At Great Chruch
The bell tower of a Baron's chapel rang at dawn , its sound clear as crystal across the village .
It was holy day , when families gathered to hear the priests speak of the Mark System -
The divine blessing that separated ordinary people from those chosen by the gods . Reina , dressed in a pale blue dress , sat between her parents as sunlight streamed
through stained glass .
The old priest raised his hand , his voice echoing in the hall .
" In this kingdom , every soul is tested by the gods . At the age of ten , a child may awaken a Mark . There are symbols engraved upon the body , proof of divine favor .
A Mark may be of the Lion , granting strength ; of the Falcon , granting speed ; of the Serpent ; granting magic . Some children bears Heroic Mark , the highest of blessing ,
wielding both sword and magic .
The priest's eyes swept over the children in the pews . " Without a Mark , one is but ordinary. With it , one may rise as knight or mage or even hero . "
Reina listened quickly , her emerald eyes narrowing . Marks ....proof of divine blessing?. Hmph .... I needed no such thing, I possessed Mystic Art of Goddess Myril .
Yet around her , the children whispered eagerly , some clasping their hand as if begging the gods .
Reina only fold her arms , resisting the urge to scoff aloud .
At Night
The sermon lingered in her thought long after day ended . She lay in her bed , staring at the ceiling beams . The Marks , the priest's words ..... the way the other children look at her , like respect in their eyes .
Ordinary , huh ?
Her eyes fluttered shut , heavy with exhaustion.
And then... she dreamed .
.....-----;;;;;;;;;;;;--------&&&&&&&&
She stood in a boundless meadow of stars , a silver river flowing across the sky . The air shimmered like glass and at the center stood a woman cloaked in white and gold .
Her hair as long as moonlight her smile radiant.
" Ray Throne , " the woman said , her voice like bells . " Or should I call you Reina , now ? "
Reina stiffened. " Goddess Myril . "
The Goddess stepped closer , her bare feet leaving ripples of light in the starry meadow .
" You remember me well . It has been seven years since you made your wish. "
Reina crossed her arms , scowling . " I told you . My wish was simple . I wanted to be reborn young , free to master the sword for myself . Not for kingdoms , gods or for anyone . "
Myril tilted her head , her eyes twinkling with mischief. " And yet ....
She brushed a finger under Reina's chin , forcing her to meet those divine eyes .
" Your sword still burns . I can feel it . The same sword that lead armies , that broke empires . It hasn't dimmed at all. "
Reina jerked back , heat rising her cheeks .
" I'm not the king anymore . I'm just Reina . A Baron's daughter. I want to live a quiet, happily . I don't want your thrones , your kingdom , your ---
" Your lies . " Myril interrupted softly .
Reina forze .
The goddess leaned close whispering , " Even if you hope to deny it , the divine flames inside you interwone with your soul .
You will not awaken your Mark because you are beyond that . You are my chid , Ray . You have my blessings. A hidden blessing . "
Reina's fist clenched . " No ,I won't accepted it . I won't be your hero again . Last time , I gave everything - my sword , my life , my kingdom -- I die alone on the bed , coughing blood . But this time is different. I have parents .... I have friend . I am happy . "
" To protect them , I refused to become your weapon . "
For a moment , silence filled the meadow .
Then Myril laughed , a soft and gentle .
" Stubborn as always . Very well . Live a quiet life ---
Reina Throne, live in shadows if you wish . But I know this . " Her soft smiled , almost wistful .
" The world will always found out . Even if you tried to hide . "
The meadow dissolved into silver mist .
Reina gasped awake , clutching her chest . Her small body trembled with the lingering warmth , her green emerald eyes glowing faintly in the dark .
" ....Damn you. , Myril . " She whispered hoarsely .
" You won't drag me into your games again ."
From the corridors , her mother's gentle voice called , " Reina ? Did you have a bad dream ? "
Reina quicky wiped her tears . " No mother , just a dream . "
Lady Emilia entered and strokinh her daughter hair until her trembling eased .
" You are safe .I am here . "
Reina buried her face into her mother's arms , her heart aching .
This is ... What I want to protect .
---------++++;++;;+:+:+::+:+;
Far above the divine realm
Goddess Myril sat upon her throne , chin resting on her hand .
" You can try to run ,my little king . " She murmured , smiling faintly. " But destiny has way of it own , to draw the sword from its scabbard. "
-+-+;+;!;!;+;+;;+;+;;;+;
Morning , Baron Harold Household
Reina awoke before dawn , the dream still clinging to her like morning mists. Myril 's words kept echoing in her mind .
She pressed her chest , to calm down .
It wasn't a normal dream - she knew that much . The goddess had whispered about something hidden , mysterious divine magic interwone with her soul .
She slipped out of Baron Manor into garden , the dew clinging to her feet . The village was still asleep but her heart raced with restless energy .
" Divine Magic ....." She whispered . " I knew that I had in past .... And I used just once in picnic ..... If I have that again , I can do it again ...
Closing her eyes , she breathed slowly , gathering the warmth in her chest and willing it outside .
A faint shimmer of light appeared around her fingertips ... Sparks like fireflies. Her breath caught .
" Yes ...this is it . "
She whispered she heard from the faint shimmer of light....
" Mystic Art : Wind Veil "
The sparks expanded into a swirl of air that lifted her hair ,tugged at her night dress . Leaves rustled as though bowing to her will .
She laughed , exhilarated then raise her arms higher .
" If I can control the wind ...." Her green eyes shone ." Then , may be I can fly . "
She bent her knees and whispered louder again this time .
" Mystic Art : Fly . "
The air surged beneath her , lifting her above the grass . For one glorious moment she felt weightless , her body support invisible current .
" I'm flying ------she gasped half laughing and nervous .
But current faltered . The wind collapsed. beneath her and she tumbled back into grass .
" Ow !!! " She rubbed her elbow wincing but she grinned .
She had done it . She had defied the earth .
She lay back in the grass , staring at the morning sky as it brightened with the first touch of dawn .