In Search of Auria

by Alexis Rojas

  "You went all alone to save those who are not your responsibility," he told me. "You met your end, but that did not stop you. You kept going. Your determination and courage have moved me. I am sorry I placed hate and doubt in you. From now on, you will have my eternal respect."

  Glorio led Auria to me and put our hands together.

  “For all that you have done; healing Bri and returning Beam and Auria to us, I say thank you,” He stated. “Wings or no wings, you are one of us."

  He stepped back and I turned to Auria. I looked at our hands holding together and whispered, "Hey, I caught you."

  "Yes, you did."

  I put my hand under her chin and kissed her. It was bliss; she was finally mine, and I was finally hers. We were one. Radian lifted Glorio and left us in our moment.

  We did not speak, we only hugged and caressed. I was going to tell her how muched I loved her, until we heard a voice from within the forest.

  “Sir, I see something over there!” the voice yelled. “It’s light, maybe a fire.”

  There were other people in the forest, and they had found us! They must’ve noticed the shine of Auria’s wings and body.

  Who could they be? Then, I remembered the large amount of soldiers at Vieris. What if the balorians conquered Somber Petalia, and it was them wandering within the forest. The base beside the woods could have fallen!

  I had to prepare for the worst. And no matter who they were, I wasn’t going to let history repeat itself. Auria had to disappear.

  “Go up, Auria. Vanish!”

  “Come with me, take my hand.”

  “No, I’ll stay and ward them off.”

  “But, Erik—“

  “If we both flee, they’ll keep searching and the forest won’t be safe anymore. I won’t let them take you again. Now go. Go!”

  That was the second time I had raised my voice to Auria, but this time it was for a good reason. I just didn’t want anything else to happen to her. She did not want to leave me, but I stayed firm on my statement. With blue lines and teary eyes, she flew up and disappeared. I turned around and took out my sword, ready to strike. Rants were screaming through my head.

  Just freaking great!

  It’s one thing right after the other!

  Heavens, give me a breather, some rest!

  … I need a damn vacation.

  I then heard quick footsteps. Someone was running to me. My heart remained steady as I waited for what was coming. The steps got nearer and louder and a person emerged from the darkness. As it came closer, I exhaled in relief for it was Raymond, my friend.

  “Erik, I knew you would be here!” he said and gave me a hug. I was so confused. Why was he here?

  I sheathed my sword and shared my puzzlement, “Raymond, I don’t understand. It’s good to see you, but what are you doing here? How did you find me?”

  He didn’t answer me. He was staring at the glowing lines on my forehead.

  “What in the hell is that?” he pointed out.

  “Tsk, I’ll tell you later. Answer me.”

  He grinned and took in a gratifying breath, “Erik, the war is over. After countless decades of battles, the war is over. We won!”

  Straightaway, I felt this weight of emotional garbage just lift from my shoulders. This violent and bloody chapter of our history had ended, and a peaceful one would commence.

  “Where did it happen?” I asked, “The turning point, I mean. Was it in Somber Petalia?”

  “It was not on the frontlines, but within Balora itself, believe it or not. We got this from the last balorian soldiers in the last days of battle. After defeating and imprisoning them, they told us about the rumors running among their ranks. Supposedly, a balorian officer was transporting something very valuable to the old and withering balorian king. But, before the officer could reach the capital, he disappeared along with his company detail. Most say they were slain. The king, not receiving the special cargo, became sick with grief and died. With him dead, the army crumbled under the leadership of the weak prince, guaranteeing our victory!”

  So, that was the plan in detail. With Dirge as a middleman, Vallias had come to terms with Lorana to exchange a daystar for the potions. He sent word of the plan to the king, but he would never receive the potions since Vallias wanted them for himself, along with the kingdom.

  “And Erik,” Raymond continued, “do you know who it was that slew the balorian officer and his soldiers?”

  I didn’t reply. I didn’t want him to know it was me the one running wild in Balora. I simply tilted my head and shrugged. Raymond laughed as he shook his head.

  “Come on, Erik, you know who it was. It was the Blood Marauder!”

