*Sariah*

Sariah woke up slowly, sunshine on her face. Lying beside her was Tommy, embracing her protectively and snoring. Srit had apparently gotten bored and left when he was told she’d come through just fine.

“Good morning young man.” She said and caressed the boys soft face. “I remember you saving me from the axe. Not many can say that they’ve saved my life. I owe you.” The boy’s eyes were sleepily open, and a smile lit his face. He hugged her tight and launched himself out of the bed to get Srit.

Sariah stood from the bed, put on the clothing laid out for her and walked outside. People were everywhere performing repairs from the previous days battle. Smiles lit the faces of nearly every passerby, not a single person crossed her without a smile and slight bow. “Goddess” seemed to be the word of the day.

Sub and Erection were assisting a gaggle of children that were cleaning the broken boards until they caught sight of her. Immediately, the children and her two companions rushed over and gave her a small hug. “Your crystal armor heals itself?” Sub asked after a brief inspection of the armor and noticing that there was no longer an injury where it had been pierced.

“It does, thank you. Did you recover the arrows that were used? I need to inspect them.” She patted the young man on the head and grinned at Erection. Golems like this were not a thing she’d remembered seeing in her long life. Appreciation for Kavon washed over her.

“I have, though I warn you that I seem to be the only person in our party that can handle them. They burn both Erection and Srit badly when touched. I’ve taken the liberty of requesting the aid of my former guardian. Corvin is the greatest weapon maker in the Human Realm, he will tell what he can. I kept half of the arrows here for you.” Sub’s loyalty seemed to grow every day. Sariah noted that he made no mention of becoming a Nightmare Beast. She’d leave that topic alone for now but was very curious to know details.

“You’ve taken very responsible actions for one so young. This, Corvin? How will he contact us with information? We’re leaving for the capital as soon as this place is recovered.” Sariah caught Srit popping in and out of sight, playfully tormenting a shop owner and she smiled.

“He is Fae, his children inhabit the woods all over the realm and will easily be able to inform him of our location. Don’t worry, he is supremely good at keeping secrets. I, umm, well, I told him who you are and that we’re going to head to the capital.” Sub’s eyes stayed low and his hands were behind his back making him look guilty.

“If you trust this him, I must do the same. I get the feeling that it wouldn’t matter if word of our destination got to the capital any way. There was a nasty presence following me for a brief time that turned towards the capital city long ago. I must speak with Srit. Thank you, Sub.”. She gave the boy one last pat on the head and summoned her Bonded.

Srit and Sariah now sat in the room with the arrows splayed across the desk in front of them. Sub had unwrapped them and left.

“These are weapons created by Ancients, aren’t they?” Sariah could feel the awful energy emanating from them from two feet away.

“Yeah, I had a flash of memory when you were hit with them. The last battle we fought before you were locked away. Human’s and Ancients were fighting together to cut off your armor. There are more of these disgusting things. They must have had six of seven weapons like this. They way that they were cutting off your armor…” Srit shook visibly, “You said that you aren’t sure that the Humans are the enemy, but that’s not how I remember it.” Sorrow poured from his expression. Seeing her tortured like that wasn’t easy.

“I don’t know what it is about them, but I don’t think that they’d have done that to us on their own. Besides, none of the Humans that are alive today were a part of that. Don’t get me wrong, if they come for me I’ll destroy them all, but I no longer feel like they deserve my revenge. What do you remember about the Ancients?” She had pulled off her glove and placed her palm facing the arrows.

“Not much at all really. I know that this is a weapon made by them. I know that they wanted us both dead. I don’t’ know why they didn’t simply kill you instead of imprison you. I know that Humans worked with them. Do you think that these bandits were sent by them to kill you?” He watched as the palm of her hand began to smoke for a moment. She forced a barrier into place around the arrows causing her armor to light up. I’ve always loved when she used that armor. Srit put a finger on the armor plate while it was lit and opened his mind slowly to it.

“Not now!” It screamed at him and slammed the connection closed. Srit laughed at the reaction and did it again just to irritate the tiny mind that lived there.

“Say bossy lady, why haven’t you used the armor until now?” He suddenly realized that she’d only used its hardening traits when fighting Kavon during their training sessions.

