The Legends of Valoria Book Two Rise of the Divine Knight

Scores of images flashed through Alec’s mind. He watched as depictions of his childhood darted by and he smiled at the sight of his sister playing. Trees in full bloom swayed in the wind and Alec remembered the salty summer breezes of Highmooria. Several more instances in his life unfolded before his eyes; his grandmother always so mysterious and constantly staring at him as if he were some strange anomaly. Another image of Alec as a young boy, playing war games with the other village children, dreaming of, someday, living up with the nobles, defending the castle keep. As more images began to appear, his vision froze over the memory of the fall and he closed his eyes.

“Open your eyes, Sir Alec.” A kind feminine voice spoke.

“No. I do not wish to see this,” Alec replied. “Not again.”

“I do not wish to show you that which you have seen. I wish to show you that which you have missed.” Alec cautiously opened his eyes and began to observe the aerial panoramic of his burning homeland. He watched in horror, as the chaos unfurled and his eye caught a man in gleaming gold armor knelt down upon a hill outside of the battlefield with a child beside him watching the destruction.

“Marec and Talia?” Alec thought to himself assured that it was true. He continued watching as several more figures in gleaming gold exited the battlefield, defending what started as dozens and slowly grew to hundreds of civilians. Each group of civilians departed in separate directions, following their paladin guide.

“There are more survivors!” Alec exclaimed as he realized that he and Zerendil were not the last of the paladin order.

“You have been chosen to answer the call, Sir Alec.”

“Call? Chosen? For what?”

“You must answer the call and ascend the goddess spire. At the top of the spire lies Aneira’s throne. Only by finding it will the paladins be reunited.” Images behind Alec unfolded and he again could see Talia and Marec and suddenly he was reminded of what had happened.

“Can you show me the present?” Alec asked.

“The present may be viewed though it is no longer I that is in control of it.” Alec turned back and saw that his view had already been shifted. His eyes widened in horror as he watched the attack on Valascaa unfold. He could see the flooded streets, the screaming villagers, and Sir Dominic’s body.

“Show me the others. Eliza, Zelus, Nilus and Talia.” Each appeared before, represented by four different groups. He recognized Nilus accompanied by his younger brother Jeriah and several strangers. At second glance, Alec recognized one to be a grown Rowan. They fought alongside Sir Zerendil and Keagen, locked in combat with two Daemon knights and an entire army of Forsaken spawn.

He turned his attention to the gathering on the right and found a significantly different scene. Tear and a handful of strangers were doing their best to hold back the castle gates as a fourth group consisting of Talia, Talic and Eliza were hastily battling their way up the stairs of a tall and darkness filled tower. Alec’s heart froze in his chest as he looked to Talia. How she had changed. Her looks were fierce, bold and determined and, even bearing the various scrapes, scratches and other signs of battle, her beauty had become ever more overwhelming to him.

“I need to go back!” Alec yelled into the ominous dark.

“You cannot save those already doomed to die. You must answer the call and find the goddess spire. Only then can you save the countless lives that still remain in the balance.”

“I have to help them!” Alec called back.

“To deny the call, is to deny fate. Continue down this path and all you shall sow shall reap tragedy, to yourself and to those you hold dear. Heed this warning young paladin. You shall suffer, as you have never suffered, should you choose this path.” Alec continued to glance at the frames showing the desperate plight of his friends as he weighed his options. As he watched, he could see the doors of the castle burst open, propelling Tear and those with her backward. Talia began to launch a flurry of magic into the open archways as Forsaken began to flood in through a mysterious doorway in the wall. Alec turned toward the dark, from where the voice had originated and then turned back towards Talia.

“I AM THE BEACON WHICH ILLUMINATES THE PASSAGEWAY, THROUGH THE DARKNESS AND INTO THE LIGHT!” Alec shielded his eyes as light began to pour from his chest and he braced himself as the sensation of falling embraced him.

Alec lay face down with the feeling of warmth on his back. He could hear distant voices and rolling thunder. He clenched his fists tightly and felt earth and grass pull away.

