1 Chapter One: "Where it all started" Part (1)

The sounds of the rain are something that Ash-like and dislikes at the same time. The sound of the rain will always make her remember the tragic past she had. She looked down under the bridge where she is standing on and saw the streams of water underneath it. She pulled out a lily in her coat and throw it on the water.

"Happy death anniversary, Ashlyn Brielle Everleigh," she said as she closes her eyes and a moment later, you can hear something fallen into the water.

Ash felt cold underneath the water, and wish for her death to come. But, she knows that these small actions won't cause her death. For she cannot die anyway and no matter what she does, she won't die.

Where did it all start? Well, everything started many hundreds of years ago.

It was a time where electronics were not in the world yet. Not even TV's or video games even existed yet. It was a time of kingdoms, and Ash lived during these periods.

She was born in the kingdom of Oryn. A kingdom that full of good harvest, and a kingdom that everyone wants to migrate in. Even though the kingdom is not big as England today, the military system was quite strong. It was all because of a young princess.

She had beautiful soft skin and blonde curly hair with her deep green eyes and her cherry lips. Whenever we think of a princess, we think of them like dolls, dressing up, and enjoying a cup of tea. However, this princess is different.

She is the captain of the knights of the kingdom, and she is the model that Ash wanting to become. The heir to the throne, Princess Amelia Scounbeirgh of the Oryn kingdom. She was also Ash's aunt.

Ash would always go to the training grounds to see her aunt training her swords.

The princess noticed her presence and smiled at her when she sees her. "You came here again, my little niece. Do you want to see me kick some butt off?"

"Yes! I want to see aunt kick some butt off!" the seven years old Ash said. Then, a man with a big build came behind the princess.

"Your Highness, please stop using such vulgar words. And don't let little Ashlyn hear it," he said.

"Don't be such naggers, old man," she said as she patted his shoulder. "She should learn it early, you know."

"Little Ashlyn, don't listen to your crazy aunt, okay?" he said as he kneels in front of her.

"Your tongue would be cut off if you say words like that, old man," Amelia said while she swings her wooden sword.

"But, you never report me so it's okay," he said. He looks back at Ashlyn again, and an idea pops into his head.

"Ashlyn, do you want to learn how to wield a sword?" he asked. Amelia halted from swinging the sword and quickly went closer to Ashlyn.

"Say no Ashlyn. Auntie doesn't want you to hold a sword and it's not lady-like," she said as she pinches Ash's cheeks.

"Then how about you, auntie? Why are you holding a sword if it's not lady-like?" Ash asked her. These made the old man snickered. Amelia glared at him, and he quickly avoided it.

"Well, I… because I wanted to," she said.

"Me too, Auntie, I want to learn the sword and become like you, a great knight!" Ash exclaimed in excitement.

"But," Amelia was about to answer back when the old man patted her shoulder.

"Let her be, Amelia. You were also like that, remember? You were so persistent to learn the sword even though the king was against it," the old man patted Ashlyn's head and smiled. "She is just like you, persistent."

"Alright, alright, I let her be. But, first," Amelia stood up and put her hands on her hips. "Let's have the king's permission first. I don't want to be scolded by father by letting a child hold a sword."

From that day, Ash or Ashlyn began her training.

As time goes by, her training was getting difficult. But, it was nothing to Ashlyn. Every soldier would admire the two women training hard. They even have nicknames for these two. For the princess, it was the Dancing Sword Knight. For Ashlyn, the Mighty Warrior.

When Ashlyn turned eighteen, she was fully recognized as one of the knights of the kingdom of Oryn. And the thirty years old, Amelia now became the next ruler of the kingdom. Although she is now in her thirties, she still looks young.

During her reign, there were lots of wars going on. Even though she doesn't want any bloodshed, she can't help but protect her small kingdom. Whenever there was a country that would challenge the kingdom, she would conquer them with the help of the military of the kingdom. Ashlyn would become part of the conflict for she's now an official knight.

Conquest after conquest, victory was always at their side, bringing joy to the kingdom.

The small kingdom was expanding its territory every time it defeated another enemy.

After how many years of conquest, finally, peace came again to the kingdom. Ashlyn had become the chief commander of the knights of Orlyn, and an adviser to the Queen. Everyone on the battlefield will always remember the two beauties standing side-by-side with their swords in their hands.

