The obscurity of the leaden horizon spreading on my field of view passed by at an unseen speed. I inserted more magic in the horse made of smoke, resulting in an opaquer figure than the ghastly shadow it originally was.

The highest peak of the tower clad in aureate became more gleaming as I gathered my momentum. The brilliance of its façade could almost compare to the radiance of the moon or even more. It was as if the building represented the sun in the murky vastness of the sky.

I landed right in the grandiose arc that framed its temple gates. Men and women adorned with golden clothes fell on their knees. The two knights guarding side by side the gate had already opened it by the time I went near.

The endless spiral staircase centered the halls. Darkness flickered in my hand, slowly wrapping it in my body before I floated towards the uppermost floor.

"Father! Father! Father!" My voice rose a tone for every word I spoke.

"Lower your voice, Cannaria." Compared to mine, it was almost a mumble yet still crystal clear.

Directly down the crevice on the roof, a ray of light passed through and illuminated his figure. Inside his temple, the untainted silk robes were changed with the flaxen shade of garments. It was a simple switch of clothes but the pure elegance he exuded every time had become the glorious majestic mien in front of me.

"Father! Do you know who Reagan is? How come I cannot see his future?"

That perplexed me the whole way here. Father shared his magic of foresight with me centuries ago. A mere touch would allow me to see the person's sealed fate. Though, there were some exceptions that made me come up with a conclusion.

"Is he also a god?!"

I could not stop the excitement. My smile stretched to both ends of my ears. It had always been the three of us- Me, Father, and Mhilrim. Now, it seemed like there would be another addition.

I must get him on my side!

Father turned his gaze towards me and uttered a single word. "No."

"Then how come? I tried to do it many times but I can't even glimpse a tiny speck of his future!"

"Your voice, Cannaria," Father reminded me again.

My eyes rolled. Could he not get used to my high-pitched voice after all these years?

Father raised his hand. Golden dust shimmered. It glowed and formed moving figures in the air. Tiny-shaped humans floated in midair. The majority did not glow but there were some who were much brighter than their surroundings.

"Amicas are rare. They are one in every thousand gifted with abilities solely for them. They are people who are blessed by fate in order to face their adversities."

One of my brows arched. It was not the time for him to lecture me about this basic thing. I really hated this side of him who could not talk straight.

"But." He pointed to a figure and it blazed with luminosity. "There are people like him who come once in a millennium. They are humans but their abundance of blessings is similar to us gods. To think such two talents will appear at the same time..."

My upcoming words stayed in my mouth. My mind stopped working upon witnessing a scene I never thought I would see in my lifetime. Goosebumps ran down my neck as I stood in a daze.

Ridiculous! How can Father be smiling?

***

ÝLIR DAY OF SUN

"Where's your mind wandering off to, dear?" Father tapped the book on my head, sitting across me with a lenient smile plastered on his face.

"Nothing, Father," I replied and got back to writing.

Father had always been in charge of my studies. The only time he hired tutors was for my etiquette lessons. No wonder he was famous for being a doting father among his peers.

He was currently teaching me commerce. As the best tradesman, there was no better teacher than him. However, now that I thought about it, did he really have a lot of time to spare to teach me? It was just a few hours every other day but Father was the busiest man in Niveus.

"Father, don't you have work to attend to? I'm almost eighteen. It's high time I get a tutor. I can't always waste your precious seconds."

He brought down the book to his lap, grabbing the teacup in front.

"It's not a waste, Cannaria."

A burst of gleefulness came to my heart as a small curl tugged into my lips. The simple words were too much for someone like me who remembered all of Father's iciness. Knowing I was worthy of any significance was a luxury so hard to achieve in my last life.

I cleared my throat, roaming my eyes around his study. My attention was glued to his table. There was a light blue envelope with the same colored seal on the center.

"Is that a letter from Deliora?" I asked.

"Yes," came his short reply.

An idea sprang to my mind. My mouth curved before running to his side. I sat beside him and gave him a pleading look.

"Father, can we visit the Grand West next time? I've never been to that place. I really want to visit it in the future."

But of course, that was not the real reason why. I wanted to know about the Crusaders. They were an organization that only worked for one woman. If they were still active, it only meant one thing.

Mhilrim might also be alive.

"Why? The kingdoms of Grand West are similar to our country. There's nothing of note there. The Far East is better. What you can do there, you can also do it here so there's no need to go to such a place."

Seeing his strong resistance, my brows furrowed. There was suspicion lurking in my mind but I could not be completely sure.

"How can you say that, Father? The Solaris Kingdom is enough reason to visit. They're the only kingdom that has remnants of magic. Their barrier is still existing. It was said to be the symbol of the True God's eternal blessing," I explained while focusing on him. "You even have the same na---" I quickly paused. "---ture. I heard the True God praised the most benevolent and you have a similar nature as him as the commoners had spread in the street."

