"Then you will keep guard around her. There are people that come and go from the library. Make sure they don't bother her."
"Yes sir of course. I will protect her like my life depends on it."
"Very well, you two are dismissed. The Library isn't far from here four doors to your left daughter."
She nodded her head and left out with Avery right beside her. "You don't look comfortable in that." Avery commented
"I'm not. I feel hella awkward, but I can't go against my father's word."
"There has to be a way for you to be able to still take the role as princess and be comfortable in what you wear."
"Maybe, I just haven't thought about it yet."
When they got to the library Reyna needed his help to get the doors open, once the doors opened Avery kept close to her as she went looking around the room before she sighed out. "Well I am stupid." She muttered out
"You are not princess."
"I don't know how to read dummy. I was only ever taught how to do combat."
Avery looked at her concerned before he sighed. "That would be a problem. Alright hold on one moment, I'll be right back." Avery said before he left the library as she went looking through the books only recognizing them by color-not by what was on them.
When Avery came back he had gotten Nile and Dex who were opposed to Reyna instantly doing studies. Avery got her attention and she went up to her uncles, they looked at her sadly. "Aren't you uncomfortable in that?"
"Yeah, very uncle Nile. But this is what my father wishes..."
"He's going by old traditions. You will get messed with. Hold on, dear brace yourself." Nile said as his hand glowed green.
Reyna nodded her head. "Okay uncle, I trust you."
Nile looked to Avery. "Hold onto her back she might end up being pushed back by the magic."
"Okay."
Avery went behind Reyna and softly held onto her back before Nile moved his hand so it was in front of him, the outfit that Reyna once wore changed as the magic did in fact push her back a bit due to the strong force of magic energy Nile had versus what she was able to do. Avery had slid back a bit due to the magic impact on his soulmate. He went from being able to feel the bare skin of her back to feeling cotton cloth under his fingers. The clothes she wore were more modern and less aged than what she had been wearing before.
When Reyna looked at the new outfit she was wearing she noticed that the skirt she wore had a built-in pair of shorts. She then smiled at her uncle. "Thank you uncle."
"Not a problem, I'll talk with my ignorant brother about how he's treating you later. Now Avery told both of us that you are illiterate is that true?"Nile asked
She nodded her head. "I've never been able to read anything, I've been training to kill my mother and that's about it. Lord Blake said that studying books wouldn't help me out in my goal...was he right to say that?"
Dex scoffed. "Hell no, he was being a cocky *. Don't listen to that old coot. You need to be able to read to go about deciding documents and such. Take it from us, never believe anything unless you see it with your own two eyes dear niece. Now because of what we now know, we are usually the ones who give literature lectures. All of your cousins have excelled in their lectures and have passed the final exam for that portion of their training to take our positions. Now it's your turn, little Reyna."
Reyna looked down, upset. "So, they're already ahead of me..."
"Don't fret, we figured that this would happen and had been arguing with your father about giving you lessons before you study on your own. Obviously your father thinks too much of what you can do at your young age. There is much you need to learn and do before you are able to defeat your mother and take the position that your father currently holds as lord of Militia." Nile said trying to comfort the young demoness
"If it makes you feel any better I ain't that bright when it comes to reading either. I could learn a thing or two from your uncles Reyna." Avery said speaking up
She looked behind her to him. "Really?"
"Yeah really, my mother was the one who taught me how to read but she couldn't finish the lessons due to her father placing that stupid curse on angels." Avery said with a nod of his head
"Well let's see how far we can get Reyna before we see where you are Avery." Dex stated seriously
Avery nodded his head before the two elder demons took the duo elsewhere in the library that was specifically used to teach the younger generations of demons. For hours non stop Dex and Nile went through days worth of lessons with Reyna due to her being a quick learner on how to read, pronounce and write letters, words and what certain words were and what they meant. Avery was beside her the entire time, learning things not even his mother taught him and even asking questions that confused him.
It was easy to see that Avery wasn't too bright academically, but at least he was trying to understand where he fell short. Dex and Nile both took a break when it was time for dinner. Zavier was shocked to see that the clothes on Reyna had changed. "What happened to your clothes daughter?!"
"Uncle Nile helped me feel more comfortable, I get that you wish for me to be a lady. I'm okay with that as long as I feel comfortable in what I wear." Reyna explained
Zavier glared at Nile. "You did this with Stella too! What's wrong with my style of clothes?!"
"It's so outdated that not even the goddess Ryse wore such ungodly *ed up clothing." Nile stated
Zavier and Nile bantered back and forth as Stella and Leah came into the dining area to see Reyna holding her head from the oncoming headache she was getting. Both females went up to her happily.
"It's good to see you here, Reyna." Silvia said happily
"It's good to be here Stella. Are they always like this?" Reyna asked
Leah laughed a bit. "Yeah, c'mon let's sit down."
