CHAPTER 6: THE PAST

"AHHH!!" I shouted, as I strike straight to him, wielding my crimson sword. As a caster, I was obliged to use magic all the time. Whether its cardio, combat, or even when I am resting.

He dodges and negate my sword, offending. I jump into the air and spun my body, giving him a full blown of my kick. But he bends down and kick up right hitting my jaw, real hard. I was panting, lying on the ground, defeated.

I have made so much effort, losing are no longer in the choices. I stood up despite my body shaking. Release another sword made by my magic. Positioning myself to once again, strike. When I see an opening in his left. I gladly took it and attacked.

With his outstanding complexion, he depleted it and strike back. All I could do is make a shield to protect myself. Slowly a cracked appear at the top, signifying a lethal damaged. The shield exploded and I was thrown away by its force.

Fuck…

I was on my back, drench in my sweat and blood. This are the third day and not once have I ever won against him. Impressive, his magic even his combat skills with that genius mind. He is a prodigy; I was gasping for air trying to balance my breath but failed.

A healing magic crept slowly in my internal. I can feel my body getting lighter, I sat down and look up. Nocturne are healing me with his power. My breathe slowly stabilize.

"You are too good for me" I said. He sat down on his knee right Infront. His looks is really intimidating whether he was a dragon or in his human form. I pouted and intentionally dropped my body to the ground.

"Stop doing that" he commanded but I just answered him with my pouty lips, acting like a child. I heard him took a deep breath. He sat on the ground and pull me over, making my head lie on his lap.

"Comfortable"

I giggled and closed my eyes. He was not wearing an Armor, I can feel his warmth more this way. "Hey, will you tell me everything about the Arcanveil and its guardian" he propped his hand and bend his body, feeling the air.

"Arcanveil, huh"

"Why" I uttered, full of curiosity. His looks show, nostalgic. Looking at him this way

"Everything started five hundred years ago"

500 years ago….

The Arcanveil is a land, rich with its natural resources, reign by a wise emperor. The nearby territory consumed by greed, tried to take over the land. A war emerged, thousands of people coated in their own blood, fought for their kingdom.

On the other side, Celestera witness its child in their agony. This are the domain of the gods living with the guardians. The goddess took pity upon her children. Send their guardian to chosen people of the Arcanveil.

In the midst of the war, the emperor of Arcanveil slowly took interest in the power of guardians. He created a powerful tool to seal us in the land, preventing us from going back. Guardians are creature of the goddess, therefore, living in the land for too long will take our lives.

In their final war, the kingdom finally gained freedom and become independent democracy. However, Celestera without their protector, attacks by the Dark domain. A place ruled by demons. In that night, Celestial domain fell, two of the guardians died.

A mana from the raging anger of the goddess strikes the land creating the four regions.

"Humans are terrible" I felt a surging sorrow from my inside rising the anger I have kept. I remember, the day we are attacked, no hand was offered from the kingdom.

"In the current time, the south region are ruled by the LA LUMIÉRE EMPIRE. The north is where the DUKEDOM reign. In the east, you will find the MAGE TOWER. The west is where the TEMPLE rise."

I see it was exactly the same as the story from the historical dramas. "Then if my comprehension was correct, the empire is ruled by the King, Duke in the Duchy, Pope and Saintess in the Temple and Wizards on the east."

"That's right, the Kingdom represent the dragon. The Dukedom represent the phoenix. The Temple represents the nine-tails. The magic tower represents the basilisk" I sat down Infront of him, my eyes are close, hands crossed, and I was nodding, acting agreeable.

"So-"

"That's right you are the guardian of the south"

"Then which guardian died? What will happened in their region?"

"The phoenix cannot die, for they are immortals. Dragons are known as the king, they never wither. However, the basilisk died, it needed celestial mana because they do not live in this land they are made only here, The king of all snakes. The nine-tails are fragile despite being powerful."

"In total, phoenix and dragon live while Basilisk and nine-tails died?"

"That's right, but three years ago they were reborn. Your job is to find them and never let the people's greed took over the guardian's rights"

I look at him intently, not wanting to look away. Its strange, his voice filled with wrath, against human. But he never acted like that with me. He doesn't see me like a human. *Mentally shocked

"Don't look at me like that" he said while sending me death glares. I look away, scared to offend him more. He can kill me anytime he desires.

"The master and the guardian link their lives after forming the requisite."

"Requirements? you mean the naming?"

He nodded in response as we stood up together. "Therefore, my life and your life is link. As long as you are alive so am I. Likewise, even if you lost some of your bones as long as I am alive you are alive. In order for us to die, they have to kill both of us"

"I become invisible, huh?" I laughed before looking into his eyes. We smiled to each other before jumping away, making space in between. This will be the start of the combat training.

