

### Glimmers of Reality - The Hope of a Goddess

### D J Smart

### Published by Dean J Smart at Smashwords

Copyright 2012 Dean J Smart

### This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

### Chapter One – A Beckoning Light

The door opened and there was life. All ragged and torn. All withered and dying. Surrounded by death and the darkness that came with it, William lay, battered and broken and watched with fading eyes as Hannah leant out from the belly of the Firefly above him. Its sleek metallic structure had sliced silently through the dimmed sky, carried once again, by its monstrous balloon. It flew like the breeze all around him, over the colossus of corpses that lay strewn about, as if Haidreal itself had been entirely emptied of them. Now within feet of him, Hannah watched helplessly, as the smallest spark of light that was still within his eyes strained softly in the darkness. She had only been at his side for a minuscule amount of time, but in that single instant she longed to be there more than ever before. Time had all but stopped, as every beat of her heart saw him slip further and further away. He was only fourteen, but in this world, he was a man.

A 3024 Challenger boomed unforgivingly through the sleeping street, almost shattering William's bedroom window. Its six souped-up engines raged like the krakens of hell as it raced demonically over the glistening cobblestones. Tremendous rain had been pouring all-night and had kept him from his much needed sleep once again. Silently and in near darkness, he stumbled half-aware to find his bedroom door and with a yawn and a heavy hand, he slowly turned its handle. Instantly and without holding back, the door flung itself wide open as though a great vacuum had caught it from the other side. Darkness filled the space before him before a tiny speck of light, off in the distance, flickered quickly into life and fought so bravely for its existence. As he watched it—almost in a daze—a strange feeling of belonging overcame him and with utter serenity and without even a second thought, he walked boldly toward it.

Bam!—Slammed the door behind him, making him spin around in a panic as he tried relentlessly to pull it back open. Complete darkness had always been a problem for him and he had grown to fear it, but without even the smallest hint of success, he scrunched his eyes tightly shut and with a deep breath, he turned slowly back around. The continual drips of water into thankless puddles around him came quickly into existence, as did the sweet scent of flowers that vigorously filled his senses. A brilliant light that shocked him suddenly flicked into life as he quickly opened his eyes to take in the glorious sunshine that had raced so dramatically in to greet him. Astounded and speechless, he found himself stood in a stagnant puddle of water within a huge cave of quite some character. Stalactites hung overhead like great elongated bats that had made permanent roost as, one by one, they nurtured their stalagmites that grew slowly up to greet them. The blue welcoming sky filled the viewpoint before him and made him feel quite at ease, whilst a tiny, little creature scurried frantically from puddle to puddle under his watchful gaze. As he watched it, almost losing himself entirely in its frenzy, a fuzzy green haze blew itself quickly up to great proportions from absolutely nothing at all and sapped all of the sunlight from around it in an instant. Now in the eerie darkness, it condensed to take the form of a withered old man that had long since died. William trembled before this apparition as it gazed at him so inquisitively.

"Who are you?" It asked as it narrowed its eyes to slits.

"I..." William stuttered, "Am William."

"No!" Panicked the spirit suddenly, "Not yet!" He rasped, bursting into dissipation as all of the warming sunlight raced forcefully back in.

Slowly and quite unsure of himself, William glanced around from the spot that he was now glued to, bracing himself for a second encounter. The loving sun lit the cave around him once more, the many musical drips still fell tirelessly into oblivion and that strange little creature still scurried madly around, like nothing in the whole world could ever bother it.

"Are you coming?" Came a friendly, frail voice.

William looked instantly up from his puddles in surprise. There, in the light, stood that second encounter. It stood two or three feet tall with menacing grey wings that almost encased its broad shoulders. Its dry leathery skin looked almost reptilian and its bulging green eyes looked longingly at him for a response. William froze once again as he tried quickly to come to terms with what was now staring back at him.

"Well, are you coming?" The creature asked once more, "My name is Jax," it laughed, "Welcome William, to Loucarta."

William quickly frowned, "How do you know my name?" He blurted.

Jax smiled gently, "We know everything about you. Come," he invited, holding out his claw, "and I'll show you."

An awkward moment's hesitation passed by before William walked slowly toward the funny little creature and to the mouth of the cave. The vivid blue sky seemed to intensify as he neared it, until low-lying clouds—like an ocean—filled a great chasm before him . Light winds raced excitedly around and carried the beautiful scent of the wild flowers that grew all over the mountain range that he was now a blissful part of.

"How is this even possible?" He whispered in amazement, gazing around from the small dusty ledge that they were now stood upon.

Jax smiled warmly as he watched the admiration in his young friends face and for a short, peaceful while, he found a new appreciation for the beauty of the world around him, "I have been sent to guide you to Galadria," He quietly announced without lifting his gaze from the floating clouds before them.

William looked sharply at him causing a steady smirk to slowly take over Jax's face, "Sent by whom?" He asked, scowling once again, "And who could have known that I would have been here?"

"My..." Jax began.

"And what's Galadria?" William quickly interrupted, leaving no time at all for Jax to explain.

"Please, my Prince," Jax pleaded, sending William into a quaint shade of red, "My Lady Aurora has sent me, she was the one that knew you would be here... we have been waiting for you for many generations!" He beamed happily.

"For me?" William questioned, with some sarcasm.

"Yes, my Prince, for you."

William thought about this for a few moments, "O.K. fine," He said slowly—still entirely unconvinced, "Who is this Aurora?"

Jax beamed warmly, "She is all that is good and wholesome in this world and beyond. She is the Goddess of life and of light. She is everything that I have come to admire and much, much more."

"What would a Goddess want with me?" William asked, almost breaking into laughter.

Jax looked slowly at the gleeful face before him as William waited—mouth agape—for a response, "Perhaps you will be more open-minded when we get to Galadria," He quickly announced before walking off. Along the dusty path that embraced the mountainside he strode before he turned to see that William was still fixed to the spot in quiet amazement, still with a stupid grin plastered all over his face. "Come on!" He shouted as he continued to walk on, "There's still a lot to explain!" After a few more moments—and a few more feet of expansion between them—William ran and quickly caught up, "Ah," Jax smiled, "glad you decided to come." William smiled, but said nothing in reply as he followed his new-found friend, still unbelieving in the continuous beauty that he was somehow emerged in.

The cooling wind still raced through the mountain range like an untiring eagle that was forever in-flight, the glorious scent of the wild flowers that continually surrounded them still inflamed him and the mighty sun still shone high overhead. It gently warmed the gravelly path that stretched out far before them until they came to a small wooden shack that had been badly built into a void in the mountain face;

"We are here," Jax uttered quietly, as he pushed open the rickety old door and they disappeared inside. They now found themselves inside a small darkened room, lit only by the streams of sunlight—that sliced readily through the gaps in the wooden beams that made up the wall behind them—and the strong illumination from the strange marking on the floor: that filled the entirety of the space before them.

"These markings are called chimes," Jax quietly informed as he stepped towards the glowing platform. William's little face lit up as he smiled and stared. A six-pointed star encompassed entirely by a great circle lay submissively before them; "They are a means of transportation within the Kingdom," Jax continued.

"The Kingdom of ... Galadria?" William questioned, fishing for confirmation.

Jax laughed gently, "The Kingdom of Glitherhiem, my Prince. Galadria is simply our capitol city."

William gazed longingly at the glowing platform, almost forgetting himself entirely, "So these chimes could take me anywhere?" He asked quietly.

"Anywhere within our borders," Jax confirmed proudly, "step on," he smirked, offering his claw once more, "And I'll show you how they work." After a few short moments, William took the outstretched claw and together they walked slowly on. Hardly had they reached the centre of the star when they both vanished into nothingness. They soon materialised upon a chime; that sat aloft a grassy hill - high up over a once thriving village. High-speed winds thrashed and battered them both and forced the long grass in which they stood to violently flamenco. The village below them stood in total darkness—yet they stood in the glorious sunshine that had so blindingly lit the grassy hill as well as all of the lands around the village, as though light itself was completely banished from within the village's boarders. A darkened trail led all of the way from the village itself and cut right through the landscape as it snaked way off into the distance.

William stood in silence and gazed at the strange scene before him and all whilst he remained silent, so too, did Jax.

"That was once the thriving village of Merico," Jax eventually uttered, breaking the silence between them.

"What happened to it?" William whispered, being unable to remove his astounded gaze.

"A very long time ago," Jax began, "Leptar came to them," He paused briefly for a moment in remembrance; "His heart is pure hatred and all that is evil serve him well."

William swallowed deeply. His eyes bulged with frightful thoughts. He didn't dare ask the question, but—as if with a will of its own—the question escaped his lips: "What did he do?" He whispered.

"He took everyone." Jax uttered, falling silent for a long while. "Leptar resides over Haidreal and holds Aurora captive."

William shuddered—realising that for some reason, he was being prepared for something, "What... am I supposed to do about it?" He asked slowly, futilely trying not to sound unconcerned.

Jax looked sharply up to him in shock, "Everything!" He snapped, as though William had just offended him deeply, "Only you can free her! It is why you have come, is it not?"

"I came," William burst before quickly falling silent, as he realised that he didn't really know, "because of something that drew me into the darkness." He said quietly.

"Exactly!" Jax smirked, "It's OK to be afraid, my Prince," He gestured, "You will not be alone," He smiled, "Let me show you." With that and still being stood upon the same chime that they had materialised upon, they once again vanished into the cold air that had surrounded them so absolutely.

### Chapter Two – The City of Galadria

This time, the chime that they materialised upon was in the centre of a long crypt, under a small Aurorian church. The surrounding gloominess held within it large engraved caskets that lay all around them and entombed the preserved bodies of great Aurorian knights from throughout the ages. Ferocious wooden torches blazed loudly away—held tightly in their rusted iron holders that attached them solidly to their thick stonewalls—and threw what little light that they could into the immense space before them.

"We are below the Church of Galadria... Come," Jax said quietly as he led the way between the many stone caskets to a small wooden door that he creaked slowly open. Now before them, rose a dingy little staircase that carried them up to slithers of light that fought ferociously for territory against the encroaching darkness around them. Pushing open another small door, they emerged from behind a white wooden alter, as brilliant sunlight poured effortlessly in through the many crystal windows of the church around them. Row upon row of light brown benches flanked a long, narrow corridor and led to a huge, oak door - that, in turn, led out into the day. Another small door quickly opened—off to the side of them—and in rushed an old man, dressed entirely in black from neck to toe. He watched the floor as he walked and played frantically with his collar. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks and looked up;

"Oh, welcome I ..." He stopped abruptly as his gaze fell upon William and all colour flushed entirely from his cheeks, "the son of Thyagreen!" He whispered in astoundment, "how, much do you know my boy?"

William looked to Jax in confusion, "Not much... I suppose," He replied, frowning slightly.

"My name is Father Millett—a priest of the Aurorian faith. This is my church ... Come, both of you." He led William—followed surely by Jax—into the small room that he had just emerged from and stopped before an exquisitely carved wooden cabinet. He unlocked its mighty door with a dull clunk before it creaked slowly open and revealed a large, leather-bound book—draped elegantly with a veil of red velvet—that sat all alone upon a shelf within. Quickly, he pulled off the veil and gestured for William to step ever closer, as frantically he flung the mighty book wide open and flipped quickly through its many pages of tiny text.

"Ah-Ha! Here we are!" He muttered with a sense of accomplishment, as he smoothed the delicate pages flat, "This—my boy—is the very word of Aurora herself," He announced proudly, "as you can see ..." He smiled, turning the ancient page, "you are a big part of it!"

To his astoundment, William saw himself in black-and-white print, right before his eyes and for a long while he felt dazed and completely overcome.

"Allow me to explain," The Father smiled gently, "Within your veins flows the blood of a Thyagreetion, but also that of a Loucartion! That, my boy, makes you very special—Very special indeed!"

"A Thya ... what?" William slowly replied—still dazed by his own image on the page.

"A Thyagreetion," The Father chuckled, "Someone from Thyagreen—from your own reality," He explained, "and of course, your father is Loucartion!"

"My father?" William blurted, as he quickly crossed the tiny little room in a panic and sat heavily on to a small wooden bench that awaited him. Jax followed instantly and after scrambling quickly up, sat quietly beside him.

After a while, the priest approached the silent pair, "I'm sure that this is an awful lot for you to take in right now," He quietly began, "I shall leave you with your thoughts," He announced before leaving the room.

"My father, was... from here?" William asked, trying aimlessly to make sense of it all.

"I can take you to him if you wish. I'll be outside when you are ready, Prince." With that, he jumped down from the bench and headed for the open doorway.

William held his head heavily in his soft little hands and remained sat quietly for a long while in thought. Eventually, he came slowly out of the room; "Why do you keep calling me 'Prince'?" He asked quietly.

"Quite simply," His little friend smiled, "because you are the Prince of Glitherhiem. Come," He gestured warmly as he headed for the great oak door before them. William stood in awe—seemingly unable to move—and as he watched Jax walk slowly away, the space between them rapidly grew beyond all reason as an overpowering sensation washed quickly over him. A deep and dark voice manifested itself as the brilliant white walls turned dull and brittle and crumbled away to flames; "I know why you have come, Aurorian!" It scraped tenuously throughout the air, "you will be unsuccessful!"

"Who's there?" William shouted in alarm as he spun frantically around to see that the walls—and the space around him—had already returned to normal.

"There's nobody here, Prince!" Jax exclaimed, "We are alone! I assure you!"

William turned slowly around to the relative safety of his little friend's face, with a look of sheer horror that Jax had seen all too many times before, "That voice!" He whispered, still feeling quite unsettled, "and the walls! The walls!"

Jax's expression turned quickly from a deep concern to something that was far more sinister; "Leptar cannot harm you here," He reassured quietly, "Our towns are heavily fortified."

"Then what happened to Merico?" William blurted, still in some distress.

For a moment, Jax fell silent, "We have learned from costly mistakes," He said quietly, "This town has four hundred men in garrison at all times!"

This just made William feel even more unsettled, "And you think that I...!" William exclaimed before he was quickly cut off.

"Do not worry so much!" Came a soft loving voice from behind them, "You are not now, nor shall you ever be, alone, little Prince."

William turned quickly to gaze upon the radiant young beauty before him. All at once he forgot his unpleasantness, as if a great and horrible weight had been suddenly lifted from him without him ever realising it.

"I didn't expect the Firefly to be back so soon!" Jax joyfully exclaimed.

"It isn't, my friend," She laughed gently, "Arcadian brought me." Her long dark hair glistened and flowed to the small of her back, whilst deep dark eyes concentrated entirely upon William. From one side of her thick leather belt hung a long thin sword, whilst a green handled dagger hung quietly from the other.

"As you can see," Jax announced—smirking at William, "The Prince... is here."

The mysterious girl stared into William's eyes for quite a while; "Hello brother," She eventually whispered, as if caught in a trance.

"Brother?" William exclaimed, raising his eyebrows quickly.

"I'm sorry," She laughed, "I don't mean to stare. My name is Hannah Reed," She announced stepping even closer to him, "Princess of all of Glitherhiem and you, my Prince, are most indeed my brother. Welcome, William," She smiled.

"I shall leave you to get acquainted," Jax announced before he quickly vanished without even the smallest trace of him left behind.

William gawked at the empty space where Jax had once stood, sending Hannah into fits of giggles, "He is a Breed, of course!" She gently offered once she had stopped laughing, "they are able to teleport themselves over great distances... Tell me though," she smirked, as her eyes narrowed in curiosity "Do you ride, William?"

"Ride?" William repeated completely confused, "Ride what?" He asked, frowning slightly.

"Ride horses—of course!" She laughed.

"No," He answered quietly, still frowning and feeling quite uneasy as to why she had asked the question in the first place.

"Well then!" She smirked, "That is something that we must rectify!" With that, she quickly led the way to the great oak door and placed her hands firmly upon it, "Ready?" She asked in wait of her little brother. Slowly he followed and placed his own hands nervously beside hers. Together they pushed, as little by little, the brilliant sunshine washed over them both like an invading army that was gaining ground, until the door was fully open and the market square—that bustled madly with heightened activity—sat boldly before them. Affectionately, it encircled the many people that hastily went about their daily lives, as goods of all kinds, were manically traded from stalls of all shapes and sizes. Excitedly, they stepped out of the church and into the heaving chaos. The smell of freshly baked bread floated effortlessly upon the air and the church door swung slowly closed behind them.

The two rejoined siblings stood side by side as William gazed happily around. Everybody stared and the entire place had fallen completely silent.

"They all know who you are," Hannah whispered as she leant into him, "the palace is on the other side of the city; we can get there by carriage. This way," She announced.

Once again, she led the way as William followed closely behind. It wasn't long before they came to a side lane, full of queued carriages, each one headed by two white horses, as Hannah stepped up to the first and gestured for William to climb in.

"Good morning, Prince" Smiled the driver who was sat behind his horses with their reigns held loosely in his hands.

"Um... good morning," William replied as he returned the smile and clambered aboard.

"To the palace please," Hannah chirped, as she climbed in after him and closed the heavy door with a clunk.

The horses walked slowly on as their hooves struck the cobblestones beneath them and filled the sweet-smelling air with beautiful sound. Inside the carriage, soft red velvet washed over every available space and cushioned the four comfortable seats within. Hannah sat beside her brother—as he gazed excitedly out of the window.

"Father told me about you..." She began, "when I first came here," She smiled gently.

"You came here too!" William blurted in surprise as he turned his attention to her.

"Of course I did!" She laughed, "We are both Thyagreetion, you and I."

His little face lit up, "But how?" He asked in excitement.

"The same way that you did, I'd imagine," She laughed at her brother's response.

William laughed at the absurd situation that he now found himself in before gradually becoming much more serious, "I was seven when dad left," He paused for a long while, "mum, never told me about you."

"She probably didn't even know," Hannah whispered before falling silent and gazing off into nothing, "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" She uttered after a while, "I came here when I was not much older than you are now," She began, trying ever so hard to explain, "although I believe, it was quite some time before you were even born... time here hasn't touched me," She looked at William with a hint of a tear welling in her eye, "nor, should I imagine, shall it touch you."

William shimmied in his seat, until he was absolutely comfortable and gazed once more out of the window beside him. By now, they had passed through the market square and had picked up some considerable speed, passing row upon row of exquisite stone houses—each one decorated brightly with coloured wooden shutters and matching wooden doors. Soon the houses were falling away as they raced along a wide stony path that ran wildly though open grassland. They soon approached a colossal gatehouse that sat within the outer battlements of the Palace grounds and before long, the carriage came to a firm halt. Almost instantly, a soldier in full-dress uniform appeared in the window and after a quick glance inside, the mighty iron gate before them rose slowly into its housing. Once there was space enough, the carriage continued along its way. William watched intently as they passed the handful of armed soldiers that stood guard beside them and passed through the mighty archway of the gatehouse with its thick stonewalls.

The Palace grounds, within the outer battlements, were vast—a sea of cobblestones stretched out in all directions, whilst small stone buildings stood all about and soldiers marched around in formation. For a second time the carriage slowed and as they approached the much smaller gatehouse of the inner battlements, the little gate rose quietly into its own housing. Slowly, they continued through and raced away toward the palace itself. After a while, the carriage stopped for the third and last time and its door eventually opened. The driver stood, almost entirely in black from head to foot, with a red cravat and a black top hat.

"We're 'ere Miss," He announced.

"Thank you driver," Hannah chirped, as she climbed out and reached into her silken purse.

"Oh no!" The driver exclaimed, "It's a free ride to you," He smiled as he climbed back up to his little seat. William clambered back out of the carriage—just as clumsily as he had clambered in—and stood with a smile on his face as he gazed around at the lush green grassland that lay surrounded by towering stonewalls in varying shades of grey. Quickly the carriage pulled off —headed back for its little place in the market square—and as it did so, it revealed the glorious palace that it had briefly hidden from William's view. Its exceptional majesty stood elegantly before his gaze as it glistened in the intense sunlight. A staircase of pure white marble ran up to its monumental entrance, flanked by great white pillars that encased a spectacular blend of masonry and finery. Huge crystal windows ran madly around its monstrous face and several flags anointed it as they fluttered lightly in the cool breeze around them.

### Chapter Three – The King My Father

The King, dressed in all of his finery, sat heavily upon his golden throne that headed a red velvet carpet that ran the entire length of the room. Stood along it, on either side, were his loyal advisers and personal guard—made up entirely of his closest friends. The enormous room was filled to the brim with the sunlight that had been thrown into it from the great crystal windows that flanked it on one side.

Jax suddenly appeared before the King and leant into his ear, "They have arrived, my King," he whispered gently.

"My boy," the King replied with a tear in his eye, "after all these long years," he uttered, as he rose from his golden throne and stepped steadily down the few small stairs that led to the thin red carpet.

He bore shoulder-length blonde hair—which was so thick that it almost looked brown—a beard and moustache that rolled eagerly into one another and adorned his face, whilst eyes; like blue sapphires, quickly absorbed all that they saw. He was anointed with a crown of pure silver, with pure white diamonds encrusted within it and wore long robes of dark red velvet that trailed behind him so, elegantly, as he walked. Quickly he hurried along the vibrant carpet and toward the pearly white doors that led into the hallway. As he hurried, his personal guard hurried along either side of him as two further guards pulled the great doors wide open and they continued quickly through them. Across the great hall—surrounded by fine crystal and vast spaces—they rushed, as a monumental racket from the many heels that clicked upon the marbled floor echoed loudly. As they approached, two further guards pulled the palace doors steadily open and the sunlight raced quickly in revealing Hannah—with little William—stood at the bottom of the staircase.

The King stood silent for a moment before he continued alone down toward them. As he approached, Hannah smiled gently, as William squinted in recognition of the face that he had not seen for many a year.

"My boy," the King blubbered as he reached out for him, "How you have grown."

William said nothing—feeling quite unable to speak—as all of the emptiness that he had felt throughout the years suddenly built up within him and he fell deep into his father's arms. The King squeezed as hard as he did dare, with his eyes closed tightly and a joyful smile upon his face.

After a while, the King looked down at his son, "I have missed you these many years" he sobbed. Hannah wiped a tear from her own cheek and slowly placed a hand upon her brother's shoulder. Still, he remained clung to his father as tightly as he could—as though he never again wanted to let him go.

"What about that stable?" Hannah eventually whispered as she wiped away a few more tears and William slowly released his grip.

"Go on," The King whispered through teary eyes, "go now with your sister. We'll all have a long chat later."

Hannah smiled as she led the way—followed closely by William—who watched her happily as they walked. They walked along the front of the palace, then followed it along its side until the stable could be seen tucked neatly away behind it. The huge wooden structure stood vividly among the tall grass, as the sunlight—that continued to beat down—highlighted the hundreds of parachute seeds that were silently wafting through the gentle breeze.

Inside, the stable looked much larger than it did from the outside, with four large stalls spaced generously apart. The back-end of the building was completely open and led out into the tall grass—whilst the stalls themselves—like huge wooden boxes, stood closed off to the outside world by huge wooden doors.

Two men beavered frantically away, laying fresh straw throughout the entire stable, whilst wearing dark-blue coveralls with bright red gloves that stood out so eagerly from their plain surroundings.

"Hello miss," said one of them, whilst the other simply looked up and smiled, "hello sir," he nodded.

"Hello John, Mathew," Hannah returned as she smiled back, "This is my brother - William."

John suddenly took more of an interest, "The same William that we've been hearing about for all of these years?" He asked intently.

"Yes," she smiled as she looked at her brother through tears of joy that quickly built up. After a few moments she pointed out one of the stalls; "That one," she cooed excitedly, "tell me what you think."

