The Darkness Within

by E. M. Aguilar

  "Ah, the venerable Darrin Master has graced us with his presence," the emperor said.

  The voice sounded odd. Darrin saw a figure in the dark corner. This figure moved in a slithering movement. Darrin tried to show no fear, but he shivered.

  Darrin said, "Emperor?"

  The figure came into the light. Darrin gasped. He couldn’t say anything. His eyes twitched.

  "Ah, do you like my new image?" the emperor asked.

  "I...I..." Darrin stuttered.

  The emperor laughed.

  "Where is the Drakus Vinnikai?" the emperor said.

  "I don’t know."

  "You lie!" the emperor said. He lifted a talon hand. Darrin was flung toward the wall. Pain shot all over his body. He fell to the ground and spat out blood. He flinched as he stood and knew he’d broken some ribs.

  "Where is he?" the emperor said.

  "I do not know," Darrin said.

  A magical force grabbed Darrin and lifted him in front of the emperor. Another figure was next to him. It was Barthrow.

  Barthrow said, "Sire, we have other ways to get him to talk. He will never consciously tell us. Let the black mages have him."

  CHAPTER 54

  Flying high in the sky, Cyrus saw glimpses of beautiful hues all around him. Something caught his eye; a man looked at him with terror all over his face. Cyrus flew toward him. A masked woman spoke a language he knew.

  She said, "I am his defender. Do not kill him."

  When he heard the word defender, he stopped and flew away. Darkness blanketed him. He landed on the ground and fell asleep.

  "Cyrus," Reza said, "Wake up."

  He found himself lying in a large field. It was approaching dusk. The grass was crushed all over him. The sounds of battle erupted close by. Cyrus was human again. He was dressed in his traveling clothes. He tried to sit up but his head burst in pain.

  Reza said, "Master, we are under attack! We need to leave."

  A few feet ahead of him, the wolves fought strange beasts. They were trollics. He managed to stand. His Familiar shot lightning into the enemy, scattering them. Cyrus hurried through the opening.

  "Why are they attacking us?" Cyrus said.

  Reza didn’t say a word. Cyrus managed to trudge through the battlefield. He nearly tumbled. The trollics tried to overtake his position. The wolves protected him. His Familiar changed into a bright white orb and shot more lightning at the trollics.

  "Go over the ridge," Reza said, "into the forest."

  The beasts came in columns of four abreast. The wolves were losing ground. Cyrus rushed. The forest loomed around him. Arrows flew out of the forest and struck the enemy. Cyrus gained the forest and entered. The trollics stopped following. The trees hid most of the moonlight but Reza shone his light.

  Grrl was next to him and said, "Master you were almost killed."

  Cyrus said, "Why did they attack us?"

  "Master, some beasts do not want you to rise to power," Grrl said.

  Cyrus saw manlike figures coming toward him. Each carried a bow and a quiver of arrows. When they came toward him, they bowed on one knee. They had dark complexions and wore strange leather clothes. Long ears protruded from their head.

  The leader said, "We are honored Drakus Vinnikai to come to your assistance. The reign of the Drakus Vinnikai will come again."

  "My name is Mace. We will escort you to our camp. Do you remember us?" he said.

  Cyrus said, "Sorry, I do not remember."

  Mace said, "In the Great War, the Aldaran swore allegiance to your kind."

  Cyrus nodded. Mace whistled in the air. A four-legged creature came toward him. The beasts looked like horses but with a head of a bird. Each animal was fitted with a bridle and reins. The Aldarans mounted their steeds. Cyrus reluctantly approached the animal and jumped on. They rode in silence. The twin moons filtered through the leaves and branches casting a mosaic of shadows. The wolves followed close behind weaving through the trees and underbrush.

  They came into a large camp. Tents looked hastily drawn up. Groups of men were waiting for them. An elder Aldaran came closer to him.

  He bowed to Cyrus and said, "Drakus Vinnikai. We heard your call. We came as soon as we can."

  "My name is Cyrus."

  "My name is Tecturan," he said.

  Cyrus said, "When did I summon you?"

  Tecturan looked puzzle and said, "You called us several months ago by the light of the full moons."

