Chapter One
1.1
The bitter cold wind sliced through the thick furs and animal skins, numbing the middle-aged man to his bones. It had been many winters since he remembered the temperatures be as harsh, but food was still needed to feed his family, so despite the obvious discomfort and pain, he had trekked on, in hopes of reaching his next destination on the merchant path. All he had to look forward too in this simple mining city was the warm tavern fire, and hot soup. In his mind's eye, he visualized sitting by a nicely stoked fire, its heat warming him to the core with a mug of ale to assist. So deep in his imagining, that he didn't notice the black smoke spreading across the dismal grey sky. When his clear blue eyes opened, his wishful thinking immediately ceased, as the menacing fumes alerted him that something wasn't right.
Pulling on the reins of the beast he rode on, its protest went unnoticed as the man continued to watch the smoke gradually fade into ebony clouds. His entire life, he had grown up around mining and the smelting of metal. The smoke he saw now was far too dark to be coming from the blacksmiths or mine shafts. This was a cause for worry, because even he, a merchant knew this, which meant the experts in the city should know it too. A knot settled in his stomach as the snow covered path wound around the mountain side. In only a few minutes the hidden city would come into view, and his gut was telling him not to go any further.
The wagon behind him creaked and groaned along as if agreeing with his gut, but the items inside the protected transport beckoned to be bought and traded. He had never passed over a city in his route, and he certainly wasn't going to start now despite his mind's protests. Without warning, a blast of gut wrenching odor hit him straight on, and he instantly gagged. Caught off guard, his eyes watered as he turned to hide his face behind his forearm. It took some time before he recovered, as his mount too seemed affected by the horrific smell. When the tears finally ceased to stream down his cheeks as small icy pellets, his glassy blue eyes looked ahead, and he felt his heart stop.
Where the magnificent metal mining city once stood was nothing but ruins and smoke. Small fires could still be seen here and there licking at the remnants of flammable goods within the limits of the mountain's security. The odor that wafted in the bitter cold air around him was of burnt flesh. This realization made the bile in his sore throat rise, and burn. He didn't want to come to turns with the idea, but he was the only one able too. And if there were survivors...
A massive crowd surged through the large arching doorway, the sun's afternoon rays showering down upon them, highlighting their cheerful, jubilant faces. An oversized path led them away from the routine congregation; the atmosphere surrounding them was filled with the merry noise of laughter and mundane chatter. A young boy with startling blue eyes pushed himself through the wall of people, his expression clearly fearful, while his feet obviously ran with a destination in mind. The people that passed him watched him run by, their happiness temporarily overshadowed by the worry and curiosity that crashed over them upon his passing. Just as soon as these feelings appeared, they faded away once the small child vanished from their sights.
A small gathering of beautiful women stood talking near the center of the long and broad hall. They were a short distance from a raised platform that was reached by stairs. At the top of the platform was an elaborate throne, gold detail etched into its wood surface. Sitting in the awing seat was a woman far surpassing the beauty of the women in the chamber, as well as the chair she sat in. Her hair was paler than the glow of the sun’s halo, and her eyes seemed to be the embodiment of spring, the bright green hue speckled with a darker shade almost glowing. She watched the youth hurriedly approach her, the large doors still open, their faded grey surfaces reflecting the sunlight of the outside. It was obvious he was nervous and frightened, as he knelt on the marble floor at the foot of the stairs, showing his respect. Wordlessly, she stood and quietly descended to the boy’s level. A graceful smile lit her face, intensifying her beauty.
The boy was a mixture of anxiety and distress, his body both shaking and heaving. He remained in his kneeling position, not sure of what his next move should be. He’d never before been in the presence of her majesty, and he was desperately trying to remain calm, so he wouldn’t make a fool of himself. The news he bore felt as if it were ripping his heart out, the idea that it was true was unfathomable to the child. Breaking away from his thoughts, he heard his queen gently tell him to stand. Straightening his back and pulling back his shoulders, he tried to stand as tall as possible, while still keeping his eyes aimed on the ground. Waiting a minute, she was about to ask him why he was there when he opened his mouth.
“Your majesty, Terra has been attacked!” The boy blurted it out before he could hold his tongue. The room went immediately silent, he hadn’t realized how loud he’d yelled, and a blush instantly fired up his cheeks. Whipping around, he remembered the women behind them and looked at them with wide eyes. They returned the expression; not believing what the child had said was true. He turned back around slowly and stole his first glance at the woman in front of him. Awestruck by her unearthly beauty, he blinked a couple times before realizing she had been speaking to him. Embarrassed, the youth’s crystal blue irises darted back to the ground, as he listened.
