The Elf and the King of Reinhold

Temple

Lyrei looked to Ellie with curious eyes as she found the woman seated upon the bed. She gave a gentle smile. “Oh, yes…I slept well enough.” She spoke and cleared her throat slightly. She was not quite ready to speak of her dream. She had not made out just what the dream meant or if it was merely a dream from the excitement of the recent events. She imagined that was the case. She had been through a great deal in the past week. Her mind could certainly be playing tricks upon her. The princess turned as Ellie told her to wait. As the woman adjusted her cloak and made the comment a slight smirk came over her lips, “Oh…thank you…um…” She stumbled over the words slightly as she looked to the cloak that was flattened out nicely now. “I suppose I am not used to dressing myself without my assistant.” A laugh came over her lips then.

Lyrei watched as Ellie pulled out the sword, she furrowed her brows slightly. “Um…uh Ellie…I…” She stammered, her cheeks flushed pink as the woman reached her arms around her and adjusted the belt about her hips. The princess could feel the weight of the sword tug upon her hips as she looked down to it. She drew in a breath as she lifted her crystal hues to Ellie. She bit at her lip slightly and hesitated before she pulled it from the sheath. The movement was unnatural and inherently clumsy. It was the first time she had ever had a weapon upon her hips. “Ellie I’m not certain that this…” She furrowed her brows as she stared to the beautiful markings upon the blade. She drew in a breath as she focused on the woman. Her expression became calm and focused as she listened to Ellie’s words. She moved her wrist around and her blade tapped against Ellie’s. Would it have done any damage? Most likely not.

She stared to the blade as she held it before her. She furrowed her brows and watched as Ellie moved gracefully as if the blade was one with her. Lyrei watched both demonstrations and then gave a nod before she slashed forward, though she was a bit off balance it wasn’t a terrible slash. She laughed lightly and shook her head. “I could certainly win at a battle of knowledge…but this…” She shook her head as she focused hard to sheath the weapon. She pushed it back into the leather sheath and looked to Ellie. “I…do hope that I have no reason to use it.” She gave a weak smile, almost as if she believed that she would end up using the blade. “Thank you, for the short lesson.” Another laugh came over her lips. “You are so graceful with your sword, you and Enri both make it look so effortless…flawless even…” She pondered a moment and then offered a smile. “Right, we should get moving.”

The princess turned then, her boots clicked about the tiles of the floors as they made their way through the hallways. Only knights stood in the halls, on high alert. Each bowed to her after hesitating to recognize their princess in the clothing that she wore. Some apologized for not noticing her sooner. To which Lyrei would smile and shake her head, telling the knight not to worry. She led Ellie to the kitchens where they were given breakfast sandwiches made by the chefs. “Ah, these should be quite incredible.” She spoke as she handed one to Ellie. “When I used to ride to the waterfall our chef would make me one of these.” She smiled as she walked from the kitchens leading toward the exit of the castle.

The princess led Ellie to the stables where she stepped to her beautiful white horse. She pet the snout and grinned, “We’ve been through a lot of adventure haven’t we old friend?” She spoke before she pat the shoulder of the horse. Lyrei checked the tack and then the saddle bags. She nodded after a moment and climbed on. There was another horse that was fully tacked and ready for Ellie, it was a jet black steed with a white stripe on its snout. The princess waited a moment for Ellie to mount up before she gave a grin and a nod. She gave a gentle tap to her horse and they were off.

The sun hadn’t even peaked up over the horizon yet, the moon still cast its silver glow upon the city as they rode across the stone bridge from the castle. Lyrei glanced over her shoulder, “The first bit of the trek isn’t terrible….it will get quite steep at a few points…” She spoke before she pulled her horse off onto the trail that would lead them to the temple. Lyrei frowned slightly as she gazed up to the skies, clouds seemed to be gathering within the valley, signaling a storm was likely brewing. “This may be a bit more of an adventure than we had imagined…” She muttered to herself, a bit of worry in her eyes.

As they ascended the mountain the light of the sun crept into the sky, though it was dampened by dark grey clouds of a winter storm. The princess rode on determined, she had eaten her breakfast sandwich early on the trail and soon enough flakes of snow began to fall from the skies. The higher they climbed the cooler the air became. The princess pulled the hood of her cloak up over her head as she shivered slightly, she was not accustomed to the harsh cold of the mountain. As the climb became steep she held onto the horn of her saddle and leaned into it. “It isn’t much further now.” She spoke as she glanced back to Ellie.

Nearly another hour passed and the two came to a crest in the mountain. The trail widened slightly to open up to the presence of the temple. The snow had begun to fall more swiftly now. Lyrei paused before the great statue of the temple. Her crystal hues gazed up to it. A male elf held one of the artifacts before him. The statue was nearly 30 feet in height, if not more. The detail upon the piece was beautiful. She looked to the blue glowing brazier at his feet, lit by magic years ago. “Come on.” Lyrei dismounted her horse and led it upon the curved stairs that stood behind the statue. She stood before a sealed door. The princess shivered slightly as a gust of wind swept against the two. It pushed her cloak from her head and tasseled about her loose hairs in her face. The princess placed her hand against the sealed stone door and she furrowed her brows.

Guardian, at last you have come.

A deep voice filled the princess’ ears. Lyrei looked to Ellie, whom she did not see a reaction from. She sucked in a shaken breath. “Ellie…did you…” She started to beg the question though something caught her attention. She gazed back to the door that was filled with elven inscriptions, old ancient dialects that had died centuries ago. From her palm a white glow filled the cracks of the letters and spread outward like water. She could feel the strange draw upon her power as the runes activated. There was a deep grinding sound and the door pulled into several pieces before it slid from its place to allow them to enter the temple. Lyrei’s horse pulled against her and reared as it reacted to the magic that swelled within the air. “Shhh.” Lyrei turned and calmed the horse. She was nearly knocked over by the large creature before she soothed it. “It’s alright. We’re alright.” She gazed into the eyes of the frightened horse as she pet it’s cheek gently. “No need to be afraid my friend.” She spoke in a calm tone. Eventually the creature calmed and she gazed to Ellie. “Alright…” She nodded as she led her horse inside.

