A/N
This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.
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Fiora (POV)
As soon as I reached home, tears welled up, my book clutched tightly in my hand. Zack enveloped me in a comforting embrace as we settled onto the couch. I remained there for a few moments, the day's weight overwhelming me before my mind gradually rebooted and rationality returned. I became aware of our close proximity and gently shifted away from Zack, still sniffling. Through my tears, I managed to pose the question that had been weighing on my mind: "Why were they all there?"
"You unknowingly created a block in your mind, Zack couldn't reach you, and you weren't answering the phone," he began, his voice tinged with regret. "My mother and I grew increasingly worried. We were all gathered at my home when I asked them to search for you. You were deeply engrossed in your book when we found you, seemingly oblivious to our presence. You had erected a barrier around yourself, shutting us out completely. We couldn't get through to you, similar to what Arnica created. That's when they realized who you truly are. I'm sorry," he finished, his apology heavy with remorse.
"It's okay. 'Tough times call for tough measures.' So, how did you manage to get in?" I questioned, my voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and relief, eager to understand how they had broken through my unknown barrier
"Arnica created a hole in your barrier for a few seconds. I entered with her help, and the rest, well, you know," he explained, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of concern for my well-being.
"Hmm, so I did cause trouble," I admitted with a glum smile, feeling a pang of guilt for inadvertently putting them in a difficult position.
"You're definitely a troublemaker, there's no denying that," he teased gently, his playful tone helping to ease the tension in the air
"Are you okay?" Theo's concerned voice broke through the heaviness of the moment.
"Physically, yes. Mentally, I don't know," I admitted, leaning my head back against the couch, trying to find some semblance of calm amidst the turmoil within.
"Do you want me to leave?" Theo's question was filled with genuine concern, his eyes reflecting the worry etched on his face.
I turned to look at him, tilting my head slightly without moving much. "If you want to, but if you stay, I'll be grateful. No pressure," I assured him, wanting him to know that his presence was appreciated, but understanding if he needed space.
Theo's glum expression conveyed a sense of disbelief at the suggestion of leaving me alone in my current state. His pained look elicited a bitter laugh from me, breaking the tension momentarily.
"Why are you laughing?" he asked, surprised by my reaction.
"The look you're carrying, I'm too familiar with it," I remarked bitterly, a sad smile tugging at the corners of my lips as I rose from the couch and made my way to the kitchen. "Light or heavy?" I asked, trying to divert the conversation.
"Heavy," Theo replied, his eyes holding a myriad of unspoken questions.
"Ask away, I promise I won't roast or bake you," I reassured him, though my smile held a bitter edge.
"What look?" Theo inquired cautiously, sensing the weight behind my words.
Leaning slightly towards him from behind the counter, I gestured with the knife in my hand. "That look," I explained, my voice tinged with frustration. "The one that says 'poor child,' that exudes sympathy, that implies I'm a liability."
Theo fell silent after my explanation, opting instead to assist me in the kitchen. Throughout the cooking process, we worked together in silence, the only sound being the exchange of instructions between us.
Once the dishes were ready, I arranged them on the table along with cutlery. Our meal consisted of jackfruit curry with rice and flatbread, accompanied by seasoned cold curd—refreshing, yet weighted with the unspoken emotions lingering between us.
We ate in silence until Theo finally broke the quietude. "Do you know your eyes become kaleidoscopic sometimes?" he asked softly.
"Just like you change colours with Zack," I remarked, a hint of amusement in my tone.
"Yes, they're beautiful," he replied with a warm smile directed at me.
Returning the smile, I couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth in my heart. "Did you know my father?" I asked, breaking the silence after what felt like an eternity.
"No, I just heard stories of him," Theo began, his voice carrying a weight of nostalgia. "He was famous for his strength and intellectualism, and also for having an Element holder Mate, which is extremely rare, and I and Ethan..." He trailed off, leaving his sentence unfinished.
"I and Ethan?" I prodded, my curiosity piqued, silently urging him to elaborate.
"Nothing important," he shrugged, a dismissive tone creeping into his voice. I decided to let it slide, though a lingering sense of curiosity lingered like an unspoken question in the air.
