Blood had to walk a little faster than usual to keep up with the pace of the Destynian King, King Karuna. His long legs carried him faster than other people.

     But that didn’t bother Blood, it just took him a moment to adjust.

     “Mayor Gryre is going to need assistance then?” The King asked. Though he had an accent, he spoke Blood’s language perfectly.

     “Probably.” Blood said. “But if you send any sort of assistance than that will truly be the declaration of war between Destyn and Raffyre.

     “Yes… you’re right.” The tall man said.

     Blood watched the expression on the Destynian’s face. His pale skin and white eyes made it difficult to see expression, however, his knotted eyebrows gave away the worry he felt.

     He was half a head taller than Blood and had long silver hair that he tied back. He wore the blue robes of the Destynian people and his silver crown sat perfectly on the top of his head.

     With the expression of worry on his face, he showed his kinder and gentler side. However, Blood knew well that this King was a formidable fighter and not someone to anger.

     King Karuna sighed and stopped walking, turning around to face Fury who was walking behind the two men. “Fury, please do me the favor of informing my confidant of the news.”

     Fury bowed. “Yes, of course.”

     When she disappeared, the King looked at Blood. He stared at him for a moment before speaking. “You are wounded?”

     Blood hesitated but knew he shouldn’t be surprised. King Karuna was very observant. “How did you know?”

     “You are not walking as straight as you usually do.”

     Blood told himself again to not be surprised. It was just like King Karuna to notice a millimeter difference in Blood’s usually perfect posture.

     “Come.” King Karun said as he began walking down the halls of his bright palace. “My queen can help.”

     Blood let out a breath but nodded his head and followed him.

     They walked through the large palace that was lit solely by sunlight, making it a refreshing walk. There were windows everywhere in this palace, the walls were practically windows, making all the halls bright and all the walks lovely. The view from the castle was beautiful, after all.

     The glass of the palace was one of the primary reasons for why it was called the Crystal Palace. Another reason was because it really did look like a formation of  crystals shooting out from the ground when you saw it from a distance.

     It was quiet different from the Red Palace. Not at all as eerie and dark.

     When King Karuna knocked on the door of his wife’s chamber, Blood heard her sweet voice call them in.

     The King opened the door and they both saw her get up from her seat in front of a mirror, leaving her brush on the table.

     The lovely lady’s smile grew when she saw Blood. “Oh, my love. How long has it been?”

     Blood smiled behind his mask as he bowed low. He had come to Destyn many times for missions, but he rarely got a chance to visit the queen.

     She walked over to the young man, and hugged him tightly.

     Queen Vitara was the most beautiful woman that Blood knew.

     Her silver hair was so long that if it grew another inch it would brush against the floor and her heart shaped face was graced with her lovely smile. Unlike her husband, her skin wasn’t as pale. She came from a Destynian family that was known for having a little more pink in their skin. And that was what made her look a little more human than the rest of the Destynians. But her eyes were the same white, and they smiled as her pink lips did.

     “He has not properly treated a wound, my love.” King Karuna said to his wife. “Will you help him?”

     The queen stopped smiling and gave Blood a look of shock. “Silly boy.” She said. “You know how dangerous it is to leave a wound be without properly treating it?”

     Blood let out a small laugh. “I do… I just didn’t have any time.”

     Queen Vitara turned around, her long. dark blue dress twirling as she did. She walked over to her dresser and opened it, pulling out a few boxes.

     The king walked over to his wife. “I will leave him to you then?”
     “Yes, my King.” Queen Vitara looked at her husband. “I will return him to you when I am finished.”

     King Karuna smiled before he gave her a peck on the lips. He then turned around and nodded his head at Blood before he left the room.

     When Queen Vitara had finished organizing her medicines, she walked around the room and closed all the curtains.

     The room was suddenly extremely dark, but Blood could see her as she closed her eyes and balled her hands into fists.

     Her pointers stuck out and she held her two fists together in front of her heart, the pointers touching. Then she began to whisper some sort of spell, awakening her Destynian magic.

     From her pointers, a sparkling light formed, enough to light up the entire room to look like the curtains weren’t closed. The light danced its way up to the chandelier at the center of the large room and it sat there.

     Blood had seen Destynians do this a hundred times before, so this didn’t at all shock him.     

     But it still amazed him.

