"One day, one hour, one minute, or one second may be all that it takes for Earth to collapse. But, it'll be too late to save it, and that second will forever be a regret."

••

"I don't think you know what you are saying. Are you feeling any symptoms? Or do you want a reminder of your opinion about the issue?" Louis sarcastically asked.

"I am not sick, and I am in my right state of mind. I have no option but to accept because, at this point, I have nothing else to lose. The kingdom is where I belong, and I am willing to learn more about it," I boldly replied.

"We'll continue speaking about this later. I need to go now. Take care of yourself and rest well."

None of the members was here because of obligation. The guards never left the door, and the Doctors were awake developing the hospital's facilities. Gaina, Samuel, and even Devlin never delayed any task assigned and held the responsibility of protecting one another. It was only me using my role to move on. Unlike their sincere passion, I was only here to fight my hopelessness.

I sat in front of the fireplace, observing the amber fire. The room was dimly lit, and the fire specks were the only source of the sound. The dorm felt as empty as a forest without trees. Despite the simple elegance in each detail of the dorm, it was lonely and odd. I wondered if I'll be able to fulfil my duties and continue on an unknown path with no clear will.

It wasn't long before Aunt Giana came with her casual smile as if reading my confusion. I never imagined loving the protectors or giving in to their claims. They threw me into a harsh reality and expected me to adapt. But, unlike anyone else, Aunt Giana always showed her apology. She wanted to guide me into what the kingdom meant slowly. Her uniqueness was in her calmness and not fierce commands nor arrogance.

"Aryn, if you're feeling better, may I speak to you?"

"Yes, of course, Aunt Gaina."

"I'm really glad that you're willing to become a protector. But, do you think taking a decision now is right? You're tired, and it takes a lot of effort to learn about this world."

She paused, gazing at me with doubt and sympathy. I didn't know how to answer or tell her that this kingdom meant nothing to me. Many words haunted my lips as an urge to scream conquered me. Rizolir took everything away from me. I wanted a return for everything I sacrificed. I didn't care about what it took to become a protector, as long as it provided a reason for me to live.

"Yes. It is the right decision. Isn't that what you all wanted? You all made me go to jail, lose my job, and threw me into my reality. Now that I am finally giving in, I don't want anyone to interfere because everything was your fault," I said as tears began streaming down my cheek.

"Aryn, I can't know what you're passing through, but I know that we are all here for you. Being a protector requires you to put your heart and soul into it, and not just because you want to move on or forget the past," she gently said.

"It's getting late now. You should get some sleep and regain your strength. I don't know much about you, Aryn, but I do know you're the strongest protector here. I don't doubt you as a protector because you'd make a great one. But, I want you to give your full potential. And not just be here because of revenge or anger."

"I have a task right now, but do think about what I told you, Aryn. I'm sure you'll be able to make the best decision. Good night," she lightly said.

In silence, Aunt Gaina left, sadness visible in her eyes.

The next hours passed by, with each second ticking in my ear. The gloominess of the room was slowly replaced by sunshine while I sat thinking about Aunt Gaina's words.

As I walked towards the exit of Rizolir, the beauty of the kingdom made each step feel heavier. The lake was dimly shining in blue as the tulips and lilies circled it. It was still, and there weren't any humans besides the guards, who never left for rest or sleep.

When I reached the entrance, I remembered that my car was still at Ethan's house, and even the automated car was at mine. However, it has automatically returned to the Kingdom, waiting to be commanded.

I dropped some flowers on Aunt Olivia's grave and wandered around the city like a lost child. My parents' grave was next to hers. At that moment, I forgot their abandonment, their letter, and everything that connected me to their hurtful past. Tears rolled down my cheek as my eyes saw their names written on that grey stone.

Taking deep breaths, I headed to the police station, on the path of justice.

It wasn't long before I sat in front of the officer, unable to speak. Gasping for air, a feeling of suffocation tied my neck. At that moment, my eyes took the duty of my lips and spoke through bitter tears. Trying to show strength in my brittle words, I gave my statement as a witness of Ethan's crimes. The police officer recorded everything bluntly, not knowing what it took to be here or to pronounce each word.

"Lastly, he asked a man of his to open two black bags, and-" I paused.

"Sorry. I am really sorry. But can I have a glass of water before I continue?" I stuttered.

"Yes, sure, take your time."

After drinking a few sips, I continued, explaining every detail. The police officer wrote each word and interrogated me without showing much concern. I could only look to the grey floor during the entire time, hoping it would end soon.

As the police officer signed my statement, I weakly smiled and left. It wasn't long before I opened the squeaking door of my house, coughing as dust particles flew around. Instantly, I went upstairs and changed my golden dress. Although it would forever remind me of that night, my hands refused to throw it. It was a gift from Ellena, and this was how I chose to record it in my memories.

"Aryn! Oh my god! Thank god," Ellena said as I opened the front door.

"You didn't come home yesterday, and your phone had no signal. I waited all night for you, but you never came," she stated as she hung her jacket.

"Aryn? Didn't you sleep yesterday? You're about to collapse. Are you fine? And what happened with Ethan yesterday?"

"Hold on there. Give me a chance to speak," I replied.

"Yes, I didn't sleep since yesterday. And, as for Ethan, he's where he's supposed to be."

"What?" she responded with a confused look.

"In jail Ellena."

"What! And what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with him? He waited an entire year for you, Aryn. You can't just leave him like that."

"Shut up, Ellena," I muttered.

I looked at her with droplets of sweat on my forehead. My fists tightened. Tensing my eyebrows, I felt fresh tears forming in my eyes. My heart pounded against my chest as heat build-up in my shivering limbs.