Lyrei gazed about the room with her crystal hues. She felt an uneasy sensation in her stomach, her heart began to beat more rapidly.

You’ve come so far. Do not be afraid, Lyrei. Trust in yourself.

The voice again, her brows furrowed.The pit in her stomach churned, it knew her name. How? Was this some trick her mind was playing upon her? Lyrei released her horse whom stopped at the top of the stairs that led down into a circular room with several doors leading in different directions from the center. Statues of elvish soldiers were placed about the walls, all facing the center of the room where a lifted circular inscription remained. Within the center of the inscription was her family crest. Lyrei stepped forward and gazed about the beautiful architecture of the room. “I…do not know where we are to go.” The princess spoke, her voice echoed off of the cold stone. The howling of the storm outside could be heard from within the temple. She gazed to the lifted circular stone that was easily twenty feet in diameter. She then gazed to the Rauka. “Ellie…there is a voice…do you hear it?” She questioned, her own voice sounded slightly frightened. "Or am I imagining it?"

Lyrei gazed about the room as the braziers lit swiftly, a shiver ran down her spin. She furrowed her brows slightly. “No…the voice was not angry…it was almost reassuring.” The princess looked incredibly uncomfortable. Her crystal hues had a bit of a glow to them in the dim light of the temple. “I…do not know how I opened the door, Ellie.” She glanced to the opened door as the wind howled outside. Flakes of snow pushed inside the large circular room. She gazed around, the only open door held stairs that led down into the temple. “The voice welcomed me as we stepped up to the temple…it said something about a guardian…it knew my name…” She gazed to Ellie and shook her head slightly.

The princess took a step forward and lost her footing on one of the old crumbling stairs of the temple. She stumbled and her hand pressed against the wall. A waved of white magic fluttered along the wall from where the princess touched and ahead of them braziers lit with a white flame, flickering brightly to light their way down the passage. Lyrei had gripped tightly onto Ellie’s hand when she nearly fell. She did not release her grip. Her crystal hues stared down the stairs that curved downward into the unknown. “I…have never been inside this temple Ellie.” She spoke, her grip still tight on the Rauka’s hand. Her breaths shuddered as she hesitated before she took another step down the stairs. The princess walked forward, eventually her grip fell from Ellie’s as they came to the next room. As they walked into it she gazed about the room that was lit by the bright white flames of the braziers. It was a large square room with a statue that was carved out of marble before them. It towered over the two. The statue wore robes and held its hands forward as if requesting something.

Lyrei gazed about the room, upon the floor were charred marks in the stone that ran from the center point of the room to the edges shaping out to be almost star like. The princess turned, her expression focused as she looked to the large statue. She felt an odd pull on her then, a chill on her shoulder. Lyrei turned her eyes to see a blue glowing ghost like figure. There was a gleeful giggle from the wispy creature, a fae spirit. It ran around the two and grazed its fingers along the back of Ellie. It then stepped over to the center of the room. Lyrei turned and gazed to it, her expression of awe. She watched as the spirit tilted its head slightly before it leaped into the air and seemed to fall through the floor. “Where did it go?” Lyrei stepped forward. She leaned down to the charred stone. It had cervices in it. She ran her fingertips along it as her knee pressed against the floor. “There isn’t a door in this room…” She spoke as she lifted her eyes to look to the statue once again.

Lyrei crossed her arms over her chest as she seemed deep in thought. Did you learn nothing from your ancestors Lyrei? Do you not know how this works? The voice sounded a bit more irritated in that moment. To which Lyrei had flinched to the harsh tone that came from the invisible being. She took in a sharp breath. “There’s writing here.” She knelt down at the base of the statue and brushed away the dust.

“Before you many have stood. Only the worthy may proceed. One must offer proof of their belonging in order to proceed.” She spoke the words slowly, her brows furrowed together.

The princess stood and dusted off her hands. Her eyes flicked to the stairwell that they had come from. “Did…you hear that?” She questioned. She had heard quick footsteps and a giggle from the passage. She took in a breath. “Ellie…?” Her voice shook.

The princess gazed to the spot in the floor that the spirit had disappeared to. “You didn’t hear…it at all?” She looked to the hallway again and swallowed. “O-okay.” She could feel her heart beating within her chest. “Ellie…that’s stone…” She spoke as she watched the woman knock upon the floor.

Do you truly give up that easily? You’re supposed to be a Guardian of Amdir. You succumb to fear so easily the humans will bring your kingdom to the very soil it is built upon. Is that what you wish for your people, Lyrei?

The princess clinched her teeth and had fallen to her knees as the voice now yelled in anger at her. Her breaths were gasping as tears ran down her cheeks.

They will all suffer from your failure.

There was a gust of air that pushed through the room. Lyrei’s hands were upon the floor, her body trembled. She heard footsteps from the stairs again. Her crystal hues lifted, and she gazed to the empty stairwell. Her breaths trembled as she slowly stood. “I will not fail…they will not suffer…” Her voice trembled. “We…have to solve this.” Her voice quivered slightly. She brushed away a few tears from her cheeks and she stepped to the statue. Her crystal hues looked up to it. “Prove my worth…” She spoke. “You spoke of a sacrifice Ellie?” She questioned, her brows pulled together. She glanced to the woman a moment before she swiftly pulled the sword from her hip. The princess held her arm forward over the extended hands of the statue. She took in a quick breath as she pulled the blade over the skin of her arm. It sliced easily and blood began to leak from her arm into the cupped hands of the statue.