     If the Lumynos were the epitome of darkness, than the Destynians were the epitome of light.

     Queen Vitara looked at Blood with a smile. “You can remove your mask now. And take off your tunic.”

     Blood hesitated for a moment. But as Queen Vitara walked over to her table to grab her medicine, Blood did as she said.

     He put his mask and tunic down on another table and sat down on long couch. When the queen turned to face him, her smile grew. “Owaa.” She said in her language, meaning ‘wow.’ “Every time I see you, you look more and more like your father.”

     Blood smiled. “I hope that’s a compliment.”

     “Of course it is.” She said, grabbing pillows on her way over to him. She placed her medicines on the table next to the couch and then put the pillows behind Blood so that he could lie down comfortably. “Your father was a very handsome man. Very handsome.”

     Blood didn’t say anything as the Queen cut the bandages off of him. When she saw the wound she frowned at him. “Silly boy. What did you do to yourself?”

     Blood always felt like a child when she spoke to him. And he hated to admit it though, but sometimes he liked that feeling. “I was distracted.”

     “Clearly.” She wiped away the dry blood with a wet cloth and when she could see it even more clearly, her frown deepened. “The wound is a week old.” She said. “You did not take care of it for a week? Silly, silly boy.”

     Blood chuckled. “I have no time.”

     “That is a silly excuse. You must make time. You are smarter than that. You have to be more responsible.” She scolded. “Do you wish to die from an infection? A man like you, with so much strength and power… dying from an infection? Is that what you really want?”

     He just smiled as he listened to the woman nag.

     “Your irresponsibility has kept the wound open, child.” The Queen continued. She then sighed as she stood up. She walked over to her dresser and pulled out a large bottle. When she returned to Blood, she poured it into a tiny glass and gave it to him. “Drink this. I am going to have to sew it shut. It will hurt.”

     Blood knew that the pain of her sewing the wound closed would be nothing, but her drank it to prevent the Queen from worrying.

     Almost instantaneously, Blood’s body went numb.

     The Queen sat back at her seat and continued to treat the wound.

     As she cleaned it and then began to sew it shut, she looked up at Blood with her observant eyes. “So what is this thing that distracted you, sweet boy?”

     Blood had his eyes closed at this point. But he opened them when she spoke.

     “Is it the same thing that is distracting you now?”

     Blood looked at the Queen. “Now?” It felt strange to talk, since his cheeks, mouth and tongue were a little numb too.

     “You think I did not notice?” The Queen asked, her eyes back on the wound.

     Blood hesitated.

     “It is a girl… is it not?” The Queen let out a giggle. “Has my little boy found a girl to love?”

     He always found it amusing that she treated him like a child. It might have been because she was so used to speaking to all of her young children like that.

     “Is it?”

     Blood smiled and closed his eyes again. “It is.”

     “Owaa!” She smiled happily. “Who is the lucky girl?”

     “Lucky?” Blood chuckled. “I don’t think so.”

     The Queen ignored that as she finished the stitches. “Well? Who is it?”

     “Meenu Kyrus.” Blood said. His eyes opened now and he watched the Queen’s reaction.

     She froze.

     The name was all too familiar to her, though she had never met the girl. “Really?” She looked at Blood. “Is… that safe?”

     Blood didn’t respond to that.

     And the Queen didn’t ask again. “Why are you worrying about her, then? You look worried. Is she okay?”

     “I think so… I usually know when she’s in trouble… but right now something inside me is just worried.” He said. “It’s not telling me that she’s in trouble… it’s just worried.”

     “Then maybe you should go check on her?” The Queen suggested.

     “I will.” Blood said. “Once my mission is complete.”

     The Queen smiled at him. “Well, if you ever feel like you need to go, I give you permission to put the mission on pause. I will speak to Master Red for you.”

     Blood chuckled, knowing that even Master Red couldn’t argue with this Queen. “Thank you.”

     By the time she had finished dressing the wound, Blood’s senses had returned. However, the Queen refused to allow him to get up. She told him that for an entire day he must rest.

     Blood didn’t like the sound of that, but he knew that when it came to the Queen of the Destynians, she always got her way.

     The house that Meenu was in was almost always dark. She had been there for almost a week now, so she had gotten used to it. But that didn’t mean she was comfortable with it.

     Master Red had made it clear to her that the thick curtains were never allowed to be opened, and neither were the windows.

