Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Senara
I stepped towards the swirling vortex, my heart pounding. As I approached, the merged portal pulsed with energy, sending waves of heat and cold washing over me. The Moon Blades hummed in my hands, their runes glowing brighter as if in anticipation.
Taking a deep breath, I plunged into the vortex. Instantly, a cacophony of sights and sounds assaulted me. Fragments of ancient texts flashed before my eyes, their words burning into my mind faster than I could comprehend.
Through the chaos, I caught glimpses of Thorn and Kaelyn. They still battled their shadow selves, their faces etched with determination and fear. I reached out, trying to grasp them, to pull them to safety, but they remained just beyond my reach.
The vortex spun faster, the knowledge and visions blurring together until I felt myself beginning to lose my grip on reality. Just when I thought I couldn't take anymore, when I feared the conflicting forces might tear apart me, the Moon Blades blazed to life with silver fire, becoming anchors in the storm of information and emotion. Through them, I guided myself towards Thorn and Kaelyn.
The vortex spun faster, the pressure building to an almost unbearable level. Just when I thought I couldn't hold on any longer, there was a blinding flash of light and a deafening crack.
Suddenly, everything went still.
When my vision cleared, I found myself in a vast, circular chamber. Ancient stone walls stretched upwards, disappearing into darkness. At the center stood a massive pedestal upon which rested an orb of swirling energy.
To my left, Thorn battled furiously against a corrupted version of himself, their blades clashing in a shower of sparks. To my right, Kaelyn was on her knees, hands clasped to her head as she struggled against an unseen force.
I started towards them, but a pulse from the orb stopped me in my tracks. Somehow, I knew that touching it would grant me the knowledge we sought. All of it, not just the snippets I'd caught in the vortex. And within that knowledge was the key to defeating the Void Dragon Empress. But at what cost?
The chamber trembled, dust raining down from above as though the whole thing could collapse at any second. We were running out of time.
"Choose, Senara," a disembodied voice echoed. "Save your friends, or save your world."
My mind raced. I had already said I wouldn't choose, and that had seemed to be enough, so why was the choice being presented again? The Moon Blades hummed in my hands, their energy resonating with the orb. An idea formed, dangerous, possibly foolish, but perhaps our only chance.
I raised the blades, channeling every ounce of power I could muster. "I choose both," I declared, reiterating my previous decision as I brought the Moon Blades down upon the orb with all my strength.
A blinding flash erupted, and for a moment, I feared I'd made a terrible mistake. But as the light faded, I saw tendrils of energy stretching from the orb to Thorn and Kaelyn, driving back their shadowy assailants. The shadow selves they fought weren't just being pushed back, though. Their entire forms wavered, becoming less substantial as Thorn and Kaelyn grew stronger.
Knowledge flooded my mind. Everything from ancient spells to forgotten prophecies, to hints at the true nature of the Void Dragon Empress's power, and the location of the artifacts the Goddess had said we would need. But more than that, I felt connected to my friends. Their strength became my strength, their courage fueling my own.
As the last of the shadows dissipated, Thorn and Kaelyn stumbled towards me, their eyes wide with wonder and confusion.
"What... what happened?" Kaelyn asked, her voice shaky.
Before I could answer, a great crash sounded as the chamber fell apart around us. A single doorway remained and light flooded through it. As one, the three of us ran toward what we hoped would be the exit.
As we passed through the door, magic surrounded us and I knew it had been a portal, not just a doorway. Still, my landing flat on my back in the grove, gasping for breath, surprised me. Thorn and Kaelyn lay on either side of me, their chests rising and falling rapidly as they too struggled to catch their breath. The Moon Blades in my hands pulsed gently, their runes now etched with new, intricate patterns.
My mind echoed with the fragments of what I had learned and heard in the vortex. The Moon Goddess's voice resonated with a somber urgency as she continued, "Remember, Senara, the consequences of failure are dire. If the Void Dragon Empress succeeds in her dark machinations, she will plunge the realms into an age of unending darkness, draining away the very essence of life."
