by Luke DeSalvo
“It’s safe?” The fairy questioned, paused, then laughed.
“It’s safe,” Aurora nodded, tears welding into her eyes at the beauty to behold. “What’s your name?” the summoner asked.
“I’m called Mara,” The fairy replied simply, laying down on the palms of Aurora’s hand, then spinning around to her knees.
“And what’s yours?” Mara asked, blushing slightly.
“I am Aurora,” the enchantress replied with a smile.
They both exchanged laughter, until the fairy flew out of her hands.
“Bye!” The fairy whispered.
“But wait!” Aurora cried, stopping the fairy. “But Why!?”
“Because unlike, you human, there are unwelcomed guests in the forest.” The fairy turned.
“Wait!” Aurora cried again.
Mara paused and floated closer.
“How did you become so beautiful?” The fairy asked, putting finger to mouth.
Aurora blushed, looked down and stared directly in Mara’s hazel eyes.
“I can help,” Aurora said.
“Are you strong?” The fairy asked.
“Definitely,” Aurora managed with a smile.
Mara landed on Aurora’s shoulder and whispered into her ear.
“There’s an evil in this forest!” She hissed quietly.
Aurora shrugged nearly tipping the fairy off.
“So, I’ve noticed,” She snorted.
“No!” The fairy cried.
“The nightmare is a whole other side of reality. This is the dream. A pair have forsaken the dream and entered to ravage these lands. They’re towards the heart of the forest.”
Aurora looked over to her shoulder, to Mara who was clinging on desperately.
“Take me to them.”
Mara danced off Aurora shoulders and sang to her liking.
“Follow me,” Mara said, flying soundly.
Aurora grasped at the bark of a huge tree, pulled herself through the clearing and followed, only to find herself jogging after the little creature. After many paces, Aurora could hardly keep up, the shrub was too tight, and she found herself tripping on ferns, only to regain footing seconds later to find that Mara was further in the distance.
“Slow down!” Aurora cried, finding that she had to speed up instead.
Mara was flying fist forwards. “I thought you said you were strong.”
The comment made Aurora feel abashed and she released a grunt as she pulled away though some bushes and hurried on her trek.
After running for what seemed like several miles, the fairy slowed down and hovered above her.
“We have to be quiet now!” The fairy ordered in a whisper.
“They’re desecrating the temple just ahead.”
Aurora, panting, nodded and stooped low, hiding behind the bushes and creeping slowly until reached the forest edge. Through the clearing she could see the temple. It was wet with dark stone that stretched up in the form of a pyramid. There was only one entrance, in the center of the towering complex, that stretched downwards. No signs of visitors. She scanned the area again, noticing how ancient the monument must be and she stood in wonder.
Then she heard the intruders before seeing them make their exit from the temple.
“Now Yogar!” A sophisticated voice sounded. “You’re breaking all the crystals! Don’t clutch them so!”
“But Littlemon!” A deep uneducated voice rang. “You tell me to grab many! I grab, you no grab as much as me!”
It was then when the duo appeared out of the temple. A tiny man, with hairy feet. Hobbit. Next to the halfling was a tall grotesque green being with a sharp nose and yellow protruding teeth. It wore chain mail and must have been over seven feet in height.
A troll.
Aurora gasped. Trolls were evil things, nearly invincible with tough skin and regeneration. Their only weakness was flame, but even the most potent wizards could not produce enough to kill a troll. Aurora had a few tricks in mind with that, but still, would it be enough to stop this creature and what was that thing doing with a hobbit anyway? Hobbits and Trolls were bitter enemies in Altina. They never worked together unless it was an alliance of sheer wealth. Aurora thought carefully about the incantations of her summon and with confidence rebuilding, she turned to Mara. She would have to call the flame spirit. If anything could stop a troll, it could be him.
“Shall we?” Aurora asked.
“You go,” The fairy whispered, shaking in freight.
Aurora looked dismayed, she stole one last look at the pair who were shuffling items into their packs.