  Cyrus remembered when he was captured by the bandits, his magic exploded into the air. He wondered if that was when the Aldarans had been summoned.

  Tecturan said, "We saw you flying. We are proud."

  He led Cyrus to a large tent. Guards were posted on the outside of the entrance.

  "Do you require any food?" Tecturan said.

  "Yes," Cyrus said.

  Cyrus went inside. It was spacious with bear fur rugs on the floor. Alien looking chairs and tables were set up in the middle of the shelter. A large bed stood near the rear. A lady came inside bearing a plate with bread, cheese, fruit and a cup of water. She was scantily dressed in silk robes and looked at him in a knowing way.

  She said, "I am here to serve you, my lord, with anything thing you need. If you need some company, I will be happy to serve."

  "Thank you. I want to be alone for now," Cyrus said.

  The girl looked distraught. She placed the plate on the table and left. He ate heartily. Afterward, he fell asleep on the bed. He was awakened by his Familiar.

  "Cyrus, you need to see this," Reza said.

  Cyrus came out of his slumber and said, "Reza, I need some rest."

  Reza said, "I think we should have stayed with the wolves. They are loyal to you."

  Cyrus grumbled, "What do you want me to see?"

  Reza said, "Shh, the guards might hear you."

  Reza’s surface slowly changed. A scene appeared. A group of Aldaran was sitting inside another tent.

  "What is this?" Cyrus said.

  Reza said, "I saw the Aldaran gather for a meeting. So, I decided to find out what was happening."

  The scene showed the Aldaran all staring at Mace and Tecturan.

  A tall man said, "How do we know he is the Drakus Vinnikai?"

  Tecturan said, "You saw the dragon. He is the one."

  "We had been fooled before. I do not trust him."

  Mace said, "Do you dare challenge your leader?"

  Tecturan said, "He has the right. There has not been a Drakus Vinnikai for many ages. A powerful mage has tricked us before. We need to consult the prophet."

  Mace said, "How? We are too far away."

  Tecturan said, "I have the prophet stone."

  Cyrus stared at the stone Tecturan showed them. It was smooth and round. Tecturan held the stone upwards. Waves of energy flowed in and out of its surface.

  "If Cyrus touches this stone and lives then he is the Drakus Vinnikai."

  Mace said, "Ah, you are right. If he is not a Drakus Vinnikai, he shall die. The stone will kill him."

  The scene disappeared and he was looking at the glowing surface of his Familiar.

  "What happened next?" Cyrus said.

  "I left and went straight to you. They mean you harm. However, you are Drakus Vinnikai. You don’t need them," Reza said.

  "I am not sure that I am a Drakus mage," Cyrus said.

  Reza said, "You are Drakus Vinnikai."

  "How would you know? You are only a Familiar," Cyrus said.

  "I am an extension of you," Reza said.

  Cyrus wondered about that. If his Familiar felt just like him, Reza would understand his dilemma. Cyrus wasn't sure what he should do. It was a possibility if he touched the prophet stone he would die.

  "Cyrus, you do not have to stay with these people. You can leave," Reza said. Outside his tent, Cyrus heard a commotion. People were shouting. He stood and was unsteady on his feet.

  "You need rest, Master," Reza said.

  In his weakened state, he n
eeded the Aldarans for protection. He wanted to rest. A thought appeared in his mind. It was the face of the Princess Narah. He didn't know why she came into his thoughts. His mind was jumbled.

  Mace entered the tent and said, "Cyrus. We need you. Please come."

  Cyrus concentrated and his Familiar changed into a staff with a small round globe perched on top. The globe was held by a large dragon claw. Cyrus grabbed the staff and walked out of his tent.

  Reza spoke to him in his mind, "Cyrus. I can help you. I can give you some of my power."

  Cyrus nodded. He felt a tingling of power. It wasn’t much. The glowing part of his staff became a little dim. He walked into the cool night.

  Tecturan said, "These three say they know you."

  Cyrus recognized Charles and the Shade, but he didn’t know the other person.

  He said, "Yes, I know these people."

  The Aldarans didn’t lower their weapons.