I mentally sighed in relief after nearly making a mistake. Only a few knew about the name of True God. It was one thing as a person of this time I should not know about. My unfiltered mouth was the sole thing to blame. I was trying to catch him but I almost dug a pit for myself.

"Gods don't exist anymore, dear," he simply stated.

"Then during the era of magic, did they?"

Father set down the cup and stared right at me. It was as if he was studying me with those stark pupils of the endless night. That concentrated look overlapped with his previous life.

"Did they?" I repeated, trying to withstand the sudden tension.

A moment of silence passed between us. Father was still focusing on me. Seconds ticked and I might jerk away from my seat. The quietness was somehow making me unnerved.

"When did you get interested in these things, Cannaria?" Even the somber tone was a touch colder.

It was true that I did not care about magic and gods in the past, especially as it was nothing but history in the present. However, this was not the current case. I needed to know more.

"Who won't get curious about it?" I replied back.

Another round of stillness ensued before Father finally spoke, "You have to simmer down your curiosity, Cannaria. What you might know might not be what you expect. Magic is already a thing of the past. It is meant to be forgotten."

His words were like those from the life I recalled. It matched his chilling voice and stringent behavior. It was as if I was back on those days again that my mind declined to understand his words.

I did not want to repeat it. I loved my current life. I would exchange everything to retain this peace.

"Father..." I mumbled. I grabbed his hand out of impulse.

I completely forgot that I still could not control my magic of foresight. It had been three days since then. Father had lengthened my punishment with another week after my little escapade.

He was visibly angry that he would even avoid my morning greetings. Fortunately, we had reconciled before he began his lessons but I managed to ruin it again.

I waited for the flashes of scenes since it was already too late after our skin touched. I sighed inwardly. The magic of foresight had always been the most troublesome gift I had. I even vowed to myself earlier to never have direct contact before mastering the power I regained but this was unavoidable.

Seconds passed and just like Reagan, there was nothing.

Is he...?

My whole body froze. First, Reagan, and now, Father? Were we really all reincarnated? But why did I only have my memories back? Why did my magic return?

More questions filled my mind but I wanted nothing from all of this. I wished to remain ignorant but deep inside, I knew it was too late. From the first flash of my previous life, everything was already beyond my control.

***

ÝLIR DAY OF SUN

Since that day, I never caught a glimpse of Father again. The servants said he was occupied with urgent matters but that could not deceive me. He was clearly eluding away.

Facing the tutor, who was preparing to leave, solidified my conclusion. Unlike the previous times, I was punished he would not deliberately ignore me for consecutive days. My mind spun, thinking about what changed.

Aside from our talk with magic, there was nothing of import that would make him act like a stranger. How I hated this kind of approach.

Father was never a person who was consumed in loud anger unless his bottom line was reached. His indifference was much more impactful rather than his raging heart. Except that, I would prefer his nagging talks any time of the day rather than the isolating silence.

After my tutor left, I immediately proceeded to his study. Only that I was not allowed to enter again. I swallowed a sigh. My chest clamped but I stomached the pain.

This present was different from the past. Father would not abandon me. However, his strange behavior was telling me otherwise.

I was confident he had been reincarnated after not knowing his future but he was acting opposite the past decade from what he was used to. Yet now, he was almost back.

Did his memory also come back?

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Everything but that. If we went back to our past relationship, I would not know what to do. These whole years with him as mortals were one of the best parts of my life.

My feet dragged me back to my room. One of Father's trusted butlers was waiting for me.

"My lady, the Lord has informed me that my lady's confinement had been extended. Please stay inside the estate for the time being," he informed.

The gloominess was suddenly replaced with annoyance. The mention of his extended punishment riled me up.

Hah! Isn't this like before?

I would make a 'mistake' in Father's eyes. I received an admonishment. He would disregard me. Make me do some ridiculous punishment. It was the whole sequence I was tired of.

I mustered a smile but in the back of my mind, I was already planning to leave.

***

This time I was much more prepared. Money revolved things easily and I was able to reach the cottage in no time. With unfaltering steps, I knocked on the door.

"Don't just open the--- Oh!" The woman stopped midway.

"Sister!" Miel ran to my arms with a burst of giggles. "Did you visit me here?"

I only returned the smile. Truthfully, I had no idea that the little girl I met days ago would be here. Glancing at the inside, it seemed like it was their house.

"Is Alistair here?"

While Miel's mother hesitated, Miel nodded vigorously.

Children really don't lie.

"I need to see him---"

"We have a visitor?" There was another interruption. From my distance, flaxen strands appeared from the back seat of the sofa. "Oh, you're here! Come in!"

