by Casey Phelps
Jyar sifted into his dwarf form and began saying that he had noticed during the dream with the sun that the ring had changed, we took a look at it and found that it had indeed changed. It was now glowing, illuminating Chelle, and drawing her toward the light of the sun. He told us of the legend behind a Solarsteinn, and that it would help us find the Lord Sun, we finally were really going to meet the Lord Sun, and perhaps break this curse, it was both terrifying and elating.
Chelle could still feel the sun’s warmth, as though it was hope and love, and peace. It broke through the snow that had begun in the night. For the first time she truly gathered the importance and the global need for redemption and that people believed in her. She wondered again at the thought of what she would do or would she have the chance to decide what and where she would continue her life. Her family in her dream was well and happy. She thought of Re’em and his sacrifice and knew in her heart she too would give her life for the people, she looked at her dragon, and knew he would be with her till the end, but what would happen if she returned. Her next thought was of Artileon, he had been by her side, or walking in her dreams since she entered Dalthimus, and the times he had been away it was as though part of her was missing. Could she walk away if she had the choice, maybe she wouldn’t have one.
****
Artileon
I am still concerned about this last dream, what could it mean, that I could not go with her, and what would she have to do, hadn’t she done enough. I couldn’t bear the thought of her coming to harm; surely she was worth more to this world alive than her meaningless death. If it came to that he would plead for her life, and would do anything to ensure that she lived.
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Chapter 26
The mists swirl and part before a great tree, it towers upon the peak of a barren mountaintop. Under the umbrella of leaves is a stone altar, and standing beside it is a young man. He is peculiar; his eyes are golden and shine with kindness. He wears a white robe emblazoned with a sun, identical to the tattoo on my face. Its golden threads add richness to his otherwise simple raiment. He smiles as though greeting a child, and gestures to stones on the ground a pathway. It wound its way to the steps of the altar, on it were written the words of the prophecy. The whole prophecy…
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The Prophecy of the Shell
A tiny shell, though strong as she must be
Save the man, sheltered beneath.
Stronger still the two shall be,
Blood and fire to walk through and seal,
Oh come to us our Shell of Mahon.
In the time of great need,
The darkness shall fall,
Then the Princess shall come
From the ethereal hall.
From the brightness of the sun,
Then she’ll pour into his form,
Saving the man from
The depths his own self.
Her heart will be broken,
A sacrifice must be made,
And her soul will be poured out to save him.”
He was brought forth from the depths,
But her soul shall entwine his nature
And thus begins the healing and the curse will be broken.
If he does not allow the love entrance,
The spell will be broken and she will die.
****
She turned her head to see Artileon beside her, a solitary tear running down his cheek. He looked pleadingly at the place the Lord Sun had stood.
“No!” We were all startled awake by the Prince roaring. He came up to me and grasped me, and said, “I will not let you die. You will not die, you cannot die.”
I touched his cheek, and replied, “I am afraid that is a possibility, but I know you can save me.”
He held me tighter and whispered fiercely, “You have already saved me; I won’t let anything happen to you now.”
I gasped as he leaned down and pressed his lips to mine. He then nuzzled my hair and held me. I leaned against him, and laid my head upon his chest. His heart beat rapidly, and a strange noise came from his throat…
I listened closer was he purring? I smiled against his chest.
Jyar buzzed about our heads, trying to get our attention. We broke our embrace, now it was awkward. Jyar sifted and asked what he had missed?
Artileon chuckled, and then sobered as he recounted the dream.
Jyar was alarmed and worried about me and promised he too would not let me die. I asked him, should I die what would happen to him; he refused to answer and sifted quietly back to dragon form and chimed mournfully.
We all silently gathered our things to eat before we travelled again. I looked up to find Artileon staring at me intently. Before I could ask, he came and sat next to me, and I leaned against him as we ate. The ring on my hand started to warm, and I glanced down; the sunstone was pulsing and pushed out. It lit up the area and produced a map showing the way to the mountain we saw in our dream. We discussed our route, and it faded once again leaving only its warmth behind.
After they travel for some time, they came upon a small mountain. Small, but a mountain nonetheless. Chelle stared at it in dismay, how were they going to climb a mountain.
“You are glowing again” said the Prince.
So I was, the ring followed and shone upon a path that looked as though it disappeared into the stone of the mountain face, as they walked toward it, they found steps roughly carved into the mountain side. They dismounted their horses, it was sad to think they had to leave them behind but there was not much room on the narrow flight of steps. They quickly repacked their supplies to what they could easily carry and followed the ring’s lighted path. It was not an easy climb, the steps were uneven and some too large, and some chipped and worn away by the elements. Luckily the lighted path melted the ever falling snow, that would have made the climb that much more treacherous. The found a small landing and rested. Jyar scouted ahead since climbing was taking us so much longer than riding had to make progress. We set off after him, and continued upward. It was only due to our lighted guide that we made it safely and with only scrapes and bruises.
