《Lyrid: Magic of Evil》


 Prologue

    ¡°Something isn¡¯t right. I feel it.¡± said the High One, pacing back and forth in front of the face of a white, large, sleeping beast and trying her hardest to keep her calm composure.


    ¡°She¡¯s fine, Your Grace,¡± began Pravence, ¡°If someone plans to awaken her brother, we would know, would we not?¡±


    ¡°We would only know once we see the effects of her brother¡¯s wrath. Other than that, we wouldn¡¯t know in the slightest unless told.¡± answered the High One, stopping her anxious pacing to pet the enormous beast.


    ¡°If it would make you feel better, we can go to his tomb to see if anything has been tampered with.¡± Ayane suggested.


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    ¡°No,¡± denied the High One, ¡°Just keep an eye on her.¡± she ordered, now rubbing the beast¡¯s nose. ¡°Do not hesitate to inform me of her behavior as she sleeps. It could be of great meaning. You both know the devastating effects of her brother.¡±


    Ayane and Pravence nodded their heads up and down as they watched the High One walk quickly away.


    ¡°I doubt anyone would ever try to awaken her brother.¡± Ayane stated, eyeing the large creature as it exhaled and twitched in her sleep.


    ¡°As do I,¡± Pravence said, adjusting her outfit of woven leaves and twigs, ¡°but the High One¡¯s senses are never wrong. Remember when she sensed something was going on in Arglor all those years ago? She¡¯s connected to Lyrid just as much as the rest of us, if not more.¡±


    Ayane dropped her smile and moved her curly blonde hair from her face.


    ¡°As much as I hate to admit it, you¡¯re right.¡±

 Chapter 1

    As he dug into the brown soil, pulling out carrot after carrot, James began thinking of when he should start planting the apple seeds he has.


    I should probably do it now. That way, they¡¯ll grow in time for autumn.


    It was a warm, sunny, spring day in the Kingdom of Rosepost. The combination of the chill of the wind and the heat of the sun felt like heaven. The kingdom was filled with people of many shades, sizes, and ages. All could be heard chatting about outside James¡¯ fenced farm as they carried on with their days, whether it be buying food, returning home, playing in the streets, or whatever the residents decided to do.


    James¡¯ farm was just inside the entrance to the kingdom, blocked off from the dirt road that connected all buildings in Rosepost so nobody could damage his crops as they walked by. His house, still located on his farm, was further back on his property, made of wood and roofed with stone tiles. It was a small house, but it was big enough for him and maybe one other.


    I should probably take these to the market now, pondered James, picking up the wheat-woven basket of carrots as he stood up.


    He was enjoying the day so far. He was able to work peacefully and undisturbed. The only things he wasn¡¯t too happy about were his soil-stained white skin and the dirt in his curly brown hair. But there wasn¡¯t much he could do about that, so he continued as though it wasn¡¯t there.


    As he walked down the dirt path that weaved through his crops to reach the exit of his farm, he could see three of the kingdom¡¯s knights walking by his fence. It wasn¡¯t unusual to see knights walking by. It is their kingdom too after all. But what baffled James was that all three of them entered through the gate. Each of them wore silver helmets, breastplates, and greaves with a sword tucked in a leather sheath on their wastes.


    What could they possibly want? I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve done anything illegal. I pay my monthly 5 silver coin property tax.


    James sat the basket of carrots back on the ground as the knights approached.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± James asked, shaking some of the dirt off his hands, his brows knitted.


    ¡°King Rosepost requires your presence at the castle.¡± loudly stated one knight.


    ¡°You will come with us immediately.¡± demanded another.


    James froze in place. ¡°What could he possibly want with me?¡± he stammered.


    ¡°You will find out when you get there,¡± rudely said the other knight. ¡°Come with us, now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to find someone else.¡± responded James, picking up his basket of carrots once again. ¡°I have done nothing wrong, so there¡¯s no need for my presence there. And I have somewhere I need to be.¡± he said as respectfully as he could, with a smile.


    He began to walk past the knights, doing his best to ignore the offended looks on their faces.


    As he squoze past, two of them aggressively grabbed both his arms and yanked him back, causing him to spill and drop his basket of carrots.


    ¡°YOU¡¯RE COMING WITH US,¡± rudely yelled one knight, spitting on James¡¯ face a little.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t your parents teach you to obey the king¡¯s men?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have parents.¡± James answered, irritated that all his carrots were now spilled all over the ground and disgusted that there was spit on his face.


    As the knights forced James out of his farm and into the busy streets of Rosepost, James wondered what the KIng needed from him. He had never been called to the castle before. He had never even been close to the castle.


    This is why I don¡¯t hope for good days. They always get worse somehow. Whether it be rain or something just completely out of the ordinary. Something always ruins my day.


    The knights barged through everyone walking down the streets, holding James¡¯ arms with a tight grip.


    ¡°Move!¡± fiercely demanded the knights as they pushed and shoved, men, women, and children out the way.


    James was shocked by their behavior. You¡¯d think they would have a little respect for the woman and children at least, he thought.


    ¡°Sorry.¡± he quietly said to a woman who he was quite sure was pregnant as the knights violently moved her out of their way.


    Their aggression was unneeded. The peasants of Rosepost Kingdom were not uncivilized and violent. King Rosepost trained his men to look down on peasants and treat them like animals. In his eyes, they were worthless and nothing but decoration to make his kingdom look nice. He cared not about their well being, even if there was a food shortage or contagious disease.


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    ¡°What do I need to go to the castle for?¡± James asked the knights once again. They didn¡¯t respond. Not even a glance came from them.


    Eventually they reached the castle. The castle, currently housing the Rosepost family, which consists of King Rosepost and Princess Rosepost, was a large, square, two story, stone brick structure with 2 spires built into it; one in the back and one in the front. The pointed roofs of the spires were bright red and shining in the sunlight.


    I¡¯ve never seen it upclose before, James thought as the guards forced him through the big brown doors of the castle, passing by four more knights who were guarding the doors.


    Inside the main room of the castle was a large, circular, cream colored rug laid on the dark wooden tiled floor. A golden chandelier holding many wax candles swung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire room. There were more, human-height wooden doors in the room, leading to other rooms.


    The knights guided James through one of the doors, stepping on the rug as they walked, which felt like soft fox fur.


    Stairs now stood before James and the knights, leaving behind the sound of the chandelier creaking as it swung.


    ¡°Upstairs, peasant.¡± a knight demanded after they let go of James¡¯ arm.


    ¡°Is he up there?¡± irritably asked James, tapping his finger against his thigh.


    ¡°UPSTAIRS!¡± screamed another knight.


    James sighed, shook his head from side to side in disbelief of the knights¡¯ rudeness, and proceeded to walk up the wooden stairs, each one creaking as he stepped.


    ¡°WHO ARE YOU?¡± James heard from in front of him.


    Startled, he looked up and saw King Rosepost sitting on his gold, red-dyed leather cushioned throne.


    King Rosepost was old, fat, and frail-looking. His beard was long, white, and matted like unkempt wool. He wore a polar bear fur scarf with purple streaks over his thick, red, royal robe. A bejeweled gold crown sat on his head, hiding his lack of hair.


    ¡°I- er- you called me here.¡± shakily answered James, a tad bit nervous.


    The King paused for a moment, staring at James.


    Does he not remember? This is why old men shouldn¡¯t sit on the throne. They can barely think for themselves. Let alone move without needing help, thought James, running his fingers through his hair.


    ¡°Ah,¡± began King Rosepost with his crunchy, stale voice, ¡°James, is it?¡±


    ¡°Yes, your Highness.¡± James slowly replied, inching a little closer to the throne.


    ¡°Ah, yes. If you haven¡¯t heard, which I¡¯m sure you haven¡¯t given your low title, my daughter has been kidnapped.¡± stated the King, coughing through some of his words.


    ¡°Kidnapped by who?¡± questioned James, ignoring the King¡¯s comment about his position. He was a little shocked by this new information. Who would kidnap the Princess? She isn¡¯t even an adult yet.


    ¡°You know our neighboring kingdom, the Dark Kingdom?¡± the King asked.


    ¡°Unfortunately, yes.¡± James answered, wishing he could just go home.


    ¡°Their ruler, Lord Darkstar, took my precious daughter. I need you to retrieve her for me, if you will. Well, you don¡¯t really have much of a choice,¡± King Rosepost stated, not showing a single expression of worry or despair. ¡°Go get my daughter. Now, please. She is probably terrified.¡±


    James went cold.


    ¡°You want me to do what?¡±


    ¡°I want-¡±


    ¡°You literally have an entire army of capable men but yet you want a farmer to do it?¡±


    ¡°Well, they¡¯re of a higher standard than you. It¡¯d be a shame to lose any of them. You¡¯re strong. I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t mind, right? It¡¯s not like you have a reason to live. Such a poor life you live.¡±


    James now went hot, the skin on his face a flaming red.


    ¡°How can you be so cruel?¡± he shouted, squinting his eyes. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just go do it yourself?¡±


    The King nastily coughed with shock. ¡°RETRIEVE MY DAUGHTER NOW, YOU WORTHLESS ANT!¡±


    James took a deep breath, his heart rate increasing every time he looked at the King.


    ¡°Can I at least have a sword?¡± he sighed, crossing his arms.


    ¡°Ask the knights for one of theirs.¡± the King answered, stroking his beard.


    James bowed and turned around, heading back toward the stairs.


    ¡°Also,¡± James began before he walked down, ¡°everyone knows you only adopted the Princess because you can¡¯t have children of your own. No woman is dumb enough to sleep with that,¡± James shockingly stated, eyeing the King¡¯s oversized body. ¡°You should try to actually take care of your daughter. She¡¯ll be eighteen soon. I¡¯m sure she would choose to live among us peasants than with a fat boulder who''s been glued to the throne ever since she was a child.¡±


    James hurried down the stairs as he heard the king gasp and violently cough many times. He felt a bit proud that he stood up for himself.


    He stuck his hand out in front of one of the knights that brought him there.


    ¡°I need your sword.¡±


    ¡°Take it, nitwit.¡± the knight sharpy said, quickly taking his sword out its sheath.


    James grabbed it and walked out the big wooden doors, stepping back into the general population.


    ¡°Excuse me.¡± he uttered to many people as he headed to Rosepost Kingdom¡¯s exit.


    It¡¯s a good thing I paid attention during geography in school, James reflected once he exited the kingdom.


    He scratched his scalp before. It¡¯s going to be a long day. He then walked around the tall stone walls of the kingdom and headed south.

 Chapter 2

    Of all the forests James had seen, the Aqualeaf Forest was definitely his favorite, though he hadn¡¯t seen many. The forest was spacious and rich with trees with blue leaves and dark blue bark. The thick branches with abundances of leaves on each blocked out the sun, allowing its own light sources to illuminate the magical woodland, which included fireflies of shiny, blue light, and pixies, golden and flickering their bright auras and sprinkling thin, golden, bright flakes as they flew around, both lighting the forest. Bushes, leaves green with berries of blue, were scattered about.


    If only I could just live here instead of Rosepost, James longingly thought, treading through the forest, following the paved dirt path and taking in all the beauty.


    He felt a mass calm feeling as he gazed upon the trees, feeling the soft, tall, green grass brush up against his legs as he walked. The wind beat against his skin like a soft blanket, comforting and peaceful.


    Rabbits, varying in color, ran around while deers feasted on the berries of the bushes.


    Placed on the side of the path, James came across a stone statue of a woman on a pedestal, covering her chest and pelvis with her long hair. It was mossy, had splotches of dirt on it, and covered in green vines.


    I wonder who made this, James wonderedt, curious of the statue¡¯s age.


    He stepped closer, scraped a couple of the vines of the pedestal with the sharp end of his sword and revealed words, carved deep into it.


    TARA: MOTHER OF ALL


    Perhaps it¡¯s from an old religion.


    Looking down, James could see a spot on the pedestal of the statue was missing. The missing chunk sizzled and smoked, molten lava dripping off it and onto the floor. He bent down and picked up a piece of white silk, burnt so badly the color almost looked black.


    This isn¡¯t normal, James thought, feeling the smooth silk on his fingers. It felt too rich to be from a peasant, and it definitely felt too rich to be out in the forest. It must be from the princess.


    Before he could examine it any longer, the faint sound of heavy footsteps startled him, clanking as they hit the ground. He jumped up and hid behind the statue, hoping he wouldn¡¯t be heard by whatever was making the menacing sound. The footsteps grew closer as he peeked around, viewing what was coming.


    A black horse, covered from head to hoof in black, rocky armor with streaks of molten lava treaded down the path, mounted by a man wearing similar armor to the horse, skin pale and eyes sharp, holding the reins as they both filled the area with heat and skin-crawling evil. His helmet stretched across his face, only allowing his nose and his eyes to be visible, as frightening as they were.


    James carefully watched as the animals fled at the sight of them, hiding amongst bushes. His heart pounded as his fear of being seen increased. He moved back behind the statue, holding his breath and covering his mouth, eyes stretched.


    Suddenly, the sound of the horse¡¯s heavy footsteps stopped, along with James¡¯ heart. The sound of the reins dangling and the menacing man jumping off the horns sent chills down James¡¯ spine.


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    Curious, yet terrified, James slowly stuck his head back out from behind the statue, peaking to see where the man stood.


    He nearly screamed as the man, in his bulky armor, stood there with his hand on his sheathed sword, his eyes white.


    James jerked back, hoping he had not been seen. His heart pounded, a hammer hitting everything but the head of the nail, as he quickly grew hot. He could hear the man¡¯s deep, congested breaths, as though he was sniffing out an unusual smell. With every sniff, James shook more.


    Cautiously peeking, James gazed upon him, still standing in the same position, his hand on his sword and staring directly at James. Can he not see me?


    James moved further out from behind the statue of the goddess, staring face to face with the man. Looking at his breastplate, James saw a symbol of a snake entangled in a five pointed star. He must be from the Dark Kingdom, concluded James.


    He soon realized the man was indeed blind.


    Carefully and slowly, he scooted past the man and his horse, holding his breath. The man sniffed and fished faster as James nearly skimmed him with his arm.


    Once past the man, James finally began to breathe again, relieved that he¡¯d made it, or so he thought. The unmistakable sound of the man sword being yanked from its sheath sent James into shock. He stood there, shivering and shaking, staring at the path winding deep into the rest of the magical forest.


    As he slowly turned his head around, sure of his fate, he saw the man wasn¡¯t even behind him. Instead of aiming his sword directly at James'' neck, ready to strike, he was pointing his sword as the goddess statue, fishing aimlessly for anything unusual, still sniffing around like a dog.


    James let out a sigh of relief. Though, he began to feel bad for him. Glancing down at his palm as he watched him, slowly backing away, he noticed he was still holding the piece of burnt silk and his sword.


    Right, he remembered, the princess.


    Turning back around to face the path ahead, he began to slip away from the area, cautious of the man. The further he got, the more the calm, enchanting breeze replaced the sudden heat. For what seemed like days he walked, hoping with each step that the Dark Kingdom would be just around the corner. Eventually, he arrived.


    The Dark Kingdom lived up to its name. Dark gray clouds covered the sky of the entire kingdom, blocking the sun. The grass was scorched and crunched as the bottom of James¡¯ feet met with it. Moats of lava, geysers shooting up fire, and black, leafless trees that looked deprived of all life filled the land, causing light and heat far beyond normality. No water, no animals, and definitely no plant life thrived in the kingdom.


    The houses were cone shaped, staked with long branches from the scorched trees and covered with burnt, white sheets, partially open to allow passage in and out. Some were bigger than others, some consisting of what seemed like butchers, poking and stabbing at a carcass of a deer that must have wandered in from the Aqualeaf Forest, some consisting of men and women spinning molten lava to make clothes and armor, the same as the ones they wore and similar to the armor of the blind man in the forest. A large wooden dome stood tall in the center of the Dark Kingdom, taller than the cone houses.


    The eyes of the residents were white, like the man from the forest. Many of what seemed like duplicates of the blind man patrolled around the kingdom, dressed the same, too many to count.


    There is no way I¡¯m going to survive this, James thought, gazing upon the fiery landscape, his mouth trembling and his forehead scrunched as he fidgeted uncomfortably, overheating and sweating.


    He gripped his sword and dropped the scorched silk. The princess is somewhere in here. Looking back at the forest behind him, he longed to return to his farm, to feel the breeze on his skin, to feel at peace again. He knew it wouldn¡¯t happen unless he completed his task appointed to him by King Rosepost. Dead or not, might as well just get it over with.

 Chapter 3

    Many soldiers, armored like the one in the Aqualeaf Forest, patrolled throughout the Dark Kingdom, blind in the eyes, mixed in with the civilians.


    James, sneaking around, did all he could to avoid being heard by both the civilians and the guards, for even just the sound of his breathing would get him caught in the piercing silence. He slid between the cone shaped houses, squeezed between civilians and soldiers while barely breathing, and tiptoed everywhere, all sweating from the excruciating heat of the land. James had never been this hot in his life.


    It was a miracle he made it to the black dome in the center of the kingdom. He stood in front of the doorless entrance, his eyes stretched, gripping his sword tight as he tried to calm himself. In front of him were two men, both wearing burgundy robes and a black belt with a shiny, red gem in the center of it. One had black hair and looked young, the same age as James, and the other looked old, gray hair and wrinkles forming. Something about their eyes disturbed James deeply. He didn¡¯t know if it was because they were red, or if it was because they were empty. The men glared at James, squinting their eyes in utter confusion. Behind them was a muscular man, presumed to be Lord Darkstar, sitting on a molten throne, wearing black robes and a gold crown and gripping his hand on a young woman who had long, curly, brown hair, dressed in an elegant white dress with her hands bound by rope. A brown cloth was tied tightly around her mouth, preventing her from speaking. A long black rug was laid down on the ground inside the dome, stretching from the entrance, where James stood, to the throne, where Lord Darkstar sat.


    Surely, they¡¯re blind too, James pondered.


    ¡°You¡¯re King Rosepost?¡± questioned the young one.


    James¡¯ heart sank to his knees, pounding and pulsating. Looking at them made him tremble with fear.


    ¡°My name is James.¡± he mumbled.


    ¡°Speak louder, boy. We can barely hear you.¡± demanded the older one.


    ¡°My name is James.¡±


    ¡°Are you one of his knights?¡± asked the blacked haired one.


    ¡°Who¡¯s knight?¡± James could barely think straight, terror sweeping over his body.


    ¡°King Rosepost, you fool.¡± answered the old one.


    ¡°No. I¡¯m a farmer. He sent me here to retrieve his daughter.¡±


    The faces of the two men quickly changed from confusion to disappointment.


    ¡°I TOLD YOU BOTH THIS WOULDN''T WORK!¡± shouted Lord Darkstar. He jumped up from off his throne and down the black rug, pulling Princess Rosepost along with him.


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    ¡°Both of you, out of the way,¡± he angrily ordered as he pushed through the black and gray haired men. He threw the Princess down beside James, her landing on her knees when she fell. ¡°I told you both that he was too lazy to get off his fat rear even if his own daughter was at stake.¡±


    ¡°It amazes that he¡¯s so lazy that he sent a farmer to save her.¡± stated the black haired man.


    ¡°We gain nothing from killing a farmer,¡± Lord Darkstar sighed. ¡°Just leave. And take the girl with you. There¡¯s no point in her staying either.¡±


    They want to kill the King?


    James was confused as to why anyone wanted to kill him. If it was for his lack of caring for the residents of his kingdom, then he could understand. But something told James that something darker was at play.


    Without hesitation, James grabbed Princess Rosepost¡¯s hand and they both exited the kingdom, once again sneaking between houses and blind civilians and avoiding soldiers.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Princess Rosepost said after James removed the cloth tied around her face, both relieved they¡¯d reached the Aqualeaf Forest alive. ¡°I don¡¯t think I would have survived any longer if you hadn¡¯t showed up.¡±


    ¡°Why is that?¡± James asked, throwing the brown cloth down on the green grass and beginning to untie the rope tied around her hands.


    ¡°They began to talk about cutting my head off and leaving at the entrance to our kingdom. Something about sending a message to my father if he didn¡¯t show up.¡±


    Princess Rosepost¡¯s words disturbed James deeply. What, besides being a terrible king, did King Rosepost do to deserve this? And why bring his daughter into it?


    Choosing not to respond, James threw the rope on the ground. ¡°Your father is probably worried about you. Let¡¯s go back now.¡±


    ¡°I can assure you, he isn¡¯t. He cares about his crown more than he does me,¡± she replied. ¡°I¡¯m sorry he dragged you into whatever those men want with him.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault he¡¯s lazy.¡±


    James and the Princess continued walking through the forest, feeling at peace now that they were away from the Dark Kingdom.


    ¡°If I ever become queen, I promise I¡¯ll be much better than my dad. If I¡¯m not, I give you permission to overthrow me.¡± stated Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°If I had the guts to overthrow anybody, I would¡¯ve done it a long time ago,¡± James laughed. ¡°But I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be much better than him.¡±


    ¡°Well done, James,¡± King Rosepost celebrated as his daughter and James stood before him. ¡°You can return to your farm now.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, that¡¯s it? Just well done?¡± questioned James, trying to hide his growing anger.


    ¡°Well, what did you expect?¡± coughed the King.


    ¡°You can at least pay him,¡± stated Princess Rosepost. ¡°You made him walk miles to do something you could have done yourself.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯s just fine. Isn¡¯t that right, James?¡±


    James stared at the King blankly, outraged. There¡¯s no way he¡¯s serious.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Princess Rosepost quietly said to James.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, I¡¯m just happy you¡¯re alright.¡± James politely replied, turning around and walking down the creaky stairs.


    Despite half the day being gone already, James tried to focus on the fact that soon he could return to his normal, peaceful, undisturbed life as a farmer. Or so he thought.

 Chapter 4

    Exiting his farm on a sunny autumn morning, holding a wheat-woven basket of apples in his hands, James walked down the busy road of Rosepost Kingdom, headed to a market where he could sell the apples. He squeezed through all the men and women who were headed either to their jobs or homes, the chilled wind blowing his hair.


    The bright green leaves on the trees were beginning to turn to warm shades of red and orange as they swayed and fell from the trees, covering the dirt path and browning grass.


    ¡°Having a good day?¡± James, with a smile on his face, politely asked an old man standing behind a market stand displaying all kinds of fruits and vegetables as he approached.


    ¡°Indeed I am,¡± the old man happily answered. ¡°You can sit that right behind here.¡± He said, motioning for James to come behind his stand.


    ¡°How¡¯s the family?¡± James asked as he sat the basket of apples down in front of the old man.


