Chronicles of the Red Sovereign

The plan for saving Poseidon’s son included taking down the tyrant that was holding him captive and capture each and every pirate in the island. But somehow it then led to taking over the island and become its heroes and leaders. Or at least that was what we decided when we held our group’s first ever war meeting in the Archangel’s conference room.

“It’s like hitting two birds with one stone!” Thomas exclaimed after hearing the plan.

“Thomas is right.” Andrei said. “As a Colored Monarch you need to rule a domain; whether it’s an organization or a country. The White Duchess has an organization that moves in the shadows, the Green Countess is ruling an entire nation and the Yellow King has a sect. From what I heard from Kai and Peter, the blue faction is going to create a knight order. Then you must have one as well.”

“But I haven’t even received my inheritance yet.” I argued.

This was true.

From what I understood, other than domain, strength and power, a Colored Monarch had a symbol of power; an inheritance. Kai had that blue orb. And if I remembered it right the prophecy, or maybe the riddle, Elthesia told me five years ago hinted what the inheritance of the Red Monarch was.

[<The red teardrop she must soon wear.>]

The red teardrop.

-Why does it sound like blood?

“Let’s focus on saving Poseidon’s son first ‘then’ saving the island.” I said after a few seconds of silence. “And then we can think about the inheritance and the domain.”

“Luna- I mean Nyxtriel…”

I couldn’t help but sigh. These guys knew me as Luna longer than Nyxtriel, so I already knew that they were bound to slip. But, it had been more than thrice since they slipped all throughout our conversation.

“If you feel more comfortable calling me Luna then call me Luna.” I decided, giving them a pointed look. “Nyxtriel is the name I want to spread for a whole other reason, so please do call me that when we have others with us.”

They all sounded their agreement which I think made them satisfied.

“Well then,” Andrei faked a cough to get our attention. “Luna has a point. For now, let us do our investigation regarding the state of the island as well as the child. If this island is really from the one in the legends, the people that live there are not your average citizens, then so will our enemies.”

-Well, most of them descended from Otherworlders, and the pirates supposedly possess powers related to a Celestial.

“Freya.” I called. “This is your forté. You have two days to gather the needed information. Do whatever means necessary to do so.”

“I will.”

“I have a suggestion.” Ollie suddenly said, his right hand raised to get our attention. “If Lady Luna is in need of a domain, why not make her the hero that will save the island? This way, the people will have no problem in making her queen. I think rather than creating an organization like Prince Royal Kai, it is much better for her to rule a country.”

Silence took over the room with all eyes on Bernard’s boyfriend as well as the assistant chief engineer of Archangel.

“I agree with Ollie.” Andrei said. “I’ve been thinking how to let you get a lot of credit in this rescue operation. We can search for the inheritance later on, but saving Poseidon’s son and being the island’s savior, you can do that.”

“How exactly?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“I got a plan.” Andrei said with a smile that sent shivers up my spine.

-I think the Andrei standing before me is much scarier than the one I met during the Grand Academy Games.

***

Two days later, Freya returned with the information she gathered. The Island of the Giants was neither an easy place to find nor to enter. According to Hermes, the entire island was surrounded by a barrier and a cloaking spell that it would not be easily found nor entered except for a few points or clinks in the barrier. In the legends that depicted it, it was said that only a few found the island and even fewer were able to find the entrance to the Pagoda Tower.

Fortunately, Hermes lent us his assistance so Freya could enter the island.

“According to the information I managed to acquire, which is not much to be honest, the pirates haven’t conquered two areas.” Freya pointed to the map displayed in the table. “The west dominated by Lunhaw Forest, and the north consisted of the Puti Mountain Range and Pilak Frost Forest. There’s not much information as to the reason why those areas remained untouched but there are stories that demi-humans live in those areas.”

I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the information.

-Demi-humans?

There weren’t much demi-humans left in Afasia. A long time ago different races lived in the world but those races just vanished and were forgotten over time. Those were the demi-humans.

-Not to mention foreign demi-human races from another universe also sought asylum in this world as long as their existence stayed hidden. I wonder where they are now.

