“Did you think you can hide from me?” The ominous one growled, its sinister voice; petrifying. “We hail from the same place. Do not forget our connection,” Malstrife pointed to his right and a portal made of green fire opened, unveiling a vision of another world, far, far away. “You’ve chosen to sleep for far too long. And now, you are too late. I have been preparing for generations.”
A world of fire and brimstone filled with hellish, mutant soldiers and technological marvels of war, roamed across this foreign, alien land. Flying machines and siege giants, some as tall as mountains, gathered in military formations, preparing to make a voyage for the stars.
What is this, Jaival quivered with terror.
His imagination couldn’t dare match what he was seeing.
As if the vision of that world wasn’t enough, the portal shifted, revealing another alien world with the same armies of chaos, and then another world, and another. Jaival’s eyes began burning. Soon he was staring into hundreds, no, thousands of these worlds. Thousands upon thousands – a legion with no end, prepared, hungry, and ready for war.
“Now you see,” Malstrife taunted. “You are too late. You thought that I would stay dormant forever? Asinine! I have been patient. Soon, my armies will make way for the heavens and eventually, they will come to their master’s command – wherever I choose it.”
Jaival trembled at the thought of an invasion. Up until now, everything they faced was but child’s play compared to what Malstrife was showing him – even the wars of old, Nidhogg, Baldr and The Order of the Void, seemed but only a sliver; a mere taste of the true destruction to come.
“There will be no stopping my armies. No mercy. No end. Only eternal torment,” Malstrife gloated. “The era of the Titans is over. They too will suffer. Starting with you.”
Jaival prepared for his demise. Adrenaline shot to his head and he forgot his fears.
Malstrife halted. “Unless,” The Dark Lord thought aloud. “You are willing to be redeemed.”
Jaival cocked an eyebrow.
“The state you’ve been reduced to is pathetic, and you’ve lost all recollection of your former glory. Cutting you down now would be no different than swatting a mere fly. How interesting to see the tides have turned in my favor once again.”
What are you saying? Jaival found himself unable to speak verbally.
“Very well, for old time’s sake, I offer you one last chance,” Malstrife pointed to the portal again. The vision shifted to a view of Baldr staring over the now overtaken Eira, bolstering his forces. “It would seem that the prince has taken it upon himself to begin reconstruction of Eira in his own image. The power I’ve granted him has gone to his head. He thinks I do not see his true desire to replace me.”
Jaival clenched his fists as he locked his gaze on Baldr. The fire he had for him hadn’t died yet.
“Destroy him and I will grant you a second chance in my new empire.” Malstrife held his claws toward Jaival. A dark energy coiled into the moon elf’s chest. Jaival screamed in pain. His eyes lit up like white, hot fire and his body shook with uncontained spasms.
“…here’s but a taste of what you can have in my kingdom.”
Malstrife’s voice blanked out in Jaival’s head and the world around the moon elf turned white.
He soon faded from the realm.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Ancient Witch
THE MOON ELF WOKE FROM HIS TRUE SLUMBER, panting and wheezing, deep inside Dream Forest. The disturbance had awakened his caretaker next to him. Poor Arya hadn’t gotten much rest since their encounter with the shadows. Between struggling to move the delirious moon elf from place to place, healing his wounds, and avoiding further encounters with the shadows, Arya was mentally and physically taxed.
Not to mention, her powers didn’t quite heal him. However, they did keep him alive – though she was concerned at what cost. Jaival seemed to be suffering. He had lost rational thought days ago, blabbering nonsense about an unstoppable army. His senses were also leaving him. He refused to eat, he didn’t seem to hear, and apparently, he was as blind as a bat with a fever hot as magma.
Arya checked his temperature. It was worsening. She opened his shirt.
“Oh Jaival,” her face dropped. “What is this?” she said, looking at the energy spirals take the form of tattoos across his body. They glowed both light and dark. Arya held her palm over his chest and activated her holy powers. Every now and then, the tattoos appeared and whenever they did, Jaival was at his worse. The best Arya could do was stall the inevitable. She didn’t want to let him go.
