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It has been three days since Hurricane fell into a deep coma-like state of sleep and all her cousins—if they were still even considered as that now, were worried sick at the state that she’s in. From the time they all woke up from the fainting spell they experienced (Hurricane excluded)—due to that intense pain they felt as memories surged through them like a movie played in fast forward, nothing has ever been the same again.
After getting their memories back, Jade and the others exhibited a sudden overly protective reaction concerning Hurricane. Perhaps way too protective in Emman’s observation because they argued way too aggressively with Jago and the council when their temporary chambers were decided. In a way, it could simply be dismissed as a bunch of teenagers fighting for their need for independence—but not on this case, because when Kamilos and King Zarino rushed into Hurricane’s side at Terriona’s own version of an emergency ward, Cyclone and Jethro growled—not only that, Jade and the others crowded around Hurricane too, all of them stood in a protective stance-glowering at whoever dare comes close to their unconscious cousin-like they were a threat or something—which was pretty much unusual. In the end, the council conceded on their plight and let them come back to their own hut with a promise of temporary freedom.
The very next day, Emman and Lucy could feel the impact of their cousins getting their memories back because the hut was eerily silent than usual. Jethro’s dry jokes and Jullian’s cackling, along with Yellow’s ranting and Aqua and Mint’s arguments were heard no more. It felt as if someone died, and they were mourning.
Cyclone kept himself busy by training all day long with the elves, only coming back at nighttime to check on his sister before retiring on his bunk. The twins were now distant with each other, both suddenly disappearing for a lengthy time—only coming back bruised and bloodied as if they went on a rampage somewhere just to release their anger. Both were patched up by Jade each time they come home in that state. It was done silently, and each time, no conversation ensued between them.
Aquamarine has been frequenting the nearby river lately, casually throwing pebbles at the water sprites that kept on making fun of her—but mostly staring into space. Mint kept on jumping from tree to tree at an unbelievably fast speed without even falling once. The first time Emman witnessed this, he wanted to hurl at the terrifying sight—he felt so scared that Mint might fall and break her bones… but it never happened…yet.
Yellow, like the twins, kept on disappearing from time to time. Emman often see her staring at her hands as if they were contaminated with a disease or something. Emman could tell Yellow is undergoing self-loathing for reasons he knows nothing about.
Lastly, the one who was nurturing Hurricane back to health was Jade, so it was imperative that the latter stay inside the hut with Hurricane in case she shows signs of arousing from the deep sleep she’s in. In the situation that they are in, Emman and Lucy decided it would be best to stay and help Jade take care of Hurricane and refrain from asking way too many questions that their cousins were obviously not ready to answer for. Emman huffed at the thought. He was currently sitting at the small patio in front of their hut, thinking. He knew Kamilos would be back later to bring them food and ask how his cousins are faring like an old caring grandfather that he is.
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It was like staring at an old memory…
The fire was dancing everywhere, swallowing the great hall in hunger. People running here and there, screaming for their lives. Curtains and banners, furniture, and other decorations are all alight.
Bodies were strewn across on every corner of the room—all bloodied and lifeless. The clanging of swords was muffled by all the screaming—humans fighting beasts and beast-alike, overall it was a terrifying sight.
But in the middle of the chaos, on a raised platform where the royals should be, were four lifeless bodies of the King, Queen, and the two younger princes—leaving their eldest 5-year-old daughter, the princess—the only one left alive. Bathed in her family’s blood, she wailed her heart out for the lives lost around her.
It was a planned massacre.
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Fast-forward—and there was that familiar old memory again…
This time the child was sitting on the back of a winged-lion creature, Jago, her father’s guardian with the palace priestess standing beside them. They were at the capital’s plaza with a lot of townspeople, each holding a blazing torch at hand, a hateful expression on their faces, and they were shouting profanities—all directed towards the child. It was a trial of some sort—and the trial was for the child, the murderer.
