To the south of the mountain range, there was a denser forest and towering trees that made any creature afraid to venture near. A black cat leapt down from a tall tree just as a creature with the upper body of a man and the lower half of a horse—bearing great horns—arrived. This was Drazhan, general of the Centaurion army. The Centaurions were one of the ancient beings of Alexandria who had long since vanished and become elusive to all.

  Drazhan: "What do you want, Levana? Why has Lord Devian not punished you this time, even though you arrived half a day late from the empire?"

  The black cat transformed into a beautiful woman before Drazhan.

  Levana: "When I arrived, I witnessed Lord Devian in bed with a woman. I didn’t expect to see him caring for the woman he calls the Beloved Empress. He even wants to announce to everyone her return to his side."

  Levana said this sorrowfully, while Drazhan could barely contain his joy and disbelief.

  Drazhan: "Her Majesty?! Her Majesty has returned to Lord Devian’s side! The old Alexandria shall rise again now that they are reunited! Don’t you understand this, Levana? Her Majesty is the one we've been waiting for to reclaim Alexandria from the Terranians!"

  Levana: "Indeed, Her Majesty is what Lord Devian has long awaited—she is the very reason his heart turned to stone and he forgot how to love."

  Drazhan fell silent, sitting beside a great tree, saddened by her words.

  Drazhan: "Levana, have you forgotten Lord Devian’s lineage?"

  Levana fell quiet.

  Drazhan: "He is an Ardenian—ruthless and fierce, without a heart. He trusts no one, except the Ameadan, whom even they fear. As far as I know, only Her Majesty knows the true nature of Lord Devian. His loyalty to her is unmatched—that’s why she made him Emperor and Dark Lord. The two of them are feared by all, unique in their own right, and allies only to each other."

  Levana: "But why does Lord Devian behave so differently in her presence? While she slept, he just watched her. If he truly has no heart, no feelings, then why is he so gentle and protective toward her?"

  Drazhan: "According to my father, Lord Devian has protected Her Majesty for a long time. He gets furious when he learns someone harms the young princess. He punished even her own relatives when they mistreated her. Truthfully, my father himself is confused by the behavior of Lord Devian and Her Majesty, but what’s clear is that they are the closest of companions."

  Levana: "Perhaps they’ve had a deep connection for a long time?"

  Drazhan: "Are you still hoping to win Lord Devian’s love? How could you ever compete with Empress Vera?"

  Levana fell silent again, and Drazhan smiled at her.

  Drazhan: "Her Majesty is of royal blood—the only Ameadan. She holds a rare power, the sole guardian of the Red Staff of the Ameadan, the most powerful weapon in all of Alexandria. She herself placed Lord Devian on the throne and made him Dark Lord. What chance do you have against someone so powerful? Do you really think Lord Devian would choose you over Her Majesty?"

  Levana said nothing in response.

  Drazhan: "I must inform my soldiers and the other warriors. Everyone will be shocked by Her Majesty’s return—and that’s what all the other beings fear. It seems Lord Devian will finally leave the mountains now that she is back at his side."

  Drazhan joyfully returned to the forest while Levana was left deep in thought. At the place where Esma was staying, she stepped out of her room and noticed Vera waiting for her.

  Esma: Your Majesty, have you been here for long?

  Vera turned toward her, dressed in a long red gown. Esma was momentarily stunned by how the new outfit accentuated Vera's beauty.

  Vera: Why are you staring at me like that?

  Esma: I only just noticed how much more your beauty stands out in red, and it seems like you've become even more beautiful. Did you spend the entire night with Lord Devian?

  Vera: He only stayed with me because I had something important to do. He didn’t leave my side, so yes, we were together the entire night.

  Esma couldn’t contain her excitement and let out a squeal. Vera looked at her, puzzled.

  Vera: What’s wrong? Is there something funny about what I said?

  Esma: Your Majesty, don’t you notice Lord Devian’s actions toward you?

  Vera: What do you mean?

  Esma: I saw how he carried you last night and was always helping you. He also provides for your needs. Didn’t you realize that he might have feelings for you?

  Vera: Feelings for me?

  Esma: Haven’t you experienced love, and being loved in return?

  Vera fell silent at Esma’s question, and just then, the drums sounded, signaling the call for the second trial. Vera’s eyes turned blue as she placed her hand on Esma’s shoulder.

