War of Dark Ages: A Unicorn's Journey
Chapter 20

A carriage pulls forward and stops in front of the Barracks.

“Ready?” Riley stands behind San casting a mischievous grin.

“Yes.”

Commander Kail steps up to the carriage and opens a door.

“Wait a minute!”

They look down the lane to see Torin running towards them, waving his hand.

Skye slightly smiles and steps into the carriage.

Torin stops in front of them, breathing heavily. “Sorry I’m late, but I have a few last-minute items for you, San.” He reaches to his side and pulls out a small pouch. From the pouch emerges a letter, a small chest, and a rectangular package.

San moves forward. “Everyone has already been so kind already. There isn’t anything you need to do.”

“True, but as you have learned. Some of us can be quite stubborn. The letter and box are from Latoyia and Raden.” He hands over the items to her.

“They left a week ago didn’t they?” She gazes down at the items and puts them in her storage.

“Yes, they wanted to talk to you but decided this was a better option for them. Also, this package is from Gringel. He really wanted to be here to see you off but knowing him, always working hard on those projects of his.” Torin hands the package over to her. “He also said, make sure to take your time reading it.”

Her eyes meet his in surprise and gazes down at the book. She takes the book and holds it to her chest. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. Just take care of yourself, okay? I know how stubborn you can be.”

“Let’s go. Riley and Calleas are up top and everyone else is inside waiting.” Commander Kail helps her into the carriage.

“Take care, commander. Any news passes my way, you know where I’ll send it.” Torin reaches his hand out.

Commander Kail grabs it firmly. “Of course.” He steps into the carriage and sits down.

The carriage moves forward leaving the Town of Runbay behind.

San glances down at the book.

Gwyneira rests her head on her lap.

“Perhaps you should read the letter first?” Skye glances over at her, amused.

The letter appears on her lap and she opens it.

“Dear San,

I’m sorry we didn’t stay to say goodbye to you. Seems so much has happened. After you destroyed the trees, I felt a great weight lifted on my shoulders. I thought about staying here and doing what I can to help. But then I realized, my talents can be used somewhere else. So, Raden and I are off on an adventure of our own to take care of materials and replace ways and methods to gather and use them, without having to kill off a lot of creatures. In the box are items and materials for you to use. Something tells me, you might need it to make more clothes for you in the future. Who knows, we might run into each other in the future. I guess, I want my part to play something in the grand scheme of things to give something for the younger generations to look forward to.

P. S.

It might not mean much but thank you for those words of advice you gave me that day. It meant a lot.

Yours Truly,

Latoyia.”

San slightly smiles and looks out the window.

“It sounds like they want to contribute in their own way. Let’s hope both of them replace what they are looking for.” Commander Kail glances at her.

“I think Skye is asleep.” Gwyneira perks her ears slightly forward.

With his head slightly lowered and his arms crossed, Skye continues to sit there. “Zzz.zz…..zzz.” He snores.

“You called it.” Commander Kail smirks and turns his gaze outside.

After a short amount of time, the clouds in the sky become darker and rain starts to fall.

Gwyniera gazes outside.

The door opens to the side. Both Riley and Calleas step inside, waking up Skye. Riley sits in between them. Calleas lies down on the floor.

“Nasty storm brewing outside. Think we should stop at the Tavern of Porsh for the night.” Riley pulls back his hair. Wet drops fall onto the seat.

“So, this is an excuse to get us wet?” Skye raises his eyebrow at him.

Riley casts a perturbed side-glance at him frowning slightly. “I have no idea what you mean.”

The water in the carriage suddenly disappears, leaving both of them dry.

“Nice to know, I can control and manipulate water that way,” Commander Kail speaks dryly.

Skye smiles.

Riley smirks.

A loud thunderclap echoes above. A few minutes later, they stop in front of the tavern and descend from the carriage. Riley, Gywniera, and Calleas move quickly inside up the steps.

“Coming inside, San?” Commander Kail questions.

San looks up, feeling the rain dance on her skin. “May I stay out here for a bit?” She glances down at him.

