Listen to me, young lady. We are going home and that is final.

The woman said, pulling

the girls arm. She peered down at the child who stuck her heel tips between small gaps of the
pavers and shook her head. Is this my reward for taking you to the park? Looks like someone is
sleeping without dinner.
The nine or so child outside the park grunted and tried to free herself free. Having no desire
to miss the event she long waited to see. Mommy, let go. You promised to stay for the theater as
my birthday gift. The child unintentionally scratched against the womans hand drawing blood.
The mother was fierce, she pulled harder only to be met with more struggle.
Stop scratching, Saya! Ungrateful child! A cracking sound was heard from the shoes.
You are going to break your heels that I have paid for! The mother raised a hand in the air and
brought it towards the childs face only to stop before connecting it. Seeing the tightly shut eyes
with beads of tears forming at the corner made her stomach flip. Fine! I do not care anymore.
Dont blame me if you get lost. Announced the woman before she let the girls hand go and
headed back home.

Saya curled down by seeing herself falling from the sudden release. She stood up, watching
her mom walk away and disappear from sight. Behind her, a thunderous clap struck the ground,
creating a cloud of smoke. The peoples attention shifted to the loud sound. Around the scene
they gathered, gazing and wondering as the smoke kept spreading. An explosion? A failed
experiment? Saya rushed and squeezed herself between the people before meeting a strong wind
from the ground below, shaking the nearby leaves and weep up the smoke, leaving behind a man
dressed up in crimson suit that sparkled with gold fragments. A white shirt and a black hat that
matches the shoes. The people transfixed as they were amazed by his colorful appearance before
giving a round of applause.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the Zodiac Carnival. We will soon
begin our historical show about the world in few moments. Gather yourselves and head to the
Theater of Grace and claim your seats. Prepare to be entertained and amazed! The show is free
for all!

After hearing his announcement, especially the word Free, made the crowd give loud
cheers and praises. The magician gave a bow and clapped his hands twice. Two similar clouds of
smoke appeared besides him, but banished instantly as two more dressed men came to vision.

One of the men, his hair sky blue and eyes of bright pink, held a flaming red guitar to his
side as he bowed. Glad to be here, I am Marzix, the Musician. The blue-haired man said
smiling, Please welcome my brother.

The people clapped as their eyes turned to the brother who was an almost mirror copy of
his sibling, expect for the completely opposite of colors of hair and eyes. He leaned forward
giving a half bow and a gentle smile at the audience, especially at the females who blushed as he
squinted his eyes. Nice to meet you, I am Darzix the Drummer.

Now that the twins assembled, please allow me to introduce the final member of the
team. The magician said, his cheeks reddening a little, Oh by the goddess, Ive forgotten to
introduce myself first!
 Few laughter came from the people. He coughed and snapped his fingers pulling the Joker
in a hand and the Ace of Heart in the other and struck a pose. I am Xypho the Magician.
Then a large purple cart came to a halt behind them. The peoples awe could be seen and
heard as their attention became solely focused on the fancy vehicle that seemed to possess no
driver. Many were guessing what would be inside, candies, gifts, clothing, jewels, or maybe rare
animals.
Xypho raised his hands high above his head and clapped once. And now, our final and
main member, the start of tonights show. The talented Puppeteer, Zalandra. The door of the cart
opened and then a woman descended. The eyes of the people were mesmerized by the elegant
movements as she took one step at a time. She was wearing a soft looking, purple ball gown. Her
forearms down to her fingers looked mechanical with long curled fingers that looked like talons.
She was wearing a yellow crown with sharp crimson edges pointing up and from the crown a
somewhat see-through black veil extended down to her chest and in the middle of it laid a
painting of an eye inside a diamond mark.

The only term to describe her body features was through the little exposed skin shown
beneath her collared neck with harnesses that extended to her arms and stomach that
complimented her long black hair. Standing before the captivated crowd she gave a curtsey.
Greetings, proud citizen of Zodiac.
Silence filled the space. Only the faint sounds from the shops far away could be heard as
none gave a reply or even tried to whistle. None, expect one, Sayas lips parted cutting through
the silence unintentionally Pretty

The woman turned towards the source of the voice and smiled beneath the veil. Saya
clapped a hand over her mouth as she snapped back to reality. Oh I am
Xypho noticed the change of the situation as the excitement was slowly fading. He gave a
clap then another as he eased his way to fix the unexpected turn.
Tonights show will be told through magic and puppets. Please do not miss our show! For
tonight we will move away to Kazark Kingdom. We cannot wait to see you inside. With another
clap, four clouds of smoke appeared once more covering their frame as they disappeared, leaving
the crowd cheering as they head inside the theater.

