Silence.

It's all I'm concentrating on, or rather It's a spell I'm unconsciously trying to break.

I've been drowning in this sensation for what feels like an eternity, not once have I gotten up and walked away.

Well, I can't really move for that matter.

It's as if I've been chained from my arms and legs for prevention of my escape. My body is spread out as if I was a starfish and I feel something twisting around my body.

My eyes have been closed since the moment I started to only hear silence. I haven't opened them and I haven't talked either, I've only remained motionless.

I can't really complain though, this odd sensation is quite relaxing and nothing less than comfortable. I could open my eyes and yell for help at any moment I'd desire, but strangely enough I haven't given much consideration of the thought.

It's as if I'm swimming inside a body of water. I can feel my hair swaying around me with its length reaching my waist. My muscles are completely relaxed and it feels as if I'm laying on a light, fluffy cloud—this sensation is bliss.

Although I've remained motionless this entire time, I seem to have recovered my ability to move as I begin to swim around the body of water. My eyes have recovered movement as well and what I see the moment I open them, leaves me in shock.

I'm not swimming in a body of water, I'm floating inside dark purple, blue-ish colored mist. However the mist almost seems pitch black at times.

My eyes wander in all kinds of directions, but when I suddenly get the feeling that I'm not wearing any clothing, I look down and confirm my suspicions.

I was right, I'm naked.

As I look down, I feel embarrassed to show my creamy skin so nonchalantly. I wrap my arms around myself and try to cover up to look a little more decent, which I can tell isn't working.

I sigh as I realize I'm not exactly in public for anyone to see me like this. I relax after realizing this and I begin to float around to see if I can find any source of light. My attempts are in vain and at some point I go back to floating around aimlessly.

Then something cold and sharp wraps itself around my waist. My muscles tense up when the cold sensation surprises my warm skin. I wince and unconsciously try to hit whatever thing that touched me.

I end up kicking at the mist floating around me and I wonder if I imagined the strange, cold touch on purpose to cure my boredom. I shake my head and dismiss the thought away, but my eyes widen and my jaw hangs open as I feel the cold touch again.

This time, however, is different.

What was merely an unintentional touch has become something more noticeable. I can feel a pair of clawed hands rest gently on my waist. My body has frozen on the spot and my shocked expression hasn't wavered.

It certainly doesn't help my panic-sickened state when I feel a body press against mine from behind and wrap its arms tighter around my waist. As I look down again, I see a pair of legs and feet right behind mine, only they look more masculine and longer.

Whoever is behind me is certainly a male and much taller.

Out of rage to be as violated as I am right now, I open my mouth and get ready to scream a couple of foul, vulgar lines at the man hugging me from behind.

Nothing comes out.

Shocked to not hear any sounds or words spilling from my lips, I begin to thrash in the embrace I'm in. Then I suddenly feel a finger linger on my lips and I notice it's meant to shush me. Of course the sudden touch makes my lips quicker in reaction.

Whoever this man is, he's skin is insanely cold, which has caused my body to tremble from his freezing touch.

"I know my touch is causing you to fret, but you must bare with it."

Stunned to hear words spilling from his mouth and not mine, I angrily try to punch this guy with my elbow. Nonetheless, this man stands his ground and endures my excessive hitting. His grip hasn't wavered and I haven't heard him yell in agony, which I'm sure my strength would cause such pain.

At some point my energy completely leaves my body. I feel drowsy and for some reason my skin begins to peel off. I can't seem to yell in horror, my shoulders slump, and my eyelids slowly close. Everything becomes a blur and my senses begin to disappear.

I unconsciously watch my skin and flesh rip off my body, seeing only the bone left behind.

"It's time for you to leave. Don't ever come back."

*Flash*

My eyes snap open and I jerk upright in shock. I race toward a balcony and clutch the railing. My mouth widens and I let out horrid screams of pain. I feel vomit rise from my throat and spill painfully from my mouth. I cough uncontrollably, but I suddenly calm down when I notice my surroundings.

There's no mist.