“Of course, don’t stay out too long.” They walk into the tavern.

San walks past the carriage into the trees beside the tavern. The rain feels incredibly wonderful and the sound the storm is making is wonderful to her ears, unaware of the time passing.

“Staying out late?”

She looks behind her startled to see a different person placing an umbrella over her.

“Didn’t mean to startle you. My name is Dar and you’re soaked to the skin. Perhaps you should come inside?” He smiles slightly. In the shadows, she can see he stands six feet eight inches tall with light sandy brown hair. He wears no shirt but a strap across his chest with his sword hanging down behind him.

San turns around. “I’ll be alright. Thanks. I didn’t realize how much time passed.”

They head back into the tavern and Dar steps away putting the umbrella in a small vase by the bookcase.

San gazes around and spots them sitting in the corner near a window. While she walks over, the water on her disappears, and sits down with them.

A person steps over and places a glass of water on the table. “An’thin’ you be wantin’?”

She gazes at her completely bewildered by the speech.

“Apologies. One moment.” Commander Kail rests his hands on the table. “She is asking if there is something you would like?”

“Oh.” San looks at the menu on the table. “I’ll have meat stew and tea, please.”

“Be ’ight b’ck.” The waitress walks away passing more folk and taking orders.

“Your language will be hard to learn.”

“You will replace that a lot of people use their own language and speech. To them it is normal.” Riley smiles behind the glass raised to his lips.

More thunder and lightning clash outside.

Calleas yawns lying underneath the window stretched out with Gwyneira beside him.

The tea and meat stew is placed before her and she starts eating.

After a few moments, Skye glances at Commander Kail. “You do realize we have been constantly stared at for quite some time?”

“Indeed, but no one has made a move. Yet.”

“Is something wrong?” San pauses with a spoonful of food slightly below her mouth.

“Well, it seems Riley got into a confrontation with a couple of fellows with that person Dar you came in with.” Skye glances towards them.

San looks in their direction.

Dar is sitting beside three people. One is hidden in grey robes. Another is wearing a leather outfit from her shoes all the up to her shoulders. She has waves of long dark hair reaching past her shoulders and frowns glancing in their direction. The other person beside them is wearing a dark shirt with dark pants resting a couple of daggers at his side. A patch presides over one eye with his short black hair.

She turns her gaze back at Skye, “What happened?”

Riley leans forward, “Well when we got in here. The man in the robes tried telling me dogs aren’t allowed.”

“DOGS!” San stares at him in shock. She turns her gaze to Callaes and Gwyniera. “They are not dogs!”

Both of them have their ears back glancing down.

“I’m aware, but I forgot that some creatures are called familiars. They are companions to their Tamer. We got into a heated argument and well.” Riley glances to the side and presses his lips together.

“You’re smiling. Did something amusing happen?” San tilts her head at him and narrows her eyes.

“Well.” Gwyneira perks her ears even further backward. “It wasn’t Calleas but I…. lunged at him and yelled at him at the same time. I think I scared all of them because two of them fell on the floor and the room got really quiet.” She glances at her partner.

“That is when I intervened and told them they are our partners. Don’t mistreat them.

And we came over here. By that time Skye and Kail had walked inside.” Riley’s lips slightly twitch.

“Indeed. We Came over here and they have been watching us.” Skye takes a sip of his drink.

More moments pass and the storm doesn’t slow down.

San gazes out the window. “The storm will die down soon.”

“You can tell?” Commander Kail glances outside.

“Well, look here folks. Seems those rumors about a dead creature are true. Who would’ve thought that? Pretty interesting she has no fangs!” A female voice sounds near her.

They look over and spot a group of four females with spears and light armor. The one standing ahead of them has blue hair with her fur ears twitching.

San tilts her head at them. “Are you referring to me?”

She grinds her teeth, “Who else would I be talking to you, seems you’re just as dumb as I heard.” The other three giggle behind her.

Commander Kail rises slightly and looks down at Riley’s hand on his arm.

Riley shakes his head at him and mouths, “This is her lesson to learn.”

He frowns and continues observing the confrontation.

