Alenia traveled on the back of Eshe with the massive Orc sitting behind her holding her steady as the horse bounded over the trail. Alenia's heart pounded as the tremendous weight of the horse glided over the dew kissed grass. Eshe's mane flowed rapidly through the wind that she passed through. 141Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HnypK4zGO
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Jumping over fallen logs, rocks, and bushes in the trail. There was no need of reigns or some kind of tether to control this wild creature. It bowed to whoever had its stone. The orcs had trained these tremendous creatures by magic in stones. Whom so ever wore the stone around their neck, the horse would bow to. Eshe reached the encampment rather quickly all the substantially bulky orcs stared at the incoming horse. They all began to bow before Alenia as she rode through the tribe to the center. The horse stopped slowly as it went into a trot. Its feet coming to a slow ganter. Moving its head up it down as it got down on its knees allowing Aria and the Orc to hop off. Aria flatted her dress and stood strong, and proud.
As she stood there a chieftain came forward bowing his head towards her. "We appreciate your arrival." he stated, as he looked up she noticed his battle scars. He had a large scar on his right eye. He was blind in that eye, his skin was tainted with battle scars. He was frail, and ancient looking but his weapons were just as large as the other Orc. As he stood she could see that he was the largest of his tribe. His tusks were longer, and sharper. They had many holes in them with rings to signify that he was chief. He motioned his hands towards a torn up path. As they walked closer ancient trees bended out of the way to reveal a white wolf sitting next to a very old Orc. "Samarra..?" She asked out-loud, The wolf looked up with a strange expression, "No, Not since you released her.. While I am glad she has-" The She-wolf was cut off by an old orc standing at the end of the path.
The Old Orc bowed, you could see his bald poisoned spots on his head. His face sagged with millions of wrinkles. His nails had turned into claws for he never trimmed or clipped them. He lifted his weary head. "Allow me to introduce myself Alenia, I'm Kharzug, One of the first Orcs to Idor." He said with a weary voice as if something existential was troubling him. Alenia sat down on the leaf scattered ground. "Well, I am present Kharzug, I don't have much time for someone I love is to be murdered at dawn," She said anxiously staring at the drawing light in the horizon. Kharzug was silent as he observed her actions, "Child, Death is only a moment, As you have come back your lover will to. Earth has its strange customs, here Death does not work in the same way as it does on Idor. Your love's soul will be preserved, Find comfort in that and pay attention to the tasks ahead," He said wisely with much influence and persuasion. Kharzug sighed a heavy exhale. "Tell us, What do you know of Idor..?" He asked her.
Alenia stared at him with a raised eyebrow, "I remember meeting an old woman.. In a white palace with many clouds. She looked very ancient, There were many pillars with inscriptions on them standing 6 ft from each-other,.. She led me to an oak door.." She said her voice fading off as she noticed everyone was oddly staring at her. "What," She asked them. The old orc shook his head, "No one has traveled there in many years..Many, You.." He said pointing his finger at her before putting it down. "I Won't question it, but you are very special indeed to have traveled there, to have had access to that place." He said with a stern voice. Alenia was quite confused by this information. Pondering for a moment she gazed up at Kharzug. "This place, you speak of that I went to..What is it?" She asked. The orc laughed a hearty loud laugh as if to say or mean that she was joking. When he realized that her facial expression began to become confused his laugh suddenly stopped. "You mean to tell me you know not of the place you were in?" he asked seriously. She glanced at him with a very confused expression as she curled her lips, looking side to side then gazing back upon the Old orc's face as she simply shook her head no.
The orc began bustling around looking for an object of importance. He threw objects to the side tussling over foreign shapes that Alenia had never seen before. At last he pulled out a very oversized book, it was covered in cobwebs. The book was gold-plated with a large ruby in the center of the cover. Intricate designs filled the beautiful cover. Many generations would have loved to have that book. To some it was the book of knowledge, others the book of youth or beauty. The book contained many secrets to Idor, Many unknown facts, and Hidden loopholes. It talked about the Holy Aura and how they came to be. This book always had one guardian and his name was Kharzug. It was his life and his sole purpose to protect the knowledge in the ancient pages. His duty was to preserve the knowledge and never give it out unless it was to the Holy Aura, an appointed king/queen, or to Idor herself. Kharzug opened the ancient book, Alenia was surprised that even the pages were lined with gold ink.
