by Drew Smith
“That is one neat trick you have there. I guess you save a lot of money on candles.” The man said with a smile.
“What are you doing in these caves?” Lumus yelled out. His sword still pointing at the young man. The young man sat on a rock facing Lumus.
“I won’t ask you again. What are you doing in the caves?”
The young man opened his mouth about to speak when someone emerged from the cave darkness.
“Is that any way to treat Orson’s younger brother Lumus?” Scarlette said softly with her head down. Her face rose, and her eyes met with Lumus’.
“Scarlette? Lumus dropped his sword to the mud, his mouth wide open, and his eyes expressing shock.
“Didn’t expect to see me, Lumus?” Scarlette walked closer, and put her bow on her back. Her long pink hair blew gently in the wind like a feather falling through the air.
Scarlette was wearing a chainmail skirt that went from her chest to her thigh. A belt worn around her waist, and long pink gauntlets going from her wrists to her elbows. Her black gloves on her hands stood out, because they were covered in dirt, and her black cape with its pink lining laid flat under her bow.
“Scarlette, where did you go? Why did you leave me on Dystopia?” Lumus picked his sword up from the mud, and cleaned it before putting it back in its sheath.
“You will learn all you need to know in time Lumus. By the way, this is Zelkem,” Scarlette said with a smile. Suddenly Brinx came from the sky landing with a crash behind Zelkem and Scarlette.
“This is Brinx,” Lumus said with a laugh. Zelkem slowly turned around, staring into glowing green eyes. Zelkem fell backwards in shock.
“I was just heading out, but please wait here until I return. I won’t be long Lumus,” Scarlette walked past him with a smile. He couldn’t help but to recognize her scent as she walked by. He immediately trusted her with memories of Dystopia flooding his mind.
Brinx, and Zelkem went into the caves by a fire that they must have made while he was gone. They were talking just inside the Roon caves. Zelkem made hand gestures from a distance, but from where Lumus was standing he couldn’t make out what he was trying to mimic to Brinx. He continued to lean against the cave wall at the entrance of the dim lit caves. He stared up into the sky to see the blue moon lighting up the sky. It was much brighter, he thought. It made Lumus think how this world had some similarities to Dystopia, like the moons. The blue in both worlds was still day, and the red was still night. He found it odd that opposite worlds would have that in common, but still it passed through his mind quickly as he looked out from the cave and into the sky. The blue moon was setting in the distance over the horizon. Lumus decided to wait for Scarlette. It gave him a moment to really think about everything that had happened so far.
Twilight, Dystopia, Scarlette, Orson, Brinx, and now his Orson’s brother Zelkem. He wondered where Orson was, and what Scarlette had to do by herself, but he remained patient as he stood alone at Roon caves.
Chapter Three- A journey for Twilight
Scarlette walked slowly through the night with Lumus in her mind. With her bow in hand and her eyes trying to focus ahead through the morning mist, she made her way to a small pond. She sat upon a rock near the pond, and laid her bow in the tall grass next to her. She looked up to the blue moon and shut her eyes; her body relaxed upon the smooth rock.
“Lumus…I don’t want to disappoint you, and I will be by your side wherever you go. I cannot believe that you have become the man you are. You are a warrior now, but still pure as when we met on that fateful day. I feel like I know you better than anyone, but you still struggle to know who you are. I can understand that you were missing a part of you, but I hope now that you found it, you will be able to find the answers you were looking for.” She spoke to herself as she stared to the stars in the sky with a smile on her face.
Images of the day Lumus came through the Twilight core crossed her mind like a slideshow of memories. The events leading to this day jumped through her mind continuously.
“I died… I died for you Lumus, and I’d gladly do it for you again. I will always be there to guide you. For you are the hope I always wished for us all. Maybe things didn’t end up as I hoped, and I didn’t think I would get so close with you, but I’m happy. I know you just arrived in Twilight, and I hate to make you wait, but I had to check something without anyone seeing…” She opened her small pouch hanging on her hip, and she pulled out a small hourglass.
