DESTRUCTIVE MYTH

“What is the meaning of this.” Dimas hissed down at her guards blocking her way.

“Your majesty, we cannot allow you to enter at this time.” One of the personal guards quivered.

“You dare try to,” Her words were cut short inches from the now sweating guard as through his fear she sniffed something too familiar. Pulling back from the man she straightened herself taking in a deep breath. Blood.

“Step aside or you will never walk again.” Queen Dimas hissed. The guards immediately parted and Dimas burst through the doors to her current living courters at Zitex. Entering the room, she drew in a breath of fright. Dimas was not one to fright easily, the gods knew she had been alive to practically see it all, but this.

“Guards!” She bellowed and the men came running instantly. “I demand an answer right now!” She pointed to the carcasses now understanding why they would risk their lives to deny her entry.

Before her, dramatically draped over the throne, slumped a decapitated Gorgakinght, its blood sprayed onto the throne and drapes behind it. She followed its trail of blood pooling around another two, cut into pieces at the stairs, the one nearest to her had a golden engraved dagger sticking out of his eye with Galaleiath’s arrogant G at the base.

“Bring me Galaleiath right now.” She whispered through clenched teeth as the room began to shake with her fury.

“He is training your,”

“I don’t care if he is butt naked in the bath! You will bring him before me now!” She screamed turning on them, her red eyes swirling a deadly warning.

* * *

Galalieath walked to the water bucket on a table, cupping the iced water in his hands throwing it back over his face and neck, sighing with pleasure. He had been in training since before sunrise, too much pent-up energy to sleep knowing what the morning held. Rubbing the back of his neck he turned around to see a few of his men on their backs panting heavily, a few others holding their knees as they leaned forward catching their breath.

“Dismissed.” He smirked pulling his shirt back on to leave the hall. The snow had been relentless of late causing the training sessions with his men to happen in any of the halls now unused in Zitex for the time being.

Walking along the corridor he wiped at the sweat forming on his brow again, he had almost killed his men this time and still felt no relief from it all.

The past few weeks had been hell, ever since the bloody god Velda had yanked him back to Zitex before Dimas, he had hardly been granted leave to piss alone under her constant watchful eyes. If that wasn’t enough Dimas had taken half of his war prizes, killing an odd hundred of the Zitex wives displaying them as a welcome home gift to him for disobeying her.

For as long as he could recall, he had always followed orders, always done as she had asked, been the perfect adopted son to her in every aspect. Yet this was the second time he knew of that he had done something for himself and she had taken from him.

Walking to his room he could feel the distasteful sneer pull at his lips, thinking of how she had hung the women up like festive lights around the yard. Galaleiath looked down to his bed, to where he had left two women still sleeping exhausted from his loving. He felt the sneer pull at his lips again. Nothing of late helped ease the fire burning in him, nothing.

“My lord.” Came a knock on his bedroom door.

“What?” He snapped looking back at it.

“The queen demands an audience with you immediately.” Two of the queen’s personal guards called.

About to object, the thoughts of last night’s hunt returned to him, and he smiled wickedly.

“I’ll be right out.” He called discarding his sweaty clothes dressing for the day, he would not miss the look on Dimas’s face for anything.

He had overlooked everything ripped away from him in the past from her, from his favorite toys to pets. but Galaleiath was no longer a young boy, he had given up many years to taking over Zitex, and countless more before that for her personal gain. Queen Dimas’s latest act of taking away his war spoils had been the cherry on top. No more would he accept her punishments, Zitex was his and all that came with it.

No longer would he take a hit without dishing one back.

“You called for me?” Galaleiath smirked entering the throne room where Dimas was shouting orders to the staff trying to clean up the massacre. Dimas was before him in moments backhanding him across the face. He pulled his head back to face her feeling the nose bleed, but he refused to move, rather his lips thinned into a small smile.

“I see you received my gift?”

“How dare you!” She roared enraged vibrating the room and everyone in it. “First your brother kills a few now you? Have you no respect!” She spat.

