ã€ŠThe Shadowmancerã€‹


 Prologue: Shattering Skies

    The night when the Phoenix Comet first appeared, burning at the edge of the stars, the sage supreme broke free of his confinement. Deep underground he had no need to see the comet, his own senses had alerted him. His eyes snapped open, crackling with yellow bolts. The skies called him.

    For countless years the sage slept away in his prison chamber. While his body remained that of a young man, his black hair had grown long over his body. His white robes were a projection of his own magic, shining like a glossy mirror as he awakened. The shackles that carved into his ankles and wrists snapped open.

    Immediately, the sage''s eyes bore holes through metal enchantments that had barred his room off from the world. If he were still asleep the weak spells would have worked. He stepped over the melted bars and created two man-shaped holes in the walls for each of the prison guards. The broken enchantments had raised the alarm throughout the prison.

    Ahead of the sage, his familiar, a giant eagle, clawed and pecked and slammed guards against the stone walls. At an intersection in his narrow path, rows of guards filed onto each side. They launched colorful volleys of magic that fizzled out, inches from the sage''s face. He turned down one of the sides, his familiar taking the other. Down the hallway, the guard mages crumpled under the force of the sage''s presence. He walked over them all.

    The sage supreme emerged in an ornate yard that was meant for less dangerous guests. The brilliant sun brought to light all the mages that had gathered to drag him back into the prison''s depths. A crowd of cloaks accented by the occasional colors of an archmage dotted the yard. The sage knew everyone by name, he had watched them grow up in his dreams. He smiled and drew his sword.

    Pandemonium erupted on the yard.

    The mages swarmed like ants trying to take a bite of sugar. They cut at him with wind and sharpened blades of grass. Blue fire raged around his feet. Illusions attempted to hide bold strikes, but there was no vulnerabilities in the sage''s defense. He stood in a whirlwind of chaos, eyes locked onto the staff-wielding monarch in his midst.

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    Monarch Ozceron Markar was a secretive man. He had touched only a fraction of the sage''s power and was hidden in his robes; ilusion-enchanted rings masked the rest of his appearance. This was the monarch''s way of hiding his allegiances. The Supreme Sage could see through it all, and if he wanted to, he could ruin him in-front of his mages. Fortunately for Oz, the sage had no interest.

    The sage turned his eyes to the sky and reached his hand upward, grasping at the air. At that moment his familiar began to shimmy his way out from the tunnel door. Feathers the size of people were ruffled up and sent flying through the hurricane of magic. The feathers knocked mages off their feet and disrupted their casting.

    Magic altogether was beginning to wane as the mage''s exhausted their energy. Unyielding, they took up their weapons and attacked once more. To the sage, it was like they were children tapping him with feathers. It annoyed him.

    Beams of light burst forth from the sage cracking the warding armor of everyone present, even the monarch.

    "Retreat! Do not throw your lives at me!" the sage said exasperated.

    As he discarded the shattered gems of his ward into the yard, Ozceron looked at his mages. They were still unharmed, but without wards, the next attack they take would be lethal.

    "In his madness the sage is still wise. All of you, go home safely, I will fight," he said.

    The mages respected Ozceron¡¯s request for a duel. Reluctantly, they left one by one until it was just the sage and the monarch. The sage smiled at Oz, his teeth and black hair glimmering. He looked young and limitless. His familiar towered behind him, clawing at the ground like a bull ready to charge.

    The monarch faced him with confidence. Two glowing dragon rings manifested themselves around him and Ozceron''s familiar revealed itself. A little chameleon on the head of his quarterstaff turned from brown to purple.

    The battle that awaited would break the sky.

 Chapter 1: A Verdant City

    Two of the most powerful sages to ever exist had pulled the millennial Phoenix Comet out of the stars in the most deadly game of tug-of-war. They sought the power within to renew their wish. As they were grasping for immortality, the comet¡¯s razor tail was burning the skyline. Clouds caught fire and seemed to peal back, revealing something shimmering in the air.

    With the last of their effort they sent the comet smashing into the goddesses¡¯ invisible ward. The sky broke open, sending one great fault line spanning across all Vestra. Fragments of other realities floated through the sky, shimmering in all colors of the rainbow. A strange liquid slowly poured out over the edges of the stained-glass sky. It stuck to the land below and ran deep into the ground.

    The heavens above had been broken open and the sages at fault shrunk before the eyes of the Overseer. The steel-blue eyes were numerous and dotted every part of the sky¡¯s great fault-line. They rolled in confusion, shifted in horror, then all turned towards the guilty sages in rage.

    ¡°CHILDREN!¡± a woman¡¯s voice boomed from above.

    Wings were crushed and trees blew over as the sages were flung into the ground.

    All the eyes spanning across the horizon stared at the little sages.

    The woman¡¯s voice, irritable, yet more gentle said, ¡°can you ever comprehend how long it took me to clean these floors?¡±

    The sages laid breathlessly blinking back up to the Overseer whose many eyes were now welling up with tears.

    ¡°Eons¡­. I spent eons perfecting this veil and  YOU  BROKE  IT!¡±

    Now the tears were falling. The ground shook like it was being hit by meteors. One splashed right over the sages, pressing them into the ground and nearly drowning them. After the water rushed off of them, they were healed and felt empowered enough to beg for mercy. They pulled themselves up out of the mud and fell back to their knees.

    The Overseer¡¯s eyes rolled. ¡°Mercy, forgiveness? You keep trying to reach my level, you want to tear me down! Bargain with the Phoenix again, I don¡¯t care. All I¡¯m going to do is fix my floor and go home. You fix your own world, no matter how long it takes.¡±

    Without a moment to spare, the angry eyes shut, crossed over by bright eyelashes. They retreated and, in their place, thin limbs of light reached out of the fault. The limbs pulled the pieces of reality together stitched them shut with bars of light leaving only a scar and a small breach in the sky above.

    Scarred like the sky they broke, the sages went to clean up their mess. No matter how long it took them, it would be done.

    ~~~

    Leona closed her story book and looked outside the attic window. The sky was as bright and as blue as it usually was. A thin white line glowed above the clouds. It was like a jagged half-ring resting over the planet. She often wondered how terrible the calamity times had been to make people come up with such wild stories, as if they believed that any one person could fix the mess of the world, let alone live beyond the veil.

    ¡°Leona, I need your help!¡± Her father called from downstairs.

    Leona quickly returned her book to its bedside shelf and flipped her wool blanket back up over her bed. She dashed over to her dresser and pulled open a drawer. Inside were some small silver caps that she put over the tips of her antlers. The jewelry dulled her spiky crown, preventing any painful accidents. Yanking her green cloak off her door hangar, she threw it on over her shoulders. Her pale wings easily slipped out of slits cut into the back. Shuffling down the stairs, she ran her claws through her long brown hair, attempting to make it presentable. As a draconian hybrid, she couldn''t help standing out, so she might as well look good.

    On her way down to the shop floor Leona passed through the kitchen, where her mother stopped her. Leona¡¯s mom was behind the table, kneeling on wood floors, and trying to hold pieces of a chair together. She had a bottle of glue in one hand and was getting frustrated with the mess in her other hand.

    ¡°I know Dad needs you, but can you just hold these pieces still for one second while I glue them?¡± she asked.

    Leona mumbled, turning her body towards the stairs then moving to help her mom instead. The back of the chair had been broken in many places. While Leona held it together, her mom set the glue. As it dried in Leona¡¯s hands, her mother took her captivity as an opportunity to talk.

    ¡°Last night while you were out, me and Dad had a guest. I don¡¯t know if it is rude to say, but he was massive. He had to have been as tall as your wingspan, maybe even more so,¡± she said, making big gestures with her arms spread wide.

    ¡°He said he was looking for you on orders from the king and his chief. I told him where you would be,¡± she said.

    ¡°Mom! I don¡¯t know this guy, why would you tell him where I¡¯m going?¡± Leona said irritated.

    ¡°King¡¯s business,¡± she replied like it was a good enough reason.

    Leona grumbled and asked, ¡°did he even tell you what he needed me for?¡±

    Leona¡¯s mom put the glue away in a cabinet under the sink, washed her hands, and went back to stirring the stew that was cooking on the stove. It smelled savory, if not a little spicy.

    ¡°Despite breaking some old furniture, he was so well-manured for such a big guy,¡± she said whimsically. ¡°I wish Dad would take notes.¡±

    ¡°Mom, you didn¡¯t answer me,¡± Leona said, releasing the dried chair.

    Her mom continued to dodge around her questions saying, ¡°you will see him soon, for now, you should go help your dad.¡±

    Leona¡¯s white tail flicked around the table as she left her mom to cook. Downstairs was her family¡¯s forge. The walls and floor were made of stones and a few long windows in the back of the room illuminated tables of swords and other weapons in various stages of development. On the other end of the stairs, there were a few compact brick furnaces with white-hot metal rods poking out of them.

    A dragon family had owned the forge-house before, and they had liked the heat much more than Leona¡¯s family did now. The place was cheap, but near inhospitable for her parents before they had set the wards around the furnaces. During the coldest days, it was still nice to put a hole in those wards. Leona could remember laying beside the furnaces, tucked into blankets, reading when she was sick.

    ¡°Leona, ring up the customers,¡± her father said curtly as he pulled one of the blazing rods out of the furnace with his tongs.

    Near the door Leona saw two mages. One sat in a plush blue chair reading, while the other impatiently tapped her foot from behind the counter. They looked sweaty and impatient; the mage reading had already opened the window behind himself. Humans were so sweaty, it kind of grossed out Leona, but she had to remind herself that by blood she was part-human too. Mom and Dad told her as much, and they were sure of it when they found her.

    ¡°Forgive me for making you wait. What order are you here for?¡± Leona asked the impatient mages.

    After ringing up dozens of balestra bolts and a few new spears for the city guards, Leona went to check on her dad. He was at a grindstone sharpening the edges of a new sword, by the impressive length of it, she knew it was a rapier.

    ¡°You know, other forges make these things in the most ridiculous proportions,¡± Dad shouted over the grindstone. ¡°Some mages stop by and tried to order one taller than they could ever wield!¡±

    He set the sharpened blade aside, saying, ¡°I would never agree to make such things. Their fragility would give the forge a bad name.¡±

    Leona¡¯s dad was a tall man with muscles built by years of hard work. He didn¡¯t have much of his gray-brown hair left. The forge got so hot that even his eyebrows had been singed off. He was older like Leona¡¯s mother. They had married long past their child-bearing days, so they said that finding her had been a blessing.

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    Leona took a closer look at her father¡¯s project. The rapier had a cup hilt and life-saving cross guard that looked familiar. The ornamentations etched into the welds were a dead giveaway.

    The other day, she was out late into the night training when her parents had their guest over. She remembered her surprise when she struck her opponent and her blade just went plink, breaking in two over her opponent¡¯s wards. Without it, she felt useless among the other fighters, but in just one day, her father had fixed it.

    ¡°That¡¯s my sword!¡± Leona exclaimed.

    ¡°I made it even better for you,¡± her father said, smiling. ¡°I can¡¯t think of anyone better to model my work.¡±

    Leona squeezed her dad in a hug and retrieved the blade from him. Holding it in her hand, she was happy to find that it was more well-balanced than before. The weight was focused right into her hand, allowing her to make more minute movements and deadly accurate thrusts. The blade itself had draconian runes inscribed into its flat sides with serpentine dragons spiraling to the blade¡¯s point. It was perfect, and it was beautiful.

    ¡°This blade looks like it belongs to an archmage!¡±

    ¡°Call it divine inspiration,¡± her father chuckled.

    Leona¡¯s dad passed over an ornate leather sheath for her new weapon. Leona pulled back her cloak and tied it over her green tunic, harnessing it in a way so that the long blade didn¡¯t drag on the ground. It was so beautiful; she almost didn¡¯t want to spoil it through training.

    ¡°I got to get going Dad. Sorry I can¡¯t stay to help. I think if I delay myself any longer, I might just hang this one up in my room like a painting,¡± Leona remarked, resting her hand on the blade¡¯s pommel.

    Her father sighed, ¡°I guess, as usual, I¡¯ll have Mom set something aside for you to eat later.¡±

    Leona thanked him with one last hug before leaving for training. As she left the forge behind, it was obvious to Leona that her parents missed having their little worker bee around. She imagined that they had once wanted her to take after the forge like her father, but she never showed enough interest. She knew they missed her, but ever since she graduated school, she spent most of her time downtown looking for work. However, it was near impossible to find a job if you couldn¡¯t cast any magic.

    ~~~

    In Vera City people lived and breathed magic. Every building was graced by its presence. Each structure was truly magnificent. The houses were bright with purple, green, and orange walls and plenty of natural and deep shades of earthy colors. The shops and larger housing units rose out of the ground like interconnected branching trees. They twisted and curved like structures in an abstract painting. Every rooftop was covered in plants. They climbed up all the walls too. Magic redirected flowers to form patterned murals or bioluminescent signs. Against all the whimsy, Leona felt like shadow moving through a field of magic.

    Leading herself to Main Street she saw more flower images growing on a corner store. A striking image of the king was overtaking the other plant posters. It showed a tall man with tree branches growing out of his arms and head. Vines formed blighted scars that ran all over his body and across his deviously smiling face. In red, the flowers spelled out, ¡°all of the power, and no restraint.¡±

    The giant poster made her anxious. As she walked past, his bright amber eyes shown at her like coins. This city did not tolerate people that used dark magic, not even their own king. Leona never had a chance. If dark magic was all she could manifest, then she would rather not cast at all.

    Turning down Main Street, each of the houses lining the road had custom architecture and intricate yards. Native jungle plants were arranged in conjunction with boulders and water features. It was unlike the houses around Leona''s shop, which were more uniform and traditional in design. Regardless of differences, the city was unified in its beauty.

    Leona continued to the city¡¯s inner wall where Vera Fortress towered above all. Leading up to the gate there was a vast marketplace. All the way up the hill, vendors had set up carts and other shops held steady business. Leona could see things that were brought in from other cities beyond the wall. Vendors were selling enchanted garments sewn by Silkins, jewelry from the east, and bows carved by the warriors of the Finne Islands.

    Leona would have loved to take part in commerce, but she had a job to do and with little money to spare, she went on her way. Leona stepped up to the gate. Two gigantic Chlorophanes stood on each side. The tree-men were tall enough to block the gate simply by laying their wooden bodies down, though, their giant halberds were enough of a deterrent for any trespasser. On her own, Leona had no trouble passing under their shade, the guards knew her well enough.

    Inside of the walls, the fortress¡¯ yard flattened out at the top of the hill. The yard was cleared and set for drilling and sparring. In the front of the fort, gems buried in the ground had set up wards so that mages could practice their spells. There was a gathering of mages casting nature magic. They worked together to raise up siege towers and form bridges out of tree roots.

    Leona was envious of the power the mages held. Everyone she knew could cast some amount of magic, but with the monarch¡¯s support their power was truly boundless. So long as they had a steady supply of gems, they could cast magic without fatigue.

    They would rarely see the dark wisps that bit away at Leona every time she tried to cast magic on her own. They would never understand what it felt like to be hollow. Her skin as pale as a branch long dead, and her magic a curse against herself. All the other mages who had cast dark magic for too long had been torn apart or turned into monsters. Considering that, she was lucky to still be herself.

