Ghost Wolf. Lord Winter. Monster. Death Bringer. Mythological beast. Humans had used so many words to call it over the years and the centuries; but it had been so long since one called it king of the northern region. Almost five centuries now.
Time can be long, time can be short.
Since then it was the word ‘protector’ that was used when referring to it. Yet that same word never left this woman’s mouth. The giant wolf didn’t talk back. Its eyes had traces of a silver-white color; the air was crisp and fresh now, as though it would snow any minute.
However, the large wolf wasn’t the only one angry. Seyran’s anger was rising too. An anger from many years before that had never been vent, intertwining with the anger already there in her. Those memories brought violent emotions, she had trouble stabilizing. As she grew angrier, logical thoughts –those referring to a well-constructed plan- flew her brain, as many confusing things were forcing their ways into her mind. Nonetheless, if one thing about that beast should be recalled, it was its readiness to kill.
“I have come back, won’t you welcome me?”
The beast’s answer came in a long growl of annoyance or maybe dissatisfaction, showing the wolf’s sharp and long fangs.
Huang, on the roof, couldn’t really hear at such distance what was said, but it could feel the temperature dropping low. That woman, should she really be provoking that wolf? Really it was way more badass than that lion, right? It would only need to open its mouth and she would be gulped down!
Her words left the people around her dumbfounded. The growl of the animal scared some away; and while some had already left the place in fright, most were still there, wanting to continue to stare at this magnificent mythological beast.
The wolf may have been growling but it did nothing else, just staring at the unflinching woman. And contrary to Seyran, its emotions were now in control, as its eyes turned darker, losing that dangerous glint it held. Acknowledging her request, it blew softly in her direction. The spears that were held by the guards to block her passage crystalized in contact with the breeze, turning to ice, then shattering in million pieces. The frightened guards jump back at the sudden event. The population took some steps back too.
Seyran didn’t thank it instead she stepped on the shard, with the intention to proceed. However, those guards were still ones who were full of duty. Backing down without a fight how could they explain themselves later. Thus, they bury their fear of Fenrir and wanted to attack Seyran. But the moment they moved, a cold wind froze them on spot rendering them unable to move. Powerless, they could just see as that woman went inside, with Fenrir following behind. The others didn’t dare move. Only when those two were far away, did they softly whisper their bafflements and incomprehension. What the heck just happened?
“The protector…”
Everyone was astonished. Did the protector just … let that woman in?
Huang too, was perplexed. Weren’t they going to fight, those two? That atmosphere between them was clearly not one of friendliness! How come that big menacing thing was being all obedient now?
One of them murmured.
“Maybe the crown princess was pulling a prank on us!?” That kind of scary thing wouldn’t be past her.
But what his neighbor hear were only the word ‘crown princess’
“The crown … princess?”
“What are you staring at so dumbly?” Shouted one guard. They couldn’t move but they could still speak. “That was clearly an imposter! Hurry and send a message… Someone is manipulating our protector!”
One of them used a mind link to order his dove, a contracted beast, to transmit the message to one of the contracted beasts inside for their masters.
The bird which actually was some meters away perched on a tree, flapped its wing as it went to executed the orders.
***
Where the ceremony was taking place, now at the center of the stage were three men and two women who were dancing with swords. Their mastery was both beautiful and powerful.
One ordinary guard rushed and, making sure not to attract any attention, she bowed in front of Shen Ai, the crown princess’s personal bodyguards’ captain, and whispered something to her ears. When she finished her report, Shen Ai waved her hand and dismissed her. The four bodyguards of the crown princess were standing behind their elders. Shen Ai left her place and advanced to the front of the platform where seated the crown princess. Softly, she whispered to her what had been transmitted to herself just seconds ago. By the time she finished and even before the crown princess’s angry shouts, Shanlin was already clutching her clothes in annoyance. Su Qiun, closer to her mother asked what the matter was, after all, contrary to her mother's anaconda, her chameleon wasn't intelligent enough to prevent her. The crown princess voice answered her inquiry. Flinging the cup she was holding on the floor, she sneered.
“People are so bold today. My double? Let her come here for me to see!”
Her loud words interrupted the performers, her cup landed by their feet, the wine splashing on one of them. Whispers and hushed voices rose. Shen Ai stayed by the crown princess’s side her right hand on the tilt of her sword.
A servant came shouting.
“The servants… the servants and the guards… they are being frozen”
Now the whispers turned into shouts. A hubbub where no one really heard anything anymore.
“Why isn’t anyone stopping her, where are the guards?” that was Su Qiun’s voice who infused in it some qi.
Another guard reported.
“It’s like this… the protector… is the one bringing her here.”
