The Caliburn Institute's Arena Battlegrounds; Coastal Federation of Avalon; 12 Levidarth 22R7X
The arena was in shambles; a random woman with dark hair, fuchsia-colored eyes and pale skin manifested on the field and snatched my brother away in the middle of his match. The crowd was all in a panic, but the one that was the most furious was my father. Ever since Mama was stabbed, he's had his head on a swivel and took extra care to ensure our safety; but I could tell, this had been eating at him.
After a few hours though, Myrlin and our father made it back to the dorms. There was a slight shift in pressure in the air though, like something was missing.
"Hey Murmur, how are you feeling?" I asked my sleeping brother.
"He can't really hear you, he's in a psychosis," Professor Greenwitch chimed in.
"Will he be, okay?" I asked the professor.
He took a moment to gather his thoughts before he placed a hand on top my head, "Your brother is the strongest kid I know, he'll be more than fine."
Two Weeks Later; Caliburn Institute; Dragon's Chapel; Coastal Federation of Avalon, 26 Levidarth 22R7X
Myrlin made a recovery and was back in class, but he was different though, like a part of him is missing. As we sat in the chapel and the high priest went on with his lecture, I noticed something; the high priest, or Mambo, as they're called in our faith, wore a scarlet robe and the stitching on it was charcoal grey and he wore a two-pronged pointed hat that gave him horns. He spoke with a damp, monotone voice, "The tale of the First Hierophant is one of tragedy."
The chapel grew eerily quiet, "Simply put, the First Hierophant was a man born during the first half of the First Rotation," the priest continued looking down at his notes, "he was a man that dedicated his life to meeting our patron Dragoness, but alas, in his waking life, it was not meant to be. That is where most stories like this would end, however, this was merely the beginning."
I can't shake the feeling that I've heard that from somewhere before, the thought began to weigh on me, heavy.
The priest continued, "Upon the Hierophant's death, our dear mother did in fact grace him with her presence, and he was reborn as the first Demon Lord, also known as The Ashen Dragon Emperor, Garyūshi Astaroth, the founder of the Ryudō within ShanGriLa."
"Did he say-?!" I unconsciously announced.
"Shh," the people in front of me snapped.
I turned and looked at Myrlin. Didn't he tell me a similar story about dedicating his life to someone?
My brother sat there, eyes fixated on the priest's every movement. So much was happening, and at the same time, something felt off. Something I couldn't explain was wrong. Like I was missing something.
Shortly after chapel, I found myself alone in my dorm, "I wonder why something feels off about Myrlin," I spoke aloud, in English.
—SLAM!
The door abruptly swung open, revealing Renata with a pinched smile. "Did I just hear you speak English?"
My heart was racing; I'd only ever spoken English with Myrlin, and the fact that I was caught slipping—wait a damn minute. I thought about the occurrence, and there was one glaring issue: Nata knew what language I was speaking. "And how do you know what English is?" I raised a brow, folding my arms in the process.
The two of us smiled at each other before erupting in laughter, "Honestly, I wasn't sure if anyone else was reincarnated from Earth. The only other people I know who were reborn here are my cousin, Stella, and Gonzalo." Renata poked her head out of our doorway to call for Stellaphoña.
A few moments passed, and there was a knock at our door, "Contraseña?" Renata cracked the door open and whispered through the small gap.
"Ugh, this is so cringe," Stellaphoña whined, "Bidi-Bidi-Bum-Bum…" I can practically hear the embarrassment in her voice.
Nata chuckled deviously before letting in her cousin, and surprisingly, Autum Winters was accompanying her. "How do you do, Minerva and Renata. It's always a pleasure to share a space with the two of you."
The two girls came in and sat on the beds. "So, this must be important; you haven't had me use that password in years," Stellaphoña folded her arms. "Don't worry about Autumn; she was reborn here, too, although her memory is a bit foggy."
Renata and I shared a glance; this was all new to me, especially considering that, before fifteen minutes ago, I was under the impression that Myrlin and I were the only two people that was reincarnated in this realm. From our conversation, I learned that Nata's name was originally Erika Ramirez, and she wasn't even an adult when she died.
According to Nata, she met an angel named Beelzebub, whom I reminded her of, and, based on Stella's story, she met an angel named Amayamon. As for Autumn, well, she and I had something in common; the angel she met just so happened to be Astaroth.
"So, it's decided," I announced, standing up. "The four of us are officially all best friends, and we have to be careful that no one finds out our secret." I stuck my hand out, to which each of my new friends followed suit. Something was telling me that these bonds would last an eternity.
Twenty Years Later Caliburn Institute; Coastal Federation of Avalon; 6 Gaidana 42R7X
Renata had definitely become the mustard to my hot dog, and if she was that, then that meant Autumn and Stella were definitely the bag of chips and pickle on the side, and the friendship we shared is unbreakable. With the three of them, I learned a bunch of new spell combos, and we even have our own training regimen that we do together.
I've been in 'go-mode' for a while, and I should probably take a break soon, I thought to myself as I made my way back to my dorm.
"Lady M-Minerva!" A familiar voice shouted from behind me.
"Um, yes?" I turned to see who had called me.
The voice came from a stocky little boy with reddish skin and a protruding lower fang. He was cute, in a dorky way. "My name is Og-Ogunosuke. Hi-Hikariryūshi Ogunosuke. I am a squire in service to a knight in the Garyudōran royal guard."
