Everna Saga: Bittersweet Symphony No. 1

By Andry Chang

Daini Natsir, a high school girl dies after doing
a daring rescue of an infant in a burning house.
An inter-realms pilgrim, Arcel Raine offers
Daini’s soul a second chance to be reincarnated
in a dying Princess’ body, and Daini accepts.

Daini then finds herself inside the body of
Princess Anne Galford from Lore, the World of
Terra Everna who just lost her soul to an accident.

This time, the “New Anne” must struggle
to survive the numerous murder attempts on her.
She must find out her true potential to be a
good Queen and find her true love.

“Andry Chang’s writing is like a complete symphony.
Sometimes it climbs into upbeat, sometimes it slides
into downbeat. There are touching moments,
there are also suspense, action, and mystery parts.
Truly, it’s a beautiful story orchestration.”
-Jasson Prestiliano, JP Soundworks
Everna Saga: Bittersweet Symphony is an epic fantasy serial set in the complete, detailed Earth parallel world of Terra Everna and part of the Everna Saga brand created by Andry Chang.
It’s highly recommended for young adult and adult readers who love:
- Novels are written in a unique, cinematic way
- Lively and likable characters, strong protagonists
- The parallel world setting is like the Victorian Era on Earth
- Detailed and immersive world-building and history
- Earth-based religion blended with fantasy world philosophy
- A pinch of mild romance here and there
- Inspirational moral values and heartwarming moments
- Fictional cultures and geography parallel to Earth
- Recognizable, easy to imagine Earth-like details
Main characters:
Anne Galford: Only daughter of King Henry of Lore.
Daini Natsir: A student from Indonesia who becomes the new Anne.
Arcel Raine: An inter-realm pilgrim, Anne’s patron, and guide.
Trevor Branson: Son of Stuart and psychiatrist Anne.
Robert Chandler: A pilgrim who is a sniper and an assassin.
Chloe Hewitt: A pilgrim who becomes a palace maid.
It’s a bittersweet symphony that’s life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andry Chang
• Release date: Jun 8, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005235222

Andry Chang

Andry Chang is a pilgrim in authorship since 2005. Aside from his everyday life as an entrepreneur, a husband and a father of one, he always makes time to write, draw or developing games. He continues to hone his skills and never gives up, resulting in his published multimedia works.Some of his commercially published writings, either singulars or collaborations are:FireHeart – Legend of the Paladins (2008), Vandaria Saga – Kristalisasi (2012), Qi Xi – Bunga Rampai Asmara (2012), Love Around You (2013), Magical Stories (2013), LEINA – Legenda Imaji Nusantara (2015), Everna Saga – Hikayat Tiga Zaman (2015), Everna Saga – Utara dan Selatan (2015), Everna Saga – Barat dan Timur (2016) (Indonesian Language Works) and Everna Saga - Morf and the Pirates of Flamenca (2016) (English Language Works)

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Andry Chang

Everna Saga: Bittersweet Symphony No. 1

First published by Vadis Publisher 2022

Copyright © 2022 by Andry Chang

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Andry Chang asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

Andry Chang has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of URLs for external or third-party Internet Websites referred to in this publication and does not guarantee that any content on such Websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

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Contents

1. Intro REQUIEM

2. 1st Verse OVERTURE

3. 2nd Verse DA CAPO

4. 3rd Verse VIVACE

5. 4th Verse TANGO

6. 5th Verse LULLABY

7. Refrain CADENCE

8. 1st Verse ALLEGRO

9. 2nd Verse OPUS

10. 3rd Verse CRESCENDO

11. 4th Verse STACCATO

12. 5th Verse TREMOLO

13. Refrain TARANTELLA

14. 1st Verse GLISSANDO

15. 2nd Verse DECLAMANDO

16. 3rd Verse BRUSCAMENTE

17. 4th Verse DIMINUENDO

18. 5th Verse ELEGY

19. Refrain NOCTURNE

20. 1st Verse FESTIVAMENTE

21. 2nd Verse ROCOCO

22. 3rd Verse SONATA

23. 4th Verse ARIA

24. 5th Verse TOCCATA

25. Refrain CODA

Glossary

About Everna Saga and the Author

1

Intro REQUIEM

Ordinary people who dare to think differently can change the world.

I understand. But are you completely sure Daini is the right candidate for this role?

