War of Dark Ages: A Unicorn's Journey

Reaching the tavern, no one is around. Most of the citizens are probably near the temple talking about what had happened and by morning as the silver-haired creature crosses the threshold, they would try to do her harm.

Torin is at the counter with another person. With a worried expression spreading across her face, wonders if Torin would still be nice to her.

The little carbuncle whimpers, and Torin looks up in her direction not seeing her. Turning herself visible, he looks at the little creature in her hands. “Get some rest upstairs, I am sure I will be busy by morning. Seems that little one in your arms needs to rest as well.” He continues to wipe down the counter.

Upstairs in the room, she lays carbuncle on the bed and it whimpers and shivers. A warm cloth presses against its forehead while kneeling in front of the bed. Every time her hand wipes the forehead down to its neck, more magic passes from her to the carbuncle. After a little bit of time passes it falls asleep on the bed.

As the silver-haired creature stands up, her vision becomes slightly blurry, aware a lot of magic was given to ensure the carbuncle’s survival. It seems her magic is low and will need to consume substance later. A shudder of intense pain and fear passes through her. At the moment, strips off her clothes and proceeds to take a bath.....

Her eyes open, and the first rays of sunlight gleam through the window with the carbuncle sound asleep snuggling against her. It is time to send it home to where it belongs. Gazing down at it, fully aware she will need help from a magical environment to tap into its domain without using anymore of her magic. Finding it will be a problem since everything here feels different.

Without disturbing the carbuncle, the silver-haired creature gets out of bed and dresses herself. All of a sudden, a loud crash from downstairs makes the creature jump on its paws on the bed. They both look towards the door as the noise from downstairs grows louder sounding like a huge argument. She kneels on the floor, closing her eyes and senses downstairs. It seems quite a bit of people have gathered inside and outside the tavern. Torin’s ice magic is preventing anyone from going upstairs while soldiers and rangers are trying to divert the huge crowd outside.

Commander Kail in the distance is with new guards she doesn’t recognize and it seems he is in a heated argument with two individuals. Rising, it seems her prediction about these creatures came true.

Proceeding downstairs will not be an option for either of them as they gaze at each other. The silver-haired creature gently picks up the carbuncle in her arms. “Now I need you to be incredibly quiet when we go outside. My invisibility spell might keep me hidden. I am not strong enough yet to ensure the silence part with it.”

The carbuncle looks up at her and nods, crouching closer towards her.

Making herself invisible, she moves towards the door opening it as the sounds from downstairs grow louder. At the same time, the carbuncle shrinks against her trembling and buries his face against her elbow while the voices grow incredibly louder.

“That creature and she has to die!”

“Off with her head!”

“Shame on you for hiding this creature from us! You will be punished by the high council for this!”

A lot of voices can be heard all at once. It sounds like a broken chorus of voices repeating the same thing. “How am I going to get out here?” Whispers to herself when a creaking noise sounds near her. Following the sound, walks down the end of the hallway, noticing another hallway to the left. A strange basket is placed out in front of another door a bit further down. The creaking sound happens again and glances at another exit as the door swings open by the wind. Finding a way out, the silver-haired creature slowly walks forward passing the basket hearing a humming sound.

Inside the room is Natasha and another young girl wringing out clothes from a basin. Natasha places the long sheet on the counter beside her, “Oh I do hope they settle down. From what my father said, she was just protecting those creatures. Honestly, I thought I would have been scared for my life had I seen them. I told him that.”

The other young girl laughs beside her, “What did he say?”

“Oh you know, he said “I would have been scared too, but if you looked closer at them. They were just as terrified.” Natasha shakes her head and continues, “Guess that is my father for you, he knows a lot of stuff. But when I think about it, I mean I would be terrified too if I were chained in a place that wasn’t my home right?”

Seems word spreads around fast in this town. The silver-haired creature continues to the door spotting enough room to jump over the ledge to the landing below. Jumping below, walks to the north wall and turns left stepping out of the small path. A lot of people are arguing as they are trapped with the carbuncle greatly shivering against her.

More people suddenly leave the tavern and Torin steps past the threshold with his arms crossed. He uses a loud and formidable tone, “Stay out of my Tavern unless you can learn to behave yourselves!”

This causes more people to get angry as Granger approaches them. He shakes his fingers at the crowd, “Get out of here! The LOT OF YOU!”

More commotion follows with that remark as the crowd grows louder. Glancing for a way out, the wall behind her is an option but jumping would cause the Carbuncle to make noise. Commander Kail can’t be seen so he must be down the lane a bit further. The guards look tired as they keep trying to move the people in another direction.