Ok, it was my fault we had scrapes and bruises, I miss-stepped and fell back into Artileon, and caused us both to slide and bounce down the stairs. As we climbed the snow and ice fell heavier and heavier, we could feel the cold in our bones. I was frozen by the time night truly fell. Artileon thought we should rest while it was night. The Snow Moon above was frightening in its murky shadows and made climbing impossible. He pulled out things for a fire and a covering made from skins that he set up like a tent. He saw me trembling, and sifted.
Bringing his furry warmth, he knelt at my feet; I sat and warmed myself pulling my fingers through his glossy mane.
In the early morning a chiming dragon woke me, I was so warm and comfortable and stiff from the previous day’s work out, that I didn’t want to move. I cracked my eyes and peered at the small flying menace. I growled at him.
Artileon lifted his maw, and chuffed. He was laughing at me. I swatted him. His tail twitched, and he shook, and sifted. I sat up and looked at our dragon who was buzzing in excitement. He settled down and sifted barely taking a breath as he told us, what awaited us. He had travelled to the top of the mountain and met the Lord Sun. He described the place Artileon and I had visited in our dream. He puffed out his chest, prying his thumbs into his dragon scale armor proudly. He said that he was praised as a loyal dragon and given the task to escort the Prince and Princess to their fateful meeting with the Lord Sun.
I giggled at his preening, and said he was a very good dragon, and an even better friend. He blushed, and sifted back to the shimmery red dragon, flitting to my hair, making a nest.
Artileon laughed at this, placed his fingers on my wayward strands of red. He brought up fresh water melting the snow that had settled in the night around us. We might as well be presentable. I noticed my poor red dress had seen better days since the cave of the witch. The beautiful ribbons were frayin
g, and hung limply from the neck and sleeves. I looked to Artileon’s clothes which never seemed to wear; I asked him why his clothes looked so much better than mine.
“Mine are woven by magic, and your gown is lovely. Do not worry, you look beautiful as always.” He answered.
“Beautiful?” I questioned. He curled his fingers gently around my neck and lightly kissed my cheek. “Yes,” he breathed.
He took my hand and they walked together to meet their destiny at the top of the mountain, he assured me that they would find a way to keep me alive and break the curse, there had to be a way.
****
Chelle
At the peak, we met the Lord Sun; it was just as we had seen in our dream. He was so gentle and kind, and yet sadness marked His wise countenance. He nodded at me and I knew then. My fears were confirmed then and yet I found peace knowing my sacrifice was worth the cost. I would’ve done it alone for Artileon, for Jyar, to bring back Re’em. I would die to save this world, my home.
****
Artileon
I walked forward at the request of the Lord Sun. The weight of this moment sat upon my shoulders. I read the sorrow on the Lord Sun’s face that he too felt the enormous cost of our quest. The solemn stillness was ethereal. The Lord Sun placed his hands on my arms, he was telling me to restrain my beast. To calm myself, I could not quit trembling. He inclined his head and removed a hand from my arm and placed it upon my forehead. My eyes closed instinctively, a vision of my past swam before me, the good and the bad, the choices I had made. The images passed quickly, and then almost halted at every significant moment since Chelle had stumbled into my world. At every instance my heart jolted at recognition of the time I had spent with her. I was taken to a field, and quickly realized it was the place I had met Chelle in her dream world. Here he met me and placed his hand over my heart. The heat from his touch burgeoned into a fire consuming me. Screaming in terror I focused on the fact that I felt no pain, and watched in detached horror. He pulled his hand from my chest pulling out the remains of my charred and blackened heart. It crumbled in his hands to reveal a word burned into the deity’s flesh.
Rae’chelle.
I barely register my shock as the Lord Sun pulls his hand from my head, and I am plunged back into reality.
****
Chelle
He called to Artileon first, I did not hear what he had to say, but Artileon was tense and angered. The dragon had already met him the night before, so it was now my turn. I knew before he spoke to me that this was my final moments.
I must make a sacrifice for the whole realm. I looked at Artileon, and I rise upon my toes and whisper “Do not be afraid, be strong for me, this is what we set out to do, I will not let fear destroy our people.”
He looked at me and this time I placed my hands upon his cheeks and kissed him. We both cried our tears salty as they mingled down our faces. I beckoned to my dragon, and said “you and I both know this is what must happen; I must willingly and freely give up my life for the people, my soul” he shook his tiny head and a lament went up. Sweet and sorrowful, the music filled me with peace, and I knew my time was over. I walked to the Lord Sun, and he said “it is time my child, I believe you know what you must do.”
Artileon shook with rage “why, why does it have to be her” Jyar landed on his shoulders which shook, he sifted to his beast, and roared. The two taking solace from the other as they can do nothing but watch me as I mount the steps to the altar. Standing in the shade of the large tree, I hear the last sounds I will ever hear.
The sound of the Lion and Dragon in the lamentation song and my heart broke. The whisper of the rustling leaves, the quiet and stillness of the freshly fallen snow. I hear the soft chanting of the Lord Sun, he is saying the lines of the prophecy, it is written across the sky as it is fulfilled.
****
Artileon
Chelle stands upon the mountaintop she walks determined and poised. She truly is fit to be the queen, certainly the queen over this beast. I shake in my rage that she is being taken from me, and all I have is that I’ll know what to do when the time comes.
