(Please note that Book 1: The Veilbreakers contains no romantic elements. Romance will be introduced in Book 2: Supreme Valoure Academy. Additionally, some details in Book 1 may not fully make sense until the subsequent books have been read.)
YEAR 1510
ARCANE COSMOS, PLANET CONJURIA
Amidst the clashing of metal armaments, another tremor shook the ground. A war had erupted under the four full moons, pitting the Planet Arcanum against the Conjuria—the smallest planet in the Arcane Cosmos. It remained the sole unconquered territory. However, the current situation seemed bleak, as it was only a matter of time before the Arcanians would reach the throne chamber and seize control.
The Conjurians stood little chance against the advanced weaponry of their adversaries. Millions of Arcanian soldiers, equipped with Elthier-infused armor, resisted their powers and posed a formidable force they struggled to overcome.
“My Queen, Shillan, you must escape. Leave everything to me. I will protect our planet,” Marcov insisted urgently.
Like the diamonds of her crown, Shillan’s eyes sparkled with tears as she vehemently shook her head. “No, Marcov, you must come with us. We can find a fresh start in another world.”
Marcov gently wiped away her tears. “But, my love, every other planet is under the control of the Arcanians. To begin anew means abandoning our entire galaxy."
“Both of you make valid points,” Shermanda interjected. “Father, it’s time for us to leave Conjuria and the Arcane Cosmos behind. We can find safety and refuge in another galaxy.”
“But how? Our airship hasn’t been one hundred percent completed. We can’t possibly ride in an unreliable spacecraft. We might end up dead,” Sherran said, Shermanda’s twin sister.
“We knew that this war was bound to happen, which is why we expedited the process of building an airship. However, unexpected circumstances arose, and we didn’t anticipate that the Arcanians would invade us so soon. But I knew better. It’s always better to be prepared for the worst, which is why I came up with another plan,” Shermanda explained. “The Portons possess incredible powers. I have trained them, and they can help us. Right, Fridz?” She turned to him, seeking confirmation.
Fridz’s jaw tightened with determination as he took a decisive step forward. “My Queen,” he began, “Princess Shermanda is absolutely right. Our family possesses a unique ability—each one of us can transport at least five individuals simultaneously. That means we have the potential to evacuate over twenty people from our besieged galaxy.”
“But how about the others? We can’t just leave our people behind,” Sherran asserted.
“You’re right, Princess,” Fridz replied with a sigh. “I understand your concerns, but our top priority should be your safety. The reality is that we’re facing a losing battle, and going outside now would put us in immediate danger. Sacrifices are unfortunately necessary. We must be grateful for those who have already made them and are willing to. Let’s ensure their sacrifices weren’t in vain by deciding to leave.”
Azuellon, the son of the Military Commander, raised his hand. “I agree with Adviser Fritz, Your Majesty. My father is still on the battlefield, but I believe the rational choice is to leave.”
The Royal Family exchanged glances and nodded firmly at each other. The Queen finally announced her decision. “Very well. I appoint you, Fridz Porton, as our guide to our destination. However, do we have a specific location in mind?”
“My Queen, Princess Shermanda has meticulously planned everything and provided me with instructions. I have already identified a planet where we can establish our new home. It is located in the farthest galaxy from Arcane Cosmos,” he responded politely. “We are heading towards the Milky Way, Your Majesty.”
Without wasting any time, Queen Shillan ordered the Portons to initiate the transportation. All the individuals present in the throne chamber were included in the count, amounting to a total of thirty-two individuals, including high-ranking officials and their families.
With the imminent danger as the massive door burst open, Fridz urgently instructed his family to join him in opening the portal. Their eyes glowed, and a colossal gateway emerged, radiating a shimmer of energy. As they crossed the threshold, they were surrounded by a rush of energy and transported through a swirling vortex of colors and lights. Time and space became fluid, and they felt weightless as they glided through new and unfamiliar sights.
The transportation was successful, and they found themselves in a desolate place. A vast expanse of barren ground stretched before them, devoid of trees or any signs of life.
“What is this place?” Shillan asked, surveying her surroundings. “What planet are we on?”
Breathless, Fridz replied, “We have arrived on Planet Earth, Your Majesty. It is double the size of Arcanum. This is a realm inhabited by beings known as humans.”
“How are we going to survive here? This place feels like a barren wasteland,” Marcov said, shaking his head in disbelief. The others shared his frustration as they expressed their concerns.
“Are you certain these humans aren’t dangerous?”
“There are no crops here to cultivate. Do we even eat the same food as humans?”
“And what about water? All I see is sand. Besides, it’s too hot here.”
Shermanda interjected amidst the complaints. “This is still better than being under the control of the Arcanians. We have thoroughly assessed this planet.What we see now is merely a small fraction of its potential.” She let out a sigh and shrugged. “For now, this is the only place we can seek refuge. We are vastly different from humans in appearance. We cannot afford to be seen by them. They might perceive us as invaders.”
Unlike humans, who typically had light or dark-colored eyes, skin, and hair, Conjurians possessed dual-colored hair and extremely pale skin resembling milk. Their eyes would glow whenever they used their powers. The way they dressed was also different as they typically wore triple-layered, insulated clothing.
“Besides, they speak in a variety of unfamiliar languages here,” Shermanda added.
