THE RISE OF EXILE

DIFFERENT PATHS

The world is divided into three empires: The Paristine, Exile, and Sodome empires. These empires are the abode of peculiar beings. PARISTINE empire: is known as the holy city or the city of elites (first world). This is the world of vampires, werewolves, and warlocks. A dominant nation that holds absolute power. EXILE, the empire where normal people (Vèx Verminians) with normal abilities who can control the four elemental elements, and rare people (Seltèn Verminians) who build with 10% among the population, whose abilities beyond ordinary than normal vermins (vèx), believed to be the rarest normal people ever alive that cease to extinct, lived together in harmony. This empire is known as the lost city or the city of vermins (second world). SODOME empire: a dangerous place where man-eating demons (rogues), bandits, thieves, soul-eater demons (noble demons) dwells at night to hunt human flesh which big threat to Verminians. This is known as the sin city or city of outlaws (third world).

*Ranking Day*

It was such a lively occasion where people gathered together to witness the remarkable event in the history of the Exile empire. The top 10 sorcerers who excel were about to announce. Sumire was present that day, standing firmly exudes with an aura of power and dominance. The only top female with exceptional talent and beauty. Her eyes are foreboding yet hypnotic. With her cold and penetrating stare, enough to allure her nemesis into the hell of fire. Cold as ice, fiery soul, detached but gentle in nature, Sumire is an epitome of beauty, who possesses the power of four elemental elements at the same time: water, earth fire, and air. Her unique ability and personality make her belong to the top rare sorcerers, holds the power of life and death, able to eradicate her enemies into dust, nowhere to be found.

Sumire, who was silently reminiscing the past ranking event where she gets second place.. how she was rejoicing when she makes herself into the top makes her so much delighted. "Now, I, Damon, the Supreme ruler of Paristine officially declares the top 10 elite warriors who dedicated their hearts and soul to protect the Exile empire...Sumire, from the Southern Niles!" as she began to take a step...the crowds began to go wild, uproars tremendously. Admiring these aspiring heroes, with their eyes full of hopes and dreams like the fortress that stands still waiting for the wreaking havoc to fall.

Chattering is all over the place. "She got the first place, spectacular! I really do admire her, she may come off as cold but she is a kinda warm-hearted person.." a middle-aged woman expresses her deep admiration towards the enthralling maiden.

" Yeah, the way she carries herself is truly admirable, she inspires me in so many different ways.." a young lad said. "I heard she is destined to be the next ruler of Paristine..", suddenly, a farmer jumps into the conversation, makes small talk.

"Some says she is the heiress of Damon..", a man around his mid-twenties said. "That's unlikely to be true, she came from Caste Leone, the most powerful clan in Exile empire who can control the power of Atmos...", a weenie young woman said, unveils the apprehending truth about the famous families in their empire. " ...but she is qualified for the position though.."

Sumire lets the gossips slip into the air, wearing her famous stoic face as she makes her way towards Damon who holds the badge smiling mischievously. She received the badge full of honor.

"Step forward, Maddox of Airenfall!..", the crowd cries in joy and excitement as the man oozing attractiveness and can captivate any ladies in just a glance, walked gracefully towards the hall, slowly approaching Sumire who's standing silently beside Damon.

"Hi my future wife to be, congratulation on being in the first top!.." Maddox shamelessly said.

"Back off, fucker!.." Sumire sneered at him.

"Oh my bad, you still look the same, I feel sorry for you that you are a mistake like a world just made a typo, I'm so sorry that the stars aligned and made you such a psycho..."

Sumire just looked at him in complete disgust.

"...of course I was just kidding, I'm such a good guy being considerate to you giving my place (first top).." he playfully said.

"I'm not after the rank, I'm always after your head.." Sumire answered sarcastically.

" I miss you baddie, be my wife, and I'll give you plenty of children.." He said hopefully.

"No one misses you, if you were my husband, I will serve your meat to our children..", Sumire answered unemotionally.

"Our children...Hmnn, I love that idea...." Maddox said as he brought his face close to Sumire. "...you being the mother of my children." He added and whispered close to her lips.

Sumire just coldly looks at Maddox's eyes and kicks him below his belt, which made Maddox touch his underpants where he got a kick, but he quickly recovered.

