Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)

by Jacquelyn Smith

  As Iadrawyn followed in Malarin’s wake with Valanandir trailing behind her, the tingling sensation grew until it was almost unbearable. She scratched at her arms as they walked into the heart of Vila Eadros, the grassy hills rising to surround them on all sides. Her feet seemed to move of their own accord, drawing her forward.

  What was this power? Although she knew she should be afraid, she felt only a strange calm.

  The light was getting brighter. Iadrawyn blinked away tears. She didn’t know how she was managing to keep her eyes open in the glare. The fiery disc in the sky seemed pale by comparison.

  Just when it seemed the dream-like experience would never end, the hills fell away, revealing an earthy mound. The grass surrounding it ended in jagged edges as though torn up by claws. The pulsing white light was coming from a hole within.

  This was it.

  When Valanandir’s hand found hers to give it a reassuring squeeze, she knew she had made the right decision rescuing him. This was how it was meant to be. The sense of certainty she had felt when she had found him on the beach had returned. Even though the dragon’s appearance was completely unexpected, she sensed Malarin’s presence was also necessary.

  Giving Valanandir’s hand an answering squeeze, Iadrawyn stepped toward the hole. Once she took the first step, her feet continued moving without thought. It took only moments for her and Valanandir to arrive at the edge of the hill, Malarin looming over them.

  What lay within was pure light. Although it appeared white from a distance, now Iadrawyn could see it was actually composed of every possible color blended together in perfect harmony in the shape of an orb. Her free hand slipped forward into the hole until her entire arm was submerged within the heart of the light.

  A fiery burning sensation traveled up the length of her arm. Iadrawyn tried to pull away, but she was held fast. The burning spread throughout her body, from the tips of her toes to the crown of her head. Valanandir’s hand became a lifeline. She clutched at it with all her might. She thought perhaps she felt a small squeeze of response. She couldn’t see him. The light was consuming her. She tilted her head back in a silent scream.

  Suddenly the light was gone along with the pain, and there was darkness. Her perspective was disorienting. It was as if she were floating in the sky over an enormous ball of clay. A streak of pure light plummeted from the heavens to land deep within the core of the sphere below. She watched as the surface transformed. Hills and mountains appeared, followed by water and trees. Everything was covered by a layer of frost and snow. At first there was a single, giant landmass, but then there was a deafening crack and it split into two continents. One was clearly Ralvaniar. The other drifted to the west and out of sight. Iadrawyn realized she was watching the birth of her world.

  Time passed swiftly and soon spirits of light and darkness were born to wander the lands. She watched them evolve into the earthly forms she knew today. The elves were united at first, but it wasn’t long before they went their separate ways to follow their diverging interests. The creatures of darkness massed in the south, building a powerful stronghold.

  A dragon appeared in the southern skies, flying north toward Vila Eadros. Her red scales looked like the color of blood in the darkness. Although there was no way to tell, Iadrawyn instinctively knew the creature was female. Her movements were graceful and delicate. The dragon landed where Iadrawyn and her companions now stood and began ripping at the earth with her claws after heating the earth with her fire. Her charcoal eyes were bright with excitement and greed. She often looked over her shoulder to check the skies for intruders. She clearly intended to keep whatever she found for herself, and was frantic to get to it.

  When the earth finally did give way, a beam of light emerged. This only deterred the dragon for a moment before she reached for the hidden orb with both forepaws. As the creature clutched her prize in her talons, Iadrawyn could sense the gloating, possessive nature of her thoughts. She could also feel the stirring power of the orb.

  What happened next matched the words of Malarin’s tale of Lystari, only this time it was as if Iadrawyn were there, experiencing all the thoughts and feelings of Lystari and the orb. She watched in wonder as the silver sphere and flecks of light filled the sky, and Lystari’s final screams faded into nothingness.

  Iadrawyn knew a moment of fear. Would she suffer the same fate for daring to touch the orb? Feeling Lystari’s pain secondhand had been bad enough. Still, Iadrawyn felt as if she had been summoned here for this very moment. She surrendered to her fate, allowing her fear to melt away.

  The nature of the visions suddenly changed. What she saw next shook her to her very core. The visions continued, merciless in their onslaught. A cry burst forth from her lips and she felt tears on her cheeks. These revelations would change her and the world of Ralvaniar forever. Just when she thought she couldn’t possibly bear any more, there was a burning explosion of light and color.

  Then there was nothing.