CHAPTER 2: FATE-TWISTING RIDE

"Lady Antigone! Wait for me,'' plead Ristora, a steward of air.

"Run faster Riri, the sun is about to set!" Antigone replied as she continued to sprint towards the edge of the cliff, tying her hair in a bun as she ran. It was her hobby to watch the sunset and sunrise with the view of the whole forest. Seeing the totality of the environment calms her nerves.

"Lady, you need to be careful. Your anointment is days away! We cannot sacrifice your safety," Ristora said with concern, as Antigone sat and hung her legs at the side of the cliff.

She swayed her legs like a gleeful child, recounting all her experiences in the forest. "It is nothing but a ceremony. A little adventure won't hurt me," Antigone replied.

"You are a very mischievous lady indeed!" Rigora exclaimed, making Antigone laugh.

"Ha! Of course, I am. We only live once. In this lifetime, we must seek the happiness that our heart yearns," she beamed with a wonderful smile.

It is her fate to rule this forest – Antigone thought as she scanned the whole forest, illuminated by the now-setting sun. She is turning eighteen in five days, a mark of her elevation as the Supreme Steward. It was seven years ago when the nature gods decided to change her fate by pointing her out through the prophecy of the Oracle. As she watched the tranquil view beside Ristiora, she noticed a peculiar sight.

From a distance, she can see a shiny white object which is spiraling quickly to the opposite ground where she is standing. After a few minutes, it landed with a bang. She and Ristora looked at one another – both having the same thought. They rushed to the other side to see what the thing was.

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Theodore was drinking his hot caramel macchiato when the intercom sounded, prompting him to listen to what the pilot has to say.

"Good day sir Teddy, I am the commanding pilot, Captain Louie Shin, and I would like to ask you to take care because there is unexpected turbulence ahead. Please fasten your seatbelt and secure yourself," said the pilot on the intercom.

Theodore grunted. A thought came to his mind. He has the most expensive plane and yet he will still suffer this inconvenience? What a hassle, he thought. He put the coffee in the holder and leaned back on his leather chair. True enough, the plane started to swivel violently.

"Great. Now I'll arrive on time for my party," Theodore muttered amidst the discomfort.

Theodore is traveling from China to their estate in Singapore to attend a late celebration for his eighteenth birthday. The party was organized by none other than his favorite person, Sylphonia. The stepmother of his still hasn't moved on with this hypocrisy. She still acts nice whenever his adoptive dad is around. Now, she lavishly spends his dad's wealth on a single night of useless mingling among other businesspersons who, for sure, only knows him because of his company. Yes, Theodore now co-manages the company his real dad left to Charlie. He is the Vice President of the board, with Charlie as the President and CEO.

WIIIIISH!

Theodore slid from one side to the other. His luxury charter helicopter is losing control over the winds.

"Louie! What the hell?!" he exclaimed on the intercom, without any response from the pilot.

"Louie! Ferdinand! What's happening?" he anxiously shouted again, as he was getting dizzy from the increasing turbulence.

His vision became blurry as he heard the shattering of glass. After the commotion, everything went black.