“Fenrir?” Su Qiun frozed, Shanlin paled. Xue Zhi frowned. Jun Lin’s eyes lit and his bored face now sported an interested smile.
Dead silence; quickly followed by loud voices.
The right general was already on her feet giving orders but she didn’t get to finish them before a woman appeared on stage out of nowhere in front of them. Her clothes were filthy; her hair wasn’t dressed, freely cascading down her shoulder until the middle of her back. However, for all those present, that face was really familiar.
Everyone was standing not daring to seat anymore, way too startled by the sudden appearance.
Seyran had forced herself to use teleportation. However, she still couldn’t teleport to a great distance, just short one so it took time for her to arrive where the little red bird was. Using teleportation was really consummating but now, she wasn’t thinking about her mana’s reserves or her level of qi. Her thoughts were a mess. It was fortunate that all along she didn’t fight; the wolf that followed her took it upon itself to freeze everyone that attacked her.
Lines of guard circled her. The crown princess’s bodyguards came closer to the one they should protect, their hands on the tilt of their sword, ready to draw it at every minute.
It was Shanlin’s voice that broke the silence.
“This woman, out of nowhere you pretend being our princess, do you think us fools to believe you?”
Seyran never claimed that actually. Didn’t even talk. But the crime of usurping a royal’s identity was punishable by death. Not that she would be usurping anyone’s identity if she really did claim that.
“Give him back to me.” She said instead, her eyes locked on Bai Ming. In her haze of thoughts, this reality was still there. She wanted her servant back!
The crown princess talked too. She taunted and threatened but the newcomer completely ignored her which was infuriating. She pushed Shen Ai, leaped from her place, landed on the ground and thrust those guard in front of her to stand in front of Seyran. Shen Ai gritted her teeth and followed after, all the while trying to stop her but she was rebuffed and ordered to shut up instead. The crown princess drew her sword. The other three guards wanted to help their captain persuade but Shen Ai lift her hand to stop them and, as the crown princess was shouting, she moved back to let her place to move.
Shen Ai was expressionless but in her heart, she was sneering, what exactly did this princess think she could do when she wouldn’t even train? Was having a sword sufficient to say that one had skill too? However, she did have a weapon anyway, contrary to her opponent who didn’t.
Seyran retracted her gaze to finally look at the one rushing to her with a sword. She formed a barrier of mana and the sword landed on it. It was a normal sword, with no qi infused so it was really nothing against Seyran’s barrier. Seyran needn’t reinforcing the barrier after each slam. The princess continued to slam her weapon on it again and again, even though it had no effect. She stopped a moment to catch her breath and cursed.
“Daring enough to take the name of this crown princess! You’re really wishing to die! Guards! Guards!”
The multiple people standing in front of her with their sword drawn glanced at the big wolf behind her, and when it made no motion at all, they rushed to her all at the same time as the girl who just shouted moved away. Those swords they held seemed more dangerous, Seyran may not be able to feel the qi on them but she knew they were certainly infused with it. She increased her barrier a little, strengthening it with more mana. Glancing at the wolf which until now had paved her path, she saw it motionless, letting her battled by herself. The repeated slams were weakening her barrier and as of now, she couldn’t really defend and attack at the same time. The throbs she was feeling had now turned into a severe headache as familiar faces were forcing awake the memories lying dormant. She infused more mana and added qi too, to have the barrier stronger.
Huang left its perch and descended on those people spitting fire from the air. They dispersed.
“Kill her! Kill it. Kill them all!” was shouting the crown princess.
Huang let out a cry and once again release fire to those who were once again approaching.
“On her shoulder” Seyran instructed the bird.
Huang was feeling generous so it released a big fire in the direction of that crazed woman who was shouting at the top of her lungs. People near her dodged and since her bodyguards were at the other side, they didn’t arrive on time. The woman shrieked as her clothes caught fire. Her upper body was burning. Shen Ai threw her upper cloth to her and patted to extinguish the fire. When it burned off, Huang’s heart turned sour. Its fire had been so easily extinguished, it really needed cultivating more! It should really stop dilly-dallying and properly cultivate from now on!
However the fire still killed the chameleon that was on the woman’s shoulder and when the fire was extinguished and it was time to examine the damages, one can see, even if some parts were burned, this was definitely not the same face.
Shen Ai took a step back, caught by surprise. The crown princess’s features changed. A burned chameleon was now on the floor, for everyone to see. The elders from the four clans frowned at its sight.
“What are you staring at, you dumb woman! Immediately call a doctor!”
