Chapter 1

"Your majesty it is ready for you now"

I sighed there was nothing more relaxing the laying on a freshly made bed after training but back to work it seems. I got out of bed even though I felt like I was laying on a cloud "your majesty do you plan on changing before..." He was too afraid to finish that question "No Charles I am not. Why should I change when I’m more comfortable in my battle gear? Plus you can never be too ready for anything" Charles family had served me for decades we looked about the same age but he liked to portray himself to be weak. "I understand that is what you feel more comfortable in but don’t you think it will scare people a little?"

"And what do you think I’m trying to do Charles?"

I walked down the long hallway the crystal walls glowing, the sound of my combat boots echoing. As I made my way to the center of the castle the soldiers went to open the doors for me "don’t bother I can do it myself." Startled they listened as I pushed the doors opened I can hear Charles apologizing to the soldiers. I feel like that his whole job is to apologize for my behavior instead of protecting and advising me. At the center of the room was my new throne made to look like the sun my banners unraveled the sun prominent on them. I made my way to the throne and flopped onto it at least they made it comfortable this time.

"Are you ready for your tributes my Majesty?"

"Cut it out Charles I’m tired of you bring out Frank instead!" Charles who was slouched shaking looked like a frighten little boy, which he kind of was he was only 17 just coming of age. He straightened his back, brushed his sandy hair out of his face his eyes turned from brown to green "Hello old hag! I mean Ivy you called?" I busted into laughter "I always did like you better than Charles why do you even let him out?"

"If I could keep him caged up I would but that is not how my power works and you know it"

"Yeah well I might kill you if Charles keeps getting on my nerves" everyone was behind me but Frank bounced in front of me and crouched to look at me. "I say go for it but then you be killing me as well. We both know you need me if you want to find and get rid of them. If I was gone it would be seven against well you and I do not doubt your power but I think two gods are better than one." I chuckled "it’s funny that you consider yourself a god" Frank cocked his head "if you can become immortal so can I, we do come from the same cloth"

"True but why would I help you with that?" now Frank laughed "you might look good for 50 but that neat trick of yours some how keeping that body 19-years-old but the one thing you will always want is someone to keep you company. Ivy people die, you will never age but people around you will " sand appeared from his palms and he let it fall to the ground. Frank went into an uncontrollable giggle "Enough! I’ll consider it, a lot of work goes into being immortal one of those being able to find the rest of the seven. Do you still have people keeping an eye on Scott?" Frank straighten up "yes but he no longer has his powers it moved on to someone else."

"Then find them" Frank bowed "of course your majesty" someone from behind me "the people are ready for you my majesty they have the tributes" with the flick of my hand the man who spoke neck snapped "did I ask for anyone to speak?" Frank found this humorous and he gestured towards the door "let them in since she is in a great mood!" the doors opened and the sun crept in and I could feel my power strengthen. Today is going to be a great day.

Chapter 2

When you contemplate what makes a person who they are well you might come up with many answers. So at the end of the day when you sit down and think about it what makes you…you? What determines the kind of person you are? Is it your family who raised you? Where you live? Friends? But what happens if you can no longer remember any of that? If it’s gone then are you no longer the person you were before? It is possible that you become someone entirely different? Maybe it’s more than your memory that makes a person. Maybe there is something deep down inside of you that is the key.

Have you ever woken up from a terrifying nightmare to only find that you have forgotten what the dream was all about? Even though you don’t actually remember what the dream was about that fear stills linger after you woken up. A shiver that goes down your spine, that uncontrollable feeling that can’t be explained. That is exactly what happened to me but instead of forgetting the dream I forgot everything.

I forgot my whole life and but when I opened my eyes that shiver lingered. A bright light shined down at me hurting my eyes causing them to tear up a little. I found myself in a world that was started to unravel before me. I was laid out on the ground on soft grass and I slowly stood up. Looking around I could find that I was in a field that was covered with flowers. I looked down at my hands and arms to find I was wearing a cloak and fingerless gloves. I was covered from top to bottom the only skin showing being my fingertips. I brought my hand to my face to feel that I was covered in a mask as well. I put my hands on it as if to take it off but I had a strong feeling telling me I should leave it on. I took another look around to see if I know where I was but there was nothing. I tried really hard to remember anything, where I was, who I am but I couldn’t recall a single thing. It was as if there was a blank spot that was once filled but now gone and I was trying so hard to grasp any information to who I was.

I could feel a tear going down my face behind my mask. Could feel myself tense this was not the time to cry. I took in my surroundings to find only a few steps away is a small clearing so I started to walk towards it. I thought maybe there was someone else there like me someone who might know what’s happening or even know who I am but in the center of the small clearing was a sword lying on the ground. The sheath of the sword was black with silver stars all over, attached to the sword was a note. I picked it up to read it and inside

The note read:

If you are reading this then you have woken up. Stay calm and take a deep breath, because waking up with no memory can be a little shocking, but everything has a price I’m sorry that was yours. So let’s start with your name, it is Cristina and you are not alone there are six other people like you and you must find them. Cristina, it’s your destiny to lead the others to battle to bring back the old world. This world you are meant to help shape will be one of strength and kindness like it was once before. I know you will not understand or maybe believe this letter but if you are to believe anything believe this, there are others. Never feel alone and they will be looking for you as well. Find them; build your family, fight for what you believe in like you have always done.

I leave you this sword it was made for you and only you, no one else can use it and make sure no one tries. Please leave the mask on it will hide your true power; right now your real power might bring great harm to yourself as well as others. Hopefully, your partner will find you soon and will help you with control. You were born for great things always remember that.