Lyrei grit her teeth slightly as she stared to the bright red blood that came from her arm, her heart felt as though it would crawl up her throat as she took in a few fast breaths. She froze like this as she watched the blood run into the hands of the statue. There was a giggle again, the fae spirit stood next to her and peered into the hands. It grasped Lyrei’s hand and led her forward, it then grasped Ellie’s hand and led her to the center of the room. The fae spirit then looked to the stairs, it made an almost frightened squeak before it disappeared into dust. The princess sheathed the sword and gripped onto her arm. “It…did not work…” She looked to Ellie with worried eyes. The footsteps again came from the passage. The princess lifted her eyes, she could see a hulking shadow coming down the stairs. “Ellie…” She breathed.

Then as the shadow drew closer from the stairs suddenly a rumbling happened. Lyrei turned swiftly to see runes light up around statue, her blood that had dripped into the cupped hands was gone. The princess heard a low growl from the stairwell and she turned once again just as flames lit in a circle around the room along the charred marks from before. “Oh…no….Ellie…” Lyrei grasped the Rauka’s hand just as the flames burst inward toward them. She went to pull Ellie from the center of the circle but she found that she could not move. The princess watched in fear as the flames came to their feet. Her eyes lifted to see a hulking demonic creature that stood in the stairwell with drool dripping from its jaws. It looked grotesque with thin skin that barely covered its bones. Curved horns upon its head, it was crouched forward and snarled to the two. Lyrei was so focused upon the creature that she did not notice the floor around them shifted to reveal another staircase that led down deeper into the temple. She was frozen in place with fear, her eyes glowed bright white as she stared to the creature that seemed to be focused solely upon Lyrei.

Lyrei gazed to Ellie as she tied a cloth over the clean slice that she made into her arm, she winced. Her eyes had focused in on the demon. Frozen. She couldn’t move. Fear gripped her being. Perhaps the voice was right? She would fail because of her fear. No. She could not fail. She would not allow herself to fail her people. She gripped her arm as she watched Ellie command the demon. Her jaw loosened, her breaths caught in her chest. The white glow slowly disappeared from her eyes. She watched in amazement as Ellie easily dispatched the demon, simply telling it to leave. She watched the portal appear and the demon was gone. The darkness that gripped the room seemed to lighten.

Lyrei stared to Ellie as she was toted down the stairs. “Lesser demons…” She spoke. She had no concept of greater demons or lesser demons. There was not much literature on the creatures within the castle. What little she did know was of no use in fighting them. “That…is an incredible trick Ellie.” Lyrei spoke as she watched the brazier’s light with a normal flame as they curved down the spiraling stairs that led deeper into the temple. Lyrei paused when Ellie spoke of her falling. “I was in pain…” She breathed, her brows pulled together. “This voice…when it spoke to me in that room is was angry with me. It accused me of failing my people. It told me that my failure will bring my city to the ground at the hands of the humans!” Her voice trembled as she spoke, the fear evident in her voice. “How can you not hear it?” She questioned her expression almost confused.
Lyrei sucked in a shaken breath, “I heard footsteps, laughter…” She continued walking down the stairwell. “You…didn’t hear any of it…it…it is like I am losing my mind, Ellie.” She gazed to the woman with a nervous expression.

A giggle came from ahead of them and the fae spirit returned once more. It danced around the two as they came to a flat platform. The room before them was a dark voice. The braziers offered no light. The fae giggled and twirled about, beckoning the two to move forward. It grasped at Lyrei’s hand and tugged before it let go to rush forward into the darkness. Lyrei drew in a breath, she felt a strange tug on her body. It made her feel almost nauseous in a way.

You’ve come this far. I’m impressed you so willingly offered up your blood. The voice cackled in her mind. Lyrei held a hand to her head and stumbled slightly. Her breathing became heavy as she gripped onto Ellie’s shoulder to keep her balance. Hmm, perhaps you may not fail entirely…how interesting…what is that you have there…. The voice fell silent. Lyrei’s eyes fluttered slightly and she let out a bit of a groan. Her steps staggered and came to stop. Darkness…impressive…a Rauka…hm… The voice spoke with a chuckle behind it. No wonder the keeper of the gate disappeared so easily. Shame…now…Lyrei move forward…you’re the only one here that can light this room. What do you have to lose? The voice snickered in her mind.

Lyrei trembled, the feeling of the being in her mind was almost oppressive in a way. She felt as though she could not breathe, she could not speak. She couldn’t move. Her fingers had curled tightly into Ellie’s clothing. She closed her eyes for a moment as a tear rolled over her cheek. “The demon…was a keeper of the gate…that’s…what the voice called it…” She spoke as she pushed forward. The princess gazed into the darkness with weary eyes. Her breaths shuddered as she walked into the shadows. As she stepped into the darkness it felt as though a bath of ice water was poured over her being. She grit her teeth slightly as her mind was filled with the echoing sounds of quick footsteps, the giggling of a fae…and speaking in the ancient dialect. She closed her eyes as she drew in a long breath, “Enough!” She called out. A wave of magic emit from the princess. As it cascaded from her body runes inscribed upon the floor lit with the beautiful white light that her eyes glowed with once again. They stood within yet another puzzle room. The room was long with pillars upon each side that held braziers that were now lit with the white flames. At the end of the room an alter stood.