William walked slowly toward it whilst John rushed and slid open its mighty door. Suddenly before him, stood on a bed of hay with food and water buckets beside it, was the most beautiful creature that William had ever seen. She was light brown in colour, with a dark-brown mane and big black eyes and unlike any other horse that he had ever seen before, she had huge wings of silken feathers. He looked quickly back at Hannah with a beaming smile of excitement; "What is she?" He exclaimed as his little eyes lit up.

"She is a unix," Hannah smiled, "and she is yours if you want her."

William gazed back at the lovely creature with his smile fixed firmly in place.

"Her name is Heradex," Hannah added, as a smirk took a hold of her face, "would you like to ride her?"

"Oh, yes please!" William beamed, "very much so!"

"Then we'll ride together," she smirked as she walked toward another of the stalls and disappeared inside. Before long, she re-emerged, sat upon a pure white unix that bore beautiful white feathers—as pure as freshly fallen snow.

"She's lovely!" William cried.

Hannah laughed at her brother's reaction, "She is a he, and yes, he is very lovely," she laughed as she patted her beast's neck; "His name is Arcadian," she proudly announced.

John entered Heradex's stall and strapped and saddled her. Cautiously, William followed him in as he kept constant eye contact with his new beast.

"Would you like a hand young sir?" asked john, as he stood in place and watched William's gaze.

"Oh, yes please," William replied, feeling slightly embarrassed, "I've never ridden, well, anything before," he said stepping into a stirrup. John helped him to clamber up and eventually, he placed his other foot into the other stirrup and took a hold of the reigns.

John fastened both stirrups tightly to William's feet; "There you are, young sir!" he bellowed cheerfully before he led Heradex out of her stall.

"Right then!" Hannah announced as soon as they had appeared, "just hold on to her reigns and follow me. Let her do all of the work, she knows what she's doing," with that, they both began to trot towards the rear of the stable and out into the tall green grass.

"How do you like it?" Hannah shouted after a while as she looked across to her little brother.

"It's great!" he squealed as he caressed Heradex's feathers.

"Follow me then!" she shouted, as Arcadian began to gallop. William held on tightly to the reigns, as Heradex too, began to gallop. The two raced around as Hannah's long dark hair danced ferociously behind her in the wind. As Heradex gained, Arcadian galloped ever faster as their manes shook wildly. They raced along the side of the Palace, through the open grassland and swiftly toward the inner battlement gatehouse. The iron gate quickly rose into its housing as they approached it and they raced through the archway and over the cobblestones—kicking dust and debris high into the air as they went. Arcadian spread his mighty wings and began to flap vigorously, as Heradex spread her own wings and closed the small gap between them. Gradually they took off—along with their riders—as they raced a hair's width above the ground. They tucked their legs tightly beneath them and quickly ascended high into the air. William clung to Heradex as tightly as he could and watched the ground and the Palace fall quickly away beneath them.

Hannah was in her element and still out in front, as she soaked up each and every moment, "Come on!" she shouted playfully.

William was far too nervous to shout anything back—he just clung tightly on and looked ahead through half-closed eyes as they flew higher and higher above the grassland and into thin cloud. The world now seemed far more peaceful to William as he gazed at it from a new height, with only the sound of the wind rushing passed him to distract from the mesmerising exhilaration of the flight.

After a long while, William began to relax and slightly loosened his grip from around Heradex's neck, only to quickly renew it—tenfold—as he watched his sister upon Arcadian drop swiftly and sharply before him. Just as he had feared, Heradex too, dropped—just as swiftly and as sharply as Arcadian had and they descended, at great speed, until the cloud cleared from all around them. Now below them, rose a vast hilltop that raced dramatically up to greet them, as it stretched effortlessly out in all directions. William braced, as they quickly approached it and the two elegant beasts came within touching distance of each other. They gradually levelled off and slowed their mighty wings—that had beat so vigorously—until their hooves, once again, touched the ground and they landed with a gentle canter. William remained frantically clung to Heradex's neck long after she had come to a standstill, which sent Hannah into a fit of giggles.

"You can let her go now!" She laughed uncontrollably, as she climbed down from Arcadian and allowed him to roam free on the hilltop. She unfastened William's stirrups and helped him down as he lost complete balance and nearly fell on top of her.

"Go on," she whispered in Heradex's ear, as she patted her gently on the neck. Without a second thought, Heradex galloped off to join her brother—as he galloped around happily in the sunshine.

"Where are we?" William asked as he gazed around.

"Table-top Mountain," she smiled, "even though it's not technically a mountain... I didn't want to take you too far for your first flight," she laughed; "How did you like it?"

"It was amazing!" He exclaimed without hesitation, "A bit scary in places though."

"Yes," she smiled, "it does take some getting used to!" Hannah paused and scoured the sky above, "We are a bit early by the looks of it," she said with some disappointment, "I wanted to introduce you to the other Reapers."

"Reapers?" William smiled.

Hannah smirked, "Reapers are... small groups of highly trained assassins, if you will. We hunt down the beasts that plague us and destroy them. There are many Reaper units in Glitherhiem. My team should be here soon," she quietly added, still gazing at the sky.

"How many are there?" William asked, "In your team, I mean."

"Just two more," she replied quietly.

Two men sat about drinking flagons of ale whilst enjoying the silence of each other's company amidst the low hum of the machine that carried them. The one man was tall and broad with long black hair and a black beard and moustache that flowed into one another confusing the boundaries between them. His huge dark eyes held secrets that he had always carried with him for as long as he had cared to remember. He wore dark coloured clothes with a black leather coat that he seldom removed. He carried a four-barrel shotgun on a thick leather strap that wrapped neatly around his shoulders, whilst two silver-handled pistols nestled comfortably in his waist-line. The other man was short and dumpy in comparison with short white hair and hazel eyes. He wore light neutral colours and carried no weapons.

"Sirs," came a radioed voice through the speaker system, "we are almost there."

The stocky man rose from his seat, "Well!" He bellowed in such a loud and deep voice that it almost shook the flagon right out of his hand, "are you coming you old dog?" He laughed.

The smaller man stood up, "Yes, Zaybian, I'm coming!" He said slowly, "and less of the old! It'll happen to you too ya know!"

Zaybian laughed heartily as though he had never laughed before and opened the heavy metal door that had shut them away before leaving the room. The two friends emerged into the belly of the airship that carried them, as two uniformed soldiers manned their stations not far from them. The soldiers wore red tunics encrusted with silver buttons that ran from their necks to their belts, with thin black trousers and smart black shoes. They sat in the nose of the ship and wore huge headphones that were plugged into the panel of instruments that sat just before them. The giant windscreen—just beyond them—offered up dramatic views of whatever they flew through or above and allowed them to see, almost one hundred and eighty degrees around them unimpeded.

Slowly, the two men walked up to—and stood behind—the two soldiers. As they looked through the giant windscreen, they watched the cloud that they flew through as it thinned to nothing and Table-top Mountain—surrounded by its lush valleys and many flowing rivers—emerged gradually out of the ether. The two unix could be clearly seen as they galloped through the lush green grass that adorned the flat hilltop, whilst Hannah and William stood and waved up at them as they descended.

Hannah smiled, as William gazed up in amazement at the incoming vessel. It was gigantic in size with an elliptical shape, made entirely from silver sheets of pressed metal with huge propellers attached to its sides toward its rear. The entire ship was carried by a mighty balloon—dark red in colour—that stretched from far beyond its rear, to far beyond its nose and easily tripled its width. Countless ropes strapped it to the ship that it carried, with its own monumental propeller at its rear that rotated slowly and wafted the entire vessel—almost silently—through the air.

"William, meet the Firefly," Hannah said gleefully as she watched with pride.

Its huge windscreen—curved around its nose—allowed William to see clearly, the two soldiers at its helm, with the two strange men stood behind them. He watched them intently—as they watched him in return—as closer and lower they flew, until they landed a short distance before them. Immediately, they disappeared from view as Hannah rushed toward the landed craft.

"Come on, William!" She squealed in excitement, as she looked back to see him still glued to the spot. Quickly, he rushed to catch up with his eyes still fixed on the magnificent ship before them.

A shining door opened at its side, whilst a ramped walkway protruded to the ground below it. The two men—that William had watched so intently—followed shortly along it. Arcadian had raced back to Hannah and had gotten to her long before she had gotten close to the ship and without hesitation, she jumped on to him and he galloped on. Heradex was not far behind him—as always—as William nervously climbed up on to her and she proceeded to gallop ahead. By the time that Hannah had gotten close to the ship, Zaybian and Thysis were stood, smiling once again, on solid ground.

Zaybian began to chuckle, as Hannah swiftly approached and Arcadian's gallop turned to a trot;

"Missed us that much did you?" He laughed.

"You know how I like my ship!" She smiled.

Arcadian came to a standstill, just feet from the two men, as Hannah looked back in wait of William. Slowly he approached, still mounted on Heradex, as she too, came to a standstill;

"I'm sure you know who this is, gentlemen," Hannah announced, as her eyes sparkled with her smile.

"My name is Zaybian," the broad man piped as he stepped boldly up to Heradex, "Glitherhiem Reaper. No harm shall come to you whilst there is still breath within me."

"You always did have a talent for the theatrics!" The small man exclaimed, as he too, stepped up, "I am Thysis; I too am a Reaper of Glitherhiem. It is however, true, that no harm shall come to you whilst you are here with us."

"Enough talk!" Zaybian bellowed, "Do you want to see the ship, William?" He asked excitedly.

"Well of course he does!" Exclaimed Thysis, before William could even reply.

Hannah chuckled, as William smiled shyly, "They are like a little married couple!" She giggled, "Let us all see the ship!"

The two men turned and headed back along the ramp, followed quickly by Hannah; who was hesitantly followed by William—still mounted upon their respective unix.

"What about the unix?" William asked quietly, as he swayed gently with the motion of his beast.

"We have a stable on-board," Hannah smiled.

No sooner had Heradex cleared the doorway that its ramp began to retract and its door began to close, to once again, seal off the ship from the outside world.

"What do you think of it then?" Zaybian roared in his usual jolly way. It was much bigger inside than William had thought possible, with cabins that ran along either side of the ship, all with their doors facing inwards to its centre. The cabins were stacked three high on either side, with thin metal staircases toward the back of the ship that led up to thin metal walkways along both sides of the second and third levels. The vast expanse in the centre stretched impressively from its helm, to a set of large double doors that stood boldly toward the back and flew all of the way up to the ceiling—that stretched out proudly over the third layer of cabins. The ship was alive with uniformed soldiers going about their daily business to the clinking rhythm of Firefly life.

"It's immense!" William exclaimed as he gazed around.

"Each man has his own cabin," announced Hannah, "you have one too."

"I do?" William questioned, with a hint of confusion in his voice.

Zaybian laughed, "Aye William! You do!"

"You will be travelling with us;" Hannah said softly, "beyond those doors is where we keep the unix."

"Where are we going?" William asked with a renewed intrigue.

"That is what we must to figure out, Master William," came a small, frail voice, as a small, frail man approached. He had short, white hair and white, bushy eyebrows. He had sea blue eyes, set deep into wrinkled skin and wore plain clothes of blacks and browns.

"This is Ivor, he is our unix soother," Hannah whispered lovingly, as she leant into William. Ivor took Arcadian's reigns, "It's good to see you old friend," she said as she smiled gently.

"Glad to see you too, miss," replied Ivor as Hannah dismounted—which triggered William to do the same. Ivor took the loose reigns in his caring hand and slowly walked the two unix towards the huge double doors.

"He is a very sweet old man," Hannah whispered, prompting Zaybian into thunderous laughter as they watched the double doors—all by themselves—open and then close again, as Ivor went through them.

"How are you with heights?" Asked Thysis out of the blue.

"I'm... getting used to them." William replied as he thought carefully about his answer.

"In that case, do you care to see the deck?" He asked.

"That's a great idea!" Exclaimed Hannah.

"Never let it be said that I don't mingle!" Zaybian announced loudly, "I'll join you."

The four new friends headed to the thin metal stairways that would take them up to the third layer of cabins and then to a small ladder—which in turn—would take them up to a hatchway in the ceiling. After countless numbers of stairs and clinks, the quartet reached the base of the little ladder. Zaybian went first, followed by William—then Thysis and Hannah—as he reached the hatch and unlatched it. He pushed its mighty weight slowly up, until it fell backwards on to the deck above with a loud thud. Refreshing winds raced down through the hatchway accompanied closely by dazzling sunlight, as Zaybian lifted himself up on to the deck and then turned to offer his hand to William; who lifted himself, just enough to raise his head and shoulders through.

A vastness of deck space stretched out before him—surrounded by rails to stop anybody from falling off. The whole lot was ceilinged by the mighty balloon that sat above their heads, strapped to the ship by monstrous ropes. William offered his hand to Zaybian's and as they pulled together, he was quickly lifted on to the deck. Zaybian then continued to lift Thysis and then Hannah before he closed the heavy hatch once again. By the time Zaybian had looked back up, William was already on the far side of the deck as he gazed over the rail in excitement. The other three eventually joined him. The Firefly had already taken off and the monstrous propellers danced around as they slowly lifted the ship and her crew, back into the sky. The four friends watched as the lushness of the scene below them sank gradually away before it completely vanished below the clouds one more.

All at once, the deck became swamped in thick mist, as stowed away clouds seized the vessel. With the four friends stood close, they could still make one another out, whilst the massiveness of the balloon above them, now looked like a harrowing omen that was steeped in shadow.

William began to think as he looked at Hannah through the building mist, "Father doesn't look much older than when I was seven."

Hannah smiled, "He wears an amulet that slows his ageing dramatically. As for us..." she beamed, "we are Thyagreetion," she laughed, "I, myself, have been here almost three hundred years!"

"And you look as youthful as ever!" Zaybian quipped as he roared uncontrollably with laughter.

The friends laughed heartily in the dull silent mist before a chill began to take a hold of William's thoughts, "When are we going back down?" He asked nervously.

"I wouldn't try it yet, Prince," Roared Zaybian, "we'll be out of the clouds soon enough. It'll be safer then."

"You wait 'till you see the Glitherhiem Games, young William!" Announced Thysis—who by now could hardly see him.

"What are they?" William asked excitedly.

"Whenever a Reaper vessel returns from a voyage with fallen crewmen," Hannah explained, "great games are held in Galadria to replace them. Contenders from all over the Kingdom take part and the winners join the rest of the crew."

"We lost twenty this time," Zaybian uttered.

"Where are you returning from?" William asked after some thought.

"The Northern plains!" Thysis quickly snapped in a quick flip of personality, "A few less monsters roam there now aye!"

With that, the cloud thinned dramatically, as sunlight once again recovered the deck and the mighty ship dropped back out of the clouds. The four friends gazed over the rail—that they were still stood beside—at the great city of Galadria that lay stretched out below them. William, for the first time, saw the true size of the city and gazed in wonder, as it stood proud, centred in open grassland and surrounded by forest. Stone buildings filled it, as plumes of pure white smoke wafted up high into the air, whilst open parkland and waterways sat dotted throughout it. The majesty of the Palace and its battlements looked even more impressive from the air—whilst a mighty wall of stone surrounded the entire city—which, in itself, made William feel more at ease.

### Chapter Four – The Agglomeration of Scientists

They continued to descend over the forest and the open grassland as they flew high above the mighty wall and over the rooftops of the eloquent stone buildings that filled the city below. The people in the streets stopped whatever they were doing to wave up or to simply watch the mighty ship that had come to dock - for some, no doubt - the return of any Reaper vessel to their capital city meant the possibility of loved ones lost to them forever. William's expression saddened as his thoughts drifted on to those people now left behind by the fallen twenty. As his mind wandered further, a large white tower suddenly caught his attention. It stretched high up over the other buildings around it and stood cylindrical in shape - like the tall turret of an old castle - with a thatched pointed roof of yellow straw.

"What's that building?" He asked inquisitively.

"Ah..." Hannah replied as a little smirk came subtly into existence, "That's the Agglomeration of Scientists!" She paused, "well worth a visit before we leave!"

"Leave?" William replied - slightly taken back, "leave for where?"

"I wish I knew," she sighed as her smile faded away.

The Firefly gently wafted on as William and his comrades quietly watched the white tower as it slowly passed them by.

"Shall we go down then?" Zaybian bellowed as he proceeded toward the hatch. He pulled its mighty weight slowly open and waited as Hannah, William and then Thysis climbed slowly back down the ladder.

"What are the games like?" William asked quietly as Zaybian climbed down to join them.

"They're... interesting," Thysis replied after some thought.

"No point standing around!" Zaybian fiercely interrupted as he headed back to the thin metal staircase that would take them back down to the floor of the ship. The other's followed in silence as their shoes clinked along the metal below their feet and filled the air with the sound.

They walked up to - and stood behind - the two crewmen that were still manned at their controls, before they watched with happy hearts as the small airfield - that they now descended toward – slowly approached. A small square of tarmac, surrounded by little yellow lights that blinked quickly in succession, was to be the Firefly's new home for the next few days. Gradually, they manoeuvred her into position and landed without as much as a bump. All at once - and without any prompt – the soldiers flooded out of their cabins to stand smartly in formation in the belly of the ship. The second and third levels were instant flurries of activity, as all walkways and stairways clinked excitedly in the madness. Once all seventy-six of them were formed up, the double doors at the back opened up and allowed Ivor \- with Arcadian and Heradex in toe - to join the rest of the crew in their eager anticipation.

Silence gripped the entire vessel as all of her crew stood and waited.

Hannah eventually stepped forward, "Loyal friends!" She shouted, "you have fought bravely for your ship, for your comrades and for your Kingdom!" A roar of cheer came from the body of excitable men before her, "today, we have landed in Galadria as tradition dictates. You will have your three days to relax and to be with those that you love," rowdy cheer filled the patient vessel, "then will come the start of the Games!" A second roar - louder than the first - rose up and filled the air, "enjoy the next five days, and I'll see you all back here - bright-eyed and bushy tailed, on the morning of the sixth!" A third and final cheer arose, before the door opened swiftly and allowed the happy crew to leave the ship - laughing and joking as they went.

When all of the soldiers had gone, Ivor approached the four remaining friends with the two unix trailing behind. He stopped just before Hannah;

"And what about you, dear friend?" She asked softly, "What will you do?"

Ivor thought for a while, "Oh," he sighed, "I will go and see my family in Fairfield no doubt, I hear that they have a new theatre there, then... I'll probably watch some of the games," as he spoke, he gently released the reigns and allowed them to dangle freely behind him, "I'll be seeing you miss," he said happily as he headed for the invading sunlight that had already conquered the ship.

"Well!" Zaybian roared, "I'm sure I'll be seeing you too!"

"That you will," Hannah smiled warmly.

"William." Zaybian firmly nodded as he headed for the tarmac.

"See you soon then!" exclaimed Thysis excitedly before he rushed to catch up.

Hannah smiled at her brother - being the only two left on board, "Five days," she said, "what say we spend them with father?'

William smiled and gently nodded in agreement.

"After we visit the Agglomeration of course!" she beamed as they both mounted their unix and trotted off of the ship. Quietly, its ramp retracted and its door closed tightly behind them as though it knew that there was nobody left to leave.

The remnants of the crew could now be seen in the distance - spread all around and headed in their own directions - whilst the majority had already utilized the two chimes that sat at the far end of the airfield. The sun was still as bright as ever - with a slight drizzle of rain in the air - whilst a guard of six of the city's armed soldiers kept a peaceful watch over the now-quietened ship as she peacefully slept.

"Come on William!" Hannah shouted as Arcadian began to gallop away. Heradex spread her majestic wings - just as Arcadian had - and they took off in near synchronization. High over the rooftops they flew and through the plumes of pure white smoke that had wafted up throughout the day. Furious winds now battered them as they raced over the many parks and waterways and the long narrow streets that wound tightly around them. Before long, the brilliant white tower was back in sight. Rapidly, they descended and as they approached, a man in a long white coat came quickly out of the building to welcome them;

"Welcome friends!" He bellowed as they cantered up to the entrance, "Welcome, to the Agglomeration of Scientists!"

The two riders excitedly dismounted as the odd man took a hold of the reigns, "Such, lovely creatures," he whispered quietly in admiration as he stroked Arcadian's neck. His gaze eventually turned to William, "Please, go on inside."

William looked to Hannah for reassurance and she smiled gently, "Come on then!" She squealed, as she hurried toward the great double doors as they opened before her. As they did so, they revealed an old man - in a long white coat of his own - stood with wide open arms and a smile of immense proportions upon his face.

Behind him, stood a mass of machinery that seemed to operate itself in near silence, with yet more people - in yet more white coats - that rushed all around and tended to each mechanical need. He, himself; bore crazy white hair with a preposterous white moustache that darted way out passed either side of his funny little face. He clasped both of his hands tightly together as the inquisitive pair slowly approached.

"Oh my!" He blurted, "This is exciting," he continued, rubbing his hands together furiously, "to actually see both of the children of Thyagreen - and together!" He shouted excitedly, "Come on then!" He asserted as he sped away.

"I ... am Professor Wentlock!" He eagerly announced as the two siblings raced madly behind him, "I head this Agglomeration!"

"What is all of this stuff?" William asked in amazement as he gathered breath and fleetingly glanced at the many curious machines that rushed by.

"Oh!" Shouted the Professor as he raced on, "Measuring devices, this and that, you know!"

"What are you measuring Professor?" Hannah asked, now even more intrigued than William was.

"Big things, small things, lots of things actually!" He exclaimed excitedly; "But what you absolutely must see, is in the roof... Come, come!"

He rushed up to \- and stopped eagerly before - an elevator with shining golden doors. He pushed the big red button on the wall beside it and anxiously awaited. Hannah and William stood breathless behind him until the elevator pinged and the golden doors slowly parted - much to the Professor's delight;

"All aboard that's going aboard!" He squealed as he rushed inside, "Soon, you'll see our greatest achievement!"

The elevator automatically began to ascend and time passed without another word uttered between them. The Professors electrical enthusiasm buzzed quietly behind William, as William himself, watched - with an almost nervousness inside of him - as his reflection in the shinny golden walls watched him in return. After a short while, they came to a gradual halt and the elevator pinged once again. William stepped quickly out once its doors had parted, followed by Hannah and then the Professor - who was still hyped up like a young child on Christmas morning.

They now stood within a relatively darkened room, with only the small amount of light that was thrown into it by a small window that was built into the thatched roof above them. Attached to the wall - directly before them - was a black, spherical object; with a thick, black cable that came out of it and that ran all of the way up the wall. The cable came to a sudden end inside a much smaller sphere that gazed longingly out of the tiny window.

"What... is it?" William asked with a slight feeling of deflation as he examined the strange object before him.

"Tell it who you are!" The Professor blurted as he rubbed his hands quickly together gleefully. For a few moments, William stayed silent and gazed at the sphere with a renewed intrigue.

He stepped closer to it as his eyes narrowed slightly, "William," he whispered ever so quietly.

A small red light lit up brightly beside it, "One entry," announced a strange, robotic voice that emanated from within it, "William Wyllie: born: August – first, twenty forty-three. Residential status: Battenburg, Region twenty-one, Thyagreen. Mother: Janet Wylie - Thyagreen. Father: King Giles, the first - Loucarta." The small red light - that had shone so brightly as it spoke - went instantly out as silence filled the tiny room;

"Isn't it marvellous?" The Professor beamed after a few moments, "But that's not all that it does!" He eagerly added, "Show us Thyagreen!" He demanded.

All at once, the little room filled with brilliant stars as they raced passed the three of them at stupendous speed. After an awe-inspiring moment, the illuminated planet of Thyagreen floated effortlessly in the space before them as steady stars twinkled brightly around them. Both William and Hannah stood in complete awe at the wondrous spectacle that they were now within.

"Region twenty-one!" The Professor demanded as he glowed with pride at the reactions of his audience.

The planet spun quickly in mid-air before it instantly stopped and Region twenty-one flashed vividly in the dim light.