    ¡°Well,¡± the man began, picking each apple, one by one, and placing it down in the baskets in front of his stand, ¡°my wife is now complaining that we don¡¯t make enough money and my son finally bought his place to live.¡±


    ¡°If you need money, I¡¯d be happy to help.¡± James offered, helping the man transfer the apples.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that. She just wants a bigger house to store all of her dolls in. But that reminds me,¡± The old man began digging into the pockets of his trousers. ¡°Here.¡± he said, holding a small sack of silver and gold coins.


    ¡°I¡¯ll probably come back with more in a few weeks. Or days, depending on how fast they grow.¡± James stated, grabbing the sack and putting it in his pocket.


    ¡°Alright then. It was nice seeing you again,¡± the old man said, giving James his basket back.


    James smiled and nodded as he took his basket and began walking back toward his farm. The closer he got, the clearer three of King Rosepost¡¯s knights standing at his gate became.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± he irritably asked, the annoyance in his voice very apparent.


    ¡°The King requires your help.¡± stated one of the three knights.


    ¡°Again? It¡¯s been six months! What could he possibly want now?¡± Anger and frustration slowly became of James.


    ¡°WATCH YOUR TONE, PEASANT!¡± shouted another knight.


    James let out a sigh of vexation as he sat his basket down next to the fence. ¡°If we are going to the castle, then let¡¯s go now. It¡¯s not like I have a choice anyway.¡±


    Then, one of the knights snatched James¡¯ arm and pulled him, barely allowing him to walk normally as they all made their way to the castle.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to pull me.¡± James angrily mumbled.


    As they did six months ago, the knights pushed and shoved all the peaceful men and women out of the way, knocking some to the ground.


    Once inside the castle, the knights told James to go up the stairs to see the King, where he always was.


    He has knights. There is literally no reason for him to ask for my help again, James thought as he walked up the creaky stairs.


    Once again, he stood before the old and crumbling King Rosepost, slouching in his throne with what seemed like crumbs in his long, gray beard.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± James asked, straightforwardly.


    ¡°That¡¯s no way to speak to your king¡± coughed the king.


    ¡°Just answer me so I can go on with my life.¡± James looked at the King with disgust, wishing his daughter sat in that throne and not him.


    ¡°Well then,¡± he began, wiggling up from his throne, ¡°do you see that letter over there?¡± he asked, pointing over to a window with a pigeon perched on a thin wooden pole outside it. On the edge of the window was a paper, rolled up and tied with a violet ribbon.


    ¡°What about it?¡± questioned James.


    ¡°It¡¯s a letter from the elves of Arlinbliss. They are in some sort of danger and need help,¡± stated King Rosepost. ¡°You can help them, can¡¯t you?¡±


    James stared at the King in disbelief.


    ¡°You don¡¯t actually expect me to go to another kingdom when you have an entire army at your command?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I see the problem. You can collect a sword from one of the knights.¡±


    James scoffed as he turned around to walk back down the stairs. I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if mold was growing underneath him.


    After taking a sword from one of the knights, James exited the castle and headed to the kingdom¡¯s exit. He walked past all the other people wishing he could be just like them, unbothered and hard at work.


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    I don¡¯t even know where to go.


    He walked around the walls of the kingdom until he reached the east side of the wall. In the distance, he could see the Luminescent Forest, its tall trees making it apparent to the far eye. I guess I¡¯ll go that way.


    The Luminescent Forest was a beautiful sight to see. Its trees were tall, its bark brown and its leaves orange and glowing, lighting the forest with a sort of enchanting glow. The grass was a dark shade of shiny yellow and felt smooth as James walked on it. Silence was abundant as human and animal life wasn¡¯t. It was so quiet, James could hear his own breathing combined with the sound of the trees swaying and shaking in the cool, calm wind.


    But the forest¡¯s hypnotizing sights were the last thing on James¡¯ mind as he trekked through, hoping he was heading that right way. He longed to return to his farm. To be left alone by King Rosepost. He was deep in his thoughts of anger and desire, so much so he didn¡¯t see the large patch stones in front of him, or the wooden cabin with a smoking stone chimney in the distance. He tripped and fell to the ground, dropping his sword next to him as he descended.


    This day possibly can¡¯t get any worse, he thought, trying to ignore the pain in his legs, arms, and chest from falling on the stones.


    He grabbed his sword as he arose, thus seeing the patch of stones was larger than he thought. They were neatly arranged into the shape of a triangle. Inside the triangle was a stone depiction of an eye. At the three corners were small, but very clear depictions of the sun, the moon, and a leaf, one at each corner.


    Someone must live here, James thought, staring curiously at the strange, symbolic shape.


    ¡°I saw you fall. Are you alright?¡± a voice, soft and deep, asked from behind James.


    Startled, James gasped and whipped around. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said with relief. ¡°You scared me.¡±


    In front of him was a man holding a bundle of logs. His brown hair, which seemed to be turning gray, was short and wavy. His eyes were light blue, enhanced by his outfit, which was a brown tunic overlapped by a short, dark blue robe. Black trousers covered his legs and a black belt with a shiny, light blue gem in the center of it wrapped around his waist.


    ¡°Are you lost?¡± the man asked.


    ¡°I honestly don¡¯t know,¡± answered James. ¡°My name is James. My king sent me to help me the elves but I forgot which way Arlinbliss is.¡±


    ¡°I can show you a map, if you¡¯d follow me back to my cabin.¡± the man stated.


    ¡°Thank you.¡±


    As James followed him back to his cabin, he couldn¡¯t help but be curious of the man. Does he live out here by himself?


    ¡°My name is Aviar, if you were wondering,¡± the man stated as they approached his cabin. ¡°Where are you from?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m from Rosepost.¡± James replied.


    ¡°The King still sends random people to do his work?¡± questioned Aviar, shocked.


    ¡°Yes. You lived there once?¡± asked James.


    ¡°I did a long time ago. He was a terrible king back then. Always glued to his throne and training his knights to treat the others as animals.¡±


    James couldn¡¯t fathom why he was surprised. No one becomes that way overnight. Some things don¡¯t change, he thought.


    Before they entered the cabin through its wooden door, James noticed the symbol carved into it, exactly the same as the stone one he had tripped over.


    ¡°This symbol,¡± he began, ¡°what does it mean?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s from an old religion,¡± Aviar replied, opening the door and entering. ¡°It¡¯s said to ward off demons and evil spirits.¡±


    ¡°Does it work?¡± curiously questioned James.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know. I¡¯m not as religious as I used to be.¡±


    Upon entering Aviar¡¯s cabin, James'' eyes stretched and his mouth dropped open.


    It seemed like a simple, rustic home with a stone fireplace built into the wall in front of a wooden table with wooden chairs behind it, one long and the other short. A few bookshelves filled with all kinds of books stood tall against the walls and a red rug laid flat on the tiled, wooden floor in front of the fireplace. But what snatched all normality from the cabin was the books floating in front of the bookshelves, some with pages turning as though somebody was turning it. But nobody was there.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared,¡± the man said as he walked over to the fireplace, noticing James¡¯ clear shock. ¡°It¡¯s just simple magic.¡±


    Magic?


    Though James knew magic existed, he was led to believe it was something to neve be messed with. Something evil.


    ¡°I thought magic was forbidden.¡± James stated, closing the door behind them.


    ¡°Magic is forbidden in Rosepost because the King is too lazy to learn how it works,¡± responded Aviar, placing the bundle of branches down by the crackling fireplace. ¡°Most people are afraid of what they don¡¯t understand.¡±


    ¡°Is that why you left?¡± James curiously asked.


    ¡°Something like that.¡±


    Aviar then walked over to a bookshelf and picked a folded sheet of paper off it, and, after looking at it himself, showed it to James. ¡°Arlinbliss is south from here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± James said, grabbing the map. ¡°I know we just met but would you like to come with me?¡± James knew the journey to Arlinbliss would be long and boring by himself.


    Aviar was a little shocked by his question.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure I would just slow you down.¡± he stated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± James replied. ¡°I¡¯m also sure I would need help with helping the elves.¡±


    Aviar stared at James for a moment, deciding whether or not to accept or decline his offer.


    ¡°Sure. I have nothing else to do anyway,¡± Aviar then walked back over to the fireplace. ¡°I just need to put this fire out.¡±


    James happily nodded and exited the warm cabin, rolling the map in his hand. Standing outside, he began to wonder why the elves needed help anyway. What was so important and dangerous for them to send a letter to another kingdom? His mind wandered to the Dark Kingdom and the men that were there. How lifeless their eyes were. Their belts, similar to the one wrapped around Aviar¡¯s waist. How the men, and Lord Darkstar plotted to kill King Rosepost. Was this another attempt? What have I gotten myself into?


    ¡°Are you finished?¡± James asked Aviar, who was walking out the door behind him.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Aviar answered, closing the creaking door behind him.


    ¡°Alright then,¡± said James. ¡°We should probably go now before it gets too late.¡±


    James and Aviar then proceeded to travel south, heading to the elven city, unknowing what they would face.

 Chapter 5

    In between the Luminescent Forest and Arlinbliss was Butterfly Grove, a green, grassy place rich with flowers of various kinds and butterflies of many vibrant colors, fluttering around in the open field along with fireflies, which only come out during the evening and night. The sound of crickets chirping combatted the silence, bringing both calmness and annoyance. The soft, tall grass rubbed against Aviar and James¡¯ legs as they walked through.


    ¡°Maybe we should rest here,¡± Aviar suggested as the dimming sun setted behind the scattered tall trees of red and orange leaves in the grove, his legs growing more weak and loose with every step.


    ¡°Isn¡¯t Arlinbliss just a little further?¡± James questioned, dropping his sword on the ground and unrolling the map, looking at the names and depictions of locations drawn in black ink.


    ¡°This grove is quite big,¡± Aviar said, sitting down on the soft grass. ¡°Most of it is actually unexplored as far as I know.¡±


    ¡°We probably would have gotten there faster on a horse.¡± James stated, rolling the map as he sat on the ground.


    ¡°How come the King didn¡¯t send you with one?¡±


    ¡°The same reason he didn¡¯t do this himself,¡± James replied. ¡°He¡¯s too lazy. And probably too fat.¡±


    And with that, James and Aviar laid back on the cushiony grass and soon fell asleep after the beautiful, small lights from and the fireflies put them in an enchanting trance. The butterflies too rested, stopping to roost for the night, and some the fast approaching winter.


    The beaming afternoon sun waking them up was a burden for them both. Never had they slept so deeply and peacefully without disturbance, whether it be people, dogs, or loud birds. More butterflies flew around in the air than there were the previous evening, accompanied this time by bees instead of fireflies, pollinating the bright flowers and searching for food.


    James grabbed his sword as he arose, the map already in his pocket. Hopefully the elves don¡¯t need too much help, he thought, rubbing his eyes with his free hand.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Aviar asked, adjusting his clothes, noticing James¡¯ tired face.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Continuing to travel to Arlinbliss, James and Aviar began walking through the grove once again, careful to leave the foraging bees undisturbed.


    After traveling for what seemed like days without end, the pair finally arrived at the elven city of Arlinbliss.


    Houses, shops, and structures, all built with polished marble bricks and topped by shiny, shingled roofs of various shades of violet and various shapes and sizes, were scattered about the elegant city, all connected by a bright, smooth stone path. The bushes along the path were green and lively, and the flowers were bright and colorful. Trees, some tall enough to tower over even the pointiest roof and some small enough for a child to climb, had bark of light brown and leaves of pink and purple, swaying in the wind.


    ¡°Something isn¡¯t right.¡± Aviar stated as he and James walked through the beautiful city, his skin overrun  an unpleasant tingly feeling.


    ¡°What?¡± James said, picking up his sword that he accidentally dropped.


    ¡°Look around,¡± Aviar said. ¡°There¡¯s nobody here!¡±


    Gripping his sword tighter than before so he wouldn¡¯t drop it again, James said, ¡°They could all just be in their houses.¡±


    But Aviar was right. Arlinbliss seemed like a ghost town. It was bare with no sign of life for miles. Not even a flock of birds could be seen in the sky, nor animals scurrying about on the ground, or bugs in the air.


    ¡°James,¡± Aviar began, walking over to one of the houses, ¡°It¡¯s empty.¡±


    With Aviar pointing at the house, James walked over to it and saw the wooden door was wide open, swinging slightly in the wind. Upon looking around, they saw all the houses, shops, and workplaces¡¯ doors were open, with nobody inside and nobody in sight to have done it.


    ¡°Did King Rosepost ever say what was wrong with the elves?¡± Aviar asked, closing the door of the house he and James stood in front of.


    ¡°No. He only told me they needed help,¡± James answered. ¡°Maybe everybody is there.¡± James suggested, pointing at a large, circular, dome-roofed building on a hill.


    ¡°Maybe so.¡±


    Aviar and James then continued walking through the large city, both of them suspicious, until they reached the town square.


    What happened here? James questioned.


    The town square, which was right in front of the hill on which the circular building was,  was destroyed. Fruit stands were overturned with various fruits spilling out onto the path, the large, polished statue of Osono, the ruler of Arlinbliss, was covered in scratches and dirt, and bushes and flowers were uprooted. It looked as though a battle had taken place there.


    ¡°Do you think-¡±


    Before James could finish his question, the touch of someone¡¯s hand other than Aviar¡¯s, who was in front of him, made his heart jump. Turning around he was met by an elf, dressed in shiny, silver armor with amethyst gems embedded in some parts and holding a sharp glaive, was behind him. Had he not had his sword to block the elf¡¯s attack, James¡¯ head would¡¯ve been on the ground.


    ¡°We¡¯re here to help,¡± James frantically stated as Aviar quickly turned around after hearing the sounds of the weapons clashing. ¡°There¡¯s no need to fight us.¡±


    ¡°James, stop.¡± Aviar stated, slowly approaching behind him. Looking at his eyes, Aviar could see something was wrong with the elf. His eyes were tinted red and lifeless.


    The elf raised his glaive once again in an attempt to attack James and Aviar. But before he could, Aviar held his hand out towards him and shot out a large, light blue orb, glowing and slightly translucent, his hand tinting itself blue when he did.


    The elf fell straight to the ground and dropped his glaive once the magical orb made contact with him, the orb disappearing on upon impact and sending a small gust of wind in every direction.


    ¡°How did you do that?¡± James asked, wide eyed and lowering his sword.


    ¡°It¡¯s just magic,¡± Aviar answered, walking over to the elf. ¡°Why did you attack us?¡± he asked him, standing over him.


    The elf coughed and stretched his fingers to grab his glaive. ¡°A foe of Evisior¡¯s is no friend of mine.¡± he stated before quickly grabbing the glaive and shoving through his face.


    James and Aviar¡¯s mouths dropped as they turned away from the elf, blood gushing out of his deformed face and flowing onto the path.


    ¡°There¡¯s another wizard here.¡± Aviar stated, moving away from the dead elf¡¯s body.


    ¡°How do you know that?¡± James asked, deeply disturbed by what the elf did. Gore was something that didn¡¯t sit well with James, especially when it''s of humans or human-like creatures.


    ¡°Look at his eyes,¡± Aviar said, pointing to the corpse. ¡°Red eyes are a sign of mind control. Which, in terms of magic, isn¡¯t good.¡±


    Aviar saw James¡¯ eyes were squinted in confusion.


    ¡°Magic is split into two types. Out of the hundreds, some are pure and some are evil. And some have been lost to time. The kind that was done here is called Illusion Sorcery, which is the opposite of mine and is very dangerous.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your kind?¡± James asked.


    ¡°Celestial Wizardry,¡± Aviar answered. ¡°But now isn¡¯t the time to talk about that. We need to help the elves before it¡¯s too late.¡±


    James was still very confused as the topic of magic was something entirely new to him. He decided to take the wizard¡¯s word as truth because, obviously, he was skilled in that territory.


    They both hurried up the stairs built into the hill, hoping the elves were safe.


    The circular building, called the Oshirn Citadel, was larger than all the other buildings in the city. It was built with glistening marble bricks and had a shiny, shingled, violet roof, just like the other buildings. Straight extensions, presumed to be hallways and decorated in multiple large glass windows, extended out of the main building and connected to towers, each significantly taller than the main building but the same size as each other. The current rulers were Osono, the emperor, Uressa, the empress, and their children Nusabi and Vancir.


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    A great, white beast with the wings, tail, and head of a hawk and the body of a lion laid outside the citadel, armored in an amethyst breastplate and tied down with ropes, restricting the movement of each of his limbs. It stared at James and Aviar as they walked up the stairs, its eyes down turned and drowsy.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Aviar said, shocked to see an animal so large and unusual.


    ¡°It¡¯s a griffin,¡± James answered, eyebrows raised as he too was shocked to see it. ¡°They aren¡¯t supposed to be held down like this.¡± He stated, approaching the beast. ¡°It can damage their wings.¡±


    He placed his hand on the head of the griffin. It exhaled, as though it felt relief from James¡¯ touch, and closed its eyes slowly.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think the elves did this.¡± James spoke, noticing how strange the ropes looked. They were normal ropes, sturdy and hard as they always are. But something about the faint red glow of the ropes didn¡¯t sit right with him. Looking at it made him feel nervous and touching made him feel uneasy, his head spinning and his mouth going dry as nausea took over. He quickly let go of it, blinking rapidly, and the unpleasant feelings immediately left his body.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so either.¡±


    From inside the building, they both could hear what sounded like cries for help.


    They quickly turned their attention to the tall, thick, wooden doors and opened them, entering the Citadel.


    What they saw took the air from their bodies in an instant.


    A cage, filled with all the elves in the city, including the royals, swinging from the mural-painted ceiling as though it was a decorative chandelier over a deep and bubbling pit of lava.


    Confused and shocked, James and Aviar quickly approached the cage, getting close enough to speak to the royals without falling into the pit of instant and bruning death.


    ¡°Who are you two?¡± the long, brown haired king named Osono asked. He wore a long, silky white robe with streaks of violet on it, as did all the royals, glistening in the bright light from the open door behind James and the wizard.


    ¡°I¡¯m James and this is Aviar,¡± Jame stated, motioning over to the wizard standing next to him. ¡°King Rosepost sent me to help you all.¡±


    ¡°Oh thank goodness,¡± celebrated Princess Nusabi, the youngest of the royals. ¡°We¡¯ve been in here so long, we have all gotten used to swinging in this thing¡±


    The other elves, all tightly squeezed into the cage with the royals, then began to chatter amongst themselves about James and Aviar, suspicious of his actual intentions.


    ¡°He can¡¯t be telling the truth,¡± one elf whispered to another. ¡°No one was able to get out. So how could he have known about this?¡±


    ¡°He may have just been in the area.¡± another whispered back.


    ¡°He said his king sent him. And if that¡¯s the case, how did his king find out?¡±


    ¡°Can you tell us what happened?¡± Aviar asked, eyeing the cage¡¯s metal bars. He quickly noticed the red aura around the bars, similar to the aura around the ropes which held the griffin in place. Staring at it made him nervous, goosebumps crawling up his skin, as it did James.


    ¡°Everything happened so fast,¡± Uressa, the queen, began. ¡°Two men showed up a few days ago. They weren¡¯t normal. Their eyes were¡­lifeless. They took control of our army almost instantly and trapped us all in this cage, which they somehow made out of thin air. It was like magic!¡±


    ¡°Did they ever say their names?¡± Aviar asked.


    ¡°I can¡¯t remember which one was which,¡± Vancir, the prince, started, ¡°but there were two men. One with black hair and one with gray. Aldor and Evisior were their names, if I remember correctly.¡±


    The description Vancir gave made James¡¯ brain churn. There were many men with black hair and gray hair. Many fathers and sons, perhaps. But a pair who would do something as evil as this, might be the same pair who would be evil enough to plot to kill a king.


    ¡°Their eyes,¡± James began, focused on his words, ¡°how did they look?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure I understand your question.¡± Osono replied.


    ¡°What I mean is, were their eyes red? Or, I¡¯m not sure how to put this, empty?¡± James rephrased.


    ¡°I don¡¯t remember,¡± Osono answered. ¡°But they both wore really dark red robes.¡±


    A candle lit in James¡¯ head. Who else just wears robes like that?


    ¡°Is something familiar to you?¡± Aviar asked him.


    ¡°Yes,¡± James answered. ¡°I¡¯ll explain later.¡±


    ¡°Do either of you know if there¡¯s a key?¡± Aviar asked the elves.


    ¡°Aviar,¡± James said before the elves could answer. ¡°There¡¯s no door.¡±


    ¡°HE SENT YOU AGAIN?¡±


    James and Aviar¡¯s hearts jumped as they turned around.


    The two large doors flying open, before them stood two men. One with black hair and one with gray, both dressed in burgundy robes, tied by a black belt with a shiny gem in the center.


    ¡°Why is it so hard for that fat bastard to get up from his throne?¡± the eldest one asked in anger.


    James¡¯ suspicion was correct. It truly was the two men from the Dark Kingdom.


    ¡°What do you two want with King Rosepost?¡± James asked, gripping his sword tight. ¡°Why do you want him dead so bad?¡±


    ¡°My master, Evisior,¡± the young one began, motioning over to the older man, ¡°tried time and time again to convince him to join us. But he refused. Just as the foolish elves did.¡±


    ¡°So you want them dead because they won¡¯t join you?¡± Aviar asked, stepping forward slightly as he saw Aldor¡¯s hand glow red. Something about these two men rubbed him the wrong way entirely. Perhaps it was how their lifeless eyes glared at him and James. Or perhaps it was the red gem embedded in their belts, in contrast to his. Or maybe both. ¡°What is it that you want them to join?¡±


    Evisior took a step forward, staring straight into Aviar¡¯s enchanting blue eyes, injecting Aviar with all kinds of anxiousness and fear. I was once like you.


    ¡°You¡¯re a wizard, aren¡¯t you?¡± he asked Aviar.


    ¡°Yes. As are you.¡± Aviar hesitantly answered.


    ¡°We were once of the same kind,¡± Evisior stated. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard all about Neokilth and Myrmurrian.¡±


    Aviar shook his head no.


    ¡°Well, once we awaken Myrmurrian, you¡¯ll know all about him.¡± said Evisior as he gave Aldor a nod of permission.


    Then, Aldor quickly stuck out his arm and pointed his glowing hand at James, shooting out a large, translucent, magical, red orb out of his hand.


    Stunned, James¡¯ eyes widened as the magical orb hustled toward him.


    Before it hit him, Aviar stuck his arm out in front of James and, using his magic, formed some kind of translucent, blue shield, which disappeared along with the magic orb upon impact.


    Aviar put his arm back down as the elves swinging in the cage behind them gasped. Had the orb hit James, he would have fallen backward into the bubbling lava.


    ¡°Kill them,¡± Evisior demanded.


    Before he and Aldor could even move a finger, Aviar, with magic, stopped them from moving, knocking them both to the ground and holding them down.


    ¡°Take their belts.¡± he told James, keeping a close eye on their movement.


