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Galaxor’s Week


Underground Folly





The pulsating mushrooms illuminated the far reaches of that dark tunnel every few seconds. Closer was the red glare of the torch glancing off the damp walls. The air here was not like it was in the Dominion, like home. It smelled of old things, of musk and the occasional stench of decay. There was only a slight current that blew through their loose garbs and the hair that wasn’t stuck with sweat to unwashed skin. How long had it been since they could take a bath? Delight in warmth as the body was cleansed? Not so long surely, but long enough. The tunnel kept going down, down, down. The slope was so insincere. Only the growing warmth was the indication of just how deep they tread.

“I’m hungry.” Barn complained.

“And I’m thirsty.” Julie snapped back.

“Take a drink then, miss thirsty.” Barn said in a low mocking way. “We don’t exactly have food I can just shove into my mouth as we walk, not like you can with a water canteen, now can we?”

“You are insufferable.” Julie hissed.

“Well it takes one to know one.” Barn crossed his arms, head held high.

No words came next, just the crash of two bodies upon the stone. It seemed Julie hadn’t liked that one. The two rolled around as they grappled for domination. A pot broke free from Barn’s pack and lay next to them. Julie, on top and looking for anything she could use to gain the upperhand, found the pot. She brought it high over her head and was about to bring it down before her wrist was seized by a giant hand and she was yanked off of Barn.

“Can you two do anything but fight? By Galaxor!” Came the exasperated voice of Kleer. As Julie struggled in his grip, Barn got to his feet with a snarl. He took a step forward but was stopped when a hand was placed upon his chest by Masy.

She sighed, “Leave it be Barn. You’ll only cause more trouble.”

“Well she-”

“Enough!” Kleer barked. “You’re hungry and she’s thirsty, you don’t need to fight over it just to prove which of you is more insufferable. Haven’t you two learned anything from your schooling days? Use your words, save the fighting for when we have to!” Kleer let go of Julie’s wrist and the young goblin-woman let go of Barn’s pan, cursed something under her breath and began to walk ahead.

Barn, his green face tinged with red, bent and picked up his pot. He muttered something as he took off his pack to readjust it, then wandered off after Julie.

Masy, her ears folded back, watched them go with annoyance.

Kleer’s torch came closer and the great goblin looked down at her. “Your tail is twitching, Mas.”

She folded her arms across her chest and peered up at the bearded goblin. His features sharp and worn. Lines were just beginning to crease his dark green face but his hazel eyes, they had always been kind.

“Their fighting is getting worse.” She began to walk and the big goblin followed in step at her side. “I still can’t believe you’ve dragged us on this adventure and you still haven’t admitted that we are lost, Kleer.” She gave him a side eye.

“Lost? Please. We are simply following in the footsteps of the greats. Weathertop Tomgunny, Bladelink Torl, The gray Healer, the Weasel Trio, the Maxi Gems and who could forget Jaxx! You heard the stories, how he came to the Dominion with his party? How he dined with Maxima!”

“What are you getting at, old man.” Masy yawned, seemingly uninterested.

“Old man, please.” Kleer laughed deep, amplified by the tunnel. “We aren’t lost, we are simply on an adventure Masy!” He gave her a pat on the back.

“Now come on before those two get-” The great goblin and the elven fox rounded a bend in the tunnel, coming face to face with Julie and Barn. The two goblins were not fighting for once as they rolled on the cavern floor. Instead, they were making out as if their lives depended on it. And with such passion, they didn’t even notice their audience.

“Oh by the gods.” Kleer sighed, hand sliding down his face. Masy just rolled her eyes.




“All I’m saying is that this new time stuff makes little sense.” Barn said, before scooping a spoonful of soup into his mouth. He chewed as he spoke, “You’re telling me, that if we aren’t in the same timeline, things might go awry?” he swallowed, “But how can that be if I’m looking at you right now, at the same time you’re looking at me?”

The great goblin shrugged. The fire between them cast his face in a shadowy light. The fire crackled once before he spoke, “Time is but a construct that we define. Who's to say we haven’t already been here before, having this exact conversation? Or perhaps we haven’t yet? Perhaps we never will?” he touched the silver band at his wrist, his time anchor device. They all wore one, put on at the same time as a precaution. “Is not time but a fickle thing? Let us leave it to Mighty Galaxor to keep.”

The fire burned more as Barn, eyebrows furrowed, continued to eat in silence.

“It’s for those Diamond gemstones to figure out.” Julie said, coming back with more rootwood for the fire. Masy in tow, having collected more mushrooms for the stew.

As the two settled in around the fire Masy said, “All that time talk will lead you nowhere. We are here, right now, in the present. The past is the past and the future isn’t knowable.”

“But-” Barn was jabbed with Julie’s elbow, who just so happened to sit next to him. The young goblin almost choked.

“But nothing Barn. Masy knows best. She’s a sapphire after all.” Julie said with a bit of pride. Julie’s own deep purple amethyst sat around her neck. Barn gripped his own orange garnet as he looked between Masy’s blue sapphire ring and Kleer’s red beryl earring.

“Gemstone ranks hardly mean anything unless you achieve diamond or onyx.” Masy said as she focused on skewering her mushrooms.

“Oh is that right? But diamond Reginald always said," Here Barn’s voice took on a nasally tone, “If you don’t make at least emerald, you’ll be back studying in no time.”

Julie laughed. “What skills do you have, Barn?”

“Well, the usual, I guess. Good with a dagger. Athletic. Good looks.” Barn took another bite of the stew.

“If you’re so good, then how come you aren’t a diamond guard?” Julie asked.

Barn sat a little straighter at that and waved his spoon at Julie. “Those guys are all bluster. I bet ten shakes none ain't ever gone on an adventure like Jaxx. Like us. Show offs all.”

Julie scooched closer to him and Barn stiffened a little. She whispered something in his ear and his face blushed.

Masy took a bite of her cooked mushrooms as her shifty eyes looked towards Kleer. “Youths are often prone to folly, wouldn’t you say Kleer?”

“Undoubtedly.” he replied, stroking his graying beard as he watched the flames dance.

“You could have hired any veteran of the caves for this journey, but you picked these two enemies to lovers.” Masy made a face and shook her head. “Folly indeed.”

Julie likewise made a face and she showed her tongue in a child-like gesture. “You old timer’s are all business and never fun. If I recall, you’ve never even left the Dominion either, Masy.”

The elven fox, her orangish red hair with wisps of white strands gave Julie an incredulous look. Then she shrugged. “It’s true, I haven’t left the Dominion. But I did leave the Goblin Underground plenty of times.” She smiled with smug satisfaction.

Julie glared in return.

Barn took on a new shocked face as he looked at Masy. “You were… You were born before the Dominion?”

“Of course, Barn. We of elfkind are long-lived.” Masy took another bite. “My parents relocated to the deep in the dawning days of my kind. When we were created in the Goddesses image. Instead of staying up top with the others, they journeyed below. They always did say they preferred the dark to the light, or whatever that meant.”

“They aren’t…?” Barn began to ask.

“Oh heavens no, they’re still around. They live in the upper tier of the Obsidian Reach. Mother teaches and father runs a business selling gems. Perhaps you’ve heard of the Fire Opal?”

Barn and Julie looked at her blankly.

Masy frowned. “Well it’s a big place, home.” And she went back to eating.

“Shouldn’t you be working with your father? Sapphires have plenty of skills, don’t they?” Barn asked.

“Me? Sitting around a shop all day and listening to my father complain about Maxima’s tax policies? No thanks. Besides, the business is going to my little brother and his wife.” Masy said with a tone of bitterness in her voice. Her eyes darted to the fire as she threw the empty wooden skewer in.

“I know what you mean.” Julie said in a quest voice. “I have three younger brothers and three older sisters. I’m the middle child. I’m sure right now they might be wondering where I am but eh.” She shrugged.

“I’m an only child.” Barn confided. “Parent’s split after mom found dad cheating on her with some younger gob lass down the road. It was just my mom and me for a long time. Then she got sick and died. No idea what happened to the old man. I’m sure I’ve some half siblings out there somewhere.”

Masy looked at Barn and she nodded at him. He returned the silent gesture much the same before Julie placed a hand on his shoulder. She pushed back her thick black hair away from her eyes and said, “I’m sorry to hear that, Barn.”

In truth, Barn seemed unbothered but he gave her a soft smile anyway. “Thank you, Julie.” Silence fell for a time, as the two looked at one another.

Masy rolled her eyes and got up. “I’m going to bed. Wake me when it’s my turn to watch.”

Kleer nodded, turning to watch Masy roll out her assortment of blankets. They had found rest in a small, but wide cave. The drip of water hitting the floor had provided them with a fresh source of liquid. When they had all rested, for it was impossible to tell the time so dark below, they would continue on.

“What’s the plan boss?” Barn asked Kleer. The great goblin looked back at the two. “You sleep. Separately. And I take the first watch.”

The two blushed slightly and Barn got to his feet. “That’s not- I meant, It’s been great wandering these caves and cleaning up some monster dens, but do you really think we’ll find it?”

“Yes.” Kleer said, putting his fist into his open palm. “We are close. Very close.”




The next few days, if you could call it days or weeks, left them wandering aimlessly in the tunnels far below and apart from the Dominion. They hadn’t seen a fellow Goblin or even A diamond patrol for what felt like an age and still they kept going on. Walking topics of discussion ranged from heroic tales of heroes to the old stories about the defense of the Goblin underground during the invasion of outsiders. Masy was tight lipped during those discussions, as if she didn’t want or couldn’t speak about it.

Barn and Julie fought occasionally but their spats would always be somehow resolved through shared lips. If they were doing more, they were quiet about it. As talking began to become more and more taxing, silence crept in as well as doubt. Kleer had promised a grand adventure, through the depths of the world, all in search of what he called, “The Old Gob.” A rumored figure who granted wishes if found. No one knew if he existed. Perhaps there was a reason old Kleer hadn’t said anything about his own family. Or perhaps it was something else entirely that guided him.

It wasn’t until they were completely lost in the bioluminescent caves of the vast underground that Kleer stopped dead in his tracks. They had arrived at a fork in the tunnel. Their water supplies were running low and they had not found root sap to keep their torches going.

“Well this is great.” Julie said as she fidgeted with her stave.

“What are we going to do Kleer?” Masy asked, the elven fox’s ears twitched as if she was listening for sounds.

“We at last come to the decision.” Kleer whispered. “Right or left. Damnation or salvation.” he seemed to say to himself. “I’ve dragged you all this far. Time to vote. Left or right.”

“Left.” Masy said with little thought. “I hear… Something. I’m not sure what. But the right tunnel is dead.”

“Left then.” Julie said.

“I’m with these two.” Barn added at last.

Kleer looked down the right path with the sort of determination one could only muster if they were absolutely sure of themselves. Then it faltered and he began to walk left. “Left it is.”

The winding path of the dark tunnel, shaped as if something had burrowed its way down or perhaps out, kept them occupied for a long time. They managed to find a drip of water, the noise that Masy had heard. That at least lifted their spirits but as they continued on with full canteens, it became increasingly apparent that the left tunnel was off. The bioluminescence that guided their way and provided food was growing sparser and sparser. Whole sections were lightless, save the torches and even they were becoming wisps. There was no root wood and thus no root sap to sustain a longer fire.

Luckily, all of the party could see decently in the dark. Just one of the perks of being a deep dwelling people. It mattered not if one was a goblin, beastfolk, or elf. Masy also had excellent hearing and a good nose. Kleer was the muscle and boss. Barn was the jack of all trades, able to do most tasks when required. Whilst Julie was their apothecary, their healer in times of need. Making it all the while funnier when she decided to beat on Barn. Each brought something to the party that complimented the whole. They were lucky for it.

For when Masy froze in her tracks, ears perked, she held out her hands to stop them. She was frowning at the inky black of the tunnel that was ahead. No sound came and then all at once Masy shouted, “Down!” and dove to the ground. The rest followed before the unmistakable sound of arrows whizzing came overhead, followed by the clacking of them hitting stone.

That wasn't the worst of it though. A hissing flaming arrow sung past and embedded into the floor behind them before exploding with tremendous pressure. They had seen nothing of the sort like it before, the blast, the terror of it, the ringing in their ears. The rock underneath them quivered, trembling like a child that had been struck by their father, before it gave way entirely. Cracking as if the world had cursed it forevermore.

The party fell for what felt like a lifetime. Panic stricken in the dark, torches lost and snuffed out, it was by sheer happenstance that nothing interfered with their descent. No long ledges jutting out and certainly not the bottom. A flickering light gave way below until Masy could see that it was a great cave full of tall glowing mushrooms. Their light, soft blue, gave the reflection of twinkling stars. She could have sworn, beneath all that sudden doom in her chest, that they had been falling upwards.

Until the bitter cold of icy water blanketed the fall. Now it was a only chance, as boulders and rocks thundered into the waters around her. She swam. Something slick and slimy brushed against her legs but she kept going anyway, up to the light. When she crest the water, and took a great breath of air, she heard Julie shouting for Barn, his own reply muffled.

“Find a shore!” Kleer's voice came above the din and the ringing. Find the shore.

Masy looked around. Julie found Barn with a bleeding head wound while the great goblin that was Kleer swam for his two smaller compatriots.

Masy swam, the cold leeching all warm from her bones but she swam anyways. She found footing on a rocky bottom and her ascent led her to a small sandy bank that she half dragged herself and fell upon.

“O-Over h-here!” She cried out as best she could. She turned back to the water, removing her pack and bow as she rubbed her limbs for warmth. Why was that water so cold?

A large splash caught her eye and she found Kleer, carrying the two goblins, emerge upon the shore. She walked to them in the gloomy light.

