All were sound asleep, and the night was cold in the mountains of the Sage. Vera sat by the window, watching the stream outside near the house where she was staying. Lord Devian entered and sat across from her, facing each other.

  Vera: It's peaceful here, far from civilization, away from violence and war. No one suffers, no one struggles. This place is beautiful—no wonder you chose to stay here rather than in the empire.

  Devian: I don’t want anyone to be harmed by my power, so I chose to stay. I’m still learning to control the power you gave me, and it hasn’t been easy. This place has helped me.

  Vera: Forgive me… for leaving you before.

  Lord Devian paused, looking at her.

  Devian: You don’t need to apologize. It’s enough for me that you’re here again. Will you stay by my side, Vera?

  Vera: I’ll only stay if you carry the curse I gave you two thousand years ago. Can you do that, my friend?

  Lord Devian simply smiled.

  Devian: Two thousand years is a small price for beings like us. You still can't resist me, can you?

  Vera: Do you want me to return some of the thorns I took from you?

  Devian: I’ll accept them with all my heart.

  Vera: Why are you here, anyway? Don’t you have things to prepare for the Selection Season with so many contenders?

  Devian: I brought you something to eat.

  Lord Devian looked toward the stream where two black rabbits appeared from black flames. Vera smiled upon seeing them.

  Vera: From what I’ve heard, the Sage are strict when it comes to poisonous or deadly animals and plants. It’s one of your laws, yet here you are, bringing black rabbits inside.

  Devian: Would you rather drink my fresh blood than that of the rabbits?

  Vera went silent at Devian’s question.

  Devian: For us Ardenians, curse and torment are what strengthen the spirit of our dark power. But for you Ameadans, you need to consume poisonous creatures or fruits to enhance the spirit of the blue flame. However, you're unique. Because of your Amea, you need the blood of a poisonous animal—or the blood of an Ardenian.

  Vera: Then I was right to bring you back to life. Otherwise, I’d keep craving the blood of your kind. Thank you for the black rabbits, but I’ve already eaten since you rescued us from the forest, so they’ll stay here for now.

  The black rabbits vanished in blue flames.

  Vera: Why was Lord Javaid's life targeted? Were the creatures that attacked him caught?

  Devian: When the Sage and guards reached their hiding place, they were too late. The creatures had already been poisoned by the black rabbits. I had to send a message to Avisania to report the prince's condition.

  Vera: I overheard the Sage talking about your choice for a disciple. Have you chosen already? Can I know? I won’t tell anyone.

  Devian looked at Vera, who waited eagerly.

  Devian: You really want to know?

  Vera: Of course! So… have you?

  Devian: Yes. You.

  Vera was stunned by his answer as Devian stood to leave.

  Vera: Me?! Why me?!

  Devian: Didn’t you say you’d stay by my side? That’s why I chose you. Don’t expect the other Ministers to choose you—I told them I’d pick an ordinary Eiranian. No one else.

  Annoyed, Vera stood up.

  Vera: You’re the mighty Sage, and you choose an “ordinary” Eiranian? You know I don’t want anyone to recognize me, so I pretend to be weak—and this is what you do? Are you begging me to punish you again?

  Devian: Why don’t you try?

  They both stopped when they sensed a strange power in the air.

  Devian: Your power may be hidden, but why are the elements still drawn to you?

  Vera: My power is hidden, but I can’t hide that I’m an Ameadan. The elements still sense and recognize me.

  Devian: Did Lord Javaid not recognize you when you saved him?

  Vera: I don’t know. We’ll find out when he wakes up.

  Again, they sensed the surrounding power—then a blazing fireball passed by at great speed.

  Vera: What is the weapon of Elonia doing here?

  Devian: Because you’re here—and they sense your Ameadan nature? Why are you asking me?

  Vera: Are you going to stop it—or do you want me to turn you into a weapon?

  Lord Devian took Vera’s hand and they vanished into black flames. They reappeared in front of a large cave, with the fireball racing toward them. Lord Devian stepped aside and looked at Vera.

  Devian: If I touch the cursed weapon of Elonia, it will grow more aggressive because of my dark power. It’s an ancient, powerful weapon used only by the evil rulers of Hestia, forged from the fire of the Elonia volcano in Alexandria. So no—I won’t touch it.