There's no man hugging me from behind.

I'm not naked.

I pant and clutch my heart as comfort for the rapid beating. I can feel sweat drip from my chin and hot tears spill from my eyes. "Ah..ah..ah..! Wh..what the..hell?!" I regain my voice and my body slumps to the ground.

It takes me a moment to adjust to the sudden change of setting as I try to regain my rationality. My hand unconsciously touches my forehead and I begin to feel a migraine forming inside. I wince as I begin to feel painful throbbing.

After my breathing finally slows down, I regain control and take in deep breaths to calm my nerves.

"Elizabeth..what have you gotten yourself into now..!"

I raise a fist and punch the railing in front of me over and over until I calm my frustration. I let out a faint sigh and I get back on my feet. I stretch my muscles to ease the acing pain in my body, but I still feel weak and fragile enough to break a bone.

I carefully make my way to my bed and lay gently on my covers. I lose the tension in my back and I begin to feel my eyelids slowly close.

I'm grateful to know I can still go back to sleep, but a thought keeps nagging inside my mind. Believe me, I want to go back to dreamland as soon as possible, but I can't shake the feeling of danger off me.

Ever since I set foot on the battlefield at the Border Between Worlds, I haven't been the same since. I thought I had ended everything the moment I killed Collin Shane, but I was mistaken.

It was just the end and beginning of another chapter in my life.

During the battle, I had morphed into a being of ultimate power. I've always been accustomed to having my magic dwell inside of me, but during my moment of being on the edge of failure, I took a different approach.

I took the role of the possessor and instead dwelled inside my magic. I knew my fragile human form wasn't enough for me to reach my full potential, so I threw away my human body and became the incarnation of my magic.

It was amazing, I had more magic at my fingertips than ever before, but it came at a price.

Like everything else in this damn, retched world.

You see, at the age of 15, I became The Kingdoms' youngest heir and queen. I didn't choose this role, but when I was wandering around a cave and came across a crown, it was clear that the crown and I chose each other.

The crown was a temporary vessel for The Kingdoms' magic, and when the magic decided to leap into me as it's new vessel, it meant I had become their queen because whoever wields this magic is automatically the big shot.

Of course, many had doubts and concerns for having such a powerful, dangerous child rule over them, but nonetheless they accepted me—well, sort of.

Let's just say I went through a lot of pain and agony trying to win over their respect and trust, but that was as their queen. Now I have taken a second identity to freely act as The Kingdoms' Protector, and since I showed off my new ability with that identity, now I have to win over their trust again but this time as the Protector, not their queen.

If I don't, it could lead to anarchy, you know how politicians can be.

Therefore, I have that little incident to cover up now, that and this little side effect of my new ability.

Which is odd for that matter, I've always been able to gain new abilities. The thing is, The Kingdoms were originally two, Monsters and Fairytales, but when demons invaded they had to fuse so they could become stronger. They did, but the demons are still around.

Anyway, I can transform into any monster or fairytale creature I desire, which is the power The Kingdoms' magic possesses, therefore I'm experienced with gaining new forms every once in a while. However, this one is different.

It's my own creation, so I guess it's special. Basically, I shouldn't be surprised to experience any side effects, but what has been happening to me recently isn't what I'd consider a side effect.

That place I was just in, it reminded me of what it felt like to be the incarnation of my magic, but it was different. I wasn't in complete control and I was apparently handicapped the entire time.

It certainly was a different experience, seeing as how a man was there with me too.

A shiver runs down my spine as I recall the cold touch that I felt all over my body when the man hugged me.

"Damn, nothing ever seems to go right for me anymore..." I sigh and shove my bed covers over my head as I try to force myself to sleep, driving all pondering away from my mind.

~

I feel a ray of sunshine beam onto my face and the sudden light is enough to open my eyes. I wince as my curtains are pulled back, allowing a shower of light to fill my room. I groan and hide under my dark covers.

"Young Mistress, it's time for breakfast. I'd advice you to quit your protesting and rise from your slumber." Hearing my butler's cruel words, I reluctantly raise my upper body and sit upright.