Miel's mother had no choice but to widen the door.

"I believe I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Cannaria Niveus," I stated before entering.

"Apologies, my lady!" The woman quickly curtsied. Her face paled just by hearing my name.

"It's fine. You are?"

"Merin, my lady."

"There's no need to call me my lady in such private quarters. You may call me Ria."

"I---I---"

"It's not like you're not used to it, Merin," Heath, who was obviously lounging on the sofa, commented.

He was acting like a young lord. Both his feet were on the armrest while he read the newspaper. His hand was on the back of his head while the other reached out for the snack spread out on the table.

"Where's Alistair?" I asked.

In perfect timing, the entrance opened once more. The hooded man revealed his face. Before anyone could react, he already put down his mask.

He was about to put away his robe when our eyes locked.

"Why, hello?"

"What is she doing here?" The curt tone was something I was gradually becoming familiar with.

"I've come to visit."

"Do all the ladies have too much time to spare? Don't you have parties to attend, tailors to visit, and spending all your allowance?"

"Apparently, I do have too much time in my hands. Though I'm quite curious how you know such detailed woman activities?" I retaliated.

"Leave."

"No. I helped you last time so it's time to you return the favor."

He frowned, his eyes darkening. "What do you want?"

"I'm in a bad mood so accompany me to have some fun."

"I'm not your personal servant---"

"That's a good idea!" Heath intervened. "Why don't we all go to the market? It's almost sunset, I'm sure there might be some interesting activities going on. Who's up for it?"

"I do! I do!" Miel agreed in an instant.

"Me too," I added.

"Good. We have the majority---"

"I'm not going," Alistair declined.

"Come on now, Al! Or else I'm telling Mother to matchmake you to everyone."

They had a stare-off with a victory for Heath.

That quickly made me curious about Heath's mother. Alistair's new personality could be difficult to handle and for Heath to use such a threat was amusing.

"Good! Let's go."

***

The market of Aria City never lacked any form of entertainment. There always was something to gather people in the place. Today, there was a theater set up on the plaza. A shadow play was about to be performed and mostly children filled the seats.

Miel and Merin stayed there while the three of us roamed. I thought I would be dragging them around but with Heath's presence, it was the other way.

He paused on everything that interested him like a kid going out for the first time.

"The artist originated from Relandey, am I right? I'm sure he has better works displayed on the Grand West," I remarked while Heath was inspecting the painting.

"Yes, but this one happens to be one of his older works. There's no date but his use of colors was the same from his first collection," Heath explained.

"I see." Before I could speak once more, there was a sudden chill on my back. I twisted my neck and mouthed 'what' to the grouching man with us.

"How do you know we're from the Grand West?" Alistair questioned.

"I told you, I know a lot of things," I replied with nonchalance.

"Answer properly."

I gave him a droll stare. "The mere fact that you're part of the Crusaders is the greatest indicator."

"Then how do you know we are Crusaders? I believe you haven't answered that yet."

"Do you really want to talk about this in public?" I refuted.

"What do you think?"

My eyes almost rolled all the way back to my head. Why was everyone suddenly acting like their past selves? Reagan had always drilled me with endless questions when he was just an apprentice.

"It's your mask, of course," I answered nonetheless.

"Look, they are selling exotic foods. Let's go try some." Heath's overly eager voice halted our conversation.

We followed behind him. There were food stalls lining around but one had definitely caught Heath's attention as he walked straight to it.

The blue stall had heavy smoke coming from the grill, almost covering the food from view. Its scent was enticing with all the spices mixed in. I glanced at the basket. The cooked delicacy was neatly arranged.

Whole frogs were pierced with a stick. There were parts of chicken not regularly eaten displayed. Head, feet, and their intestines covered the stick. Snakes were on the far end of the tray and even insects were not spared.

Exotic, indeed.

"What do you want? I'll treat you both," Heath said.

"I'll take three of this and two of that." I took the intestine and pointed out the chicken feet.

The two men also placed their orders. Heath implored us to look for seats while he waited for the food. I almost gave him a thumbs-up for giving me an opportunity.

We chose the one facing the plaza. Along the way, it did not go unnoticed how everyone was staring at us, specifically Alistair. Though one of his eyes was covered by an eyepatch, no one could deny his perfectly made features.

Out of all the humans she had encountered, no one could compare to his appearance. As the amber horizon transitioned, the shadows and light reflecting on his face made him more picturesque.

"What the hell are you looking at?"

If only he can shut his mouth...

"Are you really this ill-mannered?" I asked and matched the frown on his face.

He did not answer and only sent me a bored look. All my plans to have a peaceful conversation with him had escaped down the drain.

