by Bri Sailor
Cora stared at him blankly. “I still don’t understand. What do you mean?”
Oldrin’s eyes twinkled. “In time, my Priestess. In time. For now, I do believe you came searching for guidance.”
“But—’’ Cora attempted to gather herself and cleared her throat. “Yes. I am sure that you have felt, as I, the disturbances coming from the Temple of Ages. The Seal has been fractured. I have seen it with my own eyes. I seek to repair it before the Darkness within is released once more upon this world.”
The old priest grew serious. “Yes. I have felt the ominous goings on. I have been investigating into the occurrence that happened a few weeks ago. As much as I hate it, I have had to consult these abominable tomes.” He gestured to the books in the glass cases.
“What do you think it was?” Cora leaned in. “I thought I was witnessing the deaths of my friends. Their eyes were glowing brighter than I have ever seen. When they awoke they said it was like their bodies were being consumed from the inside out by invisible flames.” Tears formed in her eyes. “There was nothing I could do. I have never felt so powerless in my life.”
Oldrin nodded. “I see. Very interesting. Similar happenings occurred here in the temple. Many of my priests and guards fell victim to the unseen fire. How familiar are you with the prophecies regarding the scourge known as Béloneras?”
“The Weapon of the Goddess shall be born incarnate of Twin Souls. The One will bear the mark of the Goddess and wield her Soul. Blood and the Jewel opens the way to the Hidden, and Darkness has no power. The final barrier against Malice, the Ever Dark, lies in the Temple. The Spirit of the Fallen will destroy the Royal Sun and Moon. The Realm unites the Souls. Death or the Spirit opens the way for the Dragon.” Recited the priestess perfectly.
“Mm.” grunted the priest. “I thought as much. The priesthood of the Aznurro has slipped just as far as the rest. I had hoped…”
Cora’s ears burned. “Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean? I have led—”
Oldrin held up a hand. “My apologies, High Priestess. I did not mean to offend. What you have been taught is…not the whole truth. Err, rather, those that trained you were not fully aware themselves.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“The phrasing is off. I have spent my entire life, devoted, to deciphering the glyphs and prophecies left long ago by the gods. The Twin Souls are not two halves of a whole, yet they are One. They are actually two separate entities. Ailana created two keys, or guardians, if you will, to prevent the Ever Dark from ravaging the Realm of the Gods and spilling into the world of men.”
Cora sat frozen as she hung on his every word.
“When the Dragons gave up their immortal lives and powers to seal away their fallen brother, the Mälgrav made one final push to take over the Realm of the Gods. To prevent them from succeeding the Goddess used the power of the two souls, or keys, to create a magical barrier to forever divide the Darkness from the Light. These guardians draw their power from both the Light and the Dark, transmuting both into a raw power that has no agenda, and follows the only purpose of their creation: Balance.”
The priestess hung on his every word.
“However, Béloneras placed a curse on these beings. Influencing and forcing one towards the Darkness and the other left in the void, neither Light nor Dark. Disrupting their balance. He knew that the Goddess had intended for them to be the gatekeepers between the Realms as well as the world of men. He believed that by corrupting them he would be able to one day free himself. The Seal that lies within the Temple of Ages is not the seal that imprisons Béloneras.”
“That’s impossible.” Defended Cora. “My friends… when Lusha used their blood on the Seal it reacted. I felt it, you felt it. It released a powerful evil.”
Oldrin stopped and his face turned white. “You’ve found the gatekeepers?” he sat on the edge of his chair. “Does Lusha know of their existence? But of course! That would explain the disturbance…”
“Yes. But I don’t think she is fully aware. She knows that the blood of twins is necessary. If she ascribes to the same prophecy as we all have been taught, then it’s easy to see why she believes Ehren and Atreyis are the ones.” Replied Cora.
“How do you mean?” Oldrin laced his fingers.
“Queen Arainya bore them during the last eclipse. Like the prophecy says, twin souls, born of the sun and the moon.”
He stroked his beard. “Intriguing. The remarkable birth that the world had heard of by their first breaths. I had wondered. But that would be too simple. Obvious. Vulnerable…”
Cora interrupted his musings. “So if the Seal in the Temple is not what we think, then what is it?”
The priest returned to the conversation. “Ahem. Yes. The same barrier that divides the Darkness from the Light in the Realm of the Gods is the same that keeps Béloneras trapped in a timeless void. According to my research, the Seal that you know is actually a gateway. When the Dragons took on mortal forms they were still powerful priests, the first actually, that each temple order descended from. They sealed away their true powers for the day when they would be needed again. They knew that their brother was too powerful and that one day he might be released. To give mankind a chance, and to protect the heavenly realms, they sealed away the true power of the Dragons. What the Descended possess now is only part of their potential.”
Cora could hardly process what he was saying. “Wait. Then why is Lusha trying to break the seal that houses their power? Where is the other seal? Why hasn’t she gone after it?”
