Dear Prince Velduin,

I write to you to ask if you would meet with myself and Scale Lord Rellethek in the neutral city of

Twin Cliffs, which resides in the Northern Territory, so that we may discuss future plans of another meeting of the Draak’Terran leaders.

I believe it is imperative that you learn to work with the Scale Lord. Whether you like him or not, he represents the dragons of our lands and his influence, for that reason, is needed to protect our world’s seals.

Koda paused writing the letter to Velduin. Why did he want to protect the seals when he was so interested in the viewpoint of Sable and her master in the shadows. To walk beside the gods as they put it. To discuss the history of the cosmos, and to find the truth of Draak’Terra’s secrets so tightly locked even though he was an Arcane Guardian in training and King of Long Whisper still was not allowed to divulge in them.

Koda sighed and shook his head from such conflicting thoughts. He continued his letter.

And so, I wish for you to see it in your great wisdom to meet with us. I have already sent a letter to the Scale Lord and he has agreed to a meeting as well.

Send me your response through the wind, I will be eagerly awaiting it.

With regards,

King Dawnedge

Koda folded the letter and sealed it with wax from a melting candle. He pressed his ring with his family’s crest into the wax. Then he took the letter to his window and closed his eyes, picturing the ice elven prince in his mind. A gust of wind wrapped around Koda’s hand and sent the letter flying off on a current.

Koda sat back at his writing desk. He rocked back and forth in his chair, staring at the low ceiling of the ship's cabin. Paper globes hung from twine, each marked with trading routes across Abyss and the other realms. What am I to do? My instincts match my curiosity, Sable’s master. I wish to meet with them. However, I am king of a nation, meant to lead my people through difficult times and none have caused more strife than the breaking of the seals.

Koda pushed away from his desk and paced nervously around the small room. Wildeye must not find out about my conundrum. The black wolf filters my thoughts, I can count myself lucky for his presence, but again…what am I to do?

A knock at the door interrupted Koda’s contemplation.

“Yes?” Koda said.

“My liege, It is I, Stryneth,” came the voice from outside the cabin door.

“Please enter, Master Stryneth,” responded Koda. He waited for Stryneth to meet him eye to eye. He had not seen the hydro mage for the last couple days. Not since his match with him, at the very least. Why the elder mage avoided him eluded Koda. He seemed miffed by Raine’s use of forbidden magic, but on the other hand, Stryneth still presented them with the magic to manipulate water. What could Stryneth need from him?”

“Master Stryneth, how may I be of service to you?”

“My king, I am here to tell you that I must take my leave. My master, Duke Alifinster Fen, has requested that I travel ahead to Twin Cliffs to meet with Arrelion.”

Koda irked his brow. “Arrelion? Why?”

Stryneth gave the elven king a kind smile. “To take you under his wing. My master has much pull in the Academy’s community, he even has a spot on the Mage High Council.”

“Lord Fen has this much power and sway? Why have I not been taught about him? I had to learn the names of every council member as a part of my tutelage. Yet his name never came up in any of my schooling.”

Stryneth’s smile ran from his face. He hesitated for what seemed like forever. Finally he gave his answer. “My master serves more as an advisor than just a council member. He is wise beyond his years and his opinion is greatly valued. When I mentioned he was on the High Council, that is what I meant.”

Koda nodded. “Of course.”

Stryneth smiled once more. “Arrelion is also valued for his skill and wisdom. He has lived several lifetimes and will be an excellent teacher to prepare you for the duke.”

Koda tilted his head. “Several lifetimes. How old is Arrellion?”

“I must leave at once,” Stryneth said, ignoring Koda’s question. “As much as I feel that Elucard is a proficient Shroud, I would be at ease if I left Cade with you as well.”

Stryneth bowed, putting his arm across his chest. “Safe travels, my king. I will see you again when you reach Twin Cliffs.”

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

***

Elucard knelt at Jetta’s moss covered grave marker. His arms hugged the stone tightly, tears streamed down his cheeks.

“Why have you left me?” he choked out.

The shadows of the forest grew darker. Elucard’s breath turned to an icy smoke. A crude voice, sinister and unfeeling growled behind him.

“You are nothing but a rabid dog. You must be put down.”

Elucard turned to find the Silent Master, Ryjin, and a legion of glinting ninjatos held by shadows of his former clan. Red eyes glowed from each assassin.

Elucard pulled out his own blade, already drench and stained with blood. In a blurred movement, a punch slammed into his gut. Elucard’s pupils shrunk as he gasped a wheeze of breath.

“You are a broken sword. Rusted. Fractured. Dull. I will personally see to your death…Elucard.” The Silent Master’s tone crawled in the Elucard’s ear like a worm, burrowing deep into his weakened mind.

Elucard collapsed to his knees, clutching his stomach. “If I need to destroy you and your clan a second time, then so be it!” He gave Ryjin a blackened hiss, rife with a killer’s heart and violent intention.