     If you opened a door, you were expected to close it behind you. And if you touched anything, it must be returned to exactly the way it was before.

     He was very strict.

     The house was large. At least three times bigger than Meenu’s own large home. And behind the house was a huge yard. Master Red had told her that that yard was where they would train, once the training started, and it was only there that Meenu would get a chance to run around and do whatever she wanted.

     Unfortunately, Meenu’s training hadn’t started yet.

     But luckily for Knight, he got to stretch his legs and run around every day. He really liked it here.

     The last week was spent getting Meenu “settled in,” as Master Red would call it. In this time, Meenu was taught how to meditate, how to organize her thoughts and how to be calm.

     It was rather relaxing, which Meenu liked. But she never imagined that the road to becoming a warrior would be so… silent.

     Master Red had told her that every day she would have to meditate for thirty minutes. Eventually, when she was stronger, the meditation would be for an hour. That surprised Meenu because she thought being stronger would lead to a smaller need to meditate.

     But according to Master Red, the stronger the mind and body, the more time in needs to meditate and relax.

     And just as Master Red expected, she would listen to every word he said.

     Exactly a week since she had arrived, Meenu was sitting on the floor of a large room, across from Master Red, meditating. It was the same schedule every day, so the meditation started when the clock struck six in the morning.

     And somehow, Master Red knew exactly when thirty minutes had passed.

     “Alright, Meenu Kyrus. That’s enough.”

     Meenu opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She always felt so awake after they did this, and she never understood why.

     She looked up at the mask-less Master Red. The two of then were sitting on the hard, wooden floor, cross-legged. At first, Meenu found it difficult to sit on such a hard floor for so long. Now, she was getting used to it.

     “We have something important to discuss before we continue on with any sort of training.”

     Meenu’s heart jumped. That must have meant she was one step closer to real training.

     “I asked you something when we were riding here. Now, I will ask you again. I hope to hear a better answer now that you’ve trained your mind to focus a little better.” He said. “But before I ask you, let me explain something to you.”

     Meenu nodded her head, excited.

     “The reason why I start off training with meditation is because meditating is not only an excellent way to relax and focus… but it’s also a good way to reflect.” He said. “And you may not have realized it… but your mind has probably already figured out all the answers to most of my questions because it’s been organizing itself.”

     Meenu looked shocked by that.

     “Our mind is a powerful thing. Master Red said. "The best warriors are the ones that know how to wield its powers."

     Meenu nodded her head.

     "That is why Blood is our best warrior." Master Red said. "His father was unlike most fathers. Most fathers want physically strong sons. Bloods father wanted a son with a mind as sharp as the Axe of Lumyryn, the founder of the Lumynos clan."

     "He is very smart."

     A small smile formed on Master Reds face. "I would never admit it to him but I think I've learned as much from him as he has from me."

     This was the first time that she had heard Master Red lower himself to the level of his students. And for some reason, it made Meenu like him more.

     "So answer this. Think hard and answer this again. What are your strengths?"

     Meenu was only a little surprised that he was asking this again. But this time, she wanted to answer him well.

     The mind is a powerful thing. She reminded herself.

     So she closed herself and thought hard.

     What was she good at?

     Physically and mentally?

     And after a moment of thinking, she found an answer that pleased her new Master. "Well, I already mentioned my archery skills. But something I didn't mention was that I believe I can be very dedicated."

     Master Red nodded, urging her to continue.

     "I've gotten fairly good at ignoring harsh words but taking good criticism seriously." She continued. "And I think I'm good at loving people."

     That made the Master let out a small laugh.  "I like this answer much better then your first."         

     Meenu smiled proudly.

     "Now, for the harder question. Your weaknesses?"

     She hesitated, but did as she did before and closed her eyes. She thought for a moment before she spoke.

     "I think I make silly decisions some times." She thought of how she first met Blood. "And even though I'm learning to ignore all the harsh comments... They still hurt here and there."

     Her master watched her carefully.

     "And Blood always tells me that I lack self confidence... And that I give up a little too easily." She said. "Of course... Then there's the obvious one... I'm not physically strong."

     Master Red waited for another moment before he spoke. "Good." He then got up, Meenu did too. "I like the training to start off by turning your weaknesses into strengths. But don't get me wrong. Weaknesses aren't something that can disappear. Throughout your life, you will be creating new strengths and new weaknesses. That's how life works. Even in the next couple days, you will discover new strengths and weaknesses. Your duty as a human is to utilize your strengths for good and overcome your weaknesses. Do you understand, Meenu Kyrus?"

