by Luke DeSalvo
He was destined to die at the hands of Xyl’thos, however he escaped that fate during the guild war. Initially he did not want to waste time or effort denying his destiny and greedily went full in to meet his hands at death from the dragon, but when the time came, in the heat of battle, Kaeltrys knew his destiny was off, it was all wrong. The dragon was losing, if he would have waited a few more seconds he could have slayed the creature himself. He still could not decide if that was the right call or not, save his life and the dragons? He did not know.
Kaeltrys looked through his studies to find the last book, covered in red with finely cursive ink penmanship written black. He opened a skimmed through the pages. Most of it was written already, there was not much time left. He always forgotten this part of his life story, always skimming past it, but this time it was different. His last days could be meant to tutor Codiac and save the world.
As he skimmed through the pages, he noticed that most of them were missing the astral encounters with the young man and felt awful about himself. He had been a horrible mentor, but now they were finally in a destiny entwined with one another. The birth of a new season. Finally, his mind clicked to the right page. All because of a portal he mused, then abruptly the book snapped shut on its own accord.
I should not have looked at this! Kaeltrys thought.
The book escaped his hands and returned to the shelf and when it did the entirety of its own accord. His study shook violently and the archmagician froze silently.
There was a bang.
Books fell uselessly to the ground.
“Oh no!” Kaeltrys cried as he flew down to the floor in a panic.
When his feet were planted a roar escaped through the air, shattering the arch magician’s sanity as he cried:
“Xyl’thos!”
The green dragon came crashing through the book shelves on his long study hall to meet him in a deathlike stare.
“Are you ready for your fate, human!”
“If you think you can best me!” Kaeltrys retorted. “This is not my day to perish, nor yours! Now leave me be!”
“If you think you can escape your fate for long, you’re wrong. I am coming for you,” The dragon hissed as ooze fell from its mouth.
Suddenly the beast drew its head back and blew out flames.
Kaeltrys shut his eyes from the dragon fear and thought he could not escape his fate this time, when suddenly he opened them to reveal a little girl hand drawn and the dragon in a clear orb.
“Lulali!?” Kaeltrys cried.
The flames were frozen in midair with nothing but a few feet between her and it. She turned her head to see the arch magician clearly and smiled.
“Lulali!” Kaeltrys cried again. “How are you doing this!?”
She turned her attention back at the dragon, hand still drawn.
“Very carefully!” She cried.
Lulali’s hand turned to a fist and the orb surrounding the dragon glowed bright him until it finally flashed. Leaving no trace of dragon or flame behind.
“Thank you, Lulali,” Kaeltrys breathed when it was finally over.
“What were you reading that for anyway!?” She cried in response.
Kaeltrys said nothing, feeling guilty, like disobeying a mother. It was good to see her though, refreshing, he thought he would never see her again, but did not know how to bring it up.
“C’mon,” She said, taking the archmagician’s hand and leading him to the television set that had gone static from the recent attack. Hundreds of books lay on the floor and they stepped over them as much as they could, needing to regain their balance at times.
“Do you have a remote for this thing?” She asked now that they were only feet away from the television device.
Kaeltrys willed for the remote to be in his hand and it did so, not wasting another moment he quickly handed it to the little girl.
Lulali smiled at the device and began punching in numbers as fast as she could her thumb moving in clockwork quickly throughout most the digits. Finally, when she was satisfied, she pointed the controller to the screen.
On came a set of a beautiful island where the television focused on it from many angles. There was the harsh volcanic activity, beautiful lush forests, mountains and white pristine beaches.
“You coming?” Lulali called as she stuck a foot through the etheric television set looking behind her to regard Kaeltrys once before diving all the way in.
The arch magician looked around him twice, to his shattered hall and back to the forests of the island. He felt a calling there, and his heart leaped with joy and he dove head first.
The light when bright as they were teleported. The next thing he knew he was standing by a stone well on the beach. Lulali in her white dress before them.
She smiled in the sunlight it seemed so serene and Kaeltrys could not help to return the favor by laughing. Lulali joined him on the laughter until finally they were sitting together looking out to the crystal blue ocean.
“You can always come here now,” She said after the silence that felt lasted a lifetime.
“It feels like home,” He said at last.
He turned to the little girl who looked concern now.
“Why did you look at that book? Surely you know your shadow would have attacked you?”
Kaeltrys said nothing and paused for a bit.
“I don’t know,” He said at last. “Maybe because when I was a boy and knew my death would save the world, I looked at it differently. I could take on all of Systralas and never become defeated until then. I grew powerful because of this narrow limitation that life offers. I found you and now the dream of a wizard is failing. I’m off on the last great adventure of my life. I want it to be told right. I want to finish strong, I want the seventh season to happen and for you to exist. I guess, I also can’t believe that a dragon is going to destroy me. I feel stronger than him.”
“Xyl’thos doesn’t kill you!” Lulali glared menacingly to the ground.
