FALLEN: The Cursed King

Chapter 1 -Powerful

Charmaine POV

***Three Years Earlier.***

I am starting school today, and so far I just want to crawl back into my bed and do nothing. My sister Ayla is the Queen in training and everyone looks up to her, while Ariel is the powerful, popular one. She is a fierce warrior princess. Guys gawk at them both while all the girls want to be their friends.

This is the first year I am going to be on the same campus as them, and I have no idea how that is going to go. I am an introvert, the complete opposite of Ariel. I don't think I am as beautiful as Ayla, with my red hair, hazel eyes, and nose full of freckles, I look more like a dork than a princess.

My sisters were born to shine, while I… I was born to blend in the background. They got their powers at my age, while I haven't had a sign of being powerful or special in any kind of way.

“Wake up, Char!... You need to get ready!…” An over-excited Ariel bounced up and down all over my bed.

“Do I have to go?” I grunted. I really didn't want to face the world…

“Hey what's wrong?” Ariel asked, and when I peeked through my blankets I saw her beautiful blonde hair perfectly styled with waves falling down her shoulders. She was not wearing makeup, but who the f**k needs makeup when you have flawless skin anyway?

“Nothing…” I mumbled, and to my luck, Ayla walked in…

“Are you nervous about your first day of school?” She asked. Yes, my father gave us the best education available in our realm. We were homeschooled until what humans call high school, but in our realm, we had 6 years of high school instead of 4, like humans. The last two years were specialized in each one of our abilities and powers. Ayla was in her last year, almost an adult.

“I don't know why mom and dad made us homeschool and then tossed us into this unknown jungle…” I complained,

“It is a fun jungle…” Ariel wiggled her eyebrows,

“I don't think so…” I bit back.

“Look, not all changes work out for the best… Maybe you don't feel comfortable right now, but I am sure that the other kids will be able to see the wonderful girl you are… You rock, Char… never doubt that…” Ayla said in her righteous political tone, she has been groomed to be a queen and it shows… always perfect, always knowing what to do or say.

I finally decided to get ready and made my way to the kitchen. I ate a quick breakfast and headed out with my sisters.

The way to school was a short one, and for the first time in a while, I felt something inside me, something different. I felt free.

Being homeschooled meant we never left the castle, and this change was liberating… perhaps not everything is going to be bad, after all.

Ayla was the only one that had gotten her wings, and despite that, she decided to walk along with us. Ariel was so fast that it was a challenge to keep up with her. She was jumping around doing pirouettes and playfully running chasing clouds. “Come on, Char…You have to try it!” She yelled,

I was about to make a move when Ayla looked our way, “You are going to be late if you keep playing around… Let's go!”

Deflated, I followed my older sister. I couldn't hide the sadness crossing my eyes, but thankfully Ariel noticed, “Don't worry Char, we will get plenty of time to play on our way back…” She winked at me, making me feel better.

We walked to the front of the school and many kids stopped in their tracks. They stared at us in awe, and it made me feel a bit odd having all this attention. Ariel and Ayla quickly met some friends and scattered around, leaving me to walk inside alone.

I took a deep breath and pulled my brave front, I walked inside the school. There were a lot of kids sitting around tables, all chatting and laughing. The energy of the place was amazing and vibrant. I couldn't believe that now I would be able to make some friends.

I looked around searching for my first classroom. I walked to a group of kids to ask for some guidance, but they quickly ignored me. Others gave me their backs, and somehow I was lost and uncertain of how this thing worked.

“I can help you…” A shy girl walked close to me, her big brown eyes and wide smile made me feel safe.

“Hi, I am Serena…You are new here, right?” She asked,

“Hi, Serena… I am Charmaine…” I extended my hand and her jaw dropped.

“You are the youngest princess? I… am…” She started panicking, but I lifted my hand and stopped her,

“Don't, please… It is as awkward as it gets as it is… here I am only Char…” I pleaded with my eyes.

“OK… Let me see your schedule…” Serena grabbed the piece of paper that I desperately held onto.

“OH! We have many classes together… I can see it now… we are going to be best friends! “ She beamed and, just like that, we were two misfits belonging in the middle of the high school jungle.

****

One year later

“Serena… I don't know why, but I don't feel special…” I complained,

We have managed to stay invisible from bullies and Queen b´s… Everyone in our class has gotten their powers and they can't stop flaunting them around. Everyone except me, Serena, got her powers a while ago. She is a healer, a mild one, but she is now taking specialized classes to train her talents.

