“Yeah-no...can’t deal with that. I’m basically powerless against these things, they come from the same place I do. No doubt they were caught and placed here in Reyna.” He said looking down from her.
“So what’ll work on them?” Reyna asked
“Hm...Fire works wonders as does any angelic spell.”
She scoffed. “I don’t know anything angelic, so fire it is.”
Reyna casted a ring of fire around the dark imps which scared them making them flustered and running into one another becoming unconscious. Reyna took the spell down and they continued on together. Avery refused to let go of her hand unless he had to, after being told by his younger brother that Reyna cried after almost being assassinated; he had it with those in the Militia kingdom. He had to beg his father to let him train with Reyna, he had to make sure that no one dared do anything more to his precious princess. The next trial made Reyna back away a few steps, Avery held onto her hand tightly.
“What’s wrong?”
“I...That water...I know where that’s from. I can’t go through that.” She said shaking her head sadly
“So we fly above it.”
“That’s the thing we can’t. In that type of water are sea monsters that will drag your ass down by your ankle into the water if you are above it.” Reyna explained
“Well then, what do you suppose we do?” Avery asked as Nala came up to them and stood near Reyna
"How about waiting for me to get done eating?" Nala asked as she nudged Reyna
"S-Sorry Nal, I didn't mean to leave you like that."
"I get you, just warn me next time alright I gotta protect you at all costs."
She nodded her head. "So, what are we going to do, Nala? Any ideas?"
"Mhm, oh tons. But...I know that only one of them will work enough to get us past the large octomoster down there." She stated before she transformed into her dragon form which freaked Avery out.
"H-Holy crap! She's a dragon!"
Nala nodded her head. "I'm Rey's partner and protector."
Reyna couldn't help but giggle a bit. "So what's this idea of yours?"
"You two get on my back, you'll see." Nala stated
Reyna got up first before helping Avery up who held onto Reyna rather tightly as Reyna motioned for her to go. Avery was rather scared of being on top of the dragon but didn't say anything about it as he knew he had his betrothed with him to keep him calm. As Reyna called it there were tentacles that came up and went for Nala's legs. Nala was able to do the front two as Reyna worked on keeping her back two free, Reyna slowly understood what Nala was doing and patted the top of her head softly knowing that she was being rather smart about the whole ordeal. Once they reached the other side Reyna got off with Avery before Nala turned back to her human form.
"Ta-da! Not that bad huh?"
"Nope, not at all. c'mon let's keep going." Reyna said with a small smile.
The three of them worked together from then on to finish the trial which needed all of them to work together. At the end of the trial Ivan was waiting for them and clapped his hands to see the three of them together in one piece. "Well done, the three of you got done in record time. Though I expect nothing less, you three will be expected to do a lot when your time comes when you three become older."
"What's next, General Ivan?" Reyna asked
"You have a one on one with one of your uncles." Ivan stated seriously
Reyna nodded her head. "Bring it on, I can take it."
When Reyna met up with her uncle he had his son beside him. Reyna felt confused as she walked up to them. “Uncle Dex what’s going on here?”
“I want to prove to Bane that he cannot lax his way out of his training, that even you, someone who just started training here, is better off than he is. That if he wishes to protect his female family members, he must become stronger.” Dex stated
“So I’ll spare him before sparring with you?” Reyna asked
“Yes. The rules for this are simple. Your feet stay on the ground, weapons and hand to hand only-which means no magic. And the first one to have their back to the ground loses.” Dex stated
Reyna and Bane nodded their heads before they shook hands, Bane gave her a small smile which she didn’t give back. They went back to back with one another before moving five paces from one another. When Dex motioned for them to begin, Bane was the first to do anything by getting his throwing daggers and throwing them at Reyna without thinking. Reyna duct down and barrel rolled out of the way of his knives. When Bane had no more knives in his hands Reyna grabbed her whip as she placed it against Bane's ankle while he was trying to get his daggers back only for him to fall face first into the sandy ground. It was then that Bane realized how his strategy wasn’t going to work on his cousin.