“Thwap thwap.” Alec could feel a gentle tap on the top of his head.

“Thwap thwap.” This time, Alec began the difficult process of lifting his heavy body off from the ground. He opened his eyes and felt blinded by the bright and colorful Valascaan landscape. As his eyes adjusted, he noticed the small, golden eyed, black fox staring at him. Alec quickly looked around to find his bearings and realized that he was completely soaked and looked as though he had washed up on shore.

“Did you help pull me out?” He asked the fox to which it nodded. “Thank you.” The fox turned its body, pointing east. Alec began to ascend the hill slope in that direction. As he reached the top, he saw that Valascaa was under attack. There were flames on the outside and pillars of smoke from within.

Alec quickly cast his water ward, drying his clothes and turned to the fox.

“Don’t suppose you know where I could find a weapon?” Again, the fox moved away from Alec and pointed its body downhill. Alec walked forward and looked in the same direction and saw several piles of badly scorched Forsaken garments. Amongst the garments, several weapons lay.

“You are a most unusual creature, are you not?” Alec smiled as he grabbed a sword and a shield and fastened a sword belt to his waist. Alec took a deep breath as he looked to the besieged city wall and began to run.

“Hold on everyone. I am almost there.” As Alec ran, he noticed the fox running beside him as they approached the source of the screams and sounds of battle. In the distance, Alec could see the Forsaken army had already poured into Valascaa, though several remained on the outside. Those outside were manning the siege weapons and were continuously busying themselves, readying for the next barrage. Alec began looking around for a way into the city. He began reaching into the back of his mind searching for Oz. Once he did however, Alec was overwhelmed with a surge of panicked impressions. Oz was fighting for his life and he was hurt. Alec focused hard on the connection.

“Oz, do not be afraid. I am coming to help you. I am looking for a way into the city now.” Instantly the feelings Alec had been receiving changed and morphed into hope, excitement and determination. Alec was unsure if he had heard the proceeding screech from Oz through their connection or in reality but, moments later, Alec could see Oz soar over the tops of the battlements, heading in his direction. Alec’s attention quickly turned towards the siege weapons. As Alec and the black fox charged from behind, one of the Forsaken operators took notice and began alerting his comrades.

Five in total turned to face Alec as a sixth aimed his weapon. Alec lunged forward and swiped at his adversaries and, grabbing the dying beast’s weapon, spun backwards and swiped, beheading a second. Forsaken numbers three, four and five all rose to action. Alec stabbed through one, spun cleaving through another and stabbed both swords into the chest of the last.

As the final Forsaken rose, Alec vanquished him by pushing his evaporating foe into it, the blades piercing into the Forsaken. As it vanished, Alec ran up to the controls for the trebuchet. It was much more complex than anything he had previously seen, but he found a horizontal wheel crank and began to turn it. As he did so, the base that the trebuchet was mounted on began to spin. Alec continued to work the crank as another trebuchet came into view. Alec looked around and quickly saw an identical crank albeit facing vertically. Alec quickly began working the second lever as the trebuchet began to point lower. With only one lever left, Alec reached forward and pulled the lever back.

The trebuchet came alive as the sling snapped, whipping the cluster of rocks in the sling towards the other weapon. Alec began to rise and realized just how fatigued his body had become. He quickly cast his regeneration rune. With his strength returning, he quietly cast several runes of brittle on key parts of the weapon and caused it to shatter. Alec looked toward the west and watched as one trebuchet glowed with ominous purple flame and the weapon beyond that appeared to be under attack by a group of people riding atop strange beasts, which resembled deer. Alec sheathed one sword and tossed the second aside as he ran out into the open as Oz descended.

As Oz hit the ground, he increased in speed. Alec decreased his own as he tried asking Oz to slow down. The result however was a massive horse sized, battle armor clad, lion hawk trampling him. As soon as Alec hit the ground, Oz began to pick and preen him, while mauling him with his massive paws. Alec could feel the intense surge of emotions flowing through their connection and Alec gave Oz a strong hug around the mane.

