by Alana Grerig
“No, I’m not going to open it. I am going to take it to the border between our realms and bury it. He and his siblings were halflings. It seems fitting they be buried there.” Not quite understanding, but willing to accept what she said, Caleb closed the distance between them and took her hand.
“Come, we need to get home; your mother will be waiting for you,” he reminded her, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
“I can’t go home just yet. We need to return to Gloria and make sure Bobby is returned home. I also need to inform Maximus and the Protectors of the loss of two of the bravest creatures I have ever known, and tell them how, without their help, we would not have succeeded.” A single tear escaped and rolled down her cheek. Caleb then explained that Eli had already left for Gloria to find Bobby and inform the Royals of their victory. He would then travel to Olia under the protection of the Royal guard to deliver the news to Maximus and the Protectors.
“I know you would like to go yourself, but, right now, Hermoria is in ruins. I think we need to get there as soon as possible and help where we can. Winter is waiting in the portal chamber; she didn’t want to leave for home without first saying goodbye.”
Agreeing, though reluctantly, Eve allowed Caleb to lead her to the portal chamber where Winter was waiting for them.
“So, I guess this is where we say goodbye. It was an experience, I guess. Maybe now that I have helped save the world, my father might lay off me getting hitched for a while!” Winter laughed. Eve smiled at her new friend. She was always making jokes when the situation became emotionally charged or difficult. Walking over to her, Eve embraced the vampire princess.
“Thank you for everything. I know what it cost you to come here, and I am so sorry I could not return the stone to you.”
Winter just shrugged. “It’s okay. I got to battle the ultimate evil, sire a halfling, and score major brownie points back home. I know my mum would be proud, and that is all that matters.” She smiled at her two new friends. Then, turning to the midnight blue portal, she gracefully leapt into its swirling depths.
“I know we will be seeing her again,” Caleb said, chuckling, “if only for her sense of humour!”
Eve suddenly remembered something: the moonstone! Maximus had said that it was a key. Turning from Caleb, she ran back through the fortress to the copper vault, her bag banging against her hips as she ran. Once in front of the copper doors, she removed the moonstone from its hiding place. She looked over the door’s intricately carved surfaces. Where was the hole for the stone? There had been one for the Aurora Stone, so surely there must be one here somewhere! Caleb shot into the room, looking ready for battle. Seeing that there was no danger, he walked over to Eve and put his arm around her waist.
“What is it? What caused you to dash back here, of all places, so quickly?” he asked. Eve showed him the moonstone.
“Maximus told me this was also a key, and I thought that since the stone of the morning opened this, perhaps the moonstone might lock it forever,” she replied, feeling a little foolish for thinking such a thing. Caleb stared in wonder at the girl he would have died for. She was completely right! Taking the stone from her, he held it against the seam of the doors. “Cal, what are you doing?” Eve asked. Smiling back at her, he just continued to stand holding the milky stone to the doors. Eve then realised what he was doing, but he was missing a vital part of the key, her blood. Drawing her dagger from its sheath, Eve bit her bottom lip and drew the blade across her palm. Moving quickly, she placed her bloodied hand over the stone. The result was almost immediate. The moonstone glowed with a beautiful pearlescent light. As it drew in Eve’s blood, the light turned a rose pink. “Beautiful.” Caleb muttered.
“Let the stone go, Cal. It knows what to do. I can feel its need to change, to become what is was destined to be,” Eve said. Not questioning her, Caleb removed his fingers from the stone. As soon as he had, it began to melt, filling the seam of the door and then finding its way into the carved surface. They watched in awe as the doors turned from copper to silver. Eve sighed.
“The prophecy has been fulfilled. Take me home, Cal.”
Holding hands, Eve and Caleb made their way back to the portal chamber. Together they walked across the room to stand before another portal. “This one is green like the new leaves of spring,” Eve said. She made sure the box was secure under her arm. Then, turning to Caleb, she smiled and said, “So, I guess you are the first suitor I have ever brought home to meet my mother.”
Leaning down to place a chaste kiss on her soft lips, Caleb replied, “I will also be the last!”