Sariah’s face was scrunched up in concentration as she removed the first barrier and tried another that was slightly brighter, and egg shaped. “I’ve been opening the pathway between its power and mind since I put it back on. When you lost your arm to that pitiful attempt to sneak up on Tom with the dick, you had problems using it for a few days because your body had to reconnect everything. It’s sort of like that.” She changed the bubble around the arrows again looking disappointed.

“Ah. So why did the arrow get through the armor in the first place? I’ve seen you blown through rocks and trees without even a scratch.”

“This arrow operates very differently than my energy does. I’m trying to find the right magic and resonance to block its energy. If I can do that, it’s just an arrow. If I cannot figure it out though, every battle involving weapons like this will have me on equal or disadvantaged footing.” She formed a box shaped barrier and pushed golden energy into it.

“Ah. So, these arrows are like your Kryptonite?” He asked, awfully proud of the Erff reference.

“My what?” She stopped for a moment and looked at him in confusion.

Srit didn’t even answer, he just left to get the party provisioned and ready to go while mumbling disappointment to himself.

As he walked out she chuckled. Super Woman was one of her guilty pleasures when they had visited that awful realm.

A very light knock on the door got Sariah’s attention.

When she opened the door, a Pixie was hovering at eye level. The Pixie’s eyes went wide as dinner plates before she performed a deep bow. “My Lady Sariah, Master Corvin requests your presence immediately and sends apologies that he did not come himself. Pixie’s, as you know, are much faster than most Fae and he did not want to waste time. He gave me this item to return to you as a gesture of good faith.” The Pixie held out a very small crystal shard and dropped it into Sariah’s hand.

“I must head for the capital at once. Inform your master that I am very grateful for the gift and any information he can provide for me about the arrows that are being delivered to him, but I simply do not have the time to go anywhere else.” She gave a slight nod at the Pixie.

In response, the tiny creature smiled and pulled a scroll from her pouch and read it.

Lady Sariah, I know where you are going and that you are in a hurry. I have information that will assist you in the capital city and some other things for you. It is imperative that you stop at my home before you head there. Your daughter, Lady Delanna, and her party have already arrived with roughly 400 Blood Elf women that are now under my protection and await all your arrival. A long-lost friend has requested your presence as well.

Your Servants,

Corvin and Arand a.k.a. The Raven and The Wolf

“Interesting, Delanna has made wonderful time then. I will grant your master’s wishes. Who will lead me to this place and is Delanna’s party whole and healthy?” She inquired.

“A Beastkin is only hours behind me. She will lead you there as fast as you can move. Her name is Farrah and she is a feline with blood red fur. Your daughter brought with her a Pure Spirt named Cully, a VERY attractive Scorpion named Kavon, a rude little Gnome-ish thing named Tom and a little…shadow Pixie I think, named Lily. All are in one piece. Delanna has been put into a deep rest by the Gnome thing due to some complication with corrupt Essences, but he says she will be fine.” The Pixie bowed, paused for a second and spoke. “I’m sorry to be so personal Lady Sariah, but, our people have wished for your return for a very long time. We missed you and couldn’t be happier.” Sniffles escaped as her voice trembled.

Sariah’s response was to lean in to the still bowing Pixie and give her a kiss on the top of the head. “Do you have a name?” She asked as she returned with an item closed in her hand.

“I am known as Nissa of the Winter Court.” She held her arms out to display the silver bands indicating her status and court. Five bands appeared on each arm. Each band indicated a higher-level house and the silver indicated Winter court. Five bands meant that Nissa was a Noble in the Court.

“Please Nissa, take this gift as appreciation of your efforts.” Sariah handed the Pixie a blue green ribbon made of silk and infused with Sariah’s own raw magic. “It is enchanted to provide you with greater speed and rejuvenation. I suspect that it will work quite well for you.

Nissa completely lost it. Pixies LOVED ribbons. An enchanted ribbon this beautiful, given by Sariah and infused with her very own energy was the kind of moment that went down in Pixie legends. “Thank you! I will make good time and return to keep an eye on your progress once the master has been informed.” She flitted out of sight in a narrow blur of motion and was gone in no time.

*Emperor Pallis and Gray*

“Soldiers, return to your posts immediately.” Emperor Pallis was shocked to see that roughly one hundred solders were guarding inside of the main door to the Ward. Soldiers had never been allowed this close to this place. “Vardin must have sent them. I am sorry Commander.” He tipped his head in apology, waiting for all the soldiers to vacate the area.

