by K.N. Lee
Lilae grabbed the creature’s face. A loud, shrill, sound of pain came from the basilisk as the flames consumed its body. Lilae took the chance to crawl from beneath the beast on her elbows. She stared in awe and confusion.
The basilisk writhed and squealed as the fire ate away at the scales, gnawing its way to the creatures flesh. Lilae’s mouth was still wide, and her throat was dry, when the basilisk was merely a pile of bone, scales, and ash. Her chest heaved.
Lilae finally realized that the flames had disappeared. She held up her pale hands and stared at them. The flames were nowhere to be seen and her hands seemed unharmed. She finally fell back onto the ground and tried to control her breaths. The pain became bitterly noticeable and she cried out for help.
Lilae felt the darkness start to smother her as her blood spilled onto the forest floor. She grew cold and barely heard someone call to her. She looked up at a face, unclear in the darkness.
“Lilae!”
The world grew dark as her eyes fluttered closed. She fought the black void, fiercely, but it grabbed her and dragged her down. Her breaths grew shallow, to a near hum as she was pulled deeper into the darkness.
***
Lilae felt her cheeks warm. She groggily sat up and shielded her eyes. The sun was red. The sky was the bluest of blues. Lilae stared up at it in astonishment. She suddenly remembered her wound and looked down at her stomach. She gasped. She wore all white and both the blood and pain were gone.
She pushed herself up to her feet clumsily. Her billowy white dress blew in the breeze as she looked around. Frantic thoughts filled her mind.
“Where am I?” Lilae was mesmerized. The place was oddly…familiar to her. She had been there before.
Lilae was in the middle of a field of tall grass that reached to her knees. Large blue and orange butterflies fluttered all around her. She stood completely still and watched in as a few landed on her shoulders. She let out a slow breath, and they floated in the air again. Lilae turned in a circle, taking it all in.
There were gray mountains in the far distance and a nearby waterfall. She looked at the crystalline waters as they rushed down onto stones and into a shallow body of water. She cautiously knelt down and dipped her hand into the water. It was cool. It was real.
She sprang up and gasped. Lilae put her hands over her mouth and let out a long, slow, breath. She sighed and dropped her hands. She hoped that it was a dream and not death. The Underworld was not such a beautiful place. At least, this wasn’t how Lilae imagined it.
“Am I dead?”
She felt eyes on her. Her cheeks paled. There was someone standing across from her. She shrieked and took a step backwards in surprise. Her eyes grew large as she stared at the tall young man a few feet before her. He looked at her in the same way.
She remembered him. He had been in her dream weeks ago. She would never forget that face. Lilae wanted to hide from his gaze. He was the most attractive man she had ever seen. He had wild black hair and the brightest blue eyes that seemed to have a glow. He wore white as well. A tunic and pants with a gold band at his waist.
The muscles in her face relaxed, somehow she wasn't afraid of him. He calmed her.
“Who are you?” Lilae realized that she couldn’t hear her own voice. It was the same as before. She couldn’t talk.
Lilae felt her heart beat faster and her face flush when he was near her. She looked up and found herself entranced by his eyes. He was one of the first men who actually stood a good deal taller than her. She wanted to touch his face. It was perfect. His skin was untainted and pale, much like her complexion, but there was an odd glow that radiated from his skin.
He brushed a lock of black hair from out of his eyes and it sprung back into place. He looked into her eyes searchingly and she felt her pulse quicken. It was loud, filling her ears. Her cheeks flushed when he looked at her like that.
In unison they both felt compelled to touch the other. The instant their fingertips touched, a light separated them and Lilae was catapulted back to reality.
She shrieked. “No!”
With a gasp, her eyes popped open, and she found herself lying on her blankets on the floor of their cottage.
Risa and Jaiza sat beside her, watching her with widened eyes red and swollen from tears.
“Lilae!” they said in unison. Their voices were filled with excitement.
