Twelfth of Midnight

The breeze moving along; grazing the leaves, swaying the trunks, passing through the surrounding woods, toward the thoroughly lit up city, was cold. Despite that though, I feel hot. There was that heat building up inside me, triggered by that sudden rush of blood, heart pounding so hard against my chest, and my skin tingling...it was all for that one emotion called anticipation.

I could see the tall buildings lighting up like stars from below, the echoes of their chatterings, the little traces of energies mixing with pollutions, human figures shadowing underneath, and that sound of the bell ringing across the land as the clock strike nine. Everything appeared so clear from up here, and the night seemed so perfect.

I stood up, clutching the metal pole which supported Leomer Empire's flag, fluttering through the air along with my hair. I lifted both of my hands from the side, releasing series of different magic circles which brightened up the entire dark skies like torches, and it was simply a sight to see.

The magic circles remained plastered on the air, each lines and patterns motioning into circles, as though awaiting for every magic stored to be unleashed. But it wasn't the time for that show yet, my magic would surely just bounce off due to how thick the barrier surrounding the entire city is.

The thing about this barrier is that it's artificial, anyone could tell. Which means it would have to be manually deactivated from the inside. Sometimes, I admire how far science could actually imitate real magic that soon, there shall actually be no used of having spiritual energy for the world will thrive without it. But that won't happen in this lifetime, the world is still far too lacking for something so advanced.

"I'm in." Ziandra's voice rang through the back of my mind as I heard her footsteps came into a halt, followed by a clicking sound.

"I am still not so sure about this, Ke'ala." Millard said, hearing small movements around him. "But I'm in position. Theone?"

"This is crazy." Theone muttered in disbelief, the sound of rocks breaking were reverberating nearbye. "Anytime now, Ziandra."

I took a move forward, my feet just a step away from actually falling from this tower. All of the sudden, the transparent barrier created electrical surges, eventually making the dome-like glass to slowlg fade away. The disappearance of the city's protective barrier made my magic circles thoroughly visible, halting people on their activities in wonder.

As the magic circles rounded up the skies, I can't help but sigh while my hands began to tremble once again at the thought of killing these people. I clenched it, hard enough that I could feel my nails digging through my palm. I wasn't always like this...but it makes me feel so vulnerable and I hate it.

"Ke'ala?" Theone reminded, which made me sigh.

"I know." I said out loud, more like to myself.

I reversed the circles, their positions rearranging like numbers finding their own orders, and the moment I flickered my fingers, different magic spells began to pour down like rain, sending people in astray. The sky began to ramble, thunderstorms accompanied by lightnings appeared, and the whole city shook as the tectonic plates shifted underneath; releasing several earthly spikes which protruded from the ground.

Some crumbled as buildings fell down one by one, burying the carriages and street stalls beneath the boulders. The screams of people filled the air brought by fear, anxiety, confusion, then there's that hint of anger. I sighed at the sight, jumping right down from the top of this hundred-feet tower. I used my own energy to lessen the momentum, stopping my fall just before I hit the earth.

Fires spread from house to house, the ground shaking vigorously that it had created some craters among the loosen soils. Emotions swirled inside me like I was inhaling energy and not air while I walk on the middle of the street, my surroundings coming into a blur passing by.

The flags on each towers on each sides of the city started to catch fire, burning into cinders; watched by people in despair. And I didn't like everything I was seeing. I didn't like the way I was loving it. If only it had all been real, but does that really matter at this point?

Then there came the bridge which connects to the entrance gate of the palace. Arching iron railings were placed each beside the glass-paned floors attached to metal beams underneath, acting as walls. A tall single door was waiting at the end of this bridge, its height extending far above the castle ceilings.

It was connecting to the big round-coloured window which produced several colours as streaks of moonlights hit the glass—as though a prism. Despite what was happening, I found the intricate architecture rather beautiful. I thought so as my footsteps sounded simultaneously; boots silently hitting the ground again and again, blending in with the rushing waves underneath this bridge, until they stopped.

Dozens of soldiers rushed outside the other bridge, so does the other at my right, probably thinking it was an all-out attack. Small rock particles vibrated slowly underneath, and I knew another dozen of Leos would crawl out of that single door any moment now just like over the rest of the doors attached to the bridge. But I'm not going to get out of their way just for them to pass.

The door bursted open, revealing more than a dozen of soldiers lined up as they march. Each wore a bronze-plated armour, same heavy-metallic swords, helmets, and round shields on their right arm. They did not stop when they saw me and rather kept going in their choreographed pace.

It was as though I have already been decided as an enemy without making sure whether I was a civilian or not, but I guess that doesn't exactly matter at this moment. One line on the front started running towards me, their swords lifted up on the front in perfect syncs.

Continuing my steps, I summoned my medieval sword; its size big enough to parry four swords slashed to me from upwards all at once. I pushed them over, taking another step as I made a long cut downward to two incoming soldiers; hitting them on their knees which incapacitated them from moving.

I immediately shifted my head to the right sending a sword being swung so heavily behind me and before it could reach my shoulder, I turned around and buried my sword on the soldier's arm, making him fall to the ground. The last one ran towards my direction with an angry scream, attempting to openly stab my head with his weapon which I deflected with mine and eventually hit the back of his neck with the hilt of my sword.

