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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Teens
- Theme: Fairy Tales & Fantasy
- Subject: Fantasy / Dreams / Wishes
- Published: 07/03/2018
The Mythical Sorceress (Part 3/3)
Born 2000, M, from Ballymena, United KingdomChapter 8 - 2651 words
The camp was packed up and it was time for us to finish the journey through Coldmoore, my body was feeling feeble today, perhaps it was because of all the travelling and the fight. We all jumped down, the marsh was the same until it gradually started to dry up and life flourished ahead, the path was also becoming more narrow. We were outside a giant stone wall.
“That is one of the walls of Raymarsh, the teleporter is just ahead, you simply walk onto it and we will be inside the capital” Omen chuckled “That should be simple enough for you two right?”
We finally reached the teleporter. It was flat and attached to the ground, it was yellow and red. Omen stepped onto it and vanished, after Darian, it was my turn.
Once inside
“I will catch up with you later, there is someone I must meet with first” Omen said then mumbled something under his breath “Good luck my … ” “Ok” Darian interrupted.
“Does your body feel different because mine certainly does” I questioned Darian. “Yeah, mine feels different, it feels for weak, it is probably just from the travelling”.
I agreed.
‘Why would Omen wish us luck, he tried to kill me multiple times.’
The sun raged down, the weather was similar to the weather in the valley, thank goodness.
I turned my head and I saw multiple market stalls offering fresh produce, these stalls were a variety of colours, from red to orange to pink. These stands were supported by wooden pillars and planks.
“You want to try some of these?” asked Darian “Yes, what would you recommend?” I replied.
“I would recommend the heart plum peaches, they are the circular violet fruits, I brought some money to buy something,” Darian said.
We approached one of the stalls and an old man was the vendor, he was dressed in a simple white vest and black trousers, over his clothes was a green overcoat.
He shouted, “It’s the crown princess!”. Everyone cheered “Crown princess, it is an honour to be blessed with your presence”.
I said, “Thank you all, I feel welcome here, this is my first time here”. The crowd gasped and suddenly returned to normal. “Don’t worry about them, they are just shocked to see you, your mother was always among her people and was in the front line in many of her battles”.
“Really, My mother never mentioned it, but maybe she was protecting me”.
We got the heart plum peaches and they were soft to the touch, I bit into one of them, juice squirted everywhere, it was bitter yet sweet at the same time, it was delicious. “These are amazing, who knew such food existed, I thought I was fancy with my kebabs and curries!” I laughed. “You have much to learn, shall I give you a tour,” Darian said. “I would love to see the rest of the place!” I exclaimed “I cannot wait”
The general structure of Raymarsh was sharp and crisp, with mostly white and black buildings, the paths were constructed out of grey stone bricks and the occasionally some foliage was on the paths.
“There is somewhere I would like to show you,” Darian said. I replied, “Ok, I will follow, I do not want to get lost.”
We were on the other side of the town, the houses here were smaller and more like the cottages in the valley, Darian pointed over to one of them and somehow it was familiar to me.
I walked over to it and gently knocked on the door, a woman opened the door, it was my mother! “Mother, tell me it is really you, I thought you died” I cried.
I leapt into her arms and I felt safe.
She said, “I am not Celine, my name is Sasha, I am your mother's twin!”
I gasped “My aunt?, I never knew about you, but something about this cottage seems familiar to me!”
She dressed exactly like my mother and sounded similar ‘It was too good to be true, but I have some family I did not know about’. “Come inside, we have much to discuss,” Sasha said as she wiped the tears from my face.
Darian said, “I will come back in an hour or so, this is a family moment, I will return to my home.”
I waved goodbye and Darian vanished into the crowd.
To sum it all up, Sasha told me absolutely everything, My mother used to live here, I was a toddler whenever she fled with Sara and I. She would not say why but my mother was good friends with Nare and she helped her escape, that would explain how Darian knew of my family, I would conclude that perhaps Nare raised him, but what happened to his parents, do I dare to ask, maybe once this is all over, I could ask. Sasha was overwhelmed with emotion when she realized both my sister and mother died.
Darian was back over and Sasha allowed us to rest and freshen up. Tomorrow was the day we met the leader, maybe we will be able to come to an agreement of the curse being lifted, I hope we do not have to resort to violence, but what happens will lay with fate, whatever will be, will be.
I was tossing and turning, I had a bad feeling, I could not put my finger on it, maybe I was just being paranoid.
Today was the day that we travel to Raymarsh Tower, Darian and Sasha said we need to seek approval from King Zephyrinus and Queen Nonus. Darian and I freshened up and left the cottage and we arrived outside the palace, it was very similar to the temple. A swarm of guards wearing silver armour approached us “Do you require entry?”
I said “As Crown Princess, I request that you allow us inside”
The guards bowed “Crown Princess you do not need permission to enter, it is your birthright, however, he may not be allowed inside”
I replied, “I will take responsibility for his actions”.
Suddenly we were inside the throne room, it was a vast open room, large marble pillars supported the murals on the ceiling, multiple chandeliers dangled from it. A single guard with a silver spear was situated at each pillar, I looked up and I saw two people upon two thrones. They were made out of gold with red cushions, guards were fanning the King and Queen. They were both wearing fancy red and gold robes and seemed to blend in with their thrones
“It is an honour to be before you, King and Queen of Astrinica,” we both said, as we both kneeled.
“Crown princess, we thought we lost you forever, we are more than happy to be graced with your presence, you may rise, why are you here?”
“We request entry to Raymarsh tower?” I said
“Why do you request entry? That place is off limits for everyone except the royal bloodline” Nonus said
“I am not of royal blood, after all, I am Crown Princess Of The Hastings Line,” I said
“Very well, you will be at great risk, we will not be able to protect you there, guards open the portal and send them”.
We were now inside a building. Soaring ebony pyres anchored in the illuminated sky, there was three towers. Each one sending a beam of light out to form a triangle. There was a barrier surrounding the tower, it must be protecting it. I looked over the edge and it was floating in midair, being supported by multiple beams of energy. “Woah this place is impressive,” Darian said, “I cannot believe we are here, it was a somewhat hard journey but I am glad to share it with you”.
I replied “Yes, I am also glad to be here with you”
“Haha, you foolish children,” a voice said.
I looked back and the queen and king were here. ‘Why are they here’
“Let us stop the spell” they laughed. The wind started to twirl and hurl around them, it eventually stopped. Standing there was Nare and Omen.
Darian was crushed to the floor, I rushed over to him “Darian, please get up, this can’t be real! I know it is grim but remember Nare died” I gasped
“I am very real, I did not die that day at the academy, it was merely a cover-up, Clarissa was stronger than we expected even with the curse limiting her power, a plan was set in motion, to get you here, so we can end your pathetic existence” Nare yelled “I needed to die, this would have made Darian want to kill the leader of the Trappers for what they did to me but if you haven’t already figured it out, It is me, I am the leader, Omen is my second in command, he tricked to get you here, he has been draining your magic from the day you set you on this journey!”
‘I was all starting to make sense, I knew I wasn’t feeling weak from the travelling’
“I should have never trusted you! You will die here today!” I screamed.
Darian was still paralyzed hunched over. “Darian! Get up!” I yelled, he did not respond.
‘What am I going to do, I cannot focus, face them one at a time, I can’t fight them both, but I must protect him’
“Face me!” I blurted. “Is this bravery or stupidity to talk” they both laughed.
Omen rushed towards me with a dagger, I paced back and tried to focus on my energy and channel it. He launched the dagger towards me, I summoned wind and forced it away from me. “Let’s see, if you are better in combat that Sara was!”
“You will pay! They did not die in vain”.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Nare approaching Darian. I yelled, “Darian look ou..” Omens fist jabbed into my chest, I hunched over and was forced to my knees. The pain was soaring through my body. He lifted his leg and kicked me in the throat, I gasped for breath and he lifted me up and started choking me. My vision was blurring, I forced the palm of my hand into his face and his grip loosened. I conjured a flame and burned his arm, he grunted out in pain. I could feel liquid drizzle down from my nose, ‘I must remain strong, Darian!’.