"What you are looking at is merely a map," announced the Professor as he watched their astounded faces with delight, "but this machine can do so much more!" He whispered excitedly, "Battenburg!"

Immediately - and as quick as a flash - the planet grew tremendously until its atmosphere encased them and they found themselves immersed in thick white cloud that raced passed them at phenomenal speeds, "thirteenth of February, twenty fifty-seven!" He shouted wildly into the wind as William's eyes lit up brightly, "one twenty-two A.M.!"

Faster and faster, the cloud raced passed them, until it thinned to a gentle mist and the ground rushed toward them ferociously. They found themselves, now stood upon the lightly mottled cobblestones of a quiet street that William recognised in only the pale light from the moon above them.

"This seems so real!" Squealed William with excitement.

"It is exactly real!" Replied the Professor - still with an extremely large smile upon his face.

"This is really remarkable Professor," uttered Hannah in congratulations as she gazed around in amazement.

"Thank you Princess! But here is the truly remarkable part;" The Professor paused, as a slight glint floated in his eye, "Show us William!"

The scene - once again - began to fly quickly passed them - as their surroundings became a terrible blur and buildings raced toward them and then through them at warp speed. In no time at all, everything came to a sudden halt and they were stood inside William's little bedroom with another William asleep in William's bed. By now both William and Hannah were too awestricken to say anything at all.

"This is your actual past," the professor whispered as he looked to William.

All of a sudden, there was an almighty boom from the street outside that almost knocked everyone clean off of their feet as devilish engines raged loudly away. The two siblings each held their breath in fear of being discovered as the figment of William arose from his bed.

The professor chuckled as he watched their almost frightened faces, "Don't worry," he said joyfully, "he can neither hear us nor see us. Now this is what I wanted you to see!" He added, as the figment of William slowly turned his door handle. The door flung itself wildly open and crashed with a terrible thud into the other side of the wall as William's figment stared blankly into the dark abyss beyond before stepping slowly through the doorway. Hannah instantly stepped toward it in pursuit as the door slammed shut with utter conviction.

The professor chuckled as Hannah glared back at him, "Shall we see what is on the other side?" He asked playfully before the scene began to move slowly passed them. Both Hannah and William closed their eyes as the door approached, only to open them a few seconds later to take in the spectacular splendour of the cave now around them. Brilliant sunshine filled their being as William's figment watched a small lizard-like creature scurry madly between small puddles before him. William stepped closer to Hannah in preparation of what he knew was next and sure enough, a green haze materialized and almost filled the cave as it sapped almost all of the light from around it. Quickly, it condensed to take the form of a ghoulish and frightful man.

"Who are you?" The man whispered.

"I... am William," his figment replied, as William himself, mouthed the very words as he once spoke them.

"No! Not yet!" The figure rasped in surprise as it quickly disappeared. The little audience looked on, as William's figment, stood in complete surprise.

"Freeze-frame!" The Professor quickly shouted with the faded remnant of his usual smile. For a few moments, silence reigned once again, "You must forgive me," he suddenly flustered, "I... have to check something. Shut down!" He ordered as everything instantly vanished and the three of them were left – in pretty much the same spots – in the tiny room that they started in. The Professor pressed the big red button on the wall beside the elevator and the golden doors parted once again. Silently, he stepped into the lift. The confused siblings followed quickly as the shiny golden doors closed tightly behind them.

### Chapter Five – A King's Pain

The King sat engulfed in a large red armchair as a half-full glass of red wine swirled softly in one hand and an old photograph quivered vulnerably in the other. The space around him was gently lit by the great fire that raged furiously in the fireplace beside him, whilst before him, a small round table of solid oak stood proudly with thin, golden beading around its edge. A collection of old photographs - that partly documented his life in Thyagreen, centuries earlier - lay erratically strewn and completely covered its surface as he sat comfortably in the dim light.

The familiar sound of heels that clicked upon marbled floors came imminently from the corridor and grew louder and louder as they quickly approached. Suddenly they ceased and the old oak door beside the King creaked slowly open. Surrounded by the darkness of the corridor, Hannah stood and watched as the glow from the fireplace caressed her father gently.

"Ah, my angel," he whispered softly as he turned in his chair and gestured for her to walk in. Slowly she did so, followed closely by William and flicked a golden switch beside her as the many chandeliers above them lit up.

"And my little soldier too!" The King exclaimed as he rose from his seat.

The light that now filled the room revealed it to be quite huge and yet quite empty for a space of its size.

Great rugs of fur littered the floor and great golden framed paintings - depicting vast open plains and rolling hills - hung solemnly from the walls. Immense crystal windows stood at the far end of the room, draped with thick heavy curtains of dark red velvet that were drawn tightly closed to block out the last of the day's sun. The curtains were made all the darker by the sheer volume of dust that had settled upon them throughout the ages, whilst great thin cylinders stood in each corner of the room and stretched all of the way up to its elegant ceiling that stretched out high overhead. The two siblings walked slowly up to their father - who by now had sat back into his armchair - and sat heavily into a chair of their own.

Hannah gazed at the photos before her that presented themselves all the better in the light, whilst William simply sat and gazed deeply into the flames.

"I haven't seen some of these," she said quietly.

The King drank from his almost empty glass; "I haven't been much of a father to either of you," he said slowly, "for that - I am truly sorry." The lump that William had suddenly felt in his throat made it hard to respond, as did the tears that he tried so hard to resist.

"You've been more of a father to me than I could ever have asked for," Hannah quietly cooed with deep concern in her voice, "the past, is in the past. We are all together now, that's what's important."

William remained silent whilst the flames continued to dance for him.

"I have wronged you my daughter and I have wronged you my son, I have wronged both of your mothers in turn and have regretted it these many years. Still, I have remained here as King," he took the last sip from his glass before he placed it on to the table before him, "as King, I have wronged nobody and I am, at the very least, tolerated by all," he paused for a moment in thought, "some even like me," he chuckled softly as he fell back into his chair and stared deep into the flames that continued to lick high into their housing.

"How have you fared my daughter?" He asked as his thoughts turned suddenly to business.

"The Firefly lost twenty men," she replied with sorrow in her heart, "I'm told they died bravely."

For a few moments, the King was silent. Only the sound of the flames that flicked violently filled the emptiness of the room before Jax appeared quietly in the doorway and knocked gently on the door.

The King quickly looked around and gradually smiled, "Ah, come in my friend!"

Jax walked quietly into the room, "I have the advert ready for your approval my King."

"Then let's see it," he sternly replied.

Jax walked up to a small black box that sat neatly upon a shelf next to the draped, red curtains and inserted a small disc, before disappearing and momentarily reappearing beside William.

The King rose from his armchair and sat gently beside his daughter - facing the device at the other end of the huge room. He looked at William with a smile, "Everything you will now see before you is entirely holographic, there is no need for alarm," he whispered as he sat back into his new chair, "play!" He asserted.

Immediately, a single soldier appeared in the space before them wearing a brilliant red blazer and holding a short sword with an emerald-green handle firmly in his grasp. He stood poised, ready to strike, as a loud and deep voice filled the room; "The Glitherhiem Games!" It rumbled as it echoed out and two foul beasts appeared on either side of him - snarling and drooling as they waited. Suddenly, he struck at one and then swiftly at the other before they vanished in turn and he froze in position. The voice sounded once more, "twenty men!" It bellowed before the soldier himself vanished and the Firefly appeared as it flew swiftly through light cloud in a strong blue sky, "to join the Firefly!" The image quickly vanished altogether as all of the lights went instantly out, "players must be eighteen years or over, games commence in three days," the tone of the voice changed demonically, "the beasts are waiting!" It snarled before the lights came back on.

The King applauded; "Tell me old friend," he squinted, "how did you do it so quickly?"

"One never reveals his secrets, your majesty," Jax smirked.

The King looked around at Hannah and William, who were both awestricken, "How did you like it my boy?" He asked with a smile.

"It was amazing!" William quickly replied without hesitation.

"Run with it," the King announced before Jax disappeared, "I'll never get used to him doing that!" He chuckled as he rose once again, "You and your sister will stay here for the next few days," he paused, "that is of course, if you want to."

"Oh yes! I do!" Replied William eagerly.

"Good! Then it's settled. My home is your home," he beamed as he poured himself a new glass of red wine and sat comfortably back into his armchair.

"I'll show you to your room then," Hannah said softly as she rose to her feet.

William jumped up and closely followed as they headed back to the open door and walked swiftly back along the corridor.

A sea of marble swirled under their feet as they walked across the hallway whilst majestic white staircases curved up to new heights at each far side. Surrounding on all sides, were white wooden doors - all with golden handles and all with golden frames that each led to yet more secret places. William hurried to keep up as they quickly ascended one of the staircases that led them to a new level of finery. Golden statues of knights on horseback with gem-studded swords lifted high into the air dotted the floor, whilst monumental tapestries of war scenes and landscapes - framed with thin golden weave - covered all of the walls. Each footstep echoed loudly and reverberated as it instantly came into existence. Hannah slowly led William to a single door that stood proudly in solitude right between two of the elegant tapestries, whilst a golden knight sat bravely on his steed, far before it.

"This room should suffice," she said ever so quietly as she smiled, "goodnight, my brother," she whispered before she continued along and disappeared behind another of the intriguing doors. William gazed around before he slowly opened his own door and stepped into the spacious room before him. A huge double bed, with four red pillows and a thick red duvet, lounged within and filled much of the space before him, whilst one of the tall palace windows - draped in none other than the dark red drapes that he had seen throughout the rest of the palace - drew his attention. He closed the door behind him and approached the mighty window. For a long while, he stood in gaze of the strange - almost ominous - illumination from the setting sun far beyond.

"William!" He heard before he quickly opened his eyes and sat upright on the bed in a panic.

"Who's there?" He asked in confusion as he waited for his door to open.

After a short while and with no response, he settled back down and closed his eyes once again.

"It is I, William - Aurora," whispered the same majestic voice, "welcome home my Prince."

William quickly opened his eyes once more in fear of the unknown and lay completely still.

"Aeons ago, I sent your father into your world to give Glitherhiem two Thyagreetion heirs. Hannah was the first to return and now you have come home to us."

His heart thumped rapidly in his chest.

"You are the youngest of a long line of Loucartion royalty; it is your blood that will free me, William."

Quickly and in a panic, he sprang from his bed and bolted out of his room. Along the marbled floor he flew and toward the white staircase that swiftly took him back down to the expanse of the great hall. For a while, he stood in confusion - gazing at the many elegant doors around him and trying hard to remember which one he and his sister had used earlier that evening. One of the palace guards that had been stationed at the palace entrance approached him quietly. He stood tall in gleaming red and black and wore a look of concern upon his worldly face.

"Are you quite alright young Prince?" He asked kindly.

"I..." William flustered, still gazing from door-to-door.

"I'll take you to your father," nodded the guard.

William quickly followed as he was led along the same dark corridor that he had followed his sister along that evening before, until they stopped at the open door of the King's study - where the King still sat comfortably and pondered on years gone by.

"William?" He uttered in concern as he peered at him from across the room, "what is the matter my boy?"

Slowly, William entered the huge room as the guard continued along the corridor until the strike of his heels could no longer be heard. William sat opposite his father - in the same chair that he had earlier sat in \- and once again gazed deeply into the flames that still raged with the same ferocity that he had remembered.

The King watched him patiently with a worried look upon his face.

"I... heard Aurora in my room," William eventually uttered.

His father sat silently and listened intently to his son.

"She said that she sent you into my world to father two heirs."

"She speaks the truth," the King said lovingly, "after millennia of Loucartion royalty, a fresh gene pool is essential to thin the blood. Thyagreetion traits compliment those of Loucartion perfectly."

William gazed at his loving fathers face.

"You should be proud, my boy, you are both of Thyagreen and of Loucarta," the King paused and smiled, "you are also the youngest of the Loucartion royalty."

"Yes," William replied quietly as he gazed back into the fire, "she said that as well."

"A single drop of the blood that flows throughout you, mixed with that of a Demonite's, will grant you entrance to Haidreal," his father added.

William's eyes grew wide and his mouth grew quickly dry as he gazed back at the noble figure before him.

"And the right magic shall bring you back," continued the King with a twinkle in his eye, "think of it William!" He shouted excitedly, "to rescue a Goddess! That is what awaits you in destiny!" he paused briefly, "tomorrow," he uttered, "tomorrow, we will start your training."

William awoke to a gentle knock on his door and found himself back in the huge double bed covered with the soft red duvet.

"Come in," he said groggily.

The door slowly opened and in walked Hannah, all bright and bubbly, "Come on!" she excitedly exclaimed, "cook has prepared us a wonderful breakfast!"

William slowly clambered out of bed and once he was up and dressed, they proceeded toward the great curved staircase and down to the great hallway.

The King was already sat at one end of a very long and very wide cherry-wood dining table that was fitted with fourteen chairs and that was adorned with great brown candle sticks – fitted, with pearly white, unlit candles. The dining room door slowly opened and in walked Hannah with William just steps behind her. Hannah immediately took a seat whilst William was slower off of the mark and slowly approached the table in quiet amazement.

The King began to laugh, "Sit down my boy!" He chuckled as William chose a chair and finally sat down. All at once, four servants in long white coats rushed in from the great kitchen. They each pushed before them, a double tiered, silver trolley - loaded to capacity with exciting foods and delicious treats of all kinds and colours. William watched each dish intently as it passed him by, as each servant began to lay all of their wares gently on to the table. Hannah, too, gazed around in excitement in contemplation of her first enjoyment. When all of the food was loaded on to the mighty table, the servants - all at once, returned to the huge kitchen with their empty trolleys - leaving the King with his two children fixated on the delicious foods before them. There were great pancakes and golden syrup, all kinds of scrumptious cereals, numerous brightly coloured jugs with all kinds of drinks within them, more fruit than anyone could possibly eat - some of which William had never even seen before, ice creams of all different colours - with all different things within them, sponge cakes, chocolate cakes and all kinds of other niceties.

Three further servants - that appeared to come out of nowhere – quickly set about laying dishes and silver cutlery in front of the three dinners-to-be, before they hurried quickly away.

"Why is there so much food?" William asked, still undecided about what to eat first.

"When we are all finished - and are gone," the King quietly began; "All of my staff have their own fill," he smiled to himself, "there will be even more in the kitchen no doubt!"

William and Hannah began to fill their bowls and glasses, whilst the King looked on and enjoyed the scene before him, "After you finish, William," he said after a short while, "I will take you to see my tailor.'

William nodded and the King began to fill his own bowl. They ate and drank heartily, as they laughed and talked and enjoyed one-another's company in the morning light.

Once they were finished, Hannah quickly left the table to tend to the unix, whilst the King took his son to see his tailor as he had suggested. Back along the corridor they flew and once again, into the great hall, until they stopped in front of yet another golden handled door. This door felt different somehow as the King slowly turned the handle and they entered the room within. Before them, stood manikin upon manikin - dressed up to the hilt, in the finest clothes that William had ever seen, whilst vast Mirrors - of all shapes and sizes - adorned nearly all of the wall space within the huge room.

"Tailor!" Cried the King before a small, aged man poked his head up from behind a pile of fabrics rolls.

"This is Theodore," The King announced as he looked at his son, "Theodore, my dear friend, my son needs a new wardrobe. I'll leave it to you then," he said before he left the room and left Theodore and William; who simply gazed at each other.

"William, is it?" Theodore gently asked after a while as he slowly approached.

"Yes sir," William replied quietly.

"No need for that son, you can call me Theodore, everybody does!" He smiled, "now let's get you in front of Clarence," he gestured as William followed him.

"Who's Clarence?" William asked in confusion.

"He's not so much of a whom;" Theodore paused, "more of a what!" He added as he positioned William in front of one of the tallest mirrors in the room, "now stay still for Clarence as I measure you up."

William remained still, in the various poses that Theodore had placed him in, whilst the funny little man measured and jotted on to a small notepad that he held tightly in his hand. After a while - and a lot of measurements - he announced; "Right, that's that. Let's see what colours you like," as he once again gestured for William to follow him. He led him to a wall of fabric swatches of all different colours and textures; "Now you just take your time and tell old Theodore what you like."

William slowly raised his hand to the swatches that covered the wall and ran his fingers through lots of different ones - before returning to them, time and time again and announcing: 'This one' every now and then as Theodore jotted and scribbled madly.

After a while, William lowered his hand.

"Are there no more that you like?" Theodore asked inquisitively.

"Um... I don't think so," William slowly replied.

"Good!" Theodore shouted, "I've got your measurements and I've got your preferences," the old tailor looked at William with a funny look in his eye and a slight smirk upon his face, "now, I take it that you don't want any floral dresses?" Theodore paused, before laughing like never before at the William's expression; "Don't worry," he said wiping his tears away, "I'm just messing with you. I'll have your new clothes sent to your room just as soon as you can spell jackonannyflap!"

William thanked the crazy old man and left to find his father.

### Chapter Six – A Marvellous Gift

As he entered back into the great hall, a strange man towered ominously over him that made him jump back in surprise.

"Ah, good morning Prince," he said with a quiet smoothness to his voice. His eyes were scared over behind wrinkled skin as he stood tall in a long black gown and bore wafer thin hair.

"Um, Good morning Sir," William slowly replied.

The man laughed raspingly, "Don't know when I was last called that! My name is Avarian ... Your father has asked me to teach you."

"Teach me?" William repeated in confusion.

"Precisely," Avarian replied, "Leptar will already know that you are here. He isn't going to give up Aurora easily. I can aid you."

For a moment William said nothing but gazed at the frightful man before him, "How is it that you see me?" He sheepishly asked.

"Just because a man cannot see, Prince," Avarian paused as he smiled and walked slowly backwards, "it does not mean, that he is blind," he loudly added as he raised his arms and the hall instantly filled with spirits that glowed intensely and flew at tremendous speeds as they wove tightly around each other.

William instantly tensed up as he watched with fear. His eyes widened dramatically and his mouth gaped open. Slowly, the mage lowered his arms once again, as he walked slowly back to William and the spirits - just as instantly - disappeared.

"My friends show me everything that I need to see," he paused and smiled gently, "be not afraid young Prince," William's eyes began to narrow and his mouth slowly closed as he composed himself; "They are with me always and they keep me safe in this world. They are my guides," Avarian said lovingly, "as I said, I can help you."

"Ah!" The King shouted with great affection as he walked up from behind them. "I see that you two have met!"

William slowly nodded.

"Yes my King," Avarian smiled, "we have indeed."

The King sighed, "Now William, we need to start your training," he looked at Avarian and placed his hand firmly upon his shoulder before looking back at his young boy, "there is not a man, in my world or in yours, that I trust more," he looked back at his friend, "did you bring it?"

"Yes, my King - as you asked."

The King smiled warmly, "Good. Follow us William," he gestured as they walked quickly away.

William followed as they hurried across the great hall before they entered through a plain wooden door that was partially concealed by one of the curved stairways.

Before them, sat a single chime that luminesced brightly in the gloominess of the small room. The King and Avarian walked straight on to it, whilst William fell slightly hesitant; "Where are we going?" He cautiously asked.

"To an Aurorian monastery," Avarian replied quietly before the King could even open his mouth, "fear me not, William. I only mean to help you."

Slowly, William stepped on to the chime and walked up to his father before all three of them disappeared into the thin air around them.

They rematerialized on top of a chime that glowed vividly in the near darkness of yet another small room that sat far underground. Avarian led the way and cautiously, William followed, as his father walked quietly behind them. Quickly, they left the small room and hurried along a damp, dingy corridor that took them to a small flight of stone stairs. Eventually and still in darkness, they came to a huge wooden door that slowly opened as they approached. Inside, a large, airy, yet dingy room was solely lit by numerous wooden torches that blazed away - held in their holders and fastened to the walls. Stood all around them, were numerous figures \- all draped in long dark robes, with pointed hoods and veils that covered their mouths.

Each of the figures held - clasped tightly in their cupped hands before them - a large metallic sphere that dangled freely on a long thin chain. As the great wooden door - that was now behind them - closed, the figures began to swing their metallic spheres gently from side to side as each one slowly released a thick blue gas - that glowed intensely - into the dusty air around it.

"Do not be alarmed William," whispered Avarian, "these are Aurorian monks. The gas is merely an aid to help you relax."

William turned to face his father; who placed a hand firmly on to his shoulder.

"It's ok," he said softly.

William looked back to Avarian - who had taken an egg-shaped rock that glowed vibrantly in the darkness – out from underneath his cloak and offered it to William - who stared at it, as it reflected itself in his bright blue eyes.

His father removed his hand from William's shoulder, "Take it boy," he whispered quickly.

William slowly took the strange rock which still glowed furiously, with both hands, as Avarian released it and watched in anticipation. Immediately, the rock began to rumble.

"Quickly Prince!" Avarian stressed, "Place it on the ground!"

William gently placed it on to the dusty ground before him and remained squatted before it as he gazed in wonder.

"It's a sylus egg," Avarian whispered as it rumbled on.

"A dragon William!" Announced the King; "Your dragon!"

"Yes... a dragon!" Avarian smiled, "But a special type of dragon. A sylus is a creature that will always look out for you, as long as you leave it be," William watched the egg as it continued to rumble with great awe in his eyes, "a sylus must be free to live alone, as it chooses to. It will visit you, when it likes, from time to time and it will always come to you if you are ever in any danger."

With that, the egg stopped its frantic rumble, causing William to peer closer, before it suddenly smashed - all by itself - into smithereens and left a little creature as it coughed and gazed at William; who was still squatted before it.

"Pick it up," Avarian gently whispered.

William cupped the little sylus gently in his hands. As he stood up, he brought his hands closer to his face so that he could better see the small creature in the dim light.

"It will give you a gift, you must accept it with an open heart," the King said softly.

The tiny creature slowly opened its mouth and instantly released a green plume of gas into William's face. William immediately fell unconscious on to the stone floor beneath him as the sylus leapt quickly from his hands.

William awoke, on a small bed of straw in a small bare room, as the sun streamed in through the small window beside him. Slowly, he arose and walked out into a huge stone hall. A plain wooden table stood at one end - where Avarian and his father were sat before a simple meal of bread and oats.

"Ah. Glad to see you up and about my boy! I was getting worried," announced the King, as William slowly approached.

"Aye!" Replied Avarian: "There's not many that sleep as long as that after a sylus waft!" He chuckled to himself, "Have some food and something to drink."

"How long did I sleep?" William asked inquisitively.

"We have been here for two days," replied the King quietly.

"Have we missed the games?" Asked William quickly.

"No," laughed the King, "they start tomorrow. Have some food, William."

William took a seat and helped himself to a bowl of oats and a handful of bread rolls.

"Good," said Avarian, "you must be hungry."

William said nothing but stuffed his little face frantically.

"After you have eaten," Avarian continued, "we will go outside and you can free your sylus."

The three ate in silence until they were full and could eat no longer.

"Where is the sylus?" William eventually asked after he drank a tall glass of water in a single attempt.

Avarian reached into his pocket and brought out the little creature as it sat quietly, nestled in his large hand. When it saw William, it leapt from Avarian's hand and flew across the table to where he was sat. William opened his hand as it approached and it landed comfortably upon it.

William laughed, "It can fly already!"

"Sylus can fly just a few hours after hatching," informed the King as he chuckled gently.

"He's been waiting for you," Avarian added.

"Then let's release him!" William exclaimed, as he stood up and quickly headed for the open archway that led out into the glorious day. The King and Avarian quickly hurried to follow him out.

The grounds of the monastery were vast, with stone aqueducts and outhouses dotted around them, whilst long thin grasses covered the ground beneath them.

"Do I do anything special?" Asked William as he looked back to his father.

"He is a part of you now," Avarian answered, "he has given you part of his spirit. Do whatever you feel is right."

William raised the little creature - that still sat happily in his hand - up to his face and gave it a little kiss on the top of its head.