“Too much time has gone by, but it couldn’t be helped. Lumus would only have been ready when he was ready. I couldn’t force him…”
She had a look of sadness in her eyes.
The wind blew gently through Scarlette’s hair. She jumped down from the rock, and as she turned she noticed the mist had pushed from the shores onto the land. The forest path back to the caves was now covered in a thick mist. She noticed a shadowy figure stood in the pathway toward the caves. An eerie vibe of something she once felt before. Her heart jumped for a moment, and a chill went through her body.
“Lumus?” No one answered her.
“Zelkem? Brinx?”
She went to reach for her bow in the tall grass, but kept her eyes on the mist-covered shadow. She hoped that the shadow was a friend, and not foe, but wasn’t about to take any chances. As soon as her hand had touched it, the shadow ran toward her with such speed as if its legs could skip across the mist. Scarlette readied her bow with haste, and quickly reached for an arrow from her quiver. Before she was even able to place the arrow within her bow, the shadow was right before her eyes. She met eye to eye with the shadow. She realized what she was up against. The fiend was a shadow, and nothing more. A dark transparent being; its eyes opening to reveal a purple glare.
“I am Ged,” announced the shadow.
Before she could respond, Ged jumped up with a swift kick, breaking her bow as his foot followed through, hitting Scarlette in the face. Scarlette flew from the impact, but before she landed, the shadow was already preparing another fierce kick from below her. The kick landed against her back, forcing her straight up into the air. He leaped into the air after her with his fist of shadows clenched tightly together, and he hit her with such force toward the ground that the rocks below crumbled from her fall. Ged stood above her body looking down at her. No face, and no emotion. All she saw before her eyes closed were the purple glaring eyes staring back at her.
“Scarlette!” Lumus called out. He came running out into the mist alone, looking for Scarlette in every direction around the pond. Lumus thought he could faintly hear an answer to his call.
“I think I just heard her,” Lumus said aloud.
“Scarlette, where are you?” Zelkem yelled out.
“Your friend saves you today, girl. I will find you again, and be sure to make you pay for what you have taken from me. Oh, and Scarlette…your knight friend Orson won’t be making it to your little party.” His form dissipated where he stood, becoming one with the shadows. Scarlette let out a moan of pain.
“Scarlette!” Lumus ran to her as she laid in the pile of rocks by the pond. Brinx and Zelkem came running into the mist, following the screams of pain.
“Scarlette!” Lumus called out again. He picked her up in his arms.
“Is she okay?” Zelkem asked in a panic.
“She is hurt pretty bad, but her wounds are just external. We need to get her back, and let her get some rest. Let’s head back to the caves for now,” Lumus replied, trying not to seem worried.
He stood in the mist with Scarlette in his arms. The mist dragged along at his feet. He looked up to the sky before he walked back to the caves. The blue moon stood tall in the sky. Lumus thought it seemed to become a darker than usual, but he was still getting used to Twilight. He felt uneasy, but decided to go back to the caves without any more delays. Brinx and Zelkem went on ahead through the tall grass. Brinx turned back to see a silhouette of Lumus holding Scarlette in the distance.
(“There is hope for him yet,
I see now what it is they all see in him. The compassion…”) Brinx disappeared into the mist following behind Zelkem.
“Scarlette…It’s me, Lumus. You’re safe now.” He said with a soft voice.
“Lumus….” She let out in a faint voice, “I’d do it all again for you, Lumus.”
She fell unconscious in Lumus’ arms.
Lumus stood still, looking into the distant woods across the pond. He noticed a glow almost like a set of eyes. After a second they disappeared just as quickly as they appeared. He didn’t sense evil from it, and quickly disregarded it. His mind ran in circles as he turned with Scarlette back to the caves. The forest path reminded him of the path to the fire pit back on Dystopia, but he quickly refocused when Scarlette started to mutter in her sleep. From time to time she made a sound, and her face winced from the pain, but still she remained unconscious it seemed. Lumus moved faster each time he saw her in pain.
“Hey, Brinx?” Zelkem asked.
