Seed of Life

By D.E.P.

Is it destiny that triggers the evil in all hearts? The Vines of Fatum reveal an unfortunate destiny for the inhabitants of the land. The first known twins are born in the land, leaving their mother to have her soul depend on the life of a withering rose. Fortis, the king, has no option but to seek help from the Ape in the high mountains. Through the sky he sails along with two trusted warriors and a vampire assassin. Yet, the journey turns to be one of dread as their ship is demolished. Through the Forbidden Forest they must venture to unravel the secrets preying upon the land. Fortis, Invicta, Sicarius, and Magni take a different path to uncover what once was and what shall be. The destiny lies within their hands, for the Vines of Fatum always gives hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D.E.P.
• Release date: Feb 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301634507

D.E.P.

Hello I am no more or less than 17 years of age. I began writing this book at the beginning of 2012 and have found a deep passion in this art. I know there may be some small errors that I have missed in my writing and I do apologize for that. However, once this book gains popularity I will be selling it at a fair price to gain profits. My wish is to give part of the profits to the charities in our society. Thank you for your generosity and you will become a new fan. Please email me at: [e-mail]

Book preview

Seed of Life

Bewitch the Witch

Book 1

By D.E.P

[e-mail]

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2012 by D.E.P.

All Rights Reserved.

Cover Art by Karri Klawiter www.artbykarri.com

Formatting by LK EBook Formatting Service

Devotions

I dedicate this book to all soon to be fans of an epic journey that will grip each one’s heart.

I dedicate this book to my father for being interested in my passion in writing and allowing me to pursue such aspiration.

To my mother, I dedicate this piece of work for giving me the tools and teachings to come up with the stories I dream of today.

This novel is dedicated to my brother for listening to my several ideas even when they seemed to be overwhelming.

To Lauren Solinsky, I thank you for being a close friend for the beginning of our high school years and inspiring me to be a well-known author in the future.

Shelby Scoggins, I thank you for giving me advice and always being there for me, even today, to listen to my dreams.

Irish Solinsky, I thank you for continuously asking me when my novel was to be published because it gave me a sense of pride to continue the journey on this writing expedition.

I thank anyone, all my friends and family, which have been part of my life and worked their own type of magic to enable me to become the person I am now.

This could not have been done without the help of Karri Klawiter and L.K. Campbell who have helped to create an outstanding book cover and a well formatted piece of writing.

Above all, however, I thank my God for filling my own heart with optimism and the strive to continue the never-ending path I walk upon. Little miracles are the sort of magic and inspiration that has helped me to move on.

Dear Reader,

I want to thank you for beginning the first few pages into a journey of imagination and wonder. Your contribution does not only influence me to write more, but also enables me to donate a portion of the profits to local charities or to people I feel need support. I am filled with joy and hope that the story I have written will fulfill your desires. To tell you a little about myself, I am currently a teenager in the hopes of becoming a well-known writer in the future. You have kindly helped me fulfill my dream. Let your imagination thrive as you read each word and your mind unravel to fulfill your own dreams, whatever they shall be. And with that, let the story begin.

Yours truly,

D.E.P.

Chapter 1

Twins of Destiny

It was already autumn and the enthralling trees that stood up tall and golden now began to shed to reveal the shiny bronze coat underneath. It was strange, those trees. They seemed to be wearing different coats depending on the seasons. The branches swayed back and forth to the rhythm of the winds that traveled from the eastern mountains. The trees wore gold during spring and summer, bronze during autumn, and silver during winter. Each season would begin only when these majestic trees revealed the next color. When a hint of bronze or silver was found, you would be certain the season had changed.

The branches stretched out long and thin, and the leaves, being huge and tear-shaped, would sway with the wind until silently falling to the ground. No one noticed these little things. No one cared because it was a yearly routine, such as the marsberry bell flowers that rang during the summer. Those golden leaves would fall and get crushed by the careless of feet. This was when the fun began. The leaves would cringle like paper since they were flat enough to write on and thin enough to tear. These leaves would turn to sand. Golden sand. Silver sand. Bronze sand. This sand was all that mattered and all that seemed mesmerizing in the land.

