“You’re the reaper!” There was conviction and anger in his voice. Zephaniah racked her brains for the seer’s identity and remembered he’s named Stuart, a seer from the Masaque Empire who illegally crossed the border to join forces with Henry. They’re both about twenty-five years old and was branded a fugitive in their early twenties. The Council was yet to know the reason why they’re collecting strings, but they guessed they just wanted to prolong their life. In case it’s something more, Zephaniah was also tasked to unravel it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about!” She looked around the trees, squinting. She didn’t need to be a seer or a sensory Wielder to know that Stuart came to fetch her alone. It’s a brave feat considering the reputation Zephaniah had built. Stuart’s midnight-black orbs flickered, yellowish threads circling the line of her irises up to the centermost part of it. At once, he’d seen Zephaniah running away with Stuart lying on th

Silence greeted Z the moment she woke up. Only the crickets were singing a lullaby from outside. Though the rhythm they were orchestrating was low and serene, it didn’t, in any way, tone down the rapid beat of her heart.The curtains were still drawn around her bed. Its whiteness only made Z feel worse. She needed to get out of here as soon as she could to prepare the head of the headmaster. There was no backing down now. She only had two days and hesitation would never be able to help her battle the headmaster. What she needed now was a concrete plan. For that, she needed a place to make her mind work, and this place wouldn’t do the trick.Sighing, Z started plucking the small tubes piercing her wrists, closing her eyes as she started feeling a little dizzy. She then fumbled on her feet, breathing heavily as her chest throb.‘This is not good!’ she thought.There’s no way she could be closer to getting the headmaster’s

Z could almost taste the tension as she smirked, still sitting on the desk, the headmaster clenching his fist, glaring at her. The council members, meanwhile, pointed their spear at Z. She didn’t know much about the council in this era, but she’s a bit disappointed that they’re already hiring weaklings, or at least that’s how she perceived it.Turning her back at the headmaster, she raised her brows at the council members. “So, what are you three doing here?”“It’s none of your concern,” said one of them, his silvery voice sounding distant.Faking a gasp, Z moved back a little, swaying her crossed legs, her left hand on her chest. “That’s very rude of you, Sir!”“It is of the Council’s root to keep everything they do confidentially, Zephaniah. I thought you, of all Wielder, knew that.”“Well, Luis, unlike you, I do consider change in whatever I do. Time-

The death of the legendary Luis was known only to Z. She who buried him at the outskirt of the forbidden forest cried a bucket of tears, her hands shaking hard as it clenched on the shovel. Humming a lullaby, she reminded herself that Luis’s sacrifices would save more lives, though it never gave her a sense of reassurance. On the contrary, it made her feel lonely as ever; she now faced uncertainties with the battles she would soon encounter. But as a consolation prize, she’d be able to see George’s face once again and also for the last time. Her hands were still shaking as she sat on top of the grave, looking up at the moon that was the sole witness of everything that had happened. As usual, it wouldn’t be able to do anything as she went about her day, trying to forget the corpses she buried. Luis’s crimson blood would forever put a scar on Z’s palm. She could still feel its warmth even though she already wiped it off. “How many lives have I taken? Ho

Briane spent his night sitting astride, staring at the blank canvas he was supposed to paint on. He knew time was running and that the night was growing deeper; even so, he couldn’t hope to touch his brush unless he could come up with a concept. That’s the problem, though. Anything he could think of was just not good enough for him to be entertained.Swearing, he lied down on the glass-made ground and glared at the flat ceiling. He didn’t know why he couldn’t sleep. He’s tired, yes; his eyes were even drooping, stinging. But his mind was up to something. He tilted his head to look past Jane's room. There wasn’t a sign of life in there. In fact, the silence pounding in his ears was deafening.It was ironic that he was the first one who entered his room, yet he’s still wide awake. Making his hands a pillow, he sighed.‘Should I draw Blame again?’ he thought but once he caught a glimpse of the canvas piling in r