The Reclaiming: The Keepers Saga: Volume Two

by Dillon McNaight

  “There will be no old age for you,” she replied with a smile, “not as long as there is evil in this world. When you are ready, I will allow your plight to be over and greet you with open arms at the gates of the Golden City, you have my word. Until then, you will not see me again. Before I go, I must tell you of one more vision, even more diluted than the first.”

  “What is it my Lady?” asked Erelorn.

  Eillea paused for a moment, as if she was trying to remember the details, before she continued, “The vision I saw takes place many moons after you arrive to the Frozen Isles. A man of great importance, a man of Kain, will travel to the Isles and seek an audience with you. I am unclear of who he is, or why he is of importance, but you must tell him of the vision I saw. You must tell him that one day, there will be a young boy of Kain born into royalty. He will be half Kain, half Ela. This is where the vision becomes even more unclear, but this boy will be of great importance to the world. He must be protected. This is all I know. I am sorry that I do not have more details for you.”

  The Shaman replied, “I am sure the mystery of your vision will one day be solved. You have my word that I will deliver this message to whoever he may be.”

  Eillea smiled as she said, “Any doubts in my choosing you have been dissolved. Great stories will be written of your servitude to our people, and the great deeds you will undoubtedly complete. It is time for me to say my farewell, my son. May my blessing always show you the light.”

  Before Erelorn could give his thanks, she combusted into hundreds of white butterflies. They flew in all directions before disappearing. The surrounding animals all turned, and walked back into the woods, leaving the Shaman alone in the meadow. That fateful day began the legacy of the great Shaman leader of the Ela. Erelorn decided to commemorate the day by erecting a shrine in the god’s honor, at the center of the very meadow she spoke to him in. The shrine was simple, but elegant. The center consists of a large circular stone platform. Around the platform stands four white tiger statues, all sitting astute facing inwards. At the center of the platform stands a tall fountain, and its top, rests a stone white dove with butterflies at its feet. The fountain forever runs with crystal clear water from the earth beneath with the help of the Shaman’s power. The same purple flowers still bloom around the shrine to this day.

  Nearly nine hundred years after the Shaman was visited by the beautiful god, a man of Kain from humble beginnings decided to visit the Shrine of Eillea alone. The air was warm that night, with barely a breeze blowing. Kale quietly walked towards the center of the Shrine, where its center fountain still flows with crystal clear water. The Shrine has clearly aged over the many centuries it has stood. The once pristine marble statues have several cracks in them, and the faces of the white tigers have almost completely faded. Green vines grow up the statues, nearly completely covering them. The same purple flowers were still at full bloom, for they stayed year-round, just as they did nine hundred years ago when the Shaman first met with Eillea the Beautiful. Once at the center of the shrine, Kale sat down on his knees and clasped his hands together.

  As he closed his tired eyes, he spoke, “Kaidian my Lord, hear me now. I need your guidance more than I have ever before. I cannot do this alone. I do not wish to question your judgement, or ask why you have let this happen, for that is not for me to understand or know. All I ask is that you hear my words. Please, give me a sign that you see what is happening, and that we are not alone in this fight. You chose me to protect our people, and I have failed you. Please… any sign… just one.”

  Kale held his eyes closed as sweat formed on his forehead. He could not remember when he so desperately waited for an answer from his creator. He has not received one since before the attack on the capital. He was pushing out any signs of doubt with every inch of faith in his soul. The thought of being abandoned by his Lord was ever approaching… thoughts he vigorously kept at bay.

  Again, he asked, “Please my Lord, I don’t know how else to ask… how else to pray. I know many things, but I do not know that. You have given me powers beyond anyone’s wildest dreams, the power to move mountains with my mind, appear where I wish, when I wish, and control the minds of others, yet I cannot make you answer me. I cannot change the course of fate, nor can I change the future… not without you, NOT without your guidance and wisdom… so I ask again. Tell me what it is I must do. Tell me what be your will. I will do whatever you ask, I just need to know.”

