Dawn of the Forgotten

by K.N. Lee

  She touched the rough branches and stones that he had brought for her. The power fused them together, binding the branches into one solid slab.

  A door? She couldn’t understand why Etheria asked her to make such a simple thing. Perhaps she should have been grateful. This was something she could have done as a child. She was lucky she hadn’t been asked to make something like a carriage or a sled.

  A door would do nicely.

  She flattened the stones, creating a slab on which the structure would sit. She stood as the materials began to form a definitive structure. They stepped back as the wood took shape as a medium-sized door that stood in the center of the wooded area behind Etheria’s cottage.

  When she turned to face Yoska and his mother, her nerves began to set in once again. What if it wasn’t good enough? It was just a door, after all, but she feared she’d not made a good show of her skills.

  “It’s done,” Aria said, in a soft voice.

  Etheria put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. “I know,” she said, and stepped forward to touch the door. She smoothed her hand across the wood and its frame.

  “This is very fine what you’ve made here, bordering on perfection. Who taught you?”

  “My father,” Aria said, shaking her head. “However, I’m sorely out of practice.”

  “Modesty,” Etheria said. “I like that.”

  She pushed the door open on the frame, revealing the thick woods beyond. As she did so, the sounds of the forest began to quiet, and the cold wind stilled.

  “But, let me show you what the Witch of the Wood is known for.”

  Yoska leaned close to her, startling her by his presence, his breath warm on her exposed neck. “Watch closely.”

  She did as she was told, and watched as Etheria lifted her staff toward the door. With her white eyes closed, she spoke to the wind and the sky, and began to sing.

  Aria’s eyes widened as she beheld the power that emitted from the beautiful Silver Elf. Her white hair lifted from her shoulders and flew around her narrow face. The wind took shape, like a whip, and color, the shade of the night sky. It wavered and rushed in circles around her, making her gown billow out.

  The hairs on Aria’s stood on end, and the back of her neck grew cold.

  “I call on the Mother, the Ancients, and The Winds,” she said, her voice booming despite the rustling of leaves as the wind picked up speed and ferocity.

  Aria stood with her legs open wider, and braced herself as it felt as though she’d fly away.

  “I call on Elahe, the creator of creators,” she shouted, and air grew colder—thicker. Her staff began to crackle and shoot sparks into the space around them. As she held it toward the door, Aria couldn’t believe her eyes.

  They widened as she watched the forest disappear from the other side of the door. As the image flickered and dissipated, it was replaced with a darkness that sent shivers up her spine. Whispers broke out in the forest, so loud that they were almost deafening, and she had to cover her ears with her hands.

  Etheria grinned, turning to Aria with eyes of black. “See, dear,” she said, motioning to the door, which now glowed with a golden light that lit the now darkened forest.

  Silence surrounded them, and all went still, as if the world was watching, waiting for something to happen. The sky had become dark, as if a storm was coming, with black clouds.

  “We can do great things with a bit of focus, and imagination.”

  She stepped forward, marveling at what she saw before her. Yoska joined her, keeping to her side.

  She touched the door, feeling its warmth, and peeked inside, where it looked out into nothing but black.

  “What is it? What have you done?” Aria asked.

  Etheria held her staff at her side.

  “It is a Mother’s Gate,” she said. “A portal to different worlds.”

  21

  “What is the meaning of this,” the woman yelled. Her voice echoed along the slick, stone walls and high ceiling that opened to a glass dome that let in the sun’s light.

  He just hoped they had the right woman. After days of searching, he was beginning to lose hope.

  She struggled against the guards as they dragged her into the center of the small conference room.

  Kavien stood at the open window, looking out onto the golden city stretched before him for miles. At either side of his throne sat Rahki and Faira on plush pillows. They waited, patiently, to see through their quest to find the one person who could help them find Lilae without harming her or revealing her location to Wexcyn.

  It was a dangerous move—one that could get him killed. But, it was worth it.

  Kavien would conquer all of Eura, but would not give up on Lilae. Such an ideal was impossible. To betray one’s heart, just when it started to feel again.

  He just had to find her before Sona or Dragnor did, and he still wasn’t sure where Wexcyn sent her.

  It was a foolish plot, but one he had to at least try.

  The woman yelling just might be the one he needed.

  “Call your dogs off if you value their lives.”

  “There is no need for violence,” he said. “I mean you no harm.”

  “Why have you brought me here, Emperor? I’ve done nothing. Just a traveler passing through.”

  “Passing through,” he said, cracking a smile. “Is that what you call it?”

  Kavien finally turned to face her, examining her completely. She was beautiful—stunningly so. He circled her, noting her bronze skin, and her short black hair. She kept it tucked beneath a sheer, red scarf with golden embroidery. Peasants kept their hair short, and this woman was no true peasant.

  She was something—someone far greater than a typical being of Ellowen. No, this woman was not from this world. He could smell magic emitting from her body. It was a faint blend of fire and rain, unlike any he’d encountered before.

  So many forgotten gods—so many from different worlds.

  Litha made it so that gods could now walk amongst the lesser races in Ellowen.