All year long the sand would change until there was a mixture. The wind would blow this mixture along the sky, caring it up high towards the heavens. It was a beautiful land all on its own. The grass rose up tall and high where it was permitted and cut short enough in some areas to be used as a rug. There were multiple colors everywhere the eyes could see, except for the path that stretched out far across the terrestrial environment. The hills made the place feel all the more magical. And that is because it was, and is.

It was almost always sunny, with a light breeze of course. Then, in the winter, the white silvery snow would come falling with a soft splat, forming a thin clear slippery floor to walk upon. Even in this season, the days showed light because the land had rarely felt darkness. All the seasons were wonderful and different in a unique way. The sky had its own part in the season changes as well. During the spring, the heavens would change to a bright yellow, providing warmth to the creatures Mother Nature created. When the season changed to summer, the sky changed its color to a mysterious light green, providing birth. Then, the sky would change to a mystifying purple, providing reassurance. Lastly, the sky would change its color to a deep blue, providing comfort. Needless to say, mysterious parts of the land, many as there were, contributed to these genuine changes. It was what Mother Nature had intended. Nature responded at the exact time. If the trees began to shed to reveal its bronze color, one could be sure that the color above had changed to a purple. This was the way of life in the land.

In one of the most wonderful places in the land, stretched on the hills that overlooked the sea, stood a magnificent palace. Being a beige color, the palace seemed a glowing star from afar, and in a sense it was, being the home of the land. A long grey-bricked bridge connected the main land to a small, but magnificent island. Brick after brick was stacked up to create the fortress.

Once one crossed the enormous bridge decorated with white stone statues of heroic individuals holding long blades or bows, one would walk into a courtyard before standing in front of the humongous dark russet doors that were decorated with the history of the land. It was said that the doors had magic in themselves, since they were made from the wood from the tree of Saecula. Each year a different carving would form, sometimes even before its time. However, only a handful were able to interpret such engravings the wood provided.

Baskets of flowers hung along the ceiling of the walk-around balconies and fountains sprang up in the corners. Vines stretched out their long stems to wrap around the tall engraved columns that supported the terraces. One could stare for hours at the fountains, observing the different colors that sprang from them.

The courtyard in back of the palace was odd. This was called the Garden of Enchantment. Walls stretched out high in order to border the strange force that was inside. The walls were not ordinary. They moved. They slithered. They thought. Dark green vines moved with such strangeness that it seemed to have a mind of its own, as if it were an animal, an inhabitant, a god. These were the Vines of Fatum, a mysterious plant that could not be rid of in any way. Try burning it and sparks would form as if having the flames reflected. Try cutting it with a diamond ditcher dragger, the sharp blade would crack. Yet, the vines were moistened and flexible, able to take the form of a body. The courtyard was seemingly vacant for its mysterious atmosphere. In order to enter the strange force, one would walk straight into the live wall, having one’s body fall onto the other side. Not many have experienced the wonders beyond the wall. These vines showed one’s destiny.

What made it especially splendid, was the birth of the first twins the land had ever seen. It was a peculiar sight, those twins. They seemed so different from each other despite the same appearance. The small bodies had small strands of pitch black hair. While one twin had bright blue sapphire-like eyes that shined with every light source, the other twin had purple eyes, a color not too uncommon in the land. In the eight foot tall golden chair, with silver embroideries and engravings of horses and other majestic creatures, sat the king, happily observing the melody of awes that came from the crowd. The queen was nowhere to be found, most likely due to the sickness the pregnancy had caused her.

Two servants held vast pillows, much like huge soft velvet clouds that grabbed onto the hands of those that held them. A thin golden embroidery surrounding the edges of the pillows wobbled with every movement the servants’ hands made. The twins, frozen and captivated by the immense crowd, stood still for everyone to adore them. The light shined through the clear glass windows and onto the focal point of the palace.

The enormous carvings on the massive doors came to life, fire etching itself in all the engravings as the enchanted wooden doors opened to reveal the Clan of the Lost White Apes. The apes’ white complexion was smooth in appearance as the apes walked with such dignity. It was not difficult to spot the majestic sovereign of the group, for he was noticeably different from the rest. His golden tunic dragged onto the ground while he walked at a fast pace toward the king of the palace. A staff, standing a few inches beyond his height, was held by the ape. An odd bronze necklace of Occulta, resembling an olden coinage, hung from his neck. He was clearly shown as the king of the clan, for a crown made of silver was leveled on his head intact with precious jewels of multiple colors.

