The Elicon

by Rob Roth

  Several months ago, she had first received the Insight of Eld showing her that the Maliconi had devised a sinister plot to bring their corrupting power to bear on the Pristine Lands. Now, she and the Eldane had been travelling for several weeks, since Elysia had first left her Castle Lake Realm and crossed into the other four Guardian Realms located in the heart of the Pristine Lands. She had now gathered a mighty force. The beautiful lands through which she had recently passed belied the dangers they all faced ahead. All the Eldane who had joined her were colorfully arrayed, as each of the Guardian Realms had their own colors — gold for the Castle Lake Realm, blue for the Blue Mountain Realm, silver for the Sparkling Rills Realm, purple for the Grand Vales Realm, Green for the Sylvan Forests Realm. All were similarly arrayed in travelling breeches and shimmering tunics — shorter for women and longer for men, and brown leather long boots.

  The Maliconi had planned to breach at the Great Periphery, and it would require all the strength of the Eldane and the Elicon to hold them back, and more. It had been revealed to Elysia that the threat was greater than to just the Pristine Lands. The Dream Realm was threatened as well, and they would require their help to defeat the corruption. The only way to bridge that immense gap was through the Elicon, and Eld in his wisdom had imbued the Dream Realm with one of those stones. Eld was taking a risk because sending the incorruptible stone into the Dream Realm, which had already suffered the taint of corruption in the past, meant that the conveyance itself would soon become corrupted, giving the Maliconi more of the substance that powers the weapons of destruction they created. Elysia fully trusted the wisdom of Eld, but she had doubts as to whether sufficient virtue remained in the Dream Realm.

  Well, we will find out soon enough, she thought. Either the Elicon stone will bring the dream dweller, and together a chance exists that we will be strong enough to seal the breach, or we won’t. But regardless of our outcome here, I fear just as much for the fate of the Dream Realm, which has long been wavering in the balance, since Eld has revealed to me that the Maliconi will next turn their devices toward them. I am pledged to serve Eld wherever he choses to send me, even to the Dream Realm if necessary.

  Elysia realized she could do no more that night, so she made her evening petitions and then returned to her tent. She would need her strength on the morrow, so she laid down to rest. Sleep came eventually, but it did not come quickly or peacefully, because of the concern she carried as leader of the Realms.

  Elysia arose the next morning around daybreak and coming out of her tent and leaving the copse of trees she entered the Grand Plains, noting that thousands were already up and more continually streaming out of their tents. Elysia headed toward a central dais visible in the distance where she would address the warriors. They had agreed to hold the Preparation meeting on the plains this morning, and then immediately fly to the Periphery to engage the Maliconi. There would be no further chance for council then. As the crowds swelled Elysia reached the dais and stepped up to address the masses. The Elicon provided the power for her voice to be heard by all.

  "Followers of Eld and all that is good, I greet you this morning. As you are aware, in time past memory Eld created the Pristine Lands and all those who serve Him. He also created unreachable lands, the Dream Realm, for His own purposes. The way of Eld is virtue, and those who follow it prosper, just as you have seen how the Guardian Realms have been blessed in kind. One can only receive His prosperity. Prosperity cannot be created or apprehended by one’s own merits.

  “But Malic was not content to wait for prosperity according to Eld's timing and wisdom but rejected the Way of Eld and began creating his own devices for prosperity rather than making petitions to Eld. Eld did not intervene but permitted the choice, and the consequences. This birthed corruption into our domain, and to save the Pristine Lands Eld permitted all to choose one path or the other and created the boundary to separate the corruption and the pristine, the Maliconi from the Eldoni. The choosing was subtly reflected to a lesser degree in the unreachable realms as a form of corruption setting them currently in the balance, although without their understanding it's source. The five Guardian Realms were also created in the very heart of the Pristine Lands, with you Eldane Guardians chosen as protectors of these undefiled lands.

