Chapter 2:

Chapter 1: The World of Fulaina

To The Red Line


To get through the hardest journey and continue living, we need to take only one step at a time; but we must keep stepping. - Chinese Proverb

* * *

“CURSED fiend! You should’ve just rot in hell!”

The peaceful market town was disrupted by a loud angry yell that belonged to an elderly Nobleman. The edge of his cane splashed a nearby mud pool toward a female knight with chin-length crimson bright hair. The Kingdom’s golden flame bird crest on her armour chest plate.

The young teen bit her inner cheek as she begrudgingly got up when she halted. The same sharp edge of the cane that had shoved her earlier, now pointed at her neck.

“Least you should be grateful we weren’t allowed to boil you alive when you first stepped foot on this kingdom, Spirit. What was Lord Ranfel thinking promoting a lowly Spirit into a full-fledged knight?! Bah!” Spat the elderly nobleman before walking away.

Not far from the distance, two young noblewomen who’d witnessed the whole commotion scowled deeply and whispered to one another behind expensive silky fans.

“Rumour has it that Lord Ranfel is keeping her for his own greedy pleasure. How promiscuous!”

“A slave would have more life values than a Spirit ever does. I believe curiosity must have finally gotten the best of His Lordship having to wait for years until the Spirit turned into a young adult last week before he could lay his hands on her. Or did he?” The other woman grinned mischievously as the knight passed by them.

Every name in Fulaina, the Human Realms, has a meaning. Mika, means ‘A Lost Child’ in the Éiter, the common language used in Fulaina. It wasn’t a name given by Lord Ranfel nor by anyone else that she’d met when she was found laid unconsciously at the front gates of the Luyas Castle many years ago. Rather, it was one of the two things that only Mika remembered all too well: her name and her identity as the sole living Spirit in Fulaina.

Mika wiped the smudge of mud and dirt on her cheeks. She then turned around and sighed in relief that the two noisy noblewomen were no longer out of earshot. This counted as the five times within this week amongst the thousandth times in the past years that someone harassed her one way or another, thus interrupting her daily business. It wouldn’t be the last time either unless Lord Ranfel finally decided to grow a heart.

Mika bent over and looked at the wrapped package laid nearby her foot, merely inches away from where the spat was. Exhaled softly, she took out a small cloak from the worn-out pouch by her side, wiped the package as she stood up, and then continued with the long stretched road ahead to her destination: the Luyas Castle.

While walking, Mika remembered the noblewomen’s words earlier and frustratedly bit her lips. Lord Ranfel had never once laid his filthy hands on her.

No. It was never his style to get physical with a lowlife like her. Not especially since the incident that occurred five years ago involved a drunken man and her thirteen-year-old self; she had gone to the town for an errand when the man out of the blue, yelled obscenities and blamed her for the death of his entire family during the Great War. He’d even gone beyond as far as attempting to assault her in broad daylight. Thankfully, Mika’d gotten away and reported the incident to the Captain in charge of her brigade, who’d later reported to the Master Commandant.

When words got around, many had expected the drunken man would be punished severely for daring to lay a hand on Lord Ranfel’s toy. In the end, the man had gotten away with a stern warning as punishment while Mika had her allowance reduced due to not completing her errands.

Dissatisfied with the outcomes, the Master Commandant had been forced to step in and pushed for stricter punishment and fair negotiation on Mika’s behalf as her superior, in order to prevent such thing from happening to her again in the future.

A new law was eventually been established that stated as:

No physical harm shall ever come toward the Lost Child in every shape or form. Failed to compile will be punished with 500 Golds.’

Although the punishment was incredibly light and unfair — as Lord Ranfel refused to include anything related to emotional abuse; hence, the growth in verbal abuse continuously increased.

* * *

THE Kingdom of Luyas is located on a vast land of the Eastern continent that was once famously known to be a large gladiator and slavery gathering arena for the notorious wealthy and rich. The land had since then been developed, protected, and expanded by the first generation of the Heartlets’ family, who had led a rebellion army to destroy the gladiator and slavery system and turned it into well prospered Kingdom.

Like his predecessors, who put the people’s needs first and ruled the kingdom with wisdom and fairness, Lord Ranfel Heartlets the XII, continuously modernized the kingdom and even built the Knight’s Academy, where the selected young people would undergo various training to become the finest knights of Luyas. Upon graduation, these knights would be assigned to respective brigades based on their skills and level of achievements.

Due to these huge contributions, the people have much love and respect for their Lord. Behind closed doors, however, Lord Ranfel often displayed his tyrannical behaviours to his subordinates and the people closest to him. Many dared not to go against his orders or even questioned his motives. Those who had gone against him would be punished sufferably or instantly met their demise.