    She rested her hand on her rapier hilt, trying to think about better things. At least her skills with the blade were valued. There was only so much a mage could do once they broke all their gems. Leona smiled, thinking to herself that if swords were magic, she would already be an archmage.

    Leona skipped around the side of the fortress, looking up through its shadow to the tree that was bursting through the main tower. She saw something catching the light in the branches above. There was a person shuffling about all the way up there. Leona froze as she watched a man descend, using magic to lower himself on vines.

    ¡°Who are you, and why are you up there?¡± Leona asked, stepping back as he landed beside her.

    The tree-man, or more accurately the Chlorophane, was much smaller than the others at the gate. He had four root legs and two burly arms. His moss hair was styled into dread locks, and he was clothed in green-silk garments.

    ¡°Sorry, but I was wondering when I might see you. I was told that you would be here around this time,¡± the tree-man said.

    ¡°You¡¯re the one who visited my parents,¡± Leona clarified.

    ¡°Yes, my name is Tusund Palo. My chief¡¯s work with your king has brought me here. Also, sorry for breaking your chair,¡± the tree-man replied shaking his head. ¡°I left some wings with your mother to pay for damages.¡±

    Leona heard a small sneeze come from Tusund¡¯s branches. Tilting her head back Leona saw a little squirrel bolting away from her gaze.

    She laughed to herself, and asked, ¡°what business does the king have sending a gentle giant and his entourage of cute woodland creatures after me?¡±

    The tree-man, annoyed, shook his head, throwing the squirrel down a few branches.

    ¡°Your king thinks he may hold the secret to harnessing dark magic.¡±

    There was a tinge of despair in Leona¡¯s nervous laugh.

    ¡°Of all people the king should know better than to meddle with forbidden magic. It doesn¡¯t matter how many resources he has, it¡¯s not safe,¡± she replied, tense.

    One of Tusund¡¯s branches broke. A frown was carved into his face.

    ¡°We should be careful about what we say, so close to the fortress,¡± he said looking for his squirrel. ¡°People are listening.¡±

    Leona glanced around the training grounds as a group of armored mages marched past them. They were going to the weapon grounds to drill with their spears. While they faced forward, Leona could see their shifty eyes through their helms, looking at her.

    Leona lowered her voice, ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I won¡¯t work with anyone that is granted all those resources, if they are just going to abuse them.¡±

    ¡°Please, you haven¡¯t even heard our plan yet. We need you for this quest. I promise it will not be long,¡± Tusund pleaded with her.

    Leona could not believe that she was being asked to go on a quest.

    ¡°Are we going to go beyond the walls? Why do you need me?¡± She replied, uncertain.

    ¡°We believe that considering your unique magical situation, you may be able to help us retrieve an ancient relic of my tribe. Your pure dark magic might allow you to attune to it. Please consider, we have a chance of learning the true nature of this accursed magic. If we learn to control it, we could help a lot of people,¡± Tusund responded sincerely.

    Leona did not like hearing her magic being called accursed, but she believed that Tusund meant well. The thought of leaving the walls was more terrifying than anything, but with a Chlorophane by her side, she might stand a chance of surviving.

    ¡°If I go, what do I get out of it?¡± Leona asked.

    ¡°Upon your safe return, the king has ensured to me that you will be granted a noble lady¡¯s title, and all the money and land that is befitting of such a rank. He has also agreed to your legal protection as you experiment with the relic and its dark forces. As for any other protection a dark mage should require, I have offered myself to be your guard,¡± Tusund said, bowing as if wind-blown.

    Leona was drawn aback. She had the opportunity to change her life. She could accept things as they were, always struggling for employment and acceptance, or she could become someone greater. She was the shadow of the world and of her parents business. She never wanted to take up the forge, even if it was they only job she could get. Leona wanted to find her own way.

    ¡°Tusund, I will consider. This quest being of such importance and risk, I will have to discuss these things with my family,¡± Leona stated. ¡°When I have my thoughts sorted out, where can I find you?¡±

    ¡°An old friend of mine opened up a clinic down the hill. I¡¯ve been staying there and helping her with work. Here¡¯s her card,¡± Tusund said passing her a slip.

    Leona stuffed it into her pocket and parted ways with the tree-man. She went off to practice, both anxious and excited for what was to come.

 Chapter 2: In the Shadows of Paradise

    Throughout Leona¡¯s afternoon drill, she could not keep her mind off of her meeting with Tusund. Thoughts of her uncertain future laid upon her heavily like the jungle¡¯s humidity. She found herself drifting though each of the drills on instinct while she pictured what might be beyond the walls. She imagined the calamity ravaged landscapes, beautifully colored like candy, yet as deadly as poison. Leona also pictured the monsters that stalked the jungle beyond the city walls. While practicing against the mages with blunted swords, she wondered if she would be able to survive the chaotic magic that awaited.

    When everyone else had already left the training grounds behind, Leona remained to practice alone. She stepped up to a platform with a cutting stand that had been enchanted to regrow a column of vines. She flowed through different forms like water winding down a river, cutting at every edge. The orange glow of the setting sun highlighted the cut vines that toppled off the stand as the enchantment continuously filled in the gaps.

    At last, she sat down to watch the sun disappear over the shadow of the wall. The air took on a relaxing chill. She wiped off her new blade and sheathed it. Looking at the base of the stand she could see all of her work. Most of the cuts had been clean, rarely jagged or sticking.

    That afternoon, she felt like she was training for something more real. If she had to fight beyond the walls, she wanted to be ready. She didn¡¯t want her blade to catch and be pulled away from her on a bad cut. In a way, she was already set on going.

    When Leona finally left the fortress grounds, she could see the night guards hanging their lamps off the wall. The Chlorophanes at the gate were replaced by one great green-dragon that wrapped himself around the edge of the sunbaked wall. Leona could see herself reflected in the dragon¡¯s glowing red eye.

    She could hear the dragon speaking in her mind, warning her, ¡°there are sounds of trouble on the wind tonight. Travel safely, fledgling.¡±

    ¡°Thanks for your concern, elder,¡± Leona replied, bowing down and raising her wings to a point.

    Leona strolled back down the hill, sore and starving after her practice. She kept herself aware, as the elder had warned her. The shops in the street had been packed away for the night, but there was still plenty of people out. There were a lot more elves and draconians out at night. They tended to be more nocturnal than other people.

    The city was well lit with all of the lamps and bioluminescent plants that lined the streets and buildings. Life continued as it had during the day, yet quieter due to people using telepathy.

    Leona was tempted to fly home and avoid the city streets altogether, but city¡¯s skyline was crawling with vines and branches that made flying unsafe. The splattering of stars that peaked through the trees above longed for her to join them in the sky. This city was suffocating, just for once, Leona wanted to take in an eye of sky. She wanted to see the curve of the horizon and trace a flight path under the silver scar. Sighing, her wings draped like a pristine cape behind her. She continued down Main Street.

    Leona turned the corner, passing the flower posters again. The text of the vines glowed neon red. The shops window was darkened, but she thought she might have seen something moving inside, or was it in a reflection? She felt cold dots dripping off her scales. It was starting to rain.

    Rain in Vera City always came down hard. The drops went plack, lack, tac against the giant jungle leaves. There was a steady stream running off the rooftops, pooling before being drained away. All of the rain sounds masked the approach of some men. They crashed into Leona. Her wings flailed and the men stumbled.

    ¡°Sorry, so sorry!¡± Leona hastily apologized.

    An elf with tired eyes, black hawk wings, and long black hair hiccupped, trying to speak. His height was being supported by two others, both human men.

    ¡°Sorry, miss. We didn¡¯t her ya coming,¡± a strong man with a curly red beard replied.

    The other smaller man, with dark hair and sharp features, grinned mischievously and said, ¡°We¡¯re just trying to get this fine gentleman back to his inn.¡±

    The bearded man eyed up her blade.

    ¡°Better hurry home miss. There are a lot of drunks like this fool out tonight,¡± he said.

    The men went their own way and Leona felt safer turning her back, yet keeping them in the edge of her sight. The men dragged their elven friend into an alleyway, where she could see the flash of a knife.

    Leona froze, turning back on them. She crossed the street with a breeze and slid her back against a wall. She peaked into the alleyway and saw the men threatening the elf. The elf held his hands up as the smaller man spilled out his purse. Hundreds of shinning scales, wings, and gems drained into the robber¡¯s bag. Leona hid behind the wall again, listening to the riches clattering to the floor.

    She heard a loud thump and peaked back around the wall to see that the strong man had the elf pinned to the wall. The other man held his knife to the elf¡¯s neck. He had his hands around the long silver chain of a purple amulet.

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    ¡°No! You can¡¯t have that,¡± the elf slurred his words, attempting to punch the men.

    ¡°Looks like a valuable steal to me,¡± the smaller man said pressing the knife into the elf¡¯s skin.

    The elf bared his teeth as the man tried to pull the chain off over his head. The elf shifted in the strong man¡¯s hold and snatched the robber¡¯s wrist. The elf¡¯s grip was crushing. The robber yelled as claws dug into his wrist. Leona drew her blade, bracing herself for a confrontation.

    The robber swore and yanked his arm away from the elf, only causing more damage. Enraged the robber plunged his knife into the elf¡¯s shoulder. The elf kicked the strong man back away and tried to run. As he stumbled, both men knocked him to the ground. The elf pulled his face out of a puddle, black strands of hair hanged over his sharp eyes.

    Before they could bring anymore harm to the elf, Leona stepped into the ally. She took a deep breath and yelled, ¡°Halt! In the name of King Alder of Verlass you are under arrest!¡±

    The men turned their attention to her. The man with the knife raised it in defense and mockingly called out, ¡°only if you can catch us!¡±

    The strong man stomped on the elf¡¯s wing and pulled his partner into a run. They laughed as they ran to the end of the ally. Without chasing them Leona turned to the vines on the wall and whispered to them. When the robbers were nearly to the end of the ally, the vines along the walls sprung to life and lunged at them.

    The robbers yelped and screamed as they were taken off the ground. They tried to cut themselves free, but the vines quickly gained control of them. The knife they held was released, splashing into a puddle below. The vines set across the city by the king would hold them until the city guard responded.

    Magic that was as vast and potent as the king¡¯s scared Leona. His influence was rooted into the structures of the city itself. His magic was like a vast spider web, all Leona had to do was wake it up. Even if he was far away, sleeping in his fortress, Alder would sense this and easily learn what had taken place. Leona brushed her hand across the vines again thanking him with fearful respect.

    Grumbling to himself, the elf had already pulled himself off the ground and was leaning against the wall. His clothes were torn and dripping water and blood. He ran his hair back behind his pointed ears and rubbed street grime off his face with a handkerchief. He looked more offended than anything.

    Leona sheathed her sword and rushed over to offer him a hand. The ground around him was glittering with valuables, but he paid them no mind. When Leona reached him, he was complaining about his ruined coat.

    ¡°I mean, sure, you could fix the torn bits and the enchantment, but what about the stains? That¡¯s never going to come out. It¡¯s ruined!¡± the elf lamented.

    He seemed to be talking to himself. Leona was nervous, but she reached out.

    ¡°Excuse me sir, are you alright?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Thank you miss, but I¡¯m fine,¡± he replied curtly. ¡°This by far, has to be one of the worst places I¡¯ve passed through. The night clubs may have been worth the stop, if the drinks were better than garbage juice!¡±

    As he was walking away, Leona rushed again to his side saying, ¡°you are injured, where are you going? I saw what they did. Shouldn¡¯t you go to the hospital?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t,¡± he said, brushing off her concern. ¡°The whole family would be storming the gate if they knew where I was. Can¡¯t have that happening. I¡¯d sooner walk myself into the Dread Sea, before going home again.¡±

    Leona was baffled. Judging by his silver rimmed coat and other ornate silk garments, she imagined that the elf must be some kind of stray noble. What was he running from? An unsavory marriage? Confused, she watched him fixing his coat collar, he held himself upright and walked as if he had barely been scratched.

    He went up to where the robbers were bound and reached up to snatch their money bag. The robbers had fear in their eyes, expecting an act of retribution that never came. The elf poured everything back into his purse, then turned back to Leona.

    ¡°I suppose I should thank you, this could have been a lot more unpleasant. You may call me Hawk,¡± he said, shaking her hand. ¡°Everything left on the ground is yours to keep.¡±

    Before Leona could say anything else, the elf raised his hands up into the rain, casting a spell. The water along the street gathered into one place, pulling all of the gems and money along with it. The simple spell left the elf heaving, dark wisps flowing out with each exhale.

    ¡°Now that¡­. that¡¯s worse than the knife,¡± he coughed. ¡°Good practice for a mage though. It¡¯s off to the next town for me, see you around dragon.¡±

    Leona gathered up the money fast and ran to the end of the ally. She looked in every direction, but Hawk was already gone. She thought that he couldn¡¯t have gotten far. She ran in each way, nearly slipping in the rain. There was no trace of him, blood or otherwise.

    Trusting in Alder¡¯s vines to hold the robbers she returned home with a heavy bag. When she got home, everyone was already asleep. Leona quietly grabbed the stew her mom left for her in the ice box. She stuck it by the forge to warm up in the residual heat. Then she went to her room.

    She threw her cloak back on its hanger and set her sheaf¡¯s belt to hang off her desk chair. She slowly poured out the treasure that she had gathered onto her desk top. Colorful scales and thin wings shined red, blue, and green under her lamp light. The tear gems that mages used were angular, yet smooth. They looked like glass and were colored like soap bubbles.

    With this much money Leona would not have to work for months. Her parents could also make use of the gems and really ramp up production. It was beyond fortunate, but it would not last forever. If Leona became a noble like the elf, than this money would become pocket change to her. This was only a taste of what would come.

    Overwhelmed with joy, she nearly missed the coin that was buried. The gold coin was decorated with the seal of the Monarch of Watzelland and on the back was the elemental symbol for water. The coin raised more questions about Hawk. He had traveled from the other side of the world, bearing the favor of a monarch. Leona tucked it into her pocket and laughed. If a man so weak in the ways of water magic could travel across the world, then maybe she would be just fine outside the walls.

    Leona happily ate her stew then went to bed. It was hard to rest with thoughts of adventure on her mind. In the morning she would share the news with her family and hopefully set out with Tusund.

 Chapter 3: Accepting the Quest

    The next morning, the shop was closed and Leona¡¯s parents were sitting around the kitchen table. Two bags of money were laid out in front of them along with wanted posters of the robbers she caught. Her father had a stern look on his face while Mother tried to hide her shock.

    ¡°Leona, what is this?¡± Mom asked, pulling the poster papers across the table to face her.

    Leona froze in the stairwell and gathered her thoughts. She had never earned a bounty before. King Alder moved fast, and just as she had thought, her actions had not gone unnoticed. Surrounded by her parents disapproving faces was her reward.

    ¡°Those are wanted posters,¡± Leona replied simply.

    Her father pressed for a better answer and said, ¡°I can see that. Tell me why the bounties have been paid out to you?¡±

    ¡°I know I was out too late last night. I¡¯m sorry, but I saw someone run into some trouble and I knew I could help, so I called on Alder¡¯s vines. Don¡¯t worry, I never got close enough to confront them. I let the vines do all the work,¡± Leona said, tail curled around her ankle.

    Her mother was rubbing her head. Her gray black hair spilled over her stressed face like midnight rain. She stood up and passed a gold coin to Leona. It was like the one she got last night, but this one had Alder¡¯s seal on it, along with the elemental symbol for nature on the back.