Surprised, the archmagician’s eyes widened searching for the answers. He paused, calculating all his doings.
“I do,” the little girl finished, looking somber.
Kaeltrys breath was torn away.
“What?” He asked.
This was absurd, of course the dragon would slay him. He had read it a thousand times when, many years ago, when he was still new to traveling the astral. He did it right away, knowing that it was good to contemplate mortality.
“You promised me long ago that you’d protect me at all costs.” Lulali said.
“I swear, I’ll give my life for you, dearest one. I’ve always meant that.”
“I touched you, so you could save me,” She said at last. “You are the hero of my existence.”
“Then I’d have it no other way.”
Lulali flickered, disappearing one moment, then reappearing the next.
“I don’t have much longer,” she said pulling at her knees.
“Before you rest again, dear, tell me about the others. You see, in my conscious reality I’m with Codiac, your other hero. There’s also a guardian named Suzette and-“
“I know them all!” She exclaimed.
“Better than you think, and now your job is to guard them all. Only you can do it. You are the protector spirit, Kaeltrys. I know you can do it. Follow this mission with all earnest. You will not live to see the end of it. These are your lasts days. Live them well remembering the prizes longevity and heaven gives. Make this transition to the next life complete. Only few mystics have. I think there lies your true legacy. Eternal life, Forever.”
“Will I survive the Vael?” the archmagician finally asked.
“I don’t think anyone truly does,” Lulali replied coolly.
Chapter 12
“Then the chosen were sent out into the hell of the Vael Forest. A pathway unseen. Sin lay there and sin alone.”
Clairvona Aya, Sleet
Scion of Systralas
Codiac trembled in the lus
h black wooly leather seat, attempting to regain any sleep from the three-day trek. This was a speedy mission and the young man found himself forgetful on his home city, as if saying goodbye forever.
There was so much at stake here. Preparations were handled carefully with much rest than ensued. The party was equipped with headlamps, rations and camping equipment. They offered to provide armor for the team, but Golden Hearts refused, knowing that their gear was far more advanced then the kingdom’s. They were surprised to see both Aurora and Ildarachi take nothing but a staff and dagger. They said enhancing oneself with items is a sin. A true warrior must only survive on their own abilities. With much reluctance they took the items, and early the next morning they were on their way driving as what they all thought was to their deaths in a big semi army jeep.
So much had happened and the pain lingered on the shoulders of everyone, especially Codiac, who kept thinking of the death of his father, his absence would be missed along with the rest of his family. Brittany, Gilthus, Vyia, Toston, Jyles, Dia, Cringe too, all lost into legend. The thoughts threatened to drive him mad and he could not process all the information. The only true aspect that remained for him now was that Amethyst Divine must fall, and there was a certain resolve to complete this task by any means necessary.
The vehicle that the party had found was unfit for the newly constructed roads that trekked north to the center or Ellie, a quiet town that acted as shrine keepers to the Vael Forest. At each turn, the automobile provided back erring jerks that caused the whole party to shake and awaken all at once.
For the most part the crew said nothing, all on edge with the unsettling alliance. Kaeltrys would regain conversation among the “So called Guardian”, mission details and the entity of Sleet, the scion, explained more assuredly, only to resume to silence once again. The scion herself that had power over Systralas for her dreams were law. She was sworn to oath to not exaggerate and desire, yet according to Suzette's superior, General Mallerd, they too were locked in this mystical quiz to find the scion and receive the missing puzzle piece thereafter.
“So, we, the Golden, are the fall men,” Codiac stated glaring into Suzette’s cool gray eyes.
“What?” Suzette asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
“Kaeltrys and I will take the blame of this mission, successful or not,” Codiac eyed her, she returned the gaze.
“Am I right?” He asked.
“Good riddance,” Aurora snickered.
Codiac looked as if he were going to backhand her then when Ildarachi pulled her aside, close to his heart.
“Now, now,” Jason said quietly. “The scion is resourceful woman, she’ll know a way to save us all.”
The party looked hopeful for a change as they finally passed all the tall grass to a clearing, reaching their destination.
A small town laid before them, old wood work that was still shining with fresh paint as if new with bronze attire. There were signs decorating every doorway from gift shop to pub, with charms meant to ward the forest, stone carvings with magic runes danced throughout the building among cobble stone paths. It was a powerful place, Ellie, almost inviting if it wasn't for the secret of the night. When the sky darkened it was a time for rest and soon the village would pack up, returning to their haunted town with locked doors.
Codiac exited the vehicle with Kaeltrys fast behind him.
“How did this happen?” Codiac asked his all friend. “Doomed from start I say, cursed place!” He spat. “Do you feel the energy emanating here!?”
“Enough!” Suzette called behind him. “We're setting lodgings for the night here and rising early for at least one day's security from the forbidden forest,” She too spat, and seemed uneasy.
“Agreed,” Kaeltrys nodded.
The three began trudging their way through mud and stone to the nearest tavern with Aurora and Jason who paced slowly behind. They seemed to exchange looks at times, keenly inspecting the town.
