The Forgotten Queen

The Tales of The Black Mist

Before the appearance of the Black Mist, those lands belonged to the four elemental kingdoms that fell apart due to the war. The human kingdoms feared the powerful nations with magic, and they found a way to weaken the magical beings.

The war had broken peaceful kingdoms, but it united the kingdoms to face their enemy. However, their weaknesses still stood in their way, known as Shadow Dust.

The elemental clans and the holy church merged their powers to create a magical being representing their resentence. They chose a skilled wizard that led serval battles to victories and had a significant following. Trivia the Great Wizard, and he was the first Guardian of the magical kingdoms.

He proved his greatness and the right fit to be a Guardian. Trivia's first mission was to get rid of Shadow dust and save the people.

His entire force and position as Guardian encouraged the four nations. Under the guidance of the Holy Church, they became one kingdom. The First Guardian created Aurora to protect the weak and protect the magic of the nations.

Trivia won the war against the human kingdom and ensured that Shadow Dust was no more. He gave his life for the kingdom.

However, a dark cloud clouded the people's hearts and the old lands after his death. At first, the people thought magic could solve it as always, but unknown beats emerged from nowhere.

They tried fighting against these creatures, but they kept coming and coming. The situation worsened as the lands became infertile and the Black Mist grew. People left their houses and moved to the grounds created by Trivia.

By the time the second Guardian was discovered, Arthur. He had to adventure into the Black Mist because he needed to connect to the Spirit World. Everyone hoped Arthur would restore the balance and clear the Black Mist.

But they were wrong.

Arthur spent his years researching and traveling within the mist. The Duke of the fire clan assisted the second Guardian, resulting in discovering a mine of rare magic stones. There was luck with the Black Mist and Shadow Beasts by the time the second Guardian passed away.

There was one advantage, people could travel to and from the mines found in the Black Mist. The council and Holy Church thought there was no worry for the third Guardian to travel into the mist.

However, the third Guardian got lost and never reappeared. They declared him dead and waited for the next Guardian.

The three next Guardians came and went, failing to remove the Black Mist. They did prove their worth and protect the kingdom.

Until the seventh Guardian appeared. This changed the kingdom setting regarding magic, especially for the four clans, as they invested in the Guardian could endanger their magic. After the k********g and death of the seventh Guardian, the nation had to wait a hundred years for the next Guardian.

Isla Trivia, the eighth Guardian, was her time to rise to her position. Now she needed to enter the Black Mist to take the final step and connect with the spirit world.

A squeal and grunt escaped Isla's lips as she jumped away from Kai's attack. However, his attack was quick, and he was ready to attack. Kai jumped forward with his sword in his side and Isla pacing backward.

Isla's eyes widened, staring at Kai's sword, and she stumbled. Her butt landed on the ground, and she glared up at a chuckling Kai.

"You need to focus. Shadow Beasts are quick and hard to pinpoint. They are familiar with the darkness, and we are entering their world. So, you need to learn to be quick on your feet," Kai said, extending his hand out to Isla.

Isla sighed, grabbing hold of Kai's hand. He helped her up onto her feet, and she dusted herself. "What happens if we use light?" Isla asked.

Kai chuckled, placing his wood sword on his shoulder. "You think that never been done?"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"They hate the light and can be scared off by it. However, the light also attracts the beasts to the traveling party. We use little light and train to fight in the dark."

"Do you think a day is enough time to train?" Isla asked, pouting her lips. She rubbed her wrist as it hurt from fighting with Kai.

"Ha! This is just seeing how far you would go. You are a fighter."

Isla looked up into Kai, seeing he spoke only the truth. She smiled warmly and sighed. "Thank you..."

"Let's continue!" Kai exclaimed excitingly.

Isla nervously grins up at Kai. She did not want to continue the training as Kai went all out.

A true Blaise blood.

Isla and Kai went back to training, and Aiden watched on the side with Sara. Aiden and Sara had their training and were adequate for the travel. Sara yawned, opening her mouth wide as she was bored watching Isla train. Aiden watched Kai and Isla like a hawk, and every attack Kai made against Isla caused Aiden to sit on the edge.

Sara glanced at Aiden from the corner of her eyes, then rolled her eyes. "What is your problem?" she asked.

"What?" Aiden asked, frowning his brows and glancing at Sara.

Sara remained silent, rolling her eyes and looking at him. They stared at each other, and Sara lifted an eyebrow.

Aiden rolled his eyes and turned back to watch Isla. "Where is Edward in this?" he asked.

"Since when do you care about Edward?" she asked, shrugging her shoulders. "You should be happy that he is giving us some peace and quiet..."

"Peace and quiet? Edward should be havering over Isla as we speak. We will be entering the most dangerous place."

Sara scoffed and stared over at the training. She sighed and smiled tightly.

"Don't you think that I also worry about this?"

He glanced at Sara.