He took the whip from around his ankle before getting up quickly he grabbed his sword and pointed it at her. Reyna was rather amused and got her own sword out as they began to clash swords with one another. As they did, some of the soldiers were watching them, having finished with their own training for the day. Those who watched had to stay as far as possible away due to the fact that Dex had placed up a barrier so no one could interfere with them going one on one.
Neither one of them would give up ground so neither one of them would gain anything until Bane tried to trip Reyna up and swipe under her feet which she saw and used the fact that he was playing dirty to her advantage as she grabbed his foot as she saw it coming and threw him into the ground with her strength making him go back first against the ground as she placed her sword’s tip at his throat. “Truce?” She said out of breath
Bane nodded his head as he looked up at her. “Y-Yeah...Truce.”
Reyna placed her sword back into place before she helped her younger cousin up as she dusted his back off and shook his hand before he hugged her tightly. She was rather shocked that he had hugged her but hugged him back as she shut her eyes and enjoyed the hug from her cousin.
“My father and I were told about what has been happening here.” Bane whispered to her. “You’re not going to be the only one in the barracks you were in, I’ll be there guarding you as well as Joel and Damen. We’re not letting anyone get the better of you being here.”
Reyna let go of him as she looked at him shocked. “Where are the other two?” She asked softly
“Already getting things so we can protect you, you should be safe in this place not fear when you sleep. I know things are bad for you cause you’re female, but I’ll be damn sure that nothing happens to you.” Bane stated seriously
She gave him a weak smile. “Thank you Bane, it means a lot to me.”
Bane patted her shoulder gently. “Of course Reyna, now I gotta go do what I have to. Don’t go easy on my father.” He said before he rushed off.
Reyna then looked to her uncle who smiled at her. “You did well, now let’s see how you do against me. I won’t go easy on you just because you’re my niece.”
“I’d feel offended if you did uncle.” She said with a weak smile.
They went into the middle of the fighting circle as they first shook hands with one another, as she had done with Bane before they were back to back with one another. As Reyna stood against her Uncle she noted how small she was compared to him. The top of her head barely reached the mid-part of his chest, which she knew she could use to her advantage. After taking five steps away from one another they faced one another before Ivan had called for them to begin.
Dex instantly took his sword out and pointed it at her. “I saw your movements with my son, besides Zane he is the best out of the younger generation with sword wielding, I taught both of them how to properly battle in swordplay. I have to say, whoever taught you must be rather skilled.”
Reyna took her own out as she looked at her uncle. “I was taught by Nala’s father, he gave me all the tips and lessons that I had while growing up.”
“King Blake of the acid dragons taught you? No wonder you bested Zane the night before, he had vented on your father, Nile and I about the fact that you-a female demoness had bested him.”
“I...Is it bad that I have?” Reyna asked as she placed her sword down as she looked discouraged
He shook his head. “For the safety of all royalty that comes into the barracks of this military there are magical crystals that pick up on the energy of the royal blood and watch over them. Recording their movements and those they are around. I will tell you this right now, after watching with your father what happened to you last night-Those five males who attempted to kill you were beheaded before you woke in front of all of the others as a warning not to * with you as Zane has lost his title of Commander since he did not back down when he was supposed to. He physically harmed the female he was supposed to protect, since he did there was no other choice for us that would have saved him from death.”
“So...that’s why I heard people whispering around me. S-Should I not be here Uncle? If so many people dislike me here, what sense is it for me to be here if I cannot do something like get those who have come to this place to protect those in the castle?”
“Do not get discouraged, Reyna, other than that woman birthing you-there is no sign that you are an angel. You have every right to be here as they do. Let me tell you something that may shock you little Reyna.” Dex said, seriously placing his sword into the sandy ground.
She looked at him sadly as she waited for him to continue speaking.
“Do you know who the first General officer of the Militia military was?” Dex asked
Reyna shook her head. “No, I...I don’t.”