"I'll call you Draygor," he whispered, before he stretched out his arm and Draygor flew slowly away. The three of them stood and watched the wondrous creature as he flew further and further, until he was completely out of sight.

"Now what do we do?" William asked slowly.

The King smiled, "What do you want to do?" He asked gently.

"Well," William thought for a moment, "what about that training?"

"It has already begun," announced Avarian with a smile, "you have released your sylus. That shows that you are not of selfish nature. The sylus spirit - that is now within you - shall grow and strengthen your own resolve."

"More importantly," added the King, "it shall strengthen you as a whole and it will help to protect your spirit from the evil of this world that would readily corrupt - or indeed - harm it."

William fell silent, "Where do we go after the games?" He eventually asked, as if a great burden had suddenly been bestowed upon him.

"Avarian shall be travelling with you," said the King, "he and his spirits shall watch over all of you."

"But where do we go?" William repeated.

"To Feliisha," Avarian announced, "and to Aurora's Oracle. There she shall guide you."

"Let us return to the palace," said the King quietly, "tomorrow brings the big games."

At that, the three of them returned to the small chime within the monastery that the King and Avarian had used to bring William up from the depths and returned instantly to the palace.

They all re-emerged from the little room and walked back into the hallway renewed. William headed outside and into the sun that battered down whilst the King and Avarian went their own separate ways.

William hurried between the monumental white pillars that flanked the main entrance and down the huge white staircase that led into the open grassland that the palace sat amidst. He noticed his sister sat in the tall grass ahead and he rushed toward her. She turned with a smile as he approached and he sat down beside her.

"Hello little brother," she smiled, "did you get your sylus?"

"How did you know about that?" He asked with an increasing grin.

"I heard talk," she replied.

"He's called Draygor!" William excitedly announced.

"That's a good name for a sylus," Hannah smiled.

For a long while, they sat still in the grass without another word passing between them.

"Where's Feliisha?" William eventually asked curiously.

Hannah smiled, "It's a marvellous place William. It's a floating city, full of enlightened people!"

"Avarian said that we need to go to Aurora's oracle," he added.

"Then there we shall go," she replied with a smile, "we should be glad if Avarian is coming."

William smiled and lied back in the tall grass before he closed his eyes under the heat of the day. Hannah too smiled, as she looked at her small brother beside her, before doing the same. There, the pair remained, whilst the rest of the day trickled slowly away.

The morning of the Glitherhiem Games had finally come and the air buzzed with electrical excitement. Galadria Stadium - where the first event was to be held, was a forty-thousand seat venue and was full to the brim with spectators as they laughed and chattered - and those that knew the fallen twenty remembered and celebrated their lives and many happy years of service. The sun pounded down hard as it always seemed to and the heat of the day had already picked up. The King sat on his majestic chair inside of the royal box, with William, Hannah and Avarian sat around him.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Came a loud voice through the many speakers that sat in their housing throughout the venue, "boys and girls! Welcome to the Glitherhiem Games!" A roar of thunderous cheer came from all around before it gradually quietened back down. "Let us take a few moments to remember the twenty brave souls that lost their lives that led to these extraordinary events."

Everyone fell silent as time seemed to stand still. Only the odd rustle from the odd breeze that blew about the stadium could be heard. Eventually, the commentator over the microphone spoke again; "Twenty day-works will now be released in remembrance."

Just as they were announced, they were lit and flew high into the air, high above the stadium with monstrous explosions from each one that sent reams of colour racing throughout the air in all directions.

"To compete for the twenty places aboard the Firefly, are just over two thousand - five hundred competitors, from all over the Kingdom!" Eventually announced the commentator after all twenty day-works had exploded to their final majesty. A huge roar once again rose up, before it quietened back down, as ten horse-mounted soldiers with numbers on their fronts and on their backs, rode proudly on to the grounds.

"Today's event is the short sword fight!" Cheers once again filled the air, "ten horse-backed fighters at a time, will be allowed on to the grounds! The object for you guys down there is to stay on your horses!"

With that, the ten soldiers - all with a short-sword of hardened steel clenched tightly in their fists, began to battle it out for all that they were worth. The clinking of armour mixed with the cheers from the crowd, as one by one, they fell from grace and disappeared from view. Each winner of a remaining pair rode out of sight to a heroes cheer. The heat sweltered as the day pressed on and groups of spectators began to utilize the chimes at the tops of the stands - some of which returned later in the day. By the final showdown of the remaining pair, most everybody had begun to show signs of wear and the immense heat had all but died back down as the sun began to slowly fade away. The final sword-fight endured for quite some time, but eventually, one of them fell.

"And there you have it folks! The winner of the sword-fights! Give him a hand!"

The cheer that ensued out-shone all that had gone before it with a thunderstorm of applause that accompanied it, before the winner finally rode out of sight and the crowd gradually quietened back down for the last time.

Soon enough, everybody - in their dribs and drabs – had made their way to one of the many chimes and before long the venue was almost empty. The King rose gracefully from his seat and followed by his three companions, stepped on to the private chime that sat nestled within the royal box.

"Well, how did you like it?" Asked the King as they all materialized upon the small chime in the Palace once again.

"It was thrilling!" William replied, full of bounce.

Hannah laughed, "I haven't heard anyone say thrilling for ages!" She exclaimed as they walked across the hallway.

"Well it was!" Insisted William with a huge smile that threatened to burst passed the boundaries of his face.

"It must be a boy-thing," she laughed, "I liked it, but not as much as you did, obviously!"

"What do we have for tomorrow?" William asked excitedly.

"Tomorrow will test the contenders shooting ability," replied the King.

"I like shooting too!" William Exclaimed.

The morning of the second day of the games had quickly arrived and once again, everybody was full of beans. The venue for the second day's event was an area of the Northern Plains. It had been cleared of beasts and foul creatures aeons earlier and had been reclaimed and fitted-out with ultra hi-tech holographic equipment. It was a vast area of sandy open space, dotted with great stone pillars that held the railing-encompassed platforms that the spectators would sit upon. Each platform held its own chime. By the time the King and his three companions arrived on the royal platform, the others were full to the brim with more and more excitable and boisterous spectators. Again the atmosphere was electrical as the same two and a half thousand soldiers stood ready on the plains below - each with a modified rifle.

"Alright! Welcome to the second day of the Glitherhiem Games!" Came the commentator's voice as it blasted through the speakers and sparked an outcry of cheers and encouragement for the soldiers below; "Today is the shooting and the ferocity event! Thousands of holographic targets are going to soon be racing through the air! Each rifle will fire electrical signals that can be detected by the targets and that will make them disappear. Our computers will be able to keep tabs on who shoots what!" Another roar filled the plains, as did tens of thousands of different coloured targets, all of various colours and sizes and all that raced and whizzed through the air at different heights and at different speeds.

Right away, the soldiers began to shoot, as behind the scenes, the computers kept track of which targets were shot down by which rifle. Each time a target was shot, another would materialize elsewhere to take its place. The spectators went ballistic as they shouted and screamed down at the soldiers that frenzied far below them. The sun wasn't as hot as it had been - which was a good thing since there were no shelters on the platforms – and the manic mayhem continued for what seemed like half of the day, until finally, all of the targets suddenly vanished and the soldiers all lowered their weapons.

"Well, wasn't that fun!" Came the commentator's voice once more, "The next and final event is the ferocity event!" The crowds cheered like never before as all of the soldiers below them exchanged their rifles for modified sabres as they utilized chimes that sat around them and returned moments later; "This event will test the contender's speed and coordination as well as their stamina - which is undoubtedly already drained! The contenders must sleigh as many Kaybar as they can! Kaybar are ferocious and hideous, but don't worry folks - these ones are holographic!"

Instantly, thousands of holographic beasts appeared among the ever-ready soldiers - who immediately began to slash frantically at each one around them. As one-by-one the creatures were vanquished, more and more appeared elsewhere on the plains - just as the coloured targets had. Again the frenzied madness ensued, as the spectators - that overflowed the platforms above - cheered for the soldiers below. Eventually and after tens of thousands of holograms had been slain, the gigantic holoprojectors - that also dotted the site, were turned off - and the beasts, all at once, vanished into nothingness. The very tired, two and a half thousand soldiers, stood on the empty plains once more as they gasped madly for air.

"HooWee!" Came the familiar voice over the speakers once again, "There's a lot of tired faces out there! By the time you've all gotten your breath back, the scores would have been added to yesterdays - and that'll be that!" The crowds cheered wildly whilst the exhausted soldiers on the ground looked at each other in wonder. After a few minutes, the names of the top twenty were read out over the speakers. Each name sparked an outburst of cheer and applause from the spectators above and quiet congratulations from their fellow comrades on the sands with them.

"And that's the twenty!" Announced the commentator once all of the names had been read out; "Well done to you all, but especially to those of you who will now join the crew of the Firefly – which, by the way - leaves at first light tomorrow! Spend the rest of the day saying your goodbyes and I'm sure you'll all make fine additions!" With that, loud brass band music played out through the speakers as the spectators slowly left their platforms buzzing. Once again, the King arose from his seat and followed by everyone else, stepped on to his private chime before disappearing.

### Chapter Seven – The Quest Begins

"So that's that," Hannah said quietly once everybody had made their way across the marbled floor of the great hall once more, "we leave in the morning."

"So starts your quest," uttered the King.

William remained silent as thoughts of destiny occupied his young mind.

"Try not to worry, Prince," reassured Avarian, "it'll be fine I'm sure."

That night, everybody went to their rooms early to pack up and to get ready for the next morning. William entered his room after wishing his father, his sister and Avarian a good night and found that all of his new clothes had already been packed for him in a single, large bag, with a small piece of paper attached to it which read; 'See you soon, young Prince.'

William awoke to a gentle knock on his door as he stretched out in his huge double bed for what he knew, was going to be, the last time in a long while. He slowly made his way down to the great hall where everybody was already waiting. The King hugged his daughter tightly as William walked slowly down the stairs and across the marbled floor toward them. The King turned to face his son as William placed his bag on to the floor and he wrapped his strong arms around him. William squeezed his father just as tightly in return as the feelings that he had felt the last time that he said goodbye flooded instantly back.

"We have to go," Hannah said softly after a while.

"Yes... Go on now, all of you," the King quietly agreed as he released his grip and so too, did William, "may the Gods be with you."

William picked up his heavy bag and the three adventurers made their quiet way down the huge white staircase.

"We'll use the unix," Hannah announced as they got to the bottom, "I've had John and Matthew ready them for us. You can fly with me Avarian."

"Very well," Avarian replied quietly.

The three of them briskly hurried to were their loyal beasts patiently awaited them.

"Good morning John," Hannah smiled as they entered the stables, "good morning Matthew."

"Good morning Miss Hannah," replied John as William walked up to Heradex and Hannah and Avarian approached Arcadian, "Morning Prince."

William had already mounted his unix and was confidently trotting out of the stall before he could even be assisted - whilst Hannah and Avarian took a little longer.

"Just hold on Avarian!" Hannah shouted as Arcadian began to gallop. Heradex, as always, began to copy Arcadian and as he took off, so too, did she. Before long, they were both high up in the air once again as they flew swiftly over the same rooftops and waterways until they could see the small airfield below them. The Firefly was fully loaded with its crew - along with its new twenty members - by the time the two unix had landed and trotted back aboard. Zaybian and Thysis were stood behind the manned control panels - as they usually were;

"Ah!" Roared Zaybian, as he turned to see the three rider's approach, "I was told that we would carry the great Avarian. Now I see it for myself!"

Avarian laughed, "You always did know how to welcome an old man!" He bellowed as the three dismounted and Ivor slowly approached.

"Hello Ivor," smiled Hannah, "did you enjoy the theatre?"

Ivor took Arcadian's reigns in one hand and Heradex's in the other, "It was a nice change Miss Hannah - didn't see a lot of the show mind. Mind you... I did enjoy seeing my family again," he smiled gently before he led the two unix toward the mighty double doors.

"There's been a cabin built for you - on the deck," announced Thysis, as he walked towards Avarian.

"Thank you old friend," Avarian smiled, "if you'll all excuse me then, I should like to retire," he said quietly as he headed for the thin metal staircases.

"What heading do we take?" Asked one of the soldiers at the controls.

"We head for Feliisha," Hannah loudly announced as she looked with a smile, at her brother. The door of the airship slowly closed and the Firefly slowly lifted gracefully into the air once more. Higher and higher it climbed until it was eventually back home in the clouds.

"Come on," Hannah said softly as she gestured to William, "I'll show you your cabin."

William picked up his bag of clothes and followed his sister. They headed for one of the thin metal staircases and continued up to the third level of cabins. They then stopped at one of the doors, just before they reached the ladder that led up to the deck.

"This one's yours," Hannah said with her usual grace, "mine is right at the end. I'll let you settle in; we've got a three-day flight ahead of us," she smiled before she walked further along the walkway headed for her own cabin. William slowly opened the door that he was stood beside. Inside was small, with a plain bed, a rickety old wardrobe and an old empty bookshelf squeezed tightly in. He threw his bag onto the bed from the doorway and rushed to the small ladder to go up to the deck. Slowly he climbed up and unlatched the hatch - before struggling to push it open. A newly built cabin sat centred proudly on the deck, sheltered by the mighty red balloon that carried them. Light mist had once again invaded and had completely surrounded it. As William approached, its tiny door slowly opened and Avarian lay on top of his simple bed within.

"Come in, Prince," he said quietly as he sat slowly up and gestured for William to sit beside him, "you wish to know about Feliisha," he whispered with a smile.

"Well, yes," William quietly replied in amazement, "what do you know of it?"

"It is a floating Kingdom of four islands," Avarian replied with a fond smile, "the islands are stationary above the great waterfalls to the North - far from the boundaries of Glitherhiem."

William listened to the old man intently as he continued on, "Legend has it, that it was where Aurora was born. She was the beautiful daughter of a great Lord, then one day, her beauty caught Remanon's eye and he took her for his wife - making her a Goddess. Leptar grew insatiably jealous and plotted Remanon's demise. For his treachery, he was banished from Mythica and cast down to Haidreal, where he now resides," Avarian paused, "the Great Oracle is where Aurora shall speak to you, I'm sure of it."

The pair sat - side by side - in silence for some time, contemplating what lied ahead; "Are your spirits with you now?" William quietly asked as he broke the silence.

"Yes, my Prince," Avarian grinned, "they are always with me," Avarian's smile slowly faded and a look of concern replaced it, "we have a long flight ahead of us, Prince. I have time enough to listen. What is the matter?"

"It's just that..." William paused for a few moments in deep thought.

"A lot is expected of you," Avarian replied as his smile returned.

"Well, yes," confirmed William.

"I know that it seems like you are alone, but we are all here with you. Even in the midst of darkness, there is always a speck of light."

William thought about the darkness beyond his bedroom door and the tiny spec of light that had convinced him to leave it.

"Thank you friend," William said with a grateful smile as he stood up and left the small cabin. He slowly walked over to the railing that surrounded the deck and peered out into the mist that engulfed the tiny ship. As he lent on the railing and gazed out in thought, he noticed a small dark shape - just too far to make out - that seemed to follow them. He watched the small shadow for quite some time as he lost himself, deep in thought, once more. Suddenly, he noticed that the strange shadow had gone and as he looked around, it once again returned.

"It would seem, that a friend has found you," said Avarian - who was now stood behind him.

The shape suddenly grew in size as it closed the gap between them. William lit up with excitement when he saw his little sylus, as it flew along the side them, close enough to touch.

"Draygor!" He shouted as he laughed.

Draygor was quite a bit larger by now, but still small enough to be William's little sylus.

"How has he grown so quickly?" He asked as amazement took a hold of him - his eyes still fixated on his little pet as it flew strongly against the wind.

"Sylus have a quick growth cycle," Avarian replied, "yet they live for thousands of years in their adult form."

William watched with a smile for quite some time before it flew back into the thick mist beyond and disappeared from sight.

"That was amazing!" William exclaimed as he gazed out - still with a smile - in the hope that it would return.

"Yes, it was," his companion replied, "You will see him again, Prince, but not today. What do you say we get something to eat?"

"I am hungry," smiled William as he turned to face his friend.

"Then let us go below deck. I believe it is time."

The two friends headed back to the hatch and slowly descended into the ship.

"Hello you two!" Smiled Hannah as she walked up behind them. Have you come to see what Ivor has for us?"

The three friends, surrounded by soldiers who were all headed for the same place, headed toward the staircase that took them down to the belly of the ship.

The mighty double doors opened inwards as they approached them and for the first time, they revealed to William, their secrets within. Before them, now stood four wooden stables - Arcadian stood in one of them and Heradex stood in another. To their left and tucked away by the wall, sat an open hatchway in the floor. Hannah proceeded down the small ladder within, followed by Avarian and then by William. They emerged to find numerous soldiers sat at two long metal tables that were completely covered with all kinds of delicious foods as they ate heartily. The three friends sat down where they could and filled their plates with hungry eyes. The three day flight went in pretty much the same way - the crew ate when they could, slept when they could and enjoyed one another's company.

On the morning of the fourth day, there came a knock on William's door; "William!" Shouted Hannah, "We are approaching Feliisha, come and see!"

After a short while, the door was pulled rapidly open and William rushed to the ladder that took him up to the deck where Zaybian had waited to offer his hand to him as he climbed up. William reached for the friendly hand and as they pulled together, he jumped excitedly up into the sunlight. William and Zaybian ran over to join the rest of the crew as they gazed in wonder at the four mountainous continents that floated effortlessly before them. Suspended in mid-air, they were completely covered in lush greenery, as small buildings clumped together in various pockets across them and flocks of small white birds flew gracefully above them. Their many streams and oceans - that poured swiftly over their edges - raced down like thunderstorms to join monumental waterfalls that poured deep into a great canyon far below them and dove deep into the very planet itself, sending plumes of vapour that rocketed back up, high into the already saturated air.

"The birthplace of Aurora," Zaybian uttered in amazement as the Firefly wafted closer to land at the small village of Sunburst. As it did so, people in white robes and smiles upon their faces came out in droves to greet them. Everyone quickly rushed back into the belly of the ship as it landed, eager to step foot on to the beautiful land around them. The door slowly opened, as Hannah and William stepped into the glorious day - followed quickly by the rest of the crew - as they gazed all around in complete wonder.

"Greetings," said an old man with a smile that welcomed them all.

"We are here to see the Oracle," Hannah said quickly.

The man looked at William with utter surprise, "You are... William!" He said in excitement, "Welcome to Feliisha!" The old man stuttered, "The Oracle is this way!"

William looked to Hannah in wait of her, "Go!" She laughed, "You are the one, not I."

William smiled and nodded in acceptance, before proceeding to follow the old man into the wilderness.

He led William to a simple building, within which, stood the mighty stone statue of Aurora. He smiled gently as William gazed at the statue; "I shall leave you then," he said quietly as he walked slowly away.

William stepped closer to the magnificent monument with his eyes fixed upon hers.

"I am here Aurora," he whispered as he trembled slightly in the ambiance.

As he watched through bewildered eyes, the face of the statue came to life. She had perfect skin and turquoise eyes, with lush red lips as she smiled gently at him.

"Hello William," she whispered.

William continued to tremble and remained silent - unable to speak.

"To enter Haidreal, you will need the blood of a Demonite, poured from a magic vial. Look at the palm of your hand, William."

Slowly, William raised the palm of his right hand up to face him. To his shock, he found a six-sided star, encompassed by a circle marked into his hand that glowed profusely.

"Journey to Devil's Rock, where you shall meet Jonas. He is a loyal servant to me and will help you to obtain the blood on production of my symbol. To leave Haidreal, once you have entered it, you will need an artefact worn around your neck: the Lomaxian Cross. The location of the Cross however, is unknown to me. Just a single drop of your own blood, mixed with that of the Demonite's, shall gain you entrance."

William listened carefully as she spoke.

"Good luck, young Prince," she whispered as her face once again turned gradually to stone.

William looked again at his hand before he slowly walked back out into the green lushness of the Kingdom.

All of the crew were sat among the tall grasses and the wild flowers when William slowly emerged from the wilderness. Hannah stood up and walked toward him;

"What is it?" She asked, eagerly awaiting his answer.

"Journey to Devil's Rock," he replied.

"Then, it is a very good job that we can fly," Avarian sinisterly injected as he joined them.

"What do you mean?" Asked William, still bewildered by what he had just witnessed.

"The mountain that is Devil's Rock, sits within a dead forest. It is filled forever with mist," Avarian's voice became quite angry as he spoke, "festering creatures live within it that would strip the very flesh from your bones given half the chance... It is better that we fly above them."

"Well," said Hannah with a sigh, "we've been flying for three days straight," she looked at the old man that had led William to the Oracle. "Is it alright if we stay here for tonight?"

"You are all most welcome to stay, for as long as you like," the old man smiled.

Hannah turned to her crew - who were still sat around in the grass; "We set off in the morning!" A cry of cheer came from the men before they set off in small groups to explore their surroundings. Zaybian and Thysis lay back in the tall grass and closed their eyes.

"What say we set the unix loose?" Hannah said as she smiled at William.

"How do you know that they'll come back?" William quickly asked, "They might decide to stay."

"Then so be it," Hannah replied.

"They'll come back young Master, you wait and see!" Ivor shouted as he disappeared into the ship. Before long, the two unix ran out of the Firefly and flew out of sight.

"Did you see that?" William exclaimed after they had flown inches from his head.

"Aye William!" Bellowed Zaybian with his eyes still closed.

As the heat of the day increased, more and more of the crew slipped off into the ship and retired to their cabins. The Feliishons had long returned to their homes and those that had explored had returned merrily in dribs and drabs. Hannah went back into the ship and William went back to the Oracle. The lifeless, monumental statue stood and gazed out as William sat down before it, lost in thought.

"I still don't know why you chose me," he whispered as he closed his eyes and sighed.

After a long while, Avarian slowly walked in. The sun had died down and darkness had approached as more and more shadow entered the building to engulf the statue. "Most everyone has returned to the ship William," he offered.

"Tell me Avarian, how did you lose your eyes?" William asked quietly.

Avarian stepped closer and sat down beside his little friend upon to the cold stone floor, "It was in the misty forest. That's when I found out about the creatures," he looked up to the statue, "Aurora saved me," he smiled, "I am uncertain as to why... but I am sure that if she did not, I would not be sitting beside you now." Avarian stood slowly back up and joined by William, headed back to the ship.

The morning came and with a few Feliishons out to see them off, the Firefly - with all of its crew, including the two unix - once again lifted high into the air. Hannah and William were already on the deck as they waved vigorously to the Feliishons that waved back. Soon they could no longer be seen as the Firefly once again flew into cloud. Avarian left his cabin at that precise moment and walked over to them;

"What else did the Oracle tell you, Prince?" He asked curiously.

"Only, that we will meet a loyal servant called Jonas - he will help us with the blood of the Demonite," Avarian remained silent, "and that I need an artefact called the Lomaxian Cross."

"You know where it is?" Avarian quickly exclaimed in excitement.

"No," William replied quietly.

"How will this Jonas know us?" Asked Hannah after a while.

William turned his right palm up to face her and his new brand glowed brightly; "He will know this," he said quietly.

"The misty forest is in the Toptic region of Galgamia," Avarian paused for a few moments, "now that you bare the mark of Aurora, Leptar's forces will be coming. We do not want to stay too long on Devil's Rock.

### Chapter Eight – Devils Rock

The thick mist clung to the lifeless trees and sat heavy throughout them as the Firefly wafted silently overhead. The tops of the tallest trees poked through the silent blanket that harboured the unknown creatures within. The nightmarish sight that was Devil's Rock, menacingly raised itself high above the mist and stretched up to the clouds as they nervously approached it.

"Don't worry William, we'll find somewhere on the mountain to land," assured Hannah as she stood beside him on the deck of the ship. Silently, they gazed down in horror at the misty forest as it passed slowly beneath them.