It didn't take a minute for the four soldiers to be knocked out, facing yet another line of four but this time, all the remaining ones attacked head-on. I adjusted the grip over the hilt, swinging the weapon around my hand, waiting for all of them to be closed enough before moving in, swinging my sword over their flesh.

Soon, I remained standing in front of the door, leaving all the soldiers unconscious or either too injured to stand up behind me. I cut the door in half, the iron loudly falling on the marbled floor inside. The hall only led to one passageway, and despite the lanterns hung unto each sides of the wall, it was still somehow dim.

Wala akong nakikita o nararamdaman manlang ibang tao habang naglalakad ako, tanging mga hakbang ko lang ang maririnig ko at ang tunog espada sa sahig habang hinihila ko ito. Lumiko ako sa isa pang daanan dahil pader na ang nasa unahan, at dito ay makikita ko na hindi na hindi na lanterns ang nagsisilbing ilaw.

Kundi ang mga may ilaw na kandila sa itaas at ang transparent na pader na gawa matibay na salamin sa kanan, at mula dito ay makikita ko ang mga bituin. Nakikita ko din ang magic circles ko sa labas, pati narin ang nagkakagulong mga tao sa syudad sa labas.

Sa dulo ng hallway ay may isang pigura na nakatayo dito nang magpatuloy lamang ako sa paglalakad. Nakatayo lamang ito sa gitna habang hawak ang rapier nito sa kanang kamay. Hindi din ito gumagalaw na tila'y parang isang estatwa.

Nakasuot ito ng mahabang brown na coat at nakatakip ang mukha ng hood kaya hindi ko makita ang itsura nito. Ayon sa pagtayo at sa suot ng damit nito, may pakiramdam ako na isa itong aristocrat dito sa palasyo o talagang ganoon lang siya magbihis. Pero wala akong pakealam sa rason at walang pag-aalangang tinapon ko kaagad sa direksyon nito ang hawak kong medieval sword.

Sa sobrang bilis nito ay halos hindi ko na nakita ang paggalaw niya ng rapier niya para isangga ang espada at sa isang iglap, nakatutok na ang hawak nitong weapon sa likod ng leeg ko. Wala din akong narinig sa kaniya, at parang sobrang kalkulado ang mga galaw nito na walang siyang sinasayang.

"You didn't have to stop." I said, unbothered by his presence behind me.

"If I had not, you could have had torn my arm."

I chuckled lightly, easing the surrounding tension. "You are no means an easy opponent, so it seems."

"Neither are you."

"Where is your Emperor?"

"How rude. You are not to address His Majesty as such."

"I don't exactly honor status unless one is worthy of respect."

"Then you shall meet your demise."

He jumped above me, his rapier aimed thoroughly above my head. I took a stab backward, letting him land on the floor as his sword stabbed underneath it with a crack. He swung his weapon right upward to my direction, it sharply-pointed top barely grazing under my chin if I hadn't moved away. I was backed against the wall when I avoided another sudden attack. I saw him smirk, victory must already be on his mind.

His rapier was pushed in suddenly in a fast motion, and it barely grazed by cheek after I moved my head slightly to the side. His weapon got stuck over the wall, leaving him immobile. I used the opportunity to kick him on his abdomen, he stumbled backward in response and managed to loose the grip on his rapier. I pulled the weapon out of the wall, feeling a small wave of energy surround it as I pointed it at his direction, and I knew it wasn't mine. Glaring, he lifted his hand in front of him in a protective manner, a red magic circle appearing just around his palm. 

"Sword Magic: Blast." Upon his words, the rapier in my hand started vibrating, making my arm tremble along it as energy threatened to let loose. 

Energy was released like a bomb got activated, pushing me against the wall which caused me to throw the weapon away as blinding lights clouded my vision. I hissed in pain after feeling my entire right arm burning; the skin being peeled off from my own flesh and the red marks spreading, the pain went even deeper to my bones, as though my arm was being roasted. The lights finally disappeared, but my vision was beginning to darken due to the earlier brightness when I heard a sigh. The man grabbed his rapier on the floor as he summoned another magic circle. 

"Sword Magic: Hundred Blade Dance!"

The weapon was slashed over me in different directions all at once, like foreshadowing his attacks in series of illusions. I avoided them all easily, his annoyance storing up before finally making a hit on my right shoulder. Grinning, he swung the sword down as my eyes widened. It felt like the pain only intensified, blood spurted out like a pouring water as I watch my arm separate from my body. I gritted my teeth to prevent a scream so hard that my lower lip must have bled. 

"Oh, that was disrespectful of me. However, I do not feel sorry. So it would be nice if you admit all your crimes such as trespassing and terrorist--" 

"You...will pay for that." 

"Without your arm?" He provoked. 

I ignored the shooting pain by cancelling it out by my ability, almost letting out a sigh of relief when it completely disappeared. I directed my energy to my cut off arm while it slowly produced a new flesh, and although it was under the process of healing, a missing advantage won't stop me from killing their Emperor to take the Guardian. I opened my other hand, the medieval sword tightly gripped around it. 

