by Lana Axe
Ulda turned to view his visitors, a crooked smile upon his lips. “I’m surprised you’ve come to me directly,” he said. “Your army is on the verge of defeat, but it seems you care not for their lives. Your own daughter is near death.”
“He’s lying,” Kaiya shot back.
Unshaken, River said, “It doesn’t have to end this way, Ulda.”
Stepping forward, Ulda said, “You think I feel threatened by your presence? You are nothing to me!” With a wave of his hand, he blasted a stream of magic at his opponents, its colors shimmering in a multitude of hues.
River conjured a shield to protect his companions, but it could not withstand Ulda’s attack. The magic absorbed into the shield momentarily before it burst, sending a shower of blue sparks raining down. As the others attempted to block Ulda’s spell, Kaiya crafted a whirlwind, its silver energy inhaling the magic being thrown at it.
Ulda ceased his attack and laughed. “That was a mere trifle,” he said. Casting a wide spell, he knocked the entire party off their feet, and sent himself careening backward.
Scampering to his feet, River cried to the others, “Your gems! Use them!” Drawing the blue gem, River gripped it by its base with his fingers. Focusing his energy through its facets, he concentrated only on holding Ulda in place. Telorithan joined in, mirroring River’s actions with his red stone. Ulda’s shocked expression told the others that the spell was working.
Retrieving her crystal, Kaiya knelt and closed her eyes. Focusing on the air around her, she pulled its energy through the stone. As it unleashed a blast of silver at Ulda, Kaiya was startled, momentarily losing her concentration. Ulda seized the opportunity to break free.
Moving with agility uncommon to a man of his age, Ulda managed to dodge Kaiya’s second attempt at containing him. Grabbing his orb from the desk, he held it in his outstretched arms toward Telorithan. The red gem shook violently, catching the sorcerer off guard. In a shower of red sparks, it flew from his hand, sliding across the floor near Ulda.
Ulda lashed out at the stunned sorcerer, blasting him with a yellow beam. The air from Telorithan’s lungs was stolen away, an intense weight pressing against his chest. Beneath the crushing blow, the sorcerer buckled to his knees. As he struggled for breath, Kaiya regained her focus, sending a blast of silver through Ulda’s midsection. Staggering sideways, he lost his grip on the orb, freeing Telorithan from his grasp.
River and Kaiya held fast to Ulda as Telorithan righted himself and retrieved his gem. Crossing close to Ulda, he stared into the sorcerer’s eyes. “I see your fear,” Telorithan said.
“And…I see yours,” Ulda managed to say through a clenched jaw.
Manipulating the air, Kaiya continued to focus her energy to the space around her. Cutting through the energies that separated Mel from the earth, she allowed him to begin his portion of the spell.
Mel knelt facing Kaiya, as his instinct told him to do. His back to Ulda, he focused his mind away from the sorcerer and into the earth. Finding an easy path to the ground, he silently gave thanks to Kaiya’s mastery of air magic. Clutching the gem tightly, he attempted to tap into the earth’s magic. His fear of failure ever present, he felt himself unable to pull energy through the stone. I can’t do this, he realized. I’m not strong enough. The harder he tried, the more separated from the earth he became. His breath came swifter as panic set in. They will fail because of you, a voice said in his mind. Certain it was Ulda speaking, Mel steeled himself and tried again. Pulling at the earth’s energy, he felt himself waning. His magic stores were diminishing, and he was not near enough to the ground to replenish them.
Another voice entered Mel’s head—the calm and ever-comforting voice of River. Allow the magic to flow, his voice said. Hoping for the best, Mel took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Focusing his mind away from the gravity of the situation and forgetting that all of Nōl’Deron was in his hands, Mel freed himself from the burden of the world. Allowing his mind to wander, he thought only of his forest home. Visions of trees and tall grass came into his mind, bringing him a sense of peace. His heart swelled with love for the forest, and he drew its energy inside him. The emerald in his hands lit up, a beam of green light stretching out to encompass Ulda.
River didn’t waste a moment tapping into the water hiding deep within the earth. Pulling it through his body, he felt himself rejuvenated by its presence. The great supply of magic he had used to hold Ulda in place was replenished, allowing him to strike out at the sorcerer. A blue beam of light shot through Ulda, his expression twisting to one of pain.
With three elements against him, the sorcerer’s weakened frame was becoming unstable. He knew he must act now, or he would not survive. Summoning the fifth element, he tapped into the energy of the void. The room darkened, and violet sparks rained down from the ceiling. Kaiya, Mel, and River braced themselves, refusing to lose concentration. Ulda pulled stronger at the void, desperately trying to stop the attackers. Realizing it was futile to attempt all four at once, he focused his energy to Mel, whom he considered the weakest of the group.