  “As you know, the more the Maliconi pursued knowledge and wisdom on their own, the more it eluded them. Every advance they made came at a cost, corrupting their lands more and more. This led them to anger and lesser prosperity, not greater. Yet they refuse to desist, and their corruption grows. Now they wish to take our prosperity from us, thinking that by force they can increase their own, but corruption only destroys the essence of what it touches. All would be lost. We cannot permit this. We must resist the incursion at the Great Periphery and seal the breach. They have powerful weapons, devices of their own creation. We have the power given us by Eld. If we succeed, we preserve all that is good in the Pristine Lands. But we must also consider that when help is given help must be returned. We may be called upon to assist the unreachable lands, just as we may require assistance from them. Eld has foreseen that an accord between the two will be required. Now I say, make your final petitions, prepare your hearts for battle, and trust in Eld for victory. He has recently revealed to me the breach will occur today at Surin Dale, when the sun is highest in the sky. May this dawn shine His light on what proves to be our finest day. By the power of Eld we will preserve the boundary!”

  With that, great shouting arose from the plains, "For Eld!" Over and over. Then, Alysia pulled out the Elicon stone, and held it in the air for all to see. The stone was glowing with a bright blue, intense light. She took the stone in her right hand and closed it in a fist, and now the light was streaming from her upraised hand. Then she yelled out for all to hear, "To Surin Dale!"

  At that command, white wings instantly appeared on the backs of many of the Eldane. Many others climbed on the backs of white winged Stagan beasts. Together the multitude arose as one amid the thrumming sound of thousands of beating wings and they hastened to Surin Dale. Flying swiftly over the many, many beautiful pristine lands, just as the Elicon had shown the dream dweller in his vision, they came to the Great Periphery, and specifically the wide dale of Surin. Descending, the mighty force filled a valley divided in two by a clear shimmering barrier that separated a vibrant green verdant side from a darker barren side. In the dark distance they could see tall buildings and flowing out from there an equally massive force of men in dark armor carrying weapons, and machines of war moving quickly toward the barrier.

  Trumpets could be heard as the Maliconi approached, and soon the opposing force was amassed directly on the opposite side. Silence ensued until a humming sound began and a silvery spaceship materialized a hundred feet in the air. From its surface a thin red beam shot out at an angle striking the barrier at its base directly in front of the central mass of their forces, and a resounding explosion evidenced the breaching of the barrier.

  Elysia was momentarily stunned as she could not believe how powerful that blast must have been. “Where did they get such power?” she thought aloud.

  In an instant the dark forces rushed the massive hole in the shimmering barrier while Elysia called out, "Protect the breach!" Weapons were fired with booming noises from the Maliconi, while bluish balls of light energy were magically formed by the Eldane between their hands. They then projected the energy toward the Maliconi, mostly countering their attacks, although not all of them. Many injuries were sustained by the Eldane, although the blue energy also was inflicting its own damage on the Maliconi force. The sound of battle raged on, with the forces equally matched, although after a time the Maliconi seemed to gain the upper hand, and their forces inexorably moved forward.

  Elysia screamed out, "We must not fail! Hold firm!," as she clasped the Elicon and blue light flashed from her fist raking the enemy forces with a power that threw back many, but still it was not enough to stem the tide of their massive army. They were gaining the u
pper hand and she knew she couldn’t stop them.

  Suddenly, Elysia saw a shimmering light about five feet high and two feet wide next to her. As she glanced over, she feared this was some new device of the enemy but still she dared not to be distracted from her attack on the enemy using her Elicon and continued with her assault of blue light.

  Jace immediately found himself in the center of a huge battle, awash with confusion. He had just been in a peaceful and quiet rocky outcrop, dressed for cold weather in polar clothing, at the edge of a great white sheet of ice and snow. Now, he was dressed in a light, white battle tunic, standing in the center of a green sunny valley, with the deafening sound of war surrounding him. No, it wasn’t all sunny. Ahead was the barrier he had seen in his dream vision and the dark territory.

