Lord Devian’s strength returned after he drank Vera’s blood.

  Devian: "Why did you leave me, Vera?"

  Vera froze at Lord Devian's question. He was sitting next to her, not looking at her. Vera remained silent, not answering his question.

  Devian: "You were my only true friend. I had no one else but you. When you disappeared, I didn’t know what to do with the life you gave me. This isn’t the life I dreamed of. All I ever wanted was to serve you and stay by your side."

  Lord Devian turned to face Vera, but she couldn’t look him in the eye.

  Devian: "I know what I’ve done is unforgivable, and that you can never forgive me. Even though I’ve suffered from the curse you gave me, I accepted it, and I’m still willing to accept your hatred and anger. But I beg of you, please stay by my side and never leave me again."

  Black tears fell from Lord Devian’s eyes as he said this to Vera. Vera froze, seeing that Lord Devian was crying, even though his heart was cursed with the blue fire. He shouldn’t be able to feel anything.

  Vera: "I had no choice but to end my life, or for you to be the one who suffers. You were meant to be the new Emperor, but you chose to lose your own people so I could sit on the throne. I told you about what I saw in the future, but you ignored it."

  Devian: "Because the throne of Alexandria was never mine, from the moment you were born! I’ve long accepted my fate to be your follower and not the Emperor of this world! Do you even know what I’ve wanted all this time? Why won’t you believe me?"

  Vera fell silent at Lord Devian's words.

  Devian: "I knew you would come back. You won’t leave me alone in this world, because you know what I am capable of. You’re right, I neglected this world, leaving it to the evil and selfish creatures. I let them ruin your beloved world. Did you like what I’ve done, Your Majesty?"

  Vera froze at Lord Devian’s words, and their eyes met. Suddenly, Lord Devian vomited black blood, clutching his chest, and Vera’s eyes turned red.

  Vera: "You did well, my friend. I hate seeing you suffer, but for what you’ve done, it’s only right that this happens to you."

  Lord Devian suddenly grabbed Vera’s hand, his heart heavy with sorrow.

  Devian: "I’d rather you hurt me over and over again than leave me alone once more in this life!"

  Vera released Lord Devian’s hand and turned away from him.

  Devian: "Vera, I will always wait for your return. But when you do return, I hope you’ve made the decision to stay by my side."

  Vera left without saying a word to Lord Devian’s plea. He watched her leave until she vanished in the wind.

  Devian: "I will wait for you, my friend."

  In the forest of Alexandria, Vera walked alone, thinking about her conversation with Lord Devian. She noticed Esma following her.

  Vera: "Esma, what are you doing here?"

  Esma approached Vera, looking shy.

  Esma: "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was waiting for you. Elder Eythor asked me to inform you that there are creatures that have entered Andria. They are unusual because their bodies glow green. They are called the Sentinels, guardians of the forest."

  Vera: "The Sentinels can be trusted. They are from an ancient race. If they don’t have bad intentions toward you, they may enter Andria. But if they break any laws I have set, they will be punished by my power. Is that all you wanted to say?"

  Esma: "Why are you so sad and alone here? Did you have another argument with your friend?"

  Vera: "Yes, we argued. I’m punishing him with a curse that I placed on him long ago. Even though he’s suffering because of it, he endures it and accepts it without ever getting angry with me."

  Esma: "He accepted it?"

  Vera: "Why are you being so respectful to me now? You didn’t speak to me like this the first time we met."

  Esma: "I apologize if I wasn’t respectful to you before. I didn’t know who you were. Elder Eythor told us that we must show respect to you because you are our Empress. Even though you treat us like friends, we still need to honor you."

  Vera: "There are days when I forget who I am, especially when I’m with my closest friend. Back then, he respected me because I was more powerful than him. But I gave him the right to no longer honor me, because he was second in line to the throne of Alexandria and my closest friend whom I trusted."

  Esma: "May I ask who your closest friend is, Your Majesty?"

  Vera: "Lord Devian is my closest friend."

  Esma was shocked upon hearing this and immediately faced Vera.

  Esma: "Your Majesty, Lord Devian is one of the most powerful Sages of the empire and holds a high rank among the Sages. He is your closest friend?!"

  Vera: "Is he powerful? The curse I placed on him has been inside his body for a long time, and now that I’ve strengthened it, he can no longer bear it. He’s weak and can’t even stand. I didn’t expect this from him. He’d rather I hurt him repeatedly than for me to leave him again. I shouldn’t have given him strength and let him suffer in his condition."

  Esma: "You’ve punished Lord Devian?!"

  Vera: "Lord Devian is an Ardenian. He can bear any curse because of his dark power. I know he’s only doing this to make me feel sorry for him and return to his side."

  Esma: "What did Lord Devian do to you, Your Majesty?"

