My heart, My love, My dragon

Chapter 37

Perhaps, Anya could have done something to stop her stubborn attitude from permitting her to succumb to what was to come. In the end, she didn't expect herself to be eerily calm in front of the two stones that held Ryoko and Rochelle's names. Daughters of House Hydra. She refused to cry at two stones and no bodies buried. Anya preferred to mourn in her head and keep herself secluded from the prying eyes as Hydriech declared her High House Hydra's elite warrior.

Lucia and Hydreich were visibly pleased but Anya's face remained as still as a stone. Her short hair brushed her shoulders repeatedly as the wind blew strongly today. As suspected, Anya glanced over to he right. High House Slasher had arrived. All the High Houses were here to donate their elite warrior into the Royal Guard. 

All the High Houses started arriving slowly and they all made their little show. The earth trembled a bit and everyone could feel the vibrations through the soles of their feet. High House Terrain had arrived. The Vulcan family was already present but scowling at everyone's dramatic entrance. The magnetrons were also present since the beginning and trying to simmer down House Vulcan's anger.

A loud c***k erupted from a tree being split open. High House Forest. There were a few squeals as serpents slithered beneath everyone's feet. High House Viper. Flowers bloomed everywhere at the arrival of High House Flora but High House Medela made no dramatic entrance. They were known to be solemn people.

Through it all, High House Hydra's members did not flinch, squeal, nor blink at their little shows. After all, they were known for being naturally cold and distant. No one could look in the eyes of a member of House Hydra. So House Hydra simply rolled their eyes but everyone could feel a cold wave coming from them.

The unusual thing was that the once sunny sky clouded over as lightning and thunder flashed and boomed throughout the sky. This was concerning but Lucia yawned and stared at her nail- clearly, disinterested.

Then, a group of people- enough to make up a High house- came into view and stood next to House Hydra. Everyone stared at their fearlessness toward House Hydra. Anya blew a short breath out as King Vulcan began to speak.

"I'd like to announce the institution and arrival of a new High House," he declared. Anya knew the rest of the High Houses wouldn't be content. The families that made up each House ran way back in time and for a newbie family to appear? It was just disrespectful. "High House Astro of Storms. Their abilities are to rival that of High House Hydra."

Mocking chuckles erupted through House Hydra and Anya joined in as well. The King's notion was absolutely ridiculous. A few snickers ran throughout the rest of the House but House Astro merely smirked at everyone. 

King Vulcan cleared his throat roughly to gather everyone's attention, "What id High House Astro's heir demonstrates their abilities to the heir of House Hydra?"

Anya knew this was to come. She had seen the mischievous glint in the King's eyes. A girl, near Anya's age, suddenly emerged from the Astro clan. Her eyes demonstrated that she was up to the challenge. Now that Anya took a closer look at the Astro family she saw the same viciousness in their eyes that Hous Hydra had. The two Houses would certainly have bad blood between them.

"Levinia and Anastasia," King Vulcan vaguely acknowledged them. 

Any had already stepped out right in front of Levinia. They locked eyes with each other almost instantly. A couple of gasps erupted because she would be the first to stare at the heiress of House Hydra in the eye. Of course, no one but Anya could see Levinia squirming at her undermining stare. 

"Levinia, you may go first," King Vulcan said.

"But what am I supposed to do with the little thing," Anya said with a condescending sneer. House Hydra wasted no time in chuckling lightly. Her back was turned to Levinia and Anya had already determined what kind of fighters House Astro has just by looking into her eyes. They were ambushers. So Anya knew she was going to attack once her back was turned.

All in a second, Anya heard a loud crackling above her and faced Levinia but took a small step to the right. She didn't blink or flinch at the lightning bolt slammed into the ground where she once stood. 

"Was that it?" Anya purred curiously. She was surprised at herself for being so vicious to everyone but she promised herself to never get hurt again. Levinia stared at Anya in awe and surprise. She was panting for that lightning bolt took all her strength to summon. "I'll get straight to the point quickly."