She stands there radiant; she lifts her head, and takes a deep breath. She stills and looks straight at me, I have shifted and my beast is roaring, frothing, barely contained in my grief and anger. I look at her, such love, I can see her heart breaking at my lament, and I still and remember that she asked for my strength. I watch as my heart lifts her hands and uses the ring to force the light across the land sending out her soul and her last breathe to cover the people. It is as though her soul is a veil pulled over me. It covers me and my beast responds.
The Lord Sun walks to my side and says; now it is your chance to choose.
Choices, he speaks of choices… “I cannot lose her, I cannot live without her. I thought she was to be the salvation of my people, she was to rule as the queen, how if she dies. She has made her choice she is the sacrifice needed, her soul is the salvation. I do not know what to do.”
“I would take her place, if I could, I would die for her, and I would die with her.”
He smiled and gestured to the glowing figure robed in her resplendent soul.
“You have chosen well,” the Lord Sun said “as she carries the light, you must carry the darkness.”
“Then I choose to carry the darkness, my beast is my darkness, my curse.”
The Lion saunters up next to Raechelle, and lies at her feet. He feels the light envelop him, as he succumbs to the darkness. Chelle pours her soul to cover his beast; he welcomes her soul to intertwine with him. Whispering, “I love you.”
****
Jyar
I watched as my dearest friends gave their very souls in sacrifice to save the people. To save me, I recalled Artileon’s words that Chelle had already saved him, and the dragon too realized that she had indeed already saved them all. She willingly gave all that she had, and wanted nothing in return. I watched as the light from her ring engulfed the stone and as the lion lay at her feet. A wind erupted from her heart, wrenching her soul and spreading it out. Her soul like an ethereal halo covered the place where the lion lay, and wrapped his beast, a flash rang out and I was blinded.
I landed roughly, stunned until I regained my sight. As I trembled under the weight of the curse, I could feel it breaking within me. Then lifting as a million stars the magic was taken away and I felt whole and new. I stumbled to the stone altar, the tree was smoldering and I looked upon the remains of the only two people I had ever loved. I knelt beside them, and looked to the Lord Sun. The Princess had collapsed over the still form of the Lion, who no longer held his form but was the young Prince. I placed my hands upon both their faces and cried.
****
Chelle
I had no chance to stop him, and I helplessly watched him meet mine and his death as my soul ensorcelled him. Once I had started there was no way to stop, I killed him. The last of my soul ripped from me and I lost consciousness. In that second I recounted all the people I had met, the journey that brought me here. “I love you.” That was my last breath.
I opened my eyes; I am confused and my mind wanders over the events I have just encountered. I glanced around me trying to acquaint my mind to the place I had found myself. I was back on the same plain as my dream. The lush grass softly caressed me; a gentle breeze calmed my disorderly mind. The fresh soil brought an earthy aroma with it a sense of serenity. It was quiet, it was lovely. The sun was rising and it was warm and beautiful. I know that I have died; but I can’t help but look for Artileon.
I stood and stretched as though waking from the dream. The whole idea surreal when I think in reality I am in the dream, but no longer a part of reality. As I wander and notice a large mound and run towards it. I fall to my knees. Here is the beautiful white lion, I caress his face and beg him to wake up. The white glossy mane wafted in the slight breeze but he was still. I waited for any sign that he was not merely a mirage in my hopes of not being alone.
&nbs
p; “I love you, please wake up.” I pleaded.
A small rising on the heavy animal, and the tickle of his breath over my hands, and my eyes filled with unshed tears. He opened his eyes, and licked my hands. He sifted and held me close, kissing my face. “I love you, too.”
I was complete in that moment knowing we had done all that we could, and in the end we still had each other.
I had a curious feeling that started in my stomach, strange warmth spreading outward. I glanced at Artileon, and he was rubbing his chest as if he too felt the peculiar sensation.
We both watched as the sunrise came closer, it moved determinedly in our direction. The light surrounded around a glowing figure, it was the Lord Sun; he was brighter almost so bright you couldn’t look at him directly.
“You have done well, you have broken the curse, and though you asked for nothing in return.
With your sacrifices also comes the awakening of your greatest gift, love. Love has set you free from the bonds of the death sentence.” The Lord Sun smiles at the pair.
“Now hope and love will come with each sunrise, no longer hampered by the darkness. Your strength comes from these two things. It strengthens the people who walk this plain, and myself.” He reached forward and touched our hearts.
The warmth had turned to a burning sensation now, and it was intense. I gulped the air and it seemed to singe my throat, I was gasping. I reached for Artileon in my panic, and found I was no longer on grass but on solid stone. It was rough as I scraped my fingers expecting the soft grass instead of unyielding rock. I took another breath, it was cool and refreshing. I opened my eyes to see we were back on the mountain, I was alive.
****
Jyar
I could not leave them. I clung to them both, as my tears fell making rivulets down Chelle’s gown, and across Artileon’s chest. I cried until I had no tears left. I laid there for the entire night, and did not stir until the sun rose the morning after.