Union of Fire

Chapter 1: Bad Omen

T

he faint echoes of dripping water and distant footsteps bounced from the cavernous walls of the dilapidated space. Two rusted metal doors slowly creaked open. A flock of crows scattered into the sky through the damaged roof above. Nine hooded shadows emerged from the darkness of the doorway, their hidden eyes focused on a sizable mirror embedded into the back wall. The light from the hallway rushed through the opened doors, illuminating the room. Despite being hidden away for many centuries, the mirror remained eerily pristine, still shimmering like a night star. Dimly lit statues of armored warriors scattered around the room reflected in the magnificent mirror. In their reflections, the statues moved, curiously turning their heads toward the mysterious intruders.

“This is the place,” a proper, young voice whispered.

The hooded strangers climbed the set of stairs leading to the mirror and positioned themselves in a semi-circle in front of the daunting reflector. One of the figures stepped forward rubbing his hand along the cold glassy surface of the mirror. The seemingly solid glass began to warp and ripple, sending the room’s reflection into a scattered mishmash of twisted shapes.

“Hmm. This barrier is powerful. But there are ways around such forces,” the proper man said.

Another figure in the center of the group opened a thick tome and sifted through the pages. His shrouded eyes pursued the book’s many incantations. “Ah, here it is. Follow my lead,” the stranger calmly muttered.

The nine figures began to chant and a ghostly haze filled the room. A bright light began to shine from the center of the mirror. The pace of the chanting increased. The light began to pulse and spread across the glass until the entirety of the mirror shined like a doorway of pure radiance. A blinding white flash engulfed the room and then dissipated. The nine figures ceased their chanting, each pair of curious eyes centered on the mirror. The location in the mirror had changed yet the reflections of the moving statues remained, now agitated and defensive of the intrusion. The nine strangers examined the hazy reflection of a barren wasteland of sand and nothingness. Ripples formed at the center of the mirror, distorting, and warping the lonely expanse. The one with the book smiled, impressed by his ability. He stepped closer to the mirror and poked the glass. The ripples glided across the mirror’s surface like a pool of water.

“Interesting…we must continue. We are nearly there,” the man said.

The nine resumed their chant and the rippling grew more intense until the image was nearly unrecognizable. Suddenly, a bulge protruded from the massive mirror and a sickly hand slowly emerged from the rippling surface. The leader of the group stepped forward, eager with excitement, as the strange being pulled itself from the mirror. The reflections of the statues reached out their hands as if trying to capture whatever creature was trying to escape the grasp of its magical bind. The chanting reached a crescendo and the emerging entity hurled itself from the mirror and onto the floor. The rippling gradually stopped and the mirror’s reflection returned to normal. The mysterious escapee sat on all fours panting. He appeared sickly and feeble. Despite his fickle appearance, his cobalt eyes were commanding and powerful. His armor was reminiscent of Julius and Beldazon’s. A sinister maliciousness oozed from him as he slowly raised his head and examined the shrouded figures surrounding him. His breaths were heavy and his legs wobbled when he tried to stand. The nine crowded around the downed man bearing their palms to help him to his feet.

“Don’t touch me!” The man protested, violently pushing the shrouded figures away. “Where are they? Where is he?” He screamed.

“Father, please calm down,” a mannerly female voice assured, stepping forward.

“Father?” The man questioned.

“Yes, father. It’s me,” the woman replied, removing her hood.

“Verutia? Where is your brother?”

“Welcome back, father,” a male voice greeted, removing his hood.

“Orthenius? You have grown, boy.”

The decrepit man turned to examine the remaining figures. “I assume they are all here as well?” He inquired.

“No, father. We found a way to bring you back without the need of Genrou and his friends,” Verutia replied.

“Where are they?” The man asked, an intense anger clouding his eyes.

“Larenia, Yuya, and Alakin are dead. They were killed by Beldazon. We have heard rumors of Genrou. He has changed his name to Julius. He dispatched Beldazon not too long ago and then disappeared. And there’s more. There are…children. Beldazon, Larenia, Yuya, Alakin, Genrou, their blood still walk these lands. Rumors of Zorian’s lineage have even cropped up in whispers. Even…Celonia,” Orthenius replied, pausing.

The old man looked back at his children, a smile creeping. “Beldazon, huh? It appears he truly was as malleable as I thought. That foolish fawn was practically pining for war. It’s a shame. We could have used him once more. And Celonia made her choice. She’s dead to me. No matter. I have returned. And this time, I will make good on my promise,” the man boasted.

“Lord Zathandalous, I am currently concocting a scheme that you may find most pleasing,” the man with the book informed.