“You would rather pick a fight with me than introduce yourself?” San questions.

“I don’t have to introduce myself to scum like you!” The woman points her spear at her.

“You will behave yourself in this establishment Tira! And that includes your crew! Do I make myself clear!” A voice resounds up on the floor above. He stands with his on the rails glaring down at them with his pointy ears twitching. “Or I’ll have you thrown out!”

San glances at the person above.

“Fine. But I demand the right to challenge this person here to teach her a lesson!” Tira yells up at him.

“Do as you want. Remember not to encourage rumors in this place. I will not tolerate any unverified talk here.” He walks away from the ledge and disappears.

“Do you accept?” Tira glares at San.

San casts a side glance at Riley, “I just need to hold back, correct?”

“Correct, and a lot.” Riley stares at them, slightly annoyed.

“This should be entertaining,” Skye remarks dryly.

“Over here, but since I’m challenging you, I can set the rules. You don’t get to have a weapon and we will fight over here.” Tira walks over to the other side with a clear path leading from one end of the tavern to the other. She stands with her spear standing straight up beside her.

San grimaces. “Very well.” She walks over standing a few feet from her.

“I think I will play judge here.” Dar walks over and stands in between them. “To make sure no one cheats and a fair battle is played.”

San glances at him and purses her lips together.

“Ready?” Dar steps back and raises his hand. “Fight!”

Tira aims her spear at her and lunges, casting a light blue field around her weapon.

San raises her hand to the spear. In the next moment, a slight wind pressure echoes around her hand and the spear slightly ahead of her.

Tira flies backwards and smashes into the wall for a second. It crumbles apart and she falls outside in the rain.

“Whoops!” San stares at her for a few seconds and gazes at Riley, “I need to work on holding back a bit more.” She sighs.

Commander Kail lowers his head into his hand and starts laughing.

Riley shakes his head and chuckles.

Skye walks past Dar who has a dumbfounded look on his face. He raises his hand and floats the Tira inside while repairing the wall. “I think we might need to work on your measuring tactics for people with low abilities.”

“True.” San sighs again. “I didn’t mean to break the wall, but I thought she was prepared.”

“She will be alright. Probably have a really nasty headache when she wakes up.” Skye smiles and they walk back to the table.

The other three females move over to Tira picking her up and carrying her upstairs.

Dar walks over to his group and sits down.

Outside the storm passes. They head outside and enter the carriage departing for the next destination.

Morning descends as the carriage crosses the first bridge. San, eager and nervous about the events ahead, gazes out the window.

“Don’t worry so much, You do realize you actually might cause me to age.” Skye crosses his arms, speaking sarcastically.

San glances at him, disapprovingly. “Excuse me, if you’re older than 3,000 years old. Perhaps it might help give you wisdom.”

Skye raises both eyebrows at her.

Gwyneira hides her face in her paws.

Commander Kail laughs. “Something tells me being able to age you will be an event.”

Skye scowls at him. “Don’t even give her any more ideas.”

Commander Kail chuckles and the carriage continues forward to reach their next destination.

A little bit later, a larger bridge appears with a huge wall surrounding a castle in the far corner. They cross over the large bridge and pass through a gate entering the city.

The carriage halts just past the gate.

San looks around her. “Do we depart here?”

“No, we can take the carriage directly to the castle. I’m sure you don’t want to mingle in the city just yet,” Commander Kail replies.

San nods her head and sits back with her hand slightly trembling.

Gwyneira, sensing her restlessness, nuzzles her legs.

San places her hand on top of her head.

“We will be alright. It might look big and huge, but I assure you. The creatures inside are pretty much the same.” Skye remarks and looks up, “Don’t forget, we have both Riley and Calleas up top. I assure you, They will not take it easy from anyone if they decide to give trouble.”

“Of course.” San glances outside.

The carriage moves forward and stops.

Commander Kail looks out the window.

A soldier below salutes, “Commander Kail sir, we are eagerly awaiting your arrival. Please wait a minute and you will be ready to proceed to the main castle.”

“Understood. Keep up the good work,” Commander Kail replies.