Lilae's eyes darted around the room. She recognized it. She was back in their sleeping quarters. The small room was the same, with log walls and dark wood floors. There was an open window at her right, letting the breeze into the room. Lilae could hear the chatter from the street. She could smell the coal from Anic's father’s shop across from their home.
Lilae sat up and winced with pain. She saw that her stomach was tightly wrapped in bandages. She looked completely bewildered when Risa grabbed her in an embrace. Jaiza wrapped her arms around them both. They wept with joy and Lilae was speechless.
“You are not leaving our sight ever again!” Jaiza scolded Lilae, but she could tell that it was full of love.
Lilae stared into her face. She wondered if she was dreaming.
Risa nodded quickly, tears and mucous falling down her face. She sniffled. “Never ever!”
Delia sat in the corner and covered her mouth in relief. She looked at the three girls in utter happiness. She smiled at Lilae. “I knew you’d come back to us,” Delia said.
Lilae was disoriented and confused, but she clung to them, holding her hand up to caress Risa's hair. She closed her eyes and breathed a breath of relief. She was alive. She never wanted to linger that closely to death again.
Pirin peaked in after hearing the girl’s cries. He wiped his forehead and smiled down at her. The twins moved aside as Pirin knelt down beside Lilae. He pulled her into his chest and smoothed her hair, more tenderly than she’d ever known him to be. He clutched her as if he were afraid to let go.
Pirin let out a long sigh of relief. “My Lilae,” he said softly. “We all missed you.”
Chapter 19
Queen Aria squirmed in her bed. She knew she was dreaming. She was held frozen and powerless as the eerie sensations went on. A force tugged at her mind, pulling her subconscious into a room where a man and a woman stood waiting for her. Aria sighed, looking around at the room she hadn't been to since her son had been born.
The room was small but it looked out into entire lands, it peeked into other worlds. It was composed of a floor made of clouds and walls that depicted scenes of events that were occurring at that moment. The current scene was of a girl with hair as red as a rose lying in bed, with bandages covering her abdomen.
Aria wore a turquoise sleeping gown, a stark contrast between the pure white room and the white in which the Ancients wore. They stood around her as the vision continued. Aria reached out, the walls message wavering as her hand tried to touch the girl.
“She is stronger than we thought.”
“Is that the one?” Aria slowly walked towards them.
Telryd nodded. He was the creator of the humans. He resembled his complex creations. They were by far the most diverse of the races. His hair was a bright red and his eyes were a striking green. He towered over her as he stood with his back to the flickering screens.
“Yes. She is the Flame that we have been waiting for. There might be hope for you children after all.” He was in a white robe, with a gold and purple tasseled belt wrapped around his waist. Telryd stroked his red beard as he looked over at the screen again.
“The Elder is taking her closer to The Barrier. She knows the strength of the Flame. We are in agreement that she is ready.” Ulsia moved closer to the image.
As Ancient of the Silver Elves, Ulsia resembled her creation as well. Her long silver hair reached the small of her back and she wore a silver circlet. Aria couldn’t bring herself to look directly into her silver eyes. They were so unsettling.
“What would you have me do? I have done everything I could. I made him study and train.
I showed him both love and suffering so that he would grow into a well-rounded man. I have done my best.”
Aria was never truly comfortable with being in the presence of the Ancients. She had been the first Tryan born with the ability to Seek. It was a historically a human trait. She was a mighty, just ruler, because she could read the minds of others. Because of her ability, her mind was open to the Ancients, where they could draw her mind to their meeting place and converse with her as if she was in the Overworld.
Telryd nodded. “You have done well. We were wise to let him stay with you instead of Elder Drefen. The Storm is more than we could have hoped for.”
“Agreed.” Ulsia nodded. “He is the perfect specimen. But,” she sighed.
Aria was observant. The Ancients were getting more and more restless. Such an observation made her worry.
“He does have his weaknesses,” Ulsia continued still watching the images with curiosity. The Ancients had all put a part of themselves into that girl and Aria’s son.
