Ishara Soli Eldiel's Story

Miles from anything but dry vacant land, an abandoned power station had been transformed into a neon-colored cesspit of vice and adrenaline. The beats of a mediocre DJ tried to compete with the screech of tires and the roar of engines. Glasses smashed, cigarette buds were ground under heels and fresh layers of graffiti and satanic symbols were sprawled over the walls and floors. Nights like these were what left the ghosts that haunted the kids sneaking into these places in the morning.

Amidst the thick of exhaust fumes and burning rubber, a young woman leaned her back against the pop-up bar and watched, dead-eyed, as a man took his shot with a rock at a line-up of beer bottles on the boot of a 1996 SVT Mustang Cobra. The muscle car had seen better days, sure, with its botched yellow paint job and a couple dents here and there (plus one crater), but it had never been insulted like this. She watched the bottle shatter and rock bounce off the back window. The cherubic face of a boy propped on the broad shoulders of a oafish brute turned gleefully back to his friends. The woman silently committed that face to memory, when he headed her way.

He strode up beside her and nudged the other patrons out the way with his girth to make his order. The woman eyed him up and down, scoffing at his designer brand flannel, then lingering at the bulge in his pocket. A city-bred private school kid playing cowboy, great, won't be so hard to crack.

"Hey," she spoke up over the 'music', "Hey!"

The guy turned to her: Reese Winters, gum chewing, dyed red hair a stringy mess and caught in her hoops, in a little sequined slip and wobbling in studded turquoise heels, an oversized white thrift store coat baring her shoulders, knuckles and knees red and scabbed over. The epitome of a hot mess. He swigged his beer, eyes and brow lifting with interest. She grinned and leaned towards him. "Are you packing under that?"

The man leaned on his side against the bar, blocking her off from seeing anything else. He let out a flattered laugh. "Why are you asking?"

She shrugged. "Just bored of watching you throw rocks like some kid. If you want to impress somebody worth it, why don't you use a man's tool, cowboy?"

He laughed again, this time slipping out the hilt of a handgun from his jean's pocket. "Maybe I will, for you." He announced, puffing out his chest, his intoxicated face flushing a deeper shade of crimson. The gleam in her eyes turned deadly.

"You're not worried about hitting the car or nothing?"

"That thing? Babe, that old piece of junk is due for the scrap heap anyway. Don't worry about it."

The fake smile had left her face. He was already eyeing the rest of the party, mouthing to his friends who were making gestures of encouragement.

"That's my car."

"What?"

Her hand shot out and twisted his lapels. "That's my car, dipshit."

His wide blue eyes blinked at her in confusion, when he smirked. "Aha, right. Right, should've known it. You're pretty trash yourself."

"Say whatever you want about me, that is '96 Cobra and we tear up the track together just as good as anything. You want to talk trash? I saw the Commodore you stepped out of. That's every white trash teenage boy's starter. I noticed yours is the newest model, right? And you've got it all nice and polished like some trophy. From that shiny car to the threads gripped in my damn fingers, you're just some rich shit dipping his toes into our lifestyle and I'm sorry, babe, you don't get to look down on me when I'm who you're pretending to be." She stopped and sniffed the air. "How much have you had? I'll match you."

He swiped her hand off him, eyes bulging with rage. "The hell are you doing that for?!"

"Because I'm going to race you, cowboy." She said, right before knocking down a shot and smirking. "And I don't want you to be at a disadvantage."

XXXXXXX

Reese threw her heels over her shoulder on the backseat, her bare toes scrunching against the peddles. Her mouth buzzed with the five shots she had just downed. She looked over at her opponent in his new white Commodore. He hooted out the window at her.

"Hey, trash! You really think your old husk can match -"

Reese revved her engine, loud, and started her music. Match his 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder engine in horsepower? She didn't care about that, that wasn't the point. This wasn't about who could push their foot on the accelerator the best, nor about how fast their cash could make them. This was about who could drive. The track they on was too dangerous to attempt if you couldn't. Her fingers drummed against the wheel impatiently in time with the bass line.

Go. Go. Go. GO!

Her wheels shrieked. Her engine roared a battle cry. Her mind went blank with adrenaline and every part of her became just another part of the car's machinery. Her opponent up ahead didn't even matter. She knew he'd have this stretch. It was where the crumbled walls of the power station whipped past her and they entered the condemned building that the stage was hers.

Her Cobra swerved between the cement pillars with reckless abandon. She spared her opponent a little look in her mirror to see him approaching the pillars far more cautiously, leaving him behind. The wheel spun freely under Reese's fingertips, then she grabbed it and jerked, speeding her way through the rest of the power station's first floor. She let a "Whooo!!" out her window as she shot from the building to the crowd that clapped behind their 'safety net' of barbed wire. She hadn't lost him, though. Smiling devilishly, she swerved her Cobra to face him, taunting him by taking the rest of the stretch in reverse and blocking his attempts to overtake her. A quick glance in the rear view mirror reminded her of the sharp turn up ahead and she didn't bother turning her car the right way. She drifted across the turn and used it to correct her course with an adrenaline-fueled shout, pumping her fist out of the open window. Oh, she could just taste the frustration of the guy in her dust from up here.

As she settled comfortably in what was a sure-fire first place, her mobile began to ring. She tried ignoring it, but its insistence prodded her into giving the phone a glance -

Vera...

THUNK.

Reese jolted forward. She looked at her rear view mirror in a panic - the cowboy wannabe had caught up with her, but he hadn't used this as a chance to overtake her, oh no, he was out for revenge. Not only was he tail-gating her, but

CRUNCH.

"Son of a bitch!" Reese spat and slammed the accelerator. The bastard was ramming into her tail with that overcompensating bull bar of his! She tried to outpace him, no more than a mouse trying to escape being crushed by the big cat, now. "Ha... alright, he's trying to out-crazy me," she muttered to herself, then blasted her music high and brazenly declared, "NEVER try to out-crazy ME!"

She skidded, turning around and leaving him in the dust as she sped down the track... the wrong way. She twisted back a fair distance, catching him turning back to follow her, and flashed her high beams - right before speeding dead-straight at him.

He hesitated only a second to join her game of chicken, but it was a second she registered. Reese glared at him, unflinching. Yes, he'd crush her - but he wouldn't be able to do it without landing a scratch on his precious baby. So go ahead, crush her. Prove her perception of him wrong.

Prove...

her...

They swerved at the very last moment. Reese, calmly and expertly. The cowboy - panicked and out of control. She heard the crash before she'd turned her car around. Satisfaction filled her at the sight of the Commodore's hood, crumpled in by a metal fence post. Reese rolled her car up right beside the wreck, fetched the stale gum from her mouth and reached out to squish it with her finger onto the Commodore's window. With nothing else to say, she drove away.

A message came up on her phone as she drove out of the track.

Dad's been called out to the power station. If you're there, get out. This is the last time I warn you. Don't reply to this message.

"Don't worry, Vera..." Reese sighed, pulling out onto the empty highway. "... There's nothing there for me anyway."

XXXXXXX

The next morning, Reese was outside of her local fast food joint in torn shorts and another oversized coat, knocking her hungover head against the door.

"Freddieeee," she groaned. She squished her palms and nose against the glass. Yesterday's mascara darkened her eyes which only made the bags under them look worse. "Freddie!! C'mon, it's only a few minutes to... open up... Class is in an hour and I'm gonna retch..."

---

The morning breeze blew over Reese and tossed her bangs over her face. The parking lot was nearly empty, save for a delivery bike chained onto a yellow pole. Cooing came from overhead, followed by the flutter of wings. A flock of pigeons, chuckling at her sorry state.

A shape stirred in the dark. Lean, with what looked like giant drill bits wobbling from its peak.The silhouette approached Reese, coming closer and closer into the light to reveal her icy blue gaze; vibrant as the ocean but marred by fatigue.

"Reese?" She asked, with a voice barely above a whisper. Fredericka Reyes. Or ‘Freddie’, as Reese knew her, decked up in her uniform, white with an orange, plaid trim. She pulled the door open. "You look like shit," Freddie stated, quite plainly. "Come in, I was making coffee but…" she looked Reese up and down. "I think you need… protein."

