“Darkness comes, whether or not we choose to acknowledge its existence. Events are taking place that will tumble down like an avalanche to wreak havoc on our peaceful world; even I do not hold the power to alter these events on my own.
Our kind has long awaited this moment, to once again honour our sacred alliance. We are not familiar with the pain of mortality, but that is not to say that we are unable to perish. We rely on the world to flourish for our kind to exist; for if it were to fall into darkness, then we would sadly crumble alongside it.
One life can stop it all from taking place, and it is this life that we watch closest, however fragile it may be. If we can prevent the foreseen events from unfolding, then we all have a chance to survive, together. Every end has a beginning; it is these events, which have been written into our memories, that help us understand times to come.”
The sun sank deeper into the horizon as its warm rays gently caressed the earth in preparation for night. Leon relaxed in his old rocking chair. The sweet sound of wood creaking created an innocent ambience in the calm afternoon. In his hand was a piece of freshly cut oak, and with each precise stroke of his carving knife, it came a little closer to its intended shape. He led a peaceful life, tending to his many farm animals and growing food to trade for much-needed supplies at the local markets.
At rare times, he would trade in cities that were built in faraway lands. It was not the most glamorous of lives, but it was a lifestyle that was cherished by both Leon and his wife, Victoria. It was here that they proudly raised their two sons, Vartan and Finn. Vartan was the elder of the two boys and was today celebrating his fourteenth birthday.
The farm was built near a freshwater river, which could always be depended upon to provide fish for supper. There was one lonely dirt path which led from the farm to the nearest town. It made its way like a snake, slithering through thick forests that led past the Elven Woods. Marithia’s forests were thick and lush with greenery, with wild mushrooms and flowers painting a kaleidoscope of colours throughout the highlands that were worthy of an artist's brush strokes.
Leon felt Victoria’s warm, soft hands ease their way onto his sore shoulders as she spoke. "You‘re tense today and the day is long. It’s strange, isn't it? Growing old? I’ll never forget the day we found each other."
Leon placed the carving on a nearby table, leaned back to enjoy her massage, and breathed a deep sigh. "I’m just waiting for our boys to return home."
“Would you look at that? I never grow tired of its beauty. It’s such a wondrous jewel upon our land, shining like a diamond.” Victoria gazed out over the lush forest surrounding their farm, toward the golden city far in the distance.
It really was a majestic sight, even for those who had seen many of the great wonders of the world, and was one of the reasons their farm had been built where it was. Although they could never afford to live within Greenhaven’s protective walls, it almost felt like home ground after all these years sharing a horizon with the great city.
Leon stirred and his tension returned. “Victoria, it's getting late and the boys still haven't come home. Have the horses been fed? There’s still much to do, and I need their help to finish it all.”
“Sweetheart, they hunt in the woods. I’m sure they’ll return shortly. Vartan wanted to bring home a special meal for supper. It is his birthday after all, and he’s using the new bow you brought him from She’Ma’Ryn. Don’t worry about the horses. I shall tend to them,” Victoria said warmly. She hesitated for a moment, thinking back on the strange bow.
“I do have one question about that bow. How did you happen upon it?” she asked.
Leon thought back to his most recent trip to She’Ma’Ryn. “I won it from a traveling merchant, who told me he won it himself in a game of chance from an elven warrior, many years ago. That drunken fool sure was lucky to get his hands on such a finely crafted weapon. He did mumble some story about the bow being used to channel power, but I can’t quite recall the exact words he used. I thought Vartan would love such a gift; He’s always had a keen eye for quality.”
Suddenly, Leon did not feel so sure that the bow was the right gift for his son. He placed his head in his hands and Victoria walked around to kneel in front of him. She spoke softly. "What’s wrong? Please tell me."
"It worries me that we are raising them as if they aren't special. We can’t protect them when we are like this."
Victoria brought his hands down and looked deep into his eyes. "It is our way. We knew this when we agreed to be reborn. Only when the time is right will they find out the truth, when she deems them ready to know it. Let's focus on enjoying our life together. We never know how long our hearts will beat."
“A bit higher, Finn, and remember to strike using your full body weight as the sword comes down. There are forces you can use to your advantage. Use the ground’s pull to your favour,” said Vartan, leaning against a nearby tree.
Finn nodded knowingly with boyish confidence, returned to his stance, and once again hacked into the old tree trunk.
“I can do this, brother! I know I can. I want to be a great knight of Greenhaven and fight glorious battles for the king. Like the old tales Mother reads to us at bedtime, that are so exciting and full of wild adventures.”
