Silence: City of Ivory and Shadow

Chapter 2: The Letter

Zephaniah's POV

In the open field in between two buildings in the Secondary mansion owned by Archduke Chronus, a bonfire was lit together with an enchantment protecting the entire mansion to conceal the people living there or more precisely to keep me safe.

As I watch the maids, helper, and their children through the window dance and laugh without minding the world. I couldn't help but smile. It was a peaceful and joyous day for the citizens living in Kaltain. After all, among the 5 domains of the Empire of Hohenheim, Kaltain is known as the Demon Realm making these like days especial. Although rules and law are impose here, factions still exist and war alike happens from time to time due to differences. Devil, Demons and other dark entity live her thus this was called as the dark town for that very reason.

I heard a soft knock on the door. "My lady the place is now at its peak, would you like to join them now." My personal handmaiden asks me."

"Alright." I replied. She then helped me change my clothing into my outside clothes. I look at the full-size mirror to check my new outfit.

Sofie then left for a moment and went back with a silver box. I opened it, inside was the letter I asked her to send to my uncle. I needed to open it but the seal requires for my uncle's magic dust, but the problem is the moment the magic dust leaves his realm it will become a regular grain of sand, so, I had to trouble him to opened it for me.

We exited the room when I am done changing.

The hallway was quiet and only the sound of my heels could be heard.

As I place the letter inside the pocket of my coat and took the other letter out. "Sofie, kindly deliver this message to the high garden. Make sure you deliver it without fail to my Aunt Ananke." I instructed as I give her the letter.

"Oh, one more thing make sure to deliver it before noon. You know she never likes being disturbed during tea time."

She nodded and vanish into thin air. I made my way into the Pavillon near the open field. I arrange my coat and stared at the full moon. It was very bright and beautiful. It was the night of the winter solstice, and as the moon shines in its full glory my eyes started to water. As the cold breeze of the night touches my skin, I broke down after learning about the secret murderer of my parents.

I open the letter passed to me a while ago. I lean my back on the chair as I continue to read my sister's message. The message on it read: You are the key to the survival of the city of ivory and shadow—the location that is hidden but is known to its protector—and although I might have sacrificed my life guarding you, I don't regret any of them. It is a location where time is managed and secrets are kept. When the first Pandora opened the box, it was formed, and ever since, it has been guarded by a selected guardian passed down from one generation to the next.

I paused for a moment. I don't understand any of this protect what-not and its relation to my parents and sister's demise.

P.S. Knowing your personality, you might try to unveil the truth behind our parent's death... This line get me invested in reading and continued until I was petrified and in cold sweats.

I read it through to the very last line until I was unable to stop crying. As the last part says. On the day of your seventh birthday, you awakened your ability, and people who wanted your power came to hunt us down. Don't worry; it's not solely because of you. In the Empire of Hohenheim, there has been a power struggle going on for some time, and regrettably, we are being dragged into it. In order to protect us, our parents sent us to Amsterdam concealing our true nature.

Later, while doing my own investigation concerning our parents' abrupt disappearances, I discovered that our parents' lives were sacrificed in order to protect us. Just like you, I wonder why our parents have to go that far, turn out you are born to be something special Zeph. You are born to make a difference. You are the next guardian of the Hidden Realm. I may or we may not be by your side now but do note that we are always with you. As the last capable of the blood of the great Xanth. Protect the secret of the City of Ivory and Shadow.

My heart hurts like it's getting shot with a million needles. I yelp. I murmured."Isabela, your right. There are things that are best left unsaid and there are things that are better if people didn't try to learn them." I sobbed in silence.

I cry out in pain, wishing it were only a long and horrifying dream, "Mama, Papa, how am I meant to protect the secret of that realm, how am I going to keep myself intact and continue when I know nothing about this."

I continued to cry in solitude until I felt someone covering me with a shawl and rubbing my back.

He offered me a mug of nice hot chocolate and said, "Zeph, I am here for you. No, not just me, but everyone. We are here for you."

I straighten up, wipe my tears and glance around, and notice that the residents of the mansion are waving their hands at me. I smiled and waved in return.

Luke is right. I am not alone. I'm not alone. Once again, I composed myself and wipe my tears.

I stared at him and murmured a silent thanks as he said, "Zeph, you know you don't need to burden anything on your own, you can rely on us. We will support you."

The children then called for him. While he made his way back into the crowd, I kept looking at his back. Time passed as if it were only yesterday. Without a doubt, his back looks like a solid wall. Luke had grown into a fine dependable man. I'm grateful that the Gods haven't abandoned me entirely.

When I am left on my own again. I need to be strong if I want to play my part. I silently made my resolve. As of now, I am too powerless I need to seek the help of my uncle in mastering the time art magic.

I light the paper on fire with my wand. I took another sip of my nice hot cocoa and thought to myself, "No one should learn what is written in this letter.

"I wish I had never sought to understand your silence," I said in between my sigh, but it's too late to regret it now.

The moon seemed to beam strong light as I made up my mind, "Sure, the dead don't speak, and when they die, they take their secrets into their graves."