Water.

I could still feel the dreadful water closing in on me.

 Burying me.

 Strangling me.

I picked up speed as I made my way to the exit gates, my heart hammering. I wasn't planning, wasn't thinking. I just knew that I needed to away from there.  I remembered the tiger stone flashing, just before I was pulled into the depths of darkness. I could still feel the suffocating arms of water around me, could still see flashes as my body gave way.

I ran till I reached the exit, my heart hammering at the excursion. I started walking as fast as I could from there, needing to get away. I had no way of contacting anyone, so I decided to walk. The tornado of thoughts in my head was stifling me. It was the third direct attempt at eliminating me. And this time, I had seen his face, and all things clicked into place. The fiend's attack at Arvinna. The assassination attempt. The almost successful attempt at the pool.

I shuddered to think what would have happened if Aahan hadn't walked in at the last moment. What I failed to understand was why?

Why was Elijah so desperate to get rid of me? It made no sense to me. I was not an heir. Not a competitor to him. I was nothing but a controversial bastard. Had I not been a Nuvue, I would have never made it to Obscura.

I walked along for a long while, the forests on either side of me fading into the background. I saw a tourist bus moving ahead and ran to catch up to it.

Thankfully, it stopped a few feet away to let a woman down, and I climbed on board. The driver looked at me once, his eyes widening slightly as he took in my drenched clothes and matted hair.

The bus was mercifully scarcely populated, and I was able to get a seat at the very back of it. The conductor walked over to me with a sheaf of paper chits in his hand. "Stop?"

"Where's this bus heading?" I asked.

The conductor looked at me suspiciously before he spoke. "Ophelia. We will be passing through Myrion, Zelen, Lyros, Neronz, Pickett, and Ophelia. That's the last stop."

He sounded increasingly impatient as he named each town.

"Neronz," I said without thinking as he gazed at me still more suspiciously and handed me a chit with the amount of Elrins and the name of the place.

"You sure fledgeling?" he cocked his head, a smirk on his face. "Doesn't look like a place you should be heading to."

A blush crept up my face, and I took the chit from him, gazing out of the window defiantly. He didn't say anything and sauntered away.

I sighed and gazed at the disappearing trees and quaint town of Myrion as it came into view. We passed through a small village square. Schools were just letting out children as they thronged the streets and market. Gaggles of laughter and the din of vehicles and people all merged together into a cacophony. I was jealous. Envious that I had just been almost murdered again by my half brother, and that the world didn't seem to care.

My teeth were still chattering. I shut my eyes as I felt the icy water again. I was still shivering.

I rested my forehead against the glass and closed my eyes. Concentrating on finding the warmth inside my chest. Starlight, however, seemed to have abandoned me again.

I was positive that what I had experienced was death. It terrified me. How calm I had become. Petrified me, how helpless I had felt.

I couldn't summon my powers beneath the water. I didn't know how Elijah had known it. But, he had seen most of my displays of fire before this and could have guessed that water would sublime me. Even kill me.

Hopefully, kill me.

"Neronz!"

The conductor called a couple of hours after the ride, and I got down gratefully, still feeling judgemental eyes on the back of my head.

Part of me wanted to turn around and flash him the finger, but then I reminded myself that while in the mortal world, it was an insult, here it might well be something else.

I didn't know why I had decided to come to Neronz. My initial plan was to get to Ophelia. Although, I hadn't yet planned what I would do after that. I made my way back to where I knew I could find Crystal. The familiar Tommy's Bar came into view, and I felt my stomach tightening as I recounted the previous uncomfortable interaction with it.

The familiar underbelly of the town started coming into view. Thugs and ruffians who made me feel highly uncomfortable dotted the streets. I turned around a corner and into the alleyway where I knew Crystal lived. A few women lounged on the streets, looking for customers. I recognized Clara as she gave me a flirtatious smile and increased my pace, walking into the decrepit building and made my way up the staircase.

I wondered if she would be home. It was early afternoon, and she might have been out. Or worse, she might have been in but with a client.