"But what waits for us?" He asked quietly as their attention moved to the uninviting monument ahead once more.

"What ever it is," she replied, "we'll face it together."

With that, Zaybian clambered on to the deck from the ladder below and walked up behind the pair - who kept their worried gaze fixed on the mountain as it neared.

"My allegiance is to both of you," he said quietly as the ship began to ascend, "we do not know this mountain and so shall land at the earliest convenience," his voice stayed calm and quiet as he spoke, "we shall find this Jonas on foot."

They rose higher and higher over the thick mist that ceased at the foot of the mountain and came to land in the middle of a wide path that ran around it. The soldiers poured out of their cabins - fully armed and eager to go, as they rattled along the thin metal walkways and down the metal staircases. Eventually, all of the men were stood in formation by the time Hannah and the others had gotten down to the helm.

"This land is unknown to us," Hannah announced, "we do not know what awaits so be on your guard and watch each others backs!"

At that, Zaybian flicked a switch on one of the control panels and the door slowly opened. Zaybian, Hannah, William and Avarian were the first down the ramp, followed closely by the ninety-six men behind them with Thysis leading up the rear. Their hearts pounded wildly as they became hyperaware of their surroundings now that they were without the protection of the ship that carried them. Less than half of the men had made it off of the ship when Zaybian noticed a creature - far-off in the distance - as it headed swiftly toward them. As he watched it, another appeared from behind it and then three more from behind that one. Before long, a whole hoard of creatures could be seen as they quickly approached the grounded crew.

"We're not alone on this rock," he spat through gritted teeth as he walked slowly toward them.

Hannah reached for the long thin sword that had always hung from her side, "This is it men!" She shouted as she drew her sword high into the air, "you two!" She screamed at the last two soldiers that had just come off of the ramp, "Get back aboard - and get her back into the air!" The two soldiers ran back inside as Thysis ran off of the ship. The door quickly closed and the ship soon lifted off - revealing another hoard of creatures that quickly approached from behind them.

"There are some over here too!" Thysis shouted as his voice wavered slightly.

"Stay close to me, Prince," Avarian said calmly as soldiers began to fire volley upon volley of bullets deep into both groups as they neared. Plumes of thick black smoke quickly filled the air and soon made it hard to see.

The foul creatures fell to the ground and piled on to one another in vast numbers, but still they approached, nearer and nearer on either side. Zaybian walked up to the monstrous hoard before him and slowly removed his weapons before placing them on to the ground. Some of the creatures hesitated as they sensed what had now approached them. Zaybian's eyes rolled slowly back into his skull as he tilted his head from side to side. His entire body began to shake with mounting violence, until the whites of his eyes were all that were visible. Fearsome screams escaped his lips as they wailed on the wind and drowned out the volleys that reverberated off of the mountain face. His hands grew phenomenally and his fingers stretched to talons as he completely transformed into a ferocious, dragon-like beast. With scales of blood-red, he let out a monstrous jet of fire that engulfed all of the foul creatures before him, before he roared with blood-curdling effect, until he was left stood - in sweats and breathlessness - as his former self.

The beasts at the rear of the party had all fallen from the soldier's bullets and littered the ground behind them. The ground before them was littered with even more creatures that had fallen from yet more bullets and even more that had fallen from Zaybian's wrath. The air stood still and was completely silent, as the last of the black plumes slowly cleared and everyone stood in sheer amazement. Hannah slowly pushed her blade back into its scabbard with a feeling of relief and some slight disappointment. Eventually, Zaybian turned slowly around and returned to the group to a hero's welcome, as soldiers held their weapons high into air and laughed and whistled in applause. William stood completely dumbstruck at what he had just witnessed.

"We must continue before there are more of them," Zaybian quickly announced -resettling his weapons.

The group hurried along and quickly approached the beastly remains that made the path before them almost impassable. Blackened horns and claws and the charred remains of corpses in various forms of cremation met the party. The smell of burnt flesh and fur filled their senses as slowly, they stepped over and amongst them. Soon enough, everyone had trudged through the colossal mess and had left it to fall away far behind them. The sun continued to shine down - as they continued to hurry along the dusty path - until they were met by the sharp turn that the creatures had initially appeared from behind. Zaybian and Avarian were the first to walk gingerly around it followed eventually by the rest of the party. Before them, in the near distance, stood a small wooden shack surrounded by dust and bare rock.

"I think ... we may have found our man!" Zaybian announced as he smiled at William.

William gazed at the simple building in silence and then continued, along with the rest of his comrades, to venture toward it. They walked in a tight column as the path led out on to the dusty plain of the reds and oranges that coloured the mountain. Once they had approached the building the soldiers remained in formation whilst William, followed by Avarian and the rest of the Reapers, walked up to its door. The building looked old - made entirely from wood - whilst the door hung at a slight angle in its frame. The five friends were silent for a while and readied themselves in anticipation of what might lay in wait. Eventually, William knocked cautiously on the door. The pressure from his gentle knocks caused the wooden door to creak open, which slowly revealed to the five friends, the contents of the space within. Light streamed in from a mighty void in the roof, whilst a cloaked figure - stood in an empty room - was steeped in shadow and pressed up against one of the walls. After a while, William stepped in.

"Who are you?" Came a deep voice from the cloaked figure.

Slowly, William raised his palm and allowed the light from his new brand to emanate into the ether.

"Ah," it said, "so you are William," the shadowed figured paused, "I... am Jonas."

Hannah looked at William, "We'll be right here if you need us," she said before she and the others returned to the rest of the soldiers.

Jonas remained cloaked and completely in shadow as he slowly spoke, "To retain the power of the Demonite's blood, you must store it within a magically sealed vessel."

William listened carefully as he temporarily held his breath so that he would not miss a single word. Within the light before him, a thin glass vial - branded with a thin red ring around its neck - appeared and floated in suspension.

"Take it," Jonas said, as he slowly stepped away from the darkness of the wall and into the light. William watched, as a strange creature with dark-green scales and deep brown eyes now stood in the brilliant light before him. William reached out for the vial and put it gently into his pocket.

"You are not afraid?" Jonas asked quietly as he tilted his head slightly to one side and clutched his dark red cloak tightly around his scaly body.

"Aurora sent me," William quietly replied, "I don't think I need to fear you."

Jonas smiled - slowly revealing his sharp white teeth; "Good! I can take you to where the Demonites are," he paused, "will you come with me?"

William simply nodded.

"Good," Jonas replied once more, as he swiftly threw his cloak to the ground and revealed his great scaly wings as they spread wide open, to almost touch the walls on either side of him. "Ride on me then!" He roared.

William walked hesitantly toward him as Jonas watched the approaching child, before he turned slowly around. When William was close enough, he placed his arms tightly around Jonas's neck and held on. Immediately, Jonas shot off through the void in the roof and high into the air as he let out a terrifying wail. The rest of the party, now far below them, held their heads high and watched in terror and amazement, as the creature flew out of sight with William upon its back. Higher and faster he flew as they scaled the very height of the mountain itself. The fierce wind battered them both and threatened to dislodge William as he held tightly on for all that his life was worth. Jonas shot high up passed the peak of the mountain until he dramatically slowed in mid-air and turned to race back down to the peak with tremendous speed. Through his slightly opened eyes, William watched, as they plummeted down toward a vast chasm in the very rock of the mountain. Once again, Jonas released a ghastly wail as quickly, they raced into the mighty void. William stretched out his arm as the daylight faded and allowed the glow from the marking on his hand to light the way.

All was silent, except for the air that bustled swiftly passed their ears and for the odd sound of jollity and delight from Jonas. After quite a while of hurtling down deeper and deeper, sounds - that raised the very hairs on William's neck – echoed from the monumental beasts that were still far below them. The monstrous groans grew in volume as they flew yet deeper, until they emerged behind a great light, into a vast expanse filled with monstrous creatures of gigantic proportions. Jonas flew in a frenzied rage in and amongst the great beasts whilst they swiped clumsily at him. In the gloominess around him, William watched the terrifying creatures with their blood-red eyes and razor-sharp teeth and with tremendous fear in his own eyes, William held on tighter than ever before. Jonas let out a final wail that reverberated throughout the darkness as swiftly they approached the unguarded jugular of one of the mightiest beasts. The light from William's hand quickly intensified even further, before a sword of pure white light manifested itself within the palm of his already outstretched hand. He gripped it instinctively and swung for all that he was worth at the beast's neck - slicing through its vein - like a hot knife through butter. With a bone-crunching scream, the mighty beast slowly slumped to the ground as Jonas swooped around and came to land just before its dying mass. The other monsters now all backed off into the darkness as the sword of light disappeared and left only the gloom from William's brand to light the task ahead.

"The vial," Jonas whispered with delight.

William reached into his pocket and pulled out the small glass vial, before he knelt down beside the now lifeless beast to where the fatal wound gaped wide open. Gently and carefully, he filled the vessel with its blood and stood back up in a daze.

"Place your hand over the opening, William. The light from your mark will seal it."

William watched with intrigue, as he held the vial, inches from his face with one hand and placed his other hand, with the still glowing brand, over it. The blood in the vessel fluoresced intensely and when William removed his hand, the vial was sealed.

"Shall we then?" Jonas asked with the same crocodilian smile. William held a breath and released it before he placed the vial back into his pocket and held, once again, tightly on to Jonas's neck. Jonas shot off once more into the darkness and with William's hand stretched back out in front of them to guide the way, they were soon back up in the tiny shaft.

"I've had enough waiting around!" Announced Zaybian as he paced back and forth.

"Well, what else are you going to do?" Smirked Thysis, as he joyfully watched him.

"I'm going to find him!" Zaybian announced, just as Jonas appeared high in the sky - still with William holding tightly on to him - as they hurtled toward the ground and headed straight for the rest of party.

"Look!" Shouted a couple of soldiers as they stood quickly up and pointed in amazement.

Everyone quickly looked up and rose from where they were sat as they watched the spectacle above them.

"I told you he'd be OK!" Shouted Hannah as they watched, as faster and faster the living comet approached. Soldiers began to duck and ran a few steps to avoid the descending pair as they raced inches passed them and came to a sudden land - just in front of Zaybian. William dismounted as Jonas stood upright.

"Are you alright, William?" Asked Hannah quickly.

"Yes, I'm fine," William replied feeling a little light-headed, "that was amazing!" He laughed, "And we've got what we came for!" William took the glass vial from his pocket and held it high for all to see. A roar of applause and cheer came from the entire crew around him.

Thysis removed a small chain from around his neck and handed it to William. A small, clear, empty holder for a single vial, dangled from it, "Take it, William, I have no need of it anymore."

William smiled as he gazed at it, "Thank you," he replied quietly as he placed the small glass vial into its new holder, before placing the chain around his neck. The coldness of the chain and the small weight of the blood within its holder, made William smile gently.

"I saw your earlier performance, Firebreather," Jonas smiled as he looked at Zaybian through his beastly eyes.

"Nobody has called me that in a while," Zaybian replied quietly.

"But you are a Firebreather, are you not?" Jonas asked inquisitively as his smile intensified.

"Aye! That I am!" Zaybian announced, "And we saw your performance too, slick!"

Just then, the Firefly appeared in the sky as it slowly descended toward the party on the ground.

"Well, our ride is here," Hannah smiled as she watched it descend.

The crew too, watched it slowly descended as it came to land and they rushed quickly toward it. William and Hannah said their goodbyes before they quickly joined the rest of the crew and Jonas slowly walked away - headed back for his little wooden shack. The mighty door slowly closed and the monumental propellers began to turn once again as they blew dust of reds and oranges all around the plain. The setting sun saw a renewed excitement in the air, as gracefully, the Firefly took off once more and wafted slowly away into the distance.

William knocked gingerly upon the heavy metal door and went into the little room that he had been asked to attend, "Ah!" Bellowed Zaybian with his usual flagon of ale held tightly in his hand, "There you are my boy!"

Thysis sat sprawled out as he lazily occupied three of the seats, whilst his own flagon of ale sat comfortably in his hands; "Well come in then!" He laughed.

William sheepishly walked in and stood for a while after he had closed the door firmly behind him.

Zaybian roared with laughter, "Are you not going to sit down, Prince?" He asked with a smile.

William smiled shyly and sat opposite the two jolly men.

"A flagon!" Announced Zaybian quickly, as he offered William the empty vessel.

"Oh, no thank you," William quickly replied as he shook his head.

"Fair enough!" Laughed Zaybian, "The boy knows what he wants!"

Thysis raised an eyebrow in surprise - then raised his bottom lip over his top, before burying his face back into his own drink.

William watched the two men for a few moments as he looked around the room. It was quite small - but big enough to be comfortable - with soft cream seats of leather that lined each of the walls in turn and a small wooden table that stood proudly among them that briefly held the two men's flagons when they seldom put them down. A great wooden barrel that was full to the brim with ale, sat in one corner of the room within arms reach of Zaybian.

"Tell us about yourself!" Mumbled Zaybian as he drunk from his flagon.

"Well," replied William after a while, "there's not that much to tell."

Thysis laughed uncontrollably, "It's not like you're the saviour of a Goddess or anything!" He yelled as he raised his flagon quickly and spilt his ale over his hand.

Zaybian laughed, so too did William - just not as loudly.

"Yeah," continued William, "funny thing that. One day, I'm just a normal kid going to school, and the next," he paused in thought, "the next, I'm wearing some monster's blood, in a glass vial around my neck and watching people turning into dragons!"

Zaybian slowly placed his flagon on to the table and spoke softly; "You liked that then, did ye?" He asked with a smirk and a glint in his eye.

"It was awesome!" William replied, "Easily the coolest thing that I have ever seen!"

"Yeah, well," mumbled Thysis from inside his flagon, "it's not a trick that everybody can pull off."

William thought for a moment as his tone changed slightly and a look of concern came over his face, "Does it hurt?" He asked, gazing at Zaybian's large hands.

"Every time," Zaybian quietly replied blankly as his picked his flagon back up off of the table.

Just then, came another knock on the door as it slowly opened and in walked Hannah with Avarian close behind her. Avarian sat beside William as Hannah closed the door and took a seat.

"So what's next?" Asked Thysis.

"There is not much that I know about the Lomaxian Cross," Avarian quietly admitted, "but, I do know four old witches that do."

"Then we find the witches!" Roared Zaybian as he licked the last drops of ale from his moustache.

"They live, for want of a better word, inside a system of caves... deep within the Mantari Mountains," Avarian spoke quietly and quite slowly, "there will be a price for the information that we require. I have already given the coordinates to the pilots - we have many days travel ahead of us."

Everyone fell silent with the gloomy thought of yet another long voyage, as Zaybian refilled his exhausted flagon from the huge barrel beside him.

"Well, cheer up!" Chirped Hannah as she rose from her seat, "There's plenty of ale!"

"Plenty of time too!" Quipped Thysis with a grin.

"Plenty of time, to drink plenty of ale," uttered Zaybian raising his flagon in salute.

"There's something that I want to show you William," Hannah cheerfully said as she gestured for him to follow her. William stood up quickly and proceeded to follow his older sister out of the little room.

### Chapter Nine – The Covenant of Four

They emerged from behind the two soldiers who were still at their control panels and walked quickly across the vastness of the metal floor beneath them. When they got up to William's cabin, Hannah opened the door, before she stood to one side with a grin on her face. William curiously looked in. Sat on the bed, was a small black box which was otherwise unremarkable in appearance.

William gazed at it and scowled in confusion, "What is it?" He asked after a moment.

Hannah laughed, "Dreamscape on!" She shouted.

Instantly, the little room filled with bright, white light that dazzled and briefly dazed the pair before it quickly died back down and left a hooded figure, stood - and frozen in time, beside the bed. It was the figure of a man - cloaked from head to foot - that stood with a tilted head in submission with one hand cupped within the other. William stood and watched as shock and amazement gripped him.

Hannah beamed with delight, "I saw how much you liked father's Holovision. I thought I would give you this. It's a games device, I don't use it anymore."

William slowly walked into the tiny little room - still mesmerized - as Hannah followed him in.

"His name is Daryl," she said quietly, "he's like the menu - but he's also the main character in the games. He doesn't interact until you talk to him."

William's smile grew intensely and his bright blue eyes lit up, "Hello Daryl," he said softly.

Daryl slowly raised his head and faced him, "Hello," he said in a deep voice before he looked at Hannah, "ah, welcome Princess."

"Hello Daryl," Hannah replied.

"I have not seen you for a while. I hope that you have been well," Daryl said with affection.

"Yes, thank you Daryl, I have been," Hannah thought for a few moments about how to phrase what she had to say, "this is my brother, Prince William," she said softly as she gestured, " he has greater need of your services than I and so I relinquish you into his authority."

"Hello Prince," Daryl responded as he looked back at William, "What would you have me do?"

William thought about his reply, "What about a game?" He said still smiling.

Daryl smiled back, "May I recommend... The Rings of Control?"

William nodded, as instantly the little room filled, for a second time, with brilliant white light before it died once again back down and left Hannah and William - with yet another look of amazement upon his face - stood amid thick trees and lush greenery as sunlight beamed down from the canopy above them. As gentle music began to play, the scene - which they were now a part of - moved slowly passed them. William couldn't believe his own eyes and glowed with excitement as Hannah happily watched the wonder on her little brother's face.

"In the time when man was still young," came a deep voice that filled the scene as the soft music played beneath it, "six Gods gazed down from the heavens at the world that they had created," the voice paused for a few moments and allowed the music to play on, "they bestowed upon man, six golden rings that they scattered throughout his world. If found, they would enable him to control each aspect of the world around him. These six rings became known... as the Rings of Control. Man has sought them ever since," once again the deep voice paused and the music that still played on grew louder, "to this day, only the Ring of Flame has been found." The music played on louder still, as the scene that continuously moved passed the two siblings, sped up. The trees raced faster and faster passed them before it came to a sudden crawl and a small wooden cabin approached. The scene continued to move and the cabin continued to approach, until its wall - that had faced them - had now passed through them. They found themselves inside the cabin, next to a young man in a blue gown, as finally the scene came to a standstill. The voice came again, "your quest for the Rings of Control has begun!" At that, the music came to a crescendo before it turned into a quiet melody that continually played in the background.

"Hello traveller," uttered the gowned man as he looked at William with shaded eyes, "my name is Daryl. I practice sorcery and I quest the Rings of Control. Would you join me on my quest?"

William nodded quickly; "Yes!" He exclaimed excitedly, "I am William."

"And you, young lady," Daryl announced as he turned his attention to Hannah, "What might be your name?"

"I am Hannah of Glitherhiem!" She quickly replied.

Daryl frowned in thought, "I do not know this, Glitherhiem."

"It is a far-off land," Hannah announced with her usual charm.

"Well, Hannah of Glitherhiem," Daryl bellowed, "never before have I had ... such a beautiful companion."

Hannah blushed and smiled sheepishly.

"The village of Firestrike lies to the north of these woods. It is a good enough place as any to start such a quest."

William smiled and nodded in agreement once more.

"And you, young lady, what is your thought?" Daryl asked boldly.

"A fine choice!" Hannah Laughed.

"Then Firestrike it is!" Daryl announced, as he picked up his small brown bag and swung it over his shoulder. He griped his tall brown trekking stick that was propped up in one of the corners of the cabin, before he gently opened the door. Hannah sat upon William's bed and gestured for William to sit beside her. As he did so, Daryl stepped through the door and out into the glorious day as the scene suddenly began to move once again and the wall of the cabin rushed toward the pair of siblings - who were now sat side by side - and sped through them, until they too, were out into the glorious sunshine once again. Daryl walked leisurely along the stony path that he was now upon as he griped the string of his cloth bag tightly to his shoulder and flicked his tall brown trekking stick as he walked. Hannah and William sat on the bed eagerly behind him, as once again, William gazed around in awe and Hannah watched - with satisfied pleasure - that she had given her brother a wonderful gift indeed.

Before long, the edge of the wood came into the scene and so too, did a big, blue wooden sign; upon which, sat the elegant calligraphy, of the words which simply read: 'Welcome to Firestrike'. As it passed them by, a mighty wall of wooden logs - that surrounded and protected the village before them - came out of the ether as it gradually revealed itself whilst two monstrous wooden gates granted or declined access to the small community within. More and more of the old village came slowly into the scene as Daryl and his companions neared it. As they approached, the mighty gates slowly opened, as if they possessed a will of their own and had sensed the presence of their visitors. Daryl calmly ambled in followed surely by Hannah and William - who were still sat on the bed behind him - and who seemed to simply float in on the air with excitement upon their faces.

A thunderous hammering quickly pelted William's door as it grew quickly louder,

"Dreamscape pause!" Hannah shouted as they both glared at the door as it flung swiftly open. Thysis stood in the doorway with a terrified look upon his face as he panted madly for breath, "Come quickly!" He shouted as he ran away. The two worried siblings bolted out of the small cabin and ran to follow Thysis - who was already hanging in wait of them from the top of the small ladder that led up to the deck.

"What is it?" Hannah shouted, "What's wrong?"

"The witches!" He replied quickly, "they want to see William!"

With that, Thysis and Hannah instantly vanished and the ship fell into instant gloom. William stepped back in alarm and as he looked frantically around in the silent, dim light, only emptiness - void of all other life - surrounded him. A small amount of starlight and a light breeze raced down the small ladder and invaded the ship from the open hatchway above. Slowly and after mustering up the courage, William gradually approached the ladder and began to climb it.

"Ah, there you are, little Prince!" Came an old, crackly voice as William climbed through the hatchway and up on to the deck. An old woman with a smile upon her face stood boldly before him with three more behind her.

"Where," William squeaked nervously before he swallowed his fear and spoke up, "Where are my friends?" He asked in a sterner voice.

Only the old lady that stood directly before him spoke, as the other three giggled - like bashful schoolgirls - just behind her, "I," she paused, "Am Hildetta and you are the only one that we wanted to see."

William looked nervously at the witches before him as he thought about his next move.

"And now that I have your attention," she said quietly as she reached into her neckline and pulled out a solid gold cross; "I believe that you were looking for this!" She snapped.

"The Cross of Lomax!" William uttered in surprise.

"Yes!" Snapped the witch once again, "Indeed!" She snarled as she tucked it safely back away and patted the material of her blouse that covered it, "do not pretend that you do not want it for yourself!" She shouted with pure venom in her voice, "You... and your Master Mage friend!"

William instantly glanced passed the witches to Avarian's little cabin.

Hildetta laughed hysterically, "He cannot help you!" She smirked with an evil glint in her eye as the other three continued to giggle safely behind her, "And you cannot have my cross!" She snapped as she clicked her long bony fingers and all four of them instantly vanished.

Immediately, a mighty tear ripped wide open in the side of the monstrous balloon that carried the ship. Swiftly and sharply the Firefly dropped - and raced, with mounting speed, down toward the uncharted wilderness below. William flew off of his feet and crashed squarely into Thysis - who had struggled to stay within the hatchway - before they both fell, with a bone-breaking thud, back into the doomed ship. Instant chaos lay all around as quickly and intermittently, a bright red light fluoresced and flooded every nook and cranny of the condemned vessel - accompanied, each and every time, by a tremendously loud alarm as it plummeted uncontrollably out of the sky. The speed of its descent spiralled drastically out of control as soldiers poured out of their cabins and tried for all that they were worth to stay upon their feet. They fought their way as quickly as they could up the tiny ladders and into any third-level cabin that they could squeeze themselves into to ride the journey out.

A vibrant blue glow emanated from Avarian's little cabin as its door explosively shot quickly across the deck. The strange glow dramatically intensified as it grew quickly and swallowed up large portions of the ship until the entire vessel glowed brightly in the night sky. Gradually, their descent began to slow before they crashed violently into the ground and slid across the entire length of the muddy clearing that had now surrounded them. Grass and mud flew high into the air, as the might of the downed ship came slowly to rest. Eventually, the vivid blue glow faded to nothing and the dead of the night closed slowly back in.