Nare had Darian grasped by the neck, he was not doing anything. “Fight back! She will kill you, she does not care for you” I yelled. He cried “I cannot and shall not fight her.”
I focused on Nare and forced flames towards her, she absorbed it via her palms and forced it towards me, I dodged left. ‘ My body was starting to shake and become weak, I must struggle on if we are to survive’. I screamed “Nare! Stop this at once, how could you do this to him, he looked up to you, you’re like a mother to him!”
She laughed “I would have killed him sooner but at that time there was still some good inside me but now there is nothing but darkness!”
She proceeded to repeatedly jab and kick Darian, he still did not right back.
“Once Omen is dead, you will be next, I have no problem fighting you!” I screamed
Power coursed in my veins The ground started to violently shake and crack open, “Stop her, what is she doing, you said she was weak!”. Nare stuttered
Omen ran towards me, I forced a pillar from the ground to fling him into the air, I pushed gales towards him, he wailed out in pain, then I trapped him in a cell made of wind, he floated in the air.
“If you can’t deal with her, then I shall” Nare chuckled. “Since you are now of no use to me, it is time for you to die! No one is worth anything to me now, everyone in this world deserves death”
“No! I am your loyal servant” Omen cried
I interjected, “Nare, if you choose to deny the existence of every living being but yourself, then I chose to fight, to fight for them!”
She proceeded to pound him with magic, he was yelling out, asking her to stop, but eventually, the sound stopped, I released the cell and his body fell to the ground. Just then his body exploded. The particles danced towards me ‘What is happening, I am in disbelief’, they reached me and then proceeded to enter my body.
‘Nare once said, the only family can absorb each other, it all makes sense, earlier he said good luck my… he must have been trying to say, daughter or child. He was hoping I would pick up on it but I did not as Darian interrupted his muttering, he was my father, why did he do this? But I must focus, why didn’t mother say?’.
Tears welled in my eyes, rage was building. “You killed my father!” I screamed. My body was pulsing with energy. I rushed towards her throwing gales of roaring flames and howling wind. They connected with her body flinging her back. I sprinted towards her, she kicked me to my feet and drew a dagger, it sliced my arm, I gritted my teeth “Nice try”. I punched her in the face ‘It hurt more than I expected’. When she was recovering I forced her to the ground holding her down with magic, rage consumed me, I tightened the grip, I conjured flames in my hands, Nare spluttered blood “If you kill me, Darian will hate you forever”.
I laughed “If killing you means, breaking the curse and Darian will understand but if not there will be peace for this world again”
I dispelled the flame ‘I want her to die, but not slowly, I am not evil’. I separated the floor and she fell through it, she screamed the entire way, it echoed and then it stopped.
My body was feeble, I was gasping for air, particles from my body left, a fiery pain surged throughout my entire body, stabbing pains started to vibrate in my head and stomach, I yelled out in pain ‘This must be the curse leaving our bodies’ I started to crawl over to Darian as he screamed out in pain, it broke the silence. I was now beside him, he reach out his hand and we both squeezed tightly. “It is almost over!” I cried, he panted “I hope so” Moments passed which felt like hours, eventually, the pain suddenly stopped and we both stood up, still weak, but the pain I once felt eased. “We did it” I exclaimed, “We completed our goal!” We rushed towards each other and he pulled me into a long kiss. He released me he cried “I cannot believe Nare was behind all of all this, but now there can be peace for our world, I must thank you, Crown Princess, for everything”.
I pulled him into an embrace and squeezed him tightly “Please do not be sad, I know it will take some time for you to recover, but remember I am here for you, there can now be peace”.
He replied “Thank you, I will always be here for you, We must plan your coronation, you will become the Queen Of Astrinica now, any idea who can be your king? One last thing, as Queen you will be granted the gift of foresight”
I laughed “I think you should have a pretty good idea who it is and is that a gift or a curse?”.
We teleported into the village, we were greeted with cheers and bows from the villagers, the village was now restored, it was no longer in poverty, it was similar in design to Raymarsh.
Chapter 9 - 1827 words
Some time had passed, extra things were added to the village, housing, farms and a new academy. The villagers said that it has been restored to former glory.
I am ecstatic that I was able to free my people but I am sorrowful that mother and Sara are not here to share the glory, maybe in our next life.
I have changed the throne room to suit my own tastes. I decided to add more stone pillars with carvings of symbols from the academy. These pillars were supporting the newly added observation platform.
Overall the room was more bright due to the new stained glass windows and added a more lively aura to it.
I designed banners that had lions on them, to me this represented bravery and courage, they draped around the village and the throne room.
The thrones were not changed, I refused to as my mother and my father once ruled this kingdom together, I see it as a token of respect.
However today was the day, I will become queen of Astrinica, Razoth will be performing the ceremony.
I was in my bedroom in the palace, the white ceiling curved down in a dome shape supporting the crystal chandelier, above this was purple ribbon which tangled around the chain of the light. Below this was a fluffy bed which was purple and white. The sheets hung off the side of the bed and fell onto the flower tiled floor. I had a few paintings in the room, one was my mother, she was wearing a flowing purple dress, it was strapless and puffy at the bottom. It was her favourite dress, according to the palace guards. That was the dress that I wanted to wear for my coronation. It was midday and the bells chimed throughout the palace, it was time for me to finish getting ready. I was standing in front of the gigantic mirror and it showed me the long purple dress and danced down my legs.
The door creaked open and it was Darian, his eyes widened and he revealed his teeth in an open smile, he was dressed in a black and white tux and finished with black glossy shoes, his hair was spiked up and this was unusual for him as he kept it down most of the time, however he suited both of them. He chatted “You look beautiful”. I blushed and started pinning my hair up. “Thank you, I am quite nervous about the ceremony”.
He replied as the bells continued to chime “Well that is my cue to leave, I will see you soon Crown Princess”.
He left the room and I was facing myself in the mirror as I thought ‘Mother, Sara I did it!”. Tears started to form in my eyes, I said: “I must be strong, they would have been proud”. I recomposed myself and left the room to go to the throne room.
Villagers cheered as I entered the room, I started to feel queasy, I started taking deep breaths. I walked to the thrones and I saw Darian and Razoth standing by the altar, on this altar was a long silver staff, a slender golden snake structure slithered up it. On the top, there was a glass ball which was changing colours, from red to green to white.
I was by the altar, I turned around to talk to the crowd of people. “Thank you for attending the ceremony”, they all cheered.
Razoth said, “Today Crown Princess Clarissa Madison Hastings will become the rightful Queen of Astrinica”.
“All hail Queen Clarissa,” they said. Razoth said “I will pass this stuff to you, once it is in your hands, you will become queen. It was once Celine Hastings one of our previous queens”. I nodded my head and I was handed the staff, power flown from the staff and into me. Power was in my veins, I have never felt this powerful before.
The ceremony was complete, I mingled with some of the guests and thanked Razoth for his help. It was getting late so I concluded the ceremony and I met Darian out on the palace balcony.
The sun was setting, the sunset orange, red and yellow merged together and slowly disappeared on the horizon, a calming breeze swirled around us. Darian was facing the sunset and turned around once I walked towards him.
I was greeted by a smile, he pulled me into an embrace and said: “You are finally queen, the curse is lifted, your goal is complete, what will you do now”.
I was released and looked into his eyes and said “I will just try to do good by my people” I said
He nodded to him “All you can do is try, I will be here to help” He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a white box. He was down on one knee. He opened the box revealing a ring, it was silver and diamonds on it, they reflected light from the nearby chandeliers. Nerves knotted in my stomach, I covered my mouth with my hands and gasped, I could feel tears form in my eyes.
