War's Hierophant

6 years ago, Samaari castle

Queen Qingshan sat beside the balcony admiring the rising sun while drinking a cup of coffee to wake herself up when her husband Shurima gave her a morning kiss on the woman's and sat in front of her with a maid carrying a dish of puff pastry for them to share together.

"Good morning my Queen" He smiled, careful not to exhibit the tiredness in his face before he overlooked the dark mountains slowly touched by light.

"What is it qīn'ài de...is something troubling you?"Qingshan softly took him out of his reverie, putting her hand over his. The King reciprocated by lacing his hands around her as he let out a sigh.

"My love, you deserve to know the truth and the only truth. I wouldn't want to worry you but this seemed alarming...My dream last night was full of chaos and dystopia"

Shurima Seiju, one of the many blessed with the gift of dreamscape by the Eon of Sleep, Somnus. The ability to predict the future through dreams and he will never be wrong by it although the flaw is that he can predict the result but not the cause of such occurrence.

"A war is coming"

"But how could that be? No one's ever challenged us to a war except her, but she was chained for 10 years binded by a chain that reacts to her powers, preventing her from escaping since then"Qingshan reasoned.

'Unless...'

She called for a maid to take her cup away and faced her husband with a grave look on her face.

"Shurima...could it be one of the Gods?"

"I can't perceive who... usually, the War Goddess Jiyoung takes care of such conflicts but I haven't seen her mien in my dream"

"But we haven't done anything wrong?" Qingshan pointed out with confusion streaked across her face. Shurima held her hand and looked her in the eyes. Fear evident in her chocolate orbs as her hand trembles under his, Shurima quickly enveloped his wife in a hug.

"We'll fight with what we have....the kids cannot take part in this" He whispered softly as his queen sobbed quietly, responding to his statements with a 'Mhmm'. King Shurima caressed her head to the small of her back in comfort as he wondered how they fell under the gods' wrath.

"Pardon me Your Majesties" A shaky voice woke them from their reverie. The king gently broke the hug and turn to the source of the voice: A guard, pale and powdered with soil residue, Shurima inquired for his presence as the Queen composed herself, "King Shurima, the guards you dispatched under the cavern to 'her' prison never came back, and per orders we started reconnaissance and found their remains buried under the ground"the panting soldier reported. Qingshan suddenly fell to her knees with her face aghast, "Call the Queen's handmaidens, I'll take care of it" Shurima was quick to get to Qingshan's aid and helped her weakened body up as the soldier scrambled for help.

"Are you alright qīn'ài de?"

"Quite so....we need to get the kids away from here" Qingshan grasped his arm tightly with wide eyes and a tear-stained face.

"Amara what did you do this time?"She whispered almost incoherently.

The Queen would often lose her calm demeanor when one of her sisters were mentioned and now that all the missing pieces are slowly making sense, she would be in shambles.

The couple looked below to see their children playing in the garden: Linthea was sitting behind a tree, sketching and their youngest, Xiuying, is chasing Soren while holding a wet paintbrush, "I'll prepare for their departure "Qingshan rose up from her seat and walked out to call her most trusted handmaiden and friend. Shurima sighed and rested his cheek to his hand in thought.

'I should prepare as well'

-----------

Night

"Mama where are we going?"Xiuying asked, holding onto her sister's hand while the other maids carried their bags and belongings in a private Samaari vehicle, "You've been wanting to have a vacation in Icycilis right?" Xiuying's face instantly lit up as she nods repeatedly. Qingshan smiled warmly before she crouched to meet the eyes of her older children.

"Take care of your sister and yourselves alright? Promise me that"The two turned to each other in confusion.

"You're not coming?" Her middle, Linthea, inquired. The Queen smiled sadly—she cannot let her children see the reason for their departure.

"Why is mama crying?" Xiuying hugged the woman's back and in an instant, her heart ached.

Qingshan felt her cheek and found them wet with tears, "I'm just sad that I won't be seeing the beautiful sceneries just like in your picture books Xiu" She held her youngest close and bestowed a kiss on her head as she caressed her light brown hair.