Leading all those people was a hauntingly beautiful woman. She was shouting, telling all those people fabricated lies about how the child was found killing her own family and all those people inside the hall, and how she caused the fire and burned everything to the ground.
“Do you see this monstrosity? This child murdered the rulers of our country! She killed her family for the crown she so covets by using the power granted by the Gods!” The woman shouted while pointing at the child.
“How dare you lie about what truly happened Uriah? The King trusted you!” The priestess shouted in the same intensity.
“Trusted me? No, he did not you idiot! He trusted you along with the guardian and that child! And what did you do? You betrayed him!” Uriah shouted yet again—this time the crowd was cheering for her. This seemed to boost the woman’s ego because she smirked at Jago and the priestess as if saying she already won the war of words.
“Betrayed? Who are you to talk about betrayal Uriah? And can’t you see? The princess is but a child! How could you accuse her of such things like murder? We were all there Uriah! We know what truly happened!” Jago replied in an exasperated manner. He knew it was a losing battle, these mindless people were dead set on believing the lies Uriah told all of them.
“Why? You’d rather we preach about loyalty, Jago? You mighty guardian?” Uriah started in sarcasm.
“The guardian of the true kings. Yeah right! No wonder when you heard about the prophecy your loyalty suddenly changed from his highness to his child.” She continued with a hint of disgust lacing her voice.
“What nonsense!” Jago replied angrily. The intensity of the powerful guardian’s shout shook the roofs of the nearby houses and slightly wavered the townspeople’s misplaced anger.
“Nonsense? Of course, it made sense! When the castle was at the mercy of the fire, you go there and only save the princess but not everybody else? What about the king, oh so mighty guardian? Why not save the King?”
“They were already dead when I arrived, Uriah—you knew that!”
“Do I really? Or you are just making that fact up while trying to get the sympathy of the mass? See, this is why this country is cursed! It is ruled by unworthy kings! Tell me, people, would you rather be ruled by this child who came out from that tragedy as the only one alive and bathed in everybody’s blood? Their blood is in her hands for she killed them, she killed all of them!”
Uriah shouted before cackling evilly. “In fact, I have the appropriate name for her, Blood Queen, the true heir of the throne usurped by means of bloodshed. How becoming.” She continued with a sneer directed at the bemused child.
At the young age of five, Moira had an inkling as to what seems to be happening in her surroundings. She was not a daft child, and she was wronged. Oh, she was so wronged.
Moira, yes that was her true name. The rightful heir to the throne of Central Kingdom—the true ruler of Titania.
By Uriah’s signal, the townspeople attacked their group. Torches were thrusted their way as the people chanted “Blood Queen” over and over again like some sort of mantra or something. That was the time Jago urged the priestess to ride on his back and along with the princess, they flew to escape the place.
And that was the start of young princess Moira’s life as a fugitive.
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The next memory was of her and three other kids...
The first one was sporting a kind expression and there was a warm aura around her. Her name was Jade, and she was the nicest kid out of the three. She tried befriending the princess, but the latter remained uncaring at the hand that was held out for her to take. No, she knew she had no right to take that hand and accept the friendship it offers. It was far too dangerous for others to befriend her. She was an abomination. A cursed creature.
The other two were troubled kids. They were obviously siblings with their identical attributes and their expressions that mirror that of the other. One of them—the boy had midnight black hair that glimmers beneath the moonlight. The other one, the girl was the opposite, for her hair was a striking pale white like the moon itself! They both seemed to like the dark color because every day, since the day they were introduced to each other, both were wearing black garbs. Moira heard a rumor about those two once, they said those two were the children of death, the harbinger, and the reaper of deaths—either mortal or supernatural.

The old folks told them they were the children foretold in the prophecy, the first four of the eight. They said that together with the other four, they were the ones who will end the war against humans and the other creatures… and that they will bring peace over the lands once again.
