A World Beyond the Dark

by Andrei Navala

  “If I don’t get up now it’s all over!” He thought as he forced himself to stand up. Although futile at first, he managed to raise his hand and lean on his sword, pulling himself up. Her eyes widened seeing his colossal efforts but she didn’t waver to strike him down where he stood. With a pulsating beam of energy straight into his chest, Rylan went flying into a pillar which he shattered and passed through, rolling on the ground until he hit a wall. The elf did not dare raise his sword against the grand seer and so was captured immediately by the bowmen. Dust was stirred in his wake but through it, there was a bright shine. He emerged with a smirk on his bruised face.

  “Tell me, why do you wish so much for death?” The storm that kept her up and protected her had faded and she elegantly landed back on the floor while she stared right in his eyes. Even though he was exposed and without any cover, the other guards did not seem to fire their arrows at Rylan.

  “It is not death I wish for, but the salvation of your kingdom. If I wanted to die I would’ve been long gone from this world yet here I stand for a purpose grander than my petty being, something you couldn’t understand. You are so infatuated with your ignorant pride that you let the most traitorous wretches taint the brilliance of the elven kingdom.” There was a look of disgust on his face and he wiped away the blood dripping from his mouth and nose. He approached her with slow heavy steps, his eyes locked on her movements.

  “Oh ho, a human preaches about the elven kingdom to the elves. Come closer and I shall let you know why we are the proudest race!” Rylan achieved his goal of making her lose her calm and focus. He slightly leaned forward and with a leap like lightning came upon her with his executioner sword. She jolted in surprise at his bold move but a powerful explosion occurred, knocking Rylan away and shattering the building around them to its base. The shockwave it sent blew away all those who were watching and therefor freeing Rylan’s companion. His tall body was now towering the ravaged yard, imposing even over the grand seer. She laughed away his success and conjured floating steps to stand in a safe place from which she could assault him but he was already prepared to act. After gaining some momentum, he put up the blade in the ground and used it for leverage in order to jump higher but not even that would be enough to reach her so he spun in the air and hurled his sword forward. The massive blade smacked the woman from that high place and she started falling along with the sword to her death. Had she not been a most skillful mage, even that hit could’ve killed her but she put up a barrier in the very last moment and before she could reach the ground a mist of arcane energy surrounded her and carried her to safety. Rylan picked up his sword and chased her through the courtyard but she regained composure and while looking at him, a stream of energy bundled up in her fist and upon clenching it a rain of arcane arrows was unleashed unto him. He spun his sword around his head in an attempt to deflect the numerous arrows falling down but only few could he deflect while most of them grazed his body or pierced him. He did not falter and continued right through them while the grand seer was in dismay. She flailed her arms around, flinging balls of arcane that exploded into roaring violet flames in mid-air but he jumped right through the sizzling fire and continued onward. She stretched out her arm and a wide beam erupted from her palm, pushing her slightly away as it burned at his chest armor. He raised his sword with the edge at it, splitting the beam into two rays that obliterated the rubble around him. He swung at her with vicious might but she conjured up a shield that exploded on impact, sending her even further back and into a wall. Rylan had a triumphant grin on his face but she wiped away the blood dripping from the corner of her mouth and raised her hands above the head. There was a slight ominous glow in the sky which flickered once before fading and then her very being was engulfed in a mass of volatile arcane, swirling and trembling. Time seemed to stop for Rylan as he analyzed what choices he had before his time would come. The distance was too great to reach her in one sweep nor could he use anything around him to disrupt her. The fight… was over.

  A circle of runes appeared beneath his feet and his whole body froze in a stasis as he watched her with anger and fear. The ground seemingly started to boil and cracks formed throughout the circle. He could sense terrible heat from underground and through the crevices seeped raw arcane energy. She raised both her arms above her head with a glorious look and hell was unleashed. A torrent of energy broke free from the ground and rose up into an annihilating beam, burning away Rylan. He could feel his very muscles incinerated and his armor was long obliterated. He screamed out in pain but his voice faded as well and he fell on the ground, his crown rolling away from his head up to her feet. The beam that pierced the sky itself vanished as suddenly as it appeared but its devastation was proof of its short existence.

  The whistling of wind turned into a loud siphoning noise and blood splattered over the crown. The grand seer collapsed to the ground with a disheartened grimace on her pale visage. The dark green vortex closed up into nothingness and the fairy knights accompanied by Ainnea arrived moments too late.

  “Rylan!” she shouted as he left the party to join his side. His bright ethereal arm faded with a faint sizzling noise and his eyes were slowly closing. She rocked him vigorously and grabbed him in her arms, hugging him tight to her chest. “Not now, you can’t die! You still haven’t brought the king to his knees… I still didn’t have the chance to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Please…” Her voice was getting weak and she started weeping silently. The guards and the elf were still petrified by what they just witnessed. All the knights kneeled down to pay their respects to his death and when their commander wished to pick up the crown he noticed something strange. There were trails of mana moving up to it and imbuing it with energy. The crown started shaking and was dragged into the earth with a loud rumbling noise. Everyone backed away in surprise and as the rumble continued a sapling sprouted from that very spot. The tree was unlike any other they have seen for its trunk and branches were golden and it continued to grow, towering over the garden. The ground shook terribly and it stopped upon reaching the greatest height over the entire city. It had many flowers resembling the one entrusted to Rylan by the mysterious being but they all had a silvery shine on them.