    ¡°It is my mistake. I should have never sent that tree-man your way. You have the king¡¯s favor now. He does not just give that to any bounty hunter. You used the vines, so he knew it was you,¡± she said, frustration creeping into her voice. ¡°That scheming man wants to use my daughter!¡±

    Leona¡¯s mouth tightened into a thin slit. It was not the best time to ask about leaving. Her mother had put some trust into the king and Tusund, only to find that they might ask for too much. Then she thought again and realized that there might never be a good time, and that it was better to get the argument out of the way now.

    ¡°The king wants to make me into a noble woman,¡± Leona said, shrinking at the words. ¡°All I have to do is retrieve something for him, but he¡¯s going to let me keep it.¡±

    Leona¡¯s mother looked offended.

    Her father crossed his arms and laid back in his chair.

    ¡°Alder should be ashamed for taking advantage of a kid from a working family,¡± she said with conviction that made it easy to imagine her chastising the king himself.

    Leona spoke up, saying, ¡°I was training to be a soldier, Mom. As a citizen, I¡¯m not obligated to do any of this. If I continue on my current path, I won¡¯t have a choice. Soldiers don¡¯t get to say no.¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t you just run the forge with your father?¡± she said, upset.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to do that, Mom! That¡¯s why I¡¯ve been trying to find a job. Now I have this amazing opportunity, and you don¡¯t want me to take it?¡± Leona argued.

    To her surprise Leona¡¯s father spoke, ¡°I see my little girl, with wings too big for this house. Dear, I think it¡¯s time we let her forge her own path.¡±

    Mom looked betrayed. Tears were forming under her wrinkled eyes. Dad rose to put an arm around her.

    Mom whispered into Dad¡¯s ear, ¡°We should have known. She want¡¯s to fly under the shattered skies.¡±

    ¡°For me and your mother, I want you to use your king¡¯s favor to get this family orbs. I want to be able to talk to you and see you everyday,¡± Father said, both of them looking at her.

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    Of course, Leona never thought to ask, but she knew it would not be hard to get. If Tusund had traveled from overseas, he might already own an orb for communicating with his Chief. Leona would just have to get one to leave at home.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I will get one for both of us. I don¡¯t know when we will be leaving. I haven¡¯t spoken to the tree-man that visited us yet,¡± she said.

    ¡°Well, you better get going,¡± her mother¡¯s voice broke for pushing her away.

    ~ ~ ~

    Leona followed the directions on the card that Tusund gave her and found his friend¡¯s clinic. The clinic was a well-sized building that had vines crawling up the tan wood walls and ivy hanging off the roof. The windows were dotted with rain spots and pollen from the previous night.

    She gathered her courage and walked in. A copper bell on the door announced her arrival. Inside there was a curved high-desk where a tree-woman was leafing through some files. To the side of the desk was a waiting room with sickly mages that made her feel like she should be holding her breath. The tree-woman behind the desk looked up from her files, dropping her reading glasses to see her clearly.

    ¡°Oh, you are Tusund¡¯s friend, I¡¯ll go get him,¡± she said.

    She disappeared down the hallway and pulled Tusund from one of the rooms. Leona was surprised that they could walk side-by-side with not a single branch bending against the hall''s ceiling. The clinic must have been designed with the treatment of dragons and Chlorophanes in mind.

    Leona could overhear Tusund talking as he approached, ¡°It¡¯s hard to know for sure, but I think the Chlorophanes have some sort of resistance to it. They can section off the blight and easily remove infected branches.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s because of the structure of plant cells,¡± the tree-woman replied. ¡°Humans are not so lucky when dealing with dark magic. We¡¯ll have to share our findings, hopefully¡­.¡±

    When Tusund was standing before her he was dressed like the tree-woman, in a long white coat. He took it off and put it into a small closet behind the desk. Beneath the coat was his usual green-silk clothes. His smile was so wide it looked like a lumber jack had cut into him.

    ¡°Leona! I wasn¡¯t sure I would see you. How did you folks take things?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Not well,¡± Leona replied.

    ¡°Sorry to hear,¡± he said, frowning slightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m still going,¡± Leona reassured him. ¡°They just wanted me to get some orbs for communication, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Tusund¡¯s smiled returned as he said, ¡°Well, that can be arranged. Come with me.¡±

    They left the clinic and walked back towards Vera Fortress. Along the way, Leona had a lot of questions to ask. With a long road ahead of them, Leona hoped to get to know her traveling companion before they left the city.

    ¡°Why do you work at the clinic?¡± she asked first.

    ¡°I thought you might ask,¡± he said walking slowly not to overtake Leona. ¡°When I was a sapling, I was a warrior like many of my tribe. I don¡¯t wish to go into detail, but I soon learned that the people of Verlass were fighting the kinds of monsters that a warrior could not. I decided to go back to school and study medicine in hopes that I could help in that fight.¡±

    Leona questioned further, ¡°Is that why you work with that other doctor?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I am an apprentice under Dr. Cherry. Soon I will be able to practice on my own,¡± he said, smiling at the little squirrel that ran through his branches.

    Knowing that he was skilled with medicine comforted Leona about their journey ahead. If something went wrong, she knew that he would be able to help. Looking up through the canopy above, she also thought of how she could avoid a lot of danger just by staying off the ground. Tusund was a warrior, so he would probably be alright with defending himself.

    When they got to the fortress the Chlorophane guards parted their branches again for them. This time, instead of going off to the training grounds as she usually did, Tusund lead her straight to the Fortress doors. Doors almost as big as the ones at the gate shuddered and cracked inwards for them to enter.

    The smell of the jungle reached her snout and light brighter than day slid out between the doors. She didn¡¯t know that Tusund was taking her here, but she trusted he knew where he was going. Leona had never been inside Vera Fortress before, but with Tusund by her side, it would only be the first of many new experiences.

    ¡°After we get those orbs, we leave tomorrow,¡± Leona said with confidence.

    ¡°The sooner the better,¡± Tusund agreed, taking her inside.

 Chapter 4: Monster in the Fortress

    Inside Vera Fortress, a thin film of vines covered the stone brick walls. Under the vines, Leona saw mosaic murals. The colored tiles showed ancient mages spreading the roots of the Elder Tree across Vestra. Extra stained glass details worked into the walls added braided bands of magic being manipulated by the ancient mages. Walking down the hall the murals played out a historical saga.

    Gigantic murals stretched on depicting spanning battlefields that were illuminated with the smallest level of detail. They showed mages infusing cut trees with magic that made them come to life. They were fighting a gigantic dragon that Leona was sure was made from a collection of pearls embedded into the wall.

    Leona was caught up in the splendor of the art. It showed her a time long before the shattering of the veil in the sky, when magic could be used to create life itself. Her and Tusund passed more armored guards as they headed into a larger audience room. In this room, the murals reached their climax. A great stained-glass window above was shaped like the Overseer¡¯s eye, looking down on a catastrophic battle. Below the tear filled eye, roots from the elder tree were dragging the dragon under the crashing ocean waves.

    ¡°What is all of this?¡± Leona asked, turning her head up in awe.

    ¡°It¡¯s my favorite view,¡± a voice came in response.

    Leona turned down to the source of the voice to see King Alder resting upon his throne. Being a human-Chlorophane hybrid gave him a unique look. He had bark for skin and was shaped like a human boy with two tree branch horns. Large emeralds in a gold crown encircled his horns. He had jade earrings and a layer of magic tear gems sewn into the inside of his red coat. Amber eyes and an expectant smile trained on Leona. Alder sat with his fingers interlaced. She looked at Tusund who was already in his salute, kneeling with his arms reaching to the sky. Following his gesture, Leona emulated the way that the Sages from her story had knelt to the Overseer.

    ¡°You may rise, and tell me what you seek,¡± the king said.

    Tusund pushed his moss dread locks behind his pointed ears and replied, ¡°I, Tusund Palo come here with my friend Leona. If your Majesty is open to share, I would like to inquire on your health. We also seek some resources for our quest.¡±

    King Alder¡¯s throne was a living tree adorned with crystals and magic gems. Without moving, he manipulated his small vines around the tree to bring a gold chalice to his mouth. Black vines that he had no say over remained wrapped around his body like tight coils, digging into his bark. Leona thought that he looked worse off than in the posters she saw downtown.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± the king replied gruffly. ¡°There is only so much one can do when the threat beyond the wall continues to grow. I either strain myself to stop the monsters, or we lose the wall. I would gladly take the first over the latter.¡±

    ¡°Sorry to hear, but I understand the necessity,¡± Tusund replied, downcast.

    A look of pity was quickly hidden on Tusund¡¯s face. Leona knew that all Chlorophanes were connected in some way. She could imagine that Tusund understood more of what the king was experiencing than he would ever admit. Even if the king was one of the most powerful mages in Vestra, his curse would inevitably claim him.

    ¡°You two are the last audience I will hold today. If you would like to join me on the way back to my office, we can make a quick stop for whatever you may need,¡± Alder said, making a quick circle with his hand.

    Six guards that were cloaked in invisibility revealed themselves. The pairs were located by the door, in front of the king, and right beside Leona and Tusund. Surprised, Leona jumped towards Tusund. The guard by her starred at her indifferently, but somewhere in his eyes, there might have been a smile.

    In protest of his crackling vine-bound joints, the king rose from his throne and began his journey . He expected Leona and Tusund to follow him. They joined up with him and his guards fell into formation around them. Most of the guards armed with spears or great swords kept their distance from the king, filling out the space along the edges of the formation. Two paired with swords and shields remained close to the king.

    The escort took them down a different hallway, that Leona found to be artistically barren. They were in a section of the fortress where some of the soldiers had their barracks. In the distance Leona could see a few of them that were passing the time, playing with magic.

    The soldiers had built some sort of indoor jungle gym that served as a challenging gauntlet. The plant¡¯s shoddy construction spanned across the entire width of the hall, and rose up to the high ceilings above. There was hanging bars, zip-lines, and plenty of traps. Before they caught sight of the king, the soldiers were daring each other to brave the perilous obstacles.

    When the first soldier saw them approaching, he looked like his heart had fallen into his boots. From a distance Leona could hear them shouting to each other, as they rushed to tear down their construction. By the time the king¡¯s escort passed their barracks, everything had been cleaned and there was not a single person left out in the hallway.

    ¡°Remind me to make a note to their quartermaster about this,¡± Alder grumbled to one of his guards. ¡°They better think twice about wasting all of my tear gems.¡±

    King Alder went to unlock the door to a supply room. A residual death-stare directed at the soldiers remained on his face. The cursed vines that cut into him only enhanced the dark look. Leona suspected that if he had his full vitality, he would have chastised and disciplined the soldiers himself.

    Inside the supply room there was various locked trunks stacked onto towering shelves. Some open boxes held old map scrolls, others had dusty uniforms. Leona saw containers marked for cannon ammo and some that held components of magical weapons.

    ¡°So what do you need?¡± the king¡¯s voice echoed.

    ¡°Just some funds and a few orbs,¡± Tusund¡¯s voice was small.

    ¡°Orbs!¡± The kings voice boomed. ¡°Those are reserved for my hunter captains and commanders, why do you want one?¡±

    Before Tusund could speak Leona answered honestly, ¡°It¡¯s so I can communicate with my parents.¡±

    The king turned away, facing the towering racks of supplies. His hands were clasped behind his long coat as he thought silently for a moment.

    ¡°I will conditionally grant your request. Though you may not be a hunter now, with your expertise in fighting I would not put it past you to try later. So I ask you to consider continuing your education. If you you do so, I¡¯ll let you keep the orbs. Otherwise, upon your return, I will need them back in good condition. You may make a fine hunter captain,¡± Alder mused.

    ¡°I can¡¯t cast any magic,¡± Leona said.

    ¡°Not yet,¡± Alder laughed. ¡°Personally, I barely cast a spell these days. That doesn¡¯t make me any less of a monarch.¡±

    One of Alder¡¯s guards was already manipulating vines to bring down a box, but Leona was not paying attention. The way that the king had nonchalantly said ¡®not yet¡¯ to her casting magic echoed in her head. She never fully considered the possibility that her curse could be fixed. The relic she was tasked with finding might be able to do that. The king seemed to be putting a lot of favor their way. He must believe that the ancient relic could be capable of healing him too.

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    When Leona came back to attention, Alder had pulled a silk cover off of a small crystal ball and set it into her hands. Tusund had one as well. The orb was cold to the touch and was a deep blue color. She was reminded of the Overseer¡¯s eyes with their cold-steel glare. She put it away carefully.

    ¡°Thank you, Your Majesty,¡± Leona and Tusund said together.

    ¡°Just be sure to keep it covered when you are not using it. Sometimes, I swear, it¡¯ll watch you,¡± he replied, disgusted.

    Leaving the storage room, the escort was greeted by a strange soldier. With no one else around, they stood silently on the wall, opposite of the doorway. Armor that was similar to that of the king¡¯s guards, but less ornate, covered every bit of them. The escort froze, all of the guards prepared themselves for a confrontation. To keep Leona from continuing forward, Alder held out his arm.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Leona asked, fear creeping into her voice.

    ¡°They are not human,¡± Alder whispered.

    Leona stepped back. Fear made her head feel all spiky like there was a chill in the air. It was not just her imagination, it was definitely much colder than it should be for a tropical rain forest. Leona caught a glimpse of the little squirrel in Tusund¡¯s branches, hiding away.

    Suddenly, Alder¡¯s guards threw him to the ground. A long spike burst from the lone soldier, taking a single leaf off of Alder¡¯s head. It lodged itself into the wall behind him, sending out a web of cracks. A series of smaller spikes shot out below it. The guards covered the king with their shields. Spikes snapped over their steel.

    Alder kicked Leona¡¯s feet out from under her. She fell beside him as another spike zipped over her head. Shocked and paralyzed by fear, she watched the soldier retract the spikes.

    Cracking and creaking sounds resonated in the hallway. The lone soldier twitched, holes appearing in his chest. Breaking out of the suit of armor like an eggshell was an arm. Then there was another arm, and another. More arms, pealing out of the suit.

    Standing before them was a monster. It was a hodgepodge of people and animals melting together. Faces always shifting. An empty scream fell from Leona¡¯s throat. She grasped for her sword, and drew it. Something more than fear animated her as she stood up. The monster¡¯s screams called out to her. It spoke in a language lost to time, but she understood. Hunger. Pain. Rage. She wanted it to stop.

    The guards were engaged, throwing big cuts to the monster¡¯s limbs. Each time they cut a part free, it withered away and a trapped spirit ran free. As Leona rushed to aid them, she saw the animal spirits bounding away. Joining the guards, she let lose a flurry of cuts. She tried to imagine the monster as her training stand. Gaps filling in after one cut flowed to the next.

    Colorful spirits of birds, foxes, and fish spilled from the monster¡¯s blood. It groaned and shook. Magic vines pulled Leona behind a guard. Tusund¡¯s work, she thought. Tar black spikes shot out of the monster, flinging the guard into her. They were all flung back by the force. As they hit the floor, she heard the sound of shattering glass. The guards wards had broken.

    Leona felt like her whole body was bruised. The guard that fell on her helped her stagger to her feet. When she reoriented herself she saw that the monster was pulling itself towards the king.

    With frightening speed, the monster¡¯s arms pulled it¡¯s mass forward as it folded in on itself. It was melting and falling, but new arms reached out. It charged the king and his guards as they attempted to flee.