  Vera: "He abandoned Alexandria. He allowed everyone to suffer and endure for so long. I entrusted the empire to him, I gave him the power that was meant for him, and this is how he repaid me. He deserves to be punished."

  Esma: "Can you really do this to your closest friend? Isn’t he your best friend, and don’t you feel hurt seeing him in pain?"

  Vera fell silent at Esma’s words, realizing the truth in them.

  Esma: "If Lord Devian is weak now, he won’t be able to participate in the selection for the new Sages. I still want to see him because I admire him. He’s skilled in combat and he’s powerful among the Sages. Lord Devian is also trusted by the King and Prime Minister of Terra."

  Vera: "No one surpasses his power except me because he is the Emperor of Alexandria and the Dark Lord."

  Stolen story; please report.

  Esma: "The Emperor of Alexandria and the Dark Lord?"

  Vera: "By the way, what will you be doing during the selection?"

  Esma: "We need to show our abilities so that we may be chosen as their new disciples. Once we’re chosen, we’ll need to train until we pass the trials given by the higher Sages. Once we become full Sages, we’ll be able to defend anyone against evil creatures."

  Vera: "If the Sages are indeed defending creatures against evil elements or beings, then why are there so many evil beings around us? What are these great Sages doing to protect you?"

  Esma fell silent at Vera’s questions.

  Vera: "Lord Devian is an evil creature because he is an Ardenian. He has no heart, so he feels no emotions. He knows many things to deceive anyone except me, because I am his equal. So don’t be too impressed by someone like him."

  In the empire of Alexandria, King Kazimir was in a bad mood as he faced some of his Ministers who were explaining why all their food was rotting. Many of their citizens were starving, but they still had no explanation for what was happening.

  Minister 1: "Your Majesty, many people are starving. Even the fish rots as soon as we catch it from the sea. We can’t use any vegetables or fruits anymore; they start rotting just seconds after we put them in our mouths."

  Minister 2: "I’ve already called Lord Arion to explain what’s happening, but he hasn’t given me any answers to my questions. He’s waiting for Lord Devian, who’s resting and gathering strength."

  Minister 3: "We’ve also noticed that the food doesn’t rot for the beggars or even the poor. Our soldiers are taking it from them."

  Kazimir: "I’ve also learned that the Eiranians are missing. Do they have something to do with this?"

  The Ministers fell silent at King Kazimir’s question. Lord Vardan arrived—a tall, muscular man with white skin and long black hair. He wore a white tunic, and everyone bowed to him while King Kazimir stared at him, his half-brother. Lord Vardan bowed to the King, showing his respect.

  Vardan: "I have arrived, Your Majesty."

  Kazimir: "Lord Vardan, go to the Sage Mountains and ask Minister Devian about the cause of this food decay."

  Vardan: "As you command, Your Majesty."

  Kazimir: "Also, give this letter to the powerful Sages."

  Vardan: "As you command, Your Majesty."

  King Kazimir watched Lord Vardan as he bowed before him. In the Sage Mountains, Lord Devian stood outside his residence, gazing at the mountains covered in clouds. Lady Amirah approached him.

  Amirah: "Lord Devian, how is your condition?"

  Lord Devian turned to face Lady Amirah.

  Devian: "I’m fine now, Lady Amirah. Is there something you need from me?"

  Amirah: "I just wanted to inform you about the selection period. We will hold it on the second night of the moon cycle."

  Devian: "I already know about it. Lord Arion informed me through a letter sent by his disciples who passed through this area."

  Amirah: "I also want to know about your condition. I’m still investigating who was behind the burning of your home and the poisoning of you."

  Devian: "There’s no need for you to do that. I did it to myself. It’s part of my training that you wouldn’t understand."

  Lord Devian stared at the mountains, lost in thought about Vera. Lady Amirah noticed this and paused.

  Devian: "If you have nothing more to say, you may leave. I need to return to my training."

  Amirah: "As you wish, Lord Devian. Let’s meet again during the selection."

  Lady Amirah left, and suddenly Lord Devian coughed up black blood and grabbed his chest, but he only smiled.

  Devian: "Vera."

  Vera was heading toward the center of Andria, but she stopped when she heard Lord Devian. Irritated, she halted, with Esma standing behind her. Lord Devian spoke to Vera telepathically.

  Vera: "If you don’t stop calling me, I’ll make you suffer more when we meet!"

  Devian: "I can’t wait for what you’ll do. When will you return? Do you want me to prepare the food you like? Have you eaten your favorite black rabbit yet?"

  Vera: "I’ll show myself to you soon."

  Vera cut off their telepathic conversation. Esma, confused, looked at her.

  Esma: "Your Majesty, who were you talking to?"

  Vera: "My close friend, who wants me to hurt him. Let’s go. I have to face the Sentinels. After that, we’ll prepare for the selection period."

  Esma was shocked by Vera’s words but smiled at her.

  Vera: "We’ll join the selection period, but remember, you cannot call me ‘Your Majesty.’ I don’t want anyone to be suspicious of me."

