War of Dark Ages: A Unicorn's Journey

San slightly opens her eyes feeling something heavy at her feet and legs. To the left, Riley is sitting at the window snoring in the chair. Down below Calleas and Gwyneira are stretched out on the bed. a smile reaches her lips.

“Good Morning,” Skye remarks sitting to the right.

“Good Morning.” San sits up slowly not disturbing them and her arms feel slightly stiff. “Is everything alright?”

Skye’s smile deepens, “Yes, you gave us a time window. It seems quite a few townsfolk as well as the King and his men, The Duke, Count, Uri, and Commander Kail also came to help.” The relief in San’s eyes is noticeable and he continues, “We were able to save many, and are working on how to either find their homes or give them homes here. A lot has happened. Let me wake up Riley and he can fill you in. I’ll go downstairs and get you something to eat.” He walks over to him and places a hand on his shoulder.

Riley jars awake glancing around and spots San sitting up in bed.

Skye leaves the room.

Riley leans forward, “It’s good to see you awake.”

Gwyneira yawns and stretches rising from her slumber. She looks at her partner before resting her head on San’s legs with her ears perked forward.

“I imagine you want to know what happened?” Riley looks down at his hands. “We tried to save as many as we could. And we had so much help, much more than we ever expected.” He thrusts his hand through his hair. “Truth is, only 937 were saved out of 1,348. It seems everyone is a bit upset that this went unnoticed for so long.”

San glances at him. “During the time of the War of Dark Ages, so many creatures, people, and environments suffered immensely. Nothing could be done to save them. This time even though the number is small, We did get to save a few and that is an achievement there isn’t it? Especially with who we are up against.”

Riley shakes his head in amazement.

At the same time, The door opens with Skye and the King walking forward into the room.

Skye walks over and places the stand-up tray across San with a large cup of bae for her to drink along with food. “There we go.”

San smiles and notices the other man walk inside.

The King grabs the chair and sits beside Riley giving him a nod of approval. he is seven feet four inches tall with his sun-bleached medium-length hair. For a Ladactorian, this person is definitely a bit impressive.

San takes a sip of her drink while casting a glance at Riley.

The King remarks, “Let me introduce myself, I am the King of Feldorea. And it seems your words are very inspiring. Would I be allowed to tell my soldiers that?”

San lowers her cup and tilts her head at the King. “Why do you need my permission?”

The King raises both eyebrows in bewilderment.

Riley starts to snicker with his hand covering his mouth.

San scowls at him. “Riley, I don’t know the customs of dealing with Kings yet. From what I read they are of different rank!”

“Rank?” The King questions looking at Riley.

Riley laughs harder.

Skye starts to snicker.

Meanwhile, the King smiles and shakes his head. “Something tells me your world and mine are very different. You can call me Argon.”

“Argon,” San replies and sends another scowl at Riley.

Calleas yawns awake raising his head.

San continues to eat more of her food.

Riley calms himself down and glances at the King, “My apologies, Your Highness. How is everyone?”

“Tired, constantly working on calming everyone down and treating their wounds. Skye and everyone have been amazing in trying to make sure there is plenty of food. More food is on the way from the capital and several meadow creatures have already been placed here to the town of Hydamere and the Meadows of Isurital.” Argon glances at Riley, and meets San’s gaze.

“What about the other creatures?” San questions.

“We have cave-dwelling creatures as well as sea creatures. We are having a hard time finding their homes. The forest creatures have taken dwellings nearby, but we are at a loss as to exactly where these creatures came from.”

San finishes her meal as a slight flush form in her cheeks.

Riley frowns noticing even though she regained some strength, still looks slightly pale. “Do you think you can eat some more?”

San shakes her head.

Skye takes the tray and leaves the room heading downstairs.

“What can we do to help?” Calleas yawns again and stretches. He lays back down glancing at them.

“Well, we need to find them homes. The people are being taken care of by Commander Kail and quite a few other people. But the sea is a domain that is still largely unexplored for us,” The King remarks.

“How did the creatures get here from the sea?” San questions with her hand on her chin.

Both the King and Riley look at each other in amazement. Riley looks back at San. “You know, I have an idea. Let me go get Gringel and Brooks and we can meet you at the teleportation outside camp. Your Highness, would you want to come with us or perhaps with San?”

“I think I’ll wait downstairs with San. Come on Calleas and Gwyneira, let’s have her get dressed and we can meet you there Riley.” The King stands up and motions with his hands for the two creatures to follow. They leave the room waiting downstairs.

Riley stands up. “Let’s see if we can get more of those creatures home. I’ll see you there.” He silently walks out of the room.

