The Isle of Tir Na Nog

Lyra smiled as she looked to Violet. She’d caught the woman as she grit her teeth. A smirk curved up her lips. Was she annoying the sage as much as she did her captain? “Oh you knew of the storm?” She grinned as she drank her ale. She turned her head to look to Violet from where she sat. “He’s the best captain of the sea!” She held up her mug and then downed it. “Another for you then.” She giggled and stood up. “You want something better than that?” She paused at the bar. Lyra’s stormy hues watched Violet. “One moment.” She danced off.

It was only a few minutes before the fiery haired woman returned. She held a black bottle within her hands. “Now, don’t tell anyone I shared with you. But...I like you Violet.” She winked and sat down upon the couch with her. She pulled her dagger from her thigh and stabbed it into the cork of the bottle. She’d even brought a brand new bottle for the two to share. “Straight from the southern mountains.” She popped the cork out and it pinged off of the wall across the room. “Oops.” She giggled. It was clear how drugged the woman was. Though, the smile upon her lips was playful and she didn’t look as though she was leaving Violet anytime soon. She poured a heavy pour of the liquid into two short glasses. “To the journey.” She spoke as she lifted the glass and she tilted her head back to drink it down swiftly.

**

Rhaenerys drew in a breath as she looked to the woman. “My father has spoken those words. He said our time of peace will not last forever...because there will become a time that the humans seek for the fae again to drink….our blood.” Her voice softened and her purple hues turned away from the goddess. She looked back to her as she began to speak once again. The goddess was right, she was sitting on her dreams. She was trying so hard to take care of what she’d seen without truly asking for help.

“We should tell the king.” Alis spoke and nodded as she looked up to the goddess. She was happy that the woman agreed with this approach.

The fae looked to her hand as Maeve took it. Her breath caught in her chest. To be in the presence of a goddess. Then the goddess pulled her into an embrace. Her muscles were tense. Though as the calming magic surrounded her a breath left her chest and she allowed her eyes to close. Her wings began to glow an array of beautiful bright colors as she wrapped her arms around the woman. She pulled back and gazed to the woman as she began to speak again. She couldn’t look away from the glowing blue hues. I believe in you. The kiss upon her cheek stole the breath from the fae, and the words...even more so. “Wait!” She cried and reached forward as the goddess vanished. Only a puddle of water left in her wake.

“You must tell your father, Rhae.” Alis spoke as she flew over in front of her. “The goddess has requested it.” She crossed her arms over her chest and then smirked to the princess. “I...told you we need to tell him.” She chuckled lightly.

Rhaenerys looked to the pixie as she flew before her. She reached a hand up to her cheek that the goddess had kissed. “She’s real.” A giggle came over her lips. “I believed in her...and she came!” She was giddy with excitement. “Do you realize what this means, Alis?” She questioned as she held her hand forward for the pixie to land upon her palm. “Everything we have done...every bit of energy that we have put forth...it was worth it.” She grinned as she tossed Alis gently up so that she would fly once again. She then rushed from the room. She ran down the halls of the castle. Everyone was asleep at this hour. Though she knew someone that would still be awake. The king. He was always easy to find in his study off of the throne room. Many nights if she had a nightmare she would find her father in his study, and he would drink tea with her until she fell asleep once again. The king would then carry his young daughter back to her room. Though...this was when she was but a child.

Rhaenerys walked into the throne room and walked around the back of the throne where she pushed a heavy wooden door open. There he was, her father sat at the desk, quill in hand. A sight that she was so used to now. He held the same silvery hair that she did, though his was kept short, aside from the well groomed beard upon his face. He wore a silver crown upon his head. His amber hues lifted and he looked to his daughter, she had taken the eye color from her mother. “Rhae. What are you doing up at this hour dear?” He questioned as he set his quill down.

“Father.” She rushed forward to him and threw her arms around him. “I need to speak to you. I...I gained mother’s sight...” She spoke with a gasp in her breath. She’d never told him of her dreams.

“You...have the gift of sight?” He questioned his brows raised slightly. The king cupped his daughter’s cheek and then pulled her into another embrace. He held her there for a long moment. “What have you seen my dear?” He questioned as he released her once again.

“I have seen what will become of our people...father...I asked for help from a goddess...I prayed to her...I’ve prayed to her each full moon for the past six months...and she has answered me.” Rhaenerys spoke as she led her father into the throne room.

“It is true, my king.” Alis spoke as she flew along with them.

“You’ve been having dreams of the future for this long...and you haven’t told me?” He questioned, he looked to Alis with a stern look. “Why?”

“I was afraid father. I thought that I could fix it. So I prayed. I did what mother taught me to do before she passed...I...prayed to the goddess of the sea for help...” She didn’t speak of her dreams with Allymys. No. That wasn’t information she was ready to divulge yet with her father.

The king crossed his arms over his chest. “You got the visions as soon as your mother passed...” He pressed his lips together. “Do you see the island burning?” He questioned and watched as his daughter gave a nod. A sigh came from him. “I have done everything in my power to stop this..I...”

“Father. The Goddess of the Sea will help us.” She spoke with a warm smile. “I’ll show you.” She stepped back and bit her lip slightly. She thought of the beautiful goddess. She closed her eyes a long moment. “Maeve, Goddess of the Sea. Please hear me.” She spoke her breathing quickened. She felt as though she could hear the ocean. “Please, hear me now.” She spoke again, Call upon me...I will appear. The words played over in her mind.

**

Ainsley watched in horror as a storm appeared out of nowhere. His breath caught in his chest as the huge waves began to rock the ship. “Sails down!” He called out as the ship was pushed violently by the harsh winds. “Prepare yourselves!” He called over the howling storm. He gripped onto the wheel as he fought against the waves. “Lyra!!!” He yelled. He needed her help. She was his second hand. She ran everything for him during the storms.

**

Lyra was on her third heavy pour when a wave shoved against the hull of the ship. She let out a giggle. “Oh that isn’t good.” She grasped the bottle as it threatened to fall over. She looked to Violet with a drunken smile. “We shouldn’t even be at the storm yet...” She pondered a moment. Within her eyes her magic could be seen swirling to life. The combination of the drug that Bane had given her and the hard alcohol. It wasn’t a good combination for Lyra. She giggled again. Her eyes lifted as she heard her name from above deck. “Oh...look at that. That’s me.” She began to hum a shanty as she shot up from the couch. “This should be fun!” She giggled as she handed the bottle forward. “For you, m’lady.” She bowed and then staggered. Another laugh came from her lips as her hand landed heavily upon Violet’s shoulder. She had nearly fallen into the woman. She gazed into her eyes a moment with her stormy hues that looked as though they held electricity now. “See you on the other side of the storm.” She spoke as she turned and rushed up the stairs.

Rain pelted her in the face as she made her way onto the deck. The fiery haired woman let out a cheer. She rushed up to her Captain. “Some storm huh?” She asked with a wild grin. She jumped forward and grabbed onto a rope. Lyra swung to the ropes and climbed about as she whooped and yelled with glee.

“Lyra!!!” Ainsley grit his teeth as he fought the wheel. A huge wave crashed over the deck of the ship. “Come on Lyra!” Ainsley screamed. Lyra smirked to him as she slipped down the ropes and rushed to the front of the ship. She gripped onto the railing as she held her hand out. A wave was headed directly toward the ship. It would crush her. “Lyra!!!” Ainsley cried as the wheel broke from his grip for a moment and the ship spun harshly in one direction.

Lyra’s hues filled with an electric power she held up her hand and the wave that threatened to crash down on the ship split to pieces. A mist cascaded over the top of the ship. She rushed about in the rain, her boots hit the deck with loud thuds. She giggled as she seemed to play in the storm. It was a dangerous game. She was far to gone to realize just how dangerous it was. Lyra tugged at one of the sails to put it away as Ainsley continued to battle against the waves that shoved the boat around as if it was a toy. This storm...it was like the storms that the old sailors spoke about. The Gods of the sea. Did they know that they were headed to Tir Na Nog? Was this a bad omen? Lyra was slammed by a wave and she slid across the deck, her back pressed against the railing. She laughed as she nearly fell overboard. Her only saving grace was Ainsley whom changed the direction of the ship swiftly to keep her from falling. “Damnit Lyra...” He growled.

Lyra pushed herself from the railing as another huge wave came toward them. She fought against the wind as she held a hand forward and once again the wave burst into a mist. She was breathing heavily at this point. Depleting the magic that she had within her body. She giggled and clung to one of the masts. Her eyes fluttered slightly. Another wave came and crashed over the deck. She held her hand up and fire flickered to life for a moment only to be put out by the torrential downpour. Chaos. Yes, chaos was a good word for Lyra...she wouldn’t last long fighting against such a strong storm.

**

“The gods and goddess’ do not have time to worry about our matters, my dear.” The king spoke as he looked to his daughter as she called out to the goddess of the sea. He was sitting on his throne now, his eyes tired. It was then that Maeve appeared, Rhaenery’s looked to the woman with the same awe as she had before. The king sat up in the throne, his eyes wide. His jaw loosened slightly. He leaned forward in his chair as the goddess approached him. When she touched his beard he felt the magic swell and his own hues glowed slightly from her touch.

Her words cascaded over the room flowing like the water from which she came. The king was silent all the while, shock on his expression. He watched as the goddess stepped back toward his daughter. The king stood as she did this. Alis had landed on the throne arm and was watching the scene play out. The small pixie looked to the king and then back to the princess. Rhaenerys looked to the chalice that appeared. She sucked in a breath as she looked to the beautiful glistening blue color.

The princess took the chalice as the goddess spoke, her purple hues watched the woman. She was awestruck. To be gifted by a goddess. She smiled. She was chosen by the goddess. The words fueled a confidence within the princess that she never quite knew she had. She listened to the hum of the chalice as she stared to the water inside of it. The king stepped down the stairs. “Goddess...” He knelt before her. “Maeve, Goddess of the Sea. I ask for your help. For my people. Please protect us from the darkness that is to come to our people.” He bowed to the ground before her feet then. He stayed like this a moment. “Please help us.” He stood slowly after a moment and gazed into the glowing blue hues of the woman.

Allymys had appeared on the throne, though only Maeve would have been able to see her. A grin upon her lips as she watched the scene play out. “Your chosen one.” She spoke and chuckled. “You should have been a goddess Maeve. You’d do much better than your father.” Her words were icy. “Let’s give them a show. Shall we?” She grinned as she walked down the stairs. She stared to the princess as she lifted the chalice to her lips and drank the glistening water.

The goddess grinned as she watched this. She sucked in a breath, her darkness seemed to pull the darkness from the room. A bright light began to encase the princess. A beautiful bluish hue. Allymys was helping Maeve. She grinned as she lifted up the princess with her magic, dark shadows beneath her that the fae could not see. “Just remember, Maeve. I gifted her.” A cackle came from the goddess. “She may pray to you. But it is I who has given her a power that she has yet to tap into. She will though. I can assure you of that.” She winked before she disappeared into the shadows.

Rhaenerys was placed back upon the floor. Her chest rose and fell quickly. She could feel the power coursing through her body. Her wings fluttered a moment before they glowed brightly, even her purple hues glowed for a moment before they settled. She held onto the chalice, her hands were trembling. She hadn’t told the goddess of how she asked for help from Allymys out of desperation...she didn’t tell her that. Fear gripped the princess. Was she betraying the goddess of darkness by accepting Maeve’s help?

The king grinned as he looked to his daughter. “Tell me. What I can do, goddess.” He knelt down again before her. He respected her power greatly. His wings were slack against his back. His wings were a silvery color. Unlike the array of colors that Rhaenerys held upon her back. She was a rare unique fae. Only once in a blue moon was a fae born with such wings.