"Is the food okay?" I asked, continuing our small talk as we shared the meal.
"Yes, a little spicy, but it's okay," he replied, his tone carrying a hint of contentment despite the spiciness.
Those were the last words we exchanged before saying goodnight. Theo's decision to stay overnight brought a sense of relief, knowing he was there if I needed him. As I stared at the moon, its tranquil glow only heightened the whirlwind of emotions inside me. I couldn't help but wonder about my parents and the lives they might have had here. What had led to their current situation? So many questions swirled in my mind, leaving me feeling almost overwhelmed. Yet, amid this uncertainty, I felt a deep sense of loneliness, grappling with these unanswered questions on my own. Despite the inner struggle, I knew I had to gather the courage to face them.
I picked up my book once more, my heart heavy with emotion, tears welling in my eyes. Somehow, I felt my mother's understanding, her love emanating from the very essence of the book. Clutching it tightly to my chest, I sought comfort in its familiar presence, hoping to find solace in its pages amidst the tumult of my feelings.
Somewhere in the dead of night, I returned my book to its shelf and donned my cape, its hood ready to cloak me in darkness. Stepping out into the cool night air, I felt a presence trailing behind me. Uninterested in games, I broke into a sprint, darting into the heart of the jungle with haste. Coming to a sudden halt, I pivoted, conjuring flames in my palm to illuminate the lurking shadows.
There, before me, stood a majestic wolf, its gaze piercing into the depths of my soul with vibrant violet eyes. Despite its imposing stature, there was an unexpected serenity in its demeanour, a paradoxical calmness within its wild gaze. Lighting more flames, I hung them in the air, casting an ethereal glow upon the creature before me, revealing its enigmatic presence in the moonlit night.
"I wasn't afraid; I should have been frightened. Why am I not scared?" I pondered silently, the question lingering in my mind like an elusive wisp of smoke. "Who are you?" The words slipped out of my lips, tinged with uncertainty.
"Who are you?" The wolf's response came in a gruff voice, echoing through the dense forest.
"You were following me, not the other way around," I stated firmly, causing the wolf to step back, visibly confused and shocked. His aged face bore the weight of years of wisdom and experience.
"You can understand me?" His inquiry hung in the air, seeking confirmation, as if uncertain whether what he heard was real or imagined.
"Yes, I'm a magic holder, of course, I can hear you," I responded, the answer feeling almost too obvious.
"No, that's impossible. Only mates can hear our voices in wolf form. I ask again... Who are you?" His voice took on a slightly threatening edge as he repeated the question.
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"I don't understand. Are we mates?" I asked, my confusion evident in my tone.
He growled gruffly, "What an absurd thought. A mate can hear your wolf only after mating rituals have been completed. Moreover, I pre..." His words were cut off by a sudden, loud growl emanating from behind him. I glanced past the wolf and saw an enraged Theo approaching.
"Ahh... Kids these days are too impatient," the black wolf remarked a hint of amusement in his tone.
"I agree," I replied, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the unexpected visitor. A soft chuckle escaped him before I could say anything more. Theo stood in front of me protectively, the black wolf was slightly larger, but Theo continued to growl.
With calm indifference, the black wolf turned and vanished into the woods.
Theo swiftly turned toward me, lowering his entire body in concern. "Are you okay? Did that rogue hurt you?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"No, actually, he seemed strangely calm. I think I'm his mate," I stated matter-of-factly.
"Wait, what?" Zack's shock was palpable in his words.
"I believe he's my mate," I innocently repeated.
"And how did you come to that conclusion?" Zack replied, his smile suggesting, that I had no idea what I was talking about.
"Because... He didn't attack me... usually, they must have, didn't they?" I offered, trying to make sense out of nothing.
"Hmm... that's strange," Theo mused, deep in thought.
"So, could he be..." I asked, feeling a sense of worry creeping in.
"Do you like him?" Theo inquired, his reaction neutral.
"I do feel something... but not in a romantic way. Moreover, he seemed oooold," I added, the last word coming out of my mouth with a hint of animation.