She nodded her head as she sat by Stella and Avery as Dex explained to ignore Nile and Zavier during their banters, which Reyna nodded her head to. Dex also explained that Zavier has always been the way he was since the parting of their parents due to how their mother once dressed. Reyna looked at Dex confused. "Uncle Dex, was grandmother always so uncomfortably formal?"
"Not always, when she grew up-yes. Her parents were rather difficult to be around to say the least." Dex said shaking his head
"Did grandpa help her get better at what she wore?" Leah asked
Dex grinned as he looked at the young demoness. "Well of course, he did everything in his power to make damn sure she got out of the bad habits that her parents had burned into her head. It took awhile but it did happen."
Nile then spoke up. "Our mother, your grandmother, was a lovely woman. It's our hope that we can teach you girls how to be ladylike but still feeling comfortable in your own skin. I realize that it may be a bit hard to do at first but we'll do what we can to help you girls out."
Zavier huffed out. "How mother was at first was fine. I don't know why father thought it was a good idea to change her." he said with his arms crossed
"You're so old school it's a miracle that Luma didn't turn out like you before her death!" Nile stated seriously
"She was stubborn and a spit fire to boot. She could never handle the way of a lady, Reyna is a different story altogether. She knows how to listen to what is told of her." Zavier said with a small grin
Reyna looked at her father unamused. "Not a damn chance father, your 'fashion sense' is disgusting. The skirt you had me wear made my legs cold since this entire castle is drafty as heck, the blouse was too tight around my torso-I couldn't breathe that much and the shoes were too uncomfortable." Reyna said bluntly. "I like what uncle did, he made it easier for me to move while keeping the appearance of me being a lady. I refuse to wear something that is two times my weight father."
Zavier placed his hands down on the table. "Don't you dare talk back to me, daughter."
Reyna looked at her father unamused. "Or what? Go on and threaten me father, let's see whose will is stronger." Reyna said, getting up glaring at him.
Zavier sat down, he knew she had the sword of the goddess of creation so he was no match for his own daughter. He scoffed as he glared at her. "You're going to get yourself killed with that attitude."
Reyna crossed her arms. "I want to see anyone try to cross paths with me, I have the goddess on my side. They don't."
"The goddess's powers haven't been around for centuries, what makes you think that she'll just come back cause you have that sword?" Zavier stated as he pointed the sword on her hip
Before Reyna could speak the gem stone on the sword glowed and an illusion of an Albino female wearing a white and blue dress appeared, she had her hands together in front of her as she looked at the crystal unsure. "Babe is this damn thing on?...yeah? cool. Hey, my name is Goddess Ryse Mason, I am the goddess that watches over the angelic race of Iaclomar. If you are seeing me right now it is because you are of the same blood as the very gods that have made this world to begin with. You are of Nelphime blood, which is blood of Angelic and Demonic blood-which yes is *ing normal! You are also of innocent heart and mind, which is why this sword chose you. If you are the woman Reyna-then please summon my soul from within this sword and you will get any answer you wish out of me. Just call upon me by name and I shall appear before you."
The entire dining hall was silent before Reyna got the sword out. "She's in here?"
Dex and Nile both got up. "Niece...call her." Nile stated
She nodded her head before she held the sword in both of her hands. "Goddess Ryse, I call thee."
The sword glowed a light purple before the blade showed an image of the young female, who smiled at her. "well, well...Miss Reyna Militia. I knew you'd get it. Congrats on finishing your trial deary. let me guess you're having a squabble with your dearest * of a father."
Reyna couldn't help but laugh a bit. "Yes actually ma'am, How did you know that?”
Ryse sighed out before she spoke up. “Being that I created this place and part of it's people, I could see into the future and see just what would become of it. I have to say that for some of the things that happened-I’m not all that happy about.”
Dex was rather surprised to hear what the goddess said and spoke up. “May I ask you something goddess?”
Ryse looked at the elder male. “Of course Dex, what’s on your mind?”
“There has been lore and myths about other gods and goddesses-not just you being around...what happened to them?” Dex asked
Ryse rubbed between her eyes. “Oh boy...I honestly didn’t think I’d have to explain this, but not all gods and goddesses have physical forms. Say for instance the god of love or the god of war, they’re looking upon this place...but can only be evoked if given praise. There was once a temple for each of the gods and goddess-including myself in each continent. I can sense that most of them are either torn down or vacant which is probably why you haven’t really seen any of them around. Tell me how much magic does this place have?”
“Not much, not many people have magic nowadays.” Zavier explained
“Well you can blame all on your ancestors for not praising the goddess of magic Tina Wright. She’s the one who gives and takes the magic from those who are around this place. I know once upon a time she once roamed this place but it’s been so long that most people forgot all about her.”
