The young girl trembled, her hands flying to her mouth in terror.

The blood-curdling screams of the man in front of her, echo through the mountains as fire devoured his body mercilessly. Her teary eyes looked toward her hands, which were glowing with a soft, comforting, yellow glow but at that moment it was anything but soothing.

Her knees gave in, she stumbled falling on the ground, the rough stones scrapping her legs.

Her misty eyes were on the flailing body of the man in front of her, whose body was now close to ash, blood decorated the floor he had walked on, and now his soul was close to departure.

She killed somebody, the thought alone sent shivers down her spine.

No matter under what circumstances, she did, she took somebody's life, somebody's happiness, a house's breadwinner, and her village's leader.

The glow in her hands intensified, causing her to scramble back, terrified. She could hear the distant footsteps approaching the dark cave.

"I didn't mean to," she whimpered, her young soul pouring out from her eyes, as she struggled to catch her breath. Her chest burns, breath coming out in shallow gasps. No, no, no, please.

At that moment, she desperately desired it to be a dream, or to somehow travel back in past and let him do whatever he wanted with her.

At least then, she would have been spared from this act of killing.

Fate was cruel to her though, because this was just the starting of a path — where her soul was bound to break, piece by piece, cruelly, mercilessly.

✦◦✧✦◦✧✦

"Do you know, Miss Audovera is back," a girl whispered to the boy standing beside her, both of their hands clutched a heavy book, the gold accents on the purple cover twinkling due to light.

"Back from killing someone else," the boy snorted, the golden bracelet of his hand reflecting the sunshine, "or gaining favor from the grand duke of Elysian, by who know h-"

The girl looked at her dumbfounded, it was not everyday you found someone insulting someone like her– who every sorcerer and sorceress kneel to– especially in Arcane Nexus itself, where if anyone heard this, he would be probably suspended. Her ears perked up when she heard the familiar tinkling of pearls.

He was interrupted as the girl beside him, grabbed him by neck, lowering his head, bowing beside him, her gaze down, "May Goddess Lumine bless you with Eternal light, Sovarno Chairo,"

The chorus of 'May goddess Lumine bless you' echo through the halls, heads bowing in respect, some in intimidation and some in fear, no matter– the age, gender, or rank, student, teacher, noble, commoner, doesn't matter.

Her footsteps accompanied with the soft tinkling of the pale pearls adorning her hairs, doesn't stop to greet others, only nodding in acknowledgement. The remarkable pale blue cape–that every soccer and sorceress dream of– sway behind her.

 Some strands of her lush midnight black hairs fell over her collarbone. Her pale blue halter-neck gown, drapes elegantly from her shoulders. The fabric is a delicate blend of silk and enchanted lace, shimmering like moonlight on water. The neckline plunges modestly, revealing just a hint of collarbone. The bodice cinches at her waist, the high-to-low hemline adds an ethereal touch–front panels brushing her knees while the back cascades into a flowing train. The hem is adorned with intricate silver embroidery, depicting celestial constellations and arcane symbols.

Beneath the gown, she wears form-fitting white leggings that hug her legs like a second skin. They bear faint, shimmering runes along the seams, each symbol representing a different spell.

The door opened smoothly, her footsteps taking her to the silver desk in center, she throw the blood stained pendants– a black stone that shimmer with energy, surrounded by silver vines in the center– the silver clasps broke, she looked away her eyes flickering down, after eight years she should have been accustomed to it, but she felt her heart clench a little nonetheless, "Grand duke of Elysia sent his greetings," she said, her voice devoid of any emotion, "and his gratitude for taking care of the problem,"

"Hmm nice work, Alara," the woman who was sitting in front said, leaning back on her seat, satisfied.

Alara diverted her gaze to the window, the white clouds playing hide and seek with sun rays. The golden rays hid in their moist embrace and for some moments she wondered what that felt like– an embrace?

"I have sent some papers in your room, it's a debriefing for the next task, you have to go in one week," the woman said, with a bright smile gathering her documents and exiting the room.

Alara's shoulders slumped, her hands taking the support of the table before retracting immediately when they briefly touched the silver chains, she closed her eyes, forehead ceased, fists clenched.

When will this end?