Inside, the theater seats were filling up with people. Spotting an empty seat on the back
right corner Saya rushed for it. Now all she had to do is play the waiting game. Seconds in her
sitting her fingers curled, surfing on her skin. She pressed on her thighs legs moved up and down
while her heels did the knocking on the floor while watching the children racing to the front and
some in the middle with their parents. After few moments, the lights turned off, inviting the
darkness to settle in. Faint cries were heard from the crowd and then a spooky music started
playing, filling the arena. The large crimson drapes opened, revealing the large puppeteers
wagon with three boxes of different colors of black, white, and gold floating up and down in the
air. Magic particles gathered around the cart shaping a large square screen that displayed maps.
The first two boxes of white, and black shine as the cover exploded up to pieces and as two
beams of dark, and light clashes in the air, mesmerizing the crowds eyes.

Then Zalandras voice engulfed the space: The powers of the Dark and Light are equally
matched, forever opposed. It is so destined that they fight until the end of time. It was in the time
of old that the two forces stood strongest, caught in a bloody war across the universes. Every day,
more souls were lost to the conflict on many realms. Death took endless souls that, at one point,
the creatures started wondering whether there will any life in the end of the conflict.
Unfortunately, the battles continued in the middle of our great planet, Zesna, lay eight islands in
the shape of heptagon. Seven pointing in each cardinal direction around a larger central continent
to form Ardia, the human realm. The realm was tarnished by the darkness. This darkness spread
its evil hordes upon the Ardia. They were known by many names, such as, Devils. Demons.
Undead, and many more.

Multiple colored puppets came into vision each took the appearance of a beast. Their horrid
features matched the descriptive they heard from their parents before. Sharp talons, long fangs,
wings, and tails. The people watched as they puppets walked on air, slowly as they approached,
followed by a black grey mist before they came to a halt on top of the shiver children. The
people were watching the puppets walking towards them followed by a black grey mist, slowly
approaching before coming to a halt on top of the shivering children. The puppets raised their
claws high. There was a glimmer of reflective light before they gave malicious grins varied
through the toys as they appeared to be alive. Seeds of fear were being planted inside the hosts.
They circled around their victims and dashed onto the childrens head with their claws. Most of
the children closed their eyes. Ah! several screams came. Those were the sounds of fear, the
fruit of their seed they sown. The puppets tilted their head, locking their glowing glassy eyes on
Saya before, giving loud chuckling as they retreated back to the cart.

Saya leaned back on her seat and her hands stuck on the leather armrests as she gazed back
to the eyes as they faded into the wisp of smoke. This was no coincidence, she was sure of it. Her
lips curled upwards, her heart pounding. Beads of sweat appeared on her temple, unsure if she
was afraid or proud to have been noticed.

Mankind stood no chance against the strife. The merciless beasts spread fear, used
impossible abilities manipulating the nature elements, causing violent earthquakes, bringing
terrible storms and thunders. The seats shook and a cold breeze rushed out from the sides,
forcing the viewers to shield themselves. They torched and destroyed the towns. Driving the
humans almost to the point of extinction but then they appeared.

The grim music shifted to soft melody and a shining light appeared. Twelve magnificent
entities of light pierced through the darkened sky and descended upon Ardia, they called
themselves, the Archlords. The puppets of the demons were fighting the angelic puppets. The
smiles could be seen on the faces of the children as the monsters were defeated. The divine
beings casted their holy light and restored the world. They taught the world of the goddess of
creation, Meyagami, and it was by her will they came to defend the humans and be their
custodians. Thanks to the efforts of these celestial beings, the monsters became a distant
memory. They, who saved humanity from the cruel fate taught their knowledge and told the
stories of the war, known to be the Primal Conflict. As a result of peace, mankind enjoyed their
new world and age of sweet reverie.

The human puppets kneeled before the shiny ones. The people began to worship these
holy beings and their goddess. Statues were built by the elite devotees and thus were blessed
with divine gifts. In their infinite wisdom they ascended back to the heavens for reasons
unknown to us. They who knew the will of time, warned us that one day the evil would return
once more to claim our lands. Happiness was short lived, but each of the Archlords forged a
jewels expect for one.
The eleven jewels were sealed into a large crystalline plate. They gave a prophecy Only
the pure devoted ones will inherit the jewels. proclaimed the Archlords. Within this plate
lays the destiny of mankind!

True to their words, the restored peace was short lived, despite the advance the humanity
achieved, it could not withstand against Misandras invasion. All who lived in Ardia knew the
queen of the demon realm as her very name was synonyms with the terror and cruelty that lurk in
the shadows. She unleashed the chains and out of the sky, and from the water they came
announcing the end of harmony. Killing those who laid on sight. They conquered the lands
through their slaughter, plunder and pillage. Humanity begged and prayed for the divine beings
to return, and cleanse the world of endless bloodshed. The people grown in fear and shivered in
their sleep. Their flickering hope burned as they held the words of the prophecy inside them.

