Lord Devian awoke, lying amidst the ruins of a grand hall. Lord Drazhan, noticing his awakening, approached and bowed before him. Devian froze, alarmed—he could no longer feel Vera’s power.

  Lord Drazhan: "Emperor Devian, before Empress Vera vanished, she entrusted you with the throne of Alexandria."

  Devian could hardly believe what he was hearing. A searing pain gripped his chest as the curse of the blue flame flared within him, and his power surged beyond his control. In a blink, his magic unveiled their final moments together—his heart broke all over again. He fell to his knees, overwhelmed by sorrow. Blood trickled from his eyes, the curse making his heart ache with a terrible weight.

  Devian: "Vera!"

  He could not accept her loss. Grief turned to rage, and a wave of dark energy erupted from his body—but the curse halted it, forcing him to vomit black blood and collapse in weakness.

  Devian: "She will return to me. She won’t leave me alone in this world. Vera will come back… and I will wait."

  In a place of breathtaking beauty—surrounded by waterfalls and blooming flowers—Vera awoke, bewildered. A radiant woman appeared in the water’s reflection and bowed before her.

  Vishda: "Welcome back to the Celestial Realm, Empress Alexandria. I am Vishda, the Goddess of Water. I’ve come to receive you and return you to the earth. Your people cry out for justice and salvation—you are the only one who can give it."

  Vera: "But I already entrusted Alexandria to Lord Devian. He would never abandon the empire."

  Vishda offered no reply. Vera fell into thought.

  Vishda: "Your Majesty, you sacrificed yourself to pay the price for Lord Devian’s actions against his kind. But the prophecy tied to you was never fulfilled. You must return… to complete it."

  Vera’s expression turned solemn as the goddess stepped closer.

  Vishda: "The Supreme God chose you to rule Alexandria. He entrusted you with Amea and the Red Staff—one of the most powerful relics in existence. Only you can restore peace to Alexandria."

  Vera: "Tell me… what happened to Alexandria after I vanished?"

  Vishda: "You will understand everything once you return. Twenty thousand years have passed since your disappearance. We gods know you cannot abandon Alexandria—only you can change this world."

  Vera suddenly awoke beside a stream, lying on a large rock. The land around her was lifeless—the plants and trees were withered. She sensed danger approaching. Concealing her power, she slipped behind a massive tree to survey the area.

  Vera (whispering): "So this is the new Alexandria… filled with chaos. Why did you let this happen, my friend?"

  Resentment filled her heart toward Devian. She suppressed her power further, ensuring he wouldn’t sense her return.

  In the mountains of the Sages, Lord Devian suddenly woke with a jolt, clutching his chest as he coughed up black blood.

  Devian: "Vera?"

  He was stunned. He had felt it—Vera’s power. The same power that had vanished long ago when she turned to ash.

  In the forest, Vera watched from afar as monstrous creatures—sharp-fanged and heavily armed—chased a lone woman. These were the Hellas, feared for their ferocity and known to devour all in their path. They served the King of Terra, who enslaved entire races and now ruled Alexandria.

  The woman being chased had bronze skin, long black hair, and striking yellow eyes—she was Esma, an Eiranian.

  Esma: "You damn Hellas! We already gave you our hunting spoils, yet you still took our children! Return them to us!"

  The Hellas merely laughed, surrounding her. Though she held only a small dagger, Esma was prepared to fight. Suddenly, the Hellas began to fall one by one. Confused, Esma glanced around, trying to understand the unseen force engulfing them.

  Esma: "What is this power?"

  When the last Hellas fell, Vera appeared before her, shrouded in flame yet in a simple human form. Esma froze, never having seen anyone wield fire magic before.

  Esma: "Who are you? What do you want from me?"

  Vera stepped forward, but Esma instinctively backed away, frightened.

  Vera: "Don’t be afraid. I won’t harm you."

  Esma calmed upon hearing Vera’s voice. As Vera reached out and touched her hand, she glimpsed Esma’s memories and the hardships she’d endured. She released Esma’s hand, and with a snap of her fingers, the kidnapped Eiranian children appeared before them. Esma gasped.

  Vera: "Take me to Elder Eythor. This place is no longer safe for your people."

  Esma: "Who are you? How did you do that? Are you a Sage?"

  Vera: "You’ll know soon enough. But first, let’s return the children to their families and leave before the Hellas return to wipe you out."

  Esma hesitated, struck by Vera’s words.

  In the hidden cave where the Eiranians sought refuge, the children were joyfully reunited with their parents. Vera stood before Elder Eythor, the tribe’s leader.

  Eythor: "Thank you for saving Esma and the children. How can we repay you?"

  Vera: "I am Alexandria Vera of Ameada Alexandria."