  “Your creator hears you my child,” suddenly came a heavenly enchanted voice from behind the kneeled Keeper… but it was not the voice of a man.

  Kale quickly opened his eyes and turned to face the voice, and as he did, he saw nothing.

  The voice came again, now from the other side of the shrine, “I am not the one who you pray to, this I know, but hear my words.”

  This time Kale stood up, and turned around as he took a step backwards, searching for the source of the mysterious voice. Although he has never heard her sweet words, he somehow knew who she was. He anxiously waited for her to reveal herself in whatever form she chose to.

  Kale steadied his heart and calmed his nerves, as he replied, “My Lady, Eillea… I hear your words. Let them speak to me, for my heart begs for their healing warmth.”

  He stared at the last place that he heard her soothing voice, waiting for her to reveal herself. He waited for several moments, trusting that his words weren’t wasted, then, something began to move from behind the fountain as a snow-white peacock emerged. The bird’s eyes were gleaming blue, and its feathers seemed as if they were covered in sparkling diamonds. Kale couldn’t help but to gasp at his first glimpse of the goddess. Suddenly, every worry inside his heart disappeared, and all he could do was freeze in speechless awe. As the goddess stopped and stood still in her peacock form, she spoke to the desperate Keeper for hours. Once she had said all that she came to say, she disappeared, leaving the Keeper with his thoughts. As he left, his heart felt heavier than it did before he came to the Shrine. He traveled back to the home of Teeca, and as he entered her home, he had no desire to dine with the prince and the socialite. Instead, he was lead to his room by the Angel herself. Once there, she sat him down on the bed, as she took one of his hands and looked into his troubled eyes.

  Teeca then said in a calm voice, “Tell me what you saw at the Shrine. Did you speak with Lord Kaidian?”

  “No,” replied Kale in a defeated tone, “my Lord remains silent to my prayers… but yours was not.”

  Taken aback, Teeca released his hands and replied, “Eillea? You spoke with the goddess of the Ela? What did she say, what did she tell you? She has not revealed herself since she spoke with the Shaman many moons ago!”

  Kale turned to her and said, “First, I must tell you something that I have not spoken to anyone, for I was unsure of its meaning until now. A long time ago, not too long after I was chosen as a Keeper, I traveled to the Frozen Isles. I don’t clearly remember why, other than pure curiosity of the Isles and the myth that surrounded it. I did not know what I would find, but once I arrived, I was met by someone that I did not expect. I was met by the Shaman himself.”

  “Erelorn?” asked Teeca with surprise. “You saw Erelorn? We were unsure if he still lived. What did he tell you?”

  Kale paused for a moment as he tried to remember the distant memory.

  He then said, “He told me of a hazy prophecy that the goddess told him a long time ago when she revealed herself to him. He told me that there would be a boy, part Kain and part Ela, and that he would be of great importance. That is all he knew. I stayed with him in the Isles for quite some time and learned everything that he could teach me about the world. As I left, I couldn’t help but to think about what he had told me, and as the decades went by, the prophecy faded from my mind. That is until the young prince was born. Even though I wasn’t sure why, or if the prophecy was even true, I decided to personally see after the boy’s safety. That is why I sent him away from the falling capital. He had to li
ve.”

  Teeca and the other Angels were told the prophecy about the King of the Drykans from Erelorn himself, but they were not told of the second.

  “I don’t understand,” said Teeca, “what does Dathian have to do with what is happening? How can a mere boy be so important?”

  “I didn’t fully understand at first either,” replied Kale, “until the spirit of Eillea told me. She said that the gods could never again intervene in the affairs of their creations, that we would be alone in this fight. She said that if the Kain were going to survive and defeat the demon of Alvane, they would need to join with the Ela, and that the boy from the prophecy would be the one to unite them.”

  Teeca once again took the Keeper’s hand and looked him deep in the eyes.

  Kale continued as tears began to well up in his eyes, “She also told me that in order for the Ela to accept, there would need to be a great sacrifice to unite the forces of the Kain and Ela.”

