Spirit of Mages (Rift of Chaos Book 2)

by A. J. Martinez

  "The Specters?" Oseth questioned.

  "Ember's crew. That is their name," Auron explicated.

  Someone knocked on the door and Edd answered it. A long haired blonde person, as tall as Edd, entered the room. The tall blonde wore silver armor with gilded filigree and a broadsword hung from the waist. When Auron looked at this person and he could not tell if it was male or female. Their jaw was square yet they had a soft face. The unibrow did not help determine the gender either. The person bowed and introduced themselves, "My name is Uhoraj Sainos."

  "A relative of Darmang, I presume," Auron said. So it's a woman, he guessed.

  "I am his cousin from his father's side of the family," Uhoraj replied. "How is he doing?"

  Uhoraj stood next to the bed and stared at her ill cousin. It bothered Auron that she seemed so cheery looking at the cursed king.

  "He has been sleeping for four days and has become feverish," Genie answered.

  Uhoraj slowly turned her head and stared at Ogsmorr. Auron noticed that her stare made the old man uncomfortable, unable to make eye contact. Her size made her quite frightening and she seemed nonchalant about her own cousin's condition.

  "Sir Ogsmorr, is this a permanent condition?" Uhoraj asked solemnly.

  "Well, the cure is rather difficult so I dare say, yes it is," the scholar answered.

  Auron could not help but notice a small smirk on Uhoraj's face that she suppressed as her lips trembled.

  "We will find a way to wake him," Auron told her. "He is still king, regardless."

  "A king that cannot rule his own country," Uhoraj said and raised her broad chin. "What will we tell the people? That their king has fallen asleep? That he is lost in the realm of dreams unable to wake? This country needs a new king immediately."

  "And who will that be?" Auron snarled.

  "Only whoever is next in line for the throne," Uhoraj answered and crossed her arms.

  "Would this next heir be you?" Auron asked arrogantly, unafraid to show how unimpressed he was.

  "Oh, I am sorry, did I make it so obvious," Uhoraj said and chuckled. "If he does not wake within a month then I will take the throne and, if not me, then another Sainos will."

  Auron paced towards Uhoraj then stood right in front of her. Their eyes met and, by the gods, at that very moment Auron could only see fire surrounding them. How in the world is Darmang related to bastards like you, he wanted to say. Auron, and everyone else he befriended, hated the Sainos but, unlike others, he was not afraid of showing it. They were a dynasty known to be arrogant and selfish, who only did for the country what was in their best interest. They ruled with an iron fist and no one else outside the Sainos family could become king.

  Although there was not much slavery in the country, everything that the people did and made was for the high class and the Sainos were chiefs, commanders and overall top wealthiest family in the country. The regime kept everyone under control and there was more crime than freedom. The only way that Auron became free was by working for the king two crowns ago. Auron was a mercenary spilling blood for coin and capturing criminals for the king. He had even spilled the blood of innocent people for gold. Auron had much remorse for his past but, ever since Darmang took the throne and promised to give people their freedom, Auron became a part of the king's cause.

  "Sir Auron, do you have a problem with me taking the throne?" Uhoraj asked with a grimace that made her look more masculine.

  "Darmang promised to give people their freedom, and I am not going to allow some selfish tyrant rise again and steal our only opportunity to live in peace," Auron said. He spoke as if he had held it in for too long.

  "You think Darmang is any different than the previous kings," Uhoraj replied and laughed. "Sir Auron, I know that you have traveled to other countries and you know very well that people have always wished to be ruled. They might not like their ruler but, without a king, they would be lost. Without a king people just don't know what to do and how to live their lives. People are dependent creatures. So whether you think the Sainos are good or bad, you cannot deny that we keep this country strong. So why shouldn't they live for our purpose? We take care of everything after all."

  "Sir Auron," Ogsmorr called. "It is best not to debate. I will awaken King Darmang in less than a month."

  "Are you serious?" Genie asked with wide eyes full of hope.

  "I just came to see how my cousin was doing. Farewell," Uhoraj said and exited the room with haste.

  Once Uhoraj left the room, Auron was relieved. He then gazed at Ogsmorr and said, "Were you serious?"

