Krishani forced himself to his knees. He crawled across the broken shards of the lantern and pulled Tiki into his cupped hands. Crestaos was gone, locked within the protective chamber of her Flame.
“I told you I have my secrets,” she said.
Krishani traced the patterns of black that swirled through the dark orange. Crestaos was in there, contained, and Tiki was alive. She hadn’t betrayed him.
“How did you?”
Tiki dimmed to a rusty orange, shutting him out. He looked up, his eyes darting across the battlefield. Muffled explosions sounded as the Mithronians withered into dust. Creatures fled through the trees into the forest, hundreds of them still alive.
He didn’t see the Daed.
He clenched his fist, forgetting about the electric feeling circling his fist. It expelled, thick clouds forming over the field. Heavy raindrops splashed onto his face. Victory cries rippled across the field and the gates to compound creaked as they opened.
Krishani turned and saw Elwen Tavesin stride into the field. He had a golden box in his hands. It glinted, shooting an unwanted flash of light into Krishani’s eyes. The boy stumbled across the grass towards him. He needed to tell him he won. He didn’t understand how, but he won. He almost fell on his face twice while avoiding rocks and fallen bodies, but when he got up in front of Elwen, his ancestor smiled.
Krishani tried to stand straight, but it was impossible. He glanced at Tiki; she wasn’t glowing. He worried she was hurt. He looked at Elwen, but his ancestor wasn’t looking at him. He was staring at the battlefield. Krishani didn’t know if the Vultures were still out there, if they were going to fill him with their frostbite and turn him into one of them. Everything was muddled.
“I think it’s over,” Krishani said.
Elwen looked at him, his emotionless brown eyes far away. “I have a place for that,” he said, pulling an orb from his robes. He braced the golden box under his arm as he placed the orb in Krishani’s hand. Tiki’s orange light filled the orb. It was murky, streaked with black. He had forgotten about the lantern he destroyed seconds ago. He had no idea how Tiki turned Crestaos to dust like that. It was a secret he feared she would keep forever.
Elwen plucked the orb from the boy’s palm and replaced it with the golden box. He slid the orb into his robes. “I believe this belongs to you.”
Krishani frowned. It was too hard to stand anymore and he sunk to the ground, holding the box between his hands. He was concerned about Tiki. He didn’t want Elwen tampering with her, undoing everything she had done. She was a hero. Elwen had to know that. A familiar feeling crept into his heart as he looked at the box. “What is this?”
“It’s a puzzle box, a gift from the Great Hall. High King Tor sends his regards.” He didn’t wait for Krishani to respond and simply spun on his heel and retreated into the village.
Krishani’s fingers trembled. He could barely feel them anymore. Vultures swooped across the field, devouring wispy white smoke. Ice cold fluttered across his collarbone, but against the sweat beading on his forehead, it was a welcomed sensation. Krishani wanted to collapse, wanted to sleep, but he couldn’t knowing the Vultures were still out there and for some reason they didn’t take him. He fumbled with the puzzle box, trying to figure out how to solve it. Dizziness crept across his temples, blurring his vision. He glanced back at the gates, hoping to find Elwen, but he wasn’t there.
A hoard of villagers huddled together, their eyes peeking at the mass of bodies in the field. He stifled his disgust. They didn’t look strong enough to fight, and he didn’t like them treating the battle like a spectacle.
He fiddled with the puzzle box, fitting pieces together, turning, shifting things in and out of place. Prickles of warm tingles hit his heart, the familiarity of the feeling too blatant to ignore. Ice drained away, but it wasn’t replaced by the burning sting of thawing out. He clicked the last piece into place and unhinged the clasp.
Krishani lifted the lid and gasped. Brilliant violet light spilled out of the box, making his eyes water and spill over. He couldn’t believe what he was looking at.
Kaliel.
He ran his fingers over the orb, the familiar buzz of her touch spreading through him. He couldn’t smile. He tried, but he was so happy to see her he was at a loss.
This was what she was when she wasn’t a girl.