Already dusk was breaking, and the crows of plenty color and size flew through trees to the rest spots. Lizards began skittering underneath brush and fence alike as the traveler's climbed up the creaky stairs of an old Inn named “Happy Go Lucky”. Even the insects seemed to trek on into hiding.
Suzette opened the door to the tavern and led everyone in.
Inside was cozy, with furs of wild life pinned to both rug and wall as if painting a hunter’s ambience. A fire place was kept burning, shedding light unto every shadow. There was a bar, with a lone innkeeper, old man with a white mustache gently polishing a glass
“Welcome travelers,” He beamed.
Suzette approached the counter and handed him a debit card.
“Three rooms please for the five of us,” She said smiling bright.
“Certainty!” The innkeeper responded gleefully as he took her payment.
His attention went to a screen located at the bar as he swiped the card and began punching in numbers. There was silence as the process commenced. Suddenly his head jerked forward, and he produced three keys each with a number on them. Suzette quietly distributed to the hands of Codiac, Ildarachi and tucked one away for herself.
“We’re going to go outside to keep a close look out,” Jason said abruptly.
“What!?” Suzette sounded both surprised and confused.
“Come on Il,” Aurora said rolling her eyes. “We don't need these posers any longer.”
“I should end your-” Codiac started with a growl.
“Stop!” Suzette barked him shut.
Everyone came to a halt after the last shout and the room went quiet, save for one man, the innkeeper who was now polishing in a harsh tone that could be heard. He did not look up from his work, and instead continued as if he had always done so.
“Long ago, the world was covered in forest and lushness of life,” The innkeeper started, never leaving his gaze from glass. “It was a time of love and peace, until the birth of twins. The twins opposed each other openly, eventually separating tribes. War broke out between evil and good,” The tiny old man looked up to Jason now. “The evil king was too powerful to be stopped, so his sister sealed him and his army to this forest. The undead trapped here for all times that only come out of darkness itself. They are in eternal war these forces.”
“I wouldn't go out there, young man.” The innkeeper said, never taking his eyes of Ildarachi.
“I never go there at night.”
The thwarted companions listened in anxiety, in just a short day they too would have to face this legend and head on. With a brief pause and nod Suzette spoke up.
“It's alright,” She said. “I'll allow it, but for a short while, ok?”
“Right on,” Aurora grinned, taking the key from her lover's hand then pulling hardly on his fingers.
“Besides, I always like making out by moonlight,” She smiled teasingly.
No one said a word as the couple headed outside the inn, they all felt sorry for the pair, as if they had been roped into this by no other choice. At the same time fear clung to their chests of what may be lurking within the forest.
“I'll take a shot of whiskey,” Codiac said, easing his way to a bar stool.
Suzette smiled, and gracefully joined Codiac at the bar.
“Make that two,” She said beamingly, glancing back at Codiac. “Finally, something we can agree upon,” He returned the stare, entranced for a second before Kaeltrys stood towering above them.
“Three, fine fellow,” He gently replied licking his lips in a jittery motion, never looking at the pair before him.
Codiac and Suzette shrugged and when their beverages appeared before them.
“May we live to see another day!” Codiac cheered with his drink at salute.
“Here, Here!”
Clanks of shot glasses collided. The mood seemed dampened as the warm bitter whiskey bit into their tongues. Codiac took a glance to the doorway, wondering if Aurora and Ildarachi would ever come back. They would be fine he decided. They were
elite summoners from a superior guild, now in exile. Where would they go? Codiac shrugged the notion again and ordered a second round.
Chapter 13
“This power is unmerciful, for I fear nothing but myself. The ultimate being lays awake in me. One of darkness and terror. The only question is: Will I succumb to this wickedness?”
Jason Ildarachi
High Summoner of Silver Aura
Codiac could not sleep. He was constantly staring at the bunk beside him at Kaeltrys, looking for his support during the night but to no avail. Instead, he was left trembling over the fear of the night, even a mouse could since the danger of this place and Codiac was not so keen at being here at all.
He tried counting backwards from one hundred. Focus all on breathing when finally, slumber was starting to kick in.
Suddenly, he felt a heavy weight come over his body. First touching him on the shoulders, then shifting onto the entirety of his back, like a cat snuggling in the night. Completely awake now, his eyes sprout opened in horror.
A young woman with many stab wounds and a shifting jaw was laying on top of him. Her tongue spilled out of the recesses of her throat, eyes glowing green with misery and hatred.
Codiac could not find the words to scream, shout for help, or any necessities that might free him from this nightmare.
The undead, saddle him and began grinding forcefully until a dagger was produced from her hands.
“Kaeltrys!?” Codiac stammered.
In a flash a fireball went zinging through the being’s head, exploding it and sending blood all over the captain and his sheets.
Codiac breathed heavily.
The door was slammed open as a fully dressed Suzette appeared, clad in armor.
“Get up!” She commanded.