"Is this an important book for it to be lined with so much gold..?" She asked the Orc. Kharzug gave her an odd expression before turning through the pages. Landing on a depiction of a room with a white throne. "There!," Alenia shouted suddenly. Everyone in the tent looked up at her, Kharzug spoke up, "You recognize this place," He asked. She nodded, "Yes when Samarra transported me somehow, I was here. This was where I met the old woman." Alenia explained. Kharzug was stunned by this answer. "Not many get chosen to visit the native home of Idor..Your mother was one of them when she gave up her life to stop Imperial.." He mentioned. Alenia looked at him, "You knew my mother..?" She asked him. He nodded, looking into her eyes. "There is a lot you don't know, and you have such little time, for that I am truly sorry..." He said. She scowled, "I know enough to know that I must pierce Imperial's throat for all of this to be over," as she said that she looked out of the tent to notice the dawn rising. Her thoughts immediately, and violently switched to Isaac. She jumped up in a rush yelling his name. Kharzug tired to stop her but she was already on Eshe before anyone could stop her.
Quickly she rode to Nytl'quia her heart pounded vigorously as Eshe rushed over the trails towards the kingdom. As she approached, she could see the guards and the people of
Nytl'Quia standing outside. King Akkar came out pushing Isaac out of the doors of the large castle. He looked badly beaten, bloody and bruised. Getting off Eshe holding her face she told her to leave. Eshe was a smart animal understanding she took off down the trail. Alenia crawled over the walls to get a closer look. Immersing herself into the crowd, no one knew she was there or who she was. She wanted to save Isaac she almost called out to him. They met eyes and his expression turned wildly scared for her. He motioned with his eyes for her to leave the crowd, Many spies were in the crowd with her. He whistled a raven call within a moment a hand was over Alenia. The person dragged Alenia out of the crowd silently without any disturbance.
"What are you doing here," The stranger said. She began to uncontrollably cry, "Isaac, I love him. I came here to rescue him, my powers are strong are they not?, Could I not start the war now, for his soul's sake?" she said in tears. The stranger held her close embracing her in sorrow. He eventually spoke up, "Isaac knows his duty, we found him in his cell.. but he refused to leave. King Akkar's guards caught us in the cell and beat Isaac terribly for trying to escape. After they had finished we had cleaned him up and he told me that he knows what you are worth and gladly he would give up his life for you to live and succeed." He said holding her tight not allowing her to see King Akkar stabbing his long royal sword straight into the back of Isaac. Issac's suddenly began to burst into flames as the sword was stabbed deep into his spine. His optics flamed bright red as skin burst into a raging explosion. The elves were surprised by the reaction as he was turned into a pile of ash.
Alenia heard his screams and struggled to look but the man was to strong. "LET ME GO!" She screamed. Many people looked from the crowd as the stranger rushed Alenia out of a side gate. Other spies came from the sides and bound her mouth. "mhmhmhfm.." she grunted while she cried. They carried her from the kingdom before dropping her softly on the ground. She squirmed violently as she cried hard.
The spies tried to quiet her as a Nytl'Quia guard came rushing out to all the noise. Alenia was frightened, shocked, and angry at all the emotion. One of the spies silently unbound her as she rushed angrily towards the guard a black liquid came out of her palms 'POENA MORTIS!!!" She screamed loudly as the ground shook, the guards soul was absorbed into her palms as Alenia's eyes grew black. The darkness retreated into her as she fell down onto the ground weakly. The spies escorted her quickly out into the woods while her body dropped weakly. Eshe came running from the woods for Alenia had silently called her from the stone. The spies put her on the back of Eshe, "Take her to Kharzug," One of the male spies said as another male hopped onto the back of Eshe to ride with Alenia.