“Why can’t I save you?!” she exclaimed, truly vexed.
Unbeknownst to her, a feminine figure of pure light, surrounded by a dark aura, manifested behind the preoccupied princess. At first, the strange figure remained silent, observing the couple with curiosity and concern. She waited till the right moment to make her presence known.
“You will find no holy magic that can cure him.” The stranger announced.
Arya spun around, startled by the sudden appearance of the figure.
She moved in front of Jaival and got to her feet, extending her palm aggressively.
“…nor will you find shadow magic that can work either.” The stranger continued.
“Stand back! I will not warn you again!” The princess shouted against the figure’s blinding light.
The stranger smirked. She allowed her light to fade a little so her identity could be revealed. It was Sorata, though Arya had no idea who she truly was. Nevertheless, the princess held her ground. Like Jaival, willing to defend her with his own life, she was willing to do the same.
“You need not threaten an ally, princess. I am here to help.” Sorata said.
Arya paid close attention to the manner in which Sorata spoke. It seemed familiar.
“Who are you?” Arya asked.
“I am the one who has been with the hero at your side.” Sorata nodded.
Arya looked at Jaival, careful the newly arrived hadn’t cursed him, then she looked back at the Ancient Sorceress. Sorata had hoped Arya would figure out who she was but perhaps the journeying had taken its toll. The witch rolled her eyes and sighed.
“It is me, Alexa. This is my true form – at least, a projection of my true form. My true name is Sorata.”
“Sorata?” Arya knew well of the name. Who didn’t? She was just as important as Mikael in his time. “The Ancient Witch, you’re still alive?”
“More alive than our hero over there.” Sorata peered at Jaival who was writhing in pain.
Arya dropped to her knees to begin the healing process once more.
“I told you child, your magic will not save him. You only stall the conversion.” Sorata added.
“Then what will save him?!” Arya spun back, angry tears welled in her eyes.
Sorata closed her own eyes and smiled. “Me.”
A quizzed look came to Arya’s face.
The sorceress moved closer to the couple, kneeling at their side, and trailing her hand over Jaival’s unwanted tattoos. Arya grew territorial. She didn’t trust the witch. Sorata, however, did not have ulterior motives in mind. She was there in their best interest, though undoubtedly also there in her own.
“He is afflicted by the Curse of Strife. The same curse that afflicted me, centuries ago,” Sorata turned to Arya. “The same curse that had me banished from Star World.”
Jaival groaned in agony. His pain was getting worse.
“What do we do?!” Arya panicked.
“There is only one thing you can do. Go to Veria Village and enter the Shrine of Wisdom. Break the seal that was cast against me, centuries ago. It is only through my freedom that I can help.”
“Allow you entry back into this world?” Arya remembered her historical studies about Sorata. She knew of the combined effort the old sages took to banish the sorceress from Star World.
“Do you have a problem with that?” Sorata glared.
Arya looked
at Jaival. He was fading.
“He doesn’t have much time left, Princess. I give him a few days at most.”
“Fine!” Arya gave in. “Fine, fine! I’ll do it, I’ll break your seal. Just please, save him!”
Sorata smirked. “How can you break my seal if you have no idea where you’re going?”
“I don’t know!” Arya shook her head.
Why is she jeering at me right now?!
Sorata rose to her feet and held her hand out, east of the trio.
A glowing ball of white light surrounded by a dark aura spawned a few paces away.
“This will be your guide. It will lead you out of the forest and bring you to me.” Sorata said.
Arya observed the ball carefully. Is this really going to work?
“The path the Orb of Twain will lead you through will be the swiftest. You will do well to make haste.” Sorata moved toward the ball, caressing it with her hand while Arya helped Jaival to his feet, his arm over her shoulder.
“Will you be there when we arrive?” The princess wanted confirmation.
