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“Did you feel that?” Vinter asked, his gaze fixed on the sky above. Levina, his younger sister, turned to look at him in confusion. They were both in the training grounds of their ancestral castle, diligently honing their magical abilities.
“What are you talking about?” Levina inquired, slightly annoyed. She suspected her brother might be attempting another one of his playful tricks to throw her off guard. Narrowing her eyes, she summoned a crackling sphere of electricity into her palm. “You know I won’t fall for your cheating tactics again.”
Vinter raised his hand, creating an intricate ice crystal at his fingertips. With a swift motion, he deflected Levina’s lightning attack, causing it to dissipate harmlessly into the distance. “No, Levina, I’m not trying to distract you this time,” he responded seriously, his blue eyes still fixed on the sky.
Levina’s irritation melted into curiosity as she observed her brother’s earnest expression. “Alright, I’m listening. What is it?”
Vinter gestured toward the sky. “There was a strange disturbance. It felt...strange.”
“So what is it?”
“I don’t know, something magical...it felt magical but...dark...”
“Somebody is practising dark magic!”
Vinter shook his head, his wispy blonde hair shifting in the breeze. “I’m not entirely sure, but I sensed it strongly. It felt as if the world trembled for a split second, disrupting the flow of energy around us. Something significant has occurred; we just haven’t grasped its full implications yet”
Levina pursed her lips, “Should we be...?”
Vinter lowered his head to look at his sister seriously, “Or I saw a fly”
Levina frowned, “You-” A big ball of snow fell towards her, burying her under.
Vinter laughed wholeheartedly seeing his sister struggling, “Sorry, are you ok?”
Levina pulled herself out of the pile of snow, panting, “fuck you!”
Vinter laughed as he watched his sister, struggling to get out, but a tinge of worry evoked inside him. He did sense something, it was dark and terrible. His best guess, it had to do something with the prophecies his mother had told him about.
Suddenly, a guard approached with haste, his voice urgent. “Your Majesty! The Queen requests your presence.”
“Mother summons me?” Vinter’s brow arched in curiosity, pondering if the Queen, too, felt the magical currents’ disturbance. “Very well... Levina, don’t do anything stupid while I am gone.”
Levina, seated upon the frosty ground, puffed her cheeks in mock indignation.
As Vinter traversed the ancient corridors of his castle, the oldest of the seven kingdoms, his thoughts wandered on why he may have been summoned. Was a marriage proposal been made? He has come of age, or perhaps he has Royal duties to attend to. And maybe she to sensed the disturbance in magic flow.
The guard trailed behind, breaking the silence with a hint of revelation. “Her Highness mentioned... it concerns a siren,” he murmured.
“A siren...” Vinter mused aloud. His mother, the Queen of Etheria, had become as frigid as the winters they endured. She had not always been so; Vinter’s memories painted her with the vibrant hues of joy, ignited by his father’s love. A valiant sailor, the captain of Etheria’s Navy. Yet, claimed by the sea at a siren’s hand, his father’s death had casted a frost over her heart and soul.
Since that fateful day at the age of twelve, Vinter watched his mother retreat into the solitude of her duties, her warmth receding from him and Levina. He understood her grief, the pain of seeing her lost love reflected in their eyes, but resentment simmered for the motherly love they were denied, leaving him to fill the void for his sister.
The castle, once a beacon of life, now lay shrouded in a pall of desolation, its transformation as stark to Vinter as it was bewildering to young Levina.
They arrived at the Queen’s office, where she sat enshrouded in the gloom, her gaze fixed upon the documents before her. Her golden locks, braided in regal fashion, crowned her head, adorned with a silver tiara, its sapphire jewels flickering like stars in the twilight.
“Mother...” Vinter’s voice broke the stillness.
“Vinter...” The Queen acknowledged him, lifting her gaze to meet his. In the silent exchange of their blue eyes, volumes of unvoiced emotions lay bare. “Thank you for coming. ”
The formality of her words struck Vinter, a sterile echo devoid of any warmth, as if she addressed not her son, but a mere stranger.
She began, “We have reports from the forest of Frostfern...something about a sea spirit awakening...”
Veiled in secrecy, Frostfern is a magical forest akin to the Mystic Forest, nestled beside Etheria and cleaved by the mighty river Élivágar. Home to towering trolls and cunning goblins, beep in its heart harbors snow elves, pale and silent, who perform ancient rites to the Norse Gods, fostering an harmony with humans which is considered rare since most creatures avoid there kind.
“Ok, what do you want me to do?”
“Investigate it with Ernesto and...Eleanor if she wants to” she said, “speak with them about the matter”
“Of course mother”
“Your dismissed”
He wanted to tell her about the disturbance he felt but before he could, his mother had dismissed him.
He pursed his lips, “I well take my leave then...”
Departing the office, he encountered his sister, Levina, her presence a stark contrast to the solemnity he had just left. With a mischievous flick of her wrist, she hurled a snowball that splattered against his visage. Her grin was triumphant, “That’s what you deserve!”
Vinter’s response was a tender smile, a soft touch to her hair, “You should prepare yourself for the magic alliance program, we set to sea for Venora at dawn.”