Through countless generations spent fighting, resisting only to be rewarded with slaughter.
A group of five rose against the invaders, scared jewels in hand along with an angel, the heroes
crushed the invader armies. They freed and retrieved the lands to their rightful owners before
leading their victory to central continent where the queen kept her castle. The heroes sealed
themselves to form a spell that doomed the queen to her defeat.

The curtains were closing slowly as the music was coming to an end and the shadows gave
the final round of applause, followed by cheerful whistles. The magician appeared once more in
a loud bang of thunder, bowing to the clapping mass. Thank you for coming to your exhibition
today, dear people of Zodiac. We hope that you enjoyed our show and we wish you a lovely
evening.

The people started to move upward towards the exit. Saya walked against the tide, slowly
descending down to stage and stand next to rope way between the leaving crowds, slowly
sneaking towards the stage left wing where she hid there. She could see the puppeteer behind the
cart putting the puppets back into the boxes with the strings. Sayas cheeks reddened as she could
see the astonishing beauty from afar. She swallowed her saliva before she parted her lips,
wanting to thank her for the show but there was no sound. To disturb the graceful woman left a
bad taste in her mouth.

Having your face turned that color can be very dangerous. Saya jumped from the sudden
sound and hugged the rope near her. Or shall I say misleading for the people. Continued
Zalandra with a smirk.
Saya froze in her place, her eyes locked with two shining pearls under the veil.
Sorry, Saya said quickly, and then hesitated. I I didnt mean to stare. You look so
pretty.
Normally, considering the fact you didnt see me beneath the veil, and yet, you here say I
am pretty surely raise suspicious, but to see you are drooling confirms your claim. Saya shut her
eyes and cleaned her chin. Oh she wanted to curl down into a hole. There was no going out of
this one. What could she say regarding that? Lost in her thoughts the silence settled between
them until Zalandra continued packing. No need to apologize, I am not upset. After all, I was
waiting for you to come.

What?! Saya said, her eyes bulged out in surprise at the woman. You knew I was
coming here? How?!

Zalandras flung her head back as her hand raised close to her covered face as laughter
escaped from her lips. It is so easy to know what a child wants. After all I have many. She then
stood from her seat and turned, facing the girl whose face was full of doubt. Surprised? Or do
you find it shocking for me to have more than seven children? Would you like to be my daughter,
Saya?

She could feel her body burn on fire, blood was flowing inside her along with many
thoughts. Did we meet somewhere? No, I am sure today is our first, yet, how could she know my
name and me coming here. How did you? her voice grew more frantic. Why do her lips
were sealed with a finger. A finger? But Zalandra hand were mechanical a second ago? She
was wearing them all along? No- wait When did she remove them, or even close this large
distance? A magic user, Avaltor? Sayas eyes shock, her body screamed for her to run away, her
heart hammered against her breasts. She knew something dangerous was at work.

Ill only answer one question, now my dear. Arent you more interested in knowing about
what you came here for? her purple lips parted open, letting a bright pink tongue to swirl around
in a circular motion. Seeing a rare child who is interested in the world and the history of it
surely whets my appetite.

A flood of emotion ran through her skin and her gaze was captivating by Zalandras beauty.
Her lips parted open as she felt her head moving closer, her lips almost touching the thin
clothing. I, Saya said between heavy breaths, I want
The veil pulled away, letting only the lower part to brush against her lips from the sudden
movement. She saw Zalandras smile faded under the thing sheet.

Unfortunately, you are not the chosen one. You are just a seed of many, yet, a rare one I
suppose. A guardian to aid the chosen. Rejoice, Saya you have a chance to be a part of an
important event. Zalandra walked back to her cart alone the rest of the puppets to the cart. If
you grow beautifully, Ill then collect you on your twentieth birthday. She smiled for a moment
and then tilted her head to the side and spread her arms wide. I almost forgot to say. Happy
Birthday, Saya. Youve turned ten a minute ago.

Saya did not look at the time, her eyes shook in disbelief. There were many thoughts
traveling in her head. The attraction that seemed to be one-sided and the information she knew. A
normal person couldnt know these things by just hunch or coincidences yet somehow
Zalandra could. From acquiring the information somehow, and the ability to close the distance
seemed like teleportation. All these phenomena suggest that she is a magic user.

Well then, Saya. I bid you adieu.

 Saya was convinced. This woman was not a bluff, but the real deal. An existence close to
an ethereal being. She bit her lower lip and clenched her fists and took a deep breath. I will be
waiting for you. I wont forget about you Saya knew this chance wouldnt repeat itself. She
screamed. So dont break your promise! She ran up the stairs and turned she passed the exit
only to see theater was empty. She walked back home under the dark starless sky with a smile,
holding a promise that would soon change her fate.