“We need a fire. Masy can you find something burnable? Julie, get some dry bandages for Barn ready.” Kleer said in a commanding voice. The voice of a leader. Masy grunted and began to walk off as Kleer set Barn and Julie down. At once the small goblin lass began to fret over a semi-conscious Barn.

“You’re bleeding too.” Julie said, reaching out to Kleer.

The great goblin touched the back of his head and then wiped the blood on his wet tunic. “I’m fine, see to the boy.” And that was that.

The mushroom forest they found themselves in was not without ample kindling and in no time a fire was going that the four sat around. Stripped of clothing save for the essential to warm themselves, while their belongings hung on vines drying in the smoke. Here beyond the fire the world was of luminance. The musky smell of mushrooms was not so unpleasant to the senses and an occasional breeze brought warmth as well as the fragrance of something sweet. The chattering of some small creatures and the occasional splash out on the lake were the only real sounds, beyond distant drips and a low roaring of perhaps a waterfall. No one had the energy to talk after such an ordeal, though their minds were no doubt racing as to what or who had blown up the tunnel and sent them plummeting.

Julie was bandaging Barn’s head, the goblin man looking up at her with rapt admiration. He eventually said, out of nowhere, “Marry me, Julie?”

Masy and Kleer's heads spun to them at the confession.

Julie feigned innocence, “Barn, you're being silly.”

“I am not.” Barn said, using his elbows to prop himself up to look at her. Longing stained his face and his blue eyes were clear. Julie blushed and turned away from him, fussing with the bandages in her bag. “It wouldn't work.” She mumbled.

“Why not?” He said softly.

“Because I'm me and you are you.” She said, flustered.

“You could be a trolley snail and I’d still want you.” Barn said.

Masy bit her lip to avoid laughing at the terrible analogy and Kleer only smirked. Julie turned to look at Barn, with every right to smack him but instead, she placed her hands on either side of his head and kissed him. When they broke apart, faces flushed, she gasped. “You stupid oaf, of course I’ll marry you.”




It took them a good long sleep to gather their bearings. Barn needed to heal and Julie was his faithful nurse. Kleer’s own injury was forgotten and he gave no confession to pain. Masy kept herself occupied by scouting and hunting. Not long after they fell, Barn was assaulted by a giant bat that Julie struck over the head with her stave, killing it instantly. For once they had most in their bellies, despite some reservations over eating a pale corpse of a creature. It didn't help when Julie alone threw up after she slept. After that they stuck with mushrooms, tried and true. Though it was curious.

They did not talk of their plight in open discussion either, for Kleer shut them down. Something had begun to change in the old great goblin’s silence. Before the fall he often looked contemplating. Now it was of furrowed brows and muttering. Masy left it alone and the two lovebirds had each other. The fox girl had been in more dire circumstances before, this was just the newest in a long list. The others would cope however they could.

It wasn't until Barn no longer needed to wrap his head that they began onwards. Masy had found a winding path along the cliff-like cave walls that would lead them up to whatever end.

“How deep do you think we've gone?” Barn asked, looking up at Kleer.

“As deep as Galaxor allows.” He shrugged.

“We are far lower than the lowest bowels of the Obsidian Reach. Maybe even lower than the Library.” Masy interjected. “I wouldn't be surprised if we were the first ones to tread here and even so, life goes on without us knowing.” Kleer remained silent, looking ahead. But it was true, the vast Underground was a myriad of wilds that would probably never be explored. Life was as simple as mushrooms or as complex as whatever swam in the cold depths of the lake. The ecosystem thrived with the sounds of insects and the flapping of some invisible creatures. Most of the life gave off bioluminesce much to Julie’s enjoyment but it was a hard life for those not accustomed to it and mortals most of all.

So it came as no surprise to Masy and Julie when Barn murmured, “Well, I'm quite ready to head home.”

It was then that Kleer stopped and spun upon Barn. The great goblin, with his massive hands with root-like strength rippling from his forearms, grabbed Barn by his garb and lifted him into the wall. “There’s no going home!” He roared. Julie went rigid with fear and Masy unsheathed an arrow. “Not until we find what I'm looking for! Don't you see how close we are? Galaxor guides us! He does!”

“Put him down, Kleer.” Masy commanded.

The great goblin snarled and dropped Barn. The small goblin had Julie at his side in a heartbeat, helping him up.

“What's the matter with you?” Masy said, dropping her arrow slightly. “You’ve been off. You don't act like this.”

“The path before us has always been clear. We are close, so close now. We can't go home until we find what we came here to find.”

“The old gob?” Masy asked.

Kleer began to walk ahead. “The Prophet that never was.”

Masy looked back at Barn and Julie and the three shared a look. But up from ahead came a strange sound. Like a small piece of metal had been dropped upon stone. Tink. Tink. Tink. Silence. Masy looked at Kleer, who had frozen. He began to turn towards them but before he could an explosion rippled forth from under him. Masy didn't have time to fall down. Instead the force of the blast knocked her backwards onto Barn and Julie. She felt like someone had thrown a handful of pebbles at her as hard as they could. Heat washed over them in a bright flash, followed by smoke that billowed forth with sulfurous fumes. Masy gagged, it felt like salt had coated her tongue and tried to breath before rolling over. She grabbed her head, the ringing almost unbearable. She couldn't hear anything. Not as Julie grabbed at her, the goblin’s face, one of concern.

Then a faint breeze washed away the smoke and Masy looked to where Kleer had been standing. She took a ragged breath, not sure what she was looking at, at first. Then her eyes went wide at the realization. Kleer lay in pieces, his blood coating the walls above a charred floor.

Masy turned her head away. A convulsion went up from her stomach and try as she might to stop herself, she threw up. This time Julie was beside her, rubbing her back as Barn stepped to her other side, blocking her view.

They began to speak as Masy tried to calm her nerves. “She's in a bad way, Barn. I can't tell whose blood is whose and poor Kleer.” Her voice trailed off as if she was in shock.

“Don't think about that right now. Focus on Masy. Come on, let's get away from here.” He began to grab Masy’s left arm, under her shoulder. Julie grabbed her other shoulder and they began to drag her.

“I can… Walk.” Masy protested, but her feet did not listen to her.

“Masy darling, there was blood in your vomit.” Julie said.

The two goblins shared a look. Both looked far paler than average and Julie herself looked ill. They dragged Masy towards a cut out that overlooked the path. There Julie began to cut through her clothing.

“I don't feel…” Masy began, “Pain.” She said with a shaky breath.

“Masy. Listen to me.” Julie’s hands were coated in fresh blood. “Barn get over here! Apply pressure!” Barn did as expected and cursed under his breath. “Masy. You're going to be okay. I'm going to fix you.”

“Kleer…?” Masy coughed.

“We'll have to bury him later. After we tend to you. Barn! Get the fresh bandages and sutures from my bag.” Julie commanded and was obeyed.

The next few minutes were a blur as they worked upon sealing Masy up. Julie hissed at a shard of metal she extracted from the wound. “Get the poultice ready, Barn. And water. We need water.” This was done and before she knew it, something cold had been pressed into Masy's belly.

She had just been on the verge of a sleep that Julie hadn't been allowing her to have when Barn yelled out, “We have trouble!” Followed by a terribly loud sound that jolted Masy awake. It was like that explosion but not as loud. Barn came up from the lower path out of breath.

“Goblin.” He wheezed, pointing behind him. “Down the path. Hovering. Old. Has some sort of boomstick. Shot at me.”

“What do we do?” Julie asked, her voice flooded with panic.

“Go and hide.” Masy said.

“But-”

“No buts Julie.” Masy said, her eyes clear and focused. “I have a gut wound. You saw it. You've healed many things before but this is different. We both know it.” Julie began to tear up. Barn began to grab their things.

“Go up the path and hide. Barn, did he see you?”

“He must have seen something. He boomed at me.” He let out a frustrated sigh, “We should stand and fight.”

“No. No more death. Okay?” She could see them forming an argument and held up her hand. “No arguing. I’m the boss now, got it? You do as I say.” With lips curling with frustration the two begrudgingly nodded. Masy could tell it pained them beyond reason. “Okay. Now you two get out of here. Don't look back.” Masy said, pulling out a knife and hiding it beneath her hand. The stone floor was cold. Next she ripped off the bandages and Julie hissed, “What are you doing?”

“Making it look like he hit his target. Now get out of here!” She whispered with annoyance and threw the bloody bandages out of sight. She placed her hand over the stitched wound and smiled.

“You better name that child after me if it's a girl.” She said with mirth as she looked at Julie and winked. The goblin lass looked confused for a moment before her eyes went wide and she placed a hand on her abdomen. Barn, oblivious, grabbed Julie's hand and pulled her along.

“Goodbye, Masy.” He said in a shaky voice.

“Tell my family…” Masy gritted her teeth and Barn nodded. Julie looked at her one last time, the heartbreak of a friendship lost, one that could only be forged on an adventure. It broke the elven girl's heart. But there would be no more victims of terrible magicks today. She would make sure of it. For their love had brought her joy and she was dying anyway. Why not make use of it yet? She just hoped they didn't come back to save her. That foolish honor of goblin and friends.

It didn't take long before a figure aloft a long dirty rag rounded the corner. Hunched in an equally dirty cloak, it cackled as it saw her. A long stick glowing of green script was held by gnarled hands. No, not just wood but metal too, she realized. What puzzled her most was the rag it rode, somehow flat where it stood and flowing freely underneath as it moved on a phantom wind.

“What's we haz here?” It said in a tongue of goblin that was old and gnarled like his fingers. For it was an old goblin man. Under that hood, green glowing eyes looked upon her with a mix of curiosity and madness. “Gots it in the bellys we didz.” It snickered. “What is its bez?”

“Elvish.” She gritted her teeth to fake pain. She still couldn't feel her legs or her stomach. “With a bit of fox.” She smiled.

“Foxses eh?” It propped, what Masy could only imagine was the boomstick, up and leaned on it. “Yous the one tripping me triggers. Boom boom boom!” He laughed. “Heards anotha boom. Lost a frend didcha?” She couldn’t see his face but knew he was smiling with glee.

“A great goblin. Kleer was his name.” Masy said. “Never seen a thing like that explosion. He was just… bits.” her memory flashed and she grimaced. The old gob noticed and tilted his head.

“Shoulda look where he waz steppin.” he nodded, as if this was the only fact that mattered. He stopped leaning on the boomstick and hoisted it up to a holding position, aimed at her. “Canni have yas livin. No hard feelins.”

“W-Wait!” She stammered, trying to sit up but failing. The goblin lowered the boomstick slightly. “I’m dead anyway but I’m curious. Are you the old gob? The prophet that never was? Why’d ol Kleer want to find you so bad?”

“Ancient gob.” He spat. “I was killed long go, by angry silver goddess. Life brought mees back. I told other gobs, they worship me. Maxima…” he snarled at the word as if it was a stain in his mouth. “Maxima! Maxima! Maxima!” he leaned back on the boomstick again and began to use his gnarled hands to point at nothing, “Shes took them. Shes sent me away. Me! Prophet! Many gob hates her, afraids of her. They comes to find mees.” He paused and removed his hood. Masy felt herself flinch. It wasn’t just his eyes that she had thought deformed. His entire face was inscribed with swirling runes, etched into ancient leathery skin, more like bark. He was a hideous thing and the smile he gave proved it. “I founds the way. Mees! I make powder! I make boom! From batsss, from salts. No gobs can know.” There was a wild look in his eye as he began to lift the boomstick.
“How do you fly?” Masy asked, her heart beginning to beat faster.

At that question, the old gob cackled. “Silvers folly.”

Before he could point the boomstick at her, Masy threw her knife right into the goblin’s neck. He gurgled and dropped the stick. It hit the ground with a loud thud as he panicked at the knife wound. Masy only watched as he gurgled more and then he was right in front of her. She blinked, not knowing what had just occurred. The old gob put his weathered hands around her neck and began to squeeze but his strength was already waning and with her own hands she pushed him off and the rag went with him as he drowned in his own dark blood.

It was then that Masy could see what had happened. His hovering rag had not been a rag but a sword. A beautiful swirling sword that reflected the dying torchlite. A sword that had impaled her. She didn’t feel the pain at first but then it coursed into her as if her veins had caught fire. Try as she might to hold in a scream it was useless. She was being burned from the inside. Her blood seething with a rage she could not last. Then, abruptly, there was no pain and she felt so very tired. The world became fuzzy, her eyes blurring as if she was underwater. She smiled as her body began to spasm. At least those lovebirds would be safe.




“...And that was when we found the magic sword! Your mammy thought it was too pretty to stain with our dirty feet, so we covered it with a cloth. You should have seen the people’s faces when we flew past! Oh it was the darndest thing. Knew where to take us and everything.” Around the hearth, the small goblin children looked up at their papa with a mix of awe and wonder.

Then he was assaulted with questions.

“How fast did you go?”

“Did it scare you?”

“Where is it now?”

“Tell me more about the bats!”

“Hold on now kiddos! Hold on!” the old goblin laughed.

“Kids! What did I say about asking grandpa too many questions?” A goblin woman, curly black hair and wearing the gemstone of a sapphire on her apron walked in. She kissed the old goblin on the cheek.

“My darling Masy.” he said, taking her hand and squeezing. “Let them ask! Let them be kiddos. I don’t mind.”
She cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand as she smiled. She looked so much like her mother. “I always did love that story.” She said with knowing eyes.

“Me too, darling.” he said with a soft smile.

“Come on now kids, lunch is ready!” Masy said, “And grandma will be coming home soon!”

At that the children screamed with delight and ran off towards the kitchen, Masy in tow.

