CELESTIAL CONTINENT 2: Theo Giovanni Winster

THEO SAW HIMSELF IN AN UNFAMILIAR PLACE. The place looks desolate and creepy. The sky was red, and it was dark. The place evoked a sense of unease and fear. The breeze was also blowing, and it gave a chill to someone who wasn't used to this kind of place. He doesn’t have an idea how he got into this place. But even so, he looked at the place with no fear. He had been in many battles and had already seen a lot of scary things. This place was no exception for him. As Theo walked forward, he noticed the bodies from afar. His eyesight is sharp, and he could see even if it was a mile away. He used his unhuman speed and arrived at that place in a second. Seeing the dead bodies on the ground, Theo realized that the place where he was now was a battlefield. “No wonder this place looked scary,” he said, sighing. Countless bodies were lying on the ground. And he observed that the blood spilled on the ground was still fresh. And this place was fresh from battle. And the bodies lying on the ground were vampires. Later, they will turn into ashes when the sun rises. Theo covered his nose because of the scents that entered his nostrils. It was not pleasing to his sense of smell. As he stepped forward, he noticed that the dead bodies of phoenixes were also lying on the ground. Their wings were spread with no life. Theo remembered that in the ancient book of the Vampire Race, a war had happened between the vampires and the phoenixes. The two races have been fighting against each other since ancient times. They were fighting for the position to rule the entire Northern Region. Later, the Vampire King and the Phoenix Queen found out that they were mates, and the war stopped. The two races reconciled, and they live in harmony. An enemy created chaos, and the Northern Region turned into chaos. The region once again experienced an endless war. In the last war of the Northern Region, to stop the war, the Queen of the Northern Region sacrificed herself. But even so, the King also died at the hands of the enemy. And looking at what is happening right now was like what happened before, according to the ancient book. Theo was confused about how he entered this place. And as he looked around, he noticed a man standing at the center of the battlefield. The man was not moving at all. He approached the man and saw the sword strike his chest. Theo tried to hold the grip of the sword and pulled it, but the man suddenly opened his eyes, startling him. THEO SUDDENLY WOKE UP BECAUSE OF HIS DREAM. He stared directly at the wall of his study room, breathing heavily. He took a deep breath to calm himself. Later, when he calmed himself, he looked down and saw a book in his hand. “What a weird dream,” he said as he put down the book. He stood from his chair and walked towards the large open window of his study room. He looked outside. He looked down when he heard the noise and laughter of some kids. A smile formed on his lips as he watched the kids playing together. When he was a kid like them, he experienced little about his childhood because his father forced him to learn how to become a ruler. His father was not a cruel man, but rather, he was a strict ruler and a father; even so, his father was a good father to him and Thomas. Sighing, Theo called his right-hand man. “Your Majesty,” Elias, the vampire king's right-hand man, bowed his head. “Report.” “Your Majesty, Prince Thomas left our border,” Elias informed the King. Theo could only sigh and massage his forehead. He had already told Thomas not to leave the border for the meantime to do his responsibilities as a prince, and yet his brother didn’t listen. “Your Majesty, do we need to send someone to spy on him?” Elias asked. “No need.” If there is one person who always makes his head ache, it is his brother. It was actually his half-brother. They have the same father, but have different mothers. And they both didn’t see their mothers. Theo only knew that his mother had died after giving birth to him, and that was according to his father. Thomas’ mother also died because of the rebel vampires. “I knew what he was going to do. Just let him,” said Theo. Elias nodded his head. He doesn’t understand why His Majesty always tolerates Prince Thomas, even if he is already becoming rebellious. He couldn’t understand why, maybe because King Theo and Prince Thomas are siblings. Theo looked out again. “They’re happy. Lucky them, and it was unfortunate for me,” said Theo as he looked at the kids playing at the side of the palace. Elias also looked down. He didn’t know what kind of childhood the Vampire King had because when he came into the palace, King Theo was already preparing to become a King of Vampires and ruler of the Northern Region