Chapter 3

3

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Once the young Empress had rested up, she informed Caste that it was time for training. Though Casterline explained over and over that she wasn't any sort of battle-hardened Champion and that no such perilous threats existed on Earth quite like the beings she'd seen here so far, Fiaerna would listen to none of it. And so on they went. They walked and walked through the bleak medieval looking terrain. Caste's imagination ran wild after seeing the goblins and other bizarre creatures skulking around the miserable "castle" she'd been teleported to earlier. God only knew what else was out here, waiting to pounce at any moment. Even worse, the skies had clouded over.

I'm not asking for much, she thought to herself, just a simple flashlight would do...A torch is a no-go as the Princess might see it as a threat. I sincerely don't want to alarm the only person capable of getting me safely back to that plane, safely back h-- "Oh, I know you'd never dream of hurting me, Miss Casterline!" Fiaerna said with an innocent smile. Casterline's spine tingled when the girl proceeded to hug her arm as they walked. This child was probably afraid to be alone, relieved to have another person to talk to, surely. But even still, she could neither control nor understand the meaning behind her internal recoiling. She could forgive the girl's usage of Miss as she was yet unaware of Caste's husband and child left behind...Or if she could read Caste's thoughts maybe she did know, and simply didn't care? Before she could wrap her mind around her odd reaction though, she was stricken by the sudden flood of light coming from her eyes. A small, murky puddle illuminated beneath her. Fearing she was going blind, her anxious attempts to stop the incredibly strong beams of light spilling from her eyes was nothing short of horrifying. Her eyes had become no different than the flashlight she'd just wished for. Fi gasped delightedly at the sight and squeezed Caste's arm. "You will become a fine Champion, Miss Casterline! You already have the gift of Light within you. You have not been placed under the seal of Magical Restriction, thus I expect greatness from you henceforth." "How do I make it stop?" Caste asked in a panic. "Wish it to be so and if your mind is strong enough, the Magics will heed your call. However," Fi glanced sidelong at Caste knowing full well her words would terrify the Earthbound woman even further. Though Fi tried to feign a liking for Caste, she simply could not control this side of herself. Her cruelty would always triumph over her loneliness. And so she continued, "Wish it to be so with a weak mind and the Magics will tear you asunder! Oh, but not right away, of course. They'll tear at your mind ever so slowly. A crack here, a rip there until you go mad and begin to maim yourself. By the time you realize the Magic has taken effect, it will be far, far, far too late." Caste grasped at her eyes, seeing only her daughter in her mind's eye. She tried to remember, forced herself to remember every tiny detail about Harumi's face. When she focused on the dimples that appeared whenever Harumi smiled, the sweet sound of Harumi's voice calling out to her, the white light disappeared and her vision was restored. She stopped where she stood, kneeling in the pouring, thunderous rainstorm, and sobbed. "I just want...I just want to go home. Why me...why in the world did it have to be me?"

"Silly woman, you are a privileged wielder of Magics locked away for most. You should be grateful!" Caste paid no attention to Fi, prompting the princess to kneel, grab Caste by the chin, and continue in exasperation, "There are three certainties in this world: death, taxes, and Magical Restriction. Nobles and commoners have a seal placed on their foreheads at birth that regulates when, where and why they are allowed to use certain elemental Magic. Royalty such as Yours Truly are exempt from such restrictive usage as we are born and bred to rule. If, say, the weather offends me," she paused for dramatic effect before snapping her fingers to part the heavens, revealing a bright blue, sun-filled sky. Not a drop of rain in sight. Caste looked away, unable to maintain the forced eye contact between them any longer. Fi did not like that. She didn't like it one bit. "If, say, a subject of these lands displeases me," a spark of black-purple flame manifested on the tip of her index finger. She pointed her finger and thumb at Caste as if it were a gun. Caste tried so hard to hold her composure, but in the end her body betrayed her. Fiaerna smiled. Seeing Caste so visibly shaken brought her a profound sense of joy she hadn't felt in a very long time. To divert the child's aggression, Caste decided to ask her about Magical Restrictions. Feeling pity for the oh so stupid woman before her, Fi cheerfully explained. "Children born of Krowne, Nobles and peasants all, are given special brands to seal their Magical abilities. Some may be taught to oppose the Kingdom...well it's an Empire now, you see. And we simply can't have that, we simply cannot have opposition. Or so said Mommy when she was alive. She disagreed with it at times, though personally I find it to be a truly beautiful idea. As Royals sitting on clouds far above all others, we are akin to the Gods, and no one should ever face off against a God." She narrowed her eyes at Caste, "Don't you agree?" Caste nodded her head slowly, knowing full well this child thought far too highly of herself. More like a politician of her world than the fairy tale princesses she read about with Harumi. She kept her thoughts well hidden before the brick wall she now held steadily in her mind's eye at all times. "Electricity is an ability only Royals and castle staff were aware of. Though staff was taught with great...strictness...to keep it to themselves upon leaving the grounds. We also have the village children bound by contract to join hands in arranged marriage upon reaching adulthood. Daughters of water with sons of fire, and vice versa. To keep a steady populace to reign over. Every few decades those subjects are given audience with the ruling sovereign to have a seal removed from their brands. Fire or water at age ten for basic cooking and medical treatment. Earth at age twenty for agriculture. Wind at age thirty to fend heat waves and keep the mills running. Ice at forty to keep butchers in business. Only Royals are privileged enough to eat meat. Nobles are given the leeway to do so at parties and such. Peasants must live on the things they grow themselves. The last element we choose to bestow, Light, is given at the age of seventy, though many never reach it. Lightning is ours to wield alone and must never be given outside the Royal Bloodline. To do so incites instant death." Caste winced. "By beheading." Fi added flatly.

"You have one seal..."

"Unlocking this will help me to help you. With my superior intellect and your fighting prowess, we'll surely find a way to..." "Take me home! My daughter needs me..." Fi returned Caste's desperate plea with a sweet smile.