Alice flew over in front of the princess. “Rhae...” She spoke as she watched the woman, her breathing was quick. The feeling of the magic. It was like chaos within her body. “Goddess...” She looked to Maeve with worried hues.

Rhaenerys shook her head. “I’m...I’m alright...” Her eyes began to glow once again. She focused on her breathing. Her wings fluttered slightly again. The feeling was overwhelming. Allymys had waited to allow the princess to feel the power that she’d given her. “Thank you, Maeve. Thank you.” She bowed her head and held a hand to her chest. “How do we stop them from coming?” She questioned. “How do we keep them from destroying us?”

Lyra staggered as she turned, her eyes were glowing a bright blue color by now. They appeared much like that of a lightening bolt. She held her hand forward and destroyed another wave, saving the ship from being capsized. She took a few steps back as another wave came from the other side of the ship. The woman let out a cry as the waters thrust her over the side of the railing. She twisted as she tried to reach for the railing. Her fingertips were just out of reach. Just a moment too late to save herself from most certain death within the angry sea. Just as she would have been lost forever, she felt a tug at her wrist. She looked to the tether that wrapped around her wrist as she was jerked back to the deck of the ship that was threatened by the storm. She collapsed against Violet as her body shuddered. The fiery haired woman’s hues fluttered as the light of her magic began to fade from her hues.

Ainsley watched with worried eyes as Lyra was saved by Violet. He could only observe as he kept the ship aligned. He did his best to point the bow of the ship toward incoming waves. Though the storm was unlike anything he had ever seen. The size of the waves...it was like something from a fable. "Watch out!" He called to one of the men as a wave crashed over the deck. He watched with his icy hues as one of the crew was lost to the raging sea. Ainsley grit his teeth. this is not what he wanted. This is not what he wanted for his crew. This mission. It was suicidal. But he'd hoped that it wouldn't end so horribly. The captain watched with worried hues as he saw the shadowy figure float up above the ship. Violet had spoken that it would be Bane that would protect him. He prayed to the gods that the sage was right. Because if she wasn't...he feared these would be the last hours that he breathed above the waters of the sea.

Lyra was nearly unconscious as she was taken below the decks by the sage, a bit of a soft laugh came from her lips. “We should do that again.” She whispered. "Though, perhaps on a day with a bit more sunshine." She closed her eyes as she was carried down the stairs. Her body felt as though it was floating on a cloud. The combination of liquor and the drugs that Bane had given her. It was the ride of a lifetime. She had felt invincible. Her magic swarmed within her body like the chaos of the sea. The more she let go, the more her magic had swelled. She'd never exhibited such magic before. Sure she'd helped guide the ship through treacherous waters by dampening the waves. But destroying entire waves? That was something that such an unpracticed mage shouldn't be able to do. She lay back on the bench as Violet placed her upon it. Her eyes fluttered as her chest rose and fell swiftly as though she'd run a marathon. As the waves crashed against the hull Lyra’s hues opened. She looked almost fearful. The magic swarmed within her hues again like a wave of electricity. “I have to help.” She spoke as she gripped a hold of Violet’s hand that glowed. Though as she went to sit up a dizziness overtook her. The woman lay back, a laugh came from her lips from the feeling. It was almost euphoric in a way. “You...saved me...” She smirked to Violet. “Now I owe my soul to two.” She hummed as she felt the ship settle as Bane performed his magic above. "To two I owe." She sang the words as if starting a shanty. Her eyes lulled closed. "Upon the open sea..." She muttered. It was clear the Lyra was doing her best to grip to reality. But she was losing that battle as her body gave way to exhaustion.

Ainsley watched with his jaw agape as Bane created the shield around the ship. He let out a yell of excitement, a few of the men on the deck did the same. They would survive this storm! He gazed about as the waves crashed against the glowing purple barrier, as they cut right through the huge waves that were sent toward them by the raging sea. They would make it to Tir Na Nog. Just as Violet promised. The shadow had saved them from death, for now. The captain had a smile upon his lips, though it faded away as he realized the lives that were already lost to this venture. He imagined more would go...he could feel the wraith of the Gods behind this storm. This was not a natural storm. He knew that much. Did the Gods know his plans to take a Fae from Tir Na Nog? It was the only logical answer...

**

The king gazed up to the goddess, a smile upon his lips as the goddess spoke to his daughter. He stood and looked to Maeve's hand as she took his. He could feel the magic flowing from her being, it caused his wings to flutter slightly as he drew in a deep breath. That feeling of her magic. It was a calming sensation...but in the same moment, it was the most powerful feeling he'd ever felt in his life. Next to the moment that the Goddess of Darkness sacrificed herself to place a barrier around Tir Na Nog. The stories of the Goddess of the Sea were, scarce. There was not much known of her, other than her wraith was something that one did not want to have befall them. “Calanthe...” He breathed. He had only heard the fables of the lost city. The city that the Goddess resided over. It was explained as a magical place in the depths of the sea. Far away from the reaches of the humans and their greed. It was said to be the most magical place in this world. Filled with elves that took on a different shade of skin. The stories had it wrong though. The stories spoke of Maeve's mother as a Goddess that was lost to the depths of the sea. Not a mortal. Thus the Fae people of Tir Na Nog believed Maeve to be a true Goddess. Funny how stories passed down by word of mouth morph over the years.

His lips parted as she grazed his chin. “Yes goddess...yes of course...anything you ask...I Aeromer, King of Tir Na Nog and of the Fae will grant the crown to my daughter, the moment you ask it.” He gazed to his daughter. “Rhaenerys will be an excellent queen.” He gave a weak smile. The king had been thinking of handing the crown to his daughter for several years. But he did not want her to lose her free nature. She was truly a fae of the forest, as pure as they come. She believed in the Gods and Goddesses more than he ever could. After what he’d lived through it was difficult to have true belief like the princess held. Innocent belief. He didn't want Rhaenerys to lose her innocence. That smile. He lived for that smile. But he was becoming old with each passing year. He had already aged quite a bit before the Fae retreated to Tir Na Nog. Then he had his daughter, nearly 40 years ago. She was such a young, vibrant soul. Free. She was truly free.

Rhaenerys watched in awe, she still couldn’t believe the goddess of the sea stood before her. The way the woman spoke was fluid. It caused a grin to curve up the edges of her lips. “I will bring out soldiers...” She nodded and glanced to her father whom nodded as well. She looked back to the goddess as the woman placed her Trident in her hand. She made to speak but a splash of water hit the floor. A droplet of water landed upon her cheek. The princess lifted her hand and brushed the water away, she gazed to her fingers a long moment before her purple hues lifted to gaze to the beautiful weapon that she held in her grasp. Her wings fluttered and filled with the glow of her magic. Her breath caught in her chest, she could feel the massive amount of power within the weapon. “Father...” She looked to the king. She had never felt anything like this weapon. It held such responsibility. It belonged to the Gods. Yet here she was, a mere mortal...with such a beautiful weapon.

“You have been gifted my dear girl.” He stepped forward and gazed to the Trident, he dared not touch it. To touch the weapon of a God...it was a dangerous line. The magic that the Gods held was not meant for mortals, even the Fae. He searched her hues as the pixie flew over to inspect the Trident. “Come let us prepare our soldiers. We will meet the humans at the cove.” He smirked. “They will wish they had never come to our island...I can only imagine what the Goddess of the Sea plans to do to them."

Rhaenerys stared to the Trident, her breaths shook. She then looked to Alis. “She...really listened...” She was still in shock. This was all so much to take in. Her purple hues gazed back to the beautiful weapon.

Alis smiled as she looked to the Trident. “She not only listened...she gifted you, Rhae.” She landed upon her arm and reached forward to touch the Trident. It pulsed with power, the white lines within it glowing a bit brighter now. Alis smiled wide and chuckled, "Your nightmares...will be just that...just a dream...that world that is on fire...it will never come...not with the help of the Goddess." She spoke with hope in her voice.

Rhaenerys gave a gentle nod. "We will stop history from repeating. The suffering...the pain...it will no longer exist." She smiled as she turned and stepped off to gather the soldiers in her father's wake. Her confidence was incredible. She should have been frightened. She should have had worry. But Rhaenerys was never one to be afraid. This is why it took Allymys so long for her to convince the princess to ask for help. She did not back down without a fight...no...she refused to give in. It was a trait of a true ruler.

**

Ainsley stood at the wheel, his icy hues gazed up to the skies. "What...is that...?" He questioned as he saw something in the distance. It grew closer. A blue dragon flew within the skies. His heart began to pound within his chest, he could see a figure upon the back of the beast as it cut through the air and circled around them. He gazed about to his men whom had stopped what they were doing. Many upon the decks merely stared to the dragon in awe...in fear...

"We're dead." Oliver spoke, his voice gruff. "That's a God, isn't it, Captain?" He stood near him.

Ainsley bit his lip. He punched the wheel. "I knew. I knew I shouldn't have agreed to this damn mission." He turned the wheel swiftly to try to escape the dragon as it came closer. He could see the blue of the woman with the white hair upon the neck of the huge dragon. Fear gripped him as the beast shot a beam of white against the shield. "We have to get away!" He cried as he ordered his men around. "Drop the sails! Anything to get us moving! We are just sitting here!" The ship had completely stalled in the waters. The storm still raged about but it was as if they were in the eye of the storm in that moment.

"It was a pleasure sailing with you, captain." Oliver clapped a hand upon his shoulder. "If I could go back. I'd still come on this venture." The man stared up to the dragon as the purple barrier began to change colors. "You're the best captain I've ever had." He spoke just before the beam burst through...

The storm raged on. Lyra had fallen unconscious, finally succumbing to the exhaustion of her energy. Though as a yell came from above the deck the woman’s hues opened, Ainsley. Her stormy eyes gazed to Violet, fear gripped her chest. “Something is wrong.” The world around them had grown silent. The ship did not creak to the subtle movements through the water. No. It was completely still. "Something..." She spoke and sat up just as the horrible sound of the wood of the ship splintering to pieces filled her ears. "Violet!" Lyra tried to grasp at the woman, but she was pushed back by the blast of power that sliced through the ship, narrowly missing her and the sage. The icy waters of the ocean rushed into the hull and swept her away with east like that of a bouey within a storm. Lyra gasped for air just before she was thrust beneath the waves. The pieces of the hull as they were sucked beneath a huge wave pulled her in. Her arms and legs kicked feverishly as she was pulled into the depths of the ocean. Bubbles escaped from her mouth as she slowly lost the air in her lungs. She gazed about as she was tugged deeper into the darkness. Though, she could see. She was within the hull. Within her room. Items float around her, a picture of her and Ainsley floated before her. Her jewelry sloshed about in the violent sea.

The more Lyra fought, the further she sank within the cold. Her room fell away eventually as the heaviness of the ship caused it to sink with more ease toward the floor of the sea. She kicked, she paddled. It was no use. She couldn't hear the roar of the waves above her anymore. How deep had she sank? Bits of the beautiful ship...shattered into a thousand pieces...floated around her, descending into the depths with her. As she sank her chest began to burn. No matter how hard she kicked. No matter how much she tried to get above the surface of the ocean. She simply couldn’t. A few more bubbles came from her lips. The last of her air. The sea was cold. So cold it felt as though it turned her insides to ice. Her muscles began to ache. Her ability to kick her legs slowly began to give out. Fear filled her stormy hues as she tried to move her arms. They felt so heavy, wrapped in the icy chill of the waters. The challenge of getting above the water to the much needed air, it became something that the fiery haired woman could no longer fathom. She blinked against the salty water as she float motionless among the wreckage.