“My brother?” Galaleiath frowned “When was this?” This was now the second time he had heard her slip up to having encountered him, Drathis’s words about her now echoing in his mind.

“When was this?” Dimas reverberated the question dramatically throwing her arms up at the bloody mess. “What possessed you to kill them? Do you have any idea how hard they are to make? I should have you whipped and put in chains for this.” She hissed inches from his face.

“I’d like to see you try.” Galaleiath snapped locking eyes with her, no longer would he bow to her wishes, no longer turn away out of respect. “You took from me one too many, they were not your lives to take, this is now the consequences of your actions. Take what’s mine again and I’ll return the favor.” He said softly never breaking eye contact, hearing all the servants freeze in astonishment. He held her gaze watching her rage turn to excitement from the challenge than something else he couldn’t place.

“Just because I made you king does not mean we are equal young one.”

“It is in my kingdom where you killed my new wives.”

“You disobeyed me; you know what happens when you disappoint me.”

“Had Velda not interfered I wouldn’t have disappointed.” Galaleiath sneered with distaste. Dimas stepped away from Galaleiath to the servants and guards watching them.

“Out, all of you out now.” She commanded and they scattered.

“I will not apologies.” Galaleiath scoffed once they were alone looking at her retrieve his dagger from the Gorgaknights.

She spun around hurling the dagger his way. Galaleiath took a step back in shock as the dagger sunk into his shoulder.

He looked from it back to her watching a single dark eyebrow lift with the challenge. Gripping the handle, he yanked it out with a grunt and flung it back at her. Queen Dimas twitched her hand sending the dagger flying out the window.

“I see, so you wish to challenge me? Tired of playing by my rules.” Dimas asked stepping nearer to him.

“That’s all there is to you, rules and orders, what happened to just talking to me instead of commanding me.” Galaleiath bit rolling his pained wet shoulder refusing to touch it.

“Talk? To you? About what?” She frowned stepping over a mangled wing. “Do you want to talk about what you owe me for three of my beasts?”

“I want to be free to track down Drathis.”

“I seem to recall a certain god mentioning that as not an option.”

“Since when do you fear the gods?” Galaleiath mocked folding his arms, she looked at him sternly before changing the subject.

“Besides, there is no need to track him down anymore, I have a spy who has successfully entered Talgrim to seduce him, one of my top graduates, Leah is the brown-haired girl’s name, and she has been instructed to win him over at all and any cost.”

“A human?” He scoffed, “No human would be able to get close to him, not after Sinira.”

“Yes, thanks for that, as if the quest wasn’t hard enough you added to it.” Dimas said through a hiss, “One in love is easy to trick, one in mourning questions everything.”

“And how is this, Leah supposed to get him to leave the walls of Talgrim?”

“That would be telling wouldn’t it.” Dimas sobered looking down at her dead creatures, “I expect you to clean up this mess before the day ends.”

“Like you took down and buried all those women? I think not.” He snapped looking at her. The room shook viciously cracking a few windows, her hands sparking red. Galaleiath unfolded his arms lighting his fists with power boasting his chest out ready for a fight, challenging Queen Dimas was exhilarating, would he win or was she harbouring powers he was still not capable of understanding. He had been victim to her many a time before almost losing more than one limb with past lessons. But after his almost deathmatch with Drathis, he had lost the will to stay on the same path in life, as much as he hated his brother, he did admire his desire to be free.

It took split seconds for Dimas to realise she had backed him up into too many corners, the look on his face held no fear. He was powerful enough to perhaps take her on, even hurt her but could she afford to lose her only ally over three gorgaknights.

Sighing she shook her hands releasing the tension, throwing her head back clicking her neck, trying to remain calm.

“Fine, Galaleiath, what do you want.” She sighed again grinding her teeth in frustration, she had already lost Drathis, until Kazan and Avon were hers she couldn’t afford to lose Galaleiath, yet.

