by Bri Sailor
The ranger snorted in disgust but didn't say a word.
Ehren smirked. “Yes, mister 'The King's Ranger'. I've seen her fight and I will admit that she is pretty fierce. You know I love you, my friend,” he sighed dramatically, “but you don't stand a chance one-on-one. Myself, however, is a different story.”
Ky's ears perked up. “Do I sense a change of heart, Your Highness? If I didn't know any better, I'd say you are warming up to me.”
Ehren eyed her. “You mistake the truth with flattery. I was merely making an observation.”
Ky nodded, not believing him. “Ah. We'll see.”
The conversation died down as the sun dipped below the horizon and everyone took up their sleeping positions. Atreyis noticed that Ky was a little closer than she had been previously. Her heart fluttered in her chest. She fell asleep with a small grin on her face.
#
Nya paced back and forth in her room. It was midnight but she couldn't sleep. There had to be a way she could brace the Seal or create some sort of support barrier. Suddenly, an idea popped into her head.
“Yes. That might work.” she said to herself.
She flew out of the room, her hair and robe fluttering behind her. As she rushed through the garden she passed a group of priests and priestesses in dark silver robes talking together.
“Follow me.” she commanded without looking at them.
They scrambled to follow after her. The Keeper reached the hidden stairs of the statue and quickly descended into the dark.
One of the young priests anxiously spoke up. “My Lady, what are you planning?”
“We can't afford any chance of any more evil coming into this world.” she said sternly. “I intend to stop it up. Even if it only prolongs the inevitable, it will still buy us more time.”
She strode up to the Seal and turned around to face her subordinates.
“I need you to gather in a circle around me and join hands.” she commanded.
The young people scurried about and quickly encircled her.
“Each of you needs to concentrate solely on maintaining the flow of energy.” She eyed them.
“For this spell to work I will draw on each of your life forces. It will drain you, but you must not disrupt the flow. Only once it is finished may you stop. To do so before my command will have grave consequences.” The Keeper’s face was stone.
“If any of you has any doubt, leave now.”
She made direct eye contact with each of them. No one moved an inch.
“Good. We will now begin. Focus on the energy within you and allow it to flow freely.”
The young priests closed their eyes. A low hum filled the cavern and one by one each of the priest’s eyes began glowing. Blue, green, red, purple. All of the kingdoms working together. Each glowing brilliantly in the darkness. Nya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She stretched her arms out and opened her eyes. They were glowing bright red. The hum grew louder and higher in pitch. A ring of white energy slowly encompassed them all. Suddenly, the ring collapsed into Nya causing her entire body to glow. The ground beneath them began to rumble and shake. The priests remained calm and unwavering. Seconds passed. Suddenly, Nya thrust her arms in front of her, her palms facing the wall. A bright beam of energy exploded from her hands and blasted into the crack. It began to glow. The priestess dropped her arms, breathing hard. Her eyes stopped glowing. The young priests surrounding her collapsed. The broken Seal held Nya's gaze. It seemed to be holding.
“Praise Ailana.” gasped one of the priestesses who was barely conscious.
Peace washed over the high priestess. It wouldn't hold for long, but it was something.
“I thank you all.” she said breathlessly. “You all have grown so much--”
Suddenly, the earth quaked and shook violently. The runes inscribed on the rock began glowing. Dread filled each of the Watchers. Fear gripped Nya's heart. Her magic wasn't strong enough and the ancient magic had rejected her offering. The wall split further. The blast knocked everyone over, unconscious.
#
A guard walked lazily outside the Temple of the Dragons staring at the twinkling stars in the sky. He yawned. With the High Priestess gone the temple had essentially been devoid of pilgrims and followers. It seemed that the only thing that truly brought people in was to catch a glimpse of the first true High Priestess in over three hundred years. He stopped and leaned against his spear and gazed at the Black Rock mountains. Suddenly, the ground began to quake. From one of the peaks a large black cloud exploded. The guard froze in fear. Just as suddenly as it appeared the mist was gone. He moved to alert the priests when an excruciating pain overcame him and he fell to the ground, unconscious.