"He's a murderer. Nothing but a bastard who only cares about his damn self!"I screamed.

"And you know what? He killed my parents and even threw me their dead bodies! He sold their organs just like his many other victims," I exclaimed.

She gasped, her eyes widening. Despite my blurred vision, I could witness her looking down, trying to show some strength. She stood for a moment, speechless. Her face was getting paler as she interpreted every word I said. Still speechless, Ellena embraced me as if I was gonna disappear in flames. This was the first time I saw her in such dismay- unable to speak or comfort me. Her silly jokes were suddenly buried under her sobs, and her mascara was smudged all over her face.

Everything was proceeding slowly, and I felt empty, deprived of any emotion. It was as if I realized their death now, along with Ellena, for the first time.

"We'll pass through this together. We're there for each other at the happy and the sad, remember?" she said, with blurry eyes.

I nodded with a forced smile. It wasn't long before she left, asking me to rest. As I snuggled myself in the blanket, my eyes unwillingly closed. The bitter taste of salt was my last memory before sleep, as my damp cheeks fell onto the pillow.

Suddenly, an alarm began ringing in a sonorous sound. I jerked out of bed, remembering that I never set the alarm. With eyes half-opened, I searched for the source to shut it. But, it was the silver phone of the kingdom. It wasn't an alarm. It was a call from an anonymous number. With a blurry vision, I clicked on whatever was green on the screen.

"Young lady, where are you? Do you even know what time is it?"

"I'm at home. Where I'm supposed to be. And as for the time, it's 7:30 pm," I replied, looking at the clock.

"It's your first class in the kingdom today, and you're late. I'm already deducting points, and we didn't even start."

"I was never told about any class."

"Oh really? Look into your phone's missed calls. Anyway, don't waste more time and come to the kingdom."

"Not today. I won't be ab-"

Before resuming my statement, he hang-up instantly. I sighed, dressing up in unwillingness. That kingdom was the only reason left to fight. Each step felt heavy, and each breath felt like a burden, but I somehow had hope that Rizolir would give me the life I lost back. And I was ready to sacrifice everything for that hope.

I sat on the fancy leather of the car and commanded it to be delivered to the kingdoms. The long lanes reminded me of my university days. Everything within the kingdom only triggered a beautiful past, and it almost felt like any mishaps disappeared into its mystic lakes and air.

It was a few hours before the car reached its destination. As usual, the same guards bowed after my entrance with blunt expressions. They were a man and a woman with dark skins and a distinguishing sun tattoo embedded on their necks. Quietly, they led me to Louis, whose left eyebrow was raised.

"Wow. The young lady finally arrived. I mean, I don't know how you graduated if you're one hour late to your first class," he sarcastically said.

"I wasn't gonna come anyway. Can we just get done over with this?"

There were about six tree trunks, chopped to serve as seats. They were polished at the surface, only reflecting the trees above. There were no barriers except the sparkling sky, full of condensed stars. As a young child, I spent most of my time sitting in Aunt Olivia's garden, lost in the endless lines of stars. But, in Rizolir's sky, the stars' were little diamonds touching each other, crammed, in the vast dark sky.

"Are you done stargazing? If so, open your book," Louis commanded.

"What book? I didn't bring any," I replied.

"Didn't I tell you to preserve Rules of Death well? Take my copy for now," he angrily said.

"Listen. I've come here after burying both of my parents, Louis. I saw them murdered, and I am just searching for a reason to continue fighting and living. I will not always be an obedient student because I see this beautiful kingdom as just some hope to continue living. I feel the need to tell you this, just so you don't expect me to be that person who attends the classes, or brings the books, or becomes an accomplished protector like everyone here," I said, with an aching heart.

"I don't expect you to be that student. Because I wasn't either. And every protector here didn't become accomplished from nothing. Sacrifices are needed for great things to happen," he replied.

"Anyway, let's start now, shall we?"

I nodded and sat on one of the tree trunks, with grass tickling my feet. His words were few, and they weren't something only wise men would say. But his voice sent some relief in my heavy breaths and empty soul. There was an undeniable tone of sorrow in his voice. It almost felt as if he understood my pain. His voice was tight, as if tied by something he is trying to conceal and forget.

"First of all, you have to know what you will be doing as a protector. You'll simply have to donate about 500 millimetres of blood every three months. Now, one of our blood exceptional components is palladium, It is extracted by specialists and used for one main reason," he explained.

"You see, every generation of protectors has a different task but for ours, it's to protect Earth from incoming waves of radiation which the ozone layer can't stand against. To achieve our aim, a type of rock called Purple Aurora is manufactured using very dense metals, and other substances you'll know later, that absorb the radiation. Although only a small quantity of palladium is used at the centre of each, the manufacturing process of the rock can not be done without it. After the rock is produced, it's fired into space to absorb the radiation."

"Each rock is about one kilometre wide, and they a have separate land they're constructed and launched from."

"We try our best to save the remainders of Earth, but,"

He gulped and suddenly stopped. His green eyes looked to the ground as he sighed of despair. Reluctance drew his tensed lips before he finally sat down, still unaware of continuing his explanation. I wondered what hid beyond his exasperated expressions and his faded words. Silence stood between us, except for a faint rustling of the leaves.

"But what, Louis?" I interrogated.

"25 years ago, a nearby star exploded in a giant supernova. In about five years, the immense amount of radiation and gamma rays it produced will reach Earth, and end it, Aryn. And we can't do anything about it. We are all bound to die."