Brinx stood still, staring out of the cave into the dark, his smoky purple eyes shifting at every movement.
“Yes Zelkem?” He replied, without turning towards Zelkem.
“I was just thinking. Where would we go from here? Do you think my brother will show up?” Brinx turned to Zelkem.
“It is a harsh world out there, but from what I have seen from his skills as a warrior, he should be here soon. As for where we go next, well, we cannot do anything until Scarlette is back on her feet. As for her condition I have checked her body, and she seems to have no broken bones.” Brinx said with a promising tone.
He turned back toward the forest to continue his watch. Zelkem paused for a moment to look at the fire.
“Yeah some great warrior he is. That’s all I ever hear from people when his name comes up. Ever since the day he abandoned me.” Zelkem muttered to himself then sat by the fire a short distance into the cave.
“You speak of your brother as if you are angry with him.” Brinx started.
He walked over beside Zelkem, and sat down next to him.
“I may not be wise in the ways of family, but maybe we could discuss your dilemma?” Zelkem looked at him long and hard without a word. His face was blank, but Zelkem felt like he really was trying to help.
“My brother abandoned me after our parents died. The only thing he said before he left was that Twilight needed someone who would protect the people.” He stared into the fire, his face now blank like Brinx’ stare.
“You may think he has abandoned you, but maybe he left to give the world a chance? I have seen what your brother can do, and his skills are something not even I would willingly go against.” Brinx got up, and walked back to the cave entrance, but he turned back to Zelkem once more. He knew he had not seen Orson’s skill in combat, but he felt it was what Zelkem needed to hear.
“Zelkem, have you ever thought that your brother was not the only one this world needed?” Brinx walked off toward the entrance, but stayed within speaking distance.
Zelkem stared at the fire for a while thinking, but his eyes began to water.
(“So what if Orson grew strong. He still left me. Some brother. He left me alone in a world where I knew no one. I was still a child with no home, and no family. He couldn’t even help his own brother.”) Zelkem thought to himself. He wiped his tears quickly to avoid showing Brinx.
Brinx stood tall at the cave entrance with his arms crossed, and his head down.
“Look at the events that have unfolded Zelkem. If it wasn’t for Orson this world wouldn’t have had a chance. From what I know Orson has been watching over Lumus since he was a child, and without Lumus, this Lears character would have nothing in his way. Your brother single-handily gave this world a hope to believe in.” He said while still looking out into the woods.
“Lumus…” Zelkem said under his breathe.
“He would watch Lumus like a brother to keep him safe, but not even me? His own brother?”
“You’re missing the point Zelkem. Look at how you have grown up. Look at what you have become. A man made of no one’s teachings, and a man with the spirit of his own free will. You are the product of your own doing. A man I see just as strong as his brother, and a will unbreakable by anyone.”
“You speak as if you know me, but you don’t.”
“Your eyes tell me everything. I can see your sadness, and I can see your loneliness. Truth be told… I can see a warrior with more rage then most demons I have fought. Whether you think it or not, this world needs your brother more than you do. If you try to face your brother with vengeance, you are only taking away from the very thing your brother left to fight for, and that is a world for you to grow up in without fear.”
“You learned all of that from looking into my eyes?” Zelkem asked.
“You can learn a lot by reading people. I know you will not listen to me. You barely know me, and I can see that you also mean me harm, but since I arrived with Lumus you wish to hide that. I understand, and I won’t stop you from doing what you believe is right.” Brinx continued to watch the forest. Zelkem was speechless.
(“Who is this guy?”) He thought to himself.
Lumus came out of the trees with Scarlette in his arms. His eyes a bright white, and his hair giving off a glow even in the dark. He laid her down by the fire, and no one said a word. Zelkem sat staring into the fire once again. Brinx continued to stand by the cave entrance with a glare toward the trees.
“Thank you for checking Scarlette before you went on ahead Brinx.” Lumus said with his focus on Scarlette.
“She is tough, Lumus. She will pull through. We just need to give her time.” Brinx said softly.