The grounded ship - with its still deflating balloon - sat in peace and darkness for a long while. The deafening alarm had ceased upon impact, so too, had the fluorescing red light. Eventually, the ships lights came back on and cabin doors began to open. Soldiers slowly re-emerged and made their hazy ways to their own cabins to gather weapons and supplies.

Zaybian, Thysis, William and Hannah were still squashed up in William's cabin.

"Well!" Announced Zaybian, "everyone out!"

William slowly turned the heavy handle and the small door swung slowly open. With hesitation - and sensation returning to his legs - he slowly stepped out of the small cabin, followed by his guests.

"Everyone O.K.?" Asked Hannah quietly.

William quietly nodded as Thysis shook his head; "Let's not do that again," he chuckled.

"Well! Come on," roared Zaybian as he led the way down to the formation of soldiers that was already building.

By the time that they had reached the control panels, all of the soldiers were stood before them with loaded rifles and backpacks, full to bursting, with equipment and supplies.

Hannah put on a brave face and stepped slowly forward, "Does anyone have any ideas?" She asked as she addressed the crew.

Silence filled the ship like never before until one of the soldiers plucked up the courage to speak, "I was co-pilot," he said quietly, "as we left Devil's Rock," he paused.

"What is it?" Hannah smiled warmly.

"Well... Just as it was getting dark, we flew over a town... or a village," the soldier paused once more, "can't be more than a day's march," he added.

"And you would be confident of the way there?" Hannah asked.

The soldier thought whilst another spoke quickly up; "We'll find it easily enough!"

"Avarian!" Thysis interrupted as he noticed him climbing down the ladder, "are you alright?"

"I am," Avarian replied with a smile as he slowly approached, "I thank you for your concern my friend and the village sounds like an excellent idea," he added, "the ways of Remanon are not always clear to us, perhaps," he paused in thought, "we were meant to go there."

"Well, it's that or we stay here forever!" Zaybian laughed with all of his usual charm.

"May I then suggest that we do stay here - just for tonight," Thysis added, "and leave when it's light?"

"O.K.!" Hannah announced, "Sounds like we've got a plan," she added as she spoke up, "First thing tomorrow, we find that village! Everyone go back to your cabins and rest up."

Suddenly, Avarian awoke - some hours later - and sat quickly upright on his bed. After a moment, he rushed out of his cabin and flung the mighty hatch swiftly open, he climbed quickly down the ladder and rushed toward Hannah's cabin. He knocked furiously on the door until Hannah came out in a panic,

"Whatever's the matter Avarian! What's wrong?" She asked in some distress.

"We are under attack," Avarian stressed quietly, "we have time, but the spirits have shown me disturbing things to say the least."

Hannah quickly ran up to a small red button that sat calmly on the wall near her cabin and slammed her hand hard against it. Instantly, a loud alarm continuously blared out and after a few minutes all of the soldiers began to pour out of their cabins - fully dressed and fully armed. Hannah released the button and the alarm ceased, "Avarian tells us that we are under attack!" She shouted before she paused, "Form up!"

Instantly, the soldiers ran along the thin walkways and raced down the ladders to form up in the belly of the ship once more. Hannah wasn't far behind, whilst Zaybian and Thysis were already waiting at the controls. William stood in confusion as Avarian approached, "Stay close to the Reapers, my Prince," he said quietly before he ran after the rest of the crew followed quickly by William himself.

"I shall go out first," Avarian hastened as he hurried to the door with the soldiers eager to fight just behind him. Hannah opened the door and lowered the ramp as Avarian ran quickly along it. He took a few steps away from the ship and raised his arms high above his head. Gradually the sky brightened until all that surrounded him was lit intensely.

Grotesque creatures seemed to fill the field of view and numbered in their thousands as they slowly approached the seemingly vulnerable ship. Quickly, the soldiers ran along the ramp and took up formation in the muddy grass just in front of Avarian - who still kept his arms high in the air and kept light on the situation around them. As soon as the formation was complete, the soldiers began to fire furiously into the approaching beasts. With each and every volley, hoards of creatures fell lifelessly into the mud, only to allow more and more of the foul beasts to step over them.

Hannah, Zaybian, Thysis and William walked slowly along the ramp and stood behind the soldiers. William watched with awe as Hannah and the other Reapers looked on with anxiousness. Zaybian's eyes clouded over – just like they had done on Devil's Rock, whilst Hannah tightly gripped the handle of her sword - as she always did when she was tense - ready to put it to good use if the need arose. Thysis looked on quietly and calmly and glanced at William every now and again to reassure him. The seemingly endless assault of demonic creatures continued on relentlessly as the creatures themselves continued to fall. Eventually, the assault slowed, until there were no more creatures left to come. When the last of them had fallen, the soldiers cased their fire and waited nervously in the cold. Countless bodies lay perfectly still in the mud, as silence, once again, returned to the night and a light rain began to fall. Slowly, Avarian lowered his arms and the light began to fade away. By the time that everyone had retreated back aboard, complete darkness had renewed its grip and the Firefly slowly closed its door once again.

The morning quickly came - without further interruption - as the entire crew, Ivor included, sat about the two long tables in the depths of the ship and ate a stout breakfast.

"Do you know what keeps an army marching, William?" Zaybian loudly muttered as he sat across the busy table - directly opposite him - whilst his face overflowed with food.

William thought as a blank expression took a hold of him whilst Hannah smiled and quietly laughed at them both.

"A good breakfast!" Zaybian blasted after a few moments. Laughter erupted from all around, "Let's here it for Ivor!" He bellowed, followed instantly by an almighty roar from the rest of the crew and the deafening din of their cutlery as it was repeatedly banged upon the table tops.

### Chapter Ten – A Detour to Destiny

The door of the Firefly slowly opened for the last time and revealed a ready crew - stood bravely and boldly - in the belly of the wrecked vessel as its ramp came to a gentle rest upon the patchy grass beneath it. The crew looked on with some delight as the sun-drenched landscape stretched endlessly out before them. Only the blissful sound of birdsong could be heard in the air whilst a delicate breeze blew into the ship and carried the fresh scent of the damp grass upon it. Hannah slowly led the way whilst William followed, with the rest of the crew behind him, as they gently ambled along the ramp and into the muddy pasture.

"Which way now?" Hannah asked as she stopped and turned to face the crew.

"We should head for those mountains," gestured the pilot that spoke up the night before, as he pointed in the direction that the creatures had attacked from - passed the endless carpet of their corpses and over forests and wilderness - at a small group of mountains that peaked up high over the canopies of the forests around them.

"Well, come on then!" Roared Zaybian from behind the rest of the party.

Slowly but surely, the grounded crew - saddled with heavy backpacks and ready rifles - continued on toward the countless bodies that lay in the mud. Hannah and William continued to lead the way, whilst the two other Reapers ambled with Avarian and with Ivor - as he slowly followed up the rear of the party and led Arcadian and Heradex gently by their reigns. They all came to a gradual standstill, just yards from the cold corpses that littered the ground before them. The smell of the damp fur filled their senses and inflamed their nostrils as it dried slowly out in the sun. Hannah stared longingly at the small group of mountains - unrealistically far-off in the distance - before trudging through the furry mesh of tooth and claw. The rest of the crew watched, before slowly following her through.

The smell of dead, wet, beast became more and more concentrated - as the bulky backpacks and the cumbersome rifles became heavier - under the intensifying sun.

"This reek!" Spouted Zaybian disgustedly, "Will take weeks to come off!"

"Oh fiddlesticks!" Laughed Thysis, "The amount of times that you visit the bathtub, it'll take months at least!"

Ivor smiled, but remained silent, as he kept a careful eye on the two nervous unix that were close behind him, "Nearly there," he whispered as he looked lovingly at the two beautiful creatures, "nearly there."

Before long, the entire crew had cleared the foul mesh of decay and had gradually joined Hannah as she stood at the edge of the clearing and gazed thoughtfully at the thick forest that lay before them.

"What is it?" Asked Zaybian as he stepped up behind her.

"What lives in those trees?" Hannah asked quietly without even altering her gaze.

"There's only one way to find out!" Zaybian roared cheerfully as he marched vigorously passed her.

"Hey!" Hannah shouted as she ran to catch up before matching his enthusiasm. The rest of the party followed, as gradually, they all disappeared into the thick forest, leaving the Firefly and the muddy pasture to fall slowly behind them forever.

Valerie was a young Celestial. At nineteen years of age, she was one of the best scouts of the Celestial Empire. With a beautiful head of golden hair that flowed effortlessly to the small of her back and a dazzling pair of sky-blue eyes that twinkled brightly in the sun as it sparkled through the trees - she, along with her counterparts, would keep a close eye on the boarders of the Empire and ensure that they were never breached by the outside world. The Celestials were a magical race of beings that lived within the forests for as long as any of them could remember and had managed to turn self-concealment into a very fine art indeed. All of the trees of the forest were lush and green and full of life, whilst birds sang from their nests and flew all around. The forest floor was thick with grass and overgrowth - due to the large amount of intense sunlight that readily sliced through the canopy on a daily basis. Babbling brooks and fast flowing rivers - full of fish - cut wildly through the forests at various points. Life was good in the Celestial forests and it was the job of the scouts to keep it that way.

"Valerie!" Exclaimed an excited little girl as she ran quickly up to her.

"Oh! Hey Bell!" Replied Valerie as she swung her arms wide open in acceptance of the speeding comet that raced madly toward her. Bell ran as fast as she could and plunged deeply into her big sister as she wrapped her arms tightly around her and they both burst into laughter.

"You saw me just yesterday!" Valerie exclaimed with some confusion as she squeezed her little monster tightly in her arms.

Bell released her grip and looked up at her big sister with excitement in her eyes, "Raymond was asking for you again!" She announced proudly, "So we started to talk all about you! I bet you didn't even know that he likes your hair!" She exclaimed, without even pausing for breath.

"Bell!" Exclaimed Valerie, "Raymond is only Thirteen!"

"But he really likes you Valerie!" Bell insisted.

"Tell him that I'll see him later," Valerie acknowledged, "go on now Bell," she announced as she released her, "I've got work to do."

"OK!" Bell shouted as she began to run away, "I'll see you later then!"

Valerie smiled and waved profusely, as her little sister – along with all of her bounciness - ran quickly out of sight and disappeared into the dense trees. As Valerie stood silently in pleasant thoughts of her crazy little sister, she heard multiple voices and faint laughter far-off in the distance. Quickly and instantaneously, she made her way toward them, as slowly, they got louder and louder until she was almost upon them.

Now before her hidden gaze, an army of fully equipped soldiers marched quickly through the forest - laughing and joking amongst themselves as they went and blissfully unaware that they were being watched. Valerie easily picked out numerous other scouts - from the thick cover of the forest around them - that were also watching the invading army, before she instantly vanished.

The old Emperor sat quietly upon his stone throne - within his private chamber - being gently wafted by servants that were stood all around him. The chamber doors flew violently open and Valerie burst quickly in.

"My Emperor!" She shouted, catching her breath.

"What is it my child?" The emperor asked quietly as he lifted himself partially from his thrown.

"We are under attack sire! A whole army marches to the west of us!" She quickly panted in wait of her instruction.

"Call out the guard!" The emperor roared, "Can you show them the way?"

"Yes, my emperor!" She quickly replied before she ran back out of the doorway.

The tiring crew of the Firefly that was, marched gradually on and headed for a small river that raged loudly through a large clearing in the trees.

"We'll rest beside the river for a while," uttered Hannah, "the men can fill their canteens and the unix can drink their fill."

"Aye!" Zaybian replied in his usual loud manner.

Instantly, Valerie appeared far before the party. Hannah quickly stopped as she gripped her sword and prompted the rest of the crew to stop behind her.

"You have invaded the Celestial Empire far enough!" Valerie shouted angrily as numerous guards materialized around them, "Now you will pay for it!" She announced as she raised her arms high above her head. Her hair immediately flew into a frenzy and her eyes began to cloud over, as instantly, Hannah's sword shot out of its scabbard and out of her grip - along with her smaller dagger, Zaybian's pistols and shotgun and all of the rifles from the rest of the party - as they all dangled uselessly, high above them in mid air.

Avarian quickly acted from the rear of the column and thrust his hand violently out before him, knocking Valerie yards from her feet and allowing the weapons to crash back to the ground. All of the guards around them quickly reacted as they each lifted their hands slightly before them - which in turn, lifted the invaders high into the air and held them in place. The two unix galloped quickly away into the trees, as Valerie, the guards and their hostages vanished into nothing - leaving only the hoard of weapons that littered the ground behind them.

They all materialized inside a large chamber - still with the entire crew dangling high in the air – as the Emperor entered and quietly paced back and forth. He looked at the hostages - as they hung helplessly \- and after a while, he noticed William.

"You are the one they call William, are you not?" The Emperor asked in a stern voice.

"I am," William replied.

"The one that will save Aurora," The Emperor continued, "tell me then, saviour," he paused as he squinted slightly, "why did you think it prudent to invade my Empire?"

"We..." William began.

"We didn't invade!" Hannah shouted quickly.

"Silence!" The Emperor quickly demanded as he lost his temper.

"We were just passing through," William continued after a while, "we didn't know we were trespassing."

"Just passing through," The Emperor sceptically repeated, "didn't, know?"

"We were just trying to get to the village," William insisted, "near the mountains."

For a few moments, the Emperor fell silent as he stood on the spot and glared at William intensely. He gestured to the cold stone slabs of the chamber floor before William plummeted quickly toward them.

Valerie - as quick as a flash - flung her arms suddenly out before her with both hands spanned widely out as they trembled with strain. William, just as suddenly, resumed his hover - inches from the stone floor beneath him.

The Emperor smiled, as William gently floated down until his feet were firmly back on the ground, "It would seem," he paused, "that our Valerie has taken a shine to you." Subtly he nodded and the rest of the party began to slowly descend. He looked at Valerie with a gentle smile, "You will head an entourage," he quickly asserted, "and you will take our new-found friends to the village." Slowly, he turned and walked gently out of the chamber before the mighty doors closed quietly behind him.

Valerie smiled gently at William - who nervously smiled back, "Shall we then?" She asked cheerfully before she clapped her hands and they all, for a second time, vanished into nothingness.

Valerie, a few of the mighty Celestial guards and the former crew of the Firefly, materialised within a small clearing, surrounded by lush green trees with the small group of mountains now behind them, "Ravensnest is this way," she uttered as she led the way, "though I am confused as to why you would want to go there," she added after a short while.

"Oh," Hannah replied with intrigue, "why is that?"

"Two days ago," Valerie began, "the village was attacked," she paused for a few moments as the sadness in her face became evident; "They say that everyone perished," she quietly added. The party continued on in near silence after that, along Valerie's selected route, until - what seemed like - a lifetime had passed.

As the sun began to fade, a quiet commotion took a hold of the party - as soldiers and Reapers alike - gazed in amazement at their Celestial escorts.

Hannah gazed at Valerie in astonishment as they walked side by side; "You're," she flustered, "glowing!"

Valerie laughed gently at Hannah's reaction, "It's a trait of our people," she said quietly, "it has earned us our name... As I understand it," Valerie smiled, "the ambiance is a biological reaction to the amount of light that enters through our eyes."

Hannah said nothing in reply but kept her astounded gaze.

"We are nearly at Ravensnest," Valerie announced.

As, eventually, the trees began to thin and they approached the edge of the now darkened forest, Valerie stopped, "There lays Ravensnest," she whispered as the rest of the party behind them caught up, "we can go no further."

"Then, we thank you," replied Hannah with a smile as Valerie and the Celestial guards disappeared.

"So now what!" Bellowed Zaybian as the huge party stood aimlessly around.

"So now," Avarian replied calmly, "we enter the village and construct a chime – should there be enough residual energy to manage it."

William looked on with fear in his heart at the unwelcoming sight ahead, "How long does it take to build a chime?" He asked quickly.

"Assuming that I can link with the ancient magic," Avarian paused, "we should be gone by morning."

"OK!" Hannah announced, "We don't know what's in there so we do everything by the book," she asserted as she looked at the tired soldiers around her, "I know it's been hard and I know you're all tired," she paused, "but the sooner we do this, the sooner we can rest."

"I shall light the way," Avarian uttered as he began to walk slowly toward the complete darkness ahead. The rest of the party quickly surrounded him and as the mighty force inched slowly closer to the unknown, Avarian raised a gentle hand before him and instantly, his spirit companions glowed intensely and weaved furiously among themselves as they ascended high above the party. The resulting light that emanated from them; engulfed everyone and much of the clearing that they now marched through, as slowly, a plethora of wooden houses came gradually out of the darkness.

Soon after they had entered the village, Hannah raised a hand and the party instantly stopped around her. Deadly silence stood with them in the coldness of the green gloom as each held their nerve along with their weapons in turn. The huge wooden houses - that now stood all around them - glowed eerily in the devilish light as the frantic ghouls flew high above them. The party stood, in a tight-knit group, poised and ready to strike at anything that would come for them out of the darkness.

"OK," whispered Hannah after a while, "we need to check these buildings," her breath floated visibly on the air as she spoke.

"I'll take ten men," whispered Zaybian in response.

"As will I," replied Hannah, "Thysis," she whispered as she looked at him, "if you take another ten, we'll have this done faster."

"Not a problem," Thysis accommodated.

"The rest of you stay on your toes!" Hannah asserted.

"And stay alert!" Added Zaybian before he quickly looked at William through the gloom, "You're with me," he insisted before he began to charge toward the closest building to the party. William ran quickly after him - as did ten of the soldiers with their loaded rifles in toe - whilst Hannah and Thysis ran toward different buildings with their own attachments behind them.

Zaybian waited for a few short moments beside the wooden door of his chosen building, as gradually, his eleven companions joined him, "Right!" He announced as soon as the last few soldiers had caught up, before he stormed into the great wooden door and kicked it wide open with a single attempt. The intense glow from the spirits high above them, now threw gloom - as far as they could, into the compromised building below, as Zaybian cautiously led his small unit through the doorway and into his own Pandora's box.

The small unit of twelve stood just inside the doorway - still surrounded by the green gloominess that had poured in around them - as one of the soldiers felt along the wall beside him and flicked a small switch that his fingers had clumsily stumbled upon. The room flickered quickly with strobes of white light before the light remained constant and lit up the entire room. Before them, stood a lifeless space within which, drawn, dull curtains, draped over large windows and drab, wooden furniture, lounged lazily around.

A wooden staircase rose in silence from beside them, whilst a white, wooden door, stood nestled within its frame on the opposite side of the room. A large red settee and a single red armchair surrounded a solid oak table, upon which, rested a black, leather-bound book that William had instantly been drawn toward. As the party moved cautiously about the large room, William slowly picked up the book with wonderment within him.

"What have you got there my boy?" Zaybian asked with curiosity as he quietly approached him.

William gazed in awe at the plain black book that he now held within his hand before slowly opening it to reveal the silky white pages within; "This is the journal of Thomas Swift," he began to read.

Zaybian froze for an instant as the other soldiers stopped and stared at William in disbelief, "Let me see that!" Zaybian whispered with astonishment upon his face. William offered him the book with the same page still open, "Whoever would read through these pages," Zaybian slowly read on after taking it gently from William, "would know the importance of Gwen," his voice changed in amazement as he spoke, "our little gift from the Gods." Zaybian quickly closed the book, "Do you know what this is?" He smiled brightly, "this is the fabled writings of Thomas Swift!" He laughed, completely amazed, "it's his actual Journal!" He paused as he looked at the small book with a gaping smile, "Harrington!" He bellowed as he turned to one of the soldiers behind him, "Avarian will want to see this!" The soldier quietly nodded before he gently took the book and ran back through the open doorway.

### Chapter Eleven – A Hidden Treasure

Harrington ran quickly across the gloom and back to where the rest of the party were still stood on alert, "Avarian!" He shouted, slightly out of breath as he held the small book high in the air.

"Armiyas!" Avarian forcefully bellowed as he thrust his arm fiercely out before him and the light that fell on to the village slightly dimmed as some of the spirits disappeared from view. He walked quickly through the many men that surrounded him to where Harrington eagerly awaited, "I know exactly what this is," he smiled before Harrington could even say another word. Gracefully he took the book and ran his hand gently across the textured cover before it came to a peaceful rest upon it. He smiled for a few moments as he felt the coldness of the leather beneath his hand, "show me which building this came from," he said quietly. Harrington ran - with Avarian behind him - as quickly as he could, back through the gloom that the remaining spirits still shed on to the village and toward the large wooden house that he had initially come out of.

Inside, Zaybian and his small unit stood around, still with their weapons poised and ready to be used at a moment's notice. Harrington burst back into the house and took up position, just ahead of Avarian - who stood for a moment, just inside the doorway as if to take in the ambiance of the gently lit room before he softly spoke; "Have you checked the rest of the house?" He nervously asked.

Zaybian's eyes narrowed as he smirked intensely, "No old friend!" He laughed, "We were waiting for you."

The small unit moved cautiously toward the white wooden door with their loaded rifles focused entirely upon it.

"No wait!" Avarian quickly rasped as one of the soldiers turned the little doorknob and the light went instantly out. A faint growling suddenly came into existence and emanated from the darkened room that was now before them. As they stood in fear, they gripped their rifles tightly in their hands and nervously waited for what would come out of the darkness. Gradually, the growling grew louder, until the soldiers - who would wait no longer - fired blindly ahead of them. When the firing ceased, silence once again washed over them as the light - that had gone so instantly out, flickered quickly back into life.

The small room \- that had now been partially breached by the light that had spilt through the open doorway - stood calm and peaceful, as Zaybian, still with his shotgun at the ready, made his way through the small body of men and into the little room. Keeping a watchful eye around him, he clumsily felt along the walls and flicked a small switch beside him. The room lit up immediately and revealed it to be nothing more than an empty shell - pitted by the hail of bullets that had buried themselves into the weakened wall before him. He stood quietly in thought as he stared blankly at the numerous holes before he quickly tuned and ran to the base of the staircase - followed almost instantaneously - by the rest of his unit.

He stood in complete silence, only his heavy breath could be heard as he pointed his heavy shotgun up the staircase to where the light gradually faded into the darkness that consumed it. Slowly, he stepped on to the first stair with a terrific creak - and then, with a steady stream of comrades behind him, he ran - as fast as he could, led by his weapon. Avarian uttered a few breath-restricted words as he hurried along the staircase and the entire upper floor quickly illuminated, "Gwen!" He shouted, once he had caught his breath. A long few moments passed, in which every member of the little team held their breath in silent anticipation, "I'm in here!" Came a small voice eventually.

Zaybian's eyes sprang wide open. Instantly, he released his grip on his shotgun and allowed it to dangle freely from its leather strap around his mighty shoulder, as he ran quickly toward a great bookcase that stood to attention - overloaded with books of all sizes - against one the large bare walls before them. The other soldiers - quickly followed by William and Avarian - ran after him in amazement, as Zaybian looked frantically about the bookcase.

"Help me please! I'm in here!" Came the small voice once again.

Quickly and without hesitation, Zaybian ploughed into one of the monstrous sides and put his entire weight behind the huge structure, whilst three of the other soldiers dropped their rifles - sending them smashing into the floor - as they joined the struggle before them. Accompanied by a thunderous racket that reverberated around the entire house, the bookcase gradually inched to one side, scrapping fiercely along the wooden floor beneath it. After a short while and some considerable effort, a small wooden door - that had been previously concealed from view - revealed itself, as the rest of the group looked on with wondrous awe. After, what seemed like an age, the little door creaked slowly open, until a frightened young girl stood vulnerably before them.