The man parted his lips to say another spell, but before he even could surround his rapier with his own energy, I dashed right in front of him. He flinched at my sudden speed as I made a side ward cross with my sword from the side of his face to the other, hitting his wide-opened eyes. He began to scream in horror, both if his hands covering what was left of his visions--although there weren't any. Blood dripped from his ruined eyesight, backing away until his back was pressed onto the glass wall behind him. 

"You...You! W-what have you done?!"

"Surely you can figure that part out." I answered, the tip of my sword now at his forehead. "Answer me, where is your Emperor?"

"I will not betray my Empire until my last dying breath--"

"Then you are useless." I stabbed the weapon right past the side of his head, shattering the glass. 

Surprised, he took his final step backwards. He let out another yell realizing he was falling, his face distorted as he struggled to grasp on something tangible. Fear radiated out of him, knowing he was falling right to his death. Sharp rocks a hundred feet below were waiting as water hit against them, the skies were still bright due to the magic circles ranging almost everywhere, thus I can see him as his body stabbed right to it; his mouth agape, blood squeezing from his spine, and his eyes devoid of any sight. 

I turned around, making my weapon disappear while I make my way forward through the empty hallway. The lustrously lit candles over my head one by one started to die out as an intense breeze came rushing in from the end of the hall. Another figure stood by at the door, but this time, there were three of them where two were clearly hidden. 

The figure, unlike my earlier opponent, wore a silver-plated armor against her chest which connected down her abdomen, leaving her stomach open. There was a dagger resting beside her hip, and as she faced me, her shadow was cast behind the door. I noticed invisible movements in it, but I wasn't able to ask for my body suddenly went stiff, causing me unable to move.

"Only one, huh? Where are the rest, you ruffian?" She unseated her dagger and did not hesitate to point it at my face. 

I sighed, tired of these tediousness. "Do not agitate me." I warned. 

She looked down to see my torn arm--still recuperating--before looking back at me and frown. "Typical Chris, he got you there, huh? Now, where is that guy?" She had this unusual accent while she glanced behind me. 

"Dead, perhaps." I answered, moving my hand to rustle my hair which surprised her for I wasn't supposed to be moving 

She suddenly pushed her dagger forward without a warning, and as instinct, I bent down my body to the back, letting her blade pass by. I flipped backwards, and as I land on my feet, she was already behind me. The lack of my arm was indeed a disadvantage against that speed, reason why she managed to make a cut on my cheek when I pulled myself aside. I grabbed her hand at the process and raised my knee to hit her bare stomach. She coughed up blood at the force after I let her face hit the ground. 

Nawasak ang maliit na parte ng sahig dahil 'dun, pero alam kung hindi siya ganoon kasimpleng kalaban. Kaya bago pa man siya makabangon ay pinatong ko na ang paa ko sa likod ng ulo nito. Ramdam ko ang inis ng babae, pero sa kabila ng inis na iyon ay may kaonting tuwa din at hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit. Napaatras ako nang biglang may namuo na itim na enerhiya sa katawan nito at nagpatuloy ito sa pagkalat hanggang sa nabalot na ng kadiliman ang buong lugar. 

Hindi katulad nung lalaki kanına ay mas nararamdaman at naririnig ko ang basat galas ng babaeng ito, pero hindi lang siya ang nandito. Tinaas ko ang kamay ko tsaka nagpakawala ng apoy para maliwanagan ang nasa malapit sa akin. Sa sang iglap ay nakahiga na ako sa sahig dahil parang may sumipa ng tuhod ko mula sa likuran. Tumingin ako sa itaas at nakita ang paparating na dalawang daggers, mabilis akong gumalaw papunta sa glid at tinapon ang apor papunta doon.

May kakaiba sa kadilimang ito, parang pamilyar pero kung iisipin ay iba ito kumpara sa nararamdaman ko kay Andrea. Andrea's dark energy is one filled with hostility yet at the same time, it makes me feel normally secured, like I could entrust my whole being with it. Pero ang enerhiya na ito, it makes me feel rather weak, na habang nandito ako ay mas mahihirapan akong gumalaw, na tila ay may kumakapit sa buo kong katawan. It makes me feel hesitant on where to attack or what to do, and I don't like it. 

One hand grabbed my neck from behind, pinning me against something solid yet cold--the glass wall. I clenched my fist and sent out electrical surges everywhere over my body, it sent the figure off me but when I had just turned around, another launched at me. My back was forcibly crashed against the glass, feeling it crack as the small broken fragments cut my skin. I sighed in irritation, blocking an incoming attack with my left arm above.

A dagger got stabbed on my hand, penetrating to the back of my palm. I took the dagger and was about to throw it on the movements in front of me when I stopped, unsure of whether the enemy was there. Because of that, someone managed to hit the back of my neck; making me kneel on the floor, my hand clutched around my throat in pain.

I once again cancelled out the stabbing feeling on my neck and let out a sigh, calming myself. Three are surrounding me, one in the left, and two are in front of me. I have always considered the condition of my mindset in battle, and it has always been my advantage in everything. But inside this surrounding darkness, that mindset is continuously being tested, making me hesitate and doubt my every decision. If this keeps up, I might just lose--which I cannot afford to.