Thorndyke watched as the Orc horse Eshe rode off with Alenia. He looked over at his other elven spies with contempt. "She almost started the war, and her powers grow with each passing day. Soon she will be ready to take down Imperial himself..Has anyone recovered the sword that he took yet," He asked his spies. His glance went down to the withered skull sunken guard as the sword was placed in his hands. "We need to keep this safe until Alenia is fully prepared to use such a crude instrument. Her little "Death Penalty" Spell won't be enough to take down Imperial.." he said. Making a raven like call, a bird came soaring out of the skies he held the sword in the air.
The bird took the handle in its claws and hovered in front of Thorndyke, "Take this to Kharzug and instruct him to keep it hidden, until he is sure Alenia is ready. For now to let her grieve and not let her out of his sight." He said. The bird saluted with its head as it headed towards the Orc encampment. As the bird flew out of sight several Nytl'Quia guards came rushing out.
"Our position's been compromised!, RUN, GO!" He instructed his other spies. Without haste they all scattered into the forest as the captain detained Thorndyke. Spitting in Thorndyke's face, "I knew I smelled a rat in the dungeons, Oh maybe it's because one will sit there!" He yelled as he chained him dragging him into the dungeons. The other guards had split into the forest to find the other traitorous spies.. Thorndyke on the other hand was murdered in his cell by one of King Akkar's guards. The bird had flown successfully to Kharzug and Alenia was successfully retrieved, and calmed down. Her people's camp were transferred to the Orcs. King Akkar did not know where their encampment lie. For now they had the advantage. Alenia grieved horribly over Isaac's lost. It was only Anya she wanted to see most days. They couldn't allow her to grieve much longer..
6 days later after the incident. Alenia lay in the Orc tent staring at the ceiling thinking about her life her heart was at its darkest moment. Anya sadly came in looking at her in this state was painful. "Alenia, we need to find some courage, Isaac's death was terrible.. King Akkar should fully pay with his life for the things he did, But you mustn't let it become whats left of you.." Anya asked, "I feel a terrible pain myself, we all do." Alenia only turned her head away from Anya.
"I have no strength anymore, All of you expect me to be something I'm not. I don't even have the full leash on the darkness. King Akkar told me Imperial was working for it.." She said with tears in her eyes. "I am not anything anyone could have hope in. I have nothing to use against Imperial, everyone I ever loved has been killed. If I am to love anyone else, will they be killed as well?" Alenia asked Anya looking into her sad eyes. Anya dropped her gaze softly towards the floor. "Alenia, You were meant for so much greater, I held the responsibility of preparing you for everything when you arrive. But I didn't.. I left you in the village because the Elves attacked after David's death, and I had no choice we were under fire. I couldn't come back to save you..I had no idea that you had somehow traveled to their encampment.. If I could of somehow stopped that..I..I.." She said as she began to cry.
Alenia was heartbroken over the situation, "Hey.. Hey.. Anya, you did your best, You always took care of me, I wouldn't be where I am without you.." She said as she stroked Anya's face and wiped her tears away. "If I am truly to take this burden I must talk with my mother, and I must know the truth, your truth, I must read the ancient book. I must gain an advantage against Imperial." she said with a courageous tone. Anya smiled looking up at her, "There she is, There is the Alenia that I know. Your mother has been very worried for you, and Samarra has not been able to understand to keep out," She said with a bit of a laugh. Alenia smiled and whistled for Samarra. In a white flurry she came rushing in jumping on Alenia licking her face frantically. "Down girl, Down girl!," She laughed as the big animal toppled her to the floor. "Silly girl, Who's a silly girl, You are yes you are!" She cried out with laughter.
Getting up she walked out of the tent to find many had crowded around it with their own tents, many who were outside stood up, and bowed towards Alenia. "What shall we do now Princess?" one of them asked. With a heavy stare, she replied strongly, "What we can,...Has anyone see Kharzug and the Queen?' She asked them.
They all nodded "Yes milady Kharzug is with your mother in his tent. They have been in there for almost as long as you have, We had all begun to worry for you. Anya kept us calm," They said. Alenia looked over to Anya nodding as they hugged each-other, "Enlightenment has to come now,..We both must know the truth.." She whispered in her ear. Anya nodded as she took Alenia's hand leading her down to Kharzug's tent. Tightly she held Anya's hand while Anya whispered calming, and soothing words to her. Strongly she entered Kharzug's tent, they both glanced up surprised. Kharzug was holding the ancient sword in his hands it began to glow as it floated towards her. "Where did you find this," She asked Kharzug as she grabbed the handle of it. It hummed in response to her touch as she gazed up to Kharzug's wild expression. "From a raven, I was instructed not to let you have it until you could use it for Imperial.." He said, "You know this sword?" He asked her.
