𝕮hapter 𝕺ne

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This story begins in the dark days of the Euphorian times, where war broke from all over the land as the kingdom, once in harmony, was divided.

No man could ever tell what went wrong as blood shed all over Euphoria destroying the peace it once had.

Different creatures turned from each other, using their different abilities to finish what was started;

The Loraths-Who were known as vessels of dark magic. Clothe in black, with green, dark eyes as green as the magic that lives within them and serious facades that terrifies whoever they come across with.

The Caelums-Who were the peacemakers, only defending their own kind. Sky blue clothes, white hair, bright, yellow eyes and huge, white wings that reveal itself when they command it.

The Deavens-masters of materialism. They create anything from sand; weaponry, gold, you name it. They wear maroon shades that highlight their ginger hair and very handsome faces, and gold jewelry that signifies their prosperity.

The Tyrants-the people of the sea. They control the movements of water and are users of the wind. They have rough, aquamarine skin and fins behind their ears. They have extraordinary hearing senses; their feet become a fishtail when on water and once they touch land, it returns back to human legs.

The Farxes-servants of nature. They control the growth of greenery and abundance of land. They are twice smaller than an ordinary man and behind them are transparent wings they use to fly around; they have golden hair and utilize leaves for clothing.

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The war began on one fateful day, when the Ruler of Euphoria, King Hermes of the caelums, died from an illness none can cure.

He had only but one son, whose mother died giving birth to-Herod, son of Hermes, was now a grown man-with a beautiful wife and a five-year-old daughter. They all stood together with teary eyes as the maidens covered the lifeless body of King Hermes.

It wasn't until a great crash ruined their moment. The kingdom shook as the room was covered in brown smoke.

"We are under attack! We are under attack!" they heard one of the soldiers running to spread the word.

Herod held his wife and kissed his daughter's forehead, they ducked down on the floor as the ground shook beneath their feet and smoke continued to saturated the place.

"Stay here" Herod told his wife as he took his sword and stood up."N- NO!" His wife grabbed him, pulling him back, before he could leave.

"You are not leaving us here, Herod. we can't lose you too" she said hysterically, holding tight unto her husband.

"I'm sorry, Ezra... But I cannot stay" Herod replied, wiping the tears from his wife's eyes as his tears started pooling at the lid of his eyeballs. He took that chance to pull his arm away and walked out of the door.

His wife was screaming his name as he faded from sight. She stood up to come after her husband. But a huge boulder surrounded by green light passed before her eyes. She ranback to her daughter and covered her with her wings and with a white light, they vanished from that room and were transported to the gates of their castle, where the chaos was everywhere.

Ezra looked up to see different sparks of green, tree roots evading the villages, sand compressing together to become cannonballs shooting everywhere, water tornadoes drowning castle guards, and a few sparks of white, that clearly came from the caelum people.

A tear ran down from Ezra's eyes as she watched everything she dreamt of, falling apart.

What happened to the land she once adored?

All her thoughts disappeared as she remembers her husband. She went to her daughter and carried her in her arms as she ran through the fog of sand before her, hugging her daughter tight. Noise filled the place as the ground continued to shake.

She fell to the ground as another boulder appeared near them. Her daughter rolled away from her and she began to sob.

"Hera" she sighed as she tried to stand.

"Mama" the young girl whispered.

Ezra's eyes went from her daughter to a Deaven soldier approaching her daughter while gathering sand to create a huge boulder. She wanted to stop him, but no words would come out of her mouth.

But a flash of green light appeared before her and when she beholds the position of her daughter, she was relieved to find a young boy, in black kneeling in front of Hera as his black wings protected her from the boulder that dispersed into particles of sand, blowing away the soldier himself.

The boy stood, glanced into her place and before she could mouth the words thank you, the boy turned into a raven and flew away.

Ezra approached her daughter as she held her in her arms closely. How she wanted to tell her everything will be fine, but she couldn't, instead, all she could do is let her tears fall not noticing her little girl grabbing the hovering black feather before her and kept it in her tiny hands.