“As all mortals do, sister,” Telryd said. Aria found it odd that they referred to each other in familial terms.
“You’ve sent him on a crusade to fend off the Shadow Elf invaders?” Ulsia asked with a raised eyebrow. “After we purposefully told you to send him to The Barriers?”
Telryd looked to Aria.
Aria purposefully avoided his stare. She glanced at Ulsia. “I did. They have been pillaging and killing villagers in our wild lands.”
“But we gave you orders Aria. An Elder wouldn’t have questioned our orders or followed their own will. You promised us that you would be as subjective. You cannot let your own emotions get in the way. Wexcyn will use your misjudgment in his favor,” Ulsia said.
Telryd nodded. “She is right. Wexcyn has already sent out his disciples, and they are unlike anything we could have imagined. Wexcyn’s disciples are loose on the entire world, and they follow orders. Do you understand?”
Aria nodded, feeling her ears heat at being scolded. She was afraid of them. It bothered her that they were starting to doubt her.
“Good,” Telryd said. “We see everything Aria.”
Ulsia stepped beside him. “But soon, we will no longer be able to communicate with you. The Overworld will soon close its gates, to keep Wexcyn out. That means you will be on your own.”
Aria looked afraid. “What do you mean? How will we know what to do?”
Telryd looked at her with compassion in his face. It was comforting to know that the Ancients knew how they were feeling. They were chosen to create because of their understanding of life.
“We can only lead you to the door Aria. You have to go through it. You have to decide how you want this war to go. Tryans, humans, and Silver Elves are united…for now. It is up to you if it will remain that way.”
Ulsia’s eyes glowed. The silver was too bright for Aria, but she couldn’t help but look into them. “The Mithrani numbers are growing. Wexcyn has beaten us. He has instilled them into the world, and they have been thriving in the shadows. Inora’s Shadow Elves are allied with them. Do you know what that means? Two of the most powerful races, with equal hate for the rest of you…I almost worry if we have done enough to prepare you all for what is coming.”
“What about the others?” Aria folded her hands before her. “Ulsia, tell me, who is the Steel? Who is the Inquisitor?”
Ulsia looked to Telryd. “They have to present themselves to you.”
Aria raised an eyebrow. “What? We don’t have time to waste. You said so yourself.”
“We cannot force them to come out. It is up to them to make themselves known.”
Aria sighed in frustration.
“Send Liam a message. He must go to The Barrier. Do it quickly, before it’s too late.”
Aria nodded. She knew this moment was coming. It was foolish of her to once again try and stall. He was twenty-five now. Liam was no longer her little boy.
“This is proof that their link is very, very, strong. They are already drawn to each other.” Telryd produced a golden throne. It materialized out of the air. He sat and draped his arms along the armrests.
Ulsia did the same. The image faded and the walls became that of a shimmering plethora of colors that swirled and rippled all around them. Telryd and Ulsia's eyes met and it was as if they spoke without words.
“They have healed together in their dreams…here, in the Overworld. There is the proof.”
Aria’s lips parted. “Healed? Is he all right?”
“Of course he all right child. What a silly question.” Ulsia waved a dismissive hand.
“Enough questions.” A voice boomed, as Pyrii entered the room. He materialized right in the center of them, sitting in his own throne.
Aria stumbled back in shock. Pyrii was the creator of the Tryans. His long black hair hung long and loose over his shoulders. His glow was like nothing she had ever seen. It was so iridescent, that the light seemed to circulate him like golden discs.
Aria trembled, avoiding his gaze. How long had he been listening?
“This meeting is over. You do not ask questions. Who are you to question your creators? There will be no more stalling. You have your orders. Now leave.”
With a jolt, they sent her back to her bed and she woke. She opened her eyes and lay there for a moment. Tears soaked her cheeks as she tried to calm herself. Her stomach was burning with the pain of such stress. The Overworld would be closed. They would no longer lead her. She’d never felt so lost.