With that thought hanging between them, Eve and Caleb stepped into the portal.
***
The rebuilding and subsequent building of memorials of all who fell during the Battle of the Darkness took many months. During that time, Eli made his first visit to Hermoria and helped his kinsmen rebuild their homes and their hope. Gwen was overjoyed to have Eve return to her. As promised, she baked a huge cake, which Eve ate a hearty portion of. She was so thankful her mother had survived the conflict.
Gwen had had the foresight to gather all the children of the village and flee to Reena’s home, where they had been safe. Though she was pleased to have saved so many young, Gwen was plagued by nightmares of all those who had died. Caleb was a great distraction for her. She kept hinting about weddings and being a grandmother. Eve and Caleb just smiled. Maybe in time, those things would come, but right now they just wanted to live in the moment.
One month after their return, Eve received a missive from Olia. It was a request for her and Caleb’s attendance at the memorial of Jericho and Sapphire. So, once again, Caleb and Eve prepared to enter the realm of the owl riders, only this time the trip was a lot quicker. They travelled by ley line, and knowing where they were headed also helped.
Maximus seemed much older than the last time they had seen him. The great Miscurt was greyer, and his eyes had lost some of their sparkle. The ceremony was to be held on the lakeside, Jericho’s most treasured place. It was where he had taken Eve to meet Sapphire almost two years ago. There were many Protectors there to honour both Jericho and Sapphire. Maximus took the stand and spoke of a great warrior, leader and warm-hearted kinsman.
“We shall all miss Jericho’s presence here. You could not have wished to know a better creature than him.” Eve was moved to see tears pooling in the Miscurts eyes. Taking a breath, Maximus continued, “It is hard to lose one you are so fond of. It is harder still, to lose your only son. I wish I had spent more time showing him how much he meant to me.” With that, Maximus broke down.
Eve rushed to his side, “I am so, so sorry; I wish we had known. Please, just know that Jericho died as he had lived, with a smile on his face, a sword in his hand, and hope in his heart.”
Maximus looked into Eve’s ever-changing eyes and gave her a watery smile. “You are a good girl. I am pleased to have met you, and I know my son would not have laid down his life for someone unless he thought them special. You will always be welcome here, both you and Caleb. “
“Thank you. We will visit often. And, if you permit it, we will regale your mighty people with Jericho’s quest to save, not just Olia, but the whole of Orea.” Maximus nodded his thanks and then left to speak with others who had attended. Eve moved towards the Protectors. She just wanted to tell them how sorry she was and how much she missed dear Sapphire. Before she reached them, she felt one of them prod at her telepathically. Opening the connection, Eve allowed the words to flow freely.
Please do not be sad, Light Carrier. Sapphire met her destiny. We are honoured to have been a part of your quest and know that you and Sapphire shared a special bond. Hold that bond close to your heart, and she will never truly leave you.
Eve just nodded, her tears choking her, and turned back to where Caleb was waiting for her. Taking her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go home.”
“Yes, I know. We are expecting Eli, Bobby, and Winter a
ny day now, so I want to be prepared for their arrival,” Eve said, some of her sparkle returning at the thought of seeing her twin and the vampire princess. Caleb chuckled. “Yes, I cannot wait to hear all about how many brownie points she actually scored saving the world. Now hold tight.”
Eve gripped her soul mate and felt the bottom fall out her stomach as they shot upward to catch the emerald green ley line that would carry them home.
***
It is important to remember that even though this battle of light and dark is over, there will always be another enemy of the light. But no matter how mighty the army or how terrifying the foe, the light will always prevail.
Darkness cannot survive when light is cast upon it.
Aura colours and their meanings
This is my interpretation on the colours. There are many sites online, but, for the purposes of the story, these are the ones I have used:
White:
New Energy, Truth, Purity
Yellow:
Mentally Alert, Optimist, Happy.
Green:
Balance, Growth, Change, Love of Nature and Living Creatures.
Purple:
Wise, Compassionate, Visionary.
Brown:
Greedy, Self-Absorbed, Closed Mind, Negative Energy.
Black:
Unforgiving nature, Past Life Problems, Unreleased Anger, Grief.