River allowed a part of his magic to break away from Ulda long enough to cover Mel’s head with a shield of light. It would prevent Ulda from breaking Mel’s concentration, but River could not hold the spell for long. It was now up to Telorithan to finish the job.
Gripping the red gem firmly in his fingers, Telorithan focused his energy to the fiery heart of the world. Into the very core he dug, allowing the fire to consume his soul. The elemental inside cried out in rage, its malice and desire to consume life erupting to the surface. Lorith, the elf who had almost ceased to exist, felt himself awakened, and a sincere desire for release consumed his mind.
Telorithan’s body lit up with red flame as he leapt toward the bound Ulda. In a blinding flash, both men evaporated, leaving behind a pile of multicolored gems. River dashed to the gems, kneeling among them and pulling them toward his person. Within these gems were the souls of those Ulda had used to create his powers—mighty wizards whose essences the evil sorcerer had collected. Only River could set them free of their torment.
Tapping his blue gem against the pile of bound souls, he spread blue energy over them. Focusing his mind only to releasing all those who had been bound, the pile of gems began to shake. Kaiya and Mel focused their minds to this task as well, their combined efforts sending a shockwave throughout the tower. The structure shook violently, sending bits of stone and sand crumbling from the ceiling.
Pulling energy from the water inside himself, River pictured Lenora’s face. A single tear came to his eye as he bid silent farewell to his love. A fleeting glimpse of his children appeared only moments before he disappeared in a flash of blue, taking the bound souls along with him.
Kaiya dropped the gem in her hand and watched in stunned silence as it melted away to nothingness. Mel’s gem evaporated as well, his eyes staring at where it had once been.
Looking around the room, he asked, “What’s happened to River and Telorithan?” In his heart he knew the answer.
Kaiya stared where River had knelt among the gems. “They sacrificed themselves,” she said quietly. “It was the only way.” She swallowed the lump rising in her throat.
Suddenly angry, Mel replied, “No! It was Ulda who was supposed to be sacrificed!”
Kaiya shook her head and looked up at her companion. “Ulda had to die, or he never would have stopped enslaving innocent people,” she explained. “The elemental inside Lorith was the only creature with the ability to destroy him.” Looking at the floor, she added, “River sacrificed himself to free the souls in the gems. They lived in torment long enough.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she did not look up.
Mel rose to his feet and moved to the tower window. Looking down on the field below, he noticed there was no fighting to be seen. Many of the opposing soldiers looked confused, and the creatures were nowhere in sight. “It looks like he freed more than just the people in the gems,” he said. Placing an arm around Kaiya
, he said, “Come on. Let’s find the king and be done with this place.”
She nodded slowly, allowing him to help her as she stood. Moving toward the door, she looked back, hoping to see River’s face once more, but he was not there.
Chapter 25
Isandra stood back-to-back with King Rykon, the two of them surrounded by enemy soldiers. They held their swords high, the runes shining brightly through a thick coating of partially dried blood. No matter how hard they fought, they could not subdue enough of Ulda’s undead minions to make any difference in the fighting. They had paused for only seconds at a time, their muscles aching from overuse and fatigue.
A low rumble cut through the noise of battle, and Isandra’s eyes wandered away from her opponents to the spire where she had left her father and his companions. It appeared to be vibrating, chunks of rock dropping from its sides. “The tower is collapsing!” she shouted to the king.
Rykon looked away, and many of the enemy soldiers did as well. After a tense moment, the tower ceased its shaking, bright lights bursting from its narrow windows. Many of the soldiers dropped to their knees, grasping at their helmets as if they’d suffered severe blows to the head. But neither Isandra nor Rykon was to blame.
“What’s happening?” Isandra asked.
Rykon appeared puzzled, but said, “They’re in pain. Something has happened inside the tower.”
Isandra closed her eyes. “My father was successful,” she said. Opening her eyes, she looked out across the battlefield. Where once stood legions of wolfmen and tigers were now only elves—the ones Ulda had defiled to craft his twisted minions. She pointed out into the distance, where a single sorcerer fell from the sky, his wyvern nowhere to be seen.
Rykon swung around to look upon the tower, and a smile graced his visage. Two figures emerged, striding with ease toward him. Too small to be River or Telorithan, he was certain it was Mel and Kaiya who approached.
