Claimed (Book #1)

Chapter 1: She Of Two Worlds

Twenty-five years ago, the Great War caused massive destruction of the land. People had a hard time coping up with what was left of them. Lives were sacrificed but it was all for the sake of peace. Fortunately, everyone aided and supported one another.

After the Great War, the four nations were finally unified. There was no Bulgen, Calicus, Dorias, or Nardir. No one used those terms anymore. Everyone was living in the land of Lumus. They had decided that in order to live in unity, everyone had to understand that they wouldn't be divided into separate kingdoms any longer.

Humans lived in harmony with the other non-human folk. Although the older generation were still wary of the other kinds, the younger generation showed promise in acceptance. Unfortunately, peace seemed to be temporary and trouble was once again brewing.

...

Surprisingly, the weather turned out fine today. It had been raining for the past few weeks, making everyone stay indoors. The elves were eager to go out of their abodes. In the ancient times, they had always clung to the great outdoors and even now nothing had changed.

Mae watched everyone gather in the gardens. She would've joined them but they dislike her. Her existence was a sore to their sight. After all, she was human and brought great inconvenience to their war hero, Glonir. No one knew how exactly Mae landed into the care of Glonir. Some speculated that she was an orphan child that Glonir encountered on his way home while others believed that she was his secret lovechild. 

Glonir was one of the few hailed war heroes who managed to survive from the Great War. His adventures were often retold as bedtime stories but no one seemed to believe that the aloof Glonir was once a brave and majestic warrior. The funny thing was each version of the tale were different from one another, making only Glonir know the sole truth. The war hero left behind his gruesome past and decided to settle into their politics as the Prime Minister.

Mae decided to drift away from the crowded area and onto the remote portion of the gardens. She preferred the serenity that the garden offered to her. Although it was once said that the elven garden used to be glorious and magnificent, Mae found it hard to believe. Its state was in total deterioration. The grass was unkept, the grotto was in ruins, and the pond's water was murky. It was unfathomable how the elves, whose love for nature was known throughout the land, couldn't even take care of what was theirs.

The castle's main feature wasn't its gardens, but a singular tree that bloomed healthily in the deeper part. That tree was no ordinary living organism. It was said to be the residence of the Goddess of Lumus. Everyone in the land worshipped and believed in the Goddess.

"You're here again."

Mae turned her head and smiled at the familiar face right across her. "And so are you."

"I like it here." The woman circled around Mae before stopping in front of the wrecked grotto. Her hazel eyes showed great misery and in that moment, Mae knew they were kindred spirits in wanting to restore the former glory of the garden.

"Do you think it's possible to revert this sad state?" Mae asked.

"Nothing is impossible, my dear," the woman replied. "You musn't give up, Maeneth."

Mae flinched at the sound of her name. She suddenly felt a cold sweat drop at her back. She had never introduced herself but the woman knew who she was. "How did you kno-" 

"Dark times are coming," she hissed. "Lumus needs you. The road you'll face won't be an easy one."

Before Mae could say anything else, the woman vanished into the shadows, not leaving a single trace of her existence. Mae was sure that what she experienced was just a dream but the incredible shudder she felt still lingered in her.

Dark times?

Mae dismissed the silly notion. Lumus was in total peace. There was no threat that could harm that peace and even if there was, the people wouldn't allow it at all.

...

"You saw what?"

Glonir looked at her in disbelief. Mae was certain that the war hero would believe her no matter how cold he seemed to her. After all, he raised her for twenty-five years. Surely, some fatherly affection would have developed by now.

"A lass," Mae replied. "Probably same age as I. She just suddenly disappeared after her warning." 

In a flash, Mae saw a terrified expression carved on Glonir's face. What could have made a war hero so frightened? His platinum blonde hair proceeded to cover his eyes as he faced down. Mae always looked up to him and saw him as a strong and brave individual. Now, she felt as if he was about to faint in any second. The once powerful man suddenly looked ill.

"If what you say is true, then indeed darkness would befall upon Lumus." Glonir said as he stared upon her face. Mae fidgeted on her spot. Glonir's stare almost made her whimper in fear. 

"What do you plan to do?" asked Mae, uneasy of what Glonir's action would be.

"Fetch the messenger. There'll be an emergency meeting."

Whatever was going inside Glonir's head scared Mae. Her words seemed to have convinced the war hero that something frightening was on its way. Mae didn't want to know the fears the lurked in his mind.