The Seven Seals: Dragon Crusade

Two Felorian guards were posted on the Western wall, watching for any unlucky humans to pass by. The first rays of dawn were just beginning to peak over the western horizon, signaling that the night was coming to an end. Though the moons were beginning to part and the strength of the dragons was disappearing, their victory was drawing near.

One of the soldiers stared at the city proudly, satisfied with the devastation that had been made. He let out a soft sigh of pleasure as his weary bones began to relax.

“Deluon!” came the other soldier’s voice. “Come look!”

Deluon turned around and walked to his friend on the other side of the wall. He stopped next to his comrade and cocked an eyebrow. “What? What do you see?”

The soldier was peering at the horizon with a telescope, almost shaking where he stood. “There’s…something on the horizon, I can’t really tell… Wait!” He leaned further over the edge. “It looks like…an army.”

Deluon became slightly infuriated. “Give me that—” He snatched the telescope away and looked into it himself.

Over the hill and just as the sun peaked over the horizon, there was a whole line of armored men and women— no, their armor was different. It was nothing like any human made armor he had seen; it was beautiful, ornate. Larger forms flew over the ranks, carrying riders. Griffins.

Deluon was at a loss for words. It can’t be… he thought. Deluon lowered the telescope. “It’s the Ivsaar…”

Great forces came at one another on top of the main tower, lighting up the night sky. Kirith and Orin, though both wounded, continued to fight for their beliefs, ambitions, loved ones, and anger. Orin held up his blade and spoke words of an unknown tongue. A seal of pure light formed behind him, making a slow turn. Large ice shards formed from it and shot forth towards Kirith.

Kirith ran forwards, dodging and hacking away at the ice shards. In the fray of dust and mist, Orin lunged at him, bringing his sword down. Kirith grunted slightly and caught the blade, blocking it with all he had.

Meanwhile, Seraphiel and Aminon were in a bloody battle, going neck to neck. Aminon grabbed Seraphiel by the tail and tossed her off the side of the tower with considerable force. Seraphiel tumbled through the air but weakly regained her balance. She flapped her wings and made a complete u-turn in the air before heading back to Aminon and letting out a blast of ice his way. Aminon jumped up over the ice, launching himself at the dragon with teeth bared.

Kirith shoved Orin back and was just about to make an electric charged blow when something reached his ears. A horn? Orindir seemed to notice it too as he stood, clutching his bleeding abdomen and staring to the west.

Kirith looked around and squinted at the morning sunlight. There was something below those divine and warm rays of light…it was large and moving slowly down the hill outside of the city. An army…? Kirith felt his heart skip a beat. It had to be Earidon! He and the Ivsaarian army made it! Where have you been?

Kirith looked back to Orin, who was staring at the army in shock before reeling back and shielding his eyes from the sun. A triumphant smile spread across Kirith’s lips.

“You cannot win this battle,” he said, “for we have already won!” Kirith raised his blade, concentrating on its center point as lightning and energy crashed into it from thin air. It grew into a great light, combining with the power of the sun. Kirith could feel the unruly amount of power flowing through him like a raging river. Vaulting forward, he slashed his sword down. A loud boom could be heard in its wake as the lightning and crashed into Orin and parts of the tower.

Orin wasn’t ready at all for any of it. He completely lost his breath as he was thrown over the side with many pieces broken off from the tower. Seraphiel shoved Aminon off of her as she darted down in Orin’s direction.

Aminon growled as he climbed back up the side of the tower and looked off at Seraphiel. Kirith looked to him and held up his hand. “Leave them be, they’re as good as dead,” he said.

The wolf huffed as he looked away. White light began to take up Aminon’s body and slowly dissipate into particles, flowing back into Kirith’s Seal.

Exhaling deeply, Kirith grunted as the pain of the wounds returned. He looked off to where Orin and Seraphiel had disappeared. I don’t care if you beg for mercy, Kirith thought. If you’re still alive, Orin, I’ll kill you.