“Fine!” Aurora called.
She left the fairy and appeared head on in front of the halfling and troll.
They didn’t notice her at first, until she was already upon them.
“This is a sacred place!” Aurora shouted.
The troll’s hideous form turned on her first and Aurora began to regret such a direct approach. She felt like hiding from the grips of the creature’s wild purple reptilian eyes but remained resolved.
“Leave the artifacts here or face your punishment!” Aurora glowered at them.
The halfling and troll looked at each other and began to laugh. The hobbit’s laugh was sharp pitched where the troll known as Yogar’s laugh was low and heaving the creature’s misshapen stomach.
“Look Yogar!” The halfling roared, still laughing. “We did find a sacrifice after all!”
“Me think she tiny!” The troll sounded then turned its terrible gaze upon her. “Me smash you, human!” Yogar said, pounding his fists together.
Aurora lifted her hands to the heavens and closed her eyes. She began to dance in twirls, hands upwards, speaking in tongues.
“Oh, my dear Yogar, we might have to have fun with her, before we give her up to the temple.”
“Yes. Fun, Fun!” The troll said clapping.
Aurora’s eyes turned white and her aura glowed purple sending the wind flying, hair flapping along with it.
“She’s up to something,” The halfling clasped his chin.
“Littlemon?” Yogar asked, worried at the terrible amount of energy pouring out of Aurora, her aura was visible purple and sending beats of wind that had them staggering to her feet.
Finally, Aurora’s gaze returned to normal and she eyed the two in menace.
“Pyronus!” She cried. “I summon thee, to do thy bidding, come to me and seek reverence with thy aid!”
A bright light, a star glimmered in the sunny sky. It was flying towards them, falling gracefully down.
“Oh no!” Yogar gasped.
In the air, falling from above was a warrior in red ancient armor and a flaming sword. The zodiac was coming down fast and he landed in front of the pair, sword drawn and in an attack stance.
“As you wish,” The summon spoke.
Pyronus then put his fingers together as to whistle. The two looked stunned, but the halfling got to his feet. The zodiac then put his fingers to his lips and blew, fire erupted from his mouth and spread close to his opponents.
“Ha!” The halfling cried.
A burst of energy came from the hobbit and the wind grew so furiously that it blew the flames out.
A druid? Aurora asked herself, stunned.
Yogar was on his feet now and cruel battle axe was at hand. He charged the Zodiac in a scream and the two were locked in battle. It was blinding fast, to the point that it had Aurora backing up in freight. Each time Pyronus would cut the troll it would heal, and each time Yogar struck the Zodiac her spell would weaken. They were charging back and forth, jumping in the air and landing in unison. She never knew trolls were so strong.
“Oh heavens!” She cried.
The halfling gazed upon her with an evil grin.
“You see?” He said with a taunting laugh. “Yogar is the indestructible prince of trolls and you will soon be ours!” The roar of laughter continued.
Aurora gasped, feeling her magic breaking.
P
yronus sliced through the belly of Yogar, but not before the Troll’s battle axe crashed into the chest of the Zodiac, leaving it limp. With on last attempt Pyronus, still clutching onto the axe, gave a swing with his flaming sword. It bounced off the troll’s chin, leaving a gash that quickly regenerated and with a waft of smoke the Zodiac vanished.
Defeated, Aurora sank to her knees. “No!” She whispered.
“Yes!” The halfling retorted. “Yogar, you know what to do from here.”
The troll huffed and groaned and hobbled towards the terrified Aurora.
“Me knows!” Yogar snarled, then hit her in the back of the head with furious strength.
Lights out.
Everything went black for Aurora Bendix.
Chapter 17
A teardrop fell from the face of mother Systralas. It landed in a depth of a pool, a collection for all the many fallen victims at hand. So much hate the land has. All awoke from the destruction of the Vael.”