Levina sighed, “Alright...” Yet as she pivoted to leave, a cunning smirk crept upon her features. “I bet you are thrilled to meet Eleanor again.”
“Maybe I am, what do you know? Know guy in there right man would like you” he said playfully.
“I hate you”
His laughter, a carefree melody, filled the hallway as he left Levina simmering in the hallway. Ascending to his quarters, he settled before his desk, igniting an ice array with a practiced gesture. His gaze roamed the expanse of his desk, a sea of parchment and ink, but amidst the them, an emerald ring beckoned, its verdant stone glittering among the documents.
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“Well fuck he is dead!” Xavier shouted at the water again.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.
Rosabella patted Xavier’s back, “ok come down...”
Ariana narrowed her eyes, “is he a water mage?”
Xavier cried out, “he died as a fucking idiot! I knew he would, but it’s still too soon!”
Rosabella did her best to comfort Xavier as she placed a caring hand on his trembling shoulder. “It’s going to be okay,” she assured him, her voice filled with soothing compassion, “why don’t you tell me your name?”
Meanwhile, Ariana carefully examined the ship, her brow furrowed in deep concentration. Suddenly, she noticed the water beneath the vessel beginning to bubble furiously, and a sense of foreboding washed over her. “Uh...,” she muttered, instinctively taking a step back.
Quickly shifting her attention, Ariana shouted a warning to her sister, panic lacing her voice. “Rosabella, get away from the ship! Something is about to happen!”
Before either of them could react, the ship erupted into an explosion, sending shards of wood and debris flying in all directions. Water sprayed forcefully, drenching everything and everyone nearby. The people gathered at the docks hastily retreated, their faces etched with fear and disbelief.
As chaos ensued, a whirlpool began to form within the violent waters. Ariana’s eyes widened in alarm as she saw a figure emerging from its depths. “Look!” she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of awe and concern. “There’s a siren in the water!”
Rosabella, now trembling with a mixture of fear and curiosity, grabbed her sister’s arm tightly. “We need to leave, Ariana! It’s not safe here,” she urged, her voice quivering.
“Hey did you say siren? He is half siren....” Xavier looked at them both wide eyed.
Ariana smacked him in the head, “your telling us this now?!”
“Hey...come down, give him some space” Rosabella inquired.
She grabbed him by the collar, “what do you know about him boy!”
Xavier wrinkled his nose, “The names Xavier! And all I know is he is half siren and his mother left him when he was 6!!” He shouted back.
Rosabella turned to see the chaos that engulfed the harbour. The once tranquil waters churned violently into a monstrous whirlpool, its maw gaping wide as if to swallow the very earth. Fishermen’s boats, once bobbing gently, now clung desperately to their moorings, creaking in protest. Merchants shouted, their voices drowned out by the roar of the sea, as they scrambled to secure their wares. Sailors, seasoned by the capricious whims of the ocean, barked orders to secure the ship, their faces etched with lines of concern; while ordinary folk gathered their loved ones, their eyes wide with terror.
The air was thick with panic, a palpable dread that clung to the salt-laden breeze.
But then, as suddenly as it had appeared, the whirlpool dissipated. A surge of energy rippled through the air, a silent shockwave that sent a collective gasp through the crowd. Ships that had been teetering on the brink of oblivion righted themselves, though a few unfortunate vessels capsized, their hulls kissing the sky in a final, desperate plea.
Rosabella’s heart, which had been a drumbeat of fear, slowed its frantic pace. Relief washed over her like the gentle waves that now lapped at the docks, a soothing balm to the chaos that had reigned moments before. She watched as the harbor slowly returned to life, the sounds of relief mingling with the cries of seagulls overhead.
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ᕯᕯ۞ᕯᕯ
Icurus felt a surge of panic course through his veins, causing his eyes to tightly shut. Fear consumed him, making him hesitant to open them again. But when he mustered the courage to do so, he was astounded to find himself still alive. However, something felt drastically changed - his legs were missing. In their place, a magnificent fishtail swayed gracefully. As he attempted to scream in disbelief, the sound was swallowed by the vastness of the underwater world surrounding him.
“What in the fucking Tartarus!”
Feeling a sudden wave of dizziness, he looked upward and instantly noticed that the ship he had been swimming beneath was nowhere to be found. As he struggled to regain his balance, a cacophony of desperate screams echoed through the water, hinting at a chaotic scene unfolding on the surface above.
His attention was abruptly drawn to a whirlpool starting to materialize right in front of him. With a surge of determination, he mustered all his strength and swiftly moved his arm in a swift slashing motion, channelling his mana to halt the impending danger. Miraculously, his manoeuvre succeeded, the powerful whirlpool dissipating before it could wreak havoc.
However, unbeknownst to him, his forceful action caused a powerful shockwave that rocked the surrounding area. Nearby ships, caught off guard by the unexpected disturbance, were knocked off course and sent tumbling into disarray. As the crashing sounds reached his ears, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of remorse for the unintended consequences of his actions.