She reminded him of Tiki, her bodiless form, her secrets. What secrets did Kaliel hold? He shuddered as thoughts of the Daed clouded his mind. She couldn’t stay like this. For once he understood why Tiki didn’t want the other Flames around her. They were dangerous if they were too close together. Kaliel was the best of them and the only one Crestaos wanted to possess. It broke and warmed his heart at the same time. He never thought he’d see her again. He thought he’d give up and let the Vultures take him.
Black wisps crawled along his back and Krishani glanced up. The Vultures taunted him, mocked him. He took the orb in his uninfected hand, dropping the box onto the grass. He turned to the battlefield, white smoke rising like extinguished fires into the sky. Vultures blotted out the stars as Krishani limped across the field, his gait uneven.
He moved towards the nearest cloud of darkness, pawing through it. He fell on his knees, cacophonic whispers slitting his ears. Biting frost stung his extremities as he knelt over the body and grabbed its hand. He couldn’t see the face, but he recognized the shape of the fingers and remembrance flooded him. Aulises. He gasped, dropping her hand as his muscles failed him. His left hand unfurled, the orb falling onto her chest. Violet light blinded him temporarily.
Krishani gaped at the light he had seen in her eyes a million times before. Amethyst-colored light surrounded Aulises in a protective shield. Krishani thought of Pux and tried not to grimace. Kaliel had healed him.
The Vultures gave them a wide berth. Krishani pressed his fists to the ground, taking short shallow breaths. He cringed at the muscle spasms stinging his insides with silent lacerations. The Vultures recoiled from the body. Waves washed over the body in successions. Krishani glanced around him. The Vultures waited, hesitant tendrils slithering in and out of reach.
The violet light dimmed and blacked out.
Wispy smoke rose out of Aulises’s mouth.
Krishani dropped her hand and clutched his chest as everything plunged into icy darkness. Vultures covered Krishani in an inky abyss, obscuring his vision as wisps of white smoke spilled out of the girl and disappeared inside their void. They inhaled every last drop and retreated into the sky, leaving the dead body behind.
“Kaliel!” Krishani cried as he stumbled to his feet, tripping over Aulises. He stretched his hands to the sky, willing the Vultures to return, but they disappeared against the backdrop of clouds. He fell on his knees and heaved in anguish. He clenched and released his fist and the sky burst, torrential rainfall splattering the land.
Elwen was right. He couldn’t follow the Vultures. Wherever they had taken Kaliel he couldn’t go. Self-hatred laced into him, making all the pain he felt before seem like nothing. He had her in his hands, he had her and he lost her in the blink of an eye.
Arms circled his chest and he recognized the curve of her body as she pressed against his back. Anger drowned him in the cruel stab of reality. Aulises lived.
“I told you not to touch me again,” his tone baleful. He recanted the urge to turn and crush her throat with his bare hands. The desire to destroy everything in sight gained against the melancholy. He clenched his fist and the rain came down in heavier sheets, making the battlefield invisible.
The voice that replied wasn’t what he expected. “What happened to me?”
Heat flushed through him. His insides shook as the frostbite thawed and burned him from the inside out.
“Aulises?” He wouldn’t have been surprised if his heart gave out.
The arms fell away from him. “She … died.”
Krishani convulsed. “Kaliel?” He whipped around, speechless the moment he saw her fiery orbs of liquid
amethyst instead of Aulises’s traitorous green eyes. She nodded, sending black curls forward over her shoulders. She slid her hands into his. Her touch burned, making him think about the curse covering his body in black patches.
She was a girl, and she was with him.
“I’m here,” she said.
Krishani didn’t say anything. He pulled his hands out of hers and cupped her face. His mouth came down on hers, lips crushing together as he wound his hands into her curls of black hair. This was the only thing he ever wanted. From the first time he caught her at the waterfall, swimming with the merfolk to the last time he saw her fleeing towards the Village of the Shee. His rough and bruised hands found the small of her back as he clutched her. She let out a whimper and parted her lips. He pressed his mouth harder onto hers. He was dizzy with pleasure, the mere feel of her healing him.
