The Golden City

-•-

A tall man with dark violet hair and coiling snakes around his neck walked towards a woman shorter than him. Her hair raven black, similar to her own attire with her lips coated with the very same color...is she cosplaying a black lady? We do not know. Although she looked less elderly than the age prescribed to her the man gave nothing to pay his respects and from the looks of his face her eyes showed a little glint of amusement.

"How much longer Amara! It's been years...many predecessors have long passed, our Lord is getting impatient" The man grits his teeth at the woman in question. Amara Darhone, former princess and traitor and yet you're still blind to my attempts."She faked her tears, but encircled him like a stalking predator, "Life is one big stage can you not see it? But don't worry, the grand finale will become more beautiful than what you have in mind" She smiled wickedly. In front of her, Crocus Veltour, is the Aureole Arch Lady's twin brother, sneered at her response.

"How do you intend to take this 'stage' to the finale...are you quite certain that your niece will not be the end of your grandiose plan?"Amara faced him proudly with a smug smile, "I'm ten steps ahead of them..I have sent my daughter to-"

"Your 'daughter'? What has transpired that one started calling her yours?" an otherworldly voice brought chill into the room. Any lesser being before her would crumble under reverence for her presence exudes charm and intimidation. Amara raised one of her eyebrows at the newcomer, plainly addressing her overwhelming presence.

"Ah..Yoreno, just in time" Crocus glanced towards the demon's direction, Amara saw this gesture and sneered, she narrowed her eyes over the look these two are having.

"Thought I'd never see you get out of your preposterous looking castle"

"Watch your tongue" Yoreno replied, her demeanor calm and composed, "I arrived here to have a little chat but it seems I am not wanted" She scoffed and turned to her heels.

"Instead of sulking there like a fool, why don't you go to Esgarde and spread a little blight?" The black haired woman suggests with a thin smile on her lips, her tone laced with authority as she rightfully commands. Yoreno, who was addressed, stopped and gave a little nod, she raised her head and turned it 180 degrees as if it was a mere embellishment of her body.

"I do need the energy Amara, how kind of an old fossil...how about a little wager before I go?" Her tilted head gave a cheshire smile.

"If your daughter encounters the joker and win, you'll lose but if she fails, I win"

"How dare you eavesdrop in our conver-" Knowing that asking is futile, she reinforced it with another question, "What will you get from this.."Amara narrowed her eyes as Yoreno chuckled.

"I've been wanting to get a taste of that arcane blood of yours as you on mine...how about we put that stake yes?"

"Deal" Yoreno's head laughed darkly—a combination of amusement and eagerness. It echoed the empty wall of the fortress as she fixed it back to her head and walked off the exit.

"Amuse me then" The remnants of her voice echoed as she dissolved in the shadow of her person.

"Now where is Ashlarrmi...I need something done " Crocus hid a disdainful look as the woman in black turned into a flock of crows that flew off, leaving him alone in the room.

"That woman, something tells me she needs to know her place" A rattling sound soon followed as his snakes fussed around him.

-•-

"Hey princess, why am I coming too?" Kale gave a quizzical look as Linthea dragged him off the couch, his wing flailing to get him out of her hold but to no avail.

'How did this woman get so strong?'

"You're coming with Soren to Strandethorn....you have something they need to preserve" She drops him off on the foot of the staircase.

She could see how pale his face went.

"Do I get a vote in this?"

"No"

Sure, Strandethorn is a little..no, lot scarier but Queen Miroslava will heed as per the Arch Lady requested. She did hear that the political feud for the throne hasn't died down together with the blood sucker's issue the Queen tried to contain but they'll be fine as delegates of the Aureole.

"Soren?" She called for her brother, "Be careful out there...I heard something about night hunters roaming around" She added when no response was heard.

"Hey, where's mine?"Kale complained over the balcony.

"You can handle yourself just fine now piss off" it was followed with an "aww"

Soren finally came out of his room with a travel bag as if he were to spend the whole summer in the country.

"Don't worry Lin, I'll give my regards to the prince and princess." He said with an airy voice as he descended the stairs as if there's a telepathic understanding between their silence.

"You're leaving the house?" Xuiying piped up from the kitchen, eyeing his bag.

"No, but who knows what awaits us there—Wait a minute! I'm not going on a vacation!"

"Ha! Got you~"Xuiying smiled cheekily.

"You're leaving the house too! What does that got to do with me?"Her elder brother accused as the young girl giggled, their sister frowned and crossed hands to her chest.

"How are you all going out but not me?!" She complained, exasperatedly throwing her hands to the air. Kale looked at them and shook his head.

The stone he kept was arranged to have the Ivanovich family take care of it which was exactly what his Ladyship wants to happen. It houses a great power—able to fulfill many possibilities that came from the Eidolon (Goddess) of Peace. Miroslava greatly adheres to the divine thus will open the cold heart of her country to protect the stone. If she follows not, then Princess Izavaellia will.

The war between the Aureole and the Dark Arc is also caused by their will to keep the relic for their own agendas. The Arc follows their masters obscured in the shadows to cleanse the world which is why this archaic trace means to be passed country to country for safe keeping every 6 months. Now that the opposing faction nearly has their hands on it, it's time for small changes.

"It won't be that bad Jiejie" Xuiying tried to pat her head but failed miserably and hugged Snowbelle's neck instead.

"Who knows,...maybe you'll get the best mission yet" Soren assured her with a smile and went back to his things on the sofa.

"Are you done Kale?" He called out for his companion who flew down with a luggage of his own; not that it was big since he never really owned extra clothes in his stay and had to buy a few or borrow from Soren. The winged man flew down the series of steps as if it was an arduous task to do. Well, given that he's using his magic to keep those prominent features of his...obscured, he definitely needs the leeway.

"We'll be off you two" Soren bid with a silvery voice. He took his bag and waved goodbye to his sisters, "Be careful on your own journeys...May Haina grant peace to our travels"

Linthea and Xuiying gave their collective farewells as the two men exited the house. Xuiying saw her sister's change of demeanor and sighed.

"I'll be going too" she gave her sister a hug,"Don't get too dejected Jiejie—I just know it that you'll have a mission you'll enjoy" Xuiying snuggled close as Linthea hugged her tight.

"Be safe Xuiying... remember what we taught you"

"Mm! I will"

Soon they will all be in their separate ways and she hopes to embrace the change with serenity.