“Talgrim.”

“Talgrim is unbreakable.” Dimas swallowed her surprise.

“We have the Black Maser and Zitex, the two kingdoms can take down one wall.”

“Two kingdoms for a wall?” She asked thinking it through.

“Two kingdoms to capture elves, through the wall.” Galaleiath smirked sparks in his eyes.

“Elves?” Dimas pronounced the s at the end clearly to ensure she understood correctly.

“You are not the only one who has a spy.” Galaleiath smirk turned into a full smile. “We both gain from this.”

“You would betray your own kind for me to kill?” She mimicked his smile starting to like the plan more and more.

“We both know what we really after.”

* * * * *

“I need you to deliver a message.” Blue pulled aside his personal servant catching him in the passage on his way back from the king.

“Yes sir.” The boy bowed. Blue pulled him up and into a small nook away from eyes, placing a sealed letter into his hands holding his hands tight with urgency.

“I know I don’t usually ask you for assistance with this sort of thing, but I do not trust anyone to do what I am about to ask, that is why it needs to be you.” Blue said before taking a deep breath. “There are said to be two very powerful elves that fell off the edge into the pit when the titans moved. I need you to deliver this letter to the leaders of Dullsdrum, but, I need you to fake or hurt yourself in order to stay there a few days.”

“Sir?” The servant brows furrowed with concern.

“Relax if you do get hurt, I promise to heal you. you know I can.” Blue sighed releasing the servant’s hands. “What you need to understand is that the dwarfs are proud and stubborn creatures. If anything falls into that pit and they catch it, you can guarantee they believe it to belong to them.”

“You believe they will deny having elves there sir?”

“Yes, hence the need to wound your leg or foot to stay a few days there and snoop. I believe there is at least one who is within their grasp. I need to desperately know if he or she is hidden and if any others fell off, if I could trust a normal messenger with this I would, but I think you understand the importance of what I’m trying to ask.”

“Yes sir, it will be done.” The servant bowed leaving, tucking the letter into his uniforms jacket pocket. Blue watched him leave wondering if this Sinira of Drathis was indeed still alive, the odds she was, were too high to ignore.

Making his way back down towards the gardens he contemplated again telling Drathis there might be a chance of her survival, but the Elf was trying so very hard to hold it together. Blue could see the fake smiles and pleasantry, but recognized the signs of mourning. Drathis’s eyes held such raw pain he was surprised he had even managed to get him up and out of the bed this morning. All he needed was a nudge and the strings holding him together would all snap. Blue shook his head clearing his thoughts, no he wouldn’t say a thing till he had positive confirmation. What good was false hope.

“Blue.” Bronson called seeing him approach, Brody turned to see and they both walked towards him.

“Why you two not under the pergola with them?” Blue asked looking past the brothers to Ikeshia and Drathis.

“Ikeshia asked for some privacy, we have stepped aside keeping an eye, but Blue, there is something you need to know.” Brody said looking to Bronson nodding in agreement.

“What is it?” Blue asked mimicking their hushed tones.

“Blue, join us.” Ikeshia’s voice called out from the shade. Sighing he nodded to the men walking past them to where Ikeshia, her brother and Drathis sat. “Take a seat.” She smiled; Blue thanked her looking to Drathis.

His features were hard, unreadable, looking down at the table, arms crossed over his chest. He looked more tightly wound up then a puppet caught in a cat fight.

“You have missed quite the afternoon.” She smiled offering to pour him something to drink.

“No thank you.” Blue looked from her to Drathis again, troubled with his unchanged demeanor. “My apologies, the king required a few things done before I returned, sometimes delays are unavoidable.”

“No apologies needed.” She smiled again. Blue watched the grin on her delicate features, stuck like glue. Something happened, something that had deeply disturbed Drathis and excited Ikeshia, a hard elf to please. He looked from Ikeshia to her brother who was back in his book, no clues there.

“What did I miss?” He asked slowly watching Drathis carefully.