She nodded, "Yes when mother was Samarra she helped me to find it in an ancient crumbled kingdom, that seemed stopped with time," she said as she swung the sword in the air gracefully while it hummed glowing softly.
"Thorndyke must of retrieved it back from Imperial, back when he had me under his grasp," She said as she sat down grabbing for the ancient gold plated book. Kharzug grabbed it from her hands in an instant, "Exactly what do you think you are doing?" he asked. "Knowledge,.. I need to know how I came to be..What my purpose is." She said. Kharzug simply shook his head, "No one can touch this book but my hands. Its very poisonous to those who are not chosen to touch it." he said pointing to his scars. "Book must choose..and we don't need you getting hurt." He warned, "Just as your sword chooses you, the book has chosen me as its keeper," He stated.
Alenia still reached for it, flipping it open with confidence she laid her hand down on one of the pages. Her hand began to glow as the pages accepted her hand print. Kharzug stood back in shock, A gasp came from all of them as she flipped through the pages unharmed. Kharzug tipped Alenia's head towards him to observe that her optical's were pearly white. "Don't interrupt her, It could be very dangerous, " he said with a warning tone. Ivalon came foreword, "Is she going to be alright?" She asked concerning for her daughter's safety. Kharzug nodded, "She is searching and communicating with Idor herself, We must let her be and search the book, Any questions we might have she might be able to answer for you once she has finished. Until then we must leave her be." Kharzug said as he waved both Queen Ivalon and Anya out of the tent.
Alenia was transported into a vision like dream. Eagerly she cried out into the darkness, "Hello!" But only her voice echoed in the blackness. Suddenly without warning a voice broke out into the darkness. "What is it that you seek?" It asked. Alenia coughed clearing her throat as she said "Knowledge!", The voice was silent for a moment before it spoke, "There are many kinds of knowledge, What kind do you seek?" It asked her. Alenia thought for a moment before saying, "The Holy Aura, My purpose, How to save you!" She cried out. As she finished her sentence a blinding light vanquished the darkness around her. Alenia covered her eyes to keep from going blind. To her amazement a creature stood before her that she had no words for. "Who are you?" she asked it. It glowed in a light that surrounded it, It had an elf-human like face such as Alenia, long white hair, a tall slim body, the creature appeared to be female. "I am Idor,.. In essence.." She said. Alenia was stunned, "How did I get here..with.. with you.." She asked, Idor waved its hand.
"That is for another time, You come seeking the knowledge of the Holy Aura, and How to stop Imperial..He has done a great evil..He has taken the reigns of darkness from me, and from here I can not stop him, There is one that he bows to that has not shown his face...." Idor said turning towards Alenia as she bowed. "You must help me and the planet I reside upon." Idor asked her. Alenia didn't know how to respond so she keeled before the creature, "How.." Was all she could muster out. Idor stood up looking at Alenia's confusion her facial expression softening, "The Holy Aura is guarded by a great beast by the name of Balthazar, the last dragon of his kind. I gave him full power over the Aura. The only problem is, with dragons.. power goes to the head. He turned against me and killed anyone I sent to retrieve the Holy Aura, With you..You have a gift of summoning death itself. While it works with Imperial you somehow have gained the reigns to control it at will. We should use this for our advantage. " Idor explained. Alenia nodded, "So I must absorb the Dragon's soul?" She asked but Idor shook her head silently. "You must kill him, using death itself..I know this burden is heavy on a mortal's shoulders, but the Holy aura must be freed..Balthazar must be slain.." Idor said as the voice began to fade.
"No, Wait I have more questions!" Alenia cried out as her spine tingled in a sensation of falling. Suddenly she was back in Kharzug's tent, removing her hand from the book she slammed it shut hyperventilating. Kharzug came to her aid holding her as he sat her down.