The old goblin rocked in his chair, and looked to the rune covered boomstick hanging above his hearth. He never did figure out how to use it. Then his eyes slid to the corner of the room, where a bundle wrapped in white cloth lay against the wall.

“Was it a faithful telling?” he asked aloud.

There came a muffled reply in a familiar voice, “It was good enough, Barn.”

The old goblin smiled.


Silverfall





Long did they labor in the dark of the world with only starlight to abide them. Such was the ineptitude of herself and her kin. They, who held creation in the palm of their hands. Who had fought and bled during the invasion. Who now murdered each other over little gains. She was tired of it, of them. Her peers.

This world was but darkness and even that was only to be banished by a cursed sun. For such a short time, mortalkind knew nothing but cruelty and the dark. It was not enough. Long had she waited for any one God to ascertain what she had but none had ever stepped up to the challenge. Now, many had faded into the requiem of silence. Forlorn and soon to be forgotten, if not already bent by toil.

Sylia would show those who remained what it truly meant to be divine.

With the vastness of space behind her, Sylia turned to look upon the jewel of their universe. Galbar. Oh, Galbar. The deep blue sea of the Land of Origins, with its twin trees, gazed up like a vast eye. Brilliant was the World Tree. Brighter was the Tree of Firmaments. She would show Allianthe the truest reach of the celestial heavens. Even if Life could never again be reasoned with. Even when it came to blows, which it would, sooner or later. She would show that grounded Goddess. Yet, despite it all. She wished her sister well. Did she not know that pain? As fickle as it was? She, whose heart did not know love?

“You think so little of me…” She whispered in the dark, her slender hand over where a heart would be. She pulled it away and looked at her fingers. What was love but a chemical reaction, induced in two mature beings to create healthy offspring? Not every animal felt such an allure but the mark of greater intelligence pulled so often in such a direction, that chance fell away. She shook her head, such questions had been eating at her since that fateful confrontation. Where she had not acted… Well. She shoved it away, a project for another time.

Try as she might, however, Sylia could not shake the burden of her ever growing tasks. Even weightlessness as she was in that place between places. It had seemed that Civilization had fallen before her solely. El’zadir was not fit for the task, nor could she truly count on any other. She knew not why but it was evident that something had befallen El for the very sword she had created for the reticent goddess, had vanished. Gift, she had called it. Sylia’s mercurial blade.

She would find and retrieve it in time.

Still, Sylia sighed. Perhaps she’d go and look for El too. Perhaps not. For now, it was time. She had not been to the inky black between worlds since the dawn of creation. Now she spun and gazed out at the majesty of it. One day she would travel to another world and see what creation had to offer. For now, she focused on the task at hand. The creation of a celestial body was no easy matter to undergo. She had her plan, sketched with the holiest place of her mind. None had seen it but they would.

She raised her hand and the cosmos was changed forevermore.




Althea sat on the roof of Ophelia’s house, knees at her chest. The air held a gentle cool breeze upon its winds. It was a reprieve from the stifling day. It was the only pleasant thing when the dark took dominion. So there she sat, having forgotten how many times she had watched the stars up above, in their myriad beauty. She knew in her heart she could watch them forever and never cease finding something new in the heavens. It calmed her mind and she even had begun to deign that it was mending what had broken inside of herself. But that was a fledgling hope she had no inkling of stoking. The stars were hers for a time and they would remain so.

The distant sounds of Sylann nightlife were her only company. That and the occasional buzz of an insect or other night denizen. From the vantage of Ophelia’s estate, for it sat upon a hill on the outskirts of the city’s center, Althea could see soft lanterns dotting every street. A new technology, one where extracted oils from animals were burned for a light source. As genius as it was, the lanterns did not stop the occasional bonfire. She had kept away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a long time, having found that a peaceful life was her calling. She told herself that it was better that way. Of course she helped around the estate and kept Ophelia and the baby company. Yet she could never shake that unwanted feeling of idleness. The pull to do anything but mope around, it was returning. A small comfort, she supposed.

“There you are.” Ophelia said. Althea turned her head to see her friend, wrapped in a blue blanket, walking towards her. She sat down beside Althea and the lilac smell of her was not unwelcome. So too was the bit of body warmth they shared. “Couldn’t sleep?” Ophelia eventually asked.

Althea looked upon a face that only had the gaze of stars. “I could sleep for days.” She confided, turning her head back up to the stars. “But if I did I would miss this.”

“True. They are lovely tonight. No clouds at all.”

“Mhmm.” Althea mumbled.

Silence fell between the two. Content as they were in each other’s presence. One did not always need to talk to pass the time.

“Oh!” Ophelia gasped as a star blinked past in a torrent of distant light. “A shooting star!”

“Make a wish.” Althea said, turning to see Ophelia’s beaming grin. She could not help but yield just a little to it, producing one of her own.

“A wish?” her friend asked.

“Well,” Althea blinked, suddenly feeling foolish. “I once overheard some kittens saying that if you saw a shooting star, you got to make a wish. It’s probably just… Children being children.”

She looked back up at the stars but felt Ophelia’s hand upon her own. She looked back at Ophelia, her fellow Syllianth now smiling softly.

“Done.” She said after a moment.

“Done?” Althea asked.

“I made my wish.” Ophelia's chin rose as a playful smugness overtook her features.

“Oh,” Althea let out a small chuckle, her own smile returning. “Well, what did you wish for?”

Ophelia opened her mouth to speak but another star streaked past and both of their heads snapped to it. Then another streaked past, and another. A meteor shower? Althea got to her feet, helping Ophelia up as more stars streaked past. They began to shoot by so quickly that it began to blur into a vast ocean of how white. Ophelia gasped at least a dozen times.

Althea could hardly believe what she was seeing. There had never been anything like this before. No one had ever mentioned it, at least. Ophelia gripped her hand tighter and she returned it with a squeeze of her own. When the streaking stars became one in all motion did the heavens at last reveal what lay beyond the curtain- An explosion of light that brightened the very skies into day.

Next followed the tremendous sound of a hammer clanging metal. It rippled across the earth and down into her very bones. Harmony came in the form of invigoration, as the sky settled back into night, not so dark as before. Althea scanned the heavens, to the very epicenter of the light and she saw now a thing that took her very breath away.

There was the goddesses’ symbol. A gigantic silvered hand. Each finger, ringed with golden circles and crowned with starlight. All coveting the great golden ball in its palm. Althea felt her knees begin to wobble and it was only Ophelia helping her down that she didn’t collapse so completely. She couldn’t take her eyes off it. She coursed with every sort of emotion, from pure elation to the smallest of inferiorities. She had bore witness to an event that would be remembered forever.

It was then that it began to rain. Not of water, she realized. It was…

“Silver?” Ophelia asked, picking up a small silver shard.

“Silver…” Althea repeated, feeling the smile tug across her lips on its own accord.

“It seems my wish came true.” Ophelia said as she scooted in close, resting her head upon Althea’s shoulder as they watched the Hand rain silver.




Sylia sat upon a dias of chiseled marble at the apex of the middle finger. From her viewpoint, Sylia saw everything. A bespeckled Galbar in all its glory. She had dictated that place as her most holiest of sanctums, far beyond the scope of the Atelier. Her Observatory would never be unmatched.

She could only beam with triumph. Her great work was accomplished and now mortalkind did not have to be so afraid of the dark. With the Hand now in orbit and acting as an artificial moon, Sylia could further advance all life upon the planet. It would be in the hopes that one day, perhaps generations in the future, the scope of civilization can be turned upon the distant stars.

Mortals would one day be able to live here, free from the duress of grounded life. Here they could achieve the progression of all-kind. The refinery at the center of the palm would furnish wonders. And most importantly, Sylia would not have to worry about further invasions upon Galbar’s surface and skies. She had surprises for any would be invaders but that would have to wait. She couldn’t show her hand, well, with a bemused smile, she could and she already had.

But such a place would need to be protected and mended from the inside. Toil… She would have to fix that error one day but it ever remained one of her chiefest concerns. Thus Sylia fashioned with her hammer a being much like the Formed but lesser in scope and size. More humanoid in shape and made entirely of metal. Steel. For the realities of their duties would be ceaseless. She needed something that could last and be produced somewhat easily if needed. They would have no faces, just like her Watcher of old. Then she replicated the process a hundredfold until a mass of lithe, hardy automatons stood before her.

“You are the Sylicants.” Sylia proclaimed. “Caretakers of this installation. Stalwart defenders of the Hand. This I declare, your Goddess. Now go.”

So they did and Sylia went back to her observations. There was still much to do but for once, she had earned the right to simply watch.




The Assembly





“We mustn't forget our neighbors to the north! We've all heard the stories! Should we allow such a place to build its strength enough to challenge us?” The goblin spoke with an eloquent tongue, wearing his fine robe of red. Jewels glittered on his fingers and about his bald head there was a floral signet in the shape of a rose.

To his decree many in that place stood, mostly other goblinfolk, and cheered but were steadily drowned out by the boos. A vast majority of those boos were of beastfolk in a multitude of assortments. Mammalian, reptilian, avian… Full, half and marked. The few Syllianth in the Forum remained ever still, giving little opinion of their own.

Another goblin, across from him, stood. His own robe white, while he sported a trimmed beard and tied black hair in a bun. Rings lined his fingers and a ring of gold pierced his nose. He spoke with the same eloquence, if not in a deeper pitch. “Stories! Tales! Gossip! These are what assemblyman Rosefield would have you believe in with absolute truth! As it remains, they are just that- rumors.” A few ayes could be heard at that. “Trade has always been steady with Thysia! The Suneater, as you all know, has shown hospitality to our people and we have to his! Such baseless claims to even suggest he could ever sack this great city, are preposterous!”

The roar of the room answered this decree. When it quieted down, Rosefield spread wide his arms and said, “Let it be known I have no doubt our city, with shining walls, could best even the ocean down south if it were to assail us in one mighty wave! We survived the hordes of demons! We have brought peace to our side of the river and so has the Noble Suneater, with his now vast holdings. We should not dismiss the rumors, even if they are just that! If Thysia is building its strength for a great campaign, why would we not be interested in this! And need I remind anyone that the Fairwater’s have always benefited from such trade between our two states?” The strike was a cunning one but to his words there came much applause and many more whispers.

Assemblyman Fairwater’s stalwart demeanor was of supreme confidence. “My good assemblyman!” he began, shushing the forum. “You all know me. You knew my father, you knew my eldest sister. Gods rest their souls! Heroes of the invasion! You know my character.” he thumped his chest. “My word has always carried weight amongst ye! I would cut off my own arm in defense of this city, there is no doubt! And I say now, we have nothing to fear from those in that country but if it will alleviate your hearts, let us put a vote to it. As we have always done and will continue to do!” Many shouted in approval, the air thick with a sense of pride.

“I am in favor of continued peace between our states, who is with me!” A chorus of aye’s flooded the room, from top to bottom. “And all those in favor of strengthening our borders?” he asked next and many gave their own aye’s but it was clear the victor.

“And peace we shall have, let it be blessed!”

Rosefield glowered and sat back in his seat. Fairwater smiled in that cocky way of his. Truly a voice of reason when you helped line the pockets of those aye’s. The goblinman tightened his fist. They would see. He and his cohorts would make them see.

Another voice broke into the fray of voices, “Now have any here remarks for Human and Feighdfulc citizenship?”




ROISIN MAGNOLIA

The LITTLE GOD of the LITTLE THINGS | The FEIGHDFULC MATHAIR | LADY of the FADE | The KHODEXBORNDOTTR
LADYPRINCE of the FAE-FINTE | The FAERIE QUEEN | The GREAT VEILED ONE | MISTRESS of the PLACE BETWIXT ALL PLACES
HIGH QUEEN of the FAIRIES


&

Sylia





Sylia found herself in the palace of the thief. She had broken her stalwart vow of never again venturing into the immaterial. All fell silent in that little gay court. She did not see its beauty, she did not see its great craftsmanship, nor even the Little god herself. The God of metal fixated upon the crown hovering above the small god. The divinium crown. Not even Allianthé’s madness had caused her to feel so… Upset. The twins, who now owed her two lifetimes, sat before the throne fussing with one another. No doubt aware of how close they had been to dying.

Sylia pointed with her sword at that little feighd queen. “You said you were born of the Khodex? What proof undeniable can you give to this claim? Or are you a thief and pretender?” The small veiled god turned her head to Sylia, and with a word of ease she caused the faeries in the court to retire and take the two accused elfwomen with them so that the gods were left alone. “I don’t know what you mean by thief, and I didn’t think there was a need to prove something self-evident. I have never lied, it is not in my character. I don’t believe there is any greater proof of anything than the known truthfulness and integrity of the speaker - but you might not agree. If you have doubts or do not wish to believe it, I am not forcing you to believe it or coercing you in any way. You are free to think what you like and I shan’t be in the slightest upset - though I only ask, if you do not wish to be friendly, that you at least mirror the respect I show you.” The Little god spoke slowly and neutrally, neither offended nor offending. As she spoke, a great seat materialised for Sylia, and juices and fruits immediately familiar and wondrous were layered out in cups and on platters of silver, gold, and many gems. They lay on several small wooden tables of fine craftsmanship interlaced with latticework of lapis lazuli and jade, and studded with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and sapphires.

The goddess flicked her Godwand, whose redwood enmeshed in Astralite and hilted with Magnolium put even the wondrous platters and tables to shame, so that Sylia’s already ornate thronely seat came to be decorated in silks, damasks, and luxurious cushions. “Forgive my inhospitality, please do make yourself comfortable and help yourself to some of these new tastes. I will be entirely open with you, there is no need for us to be standoffish. Come come, sit and be at ease. There has been too much tension for one day.”

