A Few Days Later...

As Aera sat alone in her room with a book in her hand, boredom began to take over her. Her attention kept wandering from one thing to another and finally, when she could no longer focus on the book she was reading, she kept it away.

With a sigh, she sat back on her chair. She started to look around and soon her eyes fell on a clock which was kept in one corner of the room. Its pendulum swayed to and fro, never stopping, just going at a continuous pace.

Looking at the pendulum caused many thoughts to fill Aera's mind. 

These past months had been wild, full of adventure, mystery and surprises.

Never could she have imagined that one day she would be sitting in a completely different world, a world in which magic existed, a world in which every fantasy became a reality.

Truth be told, it was just last year when she had been living a normal life. Going to work, earning a living for herself, trying to pay the rent of her apartment in time and trying to get a good degree and pass her college. 

But now, whenever she would think about that life, it would seem as if ages had passed or as if that life of hers had been lived by a completely different person.

A smile made its way on her face as she thought about how strange yet magical life is. At one point you feel lonely, as if you have lost everything but soon, life takes a turn for the better and everything changes.

Warmth spread through Aera's heart because of these thoughts but soon, her mind got distracted when she heard the noise of swords clashing against one another.

With curiosity now taking over her, she immediately got up and walked towards her balcony to look outside.

Below, in the gardens of the great castle, she saw Taehyung practicing sword fighting with an instructor.

Her eyes followed his movements, the way he attacked and they way he defended. His each and every blow, precise and on point. With a smile still on her face, Aera decided that since she had nothing better to do, she may as well go visit him.

And so, walking out of her room, Aera climed down the stairs and came out of the castle. She headed towards the Prince whose back faced her.

It seemed as if he had not noticed her presence yet so standing a few meters away from him, Aera waited for the practice session to get over.

The night sky was decorated with stars while a gentle and refreshing wind blew through her hair which were left open and fell to her shoulders.

Her heart beat rhythmically, like a melody, as she looked at the Prince with love filled in her eyes.

Ever since Evie's trial had taken place, everyone was busy in their own work and this was no different for the Prince.

He had been working very hard, day and night, improving and sharpening his skills. But the problem lay in the fact that these days, he seemed to be over working himself.

If he wasn't practicing sword fighting then it would be dragon riding. One moment he would be in the library studying about magical stones while the next he would be in the scroll room, going through the previous and current records of the Kingdom Azmaar.

There wasn't a moment for him to rest and Aera was starting to get worried that this soon may exhaust him.  

Crash! 

Suddenly there came a loud sound, causing Aera's chain of thoughts to come to an end.

She followed the place from where the sound came and saw that Taehyung had lost balance and fallen to the ground while his sword slipped from his hand and fell away.

The instructor, who had his sword kept near the Prince's neck, retrieved it and kept it aside. Aera saw him stretch his hand towards the Prince and ask him, "Prince Taehyung, are you ok?"

Taehyung shook his head as he looked away, feeling disappointed at himself for losing. "I am fine Gravin. I guess I am just tired, but thank you. I'll make sure to practice the new technique you taught me. You may go."

Gravin gave a bow in respect and turned around and walked away.

Now, sitting all alone on the ground, Taehyung gave a sigh of defeat. He felt disappointed at himself for having lost his balance and fallen.

"How am I ever supposed to defeat Damien if I cannot even keep my balance while fighting?" He thought as gloomiless took over him.

Seeing how drepressed Taehyung looked, Aera decided to go and talk to him. 

Walking towards him, she stretched her hand forward and gave him a bottle of water. "Here, have some water. You seem tired." She said to which Taehyung looked up with surprise on seeing Aera standing right next to him.

A smile formed on his lips, as he took the bottle from her hand. "Thanks." He whispered and took a sip of water which immediately refreshed him.

Patting on the ground next to him, he motioned Aera to sit down. Giving a smile, Aera bent her knees and sat on the grass bed.

The two sat in silence for sometime, letting the sounds if nature do the talking. 