Aria slowly sat up and looked around her empty chambers. She was hot and sweaty. Her white covers were sprawled across the massive bed. She pulled a string at the head of her bed and within seconds a young girl scurried into the room. She kept her head bowed low as she entered the room.
“Your highness?”
Aria lay against her cushioned headboard. “Mindy darling. Water. Please.” Her voice came out raspy. She tried to clear her throat and felt a new pain.
Mindy gave a quick nod and hurried away.
Aria sighed. She is fast. When will she learn that I won’t strike her if she doesn’t show up in less than a minute?
She stepped onto the plush carpeted floor and stretched. Before she could finish a yawn, Mindy had returned with a tray arrayed with a pitcher of water, a teapot, sugar, honey, lemon and two small cups.
Aria lifted an eyebrow. Impressive. “Thank you Mindy. This is perfect.” She poured herself a cup of tea and drizzled some honey into it.
She thought she caught a small smile on the girls face as she left the room. Aria walked out to the balcony with her cup of tea. She sipped as she walked. The air was warm and sweet with the smell of the honeysuckle bushes just outside the door. Her long, black, hair hung loose, swaying in the gentle ocean breeze.
She walked through her exotic flower garden to look over the white stone balcony at the ocean. She rested a hand on the cold stone and sighed as she looked at the still waters. Her palace hovered above the water as if by invisible columns and beams. It was connected to the land by only a steep white staircase.
Most ancient Tryan castles were built that way. In the beginning, Tryans rode dragons and the height was practical. Now, the single staircase was quite a nuisance. Dragons hadn’t been seen since the Great War.
Aria stared out at the moon. It seemed to settle right above the water, causing the gently rolling waves to sparkle under its light. She looked up as a large black and white eagle soared through the sky and landed next to her.
“What is it Aria?” Yoska’s voice was anxious with worry. “Has something happened?”
Aria looked down at him. His tiny eyes were black as coals. He was her oldest friend. Yoska was always there when she needed him, and only he knew all of her secrets. He knew her fears, every mistake she had made, and every love she had lost.
“Yoska,” she said to him, smoothing the feathers on his back. “The war has started. Wexcyn has an army. His disciples are already here. And now Liam must be sent to The B
arriers.”
There was a brief moment of silence.
“The Ancients say that the Flame is strong, that she is ready, and that the prince must journey to her right away.”
“They are right Aria. Liam is more qualified than anyone in our world and would die before letting his people down.” Yoska moved closer to her, his clawed feet near her pale hands.
That's what I’m afraid of, Aria thought. Liam could actually die on this journey. Aria didn't know if she was strong enough. Liam had spent his entire life training. She had made sure that he was strong and skilled in everything. Aria sighed and sat on the ground. She drew her knees into her chest. She felt defeated. He was all she had left.
Yoska saw the look on her face. “Poor choice of words my queen. Liam is strong and powerful. He will be fine.”
“Why do I have to be responsible for all of this?” She sighed. Why complain? At least they had let her keep her child. Otherwise, it would have been a strange Elder, and she might have never seen him again.
Yoska hopped from the balcony and stood beside her.
“I know it's hard,” he said. “But you know better than anyone that doing what's right is rarely easy.”
“I know.” Aria nodded. “Time just went by so fast, Yoska.”
“It has. I remember when you were just a child. Those innocent years, when you had nothing to worry about except what doll you would play with next.”
Aria looked at him with a half-smile. She wished she could go back to such innocence. “Seems like ages ago.”
“Yes, but we must all grow up Aria. There is much responsibility that comes with age.”
She forced a smile. “Very wise Yoska. How old are you anyway?”
“Old enough.”
“You always say that, you know?” Aria grabbed the balcony and pulled herself up. “How long do you think it will take for you to send a message to Liam?”
Yoska flew up to her. “He cannot be more than a few days outside of Oren territory. I can be there and back in a week.”