“I missed you too, buddy, but right now there are a lot of people who need our help.” Oz wrapped one foreleg around Alec, returning the hug. Alec patted Oz on his mane and then looked at him in the eye. “What do you say Oz? Can I fly with you?” Oz immediately began to “scree” joyously at those words as he bounded about in circles. After a brief moment, Oz lowered his head and scooped Alec onto his shoulders before speeding off at a run and taking flight.

Alec made sure to hold tightly onto Oz’s mane as he became washed away in the exhilarating experience. As they flew over top of the battle, Alec looked down to see that a large number of friendly soldiers under different banners were trying to repel the enemy. He recognized the red banner of Dormeera and the green of Tartaria flying high below. Alec again saw the small pack of deer riders as he and Oz flew over the city wall. Alec began to scan the area and spotted Zelus, Rowan, Keagan and Zerendil. Alec smiled to see his new master alive.

“Alright Oz, let’s play hero.” Oz screeched victoriously as he swooped lower. Alec made sure to sheath his sword as he and Oz shared a plan using their link. As Oz began to dive bomb towards the massive Daemon knight the others had engaged, he rolled dropping Alec off his back. Alec righted himself and began using both hands to draw out two separate runes of force. As he hurtled forward, he reached his hands back, preparing himself. Just as the Daemon knight began to look up, Alec released both runes, only a few feet away from its face.

The knight flew backwards several feet as Alec’s fall slowed and he landed on his feet, body aglow from his trance state. As the dust began to clear, Alec stood to his full height. He unsheathed his sword and stared at the rising Daemon knight as all eyes turned to him.

“ALEC!” Zelus, Rowan and Keagan yelled as Zerendil and several others stared in wonder.

“It’s the last paladin of Highmooria! The fight is ours, men!” Alec heard several knights call out. Alec turned towards Zerendil.

“Master! Do you have an inscription crystal?” Zerendil lowered his sword and pulled the clear stone from a pouch and tossed it to him. Alec caught the stone and began to inscribe his shield as the two black armored knights came towards him. Alec slipped the crystal into his own pocket and readied himself. The two knights turned and looked to one another. Without speaking a word, the female knight sped away. As the male knight turned back to face them he spoke.

“I HAVE COME FOR YOU AENORA! THE ONE WHO SHINES HAS ASSAULTED THE ENEMIES’ KEEP AND OPENED THE WAY” Alec looked to the others who were just as confused.

“So this must be the mad king Caliban. I have read about you.?” As Caliban continued to rave, he turned towards the others again.

“Where are the others? Where are Talia and Eliza?”

“The enemy made it inside the castle. They went with commander Talic to stop them. Alec looked towards the castle as the Forsaken moved in on him. He could sense something powerful was at the top of the keep. The Forsaken jumped at Alec, who focused on the newly inscribed force rune and spun around pummeling the first to approach with the shield. As the rune fired off several Forsaken were knocked backwards. Everyone reacted quickly and slew the fallen adversaries with ease. Rowan quickly bent down and lifted the ring from Caliban’s severed finger and placed it in his pocket.

As Alec continued to glow, Zelus approached him.

“We can handle this. Go after the others.” Alec reached into his psychic link and summoned Oz. As Oz began to swoop down, Alec crouched and jumped. Oz caught him and flew towards the tower.

Talia

Talia sliced through one opponent and bashed another with her shield as she pressed forward up another set of stairs. Following closely behind her, Eliza and Talic plowed through any enemy that was unfortunate enough to move within their reach. Talia hoped to herself that they were nearing the end of the stairwell and by extension the Forsaken. As she pushed yet again, the stairs leveled out and she walked out onto a floor.

“By the goddess, there are so many!” Eliza spoke in shock. Forsaken filled the room in a ten by twelve formation. Talic ascended the stairs next.

“How did so many enter the castle?” Both Talia and Eliza wondered. Eliza turned to her father.

