The Creatures Series

Eleventh Mist

Eleventh MistCreatures of the Mist

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##### Eleventh Mist #####

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For suicide, my life is too precious to end.

Insidious hearts.

I hate the masks they are using to simply hide the ugly sides within their cavernous negritude.

Among all the feelings I should have, I can't believe that I'm experiencing this one thing right now—nervousness. Out all the emotions I can hold, I'm feeling anxious of being crowned soon.

The preparation of the crowning ceremony is almost finished. I just have to wait until the maids done with dressing me up, and then I'm good to go. But I don't think I'm going to walk down the black carpet soon enough, because they've been helping me dress up for almost half an hour and they're still working on it. They're about doing the lower part's sewing by hand at the moment.

As I'm waiting, my thoughts drift away to the conversation I had with Grandfather.

"His condition isn't getting better," he's talking about Trace. "He needs to be though intensively how to regain the control over his powers before he goes on rampage again. So that means pretty soon."

"I understand. I won't let anyone be in danger just because they're near him. I'm going to continue training him at our hou—"

"Who says anything about you leaving?"

"But you said that he needs to be taught about how to adjust with his awakening."

"He does, just not by you."

"What are you talking about? He needs my help."

"He needs help, but the help does not limit to have to come specifically for you. I will take care of him."

"But what about here? Don't you have some family matters that are rather more important to do?"

"No, that's your business. You're taking over, remember? And this case can't delay you from being crowned."

"So you'll go with Trace instead?"

"Yes. You don't have to be worry. He's in my good hands."

"I know. And no bad things will happen to him. I just hope he'll do well with you."

"Just worry about your new occupation, Arsene."

"I will."

"Oh, and I also want to tell you some things. Your parents decided to go away again after the ceremony is over. And Link and Artro are coming for the crowning moment."

"That's so typical them. No more worries, they just dissing. But how come Link's here?" How about Sorcier?

"It's been taken care of, don't you worry," he answer the question in my head.

"And Artro?"

"His contract as a teacher is now over. He has nothing else to do, so I advised him to help you here."

"So he agreed, just like that?"

"You'll need help more than you think you will later, Arsene. Being the head of the family isn't something easy to do. Perhaps if you already have a spouse then you can do better."

"We've been in this case—I'm not getting married just because I get a little bit busier, Grandfather."

He chuckles at my persistency. "Okay, if you say so."

I blink again when I hear my name being called faintly.

"—rsene?"

"Yes?" I answer the maid.

"You're ready. We'll be just outside if you need our further assistance," the one that's supposed to be the head maid of the group answers, before the five of them retrieve back from the chamber.

I dig my nails into the long, dark gown and turn to the set of tall mirrors that is placed behind me, meeting a figure by the eyes.

Her dark void's hair is arranged into an elegant twist of a bun, hanging on her head like one set of combined black gems. Meanwhile the real jewels are twinkling crystals, hanging around her ears and bare neck. Her skin is especially a radiating ivory, looking so smooth like silk and light like milk. The gown is clinging to her body in a perfect result perfect of custom made, the material moving slightly like a endless sea of darkness and down to the wavy edges. She looks too beautiful that she should be in a painting, not my reflection.

The woman's staring back at me, with eyes darker than black themselves, does not look like the usual me at all. Grandfather was right when he said that I will need help, because I can barely recognize myself right at the moment.

The crowning ceremony consists three things; willingness, approval, and the crown.

The selected successor has to receive the title willingly by own choice, not by the decision or pressure from other parties. To make sure that the successor does not utter lies, the wizard has to make an oath in front of the Mirror of Truth, one of the so-many Noirmelns' family artifact. It looks just like a normal apparel mirror, but if someone speaks in front of it, the surface will react. If the mirror's surface turns black, that means the wizard is speaking the truth, that she's willing to accept the appointed title. While if the mirror turns white, that means the wizard does not do this on his or her own accord. And the reason why the colors matter is because the Mirror of Truth's maker is a Noirmelns who has resentment towards the Blancort.

The successor then has to gain approval from the previous head of the family in front of the entire family. It's just another similar oath; this time it has to come from the head clan.

Finally, the crowning is when the Noirmelns' Black Crown is given to the new head clan. The crown symbolized by spider’s web, as spider is the crest of the Noirmelns. It's black, crafted by hand and magic. Deathly, because it was made by decomposed remains of a spider demon. Again, the crown as well might be one of the treasures from the castle.

There are many faces greeting me when I stepped into the throne room. They are all standing, eagerly waiting for me to the throne stage. I know each and every one of them very well, yet I’m positive that not everyone in the room knows anything more of me other than my name. As I let my eyes glance pass different kinds of pale masks, I can’t help but to suppress long stares at those that are more familiar to me.

Raion looks very happy about this ceremony, plastering a warm smile on his rather childish expression. The boy sits beside his great grandfather, Salomo Noirmelns. While Raion’s mother, Eleanor, is nowhere in sight.

Salomo is my grandfather’s cousin. They are about to be around the same age, which probably means that he might had been one of the candidates that were supposed to become the head of the family. Perhaps that is why he’s giving me a cold stare right now, because there is no way that he can gain that title, nor his descendants to have it.