As Finn took another swing at the old tree, Vartan slid his sword out to meet him. The sound of weapons colliding echoed through the thick forest. Finn immediately lost his balance and landed with a soft thud next to the tree.
“Ow! What was that for?” asked Finn, nursing his sore backside.
Vartan chuckled softly. “Remember, little knight, in a real battle you won’t face an old tree, but someone who will fight back, and most likely send you flying onto your rear. Have patience, young brother. The time will come for you to fulfil your dreams of knighthood and glory, but this poor tree cannot take too much more of your sword. Then again,” he laughed, “you're not really damaging it.” He helped Finn to his feet and dusted off the dirt and grass from his brother’s pants. He smiled and gave his younger brother a quick, reassuring hug. “You will be fine, Finn. You can’t expect to conquer the world in one day, you know. All good things will come in time. Are you hungry? I packed some spiced meat for us. We should eat now, to regain our strength.”
They sat beside the great roots of an oak tree and began to dig into the juicy spiced deer meat.
“So, what do you dream of, big brother? Surely you don’t want to help mother and father run the farm forever, do you?” asked Finn, watching his older brother with innocent curiosity.
Vartan stopped chewing for a moment to consider the question. “I truly don’t know the answer to that, Finn. Maybe I will travel the lands in search of a young damsel in distress, discover some famous treasure for all to remember me by, or be a trader like father and travel to She’Ma’Ryn. Maybe I can save enough gold to start my own farm. We are still so young, brother-do we really need to decide now?” He grinned mischievously. “Not every boy wants to be a glorious knight, you know, but don’t let anyone sour your dreams. If it is a knight you want to be, then we sure have plenty of trees around us for you to practice on, and enough for years to come. And of course, we have plenty of ground for you to fall onto as well.”
Vartan stood suddenly and whispered, “The sun’s setting, and we have to be careful in these woods. That’s more than enough practice and fooling around for one day. In all our fun, we’ve allowed the day to pass us by with no time left to waste. Stay close to my side and don’t fall behind."
The woods were fast slipping into the cold bosom of darkness. Vartan sighed deeply and let out a harsh breath. “Damn! Night is already falling upon us, and we have no lamps, and have found no beast for supper."
The sounds of the forest died down and even the crickets were silenced. Only their footsteps could be heard.
“Finn, I fear we may be in danger. We have to find supper fast, then head back to the farm swiftly. Father would be displeased if we return home empty handed.”
“Vartan?” Finn began.
Vartan snapped his head to Finn and brought his index finger to his lips. “Not now! Stay quiet-I think something moved up ahead,”
“But Vartan,” whispered Finn, “your bow, it’s glowing.”
Vartan stood still, suddenly realising that his back had warmed. Crouching down on one knee, he eased the elven bow off his back and saw purple light glowing from the runes carved deeply into the wood.
“What do you think it means?” asked Finn.
“I do not know, brother. I am unable to read this. It could only be some form of magic.”
Snap!
Vartan heard ragged movements only a short distance from where they stood, and he instinctively pulled Finn behind his back for protection. He reached into his hunting sack and pulled out a shiny metal arrow. Easing it into his left hand, he gently strained the bow into position and remained as silent as the night itself. Only a soft hum could be heard from the taut string of the bow. There was a faint light moving through the trees, and the sound of steps coming closer.
He whispered through stiff lips. "Don't… move…"
Vartan slowly lifted the bow in a smooth motion until the cold silver of the razor-sharp arrow rested on his cheek. The light became even brighter as the creature neared, easing its body through the bushes surrounding the trees. It came to a gentle halt and stared curiously at the two boys crouched on the forest floor.
“Finn, you need to see this-I can hardly believe my eyes. Come around me slowly, and try not to make too much noise,” whispered Vartan, gently lowering his weapon.
Finn's voice broke with his sharp intake of breath as he took in the sight before him. “Can that really be what I think it is? It’s so beautiful."
Directly in front of them, an adult unicorn stood proudly. Warily, it moved towards the boys and halted a man’s length away from them. Vartan stood slowly and raised an arm towards the unicorn’s neck. It instinctively moved its head away for a moment and stared at the glowing bow with wide eyes.
“It’s okay, my friend. We shall not harm you,” Vartan said gently.
Finn reached up and touched the unicorn’s horn, and he was surprised by its texture.
“Vartan, the horn feels warm,” Finn giggled.
The unicorn turned to Vartan and cocked its head to the side.
It is not your presence that I fear, human. Leave this place as soon as you can. It is not safe here for any of us, said a voice in his mind.
Vartan jumped back and looked around in confusion, only to find no other presence in sight.
Did a unicorn just talk to me? Am I losing my mind? thought Vartan.