at that time, and he, as the King’s right-hand man, and to become a guardian of the Winster Palace, just like his late father. As Elias stared at the Vampire King, he noticed the emotion in his eyes. The emotion he seldom saw, longing and hoping. Theo crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the kids on the ground, playing. How good was it to have a child of my own? Theo was stunned by his own thought. He had never thought about this before. Not before did he see Ezequiel have a family of his own. Seeing Ezequiel being happy with his family, he felt a sort of envy. He remembered Cassiel. It was Cassiel who told him where he could find his mate. He’s not making fun of me, right? But nothing will be lost if he listens to Cassiel, right? Though he never knew Cassiel, his background, or anything, all he knew was that Cassiel was Ezequiel’s friend, so he found him reliable and trustworthy. “Elias, take care of the palace. I’m going to the Phoenix Clan.” Elias bowed his head. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Theo took something from his table and suddenly disappeared. Using his unhuman speed, he reached the Phoenix Race in no time, which was hundreds of miles away from Winster Palace. The Northern Region was divided into two territories, the vampire race and the phoenix race. As Theo arrived at the palace of the Phoenix Race, the Royal Guards suddenly pointed their weapons at him, but he remained calm. He knew that not all in the Northern Region knew him, including the Phoenix Clan, who were living in a secluded valley. “Halt.” A powerful voice spoke. The Royal Guards put down their weapons. “You may come in, Your Majesty.” The corner of Theo’s lips curled up, and he entered the palace. He went to the pavilion, located near the garden of the Phoenix Palace. He saw the Queen of Phoenixes sitting comfortably in the pavilion and drinking her tea. “Your Majesty,” the Queen of Phoenixes stood and bowed her head. Theo nodded politely. In terms of rank, he was higher than the Queen of Phoenixes, even if she was the Phoenix Queen. “Your Majesty, it was rare for you to come here,” Queen Ember gestured with her hand to the seat opposite her. Theo sat down and poured himself a cup of tea. “I came here for an important reason.” Queen Ember nodded her head. “I’m all ears, Your Majesty.” Theo took a sip of tea, but grimaced. “Blood is sweeter than tea,” he said. Ember chuckled. “You can try my blood, Your Majesty,” she said, smiling. “Stop it. I’m not here to flirt with you.” Ember smiled. Theo hovered his hand on the table, and a scroll appeared. Ember stared at the scroll. It was a type of scroll that was used in an engagement or wedding invitation. It was a mix of white and golden colors and lining. “The Elders have decided for this engagement, but as we both know, we are not mates. I don’t want to create chaos between our races, but I don’t want to enter a loveless marriage either,” Theo spoke with a serious voice, laced with coldness. Ember looked at the Vampire King. She saw the serious expression on his face. It was an expression that didn’t need to be negotiated. This is what she was waiting for. Finally. She controlled her expressions so as not to make herself funny in front of the Vampire King. Theo looked at Ember. “I know you have already found your mate, but you were afraid to tell me, right?” Ember looked down. “I apologize, Your Majesty. It’s not my intention to lie or keep it a secret. If I cancel the engagement on my own, you will be put in a tough position and humiliated.” Theo chuckled. “I don’t care about that. But thank you,” he said. “And since we are both in the same decision, then we should destroy this engagement now.” Ember quickly stopped the Vampire King. “Your Majesty, I think this was not a good idea.” “What do you mean?” Theo asked, frowning. “Find your mate first, Your Majesty,” Ember suggested. “The Elders of our race won’t agree.” Theo shakes his head. He agreed to Ember. The engagement between him and Ember was done by the Elders of their clan. And it was impossible to cancel without their consent. “You just wanted to protect your mate,” he said, and kept the scroll. Then he looked at the side of the pavilion. A man in his armor and holding a sword was standing there, with his back facing him. Ember smiled. “Am I too obvious, Your Majesty?” “Yeah, you are too obvious,” he said and looked at Ember. “Wait for my return, and I assure you that I will bring my mate. By then, we will cancel our engagement.” Ember bowed her head. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” “I should leave now. Otherwise, someone will cut off my head,” Theo said, and leave. Theo returned to the Winster Palace and prepared himself to go to the Human Race.