    ¡°What is it for?¡± James asked, bending down and snatching the belt as Evisior tried to resist Aviar¡¯s tight, magical grip.


    ¡°Throw it in the pit.¡±


    James approached the heated pit of lava and, without hesitation, threw Evisior¡¯s belt inside.


    After the lava consumed the belt and the red gem, the pit immediately vanished, along with the cage the elves were trapped in, allowing them to drop to the ground unharmed.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Osono whispered to James.


    ¡°They¡¯re nothing without their belts,¡± Aviar stated as James tried to take Aldor¡¯s. ¡°It¡¯s what their magic is tied to.¡±


    Somehow, Aldor broke free of Aviar¡¯s magic and pushed off of his belt as he arose. Taking a few steps back, he raised both his hands, both of them glowing red, and pointed them toward James and Aviar.


    ¡°Do it and he dies.¡± James said, pointing his sword directly at Evisior¡¯s head, who was still under Aviar¡¯s grip.


    Aldor looked at Evisior, who was looking at him.


    ¡°Go.¡± Evisior said to him. And with that, Aldor ran out of the room and disappeared into the city.


    Aviar then grabbed Evisior¡¯s arm and pulled him up, holding him tightly to prevent him from escaping.


    ¡°Do you have anywhere to put him?¡± Aviar asked the royal elves.


    ¡°A dungeon.¡± Vancir answered, taking Evisior¡¯s arm and forcing him out the room as Osono followed.


    ¡°Thank you both for your help,¡± Uressa merrily said. ¡°I wish we had gifts to give you, but sadly we don''t.¡±


    ¡°You''re welcome. And we don¡¯t need gifts,¡± James replied. ¡°But I do have a question. Where is your army?¡±


    ¡°Did you not see them in town?¡± Nusabi asked as all the elves left the building, eager to return to their homes.


    ¡°No,¡± Aviar answered. ¡°We only saw one, but he killed himself after we fought.¡±


    Uressa and Nusabi were both taken back by what Aviar said. They looked at each other in shock, eyes widened.


    ¡°I must go tell Osono.¡± Uressa said as she scooted past James and Aviar.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± James asked Nusabi.


    ¡°The army is always in town,¡± Nusabi said, messing with her long, light brown hair. ¡°If they aren¡¯t there, then they must be missing.¡±


    James and Aviar glanced at each other.


    ¡°You both should get home before it gets late. The sun is already going down.¡± Nusabi stated.


    ¡°Should we be worried about Aldor?¡± James asked Aviar as they walked out.


    ¡°I would say no, but I don¡¯t think this is the last time we¡¯ll be seeing him. Or each other, for that matter.¡± Aviar answered.


    Afternoon turned to evening once James and Aviar made it back to the Luminescent Forest. After exchanging their goodbyes, Aviar entered his cabin and James continued walking back to Rosepost Kingdom.


    ¡°All those in favor of beheading this thief, who stole a flower from the King¡¯s garden, say aye!¡± yelled a knight holding an axe, standing next to a poor peasant trapped in a guillotine.


    A great silence came from the crowd who were forced to watch.


    This is not okay, James thought to himself as he turned around to walk back to his farm.


    He closed his eyes after hearing the sound of the blade dropping, followed by the wailing of a woman.


    I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t like it if someone did that to him or his family.


    Walking into his farm, James was struck with a painful and random headache. A name familiar to him rapidly repeated itself in his head. Mymurrian.


    He was brought to his knees by the excruciating pain. The headache left as quickly as it came, allowing James to rise off the ground.


    He took a deep breath and, out of nowhere, began to think of his parents. I wonder if they¡¯re alive or not. And where they disappeared to.

 Chapter 6

    The house, which Daniel and his sister Braya just purchased with their gold coins branded with an R, wasn¡¯t the greatest house in Rosepost Kingdom, but it was enough for two of them.


    ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll find us here?¡± Braya asked, looking at her brother with mass worry, a churning feeling in her stomach.


    Daniel, the cold wind blowing through his brown hair, stood there gazing upon the small, wooden house with his grayish blue eyes.


    ¡°They shouldn¡¯t,¡± he stated, smiling at sister to hide his own worry. ¡°I don¡¯t think anybody saw us when we left.¡±


    Braya turned around, startled by the feeling of somebody brushing against her back. Though she didn¡¯t see anyone behind her, someone did catch her eye.


    A man, brown hair and hazel eyes with a tattoo on his wrist, talking to another man with curly blonde hair. Something about the dirt on the man¡¯s muscles, the way his eyes glowed, the brightness of his smile, and his joyful demeanor made her heart.


    As he finished his conversation, he looked at Braya, both of them staring into each other¡¯s souls, locking eyes as well as hearts.


    I wonder who he is, Braya thought as the man smiled at her and then followed the blonde haired man.


    ¡°He¡¯s not your type.¡± Daniel stated, pulling Braya back into reality.


    ¡°What?¡± Braya asked. ¡°He¡¯s not yours either.¡±


    ¡°Listen,¡± Daniel began, disregarding what Braya said, ¡°I need you to be careful around here. Just because we left the Purifiers doesn¡¯t mean we¡¯re done with them entirely. We¡¯ll probably have to move again soon.¡±


    ¡°I know, Daniel,¡± Braya said. ¡°But we¡¯re not up north anymore. And nobody followed us, right?¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t know that for sure.¡± Daniel sighed. ¡°Just promise me you won¡¯t do anything stupid. Please.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not a child anymore, Daniel,¡± Braya answered. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re my sister. Of course I¡¯m going to worry about you.¡± Daniel stated.


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    ¡°I understand but-¡±


    Sending shivers down their spines, the door to Braya and Daniel¡¯s new house opened slowly, creaking ever so slightly, and slammed shut, but there was nobody there to do it.


    ¡°Do you think he followed us?¡± Braya asked, her heart beating rapidly.


    She followed her brother as he crept to the door. Upon opening it, a scaly, green man, with the head and body of a lizard, standing there, arms crossed and his lizard-like eyes glaring at Daniel and Braya.


    ¡°Did you think I would just let you leave?¡± the man said with his unpleasant, slick voice.


    ¡°We don¡¯t want any trouble.¡± Daniel said, reaching for the dagger in his pocket. ¡°We just want to be done with your guild.¡±


    ¡°Did you both forget your contracts? It clearly states that I own you.¡± the man-lizard stated, briefly sticking out his yellow, forked tongue.


    ¡°We¡¯ve gone against our own morals since we were children to do stuff for you,¡± said Braya, also reaching for her dagger. ¡°You can forget about our contracts and just let us go. Please.¡±


    The man sighed. ¡°Alright, fine.¡±


    He uncrossed his arms and stared deep into Braya and Daniel¡¯s eyes.


    ¡°Steal something for me. Something of value. It doesn¡¯t have to be from here. It¡¯s December, is it not? Have it by the end of the month and I¡¯ll let you go. If not, don¡¯t ever show your face in any kingdom if you wish to keep it.¡±


    ¡°NO!¡± Daniel shouted. ¡°We are done doing this for you-¡±


    ¡°Do you want out or not?¡± the man said, creepily smiling, showing all of his sharp, glistening white teeth as he vanished.


    The door behind Daniel and his sister once again opened and closed.


    ¡°Daniel.¡± Braya stated, noticing the redness of his face and the tenses of his eyebrows.


    ¡°There¡¯s no way we¡¯re doing that.¡± Daniel stated, wiping his hands with his face.


    ¡°What choice do we have?¡± Braya asked, torn between doing what is right or doing one last wrong thing.


    ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be that hard to kill him.¡± Daniel stated.


    ¡°We aren¡¯t doing that.¡±


    ¡°Fine,¡± Daniel sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll do it. You stay here.¡±


    ¡°When have we ever done things like this on our own?¡± Braya asked, eyebrows raised.


    ¡°Never, but I¡¯m not going to risk you getting killed. Again.¡±


    ¡°Too bad. I¡¯m coming with you.¡±


    Mouth gaped slightly, Daniel stared at Braya in confusion. ¡°I¡¯m older than you. You¡¯re supposed to listen to me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m also an adult.¡±


    If you get hurt, don¡¯t blame me.¡± Daniel sighed, partially giving up on his sister¡¯s safety.


    This is the last time, Daniel thought as he and Braya stepped back outside.

 Chapter 7

    The name Myrmurrian kept ringing in James¡¯ head, followed by intense pain and memories of his parents. James vigorously rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes tight.


    Come to me, a deep and dark voice said to James in his head.


    Leave me alone, James thought.


    That dreaded name had been ringing in his head for months, along with that voice. That strange, evil voice.


    ¡°James? Are you alright?¡± Alaris, James¡¯ lifelong friend, asked him.


    James was sucked out of his head and back into reality with those words.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    He had forgotten where he was or what was going on when he opened his eyes.


    He sat in the Lion Claw Tavern, the most visited Tavern in Rosepost, where he agreed to meet Alaris. It¡¯d been years since they last saw each other and he, when he wasn¡¯t battling random headaches, couldn¡¯t have been happier. After James¡¯ parents vanished, Alaris¡¯ father, Merlis, who was a close friend of James¡¯ father, took James in and raised him as his own son. Raised as brothers, James and Alaris grew a bond unbreakable with even the strongest of swords, as though they were two pieces of metal melted to create something stronger, forever welded.


    The tavern was a big wooden building filled with tables and chairs which always had people sitting in them. Winter or not, the tavern never saw a shortage in customers.


    ¡°When was the last time you slept? You look drained.¡± Alaris stated.


    ¡°I haven¡¯t slept since the King began sending me all over Rosepost to his work.¡± James answered.


    In contrast to James, Alaris¡¯ curly hair was honey blonde and his eyes were bright green. A single diamond earring was pierced through his left ear, twinking in the light of the chandelier swinging above. A small depiction of the sun was tattooed on the pale skin of his right hand.


    ¡°You do know that you can tell him no, don¡¯t you?¡± Alaris questioned. ¡°It¡¯s not like he will actually do something to you.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not,¡± James replied, ¡°but I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be the one time he¡¯ll make his knights do something.¡± James sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why he won¡¯t send his guards to do anything. First he sent me to get the Princess back, then to help the elves, and now collecting taxes. These things are literally what his knights are for.¡±


    ¡°You know how he is. He thinks his knights are ¡®worth more¡¯ than us. It¡¯s shocking that anybody can be that cruel.¡± stated Alaris.


    ¡°I¡¯m honestly shocked nobody has overthrown him yet.¡±


    A waitress, wearing a brown apron with various stains on it, approached their table and placed a wooden cup filled with ale in front of James, next to the small sack of gold coins, and one in front of Alaris.


    ¡°Thank you.¡± James said as the waitress nodded and walked away.


    ¡°How have you been holding up?¡± James asked. ¡°Regarding your mom.¡±


    Alaris sighed and grabbed the wooden cup. ¡°I¡¯ve been okay, surprisingly,¡± he said. ¡°I know it¡¯s been years since it happened, but it still hurts.¡±


    ¡°You know it wasn¡¯t your fault, right?¡± James questioned as Alaris sipped the ale from the cup.


    ¡°Do you really think that? She became depressed after I was born. And there was nothing I could do to help her.¡± Alaris answered.


    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then it¡¯s my fault and Merlis¡¯ fault as well. Neither of us could help her either.¡± James stated.


    ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t want to talk about this, James,¡± Alaris quickly said, shrugging his shoulders and scratching his neck. ¡°Why did you even bring that up?¡±


    ¡°We haven¡¯t talked since her funeral. I just-¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine, James. Please don¡¯t bring it up anymore.¡±


    ¡°Sorry.¡±


    An awkward silence fell over their table like thick fog. They both looked everywhere else except at each other, pondering what to say or if they should just not say anything at all.


    ¡°So,¡± Alaris began, rapidly tapping the table with his fingers. ¡°Are you going to the Evergreen Festival tonight?¡±


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    ¡°I thought about it, but I don¡¯t know.¡± James replied, sipping his ale.


    ¡°You¡¯re going. You need a break.¡± Alaris said.


    ¡°A break from what?¡± James laughingly asked.


    ¡°Life.¡±


    ¡°Are you and Merlis going too?¡±


    ¡°I am, but I think Dad is too busy finding a new bed buddy at his church to replace Mom.¡± Alaris joked.


    ¡°Merlis is way too old to be on the prowl.¡±


    ¡°Do you not remember when he tried talking to that lady shortly after Mom¡¯s funeral? I don¡¯t think he understands that he¡¯s too old.¡± Alaris grinned.


    Briefly turning, James looked through all the heads of all the other people enjoying their drinks and saw, through a window, that the sun was going down, the sky painted beautiful, dark shades of orange, blue, and purple.


    ¡°Should we go visit him before it gets too late?¡± James happily suggested.


    James could immediately tell Alaris didn¡¯t want to, given that his bright smile quickly faded.


    ¡°Honestly, James,¡± Alaris began, ¡°I just want to spend the rest of the day with you. Not him.¡±


    ¡°Alright,¡± James answered slowly, head tilted. ¡°Did you guys get into an argument?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Alaris briefly looked down at the table before raising his head to face James again. ¡°After Mom died,¡± he began, his eyes becoming glossy, ¡°I went to his house because I felt alone and I guess I wanted comfort and he told me to stop acting like it wasn¡¯t my fault and that I should be happy because she¡¯s finally rid of me.¡±


    His eyebrows raised and eyes widened, James couldn¡¯t believe what he¡¯d just been told.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯ve never understood why he treated me like I wasn¡¯t his son,¡± Alaris stated, briefly smiling as though it would block the tears rushing to his eyes. ¡°He always said that I was the spawn of the Devil.¡±


    ¡°You both always seemed so close when we were growing up.¡± James said in disbelief.


    ¡°That was an act, James. He did everything he could to make it seem like he had the ¡®perfect son¡¯ because he didn¡¯t want to be embarrassed at his church.¡±


    The scream-laughter from a man somewhere in the tavern startled both James and Alaris, causing James to turn his head briefly. While he wasn¡¯t looking, Alaris quickly took the chance to wipe his eyes dry.


    ¡°You¡¯re not the spawn of the Devil. Given that he thinks it¡¯s fine to speak to his son like that, I¡¯m sure the Devil is a much better person than he is. I¡¯m sorry you had to go through that,¡± James said. ¡°You do know that you can always talk to me about anything at any time, don¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re always busy with your farm. I don¡¯t want to bother you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m never too busy to not want to see you, Alaris. You were always there for me when we were younger, so of course I¡¯m going to be there for you.¡±


    ¡°Enough about me,¡± Alaris said, taking another sip from his cup. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about you.¡±


    ¡°What about me, exactly?¡± James asked with a slight smile, his eyes narrowed.


    ¡°That girl you were looking at before we came here,¡± Alaris began, motioning his head over to the door of the tavern, ¡°you like her?¡±


    James smiled and looked down at the table.


    Before he and Alaris arrived at the tavern, they were having a rather pleasant conversation in front of a building. And then, as Alaris walked away thinking he was following, he saw her. A girl. The most beautiful, in his eyes. Something about her clear, light brown skin, her long, curly brown hair, her shiny, dark brown eyes, glistening in the afternoon sun, and her bright, infectious smile made him nervous. But in a good way.


    Had Alaris not regained his attention as he walked away and had she not been standing next to a man which James assumed to be her husband, he would have spoken to her. Even if it was just a simple ¡°Hello,¡± he would have said it.


    ¡°Maybe,¡± James answered, lifting his head. ¡°But I¡¯m quite sure the man with the gray eyes was her lover.¡±


    ¡°They looked too much alike to be lovers.¡± Alaris stated.


    ¡°That¡¯s not always true. Sometimes people look exactly the same and aren¡¯t related at all.¡± James answered.


    ¡°I know that,¡± said Alaris. ¡°Remember when you were nine and I chased that boy with a rock because I thought he was you?¡±


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why you were chasing me, well, him, in the first place.¡± James chuckled.


    ¡°I thought you stole that wooden knight that I had.¡± Alaris laughed.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± Alaris began, briefly peeking through all the heads behind James to look out the window. ¡°You¡¯ll neve know unless you talk to her. Which you will be doing at the Evergreen Festival tonight.¡±


    ¡°I think she just moved here. She probably won¡¯t even be there.¡±


    ¡°She might.¡± Alaris said, eyebrows raised.


    ¡°Why are you pushing this so hard?¡± James asked.


    ¡°Because I¡¯m your older brother and that¡¯s what older brothers do,¡± Alaris joked. ¡°And you¡¯re nineteen and have never even been close to a girl.¡±


    ¡°Maybe because I don¡¯t waste myself on prostitutes.¡±


    Alaris¡¯ gaped mouth slowly became a small laugh. ¡°Remind me not to tell you where I occasionally go after work ever again.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of work,¡± James started, taking a sip of his ale. ¡°Do you still work at that smithing place?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Alaris happily answered. ¡°I quit it because I got sick of the knights and their rudeness. I work at a woodworking place now. Which didn¡¯t make much of a difference since it¡¯s uptown and that¡¯s where all the knights live. It pays more though. So I don¡¯t have to constantly worry about the taxes on my house.¡±


    ¡°You live uptown now?¡± James asked.


    ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°Speaking of taxes,¡± James sadly said as he grabbed the small sack of gold coins on the table and stood up. ¡°I should probably go take these to the King before he loses his mind.¡±


    ¡°Oh alright,¡± Alaris said as he stood up. ¡°We should really meet up more often.¡±


    ¡°We really should. At least once a week,¡± James replied. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tonight.¡± he said as he and Alaris hugged.


    ¡°See you then.¡±

 Chapter 8

    Standing in the town square of Rosepost Kingdom in the freezing wind under the midnight sky, surrounded by many people, cheering and laughing as they watched the performers dressed in dragon-like iron masks blow fire from a torch, Alaris looked up at the large evergreen tree in the center of the town square as he waited for James, the bright, lantern-like star placed on top of it shining in his eyes and the shiny,  fuzzy, gold and silver strings wrapped around the tree twinkling in the light.


    Uptown, where he currently was, was like a place of dreams. The wooden houses were large and sturdy compared to the houses downtown. There were actual buildings where various foods were sold and few food stands instead of small stands that were one gust of wind away from falling apart. There were stone paved roads instead of dirt roads. Children playing instead of being tossed around by knights for their amusement. The men and women wore clothes of silk instead of coarse wool or hemp.


    The buildings were currently decorated with evergreen branches which held red berries.


    Looking at the tree made Alaris reminisce about the good parts of his childhood. He and his mother used to attend the festival every year since he was quite young. Every year. Until it happened. Until his life ruined his mother¡¯s. It was his first time attending without her.


    A bump on his shoulder startled him. He turned around a bald, old man with a white beard and mustache, walking with an old woman, smiling and laughing with her as they held hands. A man all too familiar to Alaris.


    His heart sank as he looked at the man.


    ¡°Dad?¡±


    The old man stopped in his tracks and turned around. His smiling face that he had when speaking to the woman quickly became a frown when he saw Alaris. His name was Merlis.


    ¡°Oh,¡± Merlis said slowly and in disgust. ¡°What are you doing here?¡± he asked.


    ¡°The festival,¡± Alaris shakily answered. ¡°I came here for it.¡±


    ¡°Here to ruin like you ruin everything else?¡± Merlis asked.


    Alaris looked down briefly. He wasn¡¯t shocked or offended. This was something he heard frequently as a child when his mother wasn¡¯t around.


    ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you again too.¡± Alaris said with a forced smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re his son?¡± the woman asked happily.


    ¡°If that¡¯s what you want to call it.¡± Alaris answered.


    ¡°No son of mine will ever be a man-lover.¡± Merlis stated, looking at the woman instead of Alaris.


    Eyes stretched, the woman gasped and covered her mouth.


    ¡°Don¡¯t say that!¡± she said and hit Merlis¡¯ arm.


    ¡°Why not? It¡¯s true.¡± Merlis stated, glaring at Alaris.


    ¡°Why does it matter?¡± Alaris asked. ¡°You should care more about our relationship than how your precious church would view you, Dad.¡±


    ¡°I want my church to view me the same way God does and I won¡¯t have somebody like you ruining that, Devil Spawn.¡±


    ¡°There it is,¡± Alaris said, laughlin a little. ¡°I was wondering when it was going to come out.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m going to go watch the performance.¡± the woman stated and quickly walked away.


    ¡°You know,¡± Merlis began, staring at Alaris with all kinds of disgust and anger, ¡°Ever since I was young, I had the perfect plan for my life. I wanted a wife, two kids, my own church, and eventually, grandchildren. But you had to come along and ruin it. All of it. You¡¯re the reason I¡¯ll never have grandchildren to continue the Andithier bloodline. And you¡¯re the reason your mother became depressed.¡±


    ¡°You made me, Dad!¡± Alaris yelled, his lip beginning to quiver. ¡°Maybe if you never slept with mom in the first place, Mom would still be alive and you wouldn¡¯t have to deal with me.¡±


    ¡°We all wish we could change the past.¡± Merlis mumbled.


    Alaris stood there staring at his father in disbelief, his eyes wide and beginning to water. It was like a sharp, cold sword had been driven through what was left of his aching heart.


    ¡°If you want grandchildren so much, wait until James has kids,¡± he said. ¡°You were more of a father to him anyway.¡±


    ¡°I was a father to both of you. I just had to parent you differently because you are different.¡± replied Merlis.


    ¡°A real father would never say to their son the things you¡¯ve said to Alaris.¡± James said as he walked up behind Alaris.


    Alaris quickly wiped his eyes as soon as he heard James¡¯ voice.


    ¡°James, I-¡±


    ¡°Save it, Merlis,¡± James shouted, now standing in front of Alaris. ¡°Of all the people,¡± he began, stabbing his finger in Merlis¡¯ chest. ¡°I never thought you were like this. What kind of sick bastard tells his son that he¡¯s the reason his mom died? Since you care so much about your church, how do you think they would feel if they knew all of what you said?¡±


    ¡°Proud.¡± Merlis answered, his chin up and shoulders back.


    James¡¯ mouth almost fell open. His entire life, he viewed Merlis with respect. He viewed him as a friend. A father. With just one word, his entire view of the man who took him in as a child crumbled.


    ¡°Alaris is your son,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to love him, not treat him like some freak from a different dimension.¡±


    ¡°You do know that demons do come from a different dimension, don¡¯t you?¡± Merlis asked, glancing at Alaris.


    ¡°You did not just say that,¡± James stared at Merlis blankly. ¡°So, did you come from that same dimension?¡±


    ¡°Of course not.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure? I think otherwise. Sleeping with a girl young enough to be your daughter immediately after your wife died seems rather demonic to me. Not to mention doing it while unmarried.¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, what?¡±


    Alaris never knew of this. It was all news to him. Though surprised, he wasn¡¯t shocked.