“Dracanaeth, would you like to elaborate?” She asked sweetly.

“No,” He sighed finally looking up to Blue, his features still unreadable. “You may.” He voiced keeping his eyes fixed on Blue, waiting to see how he would take the news.

The past few hours alone with Ikeshia and her silent brother had been more eye-opening than anything he had found. Just giving her his name opened up core memories he had somehow suppressed, her words, the history, his parents it all came flooding back to him as she recalled the events, giving detailed accounts of his upbringing right till the night their world had come crashing down. Her accuracy to detail was outstandingly on point to everything he recalled. Drathis sat slack-jawed listening to how their home had been invaded, the sacrifice his parents had made to ensure Altahim’s resident’s safety. She had even pulled out an old map with markings of where their home used to be, telling him there was nothing left there to return to, and that Talgrim had taken a lot of them in with open arms.

Ikeshia took a long sip of her wine before placing the glass back down, drawing the reveal out.

“Drathis, or his full name, Dracanaeth, is our long-lost prince. He is prince Dracanaeth of house Eldamar. He and his brother Galaleiath, if he is still alive are the one true royal family of Altahim.” She smiled; excitement evident through her. “Ever since the fall of Altahim, the royal houses were attacked first, our king, his father.” She nodded to Drathis “Tried to move the battle away from us, sacrificing his life to protect our kind. It worked, a lot of families escaped and found shelter here, as you know.” She looked to Blue, “I could recall for most, but now the three rumored to have been missing to Relangathian are in place. Drathis and his brother, me and mine, who were rumored to have been buried by the dwarfs. And lastly, the third which I believe has recently lost their daughter over the pits edge.” She slowed towards the end of her speech watching Drathis visibly shudder then clench his fists, rolling his shoulders, trying to cover it up. She blinked slowly regretting the mention of his lost mate changing course. “House Eldamar and house Chaethana were joined, my dear sister, was Drathis’s mother.”

A silence fell over them till Blue closed his surprised mouth clearing his throat.

“So, do I need to call you prince Dracanaeth?” Blue asked amazed by the news, shaken to his core that he had found the missing piece to Altahim.

“Drathis is fine.”

“You are a prince Dracanaeth, and if your brother is truly dead, you will be crowned our king.” Ikeshia corrected him.

“Thank you, Lady Ikeshia, but I prefer to remain without a title.”

“Nonsense, I will not have the one true prince and my kin shunned to the shadows, the king needs to hear of this at once, oh how pleased he will be. Their family came to our aid that dreadful night you know.” She told Blue.

“Drathis are you alright?” Blue almost whispered looking to the statue seated beside him.

“Yeah,” Drathis nodded, his lips thinning in a small grin, “Just, a lot to process.” Drathis swallowed a chuckle, “You read my mind, you saw the search to find family, my kin, or anything related to my kind. I had so much doubt as to if it was even out there. Now here I sit with all my answers, the books, diaries, maps, my family crest, and mother's writing. Even historical events that match what I personally remember.” He took in a deep breath shaking his head with disbelief, “Just a lot to process.” He smiled at Ikeshia in thanks. “Guess it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

“Why didn’t you tell us you’re a prince?” Blue queried looking at the two of them. “I mean that’s quite a big deal.”

“Because it’s not to me, prince or king, it is only a title. I have no kingdom or land to rule, I didn’t even have lives to govern over.”

“But if Galaleiath is dead, you are king.” Blue proclaimed excitement now in his voice.

“If, all I hear is If, stop. Galaleiath would lead you all to your deaths, besides I may be a prince, but I have never seen myself to have any duties tied to me, and besides all of that, what is there to be king over once my brother’s fate is decided?” Drathis points to the map on the table, “As suspected Altahim is long gone.” Drathis snapped a frown forming. “I came here to find my home, find where I belong, find the truth, I have, that’s that.”

“Dracanaeth,” Ikeshia folded her long dainty fingers leaning forward on the table.