As I lay there, I felt the weight of responsibility settle upon my body like a tangible force, the Moon Goddess's warning echoing in my mind.
I cannot falter. Too much depends on our success. The fate of the realms, the lives of countless innocents... I must see this through, no matter the cost. My mind flashed with some visions I'd encountered during the trials of Thorn dying, sometimes by my hand, and I had to suppress a shudder.
In that moment, I made a silent vow, a promise forged in the depths of my soul. I vowed to not rest until I secured the artifacts, vanquished the Void Dragon Empress's threat, or met my death. Whatever sacrifices lay ahead, whatever trials, I would meet them head-on.
A sound reminded me I was no longer alone, that Thorn and Kaelyn were with me once more and a small level of relief washed over me. I pushed myself up onto my elbows, glancing around for threats before letting myself focus on Thorn.
We were still in Moonweaver's Grove, but it had changed, become wilder, more primordial. The trees seemed to whisper secrets, their leaves rustling with ancient wisdom.
"Are you okay?" I croaked, even my voice was hoarse, probably from all the screaming and shouting I'd been doing.
As Thorn nodded, still catching his breath, a shimmer in the air caught my attention. The surrounding grove began to shift and transform, the trees twisting into impossible shapes, their bark glowing with an inner light. The ground beneath us softened, becoming a carpet of luminescent moss that pulsed with each step we took.
Suddenly, the air itself seemed to part like a curtain, revealing a hidden world beyond. We stood at the edge of a vast underground cavern that stretched farther than the eye could see. Crystalline structures rose from the ground, their facets refracting light in mesmerizing patterns. Waterfalls of liquid starlight cascaded down the walls, pooling into rivers that flowed through the cavern's heart.
As we stepped forward, a melodic hum filled the air, growing louder as the very fabric of reality seemed to shift and change before our eyes. From the shimmering veil emerged figures of breathtaking beauty and power. Their forms were both solid and ethereal, as if they existed in multiple places at once. Some had skin that sparkled like starlight, while others bore the rich hues of the deepest forests. Their eyes held the wisdom of ages, and their movements were fluid and graceful beyond mortal comprehension.
As they approached, I felt a surge of energy from the Moon Blades, resonating with the newcomers' presence.
They were unlike any beings I had ever seen, some tall and willowy with skin that shimmered like polished opals, others short and stout with eyes that glowed like embers. Their clothing seemed to be woven from the very essence of the elements, shifting and changing with each movement.
The one who seemed to be the leader was a being of impossible grace, with hair like flowing quicksilver, and eyes that held the depth of galaxies. They stepped forward and spoke in a voice that seemed to echo from the depths of time itself.
"Welcome, children of the realms. We are the Aetherweavers, guardians of the cosmic balance. For millennia, we have watched and waited, waging a silent war against the encroaching darkness of the Void Dragon Empress."
The being's words seemed to paint vivid images in my mind, vast cosmic battles fought across the stars, intricate webs of magic woven to hold back the tide of corruption, and sacrifices beyond imagining made to preserve the light of creation.
Another Aetherweaver, this one with skin like polished obsidian flecked with points of light, continued, "We have long foreseen this moment when the threads of fate would bring forth champions with the potential to turn the tide. Your trials in the vortex have proven your worth and awakened powers long dormant."
As if in response to these words, I felt a tingling sensation spread through my body. Looking down, I saw faint lines of silver light tracing intricate patterns across my skin, connecting to the newly etched runes on the Moon Blades. Glancing at Thorn, I saw similar markings appearing on him, each unique but clearly part of a greater whole.
The first Aetherweaver spoke again, "The artifacts you seek, we know of them, and we can aid you in your quest. They are not mere objects of power, but keys to unlocking the very foundations of reality. With them, and with our combined strength, we may yet seal away the Void Dragon Empress for eternity."