---

A pale, slender hand reached into a bucket, disappearing in a sea of golden-brown drumsticks. She brought one to her face, steam emanating from the layer of freshly deep-fried crust.

Crunch.

The crust cracked with a single, gentle bite. The golden layer gave way to a white tenderness which practically melted in Freddie's mouth. She leaned her head back and reveled in her own personal salty, savoury heaven.

"McCool's Fried Chicken…," Freddie cooed as she tilted forward, contemplating the feast before her. "...Best hangover cure in fifty states…" Her visible blue eye looked from the fried chicken, to Reese, to the accoutrements around them - a side of salad, two serves of mashed potatoes, and a big, bright tub of mac and cheese, slick with grease and oozing with sinful, processed cheese.

Freddie brought a fork to the salad and dug the prongs into the pile of green and red. "You were out… on the tracks again?... During school night?"

A pause.

Freddie brought the fork up, towards her open mouth.

Crunch.

Munch, munch.

"You goffa...cut thaff down, girl," Freddie managed between her chewing, then gulped. "The dean's already got it out for you…" Freddie shook her fork, maintaining her nearly flat tone. "Don't need to encourage him..."

Reese hunched over the feast, tearing through drumstick after drumstick after wing after drumstick. She slurped up a heaped spoonful of the toxic yellow mush passing for mac and cheese and chewed, with attitude, if there could be such a thing.

“Gwaagh…” she groaned between chugs of soda, then collapsed back in her seat and gave Freddie a dismissive wave. “Aw, come off it, Freddie!” She whined, “I breezed through the referencing assessment. Can’t I cut myself a break, here?” She looked up from picking her teeth with a chicken bone, brow twitching. “Like you’re in a place to give me a lecture, anyway. Those eyes red from staying up all night on your research paper, or?”

"Hey…," Freddie began as she reached for another drumstick. "I was cramming for tonight's exam… and needed... inspiration." Fredericka turned her glance away and lowered her voice. "Admittedly, there was more inspiration and less… cramming."

The two emptied the bucket of chicken in short order, strewing bones all over the bottom. Freddie looked upon the pile, her brows pointed upwards in mild awe. Not even cartilage remained, only bones.

"Man...We were really hungry."

Freddie stood and rubbed her hands together to scatter the crumbs. "You better get going. I gotta clean this mess up before the manager gets here." She turned to walk away, but looked over her shoulder one last time. "You still good… for Redflix and Blaze… on Thursday?"

Reese scratched her head with greasy chicken fingers, looking elsewhere uncomfortably. "Aah… I don't know, Freddie. Doing that kind of thing - it hasn't been a good trip for me lately, y'know?"

Freddie's eyes narrowed. Her lips scrunched up into a frown. "It's that druid… isn't it?"

"Wiccan." Reese interrupted, then backpedaled. "I mean, I never even said she was the problem!"

Freddie folded her arms and sighed. She fetched the empty cups and tossed them into the bucket, then hoisted the whole thing and strutted towards the kitchen. "You just can't get her out of your mind…"

As running water hissed behind her, Reese noticed Freddie's satchel, laying on the ground, with a thread of silver coiled upon the open flap. A violet twinkle came from within, stirring a peculiar feeling inside her. She placed a hand over her back pocket, which her own pendant was tangled up in, identical to Freddie's but for the stone, a golden topaz. These pendants that held the secrets of their pasts… they were the only thing that someone as abrasive as Reese and as chill as Freddie had in common. Well, that and being total disappointments.

“Yeah… yeah, right, I need to run.” Reese called out to Freddie, “I owe you for this, Fred, seriously. I’ll take a look at the clutch on your scooter this week after I fix up my client’s suspension. Promise!”

The door slammed shut, swiftly followed by the growl of an engine and the shriek of wheels. Freddie gave the empty establishment a belated thumbs up.

Lilith Evers
Code- #C71585

The day of the Spring Festival finally arrived and Lilith was ready! Today, all the preparation she had been getting ready for would come into fruition. Today was the day she would unleash the brainwashing spell her sister laid upon the princesses. While she had never been as powerful as her older and late younger sister, Lilith did pride herself on being studious and she finally figured out a spell to undo the brainwashing one, but it had been very hard considering how magic wasn't known on Earth. It use to be very common apparently at one point during the Middle ages, but then humans thought science could do things better and totally abandoned magic all together. It was sad really, but Lilith would worry about that.

The Spring Festival would take place at the local park. It was akin to what people might call a "Renaissance Fair". Lilith would actually be 'dressed up' as a "Fairy Godmother" and was set to read stories to the children at the fair. Interestingly enough, she would be wearing the exact same gown that she wore to Prince Richard's birthday. The events of that day would forever be etched in her mind. She did try to fight off her sister, but she was just too powerful. Seeing the looks on the princes' and princesses' faces as they watched their parents die was just beyond words. A part of her did regret that she would have to remind them of such heartache, but she couldn't allow her sister to have her way. It wouldn't surprise her if Ivelda had taken control of all of Rhindeval at this point, she had always been thirsty for power and attention, even before she became evil. For now she would focus on the present and that was to help the princesses. All would be at this Festival. She had already cast a small spell to keep tabs on their pendants. It would be through this connection that she would unleash the spell that would help their memories return and to remember their true names. Hopefully they would seek her out this night.

Arriving at the Festival in her gown, she quickly set up her area with plenty of books. She even had her old wand with her, but kept it in a beated knapsack around her waist. As she set up, she didn't notice one of the princesses approaching her.

---

The festival. The park was swirling with a sea of elaborate textiles, of vivid shades of red and purple and blue, and all the colours of the rainbow. So bright, so opulent, it reminded Freddie of another festival entirely. Or was that one a parade?

Freddie looked on, seated atop a giant blue mushroom prop. A patchy, lavender-coloured teddy bear was seated underneath, right next to a worn leather satchel. Her dull eyes reflected a glint of light as she observed the sights before her. So many had put so much effort into their outfits. From the fairy wings that shimmered with a tinge of iridescence, to the noble dresses, with all their ruffles, and buttons, and little golden threads painstakingly hand-sewn to be as authentic as possible.

“You know…,” Freddie spoke up, catching Reese from her peripherals. “People like to look down on corsets… call them 'symbols of oppression' and embellish the pain... that comes... with wearing them.” She swayed to the side, then gestured towards her friend. “But it’s fine, industrious women... like yourself… who created the first corsets.” Freddie wagged her finger. "For highly practical purposes… too."

Freddie perked up one corner of her mouth in a half-smile. "Of course… putting on that kind of stuff is… too much effort for me…" She leaned back and gestured to her costume. A dull, black robe, topped with a pointy, cone-shaped hat. Grey and white speckles stuck to her robe. A realist would call them 'dust', but Freddie preferred to think of them as little shining stars. Of course, realist or not, she couldn't deny the damp, sock-like stench that permeated from it all. "One of the drama club members… lent this to me. Said it's 'collateral' or… however you pronounce it…" Freddie shrugged. "...He owes me fifty."

Reese scraped her butt against the dirt and leaned her elbows over her wide-spread knees. In one hand she held a clutch, in the other a screwdriver. Her outfit was mostly skin with a grease stained apron paired with a worn-out gold bra and tiny shorts with tights that were more holes than fabric. A mechanic’s - blacksmith’s garb.

“Are you watching me do this?” She demanded. She jabbed the screwdriver at bright red moped between them. “Because it’s literally the easiest process. My brain is like, insulted by doing this right now. I’m like a dry -” A trio of bagpipe toting performers blasted their first few notes as they trotted past them, blocking out whatever crude simile Reese was saying and leaving it to your imagination, “- Freddie, I need stimulation.” She checked her phone, leaving a greasy smear across its screen.

Freddie had been staring into empty space. She finally turned towards Reese with raised brows. "Oh. I'm sorry… did you... say something?"

Reese stared. She tossed her work down with a clatter and grunted as she rocked up to her feet. “I’m getting food. You’re gonna have the munchies in a minute,” she announced, “Finished replacing the clutch springs, by the way.” She lifted her oversized denim jacket from the ground and flung it over her shoulder, checking her phone again as she sauntered off.