  Vera: It may be a cursed weapon from the volcano’s fire, but I feel like it’s hiding a power it has never released. Does it also not trust its chosen guardian?

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  Devian: Heirs to the throne are not worthy of guarding rare elemental forces like this weapon and the Pearl of Careous.

  Vera: I’ve seen nothing wicked in them. Why do you judge them this way?

  Devian: Their spirits and wills are weak. They don’t deserve to inherit their thrones.

  Vera: There’s still time for them to learn what they need and strengthen their spirits through the training they’ll do here in the mountains—especially with our help. What do you think?

  Devian: Are you planning to take these heirs in as your disciples?

  Vera simply smiled and didn’t answer. She raised her left hand toward the oncoming fireball.

  Vera: Elonia.

  The true form of the fireball emerged, a beautiful and powerful weapon while aflame. Vera held it, staring at its sharp body, and levitated it in front of them.

  Vera: "Your power is so great to be carried by a fragile spirit. The time will come when the one who will be your guardian will be worthy of your power. They need to train you so that you two can form a connection, but they are not yet capable of bearing your immense power."

  Blue flames appeared from Vera's hands as she took half of the weapon's power.

  Vera: "I will return this power to you in due time. For now, go back to the one who is caring for you."

  Vera threw the weapon, which became a fireball as her hands glowed blue with flames. She and Lord Devian exchanged glances. On the other mountain, the Hestians immediately worked together to capture the fireball until they finally caught it.

  Hestian 1: "Your Majesty, here is the fireball you asked for."

  Evren: "Place it in its container, and I will release it tomorrow night. Let us leave here now."

  The next morning, many climbed the Sage Mountain for the selection ceremony, which would happen later that night. Esma and Vera walked together with some of the other participants, some of whom were excited to arrive, but many were nervous.

  Esma: "I heard from others that what the Ministers will ask of us is difficult. We might have to fight strong monsters to show them our true abilities. My power is weak, and I don’t even have any strength with weapons, so I’m not expecting to pass."

  Vera: "Don’t worry. I’ll still take you with me even if you don’t pass. If they don’t take you, I’ll definitely make them regret it."

  Esma: "Are you talking about Lord Devian? Are you still tormenting him?"

  Vera: "What do you think? Hold my hand."

  Esma held Vera’s hand, and they disappeared into the air, arriving at a section of the mountain where some Sage were waiting to give them new outfits before entering the mountain.

  Esma: "Let’s change clothes, Vera."

  In the blink of an eye, Vera made them change into new clothes. Esma was happy with her new outfit. Vera noticed some Hestians approaching and saw one of them.

  Vera: "He’s a black dragon, but why is his spirit so weak?"

  On the other mountain, Lord Javaid woke up and looked around, puzzled about how he ended up there. Lord Devian entered and immediately paused when he saw Javaid, who quickly stood up but was stopped by Devian.

  Javaid: "Lord Devian."

  Devian: "You still need rest due to what happened. We are investigating why they attacked you, but unfortunately, they were poisoned by a black rabbit, so we didn’t get anything from them."

  Javaid: "A black rabbit?"

  Lord Javaid thought about what had happened to him.

  Devian: "Do you remember what happened to you last night?"

  Javaid: "I fought them, then got injured, and suddenly a black rabbit jumped at them, which scared them. Then a black rabbit approached me, but a woman took it. That’s all I can remember. I couldn’t even see her clearly. I couldn’t believe she took the black rabbit with both hands."

  Devian: "It could be a side effect from what happened to you, so you might be seeing things. Rest here for now while everyone prepares for tonight."

  Javaid: "Thank you for your help, but I feel fine. I’d like to return to my companions to prepare for the selection ceremony. By the way, who brought me here?"

  Devian: "I brought you here. I happened to be passing by the mountain last night when I saw you unconscious. I didn’t see any woman or traces of a black rabbit, which makes your story quite puzzling."

  Lord Javaid fell silent at what Lord Devian said. Meanwhile, Esma and Vera were strolling through the beautiful gardens while waiting.

  Esma: "Vera, I’m getting hungry. Where can we eat here?"

  Vera: "Let’s find something to eat."