“Do you think that Mother will be alright?” Talic did not answer for a moment.

“I am certain that your mother is quite alright, but not for long if we do not hurry. There must be some way for us to move through here without confronting all of them.” The Lion began thinking to himself.

“Eliza, do you have any more of that black powder?” Eliza quickly checked her pouches.

“A little bit more, why?” She trailed off towards the end as the Forsaken lines parted down the center, leaving a clear path all the way to the hallway of the throne room. As they watched the Forsaken continue to squeeze into the corners of the room, a tall, black metal clad swordsman approached.

“Is that the same one that came out of the crypt?” Talic asked to which Talia nodded. Talic unsheathed his longsword, leaving his claymore on his back and tightened the straps on his shield. “I am Sir Talic Kaldur, the Lion of Valascaana. For crimes against Valascaana, the Holy Mother and her people, it falls unto me to sentence you to death!”

It was at that moment, Talia and Eliza knew beyond a doubt why he held that title. The very sight of him was imposing, let alone the fierceness in his eyes. Eliza’s icy gaze paled in comparison to that of her father’s. As Talic slowly approached, the black knight pulled out his own sword and shield.

“Talia, Eliza, first chance you get, I want you run to the next room and help Kristiana and the council.” The tone of his voice was firm and kind yet Eliza was inclined to disagree.

“We cannot just leave you to face this thing alone?” She argued.

“That was an order!” The Lion bellowed causing Eliza to back down, tears in her eyes. Talia stood beside her and held her tight.

“We are ready commander.” Talia spoke. Talic stood his ground before the knight as it ran up on him. The Death Knight swung its sword vertically down towards Talic who sidestepped and pushed the blade aside as he spun and swung his shield around. The Death Knight blocked the shield blow as Talic’s sword arm rounded. The Death Knight narrowly blocked the second blow as Talic continued his two-part strike over and over, each time coming in at different angles. The Knight continued to defend against the assault until Talic’s shield connected and he charged. Slamming into his opponent, he forced the Knight backwards several paces, slamming it into the wall.

As the two powerful men collided, Eliza and Talia took off at a sprint, Eliza throwing some of her powder bombs ahead. As the bombs went off, Talia shielded them both with her projectile ward as they sprinted passed the enemy without resistance. They continued down the hall until they reached the throne room. As they entered, they saw Kristiana engaged with a few Forsaken and Raven. Kristiana was carrying two curved swords similar to what Eliza used. As she carved her way through the remaining Forsaken, Talia and Eliza ran up.

“What are you doing here?” She yelled as she began avoiding Raven’s blows.

“Dad sent us.” Talia heard an angered grunt as Kristiana continued to battle Raven. Talia unsheathed the Sidonis sword and ran up to Raven and Kristiana. Eliza moved in front of the council where she quickly drew her bow and readied an enchanted arrow. As Talia and Kristiana fought Raven, the tides changed slightly in their favor since Kristiana knew Raven’s fighting style and Talia had fought her before. They continued to slash at each other, Eliza unable to find a clear shot kept her bow trained.

“Girls, listen to me now!” Kristiana shouted. “I love you both immeasurably. Do you remember our talk about the manticore fight?” Both Eliza and Talia grew concerned.

“Mother! What are you talking about?”

“Eliza! Listen to me now! When you both see your opening, take it! No matter what!” Talia and Eliza looked to one another as Kristiana continued to battle her former friend. Talia jumped back a couple of steps and began to focus her remaining energy into the Sidonis sword. Raven swung at Kristiana who quickly wrapped around her arm, flipped around and piggybacked onto Raven.

“NOW!!!” She cried out as she flexed her entire body, digging her daggers into Raven’s chest. Raven struggled violently as Talia charged forward, lightning streaming from the Sidonis sword and Eliza loosed her arrow. Raven sidestepped slightly when the enchanted arrow struck her left leg. Kristiana kicked off from Raven’s back at the last second as Talia swung. Raven yelled out as Talia’s attack connected with the Daemon knight’s left side. Kristiana and Raven both flew through the air as Talia stumbled and fell to the floor, completely drained of energy.

