Awakening (Telindell Book 1)

by Darren Lee

  Lian quickly rose up. “Another world?”

  Lyssa smiled. “Yes, another world. Now lie back down and listen. Their world was much like Zaneen, but they consumed all of the magic in their world in a lust for power. Magic twisted and changed their bodies, transforming them into monstrosities. It left their world barren and desolate. Their world could no longer sustain any kind of life, so they found a way to invade ours.”

  Lian listened, intrigued.

  Lyssa sighed before continuing. “They were a force unlike anything Zaneen had ever seen before,” she said. “Even the Gods themselves could not stand against them.”

  Lian quickly spoke up, “Gods? You mean Elintae and Olbien?”

  Lyssa was shocked that Lian knew of the gods. “Aren’t you smart,” she said proudly. “Yes, Elintae and Olbien. Elintae was the Goddess of Dusk. She guided our souls when we passed from our life. Olbien was the God of Dawn, he made sure that life always continued and was guided so that it would always flourish.”

  “What happened to them?” Lian asked, rising up again.

  “No one knows,” said Lyssa. “Before we come to that part, let me continue with the story.”

  Lian lay back and yawned. “Alright,” he said.

  Lyssa smiled and continued her tale. “The Elves united with the kingdoms of man,” said Lyssa. “Back then, the Elven Kingdom expanded across the entirety of Northern Zaneen. They had the largest and most powerful armies. Mages and sorceresses numbered in the hundreds of thousands among elves. Humans had magic wielders as well, but not the numbers of the Elves.”

  Lian looked at Lyssa with curiosity. “What are mages,” he asked, “and sorceresses?”

  “They are men and women,” said Lyssa. “Those who have studied the art of magic and wield great power.”

  Lian smiled with excitement. “I’ve seen some magic,” he said.

  Horror plagued Lyssa’s mind, knowing that he had witnessed such frightening power that she had only believed to be a bedtime story. “Then you know how powerful it is,” she said. “The Gods led the Elves and the humans against the Dalronians. They were immensely powerful, but they could barely slow the fierce foes down. After losing several battles and countless soldiers, the Gods devised a plan. They searched Zaneen for the most talented and skilled warrior. They found Lianus Telindell. He was our ancestor.”

  Lian rose up quickly. “Our ancestor?”

  “Yes. Now listen to the rest. This part is very important.” Lyssa smiled at an eager Lian. “They said that the Gods touched his very body and soul, forever changing him. They then forged a weapon for him. A sword, tempered with his own blood. When Lianus wielded the sword, he could harness the power of the entire world. His strength and speed were unmatched by anyone within the Dalronians’ ranks. By the time Lianus entered the war, the elves and humans alike were near extinction. He led the remnants of the Elven and Human forces against them and drove them all the way back to the Eternal Sea from which they had come.”

  Lian smiled at the tale of his heroic ancestor. “What happened then?”

  Lyssa took a deep breath and continued, “Lianus went up against the Leader of the Dalronians in one on one combat,” she said, Lyssa looking away from Lian momentarily. “Their Leader was far more powerful than any other Dalronian. It seemed Lianus had met his match. Something happened during their battle. Golden light erupted from his body and blinded all those around them. When the light faded, both Lianus and the Dalronians were gone. The only thing that remained was his sword.” A single tear dropped from Lyssa’s cheek.

  “Wow,” said Lian. “He was my ancestor! That’s amazing! My name even sounds like his.”

  Lyssa smiled. “Yes, it is,” she said. “Almost unbelievable.”

  Lian looked to his mother, sleep beginning to pull at his eyes. “What happened to the Gods?” he asked.

  “After Lianus drove the Dalronians from Zaneen, they vanished,” Lyssa answered quickly. “No one has seen heard from either of them since.” Lyssa placed her hand on Lian’s head once more. “There are legends that Elintae herself raised the Telindell Mountains to guard Zaneen against the Dalronians should they ever return. They would also serve as a resting place for Lianus’ sword.”

  Lian remained quiet for a moment, then spoke, “Is that the sword that I found?”

  Lyssa nodded. “Yes, I believe it is.”