“It is no concern. Destroy the Mage’s tower and send all the surviving Mages down here. Ready any defenses you have for the city and prepare for attack. Seal the entrance to this area once all the Mages are sent down. Reach out your hand.” Gray commanded the Emperor.

Doing as commanded he reached out his hand. Gray extended one finger and placed it on Pallis’ palm for a moment. Pain screamed through Pallis’ entire body for a few seconds and then abated quickly.

“You now will be able to locate things for me. I want any weapons from your vault that came from the first war. If you find a black chain with spiked balls on it, bring that as well. You will feel power emanating from it, I require this weapon for the one you call “Ancestor.”. Should I fail to break the ward alone, attack the ward with the weapons you find. There may be a hammer that is made from metals so heavy that it cannot be lifted by a single man. There will be crystals located at the head of the hammer and base of the shaft. If you find this hammer you will have it brought to me. It will feel to you as though it is repelling you, it is. Do not touch the weapon yourself or you will surely trigger the safeguards. Go!” Gray turned and headed for the door to the ward.

Gray strode into the large cavern that had been his destination for weeks. Immediately he felt the power of the ward in front of him and the Artifact that powered it. Fortunately, this ward was very finely tuned and little of that power leaked. Spread around the room were young Mages, most were writing in agony, a few were dead, and one sat with crossed legs in a meditative state. Strong one. He will be the one that removes the stone.

Gray scanned the ward, walking several circles around it looking for a weak spot. Hours later he found what he was looking for. There was a hand print shaped thin spot in the ward. This must be where the human placed his hand to communicate. Perfect.

Gray walked over to one of the mages and picked him up, tearing open a path to the Mage’s mind.

The mage fell lip for a moment and Gray placed his hand over the boy’s chest. He closed his eyes for a few moments and slowly pulled his hand backward. As his hand moved a thick mist violently escaped the Mage’s body. Gray had taken all the energy that had been torturing the boy.

“Stand boy, unless you want me to put that energy back into your frail body.” The boy stood on shaky feet, terrified of reliving the torture he’d just endured.

“Walk to that spot in the ward, place your hand on it and keep it there. You will be a messenger.” He shoved the boy towards the hand print.

Sitting down close to the barrier the boy placed his hand on it. “No, to the left and down.” Gray spat. After a few more adjustments the boy’s body went stiff and a deep two-toned voice came from his mouth.

“Brother. Get me out of this damned cage. I’ll kill that bitch myself!!” It spat.

“I’ve come to do that, but two of the three stones that held her prison closed have been removed and the ward has been strengthened. It will take some time once the Artifact holding the ward in place is removed to break this thing. All you need to do is wait and conserve your energy. The ward was never designed for assault from the outside, so I will handle it from here. Should I fail, you’re pawn has been instructed to attack the ward with our weapons. I feel many of them close to here.”

“Where are the others? Get them to assist.” The voice came back hard and unforgiving as expected.

“Brother” Gray spoke “there are no others in the realm. Her final release tore through us all. We survived only because of our strength, I was no more than one hundred years before my final death when I felt her magic again.”

Rage emanated from behind the barrier. The boy that had been the relay melted like wax from the top down. It left a puddle of liquid on the ground.

Connection cut, walked to the young boy that was meditating, impressed at his mental strength. Not wasting his breath, Gray slapped the boy hard enough to send him twenty feet backwards. Slamming into the wall of the cavern broke several of the boy’s bones along with his concentration.

“Wha…” the boy’s eyes were wide for a fleeting moment, and then narrowed into a promise of violence. “What are you?”

“Come with me.” Gray grabbed the boy’s ankle and dragged him all the way to the Artifact Chamber that held the power source for the ward. Every foot of being pulled across the stone floor tore more and more flesh from the boys back.

Several syphon orbs surrounded the Artifact to absorb all the energy that radiated from it. Focus slits were placed into the orbs that directed the energy and shaped it into the walls of the prison. Unlike the three temples that held Sariah’s prison closed, this spell work had intricate defenses spun into its core. Ancients that touched the spell work would cause the energy to react violently and explode. Anyone attempting to remove the Artifact would be subject to a spiritual investigation of sorts and if found less than acceptable would be vaporized.