I suddenly feel better when I catch the whiff of blueberry pancakes smothered with syrup. "Hmm..that smells good.." I can hear a light chuckle escape my butler's lips and I brighten up when he hands me the plate of pancakes. 

"Young Mistress, you are scheduled to meet with the Queen Of Hearts this evening, as the Protector that is. Then you'll visited the Mad Hatter, if you'd like to accept his invitation to visit him in his shop." I finish chewing my food before I respond to my butler. "That's right, I begin earning their trust today, don't I?"

Hearing my words, Siva nods his head and sighs at the circumstances of my situation. He then raises an eyebrow and stares seriously at me. "Speaking of which, how have you been? You haven't been dealing with anything strange ever since your transformation, have you?"

Suddenly remembering last night, I close my eyes and put on my best poker face. "No, I've been the same as always." It takes a moment for Siva to believe me, but it seems he does when he doesn't further question me. "Alright then...oh that's right, Alexander requested your assistance with a spell he's been having difficulty with."

I mentally sigh with relief when I notice Siva change the subject so easily. "Alright, do you know where he is?" Siva places his thumb on his chin as he begins to ponder my question. I wait patiently as I set my fork down and begin drinking my orange juice.

"Ah yes, he's riding some of the dragons."

I almost choke on my orange juice as I hear Siva's incredulous response. "You're joking!" My calm butler shakes his head and points behind me. I confusingly turn my head around and find an enormous, scaley head peeking into my balcony.

It doesn't shock me to see a dragon flying around my castle, but what does is to see my apprentice sitting on top of it's head. "Alexander! When did you learn how to ride a dragon?!" I hurriedly hop out of my bed and race toward the balcony.

I pet the dragon's head affectionately and smile as I see Alexander's proud face. "Elliot gave me a few pointers, but honestly it's the same as riding a horse." My smile widens as I see a bit of arrogance in my apprentice's face. I do a headstand on the balcony's railing and hop onto the dragon, sitting behind Alexander.

"Young Mistress, what is this stain? D..Did you vomit at some point..?"

My eyes pop open when I remember that I didn't clean the vomit from last night, then I wave a finger in the air and use magic to make the stain disappear. I put on a sly smirk and watch Siva frown as he crosses his arms.

"What stain?"

I speak before I kick the dragon's side and usher it to dive. I leave an angry butler on my balcony as I fly away on the dragon. It spins in the air and unleashes a burst of fire from its mouth. I laugh with joy as I watch the dragon show off.

"This is amazing! He wasn't this excited when I got on earlier!"

I shake my head lightly at Alexander's words and hop off the dragon, falling backwards into the air. I scare my apprentice half to death, but I reassure him when dragon wings sprout from my back. Scales adorn my entire body and my pupils slit as my eyes turn a fiery yellow.

I fly toward the dragon and spit my own breath of flames. The dragon huffs and flies further toward the sky, which frightens Alexander. I laugh mischievously as the dragon does a summersault in midair. To Alexander's surprise, he loses his balance and falls off the dragon.

The dragon and I smirk as we both race to catch the falling apprentice as if it was a competition. I fly faster then the dragon and beat it as I catch Alexander with ease.

At some point the dragon and I calm our competitive nature as I sit back on top of it's head. Instead the dragon glides slowly toward the air and Alexander finally catches his breath from all the excitement. "Alexander? I heard from Siva you needed a bit of assistance with your training."

I smile deviously as I patiently wait to see Alexander's reaction. "Yeah...I do. You see, I've been wanting to accomplish this spell for a while now." I chuckle and begin to pet Alexander's black, messy hair as comfort for his shyness.

"And what is that?" I ask politely and watch as Alexander turns his head around and stares at me with his beautiful, opal eyes. "I want to learn how to shift-shape." The odd requests throws me off a bit, but I regain my composure and further question the request.