  "No, but I had to say something to prevent you from lifting your fist at Lady Uhoraj," Ogsmorr replied and laughed.

  "I would not call that a lady," Edd added.

  "That was a woman?" Oseth questioned.

  "Everyone, I must leave," Auron said heading for the door. "Keep an eye on the king while me and Akielas find a way to defeat Ember.

  "Don't return until she is dead," Genie remarked.

  "I will return with her blood on my hands," he replied.

  Auron ran to the pentacle portal outside the castle in the field of grass. He wondered if it was possible to defeat the Specters in time before another Sainos took the throne from King Darmang. Will I even be able to use the Golden Sun, he asked the unknown.

  Akielas

  The pentacle portal took them to the Spirituah forest in Verday, just outside of what once was Evee Iris, Eckxio's Elven village. To their left were ruins and to their right was the verdant forest. Eckxio gazed at the ruins of his village. Trees were uprooted, homes flipped upside down, others were shattered and the bodies of fallen Elves drying slowly, becoming skeletons. There was a ravine that split the land acres long.

  Akielas remembered Evee Iris from five years ago when he first met Willow and Eckxio, while searching for special items like the one that currently hung from his neck. The village was centuries old and its people were the first to form a civilization in the forest.

  "Hertha, she did this," Akielas stated.

  Eckxio did not respond and tears trailed down his cheeks while staring at the land that was once his home. Akielas knew it was too painful to watch so he clutched Eckxio's shoulder, turning him away from the view. "Come, let's find your family," he said and patted the Elf on the back.

  Eckxio carried Willow still wrapped in a sheet, her heart still beating, but it was so slow that sometimes Eckxio thought she was utterly gone.

  They walked to the forest, moving away from the ruins of the Elven village. Trees towered over them. Kapoks and oaks dwarfed them and some trees formed archways in which they walked under. They followed a path of dirt and pebbles that was made by the Elves to keep travelers off the tall grass.

  "Where are the Elves?" Akielas asked feeling as if they walked idly through the forest.

  "We should see their camp somewhere nearby," Eckxio answered. "The Elves camped here before departing to the new location to the south. I thought perhaps a few of them may have remained here."

  "It's been four days Eckxio," Akielas reminded. "Why would they stay here any longer?"

  "I know my father and mother would stay behind to try to speak to the dead and make sure they journey well," the Elf replied. "My father would dare return to find mementos. Elves can be very sentimental. I know that a few Elves would stay near the ruins. It's hard to let go after centuries of calling this place our home and having to move somewhere else."

  "I see," Akielas responded.

  As they walked through the forest he thought about what he could have done. Where was I when Hertha attacked Evee Iris? he asked himself. Could she be so powerful to have destroyed a whole village by herself? There is no way. She would not have held back against me.

  Akielas could not help but to think of what the Effeelions had told him in Kazenolumos. They said that this is happening for a divine reason. Which makes me think of the odds that five years ago I stumbled upon Eckxio when he was working as a mercenary, hired by the que
en of Verday. I was surprised to know that Eckxio and Auron had met before this all happened. Can this really be destiny? If so, then are we destined to fail or succeed against the Specters. They have already acquired more power than I could imagine. It can't just be a coincidence that I met my allies before the Specters began to cause havoc.

  Akielas stopped and gazed up at the sunlight coming through the canopy. Leaves fell from above, dancing then dividing in two, and flew away. Bugs camouflaged as leaves buzzed around him. He felt the maju of the forest and inhaled prana. His mind eased but he kept looking up as he wished for something.

  Eckxio paused as well and turned around, "What's wrong?” the Elf asked.

  "Have you ever thought it bizarre that our paths intertwined so smoothly?" Akielas puzzled.

  Eckxio rolled his eyes up in confusion trying to find an answer but only shrugged and said, "Now that you mention it, I never really thought about it." Then he rolled his eyes up again and gaped in realization. "Yes it does seem bizarre. You befriended me and Willow long before the Specters attacked and I assume it is the same for Auron and Ganicus."

