Sea Forged

Ayla’s fingers curled a bit more as she took in a deep breath, almost as though she was falling deeper into her slumber. She stayed there snuggled against Ren for a few hours, until her eyes fluttered open. She pulled back slowly and looked to Ren. The hazy memory of her screaming and thrashing against her caused a heavy ball to rest within her stomach. She looked to the dried blood that Ren had missed on her face. Ayla slipped from her arms and pulled on her warm black jacket. She snuck silently from the room and crept up the stairs and out into the silent streets. It was nearly four in the morning. Huge flakes of snow fell from the sky, Ayla tilted her head back slightly and gave a gentle smile.

She stepped through the city, her heels clicked against the cobblestone streets. She moved through the city, climbing up stairs to the other levels of the city. Ayla wandered into a park area and ran her fingertips along the bark of an old frozen tree. I can’t trust you Her own words were like daggers to her ears. Ayla grit her teeth slightly as she replayed what happened. She could only remember bits and pieces. She stood at the edge of the park now, overlooking the city below. She sat down and allowed her legs to dangle down with the roots of the trees. She kicked her feet and took in a slow breath. She fumbled with her hands as she tried to figure out what happened. She didn’t understand the feelings that she had, the fear. She hadn’t ever felt so afraid before. Whatever the demon had done to her was incredibly powerful. She lifted her fingertips to her lips as she remembered the kiss on the dance floor.

“Thinking about me?” A voice asked from the shadows.

Ayla froze then, she dropped her hand from her lips. “Not you, no.” She spoke softly, her voice sounded miles away.

“But why not love?” The voice was closer then, heels clicked against the cobblestone.

“You did that to me….didn’t you?” Ayla pushed herself up and turned. She stood with her back to the city, just inches from the edge. “You caused that….feeling…” She furrowed her brows and looked to the shadows where the voice came from. “Why?”

“Adriel has to have a way in, doesn’t he?” She stepped from the shadows, she looked normal again, her vibrant eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight. “He doesn’t have anything with you.” She stood just a few feet away and stopped. The woman smiled then, “How hard is it? Really? All I had to do was give you a kiss.” She smirked.

Ayla felt a strange feeling in her head, almost as if she was light headed. “Have a way in? What are you talking about?” She waivered slightly.

The barkeep stepped forward and grabbed Ayla by the collar of her jacket. “If he wants to get into your mind you must have memories of fear, yet, you have nothing to remember.” She smirked, “But, you’re afraid of being out of control, of not being able to trust your own family, Ren, Xavier and the crew.” She grinned, her face just an inch from Ayla’s her eyes mesmerizing.

Ayla leaned back slightly, her heels on the edge of the world. “No…I’m not afraid of Ren.” She grit her teeth.

The demon snickered, her true form showing then. Her pupils appeared like slits, her tongue slithered out and lapped against Ayla’s cheek. She held Ayla then, holding her above the ground, keeping her there, holding her out over the city. “Tell me Ayla, who do you fear now?”

Ayla cried out as she thrashed against the grip, her feet kicking. “Wait…” She whimpered her eyes flashing blue.

The demon smirked and pulled her back in and set her down. “You’re coming with me, I’m taking you to Adriel, love.” She hissed.

Ayla blinked several times and shook her head. That same feeling was coming back. The one that she felt just before the haze, just before her memory became a blur. “No!” She screamed. Ayla’s eyes flashed white, she gripped the barkeep by her collar and in an instant the two were plummeting down toward the city below. The woman screamed as she fought against Ayla, she caught her fist with Ayla’s cheek, which would undoubtedly give her a black eye. Ayla gripped onto her collar and began to punch, blood began to leak from her face as her fist collided with her skull, over and over again. “You’re not…. doing this!” Ayla snapped. She turned and kicked the barkeep toward the ground and in the next instant she transformed and a huge blue ball of energy surrounded her as the two came plummeting toward the ground. The sound of the woman’s bones crunching as she collided with the ground seemed to echo as Ayla’s feet smashed into her chest. Though, she felt no pain. Ayla fell to her knees after stumbling a few feet from the barkeep. She turned and looked to the crumpled body that was pressed into a small crater that was created by the impact.

Ayla stood and looked down to her glowing blue arms, she looked to her wispy wings and then to the body before her.

“You’re stronger than your mother.” A voice spoke softly. Ayla looked back, her breaths heavy, her eyes bright white. “I need to give you something, Ayla.” It was Rose who stood before her. “It will aid you with these demons. Come.” She turned and headed down a path that led to the temple. Ayla looked back to the body for a moment before she rushed to catch up with Rose. She followed the woman through the temple halls and into the room where she was saved from the demon’s blood. “Sit.” Rose ordered before she went to her books. “Relax.” She pressed her fingertips to Ayla’s forehead. In that moment Ayla took in a sharp breath as the blue faded from her body, the white from her eyes. She fell weakly back onto the bed and lay there with her ocean blue eyes staring up to the ceiling that flames lightly danced upon. Rose began rummaging through things, opening and closing books, muttering to herself in another language that Ayla didn’t understand. She felt weightless as she stare up to the ceiling. Then Rose’s warm hand was placed over her head once again and her world faded into black.

**

Ayla’s eyes shot open, her fingertips were curled in a familiar fabric. She blinked several times as she slowly pulled her head back to find herself staring to Ren. “R-Ren?” She gasped. She moved her hand and placed it over Ren’s cheek. A blue glow lit around the pupil of her eyes. She looked to her arms, blue ran up her arms where her veins were, glowing.

Relax The voice echoed in her mind.

Ayla took in a quick breath she looked Ren over. “I-I’m sorry.” She wiped away a bit of the dried blood. “I….I didn’t know…I wasn’t in control…” She leaned forward and pressed her lips to Ren’s cheek. “I trust you Ren, I trust you with my life, my soul, I trust you will always to the right thing.” She muttered softly, the blue disappeared from her arms, though it remained in her eyes. She shuddered slightly. She looked to the coat rack, her jacket wasn’t there. Was last night real? What happened then?

“Ayla, Ren.” Evie’s voice came through the wood of the door, a slight knock, then the door creaked open. “I made some breakfast, why don’t you two come to the kitchen, hm?” She smiled. “Your mother went to the temple for something this morning. Old Rose thinks she has to order her around, times never change.” She chuckled before she slipped from the room.

Ayla looked to Ren a long moment before she removed herself from the bed. She stood and stretched before she yawned. She looked to see her jacket laying on the back of a chair. She began to question if it was a dream. Did she kill that girl? Was she really with Rose in the temple? Ayla shook her head slightly, “Come on.” She smiled. “Maybe she made chocolate chip pancakes?” Ayla giggled happily, she stepped to Ren and gave her another kiss on her cheek before she left the room and found her way to the kitchen.

Alya smiled to Ren as she sat next to her at the table. She took a bite of her pancakes as she listened to Evie and Ren speak of the demons. “Rose says they live among us. Some are not here to cause harm. Others are like Adriel…” She muttered softly. She then took a sip from her glass of milk.

“Well this is the most I’ve seen them.” Evie dried a glass and smiled. “Wait until-…” She sighed heavily as she looked back to the empty table, Ayla and Ren were gone. Evie shook her head as she lifted the plates from the table. She hummed lightly, a soft smile on her lips. It was nice to have a family back in town again. A plate fell from her fingertips and broke apart on the floor, shattering everywhere when the sound of Ren’s scream pierced her ears. Evie rushed up the stairs just in time to see Ren thrown through some form of portal.

Ayla jumped forward just as the spinning cloud of light disappeared. She dove into the ground and tumbled before she sprung to her feet. “What did you do with Ren?!” She snapped as she rushed forward, her fist gripped the woman at the collar of her jacket. “Where is she? Who are you?”

The woman chuckled and gave a cynical smile to Ayla. “Wouldn’t you like to know? Adriel sent me to take care of you two meddling girls.” She shoved Ayla from her body with force. “So, one down--…”

Evie punched the woman in the jaw, sending her stumbling into the side of the shop. “You’re not taking, Ayla anywhere and you’re going to tell us where the hell you sent Ren.”

