Less than an hour before the Midnight Sun appears everyone remains silent and the only thing we can hear is our heavy breathing. I'm still watching the surroundings from above here, especially the Dreich.
There was a bit of fight happening at the border of Hesperia and Dreich. I have launched one thousand student magicians there to help the citizens escape and only fight when desperately needed. And yeah, until now, there are still evacuees.
A few minutes later, a light slowly enlightens the dark environment. It is the Midnight Sun. “Everyone, prepare,” I announced to all of them. The rescue is still ongoing. They have to be taken to the shelters before the Midnight Sun finally shows up. “Aunt Ruby, what's the status there?”
“All the evacuees will soon be taken to the shelters.”
“All right.” With so many people wanting to leave Dreich, it seems like the hole I made in the dome is small. The population there is double compared to Demetria so it looks like it will be really difficult for us. I think it will take us three hours to finish rescuing civilians.
I raised my magic staff and widened the hole. Midnight Sun is halfway through the show. Once the start of the war catches up with them, Hesperia will be destroyed first.
“It's over, Ahrina.” I breathed a sigh of relief at what Aunt Ruby had told me. “Thank you. The rescue of the departed is over. It's time for war.”
“Yes, Aunt.” I diverted my gaze to Lia who was flying in my direction. “Hmm?”
“The second Enchanted War is about to begin, after a hundred years.” She smiled weakly and faced the Midnight Sun. “I can't give you an assurance that I'm still alive after this.”
“Lia...”
“If I live, I will still take care of you all and continue to love you because you are part of my life. And if I die, I ask you to have a more prosperous and peaceful life. I know I will not be able to fulfill my promise to Geminid so I don't hope to live anymore.” She faced me and held my right hand. “I know it's difficult, Ahrina, but I want you to kill Hades and get his soul extracting magic.”
I smiled at him and nodded. “I will, Lia. If that will bring peace to this world, I will not hesitate to kill my only father.”
“I'm glad to hear that.” We both faced the Midnight Sun a bit covered by the clouds. “And now, let's do this. Let's win without you nor anyone of us dying.”
I nodded and gripped my magic staff. “Let's do this.”
Lia went up and used her magic to give additional support to the defense dome. “Defense team, prepare.”
Silence filled everyone again, feeling the surroundings. In just a few minutes, we could all hear the crackles and sounds of crows. “Archers, ready.” I turned to Crimson. "You’re in charge of commanding for now.”
"All right." He levitated going beside me yet maintaining a distance because of what will I do. “Everyone, prepare!”
My magic staff floated beside me as I removed my hand from it. I started making big evil darkness orbs. It took me minutes to make one. Next, I made a light orb while the evil darkness orb was floating in the air.
“Archers, attack!”
Magic and spell arrows flew in the direction of the necromancers heading here. I just finished the light orb so I nodded to Crimson. “Defense team!”
With both my hands, I slowly glued the orbs together but they looked like magnets that were both north. I took a deep breath and then was forced to glue two different orbs together.
You can do it, Ahrina. You can do it.
When I opened my eyes, the two orbs were almost touching so I pushed even harder. I can already feel the difficulty of my breathing but I know I can do it. I will be hurt by what I do, but for the sake of all, I will do it even if I die.
Suddenly my wings lit up and spread wide. “Go, baby. You can do it,” I heard Crimson say to me and I nodded. It looked at Lia that I heard sigh and wonder. I turned to Lia and smiled.
Half of the orbs were already coming together when I heard Headmaster Hades' voice. “Attack them!”
“Killers and Supports, prepare!” At Crimson's command, Marina and Freesia moved quickly to prepare for the attack.
I saw Headmaster Hades floating in the air and looking at me and what I was doing. “Ahrina, you can't do what you're doing!” You are also concerned about me. When I just smiled at him, his eyes widened, and moved his magic staff. “Attack Ahrina!”
I was inside the dome but with the number of people rushing at me, I was sure it would break. Two million crows are coming here. I need to hurry.
I closed my eyes when I saw that two different orbs were almost mixing and took a deep breath. It was about to explode. I felt the wings move a little and slowly flutter.
I cried out when I felt the pain in my chest. When I opened my eyes, the evil darkness and light orb completely mixed. I threw a glance at Headmaster Hades. I heard a shout from Lia before I blinked.
Flashback...