The king raised his sword, crying out to his soldiers, “The battle is won!” A great cry of triumph echoed throughout the field, some of Ulda’s former slaves joining in as well. Those who were aware of their situation had been given no choice in their actions, and they were glad to be free of their former master’s grasp. Others appeared confused, not knowing what had been happening over the past several months, or even years. They would need time to heal and recover their memories.
Mel waved a hand to the king, his other hand still resting on Kaiya’s shoulder. The pair moved closer, their faces more somber than Rykon had expected.
“You bring grave news,” the king said.
Kaiya looked at the ground. “River is gone,” she said.
Mel added, “Telorithan is gone too. It was the only way.” After a moment, he said, “When I added my magic to his at the end, I didn’t expect it to happen.” His words were full of regret. If he hadn’t joined his powers with River and Kaiya to free the bound souls, perhaps River would still be alive.
Without lifting her head, Kaiya said, “I knew it would happen. This feat would have been impossible without River’s sacrifice. No single elemental has the power to free a bound soul, and it required his entire being to break Ulda’s hold over these people.” She looked around, taking in the thousands of lives that were now safe.
Rykon bowed his head in reverence, remembering his fallen friend.
Isandra could not contain her emotions, and the tears streamed down her face. Removing her helmet, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and looked up at the tower. “My father knew the cost,” she said. “It was a sacrifice he was most willing to make. I only regret the pain this will cause my mother.”
Kaiya looked up at Isandra, her eyes full of tears. “I will return to the Vale with you and speak with her.”
Isandra nodded. Lenora considered Kaiya a dear friend, and she would take comfort in the dwarf’s presence in her time of grief.
“We will honor his memory in Na’zora as well,” the king said. “And Telorithan as well. He must not be forgotten in this.”
Mel nodded his agreement. Looking out among Ulda’s former slaves, he asked, “What do we do about them?”
Rykon replied, “I will leave soldiers to assist the people of Ral’nassa. There is much work ahead of us, but Na’zora will see it done.”
Mel turned his attention to the sea. “It looks like the elementals are still holding the bridge for us. Maybe we should get going before they change their minds.”
Isandra looked out over the blue and said, “My father will see us home safely.”
* * * * *
Lenora sat beneath the weeping willow, staring out over the river. Alyra lay at her side, her head nestled in her mother’s lap. The pounding of the waterfall echoed in the girl’s ears as she dozed beneath the cloudless sky.
Lenora sat idly twirling a finger in her daughter’s dark hair, her eyes ever staring at the water. As she watched, the colorless river slowly changed to deep blue.
Sitting forward in her seat, she disturbed Alyra, who bolted upright. “What is it, Mother?” she asked.
Lenora pointed to the sparkling blue water. “The river,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.
Alyra looked at the water and smiled. “He did it!” she shouted, throwing her arms around her mother.
Grasping her daughter tightly, Lenora’s eyes glistened with joy. If Ulda was defeated, her life mate would be returning home. But a feeling of dread crept over her, her mind not allowing her to ignore the truth. She knew what was required of him, and she knew what Ulda’s defeat had cost her.
Turning to face the water, she gripped her daughter’s hand. How would she tell the child her father would not be coming home? As she contemplated the words to use, a blue mist formed above the river, gliding gently across the shining surface. Growing smaller on its approach, Lenora watched it move closer and closer. Stretching out her hands, she cupped the mist and brought it closer to her face. Warmth and comfort swept over her, tears spilling from her eyes. A joyous smile spread across her lips as the light moved away, disappearing into the depths of the Blue River. Her life mate had indeed come home.
Epilogue
Lenora waded into the river, as she did every morning. Here within the depths, her life mate patiently awaited her. Her blue gown danced softly on the surface of the cool water as she waded toward the base of the waterfall.
Silently she stood, waiting for her love to appear. Peering deep into the water, she beheld a familiar blue light swirling just beneath the surface. A sense of peace rushed over her, and she lay back, resting her head upon the water’s surface. Wrapping herself in the presence of her life mate, she surrendered herself to the ever-changing current. Sleep overcame her, and she closed her eyes to the world.
When she awoke, she found herself lying on the riverbank. Sitting up, she stretched her arms and turned her gaze to the sunlight glinting off the water’s surface. A warm breeze caressed her cheek, and her heart filled with hope. As she looked out over the water, she could feel River’s presence, his sapphire blue eyes still watching over her.
Lifting herself to her feet, she climbed up the bank to her village. As she walked, she realized she was not alone. A second heart was beating within her. Placing her hands on her midsection, she turned back to the river and smiled.
About the Author
Lana Axe lives in the Missouri countryside surrounded by dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles. She spends most of her free time daydreaming about elves, magic, and faraway lands.
For more information, please visit: lana-axe.com.
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