Realms of the Otherworld Box Set

by Jana LaPelle

  ​With that Jasmine lets out a screech and then says, “Do you know how long it will take to grow wings back? Two whole months! I can’t be flightless for two months, what will I do?”

  ​Alaric has taken my hand again and leans in to brush his lips against mine. He pulls back just enough to say, "Only you, mo grá." His dimples are showing as he smiles at my predicament.

  ​I whisper, “This changes nothing. I’m still angry with you for not trusting me.” I pause and look up at him as I say, “I would have let you go. You know? I knew it was just a matter of time that you would want to confront him.”

  ​"You're right, I should have trusted you. I just can't stand the thought of you anywhere near him. I knew you would argue over going with me. I just couldn't take the chance that you would insist on going or try to follow behind."

  ​ As soon as his confession is complete, I hear Jasmine squeal, "I'm free! By the goddess I'm never going back in that rat's nest again!" she exclaims as she sits on my shoulder.

  ​"What were you doing in there anyhow?"

  ​"Well, when your binding markings started to glow and then started moving up and over your shoulder, I wanted to watch its path. I got really distracted while I was watching the triquetras etch themselves between your shoulder blades. It really is a beautiful design. It reminds me of your necklace. That was when I got tangled up in your hair."

  ​"Well, if we make it through the night, we can take a look at our new markings. But first, we have to send a Shadow Demon back to the underworld. We've wasted enough time." Turning to everyone I say, "I think I know what we need to do. Unless anyone else has any suggestions, have any of you fought a Shadow Demon?" I notice that everyone is staring at us. Not just Alaric and me but Lexie and Declan as well. "Is there a problem?" I ask

  ​My mother and father step forward, “Well, Ashlinn, I’m not sure that any of us have ever bare witnessed to what just happened between you and Alexia and your kindred mates. Your markings are distinct, and now no one can dispute that you all will play an intricate part of the prophecy. And baby girl, your eyes are glowing.”

  ​I look up at my kindred, and he nods. “They have been since we came together to receive our new markings.”

  ​“Why aren’t yours glowing?” I ask.

  ​“Because I’m not the one prophesied as savior, you are. So, what do we do mo grá?” He asks.

  ​"Alaric, that's not necessarily true, I can't do this without you." I look toward my mother and father and ask, "What defeats a Shadow Demon? I don't want to just defeat it. What sends it back to the Underworld?"

  ​My mother speaks up, "Only Light majic can send it back and a lot of it. We all have a bit of light majic, but I think we will need the Druids to help us conjure a spell, pulling the light from us all. What do you think Dagda?"

  ​Dagda ponders the question for an instant and then states, “Agreed, sister. Brute force will do us no good. We need the help of the casters. But whatever we do, it will need a powerful punch.”

  ​Spinning on Lexie, I ask, "Can you do this? I mean can you and Nemus cast a spell with the sole purpose of casting the demon back to the realm it came from? If you can cast the spell in the form of fire, I think I can direct it, manipulate it to surround the demon and only the demon."

  ​Before Lexie can answer my mother is beside me, “Yes Ashlinn, like what you did this afternoon with the fire that you conjured. That could work. But the spark will have to be conjured by you, and then Alexia and Nemus can infuse that spark with the spell they invoke.” She looks to Dagda for confirmation as he inclines his head in silent agreement.

  ​I look to Lexie, and she and Nemus are discussing their next move, Declan at her side giving her his silent support.

  ​“Ash, I think we’ve got a pretty good idea of what we need to do, but we’ll need to be up in the trees to do this, and we’ll need a large meeting place as we’ll need to draw on the light majic of all of those gathered here to help reinforce the spell. Is that possible?”

  ​I look toward mother questioningly. She then turns to the Forrest Elves and addresses the leaders of this clan. “Ilthuryn. Talindra, is there a place above that we can utilize for this purpose? We need some place that is on the outer western edge of the forest closest to the direction that the demon is approaching from.”