The woman rubbed her jaw as she stood and smirked to the two Grimsbane descendants before her. Ayla pulled her dagger, the blade glowed blue with her power, the rings appeared around her eyes. The demon rushed forward and gripped Ayla by her shoulders, knocking her to her back, Ayla lost grip of the dagger and it clattered to the cobblestone street. “Bye now. Don’t forget to write.” She spoke as they fell through a portal.

Evie fell to her knees where the portal had disappeared. She hit the ground. “Shit…” She searched around, searching for something, anything. She gripped the hilt of the dagger as she took in quick breaths. She should have stopped her. This shouldn’t have been Ayla. She could have saved them both. The sound of footsteps barreling toward her caused her to stand and look to the sound.

Cassie skidded to a stop in front of her sister with Rose trailing behind. “A Demon got through the gate.” She said breathless. “Rose doesn’t know how, but she’s powerful.”

“You’re too late…” Evie spoke, she held Ayla’s dagger in her hands. It was the only thing that hadn’t gone through the portal with her. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

“What do you mean…? Evie? What happened? Why do you have Ayla’s dagger?” Cassie stepped forward, her eyes filling with worry.

“That demon. She took Ren, threw her through some hole and she disappeared. She tackled Ayla into one. They are gone….Ayla dropped the dagger when she was tackled…” She shook her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. “As soon as I get my family back…” She whispered.

**

“Aragghh!!!” Ayla yelled as she shoved forward, her fists throwing shards of ice. Her magic met in the middle with flames from Adriel. “Where is Ren?!” She screamed, her body in full transformation as she hovered over the boat.

The blonde demon stood, her arms crossed a smile on her lips as she leaned against a mast. She looked to Adriel whom shot flames back at the princess. He leaped into the air and gripped his huge arms around her, sending them plummeting into the water. He slammed her body into the rocky bottom. They were near a port, just off shore. The water was shallow. He slammed his fists into her several times before Ayla slammed her fists against him, a huge blast of light came from her body. The water around her erupted in a sizable explosion which sent the ship back with a huge wave. Adriel teleported to his ship and chuckled deeply. “You really pissed her off, Remi.” He chuckled.

Ayla shot into the air, her wings pushed down with force as she pulled to bow from her back and loaded an arrow. She pulled the string back and let go. The arrow glowed bright blue as it flew through the air swiftly. It pierced through Adriel’s armor, his right shoulder. He stumbled backward and groaned in pain as Ayla loaded another arrow. She landed on the ship. “Tell me where Ren is!” She released the arrow, this time it sliced through his knee, bringing him down to a knee before her.

“Now Remi!” Adriel ordered.

Ayla didn’t have time to react before she felt the hands of the woman on her shoulders. “Nice knowing you, princess.” She snickered as she tossed Ayla into a portal. The sound of Adriel’s laughter filled the air it was loud against her ears. The world spun at an unimaginable speed. She screamed as she flew through this insane warp in time. She couldn’t breathe, once all the air had left her lungs she felt as though she was suffocating until she finally came out of the portal on the other side. She flew across the ground, rolling and tumbling until she hit the side of a building with a harsh thud. Her bow was still gripped in her hands. She grit her teeth and gasped for air as she held her side. Her ribs must have been broken from the blows that Adriel got in on her. She had a dark black bruise on her jaw. Her breaths were heavy as she slowly opened her eyes. The world around her was busy. She found herself looking into the eyes of a young man, his face full of shock. “How did you do that?” He asked as he stepped forward and knelt in front of her. Ayla didn’t respond, she took in fast breaths as she looked to the tall buildings. This man in front of her seemed to be the only one that noticed her crashing into the city. He looked to the glowing bow in her hand before he ripped it from Ayla’s fingers. Her eyes began to glow blue and she stood and gripped him by his throat and slammed him against the wall. “Wait! Wait!” He choked.

Ayla stepped back, the light faded from her eyes as she looked to her bow. “Where’s Ren?!” She asked as she reached to the spot where her dagger had been, the sheath empty now.

The man looked her over, he looked to her clothing and then to the bow.

“Tell me where she is!” She reached forward and gripped his throat again, her eyes glowing blue.

“C-c-calm down…please…” The man choked. “Please…” He glanced around at the people rushing by. “You’ll get us both killed.”

Ayla stepped back once again and looked around the city, it was like nothing she had ever seen, or imagined. She then looked to a group of men whom stood in armor, strange rifle like guns held in front of them, they wore helmets with a shield over their face. She looked back to the man before her as he rubbed his neck. “Any trouble here.” A voice came from over Ayla’s shoulder. She spun around to find herself face to face with one of the men from the group. R was etched into his black uniform in red.

“No sir.” The man pipped up. “Just a trip sir, no problem here at all.”

The man stood and stared at Ayla, he placed his fingertips underneath her chin. “State your name.” He ordered.

“S-she actually has memory loss, sir, I just picked her up from the facility, I am trying to aquainte her with life here. I-if you’ll excuse us.” The man gripped Ayla’s shoulders and pushed her along. “No problem here! We will be on our way, don’t mind us!” The man called over his shoulder as he pushed her into a home.

Ayla shoved his hand off of her shoulder. “What are you doing? Let go.” She bat at his other hand.

“Look I’m saving you, and if you don’t calm down I will gladly turn you over to the Republique.” He removed his hand from her shoulder and turned around and locked the door. He moved blinds with his fingers to peer into the sunny streets outside. “Believe me, they will kill you. You’ve broken too many rules already….” He muttered and turned around. He had hazel eyes and short brown hair that spiked up in the front. But his clothing was what caught Ayla by surprise. He had on a form of clothing she never saw before.

“The Republique?” Ayla questioned as she looked around the home she stood in. A floating screen sat in a corner, words flew across the screen. She looked back to him. “Where am I?” Her voice was incredibly soft, she could feel her pulse as it began to race.

“Luca.” The man spoke as he set her bow down on a round chair. “What’s your name?” The man asked.

“Ayla….” She shook her head. “Luca? What is Luca?” She lifted her bow into her hands and it began to glow again with her touch.

“Ah….” He took the bow. “No. You can’t touch this.” He shook his head, his eyes wide. “Look. Magic isn’t allowed here.” He set the bow back down. “Where are you from?” He asked, “You flew from the sky, you looked like a rocket….”

“Portland.” She answered softly, her face filled with confusion. “I flew from the sky?” She asked.

The man ran his fingers through his hair. “Wait…the Portland? As in the kingdom of Saralonde?” He began to laugh.

“Why is that so funny?” Ayla furrowed her brows. She crossed her arms, the blue ring around her pupils glowed with her frustration.

“Stop that.” He covered her eyes and looked to the front door. “Please.” He removed his hand. “Portland was destroyed like 750 years ago…it was a huge deal, if you read in the history books, that’s when a lot of this shit started. The banning of magic….before Portland was destroyed…well, magic was everywhere…” He smiled and then his smile slowly began to fade when he saw the horror filter across Ayla’s face. He drew his brows together. “Wait…” He ran to a wall of books and thumbed through them until he found one. He opened it and flipped through the pages quickly. He laughed and looked up to her. “You said Ren…right? When you came out of that portal you spoke of Ren!” He grinned. “You’re from Portland…..your name is Ayla!” He looked as though he was going to start jumping up and down. “Oh man! I’ve read all the books!” He turned the book to show an old illustration of Ren and Ayla standing on the Flotsam. “The Republique doesn’t want us to have these…but I stole it…from the museum…” His eyes then fell. “Oh…right…Ren…”

Ayla took the book from his hands and ran her fingers over the pages, she looked to the date mark, 8046….She furrowed her brows. “What year is it?” She asked, her voice caught in her throat. “Portland has been destroyed?” Tears welled in her ocean blue eyes.

“It’s 8851…didn’t you know that?”

“No…” Ayla looked back to the pages. “Where is Ren? Please tell me you know where she is…” She whispered softly. “I lost her…and I…I don’t know what happened…”

The man looked to her in near shock, “You really are the princess of Portland…aren’t you?”

Ayla took in a breath and gave a nod. “I need to find Ren.”