  "I raised Auron myself," Akielas said and continued walking alongside Eckxio. "I found Auron drifting in the west shores of Burnahdujf while I was searching for a special item. As soon as I saw him I knew he was from the Amaranth tribe, the keepers of the Crimson Cosmo Jewel. I met Ganicus two years ago in my search for the Golden Sun. My apprentices were looking for the same thing I was and they stumbled upon the friends that I had made. They truly are my shadows."

  "Then maybe it is destiny," Eckxio suggested as they walked through moss. "It seemed like a curse that this all happened and, honestly, at some point I wanted to blame you for it. However, then I thought that no one really is at fault here. I think this is all happening for a reason. Maybe the Effeelions were right. I think the world is changing, in a way. So I say let's play our parts well."

  Akielas and Eckxio looked at each other and smiled. Akielas placed a hand on his chest under his cloak and felt the pendant that hung from his neck. Come what may but I won't die until I see Ember's end, he swore.

  They heard footsteps approaching and paused. Akielas noticed Eckxio's long pointy ears twitching.

  "Who is it?" Akielas whispered.

  "Someone is coming," Eckxio answered quietly "I can hear them talking. It's...it's...it's father."

  He rushed down the path and Akielas followed.

  "Papa!" Eckxio called.

  "Eckxio!" a voice echoed through the Spirituah forest.

  Soon enough they saw Sherwood with five other Elves. Sherwood held a wooden staff that contained a crystal in its apex. The five Elves alongside Sherwood were mages. The three females were wearing short green dresses, peaked shoulders with loose long sleeves and the two males were wearing blue tunics with hoods, bows and quivers on their backs and a short sword hanging from their waists.

  "My boy, what happened to you?" Sherwood said, looking at Eckxio's marred face. When the old Elf saw Willow unconscious, he frowned. "What happened to her?"

  "Father, she..." Eckxio struggled to explain.

  "Her soul was taken," Akielas said, quickly filling the silence.

  "Sir Akielas," Sherwood noticed him then bowed. "Mother of Odealeous, what happened in the last few days?"

  Two female Elves walked over to Eckxio and bowed. "Sir Eckxio, please allow us to take Lady Willow from your hands," they said.

  "Please, take her back to the village," he replied. "Make sure she gets there safe while I find a way to wake her."

  Akielas approached Sherwood and bowed to the elder Elf. Akielas had great respect for the Elven race. "Lord Sherwood, where are the rest of the Elves?"

  "They are safe," Sherwood answered. He stood with a hand on his back, leaning on his staff. "We migrated to the Levita forest, south-east of here. We are building a new home."

  "Have the masked fiends appeared at all?" Akielas asked.

  "Not since they destroyed Evee Iris," Sherwood answered. "That monster took my grimoire and turned our village into ruins."

  "Grimoire!" Akielas became curious. "What grimoire?"

  "The Grimoire of the Land," Sherwood told him. "It is one of the few copies ever to exist. Written by two of Prodigus Kollos's apprentices. She used an aggressive earth spell from the book and uprooted our homes. I fear what they will do with the grimoire. I think they are trying to find all the books. The world is not safe as long as those masked ghouls exist. At least there is nothing more they can take from the Elves. The Grimoire of the Land was our greatest treasure."

  So not only do they want the jewels but they also want the grimoires, Akielas thought. "I will get it back for you, I promise."

  "I care not about the old tome," Sherwood remarked. "Just do the world a favor and rid us of these monsters."

  "We are doing our best papa," Eckxio said. "These enemies, their power is not of this world, but we will find a way to bring peace once again."

  "My prayers are with you," Sherwood replied and waved his staff over Eckxio. The crystal of the staff flashed a gentle light. "That was for good luck."

  "Thanks father and, I remember you telling me about the Angel Valiarmos," Eckxio said. "Where can I find it?"

  Sherwood stroked his long white beard as he thought of the Valiarmos. Akielas knew that there were many of these Valiarmos besides the Golden Sun. He had read many stories of mages wearing enchanted armor made of rare mystical steel. It was during the golden age of mages, sixteen hundred years ago, that these armors had disappeared.

  "Your grandfather once told me that the Angel Valiarmos belonged to a being of light," Sherwood recalled. "I am not sure of its existence. It has only been a tale passed down from my father and his father."