She was in shock and Kharzug had to let it pass before he could burden her with curious questions. The shock passed moments later, "I met Idor..Or an essence of the being..She told me where the Holy Aura resided..And what I must do.." Alenia said with a grave tone of sorrow. "I must kill Balthazar.." She continued to say. Kharzug was astonished by the information, "Idor..told you to kill a guardian.. There must be a good reason why she would ask you to do such a thing," He pondered. Alenia looked up at him with her azure blue eyes, "Its because the power has gone to his head, and he has killed everyone Idor has sent up there to retrieve and awaken the Holy Aura, For us to win this war the Holy Aura must be by our side." Alenia explained in the best words she could.
Kharzug was stunned by this information that kept piling out of Alenia's lips, "A guardian gone mad, here.., I have heard that in other universes but here...I didn't think it was possible that evil could have such a grip here..of all places as pure as this one is..." Kharzug said. Alenia looked over at him, "I didn't think to ask where Balthazar lived.." She said biting her fingernails in fear. Kharzug smirked, " Good thing, I have an entire ancient book on Balthazar. I never knew what he guarded..Many tales were spun over the years but it all makes sense now. He is guarding the Holy Aura, and the poor creature has succumbed to the power of it. He handed Alenia the dusty book on the dragon. "Read this, it should give you all the information we need on this dragon, I will go talk to the chief of the Orcs to ride out and gather more tribes to our cause. Fear not Alenia, we are one step closer to success" He said as he walked out of the trees. Anya and the Queen were standing there eavesdropping, Anya looked over at Kharzug, "Are we sure Alenia is ready for such a burden?" She asked. Ivalon coughed, "This was to be my burden and my burden alone, But I failed and Idor has chosen my next of kin to save us all, if she can't do it..Then we are all surely doomed. What's the plan Kharzug?" She asked him.
He sighed pinching his ears in frustration, "I will need to go talk to the chieftain of the army and tell him to rally other tribes, Ivalon and Anya need to sit tight while we gather our forces, We don't need you in the hands, or should I say.. Paws.. of Imperial's plan. We don't know if Imperial knows Balthazar or what kind of promises he has given to the dragon. You two are to stay well guarded by Nakia. Find her..Please and relieve my stress.." He plainly said, They only nodded, walking together as Kharzug ran off to find the chieftain. Anya walked silently next to the queen, peering over at her she was almost afraid of what she was about to say. "Ivalon.." She spoke out meekly. She turned toward her stopping, "Yes Anya..?" She asked smiling at her. "I am afraid to say this, but I have courage..I am .. I am your niece.." She said as she waited for the horror. Ivalon chuckled softly, with a smirk. "I know, And you are very beautiful" She said pinching her cheek. Anya was confused and perplexed, "How..How do you know.." She asked her.
"It was a very long time ago, But your mother had I guess you could say fallen in-love with a human and mated with him, after that night she no longer wanted to see him..She gave birth to you and was going to kill you, I offered to take care of you and take you out of her hands. Being the naive, cynical elf that she is.. She accepted..When Imperial had taken over the city, and claimed his love for my sister, we had all knew that he had fallen... You were only a child then, So I sent you with my guards to your human father where he then raised you as his own." She replied with a smile "I am glad you made it safely, and I have been waiting for you to ask me, I figured you would in your own time." She continued.
Anya didn't know what to say Ivalon could see this and pulled her into her arms, tears began to come out of her eyes as she cried in Iva's arms. She patted her back as she cried. "Everything has been so confusing, to know that my mother was the reason Idor was in this mess in the first place made me feel at fault, I had a responsibility.." She said crying through her tears and snot. "Anya, It wasn't just my sister that caused the fall of Idor..It was also Imperial..How at the moment I can't remember, I'm still piecing memories together. But right now, we all must be strong for Alenia. For it is she that holds the true burden, and weight." She said hugging Anya tightly. Anya nodded, "She sure is strong though, King Akkar was distraught on what to do, even killing Isaac hasn't derailed her..I just hope she doesn't lose anyone else that's meaningful to her.." She said with a weary frightful tone. Iva patted her head, "Me too Anya..Me too." She said as she continued to pat Anya's back.
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