The man lowered his head slightly as he took the book back from Ayla and thumbed through the pages to one that showed a crystal that was lit red. “I’m sorry, Ayla…she’s dead….she’s been dead for years…she…”

Ayla took in a slow breath, a tear rolled down her cheek as she sat down on the couch in the room. “But…” She looked up and searched his eyes, her own glowed blue dimly.

“It’s okay…stay calm…” He held his hands up slightly, “Please…don’t use your magic…” He rushed to the kitchen and came back a few minutes later with a cup of tea. “We can figure this out…alright?” He gave a smile. “I’m Peter, for starters.” He gave a gentle smile. “I’m a professor at the university…history actually.” He let out a slight chuckle then shook his head. “So when is the last year you remember?”

“8014…” Ayla whispered as she flipped through the history book. “Is…is this all about Ren and I?”

Peter gave a nod, his jaw loose. “Y-yeah…” He took the book. “Could you repeat that? The year…”

“8014, that is the year…but…not anymore…it seems…” Ayla looked around the home, the gadgets that she hadn’t seen before. “I need to find Ren….” She whispered.

Peter gave a slight nod. “Yes of course….we can do that, but not right this second…in those cloths…” He shook his head. “Come on.” He took her upstairs in the cozy home and opened a wardrobe. “Have your pick, my uh…my ex she just kind of left it all.” He walked to the window. “We have to wait until rounds are up. Those soldiers will pick you out in a heartbeat, Ayla. Just relax….the best you can.” He nodded before he went back down the stairs.

Ayla moved to the window and stared outside, to the giant city. “Ren…where are you?” She wondered out loud.

**

“Hm?” A woman hummed from her office. She took the coin into her hand, a blue fingerless glove on her hand with a black sleeve that went up her left arm. She brushed her hair from her eyes and pushed the paperwork back on her desk. “Wow, this is….” She smiled weakly, a bit of pain behind the smile. “It’s very old, worth a lot more than it was a thousand years ago.” Her ocean blue eyes looked to the waitress. “You said someone was here now? They tried to pay with this?” She leaned back in her chair. The office was filled with ancient things. An old bow hung in the corner on the wall, untouched for years. Pictures of ships hung on the walls, a picture of a family sat on her desk, though it was faded and nearly impossible to make out.

“Yes, um the lady at the table by the window, she tried to pay with it, boss.” The waitress gave a nod as she stared to the woman before her. “I knew you would know it…” The waitress bowed her head slightly, her pointed ears pushing through her hair.

“The museum took all of these coins…” She stood, the woman wore a black tank top with black pants that ran down to her knee high leather belted boots. She wore a red holster on her left thigh that had pouches for money, as well as a sheath for her dagger. Her hair was dark brown with red tips that faded in nicely. She flipped the coin around in her fingertips and tossed it into the air a few times. “It can’t be.” She pulled on her white and tan shirt and secured the belt around her waist. She stepped out onto the floor, she wore a traditional elvish necklace around her neck, the tree of life, with a long silver pendant. She studied the woman at the table and shook her head. “No…” She muttered softly. She then looked to the waitress. “Worry about your other tables, I can take care of our guest here.” She gave a smile, her ocean blue eyes locked on the woman. The features, the curves. “R-Ren?” She asked, her voice uneasy as she felt a necklace that was tight around her neck like a choker, the black metal pulsed blue with life for a moment before it went back to being dormant.

This was what Ayla had become. She sat down across from Ren, her ocean blue eyes locked on hers. “Y-you’re dead…” She shook her head. “I-I don’t understand.” She set the coin down on the table before her before she stared back to the captain. The black sleeve on her arm covered the magical brand that she had been given in Cisne. She had to hid it from the Republique, even having such a thing on your body was considered treason and you would be sentenced to death. She leaned forward in her seat slightly as she studied Ren, a ghost of the past. “You’re dead….” She breathed, her voice low, as she looked over Ren’s features, she held back tears. It had been so long…so terribly long…Her heart ached for Ren still even though it had been nearly 400 years since she had died.

Ayla took a step back, just before Ren grasped her hand, her eyes looked over the woman before her, her brows furrowed. Pain set in her pupils. “I’ll be right back.” She called as she was towed outside. Ayla was silent as she watched Ren, a ghost right in front of her. When Ren leaned up and kissed Ayla she loosened, her arms wrapped around her and she kissed back, she had longed for such a kiss for nearly 400 years. Ayla touched her fingers to her lips when Ren stepped back and began to speak again. She looked Ren over a soft smile on her lips, pain still filtered through her eyes. “I see.” She said softly when Ren mentioned she was from the past.

Ayla gave a smile as she thought of those days. The days before the Republique. “I remember.” She stared into Ren’s eyes, “You’ve no idea what you have stepped into, Ren.” She shook her head. She then fell silent once again as she listened, her eyes wise as she looked over the woman before her once again. Ayla gasped slightly when Ren pulled the crystal from beneath her tank top. She looked to the charm as it pulsed slightly with Ren’s touch. Her cheeks blushed and she gave a grin. “As fate would have it.” She gave a nod. “We married.” She searched Ren’s eyes. “We got through everything and we rid the world of Adriel, forever we thought. I shot him down with my arrows and you whisked him away in a fiery tornado.” She looked to her left hand where a beautiful wedding band still sat, she refused to take it off. “The whole family was there…the fairies from Xanth. It was a beautiful day.” Ayla then looked to Ren as she grasped the crystal around her neck.

Ayla’s eyes widened as she saw Ren use her magic, out in the open. She glanced around them and moved forward just as Ren gripped onto her arm. She wrapped an arm around her.

“Something the matter, Raign?” A soldier stepped to them, he looked to Ren whom Ayla held close to her body.

“Everything is perfectly fine, sir.” Ayla smiled, “Just a little nose bleed, must be the dry air today.” She let out a soft chuckle, “Who knew?......come on…..” She pulled Ren along down the streets.

“Don’t forget where you sit with The Republique, Raign.” The soldier warned.

“Damnit.” Alya spoke under her breath as she pulled Ren through the streets. “We can’t talk here.” She spoke over her shoulder, her fingers laced perfectly into Ren’s, as if she had held her hand a billion times. She zig zagged a few blocks before she stopped in front of a door and pulled a jingling ring of keys from her pocket. She pushed the key into the lock and turned it before she pulled Ren into the home. They entered into a living room, upon the fireplace were pictures of Ayla and Ren on their wedding day, their smiles huge. They both wore beautiful dresses. Ren’s dagger was on display above the mantle, Ayla brushed it clean of dust every day. Other artifacts of their past were hung upon the walls, as if Ayla was a collector of old things, but no, these were her memories. Even the wheel of The Flotsam was hung upon the wall above the rocking chair in the corner, lit by a small lamp. “Um…” Ayla looked to Ren, she rubbed the metal around her neck once more. “A lot has happened, Ren. Wait here a moment.” She ran up the stairs and shuffled around before she came back down with a wet cloth. “Have a seat.” She gave a loving smile before she gently wiped away the blood from her nose. “Where do I even begin?” She let out a soft laugh. She shook her head. “I can remember how we were, way back then.” She smiled to Ren.

“It isn’t too long after that night that things began to go astray. Adriel and Victor stormed Portland, just a few months after he was able to rebuild the castle. We received a call for help from the city, that day…we thought we killed Adriel, that’s the day.” She took in a breath. “The entire city was in flames by the time we arrived, every elf within sight was dead, including the king….” She lowered her head slightly as she thought back. “I still had no idea of my power.” She shook her head. “I can still feel the feathers of the arrow as I released the string on the bow, I shot down so many demons. It was war.” She paused as she searched Ren’s eyes. “You were incredible, I shot Adriel five times in the chest, once in his head, and you ripped him to shreds….the world went silent of all demons, for a good two hundred years. We traveled the seas.” She smiled, happiness finally found her expression as she thought of those times. She stood and pulled a picture of their wedding day, their lips pressed together in the photograph. She ran her fingertip over the image as she sat down next to Ren again. “The best years of our lives.” She whispered softly.

Ayla took in a slight breath, holding back tears clearly. She shook her head and sighed slowly. “I would follow you until the end of the world Ren. If it meant I could still be with you. My heart….” She blinked and a few tears rolled down her cheeks. “I haven’t smiled….not really…not since…” She took in a breath and placed her hand on the metal choker around her neck. “I’ll show you.” Ayla placed her hand on Ren’s thigh, “You’ll see from my eyes, but seeing from my eyes should be enough…” She spoke as Ren’s vision would have faded into blackness.