Moira scoffed at the thought because she knew it will not happen if she can help it. What she needs to do doesn’t include heroism. She was alive for one reason only—and that is to avenge her family that was killed mercilessly by the now beast Queen Uriah who ran the country with her late father’s brother, her uncle Gheera—who turned out to be a traitor to the crown.
From then on, she learned that people were such fickle creatures, and trust should not be handed easily like a neat little package for the receiver to just spoil on a whim. And boy, did she learn the hard way...
But then she got to meet the rest of the children, and realized that what they had in common might just be the very reason for them to stick together, and maybe—just maybe, cause them to learn to trust again…
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It must’ve been too hard for Hurricane to remember everything. After all, among all eight of them, Hurricane had the most tragic past-with the usurpers killing not only most of the people inside the castle but also the rest of her family—the Trevailles, royalty, ruler of the six continents. The ones whom the people loved but scorned at the end for having a monster for a child.
Jade knew her pains cannot measure the pain Hurricane must have gone through, because for elementals—family is a foreign word. It’s just like they sprung out of their element without a mother and a father to procreate them—no one to laugh, fight and cry with. In short, being an elemental is a lonely state to be in. Yes, she had her guardian, princess Ellia and the rest of Terriona with her, but it just doesn’t feel right—like something’s missing.

Being an elemental was meant to exist with the expectation to go through like what the prophecy has foretold. They have to train and train for the upcoming battle like a soldier that isn’t even human. In fact, they were created to be one with both—the nature, and the nature walker. It was foretold that they had to fight alongside the true heir of the six kingdoms and restore the balance and peace between the elements, humans, and creatures for them to be able to live in this world co-relatively.
Those few years all of them were gathered in the rebel camp was not easy. Getting along was too hard with their emotional traumas hindering their ability to build relationships with others.
Yes, it was not easy—but Jade never gave up. She was so determined to have all of them at least be friends with each other. And now she knew her hardships paid well… She smiled at the thought.
It was the princess who made them feel what it was like to have a family to care for, and vice versa. The moment Hurricane warmed up to them and realized that all of them were a victim of their own fates—a group of orphans left without a choice but to follow through with the prophecy that was foretold long before they were all born. A prediction that changed what might have been, but had been the reason that brought them all together, nonetheless. A blessing in disguise, in her opinion… for without all of them, she wouldn’t be like what she is now. A strong being with a will of her own. A will to save Titania along with the people she now considers her family—the ones she’s going to save again and again, or even die trying.
A series of rapping on the door pulled her from her thoughts. Jade realized that the two kids were missing, leaving her alone with the unconscious Hurricane. She wondered who was at the door—well it could be one of her cousins. So, she went and opened the door. Standing before her was a wary-looking Kamilos and princess Ellia. They must have contemplated a lot in coming here because their faces tell everything they seemed to be thinking at the moment. Princess Ellia was right; indeed it was Kamilos who was shadier among both of them. Now that Jade’s memory was back, she remembered all those times when Kamilos took care of both her and princess Ellia—but that was before she was brought to the rebel camp to be with the other kids…
“We came to visit.” Kamilos started. Jade knew the princess was uncomfortable meeting her again after the revelation that happened three days ago. Ellia seemed too interested in the floorboards at the moment, rather than staring at Jade.
“I could see that. Well, please come in.” Jade replied and ushered them inside the hut to their room where Hurricane was.
Ellia saw the look Jade gave Hurricane—it was a look of pure adoration, a look that was intended for her before… but now—it was obviously given to someone else.
“So… How’s she?” Ellia inquired warily. Tension was heavily hung on the air as if both Jade and Ellia were still testing the waters.
“I reckon she’s fine; I mean—she’s not sick or anything, it’s her memories that’s causing her to be like that… I guess it’s a lot to take in, in one day.” Jade responded.
“Well, it matters not then! I’m sure she’ll be up in no time.” Kamilos cheered in obviously fake enthusiasm. Jade understood that the old man was just trying to lighten the mood inside the room, she decided not to mind him.