Freddie waved her goodbye. "Thanks, Reesie." She wondered if she should ask what the 'clutch springs' were. Then immediately shook such thoughts aside. It would go over my head anyway.

Just then, Freddie noticed somebody peeking into her peripherals. A dark-haired girl, slight in build, and seeming even smaller as she hunched. Her glasses reflected the glare of the sun and obscured her eyes.

"Hey… hey there," Freddie called to her, with a lethargic and limp wave. It was a wonder Collette could even hear her in this crowd.

Freddie stared straight at her. "Hey dude... you look… nervous." The dark-eyed woman leaned closer. Close enough for Collette to see the sheen of grease on her pale, unkempt locks, spilling out from underneath her hat. "Would you like something to… take the edge off?"

Freddie wiggled her brows for emphasis.

"( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)"

"AaAH," Collette yelped, albeit a little late as Freddie's face was practically next to hers. She thought she had heard someone calling her name and had paused to look around. It wasn't until the damp smell hit her nose, combined with the witch-looking hat entering her personal space, that she finally saw the source of the voice. It was another student, dressed in black with hair to match.

"Would you like something to… take the edge off?"

A student with very wriggly eyebrows, an impressed Collette noted as Freddie wriggled those eyebrows.

"Depends if you can make a convincing point," Collette responded as she took two tiiiiiny steps back to avoid breathing in Freddie's face. After all, she couldn't remember at that moment if she had brushed her teeth that morning. "I like to stay sharp after all."

Inside, she was beaming at the roll she was on today. On the outside, Collette was struggling to keep a straight face, a giggle escaping her.

---

Freddie's face brightened in an instant, and she stood just a little straighter at Collette's response.The 'wizard' beckoned Collette to follow her. She glanced over her shoulder. "Sharp..." Freddie pointed to her temple. "...Is my middle name."

Freddie led her to the giant mushroom, and the satchel that was propped nearby. She reached for it and rummaged through the insides, all while staring, straight and unblinking, right at Collette. After a moment, she drew a small plastic pouch, and held it to Collette's face. A little too close to her face. "This… is 'The Royal Highness.'"

Inside, was a mass of herbs, mostly green, with patches of bright brown throughout. Freddie's eyes glinted as she explained, "It's high quality… stuff. This type relieves stress while being very… light. Doesn't… make you drowsy at all." Freddie wiggled the pouch. "Perfect for the sporty… or social… types."

Freddie leaned closer. "It's 15 dollars... for a pouch." She looked at Collette intently for a moment, then let her eyebrows do the wiggling. "...If you’re not convinced, I can give… a small sample… for free."

---

Korgan grinned. Tyann's vulgarity always made his chest swell with such warm, fuzzy feelings. It was proof of his passion, and passion was an emotion all true Kymerans appreciated.

"My friend, with that mouth of yours, you'd fit just fine in my crew." Of course, Ivelda would never allow it, he left unsaid.

Korgan's yellow eyes widened, devouring the sight of the drake's transformation. His ears twitched, and he couldn't stop grinning, even as the creature finished. He strutted towards the creature, with his chest puffed out and his hands on the hips, and he whistled.

He did not speak immediately, having lost himself in admiring every little detail. This was a beast worthy of the Queen's Outrider!

"Well? What do you think?”"

In an instant, Korgan had shifted behind Tyann, looped his arm around the latter's shoulder, and let out a raucous cackle that could be heard far, far away. "GAHAHHA! I LOVE IT!" He pulled the Beastmaster close and flashed him a thumbs up. "You even made him amphibious! INSPIRING!"

Korgan scoffed, shook his head, then leaned close to whisper, "You know, half of my crew can't even swim."

Just then, a loud neigh pricked his ears. Followed by the thundering beats of hooves. A white horse dashed their way, with a blonde stable boy right behind it. The transformed drake bent low and bore its dagger-like fangs with a hiss.

Korgan stepped in front of Tyann, faced the charging horse head on, and held out his hand.

Thud!

Hooves beat and scraped against the earth. Panicked neighs rang high and shrill. Korgan stood there, solid and unmoving as a rock as he clutched the horse by its face. "HEH!" He scoffed, flashing filed-down fangs.

The Raid-King turned to Ari and barked. "YOU THERE! Stable boy! What's this nonsense? Come over here and control this mare!"

Korgan gestured to Tyann with his head. "My friend here has bigger fish to fry."

He paused. With his large, thick fingers, Korgan forcefully turned the horse's face to one side, then the other, ignorant of the terror glinting across its black eyes.

Korgan looked back at Ari and raised one eyebrow. "I haven't seen you before. You know, I've always pictured stable boys as frumpy-lookin' snotlings, but you?"

Those slender features. Those short yet luscious locks… Korgan couldn't hide his amusement.

"You're pretty for a stable boy. Count yourself lucky you're working for Tyann, not me! GAHAHA!"

Collette blinked as Freddie practically pressed the pouch of herbs to her face, making the other young woman the victor of the staring contest they had been having. Even through the pouch she could smell the stench and she wondered if this was why Freddie had smelled damp. Her examination of the herbs nearly distracted her from Freddie's salesman pitch. She could never miss those wriggling eyebrows though. Collette really perked up however when she heard the words, "for free.."

"HMM, well I do have to weed out any potentially bad investments of my questionably earned cash," Collette answered with a hand on her chin and the other on her hip. "Not to say you're untrustworthy but I'm struggling for a different pun here. Gotta keep the quota up, you understand."

She let out a small laugh, "I mean, if you got a sample though, I'm up for tryyyiiiing it. Up for lighting it."

She did the double finger gun at Freddie, wondering if her horrible pun would instantly end the deal.

~*~





Thaddeaus was about to answer Adrian when he thought about it. Had he ever taken a break? He searched his memory but he could only really recall his patrols starting when he had just become a teen. Before then he had been a brooding child who often went to see others train or spent time studying. After patrols started, he had begun training himself. He went on patrols nearly every day. When did he take breaks?

"...No," Thaddeaus answered bluntly, letting the answer hang in the air for a bit. He frowned at the tone of his voice, suddenly feeling like it was too harsh, particularly since he was talking to Adrian. He added, "But perhaps I should. Perhaps on one of the days you're here, we can... Do... Something.

He frowned, unsure of what they could possibly do. Train perhaps?

"Though if you intend to go out among the beasts, perhaps you should talk to Tyann. I'm sure he will be pleased for both that and your presence around here for a few days."

Ivelda Ever

Code- #003300

Ivelda did a thorough examination of Tempeste. The young woman was lovely, perfect for being a sacrifice, but then she was from Serein, who were renowned for their beauty, male and female a like. However the girl was valuable to Ivelda, for the time being. She couldn't afford to kill her . . . . yet. If this young woman was going to be a problem, she would have to handle it. Maybe it was time to start looking for a replacement. Fear and embarrassment seem to radiate from Tempeste. Wanting to make sure she continued to behave herself, Ivelda came forward and taking a hand with extremely sharp nails, she lift her face and looked her straight in the eye. Taking one finger she gently caressed her face.

"Such a beautiful face and body, I'd hate to add to Asher's burden. This is your only warning, Tempeste. I am a forgiving woman who cares for her subjects' health."

Indeed, she needed her young female subjects healthy in order to provide potential sacrifices. Standing up fully she turned to Asher.

"Asher dearie, once you're done with your business here, come to my throne room immediately. We have business to discuss. I am going to check on a few things first though so take your time. No more distractions though."

She had looked at Tempeste when she said that last line.

With that, she headed to check on Tyann, only to be pleasantly surprised to see both Roderick and Korgan there. Delighted to see them, she rushed forward.

"My boys! You're home safe and sound! Raiden, I take it you've brought me what I've requested of you?"

Looking at Ivelda now, one would never think she was an Evil enchantress.

---

Adrian Wells
Code- #30660C

Adrian listened to Thaddeus as he mentioned he never took a break. He opened his eyes in surprise. Granted, Adrian worked really hard for the kingdom too, but even he got breaks. Thinking back though, he remembered he never asked for breaks. The queen just started allowing him to take breaks in between missions and even insisted he live away from castle and town. Currently his house was in the wooded area that surrounded the lake. He still wanted to be close enough in case the queen needed him. His thoughts turned back to Thaddeus when he spoke to him again.

