by K.N. Lee
"What do we have to lose?" Liam asked, and Lilae released a laugh.
"Just our lives, is all," she said, and he shrugged.
"I'll protect you."
“You’d better,” she replied, tightening her grip on her sword.
She exhaled, and they followed the strange man down the hall. He led them through the tower, taking them through dungeons and rooms filled with horrific beasts, shadowy figures, and evil that made the air grow cold.
As they emerged to the final dungeon, the creature who led them froze in spot. His body became incased in stone and became just another statue that stood in the center of the dark corridor.
Her heart thumped in her chest as a cloaked figure raced to them it’s scepter held out toward them with the red glow in its eyes and a bright light shooting from the tip of the crystal ball.
Liam stepped before them all, blocking the magical rays with his body.
Lilae gasped as a shield of translucent aura formed before Liam. It glowed, and sparkled with energy that made the room grow hot.
She lifted her hands, taking the opportunity to form a bundle of red flames that she molded into a ball before her chest. She threw it, with a grunt of exertion, willing it to strike their assailant and prevent it from harming anyone.
Grand Master Heru darted across the hall, and with his sword, slashed the cloaked figure across the belly, and was thrown backwards by an energy shield that emerged from the figure’s body and grew outward.
Lilae’s scream was caught in throat as everyone in the room vanished within the blink of an eye.
Everyone but her and Liam.
“No!” The word erupted from her throat so loud that her eardrums rung, and the world around her shook.
This—this was not what Delia prepared them for.
The cloaked figure lifted a finger toward them, and the world around them melted away.
24
Everything was about to change, and it terrified Lilae to no end.
As her family and friends vanished, and she was left in the dark with Liam, her heart thumped in her chest, and for the first time, she had no clue what to do.
They were unmatched against this supernatural creature who could stop time, and change their reality.
Still, she was ready to fight.
With her last breath, if she had to.
All for an activation of a talisman she never knew held great power despite wearing it all of her life.
She and Liam held onto one another as a powerful gush of wind swept in and encircled them in cold waves.
All sounds were sucked away, and Lilae was certain her body would fly away if she let him go. "Don't let go," she begged Liam, tears stinging her eyes as she clutched his neck.
He tightened his grip around her. "Never."
The pain that surged through her body was relentless.
After a loud popping sound, the world meshed back to normal, and the screams that wrapped around them were indistinguishable.
When she risked a glance over her shoulder, images from her past surrounded her.
She gasped.
Pirin stood in the center of the dusty road, blood soaking his shirt.
He looked to Lilae, and as she began to run for him, he shook his head and held a bloody hand out.
No, he mouthed. Stay away.
It took everything within her to heed his warning.
With a jolt, the images vanished, and standing before them was the cloaked figure.
Lilae and Liam held hands, and turned toward it.
Whatever it was, they’d face it together.
Her brows lifted as the cloak’s hood was pulled down, and a beautiful woman beheld them.
No, she wasn’t just a woman.
She was unlike any being she’d ever seen.
“That’s right,” she said, her voice echoing off the walls, and within Lilae’s head. “I am Ocura Maga, a moon elf, and not of this world.”
Unsure of what to say, Lilae stared at her, trembling.
She lifted her sword, and the moon elf ripped it from her grasp, and caught it within her own.
With long, red hair, and shimmering skin, she was a true vision, and Lilae wasn’t sure if she was real. If Delia hadn’t told them that she would be waiting, she wouldn’t have believed her eyes.
Ocura Maga stepped forward. Her cloak transformed into a form-fitting black gown that clung to her curvaceous hips and buxom bosom.
Her lips curled over a white smile and sharp canines.
When she lifted her hand, Lilae’s necklace was pulled forward from her neck, with her dragged along as Ocura Maga used whatever dark magic she had to bring her closer.
Terrified, Lilae was brought right to the moon elf, almost close enough to touch noses.
With Lilae’s sword in one hand, she held the talisman with the other.
“So,” she said, looking from Liam, to Lilae. “You are one of the Chosen?”
Holding her breath, Lilae nodded. “Yes. As is he. I am The Flame, and he is The Storm.”
She nodded. “Yes. What you say is true. But, are you ready for what your titles require? Are you ready to lose everyone you know—everyone you love?”
A rush of cold went from Lilae’s head and down to her toes. Such a question was more than she could fathom—more than she wanted to imagine.
Liam stepped forward, calm, and collected.
“We will do whatever it takes to save this world,” he said, and Lilae whimpered as tears burned her eyes.
Ocura Maga met Lilae’s blurry gaze, and searched the depths of them.
“And, you, Flame. Shall I return your sisters and friends, and let you go free? Or…shall I keep them locked away in the Shadow Tower, and activate your talisman?”
The choice was impossible. Lilae didn’t want to choose.
She shouldn’t have to.
Why was this burden put on her shoulders?
“After all I’ve been through to get here, why would you do this to me?” Lilae’s question came out more like a sob, but she steeled her voice and went on. “I watched my father die before me, and my sisters be taken away to lose their innocence as slaves. I was enslaved. I fought the curse put on me. Why make me choose this now?”