“Hmm, that’s an army alright,” Aydonin hummed, surveying the horizon. “I would say a couple hundred and maybe seventy griffin riders. It’s definitely the tree-huggers.” He sighed and shook his head disapprovingly.

His master was looking also, staring with stoic irritation. Clearly, this was not what he had intended to have happen. “I thought they had it covered,” he said, his voice holding a biting feeling. “The demons should’ve held them back long enough for the city to be in ashes.”

Aydonin put a hand on his hip. “They are wood elves, Milord! They are mysterious in many ways that not even we can comprehend. You know they sit as a formidable boundary to the rest of the world.”

His master gave him a dark glare, meaning for Aydonin to keep his mouth shut. He turned towards the city once again as he relaxed again. “It is no matter. The city is destroyed and Vasnidale is weak. That’s all we needed from this.”

Aydonin nodded, walking up to his master’s side and putting his hands behind his back. “True… The elves are too late. They will only have the pleasure of killing the Felorians here. The minds of the people are shattered and their country will soon fall. It will take years to repair the damage, and by then the Abyss will have swallowed up the entire realm.” He paused as he looked to his master. Aydonin could distinctly see his red eyes and blonde hair from beneath his cloak. “Noshandraath will be pleased, Lord Shangorn.”

Shangorn let out a low hum. “So he will…”

From below, there came the sound of heavy panting and rapidly beating wings. A small gimeilin flew up from the shadows, eyes wide with panic. It almost struggled to stay afloat but somehow managed to reach up to the two demonlords’ level.

“L-l-l-lord Sh-sh-sh-shang-g-gorn!” it squeaked.

“Oh, Gawz, what a pleasant surprise…” Aydonin said sarcastically.

Shangorn caught the little bat by the neck, staring down at him sternly. “Spit it out.”

Gawz nodded quickly like a scared animal. “W-w-well— your s-s-son—” He coughed and his eyes bulged almost out of their sockets as Shangorn tightened his grip around his neck.

“He’s—not—my—son!” Shangorn growled between clenched teeth.

Gawz nodded again, apologizing in some sort. “M-m-my apologies— P-p-prince Orindir has f-f-failed to defeat t-t-the S-s-seal! H-h-he’s barely alive now!!”

Shangorn stared at Gawz for a moment before looking up to the city. He didn’t say anything, as if contemplating what was going on.

“M-m-m-milord?!” Gawz squawked.

Shangorn looked back down at him as his brow knitted. “You’re useless!” he hissed as he tightened his grip even more, crushing Gawzes neck as if it were a twig. Gawz tried to speak, but it was already too late. His eyes rolled to the back of his head as he suddenly went limp. Shangorn dropped the gimeilin with less care than ever.

A wide grin spread across Aydonin’s lips, revealing his white, fanged teeth. He admired it when Shangorn became overly dark and violent with certain matters. It may have seemed subtle at times, but it painted the perfect picture of hatred, wrath, and mercilessness. It was pure architecture Aydonin very much beheld as being respectful. Any form of darkness and sinful nature made him quite giddy. He kept silent about it though, for he didn’t want to ruin the moment.

“I’ve had enough of this,” Shangorn stated. He exhaled deeply and closed his eyes when a small layer of red fog began to trace down and all around his body. From the fog, every aspect of him changed, though not so much the facial features. As the fog disappeared, a new being stood before Aydonin.

The once-Shangorn was now a sophisticated looking Felorian elf with pale skin and long wavy, silver-ish blue hair. He wore a full set of silver armor with a blue cape draping down his back. Upon his head was a small white crown, not too lavishing but perfect for battle.

Aydonin felt like an excited child. “You’re going to kill him now, aren’t you?”

Shangorn, or in other words, Arcalic, looked towards the city with a light scowl. “Keep to the shadows. Don’t make yourself known.” He leaped off the tower, disappearing into the dark streets below.

Aydonin laughed. “Of course, Lord Shangorn!”

Kate jogged down the street avoiding the obvious fighting and discord. This had to have been the street. She traced through many of them with no luck whatsoever. Nothing was going on in the road, except for the small fire off to the side, which was a good sign.