"So...what's up?" Aera finally asked to which Taehyung gave a chuckle and responded, "Nothing, just living. What about you? How do you feel sitting next to me, the most handsome man whose heart you have made yours?"

At this question, Aera couldn't help but laugh as she gently hit Taehyung's shoulder. Turning to look at him, she wrapped her fingers around his hand and gave a nod. "I feel happy, I feel complete."

Saying this, she scooted a bit closer to him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Taehyung?" She muttered.

"Yes princess?"

"Is everything fine?" She asked. "You have been over working yourself lately and you always seem troubled by something. I understand that there must be a lot of pressure and work on your shoulders, afterall, you are the future heir of one of the greatest kingdoms in this world but...you don't have to bear it all alone. You can share your worries and troubles with me."

A soft smile made its way on Taehyung's lips as he gently patted Aera's hand. 

"I am fine though, I am sorry for not spending enough time with you. It's just that ever since Evie's trial took place, I have been occupied with a lot of work. Not only that, but I am also worried about what is going to happen with the Sapphire of Eternal Power."

"Why, what's wrong?" Aera asked to which Taehyung shook his head.

"I remember sensing that its powers had finally awoken and I am sure that Damien has figured that out too. There isn't much time in our hands, Aera. If Damien somehow finds the Sapphire before us then there is nothing we can do to stop him. I mean, look at me, I don't even have my magic anymore. I am just worried about how I am going defeat the dark forces."

Hearing this, Aera lifted her head from Taehyung's shoulder and looked at him. "Not you, but we. We all will defeat the dark forces together. Me, Evie, Jimin, Jungkook; we all are here for you. Together, we are stronger and together, we will protect Azmaar. In fact, why not call the others and meet up tomorrow so that we can discuss about this and draw out a solution?"

Taehyung thought for a bit, reflecting on Aera's words and then finally nodded in agreement. "Ok, sounds like a plan." 

Giving a satisfied smile, Aera got up and walked towards the fallen sword that lay all alone on the grass. Picking it up, she then returned to Taehyung and helped him stand up.

"Your highness, never doubt yourself. Never give up. Your people have high hopes in you so don't let them down. But if you do ever fall by chance then don't worry, because I'll always be there, to support you and pick you up. We are in this together and we will overcome this together too." 

Saying this, Aera handed the sword back to Taehyung who took it and kept it back in its scabbard. Once done, he pulled Aera closer to him and gave her a peck on her lips.

"I am seriously starting to fall deeper in love with you by each passing second. Thank you Aera, for everything."

///

Standing all alone and looking out of a window, Damien played with the locket which he wore around his neck.

This locket was a special one as it was the source of his powers, it was the source through which Abaddon lived within him and it was also the source due to which a deadly curse was spreading through him.

With a frown on his face, Damien looked at his hand and pulled up the sleeve of the black robe he wore.

A dark black vein like pattern could be seen clearly on his hand and this pattern had slowly been spreading throughout his body. It was just a matter of time before it would reach his heart and perish him from existence.

"The Abaddon's Curse is spreading." Came a voice from behind Damien to which he nodded silently.

"It is..." He replied and then pulled down the sleeve of his dress. Turning around, his eyes fell on Seth who stood behind him. "But that is not what you are here for, are you, Seth? What brings you here so suddenly that you forget to even knock and ask for permission before entering?"

"My Lord," Seth said. "My actions will make sense once I tell you about the piece of information I stumbled across."

"Then tell quick, I don't have much time or patience to wait." Damien replied.

"My Lord, the ghouls who work under me have been able to find traces of a magic never seen before. It's a magic so powerful that one flicker of it has the power to destroy this entire world. And what is even more intriguing is that its essence is blue and blue..."

"...represents the Sapphire of Eternal Power!" Damien exclaimed. A smile tugged up his lips as he walked away from the window and towards a bottle of wine. "You have outdone yourself this time Seth."

Opening the bottle, he poured some of the red liquid in a gold glass and relished its taste as it ran down his throat.

"For once, we are a step ahead of that Prince. Begin the preparations, the great hunt for the Sapphire of Eternal Power has finally begun."