"Don't worry Mama! We'll bring back pictures" Xiuying cupped her cheeks with her small hands, Qingshan managed to smile amidst her pit of sadness.

"Worry not mother, I'll look over them on your behalf" Soren stated courageously, his tone serious and full of profound responsibility but his face was that of a fragile glass that could break any moment.

'My son, so young to carry a large burden"

"We'll be here when you return Xiuying"A deep voice said behind their backs.

"Father!"

Linthea and Soren ran to him as King Shurima met them half way and hugged them, placing a kiss over their heads. "Why are you two not coming? This is supposed to be a family vacation right?" Linthea burst out as she looked at both of her parents from remained indifferent to her words.

"We are needed here in our country. Our responsibility does not rest as the Dark Arc continues to prosper." Linthea scoffed at Shurima's answer.

"You always say that" She pouts. Qingshan made her way to her daughter and held her cheek with a face full of warmth and spoke with a voice that carries a soothing salve to her daughter's worried expression.

"My darling Thea...All of this is for you...our sacrifice will secure your bright future so please understand" She rests her forehead against hers with a smile.

"Your majesties.... it's ready" Carmilla, the head handmaiden informed the two. Shurima nods while Qingshan scooped her children for a tight hug and kissed their cheeks one by one.

"Take care my loves"

"Come now young majesties, the royal Alustass is waiting" The green haired woman assisted the three siblings outside with two other maids carrying their bags.

"I wish you could come with us" Linthea shed a tear with Soren holding her hand as she bid farewell. Qingshan couldn't take it anymore and burst into tears running to hug her children again as close as she could.

"We're needed..here"Shurima knelt on their level and joined the hug, praying their young eyes would miss the tears trickling his face. He has to stay strong and think positive that he will once again see their faces.

The king was the first one to stand up and helped his wife.

"Don't worry about us Linthea, we'll look at your drawings of Icycilis when you come back home from your excursion." He gave a thin smile that assured his daughter as she brightened up.

"Yes father! I will" He will miss that smile.

And the three ran outside without worry, leaving three people inside the courtroom.

"Queen Qingshan, King Shurima, I promise to take care of your children as they were mine in exchange of my life..I will await your next command" Camilla bowed before she herself left the room with a heavy heart, changing her expression from a solemn one to joy before she face the young royals waiting for her to board the ship.

The courtroom was loomed with silence except for the wails of the Queen who hugged her husband tightly, sobbing on his chest "I'm gonna miss them so much.... I'm not sure if we can ever see them alive"

"Don't think about that my love, we will see them after this...I'm not going to let you be in harm's way"Shurima assured her while caressing her back, his downcast expression became more visible.

"I'll protect you, Qingshan..."

He so well hoped that the other families of the Favoured Ones would answer for their aid since the sin they committed will cause the blind's ailment to worsen.

-----------

The king fell first and with that, Samaari and Sanaari became a field of cursed energy with scattered blades longing for the touch of their owners.

---

Icycilis was peaceful yet bustling with life, it was a change of atmosphere to the young royals as they scoured the place their horses could take them before the sun sets. Nighttime where no crickets lulled the sleep-addled people but the near-quiet zooms of alustasses became the background accompaniment of the country with dozens of city lights open signifying its still lively atmosphere.

But ...

Lively couldn't be an appropriate term to define the present situation of Icycilis as the Underworld suddenly emerged without any signs of warning together with small minions from the Dark Arc in separate sections of the country which held all citizens in a state of calamity. All efforts were made to stabilize and secure the protection from the invading fiends that the movement spearheaded by the Sciath (Guards of Icycilis equipped with electro staffs and shield) and the Aureole lasted three week until they successfully eradicated the foul monstrosities and the rebellion that came with them.

Other lands fared no better, both eastern and western lands were attacked by the Dark Arc and its affiliates as if they're gatekeeping something towards the sole remaining country containing mixed blood of all powerful members of the Favoured Ones.

Sun finally shone behind dark tainted clouds, illuminating the bodies of both demons and humans scattered around the plaza of Icycilis with other individuals already hauling some to a cart to be given proper burial. As the most advanced country, the attack was suppressed immediately within 4 days while others took weeks.