"Well, what would you like to shape-shift into? Animals, humans, plants, hm?" Alexander places his thumb on his chin and thinks for a moment. "I want to turn into animals, the earthly kind." His request perks my interest and I chuckle as I imagine him turning into cute, furry animals.

"Alright, but you've intrigued my curiosity, why the sudden request?" Alexander carefully maneuvers the dragon and skillful lands it with ease. We hop off the majestic beast and watch it fly again into the air. "Well I heard you were planning to return for the human realm to finish your studies and I want to tag along, but I don't want to cause any suspicion so I want to go as your pet."

I almost burst out laughing when I hear his response, but I muffle my laugh to not embarrass my poor 13 year old friend. "Alright, but I'll choose the animal. You remind me a lot of a lost puppy always wagging his tail too." Alexander blushes when he hears my comment and shyly ruffles his hair.

"Alright, I'll teach you, but it'll take some practice and time." Alexander nods his head and shows his determination as he waits for my next orders. I let my hands rest on each of Alexander's cheeks and I stare seriously into his eyes.

"I need you to relax, close your eyes and take in deep breaths. Lose all the tension in your body and focus solely on my voice, ignore all other noises except for the sound my words." Alexander does what I say and easily follows my orders with ease. I notice him relax and calm down as he begins to ready himself for my next order.

"Good, I want you to fully believe you've used your magic to transport your soul into an animal. Imagine that you've stolen a puppy's body and took complete control over it. It's all in your imagination, Alexander."

I take my hands off Alexander's face and watch his movements. I notice magic spill from his fingertips and swirl around his body. His human features slowly disappear and he begins to turn into a puppy. His features become smaller and he falls unconsciously on my lap.

I chuckle as he opens his eyes. "Did it work?" I can't seem to muffle my laughter anymore as I stare into those adorable, puppy dog eyes. "I'm not sure, did it?" I jokingly ask and Alexander begins to laugh along with me. "This is awesome! Now I can blend in with ease!"

I shake my head and rise off the floor to dust myself off. I watch Alexander run around me and I can tell he's pretty excited. "Hm, I wonder how your going to turn back though." Alexander comes to a speeding halt and woofs confusingly. "I can't teach you how to turn back because that's something you can only do."

I laugh at Alexander's worried expression and I remembered the first time I learned how to shape-shift. Of course Siva had taught me and played the same joke on me. I was pretty mad at him, since I chose to turn into a bear, but I had to get over it and find my way of turning back.

I shake my head and dismiss the funny memory as I walk back to my castle. "Woof! Elizabeth! Come on, help me!" I shove my hands inside my pockets and ignore Alexander's whining with a sly smirk. "Sorry, can't speak dog." I begin to jest and make Alexander worry even more, but my laughing is interrupted by a strange sight.

I come to a halt and stare seriously toward the forest behind us. I rub my eyes thinking I'm only imagining the strange being, but as I refocus my vision I begin to question myself.

I see a man with short, light brown hair that reaches his shoulders. He might be far away but I can see the color of his eyes clearly. They're such a light blue that they almost seem white. "Woof! Elizabeth!" I snap out of my gaze as I look down to see Alexander.

I regain my composure and look up again to find the man, but he isn't there when I look at where he was before. I hit my forehead with my palm and shake my head. "He was looking right at me.." Mumbling under my breath, I dismiss what I saw and walk back inside my castle.

I allow Alexander to chase me and I eventually bend down to grab him. I keep walking and when I come across the enormous staircase that leads inside my castle, I find a carriage waiting outside. Out of curiosity, I walk toward my blonde-haired butler standing beside the vehicle, Elliot Sullivan.

"What's this? I thought I didn't have to leave for district 5 until evening, Elliot." My vampire servant turns his gaze towards me and smiles apologetically. "Apparently the Queen Of Hearts will be busy in the evening and moved the meeting to an hour from now." I grumble bitterly and put on a fake smile as I snap my fingers.

My blue cape comes flying out of the castle doors and lands on my shoulders. Then my clothes morph into my one-piece uniform resembling a leotard. "Wonderful, this ought to be amusing to her and yet she's one of the few leaders that knows I'm secretly the Protector, which means this is really pointless."