Ayla stood in the middle of the city, “Ren!” She screamed. Explosions rocked the city around her. Cobblestone and pieces of homes flew through the air. She stumbled and fell to her knees. Ayla looked up into the sky as a huge dragon flew over the city, from its mouth came balls of fire that hit the city with massive force. Ayla scrambled to her feet, “Ren!” She cried out again.

“Ayla it’s too late!!” Xavier grabbed her hand, “We need to go! She made her choice!” His voice was lost in the sound of the explosions.

Ayla ripped her hand from him as she transformed and took off into the sky. The dragon shot a ball of fire at her which burned through her wings and sent her plummeting toward the courtyard of the city. She screamed as she tried to save herself, her eyes then locked on Ren whom stood with a red aura surrounding her. The crystal upon her neck began to pulse. Ayla’s descent toward the ground slowed and she seemed to float through the air to Ren. She threw her arms around her and held onto her tightly as a huge wave of energy came from the two. The dragon flew toward them and roared loudly as a ball of flame built within its throat.

“Ren!” Ayla screamed as a blue light came from her body.

“Relax.” Ren spoke, her expression calm and collected.

Ayla took in a breath as the ball of flames shot toward them, the ball was forced away with a wave of energy, it burst into a thousand tiny blue orbs that then flew through the air and chased after the dragon. The beast roared as it was disintegrated by the beautiful light. Ayla stepped back, her breaths heavy. “Ren…” She gasped. It was then that a huge wave of energy focused down on them from above the city. A deep boom of chuckles filled the air, Adriel was above the city, wings from his back, thick and leathery. Ayla gripped onto Ren as the massive wave rumbled through the city. The explosion was so massive that if viewed from a far city it would have appeared to be a nuclear explosion.

Ayla opened her eyes when the world stopped shaking, she looked to Ren whom gave her a gentle smile. “I love you, Ayla. Remember that, my love.” She pulled her in and kissed her as if she would never see her again. Then without another word Ren shot into the sky, taken up by the wind.

“Ren!” Ayla cried out, her wings still singed. She watched as the fight commenced, helpless. “Ren! No!” She screamed as she watched Adriel get in punches, batting at Ren like a fly. Then the red aura became brighter, until a huge wave of red energy flashed out from her body. It blinded Ayla. She shielded her eyes as she stared up into the clouds. Adriel burst into ashes which began to fall over the city like snow. Ren’s body fell from the sky lifelessly and landed on the ground just a few feet in front of Ayla with a heavy thud. Ayla rushed forward, “Ren!....Ren….no…no no no no….” She hugged the mangled bloody corpse of Ren to her body. The cuts and bruises as well as broken bones and fileted skin began to mend. “Come on.” Ayla whispered as she held Ren in her arms. “Please….Ren…please…” She began to sob, her tears fell onto Ren’s cheeks. “Please…” She stopped and looked out over the city. The shear destruction. A wave of white magic came from Ren then and sifted through the city.

Ayla watched as the soldiers, the men, women, and children began to stand up, their bodies mended. “Ren…” She whimpered as she began to realize what she had done. “No…please…Ren…I…I can’t do this without you…” She looked down to her, her eyes stung. The red aura surrounded Ren’s body as the crystallization process began. She had sacrificed herself, to save the city. In turn she had saved everyone in that city. “I love you, Ren….I’ll never forget…I promise…” Ayla’s voice broke as she hugged the limp pale body against her. “I promise…” She whimpered.

Ayla removed her hand from Ren’s thigh, blood dripped from her nose, she grimaced and let out a pain filled breath. She leaned back against the couch and grit her teeth as her body tensed. The device around her neck pulsed with bright blue, electricity came from the device, shocking her for her use of magic. “S-see?” She said through grit teeth. “Y-you….a-a-are a h-hero….” She leaned forward, her fists balled tightly. After a few minutes Ayla let out a sigh, a small puddle of blood on the hardwood floor from her nose. “Th-they….” She brought her hand up to her neck, her skin was red around the device. “The Republique…they came…not too long after…” She spoke through heavy breaths. She was so powerful, but couldn’t even begin to use her magic.

“The Republique banned magic….they are the new government.” Her voice was full of sorrow. “They wiped out most of the elves, only a few remain. The fairies….” Ayla looked to Ren with sad eyes, “The Republique killed all of them…” Ayla wiped the blood from her face and winced, she gasped as the device cut into her, syphoning her magic away. She grit her teeth as she lay back on the couch, her body tensed, her brows furrowed. This lasted for several long minutes, when she opened her eyes again the ocean blue color was pale, almost a sky blue. “They…syphon my magic…” She whispered. “The soldiers…come and take it from me every other day…the leaders.” She shook her head. “They can use as much magic as they like. You get caught using magic, you die….” She stared to Ren. “I’ve missed you so much, Ren.” She placed her hand on her cheek. “It’s…so hard without you, my love.” She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips before she stood. “I-I should…take you…” Ayla turned and looked to Ren. She looked to the time on the wall as a large clock clicked away the seconds. “I go everyday…um…” She wiped away the blood from her nose. “I visit you, everyday…I just…I just wish to hear your voice…that’s all I ask.” She smiled adoringly to Ren. “Your voice is so sweet, so smooth, like nothing else.” She took in a slow breath.

“I’ll take you.” She nodded. “It isn’t far. The crystal that encases your body is in the center of town, in the history museum. The Republique at least didn’t destroy it…they can’t…the people would have an uproar, it’s a monument…the crystal…you saved this town…Luca was built here in your name…I named my café for you…I…” She wiped away a few tears. This was incredibly hard, to see Ren again. After all of these years. It was difficult to look at her, when it wasn’t the same woman that she knew just before she had given her life for the city. “Everyone else is gone….they have been for years….I’m the only one left…” She muttered softly. She was incredibly lonely. The only thing she had was the café.

Ayla gave a slight nod, just before a knock came from the door. “Shit…” She muttered before she grabbed Ren. “Come on.” She tugged her and pushed her into a closet with slotted blinders, Ren would be able to see into the living room. “Just a minute.” Ayla called as she came to the door. She opened it to see two soldiers standing before her.

“Raign.” One spoke as he pushed into the home. “When will you learn?” He asked as he pulled a tool that appeared to be a gun, though it had a special connection on the end of it. “If you feel bottled up, just call.” He said through the blackened shield of his helmet. “The Republique will always be more than glad to accept your donation.” He chuckled as the other soldier kicked Ayla in the back of her legs, sending her to her knees before the man. “It’s really that simple, you donate your power to us, we allow you to live and run that cute little café of yours.” He gripped her by the jaw as he pressed the gun into the back of her neck, into the device. It clicked and a hissing noise came from the device. Ayla screamed in pain as he pulled her magic from her body. He held her there for a good five minutes before he released her, the other soldier kicked her to her chest on the ground. “Good seeing you, Raign.” He chuckled as they left the home and slammed the door shut.

Ayla lay on the floor, her eyes fluttered, her eyes were a very pale sky blue now. “Ren…” She muttered as she shakily pushed herself up. She waivered on her feet and placed her hand on the back of her neck where the device connected. She took in slow shaken breaths. “D-don’t call me Ayla here…okay?” She looked into Ren’s eyes. “They took that name from me years ago.” She was regaining some of her composure, though she was still incredibly weak. “The Republique re-named me, Raign…Ayla is a character of the past, she is the woman that is read about in the history books, along with Ren.” She whispered softly, “If you get caught calling me Ayla, we will both die, and then…there is no chance of you getting back to your time.” She grit her teeth slightly before she turned and stepped from the house.