  Vera: Guardian of the Earth, I command you to protect the Eiranian standing before me. Do not let her be harmed by any element.

  Suddenly, the ground beneath Esma’s feet moved, surprising her. Roots emerged, extending to her hands, which were adorned with wooden bracelets and stones. Esma smiled, feeling the gift from the earth, and bowed before Vera.

  Esma: Thank you so much, Your Majesty.

  Vera: Esma, I know I can trust you, and your loyalty is only to me. It’s not easy to follow me, but if your heart is whole, I want you to serve both me and Lord Devian.

  Suddenly, Esma knelt before Vera.

  Esma: Your Majesty, my heart is set on following you. I want to serve both you and Lord Devian. I will obey all your commands and remain loyal to you until the end of my life.

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  Then, Vera’s red staff appeared in her hand, and Esma was even more surprised when she saw the powerful staff. Vera placed the tip of the staff on Esma’s shoulder.

  Vera: Esma, from the Eiranian lineage, from this day forward, I appoint you as the chief servant of my empire.

  Vera imbued Esma with protection and power. Esma was stunned as she felt the power coursing through her body. She looked at Vera, who was now standing close to her.

  Vera: With this power and the power of the earth, you can do more than a Sage. Your strength is now equal to any great warrior. But, no one must know about your abilities, so be cautious in your actions. Do you understand, Esma?

  Esma: Yes, Your Majesty.

  Meanwhile, Lord Devian stood outside his dwelling, gazing at the mountains covered in clouds. The black staff appeared before him, and he grasped it.

  Devian: You’re showing too much of your power, Vera.

  Vera appeared in a blaze of red fire, holding her red staff, her eyes now blue, as she approached Lord Devian. They faced each other.

  Vera: I only revealed my power because of Esma. I’ve given her the role of our servant, and she will remain by our side from now on.

  Devian: I didn’t expect you to take such a weak being as our servant. Why didn’t you choose a stronger being, someone more powerful than an Eiranian?

  Vera: If I were to choose a servant or a warrior, I want someone who doesn’t hide feelings from me, unlike those around you. You know why we must be devoid of feelings, Devian.

  Devian was taken aback by Vera’s words, especially when she said his name.

  Vera: I lost my feelings because of my duty as Empress of Alexandria, and you lost yours because of your loyalty to me. You know that our hearts cannot be weak. So from now on, teach those around you to harden their hearts, or I will turn them to ash.

  Vera’s eyes turned red, and suddenly, Lord Devian felt pain in his chest, vomiting black blood. Vera showed no reaction and returned to her usual form. The red staff disappeared, and she left. Lord Devian looked after her, watching her go.

  In the second trial, all the participants were in the plains. Suddenly, large stones rose from the ground, forming an arena. Minister Arion appeared, standing there.

  Arion: Bring out the Mera eggs.

  The Mera eggs were brought out, and the sun shone down on the spot where they were standing, causing the eggs to break immediately. Light emanated from them, with some transforming into weapons while others became elements. From the three eggs held by Vera, three lights emerged and fused into one, forming a flaming bird.

  Javaid: What can a bird do?

  Everyone was puzzled, while Vera stood still, mesmerized by the bird. It flew around her.

  Vera: This is a mystical bird that disappeared thousands of years ago in Alexandria. It is called Anka. This bird is mystical because of its unique power.

  Suddenly, the spirit of the bird entered Vera, and she received a golden bracelet with the symbol of the bird on it.

  Evren: Why did the bird choose only her?

  Vardan: Vera was the one who retrieved the eggs, so it is right that the bird chose her.

  Being 1: Your Majesty, you are the rightful one to receive this power, for you are of noble blood and possess great power. It should be yours, not a mere being.

  Being 2: That's right, Eiranians are weak. They shouldn't even be here right now, as they certainly won't pass this trial.

  Being 3: Eiranians, you should leave and give the power of the bird to Lord Vardan. You don’t belong in the Sage mountains, especially not as a Sage.

  Everyone laughed at Vera, while Lord Vardan and Lord Evren stood frozen, hearing the words of the beings around them.

  Vera: Is it wrong to be given such power just because we come from humble origins? We joined the selection because this trial is for all beings who wish to become Sages and help those in need of justice against evil beings. But why is it now that we see who the truly evil beings are, and not one of you deserves to be a Sage?