    Merlis¡¯ heart visibly sank and his mouth dropped open. He stuttered, trying to think of a way to defend himself or to attack Alaris. He sighed and looked at Alaris, shaking his head as he poured his hatred into his eyes. Then he looked back at James.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care what you both think of me,¡± he said. ¡°But you can both stop calling me dad. And you, James, can forget about inheriting my church.¡±


    James snickered as Merlis quickly stormed away, looking for the woman he came with.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know he was going to give it to me in the first place,¡± James said to Alaris. ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked, putting his hand on Alaris¡¯ shoulder.


    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± Alaris answered with a brief smile. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to do that.¡±


    ¡°Was I just supposed to watch?¡±


    Alaris couldn¡¯t help but smile when he looked at James. Out of the people left in his life, which was very few, James was the only one that warmed his heart. The only one that made him feel loved. I don¡¯t know where I¡¯d be without him.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he said. ¡°But what¡¯s this about him sleeping with some woman after Mom¡¯s funeral?¡±


    ¡°I thought you knew.¡± James responded, head tilted.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°That woman he was talking to afterwards. It was clear they were together at some point during that time.¡± James said.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know anyway,¡± Alaris stated, him and James backing away from the large tree as people circled around it. ¡°Given his reaction, it¡¯s obviously true.¡±


    As a man, dressed in white robes with red streaks on them, blew into his flute, playing a rather upbeat tune, the people around the tree began to dance.


    At a fruit stand, Alaris spotted the girl who had captured James¡¯ gaze before they went to the Lion Claw Tavern.


    He turned to James and saw he was already looking her way.


    ¡°She¡¯s not with her brother this time.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± James quickly began to blush. ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You might not see her again.¡± Alaris laughed. ¡°Just do it. I¡¯ll be over there.¡± he said, pointing to a building named Pillow Fun.


    ¡°Alaris,¡± James sighed. ¡°If you keep going there, you will get sick eventually.¡±


    ¡°Just go,¡± Alaris ordered, smiling as he pushed James in the direction of the girl. ¡°And bring back something to eat.¡±


    As James nervously walked away, Alaris made his way over to the wooden building and knocked on the burgundy door.


    A woman slightly opened the door and peaked at Alaris.


    ¡°Are you with anybody?¡± the woman asked with his deep voice.


    ¡°No,¡± Alaris answered, briefly looking behind him with his hands in his pocket. ¡°Why are you acting like you don¡¯t know me?¡±


    ¡°Because I don¡¯t.¡± the woman replied.


    ¡°We see each other almost every week.¡± Alaris stated.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t come last week.¡±


    ¡°I was busy.¡±


    The woman glared at Alaris.


    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be enjoying the festival with your brother?¡± she asked.


    ¡°He¡¯s talking to someone right now. And probably for the rest of the night.¡±


    ¡°Come in,¡± she sighed as she opened the door wider to let Alaris in. ¡°Don¡¯t come during a holiday next time.¡±


    James began to heat up as he approached the girl. This is a mistake.


    Through his overwhelming nervousness, he somehow managed to utter the words, ¡°Hi.¡±


    She jumped a little and turned around. ¡°Hi.¡± she said with a smile.


    ¡°She¡¯s busy.¡± a man yelled as he approached from behind James.


    ¡°You¡¯re overreacting, Daniel.¡± she said to him.


    ¡°It¡¯s not safe, Braya.¡± the man sternly whispered.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± she said to James, forcing a friendly smile.¡±


    James bowed his head as he walked away, blushing as embarrassment swept over him. Even though it had not been a long time, he wasn¡¯t thrilled to see Alaris wasn¡¯t back yet.


    He can¡¯t still be in there, he thought as he marched over to the building Alaris entered.


    He knocked hard enough to be heard but no one answered the door. He knocked again. Still no answer.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t seem like you¡¯d go to a place like this.¡± a familiar voice said to him.


    ¡°Your Highness, what are you doing here?¡± James asked once he turned his head.


    To his surprise, it was Princess Rosepost, wearing an elegant white gown, crisp, white gloves, and a golden tiara. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be with somebody?¡±


    ¡°The King is here too,¡± she said, pointing to the fat blob that was King Rosepost as he walked over to the Evergreen tree, accompanied by two of his knights. ¡°I¡¯m surprised he can walk.¡±


    James fought the urge to laugh.


    ¡°Here for the festival?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Yes. The only reason I was allowed to come is because today is my birthday.¡±


    ¡°Happy-¡±


    Snatching the words off his tongue, a small, orange dot in the sky stole James¡¯ attention.


    It grew in size every time James blinked, further revealing its colorful mix of orange, yellow, and red. That can¡¯t be the sun. It¡¯s the middle of the night.


    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± the Princess asked, her head slightly tilted.


    ¡°That,¡± James answered as she looked in the direction he pointed. ¡°Do you see it?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Is it getting closer?¡±


    Their eyes were fixed on it.


    It kept growing faster and faster until their mouths fell open.


    With a wide eyed gasp, James grabbed the Princess and pushed her against the wall as a flaming boulder slammed onto the ground from the sky, knocking over the tree and filling the air with screams.


    Covering her mouth, the Princess and James watched as the fire from the boulder spread quickly onto the buildings as though it was a candle burning a wick.


    ¡°Alaris!¡± James yelled as he began pounding on the door of the building Alaris was in, his heart beating rapidly. Though fire hadn¡¯t spread to it yet, it was approaching quicker than a cheetah chasing its prey.


    ¡°What?¡± Alaris asked, his eyes narrowed as he swung the door open. His heart sank to his toes when he saw all the fire and heard the screams of all the people running around in search of safety. ¡°We need to leave.¡±


    The Princess following them closely, James and Alaris ran through the clearings they could find in the fire, careful not to trip over the bodies of people and knights who were either hit by the boulder or burned to death.


    Over the sound of people shouting the names of their loved ones, a scream was heard. One familiar to Princess Rosepost.


    They turned around and, through the fire, could see the silhouette of the King, lying on the ground as a sword, held by a woman, was driven through his chest. The woman was with two knights. But not the ones of the King. Those ones were dead right along with him.


    Letting out a small squeal, the Princess slapped her hand against her mouth.


    ¡°Come on.¡± James said after coughing, the smoke making a nest in his lungs as he grabbed her arm and pulled her.


    They all continued to run until they reached downtown. The fire wasn¡¯t as bad there as it was uptown. But the sights and sounds were much worse when unmuffled and unblocked the fire.


    People tried to run as knights, dressed in white armor with a gray snowflake painted on it, impaled them with their swords. Some were standing over their children, blocking their eyes from what was happening.


    Alaris tripped over the girl James was speaking to before he left. James and Princess Rosepost didn¡¯t notice and kept running. He froze briefly, staring at her as she cried, cradling her brother¡¯s head, which looked bashed in as blood spilled onto a rock near it.


    ¡°Come with me.¡± he said as he softly grabbed her arm and pulled her up. In his hand, he could feel her arm trembling. It was like he was dragging her as she struggled to move her legs, sobbing uncontrollably. She looked back at her brother¡¯s lifeless body multiple times as Alaris pulled.


    Eventually, he met up with James and the Princess outside the kingdom, safe from the fire and the invaders. In the distance, they could see catapults, launching more flaming boulders into the kingdom. They all watched as the castle, once standing tall over the houses and buildings, quickly toppled over and became nothing but rubble. Even though they were far, the screams and the sound of wood cracking and slamming down on the ground was as clear as day.


    Everything they once knew was gone. Their homes, farms, places of work. All of it was gone. All that was left were the walls that surrounded it.


    The kingdom that they called home had fallen and, given how it looked, didn¡¯t seem like it would ever stand again.

 Chapter 9

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for waking you up this late.¡± James said, sitting on a long wooden stool with Alaris and Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to apologize,¡± Aviar replied, sitting on a chair across from them. ¡°I¡¯d rather you wake me than end up dead.¡±


    James had led them to Aviar¡¯s cabin in the Luminescent Forest as none of them knew where else to go. They couldn¡¯t just stay in the field outside the kingdom. Surely, they would¡¯ve been found and killed.


    ¡°We have to help them.¡± the Princess said.


    ¡°Your Highness, I don¡¯t think many people survived.¡± Alaris stated.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care if only a sheep or chicken is what¡¯s left. Any life is worth saving.¡± she urged.


    ¡°Even if we could help, we couldn¡¯t do it alone.¡± James said.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the elves would be more than happy to.¡± Aviar suggested.


    ¡°But will that be enough?¡± Alaris questioned. ¡°You saw how fast everything happened. I don¡¯t think the elve, or their griffins, are strong enough.¡±


    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t be able to help anyway because their army disappeared.¡± James sighed.


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    ¡°Right.¡± Aviar agreed.


    Alaris and the Princess¡¯ faces showed confusion. Neither of them knew exactly what happened in Arlinbliss. All they knew was that two sorcerers had captured the elves, one had been imprisoned, and one had escaped.


    ¡°How does an army just disappear?¡± stuttered the Princess.


    James shrugged. ¡°We still don¡¯t know where the other sorcerer went either. And to be honest, I forgot all that happened.¡±


    ¡°What about the dwarves?¡± a woman asked.


    The woman Alaris pulled from the corpse she was cradling had been sitting on the floor by a bookshelf the entire time and all of them forgot she was there. The quieter her weeping became, the more she vanished into the shadows of their minds.


    ¡°The dwarves aren¡¯t too far from here.¡± she said, standing up and slowly approaching them while wiping her irritated eyes with her scarred hand.


    ¡°The dwarves only help when it benefits them,¡± the Princess stated. ¡°And the King-¡±


    She paused, as if a wave of harsh reality crashed down on her. ¡°I don¡¯t have anything to give them.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s probably our only choice. The only other kingdoms and cities are up North and that¡¯s too far.¡± said James.


    ¡°Alright then. Don¡¯t be surprised when they ask for some form of gold in return.¡± doubted Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°If we¡¯re going to leave, we should probably do it now.¡± Aviar suggested as he stood up and grabbed a map off a bookshelf.


    Then, they all left through the door of his cabin, following Aviar as they headed toward Daroeth-Keeth, the kingdom of the dwarves.

 Chapter 10

    Braya looked down at her feet as she walked through the forest, thinking about her brother and his death. Every detail down to them both rushing to get away from the fire, to the blur of his body as he tripped over a body, to the snapping sound of his skull cracking after his head slammed onto a rock, to the color of the blood spilling out of his bashed head looped in her mind over and over again.


    The man who gave up his own childhood to take care of her after their parents died, risked his life to make sure she had a roof over her head, and protected from the dangers of the world, was gone. Dead. Moved on to his next life and left her behind.


    But something was blocking her from accepting that he was gone. Something that weighed them both down since the moment that wretched lizard showed up.


    The debt¡­ That lizard.


    If she didn¡¯t have anything for him by the end of the month, he would do unimaginable things to her. Things she¡¯d seen him do to other people. Images of people¡¯s faces being peeled off ran through her head, putting her in a fear-caused trance. Her heart began racing.


    I need to find something.


    A glisten caused by the light of the trees in the Luminescent Forest caught her eye. Lifting her head, she could see the man with bright blue eyes adjusting his belt as he walked far in front of her. She squinted her eyes, fishing out something shiny embedded in the belt.


    Then, she saw it. A beautiful blue gem embedded in it, the same color as the man¡¯s eyes. Whatever it was, it was definitely important. Important and valuable.


    Just one more time, she thought, gazing at the gem until he was done adjusting his belt. One more time and you¡¯ll never have to steal for him again.


    But how could she do it? She couldn¡¯t just snatch off his waist. Nor could she just run off with it.


    Braya quickly began to feel defeated. If she couldn¡¯t take the belt, then she was out of options. She wouldn¡¯t be free from the lizard¡¯s chains. Her brother wouldn¡¯t be free.


    Pulling her out of her fear-filled thoughts, a slightly familiar voice spoke to her.


    ¡°Hey.¡± it said.


    She turned to her right and saw the man she¡¯d last spoken to at the Evergreen Festival walking beside her. He was behind her still, but close enough to be seen. The last time she saw her brother alive.


    But he wasn¡¯t blushing this time. In her eyes, he looked calm and more beautiful than before now that he was closer to her.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your friend.¡± he said to her.


    ¡°How do you know about that?¡± she asked, forehead scrunched.


    ¡°Alaris told me.¡± the man answered, briefly pointing at the other man with curly blonde hair walking alongside the one with the eye catching belt.


    Braya sighed and dropped her head. ¡°He was my brother,¡± she said, looking back at the man. ¡°And you don¡¯t have to apologize. You''re not the one who sent Frostland.¡±


    ¡°Frostland?¡± questioned the man.


    ¡°The kingdom that invaded. I recognized the snowflake on their armor. My brother and I were from there, but we left because-¡±


    Braya didn¡¯t know what to say. If she told him about their past and their debt, her debt, he would probably tell the others and the belt, that shiny, precious, valuable belt, would be gone.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about earlier,¡± she said instead. ¡°He was always overprotective of me. My name is Braya.¡±


    ¡°My name is James.¡±


    The name fit him perfectly, she thought. A beautiful name for a beautiful man.


    ¡°Is he your friend?¡± she asked, pointing to the blonde haired man. ¡°I saw you with him earlier today.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but I see him more as my brother than a friend,¡± James answered. ¡°My parents went missing when we were children. So his dad, or the man who¡¯s supposed to be his dad, adopted me and raised me as his own.¡±


    Braya noticed when James spoke of his parents, he seemed briefly distracted and distressed. It was like another voice was speaking to him. One she couldn¡¯t hear.


    ¡°You don¡¯t see his dad as yours?¡± she questioned.


    ¡°No. Not anymore.¡±


    I¡¯m sorry to hear about your parents,¡± she said. ¡°Mine died when I was still a baby, so I don¡¯t really remember them.¡±


    Braya then looked ahead of her and asked, ¡°Who are they?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s Alaris,¡± James answered, pointing to the man with blonde hair. ¡°And she¡¯s the Princess.¡±


    She was the one person Braya didn¡¯t need an introduction to given the amount of times she and her brother stole from the castle in the past. I hope she doesn¡¯t recognize me.


    ¡°What about the man with the belt?¡±


    ¡°Oh,¡± James eventually said after figuring out who she was talking about, ¡°He¡¯s Aviar.¡±


    ¡°Is he a friend of yours?¡± she asked, once again eyeing the belt even though she couldn¡¯t see the gem anymore.


    ¡°Yes, but I don¡¯t know much about him.¡± James said.


    ¡°His belt,¡± she began. ¡°Is it important to him?¡±


    ¡°Of all things, why do you want to know that?¡± James questioned with a slight smile.


    ¡°Just curious.¡±


    ¡°I think he said it¡¯s the source of his magic.¡±


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    Braya¡¯s eyes widened. Never would she have thought that a belt of all things could allow somebody to possess magical abilities. Nor did she think the belt was that valuable. He would definitely let us go if I took it for him.


    ¡°How come you chose to move to Rosepost of all places?¡± James asked.


    Losing her words, Braya¡¯s heart dropped. She couldn¡¯t tell him that she and her brother were running from a barbaric guild of thieves they made the unfortunate mistake of joining.


    Their footsteps came to a stop before they could bump into Aviar, Princess Rosepost, and Alaris, who too were stopped right where the Luminescent Forest ended and Butterfly Grove began.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± James asked Aviar.


    ¡°No,¡± Aviar said slowly, squirting at his map. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to figure out where to go from here. But we¡¯re going in the right direction.¡±


    The bright, amber light from the forest smoothly faded away as the yellow, dim lights of the fireflies in Butterfly Grove took over.


    ¡°Should we rest here and continue tomorrow?¡± Aviar suggested. ¡°We¡¯re far from the kingdom, so we should be safe.¡±


    ¡°We probably should.¡± Aviar said, rolling his map.


    They all settled down near a tree, lying their heads down in the cushiony, tall grass.


    As James, Alaris, Aviar, and the Princess quickly drifted off to sleep, their raging adrenaline finally subsiding after the events at the kingdom, Braya¡¯s head and eyes fought slumber as she stared at the wizard¡¯s belt. Each time it glistened in the soft lights of the moon and the fireflies, she was more and more tempted to snatch off his unsuspecting waist and run off with it, leaving without a trace and never having to steal anything ever again.


    One more time and you¡¯ll be free.


    But there were forces preventing her from doing so, the obvious one being her inability to take his belt without him waking up. Other than that, there was James. She didn¡¯t want to leave him. She couldn¡¯t leave. Something unfathomable by her connected the two. Perhaps it was love, the very thing anyone would want to feel at least once. Or maybe she saw attributes of her brother in him, causing her to form an attachment to the man she figured he was. Either way, he had a grasp on her she¡¯d never felt before. A pleasant one. Unlike the one that the lizard had.


    Giving up on what she longed to do that night, she focused her eyes on the stars above instead of Aviar¡¯s belt, watching them twinkle and glow in the sky before she fell asleep.


    Maybe tomorrow will be different.


    Despite forcing his eyes shut and adjusting the position in which he laid, Alaris still couldn¡¯t fall asleep. The things his father said to him were stuck in his head, tattooed on the forefront of his brain.


    Hellspawn, he thought. That¡¯s what you are.


    He sighed and opened his eyes, sitting up as he wiped his face with his hands.


    A disgusting hellspawn.


    He decided to walk around in an attempt to tire himself. After all, he couldn¡¯t go where he normally did when he felt this way. He probably would have burned to ashes along with it had James not been pounding on the door.


    Once he arose, he saw Princess Rosepost was also awake, staring into the star-filled night sky.


    He just walked away instead of speaking to her, despite being curious why she wasn¡¯t sleeping.


    Walking in the tall grass and feeling the cold air beat against his arms didn¡¯t bring Alaris the comfort he thought it might. Nor did it tire him in the slightest.


    The beautiful, vibrant colors of the flowers reminded too much of the dresses his mother used to wear. Though the memories were lovely, the guilt bestowed upon him by his father wasn¡¯t.


    Stopping his footsteps at a stream of water he came across, he sat down on the ground. The stream, glowing from the light of the fireflies, was mesmerizing and enchanting. But Alaris wasn¡¯t focused on that. A tree with brown bark and green leaves shading the water from most of the moonlight shining through the branches and leaves caught had a grip on his wet eyes.


    He envisioned himself hanging from the tree, a rope tied around his neck as his blueish, lifeless body slowly swung in the air as it dangled, the same way his mother¡¯s was the day he found her.


    It was like a dream for him. Something he longed for the same way a child longs for its parents. Unfortunately for him, Alaris knew the one thing he wanted would bring pain to the last person he loved.


    I wish he hated me. Then it would be easier to-


    ¡°I¡¯m assuming you couldn¡¯t sleep either?¡±


    The soft feminine voice startled Alaris, making him jump briefly.


    Upon turning around, he saw the Princess standing there. He quickly looked back at the water and wiped his eyes with his arm before turning back to her.


    ¡°Did you follow me?¡± he asked her.


    ¡°Yes,¡± she said, walking over to him and sitting next to him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was just curious where you were going.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Alaris replied with a smile, slightly amused by her curiosity. ¡°What is it that¡¯s keeping you awake?¡±


    She sighed and paused, as though whatever it was had been eating at her for a while.


    ¡°It¡¯s the kingdom,¡± she answered eventually. ¡°I never thought it would fall the way it did. But, for some reason, I¡¯m not surprised.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean, exactly?¡± Alaris questioned, eyebrows lowered.


    ¡°You live downtown, don''t you?¡±


    Alaris nodded.


    ¡°The only time I¡¯ve ever been there was when Lord Darkstar kidnapped me and James brought me back. I didn¡¯t think it was that bad down there.¡± Princess Rosepost said.


    ¡°Well, once you get used to it, it¡¯s not bad at all.¡± stated Alaris.


    ¡°Compared to uptown, it¡¯s terrible. There aren''t any knights anywhere for security, the entrance to the kingdom wasn¡¯t even guarded, most of the houses looked like they were crumbling, the road was nothing but dirt, and what I assume were workplaces had been closed due to lack of money to pay for it. There were more whore houses than there were actual workplaces. Nobody should have to sell their body just to survive. Unless, of course, that¡¯s what they actually wanted to do. It¡¯s like you¡¯ve all been left to fend for yourselves while still paying taxes to the very thing that¡¯s destroying you.¡± blurted the Princess.


    There wasn¡¯t anything Alaris could say in disagreement. She had not missed a single target for all the arrows she shot with her words.


    ¡°If the previous kings and queens saw how he, the King, treated you all, they¡¯d have his head,¡± Princess Rosepost continued. ¡°I¡¯ve read stories about how things used to be before he took the throne. Rosepost was the most feared kingdom. We had the entirety of southern Lyrid under our feet. The knights were actually trained to protect the kingdom and not just be the king¡¯s servants. People were allowed to live freely, believe whatever they wanted to believe, love whoever they wanted, unrestricted by the confines of a single religion. Nobody was separated based on wealth. And no one was more important than the other. Everyone and everything was equal.¡±


    ¡°How long has this been bothering you?¡± Alaris asked.


    ¡°For months now.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re his heir, aren¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°I suppose.¡±


    ¡°Then fix it.¡±


    The Princess looked confused.


    ¡°What I mean is,¡± Alaris began, ¡°Think of this as a new start for Rosepost. Sometimes bad things make way for better things. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be a much better ruler than your dad.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡±  she asked.


    ¡°Alaris.¡±


    ¡°Well, Alaris,¡± she said as she stood up, ¡°I promise when all this is over, I¡¯ll do my best to make life easier for you and everyone else who lives downtown.¡±


    Alaris smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it too much.¡±


    Though he wasn¡¯t focused on it, he couldn¡¯t help but notice Princess Rosepost¡¯s beauty.


    Her white gown complemented her smooth skin perfectly and enhanced her brown hair. Any man would¡¯ve been lucky to marry her, he thought. But he wouldn¡¯t have been one of them due to her lack of masculinity, as his usual type consists of.


    ¡°Should we head back?¡± she suggested.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    Alaris wiped the dirt off his legs once he stood. Then he and Princess Rosepost proceeded to walk back to the tree which everyone else rested near, both of the sun wouldn¡¯t rise too fast so they could sleep a little.

 Chapter 11

    Once lively and beautiful, Rosepost Kingdom was now a wasteland.


    Houses, buildings, and workplaces, big and small, were now destroyed, burned by fire or smashed by boulders until there was nothing but the mere thought of wood, stone and bricks. The smokey smell of the burnt wood could still be smelled from far away. The castle, which once stood tall over the kingdom, was nonexistent, everything down to the smallest rock used to build it had been completely obliterated.


    Uprooted trees, along with the ruins, covered the brick path of uptown as it also did downtown.