Zathandalous turned toward the shrouded man smiling. “I know that voice. Judging by your calm demeanor I assume that you still have your wits about you.”

The shrouded figure lifted his hood and nodded. “Yes, my lord. Tarin, at your service. Zaros is under control for the moment, my lord,” Tarin replied with a polite bow, his other half locked firmly within the cage of his shaky mind.

Zathandalous smiled and carefully descended the staircase, wobbling as he stepped. His children followed closely behind, watching him to avoid a fall.

“I am curious to hear this plan of yours, Tarin,” Zathandalous beckoned.

“I think this strategy may just be my masterpiece.”

Zathandalous smiled and cracked each of his knuckles with his thumb. Suddenly, the room became ethereal, hazy. The figures faded and the room went black.

“I love this feeling. It’s a shame that all good things are so short-lived,” Maya said with a sad smile.

“Did you see something, Maya?” Julius asked.

“I’m not sure. It’s just a feeling, but for now, I want to lose myself in this moment,” Maya replied.

“I couldn’t agree with you more, young lady,” Julius replied.

Three years later, Zannondale still basked in the peace brought from Beldazon’s defeat seven years prior. Dorian and Xia now enjoyed a peaceful life in Genrou’s Grotto with Julius while Kara and Dain prospered in the rebuilt city of Gothe. Kaya and Lucas resided in the renewed city of Loxx where Rin, after considering Kara’s words on magical usage, decided to spread his teachings to the magically inclined to help the city grow with his unique abilities. The renowned warrior Bartas raised his seven-year-old son, Nolan, with his wife Siena in Haven Hollow, a new city formed above The Hidden Underground. Maya now presided over the newly constructed city.

Maya often struggled to sleep. She tossed and turned in her bed dreaming of distant possibilities and outcomes. Her most recent musing, one she had seen before, returned as she slept. She could see fuzzy images of a grand city of joyous people, then heard a thunderous roar and the streets began to flood. The raging waters decimated nearby structures and swallowed fleeing pedestrians like a hungry beast. The earth was broken and warped by an intense quake. Searing fires scorched the city in the distance, creating a hellish horizon of screams and smoke. Terrified survivors desperately fled into a nearby forest to escape the crumbling metropolis. Maya writhed in her sleep, mumbling to herself as she often did.

“No. No please no, not my sister,” Maya screamed. The terrifying dream jolted her awake. She clutched her head, panting heavily. Her thoughts raced frantically. She struggled to make sense of her terrifying nightmare. “W…what the hell?” She whispered. She laid her head back down looking up at the ceiling. A powerful sense of doom crippled her, one that chilled her, bringing about a quick shudder that seized her body.

“Why? Why do I keep having this dream?” She cried, hiding her face behind her clammy fingers. A quick glimpse of Kaya’s innocent smiling face flashed through her mind’s eye. Maya jumped out of bed and walked to her window. She sat on the window seal gazing toward the full moon above, bathed in its bluish glow.

“Even the moon can’t soothe me tonight,” she murmured.

She sighed and blankly stared into the city below. A dizzy spell struck. She massaged her aching temples as she glanced toward her sword propped against the corner. A few dizzying steps later she retrieved her blade from the moonlit corner and held it in her hands. “I guess peace never lasts for too long, unfortunately,” Maya said, hugging her sword close to her chest.

She returned to the window and gazed over the city for several hours. Just as she felt herself falling asleep she spotted small rays of sunlight peeking from the horizon. “I have to go see her. I have to warn them. I fear that things are about to get much worse,” she said as her heavy lids clasped shut.

Back in Genrou’s Grotto, Dorian lay awake in bed, unable to fall back asleep. He sighed, and his sight drifted toward Xia. Her tranquil expression put him at ease. He smiled and caressed her soft face with the back of his hand. He lost himself in a happy memory that made his smile grow wider.

“Are you all right, Dorian?” Xia whispered.

“You’re awake? Yeah…I’m fine,” Dorian replied after a brief hesitation.

Xia laughed, her brow arching in defiance. “Dorian, I can always tell when you’re lying. What’s wrong?”

“I have that feeling again. I have a bad feeling that something terrible is going to happen. I haven’t felt this way since the incident with my father. I…I’m worried.”

“Dorian, everything will be alright. Even if something were to happen I’m sure we could handle it.”

“Maybe you’re right. We have been married for five years after all. Nothing is too difficult at this point,” Dorian jested.

“What exactly is that supposed to mean?” Xia replied, exchanging a friendly slap against his bare chest.

“I…I didn’t mean it like that, Xia,” Dorian replied, stumbling over his words.

“What exactly did you mean?” Xia playfully questioned, crawling on top of him.

“Well, I just meant that love is a tough business and we’ve been through a lot together. So, we could take on almost anything and I love you.”