“Ahrina, it's dangerous what you're going to do!” Geminid shouted at me.
“Shall I put myself before the welfare of all, Geminid? If you were in my position, what would you do?” Her eyes widened. “Wouldn't you do the same? You'll put everything before yourself?”
“But Ahrina this is a different situation!”
“Geminid...” Lia called her. “Calm down.”
Geminid angrily confronted Lia. “Mother, will you just let her go? It's dangerous for her to do that! She has the entirety of the evil darkness gem. If she weakens the necromancers as well as Societas and Hades, she will also be affected!”
Mommy stood up and faced me. “If that's the only way Ahrina can think of, we can do nothing but agree to her plan.” We all looked at her. “What she will do is deadly, but let's remember she's the Mystic Princess. She has the Mystic Stone and it will give her protection and save her from death.”
I smiled at Mommy. Geminid just sighed and looked at me. “Half the lives of necromancers are connected to the evil darkness gem you have, as are the lives of all members of the Societas. But not Headmaster Hades. If you mix light and evil darkness with highly conflicting magic, it will affect you too, causing you to weaken. If that's really what you want, all I can do is give you extra protection. Your wings will wrap around you when you flick the combined orb and it will help you heal and regain control of the evil darkness gem.”
“What do you mean, Geminid? Regain control of the evil darkness gem?" Aunt Calla asked her.
"That's right, Calla. Because by the time she snaps, the evil darkness gem can get out of control and it can control Ahrina. That's what we don't want to happen.”
"W-What will happen if that occurs?"
Geminid looked at Tito Carob. “Dreich will win. And it's the end of us all.”
End of the flashback...
When I opened my eyes, I saw my wing. It still shines as well as my Mystic Stone. I moved and spread my wings to see them. They all covered their ears and bent down as if to avoid an explosion. “Is everyone alright?”
They raised their heads and nodded to each other. I checked my friends as well as Lia and Crimson and they all nodded too. “That's good to know.” I faced our foes. They were all fainting and the crows had turned into a smoke man. “It was effective,” I mumbled. “Ready, student mages?”
“Ready!” they shouted at the same time.
Crimson and I looked at each other and smiled. He summoned his magic swords and shrugged as he gripped them. “Well, let's get it on. I still have to kill that Whistler.”
“I heard my surname!” Thoreau exclaimed from below. What the h*ll are you mumbling again, Torren?”
"Nothing, bro. Just planning on how can I kill you as well." Blake, Freesia, Lia, and Marina all burst into laughter while the others chuckled.
I just shook my head and looked Headmaster Hades in the eye. "Okay, student magicians, let's go!"
As we got the war under our control which I think took some time, we looked at each other and made our way swiftly going to the Dark Fortress. Freesia created a large ice ball and threw it at the castle, destroying it even a bit. I clenched my arms as I gestured my hands to summon a fire dragon.
"Woah..." Marina mumbled, facing behind me. "That one's heck a dragon.”
I looked behind me and saw a black dragon. It has seraphim wings and also has some white patches on its skin. “Come on, baby. Show us what you've got,” I told the dragon. It opened its mouth and a white something formed inside. We were a bit distracted when a white ball came out of his mouth causing a fire in the Dark Fortress. “Good job, honey!”
“You're like taking care of a dog,” Blake said, chuckling.
Minutes later, all members of the Societas de Malae Tenebrae and Headmaster Hades floated in the air. “Very wonderful, Ahrina,” Secretary-General Killa said. “You're still wearing your crown even amid this war.”
I smiled at him. “Looks like I need to warn you, Chief Secretary. I'm still the recognized heir to the throne of Dreich's presidency so you should still call me Princess Ahrina. That's stated in your law, isn't it? Even if I betray or die, I am still the heir.”
“Not now, Ahrina,” Tyson Regalia replied. “That law has been repealed.”
“That easy? The law was written and signed when the Windsors were still in power and then you just threw it away as if you made a mistake in folding the paper plane? Who are you fooling?” Their eyes narrowed and their magic staff released. We immediately released ourselves. “As heir, I have equal power with your leader so I order you to lower your staff.”
“You seem to have forgotten that you are the only heir—“
His words were immediately cut short when Thoreau made an electric leash and used it to strangle Director Roman. “She’s the heir, not just an heir. Watch your words, you're just a director.”