“I sure hope that too…” Jade muttered softly.
“H-how about you?” Ellia asked.
“Well… I seem to be in tip-top shape, so I guess that’s a good thing.” She started in shaky enthusiasm. “You know, I never thought I’d be back to this place again…It-it felt horrible.” She broke off sobbing. All her emotions seemed to pour out now that she’s in front of the two people who once mattered most to her long ago—two people she thought she wouldn’t see ever again when she was shipped at the camp.
Kamilos engulfed her in a big hug like how he did when she and Ellia were younger. He sure acted like their father figure then… I wonder if it will be like before, now…Jade pondered.
“I-I’m s-s-sorry, I-I thought the Blood—I meant she-kidnapped you—I’m sorry I really didn’t know anything.” Ellia sobbed as realization finally hit her.
“It’s partially my fault. I asked the council not to tell you because I thought… I thought I was going to war and may not be back again… I thought it’d be better if you didn’t know anything at all—it would save you the— “

“Cut the crap Jade! I get the gist. You don’t want me coming to fight with you right?” Ellia asked angrily.
It surprised Jade, but she nodded anyway. Ellia is still sharp as ever.
“Did my father order you not to?” Ellia asked again, this time with uncertainty lacing her voice.
“No, he did not. I thought about it myself. I knew how headstrong you are.”
“Well, you’re still right about that. Sorry about calling her the Blood Queen… I truly didn’t know…” Ellia uttered in shame while gesturing the sleeping Hurricane. Kamilos watch the exchange in amusement.

“It’s fine, I understand… Not a lot of people know that the Queen herself is part of the prophecy anyway…well, not after that incident.” Jade answered solemnly.
After their heart-to-heart talk, Kamilos and Ellia excused themselves after telling her their dinner would be delivered at their hut soon. Jade frowned, she didn’t notice the time.
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It wasn’t until their dinner was delivered at the hut when her cousins arrived one by one—all of them looking worn out like they exhausted themselves at the activities they all did outside. Jade decided it was time to serve their dinner. She ushered the hovering magical light orbs to the dining room—only leaving two to light up the bedroom where Hurricane was.

The hovering light orbs were Terriona’s version of fluorescent lights. It was fairy magic entrapped inside a glass ball. It floats in the air and can be moved by using magic or you can simply drag each one to where you want it to be—but like any other light, it also emits heat energy. These amazing creations were made because fire was banned in Terriona for a reason they didn’t have a chance to ask about. This made Jade wonder why they found fire in the infinite forest then.
“Where’s Grub?” Emman asked the others when he noticed the golem’s missing presence.
He was replied with a collective shrug. The golem has been mysteriously disappearing without their knowledge from the moment they arrived at the earth tribe kingdom. He suddenly felt uneasy at the thought. It seems like the golem was keeping something from them.

“Let’s eat,” Jade said as they crowded at the dining table. Everyone seemed to be intent on keeping their silence.
They were in the middle of their meal—eating silently when an ear-piercing scream broke the silence. It seems to come from their bedroom. Like an army of ants recognizing the threat, they all scattered and dashed towards the room where Hurricane was.
In their haste to go inside the room, Yellow, Emman, and Aquamarine got stuck at the door.
Jullian and Lucy who were still stranded outside with the others huffed in frustration.
“What happened?” Jade who was behind all of them asked worriedly.
“This happened.” Jullian and Lucy answered at the same time they pushed the three stuck kids inside the room. Emman, Yellow, and Aqua grunted in pain and threw Jullian and Lucy a withering glare.
Now that the doorway was clear of contraptions—Cyclone along with Jethro, Jade, and Mint strode inside the room towards Hurricane’s bunk. Instead of an unconscious Hurricane, they were surprised to see her very much awake staring at all of them with a fear-stricken face.
Tears were flooding her cheeks. All of her cousins shared a troubled look. “I didn’t murder them.” That was all she said before she fainted again.