  Esma: "What?!"

  In the palace of Andria, several Sentinels were injured while their leader, an elderly woman, lay unconscious with many wounds on her body. Vera glanced at the Sentinels, who seemed to have come from a fierce battle.

  Elder Eythor: "Your Majesty, we found them outside the kingdom while they were passing by the stream. Some of them are injured, while others haven’t eaten for days, so we helped them."

  Vera approached the unconscious elderly woman and touched her. Suddenly, they both began to glow, and the onlookers froze in place. The elderly woman transformed into a beautiful figure, regaining her strength and power. It was Lady Meena, the leader of the Sentinels, the guardians of nature.

  Lady Meena: "Empress Alexandria Vera of the Ameada Alexandria! Your Majesty!"

  Lady Meena immediately knelt, and the rest followed her lead. With a wave of Vera's hand, the Sentinels were healed, regaining their strength and power.

  Vera: "Rest now, eat, and regain your strength. Stay here in the kingdom of Andria; you will be safe here."

  Lady Meena: "As you command, Your Majesty."

  Vera looked at the creatures who joyfully ran to their loved ones, now healed and safe from their wounds.

  Vera: "Elder Eythor, Esma and I will leave for a while, but we will return after our task. Let everyone rest, and provide housing for each family. Begin your lives here in the kingdom, but be cautious if you venture outside. Call my name if you need anything, and I will come."

  Elder Eythor: "As you command, Your Majesty."

  Vera: "Lady Meena, we’ll talk when I return. Rest and regain your strength; you are safe here in the kingdom."

  Lady Meena: "Yes, Your Majesty. We will await your return."

  Vera: "Esma, follow me."

  Esma: "Yes, Your Majesty."

  Everyone bowed to Vera as she and Esma left, disappearing into the flames. Meanwhile, Lord Vardan and his army of warriors were heading toward the Sage Mountains. During their journey, some of the warriors spoke in hushed voices.

  Terranian 2: "Do you think Lord Vardan will face Lord Devian this time? I’ve heard something bad happened to Lord Devian, and that’s why he’s weakened."

  Terranian 3: "Something bad happened to the powerful Sage? Isn’t he the strongest among them, even more powerful than Lord Vardan?"

  Terranian 4: "Why compare Lord Vardan to Lord Devian, who is a powerful Sage? Even Lord Arion and Lady Amirah cannot match his power."

  Terranian 2: "That’s why when King Kazimir has a problem, it’s always Lord Devian who’s called because of his strength and abilities. By the way, this is our last bread. We won’t be able to eat bread when we return to the empire."

  Terranian 3: "Lord Devian is our only hope."

  Lord Vardan overheard his warriors' conversation and decided to stop and rest for a few minutes.

  Vardan: "Let’s stop here for a while and rest."

  At his command, the entire group stopped. Lord Vardan dismounted his horse and walked to the stream to drink. Suddenly, he clutched his chest, feeling pain. His eyes turned black for a moment but quickly returned to normal. On the opposite side of the river, Vera froze in place as she sensed an ominous power.

  Vera: "What is this evil presence doing on the surface? How did it escape its prison?"

  Lord Devian, hearing what Vera said, immediately vanished in black flames and appeared in front of her. He put Esma to sleep, causing her to lose consciousness. Vera and Lord Devian locked eyes, both noticing Lord Vardan across the river, drinking water.

  Devian: "When he was born, he lost his life. His mother then asked the lake of the empire to bring her child back to life. This was the moment the evil being had been waiting for to escape from its prison, so it stayed in Lord Vardan’s body. He is the Prince of the Empire and the King’s half-brother."

  Vera: "The evil being was imprisoned by the Ameadans and Ardenians long ago because of its extraordinary power. It caused chaos throughout Alexandria. What do you plan to do with it now that you’re letting it live?"

  Devian: "What can someone like it do against us? Its power is weak, and it can never match ours, even though it grows stronger in Lord Vardan’s body."

  Vera: "It may not match our power, but it controls the red flame of Hestia. This flame is dangerous because it constantly seeks a soul to make its power stronger."

  Devian: "Don’t worry about that. I’ve placed a spell on Lord Vardan’s body, so I will know if the flame or the evil being tries to emerge from him."

  Vera: "If the evil being escapes from his body, it might take control of it and disappear, or the evil being could vanish, and Lord Vardan will take its power. With his abilities, I might take him as one of my disciples."

  Lord Devian paused at Vera’s words.

  Vera: "What do you think, my friend?"

  Devian: "Let’s change the topic, Vera. What are you doing here in the Sage Mountains? Are you visiting me, or do you have another purpose?"

  Vera: "I’ve decided to join the selection process to become a Sage, so I’m here."

  Devian: "What?!"

  Lord Devian was shocked by Vera’s statement but only smiled at her.