The crowd of inhabitants quickly made room for the Apes to walk through. The crowd, silent, listened to what the wise Ape, known as Sapientem, had to say.

Greetings, old friend, the sovereign of the apes stated, bowing in front of the king’s throne.

It has been too long since we last met Sapientem, the king replied, I am quite glad you could join us.

The pleasure is all mine, replied Sapientem without the slightest gesture of a smile.

Help yourself with the food provided, said the king, raising his crystal cup full of wine, for the joy and the fruit of the land!

Harps started playing, trumpets started sounding, and dancers started shining for those observing. The dancers held small wooden horns by their sides as they moved their silver bodies in a rhythmical manner to please the crowd. The clothing worn by them seemed scaly in appearance, a deep blue color that matched their silvery complexion. This clothing was not a simple rag woven to produce an elegant dress, but made of a mermaid’s tail. Mermaids were feared in the land; only mermaidens, similar in appearance except for the elf-like ears that lay before the nicely curled blonde hair, were greatly honored for their bravery. The dress was long and slender, covering the feminine chest at an angle. The dancers’ mysterious blue eyes glittered like the waves down below. What seemed like an engraved tiara on the silvery skin, shown above the eyes at the hairline. The hair, pitch black in color, was similar in appearance to a beehive and was secured with a blue spiked head band. Occasionally the dancers would blow the horns with the rhythm of their bodies. This produced white smoke to wrap around them like a serpent’s body. Fire began to leap towards the heavens with calamity.

The days never ended in the land. Darkness was rarely heard of. Evil was only slightly touched. Light sprang from the windows into the parlor as all began to celebrate the short victory. Sapientem motioned the king to the balcony which rose above the ancient waters of the land. Showing a grim face, the king new Sapientem needed to talk of important matters. The Ape looked beyond the sea. Mermaidens jumped from the surface and onto the rocks that bordered the tall walls of the palace. They were the protectors of the land.

If I had an offspring would you kill it? questioned Sapientem while he put his head down.

Of course not! What an awful question. Why must you be so demanding? replied the king with a frown.

Now what if I said I foresaw my offspring ultimately corrupting the beautiful land we see? Sapientem asked while touching the smooth surface of the white balcony enclosure.

What is the meaning of these odd questions? Not an evil has been seen in this land since the years of Malum’s rule, replied the king.

Oh but it is about to begin. King Fortis, how do you think this land was created? Wars are what made this land to be, asserted Sapientem.

What a foolish thing to say. Those years have been long over, whispered the king while narrowing his eyes in disagreement.

It is true; before you were born wars broke up families of this land. Evil was in the air. The good people of the land had enough of becoming slaves of the monarch Malum. After years of shedding tears, the abused went against the evil of this land. The ground burned, the ground shook, blood spilled, and new wonders formed for the victorious—the good, explained Sapientem, Blood gives life. A life for a life, smiled Sapientem while a tear formed in his dark glittery eyes.

What is the meaning of this? questioned Fortis suspiciously.

Fortis, your daughter inhabits a wicked soul, answered Sapientem, I have been meaning to tell you this, but knowing your divine joy, I could not bear the thought of saddening you.

Which daughter is it? asked Fortis, already frustrated by the news.

That could not be found, whispered Sapientem while dropping his white head in sorrow.

How did you come to find out? questioned Fortis while trying to keep a strong head.

Sapientem took a while remembering the past event which had changed his life. He had pressed his Occulta necklace towards the bright light and tilted his head back as past events from ancient times entered his mind. All those who wore the amulet showed the secrets of the past. The previous owners of the necklace had already prophesized the evil that was to come, to return to the land. The amulet of Occulta helped me decipher the carving of the dagger and the two different shaded eyes on the ancient doors of your palace. The eyes represent the twins and the dagger signifies the misfortune to the land. One of the twins will turn her back to her people, her sister, her mother, and her father, answered Sapientem.

What should I do? asked Fortis as he looked up.

Time will tell. The other twin could potentially save the land, answered Sapientem. He tapped Fortis’s back and walked toward the entrance of the castle, exiting.

