Trinity Awakening

by K. L. Morton

  "When I came into the mortal realm I felt the same way. It was very strange to the world I had spent my life in. But despite the fact that there may be different races and creatures here, our worlds are not so un-similar." Lucille answered.

  "How so?" Trinny asked.

  "We still struggle with the same emotions of love and fear, we both have some enemy to battle, be that physical or internal. Family and friends are the most important, and helping others is part of every day life. But here, 'things' are not so important, this realm does not strive to have the latest mobile phone or car, or should I say, sword or horse. They just live life simply, focusing on their community and their part in it all, happy to know their place in the world. Humans are constantly searching for their place and identity in the bigger plan of things, never content with where they are in life. The one thing I truly admire about the human race though, is their ability to dream and reach out for new and exciting goals, always trying to better themselves in some way, the Fae realm could learn from that, they are so stuck in their ways, never changing, always the same."

  "Sounds like we could learn from each other." Emma said in a thoughtful tone.

  Morthos arrived in the entranceway directing men behind him, they were carrying an elegant stretcher bed, and Trinny could see there was someone lying in stillness under a white blanket that covered him to his chest. Aarion walked behind the head of the Stretcher, concern on his face like Trinny had never seen. They laid the King down at the foot of a weeping willow tree. The Queen entered the courtyard with her faithful guard Pilosus and a gorgeous dark haired girl, about the same age as Trinny and Emma. She had the same emerald green eyes as Aarion and the same striking good looks; it was obvious this was his sister. Parisa looked up at Trinny, her serious expression did not change, and she stood closely to her brother placing her arm through his. Aarion gave his sister a warm smile, Trinny could see this was a close family, her hand started to shake from nerves. Lucille took Trinny's hand in hers to steady it.

  "Trinity, come. This is King Toron." The Queen held out her arm, beckoning Trinny closer. Trinny came along side the stretcher bed that had been placed on the soft grass and knelt down. The Kings eyes were closed, the only movement he made was his chest slowly rising and falling. Trinny looked up to Aarion.

  "He's been non-responsive like this for two days now. I know you can do this Trinny." Those were the only words she needed to hear, she wanted to know that Aarion still had faith in her. Trinny placed her hand over the Kings shoulder where she could see his skin was black from the poison of the Shadowdust, she then put her other on her pendant. She closed her eyes like she had done when Aarion was injured and whispered.

  "Heal!" From around the stretcher bed the ground rumbled, dirt pushed it's way up from beneath the grass, dark mire molded together and crept up over the Kings body. The Guards and Queen jerked forward looking very worried, but Aarion held his hand up to stop them coming closer. The mire swirled like whirlpools on a pond covering every part of the King and his bed. Then suddenly shots of light started to emit from under the dirt layer, with each ray of light a portion of the earth was blown from the Kings body, Trinny remained in full concentration.

  "What's happening?" Emma asked Lucille.

  "I think the Ora is helping with his healing, this is dark magic that poisoned him, it's going to take a lot of power to defeat this evil." Lucille explained. Trinny opened her eyes and looked up to Aarion.

  "He needs your help too, I can't do this alone." Aarion looked confused, but as Trinny took her hand off her pendant and reached out to Aarion, he understood.

  "Mother, Parisa, join around Trinny." Aarion took Trinny's hand and his sisters in the other, the Queen joined and they formed a small circle around Trinny, the Queen completed the circle as she placed her hand on Aarion and Trinny’s. At that moment a huge light Orb formed around them, the walls of light were mixed with whirlpools of dark mire. Everyone in the courtyard stood amazed at what was happening before them, they watched as the Kings eyes started to open and the color of his skin changed from gray to a warm healthy pink, and when he sat up and looked around at his family, everything stopped. The light burst out and disappeared, the earth fell to the ground and Trinny was thrown off balance by the light as it surged out. When she sat up she saw the royal family embracing, tears flowed down the Queen's cheeks. The King turned and looked at Trinny.

  "Thank you daughter of Cassis." The Queen smiled at Trinny with such gratitude Trinny felt humbled and had to look down. She saw a hand placed before her, looking up she saw Aarion, his eyes were a little red but he had a look of relief on his face. Trinny took his hand as he helped her up; she didn't look at him but could feel his eyes on her.

  "Thank you." He said quietly.

  "I didn't do this alone, you all healed him." Trinny spoke out boldly so all could hear her.

  "We couldn't have done it without you." The Queen added. A guard came into the entrance way and spoke quietly to Pilosus. Pilosus's face changed from joy at his Kings returned health to a serious concern.

  "Your majesties, I'm sorry, but I have had an urgent message from Elves in the West Wood, Stealth have been seen moving closely to the river with werewolves and witches from the North Mountains. They believe they will be here by Nightfall." The courtyard was silent as the King took hold of his thoughts.

  "Morthos, prepare the warriors for battle and bring all Fairon Families from outside the wall into the city for protection. Pilosus, take the Queen and Princess to the shelter beneath the city. Aarion, you will stay with Trinity, you must protect her no matter what. Now, someone get me my armor!"

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

  It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most.'