Krishani pulled away, gasping for air. He traced a finger down her rain-splattered cheeks. She shivered, her eyes imploring him to kiss her again. She reached for him, her hands finding the nape of his neck. He groaned at the touch and seized her lips once more. She buzzed with the magic he had missed for moons, wild desire making it hard to see straight.
“I thought of you every day,” he whispered.
She clutched him tighter, her head resting on his shoulder. “And I you.”
“Is this real?”
“I don’t know. There was something else in the box.” She broke off, her eyes worried. Krishani frowned. He left the box in the grass somewhere. He pressed his hands into her shoulders and gave her a meaningful look. He didn’t have to tell her to stay put as he swiftly crossed the field and grabbed the box. As he turned she was right behind him, her new body almost as small as her old one. He smirked; she never listened. It was like she couldn’t help it. Krishani went to lift the lid, but she reached forward and slid open a hidden compartment. A small scroll slid from inside it. She took it in her hands. The rain dwindled to a drizzle, covering them in a sheet of mist that reminded Krishani of the waterfall. He looked at her as she scanned the parchment. A gift from the Great Hall. He stifled the urge to kiss her again and wrapped a protective arm around her waist.
“What is it?” he asked as she unfurled the scroll.
She gasped as it fell into the grass, wet spots spreading over the symbols. Krishani glanced at it and recognized it, too. It was almost an exact replica of what Kaliel had drawn in her journal. He remembered what she had said the night they made love. They were together before, but everyone burned. The images on the parchment were no longer idle sketches in her journal. They were real, it was real. Whatever she had seen, it was true.
Krishani stared at the parchment. On the left, the Ferryman sat on a throne, across from him, staring into his eyes with a look that meant only one thing, was the Flame.
“It’s a prophecy,” Kaliel whispered.
Krishani gathered her into his arms and pressed her head into his shoulder. She shook, sobbing, and he knew she was thinking about the Great Oak and the parable that brought her to the top of a volcano. Danger surrounded them, the Horsemen, the Daed, the Vultures, and Morgana. He had almost forgotten about the little girl with the bloody hands, but she was out there somewhere.
And he knew what she was going to do.
Krishani clutched Kaliel tighter and rested his head on hers. He would protect her this time. Keep her away from all the evil things threatening to tear them apart.
“I won’t lose you again,” he whispered.
She didn’t respond, and he held her like he was clinging to her life just as much as he was clinging to his own.
* * *
The Guide
Timelines
First Era (Circa, 250 million years ago - 65 million years ago)
The Lands Across the Stars were in their birth and growth stages, the Valtanyana was forming and gaining more and more power. The Flames were created by Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost, the final member of the Valtanyana. Aria, The Amethyst Flame and the other eight Flames fought against the Valtanyana and won, locking them away in Avrigost.
Second Era (Circa, 65 million years ago – 5000BCE)
Toraque (Tor) of Avrigost takes over as the High King of the Lands of Peace, ruling a Golden Age. Factions of Daed warriors rise up to oppose High King Tor, but without the rest of the Valtanyana backing them, they are nearly powerless. High King Tor gives Aria, The Amethyst Flame and the other eight Flames new lives. Aria is reborn as Kaliel of Evennses.
People
Kemplan (kemm-plan)
The Great Librarian
High King Tor (toar)
High King of the Lands of Peace, born in Avrigost as the twelfth member of the Valtanyana.
Kaliel of Evennses (kal-ee-elle)
Aria, The Amethyst Flame from the First Era. She’s been reborn as a Child of Avristar, a second chance after all of the destruction in the First Era
Krishani of Amersil (krish-aw-nee of am-er-sill)
Kallow, The Ferryman from the First Era. He’s been reborn and sent to Avristar by his ancestors the Tavesin Family from Terra (Earth), the Lands of Men
Pux of Evennses (puhx of evan-sess)
A feorn (half man, half wolf) considered invalid, but in fact is a hidden genius
Lord Istar, Sovereign of Avristar (is-tar)
Appointed in the First Era, is married to both Avristar herself and Lady Atara. Krishani’s second elder.