“It needs more investigation but to be honest in my opinion it’s more important to make connections with the people living in the central, eastern and southern areas since they were the ones oppressed.” Freya commented and sighed. “Those pirates are scum I tell you. I almost got raped if it wasn’t for someone but I’m not going to go into further details.”

I watched Freya shrug and roll her eyes. Her expression then returned to neutral and continued.

“There’s only one port in the east but the pirates rule it. It will be difficult to enter the island using that route. As for the south, most of it is a desert. The locals call it the Great Dalag Desert. Not much is known about it but the coast that bordered the island’s southern areas are filled with cliffs and jagged rocks. The sea is also filled with pirates.”

-And she says she doesn’t have much information.

I did not say that out loud.

“As for the pirates, I also gathered fewer information.” she put a stack of paper over the map. “The big shots are all dangerous and wanted figures of Afasia. And the one that stands above them is Alejandro, the Pirate King.”

She pulled a paper from the stack and separated it from the rest. I studied the paper but I was a little appalled, after all, there was no clear picture on the wanted poster. Rather, a crude drawing of what Alejandro looked like was there.

-Is this drawn by a child or something?

[Alejandro

aka The Pirate King

Best known feature: silver-red hair, red eyes and a tall stature.

Very Dangerous.

Reward: 500 Thousand Gold Coins]

-Wow.

“He must’ve committed a lot of atrocious acts when he was still a regular pirate.” Andrea commented and shrugged.

“That’s it?” Thomas questioned. “No picture, no more details? How about his age, and skin color or something?”

“None.” Freya shook his head. “It was said that after he destroyed a few fishing villages and some small towns when he and his crew arrived he did not do much. Also, he had been holed up in the castle since then.”

I looked at the point where Freya pointed.

-The castle. Red Moon Castle.

“So, you’re basically saying all the bad things that happened were all done by his men and not himself?” Andrei asked.

“Well, yeah, but the locals believe that it was done with his orders.”

I saw Andrei glancing at me and I nodded my head.

“There’s something fishy regarding that information. If he had been holed up in the castle that means there’s a reason he’s there. But Poseidon said his son Damien was kidnapped by the leader of the pirates. There’s something wrong with the information.” I said after a few seconds of silence. “What’s the plan?”

Rather than an answer, all eyes just landed on me.

-Right. I’m leader now, decisions are mine to make.

“Ehem! Freya, continue gathering information. This time focus on Alejandro and where Damien might be held. Anubis, you assist Freya. Your ways with the shadows can be helpful.”

“I can also question and help any spirit of the dead that might still be lingering in the island.” Anubis replied with a solemn look.

-Or he can do that.

“Sure. Just make sure to make your reports.” the two nodded at my order.

“Charles, you stay here in the ship and prepare as many potions as you can. We will need it.”

“Got it!”

“Andrea, Thomas and I will go down to the island and see things ourselves. It’ll be a good opportunity to learn of the local’s situations personally and come up with a plan on how to help them. There’s bound to be talks regarding people being kidnapped so we can also snoop around.” Andrea and Thomas nodded their heads as well. “Andrei, you, Bernard and Ollie will coordinate with us here in the Archangel. Be on standby. The Archangel has a weapon’s system so it’ll be a big help against large weaponry. We might have to find a way to get the ship inside the barrier of the island.”

“Luna.” Andrei called and gave me a pointed look.

“I know. I know you want me to be their hero so they’ll let me become their leader, but Andrei, we need their opinion. These people can fight for themselves given the right support and opportunity. They have to decide for themselves. Once that’s done, we can create a solid plan on rescuing Damien and saving the island.”

“As you wish my sovereign.” Andrei replied and bowed his head.

“Thanks.” I took a deep breath. “Now then, let Operation Rescue Damien commence!”

*********************

Author's Note:

Happy Halloween! Or belated anyway.

I have returned! Or at least my faint presence is.

I deeply apologize for disappearing for two months. I also apologize that I will only be updating once a week. I'm still swamped with work. Please understand.

New updating schedule is every Saturday at midnight (GMT 8).

Please look forward to the adventures of Luna and her friends!

xoxo,

Niche_Bezarius