  Eythor’s eyes widened in disbelief. As Vera spoke, her eyes turned crimson, and the Red Staff appeared before her. She took hold of it, her divine Ameadan form emerging as her power radiated through the cave. Elder Eythor immediately dropped to his knees, overcome with emotion and awe.

  Eythor: "Empress Alexandria Vera… You’ve truly returned!"

  Vera returned to her ordinary form and helped Elder Eythor to his feet.

  Vera: Please calm yourself, Elder Eythor. I’ve only just returned to life, and already I’ve learned how much you and your people have suffered all these years—hiding from creatures who oppress and destroy your kind.

  Elder Eythor: Your Majesty, please save our race. We've endured for too long. Even though we Eiranians are weak, we still have the right to live and dream of peace. But this world has known no peace since the Ameadan and Ardenian disappeared—since you turned to ash.

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Vera: Back when I was alive, the Eiranians thrived among the towering Dria trees. You guarded their fruit, nurtured their growth.

  Elder Eythor: That was twenty years ago, Your Majesty. The selfish Terranians cut down the Dria trees and slaughtered half our kind. I was just a boy when they burned the fruit, killed our children, and treated us like beasts.

  Elder Eythor wept as he spoke.

  Vera: Why did Lord Devian do nothing? What about the Avisanians? The Hestians? Where are they? Where are the warriors of Alexandria?

  Elder Eythor: When you vanished, so did Lord Devian and the warriors of Alexandria. The Avisanians shut themselves away in their kingdom, and the Hestians sealed off their mountain strongholds. The balance broke. Chaos spread. The Terranians took control of the empire and wrote new laws—laws that turned all other races into slaves. They’ve drained the earth’s gifts, and now the land itself begins to die.

  Vera fell silent, stunned by all she had learned.

  Elder Eythor: Alexandria is no longer the land you once knew. Darkness reigns, and many suffer beneath it. Help us, Your Majesty.

  Later, Vera wandered the forest in silence, deep in thought. Esma followed, watching her curiously. Vera stopped abruptly when a black rabbit emerged from the soil. She picked it up with ease, shocking Esma.

  Vera: Even now, despite all the chaos and corruption spreading through Alexandria, black rabbits still exist.

  Vera turned to Esma, who was half-hidden behind a tree.

  Esma stepped forward cautiously.

  Esma: How can you touch it? That’s a venomous creature. Who are you?

  Vera: I am Vera of Ameada. Only we Ameadan can handle poisonous creatures and cursed food. It is part of who we are.

  Esma: Ameada? I’ve read about the Ameadan in Elder Eythor’s ancient books, but that race vanished thousands of years ago.

  Vera released the rabbit onto the ground. Her eyes glowed an eerie blue, and Esma recoiled in fear.

  Vera: I am the last of my kind. My powers are unlike any other. I know what your people have endured, and I’ve returned to end your suffering.

  Esma: What do you mean?

  Vera: Your days of slavery and hiding underground are over. I will take you to the old kingdom of Alexandria. You’ll be safe there—no creature will dare touch you. And I will restore the Dria groves, so your people can once again live and thrive.

  Esma was speechless.

  Vera: But first, I must visit my dearest friend.

  Tell Elder Eythor I will return soon—after I’ve punished the most wicked creature of all.

  With fury in her heart, Vera vanished into flame. Esma stood in awe, unable to believe what she had just seen.

  The towering mountains of Alexandria were home to the Sages, beings who trained in the mastery of various elements to protect the creatures of Alexandria from the dark forces and rogue beings that plagued their world. But now, there were few Sages left in these mountains. Among them, Lord Devian stood as one of the most powerful, revered as the leader of the Sages in Alexandria.

  Devian: I cannot be mistaken... it is her power I felt. I haven't sensed it in thousands of years. I must discover where this power originates.

  Lord Devian muttered to himself, lost in thought. The night was deep, and the air was cold. As he lay peacefully sleeping, he remained unaware of Vera’s power that enveloped the entire mountain range. In his dream, he stood outside, gazing at the mountains that were blanketed in mist.

  Vera: This place is beautiful, my friend.

  Devian froze, his eyes widening as he turned to see the young woman who had approached him. He didn’t recognize her, and she wasn’t one of his followers. Confused, he studied her with suspicion.

  Vera: In the stillness of this place, you can control the dark powers... You will no longer suffer from the curse of the blue fire.

  Devian was stunned by her words. He wanted to speak, but found himself unable to utter a sound.

  Vera: You chose to abandon Alexandria, leaving it to be ruled by those unworthy of such power. Now, many suffer. I misjudged you, my friend. I didn’t expect this from you. Why did you allow this to happen?

  Without a word, the woman turned her back to him. Devian reached out, grabbing her hand to stop her, but as he did, she turned and revealed her true form—an Ameadan. Vera’s eyes glistened with tears, her heart full of anger and betrayal.