Lyrei glanced to Ellie her eyes still glowed from her magic. “Did you feel any of that?” She questioned as the glow slowly dissipated from her eyes. “Hear any of it?” She searched Ellie’s eyes. She gazed back ahead as she looked to the inscriptions upon a pillar. Most of it had worn away from the years, she could only make out the word, ‘Amdir’. “Hope…” She spoke. “Amdir…that is the ancient word for hope.” She ran her fingertips over the inscription as she seemed to think deeply. The voice had called her a Guardian of Amdir. “Ellie…have you ever heard of a Guardian of Amdir?” She questioned. The phrase was completely foreign to Lyrei. She looked with curious eyes to the woman.

Lyrei had frowned slightly as Ellie spoke that she didn’t hear anything at all. Her eyes had softened slightly. When her burst of magic caused the woman to fall back Lyrei reached forward and gripped Ellie’s hand as the woman had steadied herself. She stared to Ellie and shook her head. “Felt me?” She questioned she looked to her hands which trembled. “You’ve never heard of it either…” She spoke with a bit of sadness in her tone. “Yes…the voice…it spoke those words to me…it stated that I am a Guardian of Amdir…” She lifted her crystal hues to gaze to Ellie as she looked over the pillar. “Tested…yes…but for what purpose? Surely my mother would have known something of this…” She shook her head. “I am not certain if I should trust his being that is speaking to me…”

The princess was looking to another pillar, her fingertips tracing over the illegible runes. She looked up as Ellie touched the pillar. “Ellie!” She cried as she watched the woman collapse. “Ellie!” She rushed forward only to be slammed back by a void of shadows. Lyrei went toppling across the floor and slammed against a pillar. She gripped her side and got to her feet quickly to rush across the room. She fell to her knees and tried to get a grip on the tile. “No…no, no….” She pulled the sword from her hip and pressed the tip into the crack along the edge of the tile and pried at it. “Ellie!” She had tears rolling down her cheeks.

Oh? What’s this? Are you frightened to be without your little Rauka bodyguard? The voice cackled in her mind. You are nothing without her protection. You cannot expect to pass all of your trials with a Rauka at your side, Lyrei. Darkness does not belong in the Temple of Orë. A guest of wind pushed through the room.

Lyrei had dropped the hilt of the sword as the voice spoke in her mind, she gripped her head and groaned. It felt as though a knife was piercing into her mind each time the being spoke to her. She breathed heavily as she regained control, her eyes gazed to the tile. She shivered slightly as she lifted her eyes to realize the that several of the braziers had blown out from the gust of wind. She turned her gaze toward the stairs as she heard thudding footsteps. The princess swallowed hard as she gripped her sword and staggered to her feet. She felt a tug on her arm then. Her eyes turned to see the spirit fae whom grasped her forearm with both hands and pulled. A whimper came from the spirit. Lyrei glanced back to the stairwell as the thudding became louder, she once more could see a shadow. She turned and allowed the spirit to lead her forward. She was led swiftly through a catacomb of hallways. Turns here and there, left and right. Lyrei was completely lost. All the while the braziers lit to her presence, going out behind her as she continued sprinting with the fae down the halls. “Where are you taking me? We have to save Ellie!” She cried as she tugged against the spirit slightly. Though the fae did not turn to her it simply kept leading her as if running for its life.

They spiraled down another set of stairs and into a large towering room that held an orb in the center of the room. It glowed with the same white magic that the princess possessed. The fae led her directly to it and nodded. The spirit then reached forward and touched it before it disappeared into dust once again. Lyrei took in a shaken breath. She gazed to this new room. Bookcases lined the room on both sides, towering toward the ceiling. She couldn’t even see to the top of the room as the shadows overtook the top of the bookcases.

Lyrei looked back to the orb then as she drew in a breath. She closed her eyes a moment before she reached forward, placing her trust in the spirit. As her hand contacted the orb the princess felt an overwhelming sense of warmth and cold at the same time. She watched as the white light crawled down her arm and to her chest. Her chest tightened and she let out a whimper. Her eyes lifted then as the demon that Ellie had dismissed stepped into the room. The princess let out a gasp as the demon rushed forward just as the magic engulfed her body.

The world turned white. The sounds of the thudding footsteps of the hulking demon disappeared. Only silence remained. Lyrei cried out, yet her voice did not echo, it did not reverberate off of the stone walls. She fought against the magic until she appeared in a shadowy realm of what appeared to be the temple. She staggered forward.

“Lyrei.” A voice spoke. It was the fae spirit…but the spirit was no longer blue and wispy. Her hair was a light blonde, her eyes the same crystal blue as Lyrei. She wore beautiful silver plated armor that had carefully crafted elvish inscriptions upon it. She reached forward and grasped onto the princess’ hands, a smile upon her lips. “I was afraid that he was going to overwhelm you and that you would never make it to the orb.” She spoke as she searched Lyrei’s eyes. “I am Amreil.” She looked to the orb which float behind the princess, the white glow of it began to turn black and drip with what looked like blood. “I do not have much time. Come.” She grabbed Lyrei’s hand.

“Wait…who are you?” Lyrei questioned as she ran behind the elf. “What do you mean you do not have much time?”

“The voice. The one that spoke to you. It is a great demon. An Archangel that fell to darkness centuries ago. The same demon that entrapped your grandfather, Lyrei.” Amreil glanced over her shoulder slightly before she continued to lead Lyrei forward through the temple. Winding this way and that. They descended stairs and pushed through what looked to be walls with ease. “He knows that you are the last living Guardian of Amdir…” She finally came to a stop. “You are much more than you realize, child.” She cupped Lyrei’s cheek.

Lyrei drew in a breath as she felt the surge of power within her body from the woman’s touch. She took in a shaken breath as her eyes began to glow. “I…I don’t know what that means…” She shook her head. “My grandfather died before I was even born.”

