The Aurora Stone: The Orea Chronicles

by Alana Grerig

  King Efrin stepped forward to begin the ceremony. He was an eloquent speaker, and though he had not known Eve personally, he was able to evoke her soul beautifully. Queen Sophia was next to speak. At that moment, the island seemed to come alive with light. Tiny fireflies began to dance and weave around Eve in a beautiful ballet. To all watching, it looked like her soul was rising from her physical form - a beautiful, if somewhat sombre, comparison.

  As each person who wished to speak stepped forward, the sunset cast its fiery glow over the gathering, bathing them in light on one of the darkest days they had experienced, though far worse was to come. Jericho had just given a rather brisk speech, though his unshed tears were clear for all to see in his black eyes. When the sun finally passed below the horizon, it was almost time to light the pyre and allow Eve to pass onto the realm of the dead. Caleb was the last to step forward. Still unsure as to what to say, he decided to keep it simple and speak from his heart.

  “Eve was an amazing person. She saved my sister’s life the very first night she stayed in Clear Water Valley. I knew then she was someone I wanted to know. Eve was beautiful, not just in appearance, but her very soul shone with light. She was brave and full of compassion for all creatures, even those that wished to do her harm. I loved her…and now she will never know.” His voice catching in his throat on a sob, Caleb returned to his place and faced the lake.

  “Archers prepare the royal flames,” King Efrin called. The archers, a dozen in all, made themselves ready, their silver filigree dress uniforms flashing in the light of the flames. Each notched an arrow to their bow and awaited the order to let them loose across the lake.

  Taking one last look at the island where Eve lay, Caleb turned back to towards the castle. It was over.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Nimayaorin held a ceremony to celebrate Grimmer’s successful assassination. Holding his head high, the demon walked up to the grand throne and knelt at his master’s feet.

  “I welcome you all to my Fortress. You have come from the dark places in which you dwell. Be safe in the knowledge that no harm can now come to you. We can all move freely between the realms of Orea. The light has been snuffed out!” Nimayaorin exclaimed, raising his arms over his head. Looking around the room, he saw the creatures that nightmares are made of cheering and celebrating this most welcome news. Today was to be remembered for all eternity as the day the light was extinguished from the Orea…forever!

  Gesturing for the gathering to quiet, Nimayaorin reached into his robe and removed a star ruby. Its polished surface was akin to a pool of fresh blood; it was hung on a thick rope of gold. Gliding down the steps of his throne, he stood before Grimmer’s bowed form.

  “Today we reward the one who was instrumental in the ascendance of the darkness. Grimmer, you have always been faithful and have served me well. I reward you with this star ruby,” Nimayaorin said, placing the golden rope over the demon’s head. The stone’s deep red lustre flashed in the candlelight.

  “Thank you, my Master. I live to serve,” Grimmer replied, keeping his head bowed in respect. This was, indeed, the best day of his existence. To be rewarded so handsomely was a sign that he was rising through the ranks. Grimmer: the extinguisher of light. He liked the sound of that.

  “Now, let us feast!” Nimayaorin ordered. No sooner had he uttered the command did the double doors at the far end of the room slid open to reveal a grand staircase. Taking the lead, Nimayaorin moved towards it with Grimmer at his right hand. The rest of the monsters followed at a respectful distance. The party was lead down to a lower level, at the end of a sconce lit corridor, and emerged into a large dungeon. The moment Nimayaorin entered, the screaming began. Chained to the walls and great iron rings in the floor, were men and women: witches, fae, and elves. Grimmer’s yellow eyes flashed with glee when he spied a redheaded witch, who looked enough like the elf to make his mouth water. Knowing it was his master who was to pick first, he stood at attention and waited. Choosing a blond Fae girl for his first course, Nimayaorin opened the feasting, sinking his razor-sharp teeth into the girl’s shoulder and tearing away a chunk of her flesh. Wasting no time, Grimmer leapt across the room and pinned the red-haired witch to the rough stone wall.

  “Now I can take my time with you. Let me hear you scream,” Grimmer whispered to the witch as he sliced open her arm. Soon the room was filled with the sound of screaming, and the walls were soon painted crimson. The darkness was coming - to consume and destroy all who dared to stand in its way.