The sun was almost set by the time Mika stopped in front of the two maroon heavy gates. Lifting the hard golden oval-shaped Knight’s Entrance pass in the air, she waited for the guards stationed at the guard tower to open the gates. The ground soon vibrated as the heavy gates unclosed; revealing a stoned bridge that led to the entrance of the castle.

Mika walked past the bridge at ease and stepped into the Academy’s courtyard – a popular gathering spot for the Knights and trainees. A sea of people scattered before her; trainees sat leisurely near the statue fountain at the centre of the court after a long day of studies, Knights of various ranks just wrapped up their training and were about to retreat for the day. There were even some official members walking toward the courtyards from the Meeting Hall Chambers.

Overall, a common lively evening to end the day.

Her bright emerald eyes busily searched for any available seat to rest her tiring legs when Mika heard someone shout her name loudly amongst the busy crowd.

“Mika! Over here!”

A beautiful brunette knight with lush hair tied in a high ponytail waved her hands rapidly with a bright smile. Mika strolled toward her, then lowered her head respectfully in a bow.

“Good evening, Lalla Luna. How was your sword practice session?”

“It’s truly a miracle that I haven’t lost my sanity yet after two long hours with Sir Lance who nagged me constantly to ‘perfection’ the Dance Blade technique! Ugh, it was awful,” groaned Luna, dramatically. “How about you?”

“Same old, same old,” Mika casually shrugged.

Deep concerns filled in Luna’s eyes, but just as quickly, they faded. Clearing her throat, Luna’s face beamed with excitement.

“So, I went to Yumm’s Bakery for a quick snack this morning, and guess what? Diane’s engaged! You won’t believe whom she’s engaged to either! Not Ronald, the Fifth Captain. It’s— ”

“My, my… What do we have here?” A deep charming voice interrupted them.

Both ladies resisted the urge to roll their eyeballs. Behind them stood tall, well build Captain-rank who had his arms crossed with a proud smirk across his handsomely arrogant face. Behind him, four other knights stood with similar postures.

Luna inhaled deeply. She then flipped her long locks before crossing her arms to face the man. Beside her, Mika saluted the Captain.

‘“Well? Aren’t you going to greet your dear fiance, Lalla?”

Luna bit her inner cheek. Ever since she had been crowned as Lalla — a title bestowed to her by her father, Lord Ranfel — on her eighteenth birthday a month ago, as a way to introduce her to the high society and potential suitors, she had been endlessly approached by noblemen and knights of different ranks. Cad was no exception: a good looking man with a black heart. With his noble status as a Captain, it was easy to see why countless women fell for his charms and being the son of Lord Ranfel’s closest associate, he’d immediately caught Lord Ranfel’s eyes as a chosen suitor for his daughter.

Suddenly, Cad pulled Luna’s left wrist toward him.

With a gasp, Luna lunged forward, only to be held back by Mika’s arm that was swiftly pulling her back, while one hand was on Luna’s back to keep her still and balanced. Her strong piercing gaze never left him.

Cad broke into a fit of laughter. “How incredible! To think that a mere downgraded pet like you dare to meddle in a couple’s affairs… Now, what would Lord Ranfel thinks?” Cad smirked sinisterly.

“My father will not think of anything!” Luna snapped. Flushed from being caught off guard, she slapped his tight grip on her wrist and snarled at him. “How dare you lay your dirty hands on me as well publicly disrespecting members of the Heartlets’ family. I’ll make sure my father hears about this.”

“Oh, Lalla,” Cad mocked. “Pretty, sweet yet foolishly innocent Lalla. Do you honestly think your father would believe your words over a Captain who has loyally served in his Army for years? Lord Ranfel would rather believe the words of a homeless man than to his own daughter who – let’s be honest – will never be as great as your brother.”

Those words pierced Luna like needles. For years, many have criticized her decision to attend the Academy rather than attending to her duties as a young noblewoman; hosting tea parties, attending grand balls to find suitors, and such. Yet, Luna stood her ground and was able to graduate from the Academy after working so damn hard only to have jerks like Cad slam her already fragile confidence down to the ground.

“With all due respect, Sir Cad, Lalla Luna has made it clear that your presence has caused her great discomfort,” Mika stepped in between them. One arm shielded Luna from her obnoxious fiance. “Therefore, please leave.”

Cad’s eyes narrowed; if it were for any other knights, he could have easily overthrown them. But even he wasn’t foolish enough to challenge a Spirit despite the obvious difference in their heights and physique. Not if he wanted to lose his dignity in front of everyone…

“Fine. I won’t want to breathe in the same air as you anyway,” With a sharp glare, the Captain turned his back and walked away followed by his knights.