Ocura Maga tilted her head. “Because suffering breeds strong character, strong warriors, fearless leaders, compassionate monarchs. If you wish to be the one to save the world, you must decide.”
Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach, and she squeezed her eyes shut as she thought of losing Risa and Jaiza again.
Something came to her. “Where is Ayoki, and Nani? They are Chosen as well. You cannot take them from this world.”
Her smile broadened. “They face their own choices, as you face your own. Now, make yours.”
Defeated, Lilae hung her head, shoulders shaking as she said the words that she knew would leave her heart forever broken.
“I choose the fate put before me,” she whispered. “I choose to activate the talisman.”
For a moment, there was absolute silence.
Lilae lifted her head, and wiped her tears from her cheeks. Liam took her hand, and they stood before the moon elf.
Ocura Maga nodded, her face unreadable.
Then, she vanished, and with a boom, Lilae’s talisman broke open.
She gasped and looked upward as a bright golden light erupted from the center of the room where Ocura Maga had just stood.
Her hand flew to cover her mouth as she beheld something from legends.
Something from the tales of the ancient days.
A golden dragon emerged from the light. With bright, green eyes, it outstretched wings the span of two men, and knelt before her.
“I am Runa, Master,” it said, in a calm, female voice. “I am yours.”
25
Aria stepped through the garden, the frosted saplings crunching beneath her boots. The quiet of the early dawn soothed her frazzled nerves.
It brought peace. She stood at the edge of the pro
perty, her hands on the wooden fence, as she looked out toward the brightening sky. Her heart slowed to a dim hum as she closed her eyes against stinging tears.
Liam was gone, but she had to press on.
The world needed her to be strong.
News of the fall of Dunhaven had reached Etheria, and the tale of a young Tryan boy with a dragon had stunned her.
There was something about that boy that sparked a renewed courage within her. She was ready to fight again. Ready to lead.
She glanced over her shoulder as Etheria walked along the grass to meet her. Yoska joined as well, and sat on a bench to watch, all the while, eating a buttered scone.
“Are you ready?”
Aria nodded, and turned to her.
"Close your eyes," Etheria said, placing her hands on Aria's shoulders. "Listen to my voice, and I will show you the truth for which you seek."
A cool sensation filled her veins as she stood there, held captive in the dark void. A whistle caught her attention, and she tilted her head, craning her ear toward the faint sound.
For a moment, it reminded her of the passing stream, its waters brushing against the stones.
Then, she caught something else—the sound of a baby's cry.
In her mind, she searched for it. The baby needed her, and she wouldn't stop until she soothed its suffering. As she floated through the darkness, white mist rose and curled around her ankles.
It was like a dark tunnel, wide, and vast. But, at the end, something shiny beckoned to her.
She raced toward it, determination setting her jaw.
Once she reached the tiny sparkle, something hit her.
She knew that cry. She remembered it from not too long ago.
How could she forget? It was the soft cry of her one and only child. As she drew closer, she realized that the baby had calmed. A beautiful baby boy awaited, his dark hair short, but thick. Blue eyes looked up at her, filled with magic, and love.
It smiled at her, and reached out its arms, as if asking to be picked up. When she reached down for it, it vanished. A howling wind ushered her attention upward, and as she followed it, her entire body became covered in gooseflesh.
There stood a man, his arm around a young woman with red hair, his hand wrapped around the hilt of a sword. It was then that he looked right at her, and gave her the smile that she would never forget. It was the same smile he gave her throughout his entire life.
And, when he nodded, she knew.
Aria's eyes popped open, and she was back in the garden with Etheria and Yoska. The full moon glowed above them, casting its light on the two Silver Elves before her.
"Liam," Aria said, her heart leaping into her throat. "He's alive."
Etheria nodded, her eyes glowing. Her mouth turned upward into a slight smile. "He is. And, he waits for you in Auroria."
Aria covered her mouth, and tears fell from her eyes. They streamed down her cheeks, and for the first time in weeks, they were tears of joy and not sorrow, or grief.
"You know what you must do."
"Go to him."
"Yes," Etheria said, and she reached for Yoska's hand. "Together, you go to Auroria. But first, go to the boy king and dragon."
Wiping tears from her eyes, she nodded as a smile took over her face.
“Yes,” she said. “I’ll go now.”
“Go,” Etheria said, the glow of her eyes fading as the white took over.
Aria ran into the cottage. She took two steps at a time to get to the top of the stairs to her room. In a frenzy, she dressed herself in traveler’s clothes and raced back outside. In just a jerkin with a cream blouse underneath, leather pants, and cape she was ready to take the Mother’s Gate.
Yoska was already waiting for her.
She gasped as he took her by the hand and pulled her into him.
“Where do you think you’re going? You can’t go anywhere without me,” he said, his eyes searching hers. “I will be with you always. Let’s not forget I am The Steel, and this is my battle. This is my war, and I am the key to helping you win it.”