The soldier gleams with pride.

A minute later, the carriage pulls forward continuing down the lane winding around the city. After a few, it stops.

Commander Kail opens the door and descends the steps. He turns around and offers his hand to San. “It’s alright, we are in the castle.”

San takes his hand and nervously steps out of the carriage.

Skye and Gwyneira follow down and close the carriage door.

Riley and Calleas both jump down.

Gwyneira and Calleas move forward standing beside San with their ears drawn back.

San looks down at them and swallows hard. She steps forward across the grass to the person standing a few feet away and stops in front of him.

He gives a bow. “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Adviser Mcbarr. A pleasure to meet you, Miss San. Allow me to escort you through the castle. The King awaits you at his chamber with the Duke and Captain Uri.” Adviser Mcbarr turns around and proceeds through the hall.

Everyone follows and San glances nervously around her spotting a few guards along the way. At the end of the hall, they turn right and proceed down further reaching a large two-sided door.

Mcbarr opens the door and stands to the side. They pass through and King Argon is sitting behind a desk with the Duke and Captain Uri sitting in chairs on the other side.

King Argon stands up and smiles, “Welcome. I was hoping this trip wouldn’t frighten you.”

“I’m fine.” San lies and hides her expression.

Calleas and Gwyneira look up at her and lower their guard stance a bit.

She walks forward standing near the Duke. “Is there anything you need from me before we start?”

“Just a couple of things to finish up your registration.” King Argon sits down. “Let me explain, you did register with the Town of Runbay. It usually takes a few days to weeks to process. However, if you can just place your registration card over there, we can finish the process on our end.” He points to a side desk near the window.

San walks forward to the desk and places her card on it. It lights up for a few seconds.

Adviser Mcbarr walks over and picks up the card. He glances over it and places a final stamp of approval on it. He hands it back to her and walks to stand beside King Argon.

San glances down at the card. “This seal makes everything valid with my registration?”

“Correct. Now you don’t have to worry about anyone stealing it, or trying to use your identity since everything is verified. I thought that would be one less hassle for you. The other item of business to discuss is the award for saving as many as you did.”

San gazes up at him astonished. “No.”

King Argon raises both hands. “Let me explain.” He lowers his hands. “Anyone else performing these feats, I would still have to give some sort of reward. As you have seen, it was no easy task helping everyone out and the Town of Runbay is also getting a reward but they are not aware of it yet.” The King places both hands in front of him. “From what I can tell, because of the incredible feat you performed, it allowed us to save so many creatures. Not an easy task for anyone so I have to offer you a reward.” He waves his hand to his Adviser.

Adviser Mcbarr continues, “Most times people are allowed a title, possibly land. However in your case that will hinder you with investigation. Since we can’t present you in court, as this will also make you public, we have decided to give you a choice of items to choose from. They can all be transferred inside your spatial storage as they will be of great help to you in your quest to quell this darkness.” He steps around the King and hands a list of documents over to her.

San takes the documents and sits in the chair beside Captain Uri.

Gwyneira and Calleas lower themselves beside her.

She skims the documents spotting several materials Trish mentioned in her list. Further down the list are lynstils, machitars, and other forgery items. These might be helpful especially when it comes to locks. San picks up a penna and begins to mark a few items. Once finished, she stands up and hands the documents back to Adviser Mcbarr.

He skims over the documents. “You do realize there is a lot here you could have taken to make the journey easier especially when concerning currency?”

“I know, but if I am to learn your ways, I must take no shortcuts as it might hinder me in understanding our opponent. We underestimated them once, and it nearly cost us everything we held dear. I will not repeat that mistake again.” San’s voice is clear and determined.

“Very well, I shall take care of these and you can come pick them up after the meeting with Raysteen.” Adviser Mcbarr bows and takes his leave.

“Shall we head out to the training courtyard? I imagine they are out there waiting for us.” King Argon stands up. They leave the room and proceed down the passageway.

San glances at Commander Kail walking beside her feeling more nervous by the minute. Her thoughts betray her as a worried expression reaches her eyes.