“Mother are you all…” Eliza was cut short as Imperius, the head councilman cracked her over the back of the head with a stone bust. As Eliza fell to the ground unconscious, her quiver of arrows split out in front of Kristiana.

“Imperius! What in the goddess’ name, are you thinking?” One of the councilmen spoke. Kristiana quickly reached out for her blades as Imperius knelt down beside Eliza and put a dagger to her throat.

“Now let us not act too hastily. To answer your question Tenarius, I am thinking of the new world order that I shall create. Raven, if you would be so kind, seize her.” Imperius pointed at Kristiana. Raven rose and Talia saw that her left arm and most of her torso on the left side had been blown away. Raven walked up to Kristiana and grabbed onto her arm. Talia could not be certain as to what she saw, but to her, it looked as though Kristiana grabbed something as she rose to her feet. As Kristiana straightened her back, Raven placed a knife across her throat with her remaining hand. Imperius smiled wickedly as he continued.

“Guards!” He called and, moments later, several Forsaken entered the room and took up positions around the room. “Do you not see the potential here? Perfectly loyal soldiers, following my every command. Once again, Valascaana shall be the envy of the rest of the world.”

“You’re insane Imperius!” Kristiana yelled. Imperius’ smiled broadened as Raven tightened her grip. Kristiana did not even flinch as a small trickle of blood ran down her neck. The council continued to yell at Imperius, who simply snapped his fingers and had the Forsaken restrain them. Talia could do little more but watch, having thrown everything that she had left into the last attack. As Kristiana continued to glare, Talia tried to focus on recovering her energy.

“Imperius.”

“Yes?”

“I am going to kill you.” Imperius laughed at Kristiana as he lifted slightly off Eliza. Eliza opened her left eye slightly, which Talia hoped Kristiana noticed.

“And how do you intend to do that?”

Just then, Talic and the death knight entered the room. The death knight kicked Talic in the chest, causing him to drop his claymore, which skidded across the floor. As Imperius turned slightly to see the commotion, Eliza rolled quickly and kicked him in the chest. As Imperius stumbled backwards, Kristiana turned her head, cutting her own throat. With movements so quick that Raven was unable to keep up, Kristiana spun and stabbed Raven inside the floating soul mass with one of Eliza’s enchanted arrows. Raven stumbled backwards as Kristiana spun and launched a second arrow as if it were a dart, which impaled Imperius through the throat.

Raven howled with pain and reached inside the screaming mass of souls as the arrow burst. Raven and Kristiana were thrown sideways as Eliza rose and slashed at the Forsaken. As the last fell, she turned to Imperius whose eyes were already rolling into the back of his skull while he drowned in his own blood. The council safe, Eliza ran to her mother. Talic rose from the ground, blood seeping from his mouth.

“Here I thought you could hit harder than that.” He spat his blood out and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. He had no weapon and dodged a blow from the knight as Talia rose to her feet. Eliza tore off the sleeve of her shirt and tried to bandage her mother’s throat.

Talia picked up the Sidonis sword and moved to help Talic as he recovered his sword. Talic began whipping his claymore wildly about his head. Talia approached from behind as the knight deflected Talic’s blow and bashed him with his shield. As Talic stumbled backwards, Talia jumped and swung.

The death knight turned quickly and knocked Talia’s sword away. Talia swung again as the knight bashed her in the arm, forcing her to drop her weapon and grabbed her around the throat. Talia began striking the knight in the wrist as her feet left the ground. She started choking as the metal fingers closed in on her windpipe. As Eliza and Kristiana rose to help, the knight blasted them both with his kinesis. Both fell to the ground as the knight stared deeply into Talia’s eyes and began to draw a deep rattling breath through his mouth.