    Anyone with a heart of good would instantly be overrun with a mix of shock and sorrow after seeing the blackened, blood-pouring, and nearly mutilated bodies of both knights and civilians that lay everywhere in the kingdom along with people and families crying over them.


    But for Aldor it was a canvas. A beautiful, empty canvas. One that used to be covered with the paint of his enemy but was now washed away, making room for a new and better picture.


    ¡°Is he dead?¡±


    Aldor stood face to face with Sorlia, queen of Frostland Kingdom, in what was left of the Kingdom of Rosepost.


    She held her sword in her hand, still covered in the blood of King Rosepost, and pointed it at the corpse of the once alive, but not very useful, king. ¡°Have you forgotten how to see or do you need me to do that as well?¡±


    Upon turning around, Aldor saw the King¡¯s lifeless body and smiled. Something he and Evisior tried so hard to do since the moment King Rosepost declined their offer to join them in forming a new world had been done. Finally, he thought, his chin up and shoulders back.


    ¡°And his daughter?¡± he asked Queen Sorlia, turning back to look at her brown eyes and long, straight blonde hair. She wore shiny dark blue armor fitted around the shape of her body. A white snowflake was branded on the center of her breastplate. Instead of a helmet, she wore a silver crown, which glistened in the light of the morning sun, so all who saw her knew she was of royalty.


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    ¡°What about his daughter?¡± she questioned.


    ¡°Is she dead?¡±


    ¡°You never said anything about killing his daughter. I didn¡¯t even know he had one!¡± she exclaimed.


    Aldor¡¯s smile immediately faded. ¡°I said kill the royals and knights, not kill the rest and leave one.¡±


    ¡°How can I kill what I don¡¯t even know exists?¡± Sorlia with an exasperated sigh.


    Aldor dropped his head and sighed.


    ¡°It¡¯s likely that she escaped,¡± he began. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she went to request some other kingdom¡¯s help. You and your army need to stay here in case she returns with allies. And make sure you kill her this time.¡±


    ¡°Why do you want them dead so much anyway?¡± Sorlia asked, tilting her head a little.


    ¡°Those who don¡¯t submit to the grace of Myrmurrian have no choice but to fall to the blades of his followers,¡± Aldor stated. ¡°Evisior and I tried to convince King Rosepost to join us, as we did you and Lord Darkstar. Either it was his laziness or ignorance, you can decide that for yourself. But he refused our offer.¡±


    ¡°You better not be lying about the power Myrmurrian will give us,¡± Sorlia demanded, disregarding what he said as she pointed her sword at his chest. ¡°And hurry up and get your master back from Arlinbliss. My army and I won¡¯t wait long for your plan to fall into place.¡± She lowered her sword.


    ¡°I have one more place to go before Arlinbliss.¡± Aldor responded.


    ¡°And where is that?¡±


    ¡°Indora.¡±


    Queen Sorlia¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Surely, you aren¡¯t going to visit the Nalah.¡±


    ¡°Indeed I am,¡± answered Aldor. ¡°Their magic is something we definitely need on our side.¡±


    ¡°You must desire death, because that¡¯s what you¡¯ll receive from them. A very fiery death.¡± Sorlia said, shaking her head left to right.


    ¡°Just do as I asked,¡± Aldor began as he walked away. ¡°And you don¡¯t have to worry about us lying to you or anyone else. We¡¯d never lie to fellow believers.¡±


    He caught a glimpse of Sorlia rolling her eyes before he turned around and began walking down the path, stepping over all the bodies, rubble, and trees as he passed by the white armored knights of Frostland Kingdom. The fiery wasteland of Indora weighed heavy on his mind as he exited the territory of the kingdom. Indora was located in Northern Lyrid. It would be a long walk, that is if he didn¡¯t manage to find a horse along the way, which he hoped to do. But it would¡¯ve been worth it. The Nalah¡¯s power is something he and Evisior needed on their side as well as to learn. But the only challenge was convincing the stubborn Nalah to join him.


    If they don¡¯t, they¡¯ll just receive the same fate as Rosepost.

 Chapter 12

    After James and the others walked out of Butterfly Grove, the soft, tall grass shortened and smoothly transitioned into the yellowish sand of Girus, the large desert that stretched between Butterfly Grove and Daroeth-Keeth, the kingdom of the dwarves.


    The cool wind that once beat against their bodies like a comforting pillow was replaced with scorching heat. Sweat dripping from every part of their bodies, it was like they were melting. Each step on the crunchy sand made them hotter and hotter, as though the sun approached them from out of the sky. The knowledge of the only water source being inside the prickly, green cactuses made it no better.


    ¡°Aviar,¡± James began as he lifted his head to look at the back of the wizard¡¯s head in front of him, his noodle-like legs becoming more unstable everytime he stepped, ¡°Are we close?¡±


    ¡°We should be.¡± Aviar answered, sounding uncertain and tired.


    ¡°Are you sure we¡¯re going the right way?¡± questioned Alaris from James¡¯ left, wiping the sweat off his forehead with his hand.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Aviar replied, pulling out his map. ¡°Once we leave this desert we¡¯ll be there.¡±


    Looking forward and backward once, all James could see in the distance was just sand and cactuses, some bigger than the others. Nothing more, nothing less. Will we ever leave this desert?


    To James, they had been walking for what seemed like the entire morning. Dragging their legs and feet only for a chance at saving their kingdom. If the dwarves were to decline their request, all the suffering of the unbearable heat would be for nothing.


    Then that dark, dreaded voice returned, repeating itself in James¡¯ head with no apparent end.


    Come to me.


    He covered his eyes with his hands and acted like he was rubbing them so he wouldn¡¯t seem crazy in front of everyone else due to his strained facial expression.


    No matter how hard he tried to ignore it, the voice just wouldn¡¯t go away.


    A headache, once that felt like a blade pushing itself deeper and deeper into James¡¯ head, grew quickly.


    Upon moving his hands from his eyes, James was startled. Eyes stretching fast, his heart jumped at the sight of his mother and father in front of him. He wouldn¡¯t have recognized them if it weren¡¯t for their voices. Their skin was rotten and grayish, chunks and pieces of their bodies gone, exposing the bone underneath. What he remembered of his mother¡¯s long, wavy, brown hair and his dad¡¯s short, curly black hair was nothing but a few strands of brittle, hay-like hair, barely noticeable if you weren¡¯t staring. Their eyes were a black void of nothingness. As James looked into them, his heart pounded. It was as though he was looking at his future. A dark, evil, future.


    ¡°Come to me,¡± they both said in unison. ¡°Come to Myrmurrian.¡±


    ¡°James?¡± another voice said.


    His head darted to his right. But, to his relief, it was just Braya.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asked.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he answered, briefly looking back in front of him to see if his parents were still there. In place of them was Aviar, as he was before the voice and headache invaded his mind, which had now subsided. ¡°Just a headache.¡±


    ¡°Did you hear what I said?¡±


    ¡°No.¡± James responded.


    ¡°There¡¯s something on your wrist.¡±


    He quickly lifted his arm to look  but only saw the small, black depiction of a poppy he had gotten tattooed on his wrist. ¡°It¡¯s just a tattoo.¡±


    Braya¡¯s eyebrows raised. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t expect you of all people to have a tattoo.¡±


    ¡°I got a small one so nobody would notice it,¡± James stated. ¡°The only reason I got it in the first place was because Alaris forced me to.¡± he said with a slight smile.


    ¡°That¡¯s not how I remember it,¡± Alaris quickly and laughingly interjected. ¡°You were too scared to get one by yourself so you forced me to get one with you. Leaving me to walk around trying to hide my shoulder from Merlis.¡±


    ¡°You just can¡¯t let me lie in peace, can you?¡± James joked.


    ¡°Did it hurt?¡± Braya asked.


    ¡°No.¡± James answered.


    ¡°James,¡± Alaris began. ¡°You cried so much the tattooist almost kicked us both out.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think she asked you.¡± James laughed, disregarding what Alaris said.


    ¡°You both do know that tattoos are illegal in Rosepost, don¡¯t you?¡± a voice asked from behind them.


    James, Braya, and Alaris turned around to see Princess Rosepost¡¯s unamused face staring back at them.


    Though Braya was fine, James and Alaris were lost for words. Neither of them could lie, as she had already heard everything.


    The Princess¡¯ folded her lips in and looked down. She then pulled down the top part of her dress, just enough to reveal the small depiction of an axe tattooed on her collarbone.


    ¡°I trust you three can keep a secret.¡± she said as she fixed her dress.


    Each of them smiled and nodded.


    ¡°The only thing I know about my real father was that he was a lumberjack.¡± she stated. ¡°Therefore the axe is important to me.


    James stopped walking before he could bump into Aviar.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± he asked him.


    His question was answered when he looked ahead.


    A silhouette of a man could be seen in the distance, almost blending in with the cactuses. But this was no ordinary man. His head was like that of a lizard and a tail could be seen swinging behind him as he walked.


    ¡°What is that?¡± Alaris asked, squinting his eyes.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Braya said, her eyes wide.


    James grew uncomfortable as the figure approached. It seemed small initially. But as it grew closer, so did it in size.


    It stopped suddenly, as though it saw something familiar. Its entire appearance couldn¡¯t be seen, but the shininess of its skin (or scales) could be seen glistening in the light of the sun.


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    It vanished, disappearing into thin air as though it was never there in the first place.


    Braya let out a sigh of relief.


    ¡°What could that have been?¡± Princess Rosepost asked.


    ¡°Maybe it was a mirage,¡± Braya suggested.


    Alaris looked past James and directly at Braya. ¡°All of us wouldn¡¯t see the same mirage,¡± he stated. ¡°It must have been real.¡±


    ¡°We aren¡¯t living in a children¡¯s book,¡± Braya responded. ¡°It isn¡¯t possible for people to just disappear like that without a trace.¡±


    My parents did, James thought randomly after hearing Braya¡¯s words.


    ¡°How can you still believe in the impossible when there¡¯s a wizard with us?¡± Alaris questioned straightforwardly.


    ¡°If you¡¯re suggesting that I am the cause of that- whatever that was, you are mistaken.¡± Aviar quickly said.


    ¡°My point,¡± Alaris began, ¡°is that we don¡¯t know what is and what isn¡¯t possible out here. Before last night, I¡¯m sure none of us really thought wizards existed.¡±


    To James, and probably the Princess, Alaris wasn¡¯t wrong. With magic being illegal in Rosepost Kingdom, neither of them really knew if wizards were truly as evil as they were made out to be or if they even existed at all. But James¡¯ involvement in a past situation in Arlinbliss destroyed any doubts he had of wizardry¡¯s existence.


    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Aviar said. ¡°Anything unheard of could be living in this desert. So don¡¯t neglect your safety just because there¡¯s no apparent danger.¡±


    As they continued walking in the unbearable heat, James glanced at Braya and, through the sweat shining on her face, saw she looked both upset and distraught.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± he asked.


    She nodded dismissively.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    She nodded once again and looked briefly at Aviar¡¯s belt.


    James couldn¡¯t help but wonder why she was so obsessed with the wizard¡¯s belt. Instead of asking, he just forgot about it and continued fantasizing about not seeing anymore sand and cactuses.


    The afternoon sun blazed once they arrived at Daroeth-Keeth, but the coolness of the winter wind fought against the sun¡¯s heat.


    James¡¯ fantasy came to life once the sand and cactuses disappeared and made way for tall, green grass and thick trees with green leaves and brown bark, though some of the trees were nothing but trunks and branches due to the cold weather.


    It¡¯s cold.


    James overflowed with joy, briefly smiling after they left the hot climate of Girus, as they all did. Even though it was something typically dreaded by many, the piercing cold comforted James like a mother¡¯s hug. Combined with the trees, the grass, and the overall calmness of the area, it reminded James of Rosepost. Even though it wasn¡¯t the best kingdom, it was good enough for him to call it home. Waking up early in the morning to tend to his crops and listening to the loud silence before others began their day''s work always brought him joy.  But it was gone. Destroyed within the blink of an eye.


    This is our only chance.


    If the dwarves wouldn¡¯t help them, traveling so far and weakening their legs would have been for nothing. His home would stay destroyed and everyone else in the kingdom would die, assuming there were people left to succeed in dying without the help of Frostland¡¯s swords. He grew fearful of the future, doubt surrounding every part of his mind.


    What if they won¡¯t help? Then what? We¡¯ll all die!


    Even if he wanted to, it was too late to turn back since they were already standing outside the gray stone walls of Daroeth-Keeth.


    Four guards stood in front of the arched entrance to the kingdom. They wore bulky, shiny bronze armor, resting heavily on their strong, muscular bodies. In the hands were spears with black handles and a thin iron blade, which they were currently pointing directly at James and his friends¡¯ heads. Though the dwarves were shorter, only standing tall enough to reach James¡¯ chest, he was just as intimidated as he would be if he was faced with a guard taller than him.


    ¡°State your business!¡± one guard demanded of them loudly. ¡°SPEAK!¡±


    ¡°We don¡¯t mean any harm,¡± Aviar stuttered. ¡°We just wish to speak to your ruler.¡±


    The guards began squinting at all of them, slowly looking at every part of their bodies as they checked for weapons.


    ¡°He¡¯s a wizard,¡± one guard whispered to the other after looking at Aviar¡¯s belt, wide eyed. ¡°The good kind.¡±


    The other three guards then looked at Aviar¡¯s belt and immediately lowered the spears.


    I wonder what¡¯s the deal with that, James thought.


    ¡°Sorry about that,¡± the same guard said. His tone was much happier and welcoming this time. ¡°Follow me.¡±


    James and the others all looked at each other awkwardly before entering the kingdom, scooting past the guards.


    The difference between the ruler of Daroeth-Keeth and King Rosepost was more than clear after entering the walls of the kingdom. It was as though their ruler actually cared about every citizen. Every house, market, or workplace was built from gray stone bricks or red clay bricks with wooden beams for support, similar to the buildings in uptown Rosepost. What looked like random symbols to James was actually the language of the dwarves. The most apparent difference on the buildings was that the roofs were made from hay instead of black clay tiles.


    There were many dwarves walking up and down the stone paved road, smiling as they talked to each other. They wore similar clothes to the people in uptown Rosepost: silk outfits of various colors. Most of the males had hair long enough to touch their upper back. But instead of letting it, they tied it back into a high ponytail with either a green or red band. The green band signified marriage and, in contrast, the red signified being unwed. The meaning was the same for the females, who had thin braids long enough to reach their lower backs. Female dwarves didn¡¯t tie their hair back though. They just simply tied a band corresponding to the marital status to the bottom of their braids.


    Something James noticed was the overwhelming presence of the dwarven army. Soldiers could be seen walking down the street, standing outside of buildings, or just simply talking to each other.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to excuse our paranoia,¡± the guard began as he led them down one of the stone roads. ¡°We¡¯ve recently received threats of war.¡±


    ¡°From who?¡± Princess Rosepost asked.


    ¡°We don¡¯t know his name, but we know he was a wizard. Like you.¡± the guard said to Aviar.


    ¡°LIke me?¡±


    The guard nodded. ¡°The gem on his belt was red though. And his eyes¡­ It was like they weren¡¯t even there.¡±


    James'' heart pounded with familiarity. His eyes slightly widened, he gave Aviar a look of dread and saw the wizard was looking at him the same way. Aldor.


    ¡°Did he say why he wanted to start a war?¡± James questioned.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple,¡± the dwarf began. ¡°We didn¡¯t do what he wanted.¡± He paused for a moment to let a child run past them before continuing. ¡°He offered us a role in his plan. A New World, he called it. But the role we would¡¯ve played was destroying the Kingdom of Rosepost, which is something we would never do. We dwarves are not thirsty for power and have kept to ourselves for years now. That¡¯s something we wish to continue. He spoke of some creature. Some ancient sleeping beast that needs to be awakened for this New World of his to come into place.¡±


    ¡°Was its name Myrmurrian?¡± James blurted as though he had no control over his tongue.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s exactly what the name was,¡± the guard replied. ¡°It¡¯s my personal opinion, and Emperor Bakdrel agreed, that if something has been asleep for years without disturbance, just leave it alone.¡±


    The dwarf¡¯s voice was drowned out by James¡¯ thoughts. If Aldor planned to awaken Myrmurrian, what would that mean for Lyrid? Would it be destroyed entirely?


    My parents.


    The memory of his parents briefly appearing in front of him flashed in his head. The blackness of their eyes and their rotting bodies made his skin crawl and his hairs stand.


    ¡°Come to me,¡± they said to him.


    Why did he think of his parents every time he thought of Myrmurrian? Were they connected?


    It can¡¯t be, James thought, fighting the possibility of something more sinister. Is Myrmurrian the reason my parents vanished?


    The voice of the guard snatched James out of his head.


    ¡°Anyway,¡± the dwarf said before he left. ¡°This is it.¡±


    James had not realized they arrived at the castle. A large and beautiful stone structure it was, the gray color of the stone blending perfectly with the blue color of the roofs of the many towers. A long, shiny, brown bridge, built over a deep and thick moat of water surrounding the castle, stretched between the castle and where James and the others stood. Standing along the polished black railings of it were guards dressed the same as the ones guarding the entrance. They stood so motionless James mistook them for statues covered in bronze.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Alaris asked him as they walked over the bridge, the tapping sounds of their footsteps being carried by the silence of the wind.


    ¡°Of course,¡± James answered. ¡°Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°You seem distant sometimes,¡± said Alaris. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re in a different world. The guard was talking to you for a moment and you didn¡¯t respond.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t really listening. I¡¯m sorry.¡±


    James caught a glimpse of Alaris¡¯ confused expression before turning away. No matter how he could word it, there was no way he could explain the constant headaches, visions of his parents, and dark voices without seeming like he¡¯d gone mad.

 Chapter 13

    ¡°The only humans that we¡¯ve had contact with all this time are the wizards of the Celestial Order,¡± King Bakdrel, ruler of the dwarves, yelled from his glistening burgundy throne. His voice reminded Alaris of his father¡¯s voice at church: loud and bold. ¡°So to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?¡± King Bakdrel was dressed in silky black and red garments and wore a red band around his black hair.


    Alaris and the others currently stood inside the Emperor¡¯s Quarters. The windows, which were covered with dark red curtains, let in enough sunlight to illuminate the entire room, bouncing off the black and white tiled floor. Dark wooden dressers and bookshelves that were tall enough for the dwarves to reach were placed against the stone walls, which were framed with wooden pillars. Between some of those were doors which lead to bedrooms or other parts of the castle.


    ¡°My kingdom,¡± Princess Rosepost began, ¡°has been invaded by Frostland. We came here to request your aid.¡±


    ¡°And what do you call your kingdom?¡± Bakdrel questioned.


    ¡°Rosepost.¡±


    The dwarf raised his eyebrows as soon as he heard the name. ¡°Rovere Rosepost, is that you¡±


    Everyone was just as confused as the Princess was, each of them exchanging looks of narrow eyes and tilted heads. ¡°Yes,¡± she answered slowly. ¡°Have we met before?¡±


    ¡°Your father and I used to be great friends,¡± he began. ¡°I never cared too much for his laziness, but it didn¡¯t matter to me. After he adopted you, his laziness increased and neglect for the residents of downtown Rosepost increased, despite his lack of involvement in your upbringing. That was enough for me to see him for how he truly was: an egotistical, lazy brat. I began to distance myself and my kingdom over time, which is probably why you don¡¯t remember me.¡±


    He then stood up from his throne.


    ¡°If you¡¯re here,¡± he began, ¡°then Charles must be dead.¡±


    Princess Rosepost nodded.


    ¡°I wish I could say I¡¯m shocked,¡± King Bakdrel sighed. ¡°I would be happy to provide any aid you all need to free your kingdom from Frostland.¡±


    Alaris and the others all began to smile, all relieved their home would have a chance at being saved.


    ¡°But I do request something in return,¡± Bakdrel continued as the Princess¡¯ smile faded. ¡°Allyship from you. I have to admit, I¡¯ve been on edge ever since that wizard showed up here threatening us with war. It would be nice to have somebody on our side.¡±


    ¡°Of course.¡± the Princess said.


    ¡°Alright,¡± Bakdrel said as he began walking past Alaris and the others, toward the two brown wooden doors. The doors weren¡¯t that much taller than the humans in the room, but compared to the height of the one dwarf, it was quite tall. ¡°All of you may feel free to explore the castle.¡±


    ¡°Where are you going?¡± Princess Rosepost asked


    ¡°Your kingdom needs saving, does it not? I would tell you all to come with us so you can fight, but our armor does not fit you. Therefore, you all must stay here,¡± Bakdrel stated. ¡°That is, unless you have the skills to fight without armor.¡±


    James and Aviar exchanged looks.


    Before Braya, Alaris, James, or Aviar could even think of responding, Princess Rosepost had already begun talking.


    ¡°No,¡± she immediately said. ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous.¡±


    ¡°With all due respect, Princess, our chances at saving your kingdom might be better if there¡¯s a wizard there.¡± Aviar stated.


    ¡°I agree with him,¡± James blurted. ¡°I should go as well.¡±


    ¡°No, James. You¡¯re staying here. You¡¯d die out there without armor.¡± Alaris quickly stated. He can''t truly be thinking about going with them.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, Alaris. King Rosepost sent me on two missions without armor, remember?¡±


    Alaris squinted his eyes a little. For as long as he could remember, the one thing James had always wanted was peace and to be left alone. But now he was debating with the Princess if he should go to war or not when he could be severely injured, or worse, die. Something about James¡¯ behavior choked Alaris¡¯ suspicion, and his anxiety.


    Princess Rosepost sighed. ¡°If you die, I will never forgive you.¡±


    ¡°If you both are coming, please, follow me now. Daylight is not infinite.¡± King Bakdrel stated.


    James and Aviar began walking after Bakdrel as he walked through the doors. But before James could step out of the room, Alaris grabbed his arm and whispered, ¡°Are you trying to get yourself killed?¡±


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    ¡°I¡¯ll explain it later. I promise.¡± James said.


    Alaris let go of his arm and James walked out of the room, shutting the doors behind him.


    Immediately, Alaris was drowning in fear. His heart was beating as though it wanted to escape the confines of his chest. And his breathing grew faster no matter how much he tried to slow it. Why would James put himself in a situation as dangerous as that? Did he want to get hurt? What was he planning? What did James need to explain?


    He¡¯s going to get killed, Alairs thought as he rubbed his eyes with his shaky hands.


    All these questions and thoughts weighed on Alaris¡¯ shoulders, wrapping their hands around his neck and squeezing it so tight he could barely breathe.


    ¡°Maybe you should sit down.¡± he heard the Princess suggest.


    When he took his hands off his face he saw the Princess looking at him and Braya, oddly, was nowhere to be found.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he said, his vision becoming narrow as he did his best to hide his uncontrolled breathing. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡±


    Alaris quickly opened one of the doors in the room, walked through, and slammed it shut behind him. Almost instantly, he fell to his knees, breathing rapidly through his mouth as tears started racing down his face.