  Lian looked at Lyssa. “What…” said Lian, pausing. “Does that mean?”

  Tears escaped from Lyssa’s eyes. “The touch of the gods did not just change Lianus. Everyone who has descended from his bloodline was changed,” said Lyssa. “His blood courses through our veins. Only someone of his descent can wield the sword, and we are the only two survivors of his bloodline. That is why you were able to use it. It is yours now. You will now have to--” Lyssa burst into tears at the thought of her son having to fight those monsters.

  Lian rose up again. “I’ll have to fight them,” he said.

  Lyssa sobbed and hugged him. “I don’t know,” she said. “I just don’t know.”

  Lian held Lyssa tightly. “If I do…I’ll beat them. For good. I promise.”

  Lyssa smiled and squeezed Lian tighter. “I couldn’t ask for a stronger or braver son,” she said proudly. “I’m so proud of you.” Lyssa lay down next to Lian and held him closely. “Now, go to sleep. You’ve had a long day, and I suspect tomorrow will be just as long.”

  Lian yawned. “Alright,” he said. “Goodnight mother.”

  Lyssa smiled and kissed Lian’s cheek. “Goodnight Lian.”

  She continued to lie there, just holding Lian. Minutes turned into hours. She looked at Kane, who was curled up at the foot of the bed. Then, she gently pushed Lian away, so as not to disturb him. She stood and walked toward the door of her house.

  Lyssa turned and looked to Kane, whispering, “Kane! Kane!” Kane slowly opened his eyes and raised his head. “Come here. Come outside with me.”

  Kane looked to Lian and slowly crawled off the bed. Lyssa quietly opened the door, allowing Kane to exit the house. She walked out beside him and slowly shut the door. Lyssa sat on the ground and rested her back against the stone wall of her house. She looked around. The outpost was quiet and void of movement except for the few guards she could see walking along the ramparts. Kane sat next to her.

  Lyssa looked into Kane’s green eyes. “You were sent to him, weren’t you?” said Lyssa. Kane nodded his head. Lyssa sighed. “It’s all true then, isn’t it?” Kane nodded again and dropped his head. Lyssa looked away. “Did he really save you?”

  Kane looked at her intently. He stepped closer to Lyssa, his nose almost touching hers. He peered into her eyes while his began to glow a light green. Lyssa saw the images of Lian and Kane’s attacker at the exit of Shana’s Pass in them. She saw Lian change and slay the Battle Sage with ease. Lyssa gasped at the images, losing her breath. She quickly scooted away from Kane. Kane sat down and whined a bit at her fright. He held his paw out toward her.

  Lyssa hesitantly took his paw. “What are you?” she asked. Kane tilted his head at her. Lyssa’s voice took on a stern tone. “Promise me, Kane, promise me, that no matter what, you will stay at Lian’s side through the horrors he must face!”

  Kane took his paw back, stepped closer and licked her face. He then laid his head in her lap, giving her a sense of comfort. Lyssa and Kane sat together until the light could be seen piercing the night sky in the distance.

  Lyssa looked down at Kane. “Come, Kane. Let’s go back inside,” she said. “Thank you for sitting with me.”

  Kane followed Lyssa back into the house, jumping back on the bed with Lian and lying down to keep an eye on the boy. Lyssa sat next to him and watched her son. Her son that she had longed for every day for twelve long years. Now, she was terrified that she would lose him once more. He was just a boy, a boy supposed to save them all.

  The sun rose over the outpost. Elinar paced back and forth through his chamber. He was already dressed and wear
ing his tight fitting leather armor. He eyed a bowl of water in the center of the room sitting upon a porcelain pillar.

  Elinar looked back to his bed and to Teelia, who was slowly opening her eyes. Teelia smiled slightly. “Come back to bed, my love,” she said. “You have hardly slept all night. Your father will make contact soon. You know how the council is. They take forever to consort with one another on such matters.”

  Elinar shook his head. “Yes I know, Teelia. I just don’t understand about this. My father, of all people, should understand how great this threat is. He fought against them.”

  Teelia heard the frustration in Elinar’s voice. “No need to get worked up, love.” She rose up and held the blanket against her bare body. “You completed your mission.”