She looked at him with tears in her eyes. As she closed them, they trailed down her cheeks. Then, she nodded.
“I know,” she said. “There’s just something about you—something I’m not ready to face.”
He’d professed his love, and she froze whenever the urge to validate his feelings arose.
He kissed her—soft slow kisses that stirred something within her, and made her rethink her entire life. She melted into him as he wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her tight against his hard body.
This—this was what she was running from; the feeling he stirred within her—the passion he ignited.
Aria placed her hand against his cheek and held it there. She opened her eyes and tilted her head to meet his silver gaze.
“What are you doing to me, Yoska?”
He leaned closer, and pressed his forehead against hers. He whispered then. “Loving you,” he said, and she could have cried from the joy that filled her heart.
Instead, she wore a smile, and held his hand.
“Together,” she said. “let’s do this together.”
He nodded, and they turned to the Mother’s Gate—and hand-in-hand—they stepped into the portal.
Light—then darkness met them and in a rush of energy and cold they were swept away.
26
Sona flew on her wyvern above the smoke and fire of the battlefield. Wexcyn had sent her on another mission, and she vowed to never let him down again.
Her eyes searched for any movement other than the writhing and frantic jerking of burning Silver Elves.
She smiled at the chaos. It pleased her that she had done such a good job. The village was devastated by flames. She watched as beautiful houses were toppled by broken beams and burning wood.
“Steady now, Tollie,” she said to the wyvern as it glided just out of reach of the flames.
Despite their best attempts, there were already scores of Silver Elves and Tryans who had been warned. They already crossed the broken barriers to safety.
No matter, they’ll meet their end soon enough, Sona thought. She couldn’t wait to finally stand in the midst of a real battle again. She was growing weary of killing defenseless, untrained people. She craved a real fight.
She held the dagger in her hand. Liam’s blood still stained the blade. She gripped the hilt tighter and shot a bolt of Liam’s lightning into a tree and grinned as it fell onto a running old woman. She sat up tall. Everyone was dead.
Her head tilted backward and she closed her eyes.
Brilliant.
She grinned to herself. The grin quickly faded. Soldiers were coming for her.
Tall, silver haired elves in light armor swarmed from the caverns of the Cascadian mountains. With their shining weapons and determined expressions, a rush of excitement filled.
Finally, Sona thought. A real fight.
They spotted her and archers began shooting sparkling arrows through the darkness toward her. She led Tollie to the ground and hopped from its back.
Many of the soldiers had gone to the valleys to fight the Shadow Elves, leaving their homes unprotected. She figured this small troupe had been informed of her attack and had hurried back.
Sona withdrew two swords. She slid them from their harness strapped to her back and gave them a simultaneous swing through the air. They glowed green with her Tryan Enchant and she stood before her wyvern, waiting.
Tolie camouflaged itself with the ground and stealthily slipped away unseen. Wyverns were amazing rides, but they were annoyingly afraid of outright battle. They would carry their master through fights, but would hide at the first chance they got.
The soldiers gathered together. They were organized. She looked amused as they regarded her cautiously. They had heard about what she could do. The Mithrani people of Avia’Torena had given her a new name.
God’s Mistress. She found it very fitting. The Mithrani god had recruited
her for her beauty.
He had positioned her to seduce the Storm and to kill him. While she had failed at killing him, Wexcyn still had faith that with the power she had stolen and the skills she had with her swords and Charm, she was invaluable to him. She vied to rule by his side one day.
She walked toward the huddled group of soldiers as their shield went up. In unison they used their Agility to attack her from all positions. She stood their transfixed for a moment. She’d never seen Silver Elves in real battle. They moved similarly to the Shadow Elves, but there was such grace. Her mouth hung open for a moment as they seemed to move above the ground. Then, they attacked.
Everything became extremely fast. The sparkling swords and maces went after her. She dodged them, sliding through the mud and slashing through their legs with her enchanted swords. It sizzled through their armor and many were taken aback. It had been centuries since Tryans and Silver Elves had fought each other. Soon they realized the key to fighting her fairly.
Agility wasn’t key.
Vanish was.
Sona gasped as her sword was thrust into a Silver Elf. He had become translucent, her sword hitting nothing but air. She stared at her sword. It was stuck through the elf, and yet he smiled. Like a ghost, she could not harm him.
Her shoulders slumped.
Vanish wasn’t fair.
But, neither was she.
With a wicked grin, she used a single burst of energy and caught each of the men in the chest with one long bolt of lightning.
They trembled and cried out in pain as the electric currents jolted and shot through their bodies, leaving them nothing more than charred bits and bone.
Vanish may have been a magnificent ability…but, it was no match for Liam’s stolen power.
Sona realized that fighting the Silver Elves outright would be more difficult than she imagined. She shook the thought off and reached inside her pocket. She ran a finger along the smooth metal. Each race had a talisman, created during the first war of the races to protect them.
Too bad that little boy Wilem, the heir of Raeden had the Tryan’s talisman. It still angered her that Liam had gotten in her way of retrieving it. Still, all was not lost.