“Calm down and please explain to me what has happened.”
The queen sat in her throne deep in thought, her jade green eyes clouded with trouble. She had sent the boy away—assigned with a new mission of fetching her daughter—a short time ago. She’d also asked the group of women who had overheard the news to leave after reassuring them. Once their terrified chatter had faded away, she was left to her thoughts. The presence of her daughter’s approach broke her free as her dazed eyes focused on the figure that had burst into the hall. The young woman was almost a mirror image of her mother, the only difference being her darker green eyes and lighter, much shorter hair. When the young maiden had reached her mother’s side, she fell to her knees and grasped her mother’s porcelain hands with her own. The girl’s emerald eyes were terrified, and nearly over flowing with tears. Her mother caressed her daughter’s hands gently.
“Kira, it is not as bad as it seems, so you must calm down. Alright?” The queen’s voice was relaxed, soothing her daughter’s nerves slightly. Taking a couple deep breaths, Kira regained her composure and pulling her hands away, stood next to the silver throne. She straightened her training armor and attempted to look as presentable to her mother as possible.
“Mother, what has become of the royal family and the guardians?” Her voice quivered with uneasiness. Betraying her true emotions, her small hands wrung the worn azure fabric of her outfit almost to the point of tearing. Just as the queen was about to reply, she turned her emerald gaze back to the large doors where a small group of three young women had just entered. They each wore similar attire to that of the princess, with minor colour variations. Kira’s eyes remained locked on her mother’s face, the worry and anxiety she felt not disturbed at all by the presence of her comrades. Sensing the intensity of the younger woman’s gaze, she spoke while her eyes remained calmly watching the approach of the others.
“The royal family was fortunately nowhere near the location of the attack; they are all well, as are the guardians who were with them.” The older woman showed no emotion as she spoke, but seeing the relief that washed over her daughter’s face brought a small twinkle to her eye. When the new arrivals reached the foot of the staircase, they bowed simultaneously, and remained there, awaiting instructions from their queen, “I need you all to get prepared for our guests. Prince Caedmon and his guardians have been invited to visit, so we may discuss the amount of damage Terra has suffered. Kira, please inform your group of the events that have taken place. I will ask you all to be ready by the top of the hour.” Finishing her dismissal, the four young women nodded their heads and quietly left the chamber. The angelic queen was left alone with her troubled thoughts. There hasn’t been something like this in centuries. What, or who could have possibly done this, for what reason and to what end? Breaking away from her questions, she stood and looked around at her surroundings. A knot had settled in the pit of her stomach, one that she knew meant that bad things were going to happen.
The sound of her sandals tapping on the marble floor echoed throughout the hall, as she gracefully stepped along its path. The sun peered in the giant windows which were located close to the ceiling of the chamber, the rays illuminating the large portraits that hung on the walls, lining the entire corridor. Each one getting gradually older in age, although still as elegant and breathtaking as the day it had been created. They portrayed scenes of epic battles, landscapes and monuments. One such painting caught the queen’s attention as she paused and looked at the image before her.
The painting itself was most likely almost as old as the events that it had captured. It was obvious, that layers of ancient magic had been woven into the paint to make sure that it lasted possibly forever. Her emerald eyes gazed at it and could remember it from the time she was a child. Only now, it seemed to take on a whole new meaning.
It had been a forbidden picture for a long time, only those of royal blood were allowed to set eyes on it, for what it represented was no light topic, it was something that cast a shadow on even the happiest of persons. So it remained in the hall for centuries, going unnoticed by most who wandered by, but every so often a passerby would glance at it, and become entranced, before wandering off again, chills as their reminder of what they saw. Which is what happened to the woman standing before it now.
Finally she turned away and closed her jade green eyes, in hopes that the image would leave her, but there was no such luck. The setting was a myriad of greys and black, although closer to the center a large halo of light flashed out in contrast. Overall, the painting wouldn’t have seemed so sinister except for one thing. In the middle of the large orb of light stood a figure, depicting the triumph of good. In the figure’s hands was the crystal of light. One of the most powerful relics in the universe. Where the ground ended in a hill, another shadow was visible, except this one had a much more menacing aura. It almost looked like a silhouette, its features invisible beneath the black cover. It was obvious what this malicious entity represented, but the scariest part was the strange vine that had originated from the dark character and wrapped itself up the leg of the figure holding the light crystal.
What the painting meant, was that even though the good, or the light had triumphed, it was only temporary because the evil would soon enough try to conquer once again what it claimed as its right to possess, and that maybe even the light would turn into the darkness. For in everyone, was the seed of evil, just as much as there was the will for good.