"I remember meeting a scared Isla. I knew she was our Guardian, but she needed support... A friend during a changing time. She had to leave her family and live in a strange place. Isla is my friend, but she is also the kingdom's Guardian."

"But this is the Black Mist... Filled with Shadow Beasts roaming in there!"

"That's a fact," she said, glancing at him.

Aiden became silent, seeing Sara's teary eyes. This was the first of he had seen her like this. Even after the k********g, he had never seen her like this. Sara looked afraid and worried.

"We just have to trust Isla could get through this. She is strong and confident. Also, she is giving everything to this nation, and we need to support her..."

Aiden's lips parted to say or, more like, argue. However, he stopped himself and took a deep breath. He bit his tongue and looked away.

"True, this is what Isla has been fighting for, but... Edward has been off since we arrived," Aiden said after a sigh.

Sara furrowed her brows and chuckled. "Edward has always been 'off.' He is uptight!"

Aiden rolled his eyes and nodded his head.

"Yes... But this time, I sense his energy is more off. I never liked him when I met him, but we are overlooking something..."

"Do you ever trust anyone? Edward is the High Priest of the kingdom and watcher of the Guardian," she said, chuckling.

"Can never trust anyone, especially those close to you..." Aiden muttered.

Sara furrowed her brows in confusion, narrowing her gaze on Aiden as he watched the training. She knew Aiden and Edward never get along. She never gets along with Edward too.

But she senses there was more to the story.

Should she care?

They both had Isla's interest. They do not see eye to eye, but they protect Isla, and Sara only cares about that.

Sara sighed and shook her head before closing her eyes. "Wake me up when Kai's done breaking Isla," she said.

Kai was going all out, and Isla struggling to catch up. Duke Jared never trained Isla in this extreme. Isla could not blame Duke Jared as the Blaise family are extreme, training by the time they could walk. Also, they had Shadow Beasts to fight.

So, it was understandable.

However, Isla did not want to give up because it was tough. Isla pushed through the training and shook every stumble. She kept getting up.

Isla groaned in annoyance and exhaustion, dropping to the ground. She panted loudly with her eyes closed and laid on her back.

She hears footsteps closing in on her. A shadow forecast over her, but she kept her eyes closed and smiled lazily at the person. "You will catch a cold, laying on the floor covered in sweat," Edward said.

Isla rolled her eyes in her head.

"Can't I just lay here in peace?" she asked.

Edward hummed, smiling down at Isla and her eyes flickered open. She smiled back at Edward, then pouted her lips slightly. "I cannot move," she said.

He chuckled and waved his hand, creating a magic circle under his palm. The magic circle flowed down to Isla, and a blue-white light covered Isla's body.

Once the light faded, Edward reached out his hand, and Isla stretched out her hand. Isla's smile widened, amazed by Edward's magic skills.

"I cannot wait to practice magic like you, Edward," Isla said as she stood up.

"Your skills will be greater than mine, Your Highness," he said, chuckling.

"What are you talking about? I may be a Guardian, but you have more experience and talent. I cannot wait to learn magic under your guidance..."

Edward chuckled and rubbed his hand on Isla's hair. Isla chuckled, stepping back and trying to brush her messy hair down.

"It is an honor..." he muttered.

Isla smiled, then glanced over at the Black Mist wall. Tomorrow she would be entering those dark clouds with beasts roaming in there. Her heart began to race, and her stomach turned. She took a deep breath and looked back at Edward.

"What would happen if I don't..."

"Your Highness..." he whispered, placing his hand on her shoulder. "You got this far. The gods are with you, giving you this chance."

A nervous gulped down her throat. The gods gave her a second chance, and she needs to claim her title as Guardian of Aurora. She was never turning back.

Isla lifted her head and stared into Edward's eyes. "I am going to do this," she said.

"I know you can..."

As Isla and Edward spoke amongst themselves, Aiden remained on the sidelines and watched. Aiden could not shake his doubts about this mission.

"I need you to protect Her Grace," Duke Jared said, leaning back against his chair.

"And why should I?" a young Aiden asked.

He lifted an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. He came to Temple Palace to teach Edward a lesson and show him that he had the skills. Edward questioned his abilities in his own streets. Aiden had to put him in his place.

"There is a big pay for you," Duke Jared said.

"Doesn't Her Grace have a 'watcher'?"

Duke Jared smirked, tilting his head to the side, and opened one of his desk drawers. "True. Edward may be the Holy Priest and the Guardian's watcher. But after what happened, the council and I believe we need to raise her security. With you by her side, there is a greater chance."

Aiden stared at Duke Jared, and he scoffed.

"You expect me to believe your statement?" he asked.

Duke shook his head, and they both chuckled. "I do not trust Edward, and I need someone loyal to watch him and ensure Her Grace's safety."

"At least we are on the same page on something..."

"Good. Can I trust you with an important task?"

Aiden hummed, thinking to himself. He can get good pay and join the highest ranks of the kingdom. He sighed and smirked at Duke Jared. "Let's start talking..."