The thought made my stomach twist in anger. But I didn't know what else to do. I knocked on the door a few times before I heard her light, muffled footsteps walking towards it from the other side.

She opened the door, her face lighting up in a smile. "Zeke!"

She squealed, and to my surprise, flung her arms around me. I wasn't prepared but nevertheless welcomed her gesture, my heart unexplainably beating fast as I felt her comforting weight on me. Her warmth feeling good on my ice-cold body.

She let me go after a while, her cheeks flaming red- identical to mine. "What the hell happened?" Her eyes widened. "You're shivering! Come in!"

I realized with a jolt that my shivers were no longer from the water but simply from the fear. The angst. The shock. Somehow, the light I had tried to summon earlier seemed to have dried me up. For which I was grateful.

"This is such a great surprise!" she said as she poured some flaming coffee into two cups. "I was just going to drink some coffee and-" she pointed at the television, "Going to settle in for a crappy horror show."

She carried the cups into the table in front of the loveseat and sat on it, smiling. "But I'm glad you're here. Come on!" I went and sat beside her, feeling strangely comfortable.

"What brought you here?" she said as she leaned back and took a sip of her coffee. "I mean, isn't it a school night?"

I took a deep breath, not answering her, and instead held the coffee in my hands, the warm glass feeling comforting against my palms.

She didn't say anything. "Hey, ...whats, wrong?" she asked after a while. "Did something happen?"

I gazed at her, my brain working furiously. I hadn't yet told her who I was, not knowing what her reaction would be when I did. "It's just..." I shook my head, resentment flowing through me. At the injustice of it all. "I know it sounds ungrateful or whatever but...why is it that some people are born with something while others have to fight so fucking hard for it?"

She gazed at me, her hazel eyes understanding. She put her cup back on the table and sighed, "It's not ungrateful of you to think that way, Zeke."

She held my hand, enclosing it in both of her smaller ones and looked at me, her eyes suddenly losing all their happiness. "It's not justified. It's unfair."

I sighed. She stroked her thumb softly on my knuckles.

"It's exhausting," I said, glancing away from her, feeling embarrassed by the sudden surge of emotions.

We were quiet for a long time. A comfortable, understanding silence. I felt strangely at home. At ease.

"There's...something I need to tell you," I said, removing my hand from hers.

I knew this was only the second time I had met her, but somehow I felt much better with her than I ever had at the Palace. "Oh my god-" she said, her eyes widening comically. "You're not married, are you? That would be okay but also kind of a bust."

I smiled at her, feeling slightly bewildered. "No," I took a deep breath. "My full name is Ezekiel Joziah Hunt."

Her eyes widened even further. "You're...the prince?"

I shook my head. "Just the controversial bastard. Augustus Ellerman is my father."

She gazed at me. "Oh my god!" she started laughing so hard that she almost fell off the seat. I was slightly affronted by her behaviour.

"Why is that hilarious?"

"Oh my god! I'm sorry!" she clamped a hand to her mouth and tried to stifle her laughter. "It's just that..." even though her unexpected bursts into laughter had offended me a trifle, I loved the way it sounded. Loved the way her eyes lit up, her lips opening wider.

She took a deep breath. "It just that...there are such...stories about you. A downtrodden delinquent." She shook her head. "Like, you're this..bike riding...injecting...drinking..weed-smoking tattoed guy and..." she shook her head. "You're so adorable."

I felt my cheeks reddening. "Er...thanks."

"I'm sorry Zeke. It's just...you are nothing like people believe. And you have beautiful eyes." She gazed at me. "Not 'poisonous' as they say."

 I shrugged. "I can understand where they come from, though. For a period...I was actually on my way to becoming that kid."

She smiled. "Somehow, I can't imagine you that way." She patted my arm gently for a while before she spoke again. "So? You were telling me something?"

I sighed, wondering how I could tell her what I wanted to without sounding melodramatic. "I wasn't supposed to return to Obscura. I was supposed to stay in the mortal world. Get an education there. Lead a life away from everything. But...earlier this year, at Evelyn's birthday-''

"Princess Evelyn Mara Ellerman?" she said in awe before she bit her lip. "Sorry! It's just so weird to hear you talk so nonchalantly of them.''