A third Aetherweaver, their form constantly shifting between different elemental aspects, stepped forward. "But be warned, young ones. The Empress's agents are everywhere, and the corrupting influence of the Void grows stronger with each passing moment. The Void Dragon Empress is well aware of our existence as we have fought against her at every turn and she has long sought to destroy us. By aligning ourselves with you, we risk everything."
I felt a surge of hope mixed with trepidation. These beings clearly possessed knowledge and power beyond anything we had encountered. Their aid could be the key to our success. But I understood the gravity of their warning.
Thorn stepped forward, his voice strong despite the ordeal we had just endured. "We understand the risk, and we're grateful for your offer. But how can we be sure we can trust you?"
The first Aetherweaver smiled, a sight both beautiful and terrifying. "A wise question, Sun Kissed. We offer no guarantees, for in these dark times, trust is as precious as it is fragile. But perhaps this will convince you."
With a graceful wave of their hand, the air before us shimmered and coalesced into a three-dimensional map of swirling energies and celestial bodies. At its center pulsed a dark, writhing mass that seemed to devour the surrounding light.
"This is the current state of the cosmic balance," the Aetherweaver explained. "The dark mass you see is the Void Dragon Empress's influence, growing stronger with each passing moment. If left unchecked, it will consume everything."
The map shifted, zooming in on familiar terrain. I watched in horror as tendrils of darkness crept across the land, corrupting everything they touched. Forests withered, waters turned black, and once-thriving cities crumbled to dust.
"This is the future that awaits if we fail," the Aetherweaver continued solemnly. "But together, we have a chance to prevent it."
The map changed again, this time showing three distinct points of light pushing back against the darkness. I realized with a start that these must be the artifacts we sought. Something in the back of my mind sparked to life and the knowledge that I knew must have come from the orb I smashed rushed forth.
"The Starforged Mirror, the Eclipsed Crown, and the Veilshard Pendant," the obsidian-skinned Aetherweaver intoned. "Each hidden in a place of great danger, guarded by forces both seen and unseen."
As they spoke, images flashed before us, a mirror that reflected not our faces but the vast expanse of the cosmos, a crown that seemed to bend light itself around it, and a pendant that pulsed with an otherworldly energy.
"We can guide you to these artifacts," the shifting Aetherweaver added, "but retrieving them will be your task alone. We cannot directly interfere without drawing the Empress's full attention."
Anxiety pooled within me at their words. Not only had I interacted with the Empress, but she knew who I was. "What if we already have her attention?" I asked, not wanting to divulge the vision I'd had with her in it. Before they could answer, I spoke again. "And whose side are you on? Are you allied with the Moon Goddess? Or do you report to someone else?"
The Aetherweavers exchanged glances, their ethereal forms shimmering with an intensity that made my eyes water. The leader stepped forward, their voice resonating with a mixture of concern and ancient wisdom.
"We serve no single deity or power, Senara. Our allegiance is to the balance of the cosmos itself. The Moon Goddess, while a powerful ally, is but one facet of the greater tapestry we seek to preserve."
The obsidian-skinned Aetherweaver's starry eyes narrowed, focusing on me with an intensity that made me feel as though my very soul was being examined. "You speak of the Empress's attention as if... ah, I see. You have encountered her directly, haven't you?"
Before I could respond, the shifting Aetherweaver raised a hand, their form coalescing into a mirror-like surface that reflected fractured images of my confrontation with the Void Dragon Empress. I saw myself standing before her throne of shadows, felt again the crushing weight of her presence.
"This is...most troubling," the leader murmured, their silvery hair writhing like living mercury. "The Empress's gaze upon you changes much. We had hoped to work from the shadows, but if she has marked you?—"
Suddenly, the air around us crackled with energy. The cavern's crystalline structures hummed, their facets glowing with an intense light. The Aetherweavers' forms flickered, their expressions shifting from concern to alarm.