The chameleon was dead. Su Qiun clenched her fists at the lost. But with this contracted beast she had a master-slave contract, so in the end, it wasn’t that big of a loss. The twin chameleon on her shoulder lost consciousness and with the commotion, she easily hid it within her sleeves without anyone being the wiser.
A line of water contracted beast was formed which flung water in Huang’s direction. Not having to form the element by herself, Seyran was quite satisfied to be given a ready-made tool to use. She easily redirected their attack against those surrounding her adding more power to it. It swept the people on stage. The right general clenched her fist ordering her fox by their mind link to quickly come. Apart from the contracted beasts that were performing, contracted beasts weren't really authorized to come and go in the palace.
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In the stillness that followed, those who had been shaken by the crown princess appearance were whispering.
“Isn’t this Min Shan, that was said to be lost years ago?”
“The crown princess’s servant?”
They weren’t many whose thoughts were still coherent. Most of the nobles and officials had left the premise to take refuge to safe places. However some stayed and their thoughts came there, 'was it possible that this one was the real crown princess?' She was after all backed up by the protector.
The 'crown princess' by Shen Ai’s side was livid.
“What are you waiting for, I order you to kill her!” She was shouting more and more, drawing more attention, detouring that of Seyran.
Su Qiun shared a look with her mother, and they both understood each other.
‘You can let go’ instructed Shanlin with mind link to her anaconda which was still in her courtyard. It did as bid but the crown princess’s behavior didn’t really change. Even when Li’s manipulation left her body, the young woman still had that bellicose face like a mad woman. Been controlled by that snake for so many years, she lost her ability to feel, having long grown into a living puppet she couldn't come back to being human once again.
“Min Shan stop” cried someone with grief and concern in her voice. But the person was fast shut by a slap from the one next to her.
“Don’t wrongly recognized people. My daughter is long dead.” What was left unsaid was “Do you wish to have my Min family entirely wiped off because they harmed and fooled the royal family?” but her eyes conveyed that clear enough. The one who was once Min Shan’s friend could only shut her mouth.
“What Min Shan! Are you crazy? Can’t you see that she’s using a camouflage? I am the crown princess!”
Angry, she took Shen Ai’s sword with the other opposing no resistance, too bewildered for that. Since no one moved she would do it by herself. The sword infused with the captain’s qi was heavier than hers so it was a bit difficult to lift.
Seyran was shivering for minutes now, without really knowing why. It could be because of her clothes which had been wetted by her previous attack, added to this frosty climate or it could also be because of her dropping low mana from which she wouldn’t have an access if this continued. In front of her, that woman was rushing with a sword once again.
Screw not killing anyone!
“Don’t attack” she said to Huang which was prepared to spit fire again.
No, she didn’t feel like simply attacking. She would be ending her. That sentence that she remembered first upon seeing that monster of a wolf came to her mind, that sentence painted in red; thinking about it, a sinister smile played on her face. Feeling such a strong murderous aura coming from her, Fenrir lifted its head and approached. She saw the beast’s eyes going white from the corner of her eyes as the cold bite more fiercely at her. In the end, it was just waiting for that sentence, wasn’t it?
The voice of Seyran was cold and perceptible as she said, staring at the woman running towards her.
“By my command, you’re no longer part of the country called Yande”
The moment that sentence left her lips, all that could be seen was blur silhouette of white and grey moving and after that, all was left was a splash of blood. Those with higher cultivation got to see the moment Fenrir closed its mouth on that woman. It chewed and chewed and chewed and only when what was left was a mess of bones and flesh, did it spit back. One couldn’t identify which part of which bone started where and ended where. Bones, clothes, flesh, all was overturned. The arm couldn’t be distinguished from the leg. The head wasn’t visible anymore. There was hair but one didn’t know what it was attached to. It was quite a gory sight and many of the youngsters who never fought any real war were already vomiting.
Huang, quite disgusted with the sight, landed on a roof, far away from the stench. Lest would it be good if that smell stained it.
The lower lip of Fenrir was drenched in red, its fur, dripping with blood, its eyes beautifully white. It turned to look at Seyran almost as though it was waiting for the next prey. She just had to say the words.
What Seyran could remember about that animal, the most vivid memory she had about this beast, was its willingness to kill the moment she gave the permission. That consort of their mother that took the liberty to slight her brother at that time, hadn’t this beast fooled her into banishing that woman with her words?
She had clear memories concerning that big animal and she was no fool either, she could feel its killing intent directed at her, but she was delighting in the fact that in the end, it could do her no harm. There was nothing more enjoyable than the hatred of one who could only curse at you without being able to do more. That certainty of being untouchable that had marked her past life, she was feeling it with this beast once again and it was, like always, wonderful.