“Your grandfather is trapped her. In the spirit realm.” Amreil spoke as she took in a deep breath. “I will explain more later…but we must be swift.” She glanced to the door.

Lyrei gazed around. They stood in a tall round dome shaped room. Inscriptions lined the walls and the floors leading to the center point that she stood with the fae spirit. “I don’t understand…” The princess spoke.

“Shh.” Amreil pressed a finger to the princess’ lips before she swiftly stepped away from her and rushed about the room. The woman pressed into stone pieces upon the walls and runes within the room slowly began to light. The last rune that Amreil touched caused a stone door to lock them within the room.

Lyrei rushed forward, “No…what are you doing?” She questioned, her voice full of fear. “I…I have to save Ellie…I…”

Amreil stepped back over to Lyrei, “We will.” She spoke as she placed a hand on either side of the princess’ cheeks, forcing her to look into her eyes. “Focus.” Amreil spoke, “Listen to your power. You can feel it. I could see it dancing around in your eyes before. You’ve so much potential, more than any Guardian before you.” She smiled as she searched Lyrei’s eyes which began to glow again. “That’s it.”

The stone door burst open then. What came into the room was not the demon that Lyrei saw before. It was a demon that held white feathery wings and fiery eyes that glowed from beneath it’s hood. “Amreil give her to me!” His voice snarled. It was the voice from her mind. “She’s mine. I found her first.” He hissed. His voice boomed in the room.

The woman that stood before her drew in a breath, “Focus. Don’t listen to him. Focus on me.” Amreil was pushing magic into Lyrei and the princess could feel it. Her breathing had quickened, she gripped onto the arms of Amreil gently. “Don’t listen to him, look at me.”

“Amreil.” The demon snarled harshly. Fire formed in his palms as he stepped forward, a growl emitted from him. “Leave her be!”

“Focus on my voice.” Amriel spoke, her eyes glowed bright white. “You are stronger than him. He stands no match to your power, Lyrei.” She spoke, her voice remained calm. The princess was trembling as she could feel the presence of the demon drawing closer and closer.

Suddenly, Amreil was slammed from the side by the demon. “I told you to let her go!” He snarled as he slammed the woman against the wall. He pulled his sword and made to stab it into her torso. Amreil shifted and pulled her sword from her hip. She whimpered as the demon’s blade sliced into her upper arm. The two began to battle then. The demon snickered as he led the fight, pushing Amreil around the room with ease.

“Agoths you will fall!” Amreil called out as her blade clashed with his.

The demon snickered as he slammed Amreil to the ground. “Oh but my dear sister have I not already fallen?” He pressed her to her back on the stone floor. “Come on Lyrei. Kill her. You know you want to.” He snickered once again as his glowing eyes looked to the princess. “You want power? Hm? You want power like the Rauka friend you have?” He chuckled. “Then kill this angel. You’ll become the strongest guardian to walk these plains of existence.”

“No. Lyrei don’t listen to him!” She whimpered. “He’s lying to….” She was cut off as the demon slammed his fist against the side of her head.

Agoths snickered once again as he stood up from Amreil and turned his attention to the princess. “Well, well, just you and I.” He pulled his hood down. His skin was pale white. His eyes continued to glow amber. He had curled black horns upon his head. He twirled his blade about and chuckled. “This shouldn’t be a challenge at all.”

Lyrei pulled her sword, her body trembled. She took in a breath as she remembered Ellie’s words. The sword is just an extension of your hand. The power comes from the back leg. She waited as she watched the demon adjust his stance before he lunged forward. Lyrei held the blade up and surprisingly blocked his attack, but she was knocked to her back upon the ground. She scrambled back to her feet to block another attack. The sword sliced into her thigh and she grit her teeth. Lyrei swung forward putting as much effort as she could into the swing. It caught the demon off guard and her blade sliced into his side. The runes upon the blade began to glow red as the demon blood made contact with the metal. Lyrei’s eyes began to glow white.

Agoths chuckled as he jumped back he had a grin upon his lips. “Oh. You’ve a little spark to you.” He snickered as he lunged forward again. He pushed her back easily. Laughter came from the demon. “You’re making this too easy princess.” He hissed before he struck her harshly with his fist to her side. This knocked the wind from Lyrei and she was knocked to her back, her sword fell from her grasp. She coughed as her body fought against her. Agoths chuckled as he placed his foot upon her chest and pinned her down, his sword pressed against her neck. “I hoped you would put up a better fight. But, I suppose I cannot complain about an easy job.” He chuckled as he pressed the sword forward.

As the blade began to pierce into her skin Lyrei let out a cry. Though suddenly a wave of power came from the princess which knocked back the demon from her body. She scrambled to her feet, white glowing wings had appeared upon her back. Her white glowing eyes gazed to him as light blue runes began to scrawl over her body. Amreil staggered to her feet and looked to Lyrei with a smirk upon her lips. “Oh, you’ve seem to have woken her powers. Good luck Agoths.” The angel laughed as she slammed her sword against him.

Lyrei rushed forward a strange sense of courage overwhelmed her. She swung her blade at the demon as she was propelled by the glowing wings. Agoths blocked her but the princess slammed her open palm against his chest, just as she had in her dream…power burst from her palm causing the skin of the demon to crack like clay. He burst into ashes suddenly with a cry of pain. The princess fell to her knees on the floor only to be helped back to her feet a few moments later by Amreil. “Well done guardian.” She spoke with a warm smile upon her lips. “You’ve much to learn…but at least you have unlocked your true powers.”