Spear in hand, she jogged to the left of the street and entered through an alleyway. Spotting her friends, Kate immediately picked up her pace and ran for them into the courtyard. “Guys!”

They all looked to her, eyes wide in disbelief.

“Kate!” Travis exclaimed.

Kate skidded to a stop before them, bending over and panting. She wiped her brow with her hand, relieved to see her friends.

“Where have you been?! Are you okay?” Travis asked, clapping his hand on her shoulder. “And where did you get that?” He turned his attention to the double-bladed naginata.

“Give her a break!” Rossiel scolded. “She has seen much within this night.”

Kate straightened and waved her hand in dismissal. “I’m fine, I’m fine. Let’s just say someone decided I wasn’t ready to die yet. And this,” she held up the weapon. Its surface reflected her face, clear and clean, “I really don’t know where I got it actually. It kind of just…came to me.”

Rahz crossed his arms. “Well I’ll say! You’ve been gone for hours!”

“We’re so glad to have you back with us,” Laela said as a genuine smile spread across her lips.

Kate smiled warmly. It felt so nice to be with them again, to be joined in their presence. Kate looked around and towards the hatch. “Is everything okay here?”

Travis shrugged. “We got in a tussle with some Felorians. Some of them managed to get down there and kill some of the survivors…. But we managed to stop them before they hurt anymore.”

Kate nodded approvingly. “Good. Good. You may not have saved them all, but your efforts were more than enough.”

“Yours too,” Travis said, nudging her with his elbow. “Give yourself some credit!”

Far beyond them there came the sound of a large boom. Everyone looked in the direction that it came from; the tower. Debris and large pieces of the side of the tower scattered, but within it was a form, thrown like a ragdoll down towards the city. A white dragon launched itself towards the form, trying to catch up with it.

Kate felt her jaw drop as she watched the two disappear past the roofs. “Orin…” she murmured. “We have to go help him!”

“Help the enemy?!” Rahz said. “I believe you have that the other way around.”

“No, I know him. If he’s not dead now, this could be our only chance to turn him back!” Kate turned back towards the alley and ran for it. “Come on, there’s no time!”

Travis looked to them and motioned with his head. “You heard her, elf prince needs saving!”

The large black dragon, who had fought the Seals, slowly glided towards the largest rooftop, trying to stay afloat with a partially wounded wing. He made an awkward collide with the building, holding onto it with his large form and kicking off some of the tiles. Scanning the skies, the black dragon growled under his breath. The moons were parting and he could already feel his strength dimming. And to make matters worse, the wood elves were against their cause and attacking with pesky griffins.

A smaller dragon swooped down and landed on the roof next to his, blood dripping from her raven-like scales. She breathed heavily, trying to maintain her composure. “Inonzuur! We cannot fight like this any longer, the Ivsaar bring a powerful force with them!”

Inonzuur’s tongue zipped in and out as his eyes flashed with vexation. “It’s that elven prince’s fault. He lied to us all. He says he’s the true Seal, but I have seen the real ones with my own eyes.”

The raven-dragon furrowed her brow as she craned her neck towards him. “Have you?”

“Indeed. And they are truly with the Creator, along with the wood elves.”

“What do you propose we do?”

Inonzuur let out a low hum as he scanned the morning horizon. “Though these humans have oppressed us many years, it is evident the Creator doesn’t want us to resort to violent methods. We must retreat to the mountains and stay hidden.”

The feminine dragon bobbed her head. “I shall tell the others! Let us be off!”

Orindir felt the wind flow past him like a racing river and he was going against the current. He could barely feel anything at that point; the pain in his body numbed his muscles. What was this feeling he had? Hopelessness? Possibly… But what was the purpose of thought anymore? With his eyes shut and his body locked, Orin felt as if his entire being was accepting its fate. There was still so much to do…

Suddenly, something grabbed him from around the waist. A claw, he could feel the scales all along the arm. He was pressed close to this beasts belly, not too hard, but enough for protective comfort. What was this?

“I am here, Orindir!” came a feminine draconic voice.