  Lord Vardan and Lord Evren paused, reflecting on Vera's words, which spoke the truth. This did not sit well with everyone, so they aimed their weapons at her, but Lord Vardan and Lord Javaid immediately stepped in to stop them.

  Devian: What is happening here?

  Everyone froze when Lord Devian arrived, lowering their weapons. Lord Devian glanced at Vera and noticed her bracelet.

  Devian: The Anka birds are mystical because of their unique power and their fiery, mysterious form. However, these birds have long been gone from Alexandria until the Mera brought them back. You all witnessed the bird's choice of Vera, so it will only listen to her, even if you take away the bracelet as its symbol. Do you have anything to say?

  No one answered Lord Devian’s question.

  Devian: Lord Arion, tell them what they need to do.

  Arion: Listen everyone, each of you must come here and face one of the four elements. You will face your fears, manifested by the elements, and you must fight them. If you are knocked off this stone, you fail this trial, and you may leave the Sage mountains.

  Devian: Begin the second trial. Call the first participant.

  The trial began, and the first to the third participants were immediately knocked off the stone, failing the trial. Lord Evren was called next, and he went to the arena, drawing his weapon. Suddenly, a large sphere of water appeared before him, and Lord Javaid was taken aback by the element that confronted Lord Evren. The water formed into a massive serpent, surprising everyone.

  Vardan: This will not be an easy battle for Lord Evren.

  Javaid: Why won't it be easy for him? Didn't he always look down on water beings, which is why he’s always so hot-blooded toward me?

  Vardan: Lord Evren lost his mother when the ship she was on sank in the ocean. Many say that pirates from Avisania took her, and her body was never found.

  Lord Javaid fell silent upon hearing this about Lord Evren.

  Esma: Why is Lord Evren having trouble fighting this monster? Aren’t the Hestians powerful?

  Vera: The Hestians are powerful, except for him, whose spirit is weak. He can't fight this kind of monster.

  Esma: What if he gets hurt and doesn't pass the trial to become a Sage? This would be a huge embarrassment for the Kingdom of Hestia.

  Esma looked at Vera, who noticed her gaze.

  Vera: I know what you want to happen, Esma. But I cannot intervene. This is his trial, and he must face it without anyone's help. We should just watch.

  Esma: I don’t think I can just watch him suffer in this fight.

  Esma covered her eyes, while Vera observed Lord Evren, who was doing everything he could to defeat the monster.

  Vera: Give everything you’ve got to be worthy of the Elonia weapon. I know you can do it; you just need to trust yourself.

  Vera thought this in her mind when she suddenly noticed the power of the Elonia weapon around her. Lord Evren nearly fell out of the arena, unable to control the monster. Suddenly, something moved very quickly in front of everyone, and Lord Evren was stunned when he grabbed the Elonia weapon. He immediately used its power and severed the monster's head, passing the trial.

  Vera: He didn’t do this on his own.

  Vera looked around when Lord Evren screamed, struggling to control the weapon in his hand. The power and energy of the weapon entered his body, turning his eyes black. He was being controlled by the cursed weapon.

  Esma: Why is Lord Evren consumed by evil power?

  Javaid: Lord Vardan, we need to help Lord Evren.

  Vardan: The Elonia weapon he holds is the most dangerous weapon in existence, and no one can stop it.

  Vera and Minister Devian exchanged a look, understanding what they had to do. Lord Devian floated in the air and faced Lord Evren. He charged at him, but Lord Evren quickly dodged.

  Vera: Elonia.

  Lord Evren screamed in pain from the weapon’s power. Vera’s eyes turned blue as she used her power to separate the weapon from Lord Evren. The weapon floated toward her rapidly, but she leaped into the air and kicked it away. Lord Evren lost consciousness, and Vera noticed a strange being around them, whose power was unlike anything she had seen.

  Vera: The Elonia weapon needs to be cleansed from its evil energy in the Careous Lake.

  Vera communicated this thought to Lord Devian, who looked at her.

  Devian: The Avisanians forbid anyone from going to the Careous Lake, for it holds the Black Dragon.

  Vera paused at what she had learned, looking at the unconscious Lord Evren.

  Vera: If the Black Dragon is imprisoned there, what is it doing here?

  Lord Devian was puzzled by Vera’s question as they exchanged glances. Vera touched her forehead, and a faint light appeared that ordinary beings could not see, which entered Lord Devian's eyes. He froze when he saw Lord Evren’s true form.

  #EndChapter8

  EmpressYvera