Dex chuckled before he smirked. “You’re Aunt Andrea. She was a vicious woman when she wanted to be-crazy as hell too to boot. Her and Lucian would go nuts when they sparred with one another, If she can become the very first General officer-there’s no damn reason why you, her beloved little niece can’t be here and learn the same * she learned at the same *ing age.”
Reyna’s eyes widened in shock. “W-What?! S-She was?!”
Dex nodded her head. “She was known as the Lady of pain and agony, Reyna. How she fought was rather brutal. It’s saddening that she isn’t here to help you out-she would have beaten all of those who defy you being here to a pulp and put them in their place.”
Reyna looked down for a moment before she placed her sword up again holding it with both of her hands. “I wish I knew her, I could use an older female that isn’t a dragon to look up to right now.”
Dex gave her a sad smile as he pulled his sword from the ground and pointed it at her. “You’re doing just fine on your own, I only wanted to let you know you aren’t the first girl to go through this. Your Aunt has done the same. Now, come at me Princess. Show me what you’ve been taught!” He said looking at her sternly
In the kingdom of Mirfield, Emilia was with her siblings in the meeting hall as they were all unamused by how she was acting. Malia was the first to speak as she got up from her chair. “Will you stop with the pacing Emilia!? You’re driving me to insanity!”
“Oh I’m sorry, does the little baby need me to stop being myself?!” She hissed out sarcastically
Malia jumped up onto the table and placed her bow and arrow straight at her sister’s neck. “Sarcasm will take you nowhere. I don’t know why you insist on this, you gave up Reyna to Zavier. You wanted nothing to do with her, so you should have seen what had happened coming to you. Zavier has been a man of his word, he is making his daughter stronger to defeat you.”
“If I go, who will take on the part of the kingdom that I possess?” Emilia asked
“One of us will, we are your siblings. We can take that place just like you have. You aren’t special sister.” Rosso said seriously
She glared at him. “You should have sided with me and helped me kill both of them!”
“If we are now killing those who were raped then I should have died? I didn’t think that you were so cold to those who had been exploited, elder sister, just what has happened to you?” Malia asked with a raised eyebrow
Emilia shook her head as she pulled her youngest sister down from the table and hugged her. “Goodness no, you’re family to me. I don’t want to lose my family.”
“He’s family! He’s our *ing cousin and you’re starting a world war with him and his kind! You’ve made so many of our own family die! When will you see how much red is on your hands Emilia!” Melo hissed out angered as he slammed his hands on the table
“I have to agree with him on that, You started this war with killing Zaviers younger brother Bram, then left again to do what? Kill two more of our cousins and two of our nephews we’ve never got to meet.” Rosso said seriously “This is getting out of hand sister, stand the * down!”
Esta didn’t like how her siblings were all arguing and left quietly, she knew shouting and yelling at one another wasn’t going to do anything but cause harm and distrust. So she left the kingdom-she went to the kingdom of Militia unarmed as she first flew there before she walked, wings behind her closed. As she got to the Gates of the Militia family castle the guards kept her from going any further.
“What are you doing here Angel?” One of the guards asked
Esta gave the guard a small smile. “My name is Esta Marin, I wish to talk to the male by the name of Zavier Militia. It has to do with his beloved little girl Reyna Militia.”
One of the guards left as the other stayed to watch her, the last angel that had come through looking for Zavier killed four of the royal family. So Zavier was gotten and he walked with the guard back to the gate, Zavier’s eyes widened seeing the young angelic queen.
“Afternoon Queen Esta, how may I help you?” Zavier asked curiously
“Emilia, she’s plotting to take Reyna from you and teaching her the ways of the angels. I know you won’t allow that-so I wish to see the young woman. I wish to give her something so anything Emilia might try will backfire onto her. She has gotten so bad that she’s making my elder brothers and younger sister fight with her over what will happen now with Reyna-now that she has seen that Reyna can fight.” Esta said sincerely
“I don’t trust any angel with my daughter. I will escort you there and I want to see and hear what you will say and do to my daughter.”