An awful feeling of dread brushes her senses as this scene will turn violent and wonders if there is a way to get around them when a powerful, loud, and rough voice from the far end of the lane towards the forge sounds.

“Look at all of you, so greedy to be the next person to kill someone. You’d figure I was facing another Mr. Durdley with this scene!”

The crowd grows quiet, and everyone looks in his direction.

The path parts a bit as the Dwarf stands there with another person by his side. The man looks human and has a long white beard with long flowy hair. The Dwarf is four feet tall but can tell this person is incredibly physical for his size. The other man beside him looks younger and is about six feet and four inches tall. He has short brown hair and they both have grey eyes. The white-bearded man crosses his arms and begins tapping his foot as if the Dwarf is thoroughly annoyed. The other man standing next to him has his hand on his hips.

“We are not Mr. Durdley, you infuriating Dwarf!” a woman screams at him.

“You could have fooled me with the way all of you are acting. Seems to me you just want to sacrifice her for your petty reasons! That is what Mr. Durdley would do if he were here! And Yes, since I am a dwarf, I know of my people’s faults. At least I don’t go making a mess, I can’t clean up you DAMN INFURIATING PEOPLE!” At that moment, he takes out a large hammer from behind him and swings it downwards on the ground causing the very ground to tremble. “You listen here, and you let her be. If you interfere again with this and stop me from forging, there will be hell to pay!” He raises the hammer to his shoulder.

A lot of the people glare at the Dwarf and his son as silence descends. After a few minutes pass, the crowd starts to disappear and the carbuncle looks up at her with his tail wagging.

Granger says to Torin, “As much as I do not like that fool, Gringel and Brooks know how to make a statement.”

Torin laughs, “That they do. I owe them big time. I will go down and have some repairs done.”

Down the path past the forge, more people are congregating together. To the right towards the Barracks are more guards. Passing down the lane, Just slightly ahead is Commander Kail looking incredibly outraged arguing with two individuals who are wearing different attire. Not wanting to get involved, passes them continuing down the street.

Conserving her strength, walks to the Magical Item Shop glancing at its closed doors. Just past this at the Enchantment Shop, its doors are open, and a few people leave the building with a smile on their faces. At the counter in front stood a person exchanging currency with other people for items. Nothing in here can help and proceeds to the next shop.

Down a bit further is a flower and herb shop with a young woman with fur legs and hooves for her feet with brown shoulder-length hair standing by some plants watering them. Curiosity overcomes her and walks into the store. The carbuncle almost leaps out of her arms and upon restraining him, it looks up at her making a slight growl.

“Who’s there!” a young man’s voice exclaims.

The carbuncle grows silent and presses closer, hiding its face in her arm. “If you promise not to hurt the creature, I will reveal myself.”

“We promise we won’t hurt the creature,” the other woman responds.

“Mom, you can’t say that-”

The mom turns around pointing her finger at her son, “Now you listen here Dave, I will not hurt another creature you hear me! Go into the back with your brothers.”

Dave gives his mom an annoyed look before leaving.

The other woman sighs and turns around, “My apologies, sometimes dealing with the young can be hard at times. Name’s Winfred, and I own this shop. What can I help you with today?”

Pausing a minute before making herself visible to her, “My friend here saw something that caught his attention. I think perhaps he is hungry.”

Winfred gives a friendly nod, “What food caught his attention?”

Looking down at the carbuncle, “I’m going to let you down to point out the item you were looking at.” She kneels to the floor and slowly lets it down.

Glancing up at her and back down, a frightened look appears on its face and refuses to move forward.

Not lifting her gaze from the carbuncle, “Would you mind if you did not move? Seems he doesn’t like your kind very much.”

“Of course, you have my word.”

Winfred doesn’t move a muscle as the carbuncle moves slowly forward, its ears twitching while it pauses moving over to the wall. It stops at a dried-up flower on a lower shelf glancing back at the silver-haired creature.

Walking over she picks up a flower casting purple with blue and black endings on it. Picking up the carbuncle in her arms, “Where is this place around here that has a field of these flowers in it? Also, do you have the food attached to this flower?”

“There is a field of them to the east of here, but I wouldn’t recommend going there. Currently, a few of us are in an argument over how the area should be dealt with.”

The silver-haired creature raises her eyebrows at Winfred as the carbuncle whimpers. “The area dealt with?”

Winfred sighs. “May I move around? I need to tend to the plants.”

“Yes, Carbuncle is safe and sound.”