Gray had thought about just trying to block the energy somehow, but that would put himself at great risk. He’d considered just stacking explosive in the room and destroying the whole thing, but that could cause the Artifact to explode or the ward to attack its prisoner. Corrupting the energy may make it unstable, there’s no telling what would happen then. These young mages were near this ward every day though, they reeked of the young one’s magic and it should allow them to enter.

For now, Gray had decided that this Mage would be a good test of the defenses. Most likely there were more defenses than Raylek knew, it seemed like The Three were supremely good at partitioning information so that none of them had any full secrets to tell. Gray had pulled what he could from the old man, but Raylek’s mind was formidable.

They would have made wonderful pawns for our kind. What a waste. Grey spat on the ground thinking about wasted potential. He threw the young man past the lines delineating where the spell work began. “Touch the Artifact.”

“Fuck you, come make me touch it.” The boy surprised Gray with this. Bleeding and tired, the boy sat with his back on the pedestal.

Grey’s temper flared, but, he knew that he couldn’t pass the line without triggering the explosion. “If I must come into that circle I’ll kill you, boy.”

“Yeah right, for such a strong being, you’re awfully stupid. Come get me if you can.” The boy made mocking gestures at Grey and just laughed.

He knows that I cannot enter the circle somehow. Maybe I can bribe him to do as I ask. “Boy, you will die if I leave you there. Do as I say, and I’ll not only let you live, but I’ll pay you more gold than you’ve ever seen.”

“Don’t need gold. Seen the royal vault a few times too.” The boy laughed, still bleeding on the ground. “You want to release whatever that beast is inside the ward. Don’t think I’ll be helping you with that any time soon. Your partner already fucked up the others and tainted them with your nasty ass energy.” Blood spouted from the boy’s mouth. “I figure that I’ll be dead real soon. Good job on screwing yourself. ” *Cough* “Idiot.”

Gray was beyond furious at this point. Nobody had ever spoken to a Wraith like this boy and lived. Gray darted out of the room and up the stairs to the castle. He grabbed the first guard and pulled him down to the chamber.

“Go retrieve that boy.” Fury was pouring off Gray and causing the air in the room to heat.

“Yes sir!” without hesitation the guard began walking towards the broken, bleeding and dying boy. “Ceville? Is that you?”

Ceville stood shakily on his good leg, no way was he going to let that thing have him and managed a small smile at the soldier. “Yeah” *Cough* blood was pooled everywhere inside of the circle now, stopped from escaping it by an invisible force.

“Come with me man, we have to get you to a physician!” The soldier reached out his arm, trying to avoid the pool of blood on the ground.

“Nah, you’ve been a good friend Yaro. It’s time to for me to go. That fucker behind you isn’t Commander Gray or he would have recognized his own son.” Ceville grabbed Yaro’s wrist and yanked him into the circle, hoping that he’d also be protected from Gray. With his remaining energy he reached his bloody hand up and rested it on the Artifact. I’d rather die than allow that creature to do to me what he did to my dad. Ceville let out one more breath and then died. His body fell limp, still slumped over the podium.

Yaro’s hand was attached to Ceville’s as the Artifact grabbed both of their Essences at the same time. A slight tug and they’d been pulled out of their physical bodies. Two chains made of pure energy held them in place and a giant eye was staring down at them. The cavern walls were coated in a near white coat that Yaro somehow understood was energy from the Artifact.

Ceville’s chain snapped, fell to the floor and was re-absorbed into the light. He proceeded to approach the eyeball centered over the Artifact crystal, keeping eye contact with it. Once close he reached knelt, lowered his hand and extended his arm. No words were spoken, but great emotions could be felt flowing between them. Yaro watched in horror, he was not a mage and didn’t understand anything that was going on. What he did understand was that the giant eye was portraying anger in large volumes. “Stay away from my friend!” Yaro yelled, fighting the chain that held him. Yaro had been Ceville’s best friend since they were three, he would stop this thing and let his friend pass to the next life in peace.

Suddenly Yaro’s chain snapped, he ran as fast as he could towards the eye. Reflexively he reached to draw the sword at his hip even though it didn’t exist in this place but felt the hilt in his hand. The eye finally looked up at him and reshaped into the form of a plated warrior, beckoning Yaro to come fight him.

Unknown to Yaro, the sword he carried was a manifestation of his need to protect and defend his friend. The two warriors collided with great force and quickly separated a few feet, Yaro now standing between his friend and the warrior.