Sorata turned back at smirked at her.
“Of course. I need the two of you alive for my plans,” Then something came to her mind. “Oh, there’s one last thing I forgot to mention – The Starlight Blade is not lost. It is here with me at my seal. Find me, find the blade of destiny.”
The Starlight Blade?! Arya beamed.
“You’re stronger than you allow yourself to think, princess. You haven’t failed,” Sorata’s form began disintegrating. “Yet.”
And then, she was gone.
Arya thought well over everything the witch told her. She looked at the Orb of Twain and sighed. This had better work, she thought. Then she looked at Jaival. Hold on, we’ll get through this.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Veria
ATOP THE BALCONIES OF EIRA CITADEL, Baldr, Magnus, and their trusted lieutenants stood watch over the newly conquered fortress. Eira Citadel had lost its beauty, blemished by the scars of battle, as well as the occupation of the Void Order and demonic forces, who acted as slavers against the surviving locals. Nidhogg kept a watchful eye over the fallen kingdom. No one dared leave and no one dared enter. As Baldr watched his forces bolstered, and saw the kingdom rebuilt to his liking, he came to a realization that he hadn’t quite thought of before, at least not in vivid detail.
What if I was meant to overthrow The Dark Lord? The exiled prince wondered, what if Mikael was right all along? I am the one to end the cycle. This world needs a new lord.
Baldr did well to keep his new thoughts to himself. He had to see who would be willing to follow such a coup. A demonic shadow descended from the clouds and made way to Magnus. It bowed before the warlock.
“Master, their trail now heads to the North. A new magic is with them. We cannot intercept.” The demon said.
“Interesting.” Magnus scratched his chin.
Baldr came to his side after overhearing the report.
“Where do you think they are going?” Magnus turned to the prince.
Baldr folded his arms and thought well of the possible destination.
Ahh, it clicked in his head.
“We must ready our forces. They’re heading to The Shrine of Wisdom.”
***
The Orb of Twain led Arya and Jaival out of the endless maze and brought them to the outskirts of Dream Forest where Arya had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of Veria Village in the distance, sitting atop hilly slopes. The old village still seemed active.
“So many, so many. Everywhere! Their numbers have no end. No end! There will be no stopping them.” Jaival was in a state of somniloquy. He was muttering nonsense.
“We’re almost there, hold on.” Arya caressed his face.
The Orb of Twain led the trail toward Veria, and Arya and Jaival followed.
Once they arrived at the village gates, the orb abruptly disappeared.
How convenient, Arya rolled her eyes.
“Mmmmurrr.” Jaival groaned.
Arya held his hand, just like she did when she first showed him the Starlight Blade, and led him into the village’s entrance.
“Halt!” The Verian guards were quick to notice them, their thin frames hovering tall. “What business have you in Veria?”
“We are but tired, injured travelers in desperate need of your aid.” Arya said.
The guards studied Arya well. They noted her beauty but they also her distress. Then, they took a good look at Jaival. He was battered beyond belief.
“Please, help us.” Arya pleaded with weary eyes.
The Verians looked at each other and nodded.
“Come with us.” They said.
***
The guards led the couple past a local carnival where Arya had the opportunity to glance over all their colorful costumes. Verians had gone a different path of evolution. Their tall figures aside, they were tan-skinned elves with generally long hair and ears twice as long as their other elven cousins. Arya and Jaival were taken to a local inn. The guards instructed the innkeeper to give them room, rest, medical attention, and wine. Though the innkeeper was not fond of them staying there, he followed the command anyway.
The couple were given a back room at the end of the inn. There, Arya laid Jaival to rest while the innkeeper went for supplies and the guards sought out the local physician. Jaival’s condition seemed to be worsening. He was cold sweating and shivering. Arya felt his temperature with a sigh. She had done everything she could up to this point. She felt hopeless.
“You.” a voice called from behind her.
Arya looked back. There was a middle-aged woman at the entrance, perhaps the innkeeper’s wife.