Nile and Dex looked to one another before they looked at the sword that Reyna held in her hand. “How do we get the goddess of magic to come back here?” Dex asked
“That’s easy, go to her shrine and make sure you are respectful to it. The woman who is the goddess of magic is a fickle *. I love my friend to pieces but she has a lot of issues that she takes personally. If you try to summon her without giving her the proper respect all magic from this place will leave, and that would suck ass.”Ryse said with a sigh
Reyna placed the sword down so she could eat dinner with her cousins, uncles, father and friend. Ryse noticed the very few people at the table and was confused.
“Weren’t there more of you demons?” Ryse asked
“Bane, Damen and Joel are all in basic training right now.” Stella said softly
Ryse shook her head “No-no-no, that’s not what I meant, weren’t there supposed to be eight lords here and all of you should have at least one kid if not more than one.”
Dex, Nile and Zavier looked sadly at one another before Zavier spoke up. “That may be true, but we lost three of our brothers and our only sister years ago.”
Ryse shook her head again. “This is nonsense, this isn’t what I saw when I looked into the future. What the hell happened?”
“The female who birthed me-that’s what. She cannot hold herself sanely so she chooses to push fate's hand.” Reyna explained “I lost an uncle before I was born, then during a war I lost my aunt and another uncle before going through with the wraith’s challenges. I ended up losing two of my cousins and two of my uncles cause they are too headstrong.”
Ryse looked at Reyna confused. “What the hell is she, a bat* crazy angel or something?”
Reyna nodded her head. “She is, her name is Emilia Estella.”
Ryse was quiet for a bit before she disappeared. Reyna was confused as she held onto the sword once more. “Goddess Ryse?”
There was no answer, she frowned before she just placed her sword back at her side. "That's weird...I didn't think she'd go silent knowing who my mother is."
"There must be something about the Estella family that she has a vendetta with." Zavier explained
"Well from what myths I've read about, the goddess Ryse was the one who had established the kingdom of Estella before she had managed to make friends with the other gods and goddesses of this place. She was rather proud of the kingdom, the kingdom was her way of showing what she could do and she helped the other kingdoms as well. It is why each kingdom is different." Dex explained
Reyna frowned a bit. "Do you think that she's upset that one of her own creations has done so much damage?"
"It may be so, don't think so low Reyna. You can talk to her more when she's done sulking like a child." Nile explained "For now let's eat and then get you up to speed with your cousins. Alright?"
Reyna nodded her head and it was silent after that until they heard the guards shouting. "someone grab those cats! They don't belong in the castle!"
Reyna got up, being closest to the doors she grabbed the cats by their stomachs and held both of them closely to her chest. The guards noticed that Reyna caught them and panted out as they smiled at the young princess. "Thank you princess, we'll take care of them from here."
Reyna shook her head. "No...I'll take care of them. No creature deserves to be treated so poorly, for all you know they have a reason for being here."
"What...How could you say something like that princess?" One of the guards asked
Nile had gotten up to see why Reyna got up only to see that she had two black cats. Nile's eyes widened before he looked to the guards. "Leave her with the cats. Go back to your posts."
The guards saluted Nile before they left without another word. Nile then took one of the cats from Reyna only for it to meow at him 'thank you for getting those *s from me brother'
Nile's eyes widened. "Holy *...Lucian?!"
The cat meowed again 'Well duh, who else would be a *ing cat you moron?! Where the hell is that * Amara?!'
Nile looked at Reyna, “Let’s bring these two into the dining hall. I have a feeling that something happened that all of us will need to know.”
The cat that Nile held growled at him. ‘Take me to Amara you dope! I don’t want to face our brothers like this!’
Nile sighed out. “Amara isn’t here, he hasn’t been for years. You’re going to have to wait.” Nile said before he took the cat inside with Reyna right behind him.
When they got into the dining hall Stella’s eyes widened. “Kitties!”
“They aren’t your normal everyday kitties Stella, these two...I think are your parents.” Nile explained
Stella frowned as she looked down. “D-Don’t mess with me like that. Uncle Zavier told me that they were killed. It was why I was raised by all of you. My mom and dad will never come back.”
The cat that Reyna was holding went off of her shoulder and went to Stella. The cat jumped onto her lap before placing its front paws on her chest placing its head against Stella’s. Stella shut her eyes instinctively before she saw a small montage of her mother giving birth to her before being slain by angels with pink tipped wings. The cat then took it’s head off of hers and Stella broke down crying.
“M-Mom...mom you’re...you’re here…”
Lucian got out of Nile’s hands and went to Stella as well to comfort her. Stella hugged both of the cats as she sobbed out. “I...I can’t believe my parents are cats...I’m happy...I’m not without parents.”