San gets out of bed and takes a bath. Afterwards, finishes dressing herself and moves her steps quickly downstairs to the Tavern.

The King with Calleas and Gwyneira eagerly awaits by the threshold.

As they leave Gwyneira reaches up her head slightly brushing San’s leg.

San lowers her hand lightly touching Gwyniera’s head causing her tail to slightly wag.

They move north past a few tents and start heading east towards the open meadows. “Seems you have a way of helping people, even without you being aware of it,” Argon remarks, slightly amused.

“I have been told that a lot.” San grimaces. “But I still have yet to understand how I am doing that. You do realize, you have a ton of rules?”

Argon chuckles. “Yes, I am aware. The rules are meant to protect the people from outside sources from taking over their towns and nations. As King, I am merely their protector. Similar to how a shepherd watches over the flock.”

“That is a large flock to watch over.” San casts a glance at him.

“I suppose it is. It’s why I have a lot of help involved.” A few people wave their hands to Argon and he raises his hand in reply.

San spots several cave creatures, including the large Boaryx creatures who don’t like sunlight. It causes her to stop and remember something when the spell was cast.

Riley walks over with the Duke, the Earl, Skye, Gringel, Boah, and Brooks. “Something tells me, you remembered something.”

San looks at him. “I did, actually. I don’t know if this will help but there are two elemental creatures who can change the structure of mountains nearby. Talking to them can be. . . somewhat difficult but if you get their help. They can turn that mountain into a home for the creatures.”

“Well now, I am curious about that. elemental creatures?” Riley crosses both arms.

The King raises an eyebrow at San.

San ponders for a minute. “They are elemental rock golems. They mostly like to sleep and do not like to intervene very much. They can be quite stubborn if talked to rudely. I felt two of them to the west of here slightly downward.” San looks down at her hands unsure if they should talk to them, remembering a previous encounter that didn’t go well.

“Mmm, this sounds like it will be a terrific experience for us. Skye, why don’t we, along with the Earl of Garlsteag, meet with this elemental rock golem and try talking? It will not hurt to ask.” The Duke replies with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

“Something tells me I will be the transport service?” Skye replies sarcastically and shakes his head amused by the Duke.

“Wait a minute, transport? How can a twenty-foot dragon carry us?” The Earl of Garlsteag questions them.

All three of them, Riley, Gringel, and Brooks start chuckling.

Gringel places his hand on his hip, “Perhaps you should show him how large of a dragon you really are?”

Skye shrugs, “It will still be a day’s journey and are you sure I won’t be attacked?”

“They already know not to attack any creature, including a large dragon. Your voice last time could be heard throughout the whole Kingdom. The Duke was kind enough to fill us in on the descriptions given,” Argon the King remarks dryly.

Skye winces, “Alright, both of you and I’ll be taking Boah as well.”

“Wait a minute, Me?” Boah points his fingers at himself with laughter echoing around.

“Of course. We need a guard, don’t we, Sergeant?” The Duke winks at Boah.

Argon, the King notices San slightly smiles but her eyes don’t change from having a sad look or laughing when the others do.

Skye moves forward to the clear meadows and changes into his dragon form causing a lot of gasps to spread through the tents. The animals for some reason remain calm and are not affected by this. The Duke, Boah, and the Earl of Garlsteag climb on top of Skye’s back and they fly off to the west mountains looking for the two elemental rock golems.

“I hope they will be alright, they can be incredibly stubborn.” San comments looking above.

“Well then how about we not put them to shame?” Gringel remarks.

They leave through a teleportation circle to the Cave of Solace to look for any devices that allow transportation from the creature’s territory to the Ocean.

Sometime later in the Cave of Solace.

“There are a lot of boxes in here.” San gazes around the room.

“Indeed.” Riley walks up beside her. “I think we will leave the transportation of these items to Gringel, Brooks, and a few guards. We can sort through the boxes here that have documents in them.”

“I’ll stay here and help out with the transportation.” Gwyneira trots over to Brooks.

“I’ll head back with you.” Calleas tilts his head and follows her.

With her hand, San beckons the boxes to her. They rise off the ground and follow her to the teleportation portal.

Back inside the tent on the camp outside of town. Riley, King Argon, and San are sitting at a table looking through documents.

Calleas yawns at her feet shaking his mane.

“None of this makes any sense.” San throws the paper on the table and puts her chin in her hand.

“I agree, it seems these are in some sort of code.” Argon places the stack of papers to the side. “We will need a key to crack this.”

“Key?” San glances at them.

