421 Rima Regenon

Via Marea: Vena

Young Rima ran through the mighty halls of the royal elven-palace. Her little white flip-flops struggling to remain upon her feet as she raced her little sister Emilita around their imaginary track. Her brilliantly white hair fluttered as her braids rocked and swayed, somewhat distracting her, she flipped the long braid around her neck like a scarf. Her pure and wonderful eyes, filled with curiosity and energy darted from there to there. 

Zig-zagging through the dozens of wooden training dummies she had ordered her servants into placing. Her wooden blade beautifully struck and blocked shields and blades as her body continuously zoomed pas her obstacles. Little Emilita being shorter struggled to keep up with her bigger sister. Being ungifted in the ways of swordsmanship, and having a potential more suited towards the books. Emilita's face smacked right into one of the loosely placed shields, causing her to instantly full upon her butt before crying as blood spilt from her nostrils.

Rima ran back over to check on her. Gesturing towards the servants that everything was okay, and to back off. Towering over Emilita, Rima pointed her wooden blade towards the training-dummy.

"Was it this fool who dared to assault a member of the Regenon royal family!?"

Emillita swiped her tears away from her eyes, recovering her vision as she gazed upon her big sister's mighty pose. Nodding her head fervently as she pointed towards the asshole who dared defy them.

Mana surged into Rima's wooden sword, that was most definitely crafted blunt and unsharpened. Yet, now empowered, it easily severed the dummy into small-pieces, fitting to be utilized as firewood.

"The enemy has been vanquished! Hail Regenon! Hail kingdom! Hail Marea!" The elven-princess placed her hands upon her hips as her nose shot up towards the ceiling. Relishing in the imaginary roars and cheers of her people. Her little sister popped off the ground to throw herself around Rima's waist. Hugging her as she thanked her.

"Thank you Rimi! You're the strongest and most powerful and most beautiful and bestest sister ever!"

"Hehe~ I know, I know~" Rima gloated some more, as she stroked Emilita's smooth and soft hair. Pulling out a handkerchief from her [Storage] she gently wiped away the lingering blood off Emilita's adorable face. Her eyes softly inspected the younger one, ensuring she was alright before dragging her away towards the bath.

The servants quietly followed behind the two royal princesses. Extremely satisfied that the two sisters who were frequently compared against one and another as opposites were getting along so well.

Rima, the older sibling was seen as a perfection-personified. Her appearance was ideal, as both her hair and eyes were white in colour. Colours the elven often associated with the goddess of beauty, Marea. Her ability, talent and potential in both swordsmanship and the healing arts showed signs of having no limits. That, in addition to the natural longevity of the elves, placed the young Rima upon a high pedestal of hope and prosperity.

In contrast, Emilita was born with both black hair and eyes. Her hair wasn't naturally straight, like Rima's. Her eyes were missing the usual glint of intelligence, and her swordsmanship was mediocre at best. Largely seen as a defect, as the elven-royal family hadn't had any members with such features in many generations to date. The people simply believed all of Marea's gifts to be bestowed upon only the elder-sibling.

And although the royal palace servants, knights and staff never bullied her in any way or capacity. The young Emilita still naturally felt and noticed the biasness of the people. Even things as simple as laughter, smiles and joy, instantly evaporating the moment she entered the room. In comparison to the cheers and applause Rima was accustomed to, having received them on a near everyday basis during training and classes.

Rima, having showered her little sister with love and affection from young. Slowly found that Emilita was distancing herself, the more birthdays they saw and experienced. Chalking it up to simple puberty, or coining it as the rebel-phase. The girl didn't think too much of it. And yet, Emilita continued to isolate herself on every occasion she could.

...

Another nightmare, another crack of thunder and flash of lightning slammed across the heavens. The little Emilita awoke from her slumber, body drenched in sweat as she quickly glanced around her dark room. Again, she had been a victim of sleep-paralysis. Dreaming of demons, devils, ghosts and skeletons haunting her, scaring her heart into bursting. As she awoke, to find herself immobile, frantically searching her room with only her eyes.

As the shadows behind the curtains, the air under her bed, and the creaking wardrobe-door slowly etched open. For dozens of monsters and ghosts to appear, all desperate to communicate with her, clearly wanting something, wanting life.

Another thunder cracked, as it lashed its golden whip across the skies. Sending her consciousness out of slumber, and back into reality.

Emilita knew it, she was dreadfully aware of it. That there was something different about her, when compared to her sister, and even the others.

She never harboured any thoughts of evil, of sins and vile wickedness. Never had she even thought of killing anything. Her swordsmanship itself was only endured as a means to spend time with her sister. And yet, a seed within her soul continued to bloom without her consent. Her innate talent and potential towards necromancy, and the dark arts continued to flourish even when she continued to pray night after night for it not to.

Unable to continue lingering within the darkness alone, she plucked the little bell off her nightstand and rung it.

A equally young maid entered the room, peeping her head in to see her young-lady shivering in fright. Entering in, the moon illuminated her long red hair. 

"Nightmares again Your Highness?"

"Y-yes. Ruby, I order it, you must sleep with me tonight... Again."

Ruby, removed her apron, slipped off her slippers before climbing into the bed and hugging the young princess. In efforts to somewhat salvage the dignity of a princess. Ruby ensured she made no comments upon her sleeping habits, and nor of her fear of the dark. Something that would naturally be used against her by the opposing factions who sought to belittle the royal family.

Something as simply as fearing the dark would surely be weaponized, she thought. As such, just like any other day, she laid flat and allowed Emilita to hug her as if she were a body pillow. Clinging to her, as she sought comfort in the beating of her heart, and the warmth of her presence and understanding.

Glancing over to the tired princess. Ruby had only a single thought. "It's okay princess, no matter what anyone says about you. I'll always be there for you. I promise."

kophzi