"Surrender, you ruffian." Said another woman's voice. "Consider it an honour fighting Your Majesty, the Emperor's aids." 

Nakaramdam na lamang ako ng matalim na bagay na nakatutok sa ibabaw ng ulo ko, at hanggang ngayon ay nakaluhod parin ako. Ayaw ko ang ganitong posisyon dahil pakiramdam ko ang hina hina ko sa ganitong lagay. Isa pa, bakit ba ako nahihirapan sa mga babaeng ito? Inaamin ko na malalakas sila, pero mas marami pa ang mga nakaharap kong mas malakas pa. Sabi ni Claudious, hangga't maaari, wala dapat ang makakaalam na may nakapasok na sa palasyo. Pero simula sa pagpasok ko pa lang kanina ay tiyak na alam na nila ito, kaya wala din naman akong rason limitahan ang sarili ko. 

"Kill her already." Narinig kong utos ng isa sa taong nasa kaliwa. 

"Go find Chris' body. As long as we have the Guardian, we can reactivate his life force." Wika ng isa sa unahan. 

"Fine." Upon saying that, tinulak ng babae ang dagger sa ulo ko pero kung ganoon lang ako kadaling mamatay, ay sana matagal na akong patay. 

Nagpalabas ako ng dual blade mo, ang isa ay nasa kaliwa kong kamay na ngayon ay nakatusok sa tiyan ng babae bago pa man nito ako tuluyang masaksak, habang ang isa naman ay nakalutang sa hangin na siyang tumama sa likuran ng babae. Tumulo sa kamay ko ang dugo mula dito, at nang natumba siya ay ang unti-unting pagkawala ng kadiliman.

Hindi ako ganoon kasanay gumamit ng kaliwa, pero hindi din naman ako mahihirapang talunin sila. Hanggang maaari ay ayaw ko pa naman sanang sayangin ang enerhiya ko kaya simula kanina ay tanging pagsummon ng mga weapons lang ang ginagawa ko, dahil sa buong palasyo ay may nararamdaman akong kakaiba, at ayaw ko ang pakiramdam na ito.

Napaatras ang dalawa nang makita nila ang katawan ng babae sa na akala nila ay ako, kaya naisip ko na hindi din sila ganoon na makakita sa dilim, mukhang ang babaeng nasaksak ko ay ang may kapangyarihang makagawa na dilim. Patay ang mga kandila sa itaas, tanging ang liwanag lang ng iba't ibang magic circles mula sa labas ng salamin ang nagsisilbing liwanag.

"Karin! Hey, wake up--"

"She's alive," I interrupted. "Barely." I did her abdomen and my other sword made a huge cut on her neck down her spine despite that armour, after all. "Tell me where is your Emperor hiding. Albeit the commotion outside, he doesn't seem to be bothered." I could tell by the lack of security inside as well as outside. 

"Do not speak of--" 

"But of course there would be a lack of security." I muttered to myself, throwing my other sword up so that two of them are now floating in front of me. "Your Emperor must have sent so many to protect that certain town, what was it again? Arien...Artrien--well, whatever."

"You--! So you planned all of this. You made an attack in Adrient knowing we have something to hide in there. Which country are you? How many countries were in this enough for you to breach our Empire's defenses?!"

"You are in no position to ask questions." 

But she did admit they were hiding something in that small town. Looking at that map, it felt weird how every cities and towns in the Empire is thriving yet that one place doesn't. The Capitol City of Leomer is surrounded by large active volcanoes, but the city is protected by an artificial barrier, must be a defense system against them. But that's not the problem, it's the fact that not only the whole city, but the whole Empire is reeking off this artificial energy. I could tell because this said energy is so large that it could cover an entire continent, and Leomer Empire is one. 

"Neither are you!" The woman wasted no time in attacking.

"Then I'll make it so." 

Before she could lounged herself to me, she was blocked by my floating swords, and was left with no choice but to stop to defend herself. Another figure, one with the acceleration, aimed her dagger at my right. Despite the lack of arm, she was held down by my energy; causing her to stay motionless as her eyes widened, her mouth bubbling, and her whole face threatening to explode due to the lack of air. 

"You don't want me to kill your sister, do you?" I flicked my finger, moving the swords out of her way. They were sisters because they each have the same looks, except for the length of the hair. 

"What makes you think I care?" She challenged, clenching her fists. 

"Your emotions give you away." I answered, grabbing the immobile woman's neck and pushed her against the glass, which caused it to break even further--until it completely shattered. Unlike earlier, this part of the rushing river doesn't have any sharp rocks. "I will ask again. Where is your Emperor?"

"I will kill you!"

"But you can't, for you have no power to do so." I bluntly said, and it only irritated her more knowing it was the fact.

"If you were that strong, then why didn't you kill us in the first place?" She was buying time to build up her magic behind her, hoping she could get me talking. But fine, I'll humour her.

"I want to avoid killing as possible." I let the woman I was holding breathe, she looked like she was about to die. 

"What are you after?"

"The Guardian."

"You really think you can defeat the Emperor?"

"It's not a matter of whether I think so or not, it's whether I will or won't."

"Arrogance will get you nowhere!" She raised her hand toward me, a green magic circle instantly appearing. "My magic allows me to show my target's greatest fear, and they will die if they succumb to it...w-what's happening?"