Lyrei gazed to the woman her breaths heavy. “I…” She blinked a few times. “Wait…” She reached forward as the world around her began to darken. “Amreil!” She cried into the darkness. She suddenly felt cold. The princess sat up with burning white eyes. The braziers lit around her and she gazed about the room. It was the same dome shaped room as before. Yet, there was an alter…and a body lay upon it. A familiar figure. “Ellie!” Lyrei rushed forward. The princess had blood splattered across her front and speckled upon her face from the fight with the demon. Her thigh and arm bled, soaking into her clothing. “Ellie.” She placed her hands on both shoulders of the woman. “Ellie please wake up.” She leaned down and pressed her ear to Ellie’s chest to listen for her heartbeat.

Amreil

Agoths

Lyrei gripped onto Ellie’s shoulders as her blood dripped from her own arm onto the woman’s tunic. “Ellie?” She questioned as she lifted her head from the Rauka’s chest. She could hear the woman’s heart beating, she could see the subtle movement of her chest as she breathed. “Wake up.” The princess spoke, her voice broke slightly.

The soft plodding of footsteps came from behind Lyrei. The fae spirit from before except as the blue figure came closer her features shifted to her true form. Her beautiful white wings rest behind her back now as Amreil stepped up to the side of Ellie. “This is but a shell of a body.” She spoke as she placed her hand upon the forehead of Ellie and it glowed slightly. “Her soul no longer resides on this plain, Lyrei.” The angel looked to the princess with soft eyes.

“How…can that be?” Lyrei questioned, “We should have saved her! You could have saved her!” Her eyes glowed as she lifted her hands and shoved against Amreil. “You chose to be selfish enough to force me into these powers that I know nothing about!” Her chest heaved, her wings appeared behind her back as she stared to the angel.

Amreil drew in a breath, her calm expression did not change. She took the barrage of sharp words from the princess. “You should not lean upon anger to fuel your powers, Lyrei. That is not who you are.” She spoke as she looked back to Ellie. “Perhaps you will learn this as your power comes to be.” The angel took a step back. “Her spirit rests within the spirit realm, Lyrei. The demon did this, not I.” She shook her head, a disappointed look in her eyes. “If I did not pull you away he would have killed you. I could not let that happen. You’ll understand this one day.” Amreil turned as she drew in a breath. “Return to the spirit realm. You’ll find her there.” The angel stepped forward and disappeared into what looked like embers of light.

Lyrei grit her teeth as she stood at the alter, her hands clenched into fists. “How am I supposed to return if you will not show me?” She questioned. She turned then to Ellie’s body and drew in a breath as she reached forward and scooped her arms beneath Ellie. She lifted her with ease, something that the princess would not be able to do before her newly found powers. She turned then and rushed through the catacombs of the temple. She moved about left and right. It took what felt like ages before she finally found her way back to the room with orb. Lyrei carefully set Ellie down upon one of the tables of the library. She stepped to the orb and reached forward to it. Though this time she pulled it from the casing that it was held within. The princess stared to the orb that fit perfectly within her grasp.

The orb began to pulsate then as she gazed to it. The princess furrowed her brows as she watched the light grow brighter, so bright that she had to look away from it and shield her eyes. Before all she had to do was touch it. Why wasn’t it working now? She felt a burning sensation in her palm, the princess let out a groan as she tried to release the orb. She looked back to her hands as the runes upon her arms began to glow bright blue. She staggered back slightly and her hand pressed against the table that Ellie rest upon. Suddenly a blast of power came from Lyrei filling her sight with the same bright white light that came from the orb.

As the light settled Lyrei found that she was in the shadowy world of the spirit realm once again. She looked to her hand, the orb was nowhere to be found. She gazed around, trying to find it. “You destroyed the gateway.” Amreil spoke from the shadows. The angel stepped forward, a look of surprise on her face. “That gateway has been used for centuries by the demons to entrap souls within the spirit realm…and you destroyed it….” She smiled slightly, in awe it seemed. There was a cracking sound from the stone around them. Amreil drew in a quick breath. “I knew he wouldn’t stay gone for long.” She gazed back to Lyrei. “Come on.” She nodded and took off swiftly.

Lyrei scooped Ellie’s body up and rushed forward, her wings thrust her forward to catch up to Amreil’s quick pace. “How do we find her soul?” She questioned as they rushed along.

“It won’t be easy.” Amreil replied, “Most souls…once they are released here…they are gone forever…much like your grandfather…” She glanced to Lyrei. “Come.” She ran up a flight of stairs. They came into another alter room. The angel moved about swiftly pressing stone buttons once again. Runes began to glow just as before. “Place her in the center.” She pointed to where the runes came together.

Lyrei drew in a breath as she stepped forward and carefully set Ellie down, her glowing bright hues looked to the woman. “I won’t fail you.” She spoke as she furrowed her brows.

You’ve already failed her. The booming voice of the demon filled her mind. Just look at that husk before you. Her soul is gone. He cackled.

Lyrei gripped her head and let out a groan. The runes upon the floor around her began to glow from the surge of her power. “Careful.” Amreil called out as she rushed forward toward the princess. Though suddenly a darkness sank into the room and Amreil was knocked back, she slammed against the wall. “Lyrei!” She cried as she watched the Agoths appear within a dark orb of power. He reached down and gripped onto the princess.

Lyrei gripped at his arm as it choked the air from her lungs. Her wings upon her back flailed about tugging against his grip slightly. Agoths snickered as he watched her fight against him. “What’s this? You’ve not gained control of your power have you?” He grinned as he watched her squirm. “Amreil should I send her on a fun little trip?” He questioned, though it wasn’t a question meant for an answer. The demon thrust his hand forward and as he pulled it back he held the glowing white orb of her soul. Lyrei choked as blood leaked from her lips, the demon snickered as he looked to the orb. “So…mesmerizing. I haven’t seen many pure souls in my lifetime.” He took the soul and tossed it aside before he dropped the princess’ body to the tile floor. “Oh Amreil?” He turned to look to the angel that beat against the black shadowy orb that he’d locked himself in. “Enjoy.” He cackled as he disappeared into ashes.