  - Maryanne Williamson

  'Wow, that's incredible!" Emma was looking out over a large balcony that was about two floors up; she leaned over the cold marble banister, amazed at the sight in front of her. She was facing into a massive town square, large stone buildings surrounded each side, and on all four walls there was a huge arched walkway that lead in and out of the center square. Directly in the middle was an enormous round pond, the water was shimmering with a pearlescent light, and the light was swirling like there was something under the surface constantly disturbing the water. Around the pond were hundreds of Fae Warriors adorned in battle gear and armed with swords and bows. She also noticed that there were women ready for battle as well. "Now that's more like it, women with swords, where can I get one? And how come I have to wear this pretty dress and they get to look like 'Xena, warrior princess'?"

  "Because they are trained Fae warriors and you're a human." Emma turned to give Morthos a lethal stare, she hadn't noticed him standing behind them.

  "I can fight, you under estimate humans, especially female ones." Emma did not like to be put in a box, let alone treated like she was delicate.

  "It would be best if I have you taken to the shelter beneath the city where the Queen and Princess are, it will be safe there."

  "Oh, it's no fun down there, much more interesting where the action is." Standing in the entrance way was Parisa, Aarion’s sister; she to was adorned with battle gear. She wore tight leather pants with a V-neck cotton shirt that hung just below her waist. Over the shirt was a dark silver vest, which was made of some type of metal, but it looked light, a perfect fit for her body. There were gold and black symbols on the front embellished with swirling Celtic like designs that intertwined. A black leather belt hung on her hips with a silver sword in its sheath. Her black hair was pulled back off her face and fell into a braid down her back, her green eyes looking directly at Morthos.

  "Princess. King Toron ordered you taken to the safety of the shelter." Morthos bowed slightly as he spoke.

  "My father will need all the warriors he can get for this battle, and that includes me." Parisa was obvio
usly not one to argue with, as Emma had never seen Morthos back down so quickly without retort.

  "Please excuse me, I must attend to the Fairon outside the walls." He humbly nodded and Emma could hardly contain her smirk as Morthos left through the doors Parisa had just entered from. Parisa considered the two girls in front of her for a moment.

  "I've never met a human before. I had heard that you are a stubborn race." Emma and Trinny looked at each other then back at Parisa. "I like it! There are not many here who can talk to Morthos like that, except me of course." Parisa smiled and held out her hand to Emma. "A pleasure to meet you." Emma took Parisa's hand but suddenly felt awkward.

  "Am I meant to bow or something?"

  "No, you are not of this realm, I'm not your princess, we are equals." Parisa let go of Emma's hand and moved to the edge of the balcony, she looked over the growing army below her and then back to Trinny.

  "Thank you for saving my father. I am indented to you. If there is anything I can do for you, please allow me to show my gratitude." Parisa's face was so soft and sincere.

  "You're welcome, I know what it's like to lose a father, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, I was happy I could help." The three girls were silent for a moment, looking out on the town square.

  "How did I not notice that before, it's massive?" Emma was looking up directly above the center of the square. There hanging weightless in the sky was a huge Sphere. It was shimmering with what looked like swirls of cloud and water under its surface. More than half of the sphere was a dark grey, like a stormy mist had gotten under its shield. Now Emma understood why the pond was swirling, it had been reflecting the light from the sphere.

  "That's the Ora. The darkness in it is the Shadowdust working; I have never seen anything like it before. I can feel the Ora's power fading as the poison takes deeper hold of it." Parisa showed worry on her beautiful face, that same look she had when Trinny had first seen her at her sick fathers side.

  "Princess, there is something I need." Trinny looked at Emma then back to Parisa.

  "Anything in my power is yours!"

  "Emma and I have never been in a battle before, it would help if we had more practical clothes on. And Emma will need a sword, if anybody can fight, it's her." Emma smiled at her friend with excitement in her eyes. Then both girls waited for the princess's response. Trinny could see a look in Parisa's eyes that she would swear was respect.

  "Well, as I said, we need every warrior we can get. But we better hurry and get you prepared before my brother finds out what we are up to. Follow me."

  "Lucianna, where is Trinny, I have looked everywhere?" Aarion entered the throne room in full battle attire, dark brown leather pants, and a white tunic with chest armor fitted to his athletic form. Brown leather straps crossed over his gold and black embossed armor and two swords haltered on his back. His expression was tense.

  "I thought she was with you." Lucille looked concerned.

  "My sister and Emma have disappeared too. I'll have my guards start searching the city."

  "That won't be necessary brother, they're here, safe." Parisa walked through the huge double doors towards her brother. He swung around to see Trinny and Emma following closely behind. He was speechless for a moment as he looked at Trinny to see her attired in cream leather fitted pants with a cream V-necked tunic and gold vest, she wore no weapons, but she looked fit for battle. He pulled his gaze from Trinny to see Emma in a black leather warrior uniform with sword in halter.

  "Parisa, what are you doing, they are not fighting in this battle." His tone was not pleasing to his sister.

  "Aarion, this is a war that will effect both our realms, they have just as much right to fight for it's survival as we do." Aarion was silent as his sister came face to face with him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I think brother, you will find that these young women are ready."

