Vera was wounded after being punished—her back bloodied from the lashes of the whip. As Lord Javaid watched Vera, something about her seemed familiar until the memory of what had happened to him became clear. Immediately, Lord Javaid flew toward Vera, with Lord Vardan following close behind, and together they helped her. Everyone was stunned to see two nobles assisting an ordinary Eiranian.

  Creature 1: Lord Javaid and Lord Vardan… are helping an Eiranian?

  Creature 2: They’re astonishing. They truly have kind hearts.

  Lord Devian was taken aback by the two nobles’ aid to Vera. With a snap of his fingers, he awakened Esma from her sleep. Vera was brought into a room and laid face down to treat her wounds. Esma arrived shortly after, shocked to see Vera injured.

  Esma: This can’t be. What should I do? It’s my fault—this shouldn’t have happened to you. Please forgive me!

  Esma wept, deeply concerned for Vera.

  Vardan: Your tears and regret won’t help if you do nothing for your friend.

  Esma: Please tell me what I need to do to heal her wounds. Help me. It’s my fault she was punished, but I don’t have the power to heal her.

  Javaid: Don’t worry. I’ll heal her.

  Lord Javaid used his power to heal Vera’s wounds. Though they disappeared, her body remained weak.

  Javaid: That’s all I can do for now. I still need to prepare for the Time of Choosing, so I hope you understand.

  Esma: We understand. What you’ve done is already a great help. I’ll make sure to tell Vera what you did for us.

  Lord Vardan then used his power to restore Vera’s strength.

  Vardan: Before the Time of Choosing begins, your friend will awaken. Stay with her here for now.

  Esma: Thank you very much, Lord Vardan.

  Lord Vardan left, followed by Lord Javaid, who kept glancing at Vera’s face. After they closed the door, Lord Devian suddenly appeared in black flames and carried Vera away, leaving Esma stunned.

  Devian: Wait here. Don’t tell anyone about this.

  Esma: As you wish, Lord Devian.

  Lord Devian vanished with Vera. Beside a stream, Vera sat atop a large rock, healing herself while Lord Devian silently stood beside her, his entire body glowing with dark energy.

  Vera: I told you—there’s no need to worry. I chose this path. Can you suppress your dark power, or everything here will turn to ash?

  Lord Devian restrained his power, though his anger remained. Vera’s strength returned, and her eyes turned blue as she looked at him.

  Vera: Are you angry with me, my friend?

  Devian: If you do this again, I’ll imprison you in my domain and you won’t leave the mountain for 500 years.

  Vera: You’re acting like an old man. You know I always think things through. I wouldn’t have done it if I weren’t sure.

  Vera faced Lord Devian, who was now staring at her.

  Devian: You reminded me of the time I lost you… by my own hand. I still blame myself for what happened. I’m terrified of losing you again. If you're gone, I’ll burn this world to ashes—nothing will survive!

  Lord Devian’s eyes turned black, and a massive rock in front of them exploded, setting the surrounding plants on fire.

  Vera: Devian.

  Lord Devian stopped when Vera said his name, his gaze fixed on her blue eyes.

  Vera: Your Empress is here by your side.

  Devian: I’ve waited so long for your return, Your Majesty. I was miserable without you. I know I’ve been a selfish Emperor to this world, but I miss you. Please, stay by my side.

  Lord Devian took Vera’s hands and kissed them. Vera stared at his black eyes, knowing his character changed when darkness consumed him.

  Vera: Wake up, my beloved Emperor Devian.

  His eyes returned to their normal color, and he was startled to realize he was holding her hands—he quickly let go.

  Devian: Did I do something to you? What did I say?

  Devian anxiously questioned Vera.

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  Vera: You told me you’ve waited for my return. That’s all—something you’ve said to me many times before. I see you still can’t control your rage, even after I cursed your heart with blue fire so you would lose all feeling. Do you want me to lift the curse?

  Devian was silent, avoiding her question, and walked away.

  Vera: Am I not allowed to ask you anything anymore?

  Vera looked at the burned plants, and with a blink, everything returned to normal. The Time of Choosing was about to begin. All participants stood before the Ministers in the great plaza.

  Arion: Welcome to the Time of Choosing, where potential candidates will begin their training to become new Sages. In front of you are the mountain’s leaders—I am Lord Arion, this is Lady Amirah, and the powerful Sage, Lord Devian. We will choose our disciples after the trials.

  Amirah: The first trial requires you to form a team of five and retrieve three Mera eggs.

  Everyone was shocked—Mera were dangerous beasts with the head of a dragon and body of a massive tiger, breathing fire and devouring anything.

  Amirah: The second trial will test your elemental powers—earth, fire, water, and air—at the mountaintop. The final trial is a battle between those who pass the first two.

  Arion: Each trial has strict rules, which will be explained at the time.

  Devian: Begin the trials.

  Lady Amirah noticed Vera was in good condition, despite what she had endured earlier. Everyone headed toward the forest. Esma grew anxious—they had no teammates.