She must have had realized that the circle isn't showing anything. I frowned, one sword burying down the leg of the other woman who remained laying on the floor with her own blood around her. The woman grunted, her mouth covering her mouth to stop herself from screaming, from being pathetic.

"I..."I trailed off, looking outside where my magic circles seem to be slowly disappearing. I glanced away from it, now sure that my energy is being drained. 

"H-how is that even possible? Every human has something they fear!"

"I do have fear." I said abruptly. "Enough of that, answer my question otherwise..." the floating blades continued to swirl above the helpless woman, barely conscious. 

"Do not threaten me--"

"This is hardly even a threat." I interrupted. I tightened my grip around the neck of the one I was holding up. "This is getting tedious."

I dropped her, watching her motionless body fall off the cold rushing river. The other woman rushed past me in panic, like everything she has done 'till now has lost its purpose. But before she could jump off, I grabbed her arm and yanked her back. She glared in return, forcing herself out of my hold; her eyes clouding deep in worry.

"Let me go!" She shouted.

"My question."

"T-The Emperor...Your Majesty is probably in his chambers. We are buying as much time so that he can escape to the borders--'

"He's leaving his subjects behind? That's interesting."

"No! The Emperor is not that kind of a leader! Do not disrespect him, you ruffian. Now let me go!"

"Fine." I loosened my grip, letting her dive for her sister. I doubt the latter could have died despite her unconsciousness. I did surround  my energy around her, after all. 

I opened the door leading to two intersections, though on the middle was a staircase. This said staircase was huge, having a diamond-shaped crystal gemstone attached to the high-ends ceiling. Before I could step right past the door though, one hand grabbed my foot. I sighed, looking at the woman on the floor...or now that i look at her, we aren't that seem so far in age.

"Y-you're...you c-can't kill him...the Emperor--please."

"Have you fallen so low you can only beg?" I asked, it wasn't an insult but just pure curiosity.

"I-I do not care...p-please--d-do not kill Leomer's Sky, the E-Emperor."

I crouched, tilting my head in wonder. "How are you be so sure I can kill your Emperor?"

"My magic...sees o-one's depth. Y-you are--" she stopped, coughing blood. 

"You don't have to say more." 

"No...you--you can have everything you d-desire and t-that includes the E-Emperor's death!"

"I will have his death it if I am forced to have it." I admitted. "But why are you all so loyal?" She gritted her teeth in pain, and I guess I could spare some time healing her...and I did.

"W-why did you do that?"

"Because I was feeling generous. Now, answer my question."

"It was the current Emperor who pulled the Leos on top. We are greatly under his debt--"

"Even though it's all fake?"

"What are you saying?" She asked, puzzled.

I smiled, standing up. "You should find your sisters and get out of here. I don't give chances all the time."

She vigorously nodded, grabbing her dagger before jumping out of the shattered glass wall. Napailing na lamang akop at nagpatuloy sa paglalakasa paitaas ng hagdanan. Kung makakaya ng Emperor nilang makagawa ng ganito kalakas na mahika, tiyak na marami pa ang magagawa nito. Sa dulo ay may isang malaking pintuan na gawa sa isa klase ng kahoy, kaya hindi itp ganoon katibay pero hindi din naman madaling mabuksan dahil may isang locking spell ang nakalagay dito. Pero alam kong may tao sa loob dahil sa ability ko.

Kaya sa halip magsayang ng oras buksan ang spell ay sinira ko na lamang ito gamit ang dalawang espda na nakalutang parin sa likuran ko. Malaki ang buong kwarto, pero wala din naman itong halos laman kundi tanging isang higaan lang at mga nakapaligid na lanterns. Sa kabilang banda din ay may isang upuan dito, parang throno. Hindi din ganoon ka detalyado ang mga disenyo. Sa likod ng isang divider na tinatakpan ng tela ay may isang pigura ang nakatayo.

Lumakad ito paupo sa kaniyang upuan habang nilalaro amg hawak nitong espada, sa isang kamay naman ay may hawak itong isang scroll. Sa hindi ko alam na kadahilanang rason ay hindi sa kaniya nagmumula ang enerhiya na nakapaligid sa buong empire. Napangiti ito nang makita ako, pero ilang segundong katahimikan pa ang lumipas bago ito nagsalita.

"My, what a beautiful lady. Greeting from Kelvin, the Sky of the Leomer Empire. You are?"

I directed my blade towards him, letting it graze past his right cheek before finally hitting the back of his chair. "Surely as a candidate yourself, your scroll tells you my name."

He smirked. "Indeed, so you are the infamous Caelesti of the Unknown, or most would refer to as the Unknown. However, i do love to get to know you. Oh where are my manners?" He snapped his fingers and in one blink, a cup filled with tea was already in front of me.  "Please help yourself with that Earl tea."

I grabbed the cup, smiling in return. "I would most prefer vanilla or jasmine."

"Then let's have both." Again, in one blink, the cup was filled with the oozing scent of vanilla with the mixture of jasmine, and it was absolutely rejuvenating the  moment my tongue touched the hot liquid, making me sigh. 

"I must say, I had a long day so this helps."