Theo chuckled at my remark. "You're cute... He's the leader of rogues; he's probably older than two hundred years," he said, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
"So he can't be my..." I trailed off, the realization sinking in.
"Absolutely not. That's an absolutely absurd idea," Theo interjected, clearly shocked by the notion.
After that, I quietly rode back home. "Oh!... this is my new favourite ride," I thought for a moment. But it sounded so wrong that I immediately dismissed the thought. "Bikes are the best rides," my mind echoed again.
As we arrived home, I remembered why I was out in the first place. I didn't want to go home, so I stood there like a stone. "What happened?" Theo asked, sensing my reluctance.
"I don't wanna go home," I replied, and he must have understood why, because what came next definitely piqued my interest.
"Even if I change into Zack," Theo said, swaying his tail inside the house. Naturally, I followed him eagerly, waiting for the transformation, but it never happened.
"You said you would change," I asked, hurt by the broken promise.
"I never said right now," he replied nonchalantly.
Angrily, I shouted, "Fox," and turned to leave, but before I could, I heard a hysterical laugh from one of the rooms. Miss Ziwa emerged, clutching her stomach with Mr. Ethan and Arnica, pointing at Theo between her laughter, repeating "Fox."
Theo rolled his eyes at Miss Ziwa, which caused her to collapse onto the floor, clutching her stomach in laughter. The rest of us couldn't help but smile at the scene unfolding before us.
As we all proceeded towards the sitting area, Mr Ethan and Ms Ziwa frowned and distanced themselves from me, while Arnica, on the other hand, frowned but moved closer to me.
"What?" I asked, puzzled by their reactions.
"Lu... Fiora, you smell strongly of rogue," Miss Ziwa said, her concern evident in her voice.
"Hmm, I encountered one on my way," I replied casually.
They relaxed a bit, but Arnica still wore a faint frown on her face. "What's wrong with you?" I directed the question towards her.
She refocused on my face and smiled softly. "Oh... Nothing, really. For a second, I sensed your father's energy around you... I think I just miss them too much. Sorry."
"What were they like?" I gathered all my courage to ask her.
She smiled wearily and said, "Let's have a seat, and I'll tell you all about them."
I could feel the curiosity buzzing among us, especially about Arnica. She's been a mysterious figure for all of us, not just me. As we settled onto the couches, Zack was beside me, and Arnica was beside Mr. Ethan. Miss Ziwa remained aloof, shooting us a disgusted look that only made us laugh. I offered to join her, but she declined.
Once everyone was settled, Arnica began to speak. After a brief shimmer of her magic, she started, "Oh, where do I begin? Let me reintroduce myself. Hello, folks, I'm Arnica. I hail from a place called Ethera."
"The mystical palace from folklore," Miss Ziwa interjected.
"Yes, but it's very real. The inhabitants are known as Ethereans. Our first queen, Samragyi Ina, established this realm; since then, we've flourished... Arna... your mother was part of the current quintessential embodiment. These five individuals, excluding Samragyi, are responsible for maintaining the delicate balance between all five elements of nature. However, in the past, one of our Samarth a.k.a. king, treated his queen so abhorrently that her thirst for power grew uncontrollable, transforming her into Ebon Flux. She's not inherently evil, but neither is she benevolent," Arnica explained, her voice carrying the weight of centuries-old lore and the consequences of past actions.
"Why did he mistreat her?" Mr. Ethan's question cut through the silence, his curiosity evident.
Arnica paused, choosing her words carefully before responding, her voice carrying the weight of centuries-old tales. "After Samragyi Ina, women became mere tools for men to produce heirs," she explained. "But here's the catch: Etherean women control their powers through emotions, while men do so through their minds. Women take longer to understand and harness their abilities, whereas men can grasp them more quickly."
A shadow passed over Arnica's face, a sombre expression settling in. "It's a complex history," she continued. "But at its core, it's about power dynamics. Women possess immense power, and with that comes greater potential for both good and harm. You can imagine the consequences of such an imbalance... Certain rules were constructed to mitigate the potential harm. However, over time, these rules were twisted and turned in such a manner that they became like a millstone around women's necks."