  Allowing Wexcyn to roam free was the worst the world could have imagined—but it wasn’t all bad, for some gods could be convinced to stand by his side.

  Red silk was wrapped around her body and draped over her shoulders like the customary dress of the Avia’Torenan nobility.

  He smiled as her large gray eyes met his. She swallowed and looked away, and yet, he could feel the power radiating from her. She was perfect.

  “What is it you want?” she asked again, this time a little calmer.

  “I need a woman with your rare set of skills.”

  She blinked, and he rolled his eyes.

  “You’re a Mithrani mage.”

  “I don’t know what you’re on about,” she said, scoffing and shaking her head.

  “Oh, but you do. Reveal yourself or I will send you to the dungeons.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “You wouldn’t. I’ve done nothing to justify it.”

  “And, yet I am the emperor of all of Avia’Torena, and nearly every human kingdom in the realm. You dare question me?”

  A smile came to her lips, and she titled her head to look at him from beneath long, dark lashes. “But, Emperor. If you truly know who I am, do you think I fear your dungeons?”

  He stared at her. Now, they were onto something.

  “I’ve been imprisoned in worse places than your measly dungeon.”

  “Then, drop the act and hear me out.”

  She licked her lips, and nodded toward his throne. “Send the guards and your whores away, and I will do as you command.”

  “They are not whores,” he said, lowering his voice. “Faira was the one to find you. She is a seeker of those with special traits…and yours are quite impressive.”

  She sneered at him but gave a nod. “Very well.”

  He waved for the guards to leave. “Wait outside, and close the door behind you.”

  The guards gave a bow, and did as they were told, quietly
closing the heavy door behind them.

  Once they were alone, she began to change.

  Her short black hair, grew until it hung to her lower back.

  “That’s better,” he said, watching tattoos appear on her forehead and arms.

  She came to her feet, and met his gaze, while two swords jutting forward—materializing out of the air, and into her grasp.

  “You have one minute to speak your business with me before I walk out that door.”

  Kavien shook his head and met her eyes. “I wish you nothing but respect, goddess. When Litha opened this world to other worlds, we feared the worst. But, you may be the best thing this world could have hoped for.”

  She grimaced. “I despise Litha, for she was the one to first imprison me.”

  He nodded. “And since, you’ve colonized worlds of your own.”

  Shrugging, she exhaled. “One or two,” she said.

  “So, what brings you to ours?”

  Pacing the room, her swords cast a golden glow around her. Dressed in gaiters and leather armor, she was the physical embodiment of strength and power.

  Not only that—she was a direct equal to his father.

  She was the Goddess of War.

  22

  “Preeti, is it?” Kavien asked, sitting at his throne.

  She glanced over her shoulder, and gave a single nod. “It is the name my mother and father gave to me. But, I have many others. Raina has grown on me.” Her face was expressionless, yet the mention of the name almost softened her.

  Perfect. They’d found her.

  “Good, Raina it is. I will keep your identity safe. But, I beseech you for your help.”

  “Go on.”

  “I want you to find The Flame before my father’s shadows do.”

  She raised a thick, dark eyebrow. “You want me to betray Wexcyn…a god amongst men. An original Ancient.”

  “Yes,” he said, nodding. “That’s exactly what I want you to do.”

  “And, why should I help you? I didn’t come to this world to get involved in Ellowen politics. These beings are not my creation. I have no right to interfere.”

  “True,” he said. “But, I do not ask you to interfere. I simply need your help keeping someone safe—someone who means a lot to me.”

  She pursed her lips. “Ah, I see. You are in love with her,” she said, and glanced down at the shiny, marble floor. “I can relate to your plight.”

  “I am glad that you do. You see, if she is harmed, many innocent beings will die at the hands of my father.”

  “And, you want to stop him?”

  He nodded.

  “To be honest, I came here to watch this world fall. The gods learn from one another, and this inevitable war seems catastrophic. I want to see what happens.”

  “Fine,” he said. “Watch and observe all you like, but please, find her for me. Protect her if you can. There are prophecies with her in them. She is destined to do so much, for this world, and for others.”

  Raina sighed, and closed her eyes. “Very well. I will do what I can without angering your father.”

  “Good,” Kavien said, relieved. “Thank you.”

  She looked to him, her large gray eyes filled with wisdom, and untold stories. “Don’t mention it. But, if he comes for me, I will have to destroy him.”

  That brought a smile to Kavien’s face.

  Yes, that was true. He was counting on it.

  23

  The sun had yet to cast its glow on the icy world below before Delia led them to the Shadow Tower.

  After days in the city of Leedun, they’d arrived to the one place that could give them a weapon strong enough to defend against not only armies, but gods.

  Now that Liam was healed, and everyone was well rested and prepared for the tower, Lilae was ready to complete their mission, and return to the place of her birth. Ayoki, Kenichi, Nani, and Grand Master Heru were also prepared, at her side.

  They stood before a massive, cylindrical structure. The top stretched high into the clouds, and the shiny surface of its wall reflected the light of the rising sun. Dark windows looked outward, perfectly lined up and down the sides of the tower.