“Simply because she is not aware. Yet. Is my guess.” Said Oldrin softly. “With every day that her power grows the closer she comes to realizing that her original target is the wrong one. Lusha may have great powers, my Priestess, but she does not share the same connection that all Descended have.”
Cora’s eyes lit up. “She isn’t Descended is she?”
“No.” said Oldrin gravely. “Though I’m not entirely sure what she is. She is mortal, but appears to be something else. In the meantime we can take comfort that the location and existence of the true Seal remains hidden to her, even if it is hidden from us as well.”
The priestess rubbed her eyes, they suddenly felt tired. “She used their blood though. She used Atreyis’ and Ehren’s blood and the Seal reacted. The Keeper saw it with her own eyes.”
“Yes. I understand. That I am still not sure of myself. My best guess is that because the blood is that of the Goddess’ creations, the Seal recognized it in some way. From what I felt, I would say that we have been shown a taste of what lies waiting to be released.” Oldrin stood up and paced. “Yes, that might be it. ‘Blood and the Jewel opens the way to the Hidden, and Darkness has no power. The final barrier against Malice, the Ever Dark, lies in the Temple. The Spirit of the Fallen will destroy the Royal Sun and Moon. The Realm unites the Souls. Death or the Spirit opens the way for the Dragon.’ From what I have deciphered from the Gateway, or Seal, in the Temple of Ages is a little different. And it is starting to make sense thanks to your friends’ blood.”
He rummaged through his papers a moment. Soon he found what he wanted and cleared his throat. “The way to the Hidden knows the Blood, but the Jewel opens to where Darkness strives for power. The barrier that holds Malice, the Ever Dark, lies in the Temple. The Spirit of the Fallen One will destroy the Royal ones born of an Eclipse of Light and Dark. When the blood of the Gatekeepers runs the Earth red, the Barrier will fade and the Realm will unite the Fragmented and Forgotten. Death allows for the Dragon. The Soul Goddess Incarnate will bring about the Union, and the End.”
He handed the parchment to Cora. She sat in silence for a few minutes reading it. She felt the familiar tingling sensation in the middle of her forehead. She reached up and rubbed the spot. Was everything she had been taught wrong? Had the priests that trained her been wrong? And what of the Watchers? If they weren’t guarding the true Seal, then who was? And where was it?
Oldrin could sense
the girl’s fear and confusion. “There’s no reason to be afraid, Cora.”
She put down the parchment. “Do the other Quinmor priests believe as you do? Or are they as misguided as my own?”
The man paused a moment, he seemed to be debating something. After a few tense moments he spoke softly.
“Cora, I am not of the Quinmor Priesthood. True, I live here and have practiced beside them for many, many years, but no, I am not one of them. Though they do not know this.”
He looked around to make sure that they were alone. He discretely mumbled an incantation under his breath and used a quill and ink to draw a small rune on the table. It flashed and a blanket of silence fell around them. He then sat down at the table and spoke just above a whisper.
“This spell won’t last but a few moments. I belong to a much more ancient line of priests. An order that put an end to another ancient order that had dedicated themselves to freeing Béloneras.”
Cora’s heart stopped.
Oldrin smiled. “I am Vvárríó Órhér.”
The tingling in her forehead increased.
“A Protector?” she couldn’t believe it. “But they…they were only legend. The existence of such an Order was never proven. The White Priests were wiped out by the kings of old. The Order was something contrived to strike fear into the hearts of those that were of the White Priesthood. A faceless foe to hunt them down.”
Oldrin closed his eyes and took a cleansing breath and silently sent up a prayer to the Goddess to give the girl some peace and understanding.
“Cora…”
A breathless voice softly echoed in the library chamber. All the hair on the back of Cora’s arms and neck stood on end. She recognized that voice. She looked over at Oldrin, he seemed oblivious to what was going on. Her heart began to pound and she looked up to the vaulted ceiling high above. Small orbs of light danced in the sunlight streaming through the windows.
Oldrin followed her gaze but saw nothing. “What do you see, High Priestess?”
The voice came again.
“S’ryumm, nth S’híémh. S’ryumm. Oldrin m’réáhm s’hé l’ryunh.”
Cora looked wide-eyed at the old priest. He nodded in return.
“As I have said, in time you will see. There is so much I must tell you and must teach you. Not yet. For now, we find the crystal pieces that you need. We must release what was sealed long ago by our forebears. The dormant power that lies within all Descended must be unleashed in order to stop Lusha, and to stop Béloneras.”
The priestess’ lofty eyes returned to earth. “Do you know where to find them? Or at least where to find the half that lies in your kingdom?”
“As for the others sadly, no.” frowned Oldrin. “However, I know where to find the Jewel of Morlex. When the steward rose to power he absconded with any relics that he believed could increase his power. The shard you seek appears as a necklace much like your own. Fortunately, he had not discovered what it really is. Nor does he possess the ability of the ancient magics to unlock it. If he were to I fear it would be instantly handed over to his master. You know her well, I believe. He only acts as if Ultrek is his king.”