“That is fair, I don’t wish pain or anguish on your daughter. But I understand why you speak as you do. The sooner I see her and give her what is to be hers the sooner I will go home and be away from your humble kingdom Lord Zavier.” Esta said sincerely with a nod of her head
Zavier was surprised she was agreeing with what he had said, but motioned the guard to follow them just to be on the safe side. When they got to the barracks, Zavier escorted her deep into the training area where they could see Reyna and Dex training together. Due to the protection circle they couldn’t get any closer to them as the soldiers that were watching the two of them. Zavier looked at Ivan who looked impressed. “How long have they been like that?”
“Almost an hour, neither one of them will let the other gain or lose ground. It seems like we have an Andrea case here.”
Zavier chuckled before he spoke loudly, so his daughter could hear him. “Reyna, if you wish to proceed your uncle watch his footing and how he holds his sword.”
Reyna perked up hearing the voice of her father, once Dex had attacked her once more she countered his attack before going for where he had left open making him go to the ground as she grinned happily. “Truce Uncle?”
Dex chuckled as he sat up placing his sword down. “Well damn, you’re going to be like your aunt in no time with skills like that. Truce indeed niece. I can’t wait to see what kind of queen you’ll be in the future.”
He then pulled her into him and hugged her, she happily hugged him back dropping her sword. After the words that were spoken to her, she was more than happy to be able to be where she was. To Learn what her deceased Aunt had learned so many years ago, it wasn’t long before both of them got up and she looked for her father, which didn’t take long. She rushed up to him and hugged him tightly. “Thank you father.”
“Of course dear, now I’d like for you to meet one of the nicer angels that have come here to Militia. This is your Aunt Esta Marin, she wishes to help you on your mission to keep you from being a tool to your mother.” Zavier explained
Reyna’s eyes lit up upon hearing that an angel was on good terms with her father. She then looked to her Aunt, who smiled sincerely at her. “Hello Princess, my have you grown from the young baby that you once were. I can tell you’re doing just well on your own, but allow me to give you assistance in a field that your mother will try to use against you.”
“My mother fights dirty?” Reyna asked
Esta sighed out before she nodded her head. “Sadly yes, it’s something that our parents-your grandparents never scolded her for. In our mother’s eyes, if it did the job it was okay. Our mother never had morals, unlike our dearest father.” Esta explained before she got a bracelet from her pocket. “This was once something that your grandfather wore, he used it while he was training all of my siblings and I what we do now magic wise. I know that Angelic magic is something you have no knowledge of and because of it you will become helpless to it.”
“What will that thing do?” Reyna asked curiously
“It makes it so any spell that is angelic that is casted towards you is nullified. My father gave this to me before he passed away. No one knows that I have this, no one knows that I’m even here. So I wish to show you that I am on your side, I wish to help you remove my sister from her place. She’s gone insane and I believe getting a bit of her own medication will do her good.” Esta stated
Reyna slipped the silver bracelet on before she looked to her aunt. “After what I must do is done...is it okay if I learn from you and my angelic uncles just what my mother should have taught me?”
Esta’s bright red eyes widen in utter shock. “Y-You wish to know about your angelic side as well?”
She nodded her head. “It is a part of who I am Aunt Esta, I know I won’t ever be as powerful as a full blooded Angel, but...but I want to at least say that I tried to get to know the side that my mother forced me to cast aside as a child.”
Esta teared up before she nodded her head. “Yes...Of course child! That’s something I know all of us are more than willing to help you with! None of us wanted to see you dead, so knowing you wish to at least explore that part of your blood makes me happy.” She said as she placed her hands together
Reyna smiled at her aunt before she tilted her head to the side. “Are you going to cry Auntie?”
“N...No dear...and even if I do they’ll be tears of joy. Something you shouldn’t ever have to hide. Being that you are of half angelic blood your emotions that you show will be because of that part of you. I wish to warn you if you become too overly emotional being around the Wraiths that you are bound to will only kill you.” Esta warned
Reyna’s eyes widened. “W-Wait...Auntie are you saying...are you saying that if I become too emotional around the wraiths….that..that I could die.”