As she stopped kicking a sense of relief began to fill her. Her limbs that were filled with ice began to feel as though she stood before a great bon fire. It was comforting. The type of comfort that if anyone were to ask...was not a good sign for the young woman. When faced with the chill of the sea when one begins to feel warmth the battle has already been lost. The burn within her lungs began to subside as the last bit of air bubbles came from her lungs. Her eyes blinked slowly. The world around her grew darker. It grew silent. Calm. She stretched her arm up toward the surface, up toward the chaos as her vision began to give way.

Ainsley had screamed at the top of his lungs as the beam burst through his ship and ripped it to shreds. He rushed forward and tried to get below the deck before a wave crashed over the top of the deck. He was thrown into the turbulent waters violently. Though he was a strong swimmer. Much more than he could say for Lyra. He knew she was a poor swimmer. When he had first saved Lyra...years ago...she had fallen off the deck near the shore. The woman nearly drowned in calm waters. Let along a rampaging sea that was as cold as the icy waters of winter. The Captain looked about quickly before a wave crashed over his head and tumbled him about. He kicked his way back to the surface and gasped for air.

“Lyra!!” He screamed over the boom of the thunder from the storm. “Lyra!” His voice was covered by the crash of the waves. He gripped onto a piece of the ship that floated about. It could barely keep him above the water. He saw something then. Something familiar. He kicked and paddled against the waves. "Hang....on..." He grit his teeth as he kept a hold of the piece of the ship to keep him afloat. As he grew closer he reached forward and gripped a hold of Violet. “Got you.” He spoke as he held her against his chest above the water. He looked around becoming almost desperate. Lyra was nowhere to be found. Not even an article of her clothing...Ainsley grit his teeth as he kicked against the rushing waters that threatened to suck them beneath the surface. “I didn’t save you for you to die Lyra...” He muttered as he pushed Violet up upon the wreckage of the ship. It was a piece of the hull that held the name of the ship upon its side. It was large enough to keep her afloat.

A wave crashed over the two and as they came back to the surface he coughed up the water that had forced into his mouth and lungs. "Violet..." He groaned and coughed more. "We need...we need to find Lyra...we must find her." He choked the words out as he kicked to keep them above the water. Though, even his body was threatening to give away from the icy chill of the waters.

Lyra. A voice entered the woman’s mind. Lyra Blackmyre. The voice was deep, booming. Lyra float motionlessly within the water. Her eyes had slipped shut, her body was slowly sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Her fiery hair floated up from her body, the strands appeared to be almost wispy as they were moved about by the currents of the deep. Lyra. There was a pressure that began to build within her chest. The woman's hues shot open within the darkness of the waters. She found herself staring into fiery red eyes that hid behind a golden skull mask. Long tipped ears pushed through the jet black hair of the fae. He had a tight hold on her tunic. The water suddenly pushed away from Lyra as a glowing blue bubble surrounded her and the ember eyed fae. “You’re stronger than this girl.” The voice chuckled in almost a dark manner. He had metal armor upon his shoulders and arms, his chest was exposed. It was muscular, he held vibrant blue wings upon his back that glowed brighter than even the bubble around them. He chuckled as he watched her. “Do you not remember who you are?” He questioned as he gripped her soaking shirt a bit more tightly, he lifted her feet from the base of the bubble. "Lyra. Focus." His eyes began to glow a brighter red, almost pulsating with power. He peered to her through the golden skull. A deep chuckle came from the man. “Remember, Lyra. You can fight this." He grinned as he watched her head lull to the side. "You can be so much more." He pulled her closer and gazed deeply into her eyes.

Lyra shuddered as her arms weakly grasped at the arm that held her up. Her breathing was heavy and fast as her body fought for the air that it so desperately needed. Her skin was a bluish pale color from the chill of the ocean. "Remember?" She questioned, her voice soft. "What...are you?" She was fighting to keep conscious.

The fae tilted his head and a chuckle came over his lips. "You should ask yourself that, girl." He spoke before he suddenly disappeared and she was thrust into the icy waters once again.

Ainsley hit the piece of wreckage. “Damnit Lyra!” He called, his voice broken. None of the other shipmates were anywhere to be seen. A wave crashed over them and he was sent tumbling into the waters once again. He kicked and fought against the wild waters of the sea. Another wave crashed over the captain and he was shoved beneath the waters. The sea would win this battle. He was pushed deeper and deeper. His muscles fought to get him to the surface. He could see the pieces of wreckage that floated just above him. But each time he grew close...another wave would wash over him and send him twisting into the waters depths. It was then that a huge burst of light came to him. His eyes tried to focus though the salty cold water. He finally managed to kick to the surface and gasped for air. “Violet! Lyra!” He called out. Another wave crashed against him.

A burst came from the waters. It was like an explosion. The water from the depths burst upward from deep within the sea. It created a crater within the waves. With this explosion a wave of magic washed over the area with speed. It pulsated violently and red bolts of lightning scattered within the waters like fireworks. Everything went black…

**

Ainsley coughed as he felt the heat of the sun. The sound of crashing water against the shore. He blinked a few times as he pushed himself up to his hands and knees. His clothing was heavy as he gazed about. His muscles trembled. The last thing he remembered was being pushed beneath the waters again. The fear that gripped him, the fear of death itself. His icy hues found something familiar then, the fiery haired woman. Lyra lay upon the beach several feet away from him, blood leaked from her nose and mouth, her skin was dangerously pale. Her chest barely moved with each breath that caused a quake to move through her body. “Lyra...” He breathed. He gazed about and let out a breath as he saw Violet.

How had they made it to shore? They were still so far away. A month of travel...they still had so much time left. Where were they? He rushed over to Lyra and knelt at her side. The sugar white sand stuck to his body and his clothing as he brushed her hair from her eyes. He looked to the blood and worry took over his expression. “Lyra.” He shook her. The fiery haired woman didn’t respond in the least. He brushed her hair from her eyes as he looked her over for injuries. Nothing. He couldn't see anything. Not even a bruise. Why was she bleeding? He lifted her shirt and checked along her abdomen for bruising. Nothing. "Lyra wake up." He tapped her cheek, the only response he received was the slight furrow of her brows. "Damn it..." He turned and rushed to Violet.

"Violet?" He questioned as he shook her shoulder. "Hey. Wake up." He gazed over her for any injuries. He sat down then and gazed to the open ocean. It was a beautiful, calm, bluebird day. The heat of the sun was welcomed after the icy depths of the waters during the storm. He heard the sound of something fluttering then. A strange sound. One that he was not accustomed to. Ainsley turned around swiftly as he climbed to his feet, his eyes widened as he looked to several fae. His eyes stuck on the one in the front...a beautiful woman. Her hair was silver like that of ice, her wings...the wings of a Fae. He'd never seen such a thing. His breath caught in his chest. They had made it to Tir Na Nog. How?

“You will stand and you will comply with every command that we give.” Rhaenerys approached with a troop of soldiers. They landed in a circular formation around the three upon the beach. She gazed to Lyra and her brows furrowed slightly. She lingered there a moment before she gazed to Violet and then to Ainsley. She held the trident in her hands, her purple hues glowed vibrantly. Her wings upon her back glowed the beautiful array of colors. She closed her eyes a moment and drew in a breath. The waters from the sea lifted and circled around the group creating a barrier so that Ainsley and Violet could not run. The water took on a glistening glow as it swirled about. "You have made a great mistake in coming here." She spoke as she nodded to her soldiers.

Two soldiers rushed forward to Ainsley and clasped glowing magical bonds over his wrists. He didn't fight, he merely stared to the Fae. This was not at all what he imagined when he chose to come to Tir Na Nog. His eyes looked to Lyra. "Help her...please..." He spoke.

Rhaenerys lifted a brow and a smirk curved up her lips. "I intend to." She slammed the trident down upon the ground. The water rushed forward to the group. As the water splashed down around them they were teleported and appeared within the depths of the castle, much further inland. Rhaenerys had practiced this as she awaited the humans. She stepped over to Lyra whom lay motionless. Her head tilted to the side slightly. "Take her." She spoke and her soldiers lifted up the limp body of the petite woman. She looked to Ainsley then and narrowed her brows, "You'll regret this." She spoke before she walked from the cell. The same clasps had been placed upon Violet. A magical draining material.

Ainsley gazed about the damp stone room. His eyes looked to the thick metal door. He drew in a breath and looked to Violet. "Why did they take Lyra?" He questioned as he pulled against the shackles. "We have to get out of here..." He pushed himself up and beat upon the door. "Lyra!!!" He cried out. After doing this for a few minutes he turned and slid down to the floor, a sigh came from his lips. "Are you alright Violet?" He questioned as his brows tugged together. "Did...you or Bane get us to the island? I...don't understand what happened..."

**

Rhaenerys leaned the Trident against the wall as she stood over Lyra. Alis landed upon the woman's chest as she looked to her. She looked to her ears and then looked up to the princess. "Do you feel it?" She questioned and then she fluttered to grab a towel. She came back with the rag and began to blot away the blood that leaked from her nose and mouth.

"Yes...I can..." Rhaenerys shook her head. "How?" She questioned. She closed her eyes a moment. "Maeve...Goddess of the sea...I call upon you..." She spoke, her eyes began to glow as she opened them. She stared back to Lyra. "Perhaps the Goddess will have answers for us...this woman...there is something...different..." She rolled Lyra to her side and she pulled slightly against the tunic that was sucked against her body from the water that it held. Upon Lyra's back were feint pink scars right at the bottom of her shoulder blades. "Gods..." She breathed. "Alis...look..." She spoke as she stared to the scars. "She's..." Her lips parted.

"She's Fae." Alis spoke as she touched the scars before the princess allowed Lyra to lay back flat upon her back. "Poor thing..." She brushed away more of the blood and sighed softly.

Ainsley turned his attention to her as he gripped onto the bars of the door. He peered into the hallway. It was silent. The cells back on the continent were dirty and smelled of a blend of bodily fluids and decay. He glanced to Violet as she spoke. “Stop fighting it?” He questioned, his eyes full of worry. He let out a sigh and pressed his forehead against the thick cool metal of the bars. “They took her...Violet.” He pressed his lips together slightly and shook his head. “Why would they take Lyra?” He questioned as he turned and paced about the room. He was on edge. A winkled appeared between his brows as he tugged them together. The chain between the two shackles about his wrists jingled with his movements. Back and forth. Back and forth.

The Captain watched her, “You...didn’t teleport us?” He questioned, his brows raised. His icy eyes watched her for an extended period of silence. As she spoke of a God he remembered Oliver’s words just before the ship was destroyed. The old man was right. It was a God on the back of that dragon. He grit his teeth slightly. “I saw a figure on the back of that dragon.” He spoke as he watched Violet carefully. “I couldn’t make out many of the features, but it was close enough. The figure was blue with white hair...a woman I believe.” He tugged against the shackles and sighed heavily as he finally sat down. He leaned against the wall as he looked about the cells. “We’re fucked. That’s what you mean, Sage.” He let out a weak laugh.

**

Rhaenerys lifted her eyes as Maeve appeared, a bit of a smile tugged at the edges of her lips. The way that she could just call upon a Goddess. It had a sort of power to it. A power that she knew she truly did not control. But she was given such an ability. “Did this woman bring them to the shore?” The princess questioned as she took the towel from Alis and brushed the blood away. It was a slow trickle, but Lyra was still actively bleeding. Her breaths shook like a leave in a storm.