"It is my honour." He replied. "Are you aware that the World's Battle will only start at your death?"

"No. But I assume the top twelve candidates are completed."

"Oh we are completed. I happened to be the top twelve myself."

"I assume you acquired the rank with the help of the Guardian."

"You can say that. I, Kelvin, am quite proud of it."

"Good for you." 

"It appears the World's Organization is threatened by your existence." He pulled out my sword and it immediately disappeared at the sudden contact. "And the rest of the unranked candidates are out there hiding knowing they will get killed by the Organization for failing. It's for the purpose of the existence of the Organization not to be known by public. And you know what? These unranked candidates are only given a chance to live and part of the Twelve if they manage to kill you, although it is obviously a bluff."

"People will cling to anything in moments of despair, don't you agree so?"

"Oh I do, I very much do." He stood up, swinging his sword through his fingers. "I do wonder why the Organization seems so desperate on erasing your traces on this world."

"You and me both."

"I would like to see how you look in moments of despair, will this beautiful lady allow me to?" He curtsied, his other arm behind him and foot behind the other, bending his body forward a little.

"I wonder." I summoned another blade, my dual swords spinning in front of me. 

"Oh my, you do not appear to be in a certain condition to fight me." He said glancing at my missing right arm.

I almost forgot about my arm. Remembering so, I surrounded myself with energy, lifting my imaginary arm up until lights glowed around it; creating series of lines and patterns although there wasn't a circle. In almost a few seconds, a newly-created arm protruded from my shoulder. I stretched it sideward, feeling my joints reconnect. It was already long healed, I must have been engrossed over something that it lost my mind having to actually finish the process.

"You were saying?" The dual blades landed both on each of my hands reassuringly. 

"Impressive."

"Not as impressive as your illusion." I looked over the round window just above his throne-like chair. "To be able to build an economy, industry, agriculture...with all but illusions; making your subjects believe that you acquired a whole continent. But what you did was merely cover everything up with your magic to produce illusions, and it was up to the Guardian to make it all seem so real. When in fact, what you're doing is attracting new immigrants, make them live here, and drain their energy slowly."

He didn't answer, seemingly in daze as he stared at me. "I am beyond impressed, Caelesti. Is that why you had Zyrendel attacked Adrient? I had almost all of my manpower go there immediately. I had planned to escape myself to go there, but after knowing that the great Caelesti is coming to meet me herself? I decided to wait. You did take your time with my aides though, I was getting bored waiting."

"Well, I had my fun."

"You even killed one. Christian, Chros, ah Chris, right. The poor man died rather tragically."

"I did not kill him." I clenched around the hilts of my swords. "He ended up killing himself."

"Of course, how could I even conclude so easily? As an apology, I hope you'd like this."

Biglang yumanig ang sahig, kasabay nito ay ang unti-unting pagdami ng lalaking ito na nangangalang Kelvin. Parang napapaligiran ako ng madaming salamin na kung saan saan ko lang makikita ang pigura nito. Naramdaman ko na lamang ang pagtulo ng dugo mula sa ulo ko, pero hindi ko ito pinansin at agad na humarap sa likod para hiwain ang kilala nilang Emperor. Natamaan ko nga ito, pero tanging isang ngisi lamang ang binigay nito bago ito nawala na parang bula.

Malalaman ko kung aatake ba ito o hindi sa kaonting pagbago sa ihip ng hangin at enerhiya pati narin ang emosyon nito, pero hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganoon kabilis ang paggawa niya ng ilusyon na hindi ko halos maagapan kung nasaan ang tunay na katawan nito o kung kailan ngaba ito aatake. Napabuntong-hininga ako at agad na hinilom ang sugat ko sa ulo, kasabay nitp ay ang pagpakawala ko ng enerhiya na siyang isa isang umubos ng pekeng ilusyon nito.

"You used such an advanced magic without using a circle to erase my fake selves, I see. I should expect no less from the girl who is considered as a threat by the Organization."

"I'm sure you can do so much more than that, Kelvin, the Sky of Leomer Empire."

He planted the tip of his sword on the floor, summoning a small blue magic circle around as it spun around the weapon. My surroundings immediately changed, now surrounded by earth terrains with rocks spanning from each of my side. Large chains were already coiled around my wrists, my knees bleeding at the sudden contact of the thorn underneath me. Kelvin appeared before my kneeling figure, and I didn't like the way he was looking at me. 

"Your illusion can indeed get you anywhere."

"Indeed. Including above you. Now, how does it feel to be the one below somebody who is far more powerful than you, Caelesti?"

"Don't agitate me."

"Do not agitate me." It was an order which made me feel annoyed. "You are like an insignificant rose. No matter how captivating you may be, you will always remain as a thorn that is needed to disappear for the good of the whole garden."

Sinubukan kong gamitin ang enerhiya ko pero sa kasamaang palad ay walang lumalabas. Ngumisi lamang ito tsaka lumakad paikot sa akin. Naririnig ko ang tunog ng espada niya na pinapatama niya sa mga bato, at alam kong gumagawa ito ng circle. Hanggang matpos ang ilang ikot, nagbago na naman ang paligid. Ganoon parin na hindi ako makagalaw dahil sa chains, pero nakaluhod na ako ngayon sa mapuputing buhangin. 