Darian said “When I first laid eyes on you, I was awestruck by your beauty. I thought to myself that you, Clarissa were the one for me, you are more powerful than I could ever be. Before I met you I was a lonely boy who stayed in the academy, occasionally travelling around but now we have been on an adventure together, I know we have only known each other for a few months but I feel as if I have known you all my life, will you do me the honour of becoming my bride?”
Tears released from both of our eyes, “Yes! Of course, I will marry you, that speech was amazing”, he rose to his knees and placed the ring on my finger, “It is beautiful!”. He pulled me into an embrace and held me tight, some time past and it was time for us to call it a night and go to sleep.
I tossed and turned in bed, I could not sleep, I was restless
‘I had this terrible feeling growing inside of me, whenever I became queen but I did not want to worry anyone, is there a new evil coming’
The wedding was today, it took weeks to plan but it was finally complete.
Final adjustments were made to my dress. I was putting it on in my room. It was a white dress, it was strapless, it was modest. It curved around my hips and waist, then it slowed down and was puffy. I placed the veil on my head, slithered down past my shoulders until the bottom of my back. The final piece of the outfit was my crown, it was simple, a golden hoop, I chose not to pick something fancy out. I placed it on my head and it finished my look.
It was time, I reached the ceremony hall. I could see Darian and Razoth standing at the arch. The arch was made out of wood and flowers blossomed out of it, a white ribbon was tied up around it. They were both dressed in suits, in front of the arch were rows of seats made out of wooden logs, on these logs were the people of this world. They did not personally know me but they arrived at the wedding. Lining the way to the arch where plants and shrubs with lilies and tulips. The light was shining down past the cherry tree and the sky was clear, it made the scene look beautiful.
The cherry tree was shedding its leaves from the gentle breeze, they fluttered down and one danced towards me. I lifted it into my hand and blew it away.
Once everyone noticed that I made an appearance, the people rose from their seats and looked at me. Suddenly, a piano started playing a tune, it was calming and relaxing. Darian turned around and smiled at me.
I started walking down the aisle, I was shaking and trying to fight back the tears. I approached the altar and stood across from Darian, the music stopped and the people sat. He reached his hand out and turned his palms upward, I also reached out placing my hands on top of his.
My tears were now flowing, he was also shaking.
“Today we are witnessing the joining of two souls, Clarissa Madison Hastings and Darian Anton Clarke. Have you prepared your own vows?” Razoth said. We both nodded our head, I gestured Darian to go first.
Darian shakily said “Clarissa, the first time we met, I felt something, that no one else has ever made me feel. I knew that you were the woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Every moment we have had together, my love for you has grown. My heart, my soul and everything that I belong to you. You are the most amazing person in the world, I am blessed that you agreed to be my wife. I vow to stand by you, always and forever. To support, love and cherish you; through your happiest times and your worst. I promise I will be the best husband I can be, I love you Clarissa with every fibre of my body, till death do us part”.
He wiped the tears from my eyes. I nodded my head and cried “ On this day I make the most sincere promise that I can make to another. I will be your constant love and support in life. I will be your safe place. I will never give up on us and I will love you always and forever, I vow to stand by you and to be the best wife I can be, till death do us part”.
Razoth said “That was beautiful, Do you Darian Anton Clarke take Clarissa Madison Hasting to be lawfully wedded wife” “I do” Darian cried. Razoth said “Do you Clarissa Madison Hastings take Darian Anton Clarke to be your lawfully wedded Husband” I cried “I do” Razoth cheered “I hereby declare you husband and wife you may kiss the bride!” Darian lifted my veil up and pressed his lips against mine, a few seconds later the crowd cheered “Congratulations Mr & Mrs Clarke”. We walked down the aisle holding hands as people threw petals from the cherry tree on us.
We arrived in the throne room, I took my throne as did Darian.
I gazed into his eyes and smiled, he returned with a grin.
I should pick up where my mother left off. I think her goal was to keep the peace and if the time came she would prepare for war. I was not ready to fill her role but I shall try my best.
The glass shattered, screams echoed inside. Suddenly the throne room was filled with guards.
Chapter 10 - 2820 words
“My queen, they're coming. We must act now, we don't have many troops” they shouted.
Fear paralysed me.
I stuttered “ Who is coming?”
Darian said “ The Trappers army, I thought we would have had more time”
I yelled “We must fortify these walls now, get the townspeople to safety. How much time do we have”
“Judging by the cloud on the horizon we have a few days, Captain George will wish to speak to you,” the guard said
I replied, “I will find him later but tell him to start preparations immediately”.
The room was emptying but the remaining people bowed and left.
Darian and I nodded at each other.
It was time I must fulfil my duty I must protect my people, I will be on the battlefield, with the front line troops were my mother once was. I will not die a coward.
I was inside the dimly lit barracks looking for Captain George. Multiple lines of light oak beds lined the room, the sheets were green and finished with white pillows. The floor was constructed out of a darker oak, the walls were made out of stone bricks.
“Queen Celine? Are you prepared” Questioned a voice
I turned around and a man was dressed in steel armour.
“Oh I am sorry, you must be Clarissa? My name is George and I am the captain of the troops, It is a pleasure to finally meet you” said George.
I smiled holding back tears “Hello George, yes my name is Clarissa, it is nice to meet you”
He replied, “I shall gather the troops, I do not want to put more pressure on you, you should be celebrating your wedding day, not preparing for a battle.”
I said “Thank you but as queen, I must fulfil my duty and protect my people, as my mother once did. I do not want to die a coward so I will die trying”
“As you wish my lady, I will not stop you, but I would like to arrange a protective detail,” said George.
I replied “Thank you but I do not require a protective detail, I wish to be on the frontline with my troops”
He nodded his head “I will prepare the troops, we will signal the alarm whenever it is time, teleport to the valley entrance, this is where Sara once fought and how you entered this world”
“Thank you,” I said. George walked away. I walked out of the barracks and into town I was greeted by an embrace from Darian. “You are doing great, we will succeed”.
I collapsed into his arms and cried “I cannot do this, today was supposed to be our day, but my duties are required to be elsewhere now”.
“I know...I know after the battle we will have a proper celebration after the battle but first, we must prepare.”
A few weeks had passed, the troops were ready, Darian and I were ready. The midnight black cloud was approaching, fast.
I was in my battle attire, I opted for a white and green robe, this allowed me to be agile and move around freely. Suddenly, I remembered it was the same dress as I had in my dream before I was dragged into this world.
The siren blasted, it was time. Nerves tangled in my stomach, nausea overwhelmed me. I started taking deep breaths and moments later I was relaxed.
Darian was wearing what he always was, he kissed me and we arrived in the valley.
The cloud was in the centre, the troops were behind Darian and me.
‘A feeling of fear engulfed me, this feeling, is it a warning?’
I cheered “Today we will protect our world, we will finally bring peace back, many good lives may be lost today, but know this they will not have died in vain, they will be remembered for their sacrifices”
The group cheered back
I yelled “Charge!”
Thundering steps dashed past me, echoing off the mountainside and back into my ears, the sky blackened and thunder began to rumble.
Swords clinked against each other and magic erupted from the ground, causing the ground to shake.
‘Ignoring my feeling of fear’
“Darian, I must go seek out their captain, I must defeat him, they will be forced to surrender, please do not follow” I yelled
“No wait, you can’t!” Darian screamed.
I vanished into the crowd, I was now on the main battlefield. A few Trappers approached me, however, I was not feeling as fragile, my magic was being drained but not as rapidly.
I forced gales of air towards a group of them, I opened the earth up causing a pillar of earth to erupt to fling them into the air.
Power was running inside my body, I managed to defeat groups of Trappers as I was cutting a path through to the back. The captain must be there.
Finally, I reached the back and a circle of Trappers formed around me, someone entered the circle and laughed “So it is me you are after, I’m captain Auriel, face me”, He was dressed in similar robes to Omen.
