ENCHANTED: Guardian Series #1 {COMPLETED, UNDER REVISION}

CHAPTER 27: Bloodshed

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
MARIAH MIRI 

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ETHERION REALM 

-Maya Village--
/a flashback; first point of view/
/Mariah Miri's Point of View/
 
My memories started when I was around ten years old. I was still considered young at the time, but my mental age seemed to be different from that of most of my peers. In the age of youth, children usually play around all four seasons—in summer they do hide and seek with the warm sun above their flowing locks. When the leaves turned autumn dry, they carve pumpkins into shapes. And when the snowflakes began to touch their noses, they rolled balls of snowmen. Yet here I am, even until the blossoming spring, I kept reading books about medicinal plants. It never crossed my mind to ask my parents about this kind of subject since every time I question them, their brows furrow and they look worried. Worried about what exactly?
 
I had visions and dreams that no youngster would have. Sometimes, I consider myself a weirdo, for I have thoughts that no one else would have. At a peeking interest of educational books, I began seeking for fantasy and adventures.
 
At the age of twenty years old, I manifested my healing abilities, which was strange for a common Thala. Now that I've think about it, my physical appearance does not match the Thala descriptions. Anyway, only a Guardian can manifest like this at an early age. This time, curiosity got the best of me. I came to my parents; Miriam Nora is my mother and the younger sister of my Uncle Conner, the Chief of Maya Village. I inherited my brown hair from her. Arnold Lex is my father, a son of a mercenary, but he was a weak child to wield a weapon. I got his hazel—a rare trait for a Maya villager. Because of my eyes, I'm considered a pretty child.
 
"Mom," I pulled her sleeves to get her attention. She glanced at me with a smile and asked what business I had for her. "Why am I so different?"
 
"Er..." she hesitated for a while. I knew she would get worried again. Then again, what's to worry about? "Because you're special."
 
Again, with that statement. I've read books multiple times. Whenever a child has strange behavior or a strange face, the parents or elderly folks will simply evade the question by saying "You are special". It's not like my feelings will get hurt if they just tell me the truth. Alas, they thought I was an innocent child and must be that way.
 
I showed a frown, clinging to her arm. "Then..." I slowly began my life-changing request. "Can I enroll at an academy?"
 
Without a second thought, my mother nodded. Perhaps she still wanted to support her weird daughter. "Sure. There's an academy at Tahomma Kingdom. I would like to—"
 
As if that's the case. For sure, she will send me to a poor-running academy for commoners only. Before she could finish her sentence, I interrupted her by pouting my lips and letting go of her arms. "Not that!" 
 
With my arms folded and my eyes closed, I can guess the confused look on my mother's face.
 
"Mmm... What about Assher Kingdom? Since you are—"
 
"The Etherion Academy!" I beamed, which nearly made my mother faint. I knew why she made such a bewildered expression. The Etherion Academy was supposed to be made for the royal members of the five kingdoms only. But the current Emperor had a proposition that the academy should also consider other nobles and non-nobles as their students. Therefore, those with exceptional talents got to pass the said prestigious' academy.
 
My father, who was in the other room, suddenly came running towards us, joining my mother's surprised look. He even repeated my statement and asked if I was sure about my decision. As he hadn't expected, I replied with a huge smile on my face.

Smile!
 
"The Etherion Academy!"
 
Beam.

It was such a long talk that night that even my uncle joined our so-called "family meeting". I've been acting like an innocent and obedient child to this day. So I will not give up until I get a go signal for them.
 
Sigh...
 
My uncle sighed in defeat, standing up while putting on his night coat. "I'll send a letter to Etherion Academy then."
 
"Wah! Yay! Thank you, Uncle!" I jumped on my seat, hugging his round tummy. My mother didn't oppose, and neither did my father. After all, having your child enter a prestigious academy is a huge honor. But I can guess that's not the case for them.
 
A week later, I bid farewell to my fellow villagers. They wished me luck as I hopped on the carriage, carrying my luggage with one hand while the other supported my hat from flying away.
 
"Bye!" I smiled, entering the cart. As the door closed, the carriage started moving.