Elliot chuckles lightly as he hears my petty complaints. "Yes, I'm aware, but we still need proof for the rest of the other leaders to believe the Protector was there and passed." I roll my eyes and hop reluctantly inside the carriage. "Whatever, just get Siva so we can hurry up and get this over with...today was supposed to be my day off."

Elliot places his hand over his heart and bows respectively. "Yes, Young Mistress." He turns around and leaves to follow my orders, but I yell out to tell him something else. "Oh wait! Alexander shape-shifted into a puppy and I need you to look after him!" Elliot turns his gaze around and confusingly stares at me, but he understands once Alexander hops out of my arms and runs toward the vampire butler. 

Elliot chuckles when he realizes Alexander's circumstances. "I see you've played the same jest on your apprentice. Now do you understand why it was so amusing to see you walking around as a bear?" I glare at Elliot as I hear his remark, but I still hold my fake smile. Elliot merely laughs harder when he sees my reaction as he walks away with Alexander in his arms.

I grumble inside the carriage and wait impatiently for my metallic, white-haired butler. He eventually comes and once he climbs into the carriage, I poke my head outside the window and yell anxiously for the driver to leave. He smiles and nods his head respectively as he ushers the horses to move.

"Honestly, Young Mistress. Must you be so anxious?" I roll my eyes as I hear Siva's annoyed comment. "Well, you could always stay behind and let me travel alone. Think about it, a whole day without this annoying brat, isn't tempting?" Siva places his thumb on his chin and thinks for a moment, my eyes widen as I notice him actually consider my proposal.

"You can't be serious, are you actually tempted?!" My butler chuckles as he hears my worried cries and I glare at him as I realize it was a joke. "Of course not, as your legal guardian it is my job to make sure you're always safe." I growl as I hear his response and I slump back into my seat.

"And for that reason, I expect you to tell me everything."

My eyes widen as I hear my butler's voice and immediately understand what he means. "What are you going on about?" I ask as I try to remain as unreadable as possible. Siva frowns and brings his face closer to stare me down.

"What happened to you last night?" Asking the dreaded question I knew he would say, I smile nervously and shrink back from fear as Siva continues to glare daggers at me. "Hehe...I ate too much and went to bed full...so I threw up." I speak quietly and Siva raises a suspicious eyebrow.

"You skipped dinner."

A nervous laugh escapes my lips and I shove Siva away from me. "I..I had a..a..late night snack!" Thinking of every possible lie I can conjure up, I hold my quivering smile and pray that my butler will believe me. "Alright, if that's what you're abiding by." Siva dismisses the conversation and I finally lose the tension in my shoulders.

Not wanting an awkward silence to cling to the air, I rub the back of my head and sigh from defeat. "A..actually, that's not it...I've been having this nightmare for a while. It just frighten me so much...that I lost...my composure and..I threw up." Technically saying the truth, I lower my gaze and wait for an answer.

"Young Mistress...why didn't you just say so before..?" Relieved to hear such a caring response from Siva, I smile and respond shyly. "I'm sorry-",

"How could you be so idiotic?! I am your steward butler and you are my lady and mistress! How could you irresponsibly keep this sort of thing from me?!"

Suddenly interrupted by Siva's lecture, I twitch an eyebrow as I smile bitterly and narrow my eyes from irritation. "It's not like it's a big deal! I just threw up a little, damn!" Going at it again, my butler and I begin our usual bickering about my health and safety.

"You are still naive and young! You must have trust in me as your guardian! That is what I am for, not just a petty servant who could care less about your wellbeing!"

Shocked to hear such confident words spill from Siva's mouth, I widen my eyes and stare blankly at him. "Tch...you're right..I'm sorry.." I stare at the ground and accept whatever scolding Siva is ready to throw at me.

However, I hear nothing more come from his mouth.

Confused, I raise my head and stare into the 27 year old's eyes. "You are forgiven, this time that is." An irritated grin spreads across my face as I struggle to not strike back. I sigh from frustration and lean back in my seat from defeat, but being the person that I am, I mentally talk back to him.