"Though if you intend to go out among the beasts, perhaps you should talk to Tyann. I'm sure he will be pleased for both that and your presence around here for a few days."

Adrian couldn't help but shudder a bit at the mention of the beastmaster's name. The guy just creeped him out for some reason. Maybe it was the mask. Sure he was very good at what he did. After all, the man was the one to train and break in his 2 horses. Still the 2 did butt heads from time to time due to both having short tempers.

"I think I'll check on Tyann some other time. Well, I hate to keep you from your duty, Thaddeus, so I'll leave you to it. Maybe sometime soon you can help be train at some point. This last job was a tough one and I worry I might be getting rusty."

With a wave to the guard, Adrian retrieved Little John and soon was back on the road, heading home.

---

Lilith Evers
Code- #C71585

It was finally time. Lilith enjoyed telling the crowd about Rhindeval, but now it was time to release the girls from her sisters' spell. She had noticed that the spell had weaken over time. She wonder if it was because Ivelda wasn't here to reinforce it. She had learned in magic school that going against what was natural would eventually try to undo itself. Lilith hoped that her sister didn't have the ability to sense the breaking of the spell. Hopefully in the spell's weaken state she wouldn't feel it.

"Now my fine folk, seeing how I am a sorceress, I suppose I shall share with you some spells. The one I have you for today is an ancient spell so I hope you enjoy the performance!"

The audience would think she was only gong to do magic tricks, but this would be all to real. Taking her want, she spoke the spell that would undo curse. It was one she created herself. Connecting with the pendents of the princesses, she spoke out.

"Memory is precious, it can't be taken away,
Remember your true self and find your way,
Have courage and take heart,
See the light and cast off the dark,
Seek me when thee are ready,
As I will so mote it be!"

In that instant, magical energy burst from wand, but no one would see it. Instead, little fireworks went off behind Lilith in order to distract the crowd. The magic from the spell would come into contact with the pendants of the princesses and Lilith could feel the locks on the princesses' memory break. The spell took a lot out her and Lilith plopped onto her seat in dramatic fashion. She exhausted but she just pretended to be.

"My! That took a bit out of me. I think I need a break. Return in 30 minutes folks, and I shall give all of you more tales of wonder!

The crowd applauded before dispersing. Lilith sighed. She done it. Now it was only a matter of time for one of the girls to approach her.

---

Dawn Henderson
Code- #5477B9

Dawn had gotten herself something to eat. Ever sense she had moved into the dorms, she had been determined to try foods she had never tried before and today had been no exception. The Anime club of her college had a vendor at the spring festival and for the first time Dawn got to try takoyaki. One of the members was actually from Japan and said this was common to have at festivals over there. Dawn never had octopus before and found she really liked the stuff. It was a bit messy though so Dawn was careful to not get anything on her gown. She had found a bench and ate it silence. Once she started eating it, she quickly ate all eight pieces. It was so good! It was a good thing Dawn finished it quickly because as soon as she did, magical energy hit her in the chest area, more specifically her opal pendant. It caught her by surprise and she suddenly had a flash of memory as something unlocked within her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The hallway was dark as a little girl with pale blonde hair tried drying her eyes. She just had a nightmare and sought her parents' comfort. Her room wasn't too far from their's. Coming to a pair of large ivory doors, she pushed on them with all her might. The door creaked a bit as she enter the room. However, no sooner had she enter, she saw her father get out of bed and drew his sword.

"Daddy?"

Immediately the man disarmed him self and looked at his daughter. Her mother had sat up in bed too by this time.

"Aurora, sweet pea, what is it?" King Elios asked.

"I had a bad dream. I don't want to be alone."

The man smiled before coming up to the 5 year old and picked her up before giving her a gentle hug.

"It'll be fine sweet pea. Do you want to sleep with mommy and daddy?"

The little nodded.

"Is it all right with you dear?" Elios asked his wife with a puppy dog eye look.

The queen smiled, "Okay just this once."

Dawn watched all of this in 3rd person and soon the image faded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dawn gasped in shock. This was just like her dreams, only more clearer and it felt all too real. It was then she noticed tears were coursing down her face. She knew those people. The little girl looked exactly like her and was wearing a pendant that just looked like her. Her name had been Aurora though. Standing up suddenly, she had this intense need to find Professor Evens.

---

Cassie Peters
Code- #46935C

“Sounds good. I think I am going to just get a snack for now, so I’ll be heading to the corn dog stand. Let’s meet back here in a bit. We can find somewhere together to eat. I promise not to disappear again, as the team isn’t here to keep you company.”

Before Cassie could say anything else, Anita had gone off again. Corn dogs sound good, but Cassie had corn dogs the other day. Looking around, she soon found something she loved having whenever she had a chance- bacon burgers with donuts buns. Normally Cassie ate healthy food, but today was a cheat day for her and she considered herself a carboholic. Getting one of the sweet and savory burgers with fries on the side and a bottle of water, Cassie soon returned to the place Anita left her and found the tall girl there.

"Look what I found, Anita! I don't know about you, but I am ready to dig in! Let's find a place to sit okay?"

Soon they found a place and Cassie pretty much wolfed down her meal. It was then the magic that Lilith unleashed hit the 2 young ladies' pendants. Cassie nearly gagged on the water she'd been drinking as she looked at Anita.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Wait up, Silvia! You're too fast!" a girl with green hair called out as a taller green hair girl climbed up a tree faster then her.

"Sorry, Meri!"

The girls loved climbing trees and had just gotten away from their caretakers. Soon though, Meridian's mother found them.

"Meridian! Silvia! You two get down this instant! You'll ruin your clothes!"

"It's a bit too late for that, momma, sorry! We better get down Silvia, or momma might tell your parents."

Silvia nodded and soon the two girls were back on solid ground. Indeed, both girls had twigs in their hair and their outfits were a bit torn.

Queen Kerrigan tried to look stern, but couldn't help but giggle at their appearances.

"What am I going to do with your girls? Well let's get you two cleaned up. Follow me."

The girls nodded and followed the queen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

What in the world was that? Cassie couldn't quite figure it out. She looked at Anita and saw her teammate had a shock look on her face.

"Hey, are you okay?"

As she and Freddie performed a drug deal, the magic hit Collette's pendant and she let out a small gasp, a memory coming into view.

A large hallway spread out before her with a rich, dark blue carpet. White embroidery lined its edges with a sort of simply, wavy design. The walls on either side were decorated with large banners of faces Collette had never seen but felt a sort of familiarity with. There were open doors with sunlight reaching the hallway. Collette could not see within the rooms however. In fact, she was frozen in the memory, seeing a little girl running from door to door. For some reason, the girl was drenched in water and her dress was soaking the ornate carpet. Short black hair and a voice that was startlingly close to hers, shouting, "I'm going to find you!" in a voice attempting to be menacing.

"Oh really?" a voice questioned from behind Collette but she could not turn around even as her own heart beat faster. Instead, she saw the little girl turn towards her, the most vibrant pink eyes looking right through her. The same shade as her own.

"Momma!" the young girl cried out as she ran towards the figure walking towards her. A tall woman with long, wavy hair that trailed along the floor. Tanned arms encircled the young girl as the older woman called her, "Sybilla, you know better than to be coming in here like this."

She could not see the woman's face but Collette felt a sudden wave of nostalgia and grief wash over her. Sybilla. Collette couldn't shake the feeling that this was her. This was her but what was this? Was this what being on drugs was like? Why was this so familiar? Tears began to form in Collette's eyes.

"I water-ed to surprise you!" the young girl giggled as the woman laughed and hugged her tightly. Collette could almost feel the tight embrace and then the memory ended.

Collette found herself facing Freddie again but her tears allowed her to only see a blurry, black figure. Her knees wanted to buckle but she was still standing, a strong urge to see a certain teacher screaming from inside of her.

"W-what... is th..t-this?" Collette asked through tears as she began to calm down.