Elucard struggled to stand, gripping his blade. A stream of fire blazed around him. He took a step forward but sank into the ground. Elucard looked down in panic. Tried to pull his leg out, but the ground became coarse, warm, and red. His other leg slipped on the soil and also sunk deep into the quicking sand. He gave an anxious look as the ground rose, and rose, suctioning his torso in the sand until he completely submerged under.

However the trees of the forest were no more, now replaced with roaring drakes, screaming through the sky. Fireballs exploded around him. Elucard tumbled, falling and falling. He tried to twist his body, like he had when learning to devil jump with the SMO, but to no avail.

He careened to the ground below. Faster. Faster. Faster until—

Elucard sat up, soaked in a cold sweat. The only sounds around him were his rapid breath and heaving chest. He rolled out of his bed, a wool blanket flopped to the floor. The dream was so real, so vivid, so…so violent.

Each nightmare was worse than the night before. Sometimes he experienced the dreams even when he was awake. The distinct smell of melting flesh bathed in dragon fire filled his nostrils. Smoke burned his lungs. The sharp pain from a Rabbit’s sword hacked at his side and face. These nightmares left him a mess, but he sucked it up. He held the burden alone. His trauma was no one else’s problem. He carried it all with him and with each terrifying moment he experienced, he piled that load on his back. Someday his spine will snap, but then he would just drag his broken body across that threshold which will never come.

“Elucard,” Cade’s concerned voice brought him partially back to reality, “Are you alright?”

Elucard’s eyes sagged as he placed a hand over his face. He held back the urge to confide in him like he had in the past. His comforting friend, Cade. His rock, his anchor. His hearth, his blanket. His lover. No, not now, not tonight. He had to deal with these troubles himself. He can’t share this pain, not with Cade…it would poison him and then he would lose him too.

Cade placed a calming hand on Elucard’s shoulder, but the tortured assassin shook it off. “Go back to sleep, Cade. I’ll be fine,” Elucard said as he walked out of their room.

The elf stepped out of the inn and into the night. The gentle waves splashed on the borders of Water City Jhoone. The many towers and homes glowed in the pale moonlight. A quiet night for a time to reflect.

Elucard climbed to the highest rooftop he could find. Styneth’s school. He swung his legs over the ledge, leaned forward, and rested his hands in his lap. He looked out to the endless sea. The surface glistened under the shining stars. Silent floating clouds slowly broke apart in the sky.

“Beautiful. Isn’t it?”

Elucard grinned and let out a wispy chuckle. “Jetta. I’ve missed you.”

The ghostly form of his childhood friend took a seat next to him. White feathers and rose petals drifted around her.

“I need your guidance, once more,” Elucard whispered.

“I am here for you, my friend. Always.”

Tell me a prayer that I can use to combat these dreams. I need Alue with me. Can you show me her?

Jetta bowed her head and giggled. “Alue sent me to rescue your soul from a darkness churning within you. Elucard, only you can walk a path of peace. I will light the torch, but you must wield it.”

“Please, hand me your torch. I want out of this darkness, I want to find my peace, my happy ending.”

“Elucard, realizing what you fear is the first step towards peace.”

Elucard looked at his trembling hands. “I…I know my fears. That I will die in misery and venom. I was raised as an assassin, I slaughtered my own friends. I hurt so many innocent people, all in the name of…”

Jetta gave him a nod. “Say it, Elucard. Tell yourself the truth.”

Elucard shut his eyes and swallowed a lump in his throat.

“I did this, and only I. I am to blame for this darkness, and I am the one to quell it.”

‘When walking through hardships on your road

Do not harvest the pain that you have sowed

Through mercy and light you will learn to forgive

Those that wronged you so that you may live

In a time of peace, joy, and love

Find me, my child, watching from above

You will see the beauty where fire once was

You will see the beauty in your new cause

Angel of mercy, wings alabaster and white

Enter a new world and forever leave the night’

The prayer echoed through a mind once turbulent and troubled. Elucard opened his eyes and he saw the sun breaking from the horizon. Rays of light danced with orange and red in the skies. For the first time in the many rising suns that he has seen, he saw beauty and peace.

“Thank you…” Elucard turned to find he was alone. “...Jetta.”

Alone, but filled with Alue’s light. Jetta watched him from the heavens. Cade by his side. Wiccer to share a meal with. A son in Kyzo and a father in Legion. He was never alone, just blinded by his darkness and its haze. He lifted the torch, tore through his pain, and he followed the road out.

You will never find happiness. You will always be tortured by your sins. The wolf within growled. You deserve nothing!

Elucard’s sorrow sank his heart like the quicksand in his dream. Elucard looked up to the sunrise once more. A single flame burned where his darkness gathered. Light. Truth. Love. Happiness. It was all in his reach. Elucard grinned.

“I don’t need to listen to you ever again,” Elucard whispered to himself.

***

Elucard entered his and Cade’s room, creaking the door ever so quietly, he snuck to his bed. He glanced at Cade's sleeping form, walked over and kissed him on the cheek. “Sweet dreams, Cade.”