“Drathis, please, just Drathis.” He sighed waving his full name away.

“You think ruling is to have land, rock, and building? It’s so much more than that. Our kind have been living here in peace among the others waiting for you. Do you believe our kind want to be governed by a human king? Or any king that is not truly our own?” She paused looking to Blue with a wink, “No offense.”

“None taken.” Blue dismissed it understanding.

“Being who you are has nothing to do with being heir to an overgrown rubble pile. It's about your kind and what you can do for them, lead them, guide them to a new age, recreate Relangathian as you know it. Take back, thrive. Your legacy isn’t what you start off with, it’s what you do with it.” Ikeshia said reaching out touching his hand gently.

“They do not know me; they will not follow a lost soul.” Drathis whispered looking down at their hands on the still open map of Altahim.

“We are all lost Drathis, the oracles predicted a return of our king, we have waited many years for one, here you are.”

“I cannot lead.” Drathis stated raising to his feet.

“You haven’t even tried.” The elf nearby placed his book down on his lap looking Drathis up and down with a grin, “Don’t be so quick to judge your kin.”

* * *

Drathis had spent the past few days being introduced to more of his kind, as well as spending time with Blue and the two brothers. What felt like constant bodyguards had somehow turned into friends, he had caught himself laughing a few times with them. They strolled through the streets with Galaxy and his small party of friends learning the ways of Talgrim. He had hoped that exploring it might help him grasp its size, but the different levels had their own identities, if he could say as much.

“What about them, they should have what you looking for Blue?” Brody said stopping near one of the stalls.

In the blink of an eye, the Aralanie festival was about to begin, and despite his best efforts to avoid festival dress shopping for him and the men, it was the lessor of the two evils. Ikishia had wanted another meeting with him about how the importance of taking his rightful place among their kind, he had deflected saying he would not till he knew Galaleiath’s whereabouts.

“Well considering the others being a bust, let's check it out.” Blue said as they all dismounted.

“That’s what happens when you leave things to the last minute.” Bronson laughed.

“Hey not my fault we had to go catch the prince here.” Blue chuckled nudging Drathis.

“I my be new to Talgim, but I’m sure a prince’s timing is never questioned.” He laughed with them entering the colourful stall swallowing the thought of how he had called Sinira a princess, she would have enjoyed the remark he had just made.

“Here.” Blue said yanking him inside draping clothing into his arms. “This should work go try it on.”

“I look like a banana; I’m not wearing this.” Drathis heard the grumbles from Brody as Bronson tried to breath through his laughter. “What? I’m not! Mom may think yellow is my colour, but this, this is ridiculous. What you wearing bro?” More laughter.

Smiling he entered a changing room trying on the black suit he had been handed. He turned to face the mirror; the black suit clasped together with steel links, he fumbled a bit with the green cravat but eventually, it seemed right.

“Powder blue? Are you having a laugh? The girls will run away!” Brody called

“Blue, we can’t wear this shit.” Bronson objected.

“Blue?!” The brothers called hearing him chuckle. Drathis stepped out the same time Blue did wearing navy robes with gold trimming.

“I will help you shortly!” Blue called to them looking back at Drathis, “You look good in your house colours. Ikeshia said, emerald, black, and silver.”

“Of course. Thank you.” Drathis smiled.

“We not thankful yet.” Both brothers objected from their changing rooms.

Two hours later Drathis was side-eyeing Blue who returned his look of amusement. They were almost back at the castle and the brothers had insulted each other’s look from every yellow and blue-colored food group to drinks and animals.

“Alright you two, I’m sure the ladies will love it.” Blue chuckled as they neared the main gates watching the long line of guests waiting to enter.

“Leah is going to hate this.” Brody groaned.

“Leah?” Drathis asked not having heard the mention yet.

“Yeah.” Brody sighed joyfully. “You will meet her soon; I plan to marry her.”

“If you can ever speak to the women without sounding like a babbling idiot.” Bronson chuckled.