Immediately, Talia’s eyes began rolling into the back of her skull as she felt all of her warmth and life being sucked away. Her body seized up, frozen as if she were already dead and, beyond a doubt, Talia knew that she was about to lose her soul. A moment later, she heard the battle cry of Sir Talic and the enraged cry of the Daemon knight.

Talia fell to the floor and convulsed violently as she felt the warmth returning to her limbs. She rolled over to the side and saw the death knight, doubled over with a deep gash in his back. Talic stood behind him, the Sidonis sword in his hand. The knight rose and picking up his weapon, swung wide. Talic flicked the blade away with the sword.

“I hope that you can forgive me. My only wish now is for you to find peace.” The death knight swung downwards. Using both hands, the Lion pushed the blade away, spun and stabbed the knight through the left side of his chest. The knight fell forward, placing his open palm on Talic’s shoulder. The room grew still for a long moment as everyone stared at the result of the conflict. Suddenly Talic stumbled backwards as the death knight’s palm glowed, sword still in his chest. Eliza and Kristiana began to scream, though Kristiana’s was silent.

The death knight pulled the sword from his chest and threw it to the ground as Talic dropped to his knees, blood pouring out from a mysterious wound on the left side of his chest. Talic reached up with a shaky hand and touched the knight’s faceplate.

“I forgive you.” Talic whispered as he fell to the ground sideways. Eliza, Talia and Kristiana moved toward Talic as the Death Knight began to howl with a maddening cry. As it panicked and doubled backwards, it collapsed to its knees.

“CRASH!” Broken glass rained down onto everyone as Alec and Oz flew into the room. Alec dove from Oz’s back and slashed the Death Knight. The beast fell onto its side as Alec, in full trance went after him again.

“ALEC!!!” Everyone, even the council exclaimed as Talia tried to treat the lion’s wounds. Alec began slashing at the knight who attempted a weak defense with his gauntlet, pieces chipping away with each blow. Talia watched in awe as Alec’s hands surged with lightning and he brought his sword down over the knight’s head. Both the blade and the knight’s helmet shattered amidst the brilliant light. Everyone gasped in shock and Alec dropped the broken hilt of his sword.

“It cannot be!” He spoke to himself as the death knight turned his head and looked Alec in the eye.

“You have to kill me Alec.” Marec spoke, his face drained of life. “They will not let me stop. Even now, I can feel the dark calling me back to drain more souls and keep killing. Please, you have to make it stop. End my suffering. Kill me!” Alec dropped to his knees before his former mentor. They all froze in that moment as a maniacal, feminine cackle broke the silence.

“Why, is that not the most delectable of twists?” Nemesis spoke as she materialized before them. Alec clenched his fists angrily. “Let me guess, my sister warned you that this would happen, did she not?” Alec rose to his feet, grabbing the broken hilt as he charged Nemesis. She smiled and with a flick of her wrist, blasted Alec with a bolt of lightning. Alec froze as his body buckled. Nemesis laughed maliciously as Zelus, Tear and everyone else arrived. Everyone yelled out as Alec refused to kneel before Nemesis, while Raven and Marec rose, Marec’s mask fully reformed.

“It appears as though it is time for us to say farewell.” Nemesis tipped her head back and laughed. An immense shock wave knocked down everyone save Nemesis and her comrades as they approached her and vanished. As near everyone moved toward Alec, he walked to Eliza, Kristiana and knelt down beside Talic.

“Alec is there anything that you can do for him?” Eliza asked. Alec pulled at the Lion’s shirt, revealing the stab wound. On his shoulder, Alec saw a rune similar to the rune of martyr although in the reverse and housed within a jagged base. Alec, knowing that there was nothing he could do, simply placed his hand on the Lion’s chest and held his empty left hand.

“He used a death rune on you. This one is called transference. It transfers any wound suffered by the caster onto the target.”

Talic coughed as he spoke.

“My attack was fatal.”

Everyone in the room began to cry at the news.

Alec eyed Talic as he wondered.

“You knew that it was Marec, didn’t you?”

Talic smiled.