  “The prophecy.” whispered the guards in unison. From the ground emerged roots which extended throughout the garden, restoring life to the desecrated, incinerated land and filling back up the cracks in the coarse dirt. One such root reached out to Rylan and from it a vibrant, verdant glow shone upon him. Ainnea backed away and watched silently as the root dried up and he gasped for air once more. “She is our true ruler.” was among the countless whispers of the elves as they stared at her miracle in disbelief. Rylan coughed violently and she put his head in her lap.

  “Seeing you here, I can only assume we won.” He had a nostalgic smile on his face as he looked up, observing the marvelous golden tree with its silvery leaves and flowers. She nodded with tears in her eyes as she caressed his messy hair. “There is still one final thing we must do.” He scratched his beard and sighed. “Help me get up.” All the knights rushed to his aid and he was barely keeping balance on his feet. His knees felt somewhat weak and his entire body felt swore. That is when he realized his vision was slightly blurry and he could barely handle the weight of the sword on his back. Even his right arm was missing. Seeing his concern, the commander turned to him.

  “Is something wrong, my lord?”

  “My Telaar… is no more. I know not how much my sight will last me but I hope I will make it to the throne room.” He was slightly limping but he tried to pick up the pace and all the others followed him obediently. Even the guards silently trailed them and as they passed down the halls, the crowd of followers grew in numbers. As they walked, Ainnea kept sneaking worried glances at Rylan who seemed to be in a lot of pain and suffering but refused to let out even the slightest grunt. The large group stormed into the throne room, catching the king just as he was about to leave.

  “What is the mean
ing of this? Guards, seize them!” He shouted but no one would follow his orders. “What sort of magic spell have you put on my guards?”

  “Could you be so kind as to look out the window? You will tell right away.” responded Ainnea who took the lead of the group. She was wearing a red robe with silver trims and a gold flower design and the light coming in from the windows was only accentuating its beauty. The king stared out in disbelief. “I-It is impossible…” He whispered in dismay, his hands trembling. “I had the seer dispatch of it and yet-”

  “So you are the one who brought ruin to that otherworldly being!” Shouted Rylan in anger as he broke the ranks and stepped forward. His clothes were tattered and shredded and he was slightly hunched forward because of the weight of the sword. The king’s eyes widened and he stepped back terrified, moving away from him.

  “Stay away! What do you wish to do if that is true? She came up with the idea, I swear!” He was shaking to his core and stuttering like a mad man. Rylan did not utter another word and just surely approached him with heavy steps. The crowd gathered behind watched the unfolding of the events. The king stopped right next to the throne still shaking in fear. “Don’t get any closer, I don’t deserve this! Spare my life…” His pleas only angered Rylan more and his only hand was eagerly waiting to grasp the handle of the sword. As he was only a few meters away from him, the king’s visage suddenly turned into an excited grimace and from behind the throne he pulled something.

  “Anvalth, watch out!” shouted Ainnea as she extended her arm towards him in an attempt to cast a spell.

  “You fool, you don’t deserve this victory!” Yelled the king as a sharp blade was shining in his hands. He drove the short sword right in Rylan’s abdomen which coughed blood and laughed. His laugh was like thunder and the hall shuddered. “You are not human! You fiend, get away from me!” Rylan’s smile could only grow larger into a twisted grimace as he struggled to pull up his blade from his back.

  “That’s right, I am a demon!” He exclaimed with glee in his eyes as he raised the sword above his hand with his only hand. His entire body was shaking as he attempted to hold the massive executioner sword, a sword too large and too thick to be more than a slab of iron. Unable to hold it up anymore, he came crashing down like lightning and the floor shattered as tiles flew around. The king died of a heart attack just as he was about to swing, that’s how much of a coward he was. He purposely avoided hitting him as his mission was already over. He let go of the sword and collapsed on the throne from exhaustion. The crowd cheered and hailed him and Ainnea. With her heart beating out of her chest she rushed to him and pulled out the blade as she covered her wounds with her arms. A faint violet light sparked around her fingers and his wound was slowly recovering. Retribution was finally achieved. As light shone down upon Rylan on the throne with Ainnea bent over him the crowd was left in awe at what seemed like a scene from paintings.

  The restoration of the keep was initiated immediately and a great banquet was thrown in honor of Ainnea the Wise and the Mage King of Flowers who officially resigned his position. As the night of the party was growing longer seemingly never ending, Ainnea approached him. The two walked away into a deserted area, a small garden with a pond. She admired his visage but he was still buried in thought. She wanted to share her love with him but it wasn’t meant to be. Her heart did not ache for she was happy that he was alive and well.

