1 - Stepping Out

The first leap of faith I am taking, I might regret this, but without trying I would only spend few months before the curse takes my life and turn me into ashes of green.

I’ve never thought my eyes could see Retheale’s beauty aside from imagining it based on the books I spent my years reading. It is my first morning in the capital, so far from the secluded home I have lived in for almost eighteen years.

“It’s no different after all, from the huge morning sun from the west, to the bright green skies. Well except for the towering buildings that somehow ruins the view.” I uttered as I stopped walking, in front of a silver gate.

“You’re not from here?” I heard a sweet soft voice from behind.

Here we go…

I turned around and tried to hide my shaking hands. “Came from the farthest tree top in Aersho.”

The small girl in front me looked like she won something big, her eyes somehow glittered to me.

“Can I be your friend? You see I am also new, this is just my second time here in Eltia.” she said without breathing and clung into my arm.

It’s kind of awkward to me, but maybe having a Sylph companion wouldn’t hurt that much, so I nodded and she screamed in joy, that caught some passersby’s attention.

I hope this would work out fine.

“Aellah Loft from Aersho’s center, Mistrale.” she offered pale hand and smiled at me.

“Naia, Naia Lysse.” I answered as we shake our hands.

We bowed to each other and headed inside the premise of the most prestigious school in the whole Retheale.

“Please proceed to the open field if you’re an upcoming new student.” one Guermon, a royal guard said as we passed by the entrance.

This is amazing! This school, the ambience, vastly enough for true battles and trainings. I have always been dreaming into entering one, but Mother wouldn’t let me, but she taught me how to fight, defensively at least.

“Why are you trembling?” with Aellah’s mention, I just noticed how nervous I am, from my sweat, to my fast heartbeats.

“Are we going to fight on our first day?” I asked as I try to calm myself.

I may be timid in action and in look, but the desire to learn more, with my power is inside me.

“We will see. Come on!” she grabbed my hand and we started walking fast, heading the field.

There are so many students, from the ones wearing red robes, yellow, green to blue ones, and purple!

“Princess Pele is going to have her battle!” one shouted and suddenly almost all Erutain’s students dashed to the field. Some flew in hurry, while others run fast as they can.

“Let’s try our very best today, we won’t go home as losers!” Aellah exclaimed as we joined the flow.

Red, fiery, long hair, a tiara on top of her head, golden dress embraced by a purple robe, that girl in the center must be Princess Pele!

Her scarlet eyes are fixed on a Gnome in front of her.

“My knees would be weak if I am the one who’s facing her.” one student beside me whispered.

I nodded in return. I will feel the same for sure. I have never met someone with this overflowing aura. To think that her aura has sparkling glitters already, I bet she’s not just a royal blood by title, but also in terms of strength.

“Commence!” a Royalty shouted. He looks like an instructor here, together with his white robe, the school’s crest on the center.

Cheers filled the area, they were all rooting for the princess from Ignisen. It must be so hard for the Gnome girl since she’s facing a powerful opponent.

“Is this some kind of entrance exam?” Aellah asked me and I shook my head as an answer. How would I know? I don’t even know how this school runs.

Two rays of flames started rising from Princess Pele’s hand, encircling each other as those climb up in the air, eventually making a sword of blazes.

I dropped my jaw as glitters from her aura went to her weapon.

She took one step forward, as the Gnome, few steps from her went backwards, almost in the form of running away.

“Don’t… Even if there’s no chance of winning, turning your back in the battle field is worse than losing while fighting.” I said to myself, as if I am giving my mother’s advice to the Gnome whose defensive shield formed by rocks has been completed.

“Victory for the princess!” one lad in blue shouted.

The cheers went louder, some even played with their elements to show support, drawing her name in the air.

The power royal bloods hold is truly evident.

I wonder why they are supporting her. Is it because of her status? Level of power? Beauty? Or they really root for her because they believe in her?

After my thoughts, the Salamander quickly dashed to the Earth fairy, sliced her shield in half that made her fall to the ground.

And so the students went wild.

Who wouldn’t? Just like from the books I have read, a single blow, taking down someone is really impressive.

The princess raised her sword once again.

“Cut her birthmark!” I was stunned when I heard this.

Doing so will hurt anyone to the bones!

Is that thing allowed in here?

“So it is true, the survival rule.” Aellah said in a low, worried tone.

Survival? What? That thing was never mentioned in anything I read before going here.

Continuously more students are shouting the same thing and even the instructor isn’t saying or doing anything against it.

“Where’s your mark?” I can sense authority from her voice.

With her hands shaking and tears falling from her eyes, she ripped her dress’ right sleeve, revealing the Gnome’s emblem, a rock with an uneven shape on her shoulder.

Princess Pele aimed her sword’s point on it, ready to pierce it.

I closed my eyes. I couldn’t bear to watch this kind of cruelty.

The students’ voices vanished, and all I can hear was the Gnome’s voice, begging, shouting in pain and agony.

Few seconds passed and still her cries are echoing, and no one’s stopping the Salamander in purple robe either.

After opening my eyes, I stood up, made my wings grow on my back and flew down the field.

“Stop this.” I exclaimed as I grabbed the Gnome’s upper body and flew few steps backward, away from the insane fire fairy.

“Who are you to interrupt?!” the anger in her tone made me shiver, but I kept my stand.

“Do you want to fight in her stead?” she smirked as the cheers from the audiences resumed, some are shouting again her name while others are booing me.

Her aura once again raised, as fear started to eat my impulsiveness.

“I am here to break my curse, but I guess I might die sooner before it kills me….” I said and gave a painful small smile.

I have my mission, but also my principles in life and I can’t turn my back in any battle, so here goes everything or nothing.

With swirling gust of air on my hands, I flew up, away from Princess Pele’s reach, but she was faster, and caught me by jumping high as her red wings formed too.

“A death wish will soon be granted.” she laughed at me as she easily dodged the arrows I made by air.

I felt a hard smack on my lower body, she used her sword’s handle in a blink of an eye and made me crashed down, holding to my stomach, trying not to shout in pain.

“What a boring show.” she said and sat on my weakened body.

“Now, where’s your mark?” she asked and the cheers at this point was the loudest I have ever heard today, no, in my life time that is about to end.

I didn’t answer and received a slap from her, making my bangs go to the side, showing her what she was looking for.

“There we have it.” her mood shifted in an instant.

From her hand, she formed a knife like shape with her flames and draw it near my forehead.

I want to shout no, to plead her, to surrender, but all of those will only mean turning my back to the battle.

If this is my end, I hope she would make it quick.

The audiences’ voice once again disappeared as I took a deep breath, anticipating a sharpness to cut my skin, my flesh, my bones.

“Halt your madness at once Pele.” a deep voice ordered.