Thaddeus noted Adrian's shudder at the mention of Tyann but said nothing. He wasn't fond of the beast master himself but he did have admiration for his skills. Thaddeus himself didn't have much luck with animals and was often hissed or growled at rather quickly. It didn't bother the man since he had no interest in them really, but it was a reason why he often patrolled on foot. He trusted his own two feet rather than a surly horse.

Tyann did have a bit of a foul mouth as well as some of the others under Ivelda's service. That and the roughhousing some engaged in. Those traits often put Thaddeus in a bad mood so he didn't interact with that lot too often. He was known as a prude as a result of it but it mattered not to Thaddeus. What mattered was simply Ivelda's approval.

"Anytime you need help, I would be happy to assist. Goodbye Adrian," he said before the other man left.

Waving to Adrian, Thaddeus wondered if a break would be nice, even for one day. On this day however, he was on patrol and thus, he resumed his rounds. However, this time, his thoughts were on perhaps taking the next day off.

---

Freddie’s lips curved up into a v-shaped, bird-like smile. Her tired eyes opened just a little bit wider. She slowly raised her hands… then returned Collette’s finger guns. ”You’re my favourite customer,” she stated, with a flat tone that betrayed no sarcasm.

However, before they could go any further…

”...!”

What was that feeling?

Freddie couldn’t understand it. But something compelled her eyes towards her teddy bear, sat by her feet and against the mushroom. Closer, deeper, into the doll’s pitch-black gaze.

Images flashed before her eyes. Dark skies. Withered trees. Miles and miles of swamplands, of rickety bridges and ramshackle houses built atop dank waters. A castle, tall and arched and crowned with wicked spires, its bricks yellowed by age and reclaimed by moss, its walls half-sunk into colourless waters. And then, on the tallest floor of the tallest tower, through the rose-shaped window, was a boy.

Slight in height and small-shouldered, standing in front of a shadowed sketch. He turned towards her, with eyes that sucked in all light… and reflected none.

She gasped. And blinked. Once… twice… and the image disappeared in an instant. Freddie hung her head and clutched herself. The warmth had left her body. Was that… a dream? Or... the memory of a dream? Freddie glanced towards the pouch in her hand. She turned it one way then the other, just to make sure. ”Still sealed...”

Just then, a voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"W-what... is th..t-this?"

Freddie looked up to see Collette, teary-eyed, shaking, obviously in distress. Freddie stepped closer and laid her hands on her shoulders. ”H..hey…” Freddie held her breath. She considered her words, then replied, with a face paler than before. ”Dude… you okay? You… look like... you’d just… seen a ghost…”

Freddie’s placid brows furrowed as she moved closer to inspect Collette’s eyes. ”Do you need…. Anything?”

---

Korgan acquiesced to Tyann's request and handed the mare back to Ari. The outrider smirked at his veiled threat. He couldn't help but find it charming, like much of the Beastmaster… but Korgan knew well enough to not push his buttons.

Just as he nodded to Ari's introduction, Korgan caught the scent of another. The faintest trace of mud and blood. He knew who it was before he turned to see. The queen's hunter, Raiden Hetral. Korgan's ears pricked up at his snide remark. And, consciously or otherwise, he stood up just a little straighter, a little taller, to cast a shadow upon the pink-haired hunter.

"You got one thing right, mutt," Korgan remarked, his voice lower and quieter than before. He leaned close, his arms on his hips, flashing the fangs that lined his maw. "I'm the foulest beast of all. Question is, are you man enough to hunt me, or will that tongue do all the wagging?"

Silence ensued. Even the birds stopped their song. The beast and the hunter stared each other down, until…

"My boys! You're home safe and sound! Raiden, I take it you've brought me what I've requested of you?"

Korgan leaned back in an instant. His beastly smirk remained, but his entire body turned stiff and rigid, with his arms by his side and his eyes forward. He had not forgotten the one who cursed him. Korgan respected few, but there was only one he feared. Ivelda Evers. The Empress of Rhindeval. She, whose will decides the fate of this Empire. He held his tongue for now, observing from his peripherals on how Raiden would use his.

Collette looked up into Freddie's eyes, her own pink ones wide open and full of tears. Her glasses were smudged and she could feel the hands on her shoulders. The sobs lessened and her breathing seemed to slow.

"A... g-g-g-ghost...?" she whispered, trying to comprehend what Freddie was talking about. Trying to formulate words, Collette shook her head and responded, "Don't you mean if I weed anything?"

She frowned at the terrible pun and shook her head again. It was admittedly repetitive but the memory was still very vivid in her mind. She felt such an ache in her chest that she felt as though someone was crushing her heart in their hand. (It was a familiar feeling for some reason.) Collette had parents. They were not affectionate people but that was how parents were, were they not? Was she truly that touch starved that seeing a possible image of her as a child receiving affection shook her so deeply? That even Freddie's touch was calming her down considerably?

No, it was the memory that was wrong.

"I need..." Collette started, noticing a nagging rising amidst the sorrow. "I don't know why, but, I'm pretty sure.. I need to see a professor. Professor Evens to be exact."

She paused and added, "Also, whatever 20 dollars gets me of that Royal Highness."

---

Freddie stared blankly at Collette. Not every pun is a winner, she supposed. And something else Collette said had drawn her attention.

"Professor… Evans…?"

Strange. She hadn't thought about it before, but there was a feeling deep in her chest. Like a nag, a tug, that encouraged her to… do it. Freddie was never especially close to the Professor. Or any other professor, really. In fact, the only time she was close to a professor was when they strode up to her desk and told her off for sleeping. Or daydreaming. Or for being in the wrong class at the wrong time. Numbers and faces blended together when she wasn't paying attention.

Freddie straightened up, and helped Collette along. Her eyes glinted with attention at the latter's bargain. "...You know what… it's… the Royal Highness… at the Ren fair… it's… " Freddie held up two quoting fingers. ""Thematic."... Have two pouches…"

---

Freddie and Collette found Lilith easily enough. She was at her booth, with two other students nearby - a statuesque girl with dark hair, and another with locks that gleamed an eye-catching forest green.

"Yooooo…."

Freddie waved as she approached. The dark-haired girl turned around, and Freddie let out a tiny gasp when she saw her tear-stricken face. She turned to look at the Professor, and then...

Her vision blurred. Coldness ran down her spine.

It was a dark place. So dark, so vast, the shadows seemed to stretch forever, to the left, to the right, above. Everything was black, and cold. The rose-shaped windows brought in no light. The girl's teeth chattered, and she clung to herself with tiny, pale arms as she sat at the foot of the grand staircase. It wasn't one she could see, but one she had known.

A skull was propped beside her. Yellow light emanated from within its eyes, and nose, and between its teeth. It was covered in scribbles far too small and many to read, like the writings of a madman. The light had grown dimmer and dimmer. It was only a matter of time before the light faded entirely, and she would be all alone.

Like always...

Then, from the corner of her eyes.

There was light.

Brighter than any she had ever seen before. It was blinding and captivating in equal measure. She brought a hand to cover her eyes and squinted between her fingers to see.

The light grew brighter, closer, but as her eyes adjusted, she saw… a figure. Womanly, radiant, with long and graceful strides. The girl withdrew her hand from her eyes. The woman drew closer, and what was once blinding now soothed her.

She exhaled and met the woman's eyes. There was something in her gaze… it was nothing like the hostile glare of her Queen, whose seams were bursting with disdain. Nor was it like her King's cold, aloof pity, delivered with half a heart and zero passion.

This woman looked straight at her, her ruby eyes damp with welling tears.

"Ishara…"

The light returned to Freddie's eyes; deep and blue and free of the fog of fatigue, even if the rest of her face didn't quite match them. She stepped back and hung her head.

"Ishara…," she repeated the name. It felt so familiar on her tongue.
"That's… me…?"

Freddie brought a hand over her heart. She remembered it all now. Her true name. Her old family. And the memories it brought…

There was heaviness upon her chest. It sank; deeper, further, as more and more images, feelings, and thoughts from her past resurfaced. All those times she was left behind, in the dark, alone. She had seen her parents' backs more often than their faces. She remembered their names, but it meant nothing to her.