    The guards raised their shields in defense of their king and thrust their blades into the monster¡¯s numerous eyes. The monster howled and black tendrils sprung from its back. The tendrils slammed the guards into the walls. Wards shattered, and they fell unconscious.

    Left alone, Alder swore to himself. Using magic he raised a tree trunk shield. The monsters spikes pierced through it. Leona could hear his gems shattering. Everyone sprinted to him. The guards cast vines to hold the monster, but it was useless. The monster contorted like a snake and slipped out.

    The king held his ground when the monster rushed him with the jaws of a tiger. Alder¡¯s tree branch horns caught it by the neck. Leona watched as he twisted his horns, throwing the monster down.

    Tusund reach the king first and cast roots out from the ground to grapple the monster. Leona and everyone else joined in chopping at the monster¡¯s infinite limbs. Animal claws thrashed about in the root¡¯s bind. Leona gasped as one swiped past her eyes.

    Tusund¡¯s bark protected him and so did the armor on the guards. Next to them, Leona felt venerable. The fight was going on too long. Where were all those soldiers from the barracks? Could no one hear them? The monster was breaking free again.

    ¡°Make room!¡± Alder ordered.

    The guards snatched her away from the monster. Everyone cleared space around the monster. Alder¡¯s eyes darkened. The vines along the fortress walls rose in response to his magic. They grew larger and sprouted thorns. Faster than eyes could follow, the vines shredded the monster. It took only seconds, and there was nothing left. Countless people and animals spirits leaped out from the withering remains.

    Deep slashes ran through the wall behind where the monster stood. Hands tensed like they bore claws, Alder winced. Before he fell, one of the guards took hold of him. Tusund was already by his side.

    ¡°No more monsters in my house,¡± the king labored to speak. ¡°Everyone safe?¡±

    ¡°Two guards got knocked out, but I think I see them getting up now,¡± Leona called out.

    ¡°Tell them to go home and rest, I¡¯ll have healers see to them,¡± Tusund replied.

    The guards brushed off the broken tear gems that had protected them. Leona rejoined the others and saw what damage the magic had done. The dark vines must have tightened around the king¡¯s arms. A dark honey-like liquid that was a mix of blood and sap was soaking into his coat sleeves.

    Alder pulled in a sharp breath as the guard that was supporting him gingerly removed his coat. It looked like all the tear gems that had been sewn into its inside were shattered. The ruffled white shirt Alder wore had sleeves stained to match his coat. The guard took out a small knife, cutting away the king¡¯s sleeves. Leona looked away after she saw the dark vines coiling around his arms like a sharp spring.

    Without receiving any orders, Tusund began work on healing Alder¡¯s arms. One of Tusund¡¯s hands was large enough to cover the king¡¯s entire arm. When he removed his hand a thin coating of pure, golden sap had sealed all the cuts.

    ¡°What was that thing?¡± Leona asked the king, while his other arm was being healed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said, gritting his teeth. ¡°It was stronger than a normal shifting monster. It got in here, and no one saw it.¡±

    ¡°I think it had souls in it,¡± she said with a shiver.

    ¡°For any matter, we need to make sure the fortress is clear. Check everyone, we have to be sure this was the only one,¡± he said to one of his guards. ¡°Leona, Tusund, your support proved to be invaluable. I won¡¯t forget this. Keep the orbs, you owe me nothing." Another guard helped Alder to his feet, and was pushing him off in a hurry. "I¡¯m sorry to say, but I have much to attend to now, you both should go as well. I pray that the Overseer watches over you on your quest.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Tusund said with a bow casting shade over the king and his guard.

    Leona and Tusund left Vera Fortress behind. Soldiers were running all about the place, and into the city, the same frenzy continued. Leona had hoped for a quite night. She also hoped that King Alder would not use his magic again. Tusund was walking her home, and he shared some of his thoughts.

    ¡°I wish he could stop. I worry that his kingship will be the death of him," Tusund said solemnly. "It¡¯s tough, but he knows the risks."

    The night air was damp and the stars were hidden behind trees and clouds. Leona thought that she saw one of the animal spirits flying through the foliage above. She couldn¡¯t be sure. Her life felt like it was somewhere between a dream and a nightmare. She had fought her first monster today. It had been an especially dangerous one to sneak into the fortress without drawing any attention. The monster wanted to attack the king first, but it also wanted her too.

    At the front door to her house, Tusund gave her the orb he had and bid her farewell. Leona went inside and shared the orbs with her family. When asked about her night, she didn¡¯t know what to say. She needed reassurance. Leona hugged her parents and they hugged her back.

    ¡°So your leaving tomorrow?¡± Dad said.

    Leona nodded.

    ¡°Cheer up,¡± Dad said. ¡°Tomorrow we¡¯ll send you off with a big breakfast.¡±

    Mom chipped in, saying, ¡°and when you get home, we¡¯ll have a feast.¡±

    Leona put on her best smile and went to her room.

 Chapter 5: Into Open Skies

    Leona had a restless night. The monster that she fought made its way into her nightmares. In one nightmare the monster took hold of her with its many arms, pulling her close. Patches of color and fur folded over her eyes as she melted into its body. She felt confined like she was falling into a net.

    Leona jolted awake. She pulled her covers close to her chest, trying hide and feel out her reality. Looking over at her from the nightstand, was a green rabbit spirit. For a moment, Leona thought that her dreams might be leaking into the waking world. She brushed the spirit away. It felt warm or cold, she couldn¡¯t tell.

    The green rabbit bounced in mid-air around her room. It¡¯s light green glow lit up her dim room. Watching the spirit bound around the room relaxed her mind. Her body felt at ease too. It was not as sore as it should have been.

    The spirit was real and it was free thanks to her help.

    The sun was beginning to rise and shine through her window. The rabbit froze in the light, ears listening. It made its way to her window and phased through it. Leona rose from her bed to watch the spirit disappear through the trees.

    It was earlier than usual for Leona to be awake, but with a big trip on the horizon she took the extra time to pack her bag. She folded days of clothes tightly together into the bag. Unwilling to face boredom, a book and a deck of cards found enough space. Lastly she clipped a lantern and water skin to hang on the outside. It was simple, but it was all she needed for now.

    By the time she finished packing her parents were already awake and sitting around the table. Mom was setting a mountain of bacon onto Leona¡¯s plate, while Dad sat back in his chair reading the morning paper.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t have to wake you up this morning,¡± Mom said to her. ¡°You¡¯ll need the whole day to make it to the nearest town.¡±

    ¡°That would be Emral Town,¡± Dad clarified.

    ¡°I hope you packed a map,¡± Mom said.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Tusund has one,¡± Leona replied, stuffing bacon into her mouth.

    Dad passed his newspaper over for Leona to look at. She nearly chocked, looking at the cover page. There was a series of images showing the aftermath of the monster attack. Some people claimed to have seen the spirits that were released from the monster, but they were being dismissed. There was no evidence that a monster had ever entered the fortress. All that remained was two injured guards and king with wounds inflicted by dark magic. The paper claimed that the guards were covering up the king¡¯s outburst, blaming it on a monster.

    Leona knew what really happened, but she didn¡¯t want to bring it up to her parents. If they found out that she had put herself in danger fighting a monster, they would never stop worrying. They might not trust her judgment, deeming it too great of a risk for her to leave the city.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t true,¡± Leona said. ¡°I saw one of those spirits myself.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s spooky. What kind of monster is made of spirits?¡± Mom wondered, seating herself at the head of the table.

    Dad took the paper back saying, ¡°regardless of what¡¯s happening, I realized that this city isn¡¯t as safe as it used to be. How could a monster walk right into our fortress? They can''t be that smart, can they? Someone had to have let it in.¡±

    Everyone was still a bit tense but breakfast continued on as usual. Leona cleaned up, gathered her things and went to the door. It was strange how normal the morning had been. Leona tried to comprehend that by the next day she would be miles away in a completely different place. It was easier not to think of such things, so she just focused on the next step. She gave her parents a full arms and wings hug and went on her way.

    ¡°Look out for monsters and travel safe!¡± her dad called after her.

    ¡°Call us tonight!¡± Mom reminded her.

    Finally, together, they both called out, ¡°love you!¡±

    Leona didn¡¯t care how loud they were being in the morning, she didn¡¯t allow herself to be embarrassed. It was all so corny, but she was leaving. If anyone had a problem they wouldn¡¯t find her inside the walls anymore.

    Unapologetic, she shouted back, ¡°bye Mom, bye Dad! Love you too!¡±

    With her wing tips out, she soared as she ran off to meet Tusund.

    ~ ~ ~

    Tusund and Leona where approaching the outer ring-wall gate. Few people traveled between settlements. In the stream of people before the wall, Leona saw a majority of hunters and soldiers followed by a few traders and even less travelers.

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    Leona had never even been to the edge of town before. There were smaller neighborhoods and more farms near the wall. The sky was open enough for her to see the top of the wall. It seemed to curve back on her, towering higher than even the fortress. The wall was made of giant stone blocks carved by artisans. Pillars looked like stone trees and the space all around the gate was decorated with mosaics like the throne room. These mosaics where colorful images of humans and Chlorophane warriors standing together. To the sides of the warriors were spanning scenes of the city¡¯s construction.

    In the plaza before the gate was decorated with the seal of Verlass. The words "Truth and Freedom" were set into the tile floor. Here hunters pulled carts of slain monsters into town. Soldiers were also escorting wagons overflowing with magic gems from the outer mines.

    Leona followed Tusund¡¯s lead as they went though the gate. It was a wide and long tunnel that passed through the wall. Once outside Leona looked up at the sky. Without towering buildings and overhanging vines, Leona could see almost everything. She followed the thin white line in the sky to where the sun was still rising.

    She was immediately surprised by how windy it was. The jungle looked alive with each gust. Trees danced, leaves, and petals flew though the air. Leona could feel the wind pulling her wings open.

    ¡°Can I fly?¡± she asked Tusund.

    ¡°If you want to,¡± Tusund shrugged, confused as to why she asked.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been allowed to fly. There¡¯s not enough room in the sky for me,¡± Leona said, under her breath.

    ¡°There are soldiers and hunters all around here. We are still so close to the city and as long as you stay near the path, we should be safe from any monsters. Try not to get too far ahead, or lose me up there,¡± Tusund said, taking her bag

    The stone road before them gave Leona a clear line into the sky. She had never flown before, but she trusted in her instincts to guide her. Wind was picking up as she started running down the road. A group of hunters was rapidly approaching. At the start of the next breeze, Leona jumped up and dove through the air. Instead of falling, her wings snapped open. The wind swept her up over the hunters and their carts.

    She was flying now.

    Leona flapped to gain altitude, lifting herself high above the tallest trees. Her hair was ruffled in the wind and her tail waved like a flag. Everything below was beginning to look like vegetables on a dinner plate. From above, farms became a patchwork quilt, people were ants, and the world began to curve away.

    Vera City¡¯s wall remained a mountain in her sight. It was more like a whole range of mountains stretching to edges of her vision. She could see tiny cannons and balestras set up on shelves. There were also terraces with more crops growing along the wall¡¯s face. There was a sheet of something white along the top. Leona wanted to see what it was, but the higher she went, the harder it was move. She noticed herself flapping as fast as a bee in the cold sky.

    It might be possible for a larger dragon to overcome the clouds, but that was not Leona. She was beginning to think that she had gone too far. Fear and a feeling of exposure crept over her mind. If something happened to her wings from this height, she would die. She was also getting very tired. What if her wings failed her before she couldn¡¯t make it back to the ground?

    In the white scar above the clouds, Leona thought she saw an eye. She looked into it, the Overseer¡¯s eye. She felt a spike in her mind as a vision played out before her.

    Two sages cut though the clouds, chasing each other. Lightning jumped out from behind the rider of an eagle. Another flying on his own dragonfly wings, seemed to split himself into a hundred copies. With the flick of one-hundred staffs, the lighting was redirected back to the sage.

    The sage on the eagle blocked the attack and sent it hurtling into the sky. A crack reflected though the Overseer¡¯s eyes. Leona didn¡¯t know what she was witnessing, maybe she couldn¡¯t even breath. The eye blinked and everything disappeared. Everything.

    Leona was a white speck soaring in darkness.

    ¡°Soon¡­.. Try to reach me¡­. I¡¯m waiting,¡± a voice echoed in her mind.

    Leona blinked and she was like a comet, burning bright at the edges of her wings. She blinked again and she was back in the sky. No one was watching her. No one was there.

    She tried to keep herself calm as she slowed her flapping and began to fall. When she could make out the finer details of what lay below her, she began to glide. It had only been a few minutes, but she could hardly keep her wings open. Despite her inner protest, she kept her wings out, least she plummet.

    Wind began to fling her left and right. It raised her up before stopping. She felt weightless as she began to fall, only for the wind to slam into her again. It was a hard lesson to learn, but flight could not be left to instinct alone. Leona continued to fight the wind as much as she could, when she finally caught sight of Tusund.

    The Tree-man, still looking small from above, stopped in his tracks. He watched the wind flip Leona over and he began running after her. Rapidly falling, yet recovering into a glide just above the ground, Leona got caught in his branches. Mouth agape, Tusund looked up at her. She was tangled up like a lost kite.

    ¡°What happened up there?¡± Tusund asked, concerned.

    ¡°I can¡¯t say,¡± Leona replied. ¡°I have never flown before.¡±

    ¡°Never!¡± Tusund burst.

    ¡°I thought my landing made it obvious enough,¡± she said as Tusund¡¯s squirrel climbed over her back.

    ¡°Well how was it?¡± Tusund questioned.

    ¡°It was the best thing ever,¡± Leona said. ¡°It was thrilling, yet exhausting and scary. I think I went too high; it was hard to breathe.¡±

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s not good. We should agree to stay near the ground for now,¡± He said.

    Leona nodded in agreement. Without having to ask, Tusund offered her a ride in his branches so that she could rest. Leona acknowledged his good will and settled into his branches. It was like laying in a hammock she thought as she picked some leaves out of her hair. Already deprived of sleep and exhausted from her flight she let the rocking of his branches lull her into sleep.

    ~ ~ ~

    When she woke up they were already at an inn in Emral Town. Tusund was checking in a the front desk. A familiar voice danced about Leona¡¯s ears. Looking though the forest of branches on Tusund¡¯s head, she saw him sitting at a table.

    It was Hawk.

 Chapter 6: The Lost Talent

    It had almost been a year since Hawk left his home behind. He drifted away from his family clan and tried to forget the magic that had ruined him. The elf named ¡°Hawk¡± was not even real. Hawk was a character, played by an actor who had long since lost himself to the role. It was his greatest illusion. He didn¡¯t have to be himself anymore. Hawk was fake, but Hawk was free.

    When he made himself anew, he got to choose what the world would see. He made his skin pale like some of the humans and got rid of his outrageous hair, opting for subtle black. It might give him away, but he decided to keep his purple eyes. Deep down, he was afraid of forgetting himself. Accusing, those eyes would look back at him in the mirror. It wasn¡¯t enough to feel the truth, sometimes, he needed to see it.

    Hawk was most proud of the wings he created. They were glossy black hawk wings. Together, they made an elegant cape to balance the bright colors of his purple robes and dress coats. They made him look like a strong elf. However, the wings were useless, much like the real ones beneath the illusion.