Queen Amelia, and Ash Gray. That was her new nickname. For she burns down every enemy she sees and killed them with all her might.

Ash was twenty-eight when the war had ended. The queen was busy again with the new territory the kingdom had to manage. Ash thought that everything was over. However, it was still the beginning.

When the queen turned forty of age, she fell ill. Everyone was worried about her. Ash didn't know why her energetic aunt would fall ill. There were no signs that she was sick.

"She's been hiding it from you, commander. We know that she has quite a few years to live. We want to inform you but, she doesn't want to distract you from battle," her trusted friend, Cedrick told her the truth. The queen has been suffering from tuberculosis at the age of thirty. That was when her symptoms show up. The officials were against letting her go to the battlefield, but the queen's determination can't be defeated.

One night, Ash asked to meet up with the queen. The queen let her into her chambers.

What Ash saw was different from what she remembered. Her aunt was now skinny and pale. There was no more optimism in her.

She fell on her knees and lowered her head. She was holding her tears back. For a knight to cry in front of the queen was not that pleasing.

"Why are you crying, my little niece? Or should I say, my strong and dependable niece?" the voice of the queen was quite weak compared to her old self. It only made Ash's heartthrob in pain. If only she knew, she won't let this thing happened.

"I know what you're thinking, Ashlyn. You always had that protection over me. Since I became a queen, there were lots of enemies that would attack me anytime. And you will be there at my side to make sure that I would be safe. I am glad to have a niece like you. And I am sure your parents would be proud of you if they were here."

Ash clenched her fist on her laps and felt her tears flowing down her cheeks.

Since the moment she was born, the king and the princess have taken custody of her. Her mother -the king's sister- died while giving birth to her. And her father died in an accident. She was fortunate to be taken care of by royalty. That is why she would always follow her aunt like a baby chick.

But, now she's seeing this, she will lose another loved one again. The king is already dead due to sickness, and it will also happen to her beloved daughter.

"Would you give your aunt a hug?" the queen asked in an affectionate voice. Ash quickly went near the queen and hugs her gently. She set aside the rules and etiquette of a knight and became the little niece she was.

"I have a limited time to live Ashlyn but, I want to leave you my last order," Amelia said. Ashlyn pulled away from the embrace, and wipe her tears.

"What is it, your majesty?" she asked. Amelia smiled at her and looked behind Ashlyn. The beautiful night sky can be seen from her balcony. A lot of stars were shining above it.

"Please protect the kingdom, my Great Knight Ashlyn Brielle Everleigh. So, that the kingdom will continue and shine like those stars. I will trust your decision. No matter what it takes, please protect the kingdom," the queen looks at her with authority in her eyes.

Ashlyn gestures a chest salute, and answer her, "Your wish is my command, your majesty. This knight will protect the kingdom at all cost."

"Thank You, Ashlyn," that was the last time the queen smiled at her. For early in the morning, the queen was announced dead.

Everyone in the kingdom was mourning the loss of their great queen. Everyone was wearing black to show their respect to the former queen.

"Are you alright, Ashlyn?" someone went near her side. He was wearing a white robe that only a priest could wear. He had these dark brown eyes with brown curly hair. His tanned skin matches him perfectly.

"What do you think would be my answer to that question, Elliot?" Ash took a side glance at him. He sighed and scratches the back of his head.

"I guessed you're annoyed. Everyone would feel sad about the passing of the queen especially you, as her niece."

"Yes, her passing was sudden news to the kingdom. But, her will to fight it to the end is something that I am amazed at," she looks up at the gloomy sky and recalls what happened on the battlefield.

"I can't tell that she was sick at all. She was so optimistic during the battle. She never showed her weakness. Not even to me, or to her enemy," she said as she looks back at the coffin of the queen.

Elliot saw the expression she made. It was an expression that he never once saw in her.

Every time he took a visit to the kingdom, he never saw this side of her. Ash was a person with a strong heart. She is cold and strict whenever she is working. Unlike the women that always had a smile, and act so lady-like, Ash is different.