Winfred moves to the counter picking up a water container. “Carbuncle? Is that its name?”

“Correct.”

“As you were asking before, the area where those flowers come from is also being used in potions and alchemy. We are arguing about how much we should harvest as the Cafe Owner is the one who takes the food and uses it for his recipes.” Winfred walks over to the right and lifts the container tilting it forward as water spews forth drizzling over the plants below.

“Why should I not go there, if you are arguing over it?”

“You will run into a lot of people from their establishment. Causing a fight scene, I imagine would not be good for you or that creature you are trying to protect there,” Winfred stops watering the plants and sets the container down. She turns to look at the carbuncle and glances up at the person holding him. “If the little guy is hungry, I can assure you that the owner of the cafe would not mind feeding it. Do you know where the celebration is being held?”

Before the silver-haired creature can answer, Winfred continues, “Oh dear me I forgot. We are a bit on edge because of what happened last night so I would need to take you there myself. Give me a moment and I will take you over so this little one can get something to eat.” Winfred steps behind the counter and grabs a long cloak. Draping around her shoulders, raises the hood over her head and steps from behind the counter. “If you would follow me, I will take you over there. If you want, you can stay invisible with the carbuncle. It might make it easier for you to follow me without getting harassed.”

“Why would you go out of your way to do this? Your son did not seem to like me, and you are wary of me.”

Winfred pauses at the entryway looking at her. “My sons are too young to understand that you were just protecting the creatures. True I don’t like your methods; You protect what is important to you. That I can understand and respect even if I don’t like you.” She steps outside and starts down the lane towards the barracks.

Giving a worried look to the carbuncle in her hands, makes herself invisible and follows.

Winfred doesn’t stop as they turn left at the barracks following the path down. They pass the alley and continue walking towards another path. A few people raise their hands at Winfred while raising her own hand in response. They turn left at the forge and continue past the first building, stopping outside this building called Morning Delight Cafe. She enters the building and talks to a younger man sweeping the floor.

The café is empty with very few people around. Feeling the carbuncle trembling nervously against her, touches the back of its ears to try and calm him down.

Inside, a man sighs and heads to the back of the room entering another room. He returns with a fresh fruit on the plate. The young man walks outside to a table and leaves the plate of fruit on top. He turns around and walks inside the doorway standing a few feet away.

Winfred uses a quiet voice, “If you’re still here, there is food for that carbuncle friend of yours.”

The fruit on the plate has a hard green circular shell with ridges in the middle and lines extending to each side of the fruit. While the carbuncle wags its tail and licks her lips, the silver-haired creature moves forward pulling a chair out and sitting down. She releases the carbuncle while at the same making herself visible. He sniffs the fruit moving around in circles, licking its lips, and sits back on all four paws giving a low yelp to her.

A thought dawns on her that this little one has not even gotten his claws yet which makes it even harder for him to fight back against any enemies. She raises her hand over the fruit extending her pointy finger and lowers it to the fruit, releasing a low wind attack splitting it into four slices.

The carbuncle starts eating the fruit very greedily and as the fruit would pass its lips, the juice would trail down its fur. He would stop occasionally licking his fur and continue to eat the fruit.

For a few simple minutes, the silver-haired creature rests her elbows on the table with her chin in her hands as a small smile reaches her.

After a small amount of time passes, the carbuncle finishes and gives one final yelp, turning around and walking up to her. He sits down in her arms again resting his head on her arm while purring and she places her arm around it in a protective gesture, gently touching its ear with the other hand.

The smile went away just as quickly as it came. Her eyes harden and look down the lane towards the town center.

Commander Kail is standing there blocking two other men from passing with his scimitar drawn. The soldiers and rangers standing beside him are ready to attack at a moment’s notice.

“Just great, a dumb ass Duke and the Count. Of course, they would appear at this moment.” The young man sighs behind them.

Riley, Ragnar, and his men have their weapons out and ready to attack at Commander Kail’s orders standing behind the two men and their Royal Guards.

Carbuncle raises its head with its ears drawn backward growling at the crowd.

A loud voice from the huskier man in the distance orders, “Men, seize that creature and the little one as well. Make sure they do not escape!”

The Royal Guards along with Commander Kail’s men clash steel for steel.

“You would draw your sword here, of all places? Did you read anything from the letter I sent over?” Commander Kail swings his scimitar in an arc at the Duke while casting five-foot-tall waves from his sword in separate directions.