     Meenu nodded her head quickly.

     "Don't look so excited." Master Red said as he returned his mask onto his face. He then pulled his sword out of his sheathe, and like always, he held it in front of him like a cane, tip digging into the wooden floor. "As of this moment, your training begins. And as of this moment, until I am satisfied with the outcome, I am your worst enemy."

     Mayor Gryre paced around his office, deep in thought.

     It had been a week since Meenu had left and he didn't like how the village reacted. Rumors around the village about her had skyrocketed. And now that she was gone, people thought it was alright to talk so freely of her past relationship with Avaryn.

     It was truly disgusting to him.

     How immature those men and women were.

     It made Mayor Gryre shake his head in disappointment.

     Lord and Lady Kyrus had learned to ignore the comments. But of course, most comments would never reach their ears. After all, most, if not all the villagers of Amberdyse had respect for the two.

     But either way, they were busy with the preparations of a potential invasion.

     Mayor Gryre, however, had enough time to think.

     But that day, he was interrupted by a visitor.

     Mayor Gryre was, as always, startled when Blood appeared.

     Of course, Blood did his usual bow of respect and went straight to business. "Mayor Gryre, its good to see you."

     "You too, son."

     "King Karuna has promised to offer up assistance if things ever get too difficult here." Blood said. "Of course, if he does that... That would be a direct declaration of war against Raffyre by the Destynians."

     "I pray that it does not come to that." The mayor said. After a moment of silence, he looked up. "Is that all?"

     "Yes, Mayor."

     The mayor nodded.

     "And what of Meenu?" The mayor asked.

     Blood hesitated. "Meenu?"

     "Yes. Is she well?"

     He hesitated again. "Well, I hope she is. Why do you ask me?"

     Mayor Gryre gave Blood a confused look. "Well, I assumed you dropped by Master Red's hideout before you came here. Did you not see her?"

     Blood stood uncomfortably still for a moment. "Why would she be there?" He asked.

     Mayor Gryre thought it was a rather stupid question. Probably one of the stupidest questions he's ever asked. But then again, Blood rarely asked questions.

     And now Mayor Gryre just assumed that Blood didn't know. He didn’t believe there was a problem with him knowing though. After all, apparently the two were young lovers.

     So the Mayor told him. "Master Red offered to train Meenu. Her parents agreed to the decision and–"

     Blood disappeared before the Mayor could finish.

     Blood was at Master Red’s hideout only minutes after finding put that Meenu was there. And if it were anyone else in this world, he would have barged into the house and started a big commotion.

     But this was Master Red.

     Master Red would never forgive such an attitude.

     So he walked in with a frown on his face. And he knew that even though he wore a mask, the master could see it.

     Master Red waited for him in his usual spot.

     Blood didn’t waste a second. "Master Red, why did you bring Meenu here?"

     He knew she was here. He could sense her. He could hear her breathing. He could even hear Knight running around in the field behind the building.

     Master Red looked at Blood without any hesitation. "She wanted this."

     "She can't be here."

     "And who are you to decide her fate?"

     The question angered Blood, but he didn't respond.

     "She can do as she pleases. Just because you love her doesn't mean you can make decisions for her."

     "It's too dangerous!"

     "And is she safer out there? As the fiancée of that foolish king?"

     That made Blood pause.

     "Blood... Your foolishness as resulted in her seeing your face. But she didn't just see your face. The enemy saw her see your face." He said. "As soon as that supposedly noble knight works up the nerve and do what he believes is noble... Which is to report to the king what he saw... Meenu will be in more danger than she has ever been in her entire life."

     Blood swallowed back his anger.

     "You do understand that, don't you?"

     "So your solution to that is to throw her into the middle of all of it?" Blood asked. "That's going to help her?"

     “My solution is to teach her how to fend for herself.”

     Blood took a breath and reflected on how annoyed he was with the fact that Master Red was right.

     He warned him about what would happen if she saw his face.

     But Blood was still careless.

     “Can I see her?”

     “Of course you can.” Master Red looked away. “I’m not trying to separate the two of you, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

     He wasn’t. But he didn’t respond to that.