"It's strange seeing a sunset at this time of the night, right?" Tumigil ito sa unahan ko at tinutok ang espada nito sa dibdib ko. "But a sight this beautiful is a place where such a beautiful being like you should die." 

"You really think you can kill me this easily?" I questioned, he smiled as an answer of confirmation before he pushed his weapon inside me, feeling my chest surge forward at the sudden stabbing pain. 

"It was a pleasure meeting you--" 

His sword shattered, his illusions breaking, and everything else blurring when I found myself standing on the floor back in the room. He stood in disbelief, stumbling back as he touched his head. It was a little after then that he laughed so hard that it echoes through the entire area. 

"You turned my illusion against me! Impressive!" He complimented.

I summoned different sets of weapons as they hover on the air and in one single motion, all of them continuously hitting the Emperor. He instantly summon another sword and easily deflected my attacks. He created a dozen of soldiers as an illusion to intercept me, despite being illusions, the Guardian somewhere with him makes everything physically and mentally real. 

But this number should be nothing against me for I quickly managed to go past them while slicing them all up in halves. But the thing about these fakes are that they can revive so instantly that another batch managed to block my way when I was about to attack Kelvin. Annoyed, I shot a blast of my energy in every directions which completely erased the soldiers. 

The Emperor this time attacked himself, perhaps realizing he won't be able to get me with his illusions. He swung bis sword towards me from side to side and we began to exchange several attacks; our swords creating friction against one another, the heat building up across the room. I kicked his stomach away from me, causing him to stumble back. But he regained his composure and summoned five spinning blue magic circles over the ceiling.

The magic circles exploded, the whole ceiling falling apart in separate rubles. I summoned a barrier to protect myself, but Kelvin went from behind and made a roundhouse kick which made me slide back, the dusts covering my whole cloak as the surroundings brightened due to the full moon shown above the dark skies. I realized that my magic circles somehow stopped, and being under this whole illusion really drains a lot from me.

"Not bad, Caelesti." Kelvin said.

"I could say the same thing about you."

He slammed his sword on the ground, the impact sent a wave of air toward me accompanied by large boulders. While avoiding the series of attacks, different sets of magic circles once again appeared around me, releasing a variety of elemental spells which trashed the whole place into an utter chaos. I threw my swords upward, letting both flew right into the air as they deflect the incoming attacks as I lifted both of my hands. I let out a wave of fire engulf the whole place, replacing the oxygen with carbon, erasing the fake army of soldiers.

The air began to slightly distort, which means the Emperor is trying to set up another illusion. I jumped up, grabbing my dual sword on the air at the process as i landed on Kelvin's back. I slid both of my weapons behind him, the sharpness caught him off guard as they penetrate deep into his skin. He growled in pain, suddenly disappearing in front of me. 

"Illusion Magic: Swords of Nemesis!" A large magic circle appeared on the sky the moment Kelvin said the spell. A giant sword eventually fell from the circle, heading directly to my direction.

I made a fire phoenix and immediately escaped out of the way by grabbing through the back of the animal. The phoenix soared the dark skies, its blazing feathers leaving traces of cinders on the air. I stood above it as we flew out of the palace, seeing the whole castle get destroyed by several large magic circles that dropped giant swords that destroyed the entire palace into rubles. 

"Illusion Magic: Hydra." The Emperor stood on the top of the flat rock, balancing under a boulder.

This time, a huge purple magic circle covered the skies, it was so big that I could feel so much energy reeking out of it. Rain started pouring down, but it wasn't just any rain, the water has poison that melted some of my cloak as the fire phoenix shrieked, the poison rain hitting it. The animal disappeared, but I managed to grab unto a metal pole attached to a metal beam above. I covered myself in a thick layer of energy, ignoring the earlier burning sensation brought by the poison.

I pulled myself up, immediately facing Kelvin while he held his aiming at my face. I summoned a scythe this time; swinging it over my hands before finally attacking him with it. Umilag siya papunta sa kanan nang muntik na itong matamaan, pero agad din naman itong pumailalim at sinuntok ang tiyak ko kaya muntik na akong mahulog. Ang ilog ang nasa ilalim nito, at mataas ito kumpara kanina kaya tiyak na mababali ang mga buto ko kung mahuhulog ako. 

I slashed my scythe from the side, he blocked it with his weapon but I managed to get his other side open and thus, I landed a kick on the other side of his face. He fell on the ground due to the force. I moved my weapon downward to hit him, though he was quick to block with hi sword. I continued pouring him series of slashes and cuts which he all managed to block so skillfully. Another magic circle appeared below me, as well as just over my head. 

"Illusion Magic: Lock." The spell was activated making my scythe disappear, and it was like I was being surrounded by a transparent glass and no matter how much I try to break it, it's useless. Still sitting on the ground, Kelvin released one final smirk. "Illusion Magic: Pain!"

Realizing his intentions, I immediately cancelled out my sense of pain as a wave of rushing pain went passed by my presence. His smirk was then wiped off his face in confusion as I used my energy to forcibly break his trapping spell. He was about to grab his weapon on the side when I kicked his hand, loosing his grip on it as the sword slid just over the edge of the rock, barely falling down the water.