Alis moved about as she inspected Lyra. She looked to her ears in confusion. “If she is this weak...there is a possibility that she performed such an act...yes...” She looked to the goddess for affirmation. She then smiled slightly as Maeve confirmed this. “The Emerald pools?” Alis questioned as she moved and lifted the lid of Lyra’s eye to see if there would be any response from the woman at all. Nothing. She gazed to the stormy iris for a moment before she gave a gentle sigh. “Maeve is right, there isn’t much time. I can feel her magic fading, Rhae.” She looked to the princess.

“Why...why would a fae help them?” Rhaenerys brushed away more of the blood from Lyra. “Does she not know what happened? She must...she’s lost her wings...she must know the horrid things that the humans will do for power...their greed...even I know...” She seemed angry, frustrated by the fae that helped the humans. She then turned and bit her lip slightly as her thoughts raced. “Guards. Package her. We will take her to the Emerald Pools.”

“Yes your highness.” One of the soldiers spoke as two stepped forward and began prepping Lyra to be carried. They slipped a stretcher beneath her back and wrapped her tightly in a blanket. Lyra groaned slightly as they moved her about. The first real response that she had given them this entire while.

Rhaenerys turned swiftly as she heard the sound. She looked to the knitted brows of the forgotten fae. “Go on, open your eyes.” She cupped Lyra’s cheek.

Lyra’s hues cracked open to the gentle touch upon her skin. Her breath quaked as she tried to focus her vision. It was a messy blur. She felt the pain hit her, it was as if fire coursed through her veins. A whimper came from her lips before she fell limp once again. Alis shook her head slightly. “Princess. Time is of the essence.” She nodded. “Let us take her to the pools.” She lifted into the air and glanced to Maeve a moment before she looked back to Rhaenerys. “Dare I venture to say...this girl has no idea she is a fae.” The pixie spoke the wise words.

The princess shifted and offered a slight nod. “We will not know until she wakes.” She spoke and then she looked to the guards. “With haste.” She ordered as she stepped aside. They entered the halls and their footsteps seemed to echo as the sounds bounced off of the stone.

**

As the footsteps echoed into the hallway the captain stood swiftly. He rushed to the door and gripped upon the bars. “Lyra...” He looked to her, the blood that still leaked from his nose and mouth. A small creature with purple skin sat near her head with a towel that was already red with Lyra’s blood. “Lyra! Wait! Where are you taking her?!” He shook the bars and then pounded upon the door.

“It will serve you well to exhibit silence.” The royal tone of the fae before spoke. She stood before the barred door, her purple hues stared to Ainsley. Her lips were pressed together. “You do not have power over the island of Tir Na Nog. Nor do you have power over the Fae.” Her eyes narrowed when she spoke the last bit. “You made a grave mistake coming here.” Her wings fluttered behind her back, anger. She held the trident in her hand and it glowed slightly as her emotions swelled within her chest.

“Princess.” A voice called from down the hallway.

Rhaenerys grit her teeth slightly. She reached forward and gripped a hold of Ainsley’s tunic. She pulled him harshly against the bars. She stared up into his hues as she tugged her brows together. “We are not a toy. Nor are we tools for your wars.” She spoke as she watched him. From her hand darkness crawled over Ainsley. A sense of fear gripped him, his body shuddered slightly. A smirk curved up her lips. This was just a hint of the power that Allymys had given into the princess. “You will tell me why you have come to our island.”

“Rhaenerys!” The small pixie came flying down the hallway. She fluttered before the door.

The princess’ hues had turned black as she gave into her anger. She released Ainsley roughly and glanced to the pixie. “Yes, yes. Right.” She shook her head slightly, her purple hues returned. She glanced to Ainsley a moment before she rushed down the hallway to catch up to the soldiers.

Ainsley slid down to the floor as he drew in quick breaths. He felt as though ice had settled in around his body. His teeth chattered slightly. The fae was so beautiful...yet she struck more fear in him than even the storm at sea. He pressed his back to the wall and gazed to Violet. He looked as though he wanted to speak, but words did not utter from his mouth.

**

The princess moved swiftly through the halls of the castle. Her dress flowed behind her like the breeze upon the sea shore. She looked to the forgotten fae and a sigh came over her lips. “Set her down.” She spoke to the soldiers. They looked to heir princess a moment and then set her down on the marble floor. “Step back.” She was exhausted from the transportation of the soldiers and the three from the ship. But there was no time to get this woman to the Emerald Pools.

“Be careful Rhae.” Alis warned as she landed upon the chest of the unconscious woman. “Do not deplete yourself too much.”

“I won’t.” She breathed, she glanced to Maeve a long moment before she lifted the trident and then slammed it upon the ground. Rhaenerys stumbled forward. She held back her urge to empty her stomach as she fell to her knees before the fiery haired woman. “O-okay...” She winced slightly. She placed her arms beneath the arms of the woman and lifted her. “Maeve...” She looked to the goddess for help. Her eyes were tired now.

The room that they appeared in was within the base of the great tree upon the isles of Tir Na Nog. It was much like the life tree that Bane had once sought to drain of power. The entire room held a green glow to it. The soft sound of water as it trickled about filled the air. It was warm and humid within this room, a natural environment for the tree. The other life trees were long gone from the world. Destroyed by greed. This was the final and most powerful life tree. Rhaenerys walked into the glowing waters, her purple hues immediately took on a purple glow. She pulled Lyra into the waters with her. “There you are.” She spoke as she allowed the woman to float within the water that was warm and welcoming.

Rhaenerys sat against the edge of the pool. She allowed the magic to swarm into her body. A long sigh escaped her lips as she leaned her head back. “If they are working with a Fae, Maeve...what else do we not know?” She questioned softly.

Alis hovered over the fiery haired woman. Her purple hues watched her intently. As Lyra’s eyes began to flutter the pixie grinned. “She’s waking.” She spoke, her voice soft as she flew over to land at the edge of the pool next to the princess.

**

It took nearly an hour before Lyra’s eyes actually opened. All the while she muttered and mumbled in her sleep. Her hands would ball into fists and then relax once again. When her stormy hues finally opened she sat up and then gasped. She splashed in the water violently for a moment before she realized she could touch the bottom of the pool. Her eyes shot around and landed upon the beautiful Fae woman and then the Goddess. Her chest heaved. “Ainsley….Violet...” She looked around, fear gripped her. As fear began to course through her...her eyes began to glow white. Her emotions were fueling her chaos.

Rhaenerys shifted and stood slowly, “You are safe.” She spoke as she stepped forward and touched the arm of the fiery haired woman.

A wave of power burst from Lyra as she jumped back from the princess. She stared to the woman as she was thrown back against the side of the pool. “I am not safe. Where is Ainsley? The ship...the crew...” She remembered the horrible moments. The darkness. The strange god that approached her as she was so close to her own death. Her chest rose and fell swiftly. Fear gripped her. “Where am I?” She questioned as she trembled. Her eyes looked to the blue skinned woman. “Who are you?” She asked as she leaped from within the pool. Water droplets fell around her as she stumbled and fell to her knees. Her body was still terribly weak. She heaved as her hands pressed into the cool floor. “What...is happening?” She spoke through grit teeth. The god beneath the ocean waves had unlocked the hidden magic within the fae.

“Rhae.” Alis tugged upon the princess’ clothing, holding her above the water. “Princess wake up.”

Rhaenerys opened her eyes slowly. She was in a daze as she looked around. But she came to quick. She jumped from the water and then helped Lyra back into it. “You need to restore.” She spoke as she looked to her. “Trust me, fae. I am trying to help you.” She gave a gentle smile then.

“Fae?” Lyra questioned her stormy hues locked upon the princess. Her eyes looked to the wings upon the woman’s back that glowed lightly. “A-are you a Fae?” She questioned as she looked over the beautiful complexion.

She didn’t know. Rhaenerys had a slack jaw as she stared to the woman. “As much of a Fae as you are.” She replied. Her eyes glanced to Maeve for help then. Lyra pressed her back against the edge of the pool as she fought the dizziness. She shuddered and shook her head. The princess gazed back to her. “You’re alright. We won’t hurt you...” She spoke as she watched her fall into a crisis. How was one to go from believing they were human to understanding that they were in fact a Fae…?

Ainsley had glanced to Violet when she made the comment about how attached he was to the fiery haired woman. A long sigh came from his lips. “Not everyone lives the length of time that you have, Violet. I’ve known her for 10 years. That is nearly one third of my life. I saved her. She was on death’s door when I found her.” He stared into her evergreen hues, his lips pressed together. “I do hope that you are right about the Fae...if you are not...” A long breath escaped him. His brows tugged together as she began to logically make her way through the situation that they were in. Lyra? Teleport them? A chuckle came from his lips. “Lyra? She’s hardly a mage...her magic is so chaotic. It is untamed. She’s gotten better of the past few years, but she’s quite dangerous.” He shifted and the shackles about his wrists jangled. “We were in port...when I first saved her...it was the first time I witnessed her magic. Have you ever heard of the small port city of Askabar?” Ainsley paused then as he looked to her.

“It burned to the ground nearly 10 years ago. Most said it was an accident….” He clicked his tongue. “It was Lyra...her magic...she got in a situation with a man at the bar, he scared her. That was it. That’s all it took back then. Fear was something that drove her into chaos. I found her after the fires in the streets, her eyes held those very flames that destroyed the city...the people...she killed so many people...So...Yes I’m a bit protective of her because of how explosive she can be...” A sigh came from his lips. “I hope that they are helping her recover...Violet she looked so close to death...her skin was so pale...it looked like she was having a difficult time breathing...” He was distraught, for good reason. “I’ve never understood her magic.” He tugged his brows together, a sigh came from his lips once again. “I’ve tried. I’ve tried to work with her. Nya even tried to work with Lyra. The funny thing about her is...when she is confronted with a mage and asked to perform her magic.” He weakly laughed and shook his head. He shifted a bit, listening to the sounds in the hallway. “She can’t do it on command.” He locked his hues on Violet. He’d never told anyone about the incident in Askabar.

**

Rhaenerys gazed to the goddess as she spoke of what she’d done. The destruction. Her brows raised. She looked to the Fae that lay nearly lifeless before her. As the Goddess grazed her fingertip along the forearm of the fiery haired woman, her fingertips curled slightly. Her breathing quickened for a few moments before it settled back down to the short shaken breaths. The princess listened to the wise words of the goddess. She pressed her lips together. Strength, wisdom, kindness. That is what a good leader must embody. Even her own father had uttered such words to her when faced with difficult decisions. It is not anger that one should lean to, but wisdom and kindness. The ability to forgive. Even the horrible terror that the Fae lived through, they left the humans to their world when they could have easily turned upon them and destroyed the world bit by bit. Just as their people had been destroyed.

She must act like the ruler that she was to become. Though her anger had gotten the best of her when she was faced with the human captain of the ship. She assumed the worst of him. She assumed that he was holding the Lost Fae against her will. That he was draining her...that the woman was draining her. She could sense a darkness within the woman. A darkness unlike anything she’d felt before. But it no longer frightened her. The darkness before had caused a great deal of despair in the young princess, but now...darkness held no bounds.