“Zelkem are you okay? You seem a bit down.” Lumus asked
“What’s the plan Lumus?” Brinx interrupted. Lumus switched his attention over to Brinx. “Orson said to meet here, so we stay put until he arrives.” He said with a firm tone. Scarlette began to cough lightly. She barely moved a muscle, but turned enough to open her eyes to Lumus.
“Orson isn’t coming…Ged told me…” Scarlette passed out once more.
“Ged? Who’s Ged? Scarlette!” He said as he rushed to her side. He grabbed her arms, and gently shook her in hopes of getting more answers.
“Let her rest, she can’t help us now. When she gets more rest maybe she will be able to answer your questions.” Zelkem said softly.
“Lumus, I think I may know who she is talking about.” Brinx announced. He turned into the cave, and slowly walked over to the fire, and stood behind Zelkem.
“If the Ged I’m thinking of is the same Ged she spoke of, then we may be in a bit of trouble.” He added.
“Over one hundred years ago a noble warrior came to Dystopia. He was dressed in strange clothing, and wielded a red sword, as deep as the red moon of night. I found him walking the woods after arriving through a blue portal. He began slaying demons everywhere he went. It seemed like his goal was to defeat any, or all demons he found. I followed him along his quest, and I found myself almost enjoying what it was he was doing. That was the first time I began to think that Dystopia was not the only place to live. I leapt down in his path one day, and he stared me down, and raised his sword. I found myself in a battle rather than having a chance to find out more. When I tried to ask him about where he had come from, I was ignored. I engaged him in battle, and I can’t say he was an easy opponent. His skills were greater than my own. His speed was remarkable, and his swordplay unpredictable. I couldn’t harm him, because my duty was to protect the planet, and he wasn’t there to harm the planet, so I couldn’t fight back. I did my best to avoid, and even tried to reason with him, but I died that day. Ged went on to kill countless demons until I was reborn from the Tree of Gaia. When I found him again he was at the blue portal you know as ‘The Passage to Twilight, or Dystopian temple’ in the Aster Mountains. The blue portal allows pure souls to gain access back to Twilight, but for whatever reason it may be Ged was denied his way back home. I watched from the trees as a swarm of re
ckless demons overwhelmed him, and killed him outside the temple.” Brinx exhaled as he closed his eyes for a moment.
“So he was a warrior of Twilight that became evil?” Zelkem asked.
“Yes, and a fierce fighter. He must have taken out over a hundred demons before meeting his end.” Brinx added.
“You are right Brinx, it is the same Ged.” Scarlette rose from her resting spot. Her long pink hair flew down as she got up, and her face was without marks, and her spirit seemed back to normal.
“Scarlette? Are you okay?” Lumus shouted out.
“Please… I have a lot to say. Orson isn’t coming, so I might as well tell all of you now.” Scarlette interrupted.
“How do you know it was the same Ged?” Brinx said without emotion.
“I’ll explain,” Scarlette started, “It all began when I was nine years old, twenty years ago now. I went on an expedition to Aster Mountains with Orson as my guardian. They say that when your familiar dies, whether it be on Dystopia, or Twilight, the other is given all memories and star energy.” Scarlette said as she took a deep breath.
“Star energy?” Zelkem blurted out.
“Please Zelkem, I’ll get to that. The star energy is what Twilight’s brightest minds called the power of life. It is said in ancient writings that our entire galaxy was created from star energy. I didn’t believe in this until I used it myself. I was selfish, and I decided that I would make a wish before anyone else stole my chance. I knew things they did not, because of my familiar that had died and passed on her knowledge to me. Even Orson didn’t know of my true intentions. One hundred years prior to this, the temples were built, and every one hundred years a wish could be made using the core’s star energy. I don’t know exactly what our ancestors wished for, but the only logical thing would be the portal between Twilight and Dystopia. I have no evidence proving this, but it’s my best guess. Ged was Twilight’s strongest and purest warrior one hundred years ago. Our Ancestors sent him to do the same thing we tried ten years ago. Only Ged began to lose his sanity with every life he took.