Sylia's eyes were so transfixed upon the crown that she paid no attention to what had changed about her. In fact, it was only when the little god flicked her wand that she stopped staring at the crown to stare at that wand. She made no move to sit but lowered her blade. She raised her free hand and the magnolium component of the Godwand, after a few moments, obeyed the call of the metal god. Breaking off from the wood and Astralite, it streamed from the little queen’s grasp. Sylia studied the wand, her brow furrowing. Roisin was silent for a few moments as Sylia examined it, then she spoke. “Had you asked I would have given it to you. Now please, do sit. If I have to repeat myself I fear you will have made me seem very foolish.”

“This should not be.” Sylia whispered. “A divinium alloy… After creation?” She looked at the queen then - with some reluctance - gave back her wand with a gentle push. Her sword altered its shape until it was but a rod that hovered beside her. “Sitting will not be necessary in my case, Lady.” Sylia said with a slight bow. Her attitude whisked away in an instant. “The only foolish one here is myself. Your wand is proof enough of your designation. Khodexborn at last.” The Little god drew the Magnolium wand to her and affixed it once more to the Godwand, then placed it down on an intricately made pedestal by the High Throne. There it hovered and hummed with magicks and glamours.

Roisin Magnolia turned her head again in Sylia’s direction. “You are far from being a fool, don’t speak ill words about yourself. I am glad that your skepticism has been put to rest, though, Sylia Diviniumheart. Still, there is no need for formality. I am not enthroned upon a throne of authority, it is not mine to command and decree and, therefore, I have no right to obeisance to a like degree. Mine is an enthronement of being not of rule- but let me not annoy you with riddling words!” She rose from her throne and approached Sylia, moving gently through the air like a feather on a playful wind. “You accused me of being a thief also. I admit to being ignorant of where this accusation stems from. Could you elucidate so that, perhaps, I may offer up a defence?”

“There is no need for defense,” Sylia said, crossing her arms. “The Crown you wear was intended as a gift for the Khodex. As Khodexborn, it is yours by right. I drop all accusations and thus my apology to you is the maker's approval. Now, I am not at all familiar with you or your kind but I see plain you are with the best intentions. Allianthé’s heart is poisoned with grief and blooming with hate. It's too rash of her. Too emotional a response. I would never have put blade to her flesh, I shall have you know, but I cannot say the same of her at present. Perhaps this path was laid out long ago. Life cannot be life without death and I fear that fact alone shall lead her astray into corruption of her intent. What are we, for you have jumped into this mess, going to do about it, I wonder?” Sylia watched the small goddess hovering in silence before her.

“For my part - and you may see otherwise - I can do no more than to exhort Allianthé to goodness. I knew her before this grief, though even then she struggled. I will call on her and exhort her untiringly; there is little more I can do for her - I certainly cannot force healing or goodness into her. And perhaps if we show her mercy, kindness, generosity of spirit, patience, treat her ever with fairness and forgiveness, and in all manner exemplify that breadth of spirit and elevation we call her to… perhaps it will find a way to her heart. In all other ways we - yes, you too Sylia, I call you to it - can do nothing but ourselves be good.” Roisin settled down on the armrest of the fine throne she had conjured for Sylia. “That’s how I see it - but perhaps you, being a sister to iron and steel, see with a keener and sharper sight than I do. I welcome your say on the matter.”

“That's assuming she will want anything to do with us after this debacle. You may try all you like to open her heart once more but I cannot seeing it working at this time. Though I'd like it to.” The silver goddess sighed. “She will seek retribution that time will not dull. Her resolve will only strengthen, I have no doubt. The twins will be in constant threat of death. I would send them upon a quest to retrieve that syllianth's soul but it may already be too late. The wheel of reincarnation goes ever on. No, they have suffered and will continue to suffer. Just as Allianthé until reason is cast before her eyes or, unfortunately, beaten into her like common sense.” Roisin Magnolia issued an audible sigh at Sylia’s words, visible too as a cloud of variegated glamour. “Well, we can only do what we can - and what we see as right. I only implore you to remember: gentleness and kind forbearance is not in a thing except that it makes it more beautiful, and it is not taken out of a thing except that it is made less beautiful. I implore you towards that which is more beautiful.” She paced up and down the armrest for a few moments, deep in thought. “But I think you are right about the danger that swift follows the twins… it may be safer for both of them if they are separated.”

“Another unfortunate reality.” Sylia agreed. “United only to be separated once more. When I found them they were in a sorry state. I shall not speak of specifics only know I removed such memories from them. Such is best left to be forgotten, for they are already traumatized by their ordeals and now this. I shall take the fiery one, most to blame for this accident. She will face her own trial as punishment. I know not if she will recover without her twin but this shall be her test.” Sylia’s word caused the Little god to lift off from the armrest and rise so that she was level with Sylia’s head.

“Your words leave little doubt that you are certain of their guilt. I have received at least one narrative from a witness to the incident… but it seems to me that you may have another witness. Would you be willing to share that with me for the purpose of making a final judgment on this matter? Certainly the sooner we are able to arrive at a verdict the better it will be.”

Sylia huffed. “Allianthé would not have reacted if it had been anything lesser. Her chosen was transformed, accidently as any could see, by two quarreling sisters. Allianthé then took the life of her chosen without so much as trying to reverse the damage. They are both to blame for this tragedy but I do not think a life should be taken for a life, less two for one. Was their guilt not evident upon their faces?” No amount of looking at the veiled goddess could reveal what she thought about Sylia’s words, but her response came beauteous and calm as always, if not a little sad. “Your words mirror what I have been told. A sad affair in all ways, though who bears the greatest guilt for it I cannot yet say. I will attempt to speak to Allianthé in due course, once the agent of time has put some distance between us and the incident. I will attempt to have her accept my arbitration. But before I do any such thing I must ask you first: would you permit me to arbitrate on the matter? Will you accept my judgment when I reach it, even if it differs from what you would have liked? It will be terribly difficult to secure Allianthé’s agreement, and I will not seek to get it if I do not already have yours.”

“As you do not have a great stake in this matter, I believe you are the most natural suited for arbitration. If you wish it, then you shall have my agreement, no matter the outcome.” Sylia confirmed. Roisin nodded and soared back to her throne. Retrieving the Godwand, she whispered a word of summoning. Ida and Ayre, flanked by their faerie wardens, appeared before the throne once more.

Ida looked ahead, Ayre looked at the floor. Both dejected and unsure. Unease and guilt lingered in the air. For once, neither spoke. It seemed their ordeal had drained them of any speeches. Sylia, now before them, spoke. “You both have gone through much in such a short time. Unfortunately, it won’t be getting any easier. Your Goddess has declared you enemies of her state. Be it madness or grief that compels her, none can say. This is certain however, she will not stop hunting you until she believes retribution has been done. Life itself has chosen for you to die.” Ayre’s knees wobbled as a gasp escaped her throat and then she began to fall but invisible hands held her a loft. Ida stared forward at nothing. “I know the incident was accidental in nature. I would not have intervened otherwise. This doesn’t mean you don’t share blame in the act itself. A Syllianth- Irrithae, is dead. Thus we have decided your only course of action is to be separated until the time-”

“No!” Ayre yelled, cutting off the Goddess. “I won’t let you separate us! You can’t. It isn’t fair!”

Sylia frowned. “Fairness has little to do with it. Interrupt me again and I shall do what Allianthe could not- Cut out your tongue, little girl.”

As the threat settled over Ayre, the girl’s face contorted into rage. Steam began to rise from her body, as her features went red. Though neither Sylia nor Ayre moved, a great distance seemed to appear between them and Roisin manifested there, her flowing dress and generous wimple trailing behind her. She spoke cooling words and all about her were glamorous of utter peace. “Sá chluin mo ríomhaireacht, déithe na Khothael, agus bí síocháin.” She commanded, so that all anger and desire to lash out left Ayre. The goddess was still for a few moments and then she cocked her head. “You have something of divine make there,” she pointed to Ayre’s breast, “shew it me, dear daughter.”

Ayre blinked wildly, grasping at the necklace hidden beneath her clothes. “I…It was a gift.” she said, making no move to show it. The glamours of an understanding, patient smile flowed about Roisin. “Of course. You have drawn the gaze of many a god, Ayre…” her glamours turned to slight sadness, “but not all gods are kind or good, my dear. Let me only have a look, I’ll deny you nothing that is yours - I am no thief, I assure you.”

Sylia, near once more, watched as Ayre, with much reluctance, pulled out the necklace to reveal a large prismatic gem set. Sylia’s brows furrowed. She had felt such a presence before but where? As she tried to pinpoint it, Roisin Magnolia approached Ayre and inspected the gem. She flicked her hand, so that the Godwand shimmered across the throne room and into her grasp, and trailed the tip of her wand across the stone. “This is…” Roisin murmured thoughtfully, “quite terrible.” She withdrew her hand and fluttered away from the girl. “I would advise you, my dear, to rid yourself of that. It has great power, there is no doubt, but it will only bring your soul and form to ugliness. If you keep it, then you will one day lose all conception of yourself - though before that, you will have known much woe.” She let her words settle, and their seriousness seemed somehow reinforced by the glamours of warning that swirled about the Little god. “Do you understand me, Ayre? Let it not be said you did not know.”
Her hand began to shake around the gem. Ayre looked at Ida but it was as if she wasn’t there at all. Still she looked off into the nothingness. Ayre glanced back at the little god, her eyes beginning to narrow. Before she could say anything, Sylia interjected, “Power corrupts. Look how you are already shifting to blame her. Those eyes. Give it up Ayre.” She said, for once, in a voice like a gentle breeze. Once more Ayre’s face shifted from benign beauty to a flicker of anger. Her entire forearm was shaking now. She jerked her head and her eyes snapped shut. It was if she was battling some inner, wicked thing. Then, in one quick motion, she flung off the necklace and it clattered to the ground. Ayre took a deep breath and opened her eyes. There was a calmness about them, lucidity returned from the cusp.

The Godwand flashed so that a small maelstrom of glamour took up the necklace and brought it up before the two gods. “It is of the making of Yumash,” Roisin intonated distastefully. Her head turned towards Sylia. “I can hide it away here, but my faerie grandchildren are not all of them so wise or trustworthy,” her words did not seem to ruffle the faerie wardens hovering about Ida and Ayre, “and I fear that in time one or another will use it for some mischief.” She spoke a word of encasement, so that the necklace came to be bound in a small silver case. “I leave it to you, Sylia. Perhaps a craftsman like you might even be able to destroy it in time- but ah, do hold off on that. It may prove an important piece of evidence in this investigation,” she paused, “in fact,” she brought the case back to her, “it may be best I keep it until I have spoken with Allianthé. Surely showing her this will let her see that things are not as they seem. I will have it delivered to you immediately after for safekeeping.”

Sylia gave a wave of her hand in approval. “I trust you in this.”

The Little god flicked her wand and the silver case soared off until it came to rest on the pedestal by the High Throne. Turning to Ayre, she spoke. “How do you feel now? Better?”

The red headed girl nodded as if a great weight had been lifted off her shoulders. “Yes, Goddess. Better.” Ayre looked back at Ida but her twin was much the same. She then looked at Sylia. “Separation?”

The silvered goddess gave another nod. “Until Life settles, it’s safer. I have elected to take you. It will be no easy thing, the trial ahead of you. But it must be done if you are to atone.”

The girl looked at the ground before her, nodding slow in acceptance. “I assume Ida shall stay here, in the graces of the Queen?” Sylia asked, looking at Roisin. For her part, the High Queen of the Faeries turned more fully towards Ida, as if observing the heavily scarred elf for the first time. “Yes,” Roisin cantillated, “Ida may stay here at Taramanca with me. Life has forced separation upon ye; Perhaps reunion ‘twill one day decree. I am sure that you and I will have many occasions to speak, Ida. But Ayre, as you are leaving,” she turned to the fiery twin, “I want you to remember how you cast the necklace from yourself. That took strength. It took will. And it took an understanding of what is beautiful and good. Keep that always in your mind and heart; goodness is a beautiful aspiration.” So saying, she wove glamours in her hand that formed up into a ring of silver interlaced with gold. It was studded with glimmering rubies. Incantations and words of great power were engraved into it right from the Little god’s mouth. “This is for you. Virtue and goodness is its own reward, true, but I would be truly unvirtuous if I was witness to an act of courageous willpower and did not reward it.” The ring soared towards Ayre and hung before her on a cushion of glamour.

Ayre took the ring gingerly and thanked Roisin in a small voice. She then looked at her twin again and said, “Ida… I’m so sorry.” Ida at last, looked at Ayre with frosty eyes. “So am I.” She said flatly. “Be well Ayre.” She turned and began to walk away, seemingly nowhere before the faery guards guided her out. Ayre called out after her, “Ida! I-I love you!” Her sister did not turn around.

Grief and pain flashed across Ayre’s face before Sylia crossed over to her, placing a silvered hand upon her shoulder. “She loves you even if it can’t be said. Do not worry, you will see her again. This I promise. Now come, we tarry here too long.” Sylia turned to Roisin. “And I shall see you again, little queen.” Roisin nodded to her. “I do not doubt it, dearest Sylia.” She gestured to one of Ayre’s warden fae. “Firborn will accompany you still, Ayre. With his help and blessings all the secrets of your ring will come unveiled to you.” The fire-headed Firborn settled on Ayre’s shoulder, and Sylia said at last, “Be cautious of Life.” before they were gone from the Veil in a blink.





The First Dragon





Lapis was slammed down upon the stone outcropping. Wind like a hurricane whipped at her, sending the pelting rain down upon her skin like pebbles. She groaned, pressing her wings in tight. If she didn’t, they’d be ripped off. A great hand grabbed the nape of her neck and head, tufts of her hair caught in the grip and she screamed in pain. Lapis was dragged, broken and beaten, into a place where the wind did not tread. She flung a hand at the mass of scales on her captor but it bounced off uselessly. The fight in her had died back in the village. As her father was burned alive.