“I am glad that in a roundabout way, I was able to say goodbye. Now, I have no regrets. My beautiful family around me, the son I never had the honor of calling my own.”

Alec remained firm, refusing to cry as everyone gathered at a distance to give them strength. Kristiana stroked her husband’s head as Eliza continued to hold onto his right side. Kristiana took a deep breath, her face beat red, eyes bloodshot and looked to her husband.

“My love, you have something you must tell them...before… .” She began to choke. Talic pulled his hand from Alec and cupped his wife’s cheek. She embraced it lovingly as he spoke to Alec.

“In my study, there is a trunk. It is yours, from Marec. Talia knows the one and Kristiana has the key. Whatever you find there, do not let it change who you are. Remember your duty. Sir Zelus.” Zelus neared and stood behind Eliza.

“Sir!” He saluted. “I want you to be Keagan’s second. Also…” The Lion began to cough and sputter again. “I leave it to you and Alec. Defend all I hold sacred.” They all bowed their heads as they spent their final moments with their mentor and father before he closed his eyes one final time and died.

That night they gathered their wounded and paid their respects to the dead. Alec, Eliza and everyone close to Talic Kaldur, marched to the outskirts of the capitol. The enemy had long since left, the Valascaan army with the aid of the Dormeerans, Tartarians and the strange group of beast riders drove them out. Now everyone gathered and began to build the pyre, which would send off their beloved Talic.

Alec stood and watched with the others as Eliza and Kristiana walked to the pyre, torches in hand and dropped them. The pyre ignited and everyone watched as the flames danced around Talic’s body. As Eliza hugged her mother with Zelus standing by, Talia walked over to Alec.

“I am mournful for your loss, Sir Alec.” Talia spoke as she leaned in close to him. Alec said nothing. He simply stood, staring at the fire as he contemplated everything that had happened and the insinuations that those circumstances made. There had existed traitors in the capitol. How many more, Alec could not fathom. Marec had been resurrected as a Death Knight and murdered the only father Alec had ever known. Seraphina was lost to him and to make matters worse, Alec had received the call at the worst conceivable moment. He was needed now, more than ever, to reclaim and rebuild Valascaana.

They had lost many friends that day. Dominic had been sent earlier on and now Nilus and Jeriah stood opposite the fire from him, also mourning Talic’s loss. Even with everything else, Alec was still dealing with what Marec had said to him and what Talic had said afterwards.

“I have missed you.” Talia whispered to him as a chill wind picked up. Alec wrapped an arm around her and held her close.

“And I have missed you, priestess.” Talia reveled in the moment and wanted for it to never end but still had much to tell Alec.

“After...I have someone that I need to introduce you to.” Talia obviously thought of Rayne, who was still hiding out in Kaldur manor but imagined that Alec would not believe her until he saw the truth for himself. Alec, still short on words, nodded his head as he continued to watch the fire. Several hours later, as the fire began to die down, Alec, Talia, Eliza, Kristiana, Rowan and Zelus returned to Kaldur manor.

As Alec neared the entrance, Zerendil met them at the door. He nodded to all of them as he pushed himself off from the wall and stood firm.

“Alec, a word if I may?” Alec looked to the others and nodded his head to Zerendil.

“I will be in shortly, please go on ahead of me.” Zerendil stepped out of the way as everyone passed by and he nodded to each of them. Once Alec was the last remaining, Zerendil looked him hard in the eye.

“I must leave for some time. There is much about which I have questions and I will be of no use to you until they have been answered. I will have you know that I cannot tell you where I am going.” Alec stood quietly for a moment as he thought to himself.

“Is it about Sir Marec?” He nodded.

“That amongst other things. I do however leave with you an order as your mentor.”

“Yes sir.”

“The Lady Divine has begun instructing a young Highmoorian by the name of Colette Valeerian. Her father was a paladin and her mother was an extraordinary scholar. It would bring an old weary mind a great deal of peace should you take over her tutelage if she desires.”

“It will be done, master. How long will you be gone? There is much to rebuild and we have a country to reclaim.”