As the Duke parries the attack with his sword, a few royal guards are knocked to the ground. He counters by sending a small series of explosion attacks directed at Commander Kail and a few of his men. “From what I have heard, she has already killed someone, and therefore any truce you have had with her is terminated.”

A wall of blue clear liquid appears on his men and Commander Kail deflecting the attack.

Meanwhile, Riley lunges forward past a few royal guards aiming towards the Count, “That was my decision to have all of it destroyed. The truce still stands, and we will not let you harm her or the creature!” While a few get knocked down in the path, he is parried by another called Uri, Captain of the Royal Guards.

Ragnar is casting several wind-slicing blade spells from his fists, knocking down a few guards as the other men clash their weapons together.

The silver-haired creature stands up not liking this scene one bit. Her right fist clenches remembering why she can’t stand these creatures.

Simultaneously, Count raises an orb device in his hands and starts muttering an incantation. “Doom of ages, beyond ancient times heed my call. …..”

“You cannot cast a spell like that here! Not here!” Ragnar tries casting a dispel barrier and is parried by another spell caster standing in front of the Count.

Meanwhile, everyone is locked in battle unable to deter the Count’s spell.

Carbuncle shivers in her arms terrified of the events unfolding before them. The rage growing inside her towards these creatures intensifies as she raises her hand to stop the Count’s spell.

In that split second, a familiar presence is felt. Unsure of what the silver-haired creature is feeling and looks around to figure out where it is coming from, her hand lowers with bewilderment crossing her face.

As the Count’s spell shatters, a large menacing howl echoes throughout the town. It shakes the very foundation of the whole town causing a great earthquake to spread around with gales of wind spreading its wings causing people in the town to collapse to the ground. Everyone in the town square except for the silver-haired creature falls to the ground and becomes unable to stand.

Three exceptionally large creatures appear. One appears standing before her with his fangs bare looking similar to the one in her arms but an adult and a lot larger. His paws are huge as his body stands over part of the restaurant across the street with his feet behind it. Spread across his body is the color white, and on the ends of his tail and across his frame are blue markings.

To the right is another adult carbuncle with blue markings on it. The one behind it stands a bit taller and larger than the other two with amber markings on him. She should be worried about having extraordinarily little magic left but for some strange reason, isn’t afraid. Gazing back at the one who is growling, wonders what this strange and yet familiar presence is. It was as if someone familiar appeared but couldn’t remember it clearly.

Right as the carbuncle with blue markings in front of her raises its head and starts to lunge toward her, the larger carbuncle in the back suddenly makes a sound at the back of his throat causing the carbuncle to halt its attack. It looks at the carbuncle with amber markings and makes a whining sound.

Winfred, the young man, Commander Kail, and all the other people on the ground stare in amazement at these enormously large creatures they have never seen before. Even the person called the Duke and Count, and his men are sitting on the ground with stunned looks on their faces gazing at these large and magnificent creatures.

At that moment, the carbuncle with blue markings that had been about to attack her walks towards the forge and turns around to face them. It was interesting to see he did not step on anyone considering his size. As the carbuncle sits down giving the other creatures a menacing glance, it turns his gaze back towards her.

Meanwhile, the other carbuncle in the back walks forward and stops in front of her. He lowers his head to her level and continues to look at her examining her closely. After a few seconds pass, he raises his head and sniffs the air above her a few times. With a bewildered look on his face, lowering his head in front of her says in a clear voice and calming voice, “Little San?”

San looks at him in surprise, not for her unable to remember her name but because somehow knows this Carbuncle. “Do you know who I am?”

A painful grimace appears on him, “You don’t remember?”

Feeling as if she was talking to an old friend, “I remember the War of Dark Ages. How it started, and how they enslaved everyone for several reasons. I remember being turned and tortured. But I can’t for some reason remember who I am or what I am, or should I say was? For some reason you feel familiar, have we met before?”

A look of intense relief blends with pain. “I was there the day you were born, Little San.”

Reaching up, San places her right hand on the carbuncle’s forehead in front of her. The pressure from him is comfortable and warm and feels it wash over her dispelling all the fear inside. “Will I remember?”

“In time you will, on your own accord. I wish I had been there to save you when it happened. I am ashamed I wasn’t, and I can’t undo the evil that was done to you. I wish I could take you to my domain and keep you safe from everyone till we sort out this dilemma,” The Guardian Carbuncle speaks in the same calm voice.

“You mean the balance is disturbed, is it their doing?”

“No, this world for some reason started restoring itself when their source was destroyed. We don’t know how that happened.”