Smiling, the warrior pointed to Yaro’s stomach. Looking down he noticed the dagger protruding from his right side. This energy being was faster than any warrior Yaro had seen, he knew that there was no chance for victory. For the first time, the light warrior spoke. “Give me your Essence and I will allow your friend to go peacefully. You will be my slave for all eternity, but you will have saved your friend. Continue to fight me and…you know the rest.”

No hesitation or thought was necessary on Yaro’s part. “I will accept, my Essence for his freedom.” He dropped the sword and walked calmly to the man with his arms raised to indicate submission. “Do as you will, but please be honorable and free my friend.”

Ceville was still knelt on the ground with his hand raised. The light warrior vanished from Yaro's sight and appeared in front of him. I judge you both worthy to wield my power. Ceville, you will be my sword. Yaro, you will be my shield.”

Outside of the circle Gray stood in anticipation, the stupid boy had eventually done exactly as he wanted. So much for the defiant attitude. If this boy was able to touch the artifact, there would be others somewhere that could eventually do the same. Removing this Artifact would make breaking the ward so much easier.

Light began to dance inside of the circle, the boy and soldiers’ bodies turned to ash and blew away. Gray now looked on in horror, expecting the Artifact to explode for some reason he turned to get as far away as fast as he could. The door handle burned his hand the moment he touched it. FUCK! This is the young one’s magic! He pulled back and moved to kick the door with all his might, but his kick made no difference. Ever expanding, the circle approached him quickly. Thousands of geometric shapes appeared along the wall of the circular barrier.

Gray scrambled to the furthest wall in the cavern, true fear flooded his mind and thoughts. He placed his palms together and released a viciously strong blast of his energy towards the ward. The shapes on the barrier shifted and caught the blast, rebounding it back to Gray. The rebounded power didn’t hurt Gray, but something was different about it now. The wards had somehow repurposed the magic, when he tried to absorb it back into himself it prevent him from firing another blast. It seemed like his energy was now clogging up like a blocked sewer drain.

With no further option Gray simply stood his ground and prepared to fight however he could. The circle reached him and encompassed his body. Inside of the circle stood three beings made of bright energy. One of the beings approached him, slamming his hand through Gray’s heart and grabbing the core of the Ancient power. The Wraith felt the attempts to remove him from the Human’s body and latched on with every bit of his strength. “You will not remove me, I will destroy this Human if you take me.”

“You’ve fallen from power Ancient Wraith. When last we met, you would have overpowered this spell with a thought. You should have taken more time to gain power or came here before the second Artifact was released. Just like last time, your arrogance has cost you victory. You can’t take the man’s body or his Essence. You will never free the one that we guard.” The large eyeball, now in the form of the warrior again, spoke to him. The third being approached from behind Gray gripping his waist. With no further fanfare the two beings ripped the Wraith from Gray’s body and shredded at his Essence until it winked from existence.

Gray’s body fell, and the circle receded back to its original size quickly. His eyes came open, for the first time since the Wraith had taken control of him, his mind was his own. Fear, panic, confusion and sheer terror crashed into him. He turned his head up and screamed, and then cried. Finally settling down he noticed a barely glowing shape kneeling over him.

“What are you? No! Leave me alone!” trying to scoot away from the creature was impossible, he was already against the wall.

“Father. I must go. I can’t use any more energy. I love you and will miss you. Escape here and find The Destroyer. She MUST know what’s happening here. The Ancient under the ward will be free soon. We can only hold it back for so long due to the amount of energy expended to kill the Wraith.” The form slowly began to vanish.

“Wait! Ceville?! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! My son!? Come back.” Gray fell once again into tears. When the wraith attacked his mind, he’d had just enough time to lock away memories of Ceville in hopes of keeping him safe. Now his son was dead, and the Ancient is close to escaping.

“Goodbye Father. Truly, I am at peace. You were a great father, now you must help her. She’s not your enemy, she never was. The things that took your mind and body were always the enemy. Do not trust Pallis. Leave here, stop for none.” And the form completely disappeared. Somehow Gray knew that it truly was his son speaking to him.

Several minutes passed as Gray put his thoughts back together. He’d been told by his son to get to The Destroyer, but he had to escape first. He spoke out loud in hopes that his son would hear him. “I will escape this place. Your death will not be in vain.”