"What's the status soldier?" A Sciath general asked one of his subordinates as he ran toward him.

"The villages have been stabilized sir!"The guard gave a salute before his report.

"Good, go back to your post and wait for further orders." With that, the guard sprinted back to the village he's stationed.

"General?" The man turned towards the voice. A child with bruises and cuts holding her teddy stood steps away from him, "I can't find my mommy and daddy" She said tearfully as the general approached her and scooped her in his arms.

"We'll look for her together young one" He gave a tired smile before her big brown eyes which lit up upon his promise. He walked away with the child in tow as soon as he gave an order to stand guard while a team of cleaners and medical personnel entered the scene to aid with the cleanup and medication.

"Open the evacuation center doors! Icycilis is now safe!"

-------

"What have we here?" Princess Linthea rummaged through her belongings and spotted an aquamarine necklace shaped like a yinghua flower from the once serene lakes of Sanaari encased inside a silver jewelry box; it was one of her favourite flora.

The princess' face brightened upon such beautiful jewelry she assumed her mother had hidden before they left.

Oh, her beloved country..amidst the chaotic commotion, she hoped everyone was safe there.

"Māma...thank you, I'll wear this always" Linthea held the necklace close to her heart with a bright smile before she shakily stood up to present the newfound gift to her siblings.

"The kingdom of Samaari has fallen as a result of an attack from the divine-"

The moment the young princess heard the name of her country all seemed to fall apart as she lost sight of the surroundings and only focus on the news that ceaselessly knocked in her brain.

The flower necklace fell from her hands as liquid would from a high altitude. The clanging sounds of the gemstone coming in contact to the floor became mere echoes to her ears as the necklace splits into two. The princess' body shook as the pang in her heart worsened, accompanied by the crumbling pain from the back of her head, her legs trembled as she staggered back, eyes bloodshot from the news.

"No-! That cannot be.."and she fainted to the cold hard floor.

--------

3 days later

"The Queen of Jadetown expressed her sadness over the passing of King Shu-"

The television was cut as Carmilla sighed. Her mind still can't process what had occurred, more so, she could hardly believe the news.. it all went too fast for her to grasp. It's all implausible that she still looks forward to going back to Samaari to her Queen, to be welcomed by her gentle smile with the King by her side.

The downfall of Samaari shook the whole continent as a divine judgement was imposed for the first time among humans, one of the favoured clans at that and along the devastating assault of the Dark Arc, the ten kingdoms are left to pick themselves up.

"I hope you had a plan in this my Queen Qingshan...your children are hopeless without you" A lone tear fell from her eyes after has been three days since the catastrophe but the Seiju mansion was akin to that of a post-apocalyptic town accompanied with deafening silence and an atmosphere of melancholy.

Carmilla wept bitterly—out of all places, why must Samaari accept such hardships. Her twin island's populace was almost struck down to its knees with the loss of their regent and now, both of them were at the divine's bitter gaze.

Soren fared slightly better than his sisters—or so she thought. He always stays in the training simulation facility of the Stellarium. Xiuying...that poor girl was devastated, cried herself to sleep and continuously asked if all that was their fault for leaving. The heavy regret of not having proper goodbyes left the young princess on her bed all day with her food intake slowly decreasing that left Carmilla in tears just to convince the girl to take her sustenance.

The young maid would stroke the little princess' head lovingly until she falls asleep and stays by her side until morning in fear she would have nightmares that'll leave her dead in her sleep just like the first night where Xiuying almost lost her breath if not for the efforts of her siblings to wake her up.

Princess Linthea took the most out of everything. The girl would lock herself leaving no one to reach out to her, prompting Carmilla to sometimes threaten to bust the door open. Lack of sleep as eyebags are present under her lids with an apathetic expression—Carmilla is sure she's holding a lot in because out of all three, Linthea's the most secretive. Her room in shambles with the curtains torn as shreds of it lay waste on the floor. The middle princess deprived herself of Carmilla's comfort and presence that made her worry of her sanity and well being.

Carmilla felt helpless, very very helpless. She doesn't know what to do, what to say...or what to think but she made a promise to her queen to take care of the young royals as if they're her children, and so the green haired maid set off to Linthea's room and knocked gently.

