The Signet Ring

Age of the Elements

Cassidy enters into their half-timbered house. The smell of her parents still remains in there. It's quite surprising. She thinks. It's been years since they were taken away from home. The memories she had with them in this house lingers on. She misses Jhira, her mom. She also misses her warrior father. I bet they're having hard times in the castle. I just hope they're still alive. How can I have the same fate as Cassandra? Why in this rebirth life of hers, she's again, in the same situation where she would need to save her parents? But Cassandra had failed to save his dad and his firstborn. Yes, her firstborn son. Cassidy grasps her chest, it feels like she can't contain these raging emotions brought by the memories of her past life. It feels like she can't contain it, she had avoided confronting this, scared that she'd be consumed by vengeance. Yet, this dark tragic past about Cassandra haunts her even in this life of her as Cassidy.

It feels like Cassidy's mind travels back to days when Velaris was still ruled by the elements. The day when the highest source of protection was the elements gifted to the Tribes. The day when Cassandra's father, Baecus, was the King of the Light Water Tribe. 

Cassidy sees herself in a magical vision as Cassandra.

 On that one cold night, in the fortress at the cliff, the scream of 12 years old Cassandra echoed down the mountain stone. She's begging for mercy to spare his father's life. Who would have thought that perpetrator would be his uncle? Who would have thought it would be Neji's father? 

 " Please don't kill him",  Cassandra begs while looking at her father lying bloody, struggling his breath as his uncle's ax aims at him. 

 " All the boys in your kin must be killed",    his uncle said, seems like he had gone mad. And in a blink, his uncle struck him hard. All that had registered to Cassandra's mind was the blood on his uncle's weapon. The next thing she felt is her sight got blurry 

 " Get her, Bring her to the Royal Castle",  those were the last words she heard from her uncle before she totally passed out. From then on the another King was crowned in the Light Water Tribe. And she becomes Cassandra of the Royal Tribe. Her uncle did not kill her because, for her, she's not a threat.

 " How could it be a woman in the oracle?",  she always hears him commenting that. The conflict between her dad and her uncle broke out because of an oracle. 

An oracle that says: One true ruler will rise in Velaris. One who will rule not with the crown, not with the elements but with a power bestowed by the skies. 

 Even though Cassandra was not locked in the dungeon it seems like she's living her life in prison. She's not allowed to touch a sword, to ride a horse, to study nor talk to merchants and especially to scribes. A servant would just bring her what she needs, except that she's not allowed to learn. Among his uncle's son, Aurelius was his favorite. He had high hopes for him.

 " Amita have you just sneaked out? Hey! You don't know that thing"  Neji said pointing to the sword she's holding. Cassandra laughs. " I've been watching the squires held this", she answers.

 " By the way, why are you here?"  she asks the 8 years old boy, Neji. 

 " My father just takes Aurelius to ride horses with him",  there's a frown on his face. 

 " And?",  Cassandra replied 

 " So I guess he will be the next King of our Tribe, father sees him as the ruler in the oracle"  Neji shook his head. Cassandra looks at him. How could he be trusted with the throne? He doesn't look strong at all. He cannot even master the elements and so the sword. " Take this", Cassandra handed the sword she's holding to Neji.

 " Fight me",  she commanded him, as she picks up another sword nearby. 

 "If you want to become King, you should be strong",     she told him while Neji still wonders if Cassandra really knows how to use the sword. Back then, in the Royal Castle, Neji had become like a brother to her. There is one common person they hate - his father. 

 " Father you can't do this to Amita",   Neji is angrier than begging. He can't believe that Cassandra will be leaving Velaris. She was gifted by his father to a King in the northern land to ratify their alliance. She could see the raging anger and helplessness in the face of 18 years old Cassandra.

 " Marcus of the Royal Tribe",   Cassandra face his uncle she could see his eyes narrowed as she did not address him as King.

 " How could you call my name?",     he replied. 

 " Why? are you that special? ",    Cassandra replied sarcastically. 

 " And besides, how could you think that the word ruler applies only to men?",  Cassandra looks at her uncle from head to toe and smirk. 