Clairvona Aya, Sleet
Scion of Systralas
Codiac awoke to his green camouflaged tent erupting from sunlight from the awakening sun. The birds were singing their songs peacefully in the background, bringing much glee to the young man as he awakened from his slumbering heights.
A new day, he yawned and thinking of his last adventures in the astral world with Sleet and Suzette. He had not enter the realm since then. Afraid to disrupt that natural balance of nature, besides neither one of them seemed to joyous of his approach in the unconscious. He wondered if the seventh season was truly happening for such a change of affairs. That or he truly was an outcast. What if he branded himself as a criminal for the rest of his life? He had awaited to visit Sleet until he was certain that the forest would pose no threat, but now he wondered if a bigger peril lingered for his treason.
Surely not, it Lulali’s bidding after all, he thought, this was the scion’s mission handed down from her, he just knew it. Codiac spiraled out of his air mattress and looked around for his gear that sat in the corner of his tent along with some peanuts, water and jerky. Ignoring his quench of thirst and hunger he hastily put his equipment on, never in a hurry to be without the enchanted items even if it meant putting them on in a cramped enclosure. The task proved difficult as he stretched his way into his gear.
At the guild, he usually was the first to put his equipment on and the last to take it off, but Suzette had him beat even at that, seeming to stay awake hours on end. What could the dream mage admit? He loved his sleep.
Suzette, he thought out loud.
She was so sad in his dreams always at lost with herself, a radiant figure, he remembered her face in the well with extreme precision. Her, blond hair was down, that smirk of hers was enticing that pulled him along with those gray blue eyes. She was the ultimate catch, and somehow, he felt obliged to tell her this somehow, that his heart ached for hers alone and that it was already destined to be. However, she did not remember their love from her guardian trial and now it was up to him to fit in the pieces for her. They were long lost lovers from many lifetimes ago. Codiac breathed a heavy sigh, as he finally unzipped the tent and welcomed the cool breeze of the Vael.
The view was magnificent, the lush forest spiraled out with all the evergreens that were shining brightly a lime green hue under sun with the smell of moisture that still clutched the air from the heavy rain which occurred just the night before. It’s the only reason why Codiac got so much sleep, he loved sleeping in the rain and with that notice he praised the new day as he equipped the final arrangement, his wide brimmed hat, and exited the tent to see Kaeltrys sitting on a mossy log by a stone hinged fire along with Suzette, fully geared in her silver Guardian armor slouched beside him tending to the flame.
“Good morning, sleepy head!” Suzette called as she raised a skewer of pork from the fire.
“Hungry?” She asked.
“Starving!” Codiac responded with a stretch of relief.
Kaeltrys eyed him coolly with a hint of worry, Codiac could see that he wanted to ask about the dreams, especially with Suzette’s tragedy, but it was evident that he could not, so Codiac relieved him with the password.
“The sparrows fed well this morning,” Codiac said, coming close to grab the skewer from Suzette.
Kaeltrys sighed in relief. The coast was clear, at least for now. With that he stood up.
“I’m going to get some light reading done before we depart.” He called. “Even though the forest is at ease. You can never be too sure,” He said gracefully bowing out.
Codiac smiled and took his skewer from the Guardian and took a bite of lean pork before taking his seat to the right of Suzette. His heart throbbing, but he masked it with another bite.
“This is good!” He exclaimed feeling the tender juices leaving with the perfect rich aftertaste.
“You like it?”
“You know it,” He said stealing a glance over to her, she eyed him with stuttering eyes.
“Did you sleep alright?” He pursued.
“Yes,” She lied, in truth she was haunted by nightmares all night. Codiac sensed this and searched for the words.
“Being a Guardian is tough, yeah?” He more stated than asked.
“The toughest bunch that are genetically altered to command the bests of vessels. The ultimate guards of the kingdom. They earn it through devastating sacrifices.” Codiac said, his meat was falling off the skewer, so he quickly wolfed down the rest of it, in embarrassment.
She said nothing at this but seemed to gaze off in the distances.