“Whistler, take it off.” Thoreau immediately removed his stranglehold and Crimson quickly made a dark blade. It immediately pierced the director’s chest which I think penetrated his heart. “One down, baby.”
I chuckled and formed a magic sword in my right hand. “Why don't we go through a battle?”
They all looked at each other and Headmaster Hades. The latter just smirked and gestured his hand, pointing at me. “Why don't we give our heir a chance?”
I closed my left fist, making the dragon I summoned vanish, and looked at my friends. When I nodded, we quickly rushed at them. A special sphere protects Hades so he won't be affected by the battle we're doing.
Two members of the Societas came to me and I will admit, it was hard for them to kill. Although they are only halfway through life, I feel, they are the ones who were hardly affected by the spell I made earlier.
He slowly approached me. “Tyson Regalia, the man Amberleigh Schiz loved and used by Hades Gromantia. I'm glad to see you again.”
“I'm also happy to see you again, treacherous heir. I know what you can do so I'll just speed up killing you.”
I grinned and played with the sword in my hand. “Let's see if you can, Regalia. Let's see if you can kill the child of your beloved woman.” I played with the handle on my hands and gripped it forward.
He only smirked and summoned his black sword too. “I never loved a woman without rationality.”
“Without rationality, huh? Let's just see.” I bowed at him and faster than the speed of light, attacked him.
Tyson Regalia managed to avoid my attack but even so, I still injured his right arm. He tsked. “What now, Regalia? Where's your rationality? Got washed out too as Headmaster Hades turned you into his disciple?”
He seems got offended so he immediately moved and attacked me. Too late for me, I was also injured in the arm but it wasn't that deep. I quickly turned around and split his left arm. His forearm fell, making his bloodstream down. All of a sudden, he glared at me and started clenching his fists.
I was starting to feel tight in my neck and I couldn’t even breathe properly. What is he doing?
My left hand suddenly moved and went in front of me. Tyson Regalia started groaning in pain so when the tight feeling in my neck disappeared, I heard something fall that coincided with my loss of balance.
“Hey, got you.” It was Crimson, for sure. “You alright? What happened?”
I just shook my head at him and smiled. “I'm okay. I just need to kill my mom's fiancé.” I tapped his hand and sprinted towards Tyson. Still immobile, I took the opportunity to stab his chest. His eyes widened to me. “You're not my enemy. Yet, you challenged me. I still want to play with you, in case not everyone is killing now. Maybe in hell, we'll just play again. One more thing, you're not Tyson Regalia and I know that. The Tyson Regalia that my Mom loved died a decade ago.”
He fell to the ground as I pulled the sword, lifeless. I faced Headmaster Hades and glared at him. As I motioned my hands, the whole Dark Fortress got destroyed. He chuckled. “Seems like you're asking me to fight with you.”
“The Heiress versus the Headmaster. Yes, I want that.”
“You don't know who you are challenging.”
“I know. My evil father.”
My bloody hands started trembling as I looked at it and my knees weakened, causing me to fall onto the ground. I panicky searched for Headmaster Hades and saw him a few meters away from me. I went to him without any single doubt, even though I could already feel the tiredness, pain, and swelling all over my body.
“H-Headmaster...” Still trembling, I shook his body. My eyes landed on a deep wound on his chest. "Y-You have a stab ..."
“You did that, my daughter. You're the one who attacked me.”
“I-I...” I-I don't know. I can not remember anything. “I did that to you?”
A smile flashed at him. “Yes, my child. Sorry, I did not fulfill your request.”
“Request?”
“You asked me to kill you. But in the end, you did that to me.” I asked him to kill me? For what reason? Why would I ask him that? “M-My child...” I close my eyes tightly, holding back the tears. “I'm happy...”
“Stop...”
“I'm so happy... I have a child-like you.” My tears kept flowing. “Stop crying. I don't want to see you cry.” I cried, even more, when I felt his cold hand on my cheek, wiping away the tears that kept dripping. “Father made a mistake, my son. I-I know there is no forgiveness for what I did, but I still want to apologize to you, my son. I failed not as a leader, but as your father. Forgive me, Ahrina...”
“Please, that's enough...” I took a deep breath and looked at him. “That's enough.”
I bit my lip so hard when I saw him smile. “I love you, my child. I love you so much, please don't forget that.”
“That's enough! Please… stop...”