  Devian: Vera, you’ve returned.

  Devian fell to his knees, overwhelmed with emotion, as he grasped her hand.

  Devian: Forgive me, Vera.

  Vera: Why did you allow Alexandria to suffer like this? I gave you the throne and the power that was meant for you. I trusted you. Why did you do this to me?

  Suddenly, blue fire erupted from Vera’s palm, striking Devian’s chest, entering his heart. He woke with a jolt, wracked with pain as the world around him burned. Meanwhile, Vera returned to the forest, sitting on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she assumed her ordinary form.

  Vera: Was I wrong to trust my friend? I had so much faith in him, believing he could carry out the duties I had given him, but I was wrong. Why did he do this to me?

  The earth trembled in response to her fury, stones exploding around her.

  Meanwhile, in the grand hall where the Sages gathered, Lord Arion and Lady Amirah, both allies of Lord Devian, were in deep conversation about the recent events.

  Arion: According to our investigation, no one entered the mountain. Lord Devian was alone in his chamber. There are spells set in place at the entrances to the mountain to detect any intruders or dark beings, but nothing unusual was found. The disciples saw nothing strange either.

  Amirah: This is the first time something like this has happened. This place has always been peaceful, especially Lord Devian’s residence—it’s supposed to be the safest part of the mountain.

  Arion: Only Lord Devian can answer these questions. However, he remains unconscious. The day of choosing the new disciples is approaching, and we can’t allow this situation to interfere.

  Amirah: I will check on his condition.

  Arion: Lady Amirah, Lord Devian has always insisted on being left alone when resting. Let him have this time to recover.

  Amirah looked troubled. It was clear she harbored deep feelings for Lord Devian, but now was not the time to express them.

  Meanwhile, Vera had taken the Eiranians outside the cave where they had been hiding.

  Elder Eythor: Everyone is here, Your Majesty.

  With a simple wave of Vera's hand, they were transported to the ancient kingdom of Andria—the first kingdom of Alexandria, long forgotten by all. The Eiranians gazed in awe at the ruined kingdom, but with a snap of Vera’s fingers, the former beauty of the kingdom was restored. The forest around them came back to life, rivers flowing once more.

  Vera: From now on, this is your home. Remember these words: do not oppress others. Do not take what does not belong to you. Respect your elders. You may not fight unless necessary. You must not harm anyone. Do not speak ill of others. Take care of nature and the Dria trees. Revive your race in this place. No one will harm you here. You are free, so remember my words.

  Vera knelt, placing her hand on the ground, and suddenly, her Ameadan form emerged again. The Eiranians gasped in amazement at the power they witnessed.

  Vera: Earth God and Water Goddess, guardians of nature, I ask you to reclaim the wealth taken by selfish creatures with dark intentions. Give your gifts to those who truly need them, to those who deserve them. I, the Empress Alexandria Vera of Ameada, ask you to heed my request.

  Light burst from where Vera stood, and the Eiranians looked on in awe.

  Esma: Is she the mighty Empress of Alexandria?

  Elder Eythor: Yes, she is our beloved Empress Alexandria Vera. She has returned to save us all from the darkness and evil.

  Vera stood tall, her gaze sweeping over the Eiranians. One by one, they bowed in respect, feeling the overwhelming power that radiated from her.

  Vera: I will reward the worthy, but the guilty will be punished with death. I will cast the unworthy back to the earth, where they will pay for their sins.

  Meanwhile, Lord Devian suddenly vomited black blood, and Vera, sensing his pain, felt her heart tighten. In the mountains of the Sages, Devian lay pale and weak, having been in this condition for several days. Vera appeared to him, her fiery powers crackling in the air.

  Vera: I should not pity you, but you cannot bear the curse of the blue fire. Have you really grown weak, Dark Lord and Emperor of Alexandria?

  She touched his shoulder, and Devian woke with a start, surprised to see her standing before him.

  Vera: There is much we need to discuss, and I know you are the only one who can answer my questions. Though I am angry with you, I have no choice but to lessen the curse I placed upon you so that we may speak clearly.

  A small flame of blue fire emerged from Devian’s chest and transferred to Vera’s hand. As he coughed up black blood, Vera cut her wrist and placed her bleeding hand to his lips.

  Vera: Drink my blood so that your strength may return.

  Devian stared at her, silent and unresponsive. Without waiting for a reply, Vera pressed her hand to his mouth, and Devian, in his weakened state, drank her blood. As he did, he could feel her eyes on him, though he refused to meet her gaze.

  #EndChapter2

  The Rise of the Empress! In this part of the story, we witness Vera's emotional journey as she grapples with the weight of her past, the shifting powers around her, and the challenging decisions she must make for the future of Alexandria. It’s a turning point in the narrative, and I hope you felt the depth of the emotions and the stakes involved.