Her lips parted to exhale. She watched with glazed eyes as Professor Evans- or rather Lilith Evers- addressed the crowd of girls which had gathered around her. It took a moment for her, but she felt their names on her lips. One by one.

"Aurora…

Meridian…

Silvia…

Justice…."

Her eyes hovered to the blonde haired girl she had known for a long time. Longer than she had thought.

"Euphemia…!"

And finally, to the girl by her side.

"...Sibylla."

She blinked. So this was destiny.

---

Korgan glanced down, to his boots, faded by water and encrusted by a thick layer of blood. It was brown and muddy and nowhere near as imposing as the fresh stuff. He chortled, silently admitting that he did need a good clean.

As his Empress addressed him, the Raid-king stretched his arm to the side and gave an exaggerated bow.

"Yes, my Empress!" he bellowed, his bestial features naturally flashing a fang-filled grin. Ivelda ruled his heart by fear, but there was no denying it - he loved his job.

Korgan heard out Tyann's words and nodded along to the salient points. "Aye, aye, got it. Netorugal, good swimmer, allergic to spider-meat. Don'tcha worry. I'll take care of him like my own." He eyed the beastmaster for a second as the latter walked off, then slapped him on the rear. Lightly.

"GUAHAHAH!" His raucous laughter sent nearby birds scattering. He held two thumbs up, then waved his goodbyes and walked away.

"Right. Bath first… I should head over to the Barrel and Chains," he thought aloud. "They better have my favourite girls there, or somebody's walking the plank! HA!"

Korgan's steps came to a halt. He brought a hand to his face, and felt the coarse, inhuman hair which ran down his snout. In the moment and without a mirror, it was easy to forget… about his bestial form. The one he had been cursed with for his indiscretions. No woman would touch him, much less lay with him, with such ugliness. A dry feeling assailed his throat. Indeed, it had been such a long time. A very long time since a woman saw him with anything less than terror or revulsion. He missed it.

"...HMPF!"

The Raid-King scoffed, and cast his melancholies overboard. It mattered not. He wouldn't touch, but he could look all he wanted!

Aurora Givens~Cassie Peters~Lilith Evers
#5477B9~#46935C~#C71585

Cassie waited for Anita to answer. She did, but it wasn't the answer she'd had been expecting.

“Well, there are plenty of stories about magic in fiction books and the like. I imagine it needs to come from somewhere...I think you mother was called Queen Kerringan. I think as a child I called you Meri...your home had flower farms as well...”

But, magic WAS fiction right? Then another part of her head, her imaginative side that helped her create music, countered about explaining why she was remembering things now? Plus the woman, who was supposedly her mother, she looked A LOT like her. Anita said her name was Kerrigan and she was a queen. Wait, did that mean she was . . . . a PRINCESS? Suddenly without warning, Cassie had another flash of memory.

"Meridian?! Just want do you think you are doing?!" Queen Meridian exclaimed.

A 5 year old Meridian was in for it now. It had just rained and Meridian was playing outside in the puddles and getting mud all over her. The queen had been looking for her and was beside herself at the state of her daughter.

Turning to her mother, Meri tried to look apologetic as she said, "I couldn't help it mother. It's been raining for two days. You tell me not to play hard inside, so I figured I play outside."

"Meri, that doesn't mean you get mud all over you. It's not becoming of a princess."

Suddenly a huge man with auburn hair came out and placed a hand on Kerrigan's shoulder.

"Come now Kerrigan, anyone would go mad being indoors for several days. And her clothes are still wet, so we can easily get the mud off. That being said Meri, you should let someone know where you go. The entire castle staff has been looking for you." King Rector said.

"Oh I am sorry, I'll take a bath now!"

With that the little girl ran past her parents to go indoors.

Cassie gasped. More tears started running down her face for this time she remembered her father, at least that's what her mind was telling her. The woman who looked exactly like her had been there too. It was at that moment that Cassie realized that Anita had gone towards Professor. She decided to stick with her friend until things cleared up for her. She joined them in time for her to catch Anita's question about some boys. Boys? That's right, there had been boys she followed around. One had pink hair, another had been a redhead like her father. In fact, wasn't her mother related to the redhead boy's family? There been others, but Cassie's head was so filled up with memories that she couldn't think straight.

Aurora could see the confusion in Meridian's eyes. She went up to her fellow princess and placed a hand on her shoulder. Cassie, still struggling, looked at the blonde.

"This is all too much. I can't be a princess."

"Why think about it at all though? What does your instincts tell you? You love music right? Do you think about what kind of music you'll create?"

"I . . . . don't think at all when it comes to music. It comes to me naturally. Are you telling me to just let it come naturally in this case and not worry? Oh, it looks like I've become my mother huh? She worried a lot."

Lilith watched as Aurora tried calming Meridian now but turned her attention back to the tall princess she knew as Silvia. Compared to the others here, she was tall, but compared to how tall her people could be, she was about average, borderline short. It was long before more princesses showed up, Sybilla and Ishara. Euphemia was still hanging back too. Her heart aching for each of them she finally answered Silvia.

"As for your first question, Silvia. I did now because I gain enough power to break the spell that my sister cast upon you. You have the right to know who you are and where you came from. There's more to it, but I'd rather wait until all of you accept who you are first. As for my sister, no I am not powerful enough to stop her. It's my biggest failure. Had I been able to stop my sister to begin with, none of this would have happened to begin with and all of you would still be with your original families. The boys . . . . . Ivelda kept them. She wanted to keep all of you separated in order to flick more pain on you for she enjoys giving it. Plus if you had remained together, you all would have come into your power eventually and would pose a threat to Ivelda. I don't know what she's done to the princes, only that she's surely has sealed their memories too. I can't imagine what has happened to them or the land we're from."

She had looked at Ishara when she said that last bit. Ishara had a younger brother who was the youngest of them all. She hoped all of the princes were still alive at least. She would soon be asking a lot of these girls and hoped they would accept it.

Aurora turned back to the sorceress and said, "I remember something my mother told me. She told me if anything should happened to her and my father that the faeries would protect the kingdom. Maybe they would protect other places. I think she knew something was going to happen. This was right before Richard's birthday."

"Yes she did. She told me of a nightmarish vision she had the day before it happened. She didn't know it's source, but knew she was on borrowed time. All you must know your parents or guardians tried protecting you. We all did. Ivelda had gotten so powerful though."

It was a poor reason for why she failed them that first time, but she promised herself she would not fail them again.

"...Sibylla."

Hearing the name out loud sent another small panic through Collette as she tried to savor it at the same time. Hearing it only confirmed what that hallucination had presented. It confirmed that at least some part of it was accurate since she had told no one of that name. Collette frowned. Her body, her heart, her very being had no repulsion towards the name either. If anything, it felt like some piece of her had finally come home and slipped inside as though nothing had happened. Collette knew however. She knew it had been gone and Professor Evans, or Lilith Evers as she had known her apparently, provided further proof that the newly discovered flow of memories was not wrong.

That the memory of her parent's deaths was not wrong.

The severance of magic ached in her chest. She had not seen it but she had felt it. The ache created when the little girl had tripped as the magic in her chest became cut off from that of her parents still hurt in the young woman she had become. It still felt like a gaping wound, hidden under bandages in the form of suppressed memories that were quickly unraveling. Her fist clenched. She would need both pouches of that Royal Highness later.

Eyes full of tears again as Lilith told them they had tried their best, both her and their parents, Collette... Sybilla? The young woman didn't say anything as the information sunk in for all of them. As the name 'Collette' began to sound more and more foreign as she ran all of this new information, these new memories, again and again in short bursts.

Sybilla...Constrantina.

"That's unfair..." Collette/Sybilla croaked without thinking as a rush of emotion rose within her. "This... is a lot... a-at once. Without warning. What are we supposed to do with all this... These memories? We have lives here! What is that... What are we..."

Her voice faltered and she could feel the gaze of the others, of the passing people who had come to enjoy the festival. Suddenly Sybilla was fully aware of the dress she wore and the irony of the event she was at. She tried to laugh, to think of some pun or joke, but the laughter got cut off and turned into a strangled sob. She was aware that perhaps she was being dramatic but it was nothing new to Collette. Sybilla on the other hand tried to restrain herself and she looked up, to the faces of the other young women, to Lilith herself.