“Do these humans possess extraordinary powers like us?” Azuellon asked.
She shook her head. “No, they are just ordinary people.”
“Then we can prevail if a war is initiated.”
“No! We must not become like the Arcanians. We are nothing like them! We were the ones in need of help, and we must also show humility,” Shermanda asserted, her voice firm. She continued softly, “Everything will be fine. Once the Portons regain their energy, we will find food and materials to build our shelter.”
“My child . . .” Shillan murmured, unable to hold back her tears as she looked at Shermanda, who returned her gaze with a questioning expression. Shillan embraced her tightly. “I am so proud of you, Manda. You possess the qualities of a true queen.”
“You’re the best, Manda! You’ll be the next queen, and I’ll be your right-hand,” Sherran chimed in, beaming.
“For the love of my cosmos! I can’t believe how lucky we are to have daughters like you,” Marcov exclaimed, shaking his head and laughing.
The others suddenly chanted, “Hail the Next Queen! Hail the Next Queen!”
Queen Shillan raised both of her fists, and they all fell silent. This gesture was customary for the Conjurian Queen to assert her authority. She lowered her hands and smiled ecstatically. She began, “I’m grateful to all of you for believing that Shermanda deserves to ascend the throne. With this, I am willingly stepping down and inaugurating Shermanda Lennox as the Queen of Conjurians.”
While all the officials offered their support and respect for the Queen’s decision, Shermanda was taken aback and overwhelmed by the sudden proclamation. Her eyes welled up with tears, and she looked at Shillan in disbelief. “Mother, you still have a year left to reign. It’s too early for you to make such a decision.”
Shillan shook her head slowly. “No, you have already proven yourself, Manda. You deserve it. Even if I were to leave this world right now, I wouldn’t worry about you and your sister.”
“No, don’t say that. We still need you.”
Shillan simply smiled warmly. “I would love to see you rule, Manda. For now, just accept the throne.”
Nodding, Shermanda lowered her head and allowed Shillan to place the crown on her.
▼
In the initial days on Earth, the Conjurians faced the challenge of finding food and essential resources. Moreover, the climate was milder than Conjuria, so they needed to adapt. They removed layers of their clothing and used them as makeshift head coverings to blend in with the locals. As they cautiously explored their surroundings, their presence was unexpectedly discovered, leading to a new and uncertain situation.
Hunted by humans, they couldn’t help but use their powers in defense, resulting in losses on both sides. Humans grew to despise them, and some Conjurians developed a hatred for humans in return.
As the new queen, Shermanda chose to prioritize peace and harmony by avoiding conflicts with humans. She instructed her people to relocate to a quieter place, where they could live without disturbances and maintain a peaceful coexistence. While some agreed, others harbored thoughts of revenge. Nevertheless, Shermanda insisted on preventing further bloodshed. However, despite the Portons’ continuous efforts to find a suitable settlement, the vastness of the unfamiliar terrain presented challenges. Eventually, following Shillan’s desires, they arrived near the embrace of an ocean. The Conjurians felt a shared sense of joy as they admired the glistening expanse of water, appreciating the serene beauty of the setting sun.
Meanwhile, Shillan turned to Shermanda and said, “We need to talk, Manda.” Leading the way away from the others, she continued, “I have already discussed this with your father. Considering our situation, the best solution would be to create our own territory.”
“That would be amazing, Mother. But how do we go about it?”
“Trust me on this.” Shillan gently cupped her daughter’s face and embraced her tightly. “I’m so proud of you, Manda."
Shillan announced the news, and everyone was filled with joy. Marcov hugged his wife, and they whispered words of love to each other. After breaking away from the embrace, they walked near the shore and interlocked their fingers. They began chanting, “Shakham de malti ri munda wonram pa shim.”
“What are they doing? Can a chant like that really create a territory?” Sherran asked Shermanda.
Shrugging, Shermanda furrowed her brows and shook her head. “Maybe. Mother told me to trust her.”
The sun had bid its farewell as the chanting ceased. Marcov and Shillan embraced each other once again, murmuring words of praise for their accomplishment. On the outside, they appeared to be celebrating with joy, but the truth was, they were exhausted and struggling to maintain steady breathing.
Fridz approached them with a determined look in his eyes. He then turned his attention to his wife and two sons, exchanging purposeful glances. With a subtle nod, they gathered together. Creating a large portal filled with endless possibilities, he invited everyone to step inside. In an instant, they were transported to a pristine island that seemed to have emerged out of thin air in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean. The group couldn’t contain their excitement and expressed their profound gratitude to Shillan and Marcov for their extraordinary powers.
However, amidst the joyous atmosphere, the mood suddenly shifted as the two architects of this miraculous escape collapsed, unconscious.
Panic gripped everyone, and a wave of concern washed over their faces. Shermanda and Sherran anxiously crouched down beside their parents, desperately attempting to rouse them, but their efforts yielded no response. A sense of dread intensified as their skin took on a haunting shade of purple, and their breaths ceased altogether.
“Mother! Father! Wake up!” Sherran cried.
Shermanda exclaimed, “Mother, is this what you meant? How could you leave us like this? You told me to trust you!”
Fridz’s voice broke. “For a new beginning to be found, sacrifices must be unbound.”