Commander Kail glances at San. “You seem worried about something?”

“I still have no idea what Fallshmere meant by those words. It was almost as if he wanted me to try something, but at the moment I can’t figure out what it is. I mean, the First did keep me away from the lower ranks and a few higher ranks. But why?” San shakes her head. “Something tells me what Fallshmere wants is more complicated than what I can see at the moment.”

“You will figure it out, even if it’s only a small portion of the puzzle.” Commander Kail replies.

“Correct.” Skye remarks and places both hands on the back of his head, “Don’t forget, you even corrected small puzzles in the beginning with very little information. Even with you not knowing Fallshmere was behind it all.”

San looks down at her hands, “This is true. I just have this weird feeling.”

“How so?” Commander Kail questions.

“If Fallshmere is that determined to keep only those loyal to him, since there is a chain around him to the First, why then did he not kill off the generals and just Sphital?” San’s voice falls silent.

“Perhaps you weren’t aware of it, but it seems the other generals are as terrified of him as you were.” He glances at her.

“Mm.” She gazes ahead.

“He is going to try and use you. That we can determine alone by what he mentioned.” Commander Kail offers.

“True, I guess I just wish I had an idea of what.”

They step outside to the training grounds and a large cage with Raysteen inside it. Guards are positioned on all sides in case anything happens.

“Good luck!” Gwyneira sits back on her paws with Calleas beside her.

San steps forward to the cage in the center of the field.

Raysteen screams hideously and lunges forward with the chains on his wrists halting his flight. He continues to snarl at her.

She kneels and gazes with sorrow at him. Her eyes close and her magical vision appears in front of her sensing what is inside this person. Her eyes open and gazes around the field.

The field is dark with clear images of several large sigils floating around. The sigils rotate in patterns, never going in the same direction. Several dark wires above connect them all in the center.

San raises her hands out beside her and shatters the illusion.

Raysteen outside screams incredibly loud to echo off the walls and surrounding buildings.

Once the illusion shatters, a sigil appears on one side in a form never seen before. The dark non-elemental magic surrounds many different elements inside. San steps closer and looks at it. There are chains from the dark magic encasing the rest in a prison, not allowing any of it to escape. For some reason, a sensation creeps up on her. She reaches out and touches the sigil.

Another scream vibrates throughout the area, even inside the magical field shaking everything in seconds.

Once it stops, a pale glow from the other side catches her attention. At once, she realizes this small glow that is dying is the person’s life. For some reason, the sigil is eating the very essence of this person or creature.

San turns around and raises her hand towards the life aura. She uses her own magic to slowly give life to the aura. It starts to glow a bit brighter.

On the other side, the sigil makes a hideous rawr inside and echoes out to the field outside.

Sweat appears on her brow, but San keeps focusing, never faltering. After a brief moment of time, a bright light engulfs her and she replaces herself in another dark room with a little girl sitting on the floor crying. Walking forward, she pauses in front of her.

The little girl pauses and looks up, spotting a small mysterious horse-like creature with a glittering horn on her head smiling sadly down at her.

“Care to go home? Let’s get out of the darkness. Follow me.” San turns around.

The little girl stands up and places her hand on the side of the mystical creature before her. They walk out together through the door ahead stepping out into the light.

Meanwhile, everyone watches San kneel in front of the cage. A few moments pass, and the creature inside throws his head back uttering an incredible scream echoing throughout the castle. The darkness envelopes it and surrounds San in a dark hazy aura.

Several soldiers reach for their weapons.

“Stand still! Don’t move or attack until ordered!” Commander Kail continues to observe them.

King Argon glances at Commander Kail. “What do you think she is trying to do?”

The rest of the soldiers become restless with their hands resting on their weapons.

Captain Uri along with Riley spreads out to each side calming them down.

“I’m not sure, but it’s safe to assume that the darkness is trying to attack her. I think,” the Duke responds.

They continue to watch her.

The dark aura surrounding the creature for a few more moments becomes unchanging.

King Argon questions, “Are you sure this will not hurt us?”