Avarian smiled gently at the sight that his spirits had allowed him to see, "Gwen?" He whispered softly. She stood nervously before them - no more than fourteen years of age - and wore a long, blue dress with a bright, yellow sash around her waist. She bore long, curly hair that flowed way down passed her little shoulders and saw the world, for all that it was, through her bright blue eyes. She looked around at the many faces before her, then - after a few moments, she found focus with William and walked slowly toward him in amazed curiosity; "You are he," she said quietly in complete amazement, "I have seen your face in my dreams my whole life!"

William smiled in return but held a look of confusion, "And I somehow know you," he softly replied as he stared back with the same bewilderment upon his own youthful face.

Silence spread its glorious wings and flew calmly through the entire unit for quite some time, as Gwen - surrounded by her amazed onlookers, stared calmly at William as though she was once again inside a blissful dream. William himself, gazed back through confusion at the strangely familiar face before him. Suddenly and without warning, the silent awe was smashed by an explosive burst of thunderous gunfire that snapped the almost hypnotised unit instantly into action. They ran furiously back toward the wooden staircase to find two grotesque creatures waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. Bathed in only the green gloominess that now lit the floor around them; they focused immediately upon the party and flew at them with blind rage. The soldiers at the front of the formation fired madly at the terrifying creatures, as the entire unit – Gwen included - ran vigorously down the stairs. They ran without a second thought - passed the now slumped over creatures - and back out into the coldness.

Beasts - from the very depths of Haidreal itself - filled the entire village and fouled the very air that they breathed, as manically, they ran to all that they could see with wails and screeches from the very highest pitches that they could muster. Gunpowder, from every available weapon, exploded frantically - firing endless hails of bullets through the fouled air and deep into their decayed flesh. Zaybian led his unit as swiftly as he could back toward the main body of men, as each and every single weapon that was capable, blasted furiously away. The green gloominess that almost covered the entire action, soon became thick with Impenetrable black smoke as monsters and foul beasts alike, fell dead upon the cold cobblestones that once carried them.

Slowly the firing quietened until it ceased altogether and the thick black smoke gradually dissipated into the ether, as silence - once again, retook the village. For several long minutes, the party remained tense as they gripped their weapons with ferocity and with defiance in their hearts they waited for what would follow the onslaught. One by one, soldiers began to groan quietly and foam slowly at the mouths - as if a plague had suddenly gripped them and was spreading its deadly fingers throughout the entire party - until even the Reapers themselves were spitting blood.

William and Gwen huddled tightly together – being the only two unaffected- and looked quickly around themselves in terror, as weapons were sent crashing to the ground and all around, people threw their heads fiercely into their hands, screaming – through monstrous wails - wildly into the dust that they stood upon.

"We need to go!" Gwen nervously shouted, grasping William tightly by the wrist. The hands of the soldiers around them grew thick with black fur whilst their fingers grew radically long as razor-sharp talons sprang from them; "We need to go now!" She insisted as she ran - pulling William by the hand quickly behind her.

Slowly, the groaning and the screaming stopped and as the party's transformation concluded, William glanced quickly back to see his sister that was, glare rage fully at him through her now blood-red eyes. Suddenly, she roared horribly through the silence sending the entire party of wild beasts instantly hurling at the fleeing pair at daunting speeds. In absolute panic, William looked quickly ahead and pushed on by the fear that had now consumed him - he ran as fast as he could, as the wailing and the screeching of their ghastly pursuers grew louder and more terrifying as they neared. Instantly and without any warning, a gigantic beast dropped swiftly on to the fleeing youngsters from the night sky above. It spread its mighty wings and roared - with blood-curdling fury - at the fast approaching creatures, before flying back off into the night - with Gwen and William held tightly in its grasp.

Swiftly they were flown - high into the cloudless sky, as Gwen screamed into the moon-drenched darkness around her. William gazed in amazement at the mighty foot that had now cradled him and laughed, "It's OK!" He shouted excitedly as he looked up through the night at the mighty jaws that held a battalion of razor-sharp teeth, "It's my sylus!" He shouted across to Gwen - who was still flailing about inside the monstrous grasp, "It's Draygor!" He laughed, "It's my sylus!"

Gwen slowly calmed herself as she looked back through the night to see William \- who was still smiling and enjoying the ride, "Thanks for rescuing me!" She shouted with an uncertain smile.

"Thank Draygor!" William laughed.

Draygor flew almost silently through the cold air as William thought deeply about his new-found sister that had now been turned into one of the foul beasts that she had so passionately hunted. Mightily, they landed upon a flat hilltop - far from the village - that was covered in thick, long grass as it danced relentlessly in the wind. Draygor relaxed his enormous wings as they folded neatly beside him and released his grip upon his live cargo. William walked slowly clear of the gigantic talons and stood in the grass as Gwen slowly approached,

"Are you O.K.?" She asked gently with the colossal monument stood boldly behind them.

"I guess," he quietly replied, "it's just..."

"I know," Gwen quickly acknowledged, "it's horrible, isn't it?"

William fell quiet for a while, "How were you in that room by yourself?" He asked eventually.

"My father," she slowly replied, "hid me in there when we first heard the screams," she stared blankly as if she was reliving the fresh events; "I hid under my bed long after the screaming had stopped."

"I'm sorry," William quietly uttered.

Gwen remained silent before she smiled once again and removed a small ring from her finger. Looking at it for a moment, she took William's hand, "Thank you for finding me," she smiled, as she gave him the ring, "It's not much, but I want you to have it."

William smiled and looked at the small token that he now held between his fingers. A pearl oval, beaded by thin gold, sat upon a thin, golden band.

"It's called a Conjurer's Purse," Gwen smiled, "it can store things inside it."

William looked at Gwen in confusion, "Inside it?" He asked

Gwen laughed, "At the moment, it's only holding one item," she paused, "you can have that too,"

William gazed at the ring, "Put it on," she whispered.

Slowly, William slid the little ring on to his finger before he closed his eyes, "I... feel strange," he whispered slowly.

Gwen smiled, "It's OK - it'll pass," she paused for a moment as a sudden excitement overcame her, "can you see it?" She beamed.

"I think so," he replied, still with his eyes tightly closed as a slight frown appeared upon his brow, "A golden ball."

"Yes!" She shouted, unable to restrain herself, "It's The Sibyl! Let it out William!"

William opened his eyes, "I'm not sure how," he quietly replied.

Gwen cupped her hands gently together, "Just point the ring at my hands... and picture it," she said softly.

Slowly, William raised his arm until the pearl oval had pointed directly at the small hands before him. A few moments had passed before a glorious light escaped the little ring and engulfed the entire hilltop before the darkness of the night completely consumed it and the small, golden sphere, was left resting within Gwen's delicate touch.

William's eyes lit up as Gwen smiled with delight; "Ask it anything, go on!" She coaxed.

William stepped closer, his eyes narrowed as he carefully examined the little object; "Where is the Lomaxian Cross?" He asked slowly.

The orb fluoresced, becoming brighter and brighter, until a quiet voice spoke - like a heightened whisper on the wind, "The Sacred Cross of Lomax, lies deep within the Mantari Mountains," its beautiful eeriness held a certain charm all of its own, "around the frail neck of Hildetta it hangs."

The blinding yellow light faded quickly away to nothing; "How do I get the Cross?" William asked quickly, before the orb fluoresced once again; "Only the Lomaxian Guard are impervious to its nature," the ghostly voice paused as the yellow light beamed brightly; "far below Feliisha - in the Kingdom of Galgamire - is what you seek," it offered before its light succumbed to the darkness of the cold night around it once more.

"I..." Gwen began, "think that's all you're gonna get," she smiled.

William took a few steps back and with frustration upon his face, he slowly raised his arm – but nothing happened, "You have to think of... a pair of doors opening, or something like that!" Gwen shouted.

William concentrated hard upon the small sphere and opened the mighty doors in his mind's eye. All of a sudden, a great light emanated from the ring once again as the orb raced out of Gwen's hands and disappeared back into it.

"There you go!" Gwen smiled as the light faded quickly away.

"Now how do we get to Feliisha?" William asked.

Draygor spread his mighty wings and roared into the night - startling Gwen as William stepped toward him in curiosity; "You... know the way?" He asked, feeling a bit silly.

His monstrous pet roared once more and rested his mighty wings at his sides, "That's how we get there!" Gwen laughed, as Draygor lowered to her feet as though awaiting a knighthood.

Cautiously, she climbed the mighty beast and looked back down to William as she sat between its overwhelmingly massive shoulders.

William stood in denial, "This is madness!" He shouted as he headed closer and began to climb up.

"What took you so long?" Gwen toyed, as William sat behind her and the pair gripped tightly on to the mighty scales around them. Slowly, Draygor rose to his full magnificence and roared masterfully into the night once more before taking back off with spectacular elegance.

### Chapter Twelve – Trinity and the Black Mage

Draygor flew steadily throughout the silent night as the pair of youngsters slept peacefully, nestled deep within his thick scales. The morning's rays splashed blissfully over the peaks of the barren mountain range ahead as William slowly stirred from his deep slumber. Gradually, his eyes opened to see that the sky around him was set alight with beautiful crimsons as the newborn sun rose higher into the wakening maternal sky. Through silence he watched, as the mountains got slowly closer, before he gave back in to his heavy eyes and closed them once again.

He gently awoke as the heat of the sun lovingly warmed his little face through the large, curtain clad window beside him. Slowly, he sat up on the small, little bed that he had found himself upon and gazed through the window to the pasture below. A strange young woman with long flowing locks of dark red hair, stood cheek to cheek with Draygor, as she gently held his head lovingly in her arms. Thick green grass and wild countryside surrounded them for as far as William could see, whilst the Mountain range; that he now remembered in the crimson sky, stood proudly in the background. He gazed at the peculiar sight before him for a long while until the woman suddenly looked directly at him and smiled warmly.

"Good morning, William," he heard in his head as he watched her - almost as if he had simply thought it. Quickly, and slightly disturbed, he got off of the little bed and left the small, light filled room that he had been carried into. A long corridor met him, furnished with a warm, thick carpet that held a red and black floral design and that perfectly matched the old wallpaper that surrounded him. A long flight of carpeted stairs flew swiftly down to the belly of the strange little house as he began to walk toward them.

Trinity waited patiently as she continued to cradle Draygor's mighty head within her gentle arms. Eventually, William stepped out of the old house and walked quietly through the dancing grass to where they were peacefully stood.

Draygor slowly raised his head back up to its majestic height as Trinity turned around with a welcoming smile, "I said; good Morning, William," she laughed.

"Then that was you." William uttered as he stared.

"My name is Trinity," she chuckled, "I am a Theriomancer."

A slight frown appeared upon his brow.

"It means that I can communicate with any animal that I choose to," she smiled, "and control them - when I need to." William smiled in response as a little glint appeared in his eye once again, "I am a friend William," she added, "you must be hungry... come," she smiled as she offered her extended arm.

They began to walk back toward the huge, old house as Draygor launched himself - with a few mighty beats of his wings - high into the air once more.

"Where is he going?" William shouted as he flung himself around.

Trinity smiled as she extended her arm once again, "I'm sure he'll be back soon... come," she gently reassured.

William - after a few moments - turned back around with uncertainty upon his face and stared at the house before him. Its walls were vast and white - dotted with a network of dark framed windows of various sizes, whilst the whole thing topped itself off with a grey slated roof that rose swiftly from each side of the house and peaked almost as high as the mountains before it. It stood among its own little ecosystem, with brilliantly coloured flowers that occupied almost every inch of space and supported an abundance of little creatures that lived out their lives within them.

Trinity smiled to herself as she watched William study her creation, "Well, do you like it?" She asked in anticipation.

"It's... nice," William smiled.

Gently, she ushered him along, as they walked slowly along the little path that led to the front door before disappearing inside.

Inside was light and airy, with vast shelves of ancient books that covered almost every wall before them.

"Where's Gwen?" He asked cautiously.

"She's still asleep," Trinity said softly, "with the amount of food that she ate this morning, I'm not surprised," she chuckled, "are you hungry, William?"

"Why are we here?" William slowly asked, "We are meant to be headed for Feliisha."

"Feliisha is less than a day's flight from here," she reassured, as she led him to one of the mighty bookshelves before him, "besides... going there now would do you no good."

"Oh?" William uttered in surprise, "Why is that?"

Trinity pulled a rather large book - with a very tatty cover - off of the shelf and placed it onto a huge table before them, "Only under the gaze of the King, will the mighty gates of Galgamire open," she said slowly as she sat on one of the huge chairs and slowly opened the book.

William pulled another of the chairs out from underneath the table and sat beside her, "What does that mean?" He asked blankly.

Trinity turned gently through the golden-edged pages of miniscule text and brilliantly coloured illustrations as William watched silently. She turned to a page that depicted a mighty, golden statue of a King - with huge crystal eyes and a mighty golden crown. Quietly, she smiled to herself, "Here he is," she said softly, "this is the great King Lomax," William gazed at the luxurious painting upon its ancient page, "he stands tall over the gates of Galgamire. Look at the eyes, William," she whispered. William looked closely at the pink crystal hexagons, "It is said," she continued, "that when the King died, his soul went into those crystals so that he can forever watch over his Kingdom," William sat quietly and listened carefully as he watched the painting; "those crystals were stolen over a hundred years ago... nobody can enter Galgamire without them," she quietly added.

William's face dropped; "Then, that's it," he said glumly.

Trinity smiled excitedly; "Not exactly," she said slowly, "I know where they are," William's smile instantly returned and his eyes lit back up; "the witch that now wears the cross," she began, "has a brother - Dessicanta. He is a mage of the blackest arts and not to be taken lightly," she said as she closed the mighty book before her, "he has a castle, not too far from here. The crystals are there."

Slowly she got up from the table and pushed the mighty book back into its space upon the shelf, "now, how about that breakfast?" She asked.

William thought for a moment, "I am... a little hungry," he finally admitted.

"What would you like?" She asked with a smile as she turned to face him.

"Try the pancakes!" Gwen shouted as she came into the room.

"Ah! Good morning Gwen," Trinity smiled.

"Good Morning!" Gwen beamed as she sat beside William;

"My mother used to make..." William began,

"Honey porridge!" Trinity quickly interrupted as two steaming bowls of honey porridge and two silver spoons appeared on the table before them.

"How...?" William smiled in amazement.

Trinity laughed, "Enjoy!" She squealed as she headed back toward the front door and out into the flowers.

William dove straight in as Gwen picked up her spoon and smelt the aroma that rose slowly up from her bowl – like the mist that rose up to Feliisha from the darkest depths of Galgamire.

"It's really nice!" William assured as porridge hung from around his mouth.

"It does smell nice," Gwen smiled as she slowly filled her spoon and tried a little, "It is nice!" She beamed with surprise as she eagerly dunked her spoon back in.

William emptied his bowl in next to no time before sitting quietly in thought as Gwen slowly finished. Before long, Trinity re-entered the house as she clutched a thick bunch of long, green sprigs tightly in her hand, "It looks like Draygor's back," she smiled. William's face lit up once more as he sprung eagerly from the table and bolted out of the old house. He ran quickly through the wild flowers as he watched Draygor swoop majestically down to the pasture and land - with a few more mighty wafts of his enormous wings - just a couple of feet from him.

Slowly, William approached as his monstrous pet lowered himself down to the ground once more and spread his enormous scaly wing over the thick, green grass below it. Slowly, William began to climb up and after a short while - as he passed Draygor's immense shoulder a small, soft, yellow chair, quickly wove itself out of pure, brilliant light just before his eyes whilst another wove itself behind the first and a third wove itself behind the second. Each one wove larger than the one before it until three comfortable chairs sat harnessed and ready - all in a row - as their light died down to a dim glow. In splendid awe, William looked around with wonder clearly visible upon his little face to see Gwen and Trinity giggling away below him. He sat into the smallest chair - that was not too far from the back of Draygor's mighty head - and made himself comfortable, as Gwen, followed by Trinity, began to climb up. Before long, Gwen was sat just behind William - with Trinity sat just behind her - as slowly, Draygor rose up and jumped powerfully into the air with a few gusting flaps of his mighty wings.

"Be unafraid," William vividly heard in his thoughts as they headed for the unknown, "you are not alone."

William smiled quietly to himself as he sat deeply into his chair and looked ahead across the wondrous sky as a sense of relaxation overcame him. They raced, with staggering speed, high over the endless hills that rolled majestically across the landscape and the pastures that sat peacefully dotted throughout them - and the woods and the forests and the carefree creatures of the land that lived out their little lives oblivious to the threats of the world around them.

"Dessicanta's castle sits upon a rocky outcrop," spoke the gentle voice inside William's head, "just off the coast of North Bakata - we should be there by dusk."

William's mind wandered around aimlessly as he thought of his mother - and for no reason at all - remembered a shopping trip from one sunny Saturday morning as a few random objects that were purchased on that morning flashed quickly through his mind. Almost without notice, his remembrance turned to the point where he had left his bedroom and then flashed instantly to when he met his sister for the first time in that long red coat. As he thought longer about his sister, she turned in his mind, from that pretty young woman with the long, dark, glistening hair, to that foul creature that glared at him so intensely through those blood-red eyes and that roared so horrifically through the gloominess.

As the day slowly progressed and the sun hung a little lower in the sky, Gwen, too, began to remember. She thought hard about how she had hid underneath her bed - quaking in fear - as her father lay dying upon the cold cobblestones of the village square along with the rest of the villagers who had fought, so bravely, against the monsters. She remembered her skin crawl, with every fibre of her being and the sickening feeling deep within her, as they breached the house and came looking for her.

"It was not your fault," a gentle voice within her generously interrupted, "you had to stay alive to avenge them... for you know what you are,"

Trinity lent forward - her mouth within whisper distance of Gwen's ear - as she gently placed a hand upon her small shoulder, "Do you not?" She whispered before she sat back deeply into her seat once again. Gwen remained silent – deep in thought as they continued to race into the dawn of the evening around them.

As the light began to fade slowly away, a slither of water casually appeared upon the horizon as it stretched effortlessly across its entire length and widened astronomically as they continued to speed toward it.

"The coast of North Bakata!" Shouted Trinity excitedly, "and there's the castle!"

William watched intensely, as the silhouette of a ruined castle stood tall upon solid rock surrounded by the sea that thrashed and battered it, "Do you imagine that I am unaware of your presence?" Came an outraged voice that suddenly thundered terrifyingly upon the wind. An apparition of a withered face filled the sky around them, "I've been expecting you!" It said gently as it smiled, before it disintegrated into thousands of tiny screeching creatures that flew in a wild frenzy as they bit and bombarded the monstrous beast among them and the passengers upon it.

Draygor roared loudly - with much more ferocity than William had ever heard him roar before - as swiftly he battled through them all with his magnificent armoury of tooth and claw. Calmly, Trinity raised her arms high above her head and gently closed her eyes as - in groups of huge numbers - the creatures exploded with spectacular effect as the sky furiously lit up all around them.

"Very good!" Laughed the evil voice once all of the creatures had exploded and the light level came back down; "Let's see what else you can do!"

In a single, blinding flash, all three friends found themselves stood upon the side of a colossal sand dune without a single trace of Draygor anywhere to be seen. Both Gwen and William looked instantly to Trinity with a mixture of concern and a fear of the unknown upon their little faces; "It's OK," Trinity quietly reassured as she scrutinised the landscape around her with real uncertainty within her. The sky was orange and crimson and the heat of the sun that blasted down was sweltering. The sea of sand looked as though it would stretch on forever in all directions whilst massive waves of dunes stood statically frozen in time. Dessicanta slowly materialised - out of a haze of thick black mist that quickly dissipated around him - as he smiled and glared at his captives from afar.

Suddenly, the sky thundered loudly and the ground trembled. The sand raced uncontrollably underneath them and they tumbled quickly down the dune as Dessicanta began to run toward them. Quickly he built up speed and instantly transformed into a terrifying creature - that hurtled upon wings - toward them at the speed of the Gods themselves, as it snarled and screeched like a starved rabid animal. Completely black, like the souls of Haidreal and with eyes as red as freshly drawn blood, it raced savagely - blind with rage \- as it flew inches from the ground with its battery of razor-sharp teeth begging madly for flesh. Its wings - like long, torn sails - swiftly trailed behind it and whipped the ground ferociously that they raced above, sending sand blasting high into the air.

In near hysteria, the three friends tried madly to scramble to their feet as Trinity quickly flung her hands far out before her - fumbling her words in terror. She shook uncontrollably with fear as she quickly recited her spell - over and over again - louder and louder each time, until, Instinctively, William flung out his clenched fist and - as he looked quickly away - an immense light that outshone all that had shone before it, escaped his little ring and quickly took the creature - as it screeched and writhed with all the fury of the underworld - deep within it. Slowly, the light faded once more and the sky above them silenced, as the three of them - still panic-stricken - looked intensely all around as they lay in the sand and caught back their breath.

After a few moments, another blinding light quickly flashed before it died back down leaving the three friends covering their eyes as they lay upon the cold concrete roof of the castle's keep. Slowly - and one by one - they rose to their feet as two, large, hexagonal crystals, floated in mid-air before them. Draygor roared fiercely as he towered over and stood magnificently behind them as he displayed his might. Huge parapets surrounded them and beyond them, stood mighty turrets with great, overhung, spires that threatened to pierce the very fabric of Mythica.

"Look!" Gwen suddenly whispered in amazement as the crystals shined brightly with a delicate pink hue swirling within them. Trinity slowly approached in admiration as she raised a gentle hand and allowed her fingers to delicately fall upon the face of the crystal before her. Instantly, the areas around her fingertips rippled - as though she had placed them upon an undisturbed body of water. After a few quickened heartbeats and a gradual deep breath, she relaxed her hand - allowing it to fully rest upon the smooth, cold surface, as huge ripples emanated all across it. Slowly and all around her gentle touch, the crystal darkened to a powerful fuchsia, allowing its extremities to turn almost white.

Blissfully, she smiled and closed her eyes in ecstasy, "I... can feel Lomax," she whispered with an uneven breath before she slowly opened her eyes once more. In amazement, she held her touch as all of the powers and knowledge of the ancient king flowed effortlessly throughout her. Finally - and after having her fill - she lowered her arm as the dark fuchsia dissipated back into the rest of the crystal, until the delicate hue was fully restored, "Let's get them back to where they belong," she said quietly as she looked to William and her heartbeat began to return to normal. William slowly raised his clenched fist and the now familiar bright light - that he had become so accustomed to - once again escaped his little ring as the crystals raced quickly toward him before they suddenly disappeared and the light quickly faded away.

### Chapter Thirteen – The Lomaxian Guard

"There's Feliisha!" William shouted excitedly as he leant forward from his seat and pointed wildly into the wind.

The four mountains of paradise came quickly into view as Trinity smiled; "And below it... Galgamire!" She added.

Draygor flew - with all of his might - as he fought against the strong wind that threatened to keep him from his arrival. High over dense forest he battled until the many raging rivers - that raced through the trees far below him, came violently together and formed an almighty ocean that raced to uncertainty - as it plunged far over the edge of the magical world around it and raced down into the very depths of darkness. Feliisha floated - like a marvellous vision from the Gods \- in the centre of an impossibly vast chasm, whilst all around it - all the world's oceans plunged down to dark Galgamire.

Heavy, saturated mist, filled the sky and raced toward them - blown violently by the endless wind - as it bombarded and drenched them with all of the swiftness of the underworld. William's cold, wet, clothes now clung to his skin like a thick layer of flesh that had long since died - as quickly, Draygor shot way out passed the plunging edge of the ocean below him and out into the mighty chasm itself. Suddenly and with the same swiftness and ferocity as all of the oceans around him - he dived, with gaining determination, into the compelling darkness below.

All too quickly, the sunlight faded away, as the incessant noise from the raging waters around them, thundered louder and louder in the darkness. As Trinity uttered silently through the chaos, a delicate glow came slowly into existence revealing the rugged beauty all around them.