San lowers her hand, “I destroyed the Source. But that is the last thing I remember. I don’t know how I got here or how much time has passed.” Her voice slightly trembles, sounding slightly afraid.

The Guardian Carbuncle rests the side of his head on her shoulder, nuzzling her with a painful expression crossing his face. “I wish I could change the past, but I can’t. You deserve so much more than what you put through Little San.” The Carbuncle closes its eyes as a couple of tears shed and fall to the floor.

“No, I thought when I woke up, the world I knew was gone. That everything was for not because these creatures owned this world. It made me so angry!” San raises both hands to clasp around the large creature as the little Carbuncle climbs on its back. The smaller one lies down and starts to go to sleep. San buries her face deep in his fur, “I just don’t know anything of what happened during that time and I thought all the Guardians were destroyed!”

“As you can see, we are still here and strong. Fear not, little one, for you are never alone.” The Carbuncle nuzzles her again and stays there for a few minutes before leveling his head in front of her. “But unfortunately too much time has passed, I am afraid. After you destroyed the source, the Guardians were able to force them back and defeat them. We couldn’t do this on our own. Hence, we had an agreement with the creatures who were ancestors of these species who were fighting them. Restoring the balance has been a constant struggle with them but life is returning to normal.”

The Carbuncle sighs and lowers his head slightly before continuing, “Something happened 20,000 years ago and since then, that dark feeling from those ages has reappeared. We can’t determine if creatures from that time suddenly appeared or if creatures from this time gained knowledge from that time. As you know, Guardians of Elements are bound to the rule that was given to us. You are not bound but I want to give you a choice. Something tells me I know what choice you will make, Little San.”

San gives a sad smile and places her hand on his forehead, “Yes, you know what I would do.”

A huge purr erupts from his throat. “Time has changed a lot, and to learn the truth, I fear you will need to interact with them and learn their ways to stop the very threat that is threatening this world again. I wish there was another way.” The Guardian Carbuncle gives her one last nuzzle. “Unfortunately for me as well, you know Guardians can’t stay in the Physical Realm for a long time. Therefore, I must go back to our elemental domain. But please Little Lady, make sure to take care of yourself.”

The Guardian Carbuncle raises its head looking down at her with sad eyes and yet there was also a glint of happiness in them. The air around him starts to glow a mystical and mysterious blue and green aura. He along with the baby Carbuncle disappears as they fade into the distance.

The other two Carbuncles have a dark circle appearing below them as they go back to their elemental regions. San turns around sinking in the chair, crossing both hands in front of her on the table, and lowers her head on the table crying incredibly hard. Even though her memories are hazy and can’t remember who or what she was, for the first time in her life, doesn’t feel alone. Blood tears continue to stream down the side of her arms falling to the ground.

Commander Kail along with Riley stands up and walks over towards her. He reaches her first and draws a chair next to her sitting down. Raising his hand, he lays it on her back and continues rubbing it back and forth as if trying to ease her pain.

Riley reaches her side standing beside her. He keeps his hands placed on his hips and continues to watch her with a pout across his lips and anger in his eyes unsure of how to help.

Meanwhile, The Duke of Bringenton stands up along with the Count of Nesis and the other men.

Ragnar feels intense anger and approaches the Duke with his weapon unsheathed.

A Royal Guard stands in front and moves to the side when the Duke motions him to withdraw.

Ragnar raises his weapon in a threatening stance before the Duke, “You need to take both you, the Count, and your men and stay outside of town for the night. I will not have her hurt anymore than San already has been.” His voice vibrates with the anger inside him, even with the years of training to keep his emotions in check.

The Duke nods. “Let’s go, Everyone. We will stay outside of town for the night. Tomorrow, we will have another discussion on current events.”

Ragnar grinds his teeth and watches them leave, heading down the path towards the statue and leaving by the South Gate.

By this time, the tears stop falling from her face and San passes out from exhaustion. She has extraordinarily little magic left and yet at the same time happy knowing they are not alone.

Commander Kail stands up and looks towards Riley. “Prepare the room she is staying in at the Dryians Solace Tavern.”

Riley nods and leaves swiftly towards the tavern. Instead of racing through the streets, he races over the buildings making quick speed.

Commander Kail draws back San’s chair and lifts her in his arms with her head resting against his shoulder. He starts around the table and stops when the owner of the cafe asks, “If she is hungry, I can send over some food.”

Commander Kail casts a side glance at Winfred and the young owner, “Thanks.” He starts walking down the path heading towards the forge and turns right towards the Barracks. He continues walking with her in his arms, aware he will protect her.