  "I never thought I would see my daughter dressed for a battle." Lucille looked at Trinny in admiration.

  "I never expected to find out my mother was a princess from another realm or that I had super powers." They smiled at each other. There was a sudden thundering noise that echoed outside of the building, and a crack that pierced the air around them.

  "What was that?" Emma cried out, trying to suppress the fear in her voice.

  "Prince Aarion!" A guard had run into the throne room. "Your highness, the Acacia gates have been breached, the Dark Empress Army have broken through and are making their way to the town square."

  "Make sure my father is aware, he is preparing the warriors beneath the Ora." Aarion had gone into leadership mode; Trinny couldn't help but admire his strong, handsome features at that moment. "Trinny, you will stay with me. Parisa, take Emma to safety."

  "I will not leave this fight Aarion." Parisa would not be moved and Aarion knew it.

  "Fine then, go and keep watch from the balcony and let us know if the Dark Empress's army break through our defenses." Parisa nodded and motioned for Emma to go with her. Emma gave Trinny a 'thumbs up' for luck and followed after Parisa.

  "I'll join my people at the river, they'll need help keeping back more of Eviann's dark followers." Lucille went to leave, but Trinny caught her arm.

  "Who is Eviann?" She asked in confusion.

  "That is her name, the Dark Empress." Trinny could see there was sadness in her mother’s eyes when she spoke of the Empress, but she didn't feel this was a good time to question her about it.

  "Mum, please be careful." Trinny hugged her mum; it was hard to make herself pull away. Lucille gently touched her daughter’s cheek, smiled, and left to join the battle.

  "Don't worry about your mother Trinny, Nixie's are very powerful. She will be fine." Aarion tried to make Trinny feel more at ease, but it was to late for that. Trinny was starting to feel overwhelmed.

  "What do we do now?" She asked, deep concern in her voice.

  "Let's join Parisa on the balcony, we can watch from there."

  "Watch? How can we just stand there and watch while there are people getting hurt, even dying? Aren't I suppose to be doing something, isn't that why you brought me here?" Trinny was feeling useless again.

  "We need three elementals to bind the power of the Empress and heal the Ora, you are only one, and I need to protect you. Hopefully the Elves have found where the Empress is keeping Nina and Micah and they can get them here in time." Aarion knew it was a very long shot, he had not heard from the Elf trackers that were sent out, they could have been killed for all he knew.

  "You have to let me help."

  "No. You don't know how to harness your powers to their full capacity yet, I can't put you at risk, and that's final." Aarion walked toward the doorway that lead out onto the balcony, he only looked back once to make sure Trinny was following him, which she was, but she wasn't happy about it at all.

  "The dark ones are nearly through the tunnels Aarion, there are so many, and our warriors are being slaughtered down there, we have to help!" Parisa was rearing to join the fight, she would jump from the balcony to get there faster if she could and Emma felt the same way.

  "No, father will handle it down there, and besides, we can't use any power from the Ora to help us in the battle, it will make it weaker." Even though Aarion was trying hard to keep his sister calm, she could tell he also wanted to join the conflict.

  "They've broken through. Look!" Emma pointed toward the east wall; Werewolves and Stealth had overrun the entrance there. Hideous looking witches were also pouring into the square, followed by creatures Emma could never have imagined in her worst nightmares. Trinny looked on in horror! She felt a drop on her face, then another. Rain, just like mum said. I hope she's okay.

  The rain started to fall, it made it harder to see what was going on in the battle below, but there were some familiar faces that Trinny could make out. Morthos was like a blaze of strength, slicing through anything evil that crossed his path, then slicing again to make sure it wouldn't get up. King Toron was right in the middle of his warrior
s, defending every inch of ground, the stroke of his sword was very powerful. It was hard for Trinny to think of this man being 1200 years old, he moved so swiftly. The Fairon were mighty warriors, Trinny could see that this was what they were made for. But the Dark Empress's army was so immense, how would the Fairon defeat them, this was their last stronghold before the Ora. As Trinny felt the cool water run down her face, she felt a new strength rise up in her, and the words her grandmother, who she had only just met, rung clear in her ears. 'You are your father's daughter, earth, but you are also your mother's daughter.'

  "Water!" With the word barely on her lips, she turned silently and ran through the ancient stone building toward the fight.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  'I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.' ~Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

  Nina could hear Micah muttering and was concerned he wasn't coping very well being incarcerated.

  "Micah? Are you alright?"

  "I've just been talking with the Elf they captured, he's in the cell on the other side of me. He was one of the trackers they sent out to find us."

  "Well, he obviously did a great job of tracking, but not so good at the getting back and letting everyone know where we are part." Nina was slightly deflated by this news.

  "He wasn't the only one, he caused a diversion so the other tracker could get away and let the Fairon know where we are." Micah was now pacing around the small room; his mind was ticking over trying to come up with different scenarios of escape. "How is Jerriq?"

  "He hasn't spoken again, I get the feeling he has been alone here for a long time. I also get the feeling you know something about this Jerriq guy that you're not telling me." Nina had not heard from Micah since she had revealed their fellow prisoners name and she could sense he must have been important to the Dark Empress for him to still be alive after so much time here.