I was already panting at this point. Being under series of his illusions have disadvantage, and that is even if I can win against them, it still drains a hunk of my energy so I'm very tired at the moment. Mabuti na lang sana kung isuko niya na lamang ang Guardian sa akin. Alam kong malakas ang nasabing Emperor ng Leomer, naiintindihan ko narin kung bakit siya napasok sa Worl's Battle bilang top twelve. Pero hindi iyon lahat sapat para matalo ako. Kasing-lakas niya siguro ang isang Spirit Keeper, at naging ganoon lamang siya kalakas dahil sa tulong ng Guardian. 

Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at tinignan si Kelvin ng seryoso. "You know what I want, Emperor. Give me the Guardian."

"Ha! How dare you--"

"Illusion Magic: Pain." His eyes widened when I stated his own original spell. 

Suddenly, his body trembled as he screamed in agony as though he was being stabbed endlessly everywhere, his emotions told me so. I stopped the magic after a few seconds as streaks of saliva and blood dripped from his mouth, then there was also from his nose and eyes. It was such an ugly sight coming from an Emperor everybody believed in. But this man is also amazing, being able to deceive millions of people in this whole continent. 

Leos were already wiped out from the Great War several ages of years ago, and this man with an illusion magic must have believed he was some sort of a last descendant just because he found the Guardian. Thus, for a decade, he absorbed energies in the Guardian, created an Empire, making the whole world believe that the Fallen Kingdom of Leomer has become a mighty Empire. 

It was all an illusion, from the buildings, the economy...everything was a total lie just so he could satisfy himself with being an Emperor. Who knows, some people might actually just be an illusion too. The magic circles I used to cause the commotion before were also an illusion just to rile up trouble while Claudious and the rest are attacking in Adrient, a small twon near this city, just outside the ranges of those volcanoes. 

Among all things, that town might just be the only place that is real when everything else is not, that's why Kelvin was so desperate to protect that place. Perhaps the energy absorbed by the Guardian from his subjects who is influenced by these illusions were still not enough to make that remaining town bathe in another one of his illusions. Thana Keres' illusions seem to be much more better than his.

"It seems like you aren't going to give in--"

"I-I will give you the Guardian! P-please don't kill me."

I laughed. "What's with the sudden change of character, Your Majesty?"

His eyes started glowing, after a few moments, a necklace was floating in front of me. It was a like a medallion, only it was made out of crystal. I grabbed the necklace and put it around my neck for safekeeping before returning my gaze to the Emperor. He was reaching for a rock nearbye, hoping I wouldn't notice. What is he even thinking? Defeating me with a rock?

"Illusion Magic--"

"Enough of this." I summoned my medieval sword before he could even finish chanting the spell.

I moved forward, my hand preparing to stab it down on him. But suddenly, I couldn't as one hand held my right arm in halt, another was threatening me with a gun pointed at the back of my head. There were a few more figures surrounding me but I decided to close my eyes, hoping this was another illusion...but I just knew it isn't.

"What is the meaning of this,' I opened my eyes, frowning. "Andrea, Iyana?"

"You can't kill him." Thane answered in front of me. I glanced at Claudious in question, but he only shook his head. My spirits were even around, waiting for me to make a move.

"Stand down, Ke'ala." Freya said, summoning a sword when I tightened my grip around my weapon. 

"I don't know what these two told you but," my voice went serious, intimidating. "I hate it when somebody meddles with the way I do things."

"I told them to meddle." Celeztie appeared behind Thane, her face filled with determination. "I knew this would happen from the start, but there was no way to stop you unless we do in this exact moment."

"You all know better than angering me." I gritted my teeth, frustration and disappointment rising up.

"You will trigger the New World Order Great War, Ke'ala." Andrea finally said. "The fall of the Sky of the Leomer Empire will trigger it. The world knows Leos are irregulars, their fall will cause--"

"They aren't even real Leos!"

"We know! But the whole world doesn't."

Iyana sighed. "We can't have any wars yet, Ke'ala. Both Orders are not ready yet, you will cause a total mass murder here, you will cause this world's ruins."

"So everything's going to be my fault now?" I made my sword disappear, clenching my fists in anger. "I can't even finish this deceiving bastard..."

"Will you stand down?" Andrea asked. 

"Will you start locking me down then?"

"We have to."

"I see.'

"Will you stand down, Ke'ala?" Iyana even pushed her gun more. 

I looked up, the breeze encircling us in silence as they wait for my answer. "No."

I released a blast of dark energy which sent them all away from me before they could attack so close-ranged. I ran towards the edge of the rock, jumping down as I heard the sound of gunshot reverberated through the back of my mind.  It struck me how they always refuse to understand me more painful than any kind of visible pain. But I guess that really doesn't matter anymore. I found myself thinking so as the bell rang, hinting the twelfth of midnight. 

"Happy Birthday to me, then." I whispered, along with that ringing sound was the moment my body hit the water, my bones breaking...

But I didn't seem to mind the pain then.

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AN: Sorry for the late update. I don't think I'll be able to update using a phone from now on so I might have trouble adjusting. I apologize if there's any mistakes above and oh well, happy reading!