#
Down in the cavern a couple of minutes had passed and slowly one by one the priests regained consciousness. Nya sat up and held her head.
“My Lady, are you alright?” whispered a still terrified priest.
“What have I done?” she whispered to herself.
Everyone cautiously made their way out of the cavern. They were met by a mix of terrified and stern faces. The eldest Watcher stormed up to Nya.
“By the Goddess, what have you done?” he yelled.
Nya gathered herself. “I did what I thought would help by us more time. To help fix what that witch had started.”
“You fool! You could have destroyed it completely. Do you realize what you have--”
An enraged Nya cut him off. “I am the High Priestess of the Watchers and Keeper of the Seal! Not you. You would do well to hold your tongue. You may have been walking this earth longer than I, but I hold more power than you could ever imagine. The Goddess chose me, gave me her blessing.”
As the argument above continued, all were oblivious to happenings below. The Seal began to glow again. It was awash in a rainbow of color. The light flashed brilliantly and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
“Furthermore,” growled Nya, “what little power you possess as a mere human priest pales in comparison to that of a Descended. While you contribute to the cause of the Goddess, you will do well to know your place in this temple.”
She brushed the man aside and was walking to the garden when she suddenly let out a scream of pain and dropped to the ground. Several of the priests ran to her aid. More screams of pain filled the temple as a handful of priests and priestesses fell as well as all of the guards. Their bodies twisted and contorted as they writhed in pain as the invisible flames consumed them.
#
Around midnight Ky woke with a start. She was covered in sweat and breathing hard. Her heart felt like it was going to thump right out of her chest. Shaking, she stood up to get a drink from her water skin. Immediately, she fell to the ground on her hands and knees. Her whole body felt like it was on fire. Everything burned inside and out. Liquid fire coursed through her veins. She let out a yell of pain. It woke everyone up. They too were sweaty, but didn't seem to notice. A now red-eyed and demonic looking Ky continued to scream in pain when suddenly she let loose an actual roar, louder than any lion. Atreyis lost all sense and ran over to the warrior. Adrenaline pumped through her body as she began to panic.
“Ky! Ky! What's wrong? What—’’
Suddenly, the princess fell to the ground as well. Her body felt like she had been thrown in a volcano. It was too much. Her eyes glowed a bright blue and she screeched in pain. The others stared on in horror. Suddenly, Ehren yelled and fell to the ground. One by one each of them succumbed to the invisible flames engulfing their bodies. Cora stood in horror as her friends writhed in agony on the ground. She didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know of anything she could do. The priestess dropped to her knees and cried out to the Goddess.
#
Lusha paced furiously in the Khenná temple, she was exhausted from frustration and using her powers to return home so quickly. The polished gray stone reflected the brilliant orange light of the setting sun and made her dark skin glow. She was in the main chamber. Its ceili
ng was high and vaulted with a massive crystal chandelier hanging from it. There was no statue of the Goddess to be found, only a solitary dragon. It was huge and rivaled the statue in the Temple of Dragons. It was made of solid, flawless white marble. The beast sat on its haunches like a proud lion with wings outstretched and its mouth open as if it was ready to set fire to those who stood before it. Several priests in white and gold robes and long beards were gathered in front of the statue and talking with the pacing woman.
“I don't understand.” said one of the priests. “Theirs' was the blood of the prophecy. We were sure of it.”
“Yes.” said another. “It could only be them.”
Lusha turned on her heel. Her black and red silk dress flowing around her. Her coal-black eyes burned with anger. How is it that she could command demons to nearly drag her enemy to a watery grave, yet not be able to break a magical barrier?
“Well something went wrong!” she hissed. “I would not be consulting your ancient bones if it worked.”
“Are you sure you performed the ritual correctly?” a priest dared to ask.
In a flash Lusha held the man in the air by his throat. Her eyes were solid black.
“You dare to question me?” her voice sounded demonic. “Ihöü därë tö rü’ëntiiör k’të?”
“No.” choked the old man.