"Princess? I came here for some breakfast" she inquired.

"Go away! I don't need it!" A voice replied inside aggressively. Carmilla scrunched her face but fell to the young princess' harsh words, she gave it a go but maybe for another day again.

Her heels spun as she was about to walk away when she heard something static from the inside and her instincts flared up; After all, it wouldn't be a surprise to scrutinize everything after her years of training as a royal handmaiden.

"Princess?" She knocked again.

No reply.

Carmilla shook her head at the upcoming thoughts of anxiousness.

'Princess Linthea wouldn't do that? Right?' her inner thoughts rammed from the back of her mind. Her heart pounding from the possibilities and anticipation.

Whatever will she do if one of them goes missing.

Please, the universe must prove her wrong with this.

"Princess Linthea if you don't open the door this instant-!" Her threats fell empty in the air before the young maid took a few steps back and with all her might rammed the door consecutively to force it open.

A light from the broken door shone to grace the room full of wrecked belongings. Cabinets fell over with their wood broken with the bed's insides thrown out as if a leviathan beast threw rage inside. Carmilla looked over to the open window abstained from its vibrant curtains that lay shredded and torn, distances beside the bed.

Without a second thought, the green haired woman took off to alert the Princess's brother and the officials.

-----

Soon, news of Samaari's downfall and cause became known to the public by the media's influence that aggregated the negative emotions of the people and points the blame of genocide to the remaining line of the throne.

Linthea trudged across the outskirts of town met by the scornful look of the villagers when a ripe tomato was thrown at her but she didn't evade as if it posed a difference to her wellbeing.

"Because of you my mother died!" A young voice somehow reached her ears as a kid was held by an elderly woman in tears across her left.

"It's all your fault!" Another one said. She paid no heed and continued walking.

"Why are you alive but they weren't!?" Her heart ached upon hearing such condemnation. Linthea too wanted to die even if it meant bringing her parents back.

Klang!

The sound of metal broke through her trance and the princess turned to see a long strand of dark violet behind her, a boy who deflected something towards the princess' being.

"Pray tell what has she done to deserve your cruelty! The princess and her siblings are also victims of this war just like all of us! Cease these trivial actions or I'll notify the court of Queen Izstahra." Right. Her aunt, her aunt who wasn't there to help her sister from the war. Her aunt who left them to die. Her aunt who was the confidant of her mother....and yet—she doesn't need the help of this Mylinggrian. Linthea doesn't need the help of everyone.

"Leave me alone, I don't care if they clobber me with an axe, if I die..so what? Will it make a difference?" Linthea spat back instead of thanking her saviour who, because of him, the remaining townspeople returned to their homes grumbling and muttering in spite.

"Hey! I'm just trying to help you...is this the thanks I'm expecting?" She groans. She hates these kind of people, they who always expect something in return. Linthea turned to the boy. Her eyes darkened due to lack of sleep with her face sullen from hunger and sadness. She looked at him from head to toe and realized her 'saviour' was a royal confidant of the court: House Von Vyrien.

Princess Linthea scoffed.

"My deepest gratitude for your valiant and righteous act. How can I ever repay you" the dark brown haired girl said with a sardonic smile.

"Oh that is simpl-" her eyebrow twitched upward upon hearing him speak.

"We seem to have a little misunderstanding... von Vyrien" Linthea smiled sweetly at him, masking the immense anger she's about to let go.

"I owe you nothing" She whispered the last part, her voice laced with venom, "What you did was your choice and it was never my pleasure to ask for help from people like you"

The young man gulped but maintained his arrogant face.

"I have a name for your information...Princess Linthea Guiying Seiju" He drawled the last part that made her hand itching to punch him.

"I am Calyx Von Vyrien...at your service... Princess" He gave her a taunting salute and turned with his head held high as he walked away from her.

Linthea watched his retreating back with amusement, the first one she's ever felt after four devastating days.

"I guess I won't worry much about transportation then"

---Mass Flashback End--

Trivia:

Xiuying is spoiled too much by her mother and father while Linthea is a mommy's girl and Soren is a daddy's boy.

Alustass-Flying Saucer