Other faces that entice are my own close cousins, Artro and Link. Their presence kind of surprised me a little. If it’s Link, I think it will be normal for a busy wizard like him to take a break for one day and attend the crowning ritual. But for Artro to come as well from a distant place is something else. They give me faint smiles which I have to return by cold stillness since it is a tradition to not show any expression during the ceremony. At least I can still acknowledge them with my eyes.

I travel my eyes and meet different faces. It feels like a blur of world before I lay on them. My parents are beaming with proud smiles on their faces, standing the nearest to the throne. They are obviously satisfied with my choice. My grandfather is standing at the side of the throne, waiting for me to arrive.

Once I step on the stage, everyone take their sits in unison. Two maids soon come and slide the Mirror of Truth in front of me. All eyes are on me when I speak my oath.

“ Do ove rijesi, za, Arsene Noirmelns, da tvrdilm prihnvati naslov in biti oven obitelji ─ ze Noirmelns ─ slider bet pritiska odd billo koje druge stranke. (By these words, I, Arsene Noirmelns, claim myself to accept the title and be this family ’ s ─ the Noirmelns ─ leader without any pressure from any other parties.) ”

Grandfather replies to my oath by muttering, “ Alf ovil rijesima kauo dobrov, za, Rologo Noirmelns, dati svoj naslov za vas i postati novi lider nac Noirmelns obitelji. (And by these words as well, I, Rologo Noirmelns, give my title to you and become the new leader to our Noirmelns family.) ”

By the time we finished out oaths, Mirror of Truth turns to black. This proves that I do not speak any lie. In no time, the treasure disappears along with the maids who brought it. A new maid appears from the side and brings an old wooden case into the center of the stage, placing the case between Grandfather and me. She opens it and reveals the Black Crown hidden inside a velvet compartment. The maid retrieves soon silently, just like the other two previous ones.

When Grandfather takes out the Black Crown and places it on my head, everyone bows and presents their respect to me, their new leader, the Queen of Noirmelns.

It is supposed to be the highest point of my life. That is, until Eleanor suddenly shows up and makes a commotion among the crowds of family members.

She tries to launch an attack at me like a psychotic murderer, calling every dark shadow she can find in the dark room. Everyone is watching and starting to panic; some even dodge away from Eleanor. I know by this point that I have to act fast before she can hurt anybody from her outburst. My palm summons one tentacle; a solidified smoke. With one stroke, the tip tangles itself around her foot and pulls her up high, making Eleanor hanging in the air upside down.

Grandfather helps calming and commotion by saying that the 'rebel' has been taken care of. It's true, though. Attacking a head clan is the same as committing a rebellion. It's a waste, really. If only Eleanor could suppress her emotions, she could have been one of the best fighters in the family.

By his signal, Grandfather orders Link and Artro silently to take the 'rebel' into her prison. I catch a glimpse of two mourning figures from the corner of my eyes—a grieving looking Raion and a cold eyeing Salomo—before focusing on the crowning ceremonial again.

Soon after the ceremony, Grandfather and Trace leave the castle right away. I gave Trace my long jacket, knowing that I will never get the chance to wear it again. Besides, it can protect him from minor injuries in training. The jacket is very fireproof.

My parents also congratulate me before taking their leave. My mother hugs me and my father kisses me on the cheek before going to wherever next they want to spend their vacation after successfully having their dreams came true.

After the ceremony, Grandfather already appointed Artro and Link to be my personal guards—and with my consideration too. I agree when the two came to me and told me that as long as it doesn't bother their activity. For some reason, they talk to me with so much formality that it occurs to me that they're being distant. I can't point that out, though. After they both nod, I excuse myself.

I like the rain, as long as it doesn't get me wet. The fresh air that it brings, I find myself liking the idea of just inhaling it. Sitting in a porch, with a cup of black tea and a very thick book seems like a good-to-go idea. It seems fit to fill my free time when I'm not doing any errands.

It has been two years since I was crowned as the Queen of Noirmelns. I've live my life in this castle of darkness ever since. Perhaps it's a good reason to spend more time with my own family for an exchange—I've spent almost my entire life away from where I came, anyway. There are Link, Artro, and Raion here.

My parents visit once a month, making their stay at least a whole week in here. I assume it's their way of saying that even though I'm already an adult and their Queen now, they still care for me. They don't want to appear controlling, so they decrease their frequent visits. Now, they even haven't visited me in three months. But I'm fine with it because I understand the situation.

Meanwhile, Grandfather sent me messages about Trace's update from our family connection. My apprentice has been doing great—he just needed one seal to let him regain control. Grandfather has been helping him adjusting without having so much power hanging in the air. It's hard, but Trace is making progress each day, said our previous King. He calculates that if this keep going, Trace will be fine in a couple more years. After that, it is either continue helping Trace to develop his powers or to return him to me. The choice is up to me, but I want Trace to make it instead. I told this to Grandfather so that he could ask Trace himself, since I can't communicate with the young wizard with the family connection. Trace said that he would think about it later, and right now he only want to focus on what's in his plate, which was fine with us.