“Parts of you, it’s the angelic blood. The curse that your uncle Melo did to Lou Sparkfreed and his wife was something that he shouldn’t have done. But none of us angels can reverse it.”
“But a strong Demon can, though.” Dex stated speaking up
Esta nodded her head. "So I've heard, I have yet to see any of you demons even try to do such a feat though."
"It's because we don't have the magic to do so." Zavier stated "Magic for us is rather rare, either we have it or we don't. Most of my siblings aren't magic users. Unlike Dex, Nile, Darius and I, who are and our children have as well."
Reyna looked to her father. "Do you think that I'll be able to do so?"
Zavier looked down at his beloved young daughter placing a hand down on her head. "Well, you have the blood of the strongest demon lord in you, plus the blood of the ignorant of all Angels in you. I don't see why not. But you still have no control over what magic you can do. Doing a spell of that caliber will take you years to perfect dear if you wish to do so."
Reyna nodded her head slightly. "I do! Prince Avery Sparkfreed is marked to be at my side, if I happen to be too emotional around him-I don't want him to try and comfort me only for me to die in his arms. He...He's gone through that enough with one angel...I...I don't want to give him misery when he doesn't deserve it." Reyna spoke determinedly before her voice tone went down, as she thought about what would happen with her beloved.
Sure, at that moment-she didn't know what she felt for Avery, but what she did know was that he was a great friend and was acting so nice to her. She couldn't say no to being around him, maybe it was just his charisma that kept her close to him. When Esta heard that Reyna had a mark on her, her eyes widened in shock. "So...it starts with your generation..."
Reyna looked at her aunt confused. "What do you mean?"
Dex then spoke up. "Reyna dear, in books you'll find in the library inside there'll be books upon books about a generation that will connect all of the pieces of the world together by means of marriage. The fact that you are marked to be with the eldest Prince of Wraiths just shows that what was written was predicted to be right. Though that does beg the question of everything else in those books."
"We must not Dex, I realize you demons are curious people-but we shouldn't go into things like that without knowing just what we're dealing with first." Esta said shaking her head "We Angel's have the same books with us in our Library as well. Being the quiet one of my siblings I have taken the time to read all the books to the fullest. To understand what is in them you must erase all that you know to be true and really think about what is truly going on."
"Do you believe that uncle Richard would have the answers to that mystery?" Zavier asked Esta
Esta's eyes widened. "Ah! Yes the founders! Our parents were one of them weren't they? I almost completely forgot about that! I must take my leave. Reyna do take care of yourself, I'll be rooting for you. See you on the day you become strong enough to take my sister down."
Esta then tightly hugged Reyna before she flew out of the kingdom rather quickly. Reyna felt confused. "So...she's my angelic Aunt?"
"One of two yes." Zavier said with a sigh. "Continue on with your training, we'll see each other again soon daughter."
That evening at dinner, Reyna didn’t sit alone with Nala. That time she had her cousins and Avery sitting with her. Avery and Joel sat on either side of her while Damien and Bane sat on either side of Nala. Even though the soldiers kept away from the six of them none of the boys trusted them around Reyna. Not after the previous night. After dinner the six of them parted from the cafeteria as Nala went to where the dragons stayed, unlike the others. Reyna froze as she saw that the barracks she was to sleep in was different.
“What in the name of love is all this for?” Reyna asked confused The beds that were once lined up on the sides of the room were all but gone save for five of them. The five beds that were there were in the center of the room where four beds were surrounding one of them. She was rather confused about what was going on. Avery hugged her tightly and grinned at her.
“The four of us talked with one another while you were having your breakfast today about what had happened to you last night, we all agreed that you shouldn’t have had to deal with what you had. So we all agreed that to keep you from harm's way, that all of us would protect you by being here and sleeping on either side of you Princess.”