I shrugged. "I've rarely stayed with them. To be honest, I can't even grasp the concept that they're royals sometimes."

She nodded. "Understandable."

"I just had this..er...outburst of my powers. Something-'' my heart stopped as I remembered the dreaded noise of the shattering glass " –happened. And well... that was the first time when everyone at the assembly saw my powers. The Vartiyahs were roped in, and for a while, there were talks of a Znicit. That is what Andreas-''

The name fell like venom from my mouth as I hurriedly trudged on, "-wanted. But Azure stepped in-" she raised an eyebrow as I explained. "He's one of the Deus. Water." 

She nodded. "I know. We have temples dedicated to him," she smirked at my shocked expression but urged me to continue. "He said my powers were too valuable to be discarded and that I would be sent to Asteria instead," I sighed. "Because I was to stay at Evimeria from then on, my dad wanted me to be an heir to the kingdom. But...something happened." I shuddered slightly at the memory of the fiend, and Crystal placed a comforting hand on mine, calming me.

"Well, I dropped out. As did-''

"We did hear about this, you know," she shook her head. "I had always wanted to see Arvinna. I heard that you, along with Princess Meredith and Evelyn dropped out while Prince Elijah was the er...Glorious, Victor."

I nodded. "Yes. But anyway... I was sent to Asteria after that. "

"If King Andreas didn't want you to go to Asteria, how come he didn't know about your powers earlier?"

"They did a Znicit after-''

after my powers killed Ezra.

"-after I was eleven." I glanced at her, wondering if she had sensed the change my sharp breath as I changed my words at the last moment, "But..it didn't work due to some reason. So my dad told me to keep it a secret. Not to use them."

"I've heard the mortal world can affect the power of Nuvues," she said, and I nodded.

"They became dormant. Things were standard for a while before, of course..that thing at the birthday party."

"Mhm. That doesn't explain why you seem so stressed, though," she said.

I took a deep breath, raking a hand through my hair. "It's just that...the Ellermans don't want me at Asteria. I still don't know why..." I shook my head, "but...they've tried to hurt me. Really bad. Multiple times now. And it's getting scary and exhausting, and frankly, I just want to give it all up and get the fuck away from there."

Silence fell again. "I can not imagine how hard it must be for you. I...I have had a problematic life...but here, with the girls- I do have people whom I can count on. "I looked at her as she smiled ruefully. "I wouldn't have survived if I didn't have them. But for you..."

She reached forward, and I took in a sharp breath as she gently stroked my hair away from my forehead. "I can't give you a pep talk Zeke. I'm way too nihilistic for that."

"I'm afraid I don't know what that means," I said, laughing humourlessly, my heart fluttering slightly at her proximity. "Do you know I couldn't read and write properly till like four years ago?"

"And yet the people who could write novels at that time were the ones putting you through hell." She said gently.

I bit my lower lip to keep it from trembling, "Maybe it's not worth it. Maybe I could just move here and open a pastry shop or something."

Crystal almost smiled, "I'm sure that would be a hit. But...I believe you have a much greater purpose than that."

I didn't say anything as she continued, "You've survived so long Zeke. And...I know what it is like. To not have your parents, to fend for yourself alone, and I know that you are where you now, that has to be so much better than everything that you endured."

She moved closer to me. "The thing is- yes, it sucks. It's unfair that you have to go through all this. But you have to understand that you have no option except to face it. You can run, but for how long? You are the only one who can change your condition. No one else is going to pick you up from the crap that you are in right now, Zeke. You have to understand that."

I looked at her as she continued. "The Znicit wasn't enough to take away your powers. You have made it through things much worse than this. I know you have."

She squeezed my hand comfortingly, her eyes blazing with a sudden fire, "So I say you get back there. You give them the hell that they gave you. You pull yourself out of this shit. And you fight harder than you ever have because no one else is going to fight for you."