Amreil rushed forward to the side of the princess, “No…” She leaned down and touched her cheek. “You’ve got to fight this…” She grit her teeth slightly as she watched blood leak down the side of Lyrei’s cheek from the corner of her mouth.

**

Lyrei stood in a thick fog, thick lush grass rest at her feet. Her breaths seemed to echo, her heart pounded within her ears. The princess gazed about a long while before she pressed forward. She gripped her chest as she coughed, blood splattered from her mouth. Her soul did not belong on this plain. A pure soul banished to such a desolate wasteland. She rushed forward through the fog for what felt like hours. “Amreil?!” She called. “Ellie?!” Her voice only echoed back to her. Soon enough she found that she was running through a foggy forest. She could hear the sounds of creatures within the forests. Deep growls. The chirping of birds. The princess paused a moment as she coughed up more blood, her hand pressed into the bark of a tree. She grit her teeth. She refused to give into her fear that gripped her. That was what Agoths wanted. He wanted her to give into her fear.

After what felt like hours more Lyrei peaked above the fog. She stood in a lush mountain valley. She could see a beautiful city made of white marble in the distance. She sprinted forward as fast as she could. Though as she drew closer the world around her suddenly melted and she fell into an abyss. The princess screamed as she plummeted down until she splashed into icy cold waters. She kicked her feet against the water and thrust her arms as she swam toward the light at the surface. It felt as though the harder she kicked…the further the light got from her. She fought against her body as her eyes threatened to slip shut.

Suddenly her cloak was grasped by something and she was jerked from the icy waters. She was pulled onto a cold stony shore as she coughed more blood. “You do not belong here…” The voice was wise. “Did a demon banish you into oblivion as well?” An apathetic laugh came from the man.

Lyrei shivered as she collapsed to her back breathing heavily. She gazed up to the man whom had pulled her from the waters. He wore old elvish armor, his hair was unkempt he had a cut across his cheek from battle. “Banished?” Lyrei questioned, she held her hand to her chest.

The elf leaned down and grasped the necklace around her neck, a look of realization came over his eyes. “No…” He shook his head. “Are you the princess of Azuresta?” He questioned and watched as Lyrei gave a nod after a moment of hesitation. “Why are you here?” He questioned then, his expression distraught.

“I…” Lyrei sat up slowly with his help and staggered to her feet. “A demon…” She shook her head. “I am looking for someone.”

The elf gazed into her eyes a long moment. “This is not the place to go searching for someone.” He looked to a rumble in the distance. “We need to move.” He grabbed her hand then and pulled her forward swiftly without allowing her to ask anymore questions. The elf rushed through the icy rocks and kept the pace swift as they ran through a desolate plain. He slowed his pace eventually and gazed to Lyrei. “We need to get you out of here before your soul becomes bound to this plain.” He watched as she coughed up more blood. “We do not have much time…are you searching for someone else that was banished?” He questioned.

“A Rauka…her name is Ellie…” Lyrei leaned against a tree. Her vision was blurred.

The man hesitated a moment and then nodded. “Of course. Her soul will not be as damaged as yours by this plain. The darkness will destroy your soul…” He furrowed his brows. “I am Elas Tule.” He spoke before he turned. “We must keep moving…I cannot guarantee that we will find your friend.” He pressed forward. Though as he pushed forward there was a snarling sound that came from the shadows around the two. Elas pulled his swords from his hips. He grit his teeth.

Lyrei pulled her own sword her crystal hues gazed around them. Suddenly smaller demons began to swarm them. Lyrei’s eyes glowed and her wings appeared swiftly behind her back. She thrust into the air and flew forward. Her movements were like that of a fighter that had years of training. She moved fluidly. She sliced through several of the demons before she was pinned to her back. Elas sliced through the demon and pulled her to her feet. He nodded swiftly before he returned to the battle. It seemed that the demons would never stop coming…exhaustion began to set in after time passed, the bodies of the demons began to disappear. Lyrei let out a cry as a demon slashed into her side. She slammed her fist against the demon and it turned to ash as she fell to a knee. More demons continued to pour from the shadows.

Elas Tule

Lyrei swung forward, she fell to a knee again. Her body was beginning to weaken. She cried out as she was slammed to her back by one of the demons. She thrust her blade into its chest and blood leaked over her body. It was then that something came from the skies. The reverberation through the crust of the wasteland caused Lyrei to turn her glowing white hues. She scrambled to her feet, her breaths heaved. She lifted her sword as she prepared to attack, her body trembled. She grit her teeth as she fought to keep her bearings. When the tendrils shot forward Lyrei lifted her hand to shield herself, her glowing white wings curved around her body. Though to her surprise…the demons turned and marched away. Why? Why now? Now that they had her weak. Elas stood just behind Lyrei his two swords in his hands dripped with the blood of the demons.

Lyrei’s wings slowly pulled back and she peered to the demon before her with almost frightened eyes. She watched with grit teeth as the horns receded back into the skull of the demon and the features began to melt away. “Ellie.” Lyrei gasped as she rushed forward. The glow from Lyrei’s eyes disappeared and her wings disbursed into embers behind her back. She fell to her knees before Ellie and wrapped her arms around her. “Ellie! I’m sorry.” She hugged onto her. “I’m sorry this is my fault. That demon did this to you because of me.”

“We need to move.” Elas spoke. “Now.” He turned and took off.