  Worry crept into Teeca’s eyes as she replied, “A great sacrifice how, and from whom?”

  He lowered his eyes, and said, “She did not say, only that I will know when the time comes.”

  She then placed the back of her hand against his cheek and said, “You are not alone in this fight. We will find a way, I promise you.”

  He looked up and forced a smile. Although he was hopeful that his meeting with the White Queen would suffice enough to gain their allegiance, he somehow knew deep in his heart that the great sacrifice that the goddess spoke of would be that of his own. When and where, he did not know, but when that time came, he would have to be ready to accept his fate for the sake of his people and the young prince, Dathian. All he knew was that he needed to live above all else to fulfill the prophecy, and bring peace back to his people.

  CHAPTER 2

  THE TUTELAGE

  Kalorah stands silent in the middle of her ruined throne. Beneath her feet rests a foot of ash. Her once silky white dress is covered in the ash of the Golden Oak, as her long hair flows behind her, free from her silver crown. Her eyes are closed as she concentrates. She searches for any feeling of the Keeper’s soul. Kalorah was always able to feel Kale’s power when he was close, just as he could sense the coming of Teeca as they entered her domain. She felt it when Kale revealed his Staff to the Shade, and when the Staff broke in two, but she could no longer feel any presence of him. She stands silent with her eyes closed for an hour, before finally accepting his fate. Only then did she open her eyes, as tears streamed down her ash-covered face.

  Speaking to the east, she said, “Your death will not be in vain my friend, nor will your people’s safety be ignored. I swear to you that with the help of the Angels and the Golden Army of Ela, I will reclaim your homeland for the Kain, and restore peace to your people.”

  She stares into the distance for a moment longer, before headed back to meet with the other Angels to tell them of Kale’s fate.

  It is a mournful evening as the Angels and all those who dwell in the capital commenced upon the memorial for the fallen Keeper, with Dathian and Savannah arriving first. Teeca had spent the whole day prior cleaning up the ash and ruin of the fallen oak. She used her powers of the elements to wipe away the destruction that the Shade laid upon the Ela, and to plant new growth in the oak’s desolate wake. Come nightfall, the city gathers around the newly cleared part of the forest in remembrance of the Golden Oak and the one that gave his life to protect theirs. Teeca used her diamond ring and lit a fire independent of wood at the center of the destruction. They all watch as the bright blue fire illuminates the night sky, rising high into the newly formed gap in the canopy. Kalorah approaches the fire as she speaks to the crowd.

  “We gather here tonight to give our respects to the great sacrifice that our friend Kaelithus gave to save our people from harm. A demon called Archimus brought down the symbol of our people, and laid destruction upon our city. Kaelithus gave his life in return for the Shade’s cooperation in leaving our people and forests unharmed, and untouched. He was a great leader, and an even better friend. He cared little for himself, and ALL for the people he was entrusted to protect. I am glad to say that he was my friend, and I will sorely miss him. He once saved my life, but I have failed to save his. So, I vow this night to do everything in my power to ensure that the Kain reclaim their homeland. I will rid the northern kingdoms of all those who wish to suppress and destroy it. I will send the risen King of the Dragonkin back to where he came from, never to return, and the heads of the Generals who so wish to defy the laws of the Guardians, will be displayed upon the tallest of pikes for all to see!”

  With these words, Kalorah lifted her staff and expelled a powerful light, draping all those around with it. The broken pieces of crystal swirl around the top with increasing speed. Speckles of light spew out from the fragments and travel throughout the crowd. Savannah held out her hand as specks bounced off it, and kept flowing through the air. Teeca walked towards the White Queen, as the enchanted tattoos on her face and body illuminated bright. Her long raven hair is tied back in an intricate braid, as her lilac dress sways from the fire. As she arrives, she raises her right hand, and from her sapphire ring, creates a soft wind, causing the light fragments to circle around the flames, twisting their way up towards the heavens. Just as she did so, Kalorah gracefully revealed her gleaming white wings, and stretched them out from her back. Teeca turned towards the crowd, and followed in suit as she revealed her wings, which were the same color as her dress. Glammdreing was quick to follow, as he held his shield in one hand, and his mighty sword in the other, raising them to the sky before revealing his golden-brown wings. The Angels of the Ela stood around the fire with their massive wings exposed and motionless, as they held their salute to the fallen Keeper. Just then, everyone around them lit lanterns, and held them high, just before releasing them in unison. One by one, they floated upwards, joining the spiral of light. Together, they twisted up towards the heavens.