King Fortis looked beyond the green waters, past the mountains, and beyond the clouds. He lifted his golden crown and placed it on the ledge. Light reflected onto the glossy crest, shining onto the walls of the palace. The king wore a long red cape with glints of gold that spread across it. A neatly kept small blonde beard stretched a couple of centimeters from the king’s chin. As the king stood by the balcony, the long blonde hair that was neatly combed along the soft face seemed rather paler. Bright blue eyes darkened due to the sadness that pierced the king’s heart.

Chapter 2

The Withering of a Rose

A breeze went past the balcony, causing the king to shiver. Picking up his shiny golden crown of power, the king walked towards the stairs that led to the highest room in the castle. The stairs winded around the walls until a door appeared in the presence of the king. "Aperire," said the king in a bold voice while an unnoticed clear tear dropped from his left determined eye; it streamed past his lips and onto his chin, finally dropping onto the white marble of the stairs. The huge white door finally opened for the king to pass through. The king moistened his lips in bitterness, tasting the salty remains of the tear.

A comfortable canopy in appearance floated in midair with translucent curtains displaying an immobile dark shadow. "Descende, the voice of the king echoed in the room. The bed hovered toward the crystal floor, landing on a bare spot. The king pulled back the drapes, revealing a beautiful female figure. Black spiraled hair spread across the white moss that molded to the female’s slender figure. Thin black eyebrows spread across the now opened purple penetrating eyes. The small soft nose curved towards the plump red and moistened lips. The woman wore a small red dress that descended a few inches above her knees which were folded to the side. Angelus, my love," said the king while opening his closed eyes.

Fortis, my blade, replied the calm woman while looking directly into the eyes of her husband.

How are you feeling? questioned the king while embracing the stunning face in his hands. He wrapped the hair between his fingers and slid them down to her shoulder. His eyes narrowed in sadness as he saw the woman’s expression of joy change to sorrow in a split second. The queen changed her expression to a reassuring smile, but it was obvious she was faking the expression of her suffering.

I feel all the better with your arms embracing me, said the king’s queen, pulling herself to her king’s shoulders, Remember in the past 300 years when you bestowed to me your aura in the presence of the King of the skies?

I do. Your red aura flourished in excitement as two lovers became one, answered the king. Angelus smiled in happiness, displaying perfect white teeth. Her eyes widened in pleasure as she remembered past memories.

We were one of the few daring enough to go the Garden of Enchantment. Remember? asked Angelus.

Yes, the trees were still and the castle was silent. The only noise came from you and me running past the marsbabble trees and the flowers of ignis until reaching the Vines of Fatum. How you embraced me with such warmth until we fell into the vines’ chilliness. As if mist, they disappeared, revealing a never-ending garden unbelievable to the eye. We had gone before, of course, but the garden was far more magical on that day. Colors flooded our eyes and we smiled at each other…, said the king.

And kissed passionately until reaching our hands toward the vines once again to reveal our destiny?

Ah yes! exclaimed the king a bit sarcastically, Your tender hand on top of mine reached out toward the vines we had only heard in stories. You looked at me a little frightened, but determined, as our hands went into the vines for our destiny to be revealed.

The Rings of Immortalitatis, replied the queen, smiling while beholding the purple jewel glittering with every movement the soft hand made.

Then why is it that you are crumbling like a leaf that has fallen from beneath the heavens, my dear? the king questioned with a slight anger in his voice.

To give life to your roots, answered Angelus, her eyes narrowing.

I do not quite understand, replied Fortis.

Everyone’s time has to end at some point, said the queen while the color in her eyes diminished in vibrancy. She looked away from her husband, hiding her emotions, Mine is coming to an end.

But the ring…

You believe every magical misconception you hear? I thought I had married a wiser fool! she snickered, Every magical element has a secret, which is the true magic.

How else can you be said to live immortally! exclaimed the king, slamming the hilt of his golden blade to the ground with his right hand while tightening his grip on Angelus’s hand. The sudden noise frightened Angelus which was clearly shown as she widened her eyes in anger.

Must you be so preposterous? shouted the queen, That you cannot distinguish reality from what you wish to be truth? Fortis, you will always be mine, and I yours. Let your hand float in the air and let all that once was to be left for Mother Nature to decide. I love you dearly, but realize how much pain has wrapped around your heart. Magic has its own ways of working; I am certain I live further, but in a different manner. While it will be difficult to deal with the situation, promise me you won’t lose hope; losing hope in yourself is losing hope for me.