    The possibility of James being killed made Alaris¡¯ mouth and throat dry. He cared for James more than he did for himself. If something were to happen to him, he would never forgive himself, even if he had no part in it.


    Alaris began to shiver as he buried his head in his hands.


    It was as though he could see everything happening in front of him. The grayness of the stone used for James¡¯ grave, Merlis¡¯ sword-like words of blame directed towards him, and the tree in Butterfly Grove were repeating in his head endlessly. All of it reminded him of his mother¡¯s death. Something he never wanted to go through again.


    He¡¯ll be fine, Alaris thought in an attempt to comfort himself.


    Though his forced thoughts of positivity didn¡¯t help much, eventually his breathing and heart slowed. Once his vision returned to normal, he saw a bed in the room and realized he was in King Bakdrel¡¯s bedroom.


    He rose from his knees, wiped the tears from his face, took a deep breath, and exited the room, still worrying about James.


    After closing the door behind him, he looked around the throne room but didn¡¯t see anyone. Did the Princess leave?


    It was quiet enough for him to still hear his heartbeat as well as someone talking.


    Someone talking.


    If nobody was in there with him, who could have been talking?


    He saw the door ahead of him was slightly open, with a scaly green tail sticking out of it.


    Eyebrows raised, he slowly began walking over to the door. With each step, the talking became louder.


    What is that?


    Once close to the door, he listened to the voice. It was Braya¡¯s voice. A voice he didn¡¯t expect to hear at all.


    Who is she in there with?


    To him, she sounded upset.


    Watching the tail closely, his curiosity got the best of him as he listened to her conversation.


    ¡°You of all people should know what happens when my orders are disobeyed.¡± an unpleasant, unfamiliar voice said.


    ¡°I know,¡± Braya fumed. ¡°But you said my brother and I had until the end of the month.¡±


    ¡°And you still do. But if there¡¯s been days without any sign of progress, then my property must be disobeying me.¡± the voice told Braya.


    ¡°I¡¯m not your property.¡± Braya mumbled.


    Alaris could hear the faint sound of something metal sliding against leather and Braya¡¯s gasp.


    ¡°Do you mind speaking louder? I¡¯m afraid my hearing has grown defective.¡± the voice requested.


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°Good,¡± said the voice, the sound of metal sliding against leather briefly returning.


    ¡°I can¡¯t just steal the wizard¡¯s belt. Even if I do it while he¡¯s sleeping, I¡¯m sure he would still know. They all would. This isn¡¯t simple.¡±


    Surely, she isn¡¯t a thief, Alaris pondered.


    ¡°You¡¯re in a castle, Braya. One that is currently unguarded because its guards went off to war.¡±


    ¡°And?¡±


    ¡°You are not here to make friends or find love. You¡¯re surrounded by things of value. Find something. You know what will happen if you don¡¯t.¡±


    Alaris watched as the tail vanished, every scale slowly becoming nothing. After Braya sighed, the door opened a little more and out she walked.


    ¡°Hey,¡± Alaris said. She jumped slightly and turned around, her eyes wide with fear. ¡°Who was that?¡±


    ¡°Nobody,¡± she said. ¡°Were you spying on me?¡±


    ¡°Answer me.¡± Alaris demanded.


    Braya folded her lips in as though she wrestled with the words in her head, deciding which gets the privilege of coming out her mouth. ¡°Tell anyone and I¡¯ll slit your throat.¡±


    ¡°With what?¡± Alaris questioned. ¡°Your hand?¡±


    Alaris couldn¡¯t believe it. This criminal was the girl he¡¯d pulled from the dead body of her brother to save her from either burning in the flames or getting slaughtered by one of Frostland¡¯s soldiers.


    ¡°Alright then,¡± Braya began. ¡°James.¡±


    Alaris¡¯ heart immediately sank to his knees.


    ¡°He¡¯s fallen for me,¡± Braya continued. ¡°It¡¯s a shame how easily love can blind the heart of a man. He¡¯d barely believe you if you told him. But if you do, then you¡¯ll be trading his life for yours. I¡¯m sure that isn¡¯t something you¡¯d want to do since you two are so close. You don¡¯t want to be the reason for James'' death, do you?¡±


    Alaris couldn¡¯t tell if Braya was just trying to scare him, or if she was serious. She looked almost disgusted by her own words. But Alaris wasn¡¯t going to take her words lightly. Not after seeing the coldness in her eyes.


    ¡°Is everything alright?¡±


    Braya and Alaris both turned their heads to the two doors and saw Princess Rosepost standing there, closing the doors behind her.


    Alaris glanced back at Braya, and she reciprocated the gaze.


    ¡°Yes,¡± he said. ¡°Everything is fine.¡±

 Chapter 14

    ¡°I think it¡¯s reasonable to assume that Aldor has something to do with Frostland¡¯s attack on Rosepost.¡± Aviar stated, his voice overlapping the sound of the horses'' hooves stepping on the crisp, cold grass as it walked.


    He rode a white horse, while James rode a brown one, as did the hundreds of dwarves behind them who too were riding horses and King Bakdrel, who was riding in front of them. All the dwarves wore bronze armor with a spear mounted on their backs, while James and Aviar only had their clothes for protection and a short, sheathed sword on their waists.


    ¡°I agree,¡± James said. ¡°I doubt any other wizard is going around Lyrid causing wars and threatening kingdoms.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he¡¯ll be there?¡± James asked. ¡°At Rosepost, I mean.¡±


    ¡°If he isn¡¯t, then we would be putting our lives at risk for no reason.¡± replied Aviar.


    Despite James now looking down at the reins of his horse, Aviar was still staring at his face, squinting to see what he could of his eyes. Something was different about them. It was like a dark veil was put over them, casting a shadow on what normally would be white in his eyes. Given that there were no trees around them, it couldn¡¯t have been a physical shadow. And it wasn¡¯t stretched across his face or behind him.


    My eyes must be deceiving me.


    Whether it had been an illusion or reality, the darkness of James¡¯ eyes made him feel uneasy.


    ¡°What?¡± James asked as he looked back at Aviar, his face showing confusion.


    ¡°Nothing.¡±


    ¡°If Aldor truly is behind all this,¡± James began, ¡°what could be his reason for sending Frostland to literally destroy Rosepost?¡±


    ¡°Well,¡± started Aviar. ¡°We know he wants people to join him and Evisior. When the dwarves refused, he threatened them with war. Therefore, maybe he wanted the King to join him, but was met with the same answer. Thus causing him to send Frostland, a kingdom who he probably had on his side already.¡±


    For a moment, James looked like he was deep in his thoughts, fishing out whatever he could.


    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Aviar asked.


    ¡°A while ago,¡± James began, ¡°I was sent by the King to rescue Princess Rosepost from Lord Darkstar. Aldor and Evisior were there and were disappointed that it was me and not the King. Lord Darkstar gave me the Princess back. Then he said something about them gaining nothing from killing a farmer.¡±


    ¡°Your point, James.¡±


    ¡°My point is, I think you¡¯re right. He and Evisior are probably killing any world leaders who won¡¯t join them.¡±


    ¡°Removing obstacles before they become too large.¡± added Aviar.


    James nodded.


    What James suggested made sense, but it created a new question. Why are Aldor and Evisior trying to awaken Myrmurrian in the first place? Hopefully, this question would soon be answered now that they approached the ruins of the kingdom.


    ¡°We¡¯re here.¡± King Bakdrel stated. He lifted his fist in the air, his arm bent at an angle, and all the dwarves behind James and Aviar stopped the movement of their horses.


    From where they were, many Frostland soldiers could be seen all around the kingdom¡¯s remains, patrolling it nonstop as though they were informed of the possibility of aid coming for Rosepost, or to make sure nobody left inside could escape to go retrieve help.


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    ¡°If you too wish to stay here,¡± he began as James and Aviar stopped their horses beside him, ¡°I¡¯d suggest you make that decision now.


    James and Aviar both shook their heads left and right.


    ¡°Very well, Bakdrel said. ¡°I don¡¯t say this often, but please, be careful. I¡¯d hate for the burden of informing your friends of your deaths to fall on any of us.¡±


    He then put his fist up once more, and the sound of hooves hitting the ground rapidly filled the air as the horses carrying the dwarves, James, Aviar took off, the wind blowing the hair on their heads back as the horses ran. Weapons were taken off backs and unsheathed the closer they got to the kingdom.


    It was easy to enter the kingdom since the Frostland army wasn¡¯t expecting to be attacked by a force of such great size. But the screams of men who were killed by the dwarves on horses were carried throughout Rosepost, alerting the others and the queen herself.


    James, Aviar, and the dwarves fought as long as they could while mounted, swinging their swords at heads and impaling people with their spears. But eventually, their horses were struck and to the ground they fell. The sound of spears clanking against swords and men and dwarves screaming as they were brutally killed spread quickly.


    Side by side Aviar and James fought. But after a while, Aviar lost sight of James. Once he noticed he was gone, his heart began pounding more than it already was.


    Where did he go?


    The battle continued, scattering bodies of humans and dwarves everywhere, covering both the ground and the ruins. But there were more fallen humans than dwarves. The Frostland army had shrunk in size, paving the way for victory for the dwarves.


    Aviar stood in a clearing, panting uncontrollably as he wiped the splattered blood off his face. Though the war was still going on around him, he felt safe for a moment, letting his sword swing low in his hand. But his concern for James¡¯ safety still existed. He looked as far as his eyes would allow him, trying his hardest to peer between the humans and dwarves, but still couldn¡¯t see James. He even scoured the ground, fearful of the possibility of seeing James lying lifelessly on it. But amongst the bronze and white armor covering bodies of various sizes, he never once an armorless one.


    A touch on his shoulder made his heart jump. He raised his sword as he turned around, but lowered it immediately after realizing it was King Bakdrel, a rather relieving sight despite most of his body being covered in blood.


    ¡°Where is your friend?¡± Bakdrel asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Aviar answered. ¡°We were together at first, but we got separated as time went on.¡±


    As the battle came to an end, the remaining Frostland soldiers fled or were killed. Everyone but Aviar began cheering and celebrating. Where could James have gone?


    Once the cheering came to an end, Aviar could hear the faint sound of swords clanking.


    ¡°Do you hear that?¡± he asked Bakdrel after looking at him.


    ¡°Hear what?¡±


    Aviar immediately followed the noise, with Bakdrel following behind him. The closer he got to the sound, the more its cause became apparent.


    He saw James covering part of his stomach with one hand and his sword in his other as he struggled to fight Queen Sorlia, each touch of their swords seemingly weakening James more and more. Blood was pouring from his stomach between his fingers as he struggled to stand.


    ¡°James!¡± Aviar yelled as he and Bakdrel ran to help James.


    From his hands he shot a large, shiny, orb of magic at Sorlia, knocking her straight to the ground.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Aviar frantically asked James, reaching his arm around James¡¯ back and placing his hand on his shoulder as he looked down at James¡¯ stomach. He placed his other hand over James¡¯ hand which was covering the bleeding wound.


    ¡°Never better,¡± said James, dropping his sword.


    Aviar looked up after hearing Queen Sorlia¡¯s screams of pain. He saw that Bakdrel had driven the blade of his spear through her shoulder as she laid on the ground.


    ¡°Please!¡± she cried out. ¡°I¡¯ll leave!¡±


    ¡°Why did you attack the kingdom in the first place?¡± James managed to say.


    Sorlia¡¯s lips didn¡¯t even flinch.


    King Bakdrel began pushing his spear deeper into her shoulder.


    ¡°Answer his question and you can leave.¡± he yelled over her screams.


    ¡°It was a sorcerer!¡± she blurted. ¡°He said if we joined him, we would be spared after he awakened some ancient beast. He wanted us to make sure Rosepost or any other kingdom wouldn¡¯t get in the way.¡±


    ¡°Where is this sorcerer now?¡± questioned Aviar.


    ¡°He said he was going to Indora,¡± Sorlia answered. ¡°Please! Let me go!¡±


    Bakdrel pulled his spear from her shoulder and she immediately stood up and ran, covering the wound with her hand.


    James then fell to his knees, barely able to keep his eyes open. Aviar¡¯s hand was covered in blood, making it look as though his skin was bright red.


    ¡°He¡¯s lost too much blood,¡± King Bakdrel stated. ¡°He needs medical attention before it¡¯s too late.¡±

 Chapter 15

    Braya, Princess Rosepost, and Alaris were still in the throne room when King Bakdrel walked through the doors and told them James had been hurt. He guided them to a large white tent near the castle that was filled with injured soldiers and doctors tending to their wounds. Silhouettes of the dwarven soldiers sitting on stools and lying on table-like wooden beds as the doctors treated them could be seen from outside the tent due to the mass amount of lanterns inside.


    ¡°What happened?¡± Alaris frantically asked Aviar, who was standing next to the bed James unconsciously laid on.


    ¡°Is he alive?¡± Braya questioned.


    ¡°Queen Sorlia stabbed him,¡± Aviar answered, wiping his arms, hands, and face with a white cloth to clean the blood. ¡°She would¡¯ve killed him if Bakdrel and I didn¡¯t get to him sooner.¡±


    ¡°He will be fine,¡± a doctor said. She wore a brown cloak with black leaves painted on the sleeves. ¡°I closed the wound and spread honey on the bandage to combat infection. Just make sure the bandage stays on for at least a few days before removal.¡± She then left.


    That isn¡¯t normal, Braya thought after briefly placing her hand on the skin of James¡¯ arm. For a moment, she questioned if she was touching ice or some form of metal. The coldness of his skin began transferring itself to her, slowly crawling up her arm. She snatched her hand away and immediately, the icy feeling went away. Braya was met with the confused faces of King Bakdrel, Alaris, and Aviar.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Alaris asked.


    Due to her threatening his and James¡¯ lives, which made her sick to her stomach, she was shocked he even made eye contact with her. Does he even remember?


    Instead of leaving him with no response, she shook her head from left to right.


    Her muscles tightening, Braya raised her eyebrows as she looked at James. She scanned every part of his body, from his feet to his head. To her surprise, everything seemed normal, with his body at least. But the normality of one¡¯s body being so cold¡ªit could be felt deep within the skin of someone who touched it¡ªdidn¡¯t exist. But there wasn¡¯t anything she could do about it, nor was there anyone she could tell without sounding like she needed medical attention herself. It wasn¡¯t like Alaris would have believed her anyway. He was likely worried about James¡¯ well being more than she was. And given the nature of their relationship, he would probably brush it off as another lie.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to have a word with all of you outside.¡± Bakdrel stated.


    Each of them followed King Bakdrel outside the tent where they stood under the starry sky, the cold breeze dancing on their skin.


    ¡°Princess,¡± he began, ¡°I saw how your kingdom -or what¡¯s left of it- looked. It¡¯s highly unlikely that you¡¯ll be able to rebuild on your own, therefore, us dwarves will be happy to help.¡±


    Princess Rosepost smiled. ¡°Thank you.¡±


    ¡°As for the rest of you, there are multiple inns within the kingdom for you to stay in until your departure. Come to the castle tomorrow and I¡¯ll give you horses to quicken your journey home. And I will be sending as many materials and skilled dwarves as possible along with you to get a head start on rebuilding.¡±


    Everyone nodded as Bakdrel began walking away.


    ¡°Oh, one more thing,¡± he started again, turning back around. ¡°It¡¯s possible for your friend not to remember anything that happened when he wakes up. Just give him time and he should be back to normal.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll see you all tomorrow.¡± he said as he walked away.


    ¡°So,¡± Princess Rosepost began,¡± I guess we should go find an inn.¡±


    After searching the cold, dark streets of the kingdom for a while, they eventually came across a building with the name CLOVERFIELD INN built into it with bright blue letters, barely visible in the moonlight. Inside, there were chairs and tables everywhere, each with a lantern or candle placed on the center of it.


    ¡°You all aren¡¯t from around here.¡± said a female dwarf with a smile, who was cleaning a table with a soaking wet cloth.


    ¡°We were hoping to stay here for the night.¡± Aviar stated.


    ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be a problem,¡± the dwarf said. ¡°Go through that door and up the stairs.¡± She pointed to a short green door. ¡°There should be at least two doors with green signs on them. Those rooms aren¡¯t occupied. Flip the sign over to the red side when you go into it. Each room has two beds in it though.¡±


    ¡°Thank you.¡± Princess Rosepost said.


    After walking through the door, going up the stairs, and walking down a long hallway with doors on each side with red signs on them, they eventually found the two doors with green sides on them. Aviar and Alaris went in one room, and Braya and Princess Rosepost went into the other, flipping the sign over before entering.


    The moonlight shining through the window was enough to light their path to the beds, where she and Princess Rosepost both fell asleep.

 Chapter 16

    Standing completely still, James turned his head every which way, searching for anything that wasn¡¯t a black void. For miles, there was nothing he could see except a black emptiness with shades of violet running through it. It was like a shadowy veil over his eyes, so dark he couldn¡¯t even see his own hands.


    ¡°Alaris?¡± he yelled with a trembling voice, hoping for a response from a comforting voice. But no matter who¡¯s name he called, whether it¡¯d been Alaris¡¯, Aviar¡¯s, Braya¡¯s, or Princess Rosepost¡¯s, he was met with chilling whispers in his ears.


    ¡°Come to me.¡± the whispering voices said.


    He flinched and turned to the direction of the voices but couldn¡¯t see anything.


    Slowly, his limbs began shaking more and more and his heart raced faster and faster. He felt like a child lost in an unfamiliar location. He wanted to move, but for all he knew, one step could send him plummeting to his death.


    A touch on his shoulder from behind made his gasp. He then whipped his whole body around immediately and blinked rapidly at the sight of a woman standing before him, wearing nothing but her skin and brown hair. He couldn¡¯t see her face since she wasn¡¯t facing him. She was the one thing he could see clearly.


    ¡°Braya?¡± he said, initially thinking it was her due to her feminine body. But the woman¡¯s skin was too pale to be Braya. Although he¡¯d never seen Braya in an undressed state, he was certain parts of her body weren¡¯t rotting. That¡¯s not Braya.


    Slowly, the woman turned her head around, but to James¡¯ horror, her body moved not once. Sounds of her bones popping and cracking made James¡¯ eyes widen as he took a step back. His breathing quickened, as he was now staring into the empty, black eyes of his mother. ¡°Mom?¡± he said, shivering uncontrollably.


    ¡°Come to me.¡± James¡¯ mother repeatedly whispered.


    A huge, black, scaly, dragon-like face with glaring, big, sharp, pink eyes appeared behind her. Whatever creature was behind her was larger than the tallest trees and more horrifying than death itself. What is that?


    If evil had a face, then whatever James was looking at would be it, he thought. He was so horrifyingly mesmerized by the creature that he forgot his mom was still chanting the same words over and over again.


    The sound of a crackling fire behind him made him turn around slowly. He then slapped his hands against his mouth, his eyes bulging.


    Before him stood Alaris, which normally would have been a sight more than pleasant. But instead of being happy to see his brother, he was overrun with shock and horror. Every part of Alaris¡¯ body was engulfed in flames. Bloody tears poured out of his dull, white eyes and into his eerily smiling mouth. Two horns like a mountain goat¡¯s were slowly growing from the top of his head.


    As Alaris began to laugh, James woke up with a scream and quickly sat up. Panting, he looked all around him. He was in what looked like a tent, sitting on a table-like bed surrounded by stools and other beds. The ability to see again brought little comfort to James as he was still disturbed by everything he saw, or dreamt.


    Never once had he been so cold when waking up. He felt like his skin was coated in a thick layer of ice, melting in the sunlight.


    His heart jumped at the sound of a female voice. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± she asked.


    Instead of his decaying mother, it was a female dwarf dressed in a brown cloak with black leaves painted on it.


    ¡°Where¡¯s everyone else?¡± James asked as he got off the bed, covering his stomach with his hand due to the nearly unbearable pain he felt.


    ¡°Slow down,¡± the female dwarf demanded. ¡°You¡¯ll reopen your wound.¡±


    ¡°Just tell me where they are. Please.¡± requested James. Though he wanted to see everyone else, he was desperate to see Alaris in his normal state. Seeing his brother literally burning alive disturbed him deeply. It was something he never wanted to see or think about ever again.


    ¡°They¡¯re at the castle,¡± the dwarf answered. ¡°Are you sure you can get there on your own?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    James struggled to walk back to the castle, the nearly unbearable pain from the wound pulsing with each step. Eventually, he made it there. Once inside, he walked through the red doors and into the throne room where he saw King Bakdrel speaking to everyone else. To his relief, Alaris wasn¡¯t on fire, nor did he have horns growing from his head.


    ¡°James?¡± Alaris said, his and everyone else¡¯s faces showing shock. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be resting?¡±


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± James asked him, still shaken up by his dream.


    ¡°I think I should be asking you that.¡± Alaris then reached out his arm to help James stand. ¡°How are you feeling?¡±


    James grabbed Alaris¡¯ arm and rested some of his weight on it. ¡°I¡¯m alright.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay.¡± Aviar stated.


    ¡°As I was saying,¡± Bakdrel interrupted, ¡°It would take awhile to gather enough builders to send to Rosepost with you, so you all will have to go by yourselves. I told the general to prepare horses for you outside the kingdom.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t thank you enough for your help.¡± Princess Rosepost said.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to thank me,¡± King Bakdrel began walking back to his throne. ¡°I hope everything goes well.¡±


    After Bakdrel finished talking, James and the others walked outside of the throne room, and outside of the castle.


    As Braya and Aviar continued walking, Alaris stopped James before they could walk across the bridge.


    ¡°James,¡± he began. ¡°Why exactly were you so eager to go off to fight with the dwarves?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯ll believe me.¡± James sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been walking for days with a wizard and saw a lizard-looking man in the desert,¡± Alaris stated. ¡°I¡¯ll believe anything at this point.¡±


    James was still hesitant to tell him though. The last thing he wanted to do was drag Alaris into the situation with Aldor and Evisior. But he also knew Alaris wouldn¡¯t stop worrying about him if he didn¡¯t. Therefore, with a sigh, he began to tell Alaris everything that happened, from when King Rosepost sent him to save the Princess to he and Aviar¡¯s recent speculation of Aldor¡¯s plans for world dominance.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn¡¯t that.¡± Alaris said, wide eyed with a slight smile.


    ¡°I know it¡¯s a lot.¡±


    ¡°How far away is Indora?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± James answered. ¡°But I think we should focus on getting back to the kingdom before worrying about anything regarding Aldor and Evisior.¡±


    Alaris nodded and he and James continued walking.


    After catching up with Braya and Aviar at the exit of Daroeth Keeth, they each mounted a horse and rode off into the direction of Rosepost Kingdom.