  ***

  Eve’s body lay on a bed of moss and wildflowers, her hair woven with silk ribbons. Even in death, she was beautiful. Across the lake, the archers were about to loose their flaming arrows that would consume her physical form. From out of the trees, the animals came to her. Gathering around her body, they rested paws, small heads, and cold noses against her. Lastly, a snow-white lamb approached. It looked at the other animals and laid its head over Eve’s left hand. As the fireflies danced, casting a golden glow over the gathering, the order to loose the arrows reached their sensitive ears. The animals closed their eyes, in readiness for what needed to be done. The twang of bow strings acted as the signal. It was time the animals made their sacrifice. As if one being, the animals took a breath and gave a piece of their very souls to the maiden that they had come to save.

  The energy transfer was intense; each animal gave a small part of their life force to Eve in the few seconds before the first flaming arrow struck. The wildflowers began to wrap their stems around her limbs, as they, too, offered energy from the earth.

  The first arrow landed, but it did not hit its mark. Instead, each arrow veered off course and landed a few feet in front of Eve and the animals blocking the view to the mainland. Eve began to glow; her hair crackled with the energy coursing through her. The emerald shift that clothed her seemed to ripple in a phantom breeze. Deathly paleness was washed away by the warm peaches and cream complexion that had once been the envy of many elvish maidens. The glowing ebbed and finally dissipated into the night. The gift had been given, the sacrifice made. Behind the curtain of purple flames, Eve opened her eyes.

  ***

  Sophia approached the east wing with a heavy heart; it had been decided that she would break the news to their charge. Knocking on the door, she was surprised that it opened almost instantly. Before her stood a young man of eighteen, his indigo eyes flashing with excitement and joy. Sophia had no time to ask what had made him so happy. He smiled broadly at her, his blond hair shining like spun gold.

  “I must get to the island, Sophia!” he exclaimed, almost bouncing on the spot, his need to leave tangible. Sighing, Queen Sophia took his hand and tried to explain that, going to the island simply was not possible. The island was partly ablaze and not safe. Unfazed, he just smiled and assured her that everything was as it should be and he must go to the island right this moment.

  “There is someone there who I must meet; it cannot wait,” he urged, turning and hurrying down the hall towards the main staircase. Sighing, Sophia hurried as gracefully as she could manage after him.

  It was fully dark now. The archers had cleared away, and all that could be seen of the ceremony was the dying violet flames reflecting on the still water of the lake. Taking no time to collect a boat from the small boathouse, the young man waded into the cool water and began to swim with strong strokes towards the island.

  ***

  Eve lay on the moss. Her mind was clear; she was completely aware of what had happened to her. She should be dead, and, yet, here she was on her funeral bed surrounded by woodland creatures and being warmed by the violet blaze a few feet away. Sitting up slowly, Eve was conscious of everything around her: the sound of the animals breathing, the lapping of the lake against the shore, and the crackling of the fire. It didn’t stop there. She could hear the trees growing! The world around her was teeming with life, and she was a part of it all. There was something else. Looking around, she stared in wonder. The world was alight with
colour; Eve could see the aura of every living thing. This was going to take some getting used to.

  Standing, she stroked the ears of a doe. As she made the connection, she heard a voice.

  We are glad to have helped you, Light Carrier.

  Eve was used to this kind of telepathic communication with Sapphire, but this was the first time she had heard another animal ‘speak’ to her. Looking deep into the doe’s eyes, she leant forward and kissed it between the ears.

  “Thank you, thank you all. I am so grateful for your help,” Eve replied, stroking the doe and smiling at all the gathered animals. Suddenly, the peaceful gathering was disturbed by splashing and then hissing as water droplets hit the dying flames. The animals scattered, leaving Eve to face whatever had joined them on the island.

  The first thing Eve saw was the person’s aura glowing green against the night. Instinctively, she knew that whoever it was meant her no harm. As the person came into view, Eve gasped. Indigo eyes gazed out of a handsome face. Blonde hair hung in wet waves just past his shoulders. He was tall and muscular. Without knowing how she got there, Eve found herself in his arms. After so many weeks of searching, they had finally found each other.