**

Ainsley was in shock from the cold that washed over his skin. Even his face had become pale, his eyes glazed over slightly. He huffed as he fought to breathe. A bit of his breath could be seen in the air. What magic was this? He witnessed Violet speak to the woman with the blue skin. His icy eyes locked upon her. That smirk. That confident, cocky, smirk. He shivered as he tried to focus on the words that Violet spoke. He felt the warmth of her cloak as it was wrapped around his shoulders. He didn’t fight against her as she pull his head into her lap. It hurt to breathe. He let out a pained breath as he felt her caressing his hair. It was calming. Soothing. As she spoke of the Goddess he listened. His eyes closed as the fear that gripped his chest slowly began to melt away. “If she is young...perhaps...she will listen to us...” He spoke as his body still shivered aggressively. “I’ve no….G-Gods to pray to, Violet.” His jaw tightened as he tried to stop the chattering of his teeth. A thing bit of ice had formed upon the hairs of his beard, a frost. Though slowly, the chill began to melt away. With each caress of his head he slowly felt the warmth spread through his body once again.

“Perhaps the Goddess is interested in Lyra.” He spoke after several minutes of silence. “She tried to kill us. That was the intention I imagine….we should not have survived such an attack...as you said...she is known for her wrath within the seas...we should be at the bottom of the ocean with the rest of the crew...but we are not.” Ainsley opened his eyes and gazed up to Violet. He didn’t move from her lap. “So, we shall pray then and hope that the Gods hear out prayers.”

Ainsley thought for a moment, “That other Fae...the one with the beautiful wings...what can you tell me of her? Is there anything that you can feel different about her?” He questioned softly. “That small...flying thing...it called her princess...she...would be the one that we need to impress aside from the Goddess...right? She held...so much anger...did you see her eyes? Violet her eyes turned black as the night when she held onto me.” A shudder came from him as he gazed up to her. “There is something different about that Fae...different from the stories that I have read. Different from anything they Nya told me to expect. But then again...we are dealing with the Gods...aren’t we?” He gave a bit of a smirk. “Nothing can ever be easy.” A weak laugh came from the captain then. He slowly sat up and looked to her cloak, “Thank you. For that...I am not sure what the princess did...it was so cold...and...I felt real...pure fear.” He bit his lip slightly as he thought of that feeling. It was harsh. Jagged. The cold that washed over his body was unreal.

**

Rhaenerys grit her teeth slightly from the impact against the side of the pool. Her eyes watched the Lost Fae. The fear in the woman’s hues. The light that sparked to life within her eyes. “Maeve...” The princess spoke, a hint of fear in her tone. The magic that was flowing from the Lost Fae was building. She shouldn’t have been able to recover so quickly, she should have been docile. At least that was what the princess assumed.

Lyra was breathing a bit more quickly, “I don’t understand.” She spoke her eyes had sparks of magic within them that jolted about within her stormy iris. It was a beautiful and terrifying sight. “This is all a dream. It must be a dream.” She held a hand to her head. The Lost Fae was distracted by her own confusion. So distracted that she did not see the Goddess walk across the water. The glowing green pool began to ripple around the Lost Fae as her power built. Pent up for years. As the Goddess grasped her collar Lyra began to struggle. “Let go!” She cried, she writhed in her grip. Her eyes began to glow bright white as she cried out, her hands gripped onto the arm that held her. “Let me go!” Years of alcohol to push back her powers. Years of every tincture and leaf known to man...it all dulled her. It all numbed her magic and allowed her to function. Now that magic was fully awakened and it was terribly unstable.

“Maeve!” The princess rushed forward just as the two disappeared from the pools.

Alis flew over to the princess and gazed to a white silhouette where the Lost Fae had been. It was electric energy. “This Fae...is dangerous.” Alis spoke as she flew around the silhouette. “We must gain her trust, Rhae. Perhaps...wanting her to just trust you isn’t enough. Hm?” She gave a gentle smile. Her purple hues searched over the princess. “Let me see.” She spoke as she flew around behind the princess and looked to her back. It was bruised from the impact. Luckily her wings had managed to escape unscathed. “Come to the healing pool, princess.” Alis flew over toward a pool that held a white glow. The tree of life was a place where the Fae could come to refuel from just about any ailment. The princess walked over and slipped into the waters, a long sigh shuddered from her lips as she relaxed into the warmth of the water. “The Goddess of the Sea will handle this. We will handle this, princess.”

**

Lyra still struggled within the grip of the Goddess. She choked as she struggled. Though, the weakness from the exertion of her magic began to return. The fire that now filled her eyes slowly began to fade away. She wasn’t strong enough to maintain her magic. Lucky for the Goddess. As the blue skinned woman questioned her she grit her teeth. She gasped as visions of the male fae that wore a golden skull came to her mind. Her body shuddered as electricity filled her hues once again. Her power began to swell rapidly. The Lost Fae breathed quickly as she felt overwhelmed by the power. Sparks came from her fingertips that grasped around Maeve’s arm. The calming voice did not matter. It did not sooth Lyra. “I don’t know.” She breathed finally, tears had welled in her eyes.

Though the fae was not fighting as much as she was still held by the collar of her shirt. Her hands relaxed away. She gazed to the goddess. Perhaps the soothing tone was working after all on the Lost Fae? She looked to the woman’s hand as she held it up, the beautiful blue skin with white lines that glowed. Her breaths shuddered. “I...am not...who you think...I am...” Lyra shuddered. She refused to take the Goddess’ hand. Though as the sphere stopped churning around them and her stormy hues lifted to see the coral reef...the ocean that was around them. The fae looked back to the goddess and then to her hand. She peered to the terrifying Maelstrom below.

Lyra’s hues filled with electricity locked upon the Goddess then. “Wings ripped away?” She questioned as she then stared to the hand again. There was no other choice but to oblige the request of this woman. Lyra reached her small hand forward, her fingers curled around those of the goddess. Her breath caught in her chest as her eyes once again found the glowing hues of the goddess. The gentle sweet sensation that overcame her caused the gentle grey of her eyes to return. Her expression softened. Her breath hitched within her throat. Her eyes fluttered slightly as the goddess tapped into the unknowns of the Lost Fae.

**

The wails of a child filled the air. Wisps of fiery red hair were upon the head of the child that held grey hues. Upon her back sprouted beautiful wings that were very unique. A bright glowing blue near her back and as it reached toward the edges the wings faded into a deep black translucent color. It was gorgeous. Though another type of wing that was rarely seen among the fae. A woman held the small child in her arms and rocked her. Soothing her. The woman did not hold wings upon her own back. No. But her eyes were the same beautiful cloud grey. “Shhh my sweet dear.” She soothed. They sat within a beautiful fae forest. One of the forests that was long burned and destroyed upon the continent. “I will protect you.” The back of the woman’s shirt was bloodied. “I won’t let them hurt you. I promised.” She breathed, her breath shuddered slightly. She was pale, and weak. Her wings had only just been ripped from her back. She staggered slightly as the child cooed in her armed and nuzzled into her warmth.

A rush of wind washed through the forest. A man appeared, a fae. The fae with the golden skull mask, the jet black hair. The chiseled chest and abs. He looked to the woman that had now fallen to her knees. “Rosyn Calnaeros.” The deep voice boomed as he crooked a finger beneath her chin. A smile curved up the lips of the God. This was Aeryvar, Maeve may have known him. He was a God that rarely showed his face to the world. Aeryvar was the God of suffering, war, and deception. He cupped the cheek of the fae mother. “Rosyn you are going to die.” He spoke as he felt her body tremble beneath his touch. “What of your sweet daughter Jaidyn?” He looked to the child that had fallen completely silent.

The Fae sobbed as she looked up to him, her breaths shuddered. “You...you’re a God...” She breathed. “Please.”

He leaned forward a bit more, waiting for her to beg of him just what he wanted. “Yes?” He questioned and tilted his head to the side slightly.

“Please. Save my girl...” Blood leaked from the woman’s nose.

“Me? Well I’m not so sure I can. I’m a God. I have many things to do. I do not need to raise a child.” The God chuckled as he watched her. He gazed down to the child and then smirked. “She will become the bane of the humans existence. The end of their terrible greed.” He spoke as he caressed the cheek of the fae woman. “I need one thing from you dear.” He held a hand up and a beautiful golden dagger embellished with a fae within the the hilt appeared within his hand. He still cupped her cheek. “Do you, Rosyn...gift your Fae child to my capable hands? Aeryvar the God of suffering, war, and deception.” He grinned to her as he tilted his head slightly at the end of this question. His eyes were glowing red beneath the mask.

Rosyn hugged her daughter to her chest. She lifted her and kissed her forehead, blood smeared upon the child’s skin from her lips. “Yes. Aeryvar. I gift you my sweet Jaidyn. Please. Save her from them.”

The sound of heavy footsteps could be heard in the distance. Soldiers that were chasing after the escaped Fae. This was before the war was even close to an end. The God grinned as he looked to her. “Very well. May you rest in peace among the sweet dreams that you deserve my sweet Fae.” He still cupped her cheek. He lifted the dagger and gave a gentle nod to her. The Fae did not fight him, she tilted her head back ever so slightly, exposing her throat to him. To bleed her this way, the humans would not be able to use her blood. She knew exactly what this God was doing. He sliced clean across her throat and the blood sprayed over the young infant. The woman gurgled as she reached a hand up and touched the chest of the god before she collapsed to the ground. As she collapsed Aeryvar took the child from her arms. He set her gently on her mother’s chest for a moment as he sliced his palm. “You will need more protection than this world can offer.” He spoke as he squeezed his hand. His blood dripped into the mouth of the young Fae.

The young Jaidyn...that would one day become Lyra Blackmyre...she gazed to the God in awe and reached toward him. The God chuckled as he lifted her into his arms as the soldiers grew close enough to see him. A smirk curved up his lips before he vanished into a roaring firestorm that spread in the direction of the soldiers...killing every single one. It was a tale that no one truly knew. They knew of the 200 soldiers that died in a fae forest to the fires. But the name that they spoke as their savior? It was Rosyn Calaneros. Not Aeryvar. No he stayed away from most fables. He was a lesser known God.

**

The next scene showed a young Lyra, wings upon her back. She was deep within the mountains of the western continent. Hidden away from society. She laughed. She played. She twirled about. She brought life to the flowers that had wilted in the cool night. She was the embodiment of a true Fae. Wild and free. Upon the hillside a small cabin rest. The God stood with his arms crossed over his chest. He raised her. Why did he choose to raise this Fae above all else? Right place. Right time. At least that is what it seemed.

**

The scene shifted again. Lyra was older now. She looked much like she did today. Though, the beautiful blue and black wings were still upon her back. She rushed along through the forests, a giggle escaped her lips. As she rushed through the forest plants sprouted to life just from her magical presence. Ah the Fae and their beautiful magic that sang harmonies among the forests.

“It is time, Lyra Blackmyre.” The God appeared before her.

Lyra skidded to a stop within the forest. Her eyes saddened as she looked about the beautiful glow of the new flowers. “Must...I go?” She questioned softly.

The God tilted his head slightly as he looked to her. “Yes, I’ve the perfect protector for you. But...one day my dear you will change this world.” He cupped her cheek in a loving fatherly way. “You will not remember this. You will not remember me or your mother. But know, I will always watch over you sweet Lyra.” He kissed her forehead.

Lyra wrapped her arms around the God and hugged herself to him tears swelled and rolled down her face. The hot salty droplets dripped down her chin. “I won’t forget you.” She breathed.

“I assure you….you will...” Aeryvar spoke, his voice showed a hint of sadness. He had kept her far too long. But he had finally found a suitable human that he hoped would protect her with his life. Ainsley.

**

The scene once again shifted. The waves of the sea lapped against the jagged rocks of the shore. Lyra lay upon the rocks, bloodied...bruised...pale...her breaths shuddered. Her bones were broken. Her wings. Gone. A small dingy paddle to the shore of the island. “What’s that Captain?” Oliver questioned. Good old Oliver.