  “Is your decision settled?” She asked in a faint voice, caressing his cheeks and his beard. He leaned closer to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

  “As beautiful and kind as you are, there is someone else I must protect in order to atone for my mistakes. I have made up my mind already.” His suave tone played with her heart strings and she couldn’t help but give in to temptation. She pulled him closer by the chin and kissed his lips gently as one tear streamed down her visage. He wiped it away with his hand and hugged her with a bright smile on his face.

  “Thank you for your support and for every single moment spent with you.” She whispered in his ear as she hugged him even tighter in her arms.

  Chapter 11 - Revival of soul

  “The great, golden walls of Edhellen!” exclaimed Erik with his hands on his heart. “This is a sight every dwarf wants to see before he dies and for great reason.” He was getting really anxious and impatient to step through the gates.

  Everyone else was just as in awe as he was, staring at the towering walls seemingly belonging to a city of gods. What really enchanted their hearts were the golden branches spreading high above the walls, with silver leaves and flowers. Even for people who have travelled for so long as Rilwen and Erik, this was still a sight for sore eyes. Even the baby in her arms seemed filled with joy as he flailed his small arms around excitedly, trying to say something. Rilwen chuckled and hugged him tight to her chest, kissing him on the forehead.

  “You will finally see your friends.” She whispered on a nostalgic tone. “If only Anvalth were with us to see this.” She continued as tears streamed from beneath the mask.

  “Cheer up, my lady!” said Marn with a confident look on his face. “I’m sure he’s out there somewhere. In the short time I got to know him, he wouldn’t be one to give up on his life so easily. Not when he has to protect you and this little fellow.” As they stood there, from all around the most hidden places appeared elves in shining armor with ornate swords on their hips. The numerous knights formed two lines leading to the massive gates and they drew their swords, forming an archway for them to pass through. A loud, powerful fanfare erupted from beyond the walls and the golden gates slowly parted, revealing a large party of nobles coming out to greet them. Every single one of them was utterly speechless and they hesitated there in place wondering if such a greeting was truly meant for them. Rilwen’s heart skipped a beat as she looked at the ones leading the nobles. A beautiful elven maiden with silver robes and a shining crown atop her head was holding the only arm of a tall, handsome man with messy white hair, a neatly trimmed beard and old scars which would never fully heal. His steps seemed somewhat hesitant and in contrast to his beautiful dark, silk clothes he had a silver cloth tied around his eyes. Behind the two were six knights with eerie looks, as if they were neither human nor of elven kind and after them came rows upon rows of elf nobles with their most expensive and beautiful clothes and ornaments. Such a greeting was beyond their wildest expectations and hopes and Marn was the one who took the lead of their party with great pride. Rilwen came right after him, clinging to his back in embarrassment at all the sights set on her and after her were Erik and Marn who marveled at the sight of the knights to their left and right. The two parties met halfway through and the elf queen spoke on a soft, enchanting tone.

  “I am Ainnea the Wise, queen of the elves. I warmly great you into our capital Edhellen at the behest of my great friend, Anvalth.” as much as he tried to keep a serious composure, a smile appeared on his visage. He wasn’t looking at any of them particularly because as the cloth indicated, he had lost all sight. “May I know your names, brave travellers?”

  “Well, uh…” Marn was completely speechless at the grand introduction.

  “Move out boy.” muttered Erik appearing from the back of the group. He kneeled down before her and the others took his example and followed him. “My name is Erik Redcrest!” Afterwards he continued in a whisper. “Say out your names in order.”

  “I-I am Marn, son of Deor.” he stuttered and turned red with embarrassment, bowing his head even lower than the rest.

  “My name is Rilwen…” Her voice was so faint she could barely be heard over the fanfare. Ainnea raised her brows in surprise.

  “You bear an elven name despite being a daughter of men. Could you enlighten me?” Her voice did not bear any intention and her question only sprouted out of curiosity.

  “I was raised by the legendary knight Élerion ever since I was little. My parents were unable to raise me because our village was poor but he happened to pass by and he raised me
as if I was his own blood. I am truly thankful for his kindness.” It was Rylan’s turn to raise his brows in surprise. He mentioned once the fact she carried an elven name but he did not pry further and it was the first time hearing such a story.

  “And your name?” Ainnea kindly asked, pointing her arm graciously towards Talas.

  “He cannot speak.” responded Rylan, taking the party by surprise. His voice was a little deeper than they remembered. “Although we have given him the name of Talas.”

  “You have all beautiful names and are welcome into our grand capital. Let us waste no moment!” As she finished her sentence, the fanfare exploded with sound, a song so divine it sounded like a symphony of angels sent by Tela. The nobles parted allowing passage for their queen. She whispered one more thing to Rylan before letting go of his arm and striding forward with her head high and with a bright smile on her noble visage. The party immediately rushed to him, hugging and cheering for him.

  “You survived, you bastard!” shouted Marn as he shook his hand vigorously, slightly startling him.

  “I assume the great swordsman and flag bearer of the squad of the maiden has finally retired.” Spoke Erik with a sense of nostalgia in his voice as he grabbed him in his arms and patted him on the back, as high as he could reach.

  Rilwen and Talas were still keeping their distance somewhat. Although they both looked happy to see him, they were concerned for him.