North Star Order

Alex balled up his fists and pointed them at the mysterious lady. He was able to start moving again, his paralyzed body recovered.

"Who are you?" asked Alex, suspicious. He felt the need to ask.

The lady slowly raised her head, her witch hat slightly moving. Her eyes were finally able to be seen as they were covered by her hat the entire time.

She had ethereal light purple colored eyes, even while Alex hated her, he couldn't help but see them as nothing more than attractive. 

Along with her stunning corset-dress, and witch hat which all fit with the vibe and atmosphere of the eerie place, she was beautiful. 

"No need to worry so much, after all, we're both on the same side."

Alex's eyes slightly widened, hearing her. If they were on the same side, then why would she even feel the need to beat him up, and kick him, humiliating him in the worst way possible. 

She had to be lying. It made zero sense. As Alex thought of that, he clenched his fists tighter, ready to strike at her, even with no Concept. 

As the lady noticed Alex furrowing his brows, she opened her mouth to speak. 

"I serve Princess Aurora, the same way you do." For a moment, she paused, catching her breath. "Holding up a Sanctuary for so long can completely drain me, so I would rather we continue this outside." 

Alex frowned, his arms still raised in the air. He wasn't sure whether to believe her or not anymore. 

Did that mean the pesky child made him follow her just to trap him in this lady's Sanctuary? 

Thinking about it, Clara had a rather amused face as she saw Alex fall into the void. That meant she also knew about it. 

Alex exhaled, "How do I know you're not lying?"

The woman slowly moved her arm, putting her hand directly next to her head. She opened her palm and revealed a symbol that was engraved into her hand.

His breath caught. Only those chosen by Aurora could bear that mark.

It was painted in a jet black color, barely visible in the room. Alex inspected it quietly, seeing what looked to be a crescent moon, pointing upwards. Above the crescent moon was a north star, and around the same crescent moon were black dots that grew smaller in size as they went up.

Truly, it was an astonishing symbol. It was the symbol of Aurora's Personal Guard, and to get it is indeed hard, and the method is special.

Alex swallowed, knowing the lady wasn't lying. He slowly nodded, as he put down his arms. 

The lady's lips lifted up into a smile, "I am Cecilia Belvoir. I declare you officially part of North Star Order, however, keep that name a secret. You have passed the trial." 

'Trial… So, it was all a test?' He thought, his body quietly trembling. 

Even then, she still had no reason to hit him the same way she did. Or did she? Perhaps to see Alex's physical ability?

'I'll have to ask her later.' 

He wanted to ask her now, but the lady was already concentrating on closing the Sanctuary. 

A Sanctuary was still a mystery for Alex. In fact, there were too many things he didn't know, such as the North Star Order, which he was never told of before. 

And the entire problem with Zivko, and his troublesome Concept. For a second, Alex wanted to just stop thinking, and rest for a bit. But he knew that this was his duty which he relentlessly accepted. 

The lady exhaled, snapping Alex out of his thoughts. She started moving her hand around in a weird order. 

It seemed as if she was painting through the air, Alex only understood that because of his experience with Mana Rings. 

To be able to hold a Sanctuary that nullifies power and rewinds time for so long must be exhausting for Cecilia. Her mana pool had to be something extraordinary. 

The cold wind suddenly heated up as it blew on Alex and Cecilia. Cecilia took two steps forward, moving like she was one with the air. 

She took more steps until she stood in front of him, then, suddenly, the wind stopped blowing.

Alex dazed at her, confused. Cecilia slowly opened her eyes, revealing the same ethereal color. However, it had a slight glow in it. 

The ringing sound came back once more as the entire place seemed to begin shaking. 

Cracks on the ground were able to be seen, and the sounds of the pieces of the roof crashing down was also heard. 

Alex was only focused on the aching pain in his head and the ringing sound that was going to break his eardrums.

Cecilia took another heavy step forward, shattering the entire platform. 

As the entire place broke down, a white color shone, blinding both of them. 

For entire moments, Alex was unable to open his eyes due to the flashing color. He even had put his arm in front of his eyes to cover the blinding light. 

The ringing sound was still in Alex's ears, and the blinding light didn't stop.

He felt a slight touch on his leg through the pain in his body. Then, suddenly, his arm which was covering his eyes was pushed off by what felt like a small, fragile hand. 

As he was still taken aback by the aching pain in his body, he felt something greater.

He was slapped by the same hand that pushed his arm. Shocked, he took a few steps backwards, tripping down.

He grunted as he noticed the flashing light was long gone, then finally, he slowly opened his eyes.

His vision still blurry, Alex saw a somewhat tall, familiar figure standing in front of him. He already knew who it was by the color of her outfit. 

It was Cecilia, and she was holding what looked to be like a child in her arms. Judging by her appearance, it was Clara.

"Nice job. That should wake him up." said Cecilia, praising Clara for slapping Alex.

Alex blinked, slowly raising his back from the ground, rubbing his eye as he did.

His eyes instantly widened, realizing how terrible of a sight he must be. Quickly, he rose up to his feet and stood in front of the two.

Annoyed, he asked, "Why would you slap me?" 

Cecilia put Clara down, patting her on the head. "You're still not used to it, which means there has to be some kind of shock to wake you up."

Alex noticed the symbol that Cecilia showed him was nowhere to be seen. He only caught a glimpse as she was patting Clara, but he was sure it wasn't there.

That must have really meant Cecilia worked under the Princess, and the Order was meant to be a secret.

But was the North Star Order the same team that were called the Princess' Personal Guard? If that were to be the case, then why would they have to use such a flashy name?

'Could this get any worse... They're all equally weird.' 

He sighed as he gazed at the little child that had just slapped him, and Cecilia which was praising her so much for it. 

And Alex was told that there are other members, however he only knew Astra and Cecilia. Clara also seemed to be a part of it, as she led Alex to Cecilia's Sanctuary.

"We better get going now." Cecilia put on a serious face. 

Alex nodded, ready for anything. If there was somewhere she would take him to, it can only be to the place for the North Star Order.