When Fenrir had violently closed its mouth on that woman, it had splashed blood around. Some landed on her cloth and a trace was visible on her cheek, making it seem like a tear of blood. Having their rapt attention she opened her arms, vaguely aware that she was feeling more and more lightheaded. And in this instance, with her head pounding as though it would be tearing apart, she wasn’t feeling like the one who wanted to stay low-key but instead, the queen that she was. The one who stirred fear in the heart of her enemies just by her name.
“I am the crown princess.” She turned as she looked at everyone who was still here “Who else has some reserves about my identity?”
The right general took a step back as well as Bai Ming who wanted for a moment now, to jump on her lion and showed her prowess. She had thought that by waiting for the right moment her glory would be all the more resounding. Who would have thought that the right moment never really came actually? That woman could use Fenrir! Who was daring enough to fight against a mythological beast? Even her golden lion, Shu’er, and her mother’s anaconda, Li, which were sacred beast, certainly had no chance at all. Just two sacred beast against a mythological one, the fight wouldn’t even last long!
Why was Fenrir listening to her to start with? Was it… really… the crown princess? Why was Fenrir obeying that woman when it wouldn’t obey those ancestors from before when it wouldn’t obey anyone else? No one talked. No one contradicted. The protector had already chosen a side. Who was it that was suicidal enough to choose differently?
No one opposed. So Seyran banished no one else. That fact was far from pleasing to the big wolf. The animal was growling low, scaring those present.
Was it the blood in its mouth that was giving it the courage? She put down her hands and reminded mockingly, without turning to it “Still not free yet dare bark at me.”
Her voice hadn’t been loud so only the concerned one heard. Having said that, she wasn’t really waiting for an answer but it provided one for once. It talked in her mind and hers alone like it always did previously, with that hoarse voice filled with darkness, the words slow, as though it tasted each syllable.
“You resembled her more and more.”
“So you love me more and more” she mocked.
That relation they had, of taking advantage of each other in the end, it was impossible to say who was the one who was profiting more from it.
“Do you have something to say?” she asked the people.
In their eyes, terror was written. Shen Ai turned to look at the elders. They were equally shocked it seemed. Elder Shen shivered and shared a distressed look with the two other members of the fours clans. That woman with clothes dyed in blood was the crown princess?... The real one?... Was she really the one who was supposed to save this country from its oncoming danger?
Su Qiun refrained was moving. She was caught completely unprepared. Why… Why was Fenrir obeying her? Why this woman? Why? She clutched her clothes harder.
The expression of those people wasn’t that different from those that she usually got at the battlefield. This time it may not have been her power which did it, but it was still because of her. That feeling wasn’t bad at all. Now certainly, no one would be jumping to defy her.
“Seeing as this particular fact is settled” she turned to Bai Ming once again “you, where is my servant?”
‘And how will you go about that?’ Seyran’s eyebrows twitched in annoyance as the sudden dark tone added to her head sufferings.
Wasn’t this wolf exceptionally talkative today? Was it the ten years of absence that mellowed it? However, Seyran could understand what it meant though. Even with her permission, it would be unable to harm the one she was talking to or any of that woman’s descendants for that matter. It tried. Many times and each time was a crushing failure that ended in it suffering more. Seyran did remember that much. Fenrir was, for the moment, powerless against the royal family and even if she voiced their banishment, the fact that Yuuna’s blood flowed in them was more than enough to ensure their safety.
However, they didn’t know that much. The only knew that they saw their beloved protector siding with her. Why would they be searching for a fight then? If it came to that, torturing that woman to get the information needed was fine too. So long as she banished some people for it, that wolf would be of help if others attacked.
When addressed to, Bai Ming actually paled visibly. She wanted to talk but in the end, unintelligible stutters escaped her lips.
“I won’t repeat myself,” said Seyran lifting a sword that lied by her side. Her mana no more accessible, she infused qi in it. It really wasn’t evident to manipulate that energy or maybe it was just she didn’t have enough battle experience and was way too used to her mana. Black spot was appearing in her vision, and she staggered. Bai Ming’s five bodyguards were already in front of her their hands tightly clutching their weapons. Shu’er came closer too, placing itself in front of its mistress. The right general and Shanlin came too, to protect the fourth princess.
“All this for a servant” whispered Su Qiun in dissatisfaction, cursing her younger sister in her mind. Why the hell did she go to that forest!
Seyran had an annoyed smile on her face. She infused more qi on her sword and forced the use of more mana from her body. Huang was turning around her, prepared to attack along with her. However, just as the air was swirling around her, it suddenly stopped. She had blacked out. As she was going to crash on the floor, Huang generated a wind that let her land softly. She had been unable to fight against that sensation anymore as it had engulfed her in darkness.