“Yes, you remember the locks you were taught about?” Riley points to the document. “Sometimes, there will be codes just like them that need a key to unlock it. Without the key, you’re pretty much guessing. And it looks like this Fallsmhere fellow, is incredibly meticulous about what he wants known and hidden.”

With no answer, they look up at her. Argon glances at Riley. “Why don’t we get something to eat in the meantime? I’ll have these taken back to the castle and put in a safe place.”

Riley picks up the papers on the desk and starts to put them back in the container.

Argon walks to the tent entrance, beckoning a soldier to his side. “Would you bring in some food? Also, have a few guards take these documents back to the capital.”

“Yes, Sire.”

After a few moments, the table is cleared and a few guards bring in food along with drinks setting them on the table. They start to eat while the guards take the boxes outside.

San takes a sip of tea, enjoying the flavor with her thoughts again on Fallshmere.

Riley smiles.

“Is there something amusing?” She glances at him.

“No, but it looks like more color is returning to your cheeks. It makes me a bit relieved.” Riley taps his fingers on the table. “We still have to figure out a home for the sea creatures.”

“Well, I’m not sure, but we might be able to help there. Have quite a few boxes with similar items in it.” Gringel stands at the entrance. “If you want to follow, we can see if any of them look familiar to you.” He turns and walks out.

They leave the tent and proceed to follow to another tent a bit further down. As they enter, seven boxes rise on the floor in the back.

Gringel takes out a flask and takes a sip. “Which one would you like to start first?”

San looks at the boxes. “Calleas, where is Gwyneira?”

“She went to help Commander Kail, it seems there is a bit of chaos spreading.” Calleas walks over the side of the tend and plops down on the floor.

San walks over to a box and gazes inside. She reaches inside to pick up this small chain in her hand and stands up. After a few seconds, her hand slightly moves, and the item increases in size to a large chain circle with spikes inside pointing to the center. At the same time, it startles her and she drops it on the floor.

“San, what’s wrong?” Riley stands beside her looking down at the device.

“I’m. . . . This item brings back bad memories, but it’s not the same thing. Or at least I don’t think it is.” San frowns at the device.

“What do you mean?” King Argon questions.

Calleas walks up to San and sniffs the device. He sits back on his paws, “I don’t sense anything dark about it.”

Talking slowly because the memories are painful for her to bear, “I was brought to a room when I was first turned and kept there for a time. I can’t remember how long but it felt like an eternity of watching this. They would put these chains around them and the spikes would embed deep in their necks to the center of the bone. If the device sensed any thoughts of betrayals of the freshly turned ones, it would automatically start to drain the essence of life from the spikes within the person till the device was fully lit up. Once it was, it forced the life essence back into the body in a flood stream piercing every vein from the top of the head down to their feet.” San closed her eyes for a brief second. “I remember hearing their screams for hours till they surrendered to it and were able to stand and move. Sometimes there would be a chain reaction considering there was a line of prisoners and the screams would echo.” She shakes her head and takes a step back, almost stepping on Calleas. “I’m sorry Calleas.”

Calleas nuzzles her leg, “Don’t be, I’m here.”

“Indeed, remember? You’re not alone in this fight anymore.” Riley places his hand on her back.

San looks in Riley’s direction and casts her eyes downward.

“Well then, looks like these need to be destroyed. Are there any others at first glance that would also be harmful?” Gringel stands with his hands on his hips.

San gazes at him in surprise.

He throws up his hands. “All I’m saying is something tells me we don’t need to give you more nightmares since we are just starting to build a relationship. If there is anything harmful, you let me know. I’ll make sure every damn one of ’em gets demolished.”

San gives him a small smile of relief. “Very well.” She walks around the boxes only counting two others that she fully remembers being torture devices.

Gringel takes the boxes with a couple of soldiers and leaves the tent to destroy every last one.

“Strange, I wasn’t asked for permission but it’s good that people are taking initiative to ensure anything destructive gets destroyed.” King Argon muses with a glimmer of amusement in his eye.

“I think all of us here have gotten a lesson. In one way or another.” Riley smiles at her.

San stares at them dumbfounded, unsure of what they are implying.

Riley gives a shaky laugh. “Never mind, now then shall we go to the next one?”

“I think I will help them destroy those devices. It might bring me a bit of peace.” Calleas stands up and walks to the front of the tent. “I’ll return.”

San walks to another box kneeling and picks an oval-shaped item with no marking and scratches on one side. “I think they called these incompletes. I’m not sure what they mean by that, but I always heard them say to take it down to the recycle room. See what can be spared from it and destroy the rest.”

“Recycle room?” King Argon crosses his arms.