  ​The two look pointedly at me, and I can see the indecision in their eyes and sense their private communication as they assess whether or not I am capable of taking care of this threat to their home. I understand their concerns especially after the whole sprite in the rat's nest incident, so I take Alaric's hand in mine. Then I take Lexie's hand as she takes Declan's. Jasmine is hovering between Lexie and me, and we step forward. The rest of our companions fall in behind us along with Jasmine's sprite brigade. I sense our binding markings begin to pulse and I push the energy that I feel from Alaric and me to Lexie, and as I do so, her markings begin to spark. Ilthuryn and Talindra are watching us closely as I say, "We need to move quickly. I know that I'm young and that I'm not of this Realm, but I know that I can do this. That we can do this, but we need to move. We have delayed too long."

  ​Talindra steps forward, I am still in awe of her unearthly beauty as she looks down at me, she's almost as tall as Alaric in her graceful, willowy movements and she smiles, "I remember what it was like to be young. I am delighted to make your acquaintance, Princess. Come we know just the place." She turns and makes her way to her mate and the two begin ascending the grand staircase, their companions following close behind as they swiftly make their way upwards leaving the rest of us to follow.

  ​We quickly follow behind and make our way up toward the night sky. I look down to see that one of our males has stayed behind with our mounts. No doubt to either keep them together for our return or to get them to safety if all else fails. I'm struck with vertigo as I realize how very high up we are and Alaric pulls me into his side as he senses my uneasiness. He quickly places me between him and the tree that we are ascending. We have passed the third level of platforms and are continuing to climb. From the forest floor, I had no idea how far up this elven city went. As we climb, the lights below begin to fade, leaving our companion in the dark, providing the cover that is needed to keep the entry to the elven city hidden. From below I had no idea that the trees themselves provided homes for the elves, it's as if they have opened themselves up to provide for them.

  ​Alaric leans in and says in a quiet whisper, "Each of these trees requires multiple dryads to communicate the needs of the elves. It is with the help of the dryads that the trees are able to open up and provide shelter. They provide a network throughout the forest. They are all connected."

  ​The tree city is enchanting. The only drawback is my fear of heights. I can no longer see the ground beneath us, and that makes me all kinds of uncomfortable. We’re still climbing as I notice that mothers and their children have stepped outside of their homes to watch our group proceed to the landing that Talindra spoke of, no doubt worrying about what is to come.

  ​As we approach the next landing, I’ve lost count of how many landings we’ve passed so far, the leaders of the city turn right and head across an arched bridge. I hesitate but then steel myself to continue our trek as we make our way quietly through the trees. I can sense that the demon is close. I’m not sure how I can, but I can. Then I hear a roar in the distance, a tree begins to crack and splinter as the demon feeds off of it. The crunching sound is magnified, and we hear a loud explosion as the enormous tree splinters apart and begins its final journey to the forest floor. Crashing through its brethren as the life drains out of it. The noise is deafening, and tears prick my eyes as I realize that this is not the first of the casualties this evening. A scout appears from above us as he nimbly navigates the trees. I see that he has swung in from the many vines that are hanging from the large branches and he relays to the group that there are approximately thirty Fomorian warriors that accompany the Shadow Demon, following in its wake
.

  ​I look up at Alaric and squeeze his hand in mine as I turn to address the group. "Okay, everyone gather around. From the sounds of that tree falling, we don't have much time. Once the demon has been taken out, there will have to be a plan in place to take out the Fomorians. Lexie and I have our crossbows, but they won't be any good for distances overly long. I'll leave that up to your discretion." I say addressing Ilthuryn. Turning back to the group before me, "Alaric, take my hand and Lexie's. Nemus, before Declan takes my hand and Lexie's, step in the center of our circle. Okay, now Nemus reach out and lay your hands on my and Alaric's and do the same with Lexie and Declan's. Alaric, can you feel the thrumming of our connection?" He nods. "Now try to push that energy out to Lexie, and I'm going to do the same with Declan." Our markings have begun to glow once more and from the looks on everyone's faces so have my eyes. Slowly Lexie and Declan's markings begin to glow. They, in turn, inhale sharply, as they can feel the thrumming majic of our binding. “Now! Everyone, gather round! Quickly! Those of you closest to us reach out and lay your hands on our shoulders, arms, or backs. We need everyone touching." I look up at my kindred, and he looks around to see that everyone has gathered around, and he gives me a nod. The sprites have landed on varying elves as we complete the union. I take Alaric's hand and raise it so that our palms are facing the sky as I conjure a flame. It's bright and full of all the light that I can push into it. “Now Lexie! You and Nemus do your thing." I hear not only the two muttering a chant under their breath but the rest of the druids that came with us. They're all chanting in unison. Lexie's eyes have taken on that opaque white look, which is totally freaky, and as they continue, the flame in our hands begins to grow. The spell begins to take shape, pulling light majic from all those around us, like tiny shooting stars that rush to swirl around our heads, before combining with the flame that I am directing to move above us. Their chanting takes on a crescendo of sorts as we hear the demon closing in on the elven city. Its roars are chilling and filled with dark promise as they echo through the black night. I direct the enchanted flame to rise above the gathering, as it continues to grow in size, flickering and undulating.