She felt the lifeforce ebbing from her and knew she was leaving a long trail of blood, like a fresh coat of paint on the slick stones.

“Let me go!” she croaked.

Her captor gave no reply.

Face down, she could not see much. But she felt the burns beginning on her exposed knees, rubbing raw on the stone. The biting pain at her head. The flickering lights on her left and right. Or maybe it was one light. Her vision began to blur as exhaustion caught up like a bad hangover. Punctured by claws, broken arm, black eye, broken ribs, flight feathers plucked… Compounded by blood loss- Yeah, she had seen better days.

Her head hit the floor when the demon at last let go. She wheezed as a fresh pain blossomed in her forehead. The cool stone sent shivers down her spine and for a blissful second, she thought sleep might take her somewhere far away. Then someone said, “W-Welcome back lord. I take it your excursion was a success?” It was a male voice, nasally and Lapis knew she would hate the face that it belonged to.

That thought vanished as she heard a deep guttural bellow, like some insidious lizard. She could feel it all the way into her core as it wrapped up with a hiss. Then an impossibly deep voice, dripping with malice spoke and her heart stopped. “This meat needs tending. Put it with the others.”

“At once, lord.” The nasal man said and just like that, the demon walked off. Each footstep grew quieter and quieter until silence reigned. Sleep sought her but before she knew it, many hands had grabbed her. She tried to fight them off but it was no use. She was lifted and carried.

What happened next was a blur as Lapis fought consciousness. Whispered words fretted and cooed. She saw angelic faces with dull eyes. Liquid washed over her body and she was scrubbed bare for all to see. Then something warm covered her and Lapis at last fell asleep amidst her delirium.




The land of origins held many secrets. Most forgotten by the beastfolk of old. In the time of beginnings there had been the great whirlwind and the exodus towards Salvation. Gods bent the world to save those ancestors who had been so hunted by their wildblood kin. Some still existed, shunned and waiting. Some had been slain, put down like the brutes they were. Heroes had risen to put an end to the depravations. Jaxx had been once such hero but others had existed. Their tales now but long shadowed dust.

The invasion had brought back the fear of the wilds. Salvation had taken on a different meaning when once safe places became overrun. Beastfolk had died, perished in the desert or had suffered much worse fates. There had been more heroic exploits, even by those that had once profused their insatiable hunger for their lesser kin. Once the fellbeasts had been driven back to their prison and the greater beasts annihilated, the world could settle once more. Life would always go on despite the scars.

Yet not all of those beasts had been driven away. Like insects to carrion, they found their dark places and began to multiply. Ever present and waiting.

The One Who Waited, the Lord of Hate, the Dark Shadow… He was such a beast but not of the invaders. In the time of the whirlwind, he had been born with a dark flame. Did Anat’aa know? Could she fathom her gift being bastardized? Was he chosen? These questions had no answers and his flame had no purpose.

It drove that black heart to madness.

So the Dark Shadow wandered. He watched his kin die. He killed them. He watched as they were eaten. He ate them. He watched them huddle around small fires. He burned them. On and on this went as time blurred into starless recess.

When that invasion had come, the Lord of Hate did not help the defenders. He did not help the invaders. He bathed both alike in searing flame. For he had come to realize in his long nights of travels, one could make their own purpose. His, he chose, was to wait. To see. To watch. And to burn. Why should he suffer all alone? Why should any other have a purpose but he?

He set his roost within gray mountains. Away from the cradles of civilization. Away from the gods and their ilk. The invasion came to a close and the dark shadow of his wings lengthened. He became despot of nowhere and tyrant of wanderers. He grew a hoard, not of wealth but slaves. For wealth was little to him but trinkets he could not ever use. The taking of flesh and subjecting it to his will, now that was what he could do. His visage grew beastly, monstrous with each village burned and hamlet scorched. He favored those of beauty. For innocence begot such delightful features. Men, women, even children- of all races, of those who were unfortunate enough to be caught. He took them to his mountain retreat where they could not escape. He made them work, he killed them for sport, he relished in turning them against one another. Beauty could be marred. Innocence lost.

It was there that Lapis had been taken. She was no innocent thing but for the first time in his existence, he had found a halfblood with wings to rival his own. It was a slight she never even knew she had made. There could only be one Sovereign of the skies and he would suffer no rivals. So Lapis was tended and washed by those of his slaves suited for the task. She was thrown upon a cot to sleep in the place that would surely be her tomb.

And the Dragon counted another for his hoard.




Disfigured





She couldn't feel anything. No sensations, no pain. She only knew she was awake because she could hear. It was her own labored breathing, a promise of a death with each rattle that settled over her like a cloud. But there was something else too… A woeful hum. Her eyes strained open and she saw the stars above. Ida couldn't remember how they got outside. They.

Twin? Where was her twin? She blinked back the mist of her mind for just a moment and saw Ayre cast in firelight not far away. She was safe but the more Ida looked, the more the picture unfolded. Ida blinked disbelieving and then a whimper escaped her throat, for her sister was not cast in fire's orange glow but she herself was the fire.

Unmoving but blinking silent screams, Ayre’s legs were black stumps and her lower torso was alight. She stared at Ida with dull eyes. Her sister was moving her lips but Ida could not understand her sister's message. The smell of burnt flesh attacked her senses, made her throat gag but nothing came up. Ida blinked again or perhaps she passed out, for when her eyes opened, Ayre’s chest was a roaring pyre and the blaze illuminated… it. The demon cast in the gloom, shape crooked and bent beneath its swirling smoke. A long bone white hand caressed her twin's face.

She wanted to scream but no words came. The demon spoke ever sweetly with that poisoned tongue, “Shhh, shhh, it will be alright, let Bael-Davaur save you from this plight. You've a mighty gift, one that can not be let to drift. Bael-Davaur was born before the stars, soon enough this new world will be ours. Your flame will help to sunder tree, and that wretched magnolia you see.” It bent closer to Ayre, her sister’s glazed eyes did not register the peril. “When Bael-Davaur was young, a cruel queen cut out his tongue. Now he speaks with a godling’s voice, and no, it was not that one’s choice.” Bael snickered with wicked glee. “You thought you could escape, but you were not quite in shape. Now you are Bael-Davaur’s little doll, one who can only crawl.” It laughed and the noise grated on Ida’s ears.

It was too much and Ida managed to whimper again. Anything to get it away from Ayre and it worked. She caught the demon's attention and that boney hand dropped as it made its way to her on a sickly wind. “She wakes at last, such frost unsurpassed.” Smoke clouded her vision and she wasn't able to see its face or any part of it. “Broken and bent, with jaw now extent.” It said. “Ice can still be mended, it must simply be tended. For Bael-Davaur has you saved, and now you shall be enslaved…!” The demon’s laugh rang hollow and Ida could not feel its hands all about her but she knew that's what it was doing. She knew and hated it.

She shut her eyes. This was a nightmare. They escaped. It wasn't real. She didn't break the earth for naught. When she opened her eyes, they would be back up at the tree with Allianthe watching over them. Father would be there and alive and and and-

She opened her eyes, witnessed the demon’s long black tongue glide over her face. A sickly smell permeated her senses and her head swam in a blur. She felt sick but could not move. She whimpered again as it spoke, “Tears so sweet, with flesh to eat. The arms are gone, plucked like a swan. Soon you'll recover… My starkissed lover.” She felt her breathing quicken. It was too much. This wasn't a nightmare. It was too terrible. Too real. She had failed utterly and now she'd be…

Ida's vision began to fade, despite her terror, despite Ayre’s burning. The hum was so lovely, lovelier than the demon's honeyed speech. She could hear it whispering sweet nothings as it touched her with its oil slick hands. Perhaps it was good she couldn’t feel the violation. Her heart began to beat like thunder, drowning out all other noise. Ayre… Her drooping eyes shot to her sister. Ida only felt a great sorrow for what she had wrought. A light came forth, brighter than all the rest. She heard muffled laughter, rising to a ringing pitch. Her heart was going to explode as that light enveloped all.

Ida's eyes shut and oblivion took her.




A bird’s lullaby startled Ayre awake. A morning song of a ruby swallow, her favorite thing to hear upon a warm day. She blinked, furrowing her brow as she looked out at a familiar but unfamiliar sight. Arbor and the World Tree sat looming before her. It was so colorful, all the trees and the flowers with the insects and animals alight with the new day. A chorus of comfort and relief but… She stared at the other tree, one whose trunk she could only scarcely comprehend. Was that new?

Someone yawned beside her and Ayre turned her head to see Ida waking. Her long white hair obscured her face as she leaned forward, pale blue horn dazzling in the morning light. What struck her as even stranger, was when Ida moved her hair away from her face, not with a hand of pale white did touch her skin but one of liquid silver. Ayre stared at the hand, puzzled. Was that how her hand had always been? She looked at her own and scrunched her nose at the tanned and unblemished flesh.

“What is it?” Ida asked and Ayre looked up and recoiled, eyes going wide. “What…?” Ida began, looking behind her. “What’s the matter?”

Ayre opened her mouth to speak but found no words. She lifted her arms and felt herself blinking rapidly. Her mind felt jumbled, and finding the right thought to even explain to herself what was going on was difficult. Ida reached out and grabbed Ayre’s wrist and it was then that Ida’s own eyes grew wide with shock as she stared and stared at that liquid cool hand.
And quite suddenly, it clicked with Ayre. They both spoke at the same time- Ayre exclaiming, “You’re touching me!” and Ida wailing, “What happened to my hand?”

Ida let go and got to her feet in one lithe movement. But then she stumbled backwards, looking at both her hands of silver. Quite suddenly she pulled off her gray shirt in a panic and threw it on the ground. Standing bare chested now, Ayre could clearly see that both her sister’s arms had been replaced. Where pale flesh had been, now was the formed musculature of metal. Coursing veins of soft green mimicked what once had been. Strangely, or perhaps it was intended, it looked natural despite being metallic. Ayre forced a smile, hoping to show Ida it didn’t look bad at all. Indeed, Ida’s lower half looked unscathed. That was good, right?

Instead, Ida began to hyperventilate.

Ayre pushed off from the ground and went to her side. “Ida,” She said but her sister wouldn’t look at her. “Ida!” She tried again but her twin was focused on her outstretched arms. “IDA!” Ayre shouted, touching her sister’s shoulder. This seemed to work as Ida’s face contorted with pain and she shrugged Ayre off.

“Don’t touch me!” Ida said, tears beginning to stream down her face. “W-W-What happened? Where are my arms? Where are my-” She looked at Ayre. “What else? What else has changed!” She demanded. Ayre was taken aback, she had never seen this side of Ida before.

“I… Uhmm-” She didn’t know what to say.

‘Tell me.” Ida pleaded. “Please.”

Ayre took a gulp and walked around her sister. The middle of Ida’s back, her spine, was now silver as well, rippling with intricate patterns and goosebumps, almost as if it were actual skin. Veins of the same green pulsed in scrawled beauty. She walked back in front of Ida and said, “The middle of your back and… Your jaw and chin, Ida.” It was the truth, plain as day and why she had initially recoiled. Her sister’s lower jaw and her entire chin were replaced with that metal. More veins stretched down her neck and across her shoulder to her arms and of course her back. Pulsing, beating in tune to her heart. It reminded her of…

Ida was trembling.

“Ida, oh Ida.’ Ayre gulped and took her sister’s hands within her own. They could touch at least, not that it would matter much to her sibling now. “It doesn’t look bad. The craftsmanship is div-”

Ida cut her off, “Doesn’t look bad? Doesn’t look bad! I’m even more of a freak!”

“Ida…” Ayre said, her sister beginning to squeeze her hands.

“I’ve been disfigured and you say it doesn’t look bad?” Ida fumed, the calm and collected girl vanished. She kept squeezing.

“Ida! Plea-” Ayre snapped back.

“What else do you have to say!” Ida snapped.

“My hands!” Ayre shouted, anger filling her own voice.

Ida looked down and let go. Relief washed over Ayre as she rubbed her hands together, massaging the pain.

“I’m sorry.” Ida said, falling to her knees. “I’m so sorry.” she cried. Ayre forgot her pain, reaching out a hand to pat her sister on the head but she stopped and knelt down. She took Ida’s shaking hands back within her own and squeezed.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay. I’m okay.” Ayre said in a gentle voice. “You didn’t mean to. I’m not mad.” She paused, thinking carefully about what to say next. “We are going to figure this out. Hey, look at me look at me, please.” Ida slowly brought her head up and looked at her sister. Her lips trembled, her eyes were so sad. “You are not a freak. You understand? You never were and you aren’t now, okay? I-I’m so sorry this happened. I don’t even… I don’t even remember.”

“We fell.” Ida whispered, she let her head droop a little. There was no sign that she believed any of what Ayre had said.

“Yes… We fell and then…” Try as she might to think about what happened, Ayre could not. She remembered what led up to them falling… A part of her stomach dropped when she thought about how she had slain that creature. How Ida had reassured her. How she had erupted to protect her sister. She rubbed her thumbs over her Ida’s. “We’ll get through this and you know why?”

Ida did not answer.

“Because, Ida, I love you.” Ayre whispered, bringing her sister’s right hand up to her lips for a kiss. The fact she could do that was relieving in itself. “Come on,” She said, standing up and helping Ida to her feet. “We’re outside and that’s not something we should question. The tree Ida, it’s over yonder and look,” Ida’s head lifted to gaze up at the trees. “The goddess has been busy. Two trees. Just like there are two of us. That’s gotta mean something, right? Here, let me get you your shirt.” Ayre let go of Ida’s hand as her sister stared up at the trees. She found her shirt next to the tree they had been laying against. But it wasn’t the shirt that caught her eye but what else leaned against the tree.