  "A being of light," Eckxio repeated. "The fairy king perhaps."

  "We must hurry then," Akielas urged. "The Specters get stronger every day. Let's use our time wisely."

  "Father, I must leave now," Eckxio said and embraced him. He then looked at the two female Elves that carried Willow comfortably in their arms. "Please, get her home safe."

  "I will do everything in my power to make sure her heart beats until you return," Sherwood promised.

  Eckxio gave his father one last embrace, then watched his fellow Elves take Willow home through the forest.

  Our paths intertwined for a reason, Akielas thought. No death will be in vain. "Eckxio, let's hurry to the fairy king."

  They ran back to the portal by the ruins of Evee Iris and teleported to where the fairy king resided.

  ****

  The portal took them to the Quariras Mountains, north of the Spirituah Forest. Akielas had marked the mountains with a pentacle fifteen years ago when the fairy king taught him illumancy. Eckxio had visited the fairy king ten years ago after he was exiled from Evee Iris.

  "So tell me again how you met the fairy king?" Akielas asked as they commenced their walk up the mountain path. The wind lashed at them while they trudged against it.

  "I was exiled from Evee Iris," the Elf answered. "Everyone in the village thought that I had stolen the Grimoire of the Earth since I was a nonmagic Elf. I was fifteen years old at the time. Then, eight years later when I returned to the village as a mercenary hired by Queen Veronica, my father discovered that it was my brother Lannie who had framed me. He was severely punished and the entire village apologized. I was then labeled the first Elven warrior, master of swordplay."

  "Your own brother framed you," Akielas said with pain in his voice. "I know how it feels to be betrayed by family."

  The wind billowed their cloaks. They continued walking until they saw the megaliths of the fairy king. As they arrived at the Stonehenge they could see something glinting from sunlight ahead. When they finally reached the domain of the fairy king and walked between the megaliths, they saw shards of zeustoss organized in the form of a tepee on top of a stone pedestal. Rocky slopes surrounded the Stonehenge and Akielas thought it almost looked like an amphitheater."
/>   "Are you ready?" Akielas asked.

  Eckxio drew the broken zeustoss sword that hung from his belt. He gazed at it longingly before offering it to the fairy king. Akielas could see Eckxio's sorrow. The Elf had become very attached to that sword, as if it were a part of him. Ten years with the Tharos sword and shield. Ten years now shattered into holy shards.

  "This is as much zeustoss as we need to call the fairy king," Eckxio said. He marched to the pedestal and raised the broken sword to the heavens, staring at the sky. "Loveon Vujuzen, Voe baasho zuo!," he called out, speaking Ozilanji, the Elven tongue.

  For a moment nothing happened but then the Tharos sword started glowing. The shards on the pedestal began to shine and Akielas heard the hum of Elysious. The holy humming from the realm of light, or so he thought. The zeustoss shards shone a white light that forced Akielas to shield his eyes. It was soothing, yet blinding. He noticed that their surroundings vanished. The sky and the mountains all disappeared just like the last time he visited the fairy king. Beyond the Stonehenge was nothing but blackness and stars, as though he floated in the night sky. Akielas and Eckxio gazed at the stars, the glowing clouds and the dust of blue and violet hues.

  "It's been so long since I have seen the fairy king. I had almost forgotten what his realm was like," Akielas murmured.

  "I know," Eckxio agreed. "This is the night sky, is it not? The Stonehenge is floating somewhere beyond the clouds."

  "You both speak as if you have never been here before," a voice echoed.

  "It's him." Akielas recognized that voice.

  The zeustoss shards released a beam of light skywards. They gazed up and saw the fairy king descend. The fairy paused just a few inches above the zeustoss shards and floated cross-legged in a lotus position. The fairy king was only two feet in height, with olive skin and white hair. He wore white robes with golden swirls and over his head was a halo of two rings that spun in and out of each other. He had four wings like a dragonfly which released golden dust every time they fluttered. His forehead was tattooed with an upward arrow. The image of the fairy king never failed to amaze Akielas, for it was otherworldly and pure.