“I haven't been a good father to you. But even so, I still hope you'll forgive me. I'm thankful that you came into my life. I'm thankful you became my daughter.” I heard him laugh. “I never had a chance to touch you when you were a baby, but I always watch you from afar. I always listen to your cries and laughter. I always watch you crawl, sit, walk, and lie down. I always watch you from the time you wake up ‘till you sleep. Even from afar, I'm following you because that's the only way I can say I'm your father.
“I was blinded by my great love for your mother. I love her so much. So I can't accept that she doesn't feel that way for me. I know I made a mistake, but I don't regret it, my child. Because you were the one who became as a result of my love for him so much that I had almost nothing left for myself. I was blinded by my desire to keep my promise to my father, so I became thirsty for power. And that is what I have regretted all my life.
He wiped away my tears again. “Thank you, my child. You put me back on the right path. I love you so much, my child. I never regret that you became my child, Ahrina. Even though I have been a bad father to you, I still hope you will forgive me Forgive me too, if we haven't played, if I haven't taken you around the world, if I haven't bought you the things you want, if I haven't watched you grow up, if I let you live without a father. My daughter, forgive the father... “
A bitter smile flashed on his lips and tears welled up. “Don't. Please, d-don't close your eyes. Hades…don't, please.” His hand fell from my cheek. Trembling, I touched it and shook him with all my might. “Don't joke like that. Please, open your eyes. Hey, wake up! Hades, p-please, wake up for me.” I closed my eyes tightly again and couldn't stop crying. “Dad…please, wake up.”
“Ahrina, let’s go...”
“No. I’ll just stay here with Dad. I'll wait for him to wake up. M-Maybe he's just taking a rest.” I caressed her cheek and wiped away her tears. “Please, wake up.”
"Ahrina, we have to go.”
I immediately pushed away the hand that held my arm. “Stay away from me! Stay away from me!” Their eyes widened. “Stay away, please. I said stay away!” I looked at him again and hugged his cold corpse. “Dad, I'm sorry. Please forgive me.”
I killed him. I killed my father for the end of all the chaos here. I killed my father who tirelessly loved me as his daughter.
****
“Ahrina, are you ready?”
“Mom, do I really need to do this?” I feel like I don't deserve it.
“Yes, daughter. You're the Mystic Princess so absolutely necessary.”
It’s been a week since the Enchanted War began. Gradually the people were also able to readjust especially and Dreich was reinstated as the city of Demetria under the joint resolution passed by the leaders of Hesperia, Aurora, and Schiz Academy. So Dreich is no longer a Lone Dark City. But even so, the fear of the people has not disappeared.
Today is another special day, which became a national holiday under the same joint resolution, and maybe the most memorable for everyone. Earlier in the morning, Lia announced that Mom is her appointee in the position for being the Director-General of the Union of Magic. There was also a welcome ceremony for her and she also changed her name to Amberleigh Schiz.
Wearing my huge purple strapless ball gown with some floral and butterfly designs, purple stilettos, and purple arm lace gloves reaching my upper arm, we both left her bedroom.
Many staffs were outside who immediately bowed. Mom is wearing a scarlet sheath gown and the red cloak that was given to her by Lia. As a Director-General, she has been removed from his position as governess of Aurora because a magician with the highest title in the Union of Magic cannot hold a government position. As a result, Vice Governor Alexandrus became the Acting Governor.
Because of the size of my gown, I sat alone in the backseat while Mom was in the passenger seat. A butler sat on the driver's seat and started the car engine. The Coronation will be held at the Royal Palace so make sure everyone is there.
Don't be confused with the terms 'coronation' and 'crowning'. I know those two terms are kind of synonymous but here, it serves two different purposes. Crowning is for political, or monarchy use while Coronation serves as giving off honorary merit to a non-political person.
And yes, in my case, in the meantime, I will be attending a Coronation. After five years, it will be Crowning as the governess of Aurora. Crimson will experience the same but as governor of Hesperia. If that happens, Hesperia and Aurora will be announced as the first Twin Cities of Demetria. And yeah, citizens should expect that there will be countless projects that both cities will execute.
Arriving at the Royal Palace, I almost got drowned by the mass of people outside. The only part that remained vacant is the red carpet. “Ready, honey?”
“No, Mom. There are a lot of people.”
She only laughed and went outside as a butler opened the door. Someone opened the door next to me and was carrying another umbrella. A familiar hand caught my attention. I smiled to see who it was. “Your Highness?”