“Ida!” she gasped and her sister swirled, “Look!”

A long staff of deep rich wood, smoothed with gleaming golden leaves and with a deep blue sapphire set at its crown, leaned next to a sheathed sword. Though the blade was hidden, it was already unlike any they had seen before. The hilt was fashioned from what looked like the same wood as the staff. It also was designed with a half crescent guard, made of silver. The pommel held a deep red ruby but the blade… Ayre cautiously picked up the deep black sheath and began to pull at the handle. With a faint ring she pulled the blade free and marveled. The blade glowed a deep burning orange. As if it were fire incarnate. It sung a sweet song in her mind, so fixated she was on it. Indeed, Ayre had never actually held a sword, had only seen them from the smiths at the Divinium Forge and the occasional traveler. Life was sacred after all and Allianthe would disapprove. Ayre quickly sheathed the sword and leaned it back against the tree. She gripped the familiar gem beneath her tunic as she took a step back.

Ida meanwhile, went and grabbed the staff. She held it in her new hands, running her left down the grain of the wood. “I can feel…” She murmured before looking at Ayre. “It isn’t going to bite you. Why don’t you take it?” she asked flatly.

Ayre gulped. “Well… You know… Swords are…”

“I know.” Ida said, her voice softer. “But we can’t leave it here. Better for you to at least carry it, for now. Just until we can put it somewhere safe.”

Seeing the logic in that, Ayre nodded, hesitantly walked forward like it was a snake coiled to strike and bent. As soon as her hands wrapped around the hilt, she felt power roll into her. That hadn’t happened before. She rolled her shoulders and unsheathed the blade once more. It wasn’t very heavy and strangely felt right in her hand. She held it high and it burst into flames. This startled Ayre and she dropped it. The blade embedded tip down into the earth at her feet and she actually heard Ida laugh. She spun to her sister, cheeks flushing red. “It s-startled me, that's all.” She stammered.

Ida leaned on her staff, the smile on her lips fading with each passing moment. Ayre captured it in her mind and she knew despite their hurts and pains- they were together and they were home. Ayre would help her sister and her sister would help her. There was nothing they wouldn’t be able to overcome.

“Come on. Let’s go home.” Ida half whispered, her eyes going distant.

Ayre smiled ever so faintly, and picked up the sword once more and sheathed it. Thankfully it didn’t catch fire.

Ida began to walk off and it dawned on Ayre then, “Ida!” She snapped.

Her pale twin spun around, “What?”

Ayre walked up to her. “Your shirt.” She said, handing it to her.

“Right.” Her sister said and the two went on.






Displaced





Ida felt as if she was going to be sick. After she had told her fiery twin her own tale after they separated and up until they reunited, Ayre told her own story. Father was trapped in a tree. Arbor was in chaos. Ayre had visions of their mother and her Ayre… She couldn't even believe that she had immolated until she was ash only to be reborn. It wasn't difficult to grasp, it was just wrong. It didn't feel right to know she hadn't been there at that awful moment. And now, she couldn't even touch her sister without feeling like she was going to faint from heatstroke.

“It’s not as bad as it seems.” Ayre said, leaning against a wall in that alleyway. She had crossed her arms and had been looking intently at Ida. Those orange eyes, full of so much depth. And Ida knew behind those orbs, her sister’s mind was abuzz.

“I know…” Ida sighed. “It’s just… We shouldn’t have separated.”

Ayre let a huff of air out her nose, a coy smirk on Ayre’s lips at that. “There’s no telling how much us being together would have changed anything. In fact, it might have even made it worse. I wouldn’t have wanted you up there, to see all that anyways.”

Ida glanced at the necklace. “And where did you get that?” She asked. “I’ve never seen it before.”

Ayre’s hand wrapped around the prismatic jewel and she shrugged. “I’ll tell you once we’re up top.” Was her answer.

“Fair enough.” Ida said before she pushed off from the wall opposite Ayre. The ache in her leg almost made her stumble and Ayre was already in motion to catch her but she was able to right herself. Ayre took a step back.

“Tell me you tripped. Tell me you ran into something.” Ayre said, her voice shaking with anger.

Ida looked at her sister and knew what she wanted to hear. “I took a fall, yes.” She lied. Well, not entirely. She had fallen a few times but that particular hurt had come from a loose rock that had been thrown at her by one of those things.

“Liar.” Ayre snapped and began to walk off into the street.

“Hey, you wanted a lie.” Ida chided, joining her at a stiff walk. “Now let’s get out of here and back up top. I managed to get the villagers deeper into the tunnel system. There’s so many goblins down there, Ayre. It’s like they have their own underground kingdom.”

“Is that right?” Ayre asked, hands in her apron pockets. Ida had yet to tease her about her garments. Maybe soon. Maybe never.

“Yeah and they seemed well equipped to deal with any stragglers. Actually I’m surprised we haven’t seen a vanguard yet…” Ida looked back down the street. Smoke curled against the obsidian sky, the flames like a multitude of burning candle wicks. That or a bonfire. She shuddered, yes, shuddered at the heat. Manageable, but not for long.

“Let’s just get out of there.” Ayre mumbled, not looking back.

Ida winced. Ayre had, the same as she, done the unthinkable. They were killers. For her own conscience, Ida knew it had been necessary and she was willing to face whatever consequences. For Ayre…For the one who protected her her entire life… That anger had always been there, somewhere deep down but Ida doubted it was anger that had let itself kill the monster. Now Ayre had to come to terms with it herself.

“Hey.” She caught up to her sister, almost grabbing her arm but withdrew in a snap, as if she was afraid her sister would bite her. She winced again and Ayre stopped and turned to look at her. She didn’t say anything.

“Ayre. I know…” Her words fumbled in her throat. She cleared it in a mock gesture, grasping at her own emotions. “I know I’m not good with feelings. But if you want to talk about what happened, I’m here. I won’t leave you again.” It felt like the right thing to say, she told herself. And it was true. She was terrible at dealing with emotions. Her own and everyone else's. Perhaps she had earned the title of Frost, long before it had ever been uttered aloud.

For her part, Ayre gave a small nod and looked at her feet. “I should be the one saying I won’t leave you, Ida. But let’s just… Go home, okay?”

“Okay.” Ida said and they both began to walk once more. Ayre looked defeated. As if someone has snatched her fire away and a part of Ida knew that something forever more would be lost and she hated that fact. She hated it. That hatred, she knew. It was a bitter taste when she had to lie. When she had said anything else but the truth. Never to be a bother for Ayre, for their father. Ayre saw through it, the lies but not the mask of calm. Not to what was underneath. But she also knew another emotion, far better than the likes of blackened hate.

Tentatively, she reached out, and squeezed one of Ayre’s fingers. Her sister froze. Ida hissed a breath as the pain jolted up her arm. It was like a phantom burn that beat in her fingertips but it was worth it for what she said next, “I love you, Ayre.”

Ayre abruptly turned her face away, her shoulders sagged inwards and bobbed up and down silently. Droplets fell to the ground, each a small hiss on the cold stone and it would have melted Ida’s heart if it had been completely frozen. “I-” Ayre gasped a breath, “I love you too, Ida.” And then began to walk forward at a brisk pace.

They reached the outskirts of the dying town, careful to avoid staring at the blood and viscera of the attack that lay in stains across every surface. Drying and cracking. Ida knew if she dwelt on those she hadn't been able to save, she would break down. Right there, in that street of twilight. Ayre drew in as close as she could get to her and they were silent, comforted by the others' presence alone.

Ida could see the tunnel fast approaching. The memory of that thing emerging from the dark amidst screams would forever haunt her. It was almost as if the darkness was unnatural and her senses screamed to run away. Then she noticed and stopped.

“Where are the bodies?”

Something cracked from that long dark tunnel, as if in answer. Ayre moved in front of Ida and she could only stop herself from rolling her eyes at her twin, as she stood beside her. The crack sounded again and then followed by a long drawn out breath. Something dripped down and a large puddle of blood, almost unnatural in size, surged forth and coated everything in that sickly smell of rust. She felt sick to her stomach. Ayre looked deathly pale as well, tinged with green on her warm cheeks.

“The bodies of the slain,” A deep voice of whispered shadow fell around them and Ida saw Ayre tense. “Now reflect in pools of crimson stain.” Ida felt as if that voice had penetrated into the very core of her mind, wriggling about like some worm of terror. And it kept speaking in its whispered whimsy, “You are no pesky gadfly, nor even a Magnolia’s dying lullaby. Not a corse, of course. Such blood unspilled, ready to be distilled. So tell Bael-Davaur what you are?” It's voice pleaded with them and Ida almost felt compelled to answer but she put a hand over her mouth and glanced at Ayre. Her sister glanced back, steel in her eyes and mouthed one word- run.

So they did.

A howling laughter broke from behind them, echoing forth from that black tunnel. “Not a sapling and yet somehow still so lacking!” Shadows began to unfurl at the edge of Ida’s vision. “Not a beast, at least.” It’s said in her ear. Their legs took them swiftly from once they came and the thing was right behind them. Tendrils of soft shadow touched her, coaxing Ida to run faster. Its voice was a sweet lull beside her and all around them, like a slow insidious poison. “Knife-ears with such lovely fears. One of roiling flame, bent from so much self blame. The other cold, with a soul so old. Why do they run, in this place without sun? Where will they flee, under this enemy tree?” Ida looked back once, just once and saw what followed them. A mass of burgundy smoke, almost colored as dark as night in that gloom. It gobbled up the air and snuffed out all light. There was something inside that smoke, something that she knew would make her skin crawl. Not because it would be hideous or misshapen. But because she feared that it would be the opposite. And Ida knew in her bones, in her very soul, to stop would be certain death.

They reached the outskirts of the town once more, Ayre’s hair whipping bright behind her as she ran, with Ida close behind. She couldn't help but wonder where the goblins were? Where was anyone, for that matter? Something was wrong and that was clearly evident as they were being chased by a demon.

The thing that chased them… It was not like what she had sullied her hands for, before. When people needed saving. Not one of those lesser beasts but greater. Far greater and if it was capable of speech… it reaffirmed her anxiety about not wishing to see it without the smoke veiling it. It's oily voice and rasping shadows sent chills down her spine and she was one who could no longer feel the cold.

A rush of air sounded behind them, Ida glanced to see the world behind them shattering. What came next was an explosion that rippled through the air, sending stone chips and wooden splinters all around them. Ayre shouted something in the roar but Ida couldn't hear it. In the maelstrom, something hard smacked into the back of her injured knee and she tumbled forward. Her arms absorbed the blow as much as they could, but she still hit the stone hard. As a result, her vision went fuzzy and she was too stunned to move. Not even as Ayre gave a leap over her and screamed at their pursuer. And in that scream the world erupted into flame and with it, heat.

It was a marvel, both that her eyes began to focus and watching those torrents of fire emerge from her twin’s hands. The flame hit the smoke and the world alighted with a nebulous of sparks that made the demon stop in its pursuit.

The roar of the fire filled her ears and it was that heat that washed over that got her to move at last. She pushed up and got upon wobbly feet.

“Ayre!” She called but her sister did not answer. She could not see her face, did not know if her own voice could be heard in the din. Thinking quickly and wincing at her pain with each step, Ida stayed a healthy distance away from her twin and raised a hand but not at the torrent of fire. Instead she sent an ice spike at her sister’s feet and Ayre blinked. She looked at Ida in a moment of pure rage but her roaring flames began to die, until all that remained was the melting spike of ice and an inferno.

“Sweet, sweet flame, the likes of which none will tame.” That voice, that too perfect whisper cooed. “Tempered by a twin, of ice within. Ripped from a womb, never to bloom. Now Bael-Davaur, knows what you are. But blood and flesh, time has come to make for the creche. Come along now, for this is my vow; alive or dead, you will be shred, bled and… Wed. She will never thwart this new court.” The air resounded with a laugh so vile Ida and Ayre covered their ears. The blood smoke coalesced around before them and then unleashed itself. A wave of acrid smoke hit them before either could react, grabbing and clawing at Ida’s skin and clothes. She screamed. Ayre screamed. And Ida knew there would be no one to rescue them. No one but herself.

Thinking fast, Ida slammed a fist of ice into the ground. Once. Twice. Thrice! There came the sound of a crack as she and her sister were violated and she poured her power within it. Her ice ran glacier deep, splitting apart the very stone, building up pressure and pressure. She kept expanding it, coaxing it to grow and grow and grow as they were dragged ever closer to the demon of whimsy. And then, when she thought hope itself would fail, there came a sound like none other. A tremendous crack ripped the stone and earth apart like an avalanche. All at once, they were falling and she could only feel relief as the smoke did not join them.

She looked to Ayre amidst the falling, crushing debris all around them in their descent. Her sister, terrified with eyes wide, held out her hand. Ida extended her own, so close she could feel the heat of her sister’s fingertips. So close. Then the world went utterly dark.




Reunited





Ayre ran. Free from further distractions. Free from any burdens. Her apron’s strings trailed in the wind she left as she descended down the long flight of steps, twirling and twirling down into the depths of the tree. She knew the types that lived there. Deep folk, short and stout and the goblins who had always reigned supreme. Seldom did elfkind venture there but she had never heard of any terrible going ons. That in itself was a small comfort at least but she still could not shake the feeling that something was amiss.

Despite her heart threatening to pound out of her chest and her lungs gasping for air, Ayre descended further. She came to an abrupt stop and nearly fell when she reached the bottom and a long hallway. She placed a hand onto the wall and caught her breath for a moment. Then a smell wafted her way, sulfur tinged with blood. She nearly gagged and looked down the hall to see… Dark blotches on the floor, lumps in the distance. She walked nearer, throwing caution to the wind.