"lacunae stiriaque impexis" Anya yelled powerfully as en enormous icicle formed in her palms. She made sure they had no pointy ends but flat ends. She had no intention of killing Levinia. In a blink of an eye, Anya was in front of Levinia and made movements that looked like she was going to strike a blow. Levinia took the bait and dodged the blow by crouching but Anya swung behind her and slammed the butt of the icicle on her back, immediately knocking Levinia on the ground.

The icicle then disappeared and Anya dusted herself easily, "I hope that bring awareness to your words the next time you try to mock High House Hydra's name and reputation, King Vulcan."

Anya grabbed Levinia by her arm to pull her up but faltered when she caught a glimpse of Oliver hiding in plain sight behind a tree. He knew he was caught and smiled sadly. Anya scowled and pulled Levinia up. She groaned and placed a hand on her back. From experience, Anya knew what her parents, the leaders of House Astro would do as punishment for failure. "You fought well, Levinia," Anya said indifferently and fell beside her House.

"Moving along, many the future Royal Guard participants move forward," King Vulcan ordered. Five girls, including Anya, moved forward in front of King Vulcan. Five guys followed suit. "Anyone who doesn't wish to be the leader of the Royal Guard may take a step back."

Chris of House Vulcan, Cairn of House Magnetron, Iris of House Forest, Reed of House Viper, Alder of House Flora, Sierra of House Terrain, and Aeson of House Medela took a step back. Anya, Aria of House Slasher, and Levinia of House Astro were the only ones that hadn't taken a step backward.

"The three of you are promising leaders but unfortunately there must only be one leader," King Vulcan acted as though he truly cared for their safety and pride. "It's simple, you will all fight each other until one remains. Not to the death but until they're knocked unconsciousness. I suggest two of you strategize here."

No dome was built around them because everyone here was expected to defend themselves. Anya folded her arms across her chest and glanced at the tree Oliver was hiding at. He was still there but appeared to be worried. Why worry now, Anya thought angrily. Her resentment toward him was bigger than her self-will. 

Anya acted first in approaching Levinia. At first, she flinched and prepared to attack but Anya held her hands up in truce. "I call for a truce until Aria is taken down."

Levinia nodded promptly and a large stormcloud thundered above them. Aria quickly placed her palms in front of her and shot out two tornadoes. One quickly picked up Anya, while Levinia was dodging the tornado following her. The High Houses had already taken several steps away from them.

The tornado quickly swallowed Anya as she swirled in its eye. She quickly extended her arms and summoned ice to come before her. The tornado was instantly frozen and c***k into pieces. The thick pieces of ice fell beside Anya as she landed gracefully onto the ground and covered the grass in ice. Aria was quick to slip off her feet while Levinia was struggling to balance herself. 

Maybe, Aria saw the savage look in her eyes because she was quick to gasp, "Your eyes..."

"What about them?" Anya said boringly and crouched down beside her. She had been pissed at Aria since the incident back at the Queen trials. "I think, there is a matter that needs to be settled between us."

"The one about your mother?"

Anya closed her eyes as a cat-like smile crept on her lips, "Ouch, so blunt now are you."

"I was only telling the truth," she rolled her eyes. Anya tilted her head as her eyes became deadly. Aria seemed to have forgotten she was the one sprawled on the ice.

"Shut up," Anya sighed and slammed her forehead on Arias. "One down."

"That deadly smile definitely belongs to House Hydra," King Vulcan commented. Anya swiveled her head to face him.

"I seem to have inherited it," Anya replied but discreetly locked eyes with Oliver. "Haven't I?"

Anya was quick to cover Levinia's feet with ice blocks that weighed her down and prohibited her from moving. She decided she would go easy on her. Anya struck her head harshly and Levinia collapsed.

"Quite a simple task, really," Anya commented and tapped her chin.

"I see you've been practicing," King Vulcan said, approaching Anya and tilted her head up by the chin. "And have quite distinct features."

"Of course I do, Arin," Anya whispered. This was enough to send him a few steps back. "Thank you for the space offered."

King Vulcan shook his head, "I announce that Anastasia of High House Hydra will be the leader of the Royal Guard......That'll be all for today."

House Hydra applauded as Anya fell beside Lucia. "See, it's also very simple to send the King running for the hills."