Legends of Marithia: Book 2 - Darkness Rising (12 page)

“
I see now, but if you see
all, then why have you graced us with your presence?” Vartan
asked.

“
So powerful and
prophesised to save this world, but you still have a long journey
toward wisdom. Throughout the many ages, all true heroes share a
common trait. They are unlike others in their world, but they are
linked to our world, the realm of gods. We do not want Marithia to
fall into the underworld and can assist you greatly… but
everything
granted has a
price,” she continued.

“
I understand, please go
on,” he begged.

“
I will
restore your strength to you and grant you a gift. You will
be given a choice of enchantments and for all our sakes; I hope
that you choose wisely. Any choice will require the sacrifice of
one of our god’s souls.”

Vartan shook his head with
disagreement and his voice dropped as he spoke. ”That is too a high
price and burden to bear, mother.”

“
There are many gods, and
they regret their mistakes which led to the creation of Shindar,
the one who would destroy the world which we have lovingly created.
They want him back in the land of the gods, to be purified, and are
prepared to make an ultimate sacrifice to achieve it. He has grown
far too strong to be completely destroyed by anything or anyone in
your world, but there is one way that he can be sent to the gods
for punishment… he must be taken there, alive,” she
continued.

“
What! How!” he
exclaimed.

He could see the disappointment in her
eyes and lowered his head as he said, “My apologies Mother Dragon,
but this task is impossible. I was beaten by Kassina, and have yet
to face Shindar. I imagine that his powers well exceed those of his
apprentice. How in the name of Marithia could I possibly do
anything to control him while he is alive?”

“
The gods have many
creations, and there is another being that was sent to Marithia
with the fate of assisting you in ridding the world of Shindar. She
is known in Marithia as
Anakari
, and you need to find her,”
answered Mother Dragon.

“
Anakari, and where may she
be?” he asked.

“
I will do what I can to
help align your paths once you are ready to leave Trahoterra, you
will need her help with the task of dealing with Shindar,” she
continued.

“
What is the task?” he
asked.

“
There is a place, built by
the ancients that contains a portal to the world of the gods. It
will allow you to send Shindar to where he can never return, and
once that task is complete, you will have saved Marithia from this
apocalypse.”

Vartan proudly said, “I know that
place, it’s called She’Ma’Ryn.”

“
No, She’Ma’Ryn can only
take you to another world on your plane. The world of the gods can
only be reached by other means. The ancients called this place,
Daessar,” said Mother Dragon.

He remembered that Talonsphere had
spoken of that place as well and said knowingly, “Now it is all
starting to make sense, where do I find Daessar?”

“
Daessar had to be
protected and hidden from those that would wish to destroy it. As
such, the ancients built it under a veil of protection. I am unable
to locate it, but Anakari is your key to unlocking the way,” she
answered, “Now, you must choose your gift as this meeting is
swiftly coming to an end.”

“
I understand, but what are
my choices?”

“
There are five elements
for you to choose from and your body can only be enchanted by one
of them. They are water, fire, gold, soil, and wood. Each element
will grant you powers that will aid you in your journey, but the
choice must be yours.”

“
What powers will each
element grant me?”

“
This is not something that
I am able to answer for you and that is not how it is done. I can
only show you the doors, you must choose one to walk through and
discover what you find on the other side. Choose when you are
ready. I will begin to restore your strength to you while you
decide,” said Mother Dragon.

She laid Vartan on the water, keeping
him afloat on the surface. Blinking her eyes, the water began to
fall once more. Momentarily, Marithia fell into darkness as the sun
was blotted out by the moon in what appeared to be a solar
eclipse.

Yellow wisps flew out from the mouth
of the cave, gliding gracefully on the water which began to glow
with a pale white light. Vartan relaxed as the power of the waters
began to surge through his body, rebuilding his muscles and
repairing the damage. He felt a tingling sensation overcome his
senses.

Mother Dragon’s voice sang over the
water, “You must choose, now.”

Vartan’s imagination went wild with
the possibilities of what each element’s powers may enable him to
do, but his mind kept coming back to one element, water.

“
I choose water,” said
Vartan, putting his hopes on the element that right now was giving
him so much life.

“
As you wish,” answered
Mother Dragon.

In the star speckled sky, one bright
star shot across the darkness. Vartan thought that it was just a
shooting star, until he realised that the light was becoming
brighter and more focused. The spirit burst through Marithia’s
atmosphere, momentarily blinding anyone daring to gaze skyward and
came crashing down into the pool and into Vartan’s body.

His skin flashed, burned momentarily
and he felt as if a boulder had hit him. Bringing his hand to his
face, he noticed that even this simple movement felt different,
stronger, his body had grown considerably in strength.

“
I don’t know what else to
say but thank you Mother Dragon,” said Vartan.

The wisps returned into the darkness
of the cave and the sun was slowly let free of its binding. “It is
done. Until we meet again, Vartan,” said Mother Dragon, letting go
of Vartan and returning to the form of the water dragon.

Vartan stood warily and slowly headed
out of the Weeping Falls, toward Trisa and his awaiting clothes. He
walked on the surface of the water as if it had solidified
underneath him.

Trisa stared in disbelief
at the changed man stepping confidently out of the falls. Her face
was ghostly in appearance as she said, “I have seen many wondrous
things in my years, but I have
never
seen anything to equal
that.”

Chapter 9 : Demon’s
Trail

“
The battle has been won,
but the journey before us is plagued with shadows.

My remaining knights’ spirits are high
and our army grows in the new city of Veldrenn.