She had never seen blood before. What struck her was how dark the color was. How it dried darker. How, across a wall and ceiling, it was a sight out of some macabre nightmare. When you dreamt of something you knew existed but have never seen. She felt sick and then a crushing wave of panic overwhelmed her.

“Ida…” She murmured, eyes going wide as she scanned the corpses. Deep folk guards. One had a… “Ida!” she shouted, looking away from the severed and crushed head. She ran now, through the doorway and found the carnage had not traveled far. Guards had fought something that gashed their leather armor, that tore limbs off in grisly fashion. The town before her was burning, thick blotches of smoke wafted up into the endless heights of the roots of the Great Tree. Ayre felt like she couldn’t breath and her world began to spin.

“IDA!” she screamed.

Someone screamed back.

“Help…!” The voice shouted, coming from the town. She ran towards the voice, unsteady on her feet. Maybe it was Ida? She had to have hope, but that panic laced her core with fear. She could feel the heat as she came nearer, the roaring inferno of a blazing fire… How it called out to her. She shook her head and covered her face with her apron as she entered the streets.

“Help me!” Came the voice again, down a nearby alleyway, just above the din of the fire.

She rounded the corner and… It wasn’t Ida.
“Heeeelpppp…” A cat-like creature mimicked, before it took another bite of a goblin. Blood gushed from its maw as it bit and chew and chew. The crack of bones breaking in its mouth, so audible in her ears. It was like she was hearing sound for the first time. It paused to look up at her, rippling muscle along its back flexing. It seemed to smile with glee as it opened its mouth to unleash some dying scream of someone once alive. Ayre stumbled backwards, sheer horror gripping her tight. Seeing this, with a flick of its boney tail, it began to approach her one step after another and Ayre could no longer move. She couldn’t breathe. It's dark mane was caked with drying blood. Its crimson eyes were unlike anything she had ever seen and she knew they would haunt her in those fleeting moments before it... It had killed. Murdered. It had gone against the Goddesses teachings. Life was sacred. Life was… Living.

Not dead. Not butchered and eaten. Not slain like she was about to.

Her knees began to wobble. Ayre felt her heart threaten to burst out of her chest. She felt herself take a quick breath and she had to force herself to exhale as the thing began to lower itself, getting into a crouch. It watched her with such hungry eyes. Unknowable depths of pure malice in those eyes, made Ayre realize that it was perfectly capable of thinking. Of knowing its actions. It wanted to kill her. It wanted to eat her and yet, she found it so hard to grasp the same. Even if she could move, would she break everything she had ever known? What would it make her?

Flames licked at her memory. A burning so bright she had immolated. She had died, only to be born anew. Right? Didn’t that mean…

The thing pounced with silent glee and Ayre’s hand rose to shield herself. She thought of Ida in that moment, of a time they played in the mud as kids. Father said they looked like two goblins who had had a rough day. She smiled as the thing slammed into a spear of fire. Her smile faded as the thing let out a terrible scream, landing just before her in a burning heap. The flames, her flames, so bright and warm wrapped around the monster. Burnt hair and flesh came forth and she cringed back, the flame winking out in a response. The monster was left blackened and spasming, with its black blood pooling underneath in acrid smoke.

Ayre watched in silence as its spasming slowed, along with its labored breath. It grew still and she fell to her knees. Grief, pain, hate, regret- it all hit her at once and she gripped her head as hot tears streamed down her face. How could anyone go on like this? How could they deal with what they’d done? It felt like she would be consumed by her emotions and burn up all over again into roaring cinders. Worst of all, she knew she deserved it.

“Ayre…?” Came a voice that cut through the air. She looked up and then twisted her body around to see…

“Ida…?” She gasped, a burst of joy cutting through her like a knife. She rose and made to the sister she once knew but after a few steps she paused. Ida looked much the same and yet not. What struck her immediately were her blue eyes, so vivid underneath her frost colored horn. The more glaring observation was that Ida was covered in splotches of dried black blood. Like small voids on her too pale skin and her too pale fur and her too pale hair.

“Ayre,” Ida began, her voice hitched as she took a step towards her. “It’s you. It’s really you.”

“Is it you?” Ayre asked, joy turning to concern as they walked to each other.

“Of course it is.” Ida said, her arms outstretched to wrap tight around Ayre. Ayre returned the gesture and felt as if she was beginning to sob again. Two things occurred to her at that moment. Ida was freezing and her sister was already retreating from her grip. She let go as Ida stumbled back as if stung by something. Ayre went to grab her but Ida exclaimed, “N-No!” and waved her off. Ayre felt as if she had been struck across the face, her hand paused in midair as she watched Ida steady herself.

“No…” Ida said, her face failing to hide some hidden pain. “Please. Don’t touch me just yet.”

“Why!” Ayre blurted, letting her hand drop to her side. She couldn’t believe this.

Ida blinked and in one second, composed herself. “Ayre. I am not the same. It may be difficult to accept but I was given a gift by a Goddess. I am of the Frost now and heat… It won't do me good, sister.” Ayre heard the regret in her voice. Some deep guilt over losing the right of touch. Ayre only wanted to scream.

She gritted her teeth in response. “You were given a gift by a goddess? And now you can’t touch people?” she asked, anger in her voice.

“Yes.” Ida said with a simple shrug.

Ayre realized then, that a great irony had occurred. It was almost unbelievable. No one would believe it, not until they saw and were made to understand. What would their father think? Ayre began to chuckle and then she burst out into laughter. It was some great jest by the Gods. It had to be.

“What’s so funny?” Ida asked, taking a step forward again.

Ayre rubbed the bridge of her nose and said, “You are of Frost and I am of the Pyre, Ida.”

She flicked her hand forth and from the sadness blooming in her heart, she wove a small flame into being.

Ida stared and then her own tears came, shattering as ice as they hit the blood soaked stone beneath.




Ida of the Frost
&



Ida stumbled down the steps of the dark cave. Her hooves clacking upon the stone, slipping here and there. She wasn’t too steady on stone. There were so many other people below and above her that for once, no one really stared at her legs. She told herself, when they did stare, that she didn’t care. But maybe, maybe deep down she cared enough to notice when they didn’t. She would have been thankful, if not for the pressing circumstances that were making her and the others descend. It had happened so suddenly, she realized. She didn’t even know where Ayre went. One moment she was there, cheering her on and the next, as cries for the Goddess shattered her world, Ayre wasn’t there and she was being sent into the caves for her own protection.

The syllianth man had been kind but she had barely been able to talk to him before he and the other protectors were called away. She didn’t even catch his name. He just sent her down with the Little folk, those goblins and bearded ones who called the depths home. There were even rumors that a different clan of goblins lived deeper. Ida couldn’t imagine going any deeper. Down into the cold of the earth, that darkness that seemed to gobble up all light. In fact, the darkness here was so different from outside, where even with the stars overhead the world was illuminated by the tree. Here the only light to go on was luminescent, grown or woven into the very rock and plants. And of course the yellow light of a torch. Sometimes it made her spine tingle.

“How much further must we go?” Someone muttered behind her.

“You know these kin of ours, always delving for riches and such. Could go on for a while until we reach a settlement.” Came a gruff reply.

There was a huff, “And I suppose by the time we reach it, whatever's going on up top will have concluded and we will have missed it!”

“There will always be stories, Garl.” the gruff voice tried to sound assuring but it came out more like a statement. Ida furrowed her own brow. Perhaps it was a statement.

Without looking behind her, she could tell they were goblins. Seldom did elflings like herself venture far from the tree, and even more seldom did they go underground voluntarily. She doubted any had been around when the Syllianth sprang to action, telling the denizens of Arbor in earshot where to go. Maybe she should have gone back to the tree?

The winding staircase abruptly cut into a long hallway and Ida, being a bit taller than most of those in front of her, could see that a door was carved into the far end and beyond it- A breeze ruffled her hair, bringing with it a strange warmth and the smell of musk. Not a bad scent but it felt strangely… Welcoming?

As she neared the doorway, she could see what awaited them, a large cavern and when she crossed that threshold, guarded by a few of the beardedfolk, she felt the breath catch in her throat.

She had been wrong in thinking that what awaited her would be some damp hole. A thought that almost brought some color to her pale cheeks. In shame. The cavern was just as complex as the tree. Carved from the stone, still being worked on if her ears did not deceive her. The sounds of work ever flowing throughout, mixing with the crowds that wandered to and fro from little shops and yellow-lit buildings. There was laughter amidst the glowing roots and the great archways of veined marble. Plants were being tended to, with great gardens of mushrooms and glowing things. She was prodded forward by the growing crowd and Ida walked in that open place. There was some sort of roaring, what sounded like a waterfall, far away and she found herself wanting to see it. This place, it wasn’t some hole, nor did she feel cramped. It was alive and had beauty. A different sort from the surface.

And the Little Folk watched the newcomers with not weariness but welcoming. Someone, an older stout woman, chided her for looking too thin before plopping in her hand a great pulsing thing. Not wishing to be rude, and wanting to hide her embarrassment as she walked along(the crowds were still pushing her along), she took a bite as the stout woman called out a goblinlass for the lack of ‘meat on her bones’. The juices of the fruit gushed down the sides of Ida’s mouth as the flavor made her blink. It was sweet and somehow savory. She took a few more bites before wiping her mouth with her linens. This went on for some time, she would wander around and be carried by crowds. Listening to the gossip and talk of the day. Losing herself in a place that didn’t really so much as stare her down. Sure there were glances but most of the Little Folk didn’t seem to mind her presence.

She found herself near a roaring forge, the heat radiating from it, warming her bones. It was almost too hot actually. But before she could meander away, another merchant or just some good natured oldbeard came up to her and began to talk.

“What’s going on up there, lass? Don’t get this many newcomers down here. Not in a rush.”

Ida gulped and said, “I’m not so sure. The Syllianth went off towards Arbor proper, and told those of us around to get underground. So we did. That was a while ago?” she said more to herself.

His bushy eyebrows rose and he ran a hand through his great gray beard. “Hmmm. Strange tidings. Well, we shall find out soon enough I suppose. Make yourself welcome here, girl. Plenty of places to stay up for awhile. Though,” he looked her up and down, “Not quite sure how your kind get along. Say, what are you anyway? Tall as an elf but…”

“I am somewhat an elf and somewhat something else.” Ida said, crossing her arms.

He stroked his beard some more and nodded. “Heard rumors of those who are something else. Some sort beast but more. First one I ever seen, seems to be you.”

Ida nodded slowly. She knew of them, though there weren’t many at the tree. And there certainly weren’t any others like her amongst the elves except for… Ayre.

Ida blinked and a jolt of lightning ran down her spine. She murmured something inaudible and began to walk away.

“Meant no offense now”’ The oldbeard shouted as she left, his voice now fading into the crowd.

Ayre. She needed to find Ayre because there was no way her sister wasn’t currently looking for her. It had been foolish to venture so deep below without it even crossing her mind that something could truly be amiss. And Ayre was back up top. Oh she was stupid. So stupid for losing track of the time!

After a brief jog, and Ida lamenting just how far she had walked, she neared the doorway again. No one was really around it and the thinning crowd seemed as content as could be.

She was stopped before she could even cross the threshold.

“Sorry there. Can’t let anyone pass till we get the all clear from up top.”

“B-But-” Ida began but the beard held up a hand.

“No buts miss. The dangers are unknown and the Syllianth told us to keep those of you who came down here until they are certain everything is alright. Again, quite sor-” his words were cut off by a terrible scream from back inside the tunnel. The guard whipped around and cursed.

“Forward positions! Tamiel, go and get the others!” he shouted, “Briss! With me! Everyone else, get these folks out of here!”

He ran off into the tunnel, Ida could see now. Even as the other guards began to pull her away. She could see the thing lurking down the tunnel, ripping apart a beard with two hands. A dark shape that blended in, that sucked the light. Her body went rigid, even as they pulled her. One guard made the mistake of following her gaze and likewise became frozen.

A roar like grating metal rang free from the tunnel, and many dropped to their knees to cover their ears. Ida let it deafen her. Let the ringing in her ears overcome everything else. As the thing tore into the guard who had just told her she couldn’t leave. The one who had just saved her life. The one whose head became pulp in the demon’s gaping maw. She felt it in her stomach then, that pit of truest fear and she vomited as the shadow came ever nearer.

A tang of sour fruit across her lips and the pure revulsion in her heart, sent Ida at last into flight. The other guardsmen, their souls braver than her own, ran to meet the thing that burst through the doorway, trailing blood and viscera. That was the last look she had of it before Ida’s feet went out from under her and she toppled head first down, down, down.



Yet, as she fell something soft and warm caught her and a soothing azure glow overtook her form. “Calm, child,” said the presence as that same luminescence lifted Ida away from the hard surface and onto her feet. As the girl regained her wits–if not her composure–she would realize that stood before her was the ethereal, otherworldly figure of some unknown being. Eyes filled with a blue glow and possessed of iridescent white irises were aimed back towards the city’s entrance from which Ida had fled. There was a look of serene calm on the woman’s azure features. After a brief moment, she turned and regarded Ida before smiling, the expression oozing a soothing sort of motherly calm.

“You are safe now,” she said, and there was simply no possibility of denying her, as if her words were law.

Ida blinked and she had to be sure and she turned her head to see… She did not know what she saw. It was as if motion had stopped or slowed. She moved her hand in front of her own face and she saw it normally. Yet everything else had some sort of strange mist or shimmer around them or maybe it was just her and she was looking through some sort of curtain?

She turned back to the figure and truly, she marveled at her. The woman was unlike anything Ida had ever seen and held about her strangeness but still radiated calm.