The both turned to a certain place when they heard a bold, prolonged shout. "Haaalt!".

Ezra slowly stood up, grabbed her daughter's hand and stood still as she waited for the smoke to clear out.

In front of them was a man familiar to them, Fuego Salazar, the chief of the Caelum soldiers.

He was smirking over his blood filled face. His hand was held high over his head and is beholding what seemed to be a person's head.

There were gasps from everywhere as a few men came running to their direction.

It was Herod, and he seemed to be shaken at the sight of Fuego. The other creatures began to drop their weapons at the sight of this.

Fuego laughed. "Your king..." he glanced at the Loraths "...is dead!" The Caelum soldiers rejoiced. Ezra and Herod looked at each other in disbelief.

"NO!" another prolonged scream of a young boy silenced the crowd. The crowd of the Lorath people stepped aside to make a pathway that revealed a familiar young boy.

He was filled with tears as he slowly approached Fuego, but before he could reach him, he fell on his knees. Fuego approached him too as he laughed devilishly. He stood in front of the kid, dropped the head he was holding and stepped on it.

"Are you supposed to be the son of this Low-rat?" He said with emphasis. There was laughter from the Caelums.

The little boy sheds in tears as he stared into his father's decapitated head. Fuego looked amused at the sight of the child, but he wasn't satisfied.

He took his sword and fearlessly placed it on the boy's neck, making the kid lift his head to him.

"Your rotten blood does not deserve to be passed along" Fuego said gritting his teeth and slowly swaying the sword.

Ezra held her daughter's face close to her, protecting her eyes from the violence.

"Salazar!" all attention directed to Herod. But he was too late, Fuego has cut a huge scar on the boy's neck and his blood oozed down to the ground.

Fuego smirked and turned to the Caelum soldier with hands up in the air, as the soldiers cheered.

Ezra watched as the boy stood up, fist clenched, blood drenched clothes, as his eyes changed from weakened to resentful. He eyed every Caelum that was on the crowd, even Ezra who looked at him with apologetic eyes and vanished with a green light.

One by one the Loraths, turned their backs, and followed the kid until no Lorath stood in the crowd.

The Deavens vanished as sand covered them, the Farxes flew away, and with a great wave, the Tyrants was gone. Herod ran towards his family and united with a hug. Not noticing the black feather on his sleeping daughter's hand.

Dark Arrow

𝕮hapter 𝕿wo

***

Nearly 10 years have passed since the great war. The creatures were now living in their own parts of the kingdom barricaded by walls, avoiding contact with each other.

On the far right was the dark-green forests, home of the farxes which they called Emerald Forest. On the left was the farlands of Tectus where the Tyrants found their home. The deavens have settled on a separate desserted island, while the Loraths find themselves a home on south, the Lorathus, a cursed land, floating 40 feet above ground, pulled by gigantic chains on it's 4 corners and the Caelums, living in the middle of everything, protected by a force field on which they can go out, but none can walk in.

In the peaceful land of the Caelums, everything else was perfect as it is. Smiles are everywhere and there is music to enjoy for everyone. there in the village streets you will find a hooded young maiden dancing with the village people. Not long after the music was over, she sighted her father's guards ready to take her back home. She smiled to the young children and smirked before turning around and running away.

Hera, the only daughter of Herod Spades was always mischievous when it comes to the palace guards. She was always obedient to her mother and quiet around her father.

She turned right as the guards chased her down but when they stood on the corner where she went, she was gone. And only sky-blue butterflies filled the alley.

The princess smiled to herself as she teleported to her room. She took off her hood and her smile fade upon hearing her mother's voice.

"You sure love making a fool of your father's guards missy"

Hera rolled her eyes "They make a fool of themselves mom, as if they never knew the princess for too long" she laughed.

"Hera" her mother sighed "You're all grown up now, it won't be long until you get married with Frederic"

Hera knew her mother was smiling at herself. She took a deep breath and turned to her. "Frederic won't force me to marry him mom. And that's... That's the reason I liked him"

Her mother chuckled and held her daughter's shoulders and sat her on the bed. She took her brush and fixed her daughter's hair with it.