“OH, Char… you are royalty, you will get amazing gifts… just look at your sisters!” She lifted her hand, exasperated because this subject is a frequent one between us. It is getting old, and despite that, she does her best to try to convince me that I am a special one, just like everyone expects me to be.

We were walking to the training fields when two guys were playing along with their elemental powers. One threw the other a sprinkle of water, while the other tried to dry himself. What is the downside of newly obtained powers?… we don't quite control them.

Suddenly, a freaking tornado was rushing onto the field, giving no chance to the guys that were training there to run away. Many got caught up in the high winds and were tossed against buildings, getting severely injured.

“Serena, let's go… You can help!” I grabbed her hand, and she gave me a panicked look. By the time the winds got under control, around ten young angels were severely injured, many of them I was sure wouldn't be able to make it.

“Serena, focus… heal this one…” I instructed my friend. Suddenly, a rush of energy started prickling inside me, the sensation calling me to be liberated. My eyes started glowing, my wings on full display, my hair flew around like fire, and I lifted my hands in the air, energy dispersed from me to every single injured guy that was lying on the ground, healing them immediately.

They started lifting their bodies, and the onlookers had their jaws open like nutcrackers. What the f**k was that?

“Charmaine… are you alright?” Was the question Serena asked before I collapsed from exhaustion. My powers had awakened. I was a healer, the ultimate healer.

***

One year before the coup

“Why are you always with your nose buried inside a book?” Ariel complained, “You need to have some fun, it is your last year of school, enjoy yourself a little…” She grabbed my shoulders and playfully wiggled my body.

“I don't have anywhere to go, Ariel…” I dryly replied. My journey through high school was not the same for me as it was for her.

I was the odd sister, the not-so-pretty princess… I enjoyed my studies, but I was not popular, I didn't get invited to places… and I was happy with it. I was happy to know that I managed to make a friend, Serena…

Serena, my best and only friend, will be turning of age in a year, three months later than me… and she recently met a guy while on one of her shifts in the clinic. Nathan is a warrior. He is great, but because she is still not of age, they don't know if they are fated almas. I sure hope they are, because she deserves every bit of happiness with the guy she likes.

I will be turning of age, and I am not looking forward to it. I don't want to face the disappointed face of the guy that ends up being paired with me if, by any chance, someone gets paired with me. I sighed and for a moment wished to look like someone else…To be pretty, appealing, confident…

I closed my eyes and felt a surge of energy around me. When I lifted my body, the reflection that stared at me back in the mirror scared me to death. It was me, I was sure of that, but my blonde locks, baby blue eyes, and flawless skin were something I didn't expect.

“What the actual f**k?” I mumbled to myself.

I have been reading about healers and ultimate healers. And I remembered that in one book it said that every thousand years a blessed healer comes, that, despite being an ultimate healer, has other abilities as well. Their power is infinite and one documented trait was the ability to change the way they look. Like a chameleon... Couldn´t I get to be more, odd? Was I this very weird specimen that only shows up once every thousand years? If so, I might have an idea of what to do with this little extra ability.

Using my telepathy power, I called Serena… ´Serena, where are you?´

¨Char? I am with Nate at the park… he is introducing me to his friends… Want to join us? They are cute…” She taunted,

´I don´t know…´ I replied, knowing quite well, I was going there, but not as Charmaine the super healer princess everyone seeks to feel better… I would be joining them as Mia, a regular girl that happened to walk by.

As planned, I made my way to the park and gave them my fake name. The guys were cool, and I felt so confident with this appearance that I wanted to keep it. Serena was cool with me but I could tell she was suspicious about Mia.

“Should we go and get something to drink?” I asked Serena,

“Sure…” She said, looking around the park.

“Are you waiting for someone?” I asked her, and she nodded.

“Yes, I am waiting for my best friend…” She said while we made our way to the stand. I placed my hand in her arms, stopping her at a safe distance between the stand and where the guys were talking. I switched back to my appearance and then switched to Mia´s.

“I f*****g knew it!” She yelled and then covered her mouth…

“Please… don't say anything about it… I just want to feel normal for once in my lifetime…” I huffed.

“Of course, I will take this secret to my grave, Mia..” She winked at me.”You know what this means, right?” She asked softly,

“No, what?” I shrugged my shoulders,

“It means you get to have a little freedom… but it also means you are f*****g powerful!”