 " How stupid!",  she whispers and leaves. 

 There in the northern land, Cassandra earns her freedom. She can learn the sword without hiding. She can show the elements that were naturally born in her - the cosmos. The King, her husband has been good to her.

 " My King, do you think is it possible to build a kingdom where peasants can live a comfortable life?", Cassandra asks her husband. The King was surprised. 

 " Why such question? Have I been cruel to the serf?",  his brows cross.

 " No, you've always been good", Cassandra smiled. 

 " I am just wondering about a Kingdom where people are equal, where the weak are protected",  she replied.

 " Besides, I don't want our son to grow up in a land where violence resides"  Cassandra explains. 

 The King smile and held her closer.  " Our son, though he's young we have taught him to protect himself" her husband assured her.

But years after...

 "What do you mean you're withdrawing our alliance?",   Cassandra overheard her husband's voice as she passes in the corridor near his throne chamber. He's talking to his uncle. 

 "Give me your son! Cassandra should have not given birth to a son!",  his uncle yells out.

 " That is if you like to continue the alliance of our Kingdom"  his uncle is threatening his husband. 

 " Look I don't understand, why you wanted my son, but why would I gave him he's my son! my heir!", Cassandra sees her husband freaks out, holding his anger. She rushes inside the chamber and interrupted the two.

 "Leave!",  Cassandra commanded staring sharply at his uncle. But he just throws a glance at her seems unthreatened.

 " Leave!"   now Cassandra's eyes change as she raises her arms with a bladed blinding light, striking at their face. 

 " Do not touch my son",   his words were more of a threat than a command.

 " Remember I am naturally born with two elements, and I am no longer in your castle to suppress me!" she said. Her uncle waves his hands prompting to attack. 

 " Don't! .... you dare use it here",  Cassandra stops him. How could she become brazen? Her uncle wonders. As she watches her, walking slowly towards her, she's now far from the girl he had hidden in his castle.

 " You've made a mistake in letting me live. I am grown up now, I can literally crush your Kingdom" Cassandra said closely right to his uncle's face. 

 " Leave!",   she shouted. And his uncle leaves the place.

 But still, no matter how they tried hard in protecting her son. Cassandra could not forget that day when their son returned cold and dead from hunting. How could she forget the marks on his son's body? Those were from someone who has the same element as hers. Someone from the Royal Tribe had killed his son, and she could not think of anyone but his uncle. Driven by his rage, his husband hurried to the Royal Castle, wanting to avenge their son and that was the last time she sees him. Not even his body had returned to her. 

 " You didn't even learn that I'm conceiving again", Cassandra wept  holding her belly as she thinks of her husband.

 "Enjoy your time uncle until I give birth. I couldn't wait to kill you."  she said  wiping her tears. 

 Meanwhile, 10 days ago...

 How can he come hunting here in my territory? Neji thought as he looks at the boy the same age as him. He's probably not Velarian judging with the ways of his clothing and what is that small metal pendant tied on his quiver? 

 " Why are you here? This is my place!"   Neji interrogates the boy.

 " huh? Sorry I got lost, have you happened to see my servants?"   the boy answered. He's gentle and nice. Looking at the boy Neji feels like he's hearing his father's voice on his head, those yelling and despisements. 

 " How weak! You can't even shoot a deer!"

 " You cannot be nice and gentle or else you'll get killed!" 

 " You're not fit to be king!" 

 Neji shakes his head and stomps his forehead like he's losing himself. 

 " Hey, are you okay?"  asks the boy. 

 Neji raises his head with his eyes darkened, he can't resist it anymore, it feels like he wanted to grab the boy. He instantly seized the boy, pressing hard on his neck. The boy struggles to fight. Energy comes out of him like there's light coming out from his body. He fights back. They clashed, but Neji is much stronger it's as if he lost himself. He growls as he was devoured by something dark within him. Then in a blast, he releases a blazing huge light that gradually becomes like an inferno. Dark. Fiery. Demonic and merciless. The stranger boy becomes then an easy prey.