Ayla was quiet as she led Ren through the streets, the sun was beginning to set now, the people thinned from the streets at night. After the sun was down the city would become a ghost town. Except those in The Republique. The soldiers took over the streets at night, enforcing their strict laws. Ayla gripped Ren’s hand, she looked to her and gave a gentle smile. “I missed you, Ren.” She whispered as they pushed into the museum. They walked through several chambers before they came to the largest one in the center of the building. Ayla slowed as she looked upon the giant crystal that encased her long lost love. “Here we are.” She whispered as she stepped forward and placed her hand on the crystal. “Hello my love.” She gave a soft smile as she looked to the body of Ren encased in the crystal. “Maybe…she will speak to you?” Ayla asked softly, “Since…she is you…” She let the pain show in her eyes once again before she sat down on the floor before the crystal. Ayla came here every night, she stayed here for around two hours every night and spoke with Ren, even though, the Ren encased within the crystal never spoke back….

**

“Tell me, Peter.” Ayla spoke as she came down the stairs, she wore a black tank top with red pants that met thigh high boots. She wore a grey jacket over the top with armored pieces, the tail of the jacket reached halfway down her thighs. Peter looked up to her with a loose jaw. “What happened…why is magic not allowed?” She asked as she stopped in front of him.

Peter stared at her for a long moment. “I…I…um…uh…” He took in a breath and shook his head. “Um well…the city was destroyed, and not long after a new government formed. Magic is what destroyed the city, so the Republique formed, they are an incredibly strict government….death is usually the treatment for breaking any of their rules…but…we haven’t had an attack since the explosion years ago…when Ren saved the city….”

“She saved….everyone?” Ayla asked softly.

“Yes, legend has it that she shot up into the sky like a bullet and destroyed the Demon Adriel. You. You were there. You carried her body down here to the center of the city where the crystal formed around her body, and in the museum she remains. They built the place around her. The city was built in her name.” He gave a nod.

“Oh…” She muttered softly, she smiled, “That sounds a lot like Ren.” She gave a nod. “She is the most caring being I have met.” She looked to the door. “You said you would take me there?”

Peter gave a nod. “Yes of course. It should be safe now…just…no magic, okay? They’ll kill you, and me…and I have plenty of life left in me.” He gave a smile before he let her out into the streets toward the museum.

Ayla watched as Ren looked to the giant crystal. Just like my dad. Ayla’s eyes fell slightly, “No, I never knew…” She whispered softly. Ayla stood as she watched Ren step forward and touch the crystal. “Be careful, Ren.” She warned just as the bright red glow seemed to pulsate from the crystal. When the hologram appeared in the middle of the room Ayla stared to it in awe. “R-Ren…” She gasped. Tears welled in her eyes as the hologram touched her shoulder and pulled her into a loving embrace. The embrace that she knew very well. She never wanted it to end. Then the hologram whispered something to her and she felt a surge of power flow through her veins. She took in quick breaths and nearly fell, she stumbled as she watched the hologram speak to Ren.

Then the crystal shattered, Ayla fell back, her eyes wide as she stared to the place that Ren’s body had been encased for years. “No…” She whispered, tears rolling over her cheeks. The world seemed frozen in time as the pieces of the crystal stayed suspended in the air. When the light flashed and the pieces finally fell she jumped up to her feet and turned. Her eyes fell on her younger self, standing in the door, such an innocent young woman.

**

“So what is this crystal? What caused it?” Ayla asked as she followed Peter through the streets. She looked to the soldiers that moved about with their guns. She looked to the strange fixtures on the homes that emitted light without a flame. Magic. How could this Republique ban magic when they clearly used it? Power hungry rulers….that was the only explanation.

“If you read back far enough in the history books it all makes sense.” Peter gave a gentle smile. “It was fate really. Her father saved a city and ended up the same way. Her bloodline goes way back, and within each progression of the line this has happened. Somehow it just seems that they are in the right place at the right time. Otherwise…” He let out a sigh, “Well otherwise this city would have never existed…though…magic would still be allowed I presume…” He looked to her. “I’m not sure where you end up. I know you survived, but the stories tell that you died years ago, shortly after Ren was encased in the crystal.”

“Oh….” Ayla said softly. “I see….” She bowed her head and fumbled with her hands. “That’s enough. I understand.” She muttered.

“Sorry.” Peter placed his hand on her shoulder. “I know that all of this must be hard to take in. I couldn’t imagine being in your shoes right now.” He then pulled the door open to the museum. “Almost there.” He gave a gentle smile. It was then that the building seemed to rumble with energy. The bright red light from the crystal exploding burst through the entire museum and blasted in a wave outside. He ran forward and skidded to a stop in the room to see Ren and the future Ayla.

Ayla nearly ran into the back of Peter, “What’s going on?” She asked just before her eyes fell on Ren. “Ren!” She ran forward and wrapped her arms around her. Ayla pressed her nose into Ren’s hair, tears of joy ran over her cheeks. “Yes…I’m okay…” She whispered. “I…I thought I’d lost you Ren…I…” Ayla listened to Ren as she spoke of fixing this. Keeping it from happening. Then she spoke of not allowing Ayla to suffer, “Ren…I…” She began to speak as Ren took her face into her hands. She leaned forward as Ren kissed her. The passion behind the kiss was like nothing she had felt before, she wrapped her arms around Ren and kissed her back with an equal passion. Always Together The voice of the future Ren was heard in the room, like an echo of a ghost.

Raign watched the two with a small smile on her lips. She brushed a tear away just as an alarm sounded in the museum. Peter spun around as Soldiers came rushing through the museum. “Time to go!” He called and grabbed Ren and Ayla, “Good to see you Raign.” He gave a smile and a nod to her as he took off in a sprint toward the back of the museum. “This way!” He called over his shoulder as the group sprinted along behind him. Peter dodged through the hallways and came to what appeared to be a dead end in the storage closet. He shoved a crate which caused a door to open up beneath. “Go on! Hurry!” He spoke quickly as he helped them down the stairs into the hole in the floor. He climbed down and pulled the door shut, the crate slid back into place, hiding their escape.

Ayla gripped onto Ren’s hand tightly, fear in her eyes as the blue ring glowed brightly in the darkness. “Ren!” She cried, terrified.

“You’re alright.” Raign spoke as she ran alongside the two.

Peter skidded to a stop in a huge underground dome of a room. Raign grit her teeth and fell to her knees as the necklace pulsed with energy, trying to steal the power the she had been given by the future Ren. She let out a cry as she fell onto her back on the cool cement floor.

“What’s going on?” Ayla asked as she looked to the woman on the ground, her future self. She knew it was her, “Ren?” She looked to the captain with worried eyes.

Peter knelt down next to Raign and placed his hands on the metal choker, “Ah!” He cried out as he fell back, he sat on the ground next to her now. His fingertips singed. “How do they even call this humane?!” He growled out. He looked to Ayla and then to Ren and smiled. “I feel like I’m looked at the pages of my old history books.” He let out a soft chuckle.

Ayla looked to him as he stood, Raign relaxed as the device stopped shocking her. She then looked back to Ren. “Please….Ren, please tell me this is a dream…” She begged.

“Quite the opposite.” Raign sat up slowly, her hand on the device. “This is a nightmare that you won’t be waking up from any time soon.” She grit her teeth. “Ren, we need to get this thing off of my neck….I know how to get you back to your time, so that you can fix all of this, prevent it from--...” She winced as the device tried to syphon her energy again. She groaned as she gripped onto her legs, the pain that this necklace caused her was intense, even after several hundred years…it never dulled. “Happening.” She finished as the device fell dormant again.

“I might know where the key is.” Peter smiled.

Raign looked to him as she slowly stood, her sky blue eyes full of pain as she stumbled slightly. “Well, cough it up, Peter.”

“First off, Ayla.” He smiled, “I can’t believe I didn’t realize who you were, they’ve changed you so much, evil bastards lied to the world of your death.” He shook his head and then gave a nod. “The Republique, they have the key.”

“Well aren’t you the wise one of the group. I already knew that, Peter.” Raign snapped, “Do you know where a key is? How to get me out of this so we can get them back to their time?”

“Yeah, you’re not going to like it.” Peter stepped over to a desk that was in the corner. He had gathered several things in this hidden room that were banned. He pulled a map out of a drawer and unrolled it.

“What happened….” Ayla asked as she stared to Raign. “What happened in this world?”

Raign gave her younger self a gentle smile and placed her hand on her shoulder. “Ayla, don’t worry. It won’t happen to you, that is all that matters. Once you and Ren go back to your respective time, Peter and I will become dust and shadows. This world will cease to exist, you and Ren can build a new world….without all of this hate….without The Republique.” She stepped away and looked to the map as Peter marked a spot. “We can’t just waltz in there, Peter….” Raign warned.