"Something approaches," the obsidian one hissed, their starry skin pulsing with agitation. "A force we did not anticipate?—"
Before they could finish, a wave of pure, raw fae magic burst into the cavern. It was a tempest of swirling colors and primal energy, carrying with it the scent of moonlit forests and sun-drenched meadows. The magic coalesced into tendrils of light that sought Thorn and me with unerring precision.
I felt the Moon Blades vibrate in my hands, their runes flaring to life as if in response to a challenge. Beside me, Thorn's Sun Kissed mark blazed with golden fire, his entire body tensing as the fae magic surrounded us.
The Aetherweavers moved with impossible speed, forming a protective circle around us. Their forms shifted and blurred, becoming living barriers against the onslaught of fae magic.
"This is no ordinary attack," the leader called out, their voice barely audible over the roar of magic. "It seeks you out specifically, Senara and Thorn. A summons, perhaps, or a binding."
I struggled to maintain my footing as another wave of magic washed over us. Through the maelstrom, I caught glimpses of familiar symbols and patterns, the intricate knotwork of the Moon Court intertwined with the radiant sigils of the Sun Court.
"But how?" I shouted, my voice thin against the cacophony. "We're beyond the reach of the courts here, aren't we?"
The shifting Aetherweaver, now a swirling vortex of elemental forces, responded, "The fae realms are more interconnected than you know. This magic...it's ancient, tied to the very foundations of your courts. It's trying to pull you back!"
I reached out, grasping Thorn's hand. His fingers intertwined with mine, our shared connection providing an anchor against the turbulent forces threatening to tear us apart. The Moon Blades hummed with increasing intensity, their runes pulsing in time with my racing heartbeat.
"We can't leave!" I shouted over the roar of magic. "Not now, not when we've learned so much!"
But even as the words left my mouth, I felt an inexorable pull. The surrounding cavern began to blur and fade, replaced by swirling mists and flashes of familiar landscapes. I caught glimpses of moonlit forests and sun-drenched meadows, damaged lands and corrupted fields, the very fae lands we had traveled through to speak with the elves, which felt like a lifetime ago, and now they were reaching out to reclaim us.
The Aetherweavers' forms grew increasingly insubstantial, their voices fading as the distance between our realms widened.
"Remember what you've learned!" the leader called out, their silver hair whipping in the magical tempest. "The artifacts... you must find them before it's too late!"
"We will try to reach you again," the shifting Aetherweaver called as the pull intensified, and I felt myself being wrenched away from the cavern, from the Aetherweavers, and from the knowledge we had fought so hard to gain.
As the world spun around us, I clung tighter to Thorn's hand, desperate not to lose him in the chaos. Through our connection, I felt his determination, his fear, and something else... a resolve that matched my own.
Just before the cavern vanished completely from view, I saw Kaelyn standing next to the obsidian-skinned Aetherweaver as they made a complicated gesture. A burst of starry energy shot towards us, coalescing into a small, pulsing orb that nestled itself in the folds of my cloak. Then, a final, deafening crack tore us from the Aetherweavers' realm.
We tumbled through a kaleidoscope of colors and sensations, our bodies buffeted by currents of pure magic. I lost all sense of up or down, of time or space. The only constant was Thorn's hand in mine, our fingers interlocked so tightly it was as if we had become one being.
Just when I thought I couldn't endure another moment of the chaotic journey, and would wind up vomiting on Thorn, we burst through a shimmering veil and crashed onto solid ground. The impact knocked the wind from my lungs, and for several long moments, I could do nothing but lie there, gasping for breath.
As my senses slowly returned, I noticed cool grass beneath me and the gentle rustling of leaves overhead. The air was thick with the scent of night-blooming flowers and the subtle tang of fae magic.
I pushed myself up onto my elbows, blinking to clear my vision. We were back where we had started.