    If one were to pass by what was left of Rosepost Kingdom from afar, one would¡¯ve thought it a historical sight of Lyrid¡¯s past, a graveyard of memories both good and bad. But once closer to it, what was an obvious painful and recent nightmare for the residents would have been clear as day. The repulsive stench of the rotting corpses of the Frostland Army, the Rosepost Army, some of the Dwarven Army, and some of Rosepost¡¯s residents made itself a home in the air. The overwhelming amount of bodies were like the finishing touches on an art piece crafted by hate and greed.


    James and the others had to dismount their horses as it would¡¯ve been difficult for the horses to walk on the remains of both buildings and humans.


    He and Alaris both buried their noses in their elbows as the putrid smell grew stronger the deeper into the kingdom they went.


    ¡°How long do you think it¡¯ll take for everything to be rebuilt?¡± Aviar questioned.


    ¡°Definitely not a few days.¡± Princess Rosepost sighed. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Everything in the kingdom was unrecognizable to James. All the houses, shops, and workplaces were destroyed beyond recognition. He didn¡¯t even know if they passed his farm or not.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± a feminine voice said from behind, making James¡¯ heart jump a little. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the Princess?¡±


    He and the others turned around and saw a woman standing there, her skin covered in dust and hair filled with debris. In shock, he removed his elbow from his nose, as did Alaris.


    ¡°I- uh,¡± The Princess seemed just as confused as James and everyone else was, both their eyebrows raised.


    It wasn¡¯t possible for anyone to survive something as horrible and unexpected as that, James thought. The sight of the woman standing there filled him with a sense that she had somehow defied the laws of life, eluding death. But that didn¡¯t matter. The fact that life still existed in Rosepost after what happened made his heart warm.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Princess Rosepost eventually answered.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind me asking,¡± Alaris began, ¡°how did you survive?¡±


    ¡°Most of us hid when the attack happened, others were just fortunate enough to have survived.¡± the woman answered.


    Us. That meant there were others who somehow lived.


    ¡°Why did you leave us?¡± she asked, looking back at Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°I beg your pardon?¡± said Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°You left your kingdom when it needed you the most. We all thought you died in the attack.¡± the woman stated.


    Before the Princess could answer, the woman continued speaking, crossing her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t know why we thought of you differently. You¡¯re a Rosepost after all. Just the same as your father.¡±


    The woman then stormed away, leaving the Princess visibly upset and James and the others shocked.


    ¡°I was hoping my reign would be different from my father¡¯s,¡± Princess Rosepost began, ¡°but given that they already seem to hate me, I think that might just be a fantasy.¡±


    ¡°Tell them you were the one who requested the help of the dwarves,¡± Alaris suggested. ¡°That might make them like you a little more.¡±


    ¡°They¡¯d be upset that I didn¡¯t travel to Daroeth Keeth by myself.¡± she sighed.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll change their minds once the kingdom is rebuilt.¡± Aviar stated.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t like your father,¡± James added. ¡°You and I haven¡¯t known each other for long, but you''ve been nothing but kind since we first met, unlike the King.¡±


    ¡°It takes time for people to get adjusted to a new ruler,¡± Alaris stated. ¡°When they realize you¡¯re nothing like your father, they¡¯ll begin to like you.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, but those are your opinions,¡± She then began walking away. ¡°Their opinions outweigh yours, I¡¯m sure. Thank you all for your help.¡±


    Alaris grabbed James¡¯ arm before he could follow after the Princess.


    ¡°She probably needs a moment by herself,¡± he said. ¡°I think the realization that she is the queen now is too much for her to handle at the moment.¡±


    Despite not knowing each other for long and barely speaking to each other, James began to worry about her. Being heir to the throne was already stressful enough for her, James assumed, but for it to be passed to her in such an unexpected and horrible way must have only piled on more stress. But unfortunately, there were more important things that needed attention.


    ¡°Aviar,¡± James began. ¡°Would it be too soon to search for Aldor?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Aviar answered. ¡°The sooner we begin, the better.¡±


    Alaris slowly began shaking his head in disagreement. ¡°No,¡± he said. ¡°You¡¯re hurt, James. The last thing you need to do right now is travel to Indora. You need to rest.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be alright, Alaris.¡± James stated. Alaris¡¯ tendency to worry about him was nothing new to James. Ever since they were children, Alaris had worried himself sick over James¡¯ safety. Due to how cautious he was and how adventurous James was, it was justified. But since reconnecting after the death of Alaris¡¯ mother, James noticed an increase in his brother¡¯s worrying. He wanted to ask about it, but Alaris was never one to talk about his personal feelings, at least never to James.


    ¡°Did you say you¡¯re going to Indora?¡± Braya asked.


    James had almost forgotten Braya was there since they had barely spoken to each other after he woke up.


    ¡°Yes.¡± Aviar answered.


    ¡°Why would you want to go there? That place is dangerous.¡± she questioned, her eyebrows lowered slightly.


    Aviar turned to James and said, ¡°You never told her about Aldor and Evisior?¡±


    ¡°Was I supposed to?¡± The thought of informing Braya about everything that was going on never crossed James¡¯ mind. He wouldn¡¯t have told Alaris had he not asked him twice why he went to fight with the dwarves. It wasn¡¯t a secret he was keeping from them. It just didn¡¯t concern them, in his head.


    Aviar then explained everything to Braya in the same order James explained it to Alaris: from the beginning, to where they now stood.


    ¡°That¡¯s¡­ A lot.¡± Braya stated, blinking rapidly. She looked just as confused as Alaris did when he told him.


    ¡°I¡¯d understand if you would want to stay here from now on.¡± James said.


    For a moment it seemed like Braya was going to agree with James. But after she briefly glanced at Aviar¡¯s belt, she said, ¡°There isn¡¯t really much for me here. I might as well stay with you three.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sure the Princess would need your help with something here,¡± Alaris randomly blurted. ¡°I think you should stay.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± Braya sternly stated as she and Alaris stared at each other, both their eyes narrowed.


    Wonder what that¡¯s about, James thought. Not once had he ever seen Alaris and Braya speak to each other. Therefore, seeing them seemingly upset with each other was confusing. Did something happen while he was away?


    ¡°Speaking of the Princess,¡± Aviar began. ¡°Someone should probably tell her that we¡¯re leaving.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Alaris said. He then walked in the direction Princess Rosepost went.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting for you all by the horses.¡± Aviar stated before leaving as well.


    Then James turned to Braya. Her sun kissed skin and curly hair was just as beautiful as it was when he first saw her.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re alright,¡± she said with a smile. ¡°Are you cold?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes,¡± James answered, a little confused by the randomness of her question. He assumed she was referring to the weather since it was still winter. ¡°Are you?¡± he asked.


    ¡°Not really.¡±


    Braya then sighed and said, ¡°Can I ask you something about your brother?¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± James said slowly.


    ¡°How protective is he of you?¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s an unusual question.¡± James stated, his eyebrows slightly raised.


    ¡°It¡¯s just something I was curious about. I noticed he always seems worried about you,¡± Braya explained. ¡°I¡¯m sorry if it¡¯s a personal question.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re fine,¡± said James. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say he¡¯s protective. I think attached describes him better. He wasn¡¯t always like that though. As we got older, it became clear to me that he cared about me a lot, which, I assume, is why he worries so much.¡±


    ¡°Is Alaris still close with his family?¡± questioned Braya.


    Yes, James was going to say. But he remembered the brief conversation he and Alaris had at the Lion Claw Tavern. His view of what his brother¡¯s and Merlis¡¯ relationship was nothing but a false reality, a thick wall built to hide what was truly happening within.


    ¡°Alaris never told me the full extent, but he recently told me his father wasn¡¯t a good person when his mom and I weren¡¯t around. I do know for certain that he and his mother were close, though. At least, up until her passing.¡± James answered, briefly turning to look at Alaris as he spoke to Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°What exactly happened to his mom?¡±


    ¡°Where are all these questions coming from?¡±


    James thought Braya¡¯s random interest in Alaris was slightly strange since they seemed upset with each other earlier.


    ¡°Did something happen while I was away with Aviar?¡± James guessed.


    ¡°What makes you think that?¡± Braya asked, looking around. ¡°We should go back to the horses. Aviar is probably waiting for us.¡± She then quickly left, leaving James confused.


    Without a doubt, James could tell there was something Braya was keeping from him. But whether or not she would tell or wanted to tell him was something time would reveal. And if she was keeping it from him, it was probably for a good reason. Her business is her own.


    What any of it had to do with Alaris still left him quite curious though.


    Once back at the horses, James, Braya, and Aviar were preparing to mount their own when Alaris walked up.


    ¡°Is she alright?¡± James asked him, referring to Princess Rosepost.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± Alaris answered, beginning to mount his horse. ¡°She didn¡¯t really want to talk about anything. But I told her we were leaving.¡±


    ¡°Does she know where we¡¯re going?¡± Aviar queried.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Alaris replied as he adjusted the horse''s reins. ¡°If she was listening, that is.¡±


    ¡°Do you know where we¡¯re going?¡± said Braya. ¡°In which direction, I mean.¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± Aviar replied. ¡°It¡¯s north of here. I must inform you all that this is no short journey and is nothing but dangerous. We¡¯ll have to pass through Arglor to get to Indora. It will take days, perhaps even a week, to reach it. And it might take more days to get through Arglor. The chances of us crossing paths with Aldor are higher than before, which is both a good and bad thing. They are, if not more, just as dangerous as this journey.¡± Aviar then focused his attention on Braya and Alaris. ¡°James and I are more entangled in this mess than you two. If either of you wish to stay here, please make that decision now.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like we have homes to return to or places to work.¡± Alaris stated.


    ¡°And I think it would be wrong of us to abandon you both knowing how dangerous those sorcerers are.¡± Braya added.


    ¡°Then we should leave now,¡± Aviar then mounted his horse, as did the others. ¡°There¡¯s no telling how far Aldor is into his horrible plan or where he is.¡±


    A strange feeling of unpleasant relief swept over James. He was more than ready to put an end to Aldor and Evisior¡¯s plan and everything related to it, but would it be worth it at the expense of the lives of the people close to him? Part of him wanted Alaris with him, but the other part of him wanted his brother to stay at the kingdom where his life wouldn¡¯t be at risk. He felt the same about Braya, but he worried for Alaris¡¯ safety more than hers because, despite caring for them both, he cared more about Alaris. Memories of the awful dream he had made his feelings much worse. What if it meant something? What if his dream was a warning or some sort of glimpse into the future? What if-


    I wonder if this is how Alaris thinks about me, James thought, noticing how far his overthinking went. The last time he worried this much for Alaris was when his mother died. But it didn¡¯t matter. He and Braya made their decisions and there was nothing he could do to change them.


    ¡°Everything alright?¡± Braya asked him.


    James took a deep breath and nodded.


    Then, off they went, headed north to hopefully put a stop Aldor and save Lyrid before it was too late.

 Chapter 17

    Looking down into the crystal blue water of the Sacred Lake that once belonged to his tribe glistening in the evening sunlight, Lorin stared at his reflection. He could see blood smeared across the light brown skin on his face, and some splattered in his unkempt, wavy, short, black hair.


    Forming his hands into a bowl, Lorin reached into the Lake, filled his hands with water, and poured it on his face, washing away most of the blood of the wretched people he¡¯d ridded Arglor of. Their greedy, power-hungry blood smelled horrible and he wanted it off him immediately. He did the same for his hair twice, pouring water onto his head to wash the blood out of it. He then vigorously shook his head to get the water out.


    Lorin then turned around and walked back to his village, or what remained of it. Once, the village was a beautiful sight to see, its small huts once made with brown wood from Arglor¡¯s trees and roofed with dried palm leaves. Now, only a few huts were untouched by the fire humans set to the village, while others were almost nonexistent. There were once people like him, but they were gone. Dead. Killed. Had it not been for Frostland showing up all those years ago when he was just a child, they would have still been there. Everything would have still been there. All that was there now was the cries and screams of his people¡¯s distressed souls. Mother Isin, creator of the world and spirit of good, had abandoned them that day, leaving them to fight for themselves without any supernatural aid.


    Entering one of the untouched huts, Lorin sat down on the ground, his back against the clay wall inside. Near the ground on the wall behind him was a depiction of three paw prints, each one of a different size. Staring at it brought back the last good memory he had of his parents. He remembered the day his father, his mother, and himself, all in the panther forms, dipped their paws into a bowl of red paste and pressed it onto the wall. It was the day before tragedy struck. The day before he lost everything. Lorin¡¯s heart ached every time he thought of his tribe. He missed the feeling of having people to laugh and have fun with or turn to when something was wrong.


    A family, he thought. I miss having a family.


    Lorin laid back onto the ground, deep in his thoughts.


    I could¡¯ve just left with everything else.


    Everything about his tribe had been erased from history, burned to nothingness. The memory of his culture and people had more than likely been lost to time. Why couldn¡¯t he have been lost with them? Why did Mother Isin have time to save his life but not his tribe¡¯s? Why did he have to be the last one? The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    He drifted off to sleep with those questions repeating in his head.


    Why am I the last one?


    The sound of voices and twigs snapping in the quiet of the Arglor woke Lorin from his slumber. Once he sat up, his head darted to the entrance of his hut. He could see a dim red light shining in the night sky. The closer and brighter the light became, the louder the voices got.


    They aren¡¯t from Frostland, Lorin thought, as the smell of whoever was approaching became stronger. The smell of Frostland blood was one of greed, to Lorin at least. Whoever these people were had a smell unfamiliar to him. Therefore, he laid back down, closing his eyes to fall back asleep. There wasn¡¯t any need to get rid of them.


    They¡¯ll leave eventually.


    All of a sudden, a strange feeling had consumed Lorin. His skin grew tighter and tighter, and his heart began to race. He felt like something was there with them. It was as though Odar, the jaguar spirit of evil was laying right next to him, stroking his head with its paw repeatedly.


    Sitting back up, he saw the red light outside was brighter. It was right outside his hut, and so were the voices.


    ¡°And if the Nalah refuse to teach us Kunada,¡± a voice said. ¡°What will we do?¡±


    Two men now walked slowly past Lorin¡¯s hut, one with black hair and one with gray hair, each wearing burgundy robes. Lorin could only see their backsides, but he imagined one was older given he had gray hair. The red light was emitted from the hand of the black haired man and it now was shining into his hut. It was like his hand was a flameless torch.


    Must be some form of magic.


    His limbs beginning to shake, just looking at them made Lorin fearful, which was something he didn¡¯t feel often. But this was a different fear. A deeper one that he could feel in the depths of his soul. Lorin was about to move to where he thought he would be out of sight in his hut, but the slightest sound would have alerted the two men. So he stayed still.


    ¡°Then they will feel Mymurrian¡¯s wrath along with anyone else who refuses his grace.¡± answered the man with gray hair.


    The two men then continued walking, the light, their voices, and the horrible feeling that Lorin experienced fading away the further away they walked.


    Lorin was still disturbed from the fear he felt, his limbs still shaking slightly. Never once had he ever felt that way, and he hoped to never feel it again. Slowly, he laid back down, trying to calm himself. He eventually fell asleep with the wish of never seeing those men again.

 Chapter 18

    Lorin didn¡¯t have to travel too far to find food. Different kinds of fruit grew everywhere in Arglor, some on trees and some on bushes. The closest to his village was a fruit that grew on a vine. Mixed in with the beautiful purple flowers and dangling from the vine was the fruit, purple but slightly red.


    After carefully examining the vine to make sure no snakes were hiding within its green leaves, Lorin began to pick the fruit, leaving the ones that had smooth skin and taking the soft, wrinkled ones as they were ripe, unlike the smooth ones.


    After taking about three, he was ready to return to his hut and eat them, but an unwelcome smell crossed his nose. A power-hungry, greedy smell. The familiar scent caused heat to rush through his body, his muscles quivering each time he sniffed.


    He dropped all the fruit he was holding and tried to focus on where the stench was coming from, which was a struggle given that the sounds of the birds, which he didn¡¯t notice before, seemed to have gotten louder.


    Be quiet, he wished he could tell them.


    Lorin began to walk in the direction he figured the stench originated. The path he walked to trace the smell was the same one he walked to reach the vine. His heart pounded faster and faster once he realized the possibility of it coming from his village.


    Three men, two with brown hair, though visibly different ages, and one with blonde hair, along with a woman, stood near the boulder with the faces of Isin and Odar carved into it at the center of the village. The center of the village. In my village.


    The smell was stronger and drove Lorin mad, his hands forming fists. It came from the woman, not the men. But whoever was associated with someone from a place overrun with evil, such as Frostland, clearly was no better than them.


    All Lorin could see was blood. The blood from his people, who were defenselessly slaughtered at the hands of greedy men. The blood from the woman and the men who felt the need to pollute the atmosphere of his village with their presence would soon be spilled.


    Almost within a blink of an eye, Lorin had shapeshifted into his panther and bolted toward the men and the woman, running faster than he would¡¯ve had he stayed in his human form.


    Lorin assumed they were alerted by the sound of the rapidity of his footsteps because they all turned around just as he had lunged at the woman, screams of fear and shock escaping her lips.


    Just before his claws could dig into her, he was met with a bright, light blue light and a powerful, painful blow to his head, knocking him out of the air and pushing him a significant distance away from them.


    Lying on the ground, Lorin could barely think. Everything he could see was blurry, and the world seemed to be spinning. He didn¡¯t even notice he¡¯d unintentionally changed back into his human form. Slowly, his eyes began to close, black curtains beginning to block all of what he could see.


    ¡°Are you okay?¡± One of the men frantically asked. Lorin assumed he was talking to the woman.


    ¡°Yes,¡± the woman answered. ¡°We can¡¯t just leave him here.¡±


    ¡°That thing tried to kill you,¡± a different man said.


    They kept talking amongst each other, but Lorin couldn¡¯t hear anymore. The black curtains not only covered his eyes now, but his ears too.


    When Lorin awoke, the moon and stars were where the sun and clouds once were, each one either dimmer or brighter than the other. He could feel heat mixed with the chilled breeze of the night. He sat up slowly, still feeling slightly lightheaded, and turned his head to face the direction from which the heat was coming. To his surprise, he saw a campfire, and around stood the woman from Frostland and the man with curly blonde hair.


    The man¡¯s skin was pale and glistened slightly in the light of the fire. His lips were pink and smooth and looked soft like the petals of a pretty flower. The shininess and greenness of the man¡¯s eyes were like the leaves of a palm tree. Lorin hated all of it.


    The woman had light brown skin, similar to Lorin¡¯s, and curly, long brown hair. But it didn¡¯t matter what she looked like. All Lorin cared about was seeing her bleed for what her people did to his tribe.


    Just staring at her was enough to bring his blood to a boil. He began to ball his hands into fists, every gust of air exhaled out of his flared nostrils being of fury. She was so close. All it would take was a few steps, and he would¡¯ve been close enough to end her life. Lorin could feel the warmness of her blood running on his fingers. The thought of it felt wonderful. But he felt too weak to even try to attack the woman, let alone shapeshift.


    It wasn¡¯t long until Lorin realized neither the man nor the woman realized he was awake. They were too focused on their argument to acknowledge his presence. Quietly, shouted at each other, as though they were cautious of somebody listening.


    ¡°If you¡¯re so determined to steal something,¡± the man began, ¡°why are you with us?¡±


    ¡°Why does it matter?¡± the woman asked.


    ¡°Because your presence puts us all in danger,fumed.


    ¡°You think I don¡¯t know that?¡± she scoffed


    ¡°Then why are you here?¡±


    ¡°When I find something, I¡¯ll be out of your life,¡± the woman stated. ¡°James and Aviar told us to find food. I suggest we do that before they come back with more firewood.¡±


    ¡°And where are we supposed-¡±


    He suddenly stopped speaking as he and the woman had finally noticed Lorin. The man¡¯s eyebrows raised and the woman¡¯s eyes widened; each had a mix of shock and fear on their faces, but the woman seemed more terrified.


    ¡°Hello,¡± the man said shakily yet kindly. ¡°We didn¡¯t know you were awake.¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    ¡°How do you feel?¡± questioned the woman.


    Lorin just stared at her. The more he thought about the situation, the more confused he became. After attacking her with intent to end her life, why didn¡¯t she just kill him like her ancestors would have? Why was she being polite to him? Why were either of them being polite to him?


    I¡¯m fine, he thought, but never said. As angry as Lorin was, he didn¡¯t want to answer her. But he started to question if his emotions were righteous. As a child, he was taught to never repay kindness with spite or cruelty. Technically, she wasn¡¯t the one who slaughtered his tribe. But that didn¡¯t mean she wouldn¡¯t kill him if given the chance. After all, her blood flowed from Frostland. Then again, she had a chance to kill him but didn¡¯t take it.


    ¡°Do you know where we can find food?¡± the man asked.


    Lorin unintentionally locked eyes with the man. It was something he avoided doing with humans since the ones he always looked at were filled with greed and hate. But he didn¡¯t feel that when looking in his eyes. Through his anger, he felt calm, as though the woman had vanished from sight and the problem was gone.


    ¡°Follow me.¡± Lorin said as he slowly stood, still feeling slightly weak.


    The man and the woman exchanged looks and began to follow Lorin.


    ¡°You,¡± he said, pointing at the man. ¡°Not her.¡±


    Through the darkness of the silent night, Lorin led the man to the vine he was picking fruit from before he was interrupted.


    ¡°Here,¡± he said. ¡°Fruit grows here.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± the man said as he began to pick some of the fruit off the vine.


    Lorin was taken back by how quickly the man placed trust in him. For all he knew, Lorin could have led him to a vine that grew poisonous fruit or struck him from behind as he picked it. But the man blindly put his life in Lorin¡¯s hands.


    ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± Lorin asked him.


    He looked at Lorin briefly, seemingly shocked that he even spoke. ¡°Why would I be?¡±


    ¡°Because I tried to attack the woman.¡± Lorin answered.


    ¡°Initially, I was,¡± he began. ¡°But afterward, when you turned into a human, that fear turned into curiosity.¡±


    ¡°Curiosity?¡±


    ¡°Why exactly did you try to attack her?¡± the man asked after grabbing enough fruit for him and the people he came with.


    It was the first time Lorin had ever been asked about himself, as if anyone had ever had the chance. He didn¡¯t know where to begin or if he should¡¯ve. The urge to keep his reasons to himself was strong, the vault of his own mind being the only thing he trusted, but the urge to tell the man was stronger. He didn¡¯t feel threatened by him, but he didn¡¯t exactly trust him either.


    ¡°Humans from Frostland are responsible for what happened to my village,¡± Lorin stated. ¡°All of them are the same. All of you are the same.¡±


    ¡°How do you know that for sure?¡±


    Lorin opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He didn¡¯t have an answer and couldn¡¯t find one no matter where he looked in his head. But he knew in his heart that what he was doing was right. Anyone from that wretched kingdom was no different than their fathers and grandfathers.