Peter gave a nod. “I know, I know, but we can just….waltz in there.” He smirked, “If we look like them.” He moved to a container that stood against the wall. He opened it to reveal soldier uniforms. “I have my conspiracy theories, and so far, most of them are about all checked out.” He chuckled. “I’ve been collecting for a few years.”

Raign let out a soft laugh as she stepped forward and looked over the uniforms. “What about….” She held her hand up to the device.

“You’ll have to stay here. I can risk them knowing we are in the building…with you there, they will know…” Peter gave a nod. He then looked to young Ayla and Ren and smiled, “You two. Ren you want to fix this mess? We need the key.” He tossed a uniform to her and Ayla. “Raign here is your connection to your world, she is the only one strong enough left alive in our time that can save you and send you back.” He began changing into a soldier’s uniform.

Ayla looked to Raign for a long moment, she could see the sadness in her future self. She caught a glimpse of the shimmer off of the wedding ring. Her eyes moved to Ren then, she took her in for a long moment before she pulled on the soldier’s clothing. She pulled the vest onto her body and sighed slightly. “This is super heavy, Peter…” She muttered.

Peter came up behind her and pressed a button on her armor, the armor began to glow with a blue light and instantly Ayla whom had been slightly slumped forward stood up, easily. “Better?” He chuckled and then pulled his face shield down over his face. “Alright, let’s go.”

Ayla looked to Ren with nervous eyes, “Stay close, okay?” She pulled her own face shield down and followed Peter out.

Raign stepped to Ren and smiled to her. “You’ll do great, my love.” She leaned forward and kissed her for a moment before she pulled the shield into place. “Keep me safe.” She let out a soft laugh as she moved and sat down in a chair in the corner, she grit her teeth as the choker pulsed once again. “Hurry.” She whispered.

Ayla watched with wide eyes as Ren took out the guard swiftly. “Ren…” She said under her breath, worried. She was terrified. What if they died trying to get this key? Then what would happen? She followed Ren into the room filled with magic, she felt dizzy being so close to it. She stood at attention next to Peter as Ren spoke to the doctor.

“219.” Peter spoke once they had left the room. “That isn’t going to be a simple task.” He looked to the two and then took the front. “I’ll take point, follow me.” He motioned them back into formation.

Ayla was breathing heavily at this point, the armor heavy and pressing against her chest. “Ren…I have a bad feeling about this…” She looked at Ren through her visor of her helmet.

“Don’t worry, Ren and I have your back.” Peter chuckled as he stepped forward, “I have lived my whole life for this.” He walked through an electronic set of doors.

“Soldier, state your purpose.” A guard stepped forward. “This is a restricted access wing.”

“Shadow Fall Regiment 867, and it’s Officer to you.” Peter spoke and pointed to the patch on his sleeve.

The guard straightened. “Y-yes sir, Officer sir.” He held his hand up in a salute. “Do I tell our leaders of your presence?” He asked as he lowered his salute.

“They are already aware that we are on our way.” Peter spoke, his voice calm.

“Of course sir, my apologies.” He moved and punched several things into the computer to open the doors to an elevator.

“Thanks.” Peter pulled his gun from its holster and pulled the trigger, the silenced barrel only clicked three times, twice in the soldier’s chest, and a final time through his visor. “Ayla, put him in that closet.” He said as he jumped over the counter and began typing on the computer.

“Wh-….” Ayla stared to the dead body before her. “He…he….”

“He sent a silent alarm, I’m shutting it down, don’t worry. Just hide him before his blood leaks all over the floor, would you?” Peter continued typing away.

Ayla lifted the body and pulled it along the floor. The soldier’s feet drug across the tile. She groaned slightly to his weight before she plopped him down in the janitor’s closet. Ayla looked down to her uniform, blood soaked into her chest. She swallowed and stepped from the closet, “Um…”

Peter looked to the blood as he clicked a few more keys, “Don’t worry.” He gave a nod. “We’ll just say we are transporting you, right Ren?” Ayla looked to Ren, her terrified expression hidden beneath the shield. She stepped to the doors of the elevator as they opened once again, silent as can be. Death wasn’t something the young Ayla was accustomed to. Without her memories, without her knowledge, it was all terrifying. Peter stepped into the elevator and held the door for Ren before the doors slipped shut and they began to move. “When we get to this next floor, we will be closer to where the keys are kept.” Peter spoke, “Just, keep calm, okay? Ren, follow Ayla closely, I’ll take the front. I’ll do all the talking.”

They stepped from the elevator in a single line. Ayla sniffled slightly, “Ren, this isn’t a good idea…” She muttered.

Peter looked over his shoulder, “Hush.” He held his finger up as a soldier rounded the corner. The man stopped and saluted to Peter before he continued on silently. They rounded several more corners before he stopped at a door, 219. He shuffled through the keys on the ring, trying them. “Damnit.” He muttered.

Ayla stepped forward and took the keyring. She shut her eyes for a moment, as she placed her hand against the door. Her breaths shook as she slipped into a memory.

”Here.” A voice spoke. Ayla stood in the hallway as soldiers came down it, their masks had glowing orange eyes, they were led by a soldier in white and black armor. “This is where the keys are kept, along with our injections.” He jingled through the keys and pulled a silver one out, it had the number 118 etched on the side. “Come on boys. I’ll show you what you’re in for.”

Ayla took in a sharp breath and pulled the key, “Th-this one.” She handed the keys back to Peter.

Peter placed the key into the lock and it turned easily, “How did you….” He then shook his head, “Never mind that.” He then pushed the door open and walked into the room. It was a large circular room with shelves that had tiny drawers on them. Thousands of keys. A computer sat against one of the shelves, the floor was lit from beneath, shining up to light up the room. Peter pulled his helmet off and walked over to the computer. “Just a few clicks and we will be out of this place.” He smiled as he sat down and began typing away.

Ayla pulled the heavy armor from her upper torso, leaving her only in a black tank top and the armored pants. She took in quick breaths, blood had leaked from her nose from the use of her magic. She hadn’t focused it like that before in the past, in the past the memories had come to her. This time she had willed the memories from the keys. She looked to Ren as she wiped the blood from the upper lip. Sweat had beaded along her brow. She was silent still, her body trembled slightly.

“Ah here we are!” Peter chimed in, “Slot number 2347, easy as---….” His body slumped forward in the chair, blood pooled from his head.

“Ren!” Ayla leaped forward, her body transforming in the leap. A blue aura surrounded them as bullets flew through the air. Ayla landed on top of Ren, she stared into her eyes for a long moment, searching. Then she stood and looked to the men that had surrounded them.

“Give it up.” One spoke. He wore black and white armor. He held two pistols in his hands. “I’ll let you off easy, we can give you a nice place, a nice job, we won’t even kill you for the use of magic.” He chuckled from beneath the helmet. “Who am I kidding?” He looked to the soldiers that circled around the two, their rifles aimed at them, red laser sights cut through the blue aura. “I can wait all day for you to become tired, I’ve got plenty of time.” He paused as he seemed to be studying her. He stepped over to the computer and kicked Peter’s dead body to the floor. “He got blood on my damn computer.” He cursed before he looked to the information that Peter brought up. “I see.” He looked back to Ayla and Ren. “You want this.” He moved over to a drawer and pulled a strange looking key from it. “You know, you look just like her, I didn’t think any of you guys existed anymore. I thought she was the last of a kind.” He stepped forward, the key dangling from his fingertips.

“She’s been through enough!” Ayla pulled the pistol from her thigh and shot through the blue ball, she shot several of the soldiers down that surrounded them. “I’ll kill you too.” She warned as she brought the sights of the pistol on him.

“Good luck.” He disappeared from sight. The soldiers opened fire then. Ayla spun around, something came through the barrier then. She went to turn and found that she couldn’t. “It’s always a gift to have abilities.” The soldier spoke. He stood in front of her now. “Controlling time, with the flick of a wrist.” He chuckled as he looked to Ren then back to Ayla. He reached and touched her cheek. “Now, let’s have some fun, shall we?” He grabbed both Ayla and Ren by their shoulders and in the next instant they stood in the middle of what looked to be a training arena. He stepped back from them as blocks rose from the floor. “If you can catch me, you can have the key to your friend’s little necklace.” He chuckled as he disappeared behind a block.