Before long, William could see the huge, golden, crown of the ancient King that stood far below them, as it came slowly out of the darkness - like the wreck of a sunken vessel that was being discovered for the very first time. He gazed in marvel as they neared it and watched intently as the full glory of the timeless monument gradually revealed itself to its new visitors. Soon enough, the ground that the golden King was stood upon came flying abruptly toward them, as Draygor landed with an almighty thud and quickly relaxed himself. The raging waterfalls still thundered violently all around them and raced quickly down to ruination around their massive platform of solid rock. For quite some time, all three of them gazed up through the gloominess to the towering colossus that stretched way up into the darkness.

Trinity smiled, "Give him his eyes!" She shouted excitedly through the thunderous racket before William stretched up his arm and clenched his fist at the harrowing monument before them. All at once, a bright and brilliant light escaped his little ring once more and filled the entire space above them, revealing the true magnificence of the golden King for the very first time in many an age. The two huge crystals appeared and blissfully floated in mid-air - high overhead \- as the immense light from the tiny ring quickly died back down. Their pink hue sparkled brightly in the darkness - surrounded by nothing more than their own elegance - as they quickly ascended and partially lit the golden King as they did so.

Gradually, they slowed their pace as they approached his mighty crown and hovered. Gently, they floated and sank deeply into place as the luminescent hue - that now swirled wildly within them - gradually succumbed. For a moment or two, the three onlookers waited - almost impatiently - as they held their breath in anticipation. Suddenly, the crystals beamed - brighter than ever before - as they lit the entire enclosure around them with all of the intensity of the daylight that was now far above them. Trinity quickly turned her head in overwhelming excitement to set her own eyes upon all that the great golden King could now finally see once more.

In silent awe, the three brave explorers stared in disbelief as the legendary Kingdom of Galgamire stood - as large as life - just before them. A pair of mighty stone gates - that were solidly set into a vast stonewall - stood masterfully as they stretched up high as though longing for the magical world above. Endlessly, the monstrous wall ran with perfect grace and encircled the protected city within, whilst - at the very same time - it watched, with great expectation \- as a new chapter in its own existence began the dawn of a new and exciting age yet to come.

Slowly and upon suggestion, Draygor gently ambled toward the mighty gates before him with his three riders eagle-eyed in apprehension.

"Only under the gaze of the King, will the mighty gates open," recited Trinity to herself, just as the mighty gates - just as if they had heard her – did, in fact, part. Now before them and within the colossal protective walls, stood numerous mighty stone buildings - all completely unremarkable in appearance - as they waited patiently to receive their new visitors. Quietly, Draygor walked through the huge gateway, as Trinity, Gwen and William, looked eagerly around themselves. Slowly, the monumental gates - once again - began to close, cutting off the intense light from the King's eyes behind them.

Every single surface before them now began to fluoresce in the encroaching darkness, gaining quickly with intensity, until the monstrous gates were tightly sealed. The continuous rage from the thundering waterfalls was now completely silenced as Draygor and his passengers looked on with wonder, as bright, metallic colours - from all over the spectrum - shone and glistened intensely. Draygor walked slowly on, toward the mighty buildings as they overwhelmed his riders with their gentle beauty.

"Hello!" Shouted William in apprehension as he looked around for any sign of life that might be lurking.

Trinity smiled, "That will not get you anywhere," she quietly began, "Lomax's people left this land, long ago."

"Then... why are we here?" Gwen asked, being slightly confused.

"The legendary Guard," Trinity quietly replied, "did not."

"Why not?" William asked with a scowl as his attention suddenly averted from his magnificent surroundings.

"When Lomax died," Trinity began, "his people sought sanctuary elsewhere but his private Guard - loyal till the end - stayed to protect the Cross."

"Then how did Hildetta get it?" He asked glumly.

"That... I cannot answer," she softly replied.

Draygor walked slowly on, passed the blazing buildings that surrounded him and toward a cylindrical column of stone that shone just as brightly as the rest of the Kingdom. He stopped, just before the column and lowered himself to the shining ground. Trinity rose from her chair of dimmed light and joined by her two companions, quickly made her way, down his mighty, stretched out wing and back on to the solid ground once more. Slowly, she approached the little column before her and gently placed a hand upon it - closing her eyes as she did so.

Instantly, the sheer brilliance of the column quickly faded - back to the drabness of the bare rock that formed it - as a ferocious wave of darkness spread quickly from its base in all directions - faster than a plague of starved locusts - as it consumed any brightness within its path, until the only light source in the entire Kingdom, was the dull luminosity from Draygor's three small chairs. Gwen and William looked to each other, as it seemed, an entire age went by - before an almighty shock wave of fabulous light - much more intensive and much more colourful than the fluorescence that it had replaced - covered the Kingdom in a single instant.

Both Gwen and William watched in amazement as Trinity slowly opened her eyes to see an entire army of warriors amassed and bravely stood before her. They stood in their masculinity - naked to the waist - with colourful beads and bird feathers worn artistically around their necks. They wore a huge headdress of colourful feathers that fanned out high above their heads and they each carried a wooden Bo staff.

Trinity cautiously watched as one of the warriors stepped slowly toward her, "You have something of Lomax about you," he said quietly as he peered at her, being unable to pinpoint it exactly, "which one of you restored the crystal eyes?"

Trinity looked to William and smiled gently. The warrior looked slowly at the small boy before him, "It... was you?" He asked quietly.

William smiled nervously, "Well... I helped," he replied.

Gwen laughed gently at his sheepish response, as the warrior turned back to Trinity, "What is it that you seek?" He formally asked.

Trinity, once again, looked to William, "We seek the Cross," William acknowledged, sending the warrior into a fit of laughter.

"They seek the Cross!" Shouted the warrior sarcastically as he turned to the others - sending uncontrolled laughter throughout them. Slowly, he turned back to face Trinity, "and I suppose that you will just, kill the witches that stole it from us?"

Outrageous anger quickly boiled up inside her as she closed her eyes and her long red hair began to rise scarily from her shoulders. Within moments, she began to glow softly as she lifted quietly off of the ground and hovered in perfect radiance. Her glow grew much brighter until it vastly outshone all of the buildings around her as she floated gently to the ground before the bewildered warrior, as he peered - for a second time - through squinted eyes, at the old man in robes of white that now stood nobly before him; "If needs be, Morogeth," he said sternly as he smirked at the dumbfounded warrior before him and the light faded away.

"My King!" Exclaimed the warrior through the bounds of his bewilderment.

A paralysing amazement swept instantly throughout the entire army around them and silenced both Gwen and William just as completely.

"Is this how you treat my guests?" Asked the King.

Morogeth's face dropped as if his King had just torn out his still beating heart, "No, my King... It was wrong of me to assume," he uttered as he fell to the ground in merciful forgiveness.

"Then rise, Morogeth," Demanded the King as he luminesced brightly once again.

Slowly, Morogeth rose from his humble position and gradually raised his heavy head to watch Trinity engulf his beloved King before his eyes.

"Lomax has chosen you," he said in a grainy voice, "we... shall follow you."

Trinity stepped quietly forward as Morogeth stepped aside and allowed her passage to the other warriors - who parted like the waves of the red sea - until she stopped silently before a mighty stone plinth. Blankly, she stared at it for a few, silent moments, before she waved her arm quietly across its face and a bright blue oval of pure energy rose from its stone foundation. It spun furiously within itself and grew larger and more intense until it eventually held its size and became stable. Slowly, she leant toward it, "Show me the location of the Cross" she whispered assertively, forcing the manic chaos within to calm and ripple outward like a peaceful lake.

It revealed a dark and silent cave that had sunk itself deep into the side of the snowy mountain that cradled it as tremendous blizzards of snow and ice waged war around it.

Trinity stared lifelessly into the scene that faced her as total silence kept its deathly grip upon the congregation, "Through this portal... and into that cave, is where we go," she announced sternly, before she stepped, without hesitation, on to the mighty plinth and into the unforgiving. The ravenous blizzard rampaged loudly around her as she appeared upon the rocky ledge - thick with snow - that led to the ominous cave. As she battled bravely against the almighty force that threatened to swipe her from her feet, bare-chested warriors - in their droves - materialised behind her and fought fiercely to gain ground.

"Come on William," nudged Gwen as she turned to Draygor, as instinctively, he lowered himself once more to the ground.

William watched with complete admiration, as the last of the vast army marched headstrong through the portal and disappeared into the blizzard. Eventually, he climbed back up to his seat of light to see that Gwen was already strapped in and anxious to catch up with the others. Draygor rose quietly from his plateau and quickly followed the last warrior that had disappeared into the unknown. As William watched - with growing anticipation - they rapidly approached the rippling scene and dove straight in without a second thought. The other side was cold beyond all reason, as William peered hard through the sheer chaos before him - but nobody else could be seen through the sheer volume of snow and ice that brutally battered them.

Draygor fought ferociously to get into the cave and once through its jagged mouth, he lowered himself once more before his cold travellers climbed slowly down to the ground.

"Hello!" William shouted as he peered through the failing light, "Trinity ... anyone!"

"That's strange," Gwen quietly added as William began to lead them deeper into the cave. The noise from the raging blizzard now behind them, soon faded as they got still deeper - only to be replaced by the echo of their footsteps that reverberated loudly around them. In the dwindling light, Gwen spotted an old wooden torch as it hung peacefully from its bracket upon the wall,

"Light this, William," she whispered nervously as she lifted it from its resting-place and offered it to him.

"With what?" He asked blankly as it began to gently glow like the embers of a dying fire. William took it in amazement as instantly, it ignited spectacularly and lit the entire cave around them.

Now before them \- in the warming light - stood Hildetta with an evil smile affixed to her face, as her three sisters cowered a little distance behind her.

"Hill!" Whispered one of the sisters as she leant forward with fear within her, "Hill!"

Hildetta's smile grew confidently as her eyes glistened and fixed upon the wooden torch in William's hand.

"Hill!" Burst her sister once more.

"I know!" Snapped Hildetta as she spun quickly round in a rage before all three of her sisters recoiled. After a few seething moments, she turned slowly back around to face William once again;

"But Hill!" Shouted her sister - being unable to restrain herself.

Hildetta burst in fury and snapped her bony fingers as her sisters instantly vanished into nothing; "Nonsensical buffoons!" She bellowed as she brushed her fringe gingerly. After calming herself, she smiled again at William, "You have to forgive them," she surmised, "they are easily amused!" She quickly added, "you see, William, enchanted torches... usually, only work for those, who are, themselves... enchanted," she walked slowly toward him as she spoke, "you have some magic within you," she hissed, "I don't like that!"

"Oh Hilldy!" Sung a happy voice as the boldest of her three sisters reappeared looking especially pleased with herself, "Don't you think that It's now my turn to wear the Cross?" She beamed.

Hildetta froze as her smile quickly faded away. Slowly, she turned around to face her sister, "Floretta... dear," see said calmly with considerable restraint, "It is your turn, when I say, it is your turn," she snapped; "And it is never your turn!"

At this, a second sister reappeared with bulging eyes and a wavering smile; "Then what about me?" She asked excitedly, "is it my turn now?"

"Henrietta!" Shouted Hildetta, approaching her wits end, "what makes you think that you'll even get a turn?" She snapped horribly just as her youngest sister reappeared without saying a word; "Are you part of this Maise!" She snapped once again as her left eye began to twitch erratically.

Maise smiled coldly and reached out for the Cross - joined, almost instantaneously - by her other siblings.

Hildetta began to suddenly panic as the Cross began to violently gyrate upon her chest, "Stop it you fools!" She whispered callously as the Cross upon its chain darted clean off of her neck and floated high above her head.

William smiled as he clenched his fist and slowly raised it toward them.

Hildetta froze instantly - like a rabbit that had been caught in powerful headlights - as she looked at William with a gentle smile, "William," she chuckled nervously; "my dear boy..."

Quickly, a bright and glorious light burst powerfully from his little ring and for a few blissful moments, peace and tranquillity reigned supremely. When the light faded again, only the Cross on the dusty floor was left in the space as it glistened gently in his torch's light.

Trinity instantly appeared before them with a look of despair within her eyes; "They were waiting for us," she whispered slowly as the warriors began to reappear around them, "it was like... I could see you, but I couldn't help," she paused as she stared blankly at the cross on the dusty ground, "like I wasn't even there."

William remained silent as he stepped slowly toward her, "It's OK," he whispered gently.

Trinity closed her tearful eyes, "The malice that they made me feel..." she sobbed, "that... was within them."

Still, William said nothing.

"The Cross is now yours," she announced as she opened her eyes and it floated gently up to her open palm. Slowly, she approached him and with deep respect within her heart, she placed it gently around his neck, "May you always be safe," she whispered lovingly into his ear before gesturing to Gwen.

Gwen slowly approached and as she did so, Trinity took William gently by the hand before she reached out for Gwen's. In apprehension, Gwen took Trinity's hand and then William's.

"Close your eyes," Trinity whispered gently into the circle, before all three of them instantly vanished.

### Chapter Fourteen – The Hunt for Leptar

The three trembling souls materialized upon a barren plain that was steeped in shadow and overlooked by mountains of jagged rock. William slowly opened his eyes, as the thick, foul smelling air wafted passed them and peered through the dim light that had spread itself so thinly throughout the vast region, as though it was only there in angry reluctance. All around was dark and rancid, as a sky of black loomed menacingly overhead.

"Where are we?" He asked slowly, still gripping Trinity's hand tightly.

"The Land of Shadow," Gwen quietly offered through squinting eyes as though she didn't want to fully let it in, "I've dreamt of this place my whole life," she said panting lightly, "It's not a dream this time, is it?" A trembling smile appeared upon her face as she looked around slowly and tried to calm herself.

Trinity released her hand from William's grip, "We are both here with you, Gwen," she said gently. Gwen scrunched her eyes tightly shut before opening them once more and taking in a deep breath, "OK," she began, "it's this way."

The three friends walked slowly along the raw dusty path that they had materialized upon with a terrifying mountain of black glaring down at them as they approached. Creatures - that were so foul that could only survive by consuming their own dead - littered either side of them as their intensely glowing eyes came slowly out of the darkness.

"Don't worry," Gwen whispered gently as she watched William clutch at his cross, "they won't harm us."

"How can you be so sure?" William whispered back, still keeping his steady gaze around him.

"This has been my world, every time I closed my eyes since I was a child," she replied calmly.

"The Gate of Haidreal awaits us," Trinity injected, "fear not William, your destiny is not yet complete."

Soon, they came upon a harrowing cave that sat aloft a rocky outcrop after collecting cuts and scrapes as they climbed toward it. Silence filled the air and the stench of decay hung thick all around. The sky rumbled frightfully as they drew near, until they – one by one – immersed themselves in the darkness.

"Gwen!" Whispered William as he felt blindly before him, "I can't see you any more!"

"It's OK," came a gentle voice from the darkness ahead, "just keep going," Gwen encouraged, before an archway of illumination lit up before her. William, followed closely by Trinity, rushed up to her, as great markings of ancient writing fluoresced and adorned the wall as she reached out to touch them, "Whom ever should enter here," she began, "should abandon all hope."

William looked to Trinity in silence, "Now, it is up to you," she said softly.

Slowly, he reached around his neck and raised the chain - that held the vial of blood - up and over his head. The blood within shone brightly in the dim light as he placed his hand above it and his brand once again began to glow. When it had faded, he splashed its contents over the great face of the wall - smashing the vial upon it when it was empty. Trinity removed a golden hairpin that had held her flowing locks in perfect place and taking William gently by the hand, she lightly pricked his finger. Without a further word passing between them, he flicked at the wall repeatedly. It didn't take long before the ground beneath them shook ferociously and the glow from the markings went out. Suddenly, the cave rumbled until the wall before them cracked violently. As Gwen relived her nightmare once again, a ghostly spirit floated slowly from the destruction before them and offered its hand to hers. She trembled with fear as she slowly reached out for the spectral hand and it wrapped its icy fingers tightly around hers.

"What are you doing!" William quickly shouted as all of her colour flushed quickly away until she disappeared completely. The spirit vanished – having had its fill - leaving a shimmering portal in its wake that rippled gently in the foul air around it.

"Why would she do that!" He shouted as his eyes bulged in fright.

"It was her destiny to do so," Trinity empathised, "only she could open the portal, it was, why she was." For quite some time, William gazed silently at the apparitional entrance;

"I can not come with you," Trinity prompted as she watched the frightened little boy beside her, "you are the one that wears the Cross," she reassured as he clutched it tightly through his T-shirt, "be unafraid William."

William closed his eyes and still clutching the cross that sat over his thumping heart, he stepped bravely into the portal that awaited him. Trinity looked on for a few moments as it swallowed him completely before it collapsed altogether and she too, disappeared.

William stepped hesitantly out into the blinding sunshine that had now surrounded him, as the familiar scent of his mother's perfume wafted gently through the air. Gradually the light dimmed and she appeared, stood radiantly before him, as a steaming plate of sausage and mash sat welcomingly upon the kitchen table.

"Did you find the cross, my darling?" She merrily sung - crouching lovingly before him.

William frowned, "How did you know about that?" He asked slowly, being still slightly confused by the whole situation.

Janet burst into laughter, "I'm your mother!" She cooed lovingly, "I know everything... Can I see it?" She beamed with a magical twinkle in her eye.

Slowly and uncomfortably, he reached into his neckline and pulled out the golden cross - allowing it to hang freely in full view.

Her eyes bulged with delight, "Oh, William! It's beautiful!" She exclaimed, reaching out but not quite touching it, "Can I try it on?" She asked as her fingers trembled before its might.

Quickly, he clutched it in hesitation, tucking it back away into his neckline; "Oh go on!" She played.

Suddenly, she grew angry and impatient - firmly placing her open palm out before her, "William!" She snapped, "I am your mother! Now give me that cross!" - Still, he hesitated.

She let out a terrifying wail as her eyes shone red and the sun-filled kitchen turned instantly to the dark depths of Haidreal. Her voice dropped demonically as she spoke once again; "Give me the cross, William!" She demanded before lunging violently at him and trying to grab it. Instantly, a tremendous explosion of brilliant white light – triggered by her unholy touch – emanated from the little cross and threw her way back into the darkness, as William himself, began to glow brightly. The thundering ground beneath him broke the silence that followed and in the extremity of his far-reaching light, Leptar raced furiously back toward him with vengeance deep within his heart.

As if caught in a trance, William lifted slowly off of the ground as his engulfing light intensified dramatically. Higher and higher he floated, whilst Leptar's hooves stampeded in rapturous rage, ever faster. Suddenly, he stopped dead in his tracks as William looked at him through renewed eyes;

"Your reign of terror is at an end," he announced in a deep and calming voice.

Leptar stepped slowly back, "Remanon," he sniggered, "how nice of you to visit."

"This is your final act of treachery," Remanon began, glowing still brighter through William.

"I wouldn't do anything... foolish," Leptar smirked as he held out his open palm and surrounded by his devilish claws, Aurora floated helplessly.

Remanon's power within William died quickly down as his glow dimmed and William floated gently back to the ground.

Leptar grinned with delight, "That's..." he paused as Aurora disappeared and he lowered his hand, "Better!" He roared as he charged fiercely once again.

As quick as a flash, William threw both of his hands out before him and Leptar froze - unable to move. William's glow instantly returned; much brighter than it was before;

"Did you think that I had gone?" Remanon laughed, as hues of blues and pinks began to swirl quickly away from Leptar before they rose up and disappeared - leaving nothing more than a cowering man behind them, "Now," Remanon continued, "you will not be destroyed as you deserve, but shall live forever, as a mortal."

As Remanon uttered those final words, Leptar the mortal, faded quickly away, until all that was left of him was the dust that he had once stood upon. Remanon faded and William fell slowly to the ground as the light dimmed to nothing. Opening his eyes, he peered slowly around in the darkness as if he didn't know where he was or how he had gotten there. Suddenly, a soft blue glow appeared and revealed a beautiful woman with long flowing hair that hovered in perfect radiance before him, "Thank you, Prince" she whispered gently as she disappeared. William smiled and clutched the cross tightly to his chest and closed his eyes.

When he opened them, the great crack in the cave wall before him had disappeared whilst a small amount of light lit the space around him from the world outside. Rising to his feet, he slowly stumbled out of the cave to see that hordes of beasts had grown ferocious and were amassing below – snarling and screeching up at him with hunger deep within them.

William closed his eyes once more as slowly he walked to the outcrop's edge as once again, he began to glow. His glow brightened quickly as he neared it until he stepped off surrounded by blinding light. Slowly he descended down through the air toward the now silent creatures that watched with fear. As he landed gently on his feet, he walked slowly toward the still amassing hoard as they got bolder and the snarls began to return. All at once, they ran headstrong toward him with their claws at the ready and their mouths baying for blood. William swiped away at them with his bare hands as they approached, sending countless numbers hurling uncontrollably away but still they came in droves. Slowly, their numbers began to push the light back into darkness until they had overpowered William completely. All – it seemed – was lost, then suddenly, one last push of light exploded from him covering everything in an instant. When, finally, the tremendous light had died back down, all was silent and peaceful. The creatures had all been destroyed but, in doing so, William had almost used up his own life. Quietly he lay - battered and broken - and watched with fading eyes as Hannah leant out from the belly of the Firefly above him. Over the colossus of corpses they flew, as if Haidreal itself had no more soldiers left to send. Now within feet of him, Hannah watched helplessly as the smallest spark of light that was still within his eyes strained softly in the darkness. She had only been at his side for a miniscule amount of time, but in that single instant she longed to be there more than ever before. Time had all but stopped, as every beat of her heart saw him slip further and further away. Still lower the Firefly descended until Hannah was in touching distance of his outstretched hand before it fell lifeless back to the ground beside him.

Now in the distance, a small spirit appeared emanating its own glorious light and walking quite quickly just above the carpet of corpses that littered the landscape. Hannah watched with tears in her eyes as the spectre headed straight for William. She walked barefooted in a long sash-tied dress whilst long curly hair glistened and bounced gently behind her. She raised her arms toward William as she approached and slowly, his limp body floated high into the air. Once it had reached its majestic height, it exploded with light once more before William quickly descended - alive and renewed. Now face-to-face with the beautiful apparition before him, William gazed in awe, "Gwen?" He asked quietly after a moment.

"Hello, William," she smiled, "Thank you, Prince. You have rescued my mother," she gazed at the brightening sky blissfully as Aurora appeared overhead, "now I can go to her," she added as she began to float up, "Remember me."

Aurora smiled warmly as her daughter approached and they both vanished into the steadily brightening sky around them. Gradually, the Sun's rays penetrated the clouds and as they hit the ground, the endless bodies around them began to disappear. William watched in amazement, as the light brought with it streams and grass that covered the plain in moments. A single bird, as white as Arcadian, flew down from the now beautiful sky to where William still watched in awe and in blinding light, it transformed into an old man with a long flowing beard and robes of turquoise.

"Hello, William," he smiled gently.

William felt as though he was staring back at a long-lost friend, "Remanon?"

Remanon laughed warmly, "Yes my boy, I am Remanon. Thank you for bringing my family to me."

William gazed in admiration.

"Is there anything I can do for you in return?" He smiled gently.

William thought for a while, sending Remanon into fits of laughter, "That has already been done!" He bellowed loudly, "Is there not anything else, my generous Prince?"

After another moment and without William saying a single word, Remanon chortled, "Well! If that is what you want!" He bellowed joyfully as he faded away to nothing.

William gazed at his loving sister who was still hanging out of the now landed Firefly and as its ramp slowly descended, he ran happily toward it to thunderous cheer from the rest of the crew. Now back aboard, its ramp retracted and its door closed tightly as its mighty propellers began to spin. As gently, they lifted back into clouds, he could wait for nothing but to see Glitherhiem once again.