The Aralanie festival was everything Blue had said it would be; the lights were stringed up everywhere dulling out the many stars above, the music flowed joyfully around them, his senses filled with the perfect scents of flowers.

Drathis tried his best not to gawk but the magical atmosphere was electric, the festival was filled with so much life, he still couldn’t get over the fact that there were thousands of pixies. Every time one flew past him, he wanted to smack it for no logical reason, they were beautiful tiny things, but fluttered about a bit too fast for his liking.

“Drathis my dear.” Ikeshia’s voice drifted towards them. He turned giving a small bow.

“I’d like to introduce you to his majesty.” Ikeshia said stepping aside with a smile turning to talk to the queen leaving the men alone, Drathis looked from her to royal couple that ruled over Talgrim. They looked to be in their late forties and had a graceful and proud air about them.

“I’ll get us drinks.” Bronson said yanking Blue and his brother away.

“At last.” The king said sticking his hand out in greeting. “I have been waiting to meet the prince of the elves, a pleasure.”

“Pleasures all mine.” Drathis shook his hand still stunned at how easy everyone made things here.

“I suspect you and I will have a lot to talk about once you decide to lead your society home.”

“There is a lot to still solve before they proclaim me as a king.”

“Yes, Lady Ikeshia has kept us informed, a good friend to the crown.” The king said looking to her and his queen before turning back to Drathis. “I hope to form an alliance with you, I’d like to keep the peace between our races, there is no need to be anything less than allies.”

“I never considered anything less. I am not my brother, your grace, should I eventually lead, I would like to think of Talgrim as a second home.”

The king smiled warmly shaking Drathis’s hand again. “Then it shell be so, I am pleased. Now I won’t take any more of your time, enjoy the festivities.” He said walking off to join his Queen. Drathis looked out over the dancing couples spotting an elvan couple nearby he hadn’t met yet enjoying the music as they swayed. His mind still reeling at the fact that this was real.

“Hey, I’d like to introduce you to me, erm, I mean, to Leah.” Brody said tapping Drathis on the shoulder. “Lovely Leah this is prince Drathis of house Eldamar.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Drathis said taking her hand.

“A prince? The pleasure is indeed all mine.” Leah curtsied and Drathis watched the beauty before sweeping him with her curious eyes. he could understand what Brody saw in her, long and thick curly brown hair, rich hazel eyes, well-formed. But didn't hold a candle to Sinira

“Now you stand no chance.” Bronson snickered nudging his brother. Brody nudged him back harder to silence him.

“Nonsense, you all stand one.” She winked walking away to join a group of ladies.

Later on, Drathis stood with Blue towards the back of the festival, no words were needed as they enjoyed a dessert watching the crowds swarm the many stalls. The evening had been fascinating to watch, many gifts were left by the king’s party from the different races that made up Talgrim, showing their acceptance to the unity of them all. He had watched Ikeshia present a gift as well on behalf of their kind, with her oddly quiet brother alongside her.

“What is up with him?” Drathis asked Blue, “He follows Ikeshia around everywhere, but hardly says more than five words a day to anyone.”

Blue followed Drathis’s eyes to Ikeshia’s brother taking another mouthful of ice-cream. “Think the lady says enough for everyone.” He chuckled then swallowed. “No, Erin Chaethana is more of an observer than anything else, a very intelligent elf at that, but not very social. He is always with Ikeshia as they enjoy each other’s company, but that man has read almost every book in existence and prefers them to socializing.”

A horn sounded and Drathis clutched his sword backing up a step in panic.

“Breath D, it's just the horn for the main event.” Blue said gently looking back at the pale elf. “We are safe I assure you.”

Drathis nodded watching the many gathered making their way outside for the firework display about to begin.

He slipped away from Blue climbing one of the buildings to watch the perfectly synchronized display better, sitting on a random roof, he watched the many colors explode into the night sky, and felt a smile creep onto his face.