Heraiah

  This was the first time I have been mentioned on the TV and not as the perfect daughter I was. But this time, I was informed as a missing person. Heraiah Hyveins, a 19-year-old, female, human, and from the Hyveins clan has been reported missing. According to mother Datella, the human girl disappeared in the night and has been missing for 48 hours. If you see this girl, please report to the police station near you. Human. At least that’s what they say about me. I laughed at every false information they provided in the latest report of Adreene. I slammed my back on the red velvet couch and looked back at the TV. I narrowed my eyes and fixed my focus on the woman on the glass screen. It was my mother. Beside her was my family. My father was rubbing the shoulders of mom and my siblings were just there staring at the camera. I scoffed at the fake sobbing my mother made to the camera. I laughed, hysterically. How unfortunate. I turned my head to the shadows upon hearing the faintest footsteps of the finest shoes found in Adreene. There stood a 6-foot-tall man with his right hand in his pocket. Wearing a black suit, it had a silver pendant on the side indicating he was an upper middle class. The man cleared his throat. “You can’t stay here, Hera,” He said.  I frowned, “And why is that?” The man sighed in annoyance, he took out his hand from his pocket and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Guards has been taking shifts around my building, they’re looking for you as if you’re a fugitive,” I snorted, “Am I not?” “Of course not,” I stood up and laughed, “Oh come on, we both know I am," I walked closer to him. The dark covered mostly the upper of him in which I cannot see his full face. “Look, Hera, you need to go,” He said in the most serious tone he has ever used on me. I felt kind of offended and backed away. “Believe me, I want you to stay,” that made me relieved. “But you can’t,” And that made my heart sank. “Khairon…” I plead in a whisper. He is Khairon, my best friend from one of the most prestigious families in Adreene. He looked down and stared at the floor, “They know you’re here, you have to go, Hera," He was eager to convince me to leave, hearing the tone of his voice, it was obvious. I don’t know where I’ll go after this but I will surely find a way. I stepped away and rubbed my hands on my sides to warm myself up. I sat back on the couch and looked at him. “Okay...” I agreed. “What are my options?” I asked. “Well, heard of Ravier?” He sat on one of the single sofas and crossed his legs. I frowned in disgust, “The crown prince? Who doesn’t know him?” I rolled my eyes and scoffed. It is weird why Khairon is asking me about the esteemed crown prince when he has nothing to do with me like I am nothing to do with him. I attentively shifted my head to him with a suspicious look on my face, “What about him?” He closed his eyes and sighed, he seemed hesitant to say but still spoke, “He is looking for a wife- “ “No.” I immediately hesitated on his suggestion.  “Khai, no, I know what you’re thinking,” I pointed at him with a glare. “This is for your safety, Hera, once you’re with him no one would dare to hurt you-“ “I don’t care, I am just 19 years old for Pete’s sake!” I yelled, I was relentless of the idea of getting married with the crown prince. “What’s better than this plan? Huh? You have nowhere to go, Hera!” His face started turning red as he gestured his hands as a stressed person would. “And you’d sale me off to the royalties? Oh my God, Khairon! Even if I get married to that man, if I ever get found out as an Airen,” I pointed at my chest as my eyes felt a burning sensation. “Death penalty awaits me," A tear dropped. Khai’s expression softened and his whole body relaxed as the single tear on my cheek streams down to my neck. I felt another tear drop as I exhaled. “I can’t go there like I can’t go to my family. You know that, Khai, you know that better than anyone else,” I wiped of the tears of my wet cheeks and looked away from him. I couldn’t bear the thought of someone seeing me this weak again even if it was my best friend. I hated showing weakness cause people always find a way to use it against me. I sat down again as I dried my tears. “There’s another way," Khai broke the silence that has been surrounding us in this room. I gazed at him, “What’s that?” My dry voice echoed the room. He didn’t look at me. Not even a mere glance. He just stared at the other direction as he answered. “Join the Legions, become one of them and make me proud," As he said that, I was on the move. He gave me the exact location of the Legions Headquarters and made my way in the dark alleys of Street 09 Rain in Xeki City. I had my bag on my back and my invisibility on. Finding more about me has been an adventure, most recently I found out about my abilities was invisibility. It is rather useful. Walking undetected around the streets. I wore a black cloak and hid my face with a mask. The city was quiet, everyone was in lockdown. Searching for me. How far can someone go just to look for a missing person? More like how far they can go to find a fugitive. I looked around the streets and saw guards with their guns by their side walking in a straight line. A pit of worry stirred in my stomach. I stood there as they passed by. As I guessed, they didn’t notice anything. I sighed in relief and continued walking. The streets were quiet and the only light you could see where the street lights. I’ve never seen Xeki City so quiet as it is one of the most popular tourist sites in Adreene. This points out that they are very serious finding me. For centuries, humans have been hunting down Airens that it has become impossible to survive here. No one is an exception, every Airen dies. This is why I didn’t agree to Khai’s suggestion on marrying the prince. I don’t want to be tied in a loveless marriage. And even if I did come back home which I’ll never do, I’ll be stuck in the same fate. Getting married to a person I don’t know. I walked in a rather fast pace even though no one can see me, I was still vigilant. I clutch my bag close to me and breathed heavily. But then I was pause by a man’s voice. “Ms. Hyveins!” The man called out. My heart fell to the pit of my stomach. I could feel my breathing getting heavier and my heart beating rather faster than usual. But even though my insides were panicking, I continued walking not minding his presence. His voice unfamiliar, he sounded like he was born in a high-ranking family, a prim and polite voice. “Heraiah Hyveins,” he called again. I didn’t stop. I kept walking thinking he might go away if I pretended I didn’t hear him. “I know it’s you, Hyveins," He said again, but this time the tone of his voice dropped lower. I gulped. I don’t what to do, if he sees me then he must be a Wage working for the royal family. I fiddled with the soft fabric of my cloak. “I don’t know who that is but she sounds very lovely,” I do hate my parents for lying to me but I am glad they named me with a pretty name “You don’t have to pretend.” I laughed and turn around to him, “Oh no, I really don’t know who that fine lady is-“ I stopped when I saw his silhouette as he was standing on a post light. I can recognize that dark purple colored cloak with gold lining over it. His attire was in the shades of purple, black and gold. The colors mostly used by the royalties. He was in a suit though, but it was pretty obvious he doesn’t work for the royalties, because he is royalty. “Your Majesty,” I spoke taking off the hood of my cloak. If he saw me in my invisible form does this mean his majesty is a Wage? The full moon lit the whole night and shined over his face. His cheekbones glisten on the dark night with his eyes faded into the darkness. “Ms. Hyveins,” He said back. “What do you want?” I immediately asked him without any formalities. He is looking for me, he already knows I’m an Airen. But isn’t ironic how the royal family despises people who have more capabilities than them but they have a son who obviously holds a powerful ability. He didn’t answer and was taken back from my informality. “You’re not going to tell them I’m here, right?” I gazed at him. He coughed at my words, “No, that’s not what I’m here for," “Then what are your agendas here?” “I want to offer a proposal,” He cleared his throat. I scoffed, “I know what you’re meaning, Your majesty," He seemed awake by that, his face lightened even in the dark alleys. “But my answer is no," I put back my hood and postured myself. “But why?” His unclear face frowned. Judging by his voice, he was offended by my rejection. Well no one really says no to the royal family. I smiled, mischievously. I know he could see my smile seeing the confused look on his face. “Because I don’t need protection from a man, I can do that myself," I looked away from him and continued walking, “Thank you for the offer, though,” I signaled my hand at him and slowly my whole body turned invisible again.