“Good answer. For a moment there I thought I was going to have to hurt you.” Xia leaned toward Dorian’s ear whispering. “I may be able to help you relax. You want to go a few rounds?”

Dorian chuckled and slid his hands through Xia’s dark hair. “Does a Dain always lose his socks?” He replied, positioning Xia in his lap. “It’s been seven years since we met and I still can’t get enough of you,” he whispered.

Xia smiled and wrapped her arms around Dorian’s neck. “I have to admit, you are getting a little stale, sweetie,” Xia teased.

“Oh, you are evil…”

Dorian pressed his lips against hers and gently gripped the back of her head. After a momentary embrace, he pulled away smiling. “I guess I’ll just have to be more creative, then,” he whispered. Dorian laid Xia on her back and stared down at her.

“What are you going to do to me?” Xia playfully whined.

“You’ll see.”

Xia chuckled as Dorian teased her neck with wet kisses. Xia looked away, her gaze was distant, losing focus for a moment. Dorian noticed her hesitation and stopped.

“Are you all right?”

Xia smiled as she turned to face him. “Dorian, I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

Before Xia could reply a voice suddenly interrupted. “Is anyone there? Can you hear me?” The voice echoed.

“Maya is that you?” Xia questioned.

“Yes, it’s me,” Maya replied and switched to Dorian’s mind. “Hello, Dorian.”

“I have to admit this whole telepathy thing is extremely creepy,” Dorian said.

Xia laughed and covered her face in embarrassment.

“I apologize if I interrupted anything important but I need to speak with you.”

“A little late for apologies, Maya. The moment has passed. What do you need to discuss?” Dorian smugly retorted.

“I have been having a very troubling vision and tonight I had it again in my sleep. I need to meet with you and the others in Loxx. Please get there as soon as you can. I have already informed the others,” Maya explained, switching between the two of their minds.

“Okay, Maya. We’ll be there. What did you see in your vision?” Xia questioned.

“I don’t want to say. I’m still pretty shaken up about it. I’ll explain everything when we all arrive in Loxx.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to talk about this? You sound very upset,” Xia pressed.

“Okay…but please tell Dorian to leave. Just in case you do speak out loud. I want this to just be between you and me,” Maya requested, her voice cracking under stress.

Xia glanced toward Dorian and nodded.

“I know…it’s girl time. I’ll be outside,” he replied.

Dorian left the house and headed toward the river. He paused at the bank gazing into the rushing stream. The feeling that had plagued him during his encounter with his father had returned and Paerlio’s scarred face flashed through his mind. He couldn’t shake the feeling of fear lingering within him.

“Something’s wrong,” the entity echoed inside Dorian’s mind.

“I know.”

Dorian heard footsteps, then Julius’ reflection appeared next to him.

“Can’t sleep either, huh?”

“I feel it too, Dorian. I feel that Maya is carrying a heavy burden and she needs a little time to deal with the stress. Her father had similar issues when he would experience very vivid premonitions. Alakin once had a vision so emotionally powerful that he burst into tears,” Julius replied.

“It still amazes me how much you can discern from your ability to feel, Julius.”

“I also believe she has been carrying this burden for quite some time. I believe Maya had a vision on her sister’s wedding day that disturbed her, but she was reluctant to share it with me,” Julius explained.

“How do you know all this? I thought you could only pick up on subtle feelings?” Dorian asked.

“She contacted me too, Dorian.”

“Ah, I see. Maya has become quite powerful. It’s kind of creepy, isn’t it?”

“No, not really. I’m used to it.”

“What do you think is bothering her?”

“I’m sure everything will be explained when we arrive in Loxx.”

“I hope so, Julius.”

“Dorian,” Xia called, opening the front door.

“See you soon, old man,”

“You too, young man….hey…watch your mouth,” Julius replied, his brow cocking.

Dorian shuffled back home chuckling, following Xia into the bedroom. She took a breath as she sat down on the bed. Xia’s sullen response to Maya’s news only worsened Dorian’s feelings of dread. He sat down next to her, pulling her closer as she rested her head against his shoulder.

“I’m very worried about Maya, Dorian. She sounded so afraid. Maybe you were right. Maybe something is going to happen.”

“What did she say?”

“I can’t say. I promised her I wouldn’t.”

Dorian rested his head against Xia’s. “It’s okay. When we all meet up in Loxx we’ll get to the bottom of all of this. I promise. Everything is going to be okay,” Dorian assured. He held Xia tightly and his mind began to wander. He felt something terrible looming. He knew that the road ahead would rival the chokehold that Beldazon brought down on the peaceful continent of Zannondale, or worse…exceed it.