“Your Highness, your face.” He let out a chuckle. I reached for his hand and went outside. I eyed him a bit and spoke as I encircled my arms to his. “You look like a best man.”
Crimson snorted. “Oh, I thought I look like your future groom.”
“You only look like one, but it's not you,” I mocked and smiled at the public. “I know you're frowning there and before you throw tantrums like a kid whose parents didn’t buy him cotton candy, let’s go.”
Officials as well as successors and highly respected families welcomed us both as we entered the Royal Ballroom. I requested that the Coronation be held here instead of at the Royal Hall so that we can party immediately. A mini-stage is set up and there is a purple long sofa. Of course, French-designed.
Crimson and I went up and faced everyone. “Everyone, we would like to introduce you, Ms. Ahrina Tantiana Schiz-Gromantia, and Mr. Crimson Torren, the Mystic Princess, and the Stardust.”
All of them bowed after the announcement of the MC. Afterward, a speech from Mom was heard in the whole hall. Mom is the Queen of Fertility, the mother of the Mystic Princess so she is also one of the most respected people here, besides being a Schiz and the Director-General of the Union of Magic.
The official Coronation happened after the speeches of our loved ones. The two of us stood up for the crown giving and staff to us by the Royal Family. Even our crown and staff are purple. That is the color of the Sacred Gem, of the Mystic Stone, and the color symbol of the Mystic Princess and Stardust.
Stardust wasn't mentioned in any manuscript because only the late Headmaster Azrael and the Schiz family knew about that before. Because Crimson is my boyfriend, he is automatically my Stardust, my source of energy and power.
Freesia, Marina, Thoreau, and Blake were also announced as the Celestial Royalties as they are our best friends. Their job is to become our helping hands and to stay beside each other forever. Well, they pretty much do nothing but help us decide or partake in national events.
When we were allowed to speak after the Coronation proper, Crimson picked up the mic and smiled. “I would like to take the opportunity of this historical event to ask this special girl beside me.” Everyone was confused, even me.
My breath hitched as he faced me and knelt. “Hey, what are you doing?”
He only smiled at me and took out a small, violet box. When he opened it, I was almost out of breath. “After receiving a blessing from Dametreil Schiz, the thought of marrying you and staying with you forever remained inside my mind. Before the Enchanted War happened, Geminid Schiz asked me if I want to marry you or not and of course, I said yes. And here,” he opened the box, revealing a silver ring with a pink heart-shaped diamond, “she made this. So now, Ahrina Tantiana Schiz-Gromantia, our Mystic Princess and my very own baby girl, will you stay with me forever?”
I don't know why but I suddenly tore yet laughed. I don’t know if I will cry with joy or laugh at what suddenly happened. “Your speech is too lengthy, Red. I will only answer with one word.” My tears streamed as he chuckled. “Yes.” His hopeful eyes met mine. “Is that still being asked? Of course, I'll marry you.”
Everyone screamed after hearing my answer. Crimson immediately put a ring on me and stood up to hug me. He cupped my cheeks and kissed my lips passionately. “Let's live like this, forever.”
He nodded and smiled. “Let's get married soon.”
“Marry, your ass. We're not of legal age yet.”
He laughed as he wiped my tears. “Don't cry. Then when I give birth to many of you.”
“I'll really curse on later.”
“I thought you would love me.” He let out a smirk and we both faced everyone, holding each other's hands. “Everyone is invited to our wedding which will happen very soon.”
I immediately slapped his arm and massaged it. “Hey!”
Mom laughed and applauded. “For now, let us celebrate! Turn up the beat, DJ!”
I smiled, even more, when I saw everyone having fun, especially my loved ones. Finally, we achieved the utopia we deserve. No more wars, no more secret missions, no more agony.
I am Ahrina Tantiana Schiz-Gromantia, soon to be Ahrina Tantiana Gromantia-Torren, the product of a man's everlasting love for a woman who never became his. I am the offspring of the good and the evil. I have these purple eyes, the symbol of superiority, love, and euphoria yet also represents nightmare, fear, and treachery. I used to be just some kind of common kid enjoying her youth. But now, look at me. I have become a mage, the descendant of the Schiz family, the caretaker of the Sacred Gem, and the purple-eyed Mystic Princess.
And this has been my—ah no, our story.