    ¡°Listen,¡± the man began. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about what happened to your village, but you can¡¯t blame people who weren¡¯t involved. I don¡¯t particularly like Braya¡ªthe woman you attacked¡ªbut I''m quite sure she isn¡¯t the monster you figured she was. At least, not to that extent.¡±


    ¡°You weren¡¯t there,¡± Lorin began, his heartbeat slowly increasing in speed. ¡°You didn¡¯t see what Frostland did to this place. To my people.¡±


    ¡°Neither was she,¡± the man answered quickly. ¡°You lost your family, didn¡¯t you?¡± he questioned.


    Lorin looked down, not wanting to answer the man¡¯s question. He couldn¡¯t believe he was taking the woman¡¯s side and not his. How could he defend her?


    ¡°I understand how you feel,¡± the man stated. Looking back at his eyes, Lorin could feel a difference. Somewhere in his heart he was hurting but didn¡¯t want to admit it. ¡°I lost someone close to me as well,¡± he continued. ¡°But you can¡¯t blame the world, or a specific person or group of people, for someone else¡¯s actions.¡±


    His words cut deep into Lorin. He was angry, or, at least, he wanted to be.


    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± asked Lorin.


    ¡°Alaris,¡± the man answered. ¡°Alaris Andithier. And yours?¡±


    ¡°Lorin.¡±


    Alaris smiled and began walking back to the village. ¡°We¡¯ll be out of here tomorrow,¡± he said as he walked past Lorin. "But if you¡¯re coming with us, I recommend staying away from James for a bit.¡±


    ¡°Why would I go with you?¡± Lorin questioned.


    ¡°Perhaps you should ask yourself that.¡±


    Perhaps you should ask yourself that.


    What could that have possibly meant? It wasn¡¯t like Lorin wanted to go with them to wherever they were going. Given what her people had done to him, he couldn''t bear to be around Braya even if Alaris was there. If the world was ending and the only two choices were to go with them or to stay in his village, Lorin would¡¯ve chosen to stay. Nothing could convince him to be around them, and he wanted them gone just as quickly as they came.


    But you can¡¯t blame the world, or a specific person or group of people, for someone else¡¯s actions.


    Those words stuck to Lorin like an ant in tree sap. Every attempt he made to justify his actions was met with that phrase without fail.


    Maybe they¡¯re different, Lorin thought, thinking strongly of going back to his village. But he would not. Could not. The mere thought of willingly being around a human from Frostland felt like unforgivable betrayal to his tribe. Maybe they aren¡¯t like the other ones.


    Lorin sat down on the ground, his head and back resting against a tree. He closed his eyes and tried to focus on himself and the present, as that was the only way to see them. To see his ancestors. Slowly, he inhaled and exhaled, relaxing both his body and his mind. The world around him quickly became oblivious; his mind became it.


    I need you.


    Before Lorin were multiple, large, bright, white figures, each one emitting a heavenly light as bright as the sun. He couldn¡¯t see their faces, nor could he distinguish their sexes; he could only perceive the shapes of their bodies. Some were more curvy and hippy, and others were more bulky with broader shoulders.


    ¡°His words are of wisdom, child,¡± stated a feminine voice. Each time any of the figures spoke, their voices echoed.


    Lorin always questioned how the ancestors knew why he needed them without ever speaking the reason aloud. Maybe they could see inside his mind. Or maybe they felt what he felt. Perhaps he was their last vessel into the physical world. It was a lifelong question of his that more than likely would never be answered.


    ¡°But what if he¡¯s wrong?¡± Lorin questioned. ¡°What if Braya is just as horrible as everyone else?¡±


    ¡°Sometimes it is best to take the words of others as truth rather than accept the lies our mind tells us. Especially when said mind is angry,¡± a more deeper voice said. ¡°Your emotions toward Frostland are justified. But your actions are not and never will be.¡±


    ¡°What about him?¡± Lorin asked. ¡°I¡¯m sure he isn¡¯t as good as he makes himself seem.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s obvious your mind has a louder voice than your heart. Such a way of living will only restrict you from what life has planned for you,¡± another feminine voice stated.


    ¡°What does that have to do with my question?¡± asked Lorin.


    ¡°You know what, child.¡±

 Chapter 19

    ¡°What did you say his name was?¡± James asked Alaris as they walked side by side.


    ¡°Lorin.¡±


    Arglor was one of the most beautiful places James had ever seen. Everything in the jungle was vibrant. From the greens and browns of the tall trees, the bushes, the dirt, and the grass to the purples, oranges, blues, reds, and whites of the flowers, every color was as bright as the sun. The leaves and plants were thick and long, each having it¡¯s own unique shape and size, some longer, thicker, and darker, and others being thinner and lighter with small or thick slits within them, allowing some sunlight to pass through. Each and every flower was unique; some were large and looked abnormal compared to the flowers James was used to seeing, and some were small and normal. But he wished he could enjoy Arglor¡¯s beauty under different circumstances. Aldor was still at large, and now he and his friends, but mostly he, faced a new problem closer to them than the sorcerers.


    Braya and Aviar were further ahead, with Lorin walking alongside Aviar. The previous night, after he and Aviar returned with firewood, Lorin explained his actions and eventually asked why they were in Arglor, to which they answered.


    James couldn¡¯t fathom why everyone was so quick to trust Lorin. He could understand if Lorin thought Braya had purposely come to his village to hurt him, but that wasn¡¯t the case. He attacked her based on an unfortunate event that she, nor did anyone else, have a part in. But yet everyone still rashly trusted him, as though the possibility of Lorin trying to kill her or anyone else didn¡¯t occur to them.


    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand why he wants to join us,¡± James stated. ¡°It doesn¡¯t make sense for the last remaining panther beastborn to immediately want to put his life in danger because three strangers told him about two sorcerers who plan to awaken an ancient beast who wants to destroy the world.¡±


    ¡°Last night, while we were talking by the fire,¡± Alaris began. ¡°It was like his face changed when I mentioned Frostland¡¯s involvement with Aldor and Evisior¡¯s plan. He looked surprised yet happy, which is unusual since he¡¯d been melancholy for most of the night and still is.¡±


    ¡°Do you think he joined us because he wants revenge on Frostland?¡± questioned James.


    ¡°It would make sense,¡± answered Alaris. ¡°He¡¯s been here his whole life, killing people from there. Maybe he sees this as a chance to take out their ruler.¡±


    ¡°Does he not understand that Sorlia isn¡¯t the one who killed his people?¡± James could understand Lorin¡¯s hate for Frostland, but he couldn¡¯t perceive his habit of murdering innocent people as good, even though Sorlia is nowhere. near innocent. Everything about it was wrong.


    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to make excuses for him, but Sorlia is the daughter of the man who did, and they aren¡¯t very different. She practically did the same thing to our kingdom. He probably sees her as the closest thing to him, and by getting rid of her, he¡¯s getting rid of her father¡¯s legacy,¡± said Alaris.


    ¡°Speaking of the kingdom,¡± James began. ¡°Is he going to come back with us?¡±


    James didn¡¯t see Lorin as anything less than human, even though he wasn¡¯t, but he wasn¡¯t fond of the idea of Lorin returning with them. Lorin was different. From his way of living to how he looked, everything about him was different. The only thing he wore was a brown pteruges around his waist that was long enough to stop just above his knees. Sometimes, whether purposely or accidentally, his hazel eyes would switch between those of a human and those of a panther, his pupils becoming thinner and the whiteness of his sclera being taken up by the browness of his iris. Above everything else, Lorin could shapeshift into a panther at will. As much as James didn¡¯t want to admit it, he knew Lorin would be the target of mistreatment.


    ¡°I think he will,¡± responded Alaris. ¡°I can tell he¡¯s still hurting because he lost his family. He¡¯ll take any chance he can just to feel like he belongs somewhere again; at least, that¡¯s what some people do when they¡¯re going through something like that.¡±


    ¡°I can see why he¡¯s taken a liking to you.¡± James stated.


    ¡°What makes you say that?¡± Alaris asked, laughing slightly.


    ¡°You sympathize for him a lot more than I do,¡± answered James. ¡°Which is a good thing, I guess. If he¡¯s going to be around us, I¡¯d rather him like somebody rather than nobody.¡±


    Alaris briefly looked at Lorin, then said, ¡°Do you think he¡¯s dangerous?¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t?¡±


    ¡°Not really,¡± Alaris looked back at Lorin. ¡°I think he¡¯s just hurting and confused. I doubt he¡¯d pose as a threat to us, at least.¡±


    ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± stated James. ¡°I¡¯m surprised he¡¯s up there with Braya and not back here with us since he hates her so much.¡±


    ¡°Before you and Aviar came back with more firewood, I told him to avoid being around you since you weren¡¯t fond of the idea of us helping him,¡± Alaris admitted. ¡°I could tell you like him that much. That¡¯s probably why he¡¯s up there.¡±


    I¡¯m not going to hurt him, James thought. He felt as though Alaris¡¯ actions were unnecessary. Even though he didn¡¯t trust Lorin, he didn¡¯t plan to bully him or hurt him physically. But he could understand why he did it. To Lorin, James probably hated him entirely, but that wasn¡¯t even slightly true.


    Up until sunset, they travelled through Arglor. Through the trees, the sky was orange and yellow, with the colors purple and dark blue taking over closer to the sun. The breeze had cooled down, but it still wasn¡¯t as cold as it would¡¯ve been in Southern Lyrid. When the wind stopped blowing, James could feel some form of heat in the area. It wasn¡¯t strong, but it definitely was there until it was covered by the wind.


    As James and Alaris tried to set up another fire, Lorin helped Braya and Aviar pick fruit in the area, showing them which ones were edible and which ones were not.


    ¡°I truly don¡¯t think he should be joining us,¡± James began, rubbing two sticks together. ¡°We don¡¯t know him.¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t really know Braya either, but you were quick to trust her,¡± Alaris replied, dropping the sticks he collected next to James.


    ¡°She didn¡¯t try to kill us.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not us.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that?¡±


    James could tell Alaris wanted to say something but wouldn¡¯t. Or couldn¡¯t.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± Alaris sighed.


    ¡°What aren¡¯t you telling me?¡± James asked, halting his attempts at making a fire as he stood up to face Alaris. ¡°And don¡¯t try to lie. I know you too well.¡±


    "Nothing, James,¡± Alaris repeated. ¡°Just stop being so negative toward Lorin. He hasn¡¯t done anything to you, nor will he.¡±


    Whatever it was Alaris wanted to say, he would have to wait until he was ready, James figured. And pushing him to speak would¡¯ve only made him uncomfortable entirely. But Alaris did confirm what James suspected: he and Braya haven¡¯t taken a liking to each other. Instead of thinking about it too much, James tried to focus on starting the fire.


    He bent down and continued rubbing the sticks together. No matter how long or how fast he rubbed them, a flame wouldn¡¯t start.


    ¡°Could you help me?¡± James requested of Alaris. ¡°It won¡¯t ignite.¡±


    ¡°Sure.¡±


    As Alaris began to assist him with the fire, James briefly made eye contact with Lorin as he returned with Braya and Aviar. When Lorin looked at him, he looked disturbed, his eyebrows lowering. He quickly looked away, continuing to purposely avoid James¡¯ eyes.


    I couldn¡¯t care less.


    ¡°Did you find anything?¡± Alaris asked as he vigorously rubbed the sticks together.


    ¡°No,¡± Aviar said. ¡°All the fruits over here are poisonous.¡±


    ¡°James,¡± Braya began, ¡°Are you alright?¡±


    ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡±


    ¡°You look different,¡± she stated. She looked almost as disturbed as Lorin did.


    ¡°It¡¯s your eyes,¡± Aviar added, he too sharing the disturbance. ¡°They look dark.¡±


    James didn¡¯t understand what they were talking about. He felt fine. Everything on him felt wonderful except the wound on his stomach. Even though he didn¡¯t have a reflection to look at so he could disprove their claims, he figured they simply were fooled by a shadow cast on him from the trees. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    After hearing faint blowing, he looked down and saw that Alaris managed to start a fire.


    ¡°It might not last long since the wood is damp.¡± Alaris stated as he added more wood to the flame.


    ¡°There was no point in making that,¡± said Lorin.


    ¡°Why not?¡± Alaris slowly asked.


    ¡°Indora is just through there.¡± Lorin pointed at a thick cluster of large plants in between trees.


    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Avair questioned as he looked at his map. ¡°The map says otherwise.¡±


    ¡°Then your map is wrong.¡± Lorin walked over to the large plants and began to proceed through them, pushing them left and right as he stepped slowly.


    ¡°Were not actually going to follow him, are we?¡± James questioned.


    Alaris then stood up. ¡°He knows this jungle better than any map, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Alaris is right,¡± agreed Aviar.


    Braya, Alaris, and Aviar then followed Lorin into the cluster of plants, carefully pushing them about to make way for them to walk.


    They trust him too much, James thought as he too followed.


    To James¡¯ surprise, Indora actually was just through the plants.


    The only word that could describe Indora would¡¯ve been burnt. The grass, the dead trees, the dirt¡ªall of it was black and charred. Even some of the grass, trees, and plants in Arglor had been charred where the two places met. You could just barely see it¡¯s original color if you got close enough. Winding rivers of scorching lava ran through the burnt open terrain, providing a source of light as it would¡¯ve otherwise been dark since the sky was filled with ominous, thick, burgundy clouds, blocking all light from the sun. The only sounds that could be heard were the ones coming from behind them in Arglor, plants and branches of trees hitting each other in the wind, and the faint sound of the lava bubbling.


    James felt like he¡¯d been wrapped in multiple thick blankets that had been lying on the sun itself. Indora was so abnormally hot, he couldn¡¯t imagine anything possibly living there. He and everyone else could fill buckets with the sweat they¡¯d accumulated from just standing there.


    As they continued to walk through the fire wasteland, it only got hotter and hotter. Braya¡¯s hair became bushier than usual, and everyone else¡¯s either drooped over their foreheads or down the sides or backs of their heads.


    ¡°Why exactly would Aldor come here?¡± Braya asked. ¡°There doesn¡¯t seem to be much of anything here.¡±


    ¡°If I had to guess,¡± Aviar began, moving his wet hair away from his face. ¡°He¡¯s here for the Nalah.¡±


    ¡°As dangerous as they are, why would anyone seek them out?¡± Lorin¡¯s face showed worry, his eyebrows drawn closely together.


    ¡°Who are they?¡± James asked.


    ¡°Not much is known about them,¡± Aviar explained. ¡°Very few people have survived their clutches, and all of them have only talked about how evil they are. Their magic, called Kunada, is fueled by their uncontrollable anger. The fire in their hearts grows larger and stronger with every human sacrificed to whatever deity they worship. And they¡¯re the only known tribe that still partakes in such violent rituals.¡±


    ¡°How does human sacrifice make them stronger?¡± Alaris questioned. ¡°And the deity doesn¡¯t actually exist, does it?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± said Aviar. ¡°There are things in this world that could leave the wisest and most intelligent person confused.¡±


    The deeper they went into Indora, the hotter it became. It was as though they were walking inside a volcano, or on the sun itself. For the first time, James found himself missing the cold winter down south.


    As they walked up a short hill, they could see a large village in the distance. Its buildings were small but plentiful.


    ¡°Is that it?¡± James asked. ¡°Where the Nalah live.¡±


    When James pulled his eyes away from the sight of the village and turned to face Aviar, he instead was met with the black-eyed, rotting corpse of his father. Startled, he streched his eyes and took a small step back.


    ¡°Come to me,¡± his father¡¯s corpse said. He spoke in the same eerie, chilling voice his mother did.


    James blinked, and his father vanished just as quickly as he appeared.


    ¡°I would assume so,¡± Aviar answered. ¡°I doubt people other than them live out here.¡±


    As they continued to walk down the hill, Lorin quickly snatched Alaris¡¯ arm and began speaking.


    ¡°You aren¡¯t seriously thinking about going in there?¡± he said to him.


    ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Alaris questioned. He looked just as confused as James did. It was the most emotion Lorin had shown since they all met him. He seemed worried and terrified, his eyes wide and his hand shaking slightly as he held Alaris¡¯ arm.


    ¡°It¡¯s too dangerous,¡± he urged. He was speaking to everyone when he said that. ¡°For all of you. The faster you run after death, the slower it will run.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re not chasing death, Lorin,¡± James barked. ¡°They won¡¯t even know we¡¯re there.¡±


    ¡°How do you plan to find that sorcerer without making your presence known?¡± Lorin questioned.


    James didn¡¯t have an answer. It wasn¡¯t really something he¡¯d thought about.


    ¡°The longer you make us wait here, the longer all this will take.¡± He said instead, unintentionally raising his voice.


    ¡°James, the place is nothing but evil. If you want to be corrupted by their magic, then so be it. But don¡¯t drag other people down with you.¡± Lorin remonstrated.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to come with us,¡± James snapped. ¡°Why are you even here?¡±


    Lorin''s eyes quickly became narrow as he slowly took a step forward toward James, letting go of Alaris¡¯ arm. ¡°What issue do you have with me?¡± he retorted. ¡°I never did anything to you.¡±


    ¡°You attacked Braya for no reason.¡±


    ¡°I never did anything to you,¡± Lorin repeated.


    ¡°Why can¡¯t you answer the question?¡± James too took a step forward, followed by another. ¡°Seriously, why are you here?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t have to answer to you,¡± Lorin snarled, taking another step forward. He and James now stood within arm length of each other, glowering at each other.


    ¡°James,¡± Alaris began, stepping up behind Lorin. He slightly pushed James away from him. ¡°Stop.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not like he¡¯ll do anything,¡± James replied.


    He turned around to look at Braya, as she had pulled his arm back. ¡°Stop it,¡± she scolded.


    ¡°Why are you all acting like you aren¡¯t thinking the same thing underneath your blind trust for him?¡± James blurted before turning back to face Lorin. ¡°He¡¯s just a scared little kitten who will follow after anyone who¡¯s nice to him because he doesn¡¯t belong anywhere else.¡±


    Almost instantly, Lorin lunged at James, his eyes switching to those of a panther as he threw his arms out toward James¡¯ head. He saw Lorin¡¯s teeth for the first time. He had two sharp fangs on the top row and two on the bottom row, like those of a panther but small enough to fit his mouth. Had Alaris not yanked Lorin back and Braya not pulled James closer to her, James would¡¯ve been severely hurt.


    ¡°What has gotten into you, James?¡± Braya shouted.


    ¡°Nothing,¡± he quietly answered. He didn¡¯t expect Lorin to actually do something. But all it did was prove what he had been saying to Alaris: Lorin is too dangerous to be around.


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to leave,¡± Alaris softly said to Lorin.


    ¡°Get off,¡± Lorin hissed as he shook Alaris¡¯ hands off his shoulders. ¡°If you value your lives, none of you better show your faces in Arglor. Assuming the Nalah won¡¯t get to you before I do.¡±


    He then quickly left, walking in the same direction they came¡ªback toward Arglor.


    ¡°Did you have to, James?¡± Aviar ranted. ¡°Never once did he ever do anything to you!¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s barely spoken to you!¡± Alaris yelled. ¡°Your hatred for him is stupid, James.¡±


    James couldn¡¯t believe they were taking Lorin¡¯s side over his. Everything he said was the truth, and they knew it. Their reason for defending Lorin was beyond him.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± James stated. ¡°He would¡¯ve been useless to us anyway.¡±


    ¡°He would¡¯ve been more useful to you than Alaris and I,¡± Braya quickly said. She stood beside James with her hand firmly on his shoulder.


    ¡°You heard what he said! He was too scared to go into the village!¡± James fumed.


    ¡°So are we!¡± Braya shouted. ¡°So how come you don¡¯t degrade us like you do him?¡±


    ¡°Because you aren¡¯t murderers,¡± James answered. ¡°It¡¯d be better for us not to have a fickle killer around us anyway.¡±


    ¡°But you have no problem falling in love with one,¡± Alaris blurted.


    ¡°What?¡±


    Glancing at Braya, James saw that her eyes had widened. She looked as though her heart had fallen straight to the ground.


    ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± Braya hissed.


    ¡°Go on,¡± Alaris began. ¡°Tell James all about how you plan to steal Aviar¡¯s belt for whoever you were talking to back in Daroeth Keeth. Tell him how you threatened to kill him and me if I told anyone.¡±


    James turned to look at Braya, but Aviar had spoken the words that were on his mind. ¡°Is that true, Braya?¡±


    She looked away from all of them, removing her hand from James¡¯ shoulder. Then she turned to face Alaris, glaring at him maliciously. ¡°Yes,¡± she answered.


    James began to feel a faint ache in his heart, one he¡¯d never felt before. Braya wasn¡¯t the girl he thought she was. Instead, she was a thief. A killer.


    ¡°Why?¡± It was all James could say.


    ¡°I had no choice,¡± Braya began. ¡°None of you have been through what my brother and I have. You don¡¯t know the things we were forced to do to survive.¡±


    ¡°Killing people and stealing from people was a choice,¡± Alaris quickly stated.


    ¡°If she had no choice, then she had no choice, Alaris,¡± James retorted. ¡°We¡¯ve both been roped into things against our will.¡±


    ¡°How could you defend her?¡± Alaris yelled.


    ¡°How could you defend Lorin?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the one defending someone who threatened to kill you,¡± Alaris stated. ¡°Does that not bother you?¡±


    ¡°If it bothered you, you would¡¯ve told me sooner,¡± James shouted.


    ¡°Did you not hear me? She threatened to kill us both!¡± Alaris raged. ¡°This isn¡¯t my fault.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not this, but you¡¯re mother¡¯s death is.¡±


    As soon as the words escaped his lips, James immediately regretted it. He didn¡¯t mean to say or even think it. It was as though someone else was speaking for him. He watched as the life in Alaris¡¯ glossy eyes slowly faded as Aviar and Braya gasped, his face wanting to frown but couldn¡¯t. The last time he saw such a lifeless expression on Alaris¡¯ face was during of his mother¡¯s suicide


    ¡°If we¡¯re going to the village, let¡¯s go now.¡± Alaris stated and turned to walk in the direction of the village.


    Braya and Aviar followed behind him, but James stayed behind briefly. For the first time in his life, he felt disconnected from Alaris. As though their bond had been broken, completely erased from existence. In his heart was a growing pain, like a hole, once that had been dug out by his own hands.


    "Good,¡± he heard from his left. When he turned, he saw his father¡¯s corpse again, his hand on his shoulder. ¡°Now, come to me.¡±


    James looked back in the direction of Alaris, Braya, and Aviar as they walked away, a piercing pain in his head growing slowly.


    I¡¯m going insane.