  Eli held Eve tight against his chest. He knew without a doubt that this girl was his sister. He had dreamed of her; the chubby hand that had reached for him was hers. The King and Queen had said that he was found alone, and that she must have vanished with his parents, but the dreams had continued. Now he knew why.

  “Eli, my brother, I have found you,” Eve sobbed into his sodden shirt. Making soothing sounds and rubbing her back, Eli held her in his arms. Realising that they could not stay on this island all night - the guards would be looking for him, soon enough - Eli decided it was best if he swam back and obtained a boat. Eve insisted that she was fine to swim. Smiling, Eli gently pointed out that she was very recently back from the dead, and maybe a swim in the cold lake was not the best idea after such an experience.

  Once back on the mainland, the siblings went directly to the Queen. Sophia was at a loss for words when Eli and Eve walked in hand in hand. This should not be possible; Eve was supposed to be dead. Taking a moment to compose herself, Queen Sophia ordered a clean gown and robe be brought for Eve and asked that Eli leave to change himself. They would continue their conversation in the drawing room with the King present. Eve changed in the Queen’s dressing room. The gown was cream silk, it felt cool against her pale skin. Shivering slightly, she reached for the navy-blue robe and tied it at her waist. Looking at herself, Eve smiled. She was alive, and she had found Eli.

  King Efrin was speechless. His mouth opened and closed several times before he gave up and ordered ale from the larder. Along with the ale, Jericho and Caleb burst into the room, nearly knocking the servant to the floor. Caleb had no trouble articulating how he felt at seeing Eve standing before him. He ran to her. Scooping her up in his arms, he held her close.

  “I never expected to see you again. You are a marvel, Eve - a gift from the Goddess,” he whispered to her as he looked into her eyes. Eve smiled up at Caleb, glad to have this second chance with him. Turning back to face the Royals, Eve cleared her throat.

  “It is true that the demon murdered me. The pain was beyond belief, and I am sorry you all witnessed that.” Looking at the shocked faces, Eve raised her hand to halt any interruptions and continued. “Yes, I was aware some of the time during that experience. I do not want to dwell on it; there are more important things I must discuss with my friends and my brother,” she concluded, smiling at Eli and reaching for Caleb’s hand. Jericho huffed from the corner, not comfortable with the amount of love being handed out. He would much rather get down to business, though his black eyes were glassy with unshed tears at the sight of his friend once again standing amongst them.

  “How is it even possible that you are alive, Evangeline?” asked King Efrin, finally finding his voice. Smiling at the king, Eve explained that she did not know how she was now alive, just that she was pleased to be. This wasn’t wholly true; she did know how, but it felt wrong somehow to explain her rebirth. It had been a deeply powerful and emotional experience, one she was not yet ready to share with anyone. Asking for permission to leave so she might talk with her friends, she curtsied to the Royals and thanked them for their hospitality and kindness. Eli lead everyone to his chambers in the east wing. He wanted to be as far from the servants as possible during this discussion, and he knew they were less likely to be overheard there.

  Jericho paced while Eve explained the best she could what had happened to her. She once again omitted her rebirth, for the time being. They did not need to know, and Eve was not ready for the questions that would follow such a revelation. Eve seemed to be in a state of transformation; every now and again her eyes would flash a spectrum of colours. This did not go unnoticed by Jericho, though for the time being he held his tongue. There were more pressing matters to discuss. Eli stood by his sister holding her hand, Caleb couldn’t take his eyes off their joined hands. His jealousy was ridiculous, and he knew it.

  “I would like to introduce myself; I am Eli. It is a pleasure to meet you all, and I thank you for accompanying Eve on this journey.” Eli bowed to Caleb and Jericho. Caleb didn’t like him, but he knew his judgment was clouded, so kept his council.