As she did however, the faces of the boys resurfaced in her memories. She had few memories but Sybilla couldn't stand the idea of them being subjugated to the person who had murdered their parents, or at the very least, sent them down paths none of them should have gone on. Sybilla's clenched fists shook slightly. It was a lot for her to process and conflicting thoughts and emotions battled within her.

"What is it..." Sybilla began, trying to keep her voice level. The words came slower now, trying to choose them carefully even as anger and bitterness came through in her tone. "You're asking us to do, Lilith? If Ivelda was powerful then... what chance do we have now? And I'm sure at least some of us have a lot here... Are we leaving it all behind?"

Collette was trying to clarify, to make sure she knew of Lilith's intention even as memories begged her to not be so hostile. However, she needed more time. More to think, to sort out, as the realization of a life she had lost for many years reemerged without warning. As she realized there were some things she would never regain even if she got everything else back.

~*~





Thaddeus nodded as he listened to the preacher, his men standing at attention once more as the two of them walked on castle grounds to the main doors. He wasn't much of a talker himself but he was fascinated by what Preacher Carama was reporting. The corners of his mouth turned down at the mention of the dungeon keeper but Thaddeus said nothing.

"Even here, Preacher Carama, I can assure you that we must be constantly patrolling to ensure the peace our Great Ivelda has built for these lands stays intact," Thaddeus said gently with a small smirk. "But I am grateful to you for I could not keep these lands as peaceful if you were not out there to ensure our Queen's word was maintained. It is a pity people resist so much however. I am blessed to serve Queen Ivelda but I cannot understand why there are those out there who do not believe in her. Makes my skin crawl, even."

Thaddeus frowned as they approached the main doors, servants opening the doors for them with a low bow.

"Where may we find Queen Ivelda today? We have come to report to her for our daily briefings." Thaddeus asked of the servants.

"I believe she is already with someone," one of them said with a slight bow of his head. "However, we can alert her of your presence and report to you immediately when she is ready for you."

The other servant left as Guard Captain Rock and Preacher Carama were informed of the situation. Thaddeus nodded and turned to Benedicto, "Seems we're not the only one here right now for our doses."

#9b111e

Hex Code: #778899
"I'm headed straight for the castle
They wanna make me their queen."
- Halsey

"Justice…." She heard her true name spoken amidst the sea of people. It was a wonder she had heard it at all but perhaps her memories unlocking not long ago made her hyper attuned to it. She paused in her steps, turning her head in the direction of where the voice seemingly came from. Torres stopped in his tracks too, a single step behind her. He didn't want to lose her again after being coerced to pay for Lucie's new and expensive outfit from his own pocket. She adjusted her sparkling diamond-coated tiara to sit nicely on top of her pretty little head. "I guess I should go ahead and claim what's mine." she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else before walking over to join the group gathering around Professor Evers. Torres was confused by whatever Lucie could mean but obediently followed without delay. He maintained a polite distance, enough to watch over the VIP but also not intrude.

"Hello, hello, make way." Lucie said aloud announcing her arrival, strutting through the group of recognizable faces, wearing her exquisite dress of blue and white. There was a discernible mix of emotions happening all at once as her eyes briefly acknowledged everyone. There was confusion, grief, anger... just to name a few. Lucie however did not sympathize and focused solely on herself and her own goals. "Are you done biding for time, coward? Because I want my time back." Lucie said, her words directed towards Ms. Evers sharply. She didn't know all the details surrounding Ivelda's takeover, her parents' deaths, and the state of the fractured kingdoms but none of that mattered. All Lucie... or rather Justice knew for certain was that she alone belonged on the throne of Serein and princess trumps peasant, the upper echelon of society or not. She had been done a great injustice living in this world of normal, boring people all thanks to an incompetent enchantress and her more competent evil sister.

"If Ivelda was powerful then... what chance do we have now? And I'm sure at least some of us have a lot here... Are we leaving it all behind?"“I agree with Sibylla, but what did you mean we would have come into our powers? Did Iveda take our powers?”

Justice had overheard some of the conversations, enough of it to purse her lips and shake her head in judgment. "Wow, you must have a lousy kingdom if you're not even willing to fight for it. By ALL means, stay behind and be a peasant. You certainly think like one." She remarked about Sibylla, even as the girl seemed she was close to tears and being comforted by another girl, Silvia. She had lived an easy life and knew little about hardships and struggle but she did know that with big risks came big rewards. The Bannisters had taught her that much and she had her eye on the prize. "You know what? Call me generous but I'll take her kingdom too if she doesn't want it. Somebody's got to take over after Ivelda is done being a poser." Justice said with a nonchalant shrug, treating their kingdoms like gambling chips.

As far as she was concerned, all this crying and catching up was a waste of time. What was done was done and the longer they took reminiscing about the past, meant the less time spent actually doing something. She didn't have the patience for it, accustomed to getting what she wanted when she wanted it. Any delay or hesitation was a nuisance. It didn't help that unlike the other princesses, she wasn't considered their friend. Sure, there had been playdates arranged and gifts exchanged but nobody had a place in her heart held higher than herself. "I will take my chances, all of them." She said as passionate as a pledge, looking down at the Angelite statuette in her hand now knowing what it represented. "And you're going to help me. Consider this your chance of redemption." she said to Ms. Evers as if it were an order, royal status boosting her ego and sense of self-worth more than it already was.

#8E1717

---

Reese stood back from the tears and confusion, cutting a path right through it to Lilith with her glare. Her parents' whispers tickled her ears like a breeze, carrying commands and warnings. Each of these girls cherubic faces she recalled from her past, her parents had taught her three ways to perceive: useful, adversary, or a useful adversary. She knew for certain none of those in front of her knew that their playdates were being hammered into Princess Euphemia as "just politics". Ah, then there were those swamp dwellers.

"You will not look at them. You will not consume anything they offer you. You will not speak to them until we are satisfied with how well you hide yourself, Euph..."

"... phemia!"

"Don't call me that, Fred. It's weird." Reese reflexively snapped, not taking her eyes off Lilith. Seemed the whispers couldn't do much against the thirteen years of Reese she'd spent living. It sounded like this sorceress was expecting them to go to war. Talk of powers and evil witches bouncing around the circle. She wanted to tell Lilith to go to hell with whatever battle plan she'd concocted, Reese had rent and homework due by the end of the week. Reese's problems didn't just get magicked away by Euphemia's intrusion! Thinking about the goddamn gall of it was going to pop a blood vessel -

"Hello, hello, make way."

Reese lifted her head. The memory jabbed her right between the eyes like a really unwelcome labotomy. No. No, no, no. Not HER. She could feel her presence strong enough without even looking. Don't let HER be one of us. No, no, no! Don't let HER be-!

"'Tis a shame the Serein family sired no male heirs. It seems the gods have yet again conspired to keep our kingdoms from uniting. Perhaps it will come in our next generation, if Serein tolerates our consort with those beasts."

Euphemia looked up at the castle in the sky. Feathers spiraled towards her from the pegasi that soared above. She swore they had come from the Angelite statues that kept the palace safe within its cradle of clouds. A glint of light came from the castle's gates as the royal family sent their princess forth to greet her, her silver head illuminated like a halo.

Months later, the shoddy remains of Euphemia's 'art project' were blasted into pale blue dust by her disgusted mother.

"By ALL means, stay behind and be a peasant. You certainly think like one."

Reese's fists shook. Going around and crushing those who didn't meet her standards again, she hadn't changed, she didn't even change one bit! The only way to not be looked down on by her was to stare her right back in the eye as her reflection! This had to be THE greatest betrayal her awakened memories had slapped her with, she couldn't believe that she had ever wanted this brat's attention! When Justice's last words left her mouth, Reese's anger had nowhere else to go. She'd already been verbally assaulted by the diva once today. It didn't take Reese much to snap on a regular day either.

Reese yanked Justice by the shoulder, threw her around to face her, grabbed her by the front of her fancy new dress and SLAMMED her forehead into her face.