    Despite trying, not everything could be left behind in Watzelland. When he left his country, he had unknowingly carried hundreds of stowaways along with him. The people were called Silkins. They were constructs made by the mages of the past, much like the Chlorophanes.

    Silkins built entire communities around their chosen mage. It was like Hawk was a merchant ship, and the Silkins were the crew, maintaining him and using his magical strength to create and sell their goods. They had been with him for years, but he had never seen them before.

    Hawk¡¯s entourage of Silkins proved to be inseparable from his person. They looked like ordinary spiders, except that they were not entirely corporeal. The creatures were made after the breaking of the sky, modeled after the weaving limbs of the Overseer. Because they have revealed themselves to him in his time of need, he gained the ability to see the Silkins.

    They were all staying at the biggest inn in Emral Town, so that Hawk might have some time to recuperate his funds. It did not help that he let himself get robbed in the last city. At his table in the corner, he spent each evening performing a little show using his water magic to make wobbly puppets. It was enjoyable enough, touching on a dream from his childhood, but it didn¡¯t make much money. The Silkin¡¯s trading alone brought in the income of a small town. He was overshadowed.

    The night when the news of the monster attack in Vera City reached him, he was not up to performing. Hawk was sitting at his usual round table away from the inn receptionist desk. He had set the news paper under his drink glass. The elder Silkins had run lines out from the drink to get their own share. He could hear the elders laughing and carrying on while the children ran about the inn jumping and gliding from table to table. Moonlight from the window sharpened the lines around his frown.

    Hawk¡¯s eyes were dark and downcast as he manipulated water between his hands. His Silkin friend perceptive as always, noticed the way he moved it about like a lame toy. ¡°Hawk how long are you going to sit about like this?¡± He heard the voice loud and clear, despite not seeing Spinner. ¡°The others are awaiting orders. Anything will do. Tell us what town we are going to next. Give us something to fix. We can¡¯t be still for long.¡±

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    ¡°You all seem to be doing just fine on your own. I still don¡¯t understand why you need me,¡± Hawk said with a yawn, letting his water run off the table.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be honest with you right now, because the other¡¯s certainly wont be. Right now, it isn¡¯t about what we need. You¡¯re the one that needs us.¡± Spinner was never one to hold anything back, but Hawk did not need to feel like more of a burden. It was too much to have a whole village relying on him. It reminded him of home, and he wasn¡¯t going to let anyone dictate his choices again. Sometimes he wished that the Silkin¡¯s had just remained hidden to him. Things would be simpler.

    ¡°Alright Mister Spinner, if I am so dependent on you, then what do you think I should do?¡± he said in the sassiest tone he could manage.

    ¡°It¡¯s not my place to command you.¡±

    ¡°Smart kid,¡± Hawk said, grinning back into Spinner¡¯s expressionless black eyes.

    Hawk knew that Spinner was only looking out for his family. It had been very hard for the Silkins before they found him. Spinner liked to argue with everyone, but he held back pushing Hawk. Come to think of it, no one really argued with him.

    Watching the little one skittering away did disappoint him. He had to give the kid something. Despite him and his family choosing Hawk, he felt like he still had to earn the Silkins. They were the only people he could trust and Spinner deserved better.

    Hawk flicked his straw around his glass, disrupting the elder¡¯s drinking lines. The spiders looked irritable, until they saw who they were dealing with. They hid their fangs.

    ¡°Elders, I apologize for interrupting your festivities but I have something to say.¡± All the Silkins in the room went silent. Spinner froze, but he did not look at Hawk. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking¡­.¡± The young ones laughter filled his pause. ¡°Yes, actually thinking a lot about all of you. When the Spix family traveled across Watzelland, they were looking for one of the most powerful mages in the world. I¡¯m happy to say that you only fell a little short from getting a monarch; you got me instead.¡±

    Bouts of tiny laughs filled the tavern, resonating under the wood ceilings. Hawk laughed inside too. For all the other¡¯s knew about him, he was only a simple mage. That was anything but the truth.

    ¡°Ok, ok, everyone relax,¡± he said bringing his hands down to the table. ¡°We are close to the ocean, and some of the greatest warriors in the world. You Silkin¡¯s love making bets, so I¡¯m going to give you something to go crazy over. Our next order of business is to go to the Finne Islands.¡± He let that sink in before continuing. ¡°Once we get there, I¡¯m going to fight. I¡¯ll duel everyone I can. I¡¯ll make a name for Hawk, and all of you Silkins are going to make a ton of money!¡±

    The barkeeper at the inn was wiping down a glass. He looked at Hawk like he was crazy. He definitely was, though not for talking to invisible creatures. At his triumphant announcement, the Silkins were dancing and cheering. If only the inn keepers could hear it. The sound of hope and joy.

    Spinner looked back at him with what Hawk thought was concern, but then he saw him rubbing his stripy orange and yellow legs together. Spinner always did that when he was thinking about money. Hawk wanted to give everything to them. After all, they had saved his life.

    One of the elders spoke up, ¡°those islands are very isolated. Mind telling us how we are going to get there?¡±

    At that moment, a gust of wind blew into the inn as a giant Chlorophane ducked under the double doors. The Silkins mouths were agape. It must have been fate itself. Hawk clapped his hands with excitement.

    ¡°That¡¯s our ticket. I¡¯ll go talk to him.¡±

 Chapter 7: A Way Forward

    The Chlorophane was checking into the inn at the front desk. He looked just as Hawk had imagined. The tree-man¡¯s armored body was that of a warrior, trimmed and fit for fights. Below the carved and painted tattoos of his tribe, there was only a few knots on his limbs. The small swirly knots told him that the tree-man could lose a part of himself and still go on fighting. Hawk wished he could do the same. He supposed that in some way he had, if only for the Silkins.

    ¡°Well, go on now,¡± Spinner said, nudging Hawk¡¯s finger.

    ¡°I¡¯m on it. You would never see me missing out on cashing in on such good luck. It is the best luck I¡¯ve had all week,¡± Hawk sung.

    As Hawk pushed his chair back into the table a team of Silkins cast lines and pulled themselves up onto Hawk¡¯s coat. He had not yet learned what all of those little spiders did, but he knew some of them preferred that he knew nothing. Spinner came along too; he always did, but not because he had a job. Hawk guessed that made the little guy his friend.

    When Hawk crossed the room he heard another small voice of a Silkin scout in his ear. ¡°There is a draconian hybrid hiding in the tree-man¡¯s branches. Webber has informed us that she was the woman who assisted you in Vera City.¡± Hawk froze, looking through the branches, meeting her blue eyes. He was immediately embarrassed, and she, likewise, moved to cover herself.

    Hawk wanted to go right upstairs to his room. He never thought that he would see her again. He kept thinking about how she must be thinking about him, and how he was a mess, and weak, and lost, so lost. The illusion of his life was already broken to her. Still, he had reassurance that even with her eyes as blue as the Overseer herself, that she will never look deep enough.

    Knowing the Chlorophane¡¯s friend would only help Hawk get his way to the Finne Islands. He just had to keep playing along. If the draconian girl thought that he was a weak, lost drunk, then how should she view the sober Hawk? Walking towards them, he was already thinking of a new story, a new role to play.

    He thought to himself that Hawk was a traveling merchant, looking to sell his rare Silkin goods in South Vestra. It was not far from the truth, so that made things easier. He just had to play along until he got to the islands.

    Bold as he could manage, Hawk stepped up to the Chlorophane. The height of an elf was nothing compared to that of a Chlorophane, and even then, Hawk thought that this one was still young. As soon as the man put away his room key, Hawk took his hand up in a greeting.

    ¡°Hello, it¡¯s nice to meet you sir. My name is Hawk.¡±

    Tusund looked back at him startled.

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    ¡°I¡¯m Tusund¡­. I suppose it is nice to meet you too,¡± he said withdrawing his hand from the clingy Hawk.

    Fool! If he had held on any tighter he would be left with slivers. Hawk felt like ice had been poured over him. He knew that the draconian was watching too.

    He did his best to drum up the gusto of a salesman in conversation. ¡°Forgive me if it is rude to ask, but are you not on the way back to your village? I have some very rare Silkin goods that I hope to bring into the hands of some Chlorophanes.¡± He showcased some of his enchanted weave samples for effect. They glimmered like a pearl. ¡°True Silkin magic stitched in! They are beautiful, don¡¯t you agree?¡±

    Tusund took some of the samples, examining them thoughtfully. He must feel that magic bound within.

    ¡°These are wonderful. You said your name was Hawk, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes, sir,¡± he said nodding.

    ¡°I¡¯m guessing you are looking for a way to the islands.¡±

    Hawk nodded again.

    ¡°I wish I could help you with that, but we are not taking the traditional route.¡±

    The draconian revealed herself in Tusund¡¯s branches. She swung down from one of his branches. Hawk acted surprised to be seeing her again. He never even got her name when they met in the city.

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure you remember me, but I¡¯m Leona. We met that one night¡ª¡±

    ¡°When I was robbed? Yes, I remember,¡± Hawk said dismissively.

    Leona¡¯s wings flared. Hawk needed to be more careful not to irritate her.

    Leona pulled Tusund down and whispered to him. A Silkin scout relayed the private conversation back to Hawk¡¯s ears word-for-word.

    Leona whispered, ¡°what do you mean that we are not taking the traditional route? And why can¡¯t Hawk join us?¡±

    ¡°I said that our trip would be fast. My chief has us on a bit of a rush order, so he¡¯s having us ride on a freight train. And I don¡¯t trust that man,¡± Tusund whispered back.

    ¡°You don¡¯t trust anyone,¡± Leona countered. ¡°And you need to start telling me what¡¯s happening on this quest.¡±

    ¡°I have my orders,¡± Tusund replied. ¡°Trust me, above all I am here to keep you safe.¡±

    They both glared at each other for a moment before smiling back to Hawk.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Leona said. ¡°My friend really can¡¯t help you. I¡¯m sure if you ask around here some more, you can find someone that knows a better way to the islands.¡±

    Hawk had heard everything. He was going to have a scout keep some eyes on them. No matter what they said, he was going to get on that train.

    The pair went up to their room. Hawk remained in the common room for some time after that. He watched as the tables emptied and the last few weary travelers retired for the night. Finally, he went upstairs. Passing down the carpeted hallway he had some of his scouts posted in the rafters. Lines had been drawn over the doors so they would know when the occupants inside were leaving.

    He entered his own room and went to sleep.

 Chapter 8: Train to Twilight Town

    Leona woke up to Tusund knocking on her door. She looked around with her squinted eyes at the dim sunlight that was just beginning to break thorough the blinds. Leona tore off her bed sheets to begin yet another very early day. Peeking through the glass hole in the door she saw her travel companion eager to leave.

    She opened the door a crack and mumbled, ¡°morning Tusund, I¡¯ll be ready in ten.¡±

    When she went to close the door, Tusund wedged his hand in the way.

    ¡°Better make it five,¡± he said. ¡°The train is coming sooner than I thought, and we can¡¯t miss it.¡±

    Leona grumbled in acknowledgment before rushing to change out of her night clothes. At least she did not have to do much. All of her things were still tucked neatly in her bag and ready to go. Her orb was still in there too. She imagined her parents waiting for her to call.

    After securing her bag, Leona changed into her favorite green tunic and cloak, brushed her hair, and hurried out the door. Outside, Tusund sat in one of the few chairs in the hall that seemed to be supporting his weight. Upon seeing her, he rose and the chair sprung back into form. They met at the double staircase and went down to the lobby.

    In the lobby, all of the tables were empty and even the receptionist was asleep with her arm hanging over the counter. The two of them set their room keys on the counter and slipped outside.

    Emral Town was still asleep while Leona and Tusund walked through it¡¯s streets. A light shower of rain was running off the rooftops and dotting the glass covering oil street lamps. The paved road was becoming overrun by mud, making Leona glad to have brought her boots.

    Leona¡¯s sense of smell was enhanced by the humid air. She could smell the moss growing on Tusund, and as they neared the train depot, a tinge of burning coal settled in her nose. She smelt something strange too, not knowing exactly what it was. It seemed sweet, like berries of some sort.

    All the new smells were soon overtaken by the sight of a immense train pulling into the distant train depot. The train was coming from the direction of Vera City. It must have stretched back further than the width of the entire town, because Leona could not see the end of it.

    The humans in Verlass, gifted with their resources had a way of building things that surpassed what even the greatest mages could imagine. Leona marveled at the great iron snake, that while empty now, had carried heaping tons of tear gems that made magic possible. It looked like a mobile fortress or like a wall crawling out from the jungle. It shook the ground.

    Sparks flew off from the train¡¯s wheels as it came to a screeching halt. Leona and Tusund ran into the depot as morning crews began a hurried effort to load up materials bound for the coast. Tusund rushed Leona to the front of the train where behind the engines there were a few passenger cars to transport workers and soldiers.

    The conductor, dressed in a long green coat, was shouting orders at the workers. He periodically pulled at his gray beard while checking his watch. Without proper greeting, Tusund passed off some notes to the conductor, who waved them onto the train.

    Leona pulled herself up the tall steps into the passenger car. Inside, the car stretched back a dozen rows. Each row had tall glass windows, and wood shelves held luggage above. In each burgundy leather seat, there was a pair of travelers. The people didn¡¯t seem to pay any mind to Tusund pushing his branches through the aisle, their eyes were locked onto Leona.

    A chill came over Leona¡¯s mind. She was thinking about the Overseer looking at her through their eyes. She had to assure herself that was just a story that parents made up. They would do things like that to ensure that their kids behave. The Overseer, she thought, was a myth that people used to come to terms with the scars of the world. None of it was true, but what she had seen in the clouds above the city was making her think.

    Tusund settled himself into a seat in the back, Leona squeezed in next to him. Peeking down the aisle, Leona saw the people still looking back at her. Not a minute later, the train lurched and began moving again. Leona could not see much out of her own window, with Tusund in her way. She looked across to her neighbors window.

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    Rain tracked its way across the glass. Outside Emral Town was a gray blur. Heading out of town, Leona expected to see another great ring-wall like the one around Vera City. Instead, there was a modest wall before a long stretch of water. They kept their monsters out with a moat.

    ¡°Are you staring at me?¡±

    Immediately, the woman in the seat across from Leona drew her attention. She looked to be about her age with deep brown eyes and tan skin. Her hair came in shiny brown waves, running over her shoulders. Long ruby-red robes, with black rims and ornamentations concealed the curve of the saber at her waist.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ve never been on a train before. I¡¯m just trying to look out your window.¡±

    ¡°And I¡¯m only trying to get a moment of peace before we enter the Dead Lands. It¡¯s my first hunt, so of course, they put me on a train where nothing of interest ever happens,¡± she sighed dramatically.

    ¡°Wait,¡± Leona says, turning sharply to Tusund. ¡°When were you going to tell me that this train is going through the Dead Lands.¡±

    ¡°It is the most direct route. Besides there is nothing to worry about. The train goes faster than any monster can run, even at full capacity,¡± Tusund replied, all too calm.

    Leona couldn¡¯t explain why, but she trusted Tusund. It must have been his demeanor, or more so, that he said he would protect her as she became a dark mage. She never met anyone who would openly defend a user of dark magic. The world would sooner see those mages bring themselves to ruin.

    A moment passed and the train rattled lightly along the track.