She released him and he fell in a coughing and gasping heap on the ground.
“Anyone else have any theories?” she taunted.
The men remained silent.
“I thought as much. The White Shadows no longer serve a purpose.” she dismissed.
A loud boom interrupted her as Saebic threw open the doors and strode in.
“My Queen, your men await your inspection.” he stated firmly.
Lusha looked over the trembling priests.
“If you don't come up with a better answer before I return, I will personally oversee your execution. Maybe my new priests won't be as disappointing.” she said menacingly.
The men shook as they bowed to her. She turned her back and walked out onto the balcony. She gazed out at her newly formed army. Ten thousand men and women stood in formation before her. They each bore a black dragon claw tattoo on their necks.
The witch smiled evilly. “This is the beginning of my true army. With them I will extend my reach to the four corners.” She gestured over them. “They will establish my empire, claiming what is mine. Starting with those Xaemox rebels, the Disavowed, as they call themselves.”
“What is your next move, My Queen?” asked Saebic.
Lusha looked him over and beckoned him back into the temple. He grinned impishly and followed her to her quarters. A few hours later, in the black of the night, Saebic awoke with a cry of pain. His nostrils were flared as his chest heaved with every breath and sweat beaded on his forehead.
“My love?” Lusha leaned over the side of the bed. “What’s wrong?”
Saebic spun around, his eyes brightly glowing blue. His entire body felt like it was on fire.
“Help. Me.” He gasped before fainting.
“Saebic!” yelled Lusha as she dived from the bed to his side.
Just as she was about to yell for her guards the witch dropped lifeless to the ground. In the dim moonlight she had not seen the black cloud that was swirling outside of the open balcony doors. It hovered for a moment. The lifeless body of Lusha slowly ascended into the air, floating some feet above the floor. Her mouth opened. A black shadow twisted up towards the ceiling. Outside, the black cloud twitched. In a flash it dove at Lusha and connected with the blackness expelling itself from inside her. She gasped and inhaled deeply. Her eyes snapped open and turned from solid black to pure white.
Chapter 22
Twenty-two years ago…
A man in silvery robes raced through the dark forest. His breath was coming hard and fast. The black of night made it nearly impossible to traverse the thick woods. The tiny ball of light ahead of him barely allowed enough light to dodge low branches and jump over roots. He didn’t dare make it brighter for fear of being caught. He was barely out of the temple and into the woods before he heard the shouts of the guards. Suddenly, he stumbled and his priestly robes snagged on a bush and he was sent rolling forward. The man tripped over himself trying to get up. Over his loud footsteps and quick breath he heard the distant shouts of the guards. He pushed himself harder, trying to gain more speed. The forest gave way and opened up to a serene lake. He took a chance and ran for it. Near the edge of the water was a large boulder. He took shelter behind it and tried to catch his breath. The shouts were getting closer. The man closed his eyes and concentrated on slowing down his heart and his breath. The yells were even closer now. Shaking, he slowly waded out into the black water, trying to disturb its surface as little as possible. He kicked some distance out and floated with his nose just above the water so he could breathe a little longer.
“Over here!” shouted a guard.
Ten guards burst from the tree line. They were dressed in similar gray robes and their highly polished silvery armor shone in the moonlight.
“He’s not here!” yelled one of the guards.
“This way!” yelled another as she pointed her spear towards the woods.
The captain refused to move. She stood in silence, scanning the water. Out in the lake the wanted man took a deep breath and slowly lowered himself into the black. The captain cast an eye over the lake, hoping to find the slightest thing out of place. But the dim light of the crescent moon offered little and she could barely see a few feet past the sandy beach. Under the water, the man’s lungs began to burn but he forced himself to hold it just a few more moments. The burning in his chest won out and he resurfaced and gasped for air. The beach was clear and the guards had moved on. He swam for the beach and crawled ashore. On his knees he looked up to the moon.
“It is done, my Lord.” He gasped. “Your R’kiitë Kriiënt has done what was commanded. They shall rue the day that your faithful servant set you free.”
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