Yes, she is the best.

Isn’t there another candidate who is of the same country, world, and timeline as her?

I don’t know, but I have to start with the best first.

Daini will be screwed in that new world.

Not necessarily. I will help her.

Alright then, do it according to your decision. Remember, the future and history of Terra Everna are in your hands.

Sometimes, history is carved on crazy decisions. I believe in that, still.

* * *

Malang City, Indonesia

Modern Age, 2019 AD

Daini Natsir sipped her warm and sweet Mandheling Coffee, sitting comfortably at an outdoor cafe in the afternoon.

The cute girl with long black hair frowned at the paper she was holding right in front of her. Printed on the head of the letter was the name of a high school, as well as the red ink number written on the upper right corner, which was ninety-seven.

"Daini, let’s have a we-fie! called Rita also wearing the same white-gray uniform as Daini. Why are you glaring at the test paper? Your grades are the highest in the class!"

Daini’s gaze was still attached to the paper. Oh, I wonder where it went wrong. Maybe if I work on the question with the wrong answer…

How diligent! said the other friend, Keira. "Look, let’s we-fie first, and you can re-work on it later at home!"

Alright. When Daini said that, Rita and Keira were already on her left and right. Keira then reached out and took a picture with the selfie camera on the front of her smartphone. Rita also did the same with Keira. Only Daini alone hugged the two friends.

Wow, great photos! cried Keira as she gazed at the results.

Rita also commented, That’s because Daini hugged us so that the three of us looked more expressive and natural.

Yes, of course! It’s funny when the three of us look like we’re all holding cameras, Daini chirped, leaning over to the table to reach for her drink.

Suddenly Rita exclaimed, Wait a minute! Look at this photo! She showed her smartphone screen to Daini. A red-haired man is standing behind us!

Uh, right! He’s in mine too! shrieked Keira. Looks like he’s drinking coffee, but he seems to be spying on us!

What? Really? Daini looked at the two photos. Although taken from two different angles, they both feature the small figure of a teenage boy standing somewhat relaxed in the background. His visage was unclear, but it was directed at Daini, Rita, and Keira.

Reflexively, Daini looked back, but she did not see the red-haired boy anywhere.

Na-ah, maybe he’s just some random guy who happened to be standing there and facing us. He looks ridiculous, his hair is all red. Come on, don’t worry about it! Daini waved.

"Well, maybe he’s an artist or a handsome Caucasian guy. Maybe it’s a good idea to invite him to our group-fie…" Rita wondered.

"He’s gone now, duh! said Keira. Anyway, let’s go home now, or we’ll be late!"

That’s right! And there’s nothing scarier than mummy’s babbling when I come home late! Come on! While waving, Daini rushed to the cashier counter. He paid the entire bill, then quickly exited the open area of the cafe.

Daini, thank you for the treat! cried Keira.

Hope it’ll be more often next time! Rita said.

Huh. If every time I get good grades I have to treat myself, my allowance can run out before the middle of the month! thought Daini. She hid the thought by waving at his two friends and continued walking towards the nearest bus stop.

At that time, Daini’s gaze was fixated on a young man in the distance. At first glance, the young man’s characteristics were the same as those in Keira and Rita’s cellphone photos. He had red hair and wore blue jeans and a slightly tight brown jacket. He was still holding the white paper glass which was either still filled with coffee or not.

Acting like a stalker, the young man turned and walked further and further into the alley.

Curiosity pushed Daini to run towards the stalker. But when she walked down the narrow alley, she didn’t find the redhead at all.

Hey, how did he disappear? Even though I was already moving when I saw him, Daini thought. Could that stalker be… a ninja!?

Knowing the chase would be futile, Daini sighed and turned around, walking back down the alleyway.

* * *

Less than half an hour away by a small bus, Daini just set foot on the sidewalk of the main road near her house.

While walking, Daini’s mind wandered. She was considering whether to avoid the stalker or to find out his identity via the internet or the police.

Searching through the internet can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, Daini thought. But wait, there’s something strange. At first glance, I saw a black T-like tattoo under his eyes. Maybe that can be a good clue…

Stay away, girl! It’s dangerous here! The reprimand made Daini gasp.

When her thoughts returned to focus, what appeared was a rushing crowd of people passing by. In the background of the scene, a house was engulfed in flames. It was a two-story house, big enough for a middle-class dwelling.