“Who are you?” Ida felt herself ask.

Eyes shimmering faintly in response, Mae-Alari’s smile grew slightly before she cast her gaze outside the gentle haze that surrounded them. “My name is Mae-Alari, little one,” she replied. Beyond the scope of the goddesses’ arcana the world had seemed to slow, but the reality was quite the opposite, it was they who were experiencing time differently, as the mistresses’ very presence warped the weave and weft of time. Such was the side effect of such potency left unharnessed and untouched.

Turning back to her ward, the goddess regarded her for a long moment, taking in every detail of her form and spirit both. “In your fear you forgot yourself. Forgive yourself, it is only natural that you seek to survive in such dire circumstances.” The words came unbidden, likely before the girl had even a chance to consider the true shame of her flight. Nonetheless, the goddess pressed on, her expression serious, yet gentle.

“What is important is how you act now knowing you may make a difference.”

As those words left her lips, so too did arcana join them, flooding the air around them in a great forceless wave. At first it would merely tickle the skin and tease at the senses. Hot and cold, smooth, yet sharp. Mae-Alari raised her hand above her head and with a single finger—now a claw—she tore through the world in a graceful downwards slash.

A perforation in existence, the tapestry of time and space which the Khodex had woven, formed in the wake of her actions and in an instant it was filled to brimming with arcana. It spilled forth, flowed across the ground, and shot upwards in a spire of blinding light. Around them it swirled, slowly crystallizing as structures formed. “Come child, walk through the beacon and be reborn. Take on the mantle such that you may never need run again, so that others can stand at your back and know you have theirs.”

At the edges of Ida’s perception swirls of frost-like patterns formed and vanished and formed again. Further out, the impressions of vines curling upwards from the deep earth and around the structure of the forming tower could be seen. Flames played across those vines, burning them until smoke became steam and steam became rain. Before her, the blinding beacon shone, the first of many, and though its intensity was blinding, it beckoned to her like a warm hearth in winter, like a lover long missed but now returned. It sang. It called and within it was a promise. A promise not to be looked at like she had been, but perhaps to be revered. For the eyes upon her to hold awe, perhaps respect, and in times to come…perhaps even admiration.

Mae-Alari, for her part, simply watched the mortal, exhilarated, yet utterly calm at once. What would Ida do? Who would she become?

Soon, perhaps both would know.

Ida’s hoofed foot fell forward, hesitant as a newborn fawn. She knew not who or what was before her, but only that it reminded her of a voice she once heard. Now more dreamlike in its entirety. She took another step towards that mystical beacon. That thing that warped the air and brought about the smallest bit of creation. Another step. She did not feel like she was being deceived, no, she felt as if she were on the cusp of waking. She didn’t want to run or hide or be coddled anymore. She didn’t want those kind souls to be hurt, to die. How selfish would it be to deny the possibility of aid. She thought of Ayre and how, if she was being attacked by such creatures, she knew her sister would have stood in front of her to block the blow.

No. Never again.

Perhaps she was a fool. Perhaps this was some underworld devil come to snatch her soul with the promise of temptation. She would just have to find out herself. With a calming breath, Ida closed her eyes and walked through.

It was like swimming in a glacial lake, utterly exhilarating, yet with a sense of danger that the cold might kill. Then a wave of electrifying power, followed by a resonation that touched every part of her, starting at her bones. It vibrated outwards and through her, seeming becoming part of her. The cold became something else, something familiar somehow. There was a tingling that ran over her skin, through every muscle fiber and while it happened the goddess watched. Smiling, she watched as flecks of frost integrated themselves with Ida’s flesh, becoming intricate patterns of white on flesh. Her skin would pale as well as the fur of her lower half, the latter appearing like thousands of brittle spikes of frost, though they’d be soft and warm to the touch. Her hair would be much the same, though smoother somehow, as if it were a single mass of ice, that nonetheless would move more like fluid than anything else. The single horn upon her brow shifted and changed, becoming translucent and refractive, light being captured within and then glimmering outwards and waves of brilliance.

Then, all at once she was through the spire of power, stepping out the other side, like stumbling and uncertain after the great metamorphosis of her form. Mae-Alari caught her shoulder, stabilizing her with a hand even as she smiled down at the mortal girl. “How does it feel?” she asked.

All around them the tower had nearly grown still as it finished forming and though the spire of light remained, it had seemingly been contained by the structure’s arcane makeup and no longer shone with blinding radiance.

Ida held out her arms and flexed her fingers like a newborn babe. With some reluctance on her part, Ida at last looked up at the strange being. One she could only guess was something divine in origin but different than the Goddess she knew. “I feel…” She whispered, breath catching in her throat. “I feel different but much the same. I can’t quite describe it.” She glanced back at her hand to see translucent frost dancing at her fingertips. “What’s become of me?” She asked.

“You have been rewritten by arcana, from the depths of your soul up through your flesh and bones you are made anew.” Mae-Alari said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “The Beacon takes what is held within and finds the element most well attuned to the self, and remakes you in that image. You are no longer just Ida, my child, but Ida of the Frost. Ida, first of Remade.”

The goddess cast her gaze beyond the sanctuary of the great tower. It was chaos outside and, bizarrely, it almost appeared as if no one could see the great tower that had risen within their city. For the moment it was held within the Veins of the Cosmos, held apart from the world. It was a protective measure of sorts, it was why Mae-Alari had opened a rift in the world rather than create in a more conventional fashion. Of course, unknown to Ida, this tower was not the only one of its kind….

For the moment it did not matter. “If you reach within yourself, you will find that Frost is at your beck and call. This is part of you now, but know this, you have all the failings of ice. Fire is your bane. Be wary of its dance.” She gave Ida a grave look, ensuring she understood the gravity of her warning.

Ida came to the conclusion that this was no dream. She took in the warning and looked at her fingers once more. She felt the frost, steady and ever in her veins. She shut her eyes and delved into it, that coalescing cold, that bitter chill, the frost that bid winter to come… Her eyes snapped open and she looked at the divine once more. “I understand.” She said with quiet reprieve. She blew out a sigh, a plume of vapor escaping her lips. She did not feel cold but quite content in her skin. “Is it wrong…” She began but paused, uncertain of the question as she looked out at the panic and carnage. Everything she knew. Everything she had been taught. It all felt so restricting in the face of such reckless violence. She knew the answer but asked anyway, “To take life?”

Mae-Alari regarded her a moment as she considered the question, before eventually she turned away. “I may be a goddess, but that is not for me to decide. That is up to the whims of mortal morality. After all, right and wrong are a creation of your own making,” she replied, her words not quite dismissive, but it was clear that this subject was not one that held her interest. Walking towards the edge of the tower’s lower floor to stand in the gateway that led back into the world at large, the goddess reconsidered.

“Though…I believe that in defense of others it can be made right. Murder for its own sake is simply wasteful,” she clarified, glancing back to Ida briefly. “Come, it is time for you to return to the fold. For you to stretch your wings and show the demons the embrace of winter.”

The Mistress smiled then, as she gazed out upon the carnage, knowing that soon much would change. Ida gave a brief nod, pondering the answer as she heeded the beckons of the goddess. When she came to stand beside the woman, Ida asked, “When others ask how this frost came to be, how do I answer?”

Mae-Alari met her gaze then, the glowing azure of her eyes filled with the unknowable potency only a divine could possess. “You are a child of the Beacon now, little one you may tell them whatever you wish. If you wish to tell the truth however, the Spire will be revealed to them upon our departure and it was the catalyst for your transformation.” For a moment she paused, then, with an almost impish grin, she clarified, “Of course, you may say that it was a gift from the cosmos as well, or even a boon from Mae-Alari, Goddess of Arcana.”

That said, she gently placed a hand upon Ida’s back and guided her beyond the threshold. However, as they stepped from the Spire the goddess would vanish without a trace, leaving Ida to decide what came next.

Like a sudden jolt, reality came crashing back down all around her and Ida was suddenly right back where she had been mere moments ago. This time however, she was not frightened. She was not weak at the knees. She was ready and as she watched the demon lunge upon a guard, Ida of the Frost lurched forth to forever stain herself in the eyes of her Goddess.




Sylia


Honored Dead





She stood before a fresh grave atop a lonely hill. Wildflowers with their rich aromas ran wild, fluttering as if gently touched, through the blowing breeze. The wind swept up, ruffling her hair and then down over the hill, off to distant fields and the far away wall. Where the breeze went next was anyone's guess, not even she knew. It was silent otherwise, on that hill in the growing twilight. The sunlight,just beginning to enter its nightly slumber. A respectful atmosphere for honored dead.

The gravestone, carved from the Atelier’s white marble, was a singular slab with a simple but elegant lily draped across the top. The craftsmen had taken every care. She could not help but know it would be a fleeting replica. In time, even with the utmost care and consideration, someone would forget one day to maintain it. That day would bring more forgotten days, until it was overgrown and at last crumbling into rubble. She clutched her fist at the certainty of it. Toil’s work forevermore marring what was created.

Below the lily and engraved into the stone with silver, the grave held an epitaph; ‘Here lies Vaesna, a savior of Sylann. Beloved, may she find peace.’

What would fade first? The words written or those of whom remembered her? Would the flowers remember, at least? She did not like the answer.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the lily. Unable to understand why it had happened. She was no stranger to death, she had slain with impunity but this… One of her own creations? Sylia could not fathom what had transpired in Vaesna’s mind to push her to drown herself. It shouldn't have happened. The Syllianth were better than the other races, for she had used her own hands to shape them. None could say so save the Formed and compared to the Syllianth, they were but tools created for war. To be used. Not the Syllianth, they were supposed to be like her, creators, crafters, protectors, innovators… Not prone to self destruction like the other races.

For that was what it boiled down to. She knew of Althea. How the girl had secluded herself from the outside world. She had shut everyone out. Had stopped working. Had left her spear at the Atelier. It seemed Vaesna handled her problems much differently and somehow not at all. Sylann knew of the tragedy, the Syllianth mourned and it made Sylia wonder if there were others who were unable to move past the battle. If they were incapable of separating their emotions from logic.

The battle occurred. People died. Mortals died everyday. There was no sense in dwelling on that fact. Was there?

She could bring Vaesna back, it was in her power to do so. She could ask her what had happened. Why she had done it? If she would do it again? But there was no point now. It was better to let the dead rest and learn from such terrible tragedy. Oh yes, she would take many lessons from this but first, she had some crafting to do.

So Sylia walked away from Vaesna’s grave, down that hill colored in flowers, past her honored dead.




The Divinium Rod, transformed into a blade, cut in twain the outer beast spawn. There was no sound as its body split apart, the cut too clean. More rushed her, their Warden, and she let the sword do its work. She let those lucky enough to reach her in their rage, to attack an insurmountable block. The plate of their once chieftain, now fashioned into armor. It enticed them so that they did not care who or what she was and how they would die.

The sword cleaved through three more, guts and viscera adding to the growing pile around her. Black blood ran like a river through the dark sands, yet more came and more died. The dull gray plate of Egrioth was impenetrable by mortal means, perhaps even those of the divine. In her elated state of crafting, she had spent the most time upon it. Molded like a statue of old, of metal, stone and of Egrioth. She did not make it ornate or beautiful but of pure practical design. It was armor, it would protect its wearer. There were also the other godly parts she had been gifted. Not knowing where the process would take her, Sylia had descended into true compulsion. From the gift of Lareus she fletched into being a dream. It took the shape of a great horn of ivory and bound with sleeping eyes. It now hung at her side, ready to be used.

She melted down most of the soul gift until it was a clear liquid. Next the Goddess has taken that liquid and shaped it into that of a large circle. When it cooled, she dared not look at it and changed her own shape so that she no longer had eyes. Using her other senses to act, Sylia silvered the glass and in doing so, knew with certainty she had created a mirror. For the frame she used her own divine metal, sylium and let her fingers wander as they etched and carved reliefs and images few would ever see more than once. From the last bit of the soul she was gifted, Sylia wove from its thread an ethereal cloth, large enough to cover the mirror. When that was done, she turned it over and reinforced the back with more sylium before fastening a sleek handle. When the shield was complete, Sylia changed her form so that she had eyes once more and marveled at her work.

With the cloth only obscuring the full extent of the mirror’s gaze, she could look upon it without worry. She saw her own muffled reflection blazing with light underneath the cloth. She had looked away and did not wish to see what else it would reveal.

She had the mirror now in that bloody field and revealed it to the spawns who swarmed her. Without removing the cloth, any who’s gaze pierced the mirror fell silent and still as stone. Then, their faces twisted in some unknowable horror, and the life from them was leeched as they died.

Sylia laughed, removing the cloth for the mirror’s final test. Those spawn who looked at the Mirror of Souls, lost their own and Sylia bore witness to the godbanes might, as it pulled them into it with quiet screams, leaving empty bodies behind. It seemed that the spawn did indeed have souls after all.

She no longer laughed and instead brought the horn to her lips and blew. A whimsical note exploded forth and those outer beasts in earshot all fell down. Asleep, as they would be forevermore, until they succumbed to exposure or their own nightmares. She had heard the note but sleep did not come to Sylia for she was the note giver.

The Goddess observed the field of battle and then plucked from person the real aim of this excursion. She had gone to her prison for one reason- a slaughter. But the small bit of Divinium in her hand, her last pure reserve, still glowed white. She frowned. She had failed in producing Misrite. But this did not wholly bring her dissatisfaction. Perhaps… Just perhaps there was another way to get it and she knew one way or another, her two favorite prisoners would find this place and maybe, just maybe, they would make for her what she sought.

Sylia erected a plinth of black stone and placed upon it the shard of Divinium.

She whispered upon the prison winds, “Come and find it, boys.”





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