There was then a dark looming voice that echoed throughout the dining hall. “So, they returned...I’m glad to see that they have reunited with their daughter.”
Both cats got out of Stella’s arms and went onto the table hissing and growling as they were looking around. Only for a dark cloaked male to appear behind Stella, Reyna took her sword out and she pointed it at the cloaked male. “Who are you and why are the cats hissing at you?!”
“My name is Amara, they are hissing at me because I am the one who saved them from their pointless death. But I didn’t give them what they wished. I can assure you that I came here in peace-not to harm anyone.”
“So, what exactly happened to Lucian and Andrea that made them turn into felines? I swore they were dead. Their child was lying unconscious on the ground when I went to find them.” Zavier asked
Amara turned towards Zavier only to speak again. ‘They were killed in the midst of the battle while you were dealing with the casualties of the war. Andrea had given birth to Stella in the forest, when both of them weren’t looking they were beheaded. I saw what happened and gave them a choice. To be with the dead or be revived at a price. Naturally they wished to be revived, they had done no wrong. So I did as they asked-the price was they wouldn’t be themselves. The catch for that is if they found their daughter before she reached of age, which if I remember correctly, is the age of eighteen, yes?”
Zavier nodded his head. “It is. Stella is only ten year old due to the fact that she was in status for years before she actually opened her eyes. Which is rather unusual for a demoness being born.”
Amara nodded his head. “That is unusual but I had stopped the growth of the child so she may grow up as her parents relieved their lives as felines. Both Andrea and Lucian have their memories as demons but cannot get out of the form as they are. Which is why they had to seek me out.” Amara then grabbed both cats and placed a collar around them both. “In months time they will become themselves once more, when they do, they will be able to live their ‘normal’ demonic lives once more.”
He then dropped the cats down and disappeared, when he was gone Reyna spoke up. “So...just who the hell was that?”
“That dear daughter was Amara Jeckle otherwise known as death. We have a rather strange ally with that male.” Zavier explain
Stella finished her food quickly before she pushed her plate away from her. “I’m done uncles. I’m going to take my parents and talk to them in my room.”
Zavier nodded his head. “Go for it. And please let us know if anything happens to them.”
Stella happily nodded her head as she picked up the cats and rushed off to her room happily. When Reyna and Avery were done eating they were taken back into the library where they spent more time learning things from Dex and Nile. For the next year Reyna and Avery were hip to hip learning everything that they could about the world they were in. All of the Gods and Goddesses that were supposed to be a part of the land they were in as well as how to properly speak to them. During the year Zavier went to check up on Reyna only to see that she was getting lessons from his brothers.
"Just what are you two doing? She is supposed to learn on her own!"
"Did you know the fact that she was illiterate Zavier?" Nile asked
"Naturally, she could have learned on her own how to do something as easy as reading and writing." Zavier said with a shrug
Reyna couldn't believe what she was hearing coming out of her own father's lips. "Father, do you have any idea how stupid you sound right now? How could I have possibly learnt anything on my own!? I don't know what anything means when it is written out. How would I have known if I was doing anything right without guidance?! I am not the 'perfect' daughter that you so badly want. I'm far from that."
"You have Avery don't you?"
"He knew very little and was reeducated by uncle Nile and Dex, there was much he even had troubles with. I don't understand why you think that I'm anything more than what I am, when you aren't even trying to put anything into building a relationship with me. You constantly have me be taught by someone else. If I am to take your place at some point I should be learning from you not from someone else." Reyna said seriously
"Hold your tongue missy!"
Nile shook his head. "She does have a point though, she is a quick learner and she could learn a thing or two from her own father. But knowing you, you'd rather not get yourself involved in your Child's life. You never did with Luma-so why would Reyna be any different. It isn't like she was casted away by her mother and sister or anything."
Zavier glared at Nile. "Are you trying to guilt trip me?"
"Zavier, get the ego stick out your ass before I pull it out with hot tweezers. If that girl is your daughter *ing take care of her for * sakes. Mother and father always paid good attention to all of us and gave us all time with them." A female said as she came into the room.
The female had Silver hair and green eyes, she had a sword on either side of her as on her back where two maces crossed. Zavier's eyes widen, "So you've become back to normal Andrea."
"I have, but don't change the subject, brother. If you want your daughter to learn then you must be the one to teach her or has mother and father not taught you that?" Andrea hissed out coldly
"I have a kingdom to rule over, I have no time to do something like that." Zavier said waving off his little sister
Andrea looked to Reyna who looked down sadly, Andrea went up to her elder brother and punched him hard in the gut before she pulled Reyna into her. "If you aren't going to teach her properly then I will teach her with Stella! I hope one day your ignorance becomes the death of you!"