“That I cannot say. There is something amiss and I aim to put a face to it. One more thing, Sir Alec. If my Lady Divine wills it, would you please see to Miss Talia’s training? Although it is not as official a title as if given during the proper ceremony, it is hers. I have named her Divine Knight of Aneira.” Alec thought again, on how much the priestess he met, had changed.

“I will see to that as well. Anything else, master?” Zerendil patted Alec on the shoulder.

, Sir Alec. May the goddess guide your steps.”

“And may she lead you to the answers you seek.” Zerendil smiled and nodded his head as he walked away. Alec watched as his master left towards the stables. Alec turned and opened the door to Kaldur manor.

“Alec, please have a seat.” Talia said as he moved through the Kaldur entry room. She moved up the staircase. Alec sat down and, already, felt as though he were ready for sleep to carry him away. The others took up seats around the room as, a moment later, Talia came back down.

“Now Alec, this may come as a shock for you but please remain calm. Everyone has been through quite a lot as of late.” Talia moved out of the way and sat nearest to Alec as Rayne slowly crept down the stairs. Alec’s face contorted to relay his cluster of mixed emotions and the complexity of it all resulted with him standing abruptly and drawing his sword.

“WHOA!!!” Was the collective response of the room as Rowan and Zelus jumped in front of him to keep him from moving.

“WHO ARE YOU!?” Alec raged. Rayne who was alarmed but unsurprised responded calmly.

“Alec...it honestly is me.”

“My sister died nearly twelve years ago!” Rayne shook her head.

“Did you bury me? No, you couldn’t, because the Forsaken were not kind enough to let me die that day. Instead, they tortured me, stripped me of my divinity and placed me in a work camp. I am inexplicably alive Alec. I am just unsure if it was for the better.” Alec gripped the hilt of his sword tightly as his overwhelming flow of emotions continued to surge through him. Rayne stepped onto the ground floor and began to slowly approach.

“Easy Rayne. He is still in shock.” Eliza cautioned but Rayne shook her head.

“After all of these years, I still remember everything about him.” She opened her arms wide. “We only ever had each other as children. He could not hurt me anymore than he could any of you.” She placed a hand on Zelus and Rowan’s shoulders and they parted. Rayne neared Alec and looking up, stared into his eyes.

“Tell me I am not who I say I am.” She spoke as she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. Alec stiffened up for a moment and dropped his sword as his eyes began to water. By now, everyone in the room was in tears, even Zelus who was doing his best to conceal them. Alec returned Rayne’s hug as he placed his forehead on the top of her head.

“I cannot believe that it is you. I have missed you so terribly. I am so sorry that I could not save you.” Rayne placed her hand over the left side of Alec’s chest, where his scars rested.

“So I have been told, but it was not your fault. However, all of that matters no longer for I am here now.” As Alec and Rayne spoke, Zelus turned to Kristiana.

“What of the other? Should we wait until tomorrow?” Zelus whispered while trying to be considerate to the newly widowed mother of his companion. Kristiana glanced over in the direction of the study and nodded.

“Alright everyone, please get some sleep while you still can. We have much to do and could all use the rest. Alec, you may stay here tonight. You and Rayne have much to discuss but do not stay up too late. I expect that your help will be needed in restoring the town and the council will have orders for all of us. Regardless, I need you both,” she looked to Rayne and Alec, “back here tomorrow eve so that my husband’s final wishes may be tended to.” No one argued as they began shuffling outside.

“Well, I suppose I will leave you two to catch up.” Talia spoke as she rose wanting passionately to stay but knowing Alec needed the time.

“Goodnight, my Lady Divine.” Rayne spoke.

“Goodnight, Talia.” Alec spoke as he looked at her with his bright green eyes that she had so long missed. Talia walked up the stairs as Alec and Rayne began to speak. As Talia lay in her room, she could not help but feel as though everything had changed. Her thoughts drifted towards Marec and the rebuilding of Valascaana. After some time, her mind quieted and she drifted off to sleep.