     “She’s in the room that you stayed in when you first got here.”

     Blood didn’t say anything to that either. He just disappeared and reappeared in Meenu’s new room.

     She sat up from her bed quickly when she saw him, a huge smile forming on her face.

     And before she could realize what she was doing, she jumped off the bed and ran into his arms. Of course, when she did realize what she was doing, she didn’t stop herself.

     She did pull away, however, when she remembered that he was hurt. “Are you okay? How is your wound?”

     “It’s healed.” Blood said. “What are you thinking? Coming here with Master Red?”

     Meenu forgot to remember that Blood wouldn’t be happy with this. She pulled away and put her arms behind her back. “How could I say no to a chance like this?”

     For the first time in a long time, Blood didn’t know what to do. He felt, in a way, helpless.

     He was ready to beg her to leave this, but was interrupted by his Master. “Blood.”

     Blood turned around and looked at the man.

     “You will be leaving Raffyre for five months.”

     “Five months–”

     “That’s how much time I think it will take for the King and his men to figure out what they want to do with Amberdyse. But until then, I want you to stay in Destyn.”

     “Why?”

     “You’ve never questioned me before. Why now?”

     Blood swallowed back is frustration. But then he nodded his head. “As you wish.”

     “That means no returning here. You will only be able to see Meenu Kyrus after five months. Do you understand?”    

     He hesitated for only a second. “I thought you said you weren’t trying to separate us.”

     “I’m not. I would have made you do this whether Meenu Kyrus was here or not.”

     “But why?” Meenu asked, not liking the thought of Blood going away. “Why does he have to go for so long?”

     “Don’t question me.” Her Master simply said.

     Meenu hesitated, but did as he said.

     Master Red kept his eyes on Blood for a moment. “You have nothing to fear, Blood. I will protect her. You know that.”

     “But why?” Blood asked. “Why are you doing this?”

     Master Red didn’t like all the questions, so he ignored it. “And even if I was incapable of protecting her, at least you and I both know that he will do it for us.”

     Blood was shocked when Master Red said that, and he could feel Meenu’s confusion. But when he played back what he said in his head, Blood let out a laugh at the word he.

     He wondered if Master Red thought that he was being funny.

     Because if that was the case then Blood didn’t like the comment.

     But even Blood knew that was true.

     As much as it bothered him and confused him, he knew it was true.

     “Goodbye Meenu.” He suddenly said, deciding not to think about it any longer than he needed to. “I will see you in five months.”

     Meenu opened her mouth to argue, but just as she did, he disappeared. Her heart sank but she tried to tell herself that Blood being gone meant she could focus more on her training.

     She turned to Master Red and noticed his squared shoulders. It startled her.

     Master Red was always relaxed, but right now, something was bothering him.

     But an instant after she noticed, he relaxed and turned to her. “I must say, the recent series of events have not put me in a good mood. Part of me wants to postpone the training. But the other part thinks that my mood will make your first day even more interesting.”

     Meenu heard a strange excitement in his voice.

     It worried her.

     “Are you ready to for your first day?”

     She took a breath, clearing her mind of all her other worries. That was something she had recently gotten good at. Then, she nodded her head with enthusiasm.

     “Are you sure?” Master Red asked. “Remember, I told you that your first day will make you wish you didn’t come here.”

     “I’m sure.” Meenu said, confidently.

     Master Red smiled. “Alright.”

     A smile fell on Master Red’s face, and a moment later, the whites of his eyes turned black.

     Meenu gasped, feeling the darkness fill the room. He’s releasing his evil? She asked herself as she stared at him. Does he really think I’m strong enough to take him on in this state?

     He closed his eyes for a long moment and Meenu just watched.

     She waited for the tears of blood.

     But they never came.

     And suddenly, he opened his eyes again, wide.

     Meenu felt a shock run through her body and she screamed.

     She screamed so loud that it hurt her throat and her ears.

     And the last thing she could remember were the howls of Knight as he tried to reach his screaming mistress.

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Hello everyone!!

Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! I really hope it doesn't feel like it's dragging on! But if it does feel that way, I promise that things will get a little more crazy in TWO MORE CHAPTERS! YAYYYY!!! Hehe!

Anyhoo, Please don't forget to vote and comment! I love reading what you all have to say! HEHE!

Take Care everyone!! And I will see you in the next upload! =D

-Luckycharms <3