Ayla fell forward, her breathing heavy. She scrambled to her feet and looked to Ren. Her eyes full of rage. She took a step forward and let out a cry as a bullet pierced her side, the silencer on his pistol was excellent. Ayla held her side, “Ren…” She muttered softly. “We have to get back, we have to stop this from happening.” She looked to Ren with pleading eyes. “We can’t ever let this future happen.” She whispered. She fell back as the soldier clocked her in the jaw, he moved with intense speed. His control over time made him nearly impossible to keep up with. He chuckled as he stood on top of a block. Ayla looked up to him, she pulled her pistol and shot several times, missing him by a hare with each shot.

“Come on.” He chuckled. “You can do better than that, you haven’t even been syphoned yet. What kind of magic are we going to get from you?” He disappeared from sight once more.

Ayla gripped her side, her hand glowed green as she healed herself. She thrust her wings and shot up into the air, she then slammed down into the ground, a wave of ice coming from her body and covering the entire room all the way up to the ceiling. “Run from that.” She snapped as she ran quickly through the maze like room. She skidded to a stop to see the soldier frozen in place. Ayla ran forward and gripped him by the throat, she slammed him against the wall and brought her knee into his side. “Give me the key you bastard!” She growled. Her fist came into contact with his helmet, cracking the visor. She kneed him again and again, the soldier kneeled forward against her. He chuckled before he disappeared once again. Soldiers ran into the room. Ayla dodged a shot and slid beneath the legs of a soldier, she pulled her pistol and shot through his visor, sending him to the ground. She ran about, picking them off one by one.

“Ren!” Ayla cried as she was slammed against the wall by the soldier in white. He held a knife to her throat.

The soldier chuckled as he sliced at her skin, drawing blood. “Ren, hm…” He pulled his helmet from his head, his nose was bleeding from the force of the blows that Ayla had taken out on him. He aimed his pistol with his other hand. “You’re valuable. The both of you.” He smiled, his teeth full of blood. “Why don’t you surrender and maybe I won’t kill your friend?” He shot into Ayla’s abdomen, causing her transformation to fade away. “That’s a special kind of bullet, you see, The Republique created bullets that syphon the energy from magical beings such as yourself. It makes killing you a whole lot easier.” He chuckled as he brought the pistol back to aim on Ren. “It’s your choice, that bullet has to be removed by a doctor, on the first floor, in the holding room. Within the hour, or this precious soul will die.” He smirked. “What will it be?”

“Ren…” Ayla leaned forward, her forehead against the soldier’s shoulder, he wasn’t bluffing about the bullet, a red glow came from her abdomen where it was lodged against her rib.

“Ren…” Ayla breathed, her eyes fluttering. Her body felt like it did when the demon’s blood had been inside of her. She curled against Ren, her nose pressed against her neck as she took the soldiers out. Her eyes fluttered and in the next instant she felt the bullet pulling from her skin, the world was a blur. Slowly it began to return to normal, she felt Ren’s lips upon her forehead. “Ren…” She smiled up to her just as Ren left to her future self. She watched as Ren took the choker from Raign’s neck.

Raign lifted her fingers to the place where the choker had been, she let out a laugh, “I feel so…..free….” She whispered and laughed again, “I’ve had that thing on since The Republique banned magic, they beat me to near death and placed it on me, and…I…I became their slave…” She looked to Ren a smile on her lips. Raign smiled as she looked to Ren, her warm lips against her knuckles. “Yes, I know a way.” She said softly. “You told me the way.” She kissed Ren on the cheek and stood.

Ayla stood, her brows furrowed, she looked to her future self and then to Ren. “What do you mean this is your fault?” She questioned softly. She shook her head. “You couldn’t have done this, you saved all those people…Ren…you didn’t cause this.” She stepped to her, her eyes searching Ren’s. “None of this is your fault…” She kissed her then and hugged her tightly for a long moment.

Raign watched the two with a gentle smile on her lips. “I’ll set this right. For both of you. Ren, you need Ayla to remember.” She gave a nod as she pulled a chalk from the messy desk that was once Peter’s. She began to draw a circle on the floor in the white chalk. She began to write around the circle in a strange language, elvish. She nodded to herself as she moved about the circle, connecting lines and spaces. It was elaborate, beautiful.

Ayla released Ren and stared to the woman as she drew on the concrete floor. The building around them was beginning to tremble, the shudders on the windows flew off. She looked to Ren and searched her eyes another moment. “This isn’t your fault.” She whispered again before she stepped over to her future self and looked down to the language that she didn’t know.

Raign finished up the beautiful work and stood. “Okay.” She gave a nod. “I’m not certain where this will send you back to, I know it will be before this began, it will give you time to set things right.” She looked to Ayla and gave a gentle smile. “If it’s before you leave the castle don’t let anyone know you know what is going on….okay?” She placed her hand on Ayla’s shoulder.

Ayla stumbled slightly as a surge of memories raced into her mind. She fell back, sitting in the chair, her eyes wide. She took in quick breaths. She stared to Raign. “O-Okay…” She fumbled and then looked to Ren.

“Ren, my love.” She stepped to Ren and took her hands into her own. A loving smile on her lips. She searched her eyes, the ocean blue had returned with the choker gone. “I know you will do everything to fix this.” She tucked a lock of hair behind Ren’s ear, her hand stayed there on the side of her cheek as she searched her eyes. “I love you, Ren.” She pressed her lips against Ren’s. “I always will, I’ll never forget you.” The chalk circle began to glow blue the symbols appeared to be aflame. “Here.” Raign took Ren’s hand and led her into the middle of the circle. She then moved Ayla and put their hands together. Ayla gripped onto Ren’s hand tightly, her pulse racing. “Take care of me, okay?” She let out a soft laugh again. “Nehmen sie mich in meine heimat.” She spoke softly once. The flames pulsed a brighter blue. “Nehmen sie mich in meine heimat.” Raign spoke again as the roof of the home came apart. Her hair flew every which way. The doctor was cowering in the corner as rain poured in on them. “Goodbye my love.” She kissed her hand and blew a kiss to Ren. It was as if she had shoved the two backward into a spinning portal.

“Ren!!” Ayla cried as Ren was ripped from her grip in the midst of the portal. She screamed as she fought against it. The world spun as Ayla found herself in a dream. The memory of Ren and her mother, when Ren had returned to Xanth years ago. The first time she had returned home. She woke with a gasp as she felt Ren’s touch on her side. Any dreams this time? Ren’s voice came to her ears, taking her from the memory. “Ren…” She whispered, her eyes fluttered open. The memories surged through her body. The nightmares that she had been given by Adriel for two days prior. She sat up slowly and placed her hand on Ren’s cheek, her ocean blue eyes searching. “Was…was that just a dream?” She asked softly as she felt the boat dock.

Xavier opened the door, “Welcome to….” He paused when he looked to the princess and the captain, “Oh…um….sorry, we’re here, captain, Xanth.” He left.

Ayla blinked several times, “Ren…” She furrowed her brows. “Please, tell me that all wasn’t a dream…”

Ayla looked up to Ren with her ocean blue eyes, wisdom seemed to have crept in somehow. She had a loving smile on her lips as she gave a nod. “Yes, yes I remember everything….” She took Ren’s hand and stood with her help. “That future…we can’t let it happen Ren…” She searched Ren’s eyes as she spoke of Xanth, her dying mother. Then Xavier came into the room for what felt like a split second, she chuckled and blushed slightly, butterflies in her stomach. She let out a soft laugh, “I forgot what it was to feel this way, when I lost my memories.” She stepped forward, her hand still holding onto Ren’s. She kissed her on the cheek quickly before she gave a huge grin. She then gave a silent nod as they stepped out onto the deck of her ship as it docked at Xanth’s port. Ayla remembered this part of the adventure. She was so fresh in the outside world, so inexperienced. She followed Ren with Xavier into the city and to the castle. The scene that played out was much different. Time was already changing.