Of course I spoke to you. We should not be meeting like this. The time isn't right. Are you not aware-
Suddenly, and without warning, it turned its body sharply and stared deep into the darkness.
Vartan whispered, "What's wrong?"
The beast's voice reverberated in his head.
Run!
The unicorn snorted and galloped away at full speed until its white glow could no longer be seen.
Vartan caught a quick glint of moonlight through the blanket of trees, reflecting off a metallic object flying through the air with penetrating speed. There was no time to waste on thinking. As if time itself had slowed to a crawl, he leapt backwards and shoved Finn out of the path of the unknown missile slicing its way through the icy air.
Vartan landed heavily on top of his brother, who yelped in pain at the weight suddenly crushing him. Finn's voice shrieked, "I’m scared!"
There was a loud thud as the weapon embedded itself in the trunk of an oak tree, only a body length away from where the boys lay. Vartan looked up and saw what appeared to be a plain dagger, but just as it came into focus, it quickly dissolved into nothing.
Vartan blurted involuntarily, "Dark magic…"
A voice whispered from within the darkness. "Fools!"
Suddenly, something darted between the trees, like a moving shadow.
“Who are you? Tell us what you want with us!” growled Vartan angrily into the darkness.
There was a moment of uneasiness as the boys found their feet. Not a sound could be heard aside from their lungs expelling air. The night became noticeably cooler, and a chill found its way up their spines as their hot breaths formed mist in the air.
“Brother, I want to go home now,” cried Finn.
“Stay still and don’t move a muscle!” hissed Vartan, pushing his brother back onto the muddy forest floor and once again readying his bow. His slow steps crunched the twigs on the forest floor beneath his weight.
“You shouldn’t be here!” reverberated a dark voice that sounded as if it came from all around them.
Suddenly, Vartan realised what had found them. They had truly ventured too far into the forest this time.
Shadow demons, he thought.
His father had warned him about the Forces of Darkness that preyed on innocents in the woods and had no compassion, not even for children. They could move wherever no light shone, and they used the shadows as portals to their realms.
Vartan heard the sound of leaves rustling all around, and spun on his heel when he heard rough movement behind him.
“He’s toying with us,” he said, as he turned in all directions, desperately seeking any signs of movement to give away the being’s presence.
Finn ran toward the darkness with his sword drawn, slashing wildly at the shadows. His tears shone in the moonlight as he screamed, “I’m not afraid of you!”
“Finn, no!” cried Vartan.
A shifting figure of darkness slithered out from behind a tree, jerking Finn to a sudden stop mid-jump as it grabbed hold of his frail neck, making it appear that he was suspended in the dark air.
“Pathetic creatures! You think you can attack me and live to tell the tale?” The demon twisted and threw Finn like a toy doll against the trunk of the oak tree beside them. The sharp and sickening sound of bones snapping filled the air, as the young boy’s body gave way to the rock-hard surface that he hit with full force. Vartan froze, his body like a statue as he watched helplessly. His brother’s now-lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
Vartan's eyes narrowed and his body shook. “No! Why did you do that? He was just a boy!"
It seemed a fire began to build inside his body, as though his chest burned with real flames. He felt small sparks of energy surge from his chest and his body felt more alive than ever before. He screamed so ferociously in his overpowering fury that he lost his voice. As he released the arrow from its confinement, both Vartan and the bow flickered with a dark blue light, enchanting the arrow with lightning shards that ripped their way into the air around it. It was only then, as the dark woods were forced into light, that Vartan had his first true view of the demon. Its skin rippled and flowed so rapidly that Vartan’s eyes struggled to find its features.
The arrow immediately found its target, and exploded with immense power as it struck the centre of the demon. The resulting explosion set the surrounding trees alight like giant candles, removing all shadow and darkness from around them. With no means of escape, the demon howled with pain as it slowly dissolved, piece by piece, into nothingness.
It dragged its decaying body along the ground toward Vartan. A loud hiss erupted from the demon as it dropped into the forest floor.
“Just die!” cried Vartan, dropping to his knees beside his brother’s broken body.
Using his last ounce of strength, he dragged Finn’s body away from the oak. Moments later, a burning branch landed heavily in its place. Vartan’s vision blurred as his anger gave way to his grief. Tears of pain blanketed his eyes, and he sobbed uselessly. Suddenly he was completely overcome with weakness, so physically drained, that he collapsed onto the dirty forest floor next to his little brother. He couldn’t move a muscle in reaction even as the faint but crescendo of galloping hooves reached his ears.
“There they are! Down by the burning trees! We’ve found them!” yelled Leon to the horsemen trailing behind him.