The boy was from my class. If I wasn't mistaken, he sat in the back of the classroom, so I didn't really interact with him much. What is he even saying? What Garyudōran royal guard? I was so confused by all of this.
"I know I may not get to see you for a while, but I must tell you before the chance is too late," his face looked like it was going to pop from all the blood rushing to it, "I want to give you my heart, Lady Minerva!"
It was like the entire world came to a standstill when he said that, and I suddenly felt the eyes of everyone in town on me, "um, what are you doing, bookie? You're embarrassing me."
"My deepest apologies, M'Lady, but if I didn't say it now, I'd regret it in the long run," he said, "I don't expect us to get married tomorrow, but I'd like to get to know you and build a future with you." I ultimately decided to give him a chance. Even if I thought his efforts on me were wasted, I'm not even a noble, so why was he acting like this?
I eventually made it back to my room, and I noticed that whenever I get too comfortable, something always has to stir things up. This time, there was a note left on my bed, which read "To the first-born daughter of Emperor Chronos, you are hereby invited to take part in the Miryudōran Succession Ritual. Doing so and completing the ritual will raise your personal status to that of "Crown Princess," and eventually that of Empress when the time comes. A messenger will be awaiting your response."
Is this even real? My father may be strong, but he's no Emperor; he just governs the little plot of land that we grew up on. Then again, he does govern land. Not to mention, he's often talking about a throne room being nothing but a cave.
It turned out that our late great-aunt, Lady Mammon, created a nation specifically designed to breed assassins. The country was called Miryudōra, and I was being asked to become their new leader. It was all starting to make sense to me; that's why Renata asked me that twenty years ago… And like clockwork, Renata opened the door and flopped on her bed, "What's that?"
"An official invite to take part in some succession ritual in Miryudōra," I said with a low tone.
Renata's eyes lit up with excitement, "Nerva, you have to go! You don't understand, this is big!"
"I don't think I'm cut out for all that royal stuff," I shrugged.
"Please, Nerva, you always wanted to do dumb girl stuff, well, being a princess IS dumb girl stuff," Renata's argument was sounding more and more interesting.
"And how would you know that it's dumb girl stuff?" I questioned.
Renata's smile shrank down to a pinch as she blushed, "because I'm one, a real-life princess, dammit—!"
"—What! No way!" I replied in shock.
"Am so! My mother happens to be the Beast Queen of Bestahlagro. So, if anyone knows what dumb girl stuff is, it's me!" Renata folded her arms and pouted before we erupted in laughter.
"Okay, alright, I'll consider it, just promise me one thing," I began.
The joy in her eyes was a priceless sight. "I'm packing my bags right now!" It was like she could read my mind; Renata has always been there for me when I needed her the most. I love my sister from a different family.
Outside, a bicorn carriage stood, and two people waited by the door. There was a young man with olive colored skin and green fish whiskers. He had a slim and toned build, and the closer we got, I noticed the rainbow-colored scales along his arm. The other person who was with him was a little girl who couldn't have been any older than me. She wore her hair in two braided buns, and her ebony skin made her eyes stand out like a sore thumb; they were a deep crimson, with flickers of yellow and scarlet that made them look like they were on fire.
The two bowed as we approached the carriage, "Greetings, you must be Lady Minerva," the man said.
"Yes, and this is Renata from Bestahlagro, she'll be my witness," I curtsied.
"A pleasure to be in the midst of two princesses," the man gave an over-exaggerated bow, "my name is Sir Robfynn Gillfellow of the Mirini Palace Royal Guard, and this little one is—,"
"My name is Captain Minami Ayosaki. I'm to be your personal aid to help acclimate you to your new home," Ayosaki said with a sharp tongue. I knew from the start that she and I would get along just fine.
"The first thing we'll do when we get you to the palace is get you fitted for your royal regalia," Ayosaki directed, "after which, Lady Minerva will undergo Royal Assassin Training in preparation for the Succession Ritual."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Renata chimed in.
"You two are in for a ride," Sir Robfynn chuckled, "Minerva, tell me about the palace in Ryuni."
I really didn't know how to answer the question, "Well, my dad would say that it's just an old dusty cave. I grew up in a manor right outside the LeFey Forest." I could tell my words struck a nerve, because Ayosaki was fuming.
"It's a different culture in Miryudōra; we have a gorgeous palace, and I'm sure it would be up to your liking since you are accustomed to the finer way of living." Sir Robfynn had a way with words; he'd easily defused that would-be tussle.
The carriage ride there was steady, and along the way, I learned more about Miryudōra and its culture. So, Lady Mammon had this nation made to breed royal assassins. Uncle Aether never mentioned anything about the country; he'd say that it was the sticks.
"Welcome to Miryudōra," I was in complete awe once we officially made it there, though. The Mirini Palace was carved into a mountain; there were so many people living in this nation that I almost cried. "She has that effect on people," Sir Robfynn stated. Our carriage pulled up to the palace gates, and we gathered our things and made our way inside. There, inside the central courtyard, was a procession of people with decorative lanterns and puppets who came to greet us.
"What is all this?" I asked with stars in my eyes.
"We're excited that we have a new Empress," Ayosaki said with a slight grin of relief on her face.
All of this was for me? I couldn't believe it; my father didn't tell me any of this. It made me wonder what else he was hiding from us.