  Looking to his right, he saw the beautiful woman of the fiery mirror focused on the battle, blue light streaming out from her clenched right fist. His first thought was that she was even more beautiful in real life. Then somewhat in confusion, he wondered, which one is real life?”

  She glanced his way, then her eyes lit up and a smile of relief broke across her face — a sharp contrast to the determined frown she had just a second ago in the heat of battle.

  “Dreamer!” she said. “You made it! I wasn’t sure you would understand my message!”

  Jace smiled and was about to reply, when a red beam lanced across his right side, searing through tunic and flesh, and dropping him to his knees, head bowed over.

  “Nooooo!” Alysia cried out in anguish and fear. Jace was now woozy from shock and pain, and only half-aware when Alysia rushed to him, and helped him stand by putting her left arm around him and under his arms and shoulders, lifting him unsteadily to his feet.

  “You must use your Elicon stone, dreamer! I can’t do this alone!” she said as she continued assailing the Maliconi with the blue light streaming from her right fist.

  Jace picked up the stone with his left hand and although his mind was getting foggier with the pain, he managed to ask, “How does it work? What do I do?”

  “Do?” she said. “You don’t do anything, dreamer! You trust! Trust in the Elicon. Trust in Eld!”

  Jace looked at her confused. He now felt dizzy and light-headed, and even more unsure of what she was telling him. But he knew he believed in the woman now in his arms… well, in a manner of speaking she was in his arms, he thought with a crooked grin. Funny… all his life he trusted in science and logic, but that failed him. Now he was trusting in this person whom he just met… or, did he meet her before...?

  "Dreamer! Snap out of it! We need your help!"

  Was this pretty woman talking to him?, he wondered, as his eyes grew darker. Her arm around him felt nice. He was glad he was here… well, except for the pain in the side...

  “Dreamer!” she cried out. “The barrier is failing! They are coming!” she shook him violently with her left arm trying to break him of his delirium.

  Slowly, Jace became aware enough to realize the danger they were in. Well, Eld, he thought, whoever you are, I know I certainly want to help this woman and these people. She trusts you. I don't know what I can do, other than trust she’s right and you know what to do... Jace closed his fist, relaxed, and stopped trying to do anything on his own. He just trusted the stone would work as Elysia said.

  Suddenly an intense blue light blasted out of his left hand, joining the beam streaming from Alysia's right hand, both now significantly more intense, because they were holding each other. The blue flames raked over the Maliconi with such ferocity that they could no longer withstand. Those in the direct line were vaporized. The others were blasted back and burned, forcing a full retreat. War machines burst into flames all over the field. Considering the intensity of the onslaught, the Maliconi could only run back through the breach and seek cover behind its barrier.

  "Dreamer, help me seal the breach!" Jace heard the beautiful woman next to him say, as strength was draining out of him.

  "Ok…" was all he could manage in answer, as he moved his now very heavy fist toward the hole and watched in amazement at the rainbow of colors that flashed while the hole was being repaired by the blue flames.

  "So pretty…" he said out loud, then smiled, wondering to himself if he had meant the rainbow or the pretty woman at his side…as blackness finally overcame him.

  Jace was smiling as he slowly awoke, thinking what a wonderful dream he had just had, and he really didn’t want to leave it. Then, he became aware of a searing pain on his right side.

  “What the….” he said as he reached his hand down and felt a sizable bandage on a large swath of his right side. Opening his eyes and looking around, he saw the walls were somewhat curved, and made of a translucent pinkish-white material. He was in a large canopied bed in a room furnished like what he imagined the handsome prince in Cinderella’s tale no doubt slept in.

  “Where am I?” he said to himself.

  “You are resting in the main tower at the palace on Castle Lake, my Lord”, the young lady standing near the bed and dressed in a white apron, replied. “You suffered quite an injury, and Eldian Elysia asked that you recover here. I shall notify her at once that you are awake.”

  “Before you go, how long have I been out?”

  “Three days, my Lord.”

  “Three days! Really? And please, don’t call me Lord. I’m a professor.”