Orin opened his eyes slightly as a tear traced from his eye. “Seraphiel…” he said in a shaky tone.

Smash! Seraphiel hit solid ground with her shoulder, letting out a loud moan and unknowingly letting go of Orin. Orin, with eyes shut again, flew from her grasp from the impact and tumbled through the air. He smacked face first into the ground. No cry of pain escaped his lips, for there was almost no strength left in him to do so. He skidded to a stop, dirt and ash staining his bloody clothing and pale skin.

Neither dragon nor master moved. Orin could sense Seraphiel’s pained spirit. How melancholy is was! It was like she was crying into an endless pit of despair. He could feel her suffering and failure all in one. She wanted to protect him, but she had failed to do just that.

Orindir opened his eyes and looked to her weakly. “S-Sera…”

Staring at her tore his heart in two. The she-dragon, once elegant and beautiful, lay in a heap with blood dripping from multiple wounds all along her body. Her wing was crooked and she breathed in slow, raspy breaths. A to-be martyred saint adorned in white she was, hopeless and dying.

Orin tried to push himself up, but there was nothing left in him. He began to cough violently, spitting up a red liquidy substance that left an iron-like taste on his tongue. But he suddenly felt something else. It wasn’t really pain, but more of guilt, indignation, and escape. It was emitting from the other dragons in the city. One feeling struck his mind. Departure. Orin furrowed his brow as he looked up.

Far up in the early morning sky, dragons were flying north, away from the battle. W-what?! Orin thought. Where are they going? Why are they leaving?! More than ever, he felt abandoned and distraught. He was alone in this.

“N-no…” Again, Orin tried to push himself up but to no avail. He moaned, pressing his face into the gravel as he shut his eyes. There was no one left. Where were his other soldiers? Daechir? Hannor? Tears began to merge in his eyes. Creator…where are you?

“Orindir.”

Orin stopped moving all together. Could it be…? He slowly lifted his head to look up at his father, King Arcalic. He wore a set of beautifully ornate silver armor, his tresses tracing down past his shoulders. Arcalic stared down at Orin with bitter disgust. Orin had never seen him this displeased, especially towards him.

“F-father…” Orin croaked, relieved but not too much, due to the expression on Arcalic’s face. “Y-you…you finally…arrived…”

“Get up,” he ordered without a hint of pity.

Get up? But…Orin was practically near to death. He didn’t want to anger him anymore than he already was, so he complied. Orin gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. But as he began to stand up, the fatigue in his legs returned and he fell down on his knees, gasping in pain.

Arcalic grabbed Orin by the collar and yanked him up, pulling him close so that they were face to face. “Look at you! Your pathetic! Weak!” he growled, spitting in Orin’s face. “I come here and find that you have not succeeded!” Arcalic shoved Orin back down to the ground. “Unbelievable, you believe you wear the pride of your kin and yet you are lower than the humans themselves.”

“Ack!” Orin grunted as he smacked the cobblestone. He sat up slowly and gazed up at his father in disbelief. “I…I do not understand I—” Orin gulped. “T-the city is…destroyed! T-the dragons…are free!”

“You think I care about a couple of burning buildings?!” Arcalic snapped. “You failed to kill the Seals. You let them over power you! And now where are they? Saving the humans from their doom!”

Orin clenched his fists. “But…but there’s still time! I-I can still defeat them. P-please…Father, just let me—”

Arcalic kicked Orin hard across the face. Orin spat up blood as he did so, rolling onto his stomach from the force. “I’m sick of your whining, boy. You’ve failed me and your kingdom.”

Orin felt his head spin as the mark on his cheek left a sting that was equivalent to snake venom. Why was his father doing this? Had he really failed everyone?

Arcalic leaned down and grabbed Orin by the ponytail and yanked his head up. “Though, I suppose it doesn’t really matter anymore now does it?”

Orin almost gasped when he gazed at his “father.”