Lyrei drew in a shaken breath. “I will get you out of this.” She breathed as her wings appeared behind her back once more, her eyes began to glow as she stood and lifted Ellie into her arms. She turned and thrust forward catching up with Elas easily.

The elf led the two through the wastelands, rushing about. Soon enough the landscape turned to a thick lush forest. He zig and zagged through the trees with ease. He came to the trunk of a large old tree and he pressed his hand to the bark. Runes glowed and shot outward from his hand. He glanced to Lyrei and his eyes looked wearily to Ellie before he turned his attention back to the tree. “There is but one soul that may be able to guide you back to the realm of the living.” He spoke as a door pushed open into the tree. “Come.” He spoke as he stepped inside. Spiral stairs led down into the crust of the earth. He moved swiftly down the stairs. “Fenian.” Elas spoke as they came to a cozy room. Candles were lit and cast a warm glow upon the room. A table was full of books. A pot of tea rest upon the fire, it steamed and whistled happily. Elas pulled it from the fire and set it upon the coffee table. “Set her there.”

Lyrei set Ellie down upon the couch. She staggered as her wings disappeared and the glow dissipated from her eyes. She fell to a knee as she coughed more blood. Her breaths shuddered. “Did…you say Fenian?” She questioned after a long moment.

Elas was gazing to Ellie with curious eyes. It took him a moment before he looked back to Lyrei. “Hm, yes.” He spoke with a nod.

Footsteps plod into the room as a young male elf stepped forward. He had a light tattoo of the great tree upon his face, something that the magi of the temple would have carried years ago. He gazed to Lyrei and then to Ellie a long moment. “What’s this Elas?” He questioned as he looked to the elf. “This one is tainted with demon blood, I can feel it.” He stepped forward to Ellie and gripped her chin to look into her eyes. “Curious.” He spoke. “Are you a Rauka girl?” He questioned, a bit of distain behind his voice.

“Stop…she didn’t do anything to you!” Lyrei smacked his hand away, her eyes glowed white briefly and she collapsed upon the couch next to Ellie, her breaths were ragged.

“That would be your granddaughter.” Elas chuckled, a smirk upon his lips.

Fenian furrowed his brows as he looked to Lyrei. He turned to look to Elas and shook his head. “No this cannot be. She can not be here.” He rushed over to the table of books. “She should not be here.” He rummaged through the books swiftly. “Move the table. We must act swiftly.” Fenian grabbed several vials and began mixing items together. He stepped to Lyrei and searched her eyes a moment. “If I may.” He grasped her hand and sliced across her palm and squeezed her blood into a bowl. He then stepped before Ellie and searched her eyes a moment. “Keep my granddaughter safe, Rauka.” He spoke and placed a hand on her shoulder before he turned and began drawing an intricate rune upon the floor. “I cannot guarantee that this will work…” He drew in a long breath. “Perhaps since you are so fresh within the realm it will…” He gazed to Lyrei, her eyes were beginning to flutter, her head lulled to the side.

Lyrei sat in a dark space, cold surrounded her. “You could have had infinite power!” The demon appeared before her and gripped her throat. “I offered you everything! Yet you chose to deny me!” He pressed her against the wall. “Even still you fight me. On the cusp of death you refuse to accept my help.”

The princess gazed to him with her crystal hues. “I would rather die and accept your help.” She whispered, her voice weak.

Fenian had finished the rune upon the floor and he lifted Lyrei and lay her within it. “Get the Rauka, Elas.” He nodded as he drew in a breath. He brushed Lyrei’s hair from her face and a soft smile curved up his lips. “She looked a lot like Bellaluna.” He tilted his head slightly. “I regret that I failed to return…I was not strong enough to defeat the demon…but you are…” He cupped her cheek. He then stood and nodded to Elas. The two stood on either side of the women their hands held above the two. Fenian began to speak the spell. The rune slowly began to light upon the floor. It was a blue glow that slowly began to crawl over the bodies of Ellie and Lyrei.

The princess’ eyes shot open and she gasped as the glow covered her torso creeping upward toward her head. She grasped onto Fenian’s leg as her eyes began to glow brightly. Suddenly a burst of power filled the room. Light blue light blinded the princess. A cold settled in around them. Silence. The crackling of braziers began to whisper in the dark. Slowly light returned to their surroundings. “Where…” Fenian’s voice was the first to speak. “Gods…” He sat up and gazed about the temple. “She…” He felt his chest and looked over his body, a chuckle of joy came over his lips. “Lyrei…” He rushed forward to the princess whom remained unconscious, her breaths were quick and uneven. He lifted his hues to find Elas whom slowly stood the man looked about the temple in awe.

“She found you…” Amreil spoke as she stepped forward. She looked back and forth between the two men and then to Ellie and finally her eyes fell upon the princess. “She brought you all back to this plain…” She nodded slightly. “She is even more powerful than I imagined.” The angel gazed to Fenian a long moment before she stepped forward and she pressed her hand against Lyrei’s forehead. “That took a lot of power to do such a thing.” She spoke as she closed her eyes. “Breathe, Lyrei.” Amreil syphoned her magic into the woman. She then watched as the princess’ breaths slowed and calmed. “Give her a moment, she will wake.” She gazed to Elas and a bit of a smirk curved up her lips. “Captain.” She spoke and then looked to Ellie. “It has been a long time since you’ve seen your daughter.” She crossed her arms. “Perhaps you do not recognize her?” The angel smiled before she disappeared into a sea of ashes.

Lyrei’s eyes fluttered open, she gasped for air and rolled to her side. She groaned in pain. Her eyes widened suddenly then. “Ellie?” She questioned; her hand immediately gripped onto Ellie’s tunic. “Ellie?” She asked again, her eyes full of worry.

Fenian