  Elinar shook his head and began to shout, “Yes, I retrieved the weapon! A weapon that must now be wielded by a child! A child! A child that must face these monsters!”

  Teelia’s eyes widened momentarily at Elinar’s raised voice. “Eli, sweetheart--”

  Elinar quickly lowered his voice to Teelia, “I’m sorry,” he said. “I did not mean to shout. It just isn’t right that a boy should have to bear this burden. He needs to be trained so he can withstand the power he has to wield. Most of all, he needs to be protected until he is ready. Protection that we cannot provide here. It is imperative that we return home.”

  Teelia watched Elinar, who was still pacing, eyeing the bowl of water. The bowl began to hum.

  Elinar smiled. “Finally!”

  He approached the bowl and peered into the water as it began to glow. An elf’s face that closely resembled Elinar’s appeared in the water. This elf had black hair.

  Elinar nodded. “Father,” he said.

  The water shimmered, and the elf’s voice echoed from it. “Son, the collective council is in session,” said the Elf in a deep voice. “We have been in session all night. I must ask you to address me properly.”

  “As you wish,” said Elinar. “Councilor Oryn Durothil.”

  The water shimmered once again. “We have reached a decision on these unsettling events you reported yesterday,” said Oryn. “First, on behalf of the collective council I would like to congratulate you on the success of your mission.”

  Elinar stared into the water. “Thank you, Councilor.”

  “Now,” said Oryn. “We have decided that the boy and his mother will remain in your care indefinitely--”

  Elinar quickly interrupted Oryn. “What? That is ridiculous!”

  Oryn spoke sternly, “Commander, do not interrupt me again.”

  Elinar calmed himself. “My apologies, Councilor.”

  The water shimmered once again, allowing Oryn’s voice to echo through. “You will train the boy as you have been trained,” said Oryn. “And you will keep him with you at the Telinlight outpost.”

  Elinar shook his head. “Fath…” Elinar paused, correcting himself. “I mean Councilor. That makes no sense,” said Elinar. “We cannot protect the boy in the event of an attack! We are but one hundred, and not all of us are soldiers. There are non-combatants and children here! They would be slaughtered.”

  Oryn shook his head. “That was the risk they took by bringing their families on their assignment outside of Alinshahar,” said Oryn. “It is the council’s fear that if you travel back to Alinshahar, you will be followed, and we simply do not have the numbers to protect our people.”

  Elinar snarled. “And whose fault is that? We have had one thousand years to rebuild and repopulate, but you chose seclusion!”

  Oryn looked away in silence, then back toward Elinar. “We did not know when and if they would return,” he said. “At the time, we believed seclusion would spare the elves from genocide if they did return.”

  Elinar shook his head. “Did you believe that or did the council?” Elinar asked. “Now, we face the largest threat our world has ever seen once again. Not to mention the reports of unrest within Alinshahar because of the council’s ridiculous policies on seclusion and population control.”

  Oryn snarled. “Commander, that is none of your concern!” said Oryn. “Now, mind your place.” Elinar remained silent, glaring at Oryn’s image in the water. “Besides, we have no knowledge of whether the sword will even work. The boy may very well be Telindell’s descendant, but the gods have been mostly absent since before the end of the first conflict. It is the Council’s belief that risking this boy and the riders is safer than risking our entire civilization. We are well hidden. It is possible that the Dalronians will not discover us,” said Oryn.

  Elinar shook his head. “That is bullshit, and you know it, father!” he said. “The boy has already slain one of them during his escape! He is our one shot at defeating them!”

  Oryn snarled once again. “I warned you to mind your--”

  Elinar quickly interrupted Oryn. “Tell me, is that General Oryn Durothil’s belief as well?” he asked. “The man who faced down these monstrosities the first time?”

  Oryn closed his eyes and sighed. “My belief is not what matters…” he said, pausing briefly. “It is the belief of the council on what action to take to preserve the Elven people.”