  Vera noticed some Sage preparing delicious food in one of the huts, and Lady Amirah was placing some sweets on a table. Esma’s stomach growled at the scent, so she immediately went over to the food when the Sage and Lady Amirah left.

  Vera: "Esma, don’t eat that."

  Esma quickly ate one of the dishes, and Vera couldn’t stop her in time. When Lady Amirah returned and saw what happened, she reacted.

  Amirah: "What are you doing here? Why are you eating that?!"

  Lady Amirah suddenly unleashed a strong energy blast at Esma, knocking her back, but Vera quickly caught the energy and returned it to Lady Amirah, causing her to fall and get injured. Esma lost consciousness, and Vera held her.

  Amirah: "You insolent fools! Don’t you know who I am?! Punish them now! Take them before everyone and give them fifty lashes!"

  Everyone who witnessed the scene froze in place.

  Vera: "Excuse me, but how important are these foods that you would punish us so severely? Are these for the Gods?"

  Lord Devian arrived and immediately looked at Vera.

  Amirah: "Lord Devian, help me."

  Devian: "Help Lady Amirah."

  The Sage assisted Lady Amirah in standing up.

  Devian: "Tell me what happened here."

  In the grand hall, Esma was peacefully sleeping beside Vera, who was standing in front of Lord Arion and Lord Devian, facing Lady Amirah.

  Amirah: "I prepared delicious and sweet foods for our Ministers. These two Eiranians arrived and ate what I had prepared, so I punished them. But they fought back, so it was only right to punish them with fifty lashes."

  Vera: "But from what I saw, the food was only meant for the two of you. Why don’t you tell the truth—that the food was prepared for you and Lord Devian only? And when we explained to you, you suddenly became angry because we didn’t show respect. You even used your power on us, which caused my friend to lose consciousness. Is this how a respected and powerful Sage should act? Aren’t you supposed to protect us ordinary beings, yet you’re the one hurting us?"

  Everyone fell silent at Vera’s truthful words.

  Vera: "We may not know much about being Eiranians, but we know how to fight and show respect to our elders. We don’t boast, and most importantly, we aren’t selfish beings. If you’re going to punish us because of our hunger and thirst, let me accept the punishment, but please, don’t involve my friend."

  Amirah: "Don’t listen to her; what she’s saying isn’t true!"

  Devian: "Enough, Lady Amirah. Go to your room and stay there until the selection ceremony begins."

  Lady Amirah was shocked by Lord Devian’s decision.

  Amirah: "But, Lord Devian..."

  Devian didn’t speak further, so Lady Amirah reluctantly obeyed and left for her room, casting a glare at Vera.

  Devian: "What are your names, and your friend’s?"

  Vera looked at Lord Devian, who was asking her.

  Vera: "I am Vera, and this is Esma."

  Arion: "Vera, you are right in what you said, but you and your friend still made a mistake, so you need to be punished. What should their punishment be, Lord Devian?"

  Lord Devian looked at Vera, who was avoiding his gaze.

  Devian: "Give her twenty lashes, but not her friend, as per her request."

  Everyone was shocked by Lord Devian’s decision, as he looked at Vera. Vera was taken to the center of the plaza, where everyone gathered to witness her punishment. Lord Vardan exited his room, and he met Lord Javaid in the hallway, both of them looking at each other and noticing the woman in the center of the plaza.

  Javaid: "What’s going on?"

  Suddenly, the whip was struck across Vera’s back, and many were shocked at how hard the strike was. In the grand hall, Lord Devian stood up from his chair in surprise.

  Devian: "She’s holding back her power so that it doesn’t protect her, that’s why she’s in pain."

  Lord Devian, feeling upset, immediately left the room. The strikes from the whip continued to grow stronger against Vera, but she endured the pain. She was weakening as the tenth strike hit her.

  Vera: "Don’t worry, my friend. I won’t leave or turn to ashes in front of you. I want to feel what those punished beings feel at this moment. I want all of Alexandria to feel this and apologize for leaving it for so long. This is my payment to all of you."

  Vera said this in Lord Devian’s mind, who was restless while watching her, though he didn’t show it to others. Suddenly, Vera coughed up blood, which was red—the color of the Eiranian blood.

  Devian: "Vera!"

  Lord Devian shouted in his mind as Vera began to lose consciousness.