“I know your face child,” The woman came closer. “You are The Princess, aren’t you?”
Arya froze. She didn’t know if it was wise to reveal her identity. After all, due to her father’s death, she was no longer a princess. She was the Queen.
“I knew it!” The innkeeper’s wife beamed. “What has happened to you child? Why are you so battered?”
Arya looked at Jaival. Memory of the recent events came back to her.
“I was forced to flee. Eira is in-” she stopped herself and looked at her hand. It was trembling. The innkeeper’s wife rested her hands on Arya’s shoulder.
“It’s okay. Let’s get you cleaned up.” she said to Arya.
“I can’t leave him.” Arya protested.
“Child, if you do not take care of yourself, how can you hope to take care of him?”
Arya looked at the wife, then she looked at Jaival, pondering over her words.
“Come, the healer will be here soon. For the while, let’s take care of you.”
***
Warm, clean water made contact with Arya’s slender, naked body. It felt like heaven, being washed anew in the inn’s bathtub. It might not have been the luxury Arya was used to, but regardless, the bath was long overdue. The innkeeper’s wife, who had revealed her name to be Mara, kept watch outside the bathroom’s door, lest Arya be disturbed.
“Everything alright in there?” Mara asked.
“Yes, thank you.” Arya replied.
She cupped some of the water in her hands and splashed it on her face.
What am I going to do?
Arya then felt the bruises on her body.
She sighed. Jaival’s are ten times worse.
***
After her wash, the princess came back to Jaival’s room, dressed in revealing Verian wear with Mara. The innkeeper was there alongside the local physician, who was already at work on the fading moon elf. Once Mara and Arya entered the room, the men paid their respects. The physician who’d been informed of their case, walked over to Arya, and extended his arm for a handshake.
“I am Ral, Doctor of Veria.” he said.
Then he noticed Arya’s face. He dropped to a knee in reverence.
“Forgive me, I did not know it was you, Your Highness.” Ral pleaded.
“Who?” The clueless innkeeper still hadn’t an idea.
“Princess Arya you fool!” Ral corrected him.
“Oh my,” The innkeeper dropped to his knee and bowed his head. “I am so sorry Your Highness! What must you think of me? I have been so rude! It was difficult to notice you when you first-”
“Please, stop,” Arya didn’t care for the respects. “Rise to your feet.”
The men followed her command.
“I do not want my presence here to be known. Please keep this amongst yourselves.”
“As you wish.” They replied.
“Now, Ral, tell me – what is my knight’s condition?”
Ral scratched his head.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” The doctor confessed. “He has some sort of affliction that bests my knowledge of science. I dare say, it seems like magic.”
Arya squeezed her fists. Magic, yes, yes – I know.
“Are you able to do anything?” she probed.
“Naturally. I’ve given him some sedatives. It won’t be enough to completely heal him but it will reduce his pain, and perhaps, return him to a conscious state. I will need more time to investigate his illness. Is that acceptable, your highness?”
Arya sighed. “It will do. For now.”
“We should get him cleaned up.” Mara suggested.
“Yes, bring the cleansers here. I want to offer my hand.” Arya added.
“But Princess, you do not have to soil your hands. We will-”
“I said bring the cleansers here. I will help clean him. My hands have already been soiled. And don’t you dare speak of him as if he is vermin. You don’t know what he means to me. He saved my life.”
“As you wish.” The Verians responded.
***
Hours later after Jaival’s cleaning, Arya collapsed on the bed next to him, exhausted. The Verians had offered her the finest room in the inn earlier but she refused. She didn’t want to leave Jaival by himself. Sometime later, the moon elf opened his eyes for the first time in days. The best part? He wasn’t blabbering nonsense, though he was clearly still in some form of pain. Arya woke out of her light sleep as this had become a custom she developed while taking care of him every few hours. She noticed him awake.
Xenosaber: Fury of the Stars Page 13