I stared at her, a strange hope rekindling in my heart. Her understanding, her tenderness was making my heart race with multiple emotions. We were quiet for a long time, the only sounds that of the occasional cries in the street. I sighed finally. "You're right. I know you're right."

"Of course, I am." She said, shaking her head dramatically. "Aren't I always?"

I smiled at her. She sighed exaggeratedly, "Although...I would have loved to see Ezekiel's Pastry shop."

"Thanks for this, Crystal," I said, my heart filling with warmth.

"Of course," She smiled gently, "You can stay here for as long as you need Zeke."

I shook my head, "I'm not going to try to run away now."

"You don't have to Zeke. Think of it this way...just one little thing at a time. You've faced worse. And I don't mean to be patronizing but-" she crossed her arms in front of her chest, "Elijah Ellerman probably hasn't faced a single day of hunger in his life. You have the resilience that those royals can only ever dream of Zeke. They might have power, but you have courage. Plus-'' she whipped her hair pompously, "You'll have me cheering for you, and I have a hundred per cent record."

I laughed at her, feeling more optimistic than I ever had.

The thought of going back and facing Elija head-on ignited something in my chest that I had no name for. Was it a desire for revenge? Was it determination? Or was it merely fool's courage?

I got up, and she followed me to the door, taking a deep breath. "Good luck Ezekiel. I hope you'll see me again soon."

I nodded, my eyes flitting to her lips almost subconsciously. I felt something in my heart, a flickering ray of hope as I looked at her beautiful hazel eyes. "I will."

I leaned forward, my heart fluttering, and kissed her cheek gently, almost expecting her to step back. When she didn't, my fluttering heart gave a joyful little jump.

The feeling of her soft skin on my lips and her seductive scent made me want more, but I was too nervous about going any further just yet. When I leaned back, her cheeks were flaming red, much like mine, I presumed. She was smiling widely.

As I left, I seemed to notice a glint of what was almost sadness in her eyes, but it was quickly overshadowed as she beamed and bid me a farewell. I wondered if I had mistaken it.

I made my way back to Asteria, my heart pounding ever louder in my chests. Reminding me that I was still alive, despite Elijah's lowly attempts.

I took the vacant seat at the very end of the bus, opening my palms to reveal a bright orb of starlight as warmth spread to my core. I wouldn't succumb to his attempts. To Andreas' attempts. I would fight till the vermillion in my veins turned to fire. And I would survive. My mother always told me she wanted me to be a warrior.

It was evening by the time I reached the Academy. Night had fallen, spreading a shroud of twinkling stars all over Obscura.

I gazed up at the night sky, my heart aflame, and made my way to the basement. Hiding hadn't seemed to be the better option, and I decided to do the opposite this time.

The Selection procedure was going on in periods of three hours, which meant that I might have missed the last one, or would be just in time to see it end. I picked up my pace, running through the corridor and down to the basement.

I could hear voices coming from inside the hall and opened the door, sneaking at the back and stared at the scene unfurling in front of me. Groups of students stood in rows and columns, separated into the four guilds. My heart hammered in my chest as I started moving forward.

Four students stood facing Azure, not yet segregated into their guilds. "Now- I want you to state your name, your guild, and then move to take your place," Azure said, looking refined and elegant as ever. He nodded at the girl to the extreme left, her back to me as she spoke, " Nina Short, Esepece."

Azure nodded as the girl strode over to the first row of students, and the boy next to her spoke in a somewhat trembling voice. " Arthur Connor. Aera" Azure nodded as the boy moved to the third row in the middle.

"Emerald Warrick.Incandesco." The girl next to him said and strode over to her guild in the second row.

I stepped forward, knowing this was the right time to announce my affinity. The fourth student, a girl, spoke finally. "Iris Holden. Aguieo."
  
She walked towards the last row.

Azure smiled, raising his arms. My heart pounded in my chest, a strange ringing in my ears as I firmed my resolve.

He opened his mouth to say something. Before he could, however, I stepped forwards, standing straight as Crystal's words floated in my head.

"Ezekiel Joziah Hunt," I said, mustering up as much confidence as I could he entire class looked at me with gasps. "Incandesco."