The Ash he's now staring at is the soft side of her. He wanted to hug her and tell her everything is going to be okay, but he couldn't. It would become an issue to the temple and the kingdom.

"Don't look at me like that, idiot," she said as she stares back at him.

"Hey Ash, do you still remember when we were kids?" he asked.

"What is it?"

"The promise I made to you. We were just kids back then, and I keep on saying that when we grow old, I'll marry you," he said as he scratches his chin. He didn't want to say it, but he just wants to bring it back.

"Oh, that? Yeah, it was ridiculous. Why would a young apprentice of a priest marry a girl? That was so dense of you," she said as she adjusts her black cape.

'Yeah, that was ridiculous of me, but I want to marry you though. If I'm not only chosen by heaven, I would quit being a priest, and marry you,' he thought. Elliot had a long time feelings for Ash. Ash was the perfect girl he could ask for. Ash is a brave woman and had a big heart toward the orphan back at the orphanage.

"How are the children going? I didn't have time to visit them because of the busy schedule," he asked.

"Oh, them?" Ash leans on a tree trunk, and cross her arm. "They are fine. They are still the kids you know."

"I see, I am glad," Elliot stares at the funeral session. The head priest was delivering a speech about the dead, also how great the queen and all of her good deeds. The officials, the citizen was mourning for her death. But, deep inside, some of them are happy about this. This is a great opportunity for them to strike back.

"I heard that the coronation for the new ruler will happen after this," he said.

Ash heaved a sigh and massages her temple. "Yeah, and that will be my hard-head cousin."

"I think he is not fit for the position. He had no leadership at all," he said.

"That's what also other officials and the grand duke said. But, there was no other option."

"There is one though," he took a step forward and crossed his arms. He turned around to face Ash, and point his finger toward her. "You."

Ash straighten her back and raise her left eyebrow, "Me?" she pointed at herself.

"Yes, you had the potential. The only relative of the queen was only you two. If you added the duke and his son, that would be four but, their family had step down from the position of taking the crown. So that means, you are the only one left that is the better option," he explained.

Ash slowly covers her mouth and laughs silently. It would be disrespectful if everyone heard this conversation during a funeral session.

"Thank you for that good words but, I already said it even to the queen that I'm not interested to lead a kingdom."

"Because of you being a knight?"

"Not only that, if I become a queen, I need to face lots of scum here and there. I won't be able to move around however I want. And being a queen does not suit me. But, being a knight is enough for me. I can protect the kingdom at any cost."

"The kingdom," Elliot mumbled. He remembers his vision some night ago.

Ash notices the change of mood in Elliot. Ash knows that whenever he made that face, something is bothering him.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Huh?" Elliot came back to his senses when he heard her.

"You seem a bit troubled. Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Uh, it's nothing," he said as he avoided her gaze.

"That was a lie. I know you well, Elliot. Whenever you lie, your eyes keep looking to the left," she said pointing her finger to his eyes.

Elliot gulped and awkwardly laughs. "It seems I can't escape your detector skills."

"So, what is it?"

Elliot sighed and walk forward toward her. Ash stares at him waiting for an answer. But, it was not the answer that surprised her. It was Elliot who suddenly patted her head softly.

"What, what are you doing?" she asked quickly stepping back.

"Please protect the kingdom, Ash. And also," he looked at her directly in her eyes.

"No matter what your decision may be, always remember that I will always support it," he seriously stated for he knows what will happen but, he will never dare say it. Just for the sake of Ash, and the kingdom.

Ash confusedly looks at him. Elliot was not making any sense to her. All she wanted was an answer to her question.

"Huh? That was not my main-"

"I'll better be back, Ash. The session is nearly finished, and I have to do a little ritual. See you later," he turned away and continued to walk without looking back. It would be bad if Ash saw his sad expression.

"What's wrong with that guy?" she mumbled.

"Chief Commander, it's time," one of the knights came toward her. "We are now waiting for your orders."

"Tell the others to get in their position."

"Yes," the knight salutes her and returns to the squad.

Ash looked back again to the coffin of the Queen.

'May your soul be in peace, Your Majesty. Rest Assured, I will take good care of this kingdom as the Chief Commander of the Oryn Knight,' she thought. Ash gave a salute to the late queen and quickly leaves the funeral.