"Yeah, yeah, it's not like I said the whole damn truth anyway, you asshole..!"

For the rest of the time spent traveling inside the carriage, I took a nice nap to recover the sleep I missed last night. I was shortly woken up by Siva once we arrived and he had to carry me over his shoulder because I refused to wake up, mostly as payback for the argument.

"Young Mistress, we look ridiculous! Can't you just wake up and walk on your own already?" I groan when I hear Siva's words and comply as I hop off his back, landing on the ground with ease. "Talk about peer pressure, Siva." My butler sighs when he hears my smart remark and I smile as I feel satisfied to have won the upper hand.

We walk toward the gate entrance and leisurely pass the guards. I walk ahead, seeing as how I recognize the halls from my many visits, and I find the meeting room in a matter of seconds. "Yo, Red! We're here!" I barge into the meeting hall and surprise the queen clad with dark, red hearts. She smiles and walks toward me for a hug.

When she pulls me into her embrace, I momentarily suspect her of something sneaky. "Elizabeth! My, look how much you've grown! Oh, and your hair has gotten longer too!" The sudden pampering from Red begins to embarrass me and I put a bit of distance between us. "Yeah, I noticed. So, where am I supposed to take this test?"

Speaking in my authoritative way, I put on a nonchalant expression. "Oh that's right! Elizabeth, I need you to meet someone very important, she will be in charge of keeping track of your progress and confirming every passing test to the next district leader you'll have."

Hearing the sudden news, I lazily follow Red as she leads me to a young woman. She seems to be Siva's age and somewhat the same height. When I first caught a glance of her, I saw her skillfully writing in her clipboard, giving the impression of her studious attitude.

"A pleasure to meet you, I'm sure you know who I am and are in no need of an introduction?" I speak firmly as I raise my hand and wait for her response. The young woman raises her head from her clipboard and pushes her round glasses further up the bridge of her nose. "Certainly, I am Ida Lucile, from now on you may recognize me as your supervisor, Protector."

As the woman shakes my hand, I can feel a hot, burning touch from her skin. "A fire elemental?" I avert my gaze as I speak, and the woman sniffs at my realization. "Honestly, I thought you would be able to tell without touching me, I suppose you've grown too barbaric to know any sort of reasoning, correct?"

Stunned to hear such a cold reply from someone who should be so warm inside, I growl and grab her by the collar. Her bob-cut hairstyle comes closer into my vision span and I stare threatening into her red, orange-tinted eyes. "My, my, what a smart-mouthed woman you are. Believe me when I say that trait of yours is admirable, but if you can't learn how to keep it shut when necessary, especially around me, you'll go through hell."

I release her collar and Ida stumbles backwards. She composes her glasses and fixes her collar. "What a beast! No wonder you've lost all the district leaders' trust!" As the woman speaks, she swats at imaginary dust and straightens her pencil-skirt up. I chuckle at her organized habits and smile devilishly as she glares at me with rage.

"I do not need their trust. I only serve for one purpose and that is to serve my beloved queen, but even so I must abide by her rules as she urged me to pass these tests. That is the only reason I haven't slit your throat yet."

Completely speechless to hear my words, the woman can only stare at me with wide, fearful eyes. Then, out of no where, I feel a warm hand on my shoulder. I raise my head and find Siva with a prideful smirk. "Well said, Protector." I nod my head to his words and walk pass Ida to face Red.

"Enough with small talk, let's just get this over with already, I have somewhere else I need to be." As Red pays attention to my words, her smile doesn't waver as she snaps her fingers.

The floor beneath us opens and we both drop into a dark abyss. "Wonderful, let the trials begin!" As I fall down the pitch-black hole, I take full determination of Red's spoken words. I maneuver my body through the air and swiftly catch Red in my embrace, holding her bridal-style.

I smile with wicked eyes and my arrogance rekindles in my soul.

"Such a trifling obstacle."