  ​Everyone steps back away from our little group as they sense that something is about to happen. At that very moment, I allow the now massive looking inferno to swirl around us, caressing us as it gains power from all of those gathered here, creating an effective barrier from outside. I hear yet another deafening roar as the demon steps into sight. I look at my little group with grim determination as I break our contact and they step away. Everyone but my kindred who takes my other hand as we walk to the edge of the platform that overlooks the forest floor, while I direct the swirling inferno around us, the ground here is not so far below us. The lower level has been lit up as much as possible. Alaric and I open our connection, and we have become one. He is pushing energy through our bond as I manipulate the flames. The fire swirls around us, dancing in anticipation, caressing us both as it bends to my will, our will. The beast below bellows as it breaks through the undergrowth, its shadowy form begins to elongate growing in height as it attempts to reach us. It's prey in its sight. It shrieks as it sees the powerful inferno that is at our command.

  ​We move in unison as we release one of our coupled hands to lift and direct the enchanted flames toward the hell spawn. Its howls are enraged as the flames leave our side at our direction to surround the foul beast that threatens to destroy everything in its path. The flames grow to an inferno of epic proportions as I hear Lexie and Nemus begin their chanting once more, with the help of the others. The enchanted flames burn brightly, as they swirl around and engulf the demon, constricting it into a swirling, blazing vortex. The demon shrieks and howls and tries to break free, but the light majic has taken hold. The beast continues to struggle. It pushes back, trying to break through the constraints of its swirling flaming cage as the spell is about to snuff out the threat. We hear one final echoing howl. In an instant, the fiery swirling mass that contains the demon is sucked into the ground, and the inferno is suddenly extinguished with a loud suctioning sound. The silence is deafening and darkness envelopes us.

  Chapter 36

  (Ashlinn)

  ​All hell breaks loose before we even have a chance to recover. I feel drained, but Alaric is there beside me as we begin assessing the next threat. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Declan ushering Lexie to safety. She's looking as drained as I feel. The Fomorians don't need any more provocation; they're attacking while we are still trying to determine our next course of action. I look on in disbelieve as my enemy morphs into something. Something that nightmares are made of, they quickly take on monstrous hulking forms as they charge forward. Not one looks the same. They now wear the visage of beastly looking creatures. I vaguely hear myself mutter, "Oh my God, what the hell are they?" Before I can gather my wits about me, Jasmine and her sprite brigade charge forward as I scream, "No! Jasmine, no! Alaric, she's going to get herself killed."

  ​"She knows what she's doing. Come on, let's get to a good vantage point so we can put that crossbow of yours to good use." He calms my fears as we find a viewpoint where I'm protected but can cause some serious damage. The battle rages on, and it's clear that from here the elves are at a disadvantage in hand to hand combat, I steady myself and take aim. I'm looking for an eye shot or a neck shot. I fire off two rounds, and I see two familiar figures rush the enemy as they storm the platform we're on. The figures are Tolin and Torin, and before my eyes I see them change. What the hell? Oh, my freakin’ God. They roar as their change takes over and I'm left to wonder what has become of the world I once knew. All around me, I'm seeing these huge hulking figures that were once handsome young elves or so I thought, these are the Fomorians and I'm now seeing their dark side in action. TNT look like monstrosities in this form, but I know, that underneath it all, I love them both. This is only part of who they are. This is who they become to protect those that are important to them. As realization dawns on me, something snaps, as I see the two brothers battle my enemy. Forgetting my crossbow, I stand up and pace forward out from the cover that Alaric has moved us into. I walk with a grim determination as I focus on the threat. I raise my hands and summon fireballs one after the other, designed to be a distraction and to blind. As soon as one appears, they are flying toward my enemy. I begin launching one after the other in an attempt to either take them down or distract them from my brethren, my TNT. They are my Guard, and I will protect them. Nothing matters more than protecting my family.