“I wonder.” Riley kneels beside her and picks up a device. “I don’t know what a recycle room is but it sounds like they wanted to spare a bit of material and try to reuse it. This might have some stuff we can break down and perhaps get a bit more information about certain material.”

“It will be a lot of work. Everyone is already busy here.” San casts a worried look to the front of the tent.

“You don’t have to worry. We have blacksmiths all around and I know a few in the capital and we can transport them there.” King Argon replies and steps outside the tent.

San looks down into the box, “Do you think these incompletes might be what they were trying to recreate?”

“Perhaps, but once we have them disassembled, we might have more answers.” Riley stands up and walks to another box. “Mm, from what I can see it looks like two other boxes here are similar to those in that box.” Riley kneels beside the box and picks up a device examining it.

“Well then that is less work for us isn’t it?” King Argon remarks with a couple of soldiers behind him.

Riley stands up as they take the three different boxes and carry them out to the tent to be transported to the capital.

San walks over to the last box and frowns at it. Unsure of this feeling from these devices for some reason causes her to be restless. She kneels and reaches inside touching the device.

“What is wrong?” Riley bends toward her with a worried look on his face.

San glances at Riley, “I don’t know. I sense nothing in this device and for some reason, I am getting a feeling vaguely familiar to my time. Something isn’t right but I wonder what it is?”

“Could it be because they aren’t magical devices?” King Argon questions.

Riley shakes his head. “No, from her time it steals the magic and hides them. . . I wonder if it’s because they are not turned on.”

San looks at him bewildered, “But shouldn’t I have sensed the darkness?”

“True but as you have stated, they can’t make those devices because they were not in control of things and they had to make a lot of adaptations.” Riley walks over to her and picks up the item in her hand. “Let’s at least open this outside and try not to turn it on.” He walks outside.

Argon and San follow, watching him.

Riley places the device on the ground and presses a switch.

The device unfolds, spreading a large metal frame on the bottom. A pillar rises on each side spreading in a large arc connecting at the top with crystals in a pattern spread out across the arc.

San stiffens. “They manage to create small sigils behind the crystals.” Her voice barely whispers and gives herself a mental shake letting her know it’s not activated.

“We need Gringel here. I’ll go get ’em.” Riley turns and walks away to the other tents with the boxes inside.

“Sigils?” King Argon questions.

“It’s what they were called during the War of Dark Ages. They might be able to explain better than I can. All I know is they are meant to cause great harm to this realm and any creature in it.” San frowns as the anger rises inside her, staring at this device. She turns away.

“Why would someone want to create that? What would be the benefit?” King Argon turns towards her, crossing both arms.

“I don’t know. It’s one of the things I must learn from your kind in order to understand them. That was our downfall back then. I don’t want to repeat it.”

“You will work with us, even if you don’t like us very much?” King Argon muses.

“Yes, I am trying….,” San sighs. “I realize not all of you are bad but understanding some of your customs and ways is very trying. Yet, a lot of people in this town have been very helpful. It’s not all bad.” She looks down at her hands unsure of how to answer her feelings.

“It’s alright, I can’t even imagine how hard it is for you to try and sort out all those feelings. We will do what we can,” King Argon replies.

“Why are you being nice to me? Surely you are wary of me?” San looks at King Argon with her eyebrow raised.

“Well, I will admit I was and we had an event happen at the capital when we got the report on the Cave of Solace requesting help. I’ll go more into that later since I think Commander Kail wants to explain that one to you himself. He stayed with you all night. I think he was worried about you.” King Argon smiled slightly, noticing how she became embarrassed.

“We are here, I’ll go check on it and see if I can destroy it. They won’t win against me.” Gringel moves forward with Brooks behind him.

“We can wait back here, but something tells me you want to move forward, correct?” Riley stands beside her.

San glances at him and looks at the device. “Yes, I need to confront it.” She walks forward to the device. The crystals look deeply embedded in the arc with the dark aura surrounding the crystals.

Both King Argon and Riley examine the device on the other side. “Well this is strange, I can’t see those sigils this time. San, where do you see it?” Gringel remarks with two lynstils over his eyes. He is bent over examining the device.

“I see them behind the crystals,” San replies.

“Mm, that might explain why I can’t see them. They are being a bit more clever this time but it’s not as powerful. I don’t want to remove the crystals in case they harm them. Is there any way for you to find out if they are attached to the device? Like you did with the Winged Pegasus?” Gringel stands up and takes off the lynstils.

“I can try.” San extends her hand out to the device.

“Hold on a minute.” San looks at Riley in bewilderment. “Before you do, I think we all need a lunch break. We are not going to kill ourselves and I personally don’t like how pale you are.” Riley places both hands on his hips, refusing to back down.