"Won't it bother you to act cordial? Being friendly is a good trait to have. Don't you care about people backstabbing you with such attitude?"

"Why should I care for people who are insignificant?" he returned full of crankiness.

I sighed exasperatedly in my mind. It was so hard to get along with him. I tried once again but his defense was a mountainous fortress built with the strongest bricks.

Was this how he felt when he had initiated a conversation with me back then?

Luckily, Heath arrived before things got worse. I didn't have the longest temper. One more retort from him would have made me snap.

The three of us ate in silence until Heath broke the ice.

"I hope you don't find this rude, Cannaria, but the longer I looked at you, the more familiar you are. Have we met somewhere before?"

Alistair sneered. "That's a stupid flirting line."

Both of us paid no heed to Alistair. I swore I had never met Heath but I still tried to collect my memories. Perhaps he was also part of my past.

My gaze focused on his face. The golden curls soften the sharpness of his manly aspects. His eyes drooped on the corner and his irises were something I had noted before. It was the same desaturated blue. A shade so slight but had a unique brightness that resembled the glacial peaks of the Winterland.

No way...

"Are you from Ezriel?" I muttered in disbelief.

"So we did meet!" he exclaimed, his smile stretching further.

Ezriel was of the Great Five. A group of kingdoms in the Grand West known for their wealth and prosperity but among them, only Ezriel had a shorter history.

It was built the day the Goddess of War ceased to exist and was replaced by the Fallen God. The sole kingdom that had the descendants of the god. But what made them more infamous was the tyranny led by the first ruler --- the Dark Queen.

It was a place inlaid with notoriety. Its lands were soaked with blood and buried with bones, but once upon a time, it was my haven. I never cared for the disgrace of the Fallen God as my most precious people were happy. Contrariwise, humans, be they mortal or Amica, were the bane of my existence. It was their selfishness that gave birth to the malevolent Dark Queen of the legends. If only---

"Lost again, huh? I wonder how you can even have a proper conversation when you always get in a trance midway," Alistair chimed in.

My head snapped in his direction. My hands unconsciously clenched remembering that damned past. His ongoing snide remarks made me want to connect my fist to his cheek. Calm down, Cannaria. Calm down. He's a good guy.

I drew in a deep breath and forced myself to smile. This time I took another approach.

"If it's you and me talking, I won't even get distracted for a single second," I stated.

Men always basked themselves with compliments. It fed their ego but I should not have high expectations when it came to this new Raegan. Regardless, it was worth giving a chance.

"But from what I remember, you have always been distracted with me." A trace of mockery was in the corner of his lips.

As expected I was right but my mouth did not stop from blurting the next words that were already on my mind.

"That's because you're too handsome."

Heath choked on his food while trying to hide a laugh. Alistair only kept his stare at me like I was a fool. I maintained my smile, trying not to be ashamed, and began pestering him again.

***

The sun was almost disappearing as the clouds had become darker. I decided to go back and Heath insisted on sending me off. Of course, together with the forever reluctant Alistair.

Seeing that he could not do anything to stop me, he began treating me like I was air. Nevertheless, his reaction only fueled my enthusiasm.

What I hated the most was to be ignored.

The three of us waited for a hackney to arrive. However, it was taking too long. Most of them were full due to people going home to their towns. This was the nearest waiting station from where they were but unfortunately, it was the last stop. It was not hard to guess it may take a while.

I was contemplating whether to look for another station. It was obviously rush hour and no one wanted to wait at the last stop.

All of a sudden, Alistair dropped to his knees. He was clutching his head and groaning.

"Goddamn!"

"What's happening?"

I and Heath quickly assisted Alistair on the bench. We were the only ones in the waiting station and I could not help but panic.

"Should I call a doctor?"

"Yes, but I'll go inst---" His eyes widened behind me and I unconsciously looked back.

There was nothing but a full moon shining brightly on the broad skies behind me.

"Damn it! I apologize but we have to go back. I'll send him to the doctor---"

Before Heath could finish his statement, Alistair had already stopped moving. Heath was shaking his head in dread as if fearing for the next moment. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead despite the cold breeze.

He pulled Alistair but he was not able to succeed.

"Come on now, Al. We have to go back or else I'll be dead," his shaky murmur traveled to my ears.

Alistair turned to Heath before setting his eyes on me. I watched how the expressionless face morphed till it resembled the innocence of a child. His gray eye twinkled as we stared at each other.

He stood up, shoving Heath from his way. Before I could react, I was already caged in his arms.

"My goddess!"

***

Note: I was supposed to update after I finished Charmed but I was thinking I might lack the chapters for the book club I joined. It was a great motivator lol

Also if you've noticed, the chapters are getting longer since I want to keep it 40 or below chapters only ><