  Lille narrowed her eyes as she tilted her head upward and peered at the eerie open archways that looked outward to the desert of salt before them. She swallowed and then licked her lips as she glanced at Delia.

  “What's inside?”

  Delia looked ahead, her cloak billowing in the frigid wind. “Great danger.”

  “Brilliant,” Rowe said, folding his arms across his broad chest. "When is there not great danger? Seems to be all we encounter these days.”

  “Steady now,” Liam said. “We've seen worse.”

  Rowe lifted a brow. "When exactly? Remind me of what was worse than this.”

  Liam didn't answer, and Lilae realized they all shared the same unease about the tower.

  “What will we encounter in there?” Lilae asked. “Do you know what dangers lie ahead?”

  She feared that Liam might not be well enough to enter the Shadow Tower, but he insisted on getting out of the bed in the inn and joining them.

  Grand Master Neru stepped forward, his face serene, eyes intense as he looked to the main entrance.

  “Tests,” he said. “Tests of mental and physical strength. I studied the Shadow Tower, briefly as a lad. It is said that creatures from the Underworld await inside, as it is a direct portal into the depths of the spirit realm.”

  “After you, then, Grand Master,” Nani said, nodding toward the entrance. Her translucent wings flapping behind her as she hovered in the air. “I’m not prepared for such tests.”

  Delia glanced back at them. “You are better prepared than you think. Not only do you have four very strong warriors, but, you have a healer, a damage dealer, and someone who can absorb powerful attacks. You are ready. Believe in yourselves. The Ancients have aligned this very moment in your favor.”

  Lilae's lips parted. Delia was right. Whatever they encountered, they would defeat as long as they worked together.

  “You are a perfectly balanced team. Now, go, find the talisman.”

  “Aren't you coming?” Lilae asked.

  Delia shook her head. “I cannot enter the Shadow Tower. I will meet you on the other side. But, first, let me bless you all.”

  Lilae squared her shoulders, standing before Delia as she lifted her staff and ignited a glow that laced up and down the stem and collected at the top.

  “I bless you all with increased mental clarity, might, and balance of power,” she said.

  With a sigh, Lilae closed her eyes and lowered her head as the magic emitted from the staff and hovered above each of them. Her mouth opened and her heart raced as the magic tickled her skin and absorbed into her body with a wash of heat.

  “Thank you,” Grand Master Neru said, bowing to Delia. “We will not let you down.”

  She smiled at him, the first smile Lilae had seen on her face in awhile. “I know,” she said, simply, and with a whoosh of air, shed her human form and became a black mass that dissipated into the air.

  “Go now,” she said, her voice coming from all around them. “You have before nightfall before my blessings fade and the tests will reset once you enter the tower.”

  That made them spring into action. They crossed the narrow bridge, gray dust, stones, and pebbles floating around them in a slow dance of sorts.

  They stepped inside, and beheld the sleep stone floor that stretched for miles ahead. The ceiling went high above—as high as the roof and lead to absolute darkness.

  The air was cold and stale and every footstep echoed along the stone walls.

  “Which way do we go?” Nani asked, holding onto her arms as she shivered in the cool air that wrapped around them. “Each hallway is the same.”

  “The wrong choice can be deadly,” Grand Master Neru said, his voice carrying along the open space.

  Lilae glanced around. It smelled of sulfur and something she couldn�
�t decipher. Stone archways that led to empty hallways of darkness surrounded them. In the center of the circular room was a statue of a cloaked figure with an open tome, its thin hand held out before it, as if urging them to stop.

  A warning.

  Liam drew his sword. “Remember what Delia said. We can do this.”

  Lilae nodded. “We must,” she said, quietly. “We have no choice.” Despite the warning in her lower belly, and the raised hairs on the back of her neck, she was ready for whatever awaited them.

  “On we go, then,” he said and everyone turned and followed him as he walked along the edge of the room, keeping clear of the strange markings engraved within the black stone floor.

  As they followed him to the open archway at the far end, Lilae's eyes continued to flicker to the giant statue in the center. Though she could see nothing of its face, for the darkness of the cloak covered it, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

  Her boots were suddenly too loud as she took steps along the floor. They echoed and heightened the tension.

  What would they face first in this tower of terror?

  Liam crossed the archway first, and Ayoki paused, her head tilted.

  "What is it?" Lilae asked, watching her as she sniffed the air.

  Ayoki lifted a hand, and held up one finger. Wait, she mouthed.

  “She’s right,” Grand Master Neru said. “Something is coming.”

  They all froze as a low growl vibrated along the walls, followed by a scraping sound that made Lilae cover her ears.

  Her eyes widened as she and the others watched a nude figure crawl on all fours with a steel mask on its face.

  She took a step back, glancing over her shoulder. "What is that?"

  Grand Master Heru's eyes glowed in the dark. "Something unnatural."

  It continued to growl, and tilt its head upward as if listening to their whispers.

  Then, it held a hand out, and motioned for them to come closer.

  Every muscle tensed, and she held her breath. Could they trust this creature?

  When it turned around, it seemed to be waiting for them to follow its lead.