No longer did he hold the features of a Northern elf. This was a different person entirely. It was a man with glowing red eyes and a blood red hood and cape to which shaded some of his features. He wore a full set of black armor that gleamed as the light of the flames hit it. This man, whoever he was, looked at Orin in such a way that was dark beyond belief, as if he was exposing his very soul and every sin.

Orin felt as if he was staring right into the eyes of pure evil. That strong essence of the Creator was gone, nonexistent, and was replaced by hatred, destruction, and death. It was all so very overwhelming; Orin felt like his head was going to explode. “Who…who are you?!” he gasped. “Y-you’re…not my father…!”

The man squinted at him and exhaled deeply. “You have much to learn, Orindir,” he replied. “I am your father…but your supposed father of a king was never real. You see, Orin, it was all merely a lie… Everything going back to the time before you were born.” He held up his free hand as a ball of black flames formed in it. “Manipulating you and Feloria was easy enough, and ending your life will be just as simple.”

“Stop it, Shangorn!” a voice cried.

Shangorn let go of Orin and stood up, looking to his left. “Quiet, you!”

Everything was happening so fast! This man, this Shangorn, was his father? But Shangorn was the dark sorcerer of legends. How…

Orin looked over in the direction of the voice to see a young girl standing yards away. Seraphiel’s humanized form! She wore a white, tight-fitting gown with a sash aground her waste. A pair of horns protruded from her locks of hair that matched the color of her mane. Her warmly colored eyes flashed with defiance. Though she was covered in the same wounds and tears, Sera looked like an unyielding and undying young heroine.

“The blame is mine!” Seraphiel said. “I failed to protect him when we fought Aminon and his wielder! Punish me in his stead.”

Shangorn clicked his tongue. “You served your purpose years ago, Seraphiel. You both are useless to me.”

Seraphiel clenched her teeth as she formed a spear of ice in her right hand. “I won’t let you hurt him!” she growled and threw the ice at the sorcerer with full force.

Shangorn simply held up his hand as a small black void formed and swallowed the ice. Within seconds, he collected all the darkness in his hand before throwing it at Seraphiel with inhuman speed. The darkness slammed into her, causing her to cry out in pain and fall back. The dragoness dissipated into particles of light, disappearing within seconds.

Exhaling deeply, Shangorn turned his attention back to Orin. Darkness began to form in his left hand, only this time it became a large spike. He pulled it back, making ready to strike. “A shame it had to end this way.”

Out of nowhere, a ball of fire slammed in Shangorn’s left shoulder from behind. The spike disappeared as Shangorn keeled over in pain. “Who—”

“Stop right there!”

~Chapter XXIX~

A New Dawn

Kate stood with Travis, Laela, Rossiel, and Rahz, weapons ready as they faced this dark and mysterious figure. She had a gut feeling that this man was none other than Shangorn. Feeling the fire burning inside her once again, Kate glared at the demonic man.

Orin looked towards them, shaken and dying. Shangorn looked at her with utter annoyance and slammed his heel into Orin’s head, pressing him down into the ground. “Well, well, well, I never thought I would see the Seals again,” he cooed. “Though…in a more pathetic form than before.”

“Watch it!” Travis growled.

Kate pointed her naginata at Shangorn. “Step away from him!”

“This is none of your concern, Seals,” Shangorn said coldly. “You should be thanking me. I’m going to kill the pestilence that has just been bugging your efforts.”

Kate held her naginata a bit higher. “He’s no pestilence! Orin is one of us!”

Shangorn tilted his head to the side, the same stoic look on his face. “So he’s your friend? Does a friend defy you and kill off multiple innocent people? Even for me that’s a little too much.” He waved his hand to the elven prince. “This is the abomination I created, so how about we take this fight elsewhere when I’m done.”

Travis huffed. “You know you’re pretty calm for someone who’s surrounded by the Creator’s Seals.”

Shangorn narrowed his eyes at him. “I would say the same for you and your companions. You dare tread in a powerful sorcerer’s presence. Boy, you may have the brawn, but you most definitely do not have the brains.”

“We’ve had enough of this!” Rossiel said. “There is something deeper to the devastation that has been made. And if my eyes do not deceive me, you are the Demonlord.”