When Codiac finished chewing he eyed her.
“What was your sacrifice?” He asked sternly.
Suzette sighed and turned her gaze back to the Golden Hearts operative. She thought about lying and giving out the standard half-truths of duty and honor, but something in that gaze the young man gave was sincere, familiar, and so inviting that she felt her heart cramp and then the tears came.
She quickly wiped off her face to deny some of the shame. Codiac said nothing, as she gathered herself.
“I’ve been dreaming about him lately,” She sobbed and then crumbled before Codiac leaning towards him.
Codiac nodded and put his hand around her shoulders holding her tight.
“Who?” He whispered.
She let out another cry, complete breakdown. She knew a soldier should never do this, let alone future empress, but the emotion just came out, making the vulnerability seem even worse, bringing more tears. She simply kept crying for several moments trying to choke down those words that needed to be said.
“Zeno!” She cried finally, feeling desperate now for anyone, she panicked an embraced Codiac harder, who stiffened before releasing his breath.
She kept sobbing there for what seemed like minutes, not saying a word. It felt good to have someone to hold onto, but she needed to tell someone, anyone, about the pain she felt inside.
“Your master?” Codiac asked, holding onto her, feeling his heart flutter from such display of emotions. She felt light. However, he had been here before and he knew the venomous words needed to save the woman. He had seen this before. In a dream.
“You killed him,” He stated brushing her hair back.
Her breath came in staggers and she clutched him even the harder before bawling a release. There was nothing but tears as Suzette burrowed deeper into the young man.
“Yes,” She wept.
She pressed closer to him, still crying.
“It’s not your fault.” Codiac stated, he pulled away from her, still gripping her shoulders.
“This is destiny.”
Her breaths came in quakes and the tears rolled off her face freely. She paused then, looking desperate, she looked side to side then at Codiac, as if she were about to kiss the knight captain, their faces were getting closer when a sudden figure approached pausing the connection abruptly.
Suzette quickly put on her brave face and parted Codiac to regard a haggard Ildarachi, eyes swollen from lack of
sleep.
“Where’s Aurora?” He asked, ignoring the display of emotions in the air.
“I…” Suzette choked one last breath down and wiped her face. “I think she said she was going for a bath in a nearby stream,” she replied, regaining her strength.
“The forest is known to be pleasant during daylight. We shouldn’t have to worry about a thing,” She continued.
Ildarachi snorted out loud.
“I’ll go fetch her,” He said, storming off deeper into the forest.
Codiac let out a sigh of relief.
“You going to be okay?” He asked staring at Suzette again, who had returned closer to the side of the log since Ildarachi’s arrival.
“Fine,” She replied quickly. “I’m feeling much better now.”
She stole a glance from Codiac.
“Thank you for being there for me,” She said politely. “It’s not a Guardian’s way to produce such a reaction, but I loved him. Master Zeno was like a father to me during the war, while my dad sat back giving me orders, it was Zeno that fought alongside of me.”
“Oh yeah?” Codiac responded. “I can relate to that, actually.”
Suzette raised an inquisitive eyebrow.
“My father led Golden Hearts with much might, greed and hunger for power, while he let his subordinates raised me. It was Toston that trained me under the sword where Kaeltrys led me to Lulali.”
“Lulali?”
Codiac stood up and began pacing around the fire, thinking wildly to himself the importance this woman had on him.
“You know, it is said that Lulali is the gate keeper of the seventh season and that all she touches are all elected of that precious heaven. She told me that I would once save the princess of the moon from an evil spider and afterwards we would become wed.” He paused to look up from his talk then continued. “Lulali is with us finally though, she exists, no matter how tiny. Which is why we must find Aurora at all costs.”
“She’s gone deep in the forest!” Ildarachi’s shout came from outside their camp.
“Kaeltrys!” Codiac called, leaving Suzette to stand along with him.
“We have to go find Aurora before dark or we’re all done for!” Ildarachi spat.