Emerging from beneath the water’s depths, he propelled himself to the surface, adjusting to the sensation of his fishtail. Gasping for breath, he found solace on the deck, struggling to regain a semblance of equilibrium. Suddenly, a gentle hand extended towards him, accompanied by an enchanting smile. Rosabella stood above, her eyes gleaming with curiosity and intrigue.
“Well, it’s not every day we encounter someone as unique as you,” she remarked a note of wonder in her voice.
“Are you..” Xavier was breathing heavily, pointing at him, “You a-” Icurus lifted his new tail showing it to him, and he smiled nervously. He didn’t know how his friend would react to this. Xavier’s face remained indifferent, then he passed out.
Ariana looked down at him with her arms folded, “he passed out”
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○《So your mother wants us to investigate the siren spirt awakening? And you sensed a disturbance in magic flow and think it’s our curse?》○ Ernesto’s spectacle voice rang out through the ice array.
“Yes...” Vinter said.
○《For the magic disturbance part I doubt that it’s out ‘curses’》○
“So what do you think it is?”
○《It’s most quiet obviously the sea spirit awakening, your just over thinking it》○
Vinter sighed, “how is Eleanor?”
A sound of chair with a person following over rang out through the array. Vinter looked at it confused but then he heard Eleanor’s melodic voice.
○《Vinter!!! Aww I missed you so much, I can’t wait to see you at Venora!!》○
Vinter chuckled, “I can’t wait to see you...”
○《You witch! You fucking pushed me!》○ Ernesto shouted at his twin sister as usual.
○《Why didn’t you tell me Vinter called!!》○
Vinter shook his head, while a warm smile embraced his lips, he vividly remembered his younger days while growing up with them back when they were young mages in training. They always had something to quarrel about.
They seemed to have finally stopped quarrelling, he heard Eleanor call out again.
○《Vinter~ see you soon and make sure to bring the ring I gave you!》○
Vinter chuckled, “I will!”
As the array’s light waned, yielding to the hush of twilight’s embrace, Vinter cradled the emerald ring-a verdant whisper from time’s deep woods. Eleanor had bestowed it upon him amidst the gray solemnity of his father’s funeral, her vow of constancy in the silence of his grieving sphere. It was more than a mere memento; it was the embodiment of their intertwined souls, a silent sonnet of their enduring bond and the unspoken oaths of solace woven through their shared tapestry of yesteryears.
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The royal gardens, usually a tapestry of vibrant hues, were muted under a veil of mourning. The Queen, a solitary figure of dignity amidst the sea of black and white, engaged in quiet conversation with her guests. Each word she spoke was measured, her poise unyielding, yet her eyes held a distant sorrow, longing for the privacy to mourn her beloved, the esteemed captain of Etheria’s Navy.
Around her, the air was filled with the soft murmur of the assembly-nobles and dignitaries alike-each adorned in somber attire, their voices a respectful cadence that spoke of the late captain’s valor and dedication. The garden, transformed into a sanctuary of remembrance, bore witness to the collective grief and admiration for a man who had served his kingdom with unwavering resolve.
In the periphery, away from the gentle clinking of medals and the subdued rustle of silk, sat young Vinter. The boy’s small frame seemed even more diminutive in the vastness of the garden. Clutched in his hand was a gold coin, a tangible piece of his father’s legacy, its luster dulled by the shadow of loss. His heart ached with a sorrow too profound for tears, a yearning for the father he had revered and adored.
Just then Eleanor, the Princess of Venora, appeared beside him as if conjured by his silent plea for understanding. “How are you?” She asked with a smile and hugged him. Her embrace was unexpected, a warmth that contrasted with the chill of his loneliness.
He sniffed, “I don’t know...”
She settled next to him, her presence a quiet comfort, “what does it feel like to lose someone?” She inquired about the nature of loss-a concept alien to her due to a curse that robbed her of the ability to feel.
Vinter, though bewildered by her emotional void, “Right...you can’t feel emotions” he buried his face in his hands, “It’s like being in a perpetual state of autumn,” he murmured, his voice barely above the crackling of the hearth. “The leaves fall, one by one, each a memory, a moment I shared with him. And I stand here, trying to catch them, to preserve the colors, the warmth, but... they slip through my fingers, dry and crumbled, turning to dust. That’s what it feels like, Eleanor. It’s watching the world lose its color, feeling the chill set in, knowing that winter is coming, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”
“But you love Winter, you are named after it” she spoke up.
Vinter lifted his head, a sad smile touching his lips. “Yes, I am named after Winter, and I’ve always found beauty in its silence, in the way it blankets everything in purity. But this... this is a different kind of winter. It’s one that comes without warning, without the promise of spring. It’s a cold that lingers in the bones, a silence that echoes with what’s been lost.”
Eleanor pursed her lips trying to imagine how that kind of cold would feel in her bones. “Then let this ring be a reminder,” she said, sliding the emerald band onto his finger, “that even the harshest winter eventually gives way to spring. Your father’s memory will be the warmth that thaws the frost, and I... I will be here, as your friend, to witness the seasons change with you.”
Vinter’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as he looked at the ring, feeling its weight and the warmth of Eleanor’s promise. “Thank you,” he whispered, “for being my spring.”
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