Ainsley was younger, he didn’t wear a beard upon his face at this time. He leaped from the dingy before it could fully come to the shore. “Shit it’s a woman! Oliver get over here.” Ainsley rushed to her. Her clothing was tattered and barely hanging onto her body. He lifted Lyra into his arms and gazed over her. He looked around for a sign of anything. It was as if the woman had been tossed from the sea...or the skies above. He sloshed through the salty waters, nearly falling as he rushed back toward the dingy. “She’s barely hanging on.” Ainsley spoke, his voice shook. He gazed around once again. “Go. Row!” He climbed onto the dingy. He scooped her back into his arms and hugged her to his body.

Upon the shore Aeryvar stood, his eyes a mute red at this point. He was not visible to the humans. No. He did not reveal himself. But he’d waited by Lyra’s side. “You are strong, my sweet Lyra.” He spoke his voice soft. The words that he’d spoken to her the entire time that he watched over her. Nearly 200 years he watched over the Fae. She was a ticking time bomb sent to destroy the humans if they ever gave rise to a Fae hunt again. That was his purpose. She was the key to the war.

**

The images faded away. Lyra was crying, her head ached. “Please...stop...” She begged. Her fingers that curled around the fingers of the Goddess were white as she gripped upon the woman tightly. “Please...please stop...” Tears streamed freely down her cheeks. She wanted the woman to let her down so badly. She wanted to flee. To run. To escape this horrible nightmare. She grit her teeth as her breaths shuddered from her silent sobs.

Ainsley gazed up to Violet as she ran her fingers through his hair. In truth he didn’t want to move from her lap. It was the most soothing experience that he had had in a long time. It reminded him of his first love. He would lay within the open plains of the city that he grew up in with the woman. The breeze would pull in the salt of the sea. He’d always loved the sea. He spoke to his love of his want to captain a ship one day. His thoughts were broken from his lost love as Violet began to speak of the chaotic magic and its nature. “She’s gotten better over the years.” Ainsley spoke as if to defend her. “I made her sound horribly out of control.” A sigh came from his lips as she moved her fingertips through his hair. He was back in the field with his lover as he closed his eyes. Though Violet’s voice once again tugged him from his dreams of his past.

The captain peered up to her as she seemed to think deeply She spoke of a Forgotten Fae. His brows tugged together. Lyra? A Fae? She didn’t have wings. But she spoke that a Lost Fae did not have their wings. He remembered her then on the beach that day. All the blood. The wounds. As Violet rambled on Ainsley listened. Captivated by the thought. If she was right...it would explain the strange affinity to magic that Lyra had always had. How dangerous her magic was. How wild and free of a spirit she was. “She was so injured when I found her...” He spoke as he recalled the bloodied and bruised woman in the tattered clothing. “She had cuts across her body, bruises...her clothing was nearly falling off of her...it looked as though she had been beaten by the waves of the sea itself for months on end.” He drew in a long breath.

He gazed up into her hues as she spoke of Askabar. The Academies knew of the magic and couldn’t explain it. Lyra’s magic was something that couldn’t be explained? He knew this in a way. It was why he protected her. Why he told her not to use her magic in front of anyone. The lack of words she needed to cast a spell. It was a dead giveaway that there was something different about her. “I know...” Ainsley spoke a breath pushed through his lips. “I walked into the city after the fires calmed down. I listened to those that cried out for their loved ones. What did I find?” He pressed his lips into a flat line. “I found Lyra laying where the bar would have once been. She was unconscious, covered in soot...but unharmed. I knew she caused the destruction. I never spoke to her of it. Lyra has no idea she killed all of those innocent souls.”

He drew in a breath and gave a slight laugh. “If I had known of you when I found her. I might have asked for your help with her. I had no idea what to do with her magic. I can’t even cast a spell.” Ainsley chuckled lightly. “To think...the academies thought it was a relic...” He furrowed his brows. “More powerful than you?” He questioned softly and shook his head. “She’s...she has no control over it...that’s the frightening part...isn’t it?” He scrunched his brows. “But if she is a Fae...then having her around Bane might have been dangerous hm...” He raised a brow slightly. He shifted. “Where...is that shadow of yours?”

He fell quiet once again as she spoke of the Princess. His eyes curious. Interesting how they kept their nobility, the statuses. His lips parted slightly. He knew virtually nothing of the Fae. He barely knew much about the elves. Only what Nya had told him over the years when he asked. He didn’t ask much though. Ignorance is bliss, he would say. Oh how he’d wished to know more now. How he would have changed things. Even Nya would have been a better guardian for Lyra than he. “Her wings...are vibrant...the most beautiful thing I have ever seen...so...she is very powerful...” He connected the dots as Violet spoke of the wings of the Fae. He watched her curiously as she spoke of the Pixie. “I thought they ceased to exist after the wars...I’ve read...very little on them. Just as I know very little of the Fae.” He listened to her again as he shuddered to the thought of the cold had had swept over his body. He saw her shudder as well and this caused him to narrow his brows. “Dark...” He pressed his lips together as he’d sat up. “Perhaps...we are mistaken?” He sighed softly.

He watched her as she began to pray. A smile curved up his lips. He listened to her plea as she spoke to the Goddess. His head tilted slightly. The way she spoke the way that the prayer came from her lips. It drew him in. He wanted to believe. He wanted to know that the Gods and Goddesses would look out for them. He watched as Violet grew silent, her lips moved as she spoke more prayers. Ainsley’s eyes widened slightly as a glistening light filled the air before Violet. The golden glitter pulled together and a being formed from it. A gorgeous woman sat before Violet, her legs crossed as Violet had hers. She was completely silent. Her head tilted to the side. Her hair was braided into many different braids with different colored beads within them. She wore little clothing. A top that could have been considered an undergarment, and skirt. Though a golden cloak was wrapped around her shoulders. Her presence brought warmth to the room. Ainsley couldn’t move. He couldn’t speak. His lips parted.




The woman waited patiently, a smile upon her lips. Her eyes were a vibrant green. She was keenly focused in on Violet. Waiting for her to finish her prayers. Once the woman finished her smile widened slightly. “I hear your plea, child.” She spoke, her voice smooth with an accent that Ainsley had never heard. “I hear you, and I feel your pain now more than ever.” She searched the woman’s hues. She reached forward and took the hand of Violet. “Tortured soul. You’ve withstood the trials of time and yet you keep pushing.” She spoke. Her eyes glanced to the Captain. “Great chosen protector.” She smirked slightly. “You two were fated to meet. You were fated to sit within this dungeon upon Tir Na Nog. It is known.”

This was Wrynn in all her glory. The beautiful goddess. She truly showed her self as the beacon of hope, as light. Everything that she was. She held both of Violet’s hands now within her own. “Breathe with me child.” She drew in breaths and closed her eyes. “You are here for a purpose. You’ve protected this world once and you will protect it again.” She breathed deeply, a glowing golden magic leaked from her into Violet. It would calm her, give her a sense of hope.

**

Lyra breathed heavily as she whimpered from the pain that rushed through her body from the memories that played. When she was pulled into the embrace, her arms wrapped around the Goddess. She was thankful for her in that moment. Her breath caught within her throat as she sobbed, as she fought back the horrible pain. It took several moments before she was able to breathe again, until the tears stopped flowing. Until the pain dissipated from her. The voice of Maeve brought her more calming feelings. She was safe. Her breath shuddered. She pulled back and gazed into the Goddesses hues as she grazed her shoulder. Lyra no longer fought against her like she had before. She did not speak, she merely listened. The fighting spirit of the fae seemed to be suppressed for now.

She gazed upward as the Goddess pointed. She looked to the collage of images. It was overwhelming. There were so many things. She saw the gods and goddesses. The great cities. Bits and pieces of the past, present, and future. Her breaths shuddered as she looked to the flaming city that was around the fiery haired woman...the fae that bled as their wings were ripped from them. Lyra gazed to the goddess, “Aeryvar...” She spoke the name of the God. “Why can’t I remember...what did he do to me?” The description of the Seers. She’d heard of such a thing. The vikings and their seers. Ainsley had spoken to her about them.

The smile from the goddess as she spoke of how great Lyra’s purpose was. It caused the Lost Fae to smile back to the Goddess, though it was a weak smile. Hesitant. As the Goddess cupped her cheek Lyra leaned into it. The calming feeling was something that she craved. The chaos of her magic over the years. Lyra never felt calm. Not without alcohol or drugs in her system to suppress the feeling of her magic. She gripped onto Maeve’s hand as they teleported back to the life tree.

Rhaenerys had nearly fallen asleep. The splash of water woke her and she opened her eyes. She looked up to the two as she slowly stood. The princess looked to Maeve. Her brows raised as she looked to the calm Fae. “Goddess.” She spoke as she watched her. “Of course.” She moved from the pool and looked to the two once again. To see Lyra calm, she wondered what the Goddess had to do to get her to that point.

Lyra gazed to the Goddess. She looked to their hands, she tightened her grip slightly and then gave a nod. She gazed to the goddess as she hesitated a moment, her brows tugged together slightly. What was the woman thinking? She stepped into the waters, as it touched her the Fae gasped slightly as she felt the pool of magic that swarmed around her. Though she saw the wince from the goddess. Lyra made to speak but she was pulled along by the beautiful woman. She looked to the paling of the Goddess’ skin. The weak smile. The Lost Fae parted her lips to speak but the Goddess cupped her cheek again. The calming sensation filled her and a shaken breath left her lips. Then she felt the warmth of the Goddess’ lips upon her own.

The princess stepped forward. She stood at the edge of the pool. “Goddess...” She breathed as she watched the scene play out. Her jaw loosened as the beautiful white locks of the goddess turned pitch black. She wanted to step forward and separate the goddess from the Lost Fae, but she felt Alis’ touch upon her shoulder. The small pixie shook her head. Rhaenerys grit her teeth slightly. “Something is wrong.” She could feel the shift in magic in the room. The draw upon the tree.

“Rhae. The Goddess of the Sea knows what she is doing.” Alis spoke, her voice soft.

Rhaenerys sucked in a shaken breath as she watched the white glow cover Lyra. Her brows tugged together as she watched the two, lips locked. Lyra gripped onto the front of the Goddess’ tunic. Her jaw loosened as the vibrant blue and black wings formed upon the back of the Lost Fae.

Lyra gasped as the kiss ended. Her wings were stretched out, glowing beautifully. She felt the cloth of the tunic that the Goddess wore slip from her fingertips as the woman fell back into the pool. The water splashed up onto the Fae. Every wound she’d ever had. Gone. Her memories felt sharper than ever. She remembered all of the 200 years that she spent with the God of War. Her eyes blinked slowly for a moment, but it was then that she realized the Goddess was not coming to. Lyra rushed forward. Her arms scooped beneath Maeve and she pulled her from the pool.

The Fae knelt over the Goddess, her eyes looked over her rapidly. Her hands upon the tunic. “Maeve.” She breathed. Her wings grew slack to the sides which encased the Goddess. Her emotions surged. Her breathing quickened. Her eyes began to glow with a beautiful white color. She was giving magic back to the Goddess. Healing her. Lyra stayed like this for several minutes, the vibrant glow of her wings dulled. A bit of blood dripped from her nose onto the goddess’ cheek. Eventually she released her hold of her and she collapsed to the side. Her chest rose and fell quickly.

Rhaenerys stepped forward and knelt next to Maeve. “Goddess?” She questioned, her eyes worried. What had the Goddess of the Sea done? She lifted a piece of the black locks of Maeve.