Halfway to the exit, Cad suddenly halted. Still with his back turned on them, he spoke aloud.

“When we made our oaths as the Knights of Luyas, that is to protect the Kingdom and its people. Never once did we swear to protect a filthy harlot like you. Had the Master Commandant minded his own damn business, I would have personally loved to teach you a lesson or two, just so you learn your place, Spirit.”

“That vile man!” Luna swore. “And to think that Father wants me to bore an heir from him…” Her fists were tightly clenched. “Never! I’ll never marry him! How dare he insults you like that too. I’d say let’s report him to the Master Commandant and —”

“It’s fine.”

“But, Mika!”

“Even if you were to wage a war against Captain Cad, he’s just all barks and no bites. Besides, the law has already been enforced. People who said those things to me were like a cat’s nibbles rather than a dog’s bites. Nothing that I can’t handle or should be worrying about, really,” Mika smiled bitterly.

“What the hell are you talking about?! Why should you tolerate people who treat you like crap and easily get away with it?” Luna’s loud outburst caused the spectators to throw a nasty glance at them.

Cheeks flushed, Luna pitched the bridge of her nose. “...I understand you can’t do anything much about the situation, Mika. I’d appreciate it if you’d at least tell me or the Commandant as soon as possible so that we can take necessary actions against them for going against the law. Like what happened in the town earlier.”

Mika’s shoulders stiffened. Her eyes met with Luna’s disappointed look.

“...Sorry. I should have told you what’d happened. I didn’t want you to get into trouble with your father again.”

Hah! My father could sleep with women all he wants but one thing for sure; is that he will never lay a hand on you, someone whom he deemed beneath him. Yet you still… choose not to say anything and let the rumours spread…”

The deep hatred that Luna had toward betrothal vanished and was replaced by the feeling of helplessness instead. In truth, Luna felt wretched for not being able to do more to protect her adoptive sister from their tyrant father.

Lord Ranfel never tolerate people going against him. Even when the other party is right. Such a case happened to the late Lord Caster, a former Ministry of Finance, who had relentlessly disagreed with the way the budget was spent last summer. He and his entire family were then heavily punished for speaking out and their executions were carried out publicly as an example for others. Luna was forced to watch the execution helplessly while she swallowed her anger and frustration.

If only Guy was there to witness that horrific moment he would have done something…

“Fine,” Luna exhaled. No used thinking of the past. “I’ll let you off the hook this time. But next time anything like this happens and you don’t tell me, I’ll let Guy deals with you.”

Mika instantly shuddered at the thoughts of her adoptive brother’s overprotectiveness.

“I-I’ll be sure to remember that then.”

* * *

IT all started six years ago when a representative from the House of Heartlets had verified and confirmed her identity: the last survivor of the Spirit race. Mika remembered it all too well:

The moment when she opened her eyes, she found herself surrounded by the Luyas Knights, with pointed swords at her. Immediately the scenery changed quickly to her locked in a cold dungeon jail that night. Just when she thought she’d be staying there for the rest of her life, a couple of very loud stomping footsteps rudely awoken Lord Ranfel and a group of scholars stood on the opposite side of the bars and stared down at her coldly before they’d interrogated her.

Rumours spread like wildfires soon after; of how the House of Heartlets had officially adopted mankind’s sworn enemy. Despite the criticisms he’d received from the public, Lord Ranfel had stood fearlessly with his decision into adopting the young lost Spirit whom he’d preferably called the ‘Lost Child’. He had the support of the Royal Knights, thus, making him a force to be reckoned with.

When the time came for him to announce the young Spirit’s admission into the Knight’s Academy, not a hint of fear was displayed on his smug face despite the public’s outrage.

* * *

AFTER catching up with Luna, Mika decided to return to her chamber, hoping to take a short nap before dinner. On the way there, she could smell the mouth-watering meals that were being cooked by Bertha, the Head cook. Located in between the kitchen and servants’ quarters, Mika’s room was exclusively used as food storage. Small yet durable enough to sleep with only a wooden bed, a medium-size chest to store her clothes and belongings and a tall mirror that Luna had snuck into her room, hanging beside the door.

Despite being adopted into the Heartlets’ family, Lord Ranfel refused to let her sleep in the same quarters as his family, citing that he doesn’t wish to have his ancestral castle's floors stained by a mere Spirit. Growing up, Mika was made clear where she stood within the family and that really fucked up her anxiety, that she silently vowed to never disobey him regardless.