“Wha… What has happened? No! Finn!” cried Leon desperately, his voice wavering.
Vartan parted his lips and he whispered weakly, “Father, I couldn’t save him. I failed him… I… Demon… sorry…”
Strong arms lifted his body off the ground as if he was as light as a feather. Vartan finally closed his eyes and drifted away into sleep's deep embrace.
Vartan found himself standing in a well-lit cavern. He brought his hands to his face and his spine tingled. Something did not feel right. It was as if he hovered above the ground in a dream of some kind.
“Where am I? Have I died and gone to the realm of the gods?” he asked. His voice echoed through the endless underground tunnels laden with a kaleidoscope of crystals and diamonds.
He squinted as the blurry figure of a man appeared, standing atop a mound in the cavern floor. “Far from it. More importantly, child, what you should be asking yourself is, ‘ Who am I?’” The image of the man flickered as it spoke. “You are not yet trained in the ancient arts of magic, Vartan, and you are far too young to have cast the spell of Sky’s Wrath without the proper training to control it. Many paths lay before you, and there are many challenges which you alone must overcome before we meet again."
“Magic, training, paths-what are you talking about? Finn — my little brother — I failed to save his life, and it’s all my fault!” cried Vartan.
“You really do not know, then? Who you are? Why you are here? That is an interesting conundrum. Your brother chose his own path, Vartan, but you should ease your conscience with the knowledge that he has passed into the afterlife and will be born again."
“Born again? What does that mean?” asked Vartan desperately.
“That was his fate, and you are fortunate to remain in a position to choose your own. It is with the luck of the gods that you will wake again, as the amount of magic that you unleashed could dispatch the uninitiated from Marithia — or from any other world, for that matter. When the time is right, we will meet again. Until that time, we will watch you from afar. We will have much more to discuss then."
“Who are you? What are you? How will I know who you are when we meet again?” asked Vartan.
The figure let out an immense laugh that sent a few stalactites smashing into the ground. “You are not the only creature that is able to use magic, Vartan. I am Karven. I am to my kind what your kings are to yours. You are not yet prepared, or anywhere near ready, to handle all of the answers I am able to provide; But at the very least, I owe you a proper introduction."
The figure of the man suddenly vanished with a flash. Vartan watched in wonder as a large reptilian tail slowly appeared at the bottom of the mound, covered in dark red scales that shimmered with many colours in the light. Each scale continued to change until mighty Karven’s gigantic body revealed itself. He spread his great wings, and breathed out searing breath that melted the ice around the cavern.
The dragon king's voice filled the caverns. “So you see, young Vartan, you will never need question who or what I am when we meet. But I need you to understand that if you utter a word of our existence, no human or elf will believe your words, and you risk the destruction of us all. Now you must awaken!”
Awaken? Am I dreaming all of this? thought Vartan.
Karven chanted the words “ Mens agitat molem,” and the spell immediately began to take effect. Vartan felt a flow of magic wash over him like a bucket of icy water, and his soul was pulled back into his body at the speed of light.
The horses came to a sudden halt beside the farm, under the pale white glow of the moon. A cheerful Victoria ran to open the door with a lantern in her grip, welcoming her family home with a warm smile. Her voice rang with love. "Thank the gods you found them my love, come inside and out of the cold…"
Suddenly her face paled as if she had seen a ghost, and she stared at him with eyes stripped of life, appearing frozen in time. The words escaped her lips with a whisper. "Where are our children?"
Leon stood his ground, with Vartan lying unconscious in his arms. A faint fog of breath escaped their eldest son's lungs, and Victoria sobbed a sigh of relief.
Standing up straight and blinking her watery eyes, her voice broke as she asked, "And what of little Finn? Where is he?"
The horsemen carried the boy's broken and bloodied body by the arms and legs, carefully placing him on the ground beside Leon's feet. They nodded respectfully and as they left for their horses, the nearest man whispered, "I am terribly sorry for your loss."
The breaking of the lantern's glass on the ground made Leon wince before his wife’s cries reached his ears and tore through his heart. Walking past his sobbing wife, his eyes blurred with his own tears. He carried Vartan to his room and placed him down, carefully, on his bed, covering him with a warm blanket.
Walking with heavy steps, he spoke softly as he returned outside to find his wife. "Victoria… I…"
She knelt in the dirt with her son lying in her arms. She looked up at him and her lips quivered as she wailed, "Like this? Was he fated to die like this?"
Leon approached slowly, clutching the wooden carving of a knight on horseback in his clenched fist. Dropping to his knees in front of her, he took them both in his arms and held them tight.