An icy chill filtered into the room. A darkness loomed as the beautiful Fae Goddess of Darkness walked from the shadows. “My, my.” She spoke as she stood over Maeve and the two Fae. “Darling Maeve, you know you’ve no purpose to use the pools.” She grinned. “I love the rebel in you.” A chuckle came from the woman. Allymys gazed to the exhausted form of the Lost Fae now mended. “You could have killed yourself, Maeve.” She had frozen the world. Only Maeve could hear her. “But you’ve done such an incredible thing...one that few of the Gods would have done. You truly deserved to be a true Goddess.” She cupped Maeve’s cheek. “Take some of my strength.” She allowed some of her power to filter into the goddess. Rejuvenating her from the incredible expenditure. “Remember this Maeve. Remember who helped you when you were so close to death.” Allymys traced along her jaw a moment before she disbursed into ash that filtered away swiftly along with the icy cold that she’d brought with her.

The Princess still knelt over Maeve. Her eyes full of worry. The pixie landed upon the chest of the Goddess and she touched her cheek gently. Rhaenerys let out a breath. She gazed to Lyra as the woman slumbered. She grasped the Trident into her hands and drew in a breath, her brows tugged together as she lifted it and slammed it against the ground. To teleport a goddess. That was a feat all of its own. The princess collapsed onto her knee. Her breaths were quick. She staggered to her feet and then moved to the two. She lifted Maeve first the best she could. She moved her to her bed and tucked the blankets around her. She brushed the black locks from the face of the goddess. She then carefully pulled Lyra over to the bed and did the same for her. She paced slightly. Her mind raced. She gazed to the beautiful wings of the Lost Fae. She’d never seen such a coloration. She touched the wings and they glowed lightly to her touch. Her breath caught in her chest and a smile curved up her lips. She could feel the immense power coming from the woman. How had she survived among the humans...how long had it been?

Ainsley had frozen as well. His icy hues stuck to the gorgeous golden goddess. Wrynn. He’d never expected to see a god or a goddess in his lifetime. He’d never truly believed in them. He’d gotten by with Lyra and the rest of the crew. Really with Lyra to help him through many things. She’d saved them more often than not with her chaotic magic. When the storms at sea became too much, Lyra would guide the ship through. It would put her under for a few days, but Ainsley was always thankful for her help.

The Goddess, she’d spoken something as she’d looked to him. Great Chosen Protector. What was he to make of this. He sucked in a breath as she was gone before he could even rationalize what was happening. It was Violet whom broke the silence between them. His eyes lifted to her as he drew in a breath. He listened to her words that were intertwined with that same wisdom that she held an enormous amount of. She was confident they would survive at least. That should have given him relief. But it didn’t. They were still locked away in the cell.

As Violet moved closer to him he glanced to her as her head leaned against his shoulder. Ainsley adjusted her and wrapped an arm around her. He pulled her a bit closer to him and a long breath escaped from his lips. “I trust that we will.” He spoke as he gazed straight ahead toward the barred door of the cell. “What did she mean...that goddess?” He questioned then. “By Chosen Protector...what does that mean?” He shook his head slightly. His arm hugged around her in a comforting, protective way.

His mind wandered once again as he allowed his eyes to slip shut.

A woman laughed lightly. She lay with her head against Ainsley’s chest. She wore a beautiful dress of red and gold. Her eyes as she gazed up to him were a lovely emerald...a color that resembled Violet’s hues. “Ainsley, you really think you’ll be a captain one day?” She asked as she reached up and cupped his cheek from where she lay.

The scent of the ocean wafted through the air and into his nostrils. Ainsley chuckled lightly as he looked down to her. “Of course, my love.” He spoke as he brushed a bit of her dark locks from her face. “And I will take you out onto the sea. It will just be you and I.” He was alive with passion. His heart fluttered within his chest just looking to the beautiful woman. A noble woman.

She laughed lightly as she relaxed against him. “Wouldn’t you rather stay here? We’ve a home here. A future, Ainsley.” She closed her eyes. The breeze pushed around the grass and it tickled against his arm. They were sitting in the middle of a field near the ocean. “Aren’t you supposed to marry me?” She questioned as she raised a brow slightly. “You can’t marry a lady if you’re some pirate of the sea, my love.” She opened her eyes and gazed to him once more. She moved within his grasp and then turned to him.

Ainsley laughed lightly as he looked to her. “Don’t you worry. I’m not going to be a pirate.” He shook his head. He leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss upon her lips. “Just a captain of a ship. That’s all.” He cupped her cheek.

Ainsley’s head bobbed forward, his grip still held gently upon the sage. He muttered in his sleep, but the words were intelligible.

**

Rhaenerys stood before the bed. She’d paced back and forth for several minutes before she leaned the trident against the bed and walked from the room to find her father. The princess made her way to the throne as the sunlight filtered into the beautiful castle. She pushed the doors open and the king lifted his eyes, he offered a smile to his daughter. “You’ve done well my dear.” He stood and walked down the stairs to her. He gave her a warm embrace and kissed her cheek. He then looked to the worry in the princess’ expression. “What...is it?” He questioned softly.

The princess watched her father a long moment. “One of the crew, was a Lost Fae.” She spoke, her voice hushed.

“You’re certain?” Aeromer’s brows tugged together, the wispy grey hairs seemed to quiver. “Working with the humans?”

Rhaenerys bit her lip slightly and shook her head. “I am not...certain father...” She watched him carefully. “She was with them. The Goddess of the Sea...she did something...unbelievable...”

“What happened?” The king questioned, his own hues filled with worry now.

“She gifted the Lost Fae her wings back...and she...she’s an Atala….she must be from an ancient bloodline...I...” Rhaenerys sucked in a breath as her brows knitted together. She was trying to make sense of everything. “The goddess spoke that perhaps the Lost Fae was not helping the humans out of the kindness of her heart...but she was forced...do you think she was forced father?”

Aeromer drew in a breath as the words spilled from his daughter’s mouth. “Atala...” His lips parted slightly. “I haven’t seen someone of that bloodline since Ros...passed away in the war...that was over two hundred years ago...” He watched his daughter carefully. “Why don’t you speak to the humans? Hm? Perhaps they will tell you something.” He nodded. “Is the Lost Fae in a safe place?” He questioned then.

“My room...with the goddess...” The princess replied.

“The goddess will protect her, surely.” He gave a gentle smile to her. “Find out what the humans want, dear.” He clapped a hand upon her shoulder.

**

Lyra was sleeping peacefully, her hands clasped over her stomach as her chest rose and fell slowly. Deep sleep. Something her body truly needed after what she had been through. The droplet of water as it made contact with her skin caused the fae’s brows to tug together tightly for a moment. Her eyes fluttered and opened. The gorgeous stormy color held a bit more blue within the grey now. Her breath caught in her chest as she gazed to the goddess. “Maeve...” Though, the Fae froze then. The world around Maeve would have frozen as well.

A heat filled the room, a swirl of energy. A man appeared on the other side of the bed. A golden skull over his face. His wings slack against his back. A grin split his lips as he gazed to Lyra. His crimson hues looked to Maeve then. “You’ve done something truly incredible.” He spoke as he slipped around the bed. He seemed to disappear and move with ease within the room. He stood next to Maeve now. He gazed into her hues. “You’ve brought her back. For so long I couldn’t find her.” He grinned. Aeryvar the God of War, suffering and deception.

He moved and leaned over Lyra, “Sweet Lyra.” He spoke and brushed a bit of her fiery hair from her face. The world still frozen. He then straightened and looked to Maeve. He searched her hues for a long moment. “You’ve given a piece of yourself to save her...thank you.” He grinned then. The energy that he held was a chaotic as Lyra’s. His blood had given her that power. The strength that Lyra had. It was from the God of War. Aeryvar might not have been her father, but he’d gifted her with god like strength that she’d never truly tapped into once he forced her to forget everything. “You’re….Maeve….am I right?” He asked after a moment of silence. “Goddess of the Sea.” He smirked as he watched her. “Hm. I’ve seen your glorious storms. Quite impressive.” He commented. His eyes looked back to Lyra whom was still frozen still. He looked like a father looking upon his child after a terrible accident. Both excited to see her alive and worried to death.

Aeryvar lifted his crimson hues to Maeve as she spoke. “Ah, demi-god is it?” He questioned. He wasn’t close with many of the gods or goddesses. This was clear in the way that he held himself. He provided a balance to the world, nothing more. He was not involved with the other gods because he did not like to meddle in their affairs. There were many, and he found it childish. Not to mention they would have been quite angry with him if they learned of the 200 years he had secluded himself with a young Fae in order to raise her.

His eyes locked upon Maeve as she reached forward. He did not flinch. He merely looked to her as she slipped her fingertips beneath the golden mask. As she lifted it from his face a swirl of magic surrounded him. The mystical elven God of War that stood before her in fine armor and an exposed chest changed into something else. His crimson eyes remained on her as his true form was revealed. He had unkempt short black hair, and a finely kept short beard along his jaw. A scar through his right eyebrow that must have a story to it. His brows knit together as he stared to her. He stood in a plain black tunic, and plain black pants. He was as plain as any human from the continent. Though he held slightly tipped ears, which marked him as the elf he was. A smile tugged at the edge of his lips, it twitched slightly. No one. In the centuries that he had been a god...had been brave enough to pull his mask from his face. Not even Lyra whom was the closest to a child he would ever conceive.



He glanced to her hand that gripped upon his shoulder now. “You want me to look you in the eyes, Maeve?” He questioned. He pulled from her grasp and in an instant he appeared at her side. The Aeryvar reached forward and crooked a finger beneath her chin. “You’ve more power than many of the gods could dream of.” He spoke as he searched her icy hues. “You saved Lyra. You’ve sacrificed more than...many of the gods would ever dream of sacrificing.” He cupped her cheek as he drew in a breath. His head tilted to the side slightly.

Why her? She has lived a life of torture...

Aeryvar drew in a breath as he watched Maeve. “It had to be her. She had to live. If not her, then no one else may survive.” He gave a bit of a smile then, but it waned slowly away. His warm hand still upon her cheek. “I’ll show you, Maeve.” His eyes swirled with the fires of war as he stepped a bit closer to her. “I did not intend to bring her a live of torture. I meant to preserve her.” He brought his other hand to her cheek. He now held her head between his hands. “I meant to save her, just as you have.” He searched her hues. The warmth within the room seemed to double as he gazed to her. “I lost her, Maeve. I lost her the moment that I forced her to forget...I’ve tried to find her for a hundred years...and only when her life waned in the balance between life and death could I find her.”

The world around them began to swirl. The God focused in on Maeve as this happened. The bedroom disappeared. Lyra disappeared. Only heat and darkness surrounded them. “I gave everything to protect the Fae.” He spoke. “The senseless wars. The other gods would not intervene. They said to hell with the humans...they wished to throw away the beauty of this world. The lives. But they did not wish to help. All we needed to do was help them along. Give them hope.” He spoke as he released her face finally. The God turned as the world around them filtered away. “I loved...her...she was my child...for 200 years...” A broken laugh came from his lips. “I raised her...”

A scene played before them. Aeryvar was teaching Lyra how to use a sword. They held two wooden swords within their hands. As Lyra struck his sword it crumbled into fiery embers. Her magic was alive and swelling within her. The God chuckled as he merely grasped another. “Good, good. Again, Lyra.” They continued to play about. The world around them was completely silent. The Fae hidden from the horrible war of the world. The terrible deaths of her people. She never knew the world outside of the cabin within the mountains, and if Aeryvar could have kept it that way...he would have.