  Kalorah then looked at Dathian, and gave him a nod, signaling him to speak. Reluctant to do so, he walked forward and stood in front of her. He gave her a shy smile before he turned to face the thousands of Ela that surround them.

  “All my life, I have lived in the safety of the capital. I have never seen war, or anything of the sort. I lived a lavished life, never wanting for anything, and deprived of nothing. I have never known struggle, or fear for my life. Not even a full cycle has passed, and already I have lost my home, my mother, and my best friend. In just a short time, I have felt the pain and sadness one sees in their entire lifetime. I watched my city fall. I witnessed as my own mother was consumed by flames, and now, I have seen the symbol of your great city fall. You all stand before me in the ruins of that very symbol, and all I can think about is that if I hadn’t come here, that none of this would’ve happened. The Golden Oak would still be standing, and the only one that was always there for me, and guided me my entire life, would still be alive… but he is not… and the Golden Oak no longer stands.”

  Subtle tears started to fall from the stoic prince’s face as the people felt his sincerity, and humility. With every word spoken, another piece of the bitter distance between the Kain and Ela began to fade away.

  Dathian continued, “I cannot bring Kale back, no more than I can regrow a tree, but I can still have hope. Hope that this evil will never again destroy that which we love, however, I cannot do this on my own. I am no warrior, nor am I very strong. I don’t know how to fight, or of what good I will be to my people, but I do know this. No matter how young I am, or how little I know about war, I will do whatever it takes to see peace once again. If it means dying by the hands of the Generals themselves, I am prepared to do so. I humbly ask for your help, for you are my mother’s people, and that makes you my people just as much as the Kain. I am prepared for your answer, whether it be to stay in the safety of your forests, or help me in unifying our two great peoples under one banner, even for just a short time.”

  He watched on as one by one, th
e Ela began to take their right hands, and place it over their left shoulder as a sign of respect and acceptance. He turned to Kalorah, who gave him a subtle nod of approval. He then walked back over to Savannah, and turned to once again face the White Queen. All were silent as Kalorah began to sing the song of mourning that her people have sang for generations. The lights from the memorial could be seen for miles. It was the light of hope, love, and sacrifice. The Keeper of the Staff Kaelithus will forever be remembered as the one who gave his life for a people that is not of his own, which began the spark that would soon ignite a union between the Kain and Ela that has not been seen since before the Separation.

  The morning after, Dathian was tending to Cheyanne’s mane and tail, brushing them till they were soft and untangled. Savannah was with him, tending to her new-found companion, Mikey. His tail and mane were much more tangled than Cheyanne’s. Seeing that she was struggling, Dathian approached.

  “You’re brushing too soft,” he said, “it’s not like your hair. You have to be rough, yet gentle, and only work in pieces.”

  He took her hand and moved it to his as he showed her how to comb out the gelding’s tail. She smiled at him in embarrassment.

  “I’m sorry, I guess I don’t really know what I am doing. I’ve never had to look after a horse of my own before.”

  “It’s not hard once you get the hang of it,” replied the prince as he moved in to kiss Savannah.

  As their lips met, they were approached by Teeca.

  “I hope I’m not interrupting,” she said, “but I came to tell you, Dathian, that Glammdreing awaits you by the fountain. He wants to speak with you about the matters that lie ahead of you on your road to Riverton, and I believe that he might have some answers for you regarding your grandparents.”

  “Yes, my Lady,” said Dathian, “I will see to him immediately.” He turned to Savannah and said, “I will see you later then I guess?” He then turned and walked away towards the fountain to meet with the warrior Angel.