Shangorn sighed. “Perhaps… You all were to be destroyed the previous night along but the city didn’t stand much of a chance either way... But it seems the Creator grows stronger within you. No matter—” a large black sword began to form in his right hand, emanating a dark essence, “I’ll just finish you all up now.”

“I wouldn’t speak so quickly, Shangorn,” came a powerful voice.

Everyone looked to the right street in the intersection. Earidon, dressed in gold armor, strode into the scene, a squadron of twenty wood elves following him from behind and wearing the same armor.

Kate felt her heart skip a beat at the sight of her friend. He finally arrived! She resisted the urge to run to him and held her place. There were still things to take care of.

“I believe we can handle the elf prince from here just fine,” Earidon said rather cockily. He looked to the Seals and winked.

Shangorn scowled bitterly as he met Earidon’s gaze. It was as if two old enemies had met once again. “I don’t need your insufferable words.” His eyes glowed red with anger as he looked back to the Seals. “It seems the odds are in your favor at this new dawn.” He withdrew his foot from Orin’s head. “But know that this is only the beginning.” Dark smoke formed around Shangorn and completely captivated him within seconds before disappearing in the wind. Once he was utterly gone, everyone seemed to slacken, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his or her shoulders.

Kate immediately ran to Orin’s side. She fell down on her knees and pushed him over onto his backside. His wounds were worse than what she had imagined, not to mention he was covered in dirt that would infect them. He grimaced and stared up at Kate with tired eyes. “Seal…” Orin said in a cracked voice. Wincing, he shut his eyes and moved his hand to the cut on his chest.

“Try not to move too much,” Kate said, growing worried by the second. She wanted to help him somehow, but she didn’t know how.

“He’ll need to be taken to the infirmary at once, my healers will do their best to get him back into shape,” Earidon said, striding over to the two.

“I can help out too!” Laela offered.

Travis walked over to Orin’s other side and kneeled down. “I’ll carry him from here,” he said, smiling weakly.

Kate nodded. “Sure, sure, just be careful with him…”

“What are you doing?!”

Kate whipped her head to the left towards the empty street. Kirith stood several feet away, wounded badly and holding his sword. He was enraged and furious as lightning flickered in his eyes. Kate knew exactly why…

She shot up from the ground and stood between him and Orin. “What does it look like?”

Kirith scowled and pointed a finger at Orindir. “You’re helping him!!” he growled. “He’s our enemy, Kate! Step aside so I can end this once and for all!”

“Killing him won’t solve anything!” Kate retorted. “He’s just like us, he’s the Seventh Seal!”

“NO HE ISN’T!! STOP SAYING THAT!” Kirith stepped closer. “MOVE ASIDE!”

“I won’t! I won’t let you become subject to your own evil!” Kate spread her arms out. “No more killing, please!!”

Kirith bared his teeth but didn’t say anything. The two of them were eye to eye as they stared at each other intensely. It was like an unseen war went on between the two, and neither one was ready to give up. After several seconds, Kirith looked away and sheathed his sword. He turned away from them, still angry and ready to pounce at any given moment.

Kate lowered her arms and looked to Travis, nodding for him to carry on. Travis slinked Orin over his shoulder and stood up as if the weight was nothing.

Earidon sighed and motioned with his hand towards the street perpendicular of them. “There’s a hold out in the Northwestern tower that we’ve settled at, we can bring him there,” he suggested.

“Lead the way,” Travis replied.

Rossiel stepped forward, eyeing Orin cautiously. “I’ll go ahead and retrieve the survivors and bring them back.”

“I’ll come with you!” Rahz said, grinning triumphantly as Rossiel made somewhat of a tired sigh.

“Ah, yes!” Earidon looked to his squad. “Go help them, there might be some who are stuck under the rubble.”

“Yes, sir!” They said, before following Rossiel and Rahz.

Earidon motioned with his head as they began to jog. Kate exhaled deeply and looked to Orin. He looked unconscious, or at least she hoped that was the state he was in and not dead. Kate looked back to see Kirith following them from behind, though rather slowly with his head down and his fists clenched. This, and Kate knew quite well, was not going to go off on an easy start.