I attacked him, punching and kicking. Depending and offending, one after another. We continue until the golden dawn was visible in the naked eye. We are sitting on a huge stone, leaning our back to each other while eating apples.

Now that my eye laid in the wide land of Celestera. A thought flash in my head. A story from the legacy of the art vase, the broken once become more valuable, meaningful. This place is the same.

It became this enchanting because it was once broken. Now the way I view this place was tainted by sadness. I was blessed to ever lay foot in this world. I wonder what will happened next.

"Hey, what happened to Arcanveil, the place where I used to live?"

The silence served tranquillity. If I could think alternatively, I will live here and choose here. But I am aware that I cannot, I have my own purpose, reasons why I keep fighting, learning, and growing.

"They were taking good care of your body. When you activated my magic. Your soul travelled here"

"I see"

I can't go back with only this progress. I refused to become stuck, unable to secure my love ones safety. Will Nocturne believe? If I will reveal my deepest secrets? Will he trust me and stay with me?

"Spill it"

"Huh"

"Something is bothering you; I can tell. Tell me if you want, you are always safe with me"

I took a deep breath before saying things from where I live to my family to the accident. The day I transcend to the monster attack. Leaving no secrets. After that, I felt at ease. No matter what his respond is.

I feel like a heavy burden was remove in my chest making the air flow smoothly. I waited for his reaction, groping. But I decided to tell him the truth. Therefore, I will accept his response wholeheartedly.

I slowly look at his face. I was surprised to see him smiling. He flick on my forehead, bearable pain. I rubbed it and looked at him, pouting. "Why would you do that"

"I know, from the moment my eyes met yours. There is soul in this body that does not belong in this world" I look at him, flustered. He knew? Is he waiting for me to say it, myself? I don't know whether I should be surprised or angry.

"Then why-"

he stopped me even before I let out another words.

"I want you, comfortable. I find it rare, don't be mad. I just want you to share it without forcing yourself"

I was cleaning my body, preparing to rest. Earlier, I failed to give him an answer. I was flattered; I don't know the right word to say. This is the first time that I felt understood. By someone outside of my family. I almost teary up, thankfully I manage to stop.

I lay down my bed. Just when I was about to close my eyes, an image of Anna flashes making me sit back. My eyes started bawling, she was smiling. My heart is founding, crazily. I can feel the happiness through my veins, flown in every part of my body.

I closed my eyes and delved back in my dreams…

I woke up in a very familiar place. It was a room from the church, my body is lying, peacefully sleeping. When the door opened revealing Shantal's haggard face. She started wiping my body, cleaning every part.

Shan…...

She started crying, her voice was suppressed. "Open your e-eyes, p-please. I-I'm sorry" I felt my heart throb in this sight. She was begging for me to wake up. I covered my mouth as I started crying too.

There's still someone waiting for me.

Later on the door opened again. Leinan and Leah was holding a flower from the garden. They walk towards the other side and Leinan hold my hands. He smiled "I want to apologized Sister so please wake up now"

I was pulled back in the celestial domain. I stood up, full of determination. I will become stronger and protect the guardian and the people of the village. I will take good care of Aurea and her family.

I walk back to the training ground and meet my dragon preparing for today session. We started from the cardio. Running, jumping, lifting, When I first encounter these practices, I was dying from exhaustion.

I cried from pain and wated to give up immediately. But doing it every single day finally shows results. It's been four hours; I was sweating but not too tired. We enter the agility training for an hour, I am supposed to avoid every attack from Nocturne.

Next are my mana training, this is so far the hardest. But I was able to do it. I can feel my strength increasing. My battle IQ are becoming sharper. My breathing is stable despite the whole day practiced.

I spent another month with this training, total of eight months. My body underwent changes, drastically increasing my magic. I look at nocturne, his in the full fledge dragon. I cares his head and hug it tightly.

[listen, two months are total of one day in Arcanveil. You are asleep for four consecutive days. Fifteen days from the moment of your eyes open. A string of light will occur in four regions, signifying the awakens of all guardians. A new prophecy will be bestowed in the west temple regarding this. You will find the three more guardians, that is you mission]

I look at him with my eyes brimming with determination. I will, I'll become someone reliable. I will offer hands to those who need it the most. Protect the weak and guide the strong. Building a world of justice.

I look in her eyes, full of tears. I wiped it down and smiles at her, gently.

"Shan, no more crying"

I'm back, as Aurea.