"Today is your coronation day, you will officially be 16 and crown princess of The Caelum Kingdom"

Suddenly, Hera felt something in her chest. "What's the point of it mom? If... The kingdom won't come back to the way it is, why should I be crowned?"

"Oh come on sweetie don't be too dramatic." Her mother laughed, but Hera was now looking outside the huge window in front of her, where she can behold the beauty of the divided kingdoms.

She always wondered what Euphoria was like. What kind of place she would be living in if the kingdoms were... Well different from what she sees now.

"If I'm queen... Can I restore Euphoria?" She felt the tugging comb behind her came to a stop.

Followed by her mother's sharp breath as she slowly stood up. "Well... Being queen isn't just about giving orders honey"

"But I could"

There was a tense air in between their eye contact. Ezra, not wanting to tell her daughter of the schemes from the other kingdoms and Hera, full of hope that she will hear an approval from her mother.

Ezra broke their staring contest as she spoke "Your coronation is in a few minutes. Get yourself ready" Ezra left.

She sat down on her bed and locked her view of the kingdoms. In front of her was the dark towers of Lorathus. Below it were the kingdoms, separated by barriers. Suddenly she felt mischievous, like wanting to wander into these places. But it was still her coronation day, and she had to be there.

She raised her hand up as a small blue butterfly appeared. She felt blue as that little butterfly, for even in her coronation day, she wasn't able to feel any special.

Eversince she was younger, she wasn't able to control any of her Caelum powers. She learned simple butterfly tricks, but nothing about her  heredity as royalty. It always make her seem out of place. She sometimes wished there was something... Someone who can tell her what was wrong with her. But no one will ever understand.

All her thoughts disappeared with three knocks on her door.

"Who is it?"

"It's me, Your Highness" Hera automatically faced her door as the familiar voice spoke.

It was Frederic Salazar, son of Fuego Salazar. Hera has known him eversince they were younger. Their parents have already decided that they will be in union when they grew older. At first both parties were against it, but knowing that it is better for the kingdom, they learned to get along and even feel a tiny bit of affection to each other.

"What are you here for Frederic?" She said with a ghost of a smile on her face as she approached him.

From the lowered bow he had been holding, Frederic stood firm in front of the princess.

"To escort you, Princess. The royal family are up in the balcony"

"Well, aren't they more excited than I am" Hera laughed, grabbing on Frederic's arm.

"Are you not? This is such a big day you know" Frederic joined her.

As they closed the door and their voices faded in the distance. A black crow with dark green eyes was sitting on the window. It spread it's wings facing south as it flew away to a nearby tree and from his bird form, became a dark hooded man.

'Guess the caelums are finally moving on' he thought to himself 'Finn will not love the sound of this' he smirked and transformed back to a bird and flew towards Lorathus where a tall, dark man with hands behind his back was standing, looking far into the view.

"What news do you have for me Shane?" The man spoke.

The crow turned into a man once more to answer thatt question.

"They're crowning the princess of their kind" Shane laughed darkly "Like, none of the war ever happened"

The frown on the latter's face grew darker as his hand closed into a fist.

"I'll.make them remember" He whispered under his breath.

Dark Archer

𝕮hapter 𝕿hree

From the kingdom of Lorathus, a gush of wind came towards the desert island to where the ruler of the Deavens stood. Hands behind his back, eyes closed, and feeling the wind as it told him the news.

A ghost of a smile appeared on his face as he realized what the Lorath brothers are up to.

'So King Finn and his brother Shane still have things unsettled with those... Caelums.' he scoffed at the thought of that. 'Well,well... Guess I have other agendas to do to kill my time'

"Horus Allanazi!" The ruler's smile faded as he rolled his eyes "Your sister is out again! How many times do I have to tell you to-"

"Keep your eyes on her" Horus and the latter spoke at the same time with different tones. Horus said it in a boring manner as he faced the person behind him. "Are you done yet? Father?"