The scene faded away. “Her mother prayed to me. More often than many Fae even think of my name.” He spoke as he glanced to Maeve. “I aided her mother along. I helped her gather the strength to break free from the humans. But she was captured again. They took her wings.” His voice filled with an anger that burned slowly. “I tried to stop the war. I did what I could to help the Fae. Even with the yells of the gods behind me each step of the way...” He shook his head slightly. “Even if Rosyn didn’t know it was me, I helped her.”



Another scene came into view. He sat upon a couch with his mask off. He laughed with her as they drank tea. Her belly was full with a babe that would come soon enough. Rosyn was flawless. A beautiful Fae. She did her best to hide among the humans. She bound her wings so that she could live and provide a life to her child that was soon to be born. “Thank you again for this, Orrin. You have no idea what it means for us.” She stepped across the room and leaned down. She kissed the God. A deep blush upon her cheeks. “If you and I had met at another time, perhaps this world would be different.” She cupped his cheek before she moved and lay within his lap.

The god looked down to her with a sad smile upon his lips. “I wish that were true.” He spoke as he brushed her hair from her face gently. “If it could be, I would make it true.”

Rosyn smiled up to him. “Well, you’ve saved my life, Orrin. I do suppose that is enough. It allows this little one to live...” A soft breath came from her lips. Though there was a heavy knock upon the door then. Rosyn gasped as she sat up swiftly. Her wings fluttered behind her back as she looked to Orrin with worried hues.

His crimson eyes gazed to her. “Hide.” He spoke as he ushered her from the room. He walked to the door and pulled it open to find several of the king’s guard outside of the home. “How may I help you?” He questioned.

“You’re keeping a Fae in there.” A man shoved a paper against his chest. “Dirty pointy eared rat. Give up the Fae and you won’t die.” The knight shoved him back into the home.

The crimson color of his hues took on a glow as he reached and gripped upon the throat of the man. The fight commenced. Without his immortal form, Aeryvar was essentially mortal. A slice came across his right eye, leaving a deep gash through his brow. He fought the troop off with all of his might. He heard the cry from within the home from Rosyn. The God rushed through the small home as she was pulled from the back room she swung at the guards that carried her. A blade stabbed into her chest.

“We just need the wings anyway.” The soldier spoke with a dark chuckle.

Aeryvar roared as he rushed forward, fire swept around him as he lit the two guards a flame. They crumbled from the rush of magic and he caught Rosyn in his arms. She choked as blood spilled from her lips. “No.” He gripped her to his body. The god drew in quick breaths as he closed his eyes. “You won’t remember this, Rosyn.” He whispered. “But I...would rather you live...without any memory...” He pressed his lips to hers. Red magic swirled around the two. Aeryvar groaned as black lines appeared upon his skin. His magic was syphoned into the Fae. As his magic syphoned into her the world around them crumbled away and they appeared in a field outside of the city. Safe from the guards. Aeryvar stumbled back from the woman, her wounds healed. He coughed as he fell to his back, his chest rose and fell swiftly.

A golden light filled the field. The beautiful goddess Wrynn appeared. She leaned over the top of Aeryvar with a slight smile upon her lips. “Aeryvar, God of War, suffering, and deception.” Her voice carried through the air. She peered to the Fae and her beautiful wings as she lay unconscious within the field. “Why do you give so much of yourself to this mortal?” Wrynn walked over to the Fae and tilted her head as she knelt at her side and touched her cheek.

“Leave him be.” An icy chill filled the air. Allymys appeared from the shadows. “He is the only God that has seen fit to even think of protecting them besides me.” Her jet black wings fluttered upon her back. This was before she’d given her wings to protect the Isles of Tir Na Nog. “We are the Gods of this land. Yet we watch idly as they destroy the most beautiful beings? As they destroy themselves with their greed?” She questioned. Her eyes were a beautiful green, unlike the jet black hues that remained now. “Wrynn do you not wish to see this world live on?”

Wrynn straightened and looked to the Goddess of Darkness, a smile upon her lips. “Allymys, it has been sometime since I’ve seen you.” She stepped forward, golden glowing footprints stayed behind her. The warmth that emanated from this goddess caused Allymys’ hues to flutter slightly. “We are not to intervene. The last time we did they continued on as if we had not helped. We do not intervene in the affairs of mortals.”

“We do when it is the last of a kind.” Aeryvar finally spoke up. “When Fate has spoken that an Atala Fae will push the darkness of greed from this world...that this Fae will bring peace...” He grit his teeth as he stood. Black blood ran from his nose. He brushed it away with the back of his hand. “You are the goddess of Hope. Do you not wish to see that future? Do you not wish to see them succeed?” He questioned.

Wrynn walked up to him and gripped his tunic. “You’ll never conceive a child, Aeryvar. You were never meant to feel such passion for this world. That is not your role.” She tilted her head slightly. “But if you wish to help them.” She gave a soft smile. “If your words are true and you have spoken with Fate. Then...perhaps I should not argue.” She glanced to Allymys whom stood with crossed arms. “Call upon me if you wish. I will help you, dear son.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek then before she vanished into a warm golden glow.

The scene faded away and the world around them faded back into the castle. Lyra lay breathing deeply upon the bed. Aeryvar’s hues gazed to the Fae a long moment before he looked back to Maeve. “I want to save them. I want to save all of them. I’ve tried to save them for centuries, yet I fail over and over again.” He sucked in a breath. “Fate has set in motion a means to an end and she is the key.” He glanced to the Fae. “So why did you save her then?” His crimson hues were locked upon Maeve once again. “Why would you give so much of yourself away?”

**

Rhaenerys walked down the halls of the castle swiftly, closely followed by her pixie. Her purple cloak like jacket swayed behind her. The heels of her boots clicked as she rushed down the spiraled stairs of the castle to the depths of the musty damp dungeons. She walked passed several soldiers and she stopped outside of the cell that she’d left the two humans in. Her arms crossed over her chest as her purple hues gazed over Ainsley and Violet. The protective grip that he held upon the woman. She pressed her lips together and then nodded to a guard whom pulled the key ring from his hip. The keys echoed loudly within the silence of the dungeon. She pulled the door open and stepped inside. “Get up.” She spoke, her voice full of authority.

Alis flew next to her, the small being looked to Violet and tilted her head slightly. She landed before the sage and peered to her with curious hues. Ainsley’s hues opened he gazed up to her. “Where is Lyra?” He immediately questioned when his eyes fell upon the princess. “What have you done to her?” He gripped onto Violet a bit more now. Fear began to grip him. Why was the princess here?

Rhaenerys narrowed her eyes at him. “I’ve helped her. At least I can say that. You’ve done nothing but harm her. Haven’t you?” She questioned quickly. “Guards.” She snapped and straightened. “This one.” She pointed to Ainsley. Two guards stepped into the chamber and pulled him away from Violet roughly. Ainsley groaned as he fought and tried to push them away. But he was swiftly taken from the room. Rhaenerys knelt down and peered to Violet. She reached forward and touched her cheek. “I can feel the darkness in you.” She spoke, her lips parted slightly. “Like a festering wound upon your soul.” She pressed her lips together. “I will speak with him. Then you will speak to me.” Her voice was dark. Hateful. The princess stood and stepped from the room swiftly. Her wings slack against her back. She glanced back into the cell a moment as a guard locked it. “Alis, come on.” She spoke before she walked away. Then she disappeared down the hallway.

Alis gazed to Violet a long moment. She was a very old pixie. She had been around during the wars. She pressed her lips together as she drew in a breath. “What is your name?” She questioned as she gazed up to her curiously. “You must forgive the princess. We have uncovered quite disturbing things. She’s...troubled by it...” She gave a warm smile. “But I know there is reason. There always is.” She climbed into the lap of the sage and then fluttered up to float before her. She gazed into her hues. “Tell me...you wouldn’t harm a Fae...would you?” She asked, her brows tugged together. “Do you know that you held a Fae upon your ship?”

**

The princess pushed open a heavy wooden door as Ainsley called out. He was strapped into a chair with thick leather straps. She crossed her arms over her chest as she watched him struggle against the guards. His icy hues locked on her. “Let me go!” He demanded. A chuckle came from the princess, but she didn’t respond. “Where is Lyra?” He questioned again. “Damnit tell me where she is.”

Rhaenerys walked up to him and gripped upon his tunic. She gazed down into his hues. “How did you come to capture her?” She questioned. The darkness syphoned from the princess and crawled over the Captain’s body.

Goosebumps began to form upon his skin, his teeth began to chatter. “I-I found her.” He replied as he fought the fear that wrapped around his hear like a snake and its pray.

The princess leaned in closer to him, “You found her?” She questioned. “Why do you have a Fae? Locked away like a prisoner. Without her wings?” The questions were like a hammer against a nail.

Ainsley grit his teeth as he fought against the chill that swept through his body. “Yes. I found her.” He replied, his voice trembled. “She was on the shore...broken...beaten...I...I saved her...and she stayed with me on my ship...she could have left. I didn’t trap her. I didn’t know she was a Fae.” He spoke quickly. “She never had wings. I didn’t know. Please.” His icy hues watched her his heart was beating rapidly within his chest.

“You keep holding him like that and you might scare him to death.” Allymys appeared in the back corner of the room. The world around her froze. “Be careful with your gifts, princess.”

Rhaenerys released the Captain and gazed to him. She could see the horrible fear in his eyes. “I...did that…?” She questioned. She hadn’t realized the power behind her anger.

“Hatred is a strong emotion. The darkness calls upon it each and every day.” Allymys spoke as she walked and looked to the Captain. “Do you really believe he knew of the Fae...when she didn’t even know of herself?” She questioned, a sly smile upon her lips. “Do not throw away the gifts you have been given, young princess. Do not ruin it with hate and greed of power. You are better than this.” Allymys then disappeared and the world resumed its rhythm.

The princess narrowed her brows as she watched the Captain. The words of the Goddess played over and over in her mind. She bit her lip slightly. Allymys was right. She was letting her anger get the best of her. Her emotions were overwhelming. “Breathe.” She spoke and cupped his cheek then. A light magic seeped from her. It pushed away the horrible darkness that encased him. The icy feeling within his chest. “You...did not know she was a Fae?” She questioned softly.

Ainsley gazed to her as the fear subsided. His breathing slowed. “No.” He searched her hues. “No I did not...I knew she had magic...very...dangerous magic...but...I did not know. I swear. Please...where is she?”

Rhaenerys stepped back and paced for a moment. “She is recovering.” She spoke before she left the room without another word. She marched down the hallway and slipped into the cell with Violet again. She looked to Alis whom had landed next to the woman. “Alis.” She spoke and raised a brow slightly. The pixie flew to her and landed upon her shoulder. She whispered into the princess’ ear a moment. Rhaenerys nodded and then cleared her throat slightly. “Guards.” She spoke and two guards came into the room. “Take her.” She followed the guards as they took Violet from the cell and carried her to a room much like Ainsley had been taken to. They secured her into a chair.

The princess paced a moment, thinking deeply. “Tell me.” She spoke as she watched the woman. She pulled up a chair and sat before her. She looked to the glowing shackles about Violet’s wrists. “Why is your magic so dark?” Her purple hues bore into the woman as she asked this. “Why does it mimic that of the magic that humans gained during the wars when they used to rip our wings from our backs and drink our blood?” She didn’t have hate in her voice now. It was a much softer tone. “Tell me what this girl, the fiery haired woman...what does she mean to you?”

Alis stood upon a table that was next to the chair. Several different devices were set upon the table. Though all of the devices were clean, not a speck of blood. The pixie moved and sat down, her legs dangled over the edge. She tilted her head as she watched the princess. Her deep purple hues gazed to the sage then, awaiting her answer.