  Tecturan said, "We have other matters to discuss. Bring out the stone."

  "What is this?" Cyrus said.

  Tecturan said, "This is the prophet stone. It can help you find the Towers."

  Cyrus saw through his lie and summoned his magic. The prophet stone glowed and flew toward him and stopped a hands width from his face. Light from the prophet stone showered over him. He couldn’t see anything at first then an old lady wrapped in a dark robe appeared. She stared straight at him. She was astonishingly beautiful.

  "Prophet," Cyrus said.

  "Yes."

  "Can you help me?" Cyrus said.

  "You seek the Drakus Vinnikai Towers. However, you are not ready. You cannot control your power."

  "Am I a Drakus Vinnikai?"

  "Yes and no," she said.

  "I do not understand," Cyrus said.

  "You will in time. The Towers you seek are hidden from me. I cannot help you. I see your future as two roads—one leading to peace and another leading to death and destruction. These roads intertwine each other," the prophet said.

  The scene started to fade. He was back at the Aldaran camp. Cyrus was holding the stone. He heard the voice of the prophet in his head.

  She said, "Ask yourself why you need to find the Towers?"

  All the Aldarans stared at him. Tecturan bowed on one knee. All the Aldarans followed and bowed. Charles and his group gaped at him with astonishment. An Aldaran soldier cut his friends bonds.

  "They need a place to sleep and some food," Cyrus said.

  Cyrus was weary and tried not to fall. He abruptly turned and went back to his tent. He didn’t need to know if his orders were completed. He knew they were done.

  •••

  Darrin was strapped to a long table. His hands were held by magical bands. He had been tortured before and knew how he could take physical punishment. However, when he was taken by the black mages, he was fearful of what they would do to him. With their cowls pulled away from their heads, the dark mages looked impassive with cruel eyes. They didn’t look at him. They periodically threw potions into a large pot. Darrin couldn’t tell from his vantage point what they were doing. Smoke curled around the edges of his sight.

  The mages together intoned the whispery language of magic. Darrin saw things moving and crawling on his skin. Snakes were all over him. Darrin screamed as the snakes sunk their poison into him.

  •••

  When Narah saw Cyrus in the camp of strange men, she wanted to run to him. However, these people held her back. Cyrus looked different. She couldn’t pinpoint it. Seconds later, these strange men bowed to Cyrus. Narah stood mute. She was about to go to him, but he left. Charles shrugged. The strange men led them to food and shelter.

  Narah said, "Cyrus has changed."

  "Mistress Shade, I have only known him for a little time. What do you see?"

  "He is powerful."

  He said, "I don’t think he will come back with us."

  The Shade stared at Cyrus’s tent and walked toward it. Nobody stopped her. Nobody needed to. Fear kept these people away from her. Before she changed her mind, she walked inside his tent. It was dark inside. She couldn’t see anything.

  "Cyrus, it’s the Shade," She said.

  A light emerged. The radiance came from a globe and hovered close to her. She held her hand up in fright.

  Cyrus murmured, "So tired."

  She saw him lying in a large bed. His eyes fluttered open.

  "Shade, please stay. You are the only person I can trust," he said.

  Narah sat on a comfortable chair. She watched him sleep.

  CHAPTER 55

  In the morning, Charles awoke in a comfortable tent. These Aldaran men treated him as a prince. He had three bowls of their tasty beef stew. He walked through the camp and found Brutan eating near a bon fire. He kept going looking for the Shade.

  He found Cyrus’s tent and went inside. Cyrus slept in a large bed while the Shade was gently snoring in a chair. Reza appeared and hovered around him. Charles sensed the Familiar was greeting him. Cyrus eyes open.

  "Hello Cyrus. You do not have to explain what happened a few days ago," Charles said.

  "I do not know what happened."

  Charles said, "We want you to come back with us."

  "Why? I can only be a hindrance to the rebellion," Cyrus said.

  The Shade yawned and sleepily said, "Cyrus, we want you to join with us to defeat the emperor."

  Cyrus said, "Mistress Shade who are you?"

  "I am a friend to Princess Narah. She is imprisoned by the emperor."