"Not if your sister is out there, on her own!"

From where he stood, he was transported to his father's back, leaving particles of sand everywhere. He placed his hand on his father's shoulders and spoke. "Helena is a grown lady, dear father. Pretty sure she can already handle herself at her age"

Suddenly, they heard a voice, singing such a beautiful tone as it grew louder and closer. Horus smiled "Speaking of" he left his father's back and transported himself to his favourite balcony as his father went and ran towards a tall girl with curly, ginger hair and pure white skin.

The deavens are known for their beauty. The perfect structure of their faces was the reason why many girls and boys from other kingdoms drool over them. Many other creatures had tried to kidnap girls from their island. The reason why Horus' father was worried that Helena, his one and only daughter, would lure men with her amazing voice and beauty and cause them to take her away.

Horus watched from his balcony how his dear father scolded his sister. He could almost hear him screaming about the kidnappers and how horrible it could have been if she was taken. He wanted to do the same. But he was way calmer than anyone in their family. Horus was manipulative. He thinks first before acting up. But he too was mischievous and loved making others hate him. Especially, the Loraths.

From the balcony he disappeared and a group of sand particles started to fly to the air towards the Caelum kingdom.

Back in the Caelum Kingdom, is an ongoing coronation of the crowned princess. It was to declare in all of the Caelum kingdom, who the next ruler of it shall be.

The halls are promptly decorated and each wall shined with the bright lights that covered the walls. Bright red carpets are used to be the visitors' guides as they enter the huge palace of the Caelums.

All the visitors were outside as they looked up at the balcony, waiting for the coronation to begin.

In the royal family line, it was made known to them that, anyone in the family can rule, which should be fair in all of the Spades, which were the royal family.

Now, King Hermes Spades had a younger brother, who tends to have 3 sons.and those sons are now married and have daughters. Those daughters who Hera's called her cousins, wasn't happy with her coronation as the next queen of The Caelum Kingdom.

"Today, is a very remarkable day in all of history" King Herod spoked "My daughter, Hera Eleanor Spades will be crowned princess that will soon enherit the throne" the people put their hands together.

King Herod smiled widely, as he turned from the people, to his beloved daughter.

As King Herod lifted the crown from his head and placed it on Hera's, the girls behind them were all experiencing different emotions.

Auria Spades, was the only one smiling in their group. She was dazzled to know that another milestone was happening right in front of her.

"Quit smiling" Aurora Spades, Auria's sister pat her with the fan she held in her hand. "You're making our family look like fools" she rolled her eyes as Auria looked down, disappointed in herself.

"What a waste of time" Elle Spades sighed "I could have been standing somewhere else, somewhere more interesting than 'that girl' taking what was supposed to be yours" she looked at Aurora, who then smiled, agreeing to her cousin's statement and it faded as she looked back at Hera.

Erina Spades yawned, she was the older sister of Elle. She was not thinking about anything but going home and reading.

Elisha Spades, the 3rd daughter was wiser than everyone in the group. She was standing firm on her side and looking smarter than those beside her.

And the youngest of the four, Eclipsa Spades tried to look like Elle. She was competitive and always wanted to be on the winning team.

Then there was Calista Yvonne Spades. The only child of the youngest son of King Hermes' brother. She was mature and she stayed out of cat-fights in the royal family. She never talked to anyone nor involved in gossip.

As the coronation came to an end, everyone made a loud noise of rejoicing as the gates of the kingdom opened and all were escorted to the ballroom hall.

Everyone who entered was astonished to see the beauty of the old roman style interior. Golden walls and huge chandeliers hanging in the middle of the hall making it bright as ever. The floors are wisely polished and the decorations was properly attached. This has left the vistiors with smiles on their faces as it lifted their mood.

The king and queen sat together with the other royalties and nobles that supported them, as the children and Hera, sat on a table not far from their parents, undeniably silent and slightly awkward.

Hera sat at one end of the circular table facing everyone else. On the opposite side of her was Aurora. Looking at her like she'd attack her anytime.