Ayla was silent as everything happened. She didn’t expect the queen to know that they had traveled into the future, witnessed what the world would become. When they followed the queen to the dining hall Ayla looked to Ren, a slight smile on her lips. It was incredible that this woman knew what happened. She ate her food happily, only to pause when the queen spoke of a bow. “Thank you, my queen.” She bowed her head slightly. Ayla stood and looked to the bow that the fairy held in her hands. It was ordinary looking with beautiful decorations, but for the most part it didn’t seem magical like the one from the shop. She reached and took it into her hands, the bow transformed to her touch. It thickened where she gripped the bow, just above and below her hand the bow split in two, creating an X shape. The bow surged and ice covered the crafted wood near her grip. Ayla looked to the weapon with a grin on her lips as a spiral of blue flames surrounded her hand as the grip became small enough for her hand. She looked to Ren and then back to the weapon. Ayla grinned and tossed it to her back over her shoulder next to the quiver.

Ayla looked to the queen as she spoke before she left the room. Xavier stood and bowed his head, “Good night.” He spoke before he followed a fairy to his quarters. Ayla looked to Ren when she recommended a walk instead of the hot springs. She paused for a moment as she thought of what happened at the hot springs, she blinked a few times, the nightmare, then how they fled from Adriel.

“A walk sounds much better.” She gave a nod. Ayla took Ren’s hand and smiled to her warmth. She felt butterflies in her stomach to the captain’s touch and her cheeks became warm as blood rushed to the surface. She let out a soft laugh as she allowed herself to be towed along. Ayla looked up to the falling flakes of snow and grinned as they stepped further from the city. She giggled as Ren skipped through the layer of snow that was sticking to the surface of the trail. “Hey!” She called out as she brushed the snow from her chest.

Ayla cupped snow into her hands and tossed it at Ren, hitting her in the shoulder as she ran off ahead, giggling. She threw a few more snowballs before she stopped in the middle of a bridge. The sound of rushing water came to her ears as she found herself staring at a massive waterfall that overlooked the tiny bridge in the middle of the forest. She looked to Ren and took her hand once she was at her side. “I really enjoy this feeling.” She gave a smile, her ocean blue eyes searched Ren’s. She turned and took both of Ren’s hands into hers. “I thought I lost you, Ren….when that demon took you and threw you into the portal…and when I fought Adriel, trying to find you…” She lowered her head slightly. “I don’t ever want to lose you, Ren.” Her voice was a whisper, “I’ll always fight for you.” She gave a slight smile before she placed her hand on Ren’s cheek. She searched Ren’s eyes again, “You saved me.” She smirked a moment before she leaned in and kissed her, one hand upon Ren’s hip, the other still on her cheek. Passion filtered from the kiss as their lips locked.

Ayla pulled back after a long moment, her hands still rest on Ren’s hips. She smiled as she looked into her eyes adoringly. “Things, already feel better.” She turned and placed her hands on the railing of the bridge, she giggled as she leaned her head back, snowflakes stuck to her eyelashes and hair, each one unique. She leaned forward slightly, looking to the rushing water beneath the bridge, it pushed ice around, not fully frozen quite yet.

This place.” A voice spoke. “I’ve dreamed of brining you here.”

Ayla spun around to see two figures in the distance, close together, lovers, in an embrace. She stepped forward, snow crunched beneath her feet. She looked to the river, it was fully frozen, even the waterfall appeared to be dormant behind the sheets of rippled ice. It was beautiful.

“I love you, Ollie.” A familiar voice echoed in the dream. Ayla looked a bit more closely, the woman’s back was against the railing as the man kissed her. When he pulled back she saw the familiar face of her mother, so young. The man stepped back to reveal that she had a small bump in her belly, was this Ayla? Or was this Jak?

The man, her father placed his hand on her abdomen and smiled warmly to her, Ayla was getting close now, just about ten feet away, she didn’t want to go closer though, this was good enough. “Jak will be happy to have a younger sibling.” He kissed her cheek. “He’s going to be a big brother.” He chuckled before he hugged her gently again. “I’ve always wanted to bring you here, Xanth is such a beautiful place, not many are welcomed here by the Fairies. I gained the Queen’s trust years ago, I saved her from assassination.” He pulled back and fell silent.

Ayla watched in awe, this memory. It was incredible to see the love that her parents held. To actually see them. Every memory she saw of them was of them leaving to go to the war that they ultimately died in. It was something that Ayla wanted to see, something that warmed her soul. She took another step and the snow crunched beneath her feet. Oliver turned, his eyes fell directly on her.

The memory faded and they stood there. Her father turned and stepped toward her, slowly, cautiously. “Ayla, my sweet baby Ayla.” He smiled, closing the distance. “You’ve become so big.” He searched her eyes as he stood before her now. He was a good head taller than her. “You look just like your mother.” He chuckled, “It’s good to finally see you, baby Ayla.”

Ayla looked up to him, shock in her eyes. The memories before didn’t allow those in the memory to see her. “I…I…um…uh…I…” She stuttered, she didn’t know what to say.

Oliver pulled her into a warm embrace. “I’ve always wanted to see you, to see you grow up, to see how you turned out after your mother and I…..” He paused and stepped back, both hands on her shoulders. “You must save your mother.” He gave a nod, his hazel eyes deep with wisdom. “I’ve been waiting for you here, Ayla. I’ll be with you. Not to worry, I’ve been waiting to run into you, so that I may.” He hugged her for a long moment again before he vanished.

“Father?” Ayla spun around, her head began to feel light, “Wait!” She called to the blackness in which she stood.

Ayla slipped and fell forward, she let out a cry as she gripped onto the railing of the bridge. “Ren!” She cried out. She pulled herself up slightly but slipped on the icy bridge as her feet dangled toward the rushing river below. A yellowish orange light began to form around her body and she suddenly felt warm, as well as weightless. She flew up over the edge of the bridge and landed in the middle of it on her feet. She took in quick breaths as she looked to her hands, then to where the glow had been. “How…did?” She shook her head and ran to Ren, she kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” She smiled, assuming only that Ren saved her. “That was incredible, it was so….”

Suddenly the pitter-patter of running steps approached them. Ayla stepped back and turned, she pulled the bow from her back and aimed it toward the sound, her eyes lit blue. She paused as she stared to the creature, a red fox. He stopped moving as he stared to the arrow and then to her eyes. Those eyes. They were almost human. She searched his eyes as she lowered her weapon slowly. “Hey…” She muttered just before the fox ran forward and ran up her leg, he slipped around her shoulders and made a strange almost chuckling sound. It leaped to the ground and fluffed the snow before it lay still. Ayla looked down to a beautiful fluffy red fox that whined as he nosed at the snow. His tail moved back and forth, wagging as he seemed to chuckle again. The fox stood and ran quick circles around the two before he sat down in front of Ayla and whined loudly, his ears lay to the sides slightly.

Ayla looked to Ren a moment before she looked back to the creature, the yellow aura appeared around her again, his eyes glowing yellow as he lifted her into the air slightly and set her back down. It was the fox that saved her from falling into the river. Before Ren even had a chance. The fox whined happily as he stepped forward slightly. Ayla grinned, her expression filled with awe. She looked into his hazel eyes and realized then. “My…father had eyes like you…” She knelt down to one knee. “Look at him Ren…” The fox leaped forward and placed his paws on her knee, he sniffed her face before he liked her nose and whined happily. As if to answer her statement. “Could…this be?” She looked to Ren, confusion on her face.

Ayla slowly stood, her brows furrowed together. “He said…in the memory…he would be here with me…that he’s been waiting for me…do you think?” She looked to Ren as she slowly stood. The fox ran circles around her, his eyes glowing yellow again as the magic coursed through the being. “Is this possible?” She asked and then giggled as the fox ran up her leg again, finding his way into her arms. He curled slightly and hummed with happiness. He looked up to her with his hazel eyes and yawned before he looked to Ren, almost judgmental. As if he was trying to learn her, for some reason. The fox whined and snuggled against Ayla before he shut his eyes. She giggled again as she held him close, his tiny body warm against her chest. “He’s adorable.” She smiled happily. “Ren, we have to keep him. We must. Can we take him with us Ren?”