"Now you won't have any children." Sumire turns her back on him

"Oh, c'mon! Give me a hug!.." Maddox continuously being persistent to her.

"I'll save my first and last hug for you if you were 6 feet below on earth..." Sumire smiled mockingly.

"Oh come on! I still want you to warm up my bed, wife!.." Maddox still teasing her.

"Sure, I'm gonna warm you up by setting you on fire..". Sumire, this time flaunting her blazing yet destructive fire into his face.

Maddox, the famous blabber playboy in town, the plastic yet a good friend who always teases Sumire but secretly likes her, the one who got the second place. He possesses the ability to manipulate things through his mind without touching them. Maddox came from the Turner clan, considered to be one of the most dangerous man not to be mess with despite his playful nature. He can turn everything into pieces, Maddox lives up his name.

"Calib of Griffindell.." Damon continuously announcing the top 10th until reaching its end. Shortly, gave his oath to the people.

"I, Damon, the Ex-general of Exile and the current ruler of Paristine empire. Congratulates you, the top 10 elites (Seltèn vermins), I express my deepest gratitude to all of you, I admire your dedication, putting your life at risk for the sake of the people and the serenity of Exile empire. Am looking forward to your achievement in the future. To all the residents of Exile, I vow my life to protect you at all costs, providing you with full security and maintain the balance between the empires. You will live under my sight and protection, keep the Exile safe, a harmonious place to lived in."

The crowds are jumping, the roars of hopeless become even more defeaning, filled with felicity and happiness like there's no tomorrow. Desperation is visible in their eyes and written in their faces, believing that there's still hope for the Verminians to live on despite of decreasing number of their population due to human-eating monster who hunts them down. Damon assured them that they will be safe, together with the elites, hoping they will give them the wings of freedom.

.........

A small suburb outside the Exile empire. In a haven, Narco secretly meets an official from the Sodome Empire, wearing his playful smirk, he gave the book of SIOUX, a book where Damon's bloodline lies. Riss, the officer who came from Sodome suspiciously look at him but later took the book in his palm. The weather is behaving strangely, and the surrounding suddenly becomes darkened as depressingly dark painted in the sky, the unexpected turbulence of cold wind lashed out causing the scarf of Narco to blown away into the midair. His black eyes gave the chilling stare as it fixed on Riss who had a black apple in his right hand, smiling innocently.

"Just make sure this isn't fake..", Riss hissed.

Narco laughing bodaciously, catching the attention of Riss's guards outside the haven. They were about to attack him, but suddenly the sky gave birth to black roses, emitting a stinky smell. Many of Riss's escorts have been caught up, its poisonous odor makes living species will start to rot and die. Narco is serious this time, his dark face caused them shivered in fear.

"Believing it or not is all up to you, I did my part and so, you do what you must..." Narco replied uninterestingly while playing his finger.

Riss looked at him in displeasure while handing over the Forbidden Book to him. He just stared at it unemotionally, didn't even bother to take a glance at what is inside, he just flicks at the spot of his finger, made the book vanished into the thin air. Riss and his cohorts were startled yet amaze by what he did, Narco just chuckled while turning his way out of the room.

"Can I ask about something before you go?.." Riss asked in hesitant.

Narco disappointedly turns around and faces him, let out a gasp, as he can already sense what he is about to ask.

"Why do you want to betray him? ..betrayal will do no good to you.."

Narco looked at him in full disgrace while mockingly laugh at him.

"I am just bored.." Narco simply said, recalling Damon's displeased face looking down at him. The day where he makes him feel like a runt meant to be stepped on and smashed off.

"Whatever...." Riss's last word before leaving the place together with his escorts, no traces of them left behind. Narco was left alone, the arrogant, and his playful smile earlier was turned into sorrow once more. He is a master of faking his emotion. The loneliness that consumed him many years ago was still engraved in his heart and forever will be. He managed to live his life living in Gehenna. He flicks his finger into the air, made the book reappeared. He stared at it once again, unhappily.

"If I ever fulfill what you needed, will you grant what I truly desire?". Narco whispered into nothingness as he gradually flipping every page of the book absentmindedly.

To Be Continued...