    ¡°So if you are on your first hunt, does that mean you are going off into the Dead Lands?¡± Leona asked the women, who looked offended that Leona even spoke again.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± the woman scoffed. ¡°Me and my team are going to hop off at the next stop and blaze through this wasteland. Together, we¡¯ll take down every giant who dares to cross us.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Leona said awestruck. ¡°Can hunters really do that?¡±

    ¡°No, you moron,¡± the woman chuckled.

    Tusund''s expression was as stiff as a board.

    Leona had all the wind taken from her wings. ¡°So what¡¯s even the point of having all these hunters on the train?¡± She asked innocently enough to get an answer.

    ¡°We are here to guard the cargo on the train, that¡¯s all. Though, Twilight Town is in need of some hunters. Maybe instead of this boring job, they might station me to end my career early fighting the things that come out of the sea.¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± was all Leona could say back. She was already thinking of what might have come to her if she had stayed on the path of becoming a soldier. She might live a peaceful life guarding the wall, or her skills with the sword may have sent her elsewhere.

    Outside, the jungle had taken on a brownish hue. With the speed of the train, it wasn¡¯t much longer before the greenery fell away and the rain calmed. Rolling hills of gray, dotted with pink and red mushrooms, took over the horizon.

    Giant mushrooms crawled across the land as the train passed them. Their caps where both flat and ascending like church bells. Thick white webbing ran between the fungus and red spores filtered through the brown accordion-folds under each cap. Bright red, the sun looked like another one of the spores that clouded the sky. In the Dead Lands there was still life, but not a gentle kind.

    Tusund¡¯s mouth bent down with his branches. He looked like a weeping willow. ¡°This was where my people were created. Only a few generations ago we lived here.¡±

    The train took on an air of respectful silence.

    ¡°There was no place more abundant in the whole world.¡± Tusund said to anyone willing to listen. ¡°It wasn¡¯t the breaking of the sky that tainted this land. Our elder reminds us, even now, especially now, that it was our mistake.¡±

    ¡°How could this be anyone¡¯s fault?¡± The woman in red asked, gently.

    ¡°We poisoned the water,¡± Tusund admitted. ¡°Long ago, the Chlorophanes dragged a cursed monster into the sea. The corrupted water flowed inland all the way up to here. For banishing the monster, we are known as a tribe of heroic warriors, but the truth is much more complex.¡± He spoke, coming to a whisper. His little squirrel perched on his arm for petting. ¡°This is what we reap from sowing injustice.¡±

    Leona remembered the mural in the throne room with the pearl leviathan being pulled under waves. ¡°These are just legends,¡± she said.

    ¡°Enough time passes and people will call their own history a legend. Our elder was there, you can talk to him,¡± Tusund asserted.

    Leona shook her head in disbelief, but resolved to ask the elder more about it. Someone that old must either be mad or wise, maybe even both.

 Chapter 9: Dead Land Nightmare

    Hawk must have gone mad to think that he could catch a train racing through the Dead Lands, but now he was facing the consequences of his success. Tucked deep in one of the empty carts on the train he looked up at the irritated sky. It was pink and dotted with red spores. The spores streaked past the lip of the cart, creating a safe air pocket, were Hawk cherished every easy breath.

    In the sky, large driftmyces with their tissue paper wings rippled in the wind. The mindless creatures spiked tendrils swayed like the stingers on a jellyfish. Hawk kept his Silkins close. They were stress weaving again. There was no use trying to stop them as they wrapped him into a home-made hazmat suit.

    It continued to rain harder, soon the drops were heavy enough to fall through the air pocket. Hawk backed against the wall as pinkish water poured overhead. When he rose in fright, the noxious wind rolled back into his face. He ducked back down and began hacking like he was choking. The Silkins pulled a thin mask over his face, but it was too late. Tears ran from his burning eyes.

    A wave of dizziness overcame Hawk and he leaned into the corner of the metal cart. Everything was tilting about and caving in on him, but he knew better than to trust his senses. He remained still, tearing off his mask and yanking out his handkerchief, he rubbed out his eyes and blew his nose. Deep breaths returned cleaner air and a sense of steadiness to his mind.

    At his feet, some of the small Silkins were being washed away towards the drains on the sides of the cart. He rushed to scoop them up, but they slipped from his hands. To buy more time, he slid his boots into the gaps on the cart. He had a spare handkerchief. Slipping it under the floating spiders, he recovered them all.

    ¡°Forgive me that was too close,¡± he said to dazed spiders.

    To his horror they continued to weave sporadically, not listening to any orders. It took all the remaining Silkin¡¯s to bind the others who ran rampant over Hawk. Now, sheltering them from the rain, Hawk¡¯s silk covered arms protected everyone.

    This wind whistled over the cart.

    Suddenly, he heard a clear voice.

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    Hawk looked around the cart. He heard his name. The name that no one should know of.

    ¡°¡­¡­.¡±

    It whispered to him again. He was terrified, but it couldn¡¯t be real. It must be the spores.

    A swarm of driftmyces crested the lip of the cart. Their red ribbon tendrils waved like flames against the tainted sun. Their wings crossed over making a giant white sheet. From the pale portal a being with bright yellow eyes and lengthy black hair emerged. He walked on air, coming down towards Hawk. The driftmyces fell off from each other leaving the angelic man behind.

    Hawk felt gravity increase ten-fold as he slammed into the corner of the cart. He could barely keep his eyes open, but in one other glimpse, he no longer saw a man. The man¡¯s draping dark hair became spiked limbs, with an amorphous mass at its center.

    The dark-flowing mass crashed down onto the train, and flowed over the edges of the cart. The spiked limbs gripped the edges of the cart, bent at awkward angles. The monster before hawk looked something like a dead bug and a bleeding tar pit. His mind may be mischievous, but he was sure that there were at least a hundred faces on the monster''s back staring at him.

    ¡°Child, your soul may be a lost one, but it will bring us ever closer to fulfillment,¡± the monster rasped.

    Eyes shut, gasping for the air that was escaping his lungs, Hawk could hear his warding crystals breaking. He thought in a pinch of drawing on the power that he had sealed away in his purple amulet, but he decided that he would rather die.

    ¡°You came to the right elf. I¡¯ll give you all the good looks and talent you lack,¡± He said, wincing.

    The monster¡¯s biggest smile was as wide as the cart, and full of crooked fangs. All it¡¯s bright yellow eyes were squinted in pure joy. ¡°We sense the darkness in your heart. No need to hide it behind such arrogance. Do not fear us. When we are united, we will be free from it all.¡±

    A great shadowed hand that looked like it belonged to a Chlorophane picked up Hawk. Gingerly, it opened his faux wings. While it investigated the illusion, the Silkins, unaffected by the monster''s pressure, sprung into battle.

    ¡°You can fly with us. There will be no more pain; you will not die,¡± the monster said, as it formed dripping dragon''s wings behind Hawk''s back.

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    "My wings," Hawk said, coughing. "They look better than yours."

    The monster''s faces smiled in amusement.

    It hung him over its gaping mouth.

    And then he dropped.

    The last thing Hawk saw before slipping behind its jaws was his Silkins, unaffected by the monster¡¯s pressure, attacking with reckless abandon. They drove spikes into the creatures eyes and bit at its hand. Others rushed to pry open the monster¡¯s jaws with their thread.

    Hawk fell deeper and endlessly into the shadows.

    It was hard to comprehend what had taken place. Hawk wondered if his brief exposure to the spores had already killed him. This all must be a fever dream, somewhere between life and death.

    A dozen hands of light reached out from the abyss. Hawk made a clumsy attempt to get away, but he continued to fall. The warm hands took hold of him and began to peal something glowing away from his skin. Was that his soul? He thrashed as they grappled him tighter, but they would not stop tearing at him.

    As the hands tried to rip his spirit free, he gained insight into their trapped souls. He saw villages of people that once lived happy, simple lives. There were some souls that thought of themselves as cunning to join the monster. Fathers had told their children that it was safe. Soldier¡¯s dull presences¡¯ raised little protest, having submitted after fighting for days in the dark. And even more than the rest, were thousands of animals that could not comprehend the snare they had fallen into. All different faces to the same trap.

    Hawk knew that there was one spirit oppressing the rest using force and illusions. He had made similar traps back in Watzelland. He was one of the best, and that made him frighteningly familiar with the monster. They both knew how to crush wills and make their victims think it was their own choice.

    Perhaps he would be right at home with this monster.

    ¡°Hawk, can you turn on the light?¡±

    ¡°Spinner!¡± Hawk exclaimed, horrified. The little guy was sleeping in his pocket on the train.

    ¡°Are we there yet? Gosh, won¡¯t you turn on the lights already,¡± Spinner said, riding a line up to Hawk¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°No, no, no. You¡¯re not supposed to be here. This is my nightmare,¡± Hawk said, pulling bits of himself back from the hands.

    Spinner¡¯s yawn was a little squeak. He took turns stretching each of his limbs

    and then his tiny eyes opened wide. ¡°Your soul is leaking!¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t say?¡± Hawk stressed, clawing back at the hands.

    ¡°We gotta do something about that, sir!¡±

    Hawk nodded. He could already feel himself going numb.

    Before Spinner revealed himself, Hawk was barely putting up a fight. Now, he was thinking of all his Silkins that would not spare their lives to save him. Something had to be done to escape. It didn¡¯t matter what he thought about his long gone self; he was Hawk now and his Silkins needed him.

    ¡°Spinner, I need you to make a huge web and tie all the hands back to me,¡± Hawk asserted.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are planning, but I know this enchantment will cost too much,¡± Spinner replied, uncertain, yet willing.

    The little spider swung himself around the ghastly limbs, connecting them all with his thread. Hawk could feel the thread tighten around the ghost¡¯s limbs as if they were his own. At that point, his mind seemed to be split between his body and the collective. Within the chaos of lost souls, the presence of an ancient being was shielding it¡¯s thoughts. Hawk reached for it. The glowing ball of condensed souls burned his hands, but just as he hoped, the lines of thread began to shine.

    ¡°Ok, Spinner, I¡¯m ready!¡±

    Spinner nodded and spun up a pattern between his limbs. The spiraling pattern linked to the rest of the web, which was now glowing like a flame. When Spinner released the key pattern, Hawk cast his water magic. Simultaneously, the enchantment began to unravel, burning away all the hands it touched, and Hawk enveloped himself in water. Hawk could feel the spirits recoiling from the flames. They tracked right over his thin veil, evaporating it, but he remain unharmed.

    Without any crystals left to support his spell casting, a sharp pain radiated across his body. Hawk¡¯s vision became cloudy. He could barely see the monster¡¯s core shrinking back from the flames.

    ¡°Get out, you pests. Get out!¡± The monster roared.

    Gravity shifted around Hawk and he rapidly ascended through the darkness. Spinner threw his line up to catch Hawk¡¯s shoulder. Though he could not see the little bug, Hawk knew that Spinner was there and smiled.

    The two pesky mages were launched out of the monster¡¯s jaws and sent flying. The Silkin¡¯s scattered from the collapsing monster and spun a large net. They moved the net across the roof of the passenger car. Back, right, forward, back¡­ Thunk!

    ¡°Yaaaaaahahahaa!¡± Spinner cheered, springing up from Hawk¡¯s back.

    A stretch of trees ran along the sides of the train. Black smoke was being blown away from the ashes of the monster. The Dead Lands were now miles behind the train.

    To the left of a rush-job-net, Hawk lay face-down sprawled over the roof of the car. The Silkins gathered around the fallen mage. They were already folding up his crumpled wings in a more dignified manner.

    Spinner looked around at his clan. A few still seemed shaken from the Dread Land spores, but they would be alright. He wasn¡¯t so sure about Hawk though. The elders lifted his palm, checking for a pulse. Their expressions of relief told him all he needed to know.

    Spinner covertly slid over to the elders and whispered, ¡°so now what? How are we going to get him into town? No one can see us.¡±

    One of the elders revealed the puppet stings that they had already started to weave around Hawk¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I hope he will forgive us for this,¡± the elder lamented.

 Chapter 10: Moon Shadow Inn

    The sun was setting over the walls of Vera City. Akyr Lev was closing up his forge when he noticed that the orb he set on the counter was glowing blue. He called out for his wife, Lane, who rushed down the stairs. With the forge fires dying behind them, they gathered around the orb.

    Just as he had been instructed, Akyr tapped the orb and recoiled as it blinked like an eye. Immediately, they were surprised to not only hear their daughter, but they could see her too. Leona looked tired and her hair was messy, but it was easy to see her blue-lit grin. She had just made it to Twilight Town. Akyr could tell from the train station lights that twinkled behind Leona¡¯s horns.

    In the silence between their smiles, Akyr could not help thinking that some of the best things in his life had come from Twilight Town. It was the very place where he had met his wife, and adopted their child.

    ¡°Glad to see that you made it to Twilight Town safe,¡± Akyr affirmed. ¡°It looks like, without our walls in the way, you still have a few more minutes of light.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I definitely like that,¡± Leona said, following Tusund¡¯s lead out of the corner of her eye.

    Lane slid in front of her husband. ¡°How was the train ride?¡± Leona was distracted for a moment, saying something to Tusund about an inn. ¡°Can you hear me?¡± Lane asked, putting the orb so close to her face that all her daughter could see was her nose.

    ¡°Yes! Oh my, Tusund look,¡± Leona rose the orb up to his face.

    ¡°Hello Mrs. Lev¡¯s nose,¡± Tusund laughed.

    Lane shoved the orb into her husbands hands. She crossed her arms, a strand of black curled in front of her scowl.

    Akyr held the orb like he was playing with a newborn. He held it out with his hands and raised and lowered it around his head. The image created over Leona¡¯s orb was a fun-house mirror distortion of her father. Everyone was laughing. Even Lane was beginning to smile.

    Leona stood outside of an inn, while Tusund entered into it¡¯s noisy lobby. Akyr and Lane could see the name of the inn painted onto a wooden sign.

    Moon Shadow Inn. Nocturnal Guests Welcome.

    To them, it sounded like most of the guests were nocturnal. They could hear the garbled voices of sailors and traders discussing their coming work for the night. Music drifted out the windows and into the street. Leona had to get away from all the noise.

    Leona sat down on a bench outside of a library. The lamp above her was brightening with the coming night.

    ¡°Before dad started being a goof, I was going to tell you about the train,¡± Leona started again. ¡°We ended up going through the Dead Lands. I don¡¯t know if you¡¯d ever seen it before, but its really eerie. This town is kind of creepy too now that I look at it.¡±

    Akyr and Lane could see bits of the town around the edges of Leona. Most everything had a dark blue shade to it. The moon glowed like a pearl through a layer of ocean mist. Orange light from lamps illuminated the library¡¯s granite walls, damp and covered with lichen.

    ¡°Anyways,¡± Leona continued. ¡°Believe it or not, our train hit something.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Lane gasped.

    ¡°I thought that we had ways of keeping the tracks clear,¡± Akyr said.

    ¡°Not clear enough,¡± Leona said, looking behind herself. ¡°When I got off the train, I saw the crew getting up to look at the roof. Tusund thinks that we might have hit a creature, and it was thrown up there.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s terrible,¡± Lane lamented.

    Leona looked behind herself again. ¡°Sorry, I think I keep hearing someone.¡±

    Akyr and Lane whispered something to each other.

    Turning back to his daughter, Akyr said, ¡°it¡¯s really nice to see you again, but you should go check in on your friend. I don¡¯t like you alone out there.¡±

    ¡°I understand,¡± Leona sighed. ¡°I just won¡¯t be able to hear you inside. We¡¯ll have to talk another time.¡±

    ¡°So we¡¯ll talk another time,¡± Akyr agreed.