San frowns and looks back at the device. “Fine.”

Brooks chuckles.

Gringel remarks, “We can work on examining while we eat here. You go enjoy the food!”

San follows them to the tent and sits down.

Riley walks inside with a few soldiers and places food and drinks on the table.

Her lips press together. “You do realize I can help?”

Riley smiles, “Yes I know, but as someone once said, too many fingers in the pot can make a huge mess of things.” He laughs at her astonished expression. “Never mind. Let’s eat and we can finish that project.”

They sit down and work on their meal. Riley constantly made sure San ate enough to ensure the flush on her cheeks deepened even with her scowling at him all throughout the meal. Once the meal was finished, they took the dishes outside and placed them on the table nearby.

They walk back to the device and Gringel is on the ground looking up underneath a crystal wearing both lynstils.

Brooks is bent over handing him a couple of tools. “Welcome back, we can’t remove the crystals but we may have found a way to remove the sigils without harming the device. Seems they are an attachment.”

“Then if we remove them, will we still have the ability to use the teleportation connected to the place?” King Argon raises his hand to his chin.

“Doubtful,” Gringel replies. “I think we can remove these safely though and not harm the crystals. I can also modify these to make carriages and large halls from town to town. Probably not as long of a reach as they did, but at least throughout the kingdom. Might take a bit.”

Brooks chuckles and stands up. “He loves to have projects to work on.” He looks at King Argon, “If that is alright with Your Majesty?”

“Of course! Anything to use their technology against them. And make sure not to hurt yourselves.”

“No comment,” Gringel replies.

Riley and Brooks laugh at him.

San gives a slight smile knowing how hard Gringel can work at something. “Then I guess we are done here but we still need to find the creatures a temporary place to stay.”

“Indeed, let’s go back over there and we can see if there is an Ocean Territory that is safe for them.” Riley stops to look back at San. She is standing still with a bewildered look on her face. “I said something again, didn’t I?”

“Well, I just got it and Madam Cartwing taught me how to use it. I completely forgot about it!” San looks at him. “Do you think it will work?”

Riley grins. “I think it might work. After all, it also might help us give us a huge clue as to where to look for their homes! Let’s give it a shot.”

They start moving forward with King Argon glancing at both of them. “Are you two going to tell me?”

Riley replies, “I think perhaps it’s best to show you. But it might work and level the playing field of the creatures. It’s new and we aren’t completely sure yet what can be done inside.”

“Well, if it helps out, that will be a relief.” King Argon agreed.

They continue walking to the meadow of the large lake where quite a few ocean creatures reside. Soldiers are moving back and forth trying to make sure they have enough water. Madam Cartwing is there with a few other people.

San moves to stand in front of the lake and raises both hands in front of her. Silver aura surrounds her body causing her hair to stand up and flow in waves behind her. The light erupts and ripples in movements towards the creatures in the lake spreading its soft magic over them.

Everyone stares at the scene in awe as the creatures instantly calm down.

A silver door appears on the lake and looks slightly larger. It doesn’t open. Winking stars move outside slightly above the water forming five different portals leading to deep ocean terrain. Through the portals, amazing creatures can be seen that look familiar to the species here.

“Let’s help them get to their portal, it’s open!” Riley’s loud voice echoes throughout the area causing everyone to awake from their trance.

Madam Cartwing and her students help the Fylopans into the portal closest to them. Once the last passes through, the portal closes.

Riley along with a few soldiers helps a few Tentacar’s into their terrain.

King Argon moves a few Enbarrs through a portal on the other side.

It takes them a little bit of time, but eventually, every creature is sent home. The portals close and the door disappears.

San bends over her knees, heaving heavily.

Riley, King Argon, and Madam Cartwing move swiftly over to her.

“I think you need to rest for a bit, San. That took a lot of magic and I’m sure they are happy being home.” Madam Cartwing gives her a worried glance.

“I was only able to because of what you taught me.” San smiles at her with relief in her eyes.

Madam Cartwing smiles with pride.

Riley places his hand on her shoulder and one underneath her legs picking her up.

San complains, “I can walk.”

“I know you can,” Riley starts back to the tavern leaving King Argon with the other people. “But right now you are exhausted, and I don’t mind helping.”

San gives a small smile and rests her head on his shoulder as her eyes start to close. She realizes her eyes can’t stay open and for some reason is calm. Her mind drifts off to sleep, thinking happy thoughts. It was strange, her last thought, never in her wildest dreams to see these creatures help both kinds and ensure they are safe from harm.

Riley glances down, noticing the small smile caressing her lips. He will remember to find other ways of doing that since it took a lot of her magic to perform that small feat.