Cora looked into his warm hazel eyes and felt an odd jolt of electricity shoot through her spine. There was more to this man than meets the eye.
He continued. “You and your friends are going to need some help to retrieve that necklace. I believe there is someone that can be of some assistance to you. She resides within this temple, kept safe from those that would wish her harm. A few meager spells keep her both protected and prisoner unfortunately.”
The priestess was intrigued. “Who?”
“Her name is Joslette. She can be found in the observatory at the top of the temple. Tell her that I have sent you and that the time has come.” There was a twinkle in his eyes.
Cora was a little hesitant to leave such a wealth of knowledge so soon. “I’ll go fetch her then. Thank you for everything. If we are successful I will come back to tell you in person. There’s so much more I wish to discuss with you.”
“Of course, Priestess. It’s been many years since I have met someone with such a pure heart and thirst for knowledge. I must thank you for your visit. Should you need me, I’ll be there.”
Cora, decorum aside, gave him a hug and dashed off to the stairs. Hopefully this Joslette would know the whereabouts of the necklace. The top of the stairs opened up into a domed glass skylight. Various green plants and beautiful flowers filled the warm room. In the center was a woman sitting on an overstuffed pillow, meditating. She appeared to be older than herself but younger than Queen Arainya. Her curly black hair flowed off of her shoulders and stood out against the deep purple and orange robes. Cora quietly padded into the room.
“Ahem.” She politely cleared her throat.
The woman’s eyes fluttered open and she looked over at her guest. Her brown eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
“Hello.” Smiled Joslette.
“Hello.” Nodded Cora. “Sorry for the intrusion. My name is Cora. I am a priestess from the Aznurro kingdom. I traveled here with my friends in search of something very old and very powerful. Oldrin has informed me that you might be able to help. He said that ‘the time has come’.”
“I see.” Joslette stood up. “I am Joslette. And if Oldrin sent you that means you need help getting into the palace.”
“I would assume.” Said Cora. “He said that the steward has it in his possession.”
Joslette laughed softly. “I am intimately familiar with the layout of the palace.”
Cora nodded. “To be frank I am confused as to why your help is necessary. One of my compatriots that I am travelling with is just as intimately familiar with the palace, I am sure.”
Joslette walked over to the priestess and placed a hand on her shoulder. “If guide is not the role that I am to play, then there must be something else that I am to do for you. Sometimes you just have to go on blind faith. That’s what I’ve come to learn during my time here.”
“I understand. We are hiding in a safe place I assure you, though it is a little rough on the edges.”
“Lead the way, Priestess.”
Electricity flowed through Cora’s veins as she raced down the stairs with Joslette in tow. Her mind was reeling and she nearly ran into Taryn towards the bottom of the stairs.
“We need to get back. Quickly.” She said in a hushed tone to the guard.
Taryn looked over Joslette. “Who’s this?”
“Someone who is here to help.” Replied the woman.
“Don’t worry.” Interjected the priestess. “I met with Oldrin. He told me, well, quite a bit. But this is Joslette. She is going to help us retrieve the crystal.”
“So you did find him?” asked Riker. “What did he say?”
Cora looked around the temple.
“Not here.” She said quietly. “It is imperative that we get back to the tavern first. There is much I have to tell all of you.”
Cora restrained herself as best she could and held her head high again with an air of authority as they slowly made their way through the temple. A large group of worshippers was just leaving. Joslette ducked down and hid within them, seemingly unnoticed by the guards. Cora gracefully made her way down the steps flanked by Taryn and Riker. They met up on the street and set off towards the tavern, not seeing two of the guards whispering to each other and motioning to a third.
Chapter 7
The guard’s clothes fit her surprisingly well. In addition to the helmet, Ky had tucked her hair into her shirt collar. Keeping her head low she plunged into the heart of the barracks. Her face was hard and anyone who dared to make eye contact with her quickly looked at the ground and moved out of her way. The warrior knew she was being brash, but she didn’t care. The familiar numbness in her chest was twisted with rage, self-loathing, and dare she admit it, humiliation. She had failed to keep Iyara safe and had allowed her own ego to take over her better sense.
The barrack
s were different compared to the ones at the palace. They were more spread out and squat with large practice yards and target ranges. Her eyes shifted around as she tried to remember which building housed the officers. The smallest building caught her eye and a faint memory resurfaced, odd, there used to be a purple banner hanging over the doorway. The foot traffic had slowed and there were only a few guards around. She glanced around before calmly ducking into the officers’ quarters. Rows of empty beds greeted her as she rounded the corner.
“Damn.” She cursed under her breath.
“What are you doing, soldier?” barked a gruff voice from behind.
Ky jumped a bit and turned around. A severely stern-looking face of a lower officer stared her down.
“I asked you once, what are you doing in here, soldier? Why aren’t you with your patrol squad?” He glanced at her uniform. “You should be near the markets.”