  Cyrus said, "This cannot be. Why would the emperor do that to his only flesh and blood?"

  She said, "The princess needs you."

  "I am close to finding the Drakus Vinnikai towers. I can feel it."

  Charles said, "You don't need to find those towers."

  Cyrus looked at him and said, "Instead, I think you will come with me."

  "No, we have to get back."

  The Shade stood and said, "Yes, we will stay with you, Cyrus."

  •••

  After they left Cyrus tent, Charles said to her, "Mistress Shade, I have to leave. Brutan can stay with you."

  "In time Cyrus will come back with us. Just wait."

  Charles said, "We do not have the luxury of time. Darrin needs me in the upcoming battle. We have to be careful now because Cyrus has an army."

  She said, "I am not sure about that. We need to see what is going to happen. If Cyrus is going to be another threat, we need to watch him."

  Charles said, "Well, your choice makes sense. However, I have an odd feeling Darrin is in trouble."

  •••

  Cyrus needed some direction to follow to look for the Towers. He glanced at his Familiar and got an idea.

  "Reza, can you travel across vast distances without me?" Cyrus said.

  The Familiar said, "Only in an extreme emergency. The farther I go away from you the more power I lose. I can even cease to exist."

  "Can you communicate with me?"

  Reza said, "Yes."

  Cyrus rummaged through his sack and brought out the Rathraka. The charm still showed the imprint of the tower on it.

  Cyrus said, "Give me some direction to the cemetery."

  The Rathraka’s surface changed and showed a large cavern. The Rathraka changed again showing a shoreline with tall thin trees.

  Cyrus said, "Those trees look strange. They are not from around these forests."

  He concentrated again and said, "Show me the location of the Drakus Towers."

  The Rathraka changed and showed five towers in a circle with a larger tower in the middle. He didn’t know what to make of this.

  "Reza, please look for the caverns. I command you."

  Reza flew out of his tent. Cyrus sat and closed his eyes.

  "Master," an Aldaran said.

  Cyrus said, "Please, come in."

  The Aldaran bowed and said, "Tecturan wants to know when we are about to leave."

  Cyrus said, "We will stay here
for a few days."

  •••

  Brutan stalked around the Aldaran camp. The Shade watched him thinking Brutan wanted to hurt somebody.

  Charles said, "Brutan wants to leave and so do I. I don’t like waiting with these strange people."

  The Shade said, "I know. I feel the same way. Cyrus hardly comes out of his tent. And when he does, he acts like he is a king. The princess will not like what has happened to him."

  Charles nodded and said, "Cyrus ordered the Aldarans to look through their maps to find some type of odd trees."

  She said, "There are no such trees as he has described."

  Charles said, "Mistress Shade, is the princess in any danger? Maybe, we should talk to Cyrus to let us go find her?"

  "She is not in any danger. She is hidden in a safe place."

  Charles said, "Can you be so sure?"

  "Yes, I am."

  Brutan came up to them. He looked miserable and said, "Mistress. I don’t like the looks of these Aldarans. They looked like they want to kill me. Aren’t you a friend to Cyrus?"

  "He has changed. I don’t know him now."

  Brutan said while looking around, "A fog is drifting in. I do not like the look of it."

  The Shade watched as the mist surrounded the camp. She noticed the fog went against the wind.

  •••

  Cyrus lay on his bed and envisioned his Familiar.

  Reza said, "Yes, master."

  "Have you found anything?".

  "I have been up and down the shoreline and have not seen caverns nor any strange trees," the Familiar said.

  "Show me."

  A jumble of images flashed in his head. Reza travelled vast distances since he contacted him. He was about to recall Reza here when he saw an image of a cove. It was only for a brief second, but something piqued his interest.

  "Reza, did you look into this cove?"

  "No, master. The cove looked small and no trees were around it," Reza said.

  "I want you to investigate that cove, now."

  The Familiar detoured from its destination and found the harbor. Reza flew into the cove. It was dark. Small plants lined the shore.

  Cyrus said, "What is that toward your left?"

  Reza soared toward that area and saw a small cave hidden in the rocks. The tunnel was very close to the water and could not be seen until Reza was next to it.