* * * * * * *

Kate stood at the wall of the city, gazing off at the landscape. Her mind was lost in deep thought as she leaned against the small slab wall that wouldn’t have saved her from the fall below had it not been there. The sun was setting in the East, setting the lands and clouds in warm shades that made Kate’s mind wander.

Much had been done ever since the sun rose. After they had brought Orin to the tower, Laela and the elven healers went to work on healing him as best as they could and keeping his vitals in check. Earidon left shortly after to join the battle in driving out the Felorians. Many died, but some had retreated out of the city’s vigilance and into the lands beyond. No dragon was left to be seen, which left many of them curious as to what happened.

After the victory, everyone had gone around in teams to search out any more citizens that were in need. A large group of men, women, and children had been found in a barricaded area that was beneath the wall. Some had even helped out with putting out the flames. There was still a large sum of destruction, but only half of the city had really been affected.

Down below, the Seals were doing their best to get some rest, since they had been up all night and facing the chaos. But Kate yet again couldn’t bring herself to sleep. The memory of the elves dying by her hand still haunted her, and she didn’t want to imagine what her dreams might bring if she slept. It made her feel sick to her stomach, but she continued to tell herself that this was how things were going to be.

Kate sighed, feeling the chilling air brush against her skin. I hate this… she thought. Why did I have to be stuck to endure this… Kate leaned on the wall and covered her face with her hands. “It’s sick, this world is sick,” she thought aloud.

“I wouldn’t put it like that.”

Kate looked over bleary eyed to see Earidon walking out of the tower. He smiled distinctly before stopping next to her and looking off. “I mean, for a place that is filled with death and war it is rather quite peaceful,” he said.

Kate couldn’t help but smile. “You’re right, it is.” She rested her head on her folded hands, to which lay flat on the wall. “Earidon, where have you been?”

Earidon exhaled slowly. “I do apologize for my delay, though I believe there is no excuse to why we were late,” he said. “We were crossing the lower mountain ranges of Marnesius when a demon appeared. It took out half of our army, but by the Creator’s will we were successful in taking it down. The dark Sorcerer must have known of our plan.” Earidon looked to Kate. “But I believe you and the Seals had it all under control.”

Kate shook her head and stood up straight. “Yeah, until Shangorn came along and almost killed us. I was actually afraid that we would’ve had to fight him then… Even if my Seal has finally aided me I still feel far from ready.”

Earidon put a hand on her shoulder comfortingly. “You and your friends will be ready when the time comes. If the prophecies and tales are true, you and the others will defeat the darkness, and we’ll be at your side no matter what.”

Kate smiled faintly and nodded. “You have a point,” she replied quietly. A bitter feeling entered her thoughts.“… Do you think…Orin will be okay?”

Earidon raised his eyebrows. “The fallen Prince? Physically I’m sure he’ll pull through but…”

“But?”

Earidon’s smile faded as he gazed off. “I’m afraid it won’t be easy for him after this. The people will be infuriated, the dragons are displeased with him, and I’m not entirely sure he will be able to return to his home country.”

Kate lowered her head, thinking about all that might happen. The enraged expression on Kirith’s face flashed through her mind. “Then…we’ll have to do our best and protect him. Orin is the Seventh Seal, despite whatever dark or holy ritual he went through to obtain such power.”

Earidon nodded slowly. His gaze moved back to her as he seemed to formulating what to say. “I’m curious, Kate. Do you…still wish to return your world?”

Kate was somewhat surprised by this question, but she decided to go with it. “Well…no…” she replied. “I want to stay here; I need to stay here. I’ve realized some things and I’ve come to terms with who I am. Whether I go back or not doesn’t matter, it’s if I finish the task here or not is what matters most…though I do miss what I had…”

Earidon nodded in understanding. “When the Creator decides you’re ready,” he began, “he will guide you home…in due time…” he patted Kate’s back, “in due time, dear one.”