  Esma: Looks like it’s just the two of us, Vera. No one wants to join us.

  Vera: It’s fine. There’s no rule saying we can’t enter.

  Javaid: May I join you?

  Vera and Esma were stunned as Lord Javaid approached them.

  Vardan: Looks like the Hestians might win—Mera are common in their kingdom, and they have fire powers too.

  They looked at Lord Vardan, who was watching the Hestians.

  Vera: We’d be glad to have you, but we still need one more to be five.

  A commotion broke out among the Sages and the Hestians, drawing everyone’s attention.

  Sage 1: Carrying more than two weapons is strictly forbidden. What will you do with the rest?

  The Hestians exchanged glances, unable to answer.

  Evren: They’re not participants—just here to accompany me.

  Sage 1: Then they must wait at the foot of the mountain. They cannot proceed.

  Lord Evren thought it over and ordered his warriors to leave.

  Sage 1: Everyone, proceed into the forest.

  Groups began the trial. Lord Evren stood alone, unable to begin without a team. Vera approached him.

  Vera: Do you want to join us? We need one more. I’m Vera. Follow me if you want in.

  Vera left, and Lord Evren pondered her offer. The others waited under a tree.

  Javaid: Why are we waiting for him? Let’s just find someone else.

  Esma: Everyone else already has teams. We have no other choice.

  Vardan: Do you resent him because people always compare the two of you, despite your great differences?

  Lord Javaid was struck by the question. Esma wondered who the man with Lord Vardan was.

  Javaid: I’m not to be compared with a Hestian like him. I’m a better fighter and I know how to use my power.

  Evren: Then why don’t we try?

  Lord Javaid and Lord Evren faced off with hostility. Vera stepped between them.

  Vera: Save the fight for later. Let’s finish this trial first.

  Esma: Vera, I need to tell you something.

  Vera: Later, Esma. Let’s go.

  The group entered the foggy forest, moonlight guiding them. Vera searched carefully, avoiding the use of her powers.

  Javaid: Does your body still hurt?

  Vera: Not much anymore. Thank you again, you and Lord Vardan. That’s why I healed so quickly.

  Javaid: It’s nothing. I like helping people like you. I know the suffering your kind faces. May I ask you something?

  Vera: Of course, what is it?

  Javaid: Were you in the forest near the market last night?

  Vera: No. Esma and I just arrived this morning. Why do you ask?

  Lord Javaid frowned, convinced it was her he saw.

  Javaid: Are you sure?

  Suddenly, Vera shoved him aside—he fell as poisonous thorns shot toward them.

  Vera: Watch out! We’re surrounded by toxic thorn flowers.

  They looked around, alarmed. Vera helped Javaid up, impressed by her agility.

  Vera: We’ll talk later.

  She levitated into the trees with Lord Vardan following. They spotted a giant tree with a sleeping Mera beside it, surrounded by other participants.

  Vera: It’s not alone.

  Vardan: Two Meras?

  A second, larger Mera attacked the others with fire.

  Vardan: How did you know there were two?

  Vera: The nest was too big for one. They’re mates.

  Lord Vardan watched the larger Mera kiss the other, noticing eggs beside them.

  Vardan: I found the eggs. But how do we get them?

  They returned to their team.

  Vera: The eggs are guarded by two Mera. We need to lure them away without harming them.

  Evren: I can do it. We raise Meras in our kingdom.

  Javaid: Meras differ across territories—don’t boast about being Hestian.

  Evren: Then why don’t you retrieve them, Avisanian?

  Javaid hurled a water orb; Evren dodged and countered with fire. Vera intervened.

  Vera: If you don’t stop, you’ll be dinner.

  A giant Mera leapt before them. Vera avoided its gaze and led it away. They scattered.

  Vera: If powerful creatures recognize me, they’ll show respect. How can I pretend to be ordinary?

  Frustrated, she noticed a Mera bowing before her.

  Vera: I knew it. They still remember me.

  She stroked its head, and it lay before her.

  Vera: Even after thousands of years, you remember. I never truly hid being Ameadan.

  Devian: I saved them so you’d see them again upon your return.

  She turned to see Lord Devian approach.

  Vera: These aren’t like the tame Meras the Hestians breed. They grant powers through their eggs. Is that why you saved them?

  Devian: I saved them because they’re worthy of being your companions.

  Vera: You saved them for me, but didn’t consider the danger they pose to others?

  Devian: That’s why I placed them in this part of the mountain—only I come here. They’ve laid eggs throughout the area. You just need to find them.

  Vera: Why do you keep so many secrets from me, my friend? What else should I know?

  Devian was silent.

  Devian: You’ll learn my secrets when you tell me yours—like what you’ve been doing since you arrived.

  Vera: I need to return. Come, we’re leaving.

  The Mera followed Vera, giving her the eggs. She touched its gentle face.

  Vera: Don’t worry. I won’t let anyone hurt you.

  Suddenly, she heard the princes fighting the larger Mera.

  Vera: I guess I’d better stop them before they hurt your mate.

  #Alexandria