But love, there must be a way, said the king reassuringly, The vines will help us.

What the vines help with is what they also take away, said the queen, Trust me with this.

The king turned away, his red cape floating in midair as he fled down the stairs. He left his wife’s outreaching hand. The king’s eyes narrowed in a deep frown as he quickly stepped off the last step, deliberately pounding hard onto the shiny marble white floor. It reflected the sadness in his eyes as he stared at the ground thinking, believing, and lying to himself. Thoughts floated in his mind, conflicting each other as if at war.

The king ran at a fast pace, pushing aside his servants from in front of him. Pushing the door to the courtyard, he ran past the long stairway that wrapped along the small pond outside. Two-headed blue frogs with radiant orange eyes stared at the king before them with questioning looks. The king turned away from the frog’s view as he headed to the Garden of Enchantment. He stared at the tall walls, the Vines of Fatum. He took off his long red cape and laid it on the silver ground as he walked slowly to the vines. He pulled his head first and then his whole body into the vines. The vines opened a space big enough for the king to enter as the vines formed around his body, enclosing him from reality.

The sky was slightly visible as flowers and vines spread from one corner to the next. The king stared at the ground for a moment remembering the times before the present. He remembered the very day he had stared at the vines, not knowing whether to enter and follow his own form of curiosity. He had stared long enough to become bored of the thought until a beautiful girl had approached him from behind. The girl had been what others would regard as a goddess. Her eyes were a captivating dark purple. Her long black hair had spirals that wrapped around the softness of her skin. She had crossed her arms, the king remembered, waiting for him to enter the unimaginable.

I haven’t been this uninterested since the observance of those draconisflies missing their prey at the pond, she had snickered while looking above the trees, It really was the boringness of things; if I had been blessed enough to become a draconisfly, I would have crept up slowly to those snickering insects. Then I would have grabbed onto those skinny necks to honor my family.

The boy had only stared at the girl as she had twirled her black hair between her fingers. She had smiled, revealing teeth deep in white color. Stopping the movement of her finger, she had frowned at the boy. The girl had a simple white dress, matching the light complexion of her slender legs. She had twirled her right leg back and forth in a slow manner, waiting for the boy to respond. After biting her lip, she had said, Why don’t you go past the Vines of Fatum? Only a true hero would do so.

The boy had continued staring at the girl as a thick clear slob ran past his lower lip and along his black clothing. He had stared past the girl, toward the ocean, watching the waves spring up from afar. The girl had looked behind, smiling malevolently before returning her eyes towards the boy who was now only a memory. Where are you? I don’t like games you know! she had yelled sweetly. Holding the sides of her white dress, she had walked towards the vines, determined to break the laws of Mother Nature. Her whitish figure had soon disappeared into what was behind the walls and into what was named The Garden of Enchantment.

She had looked around, not knowing where she was, how she had gotten there, and where the boy was hiding. The atmosphere was much different from the outside world, as if it were a time capsule of a different dimension. Every step she took produced a bare spot on the ground, only to be replaced with a new creation of flowers. She had felt a tickle in her arm but left it unnoticed. I’m right here. You know, I have never been so uninterested since the waves crashing against those huge rocks only to have the rock stand still as it has for centuries, the small boy had spoken.

The girl had smiled annoyingly while sticking out her perfect pink tongue. Her eyes, however, widened when the boy approached her. I didn’t know you could talk, much less treat a girl with some respect, she had stated. She had smiled as the boy bestowed a perfect praesenscrepitus flower in her hand. The long light blue stem, bordered with several toroid shaped leaves, lead to a dark purple flower the size of a dish bowel fit for the king himself. Melon-shaped, at the tip of the flower was a blue bow. The girl had carefully pulled on the limp string as the petals opened outwards to present a long red anther in the center of a yellow cup-shaped stigma.

The girl had stared in wonder at the new discovery, something she had not seen in her first ten years of life. She lowered her small nose and smelled each thin triangular-shaped petal until they seemingly wilted. Look what you did! the boy had yelled in anger.