"IS THIS ALL YOU EVER YAMMER ON ABOUT?!" Reese snarled, shoving her away. Blood marked her forehead, either Justice's or hers. "Lucie, Justice, whatever, your stupid size zero dress means nothing when your ego is too fat to try on some fucking human decency! Maybe Lilith sending them here to live like 'peasants' was the best thing that could've happened to them! At least they got the chance to grow into damn decent people! You never stopped being a spoiled fucking PRINCESS!"

And with that, Reese threw herself at her. If they didn't act quick the princesses were about to bear witness to the first fight that would surely become many between these two kingdoms. First fought by tooth and nail, and then, by the natural escalation: army and trebuchet.

Aurora Givens~Cassie Peters~Lilith Evers
#5477B9~#46935C~#C71585

Lilith listened to Sibylla as the poor girl broke down. She tried putting herself in their shoes. Some of them were more adjusted to life on Earth here then others and Sibylla was obviously one of them. She watched as Silvia comforted the girl before addressing her again.

"Ivelda did not take your powers. If all of you had grown up normally in Rhindivel, you would have come into your powers when you turned 12 or 13 or around that age. Why your powers haven't popped up on Earth yet, I don't know, it could be because magical only works when it's acknowledge and it's not recognized on this planet. As for what I am asking of you, let me ask all of you if you accept who you are first."

However, before anyone can answer her, Justice suddenly makes an appearance, definitely acting like her 'normal self'. What surprised Lilith was the fact the girl was actually in her own round-about way helping her out, even though she was being very rude about it. She was about to speak up, when Aurora suddenly spoke up.

"And how, Justice, would you rule Taera Terrus when it's several kingdoms away from yours, not to mention I doubt the residents there would accept that. As for dealing with Ivelda, if our parents and Lilith couldn't defeat her, then I doubt you could handle her on your own. Ms. Evers, correct me if I am wrong, but when Ivelda killed our parents, she took them off bit by bit right? Those memories are still a big foggy to me because it all happened so fast, but I don't think our parents took Ivelda on as one big group right?"

This surprised Lilith and she nodded, "Yes, Ivelda didn't take on all the royals at once. My sister is very smart, she would have preferred to not take any risks. So even she had a limit."

However before she talk any further, Euphemia suddenly attacked Justice, first by headbutting her, then ranting and then tackling her.

"Oh crap! Cassie said before launching herself and grabbing Euphemia.

"Cut it out! We're in a public place, Euphemia! You were also so quick to act! Silvia, a little help here!"

Lilith was there too and tried getting Justice away from Euphemia.

"I know you hate being touched, Justice, but I am trying to help you here."

Aurora was too horrified to do anything but stand there.

---

Freddie's gaze remained vacant in the face of Justice's words. A vacant gaze to pay tribute to the rich girl's vacant head. It was the loud crack of Reese's skull meeting Justice's that drew a glimmer of attention from her, and she stood on her tippy toes to watch the show right next to Sibylla.

"Wish I had brought…. some kettle corn…," she quietly mused.

Reese had attacked the rich girl. Cassie and Lilith swiftly descended to break up the fight. Freddie strolled over to Cassie, one hand raised like the dutiful student she wasn't.

The pale-haired girl beckoned Cassie to hand Reese over. She patted her shoulders, checked her forehead, and squinted, deep in thought.

"..."

Freddie nodded once, and looked Reese straight in the eyes.

"You're good."

She turned Reese around and shoved her back towards Justice.

Sibylla felt the warm embrace of Silvia and stiffened at first, her sobs quieting down as she stood there a bit awkwardly in her arms. As Lilith answered Silvia’s question however, she began to relax and almost lean into the hug. That was, until Justice interrupted.

"Wow, you must have a lousy kingdom if you're not even willing to fight for it. By ALL means, stay behind and be a peasant. You certainly think like one."

Sybilla gritted her teeth and glared at Justice as the young woman continued, fully aware of how she was still in Silvia’s arms. She wasn’t aware however of how she was leaning forward or how tense her body had become.

Silvia started seeing red once Justice spoke it stayed that way as she continued. I am going to fuc- Her thoughts stopped as she felt Sybilla lean forward and her body tense. Her grip only tightened as she didn't want her to fall forward if she let go. Silvia was tempted to let her go as she had a feeling Sybilla was going to attack Justice. She didn't let go though as memories of Sybilla came to mind. Silvia couldn't help, but think of the current Sybilla as a child. Someone who could not fight. She thought of the little girl who insisted she would grow big enough to carry her one day.

Little Sibylla was about to fight Silvia's grip when Euphemia came in with her own anger. Sibylla's eyes widened as the blond woman headbutted Justice and a fight commenced. There was screaming as Cassie and Lilith tried to separate the girls. Seeing the fray, Sibylla tried to pull away from Silvia to join the fight.

"Let me go!" she yelled as she tried to get in a shot at Justice. Silvia almost didn’t hear Sibylla as she was enjoying watching the fight. The only reason she didn’t join in was because she didn’t want the fight to be unfair. She had a feeling if she, Reese, and apparently Sibylla went to fight Justice that the girl would end up in the hospital.

She doubted the others could stop the fight then. She had heard Cassie ask for help, but she ignored the request. If Silvia couldn’t fight Justice, then she would let Reese have her fight. Silvia was hot with anger as well and she’d likely cause harm to Justice if she did help. She looked down at Sybilla as she kept her hold.

”I really want to let you go, but then the fight would not be fair for Justice. Would you gain any pleasure from an unfair fight? she questioned. Silvia knew she personally wouldn’t. She would feel bad as well as she knew others would get hurt in trying to stop the fight. Every time someone tried to stop Silvia from fighting, they usually ended up hurt. This was why Silvia decided to not let go of Sibylla. If she let go and Justice hurt Sibylla, Silvia would then join the fight. All hell would surely break loose then.

There was a slight pause and then the resistance Sibylla had put up subsided. Her body relaxed, even slumped a little.

"Y-you're right…" Sibylla reluctantly agreed as she stood up straight, noticing with a squint of her eyes how short she seemed compared to Silvia. "You can… you can let go, now."

Silvia was only a little reluctant to let Sibylla go. She decided this would help her see if she could trust Sibylla’s word. Also, she didn’t think it would be terrible if Sibylla jumped into the fight. It would give Silvia a reason to join in as well. Slowly, she let go of Sibylla before she moved to stand next to her. She cleared her throat softly and ran her fingers through her hair. Her eyes wandered over to the fight.

“Do you think I should help them? Also, are you okay with hugs and physical affection in general?” she asked Sibylla. The last thing she wanted was to have Sibylla dislike her because of her own affectionate nature. ”I usually don’t hug or show people affections unless I know they are okay with it,” she added.

"Oh yeah, tooootally cool with it," Sibylla responded in a pitch much higher than usual as she started to back up towards the girls who were being restrained. Suddenly she turned around and bolted towards Justice...only to get on the other side of her to try and help Lilith restrain her.

"I don't like you but you're not getting away," Sybilla hissed.

Silvia couldn’t help it that she smiled when Sibylla had bolted towards Justice. She thought she was going to attack Justice, but she went to try to help Lilith restrain her. Silvia sighed softly. I guess I should help...but I should stretch first, just so I don’t pull a muscle.

She took her time stretching as if she planned to go for a run before she walked closer to the fight. Her eyes wandered to Cassie as Ishara spoke to her. She let out a small laugh as Ishara took Euphemia only to throw her back at Justice. Silvia rubbed her face as she tried to rub the smile off her face. She failed. Her gaze went over to Cassie, the person who asked for help earlier.

“Why should I help? We should let Euphemia have at her. She sounds like she is ready to take over all the kingdoms, seems like she wants to be Ivelda number two.” she said. Silvia crossed her arms over her chest. She wouldn’t help just yet or at all depending on how things went. Her anger was still there. She wouldn’t go to fight Justice for now, but she wouldn’t go to help her either. For all she cared, Euphemia could beat her to a pulp.

Sibylla was also wide eyed as she hadn’t even had a chance to grab Justice when Freddie threw Reese. She couldn’t even really move as she processed what she just saw, only managing to utter, “Well, that’s one way to throw things into chaos.”