  My eyeballs almost popped out my head when he said that. How in the hell did the name “Blood Marauder” get inserted in the story? It was just not possible. The miaflorian soldiers knew about it because of my efforts it Somber Petalia, and there it died. But, then I remembered my encounter with Angus, the former bodyguard of Vallias. Before I released my hand from his throat so he could tell me the details of Dirge’s cave, he asked me what I was. I told him I was the Blood Marauder before revealing my true self. I let him live, so he must’ve gone to every pub and watering hole in Ambros, spreading the Blood Marauder encounter. I guess it caught on, even reaching the soldiers at the frontlines.

  “Let me describe the ‘Blood Marauder’ according to the balorian soldiers,” Raymond carried on, “He is a glowing eyed, flesh eating, hooded triclops demon that came from hell.”

  …Yep, that confirmed it. I believe that is how Angus saw me that night.

  “Erik, what the heck did you do over there?” Raymond finally finished. I didn’t know how to answer him. But before I could think of anything, another voice emerged from the gloom.

  “Yes, Sir Erik, what did you do over there?”

  I could not believe what I was seeing. He was there, the ruler of all Miaflore himself, King Edmund Monrivier.

  “My king!” I quickly knelt and bowed my head. He came to me accompanied by his bodyguards and a whole militia of torch holding soldiers. Wearing his polished golden armor, his ruby rings, his long white cape and his serrated crown of gold, his majesty was a class apart. He hid his mouth under a perfectly trimmed, blonde moustache and goatee. He was old, but not as the balorian king. He still had muscle under his skin and carried himself well.

  “Rise, Sir Erik,” he commanded me, “You don’t get to kneel, not today. Today you stand tall and proud for all to see. Today you…” he stopped and focused on my forehead. “That’s one shiny finger paint you have there.”

  I slapped my forehead, covering the glow, “Oh, yes, your majesty. I’ll, uh, wash it off when I can.”

  “Very well. Normally, when a knight does a great feat, he would come to me to be properly recognized and be rewarded for it. But in this case, the accomplishment is too great for me to stay still in my court. So, I have decided to come to you.”

  “I am honored, sire,” I bowed, still covering my forehead. Raymond yanked it off annoyed and gestured me to stand properly.

  “You single handedly plowed through the enemy country and made it rot from within, crippling its army and breaking its soul. For this grand endeavor, I will grant you a great reward. You, Sir Erik, shall become the Marquis of Somber Petalia. You will flourish this land for me and keep a close eye on the neighboring country. This title will lift the Belrose name to new heights.”

  Me, the Marquis of Somber Petalia? What an honor! I’d have my own men to lead, people to work on the fields, a couple of stallions in the stables. And best of all, a castle of my own. It would be wonderful, stupendous. It would be… away from Auria. Her horrid experience made her fear my world. I sensed it on our way back. She did not mention it, but I knew she wanted to leave this land dwelling world and return to her sunny Heights. No, I didn’t want to force her. I didn’t want to make her choose. That’s what started this mess in the first place.

  But, maybe I could be the
one to go with her. And why not? It would be a great change. Of course, there would be no earth to walk upon, only branches. There would be no grass, but leaves. And no men; only daystars. It would be a big change, but maybe it was the change I wanted. The change I needed. The most important element to this was that I would be joined with Auria. And if I was to be with her, then why not?

  There was only one problem: how do you say no to a king?

  “Now, Sir Erik,” the king commanded me, “kiss my ring and accept what I grant you.”

  I knelt and took his hand, but I kept still. I did not kiss the ring. The king and Raymond waited. If I kissed that ruby, I would have a title, I would have land, I would have leadership, but I would also have an empty heart.

  I released my king’s hand and stepped back. The king changed his benevolent expression to an angered one. Raymond was stupefied by my action and grabbed me by the shoulder, “Erik, are you mad? You can’t deny the king!”

  I stepped away from him and excused myself, “Your majesty, I am sorry, but I cannot accept.”

  “You dare reject your king?” he blared.

  “I would never, sire, but I don’t want you to reward me for something I was not responsible for.” The king twisted his face in confusion, and his bodyguards looked at each other in the same manner. After the uncomfortable silence, I pointed at Raymond like a child blaming another for his bad behavior, “He did it.”