"It's reminiscent of human history, isn't it?" I remarked, a sense of wonder mingling with concern in my voice.
"Hmm, in a way, but without the magical element," Arnica replied, her tone thoughtful. "That era was short-lived, only spanning three rulers, yet its impact on future generations was profound. Many Ethereans still hold onto outdated beliefs, perpetuating traditions established by those malevolent kings." Disgust clear from her face
"Back to the story... The queen, a.k.a. Ebon's Flux, is captured in that cave," Arnica stated, her voice tinged with urgency, as she directed her words toward Zack. "It sucks the energy out of living species, draining them to serve as a medium for feeding on other energy. It's like a small, concise black hole, consuming everything in its path. It leaves behind a void energy, an emptiness that consumes you until you're nothing but an empty vessel, wandering to feed itself." She paused, the weight of her words sinking in, casting a heavy silence upon us all.
She continued after taking a deep sigh, her voice heavy with resignation. "And the reason why we aren't allowed to disclose our identity is because of the insatiable curiosity of young minds, and also because of our mates—they interfere with our duty to keep it all sealed," Arnica explained, shooting a pointed glance towards Mr. Ethan.
"It's my job to protect you. If it's dangerous, you're not going anywhere near it," Mr. Ethan defended himself, his tone firm yet protective. Arnica smiled, nodding her head in acknowledgement.
"That's exactly why Marcus isn't with us today," Arnica's expression faltered, a shadow of sadness crossing her features.
"I still remember that day vividly, as if it were yesterday," Arnica began, her voice trembling with emotion. "Arna woke me with a sense of unease about Ebon Flux. She said she could have been paranoid, but she insisted on checking it. She asked me to inform Samragyi and then return to Marcus, and explain to him that she had an urgent matter to attend to and would be back soon.
I made a mistake. I went to Marcus first, delivering Arna's message. But before I could leave, Marcus suddenly felt a sharp pain, signalling Arna was in danger. I desperately wanted to teleport to her, but he held me back tightly, coercing me to spill everything. He rushed to the cave before I could follow him.
Meanwhile, Akshi, or Fiora as we affectionately called her, awoke, crying inconsolably. Despite my best efforts, she remained distraught. Cradling her in my arms, I hurried to the queen, explaining the urgency of the situation. Without hesitation, the queen teleported us to the cave. There, Fiora continued to sob in my embrace as we witnessed Arna lying in Marcus's arms, her life slipping away. I realized I was too late. My delay had cost me my sister's life.
The queen attempted to shield us, but Ebon had already drained Arna's energy. Fiora's cries drew Ebon's attention, and it moved towards her. In a desperate attempt to save you, Arna teleported you away, and Marcus became its next victim.
The queen exhausted all efforts, but defeating Ebon proved futile. Its hunger grew even stronger after Arna's sacrifice. Another quintessential life had to be sacrificed to control it, resulting in a blast that erased Marcus into thin air. We prevailed, but at a great cost of three lives.
"That's when the crushing burden of responsibility truly sank in," her voice heavy with remorse. "It was a pivotal moment where, for the first time, I didn't begrudge my sister's favouritism in the eyes of the queen."
I glanced at her with tear-filled eyes. "I miss her so much," she whispered, her voice trembling.
As my hand found hers, offering what little comfort I could, Arnica's admission cut through the air like a knife. "I am the cause you lost your parents," she whispered, the pain of loss still raw in my heart.
Tears welled up in all of us now, our emotions laid bare. I wrapped my arms around her, offering solace. "No," I reassured her gently, "it was meant to happen."
"That night changed everything," she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "It forced me to confront my weaknesses and immaturity. I see now how unfairly I treated Arna, always viewing her as competition rather than the cherished sister she truly was." Tears streamed down her cheeks, and Mr. Ethan gently took her from my arms, offering comfort. We all became lost in our turmoil, grappling with the weight of our uncertain future ahead.
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A/N
Word count:- 3000
Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well
Here, is the 26th chapter of my book
I hope you all liked it and have a great day ahead
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bye:)
Until next time
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Date:- 29/05/2024