    ¡°Don¡¯t blink until you¡¯re inside,¡± Lane said, her face in the orb again.

    Leona held the orb in her hand, paying little attention to it as she observed her surroundings. The town had thin streets paved with stone bricks. Looking down, where the houses were packed in, she could see two lanky shadows stepping over a tall lamp. The light seemed to pass through their dark forms like they were nothing more than an imprint on the world. They moved in one direction, out to the sea. Their eyes were as bright as the moon and they never looked away from her.

    Leona backed into the inn, keeping her eyes on the pair of shadows. She was glad that she had not gone too far. Inside the inn, band music was blaring and people were dancing in the lobby.

    ¡°Leona, are you ok?¡± Akyr asked. Leona had forgotten that she still held the orb.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m at the inn!¡± Leona shouted over the music. ¡°Tusund should be here, so I¡¯m going to go look for him.¡±

    ¡°Leona, your eyes, they¡¯re¡­¡± Akyr¡¯s voice got cut off. Leona squeezed her eyes shut, and when she opened them, her orb was foggy blue.

    Her family tried to call her again, but she had already stored her orb in its silk bag. King Alder said that black was his color of choice for ignoring calls. If any ignored messages were important, she could just spin through them later.

    As soon as Leona looked up from her bag, she bumped into Tusund. There¡¯s nothing like running into a tree to get you off a call.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Tusund said, kneeling to speak into her ears. ¡°Checking in went fast. I¡¯m quite happy with their Chlorophane accommodations here.¡±

    Leona noticed that he had been leaning against one of the inn¡¯s tall windows. He hadn¡¯t been dancing like everyone else. He was looking out for her.

    ¡°The receptionist told me that rooms are a bit more soundproof. We should go upstairs,¡± Tusund suggested.

    Leona agreed.

    The inn was cheaper and that had allowed Tusund to book a suite. Inside their modestly furnished suite, there was a massive living room connected to a kitchen for hosting guests. Tusund let Leona pick her room first. She chose the one that looked out to the sea and dropped her heavy bags there. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    When Leona was done settling her things she smelled something savory. Walking back into the kitchen, she saw Tusund with his bags open, already cooking. He was chopping up vegetables on the counter with a small knife that he carried.

    Leona pulled herself up to one of the barstools. Because it was made for Chlorophanes, it was like climbing up a small ladder. She rested her chin in her hands.

    ¡°I thought Chlorophanes didn¡¯t need to eat,¡± She said.

    ¡°You¡¯re right, we don¡¯t,¡± Tusund replied, pulling a couple of carrots out from one of his bags. ¡°This soup is for you. I¡¯ll drink the broth, if you have any left over.¡±

    Leona¡¯s claw traced a darkened pattern across the wood bar. She listened to Tusund sliding the chopped carrots into the pot. Then, she asked him the question that had been boiling up in her mind.

    ¡°When you become my guard you won¡¯t be able to practice medicine at the clinic anymore. Is that what you want, or is your chief making you choose?¡±

    Tusund turned away from the stove and rested his hands on the bar. He turned his head up thoughtfully.

    ¡°These days, what I want to do is not as important as what I need to do.¡±

    ¡°But you still have a choice.¡± Leona said, as she watched Tusund¡¯s squirrel bounding off his back. ¡°You have already spent a few days traveling with me. You could be working on a cure for the curses. People like Alder need it before its too late.¡±

    ¡°Please Leona, don¡¯t tell me what I should be doing,¡± he said kindly. ¡°My mission with you is one of the few ways that I have found, where I can serve all of my people: both the Chlorophanes and the Verlassians.¡±

    Going on a quest for money and titles seemed so childish when compared to Tusund¡¯s ambition. If Leona really cared so much about her status, then she would never even think of becoming a dark mage. There was something more to her leaving home, but she felt that she was too afraid to realize it.

    Tusund¡¯s squirrel was hopping about the counter top, sniffing the soup.

    ¡°Sorry, Tusund. I¡¯m putting all of this on you, but I¡¯m the one who is lost. I want to be able to help you, but I¡¯ve never really used dark magic before. What if we get the relic and it doesn¡¯t even work?¡±

    ¡°If you can get it, it will work,¡± Tusund affirmed.

    Leona knew there was nothing more that he could say about it, so she accepted it.

    Suddenly, Tusund¡¯s squirrel went scampering across the counter top. The soup was boiling over.

    ¡°No you don¡¯t!¡± Tusund shouted and grabbed at the stove top.

    He pushed the hot pot away from the flame and onto another metal grate and turned off the stove. The soup was a bit overdone, but that only made the vegetables softer. Leona ate all of it and Tusund absorbed the remaining broth. After that, Tusund went to sleep and Leona stayed up late.

    Tusund left the door to his room cracked, so Leona tried to be quite. She sat on the living room couch running her hands over her card deck. Flipping the cards on the table she imagined that no one would be impressed by her magic tricks. Though, the fact that she needed no magic at all might baffle most mages, especially, those that used magic for every little thing. Their curses would be relentless in higher ranks.

    A tapping at the window interrupted Leona¡¯s game.

    From what she could remember, there was no wind outside. The tapping continued, increasing in frequency. A slight chill of fear brushed across Leona¡¯s spine. She laid out her cards on the table and went to go look out her window.

    Leona entered her room, tripping over her bag in the dark. She stumbled up to look out her window. Outside, she could see the Dread Sea, but there was nothing else there, not even a tree branch scrapping at the glass.

    The same cold chill prickled at the back of her neck. She looked again.

    The two shadows from the library were walking out over the sea. Their legs were like stilts. With each step they rose higher above the sea, passing over the pier and then over the houses. They were moving towards the inn. Leona pulled the curtains shut and stood behind the wall. She considered going to wake Tusund.

    When she tip toed back into the living room she froze. Long shadow tendrils were phasing through the living room wall. She hid behind her door, peaking out at them. The shadows were moving the cards around the table. They were slow and deliberate, shuffling through the deck to find the right cards. Leona¡¯s danger sense did not let up, even though the creatures seemed harmless.

    A few minutes later, they retracted their dark limbs from the inn. Leona remained frozen, hoping that they were really gone. She returned to her room and peaked between her curtains. The shadows were sinking back into the Dread Sea. Emboldened, Leona went to investigate.

    The shadow couple had phased right through the inn, leaving two rows of cards on the table and a necklace. Leona, still stunned, could not make sense of any of it.

    ¡°Tusund!¡± She shouted.

    Not a minute later, the tree-man crashed through his door. He clutched two over-sized axes, drawing one back to throw it. His eyes raced around the room, before locking onto Leona. He lowered his weapons.

    ¡°Why did you yell like that?¡± Tusund was still breathing heavily.

    ¡°Look,¡± Leona said.

    She pointed at the table and Tusund lumbered over to investigate. He swept his gaze over the cards, a confused expression on his face. The necklace was between the card sets. A thin wire wrapped around pieces of glass, smoothed over by years in the tides. It looked like a cheap trinket from a beach-side shop.

    When Tusund attempted to pick up the necklace, his hands burst into flames.

    Instead of reacting with fear and pain, Tusund froze. He looked at his hands, as the smell of burning wood filled the room. An orange glow lit up everything, except for the shadow prints left on the cards. His hands were shaking.

    Tusund dashed to the kitchen sink and doused his hands in water. He reacted quick and little damage was done beyond singed bark.

    Tusund hunched his shoulders over the sink. Smoke rose from his singed hands. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it,¡± he shook his head. ¡°Leona. I don¡¯t even care; I¡¯m going to punch our little twig of a king in the face if he thinks this is funny.¡±

    Leona stood, dumbstruck. She didn¡¯t think that she¡¯d ever see Tusund get angry, let alone willing to take it out on anyone.

    Anxiety crept into her voice, ¡°what do you mean? Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Tusund replied, crossing his arms. ¡°Do you know how that necklace got here? It has at least a monarch-level enchantment on it. With a thousand warding crystals, I would not touch it.¡±

    Leona did her best to explain the shadow duo to Tusund. He sat on the couch across the table and listened while analyzing the cards. Occasionally, he would brush a layer of ash off the backs of his hands.

    ¡°I¡¯m somewhat familiar with those creatures. The people of my tribe call them Voidlings. We have spotted them wandering all over the Emerald Coast, even onto the Finne Islands where I used to live,¡± he said, gesturing with his branches. ¡°No one knows exactly what they are or what they do. The only thing we know is that the Dread Sea is their territory and they¡¯ll drag any trespasser to it¡¯s depths.¡±

    Crouching onto the floor, Leona became eye level with the necklace. ¡°Can we move it with a stick or something?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s unlikely to work.¡± Tusund waved his burnt hands. ¡°These enchantments can be very intentional.¡±

    Tusund returned to the kitchen and filled the soup pot with water, setting it on the table. ¡°Have you tried touching the necklace yet? If it is a gift to you, the enchantment should be friendlier.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t seem so confident,¡± Leona replied.

    Still, Leona felt she had to try, so she gave it a little tap. In the absence of flames, she picked it up.

    In her hands the necklace didn¡¯t hurt, in fact, it seemed to awaken something within her. It was like an inviting embrace. She was compelled not just to hold it, but to put it on. She latched it around her neck. Seven glass fragments rested warmly over her chest.

    Before wearing the necklace, Leona had never understood the feeling that mages had in relation to their magic. Her spirit was always still and locked within her body. It felt like death rotting in place. Now, it was as if she had shed off a layer of rock. Magic flowed out from her.

    ¡°It¡¯s magic! It¡¯s mine and I can control it!¡± Leona rejoiced.

    The dark magic was so thin. She directed it with her hands making it dance like ribbons. She spun around in a mist of shadows. It was unbelievable. For years, she had felt so alien. She lived in a world of magic, yet was a shadow against it all. Only now, that shadow was becoming her power.

    ¡°Leona!¡± Tusund yelled, but she could not hear him.

    Laughing, Leona¡¯s eyes became dark pools. Tusund tried to reach out for her, but Leona slipped right though the ground and disappeared.

 Chapter 11: Apex of the Depths

    In one moment, Leona was celebrating the emergence of her magic powers alongside her friend. Now, she was sinking to the depths of the Dread Sea, faster than an anvil falls through a cloud. She looked up through a ceiling of darkness at the dot of Tusund, who soon became a speck, then nothing at all. The world was falling away from her. She watched as the Moon Shadow Inn shrunk and the entire Emerald Coast became nothing more than a thin line. Without the crushing weight of her soul, she would have thought that it was not her sinking but the world that was rising away.

    The Overseer herself must have found Leona¡¯s sin of using dark magic so egregious that she deserved to be banished to the depths of the sea. Leona could not comprehend it. A familiar prickle of fear caught her attention. She had never felt it in a dream before. This was something real.

    Leona snapped her wings open. The hallow darkness then felt suffocating against her body. She flapped her wings, but the harder she tried, the more the darkness stuck to her. Still, she refused to give up. Shadows were clinging to her wings like tar, but she clawed through them and pushed her wings relentlessly.

    Something bright was growing in the sight above her. Thinking it was the moon light against the surface of the sea, she made one final effort to rise.

    Thunk.

    Leona¡¯s head impacted into a sandy pit. The ceiling reoriented itself to become the ground and Leona flopped out of her headstand. She lay in the sand that gave off a pale glow, similar to her own scales. Aching soreness stretched out from her unfurled wings and pain stung at her head. Though the headache, Leona could not tell the pain from the greatest danger she had ever sensed. A spiky sensation crawled from her head to her tail. It was like cacti rolling over her scales.

    Then the sensation was gone.

    Yellow, red, blue, and green corals gave off a delicate bioluminescent light. Deep sea cliffs rose on all sides of Leona¡¯s crash site. Arches were carved into the walls of the pit. Out from under the arches, thousands of moonlit eyes stared at the fallen draconian.

    It looked like a giant arena. Symbols of the the Overseer¡¯s eye were carved into columns in the stone, then retroactively gouged out and crossed over. Black liquid poured out from them, pooling where the cliffs met the sand. Leona imagined that this abyss might be the only place in the world where even the Overseer would be blind.

    Voices that resounded like a church choir projected down into the arena.

    ¡°Little Shadow, How Was Your Life?¡±

    It was beautiful and haunting. Had an angels come to deliver Leona from the abyss, or were they here to judge her? Her head ached. Leona sat up and continued to look into the black sky.

    The sound of a sword being drawn echoed throughout the area. The moon-lit eyes of the spectators were shuddering with fear. All at once, energy burst forth from a gigantic blade. The shock wave, rattled Leona¡¯s bones.

    Akyr Lev would burn down his futile forge at the sight of the perfect sword. It looked like a melted stained glass window. It stabbed through an overseeing eye, brilliant and blue with platinum eyelashes that formed the quillons and guard. The rainbow speckled light that emanated from the blade lit up a man¡¯s smile twisted in glee.

    ¡°Why are you afraid?¡± The man asked. He flew down into the area, landing at the other end, away from Leona. His vast wings were made of blue magic tears. He looked like a human who had stolen pieces off an angel. Many of the shadows in the arena had already fled or were hiding their glowing eyes.

    The man had wavy white hair and shiny purple eyes that occasionally burned red. He wore elegant purple robes and was covered in silver and gold talismans. Small dragons of every color manifested around him, forming rings by eating their tails. He raised his sword, resting or preparing to strike, Leona could not tell.

    There was no way out of this place, and in her soon to be shattered hope she asked for help.

    ¡°I am Leona. Would you be willing to help me fly back to Twilight Town?¡±

    ¡°Haha¡ªno,¡± his laugh was smooth, handsome, but fake. ¡°Leona Lev, have you not heard the stories?¡± At Leona¡¯s silence, he tilted his head in genuine confusion. Then he seemed offended. ¡°So you don¡¯t know who I am? Well then, let me make this simple for you.¡±

    He threw open his wings that blazed with the radiant power of his soul. The dragons twisted in the air around him, sweeping up prismatic energy into an overwhelming surge of color. The shadows in the arena shrieked, their smoldering forms outlined against the harsh light. Leona blocked it out with her own wings, but she still saw him shinning like the sun through her scales.

    ¡°I am Ozceron Markar. I AM THE APEX OF THE WORLD!¡±

    The earth quaked and rippled out from the man. A shock-wave sent Leona crashing into the arena walls. Some thing, or many things within her crunched at the impact. Cracks spread behind her back and across the arena. More dark liquid spewed from the stone eyes. The liquid rushed over Leona washing her from the wall. She fell to the bottom where the liquid began pooling over her. There was no way to peal herself away from the walls. Her body was broken and no longer moved how she wanted it to. In an attempt to reach out one final time, the dark liquid swept over her. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

    Leona didn¡¯t believe it. She didn¡¯t even want to think it.

    Death.

    She had fallen into it.

    It was just a normal day.

    She wanted to believe that she had never left home. It hadn¡¯t been so long ago. It could still be possible to wake up. She would see the sun through her window and smell Mom¡¯s cooking. She would spend time with Dad in the shop and stop playing at being a soldier. She would stop hoping to be a mage when the magic kills.

    Through what little sensations other than pain she had left, she felt pressure on her hand. Someone was pulling her out. She prayed that it was not Ozceron.

    The dark liquid pulled away from Leona and she was met with the sight of dozens of moon-lit eyes. The Voidlings were helping her, and Ozceron hated it.