-M

That name Cristina it felt real, it felt like it belonged to. At the sight of –M my heart ached for some reason seeing that signature. I gripped the sword that was on the ground, which felt so balanced in my hands. I tucked the letter in a pouch I found on my belt.

I unsheathed the sword it felt perfect so balanced and fitted to me it was like it was a part of me that I didn’t even know I was missing. I could see the mask reflexed in the sword and its design was beautifully it was a clear night with stars all over it matched the sheath. I sheathed the sword and found I had a hood I put it on and looked forward. I could see a road up ahead away from the flowers so I made my way over there. I stood on the road and said aloud “now what?”

Looking in both directions not knowing which way to go. I adjusted my hood, strapped my sword to my belt as I looked at both directions wondering which way to go there was a burst of screams emerging from the right. I found my body reacting to it and said to myself “Right it is then” and sprinted in that direction.

The more I went into that direction the more the road started to vanish into the woods, the deeper I went in the taller the trees it made me feel this natural pull. The valley of flowers was now behind me and now making my way into this unknown forest, but to be fair everything to me was pretty much unknown. There was another burst of screams and it was much closer, louder than before I knew I was only seconds from being there. I stopped running and started to look for cover so I could set up for whatever was making its way towards me.

What came from the clearing was a woman. She looked maybe 18 years of age but this is all I could tell from such a quick glimpse. Her skin was fare and drenched with blood giving her skin a white ghostly look. Her long blonde hair was drenched as well. She was the complete opposite compared to me. My skin, which was a light bronze and covered in scars and my hair short.

I could tell the girl was at her end that she couldn’t run anymore she was having trouble breathing, and stumbling she was losing a lot of blood. She didn’t get far before three men on horses come riding behind her. I was in a safe enough spot to run towards or away before any of them would catch me but I don’t plan on running way. There was something about those men that angered me maybe it was their smiles as they were chasing this girl.

I don’t like people who treat the weak so cruelly. I guess I learned something new about myself. The girl had her back to a tree not being able to run anymore. One of the riders dismounted from his horse, he looked to be in his early twenties as well and his head was cleanly shaven “know come on girl we need to take you back before any more damage happens to you. You forget what a pretty price you’ll bring a beautiful girl like you will sell quickly.” Then second man dismounted, he looked about the same age as the first but with really long hair tied back he asked “hey boss can we just have a little bit more fun with her before we sell her?” the last man on the horse who I took to be the boss said “I don’t care just as long as you are quick about it” his hair was to his shoulders and he seemed very clean compared to his company.

The second man with the long hair started to move in towards the girl. That is when I came out of the shadows. It felt as if my blood was boiling; my entire body was vibrating something inside of me was roaring to fight. I started to draw my sword my whole body felt as if it was on fire so much so that I had to hold back a scream. The man with long hair loomed over her and tore a piece of her dress. I could no longer hold back this energy that was pumping through my veins and I sprinted at full speed at the men without a second thought.

I got there in a blink of an eye at which point I cut through the first man with such ease and he fell with a thud. I know he wasn’t going to get back up from my blow it was a clean hit and he was done. I sided stepped around the fallen man and swing my sword at the second man’s arm before he even had a second to breath let alone reach for his own weapon. He fell to his knees screaming, I kicked him back and thrashed my sword into his chest all within a single breath. I turn to face the last man and I knew without having to look back that the other two weren’t going to get back up from my attacks. The young boss dismounted his house and started to clap his hands as he made his way towards me. “You are quick and great with a sword young man but you are bad with picking sides. We are debt collectors-” pointing towards the bleeding girl he continued “and she is our payment. I am from a very wealthy family who whole business is collecting and if you hand this girl over you can have a job working for me. You Sir look like you understand the importance of money just like me.” His smile was really wide and cruel I deepened my voice as much as I could before answering if he thought I was a boy then I should just keep it that way, there is a reason why I am wearing a mask anyway “So I can end up like them later no thanks.” His face twisted into something evil and he drew his sword it was in that moment that I sprinted at full speed at him. I made the first swing but he just managed to dogged it, I would have been impressed but he stumbled in the process which gave me the opening to kick him in the knees and pierced my sword into his heart. He coughed some blood, his last words were “my family will come after you” that’s when I smiled and whispered into his ears “how will they know who to find when there is no one to tell?” I could feel his heart stop as I held my sword. I kicked him off and cleaned my sword off.

I took a deep breath, I could feel a huge smile on my face; I’m a monster who enjoys killing people. This thought excited me and scared me at the same time. I sheathed my sword when a stuttering voice came from behind said “th-th-thank you fo-r-r-r helping m-m-me-e-e” I turned to the girl that I had rushed to save at first but don’t know why. I took another deep breath before saying in that same deep voice “where are you injured?” she was shaking I made sure not to make a step towards her in till she showed me her injuries, I didn’t want to scare her. She showed me her arm where there was a deep gash and her rib where there was another gash. I moved closer this time but slowly and carefully, she was shaking uncontrollably I took off my cloak and put it on her. “I’m going to have to seal those wounds but it’s going to hurt are you ok with me doing that?” she slowly nodded.

I went to a nearby bush and took a piece of bark from a tree I used the shaving for kindling. It took awhile but smoke started to come out. I put presser on her wounds while the fire got stronger. I draw my sword and placed it into the fire. I gently removed the bandage I had quickly made and handed her a big piece of wood. “Bite onto this” she looked scared “I will try to be quick” she did what I asked. As soon as the blade was hot enough I took it out of the fire and turned to her. Her screams soon followed after.