Lady Atara, Sovereign of Avristar (at-are-ah)
Appointed in the First Era, married to both Avristar herself and Lord Istar. Kaliel’s second mentor.
Luenelle of Evennses (Loo-en-elle)
House Master at the House of Kin, Evennses.
Desaunius of Evennses (Dess-aw-nee-us)
High King Tor’s former betrothed, originally from Tempia, fled to Avristar due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s first mentor.
Shimma, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (shim-ma)
Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s youngest daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the unrest in those lands.
Kuruny, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (koo-roo-nee)
Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the hex placed upon her by the humans.
Kazza, Daughter of Lord Istar of Avristar (kaz-zah)
Witch, half human, half elven. Istar’s eldest daughter, grew up in Avristar, escaped to Nimphalls, Lands of Men, returned due to the growing unrest in those lands.
Hernadette of Avristar (hern-ah-dett)
Lives in the Royal City of Orlondir, feorn, servant, one of the oldest Children of Avristar.
Mallorn the Kiirar (kee-rawr)
Fled to Avristar from Talanisdir, Lands of Immortals due to the wars with the Valtanyana. Kaliel’s last mentor.
Melianna of Handele (mel-ee-anna)
Daughter of General Handele, leader of the Armies of Avristar. Lady Atara’s servant.
Elwen Tavesin (el-when, tav-eh-sin)
King of part of Terra, Watcher to the Ferryman / Valkyries. He trains them.
Talina Tavesin (tal-ee-nah)
Wife of Elwen Tavesin. Elven heritage, from Nazole, considered noble rank.
Bethula (beth-oo-la)
Human, works in the barns with the animals.
Hyatt (hi-at)
Bethula’s husband, works in the barns with the animals.
Jack
Bethula and Hyatt’s son, Pux’s love interest.
Rand
Shaman of the people living in the village near the cove.
King Telper
King of part of Amaltheia, Watcher to the Ferryman / Valkyries.
Havelir (have-elle-ear)
Child of Avristar, Ambassador to the Lands of Men, King Telper’s advisor.
Aulises (ow-lih-sees)
Thief’s daughter from Amaltheia.
Ferrymen / Valkyries
Children fr
om twelve chosen families appointed to keep the Vultures/Wraiths at bay and send souls to the Great Hall. All chosen boys are Ferryman, all chosen girls are Valkyries.
Krishani Mekallow Mekelle Tavesin
The Ferryman in the First Era, reborn on Terra but grew up on Avristar. Ferryman of Terra, successor to Davlin Tavesin
Jenima Markesh
Valkyrie of Nimphalls
Noelle Yessenia
Valkyrie of Matakasha
Ambrose Telper
Ferryman of Amaltheia
The Valtanyana (The Powers That Be)
A brethren of eleven powerful kings and queens whose only goal is to gain absolute power over the Lands Across the Stars
Crestaos (cress-tae-oss)
Former ruler of Draconis, Lands of Immortals and Lord of the Valtanyana
Morgana
Former ruler of Terra, Lands of Men, and Lady of the Valtanyana
The Daed
A group of anarchists from the Lands of Men, Lands of Immortals and Lands of Beasts and the loyal followers of the Valtanyana
The Horsemen
A brethren of four horsemen raised by Morgana to wreak havoc on Terra. Also known as the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Vultures / Wraiths
The embodiment of darkness itself, created by the corruption of humans, the Vultures devour souls.
The Flames
A collection of nine weapons created to defeat the Valtanyana. Also known as the hand-crafted jewels of the universe, each of them is one of a kind
Tiki, Carnelian Flame of Healing (tee-kee)
In the First Era she was a lantern, reborn on Terra, Lands of Men, she can absorb darkness, and is versed in healing.
Laurelin, Citrine Flame of Hope (law-rell-inn)
In the First Era she was a shield, reborn on Sallas, she can alter perceptions and memories, and shield others from harm
Klavotesi, Obsidian Flame of Justice (claw-voe-tess-ee)
Justice Page 29