  “What? This is nonsense, your lordship. I didn’t go to Balora. I was always at the frontlines.”

  “That is exactly my point,” I argued. “During my time at the frontlines, I had a close encounter in battle that almost cost me my life. After that, I remained at the outpost, taking walks in the forest, traumatized by the battle.” This was not entirely accurate, but I needed to bend the truth so that my inventiveness could succeed. “But, unlike me, Raymond stayed strong. Even after the loss of his father, Gregor Tolbert, he returned to risk his life, leading the men to victory.

  “It was his idea to go into Balora to create chaos from within. He even wanted to go himself!”

  “This is not true, your majesty. Erik, what are you doing?”

  “I convinced him not to go, for his men needed his leadership, his strength, his reason. I volunteered to go instead, to redeem myself from my cowardice. He instructed me on what I had to do. I simply obeyed. This reward must go to him.”

  “My king, he lies!” Raymond raised his voice. The king raised his hand and both Ray and I bowed.

  “I just don’t understand,” he said, “I’m trying to give away a fancy title, and it’s being passed around like a hot potato. Nobody wants it.”

  “I want it,” said one of the king’s guards.

  “Quiet! Know your place,” the king scowled at him. “Now, Sir Raymond. What Sir Erik says, is it the truth?”

  “Sire,” he responded with a sigh, but I interrupted him by grabbing his shoulder and facing him at arm’s length.

  “Raymond, stop being so humble,” I told him. “Ever since I know you, you have given others credit to your own noble doings. This will bring honor to your name and family. You deserve it. Take it… please.”

  And there he finally got it. I never say “please” to him. He knew I’d prefer to bite my tongue off than to say it to him. Now that I did, he understood that I did not want this.

  “Uh, yes, your majesty. It was I behind the plan. I ordered Erik, who was under my command, to traverse the woods and get into Balora. I told him to target officers and disrupt enemy command. Eh, I personally wanted to go, but I needed to stay and defend your kingdom at the frontlines.”

  King Edmund stayed silent for a moment, but at last nodded, “I trust you, Sir Raymond. Your father was a bold and truthful man, and so is his son. If you say it and swear it, then it’s true. Come and receive what you deserve.”

  Raymond knelt before him, took his hand and kissed the ring, officially making him the Marquis of Somber Petalia. With that dealt with, I felt at peace. I looked upward to the trees and pondered at my future.

  “And as for you, Sir Erik,” the king continued, “Even if you were under the orders of Sir Raymond, you still accomplished a bold mission. You should also be rewarded.”

  “No, thank you, my king,” I refused, still looking up.

  “Ho, I just don’t comprehend you, my boy,” he laughed, “Tis the second time you reject my blessings. Why won’t you accept?”

  “Because, your majesty, I have already received my prize.”

  “You have? And what is that, might I ask?”

  I did not answer. I only stretched my arm up and waited for her. They all eventually looked up to appreciate the phenomenon that was coming. A vast vortex of light descended upon us. It was the daystars, flying round and around in a vortex of light. They shed their grace with their luminescent wings, and filled our ears with their celestial calls. Raymond, the king and the soldiers stepped back in fear, but I remained in place. The spiral of daystars lowered and spun right above our heads. You could see them twirling and whirling; following others in file, flapping their wings intensely, creating a constant breeze that flowed down to our bodies. And from its center, one single fairy descended, dressed with a tender, vermilion aura. It was my Auria. She landed before me, with her wings facing Raymond and the king. She put her hands around me and hugged me firmly.

  “Erik!” Raymond called to me, his mind overwhelmed with what he had never seen. “What is… what… you…”

  I smiled at him over Auria’s shoulder, and I told him what he had told me some time ago.

  “It is the right time, under the right circumstances.”

  Auria ascended and took me with her through the vortex. The daystars followed us, rising and singing up to the Heights. Auria kept looking at me. I could do nothing else but to kiss her. And just like that we ascended; we rose up and up, vanishing to the heights, through the trees, with the leaves.

  The End

  1 Wo huei likai, written我会离开 in Chinese, mean “I will leave”.