I have seen the most unlikely of
alliances take place as we unite to face a common enemy. Humans and
elves that previously had grievances are putting their history
aside for the benefit of all Marithians.

Alliances, bonds, community… these are
key ingredients to our success in the war with Shindar.”

(Sir Dryden – Knight of the
Elves)

The sound of leaves crushing under her
horse’s hooves became almost hypnotic in the chilled night air. A
hooded cloak made of sheepskin was her sole source of warmth, but
each foggy breath expelled from her lungs reminded her that she
needed to find shelter, fast.

Holding a lantern in her ice cold
hands, lit by the spell of moon glow, was the only way she could
see within the darkness. Feeling that the roads were unsafe, she
chose to head through the forest in the general direction of the
nearest town, Crondor. Rumours said the town had been untouched by
the Forces of Darkness. She had been taught to read the stars to
guide her, but the forests were so thick that the stars were lost
to her and she couldn’t find her way.

Her heart pounded and
breaths quickened.
It’s been far too long
now, I should have already arrived at Crondor
.

In an effort to calm her nerves, she
parted her soft lips and began to sing a Marithian folk
song.

“
Set the sails, wave
goodbye.”

“
We take to the
sea.”

“
O’ where is my lover, my
heart grows fonder.”

“
Where will my lover
be?”

Anakari was born with a natural gift
of song, but she rarely shared that gift with anyone aside from
Aldorus. He loved nothing more than hearing her soothing voice as
they relaxed around their fireplace in the evenings. Like honey to
bread, her sweet voice enveloped the forest around her. She was
completely unaware that someone else was in the forest, watching
her ever so closely.

“
I travel so far, from my
home town.”

“
Travel to lands far
away.”

“
To find…”

Her song was interrupted by a flaming
arrow piercing through the air and landing a few feet ahead of her
horse which whinnied and reared in panic. The flame flickered
wildly for a moment before quickly growing and snaking its way
around Anakari in a perfect circle.

The bitter cold forest was forgotten
as her heart raced to keep up with her adrenaline. Dropping her
lantern in a fumbled attempt to balance and calm her horse, she
uttered a spell that armed her and engulfed her hands in blue
flames.

“
Who goes there!” yelled
Anakari into the darkness, puffing steaming breaths before her.
Pumping blood hammered inside her ears.

She heard rustling in the trees around
her. Something was darting between them, but was hidden within the
darkness.

A woman’s voice from high
in the trees blurted, “Why do you make
so
much noise? Stay still! Demons
are near, watching us from the darkness.”

Anakari’s head flicked around in
panic, searching for signs of movement in the darkness. She threw
small, blue fireballs and saw glimpses of shadows darting between
the trees.

Her voice heightened as she screamed,
“Demons? What are they? I was heading to Crondor, I am lost, please
put out these flames! They’re frightening my horse!”

The mysterious woman’s
laugh cackled, “What little you know… the flames are
protecting
both you and
your horse. No demon would dare cross them to get to you. Crondor?
You are far from the path to Crondor. Now, stay perfectly
still!”

“
I will do as you say, but
I am not useless; I want to help.”

The flames danced and licked the air
around her. The only sound was her rapid breathing. Then, she heard
them. They rustled through the forest, gaining ground on her
position.

After several silent seconds went by,
a tall, strong woman burst from the tree top, performed a reverse
somersault to land cleanly on her feet in front of her, a newly
drawn flaming arrow almost died out in the speed of her fall. The
woman concentrated over Anakari’s shoulder, her stretched bow
creaked as it strained in her grip.

Anakari couldn’t help but stare at the
woman’s face. She saw small scars on her right cheek and
neck.

Her face hardened as she ordered, “Get
down!”

“
Alright!” replied Anakari,
shaking off her hood and laying on her horse. Anakari’s silver hair
draped down her shoulders and onto the horse, her long elven ears
poking through. It felt as if time slowed down events took place in
slow motion. Anakari’s heavy heartbeat and deep breathing filled
her senses.

Anakari watched as the fiery glow of
the arrow move past her. The sound of a demon shrieking was heard
soon after. She began to lift her head and caught sight of Yuski,
her protector, running toward her in full flight, shooting her a
frustrated glance and mouthing ‘Stay down!’

Yuski reached behind her shoulder for
another arrow, holding it in her vice-like grip as if it were a
sword. A shadow demon extended its shiny claws as it launched at
her, its dark form shifting through the air. Yuski screamed as she
twisted sideways to pound the arrow through the demon’s skull. It
crashed to the ground, scurrying away from the circle of
flames.

In one smooth motion, Yuski prepared a
fresh arrow and flicked her fingers beside it to activate the spell
within. Taking aim, she fired it deep into the chest of another
shadow demon, spitting on it in disgust.

Taking a moment to calm her breathing,
she returned to Anakari. As she turned away from the stricken
creature, the magic arrow burst into flames and the shadow demon
disintegrated slowly into the ground.

Yuski prepared a fresh arrow, unsure
yet of their safety, and circled the barrier of fire with her back
to Anakari. Like an eagle waiting to strike, she hunted for
prey.

When Yuski completed her patrol and
extinguished her arrow, Anakari’s heartbeat slowed down and she
breathed normally again.

Yuski looked over the elf, her face
full of distrust. She reached into her pocket and stared at
something glowing within. Hesitating for a moment, she drew another
arrow and pointed it directly at Anakari’s heart.

The elf drew a sharp breath and raised
her fists at the ready.