The girl, startled, had stared at the flower until the tiny yellow stigma produced a dark blue color. The blue color filled the cup until falling like a fountain to fill the rest of the flower. What is this? Is this a trick? questioned the girl while stomping her right foot onto the ground. If the boy had anything to do with a mischievous plan, he was succeeding in acting the opposite. He had stared at the flower in bewilderment, getting closer to the girl until holding the stem with her. The flower was covered by a blue fire. The boy had slowly put his finger into the blue essence and unbelievably did not get burned. My name is Angelus by the way, she had said. She had walked quickly towards the vines and disappeared, leaving the boy with an awed stare.

He had seen the blood drip from her arm. It had dropped to the ground, several drops at a time. And she had not noticed. She had clumsily scraped her left arm against the spikes of an unnoticed vine. The sharp thorn had easily dug into the surface of her skin, leaving her with a cut an inch long where blood had easily slipped out. Once she had held the flower, her scar had slowly disappeared, leaving her as beautiful as she had been.

Remembering these events kept the king determined as he stepped along the Vines of Fatum. He quickly searched for the praesenscrepitus flower in despair. The flower, however, was nowhere to be found, as if it was chosen not to exist.

The king fell to the ground at a kneeled position, covering his eyes with his hands as he cried in despair. He frowned, not knowing what to do. He stretched his long arms until they touched the roots of the Vines of Fatum. The King, remembering the vine’s gift of destiny, quickly stood up and held out one hand. He stared at it for a while before abandoning it to the slimy wall. At first his hands only grasped slimy cords of life, nothing beneficial for his wife’s situation. Until, yes, he finally felt something deep inside the wall. A thin stem had followed its way to his hand. But this was not a blue stem, nor did it have the same form of leaves. This stem, silver and strong, was much like a metal. As if believing the vines had made a mistake, the king quickly pushed the stem back into the wall and searched once more. However, like a magnet to the king’s hand, the stem was guided once again towards the king’s palm.

In dismay, the king understood his queen’s fate. On the tip of the stem stood a dark red rose. He had understood its meaning long before he had seen the stem. He felt the cold, stiff stalk. He knew what to do as he returned to the palace.

Passing the boulders that guided several botanic garden paths, the king ran towards the stairs leading inside the palace. He quickly ran past the painting of newly founded lands and heroic figures that were already not seen as meaningful as in the past. The king walked faster, quicker, until reaching the first step of the swirling staircase.

Each step was merely touched as the king raced to the doorway and forced the entryway open. The queen was asleep; her long eyelashes stretched out before her closed eyes. Even when she was asleep she looked beautiful thought the king as he stared at her. He walked slowly and quietly to her death bed. The king did not want anyone near. He wanted to be alone with the part of his life that meant the most.

Gently, the king spread his fingers through the queen’s black hair until she slowly opened her eyes and smiled. The deep profound smile made the king’s lips spread wider despite the tears running down his beard. The queen’s eyes narrowed and her lips tightened as she comprehended the king’s actions. The Rose of Alterius Vitae was held in his hand. She knew he had gone to the Vines of Fatum which had pronounced his destiny. His destiny was to separate her body and soul so one would never need the other.

The king smiled reassuringly. Are you truly sure about this? asked the queen sternly. The king caressed her hand and kissed it.

It is your destiny, my love. I finally understand magic. The ring you have does in fact give immortality, but in a different form. The question is if you are willing to go through this?

I am not sure, she said as a tear dripped down her cheek and her eyes formed a steady frown, What about the twins and you if I must be only a spirit that drifts through the hallways of the castle?

We will all be fine. It is not as if you will never see them. In fact, when you take the juice of the Rose of Alterius Vitae, you will become a powerful spirit that will protect our land.

I find it to be true. I shall take it while I am still alive and separate body from soul, soul from body, and give life to a new era.

Standing up, the queen snatched the rose and lifted it up to the heavens. She took a deep breath and drank the juice of the dark red rose that swiveled beneath the petals. At first nothing seemed to happen. The queen smiled awkwardly. I guess my destiny was overly questioned, the queen laughed. The king smiled at her remark.