“No, whatever Fallshmere has in mind is for her. Not for us although he will probably try to use us to hurt her. I’m still unsure why San is so important to him or what he is after.” Commander Kail replies and places one hand on his hip.

“I’ve never met him, but from everything I heard from the people in the Town of Runbay, they were terrified of him,” the Duke responds.

Everyone looks at the creature in the cage emitting another hideous scream as the darkness grows stronger covering San in a dark blanket.

“Don’t Move, Riley.” Commander Kail orders noticing he is about to come to San’s rescue. “I think she is trying to remove something, look, the darkness is around her but hasn’t consumed her yet.”

Riley calms down with the other soldiers and looks at the cage filled with this dark and mysterious aura.

“What is that darkness?” King Argon glances at the Duke, “I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years. I’m familiar with dark magic but this gives off a terrible feeling.”

“Probably something with how the creatures from that time created things that had no care for life. I apologize Sire, but that is all we know at the moment. They are a mystery to us and San. Perhaps…,” The Duke pauses as a white light glows around San and the cage.

Both San, the Cage, and the creature inside are enveloped by the white light blinding everyone for a few seconds. As the light fades, San is standing up facing Commander Kail with no cage around them. In her arms lingers a small girl. She gives a small smile and stumbles forward slightly with the child still in her arms.

Commander Kail, The Duke, Captain Uri, Riley, and Skye rush forward. Skye appears behind her, catching her.

The Duke catches the little girl in his arms.

San looks up at them with relief in her eyes, “Please don’t hurt her, she won’t remember anything. I didn’t take her memories away but the darkness that was inside her.” San collapses against Skye, closing her eyes.

“San!” Riley looks over her features spotting her incredibly pale skin. “Let’s get her inside and rest.”

“I don’t believe it!” Everyone looks at the Duke. “This is the Marquess of Stayleen’s daughter. The one that went missing two years ago.”

Skye picks up San in his arms. “San was able to return her to her true form.”

“I can’t save all of them. If they are engulfed in the non-dark elemental magic for too long, they can’t be turned back, not even by me. But I might be able to save a few. I,” San mumbles against Skye’s chest.

Riley looks at San with concern spreading across his face, “You rest, San. She will be taken care of. Let’s go, Skye.”

Riley and Skye depart carrying San to a spare room inside the castle.

“How is this possible? Non-dark elemental magic? What does that even mean?” King Argon questions and glances at the child in the Duke’s arms.

“I’m sure we can learn more, for now, let us try and ensure she is safe. I think things for the Marquess might be more complicated since his hand might have been forced,” The Duke replies.

“Agreed.” Uri glances down at the child.

“Both Captain Uri and myself will take care of the people in the dungeon, and see what other information we can obtain. Something tells me they know more than what they are saying at the moment,” Commander Kail replies.

The Duke along with King Argon walks back into the castle with the Daughter of Marquess of Stayleen.

Commander Kail looks back and spots Calleas and Gwyneira standing there glancing at each other. He walks over and kneels in front of them. “Something is on your mind, I apologize if I didn’t see both of you when this happened.”

Calleas looks at him. “It’s fine. Actually, we were thinking it might be better if we went to the Port of Stayleen and met up with Boah.” He looks down.

Gwyneira speaks up. “I think he means since you didn’t notice us, people won’t suspect us of being intelligent. We can provide support to Boah while eavesdropping a bit easier since we are just simple-minded creatures to your kind.”

“Something tells me I can’t stop either one of you.” Commander Kail reaches out his hands and places them on top of their heads. “Just make sure to protect yourselves or San will be awfully worried about you.”

Both of them give their agreement.

“Come, we can take you to the instant teleport to the Port of Stayleen. And I can give the orders to Boah.” Commander Kail turns and walks back with Captain Uri, Gwyneira, and Calleas toward the teleportation circle while issuing orders to the soldiers issuing orders preparing to descend into the dungeons holding the prisoners.

San awakens in bed and blinks a few times to clear her vision.

To the right sitting on the bed, Riley smiles slightly.

She slowly sits up, noticing the slight struggle.