    ¡°Get away you worthless vermin!¡± He teleported right into the crowd and with the length of his blade he speared six Voidlings at a time.

    In less than a second, they all dissipated. Leona was left alone, coated in pain.

    Clearing the way, Ozceron swung his gold soled boot into Leona¡¯s chest. She spun through the air and landed like a draconian rug at the arena¡¯s center. Leona¡¯s head was buried in the sand. Ozceron¡¯s radiant blade rested over her neck like a guillotine.

    ¡°Finally. Time to reclaim my life and show my world what magnificence they have forgotten,¡± Ozceron sung.

    Through the stabbing pains, Leona willed herself to focus.

    She could hear Ozceron breathing. When he raised his sword to swing, he took a deep breath in. It was Leona¡¯s last chance to live a little longer. She drove her tail into the sand, finding wonder in the fact it still worked, and pushed her body to the side.

    Ozceron¡¯s blade slammed into the earth. Lines of fire scattered from the impact and a shock-wave passed under the sand. The arena shook. Particles of sand exploded into the air, melting into glass. The same glass clattered and smashed against the walls.

    Ozceron growled, but without hesitation, prepared his blade for another revolution.

    Leona looked past Ozceron to the eye on his blade. With her final shaking breath she addressed it.

    ¡°Mother, are you watching?¡±

    The eye on the glass sword shut and so did Leona''s.

    ~ ~ ~

    When Ozceron threw down his killing blow, the sword shuddered in the air above the draconian. Emerging from the dark sky, a thick gold chain with hooks had wrapped around the sword and held it back. Six other chains shot out from the abyss. Two hooks pierced through Ozceron¡¯s wings, shooting glass shards thorough the air. The other chains wrapped around his flinching limbs. Blood pooled in the sand below him.

    ¡°Oz, we made a deal,¡± a male voice boomed from the direction of the sky chains.

    ¡°It¡¯s not your turn,¡± rasped the voice of a woman.

    Five shadows of different sizes clung to the cliffs above the arena. The chains ran out from them into Ozceron. They had moon-lit eyes like the other shadows, and together they were capable of rivaling Ozceron.

    The women spoke again. ¡°When we rolled dice, we agreed that Quinn would go first.¡±

    Ozceron¡¯s eyes burned like balls of bloody fire. He attempted to free himself from the chains, but each forceful effort produced a field around the links that burned red against his pale flesh. ¡°What do I care, for a stupid game? I deserve this. Let me finish what I started,¡± he spat. ¡°Let me kill her!¡±

    The male shadow ignored Ozceron¡¯s protest, saying, ¡°go forth Quinn. Reclaim your life.¡±

    One of the smaller shadows leaped off the cliff wall and floated down into the arena. The young human woman landed with a dainty grace. Quinn was dressed in a simple blue dress with purple laces. In the light that reflected off of the pale sand, her moon-lit eyes turned gold. All of the shadows that cloaked her were banished not counting her short black hair. She wore a kind smile.

    Quinn looked up to her shadow friends with uncertainty. ¡°I¡¯m not sure about this guys. I lived a full life already. I¡¯m satisfied with that, honest.¡±

    ¡°LIAR!¡± All the shadows called her out, even Ozceron writhing on the arena floor.

    She balled up her fists and shouted, ¡°shut up! I loved my life! I am at peace in this place! I don¡¯t expect any of you to understand what it means to be content!¡±

    ¡°You were complacent,¡± Ozceron hissed. The shadows above were dragging his chains up the wall towards the largest arch. There, a group of Voidlings locked him onto his own throne. ¡°Let me remind you liar, that if you are not willing to act, I will.¡±

    Quinn shrugged and replied, ¡°whatever. I¡¯ll live again, I guess. However¡ªif I¡¯m doing this, I want it to be fair.¡± She pointed at the mess of the draconian behind her. ¡°I like an easy duel, but this is wrong. You take the fun out of it.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s not much fun to be had at the top. Go and undo my fine work.¡± Ozceron shook his head, disapproving.

    The woman still cloaked in shadows loomed above Ozceron¡¯s throne. Her hands, small as a dolls, picked glass out of his hair. ¡°That was nothing to you,¡± she said to him sweetly. ¡°If you were less of a show boat, you¡¯d be out the Voidlands already. Those of us back-stabbed and abandoned here would be thinking of ways to kill if you ever return.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d do no different for you,¡± Ozceron said, smiling at her. ¡°Now, go on and take my blood in the sand. It will heal the little shadow. Then, we can watch Quinn fight.¡±

 Chapter 12: Leona Lev

    Leona was in an inescapable cage of pain. Her soul was trying to find its way out, but her defiant body clung to it. A red shadow bled out from underneath her. Each second stretched on endlessly. Against death, it was the greatest fight of her life.

    Twisting deeper into the pit of agony, Leona awaited her inevitable end. She started to feel distant from her body, becoming more aware of her soul.

    She saw her soul spinning like a top from above. A black and purple cyclone was tearing across the surface of a tiny star. Expansive shadows threatened to choke out the little light. Compared to this ancient darkness, the Voidlands was as bright as a bonfire. It was the same heavy darkness that had surrounded her for her entire life.

    Her peers had all been able to pull magic up from this wellspring in their souls. Before putting on the glass necklace in Twilight Town, her soul had been as still as a boulder. She could not cast a single spell. Now her spirit had become a storm.

    The vortex encompassed all of Leona¡¯s perception. From the star, a dozen purple ribbons emerged, spinning. Leona could feel her power through them like antenna. She was surprised the magic felt so alive.

    Suddenly, a voice mimicking her own spoke to Leona and said, ¡°I¡¯m glad we can finally meet, soul to true soul.¡±

    ¡°Are you another shadow?¡±

    ¡°No, I am the shadow. The first curse born from your first death.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand,¡± Leona said, retaking her bodily form at the center of the shadow spiral storm. ¡°This is my first death.¡±

    ¡°This is only one out of thousands, besides, you are not dead yet. We are close though,¡± the shadow soul replied.

    Leona stood in the storm¡¯s eye and watched the purple ribbons flail about her. She cautiously reached her hand out to touch the storm wall. It was like a gentle feather brush. The shadows shrunk away from her.

    ¡°You are quite lucky, or terribly unfortunate depending on how you look at things,¡± the shadow said.

    ¡°How can that be?¡±

    ¡°You remind me too much of our first incarnation. It seems that you only fall short in not being a true dragon. I can¡¯t hurt you, but the other¡¯s will. How regretful is that?¡±

    A burning sensation sparked to life at the ends of Leona¡¯s limbs. Her senses were quickly returning.

    ¡°I¡¯m so confused. Please, tell me what¡¯s going on. Who are you?¡± Leona cried, wrapping her arms around her chest where Ozceron kicked her.

    The storm settled like falling ash, accumulating in one pile. It condensed into a mirror image of Leona, standing taller with black scales and alluring red eyes. The only thing it was missing was her enchanted necklace. Where the necklace should have been, an orange overseeing eye rested in the shadow¡¯s chest.

    The shadow smiled larger than possible saying, ¡°remember Leona, we¡¯re on a quest. No matter how long it takes, we are going to fix this world. Even, if I lose you, there is no stopping me.¡± A profound look of determination took hold in the shadow¡¯s eyes. ¡°My duty is beyond death.¡±

    Leona thought of the story she read about the sages and the goddess. They were the most powerful beings to ever live. If the world could be healed, they would have done so by now.

    ¡°We can¡¯t fix the world,¡± Leona stated.

    ¡°I know that,¡± the shadow replied, indignant. ¡°But I¡¯m not going to let us give up again.¡±

    ¡°I left home to learn magic and use it to help people, not to clean up the world. Is this going to be my job now?¡± Leona asked, balling up her fists.

    ¡°Our interest are aligned, Leona.¡± The shadow spread her wings sending out winding purple ribbons. ¡°I am as much of you as this cursed land and these shadows who threaten you are. Like how your youth has become alien and regrettable to you, so am I.¡±

    The ribbons circled around Leona and animated in them she saw childhood memories. A young draconian girl left abandoned in the garden as others go off to play in the trees with magic. Bringing home good grades to Mom and Dad, while hiding behavior reports from her teachers. Biting a lanky elf kid after he threatened her with his magic. Sitting in far-back corners in classrooms. Picking up a stick to fight like Dad. Using Dad¡¯s lessons to beat up the bully.

    The ribbons rolled up and sank into the darkness. Shadow Leona was frowning.

    ¡°It¡¯s not the worst, but go ahead and despise me. Your pasts are my shadows. This world is full of them, but they aren¡¯t all yours. Speaking of shadows, I don¡¯t claim any name, but you may call me Lev.¡±

    ¡°Lev,¡± she said back to the shadow. ¡°I suppose, we¡¯ll be working together for now on?¡±

    ¡°As we always have,¡± Lev nodded, smiling.

    Bright energy passed under Leona¡¯s skin, interrupting her focus. Her broken bones were shuddering back into place and her cuts were sealing. As each of her breaths returned stronger, her connection to Lev was fading.

    ¡°Leona!¡± Lev called out from the growing storm. ¡°Many of our shadows are wayward, but they belong to us. Let your blade bring them home.¡±

    Lev was obscured by the shadow storm. The last thing that she could see was Lev¡¯s bright orange eye staring back. Then everything blacked out including the central star. Leona lost sight of her soul and opened her eyes.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    ~ ~ ~

    Blue shards dotted the sand floors of the arena. Leona lay facing up, her blood and Ozceron¡¯s had soaked deep into the sand, leaving little trace beyond a pink tint. Turning to her side Leona saw him chained to his throne at the top of the arena. Seven dragon rings spun lazily around him. His white locks shaded his eyes. On her other side, a dueling sword had been tossed into the sand near her hand. Standing at a distance, a young woman crossing her arms tapped her foot.

    Leona rose and picked up the sword, immediately coming on guard. A spiky sense of danger sent a cold chill across her scales. Without thinking, dozens of black and purple ribbons emerged from her back. They coiled like snakes preparing to strike.

    ¡°That¡¯s our shadow Quinn. Like the others she wants my power and she will take your living body to use it. Destroy her and return her essence to me,¡± Lev commanded through Leona¡¯s mind.

    At first, it was surprising to hear Lev, but then it felt natural. In the form of her alerting danger sense, Lev had always been there and now she had a voice.

    Quinn prepared herself and loosened the purple lace on her dress. She drew her own dueling sword. Out of distance, Quinn left her sword pointing to the ground and pulled out two silver rings.

    ¡°I challenge you to a duel. Ozceron judges. There will be no magic. We fight to the death.¡± Quinn said tossing one of the rings to Leona¡¯s feet. ¡°Our rings will ensure that we follow these terms.¡±

    Never looking away from Quinn, Leona bent down to pick up the ring. The enchanted silver band had their terms magically engraved. She put it on and immediately her ribbons dissolved. Lev¡¯s protests were muffled but her danger sense remained.

    Out of habit, Leona performed sword salutes towards Quinn, Ozceron, and the remaining Voidlings in the arena. Continuing tradition, Quinn followed her example.

    Under the shade of his hair, Ozceron displayed a grim smile. From his throne, his voice filled the arena.

    ¡°On guard, ready?¡±

    ¡­.

    Leona raised her sword. Quinn looked like she was going to pounce.

    ¡°Fence!¡±

    Without delay, both duelists advanced until their blades were tip to tip. Leona let her blade dance around Quinn¡¯s. Quinn followed it¡¯s arcs predictably. Leona lead her into a pattern then broke it with an attack. She took Quinn¡¯s blade out of the dance, bound it, and pushed her out.

    Quinn dashed into a retreat and Leona lost contact. Leona resisted the temptation to chase her down. The distance between them had grown vast. Quinn rested her blade on the ground. It was too much, Leona snapped at the opportunity.

    Blade leading the charge, Leona ran at Quinn. Quinn caught the attack and swept it upwards. The opposing blade sought its target. Leona¡¯s senses spiked and time slowed. She took a risk, halting mid-sprint. Her body went horizontal, sliding on the loose sand. Quinn¡¯s point was and inch from punching a hole in her face.

    Cheers and claps sounded out from the Voidlings.

    Leona recovered fast, sending her point out. Quinn instinctively retreated. It was frustrating. With each attack, Quinn would only defend and retreat. She was conserving her energy.

    If Leona kept playing Quinn''s game, she would tire and lose. She had to force Quinn to play her game. Leona stopped making attacks. The duel dragged on as they stood, circling each other like hungry wolves.

    An air of impatience settled over the arena. The shadows wanted quick blood and a victor. Neither duelist was willing to oblige until a searing pain crawled up from their rings. It was unbearable enough to drive them back into lethal range. Their time was running out, and the deadly dance began again.

    Quinn was hesitant to retreat too far. Leona took advantage of that, exposing her targets and sneaking small cuts into her opponents hand and arm. Quinn''s face twisted in pain.

    ¡°First blood!¡± Ozceron announced.

    The arena was on edge again.

    Quinn enraged, attacked. Leona was too late to parry and brought her off-hand up to block the blade. The sacrifice left a line of red pain from Leona¡¯s hand to her elbow.

    She screamed and the audience cheered.

    With pain and exhaustion, their technique devolved. Quinn¡¯s movements with her blade became weak and jerky. Seeking a quick end, Leona bound and flung Quinn¡¯s blade out to the side. She rushed in for an attack.

    Quinn rose her blade up to her head in a panicked parry. Leona stepped in, grappled Quinn¡¯s sword hand, and forced it behind her back.

    Leona¡¯s sword pierced Quinn¡¯s chest.

    Quinn attempted to strike back, but Leona held back her weakening hand. Red bled into Quinn¡¯s blue dress. The look on her face was shock turned to exhaustion. Sword still embedded in her chest, she stumbled and fell back onto the sand.

    The arena erupted.

    Leona ignored the noise.

    She stood silent behind Quinn. Promise fulfilled, the ring on her hand snapped off. Without her direction, Lev¡¯s ribbons sprung out again. They spun around Quinn¡¯s body, covering everything. At the same time, one wrapped tight over Leona¡¯s arm to bind her wound. The ribbons obscuring Quinn unraveled leaving nothing behind.

    Within Leona¡¯s soul a river of blue magic blended into the shadow spiral. Through her own shock, Leona felt an overwhelming sense of clarity. Quinn¡¯s shadow would find rest and fulfillment in joining Lev.

    Leona could feel her ribbons changing. The ends of them came to a point and a sharp edges appeared along them. Similar to a cat¡¯s claws she could sharpen and dull them at will.

    ¡°Truly, wonderful duel,¡± Ozceron said, applauding her. ¡°Believe me, I was taking notes. I¡¯m looking forward to my turn, but the lady insists that she¡¯s next.¡±

    Two moon-lit eyes shown out from behind Ozceron¡¯s throne. Leona did not have any energy left to fight. Even if she won, Ozceron was just biding his time until he could pick her off. Of the seven chains that held him to his throne, one had already snapped. She had to do something.

    Countless fragments of tear gems from Ozceron¡¯s shattered wings still dotted the sand. She thought back to how the chains had restricted him. The gems would give her abundant magic for her ribbons to tie the whole arena down. Then she could escape and look for a way out of the Voidlands. It was reckless, but she had to try.

    ¡°Lev, Quinn, help me out here,¡± she pleaded.

    Closing her eyes, she prepared her greatest spell yet.