  Elinar turned from the magical bowl of water. “We cannot hide from this,” he said. “They could already be taking Kynlynn, slaughtering the humans. You know as well as I do that they no longer know how to wield magic. They have no chance. You also know what happens to the humans that are spared their death. They are changed into those monstrosities as well!”

  Oryn sighed once again. “It is unfortunate,” he said. “But the humans are not our concern now. They no longer know of our existence.”

  Elinar looked into the water at his father. “Again, whose fault is that? We could be united. A thousand years of preparation. Now, all that remains in human society of the nightmare we now face are bedtime stories and myths. They have no idea what we face!”

  Oryn remained silent for a moment, hearing the wisdom in his son’s words. “You may be right, my son,” he said. “The Council has already decided. I may be its leader, but I cannot act without our collective authority. Now, prepare to receive your orders.”

  Elinar glared at his father’s image. “Yes, Councilor.”

  Oryn looked away, then back to Elinar. “You will train the boy,” he said. “You will keep the sword and not allow him to use it. Even if they are not able to track you, they will be able to sense the boy’s energy if he is able to unleash it. Without that sword, releasing his power should be impossible. Maintain scouts watching Kynlynn and report any movements of the enemy immediately. As per your standing mission, you will not have any contact with humans, and your forces will observe and report regularly on their actions.”

  Elinar glared and nodded. “Anything else, Councilor?”

  “There is one more thing,” said Oryn. “I wished to relay this information to you privately, but the Council has requested that I do it now. The Council has reviewed your and Lady Teelia’s application for right of parentage. In light of the recent increase of the Elven population, we have to deny your application, despite Lady Teelia’s reaching the required age of one hundred and fifty years. I am truly sorry, my son.”

  Elinar stared at the image of his father, speechless, then finally able to muster words, “I… I understand, Councilor.” he said angrily.

  Oryn nodded. “I wish you the best of luck, Commander.”

  Oryn’s image faded from the water. Elinar looked to Teelia, who had heard every word. Tears were streaming down her face. Elinar let out an angry scream and flung the bowl from the pillar against the wall, shattering it.

  Elinar walked to Teelia and sat down beside her, wrapping his arms around her while she cried.

  Elinar laid his head against hers. “It will be alright,” he said. “We will have our family one day…” Elinar whispered into her ear, “Even if we have to defy the law.”

  Teelia looked at Elinar, still crying. “They can’t keep doing this,” she said. “The people won
’t stand for it much longer.”

  Elinar ran his fingers through her long black hair. “I know,” he said. “I know.”

  Teelia laid her head upon Elinar’s shoulder. “Your father knows better than this. All of this. Councilor Adanna is an arrogant, overly ambitious fool, and Councilor Manat, she is just his blind lackey. Stala and your father must abolish the Council.”

  Elinar nodded. “I agree,” he said. “There aren’t many left who have seen the horrors this war will bring. Most were born after, as you and I were. They may not follow my father as some of the others would. It would be almost as great a risk as doing nothing.”

  Teelia looked up at Elinar. “I love you, Eli,” she said.

  Elinar smiled. “As do I you, my lady.”

  Teelia struggled to smile at him.

  Elinar stood. “Now, dry your tears my dear,” he said. “Get dressed. I will regrettably inform Lady Lyssa and young Lian of what we must do.”

  Teelia nodded and winked at him. “I do like it when you order me around.” she said playfully.

  Elinar stood and exited his chambers. He walked through the barracks while many elves nodded and saluted their commander. The elves under his command respected him greatly. The fog was rising as Elinar exited the barracks. It was near midmorning. He looked to see Lyssa watching Lian and some of the Elven children play with Kane.

  Elinar approached and called to Lian and Lyssa, “Miss Lyssa, Lian, may I please speak with you?”

  Lyssa turned her head towards Elinar. “Of course,” she said.

  “In private, please.” said Elinar.

  Lyssa looked to Lian. “Lian, come.”

  Lian and Kane joined Lyssa and Elinar. The four walked away from any listening ears.

  “What is it, Elinar?” asked Lyssa, crossing her arms.

  Elinar looked to Lian, then back to Lyssa. “The council has made its decision,” he said.

  Lian looked at the two puzzled. “What decision?” he thought.