king.

"What abominations are we talking about?" My father asked tightly, wariness coating his voice.

"I heard...I think they are once again trying to revive the legends. Some of our alliances from the Night Court and the Spring Court have banded together in an attempt to drive off the rapidly growing dark forces. And... they have seen monsters called... if I'm not wrong, they called them chimeras." Duke Gerald answered quietly. A flicker of regret flitted through his eyes as he bears the gravest news.

Some of the courtiers gasped, and the room erupted with voices discussing the news. "What chimeras?!" "No way, the horrors of the legends are back." "It's true! It's true! There is no turning back now."

"Silence!" My father's voice boomed across the meeting room demanding attention. He rubs his chin absently, deep in thought.

"Your majesty, if the reports are true, we need to prepare our forces for war." Mother said gently.

"Yes, your majesty. The humans have also been implementing measures. Soren's government has recruited able men with the Sight, forming squads specially to deal with our kind. There's a recent elite squad called the S.P.A.D. for short and are now investigating the case of the missing humans." The Foreign Affairs representative said, highlighting the point of needing to take action.

My father held his hand up signaling that he had heard then. Nodding his agreement, he said: "Gather all our forces and tell them to prepare for war. I want messengers to relay information to the human rulers of each country. Tell them the situation and tell them to report what information they have to the court. I want all our alliances gathered at a meeting council two weeks from now. It's time we work with the humans. That's the end of this meeting. Anything else, report it directly to my work chambers." With that he rose from his seat, stalking off angrily with my worried mother at his heels.

The council room once again began to swell with voices in discussion. I took the chance to slip off, sneaking quietly to the door. "Princess?" Duke Gerald called as I neared my escape. I paused and turned around to face him. "Yes Duke Gerald?"

He glanced around to see if anyone was near before he leaned in closer. "Have your parents told you about her?"

"Are you referring to my sister?" Puzzlement fills me. Why is he whispering and being so secretive? Something like relief awash him and his broad shoulders lifted slightly. "I apologise for startling you princess, but you see not everyone in this room knows about her." I see. Interesting.

"What is it you wish to speak to me about her then?" I asked him, lowering my volume to a safer level.

"You see, I'm wondering if your parents have any plans to bring her back to the court. After all I was the one tasked to watch her." The Duke asked me. "She's coming of age soon, her birthday is on this year's upcoming Winter Solstice."

Coming of age? I did the math in my mind and I understood what he meant. She's going to turn 19 this year. All Fae Folk comes to age between 54 to 57 Summers, the period when their bodies fully mature and their latent magical talents manifest.

"Unfortunately my parents did not divulge to me their plans involving my sister. However, if there is any news of her, it would be my utmost gratitude if you could inform me first."

"I see, your majesty. If there's any news about her I would tell you." The Duke nodded. "Immediately. Tell me immediately, and then tell my parents after you tell me." I stared straight into his dusty violet eyes, conveying my urgency. I need to find out where she is and bring her back asap. My parents may not allow it but that doesn't mean I can't do it in secret.

I gave Duke Gerald one last glance before I walked out of the council room.

___________________________________

If you guys are confused over the flow of time in the Fae Realm, here's how it works. Generally, time in the Fae Realm flows faster than the Human Realm, hence Elena is now older than Gabriella because Gabriella grew up in the Human Realm.

54-57 Summers is a range representing the physical maturity of 19 year olds as the Fae who live longer than humans have a slower physical growth.

GLOSSARY

1-3 Summers = 1 year old

3-6 Summers = 2 yr old

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51-54 Summers = 18 yr old

54-57 Summers = 19 yr old

Note: we're considering only the physical maturity and not mental growth. When Fae children are born, they have the mental capacity of 3-5 year olds.