Skye walks forward on the other side of the bed placing a tray in front of her with food and a cup of tea. “You will need to eat for a bit and rest a while. Orders from all of us and don’t worry about the little girl.”

“She is fine?”

Riley confirms, “Yes. The Duke of Bingenton is taking her under his wing while the investigation into the Port of Stayleen is in progress.”

San looks around for Calleas and Gwyneira, not spotting them.

“Calleas and Gwyneira have decided to join Boah in the Port of Stayleen. They feel they can help gather information there more easily. Commander Kail got their approval; they will not do anything rash and Boah will protect them,” Riley watches her take a sip of her tea.

“They better take care of themselves.” San takes a bite of her food. A frown crosses her eyebrows.

Skye pulls up a chair and sits down. He leans forward with his elbows on his knees glancing at Riley, “We are going to be here at least for a couple of months so you can rest and the heat dies down a bit. Might be a good time for some reading and possibly learning a bit more about the system here and this town.”

“Yes, seems word spread very fast about the hideous cries we kept hearing. It would be best to lay low for a little bit.” Riley sits back and crosses his arms.

San glances at him and finishes her food. “Have you ever heard of a non-elemental darkness?”

Skye glances at Riley in confusion.

Riley ponders the thought for a bit and the door opens as Adviser Mcbarr walks inside.

Adviser Mcbarr walks to the edge of the bed and bows, “Forgive the intrusion. King Argon wanted to be here but at the moment is busy with the current state of affairs.”

Skye stands up and picks up the tray placing it on the nightstand beside her. He sits back down on the chair.

San glances at Adviser Mcbarr and looks back down at her hands.

“From all the books we have in our collection, there is nothing mentioned about a non-elemental darkness.” Adviser Mcbarr states simply his voice is neutral.

“I’ve never heard anything in my travels,” Riley confirms and looks at Skye.

“Even though I have fought them from time to time, I’ve never heard of anything like that. May I ask why you assume that?” Skye glances at San.

San looks at Skye, “While I was inside the creature using a magical ability, I could see several sigils but they looked a bit fuzzy. It reminded me of the maze in the Cave of Solace and the mayor’s building. I knew it was an illusion and I also saw Fallshmere had made a trap.”

They look at her in amazement. Riley raises his hand to his chin, “Why would he want you to kill the creature? From what you have told me, they forced you to do many terrible things. So what would be different this time?”

“I don’t know. Even if I became aware the illusion was a trick and still tried to disarm it, the creature would have died. I’m grateful for what Granger taught me when it comes to picking locks and disabling traps.” San tries to give a small smile and fails. “Once I dispelled the trap, I saw a sigil with immense non-elemental dark magic surrounding it. That’s how I could tell because inside the spiral wires contained all the elements of this world. But when I looked at the other side, I knew at once it was stealing the person’s essence and completely making the creatures its own.” San shakes her head.

“The non-elemental darkness is alive? It was eating the little girl?” Adviser Mcbarr questions and an astonished look remains on his face.

“Calm down, let her finish,” Riley orders him.

“I’m sorry if I can’t be clearer. All I know is that darkness inside continued to eat her. But if that is true, why isn’t the darkness that I have consuming me? I don’t understand this at all.” San glances down, completely troubled by this turn of events.

Skye rises from his seat and steps over to San. He places a hand on her head. “One step at a time, something tells me there is more to understand here. It will be a journey for all of us. So just make sure and rest okay?” Skye lowers his hand and brushes back a strand of her hair.

San gives a small smile to Skye.

Adviser Mcbarr remarks, “I’ll inform King Argon of the news, please rest, Miss San.” He takes a bow and leaves the room.

San looks out the window pondering the events with so many questions remaining. About the darkness inside her, and how it was descending on the land once again. How the War of Dark Ages began once again, and what did Fallshmere want from her?

What awaits our adventures on their next journey?

Time can reveal many things

More mysteries

Solved puzzles

Different kinds of species

And sometimes leaves us

With questions

That have yet to be quelled

By our own curiosity

Until next time

Till the Journey continues

Until Next Time…