Face buried deeply in a worn-out pillow as sleepiness drifted her away, Mika contemplated skipping dinner when all of the sudden loud knocks pounded hard against her bedroom door.

Instantly alerted and awoke, Mika dashed to open the door when it suddenly burst open.

“That’s the fifth time this month. Great,” Mika clutched her tongue. Annoyingly, she glared at the messenger.

Due to security measures, Lord Ranfel forbade any locks on her door. Though Mika faced difficulties in managing with unwantedly stumble into her privacy, it hadn’t been long before she’d proven herself deemed worthy in swordsmanship; defeating three top Knights in the class, in front of Lord Ranfel and Commandant Grants, had earned her a small degree of respect and stroke fears amongst some of her peers.

The messenger looked at her annoying as his face contorted in disgust. “The Commandant wants to see you in his office immediately.”

“Thank —”

The messenger slammed the door and left quickly before she finished her reply.

“— You son of bitch,” Mika muttered.

* * *

“ENTER.”

The door opened with ease as Mika stepped into the office. Instantly, she was greeted by three familiar faces: Luna, who sat on the wooden chair elegantly across the Commandant’s desk, smiled surprisingly at her. The Vice-Commandant; Claire Boyce, a honeyed-blonde woman in a neat bun stood firmly against the wall, behind the man whose presence filled the room with authority.

Master Commandant Grants Rogue, a man in his mid-thirties, who proudly served his Kingdom and its people. His strong sense of justice and loyalty gained many admirers within the Kingdom and even beyond the borders.

Initially, Mika had been deeply cautious of him due to the endless rumours of why she’d been placed in his brigade: so that Grants could avenge his late Grandfather who was also murdered by a Spirit during the Great War. His grandfather, a respectful former Master Commandant, never got to enjoy his retirement.

To clear the air, Grants had pulled Mika aside after a training session to address the rumour; though Grants had later admitted a part of him would always be bitter toward the Spirits, nonetheless, as the Master Commandant, Grants would never allow his personal feelings get in the way of his judgement on someone.

Gently shutting the door behind her, Mika greeted them with one hand placed on her chest and her head lowered.

“Just the person I wanted to see. Have a seat, Mika,” the Commandant, gestured to the empty seat beside Luna. Mika nodded and proceeded to a seat next to the Luyas Heiress.

“I’ll cut to the chase,” Grants’ deep voice echoed. “You two have been assigned to a very important mission — your first official mission as Knights of Luyas outside the Kingdom.”

The young knights could barely contain their excitement and were grinning from ears to ears. Their excitement was short-lifted however when the Vice-Commandant glared at them.

Grants continued with the briefing. “As mentioned, you will embark to the neighbouring town, Andania, in the North-East of Luyas, at the earliest dawn. We expect you to complete the mission latest by noon — so no loitering around.”

Grants pulled out something from his drawer; a thick golden rolled scroll wrapped carefully with a few red binds and put it down on the table in front of them. He gazed sharply at the two knights, before landing solely on Luna.

“Luna,” Grants pointed a finger at her. “As we’d discussed earlier, I am hereby appointing you as the Captain for this mission. Your first official duty as a Captain is to ensure this scroll reaches Lord Andania’s hands, no matter what. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, Commandant,” Luna firmly nodded.

“Good. While you are familiar with the routes to Andania, Mika here is not. Therefore, I expect you to guide her so that she may know her way around there, in case she needs to go there for errands in the future.”

“Understood.”

“While there, I also want you to collect the two hundred swords I’ve pre-ordered and paid for from the Blacksmith in the town. All you have to do is to collect the swords and bring them back. Bring a horse wagon to help you carry the loads.”

Grants cleared his throat and leaned back against his chair. “As this is your first mission, I have ordered two veteran knights to come along.”

Luna flinched at his words. The look of hurt was evidently in her eyes.

“Rest assured, Luna. Having veteran knights to accompany you does not mean that I have little faith in your leadership. It is to make sure this mission goes as smoothly as possible. It was Lord Ranfel’s wish for them to accompany you.”

“My father?” Luna looked remarkably shocked. Her father had never shown her any signs of compassion or interest in her, for as long as she could remember.

“Yes. This is also a good time for you to learn from the more experienced Knights on how to lead your team efficiently. Remember to heed their words and take care of one another.”

“I will, Commandant!” Luna stood and saluted.

Grants exchanged glances with his Vice-Commandant before he nodded. “Right. We shall expect you to be at the gates for the final briefing early tomorrow. Make sure to get enough sleep tonight.”

With a final salute exchanged, the two knights closed the door and returned to their own quarters with wide smiles still graced on their faces. 

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