Auria was on Hera's left side and beside her was Erina and on the last chair on Erina's side was Elle. On her Right was Calista with Elisha and Eclipsa.

Hera was feeling weird with the way Aurora, Elle and Eclipsa were staring at her. But she chose to ignore it rather than make a scene.

Auria was about to talk to the future queen when her sister cut her off.

"Don't... talk to her, Auria, don't do things that you would regret afterwards" Aurora said intently, eyes stuck on Hera with her brows meeting in the middle as she fumes in an anger than none of them knew what for.

Calista sighed and lost her appetite, putting the fork beside her plate.

Hera's brows furrowed. But then it retracted back to normal as she slowly put down her fork.

"Aui, if you hate me so much, you know you can talk to me directly. Not act like I'm not here"

Aurora sneered as she watched Hera lift up her glass but it shattered into pieces and the juice dropped on her lap.

Hera looked at Aurora who seemed to be the reason her glass broke and got her wet. She stood up.

Auria tried to hold her down. Aurora scoffed "Aren't you gonna fight back? Oh wait... You can't" she laughed as Elle and Eclipsa laughed with her.

Calista stood up and left the table without a word. The other three didn't know what to do, so they stood up in shock. Erina stopped chewing, and Elisha rolled her eyes, knowing what the next scenes will be.

Hera, who was about to put another piece of salad in her mouth, slowly put the fork down. She was holding it tightly, Trying to control her emotions.

"I beg your pardon?"

"I never said anything." Aurora smirked "Are you perhaps... Threatened?"

Hera stood up "Are you.." she gritted her teeth trying to hold unto the sanity she has left "Challenging me?"

Calista let out a sigh as she put her napkin away and leaving the table, Erina cleared her throat trying to act like she wasn't in the middle of this and Elisha was stuck trying to figure out what to do.

Meanwhile Elle and Eclipsa were waiting for the situation to get worse so they can enter in.

"And so what if I am? What are you gonna do?" Aurora loved the sight of Hera turning red in anger smirked. "Are you gonna use your butterflies to shoo me away?" She said in a petty voice lending her hand to where Elle was for a low-five, crossing her hands right after.

"Aurora" Auria tried in a gritted whisper.

Hera took a deep breath, let go of the fork and stood up straight, then she smiled "You know..." she waved her hands as a couple butterflies appeared. Suddenly fear was evident in Aurora's face. "That's not a bad idea" she snapped her finger and a little blue butterfly flew towards Aurora. Causing her to scream as she shoo it away. Aurora's face turned pale as she looked into Hera.

The people who were minding their own business took a glance at them and were now distracted by this sudden scene. Herod stood up hurriedly to her daughter's side.

"Hera, what is happening?" all the butterflies fell to the ground and vanished as King Herod pulled her daughter back.

Herod scanned the situation and was convinced that one of the girls started it.

Hera turned, smiled at her father and spoke in a nice way "I'm done eating... Can I go leave now?"

Herod bent and touched his daughter's cheek "It's ok dear. Go ahead" Herod smiled at Hera as she nodded and turned her back on everyone, not caring about the people and nobles looking at her or the whispers around her.

Hera's polite smile faded as she exited the banquet hall and was transported to the garden balcony.

She took off her crown from her head and looked up. She never even noticed a small tear falling from her eye.

She knew this would happen. She knew she wouldn't be accepted. But she always told herself that she would make it. Like her father did, and his father before him. She wiped away her tears. She sat herself on the porch stair.

"I promise... this land... That once I became queen, Euphoria will be... restored." She said to herself.

"Very well" suddenly a huge wind blew in front of her as sand covered her view of the garden. She quickly stood up. Then she backed away when a man with long ginger hair stood in front of her, hands behind his back and a grin on his face. "You can always dream, but what you wish, is tragically impossible."

"Who... Who are you?"

The man slithered his hands across her cheek.

"You'll know" he smiled and backed away from Hera as sand covered his physique and vanished.

Hera was left astounded by what she just saw. Was that... A deaven?

Dark Archer