The firefighters looked busy. They tried to subdue the raging flames with a jet of high-pressure water from just one fire truck.

The atmosphere was too noisy and foggy, or indeed everyone wanted to prevent the fire from spreading to the houses next door. Maybe that’s why only Daini heard a mother’s cry for help from inside the ambulance.

Help! Please, anyone! My baby is still in the house! Help! He can’t walk yet! Please save him! It seemed that, even if anyone heard the screams, he or she would not dare to enter the house and brave the raging fire. The baby was impossible to save.

Seeing that, without thinking Daini approached the mother who was lying down. Where is your baby now? she exclaimed.

I-in the second-floor bedroom! B-but…!

Here, hold on to my bag!

Before the mother could speak again, Daini threw her bag into the ambulance and ran into the burning house. With a fairly athletic movement, Daini jumped over and infiltrated the flames. The girl was so brave and agile thanks to her training as a cheerleader at school.

Daini jumped over the burning furniture. Just as the flame was about to lick her, she took two steps back, ran, and leaped over the flames. Moments later, Daini’s feet stepped swiftly up the stairs to the top floor.

Arriving at the end of the stairs, Daini rushed to the nearest room. Hearing a baby groan from inside the room, he immediately entered. Luckily the door was unlocked.

Sure enough, the baby boy who was only about eight months old could only cry in his crib. Without thinking, Daini picked up the baby and hugged him. Strange, there was a smell of urine and the baby’s back was wet. Turned out the diaper was leaking.

Not having time to go to the bathroom, Daini carried the baby down the stairs. Even though there were wet spots, she had to jump over the still burning parts.

Daini’s difficulty running to the exit of the house was not as great as when she entered, because more and more parts of the living room were already wet.

Seizing the opportunity, Daini ran as fast as possible towards the door of the house. But she was getting short of breath due to the smoke.

While passing through the terrace of the house, suddenly a large beam supporting the terrace fell right towards Daini. It was impossible to dodge, she reflexively threw the baby in her arms forward. Mercilessly, the smoldering beam fell on her body.

Finally, Daini lay dying with her head and body bleeding. At the end of her life, she faintly saw the baby she had just saved crawling and crying profusely. A firefighter quickly grabbed the baby and quickly carried him to the ambulance, where the baby’s mother was.

Another officer rushed to save Daini but was too late. With her body crushed and charred, even if the young girl was still alive, she would have lived a tormented life as a paralyzed cripple.

Before finally closing her eyes for good, Daini still wanted to see whatever she could, but her vision was getting blurry. The last thing she saw in this world was the figure of a young man with red hair and a brown leather jacket. Calmly, he took another sip of his coffee.

The last faint voice echoed in Daini’s mind. Time for us to talk, Daini Natsir.

2

1st Verse OVERTURE

Where am I?

That was the first thought that came to mind after Daini’s vision and consciousness recovered.

What Daini saw around her were objects floating here and there, irregularly. The background was a vast black room, decorated with scarves of colorful, gently glowing light.

The objects hovering near Daini at this time were a neatly arranged set of doors, windows, and fences. Daini was surprised, recognizing the doors and windows earlier should have been charred, but now they looked as if they had never been burnt at all.

Daini reached out, trying to reach the door. But how surprised she was when she found her hands glowing bluish-white. Not only her hands, but her whole body also glowed as well.

M-my body?

What she was wearing now were not school uniforms, but her favorite dress.

The first voice that Daini heard in this strange world was masculine and soft. That’s the clothes you wore at your funeral.

Shocked, Daini turned toward the source of the sound. Standing in front of her now was the red-haired youth, with a red jacket and black tattoo on his face. The stalker.

With trembling lips, Daini exclaimed, W-who are you? What place is this? W-what happened?

The one who was reprimanded instead casually took a sip of coffee from his paper cup, then replied, This is the Spirit Realm or Limbo, the realm between life and afterlife. I brought your spirit here to offer you a second chance.

Gosh! I’m…! Daini was flabbergasted. Her mind was unable to digest this at all.

Instead, the young man put a smile on his handsome face. My name is Arcel Raine, a realms-traveling pilgrim. Nice to meet you, Daini!

Finally, Daini couldn’t take it anymore. She snapped, What do you mean?

"Look, I can give you a second chance to live again