The darkened rose quickly shriveled up, until the dried dark petals dropped to the ground, revealing a large purple seed the size of a grape. Once the last petal dropped, so did the queen. She was clinging onto dear life as the petal had. The king reacted quickly; he dropped to his knees as the queen gently landed onto his arms. The king, believing his queen was now separated from her body, was astonished when he heard the queen gently breathe. His head was atop her shoulder. Quickly, he stared at the now opened eyes that pierced his heart with not sadness, but joy.

Don’t you know the rules of this magic you hold in your hands? asked a confused Angelus, petrified by the king’s stare. She had thought the rose was one of spirit, not of seed.

But I do, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you part way, but it was the only way to save you. Were you not supposed to separate from your beautiful body? asked Fortis.

Was there anything you actually learned about magic from our most beloved instructors? asked the queen sternly, This rose provides the separation of body and soul. You are correct in that sense. But until that seed grows, I will always be by your side.

But when will the seed grow? the king asked, slightly startled.

Like any other seed grows, of course, with a tiniest drop of water. Then, as long as the rose is alive, my soul will also be alive. My body will be separated from the body as the rose inside the seed separates from its domain. That seed is essentially my life.

And the stem? asked Fortis, staring at the thin silver pole in his hand.

That’s a very valuable item. Hide it well. It allows you to view spirits in their awakened form. It must be useful or else the Vines of Fatum would not have transformed the anatomy of the rose to also contain this wand.

The king gently removed the seed from the stem and placed it in a safe box. What shall I do with the seed?

Guard it with your life.

The king knew what he now carried was the life of his queen. He knew only one person that would know how to protect the large purple seed. Only Sapientem was wise enough to formulate a plan to make certain the seed was always guarded well from waters way. His land had banned magic several years ago, making certain that magic did not prevail in destruction. He would have to travel to Sapientem’s palace.

I must then go to Sapientem, stated Fortis.

Oddly, I feel you should not go to where he resonates. Several beasts have been seen as only shadows roaming the skies, answered the queen.

It’s a risk I am willing to take, said the king, For you.

But your daughters, they merely had only a minute enough to call you their father.

But without their mother, life would be unworthy to exist; I have made up my mind. I shall go toward the path to visit Sapientem.

Must he live so far? After all, you two are friends. Cannot you speak to him through the Rocks of Praevidentia? asked the queen.

Of course not! That is preposterous. Blasphemy. My brother’s followers may be over watching every movement I take. I cannot take any risks of others knowing of my leaving. It would endanger yourself and the land.

Your brother is nothing but an image you still fear. Take with you your most honored men, and may the Sky King bless you on the way, stated the queen softly.

The king kissed her hand gently and left his queen against the white moss, able to see her red figure at a distance before the spiral staircase descended to the foreground.

Chapter 3

A Word of Magic

Two disregarded armed men stood on the sides of the last step of the staircase, both of whom wore golden helmets, an unnoticed belt of useful weaponry, and an odd shield. They each wore a long red cape that extended from the shoulder to a centimeter above the ground. They stood tall and still, despite the king’s steady stare upon them. The armed men looked straight ahead at the small fountain of water that sprang a few feet away from the staircase, as if in a trance. The color of the water changed in accordance to the temperature. At that instant the water changed to a bright red color due to the temperature being close enough to cold, but warm enough to not be considered freezing.

The king overlooked them before responding. You are my two most honored men. Would you accompany me to the residence of Sapientem?

The armed men continued staring at the fountain as if ignoring the king. The king pierced his lower lip before remembering to state a line of secrecy. "Regelo!" his voice echoed.

At once the armed men’s eyes blinked a couple of times until readjusting to the bright environment. The king quickly restated his intentions.

For the king and with the king I shall go, stated the man on the left side whose name was Invicta. He had long brown hair that curved to a few centimeters above his eyes. He had piercing dark green eyes beneath the bushy brown eyebrows. His shoulders were broad and he had devoted several years for a chiseled back.

As those beside me go for justice, so shall I, stated the man on the right side whose name was Magni. This man had short blondish hair, in a sort of fohawk, with a hint of brown. His eyes were a mystifying blue color that trapped the viewer in a gaze. The man’s body was much like the man beside him, except his arms were seen as more protruding, the veins visibly standing out.

Very well then, stated the king, We will need the ship to be ready before our departure.

"Which ship should we take? Which do you feel more confident, in the waters