  “Ah. forgive me, Professor! I had no idea you were blessed with the Insight! I thought you were merely an Edane Lord!" She hastily left the room to hide her further embarrassment, while Jace looked at her, confused.

  Well, I see I have a lot to learn, Jace thought to himself.

  Before too long, Jace heard the sound of a door opening. When he looked up he saw the woman in the fiery mirror entering his room. She was far more beautiful than he remembered, he thought. But then again, she was now dressed in a flattering white form-fitting gown fit for a princess, instead of battle garb. And he was seeing her face to face with a clearer mind. He was so mesmerized he forgot to offer any greeting as she came in.

  “Good morning, dreamer. I am Elysia, the Guardian of the palace where you are recovering. I hope you are as comfortable as you can be, given the extent of your injuries.”

  It took Jace several seconds before he came out of his reverie enough to realize he should probably say something rather than stare.

  “Yes… thank you. I am feeling well rested, and the burn is not unbearable. Please, as I'm unfamiliar with your customs, how should I address you?”

  Elysia smiled warmly and said, “Elysia is fine. We are much indebted to you, dreamer. If not for you, we would surely have been overrun by the Maliconi forces. Without a second Guardian of an Elicon, I could not have held them back. What is your name, dreamer? How should I address you?”

  “My name is Jace Larkin.”

  “Well Jea-Slarkin, I am pleased to know your name.”

  A slight smile crept onto his face hearing how she pronounced his name.

  "Please, just call me Jace. My last name is Larkin.”

  “Oh!” she said with a look of understanding. “Larkin… like the pretty day wings found in the forest of Nurin! How interesting.”

  “Yes,” he said, not really understanding but hoping it was a creature she was fond of. “And if you do not mind, Elysia, I have a few questions I'd like to ask, if you have the time to talk. There are so many things I don't know.”

  “Certainly... Jace... I imagine it must be confusing for you, having come to us from the Dream Realm,” she said as she came and sat on the edge of his bed, anticipating the discussion may take some time.

  “Well, first of all why did you call me a dreamer, and say I came from a dream world? Just exactly where are we now?”

  “My apologies, dreamer. I forgot you came from a realm that does not have an understanding of the Histories. Before time began, Eld created the Pristine Lands for those whom He made to love and serve Him. He also created the Dream Realm, for purposes we
in the Pristine Lands have not been told. It is called the Dream Realm because we can only reach those lands in our dreams, apart from the Elicon of course. If it helps, I suppose you may consider the Pristine Realms as being your Dream Realm as the same separation exists for you and your people.”

  “If you are the Pristine Lands, who then were we fighting?”

  “The people Eld created were called the Eldoni. But not all wanted to serve Eld. Malic went his own way and took many Eldoni with him. They became known as Maliconi. Because they corrupted the perfection of Eld, He created a barrier to separate the lands, to demonstrate the eventual consequences of turning from Him. Eld did not cause the corruption to their lands —rather, his virtue and prosperity continually sustains ours, which is what they rejected to their own corruption. Originally all the land was beautiful, before there was a barrier. But the Maliconi pursued the building of devices, made through a corrupted understanding of how Eld creates and sustains life. Their increasing knowledge brought with it a growing corruption of all that had been good in those lands, with the end that you now see across the barrier, the Dark Lands.

  “Eld anticipated that in their greed for more they would eventually turn toward the taking of the Pristine Lands, so he created five Guardian Realms in the center of the Pristine Lands, one of which is called Castle Lake, where you are now. Those of us who are Guardians dwelling in those lands are known as the Eldane. To further assist in the fight against the Maliconi, Eld also assigned several Eldane as Guardians of Elicon stones, although many thus assigned have since fallen. As a Guardian of an Elicon stone, I am also called an Eldian.”

  Jace tried hard to take this all in and make sense of it.

  “What is the Elicon stone, and how did I come to acquire it? I mean, I know how I got it, but…” he didn’t know exactly how to ask the question as it wasn’t clear in his mind how he ended up with something from here.