  There was so much to tell them all, so much to learn about her brother. Eve was overwhelmed, and would rather like a rest, but there was no time for that now. The darkness was readying to battle. She had seen so many awful things while her soul had been held in limbo, though the place itself had been beautiful, with clouds for as far as the eye could see, their frothy whiteness bathed in rainbow light. Eve had marvelled at such vibrancy. Surely, she was on her way to another realm where souls travel to find everlasting peace. Then, the clouds had parted, and she had seen the monsters devouring the chained prisoners. It was a sight that was burned into her memory. Blood had coated the walls and floor. The creatures disembowelled their prey while they still lived, and then they devoured their organs.

  The one who had injured Caleb and Bobby was there - the one who had taken her. He had picked a girl similar-looking to herself. The torture that demon put the girl through was horrific. A single tear rolled down Eve’s cheek at the memory. There were other things she had seen, like the copper doors - the ones in her nightmare. Behind the doors lay a great power that must never be unleashed. It had to be destroyed.

  Caleb needed to tell Eve now what he knew about the prophecy. Gazing at her, he could see that she was remembering something painful. However much it pained him to have to do this now, no more time could be wasted. Clearing his throat, he knelt before Eve and took her hand.

  “Eve, I have something I have to tell you about the prophecy, and it cannot wait.” Stroking her knuckles, Caleb went on, “I know where the aurora stone is, and, more importantly, I know where it must go to restore the balance and banish Nimayaorin the Defiler, forever.”

  Jericho was livid; Caleb had known all along where the stone was and hadn’t said anything! In one bound, he was on top of Caleb. Raising a meaty fist, he was about to knock some sense into the witch when Eve spoke.

  “Jericho, stop! Telling me before would not have made a difference. I was not able to fulfil the prophecy until now,” she explained. Looking put out that he was not going to get to hit anyone, Jericho dropped Caleb and returned to pacing.

  “What do you mean, it wouldn’t have mattered?” Caleb asked, rubbing his shoulder. Sighing, Eve looked at her hands, knowing this was going to shock them all.

  “Something needed to happen for me to be able to complete this quest. I had to unlock my gift that was bestowed upon me on my eighteenth birthday, and there was only one way for that to happen… I had to die and be reborn.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Unaware of Eve’s resurrection, Nimayaorin had gathered his generals. The legions of darkness had assembled in the great hall. These creatures were the most feared; they were the fiercest warr
iors Nimayaorin had at his disposal. Grimmer was now among them, his ruby proudly on display, glowing blood red in the flickering candlelight.

  “Generals, now we have celebrated the destruction of the light!” Nimayaorin paused to allow the great cheer to quieten before continuing. “Now it is time to finalise our assault on all of Orea and cast them into the void.” Taking an onyx pointer from his robes, Nimayaorin laid its diamond tip over their first target. “Lervirion, take your thousand legions of dark murmurs and ghouls through the portal to this location. Once there, I want every feeble mind infected by the ghouls. Let madness reign in the homeland of magic. Clear Water Valley will be the location of our first strike. The witches are the easiest to control, and, with some persuasion, I believe they may join the legions of darkness and assist in the destruction of Orea.” And sweet revenge against the council members will finally be mine, Nimayaorin concluded, smiling at his secret thought. He cast his scarlet gaze around the gathering. No one dared meet his eyes directly. However, a murmur of agreement rippled through the generals. Satisfied, Nimayaorin continued to dictate the battle plan.

  Grimmer stood and listened. This was his first time in such a meeting, and the sheer scale of the gathering was quite impressive. He watched as his master organised his legions with such cunning and ruthlessness that it was like a macabre dance of death, which Grimmer realised was quite an apt description. The Ruby on his chest glowed with scarlet fire, its presence a constant reminder that the light was destroyed, and by his own hand no less. his chest swelled with pride once more. The red head he had tortured at the feasting had been most enjoyable, no latent magic running through her sweet blood to taint his enjoyment, just the weak magic of a common witch, which had no effect. Saliva pooled in his mouth as hunger began to claw its way into his thoughts. Glancing around the room, Grimmer realised that sustenance was not going to be offered anytime soon. He forced the memories of the witch’s organs, melting in his mouth, still warm with her blood, from his mind and tried to concentrate on what Nimayaorin was saying.