  (Alaric)

  ​She is fierce, and she's mine. I had feared that she would not be able to accept that the brothers were Fomorian, but my fears were unfounded. Once she realized just how precarious the situation is, she went into her warrior princess mode. Drawing my swords, I prepare to defend my mate as she goes to war against her enemy firing off fireball after fireball aimed at those that would do harm to what is hers to protect. Only about five of the enemy have made it to the platform we're on, and we're quickly taking them out as we outnumbered them here. The Fomorians in their berserker forms are able to take on five or more warriors at a time, so the odds are really not in our favor.

  ​Jasmine and the other sprites were able to dust the remaining enemy on the forest floor providing a distraction as their pixie dust causes disorientation, but it doesn't last long. They're circling back around for round two when the platform is breached behind me. I ready my swords and prepare to battle the beast before me, once a handsome looking male that has now morphed into a creature with horns, claws, and fangs. He stands a foot and a half taller than me. I know that I'll have to rely on my agility to take this berserker down. I lunge taking him off guard momentarily, landing the first blow to his arm as he blocks my parry, slicing him deeply in the forearm. It barely fazes him, and I make my next move as we engage in battle, one on one exchanging blow for blow, blocking, evading, and delivering slicing cut after slicing cut. All seem to just piss this guy off. I change tactics as I reach out to
my kindred through our link and ask for one of those fireballs she is still delivering with wicked aim. She spins and whips a fiery missile right in the face of my opponent before turning back to the enemy in front of her. The fireball to the face takes him off guard and allows me time to land several more life-threatening blows as my sword slices through vital organs finally bringing my opponent down.

  ​Before I can remove my sword from the enemy in front of me, another Fomorian leaps over the railing between Ashlinn and me. I watch as he lunges for my kindred and the scene slows down as I desperately try to move to intercept the blow he's about to deliver. She senses the threat and swings herself around just in time to see Garrik charge her assassin. He fully transforms in midair into his other form just before grappling with the enemy as the two go flying over the edge of the deck. Garrik? Where did he come from? Why is he here? Who cares at this point, he just saved my kindred.

  ​Ashlinn and I both run to the railing to see what is happening below. Garrik is vicious in his attack and quickly takes the Fomorian out. He roars his battle cry for all to hear. Tolin and Torin join in as their attackers have been taken down. The battle rages on. The Fomorians on the ground begin to gain purchase to the trees, and we have to prepare for an impending breach of the platform. Three more of our enemy are clamoring over the railing as we back up, trying to determine what our next move will be. As the first of many makes his way onto our platform a dark shadow dashes toward the warrior that is after one thing, Ashlinn. I soon realize that Rhespen has shifted and is taking on this Fomorian. His panther claws and canines latch on to the enemy, and the two are plunged backward toward the forest floor and out of sight. The two remaining Fomorians are beginning to hesitate as their numbers are dwindling. Rational thought is replacing their bloodlust as their survival instincts kick in. Ash pushes them back as she launches fireballs at their heads. I engage head on and attack each with my swords as they continue to cautiously advance. I slash at them repeatedly as my feline pushes to the forefront. My control is not what it should be, so I push him back down. Soon they are all cornered and are doing battle with the Forrest Elves as they begin to realize that they are now severely outnumbered. We spin around taking in the scene, and before we can even breathe easily, every Forrest Elf in the elven city begins whooping and cheering as the threat has been effectively taken out, for now. I look Ashlinn over making sure that she has not been injured.