Shanlin’s eyes lit. It turned out, she still had that strange sickness! Not many knew, even in the royal family. But she, as the royal advisor how could she not know that her sister’s daughter would sometimes faint and have problems with her memory? She glanced at Fenrir. It didn’t seem like it would move. It was the right time!
But before she could give orders, elder Shen was already saying.
“What are you waiting for captain!” she roared at her great grand-daughter. “Take care of the crown princess! Isn’t it your role?”
Shen Ai flinched a little, not really sure about that. How her elder could just recognize a crown princess like that? So quickly? One would need some time to investigate the events clearly. Yet Shen Ai dared not disobey. It wasn’t the first time she did something against her will and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Her three subordinates followed after her as she approached the new ‘crown princess’.
The four elders too were aware of that princess’s sickness and even if this woman’s fainting in front of them wasn’t any kind of proof, she still could tell Shanlin’s expression was extremely fishy. That alone was reason enough to protect that woman.
By Shen Ai's orders, two of her subordinates, Zhang Bei and Tiang Gu, stood in front Seyran drawing their blades ready to defend her against anyone who stepped in, while their captain and other comrade were going closer to that crown princess. Against the royal advisor, the right general, the fourth princess and her guards, if the fight really started, they wouldn't last long. Nonetheless, their actions were clearly backed up by the elders. Shanlin, as the royal advisor couldn't openly disregard that fact. Su Qiun, although annoyed too, approached her mother, putting a hand on her shoulder. The latter only clenched her teeth, cursing in her mind.
However, Huang permitted no one by Seyran’s sides. The moment Shen Ai stepped closer, it spat fire towards her and she had to step back. She tested again and fire was thrown in her direction.
“Damn you stupid thing” complained Yue Meili “we are here to help your master.”
The provoked Huang spit an enormous fire on the bodyguard who just talked. The woman had to dodge to not be burned badly still her right foot was touched; the fire landed on the empty assembly’s platform and burned it.
Shen Ai glared at her subordinate. She removed all the weapons on her body. Her sword had been taken by the ‘fake’ crown princess so only two daggers and needles were left. She raised her hands.
“I mean her no harm”
That was the truth. For now at least. And her eyes expressed that.
Huang, which was on Seyran was really disgruntled. What with that woman coming here for at the first place? And if coming why need it be in such grand entry? Wasn’t she the one repeatedly concerned about her opponents’ abilities? What of caution? And the hell why did she go and faint out of nowhere? Really makes people’s lives complicated!
The reason why Huang finally let Shen Ai approached wasn’t that it trusted her but that it was concerned about its qi’s reserves. It couldn’t keep this going much longer and if it turned out they had evil intentions, it would use a combined attack of fire and wind as its last resort, as it sneaked Seyran out by turning invisible with her using its remnants qi.
By the time the bodyguards were authorized by the bird to lift Seyran’s body, only Jun Lin was left of the royal family. If possible, he would actually be clapping. That’s how entertaining a banquet was supposed to be!
***
Bai Ming’s hadn’t actually left the premises by her own volition but was pulled by the first princess who was now harshly scolding her. It was such a rare thing to see, Su Qiun losing her temper. Yet Bai Ming was unwilling to do as bid so her sister slapped her. The slap hadn’t been light at all and with her temper, Su Qiun had infused qi in it.
“You will immediately free this servant!”
The bewildered Bai Ming touched her burning cheek. How long has it been since someone lifted a hand against her?
“You, stupid woman who asked you to touch that damn servant!”
Su Qiun was so angry that she could eat her sister alive. Everything was going on smoothly yet this stupid girl had to go and interfere. And it just had to be that damn Lian young master. Again! At that time the second princess leaving the palace wasn't it to protect him? She may have been too young but she certainly couldn't have forgotten that fact right!
Annoyed at been slapped, Bai Ming crossed her arms and disdainfully said.
“I’m not sure he’s alive anymore anyway”
Su Qiun’s gaze made Bai Ming shivered. At that very moment, it really made no difference that she was late medium and her sister mid. The killing intent emanating from the first princess was so violent that Bai Ming swallowed difficultly; wishing to withdraw what had been said. But in the end, she didn’t even have the courage to do that. After all, it was really the first time that she felt this oppressive feeling, this certainty that should she say any more wrong words at the moment, she would really die. She was, after all, a novice when it comes to real life and death situation, with her at the losing her.
“You better make sure he’s alive.” Said Su Qiun after a while in a cold voice, before leaving the room where only the two of them were.
***
No one remembered this day as the return banquet of the fourth princess but rather the return of the crown princess.