I nodded my head, and darted towards Auriel, pelting him with magic, it vanished, he absorbed it into his body, then a dark aura formed around him.
My vision was blurring, I could feel blood gently trickle out of my nose, I wiped it away.
He rushed towards me, he grabbed me by the neck and forced a dagger into my side, pain pulsated around my entire body, he pulled it out and kicked me to the floor.
‘I must get up’.
“Bring him in,” He said
Darian was brought into the circle, he was tossed onto the floor. I tried to get up but my body was limp, Auriel was swiftly approaching his unconscious body.
“Get away from him!” I screamed.
I forced him to his knees then flung him away from Darian and yelled “Leave him alone! It is me you want”.
There is one power, I thought that I would never have to use, it allows me to drain my lifeforce for more magic to use powers.
I concentrated and thought of the word ‘Sanctortus’. A sudden surge of power ran through my body.
Darian started to grunt and toss and turn. Auriel ran towards me with his dagger drawn.
‘My body can’t take much more, I must act quickly’. Flames blasted out of my hands and scorched Auriel's body, his ashes crumbled to the floor.
I heard “We surrender”.
I was gasping for air, but my body became immobilized as I dropped to the floor. My vision went dark. A few moments passed, and a fire burned throughout my body as I overheard Darian screaming. He approached me and caressed me in his arms. He brushed my hair behind my ears, and I felt a trickle of tears run down my face.
‘I completed my duty, I protected my people’.
Darian cried
“We won, Clarissa. Now there can be peace for the people of Astrinica. Do you remember the day we first met at the hospital? You used your magic for the first time. You've become so powerful. Thank you for the adventure you gave me. I will never forget you. I promise I will take care of our people. You will always have a place in my heart, Goodbye Clarissa I love you”.
The pain I once felt stopped. I have been here before, this void, a familiar feeling of floating, it was the same as the one as I once was in.
A hand rested on my shoulder and a familiar voice cried “Clarissa? Is it really you?”
I turned my head around and it was Sara and my mother! Joy filled my body, I quickly got to my feet and hugged them both.
“Clarissa?” Sara questioned “Why are you here? Did you find a way to come here safely?”
“I do not know, I was fighting Auriel and I used the power ‘Sanctortus’ and the rest is a blur”
“No..No, Clarissa...You have died” cried, Celine. I shook my head and yelled “Darian! He should be safe, I remember killing Auriel, they will have surrendered..right?”
“Clarissa...He will find a way to bring us back, we have been guiding you along the way, we are proud that you have overcome many challenges, I was going to tell you about your father and what you are but everything happened so fast and I acted to protect my daughters, if it was not for Sara..I am unsure of what would have happened but no need, there is something we must discuss, once we die and someone absorbs us, this plane is where we stay for some time and eventually we pass on.” Celine said.
I replied “Thank you, I am sure that Darian will find a way, I believe in him! How long do we have?”
Sara said “We have a few months, all we can do is wait and hope for the best, we must put our faith in Darian” My body was paralysed to the floor.
I gasped “What’s happening?”
Celine said “Darian is absorbing you”
I thought ‘I will be with you always, please stay safe, I love you, Darian’
Darian POV
Clarissa lay lifeless in my arms, tears flowing down my face. I pulled her body closer to mine and thought ‘I will find a way to bring you back no matter the cost, goodbye, for now, my love. Just then her body exploded and I absorbed her. ‘You’re safe now, I can sense you are with your family’
I rose to my feet and yelled “Our queen did not die in vain, she protected us, we will never forget that, as for Auriel's troops, I have yet to decide what is going to happen to them”
The enemy lowered their guard and fell to their knees and said “Our king, our allegiance is now with you’
I faced my troops and said “We will have a ceremonial burial for any fallen soldiers and I cannot thank you all enough for your help” The crowd cheered and started to return to Raymarsh.
I was in the empty throne room, I feel numb, I know she is not gone, she still has time. Would she want me to bring her back? There must be something I can do. I will rest and travel to the village and speak to Razoth.
It was the next day, Raymarsh was in mourning. Burial ceremonies were active all day, I was attending them to pay my respects to the fallen.
I was in Razoths hut. He said, “Clarissa is not gone, by now you know she has time”.
I nodded my head “I know, is there anything that we can do?” He replied, “Yes...but you may not survive the ritual, it will drain our magic”.
“I am willing to take that risk, I must do it alone I do not want you to risk your life. What is this ritual?” I smiled.
He replied “It involves you dying for a short time meaning you can pass to the plane and find Clarissa’s spirit and bring it with you, it sounds simple but it is not, you risk staying there.
I said, “I will attempt this, when can we do it?”
He said, “We can try it now, are you sure?”
I nodded my head.
“Please sit on the floor”. Razoth said.
I sat on the floor and he drew a circle of white ash around me. “The process will begin now, you can stop it now if you want ”.
I shook my head.
“Very well, remain calm and remember to find Clarissa and bring her back”.
Razoth started chanting words under his breath, light blinded me and a sharp pain consumed my body. I wailed out in pain and my body flung back, I was now laying on the floor.
I closed my eyes and moments later I opened them. I was in the plane, oddly similar to the one that I passed through to enter the temple.
“Darian” voices yelled.
“I am here!” I screamed. Footsteps approached from behind and I got up and looked. It was Celine, Sara and Clarissa. I ran over to them and hugged them all. “I’m glad that I found you all in time, do not worry I did not die, Razoth helped me get here safely”.
Celine said, “Razoth always has his ways, he is a good friend of mine, I must thank him once we get back.”
“Ok so who is first,” I said.
Celine said, “ Take Clarissa first”.
Clarissa shook her head and said, “No, you or Sara go first, I can wait”.
I grasped onto Sara’s wrist and she vanished ‘Wow...That is amazing’
“Celine, it is your turn,” I said, she reached out her hand and I grabbed it, once again she vanished.
My body was fading ”No...what is happening? Come on Clarissa, we do not have time”.
She said “No, there is one more person here”
Omen came from behind Clarissa and grasped onto my body and vanished.
“ARGH! My body! Clarissa move now!” I yelled
My eyes opened and in the room stood, Celine, Sara, Razoth and Omen. I asked, “Where is Clarissa?”
Sara said “She is...still there. She let us come back first, you can only stay in the plane for a short period of time, Razoth would have acted to bring you back perhaps the spell was killing you”
Razoth said, “Yes, your body was fading so I had to stop or else it would have killed you.”
I cried “But Clarissa…”
Celine said “We can go back later, once we have all rested you have our thanks Darian, thank you for saving us we will bring her back, after all, we all love her”
Omen immediately left the room.
“Get back here” I yelled. I ran out of the hut but Omen could not be seen.
Celine grabbed my shoulder and said, “Let him be, he will regret leaving his daughter, I will never forgive what he did.”
I turned to face her and said: “What did he do?”.
She turned her head to the side and said: “Whenever I was pregnant with Clarissa, he tried to take her magic this would have caused her to die but that is in the past, both my daughters will be safe in due time”.
Anger boiled in my body as I clenched my fists, I took deep breaths “He will pay, one day he will mess with the wrong people”.
Sara came out and said “Indeed, Darian. I’m glad to see you again, last time was at the battle in the valley right?”.
“Yes, I thought I lost you,” I said.
“Haha, I cannot be beaten that easily, our family is strong, Clarissa will return and continue her reign as queen, we will stand by her side.”
It was the next day, we will try the spell again, it should work and we will bring her back” Sara said. Same as yesterday I was sitting on the floor and a pain entered my body.
I was back in the plane again and I yelled “Clarissa! Am here for you, where are you?”
“I am here, thank you for coming back,” Clarissa said.
I looked around and I saw her in the distance, I sprinted towards her and kissed her. I whispered, “Let’s return home”.
We both closed our eyes and we both returned.
“Clarissa!” Celine and Sara yelled, they both ran over to her and hugged her.
Clarissa POV
“This is surreal, the family has been reunited again, where is Omen?.” I said.
Sara said, “I know he is your father but once we returned he vanished.”. ‘Why did he do that, is he too scared to face what he has done?’. I will continue my rule over Astrinica with the help from Sara, Celine and Darian. Some time had passed but today, the 11th of March, was my 21st birthday, we celebrated by having a grand feast, I had some news to announce to my family.
I summoned them all to the throne room and dismissed the guards. They entered the room and said, “I have some news that I would like to announce to you all”.
They all started to fidget, but they tried their best to hide it with a smile.
“I recently discovered that I am pregnant!” I shrieked. They were all filled with happiness and they ran towards me and said “Congratulations”.
That is the end of my story. The curse has been lifted, my family is reunited and it will soon be expanded, if it is a girl I would like to call her Bonnie and if a boy am thinking of the name, Blake. What do you think? However I have a feeling of dread, perhaps a new evil is coming or it is just the pregnancy.
The Mythical Sorceress (Part 3/3)(Dylan)
Chapter 8 - 2651 words
The camp was packed up and it was time for us to finish the journey through Coldmoore, my body was feeling feeble today, perhaps it was because of all the travelling and the fight. We all jumped down, the marsh was the same until it gradually started to dry up and life flourished ahead, the path was also becoming more narrow. We were outside a giant stone wall.
“That is one of the walls of Raymarsh, the teleporter is just ahead, you simply walk onto it and we will be inside the capital” Omen chuckled “That should be simple enough for you two right?”
We finally reached the teleporter. It was flat and attached to the ground, it was yellow and red. Omen stepped onto it and vanished, after Darian, it was my turn.
Once inside
“I will catch up with you later, there is someone I must meet with first” Omen said then mumbled something under his breath “Good luck my … ” “Ok” Darian interrupted.
“Does your body feel different because mine certainly does” I questioned Darian. “Yeah, mine feels different, it feels for weak, it is probably just from the travelling”.
I agreed.
‘Why would Omen wish us luck, he tried to kill me multiple times.’
The sun raged down, the weather was similar to the weather in the valley, thank goodness.
I turned my head and I saw multiple market stalls offering fresh produce, these stalls were a variety of colours, from red to orange to pink. These stands were supported by wooden pillars and planks.
“You want to try some of these?” asked Darian “Yes, what would you recommend?” I replied.
“I would recommend the heart plum peaches, they are the circular violet fruits, I brought some money to buy something,” Darian said.
We approached one of the stalls and an old man was the vendor, he was dressed in a simple white vest and black trousers, over his clothes was a green overcoat.
He shouted, “It’s the crown princess!”. Everyone cheered “Crown princess, it is an honour to be blessed with your presence”.
I said, “Thank you all, I feel welcome here, this is my first time here”. The crowd gasped and suddenly returned to normal. “Don’t worry about them, they are just shocked to see you, your mother was always among her people and was in the front line in many of her battles”.
“Really, My mother never mentioned it, but maybe she was protecting me”.
We got the heart plum peaches and they were soft to the touch, I bit into one of them, juice squirted everywhere, it was bitter yet sweet at the same time, it was delicious. “These are amazing, who knew such food existed, I thought I was fancy with my kebabs and curries!” I laughed. “You have much to learn, shall I give you a tour,” Darian said. “I would love to see the rest of the place!” I exclaimed “I cannot wait”
The general structure of Raymarsh was sharp and crisp, with mostly white and black buildings, the paths were constructed out of grey stone bricks and the occasionally some foliage was on the paths.
“There is somewhere I would like to show you,” Darian said. I replied, “Ok, I will follow, I do not want to get lost.”
We were on the other side of the town, the houses here were smaller and more like the cottages in the valley, Darian pointed over to one of them and somehow it was familiar to me.
I walked over to it and gently knocked on the door, a woman opened the door, it was my mother! “Mother, tell me it is really you, I thought you died” I cried.
I leapt into her arms and I felt safe.
She said, “I am not Celine, my name is Sasha, I am your mother's twin!”
I gasped “My aunt?, I never knew about you, but something about this cottage seems familiar to me!”
She dressed exactly like my mother and sounded similar ‘It was too good to be true, but I have some family I did not know about’. “Come inside, we have much to discuss,” Sasha said as she wiped the tears from my face.
Darian said, “I will come back in an hour or so, this is a family moment, I will return to my home.”
I waved goodbye and Darian vanished into the crowd.
To sum it all up, Sasha told me absolutely everything, My mother used to live here, I was a toddler whenever she fled with Sara and I. She would not say why but my mother was good friends with Nare and she helped her escape, that would explain how Darian knew of my family, I would conclude that perhaps Nare raised him, but what happened to his parents, do I dare to ask, maybe once this is all over, I could ask. Sasha was overwhelmed with emotion when she realized both my sister and mother died.
Darian was back over and Sasha allowed us to rest and freshen up. Tomorrow was the day we met the leader, maybe we will be able to come to an agreement of the curse being lifted, I hope we do not have to resort to violence, but what happens will lay with fate, whatever will be, will be.
I was tossing and turning, I had a bad feeling, I could not put my finger on it, maybe I was just being paranoid.
Today was the day that we travel to Raymarsh Tower, Darian and Sasha said we need to seek approval from King Zephyrinus and Queen Nonus. Darian and I freshened up and left the cottage and we arrived outside the palace, it was very similar to the temple. A swarm of guards wearing silver armour approached us “Do you require entry?”
I said “As Crown Princess, I request that you allow us inside”
The guards bowed “Crown Princess you do not need permission to enter, it is your birthright, however, he may not be allowed inside”
I replied, “I will take responsibility for his actions”.
Suddenly we were inside the throne room, it was a vast open room, large marble pillars supported the murals on the ceiling, multiple chandeliers dangled from it. A single guard with a silver spear was situated at each pillar, I looked up and I saw two people upon two thrones. They were made out of gold with red cushions, guards were fanning the King and Queen. They were both wearing fancy red and gold robes and seemed to blend in with their thrones
“It is an honour to be before you, King and Queen of Astrinica,” we both said, as we both kneeled.
“Crown princess, we thought we lost you forever, we are more than happy to be graced with your presence, you may rise, why are you here?”
“We request entry to Raymarsh tower?” I said
“Why do you request entry? That place is off limits for everyone except the royal bloodline” Nonus said
“I am not of royal blood, after all, I am Crown Princess Of The Hastings Line,” I said
“Very well, you will be at great risk, we will not be able to protect you there, guards open the portal and send them”.
We were now inside a building. Soaring ebony pyres anchored in the illuminated sky, there was three towers. Each one sending a beam of light out to form a triangle. There was a barrier surrounding the tower, it must be protecting it. I looked over the edge and it was floating in midair, being supported by multiple beams of energy. “Woah this place is impressive,” Darian said, “I cannot believe we are here, it was a somewhat hard journey but I am glad to share it with you”.
I replied “Yes, I am also glad to be here with you”
“Haha, you foolish children,” a voice said.
I looked back and the queen and king were here. ‘Why are they here’
“Let us stop the spell” they laughed. The wind started to twirl and hurl around them, it eventually stopped. Standing there was Nare and Omen.
Darian was crushed to the floor, I rushed over to him “Darian, please get up, this can’t be real! I know it is grim but remember Nare died” I gasped
“I am very real, I did not die that day at the academy, it was merely a cover-up, Clarissa was stronger than we expected even with the curse limiting her power, a plan was set in motion, to get you here, so we can end your pathetic existence” Nare yelled “I needed to die, this would have made Darian want to kill the leader of the Trappers for what they did to me but if you haven’t already figured it out, It is me, I am the leader, Omen is my second in command, he tricked to get you here, he has been draining your magic from the day you set you on this journey!”
‘I was all starting to make sense, I knew I wasn’t feeling weak from the travelling’
“I should have never trusted you! You will die here today!” I screamed.
Darian was still paralyzed hunched over. “Darian! Get up!” I yelled, he did not respond.
‘What am I going to do, I cannot focus, face them one at a time, I can’t fight them both, but I must protect him’
“Face me!” I blurted. “Is this bravery or stupidity to talk” they both laughed.
Omen rushed towards me with a dagger, I paced back and tried to focus on my energy and channel it. He launched the dagger towards me, I summoned wind and forced it away from me. “Let’s see, if you are better in combat that Sara was!”
“You will pay! They did not die in vain”.
In my peripheral vision, I saw Nare approaching Darian. I yelled, “Darian look ou..” Omens fist jabbed into my chest, I hunched over and was forced to my knees. The pain was soaring through my body. He lifted his leg and kicked me in the throat, I gasped for breath and he lifted me up and started choking me. My vision was blurring, I forced the palm of my hand into his face and his grip loosened. I conjured a flame and burned his arm, he grunted out in pain. I could feel liquid drizzle down from my nose, ‘I must remain strong, Darian!’.
Nare had Darian grasped by the neck, he was not doing anything. “Fight back! She will kill you, she does not care for you” I yelled. He cried “I cannot and shall not fight her.”
I focused on Nare and forced flames towards her, she absorbed it via her palms and forced it towards me, I dodged left. ‘ My body was starting to shake and become weak, I must struggle on if we are to survive’. I screamed “Nare! Stop this at once, how could you do this to him, he looked up to you, you’re like a mother to him!”
She laughed “I would have killed him sooner but at that time there was still some good inside me but now there is nothing but darkness!”
She proceeded to repeatedly jab and kick Darian, he still did not right back.
“Once Omen is dead, you will be next, I have no problem fighting you!” I screamed
Power coursed in my veins The ground started to violently shake and crack open, “Stop her, what is she doing, you said she was weak!”. Nare stuttered
Omen ran towards me, I forced a pillar from the ground to fling him into the air, I pushed gales towards him, he wailed out in pain, then I trapped him in a cell made of wind, he floated in the air.
“If you can’t deal with her, then I shall” Nare chuckled. “Since you are now of no use to me, it is time for you to die! No one is worth anything to me now, everyone in this world deserves death”
“No! I am your loyal servant” Omen cried
I interjected, “Nare, if you choose to deny the existence of every living being but yourself, then I chose to fight, to fight for them!”
She proceeded to pound him with magic, he was yelling out, asking her to stop, but eventually, the sound stopped, I released the cell and his body fell to the ground. Just then his body exploded. The particles danced towards me ‘What is happening, I am in disbelief’, they reached me and then proceeded to enter my body.
‘Nare once said, the only family can absorb each other, it all makes sense, earlier he said good luck my… he must have been trying to say, daughter or child. He was hoping I would pick up on it but I did not as Darian interrupted his muttering, he was my father, why did he do this? But I must focus, why didn’t mother say?’.
Tears welled in my eyes, rage was building. “You killed my father!” I screamed. My body was pulsing with energy. I rushed towards her throwing gales of roaring flames and howling wind. They connected with her body flinging her back. I sprinted towards her, she kicked me to my feet and drew a dagger, it sliced my arm, I gritted my teeth “Nice try”. I punched her in the face ‘It hurt more than I expected’. When she was recovering I forced her to the ground holding her down with magic, rage consumed me, I tightened the grip, I conjured flames in my hands, Nare spluttered blood “If you kill me, Darian will hate you forever”.
I laughed “If killing you means, breaking the curse and Darian will understand but if not there will be peace for this world again”
I dispelled the flame ‘I want her to die, but not slowly, I am not evil’. I separated the floor and she fell through it, she screamed the entire way, it echoed and then it stopped.
My body was feeble, I was gasping for air, particles from my body left, a fiery pain surged throughout my entire body, stabbing pains started to vibrate in my head and stomach, I yelled out in pain ‘This must be the curse leaving our bodies’ I started to crawl over to Darian as he screamed out in pain, it broke the silence. I was now beside him, he reach out his hand and we both squeezed tightly. “It is almost over!” I cried, he panted “I hope so” Moments passed which felt like hours, eventually, the pain suddenly stopped and we both stood up, still weak, but the pain I once felt eased. “We did it” I exclaimed, “We completed our goal!” We rushed towards each other and he pulled me into a long kiss. He released me he cried “I cannot believe Nare was behind all of all this, but now there can be peace for our world, I must thank you, Crown Princess, for everything”.
I pulled him into an embrace and squeezed him tightly “Please do not be sad, I know it will take some time for you to recover, but remember I am here for you, there can now be peace”.
He replied “Thank you, I will always be here for you, We must plan your coronation, you will become the Queen Of Astrinica now, any idea who can be your king? One last thing, as Queen you will be granted the gift of foresight”
I laughed “I think you should have a pretty good idea who it is and is that a gift or a curse?”.
We teleported into the village, we were greeted with cheers and bows from the villagers, the village was now restored, it was no longer in poverty, it was similar in design to Raymarsh.
Chapter 9 - 1827 words
Some time had passed, extra things were added to the village, housing, farms and a new academy. The villagers said that it has been restored to former glory.
I am ecstatic that I was able to free my people but I am sorrowful that mother and Sara are not here to share the glory, maybe in our next life.
I have changed the throne room to suit my own tastes. I decided to add more stone pillars with carvings of symbols from the academy. These pillars were supporting the newly added observation platform.
Overall the room was more bright due to the new stained glass windows and added a more lively aura to it.
I designed banners that had lions on them, to me this represented bravery and courage, they draped around the village and the throne room.
The thrones were not changed, I refused to as my mother and my father once ruled this kingdom together, I see it as a token of respect.
However today was the day, I will become queen of Astrinica, Razoth will be performing the ceremony.
I was in my bedroom in the palace, the white ceiling curved down in a dome shape supporting the crystal chandelier, above this was purple ribbon which tangled around the chain of the light. Below this was a fluffy bed which was purple and white. The sheets hung off the side of the bed and fell onto the flower tiled floor. I had a few paintings in the room, one was my mother, she was wearing a flowing purple dress, it was strapless and puffy at the bottom. It was her favourite dress, according to the palace guards. That was the dress that I wanted to wear for my coronation. It was midday and the bells chimed throughout the palace, it was time for me to finish getting ready. I was standing in front of the gigantic mirror and it showed me the long purple dress and danced down my legs.
The door creaked open and it was Darian, his eyes widened and he revealed his teeth in an open smile, he was dressed in a black and white tux and finished with black glossy shoes, his hair was spiked up and this was unusual for him as he kept it down most of the time, however he suited both of them. He chatted “You look beautiful”. I blushed and started pinning my hair up. “Thank you, I am quite nervous about the ceremony”.
He replied as the bells continued to chime “Well that is my cue to leave, I will see you soon Crown Princess”.
He left the room and I was facing myself in the mirror as I thought ‘Mother, Sara I did it!”. Tears started to form in my eyes, I said: “I must be strong, they would have been proud”. I recomposed myself and left the room to go to the throne room.
Villagers cheered as I entered the room, I started to feel queasy, I started taking deep breaths. I walked to the thrones and I saw Darian and Razoth standing by the altar, on this altar was a long silver staff, a slender golden snake structure slithered up it. On the top, there was a glass ball which was changing colours, from red to green to white.
I was by the altar, I turned around to talk to the crowd of people. “Thank you for attending the ceremony”, they all cheered.
Razoth said, “Today Crown Princess Clarissa Madison Hastings will become the rightful Queen of Astrinica”.
“All hail Queen Clarissa,” they said. Razoth said “I will pass this stuff to you, once it is in your hands, you will become queen. It was once Celine Hastings one of our previous queens”. I nodded my head and I was handed the staff, power flown from the staff and into me. Power was in my veins, I have never felt this powerful before.
The ceremony was complete, I mingled with some of the guests and thanked Razoth for his help. It was getting late so I concluded the ceremony and I met Darian out on the palace balcony.
The sun was setting, the sunset orange, red and yellow merged together and slowly disappeared on the horizon, a calming breeze swirled around us. Darian was facing the sunset and turned around once I walked towards him.
I was greeted by a smile, he pulled me into an embrace and said: “You are finally queen, the curse is lifted, your goal is complete, what will you do now”.
I was released and looked into his eyes and said “I will just try to do good by my people” I said
He nodded to him “All you can do is try, I will be here to help” He reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a white box. He was down on one knee. He opened the box revealing a ring, it was silver and diamonds on it, they reflected light from the nearby chandeliers. Nerves knotted in my stomach, I covered my mouth with my hands and gasped, I could feel tears form in my eyes.
Darian said “When I first laid eyes on you, I was awestruck by your beauty. I thought to myself that you, Clarissa were the one for me, you are more powerful than I could ever be. Before I met you I was a lonely boy who stayed in the academy, occasionally travelling around but now we have been on an adventure together, I know we have only known each other for a few months but I feel as if I have known you all my life, will you do me the honour of becoming my bride?”
Tears released from both of our eyes, “Yes! Of course, I will marry you, that speech was amazing”, he rose to his knees and placed the ring on my finger, “It is beautiful!”. He pulled me into an embrace and held me tight, some time past and it was time for us to call it a night and go to sleep.
I tossed and turned in bed, I could not sleep, I was restless
‘I had this terrible feeling growing inside of me, whenever I became queen but I did not want to worry anyone, is there a new evil coming’
The wedding was today, it took weeks to plan but it was finally complete.
Final adjustments were made to my dress. I was putting it on in my room. It was a white dress, it was strapless, it was modest. It curved around my hips and waist, then it slowed down and was puffy. I placed the veil on my head, slithered down past my shoulders until the bottom of my back. The final piece of the outfit was my crown, it was simple, a golden hoop, I chose not to pick something fancy out. I placed it on my head and it finished my look.
It was time, I reached the ceremony hall. I could see Darian and Razoth standing at the arch. The arch was made out of wood and flowers blossomed out of it, a white ribbon was tied up around it. They were both dressed in suits, in front of the arch were rows of seats made out of wooden logs, on these logs were the people of this world. They did not personally know me but they arrived at the wedding. Lining the way to the arch where plants and shrubs with lilies and tulips. The light was shining down past the cherry tree and the sky was clear, it made the scene look beautiful.
The cherry tree was shedding its leaves from the gentle breeze, they fluttered down and one danced towards me. I lifted it into my hand and blew it away.
Once everyone noticed that I made an appearance, the people rose from their seats and looked at me. Suddenly, a piano started playing a tune, it was calming and relaxing. Darian turned around and smiled at me.
I started walking down the aisle, I was shaking and trying to fight back the tears. I approached the altar and stood across from Darian, the music stopped and the people sat. He reached his hand out and turned his palms upward, I also reached out placing my hands on top of his.
My tears were now flowing, he was also shaking.
“Today we are witnessing the joining of two souls, Clarissa Madison Hastings and Darian Anton Clarke. Have you prepared your own vows?” Razoth said. We both nodded our head, I gestured Darian to go first.
Darian shakily said “Clarissa, the first time we met, I felt something, that no one else has ever made me feel. I knew that you were the woman that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Every moment we have had together, my love for you has grown. My heart, my soul and everything that I belong to you. You are the most amazing person in the world, I am blessed that you agreed to be my wife. I vow to stand by you, always and forever. To support, love and cherish you; through your happiest times and your worst. I promise I will be the best husband I can be, I love you Clarissa with every fibre of my body, till death do us part”.
He wiped the tears from my eyes. I nodded my head and cried “ On this day I make the most sincere promise that I can make to another. I will be your constant love and support in life. I will be your safe place. I will never give up on us and I will love you always and forever, I vow to stand by you and to be the best wife I can be, till death do us part”.
Razoth said “That was beautiful, Do you Darian Anton Clarke take Clarissa Madison Hasting to be lawfully wedded wife” “I do” Darian cried. Razoth said “Do you Clarissa Madison Hastings take Darian Anton Clarke to be your lawfully wedded Husband” I cried “I do” Razoth cheered “I hereby declare you husband and wife you may kiss the bride!” Darian lifted my veil up and pressed his lips against mine, a few seconds later the crowd cheered “Congratulations Mr & Mrs Clarke”. We walked down the aisle holding hands as people threw petals from the cherry tree on us.
We arrived in the throne room, I took my throne as did Darian.
I gazed into his eyes and smiled, he returned with a grin.
I should pick up where my mother left off. I think her goal was to keep the peace and if the time came she would prepare for war. I was not ready to fill her role but I shall try my best.
The glass shattered, screams echoed inside. Suddenly the throne room was filled with guards.
Chapter 10 - 2820 words
“My queen, they're coming. We must act now, we don't have many troops” they shouted.
Fear paralysed me.
I stuttered “ Who is coming?”
Darian said “ The Trappers army, I thought we would have had more time”
I yelled “We must fortify these walls now, get the townspeople to safety. How much time do we have”
“Judging by the cloud on the horizon we have a few days, Captain George will wish to speak to you,” the guard said
I replied, “I will find him later but tell him to start preparations immediately”.
The room was emptying but the remaining people bowed and left.
Darian and I nodded at each other.
It was time I must fulfil my duty I must protect my people, I will be on the battlefield, with the front line troops were my mother once was. I will not die a coward.
I was inside the dimly lit barracks looking for Captain George. Multiple lines of light oak beds lined the room, the sheets were green and finished with white pillows. The floor was constructed out of a darker oak, the walls were made out of stone bricks.
“Queen Celine? Are you prepared” Questioned a voice
I turned around and a man was dressed in steel armour.
“Oh I am sorry, you must be Clarissa? My name is George and I am the captain of the troops, It is a pleasure to finally meet you” said George.
I smiled holding back tears “Hello George, yes my name is Clarissa, it is nice to meet you”
He replied, “I shall gather the troops, I do not want to put more pressure on you, you should be celebrating your wedding day, not preparing for a battle.”
I said “Thank you but as queen, I must fulfil my duty and protect my people, as my mother once did. I do not want to die a coward so I will die trying”
“As you wish my lady, I will not stop you, but I would like to arrange a protective detail,” said George.
I replied “Thank you but I do not require a protective detail, I wish to be on the frontline with my troops”
He nodded his head “I will prepare the troops, we will signal the alarm whenever it is time, teleport to the valley entrance, this is where Sara once fought and how you entered this world”
“Thank you,” I said. George walked away. I walked out of the barracks and into town I was greeted by an embrace from Darian. “You are doing great, we will succeed”.
I collapsed into his arms and cried “I cannot do this, today was supposed to be our day, but my duties are required to be elsewhere now”.
“I know...I know after the battle we will have a proper celebration after the battle but first, we must prepare.”
A few weeks had passed, the troops were ready, Darian and I were ready. The midnight black cloud was approaching, fast.
I was in my battle attire, I opted for a white and green robe, this allowed me to be agile and move around freely. Suddenly, I remembered it was the same dress as I had in my dream before I was dragged into this world.
The siren blasted, it was time. Nerves tangled in my stomach, nausea overwhelmed me. I started taking deep breaths and moments later I was relaxed.
Darian was wearing what he always was, he kissed me and we arrived in the valley.
The cloud was in the centre, the troops were behind Darian and me.
‘A feeling of fear engulfed me, this feeling, is it a warning?’
I cheered “Today we will protect our world, we will finally bring peace back, many good lives may be lost today, but know this they will not have died in vain, they will be remembered for their sacrifices”
The group cheered back
I yelled “Charge!”
Thundering steps dashed past me, echoing off the mountainside and back into my ears, the sky blackened and thunder began to rumble.
Swords clinked against each other and magic erupted from the ground, causing the ground to shake.
‘Ignoring my feeling of fear’
“Darian, I must go seek out their captain, I must defeat him, they will be forced to surrender, please do not follow” I yelled
“No wait, you can’t!” Darian screamed.
I vanished into the crowd, I was now on the main battlefield. A few Trappers approached me, however, I was not feeling as fragile, my magic was being drained but not as rapidly.
I forced gales of air towards a group of them, I opened the earth up causing a pillar of earth to erupt to fling them into the air.
Power was running inside my body, I managed to defeat groups of Trappers as I was cutting a path through to the back. The captain must be there.
Finally, I reached the back and a circle of Trappers formed around me, someone entered the circle and laughed “So it is me you are after, I’m captain Auriel, face me”, He was dressed in similar robes to Omen.
I nodded my head, and darted towards Auriel, pelting him with magic, it vanished, he absorbed it into his body, then a dark aura formed around him.
My vision was blurring, I could feel blood gently trickle out of my nose, I wiped it away.
He rushed towards me, he grabbed me by the neck and forced a dagger into my side, pain pulsated around my entire body, he pulled it out and kicked me to the floor.
‘I must get up’.
“Bring him in,” He said
Darian was brought into the circle, he was tossed onto the floor. I tried to get up but my body was limp, Auriel was swiftly approaching his unconscious body.
“Get away from him!” I screamed.
I forced him to his knees then flung him away from Darian and yelled “Leave him alone! It is me you want”.
There is one power, I thought that I would never have to use, it allows me to drain my lifeforce for more magic to use powers.
I concentrated and thought of the word ‘Sanctortus’. A sudden surge of power ran through my body.
Darian started to grunt and toss and turn. Auriel ran towards me with his dagger drawn.
‘My body can’t take much more, I must act quickly’. Flames blasted out of my hands and scorched Auriel's body, his ashes crumbled to the floor.
I heard “We surrender”.
I was gasping for air, but my body became immobilized as I dropped to the floor. My vision went dark. A few moments passed, and a fire burned throughout my body as I overheard Darian screaming. He approached me and caressed me in his arms. He brushed my hair behind my ears, and I felt a trickle of tears run down my face.
‘I completed my duty, I protected my people’.
Darian cried
“We won, Clarissa. Now there can be peace for the people of Astrinica. Do you remember the day we first met at the hospital? You used your magic for the first time. You've become so powerful. Thank you for the adventure you gave me. I will never forget you. I promise I will take care of our people. You will always have a place in my heart, Goodbye Clarissa I love you”.
The pain I once felt stopped. I have been here before, this void, a familiar feeling of floating, it was the same as the one as I once was in.
A hand rested on my shoulder and a familiar voice cried “Clarissa? Is it really you?”
I turned my head around and it was Sara and my mother! Joy filled my body, I quickly got to my feet and hugged them both.
“Clarissa?” Sara questioned “Why are you here? Did you find a way to come here safely?”
“I do not know, I was fighting Auriel and I used the power ‘Sanctortus’ and the rest is a blur”
“No..No, Clarissa...You have died” cried, Celine. I shook my head and yelled “Darian! He should be safe, I remember killing Auriel, they will have surrendered..right?”
“Clarissa...He will find a way to bring us back, we have been guiding you along the way, we are proud that you have overcome many challenges, I was going to tell you about your father and what you are but everything happened so fast and I acted to protect my daughters, if it was not for Sara..I am unsure of what would have happened but no need, there is something we must discuss, once we die and someone absorbs us, this plane is where we stay for some time and eventually we pass on.” Celine said.
I replied “Thank you, I am sure that Darian will find a way, I believe in him! How long do we have?”
Sara said “We have a few months, all we can do is wait and hope for the best, we must put our faith in Darian” My body was paralysed to the floor.
I gasped “What’s happening?”
Celine said “Darian is absorbing you”
I thought ‘I will be with you always, please stay safe, I love you, Darian’
Darian POV
Clarissa lay lifeless in my arms, tears flowing down my face. I pulled her body closer to mine and thought ‘I will find a way to bring you back no matter the cost, goodbye, for now, my love. Just then her body exploded and I absorbed her. ‘You’re safe now, I can sense you are with your family’
I rose to my feet and yelled “Our queen did not die in vain, she protected us, we will never forget that, as for Auriel's troops, I have yet to decide what is going to happen to them”
The enemy lowered their guard and fell to their knees and said “Our king, our allegiance is now with you’
I faced my troops and said “We will have a ceremonial burial for any fallen soldiers and I cannot thank you all enough for your help” The crowd cheered and started to return to Raymarsh.
I was in the empty throne room, I feel numb, I know she is not gone, she still has time. Would she want me to bring her back? There must be something I can do. I will rest and travel to the village and speak to Razoth.
It was the next day, Raymarsh was in mourning. Burial ceremonies were active all day, I was attending them to pay my respects to the fallen.
I was in Razoths hut. He said, “Clarissa is not gone, by now you know she has time”.
I nodded my head “I know, is there anything that we can do?” He replied, “Yes...but you may not survive the ritual, it will drain our magic”.
“I am willing to take that risk, I must do it alone I do not want you to risk your life. What is this ritual?” I smiled.
He replied “It involves you dying for a short time meaning you can pass to the plane and find Clarissa’s spirit and bring it with you, it sounds simple but it is not, you risk staying there.
I said, “I will attempt this, when can we do it?”
He said, “We can try it now, are you sure?”
I nodded my head.
“Please sit on the floor”. Razoth said.
I sat on the floor and he drew a circle of white ash around me. “The process will begin now, you can stop it now if you want ”.
I shook my head.
“Very well, remain calm and remember to find Clarissa and bring her back”.
Razoth started chanting words under his breath, light blinded me and a sharp pain consumed my body. I wailed out in pain and my body flung back, I was now laying on the floor.
I closed my eyes and moments later I opened them. I was in the plane, oddly similar to the one that I passed through to enter the temple.
“Darian” voices yelled.
“I am here!” I screamed. Footsteps approached from behind and I got up and looked. It was Celine, Sara and Clarissa. I ran over to them and hugged them all. “I’m glad that I found you all in time, do not worry I did not die, Razoth helped me get here safely”.
Celine said, “Razoth always has his ways, he is a good friend of mine, I must thank him once we get back.”
“Ok so who is first,” I said.
Celine said, “ Take Clarissa first”.
Clarissa shook her head and said, “No, you or Sara go first, I can wait”.
I grasped onto Sara’s wrist and she vanished ‘Wow...That is amazing’
“Celine, it is your turn,” I said, she reached out her hand and I grabbed it, once again she vanished.
My body was fading ”No...what is happening? Come on Clarissa, we do not have time”.
She said “No, there is one more person here”
Omen came from behind Clarissa and grasped onto my body and vanished.
“ARGH! My body! Clarissa move now!” I yelled
My eyes opened and in the room stood, Celine, Sara, Razoth and Omen. I asked, “Where is Clarissa?”
Sara said “She is...still there. She let us come back first, you can only stay in the plane for a short period of time, Razoth would have acted to bring you back perhaps the spell was killing you”
Razoth said, “Yes, your body was fading so I had to stop or else it would have killed you.”
I cried “But Clarissa…”
Celine said “We can go back later, once we have all rested you have our thanks Darian, thank you for saving us we will bring her back, after all, we all love her”
Omen immediately left the room.
“Get back here” I yelled. I ran out of the hut but Omen could not be seen.
Celine grabbed my shoulder and said, “Let him be, he will regret leaving his daughter, I will never forgive what he did.”
I turned to face her and said: “What did he do?”.
She turned her head to the side and said: “Whenever I was pregnant with Clarissa, he tried to take her magic this would have caused her to die but that is in the past, both my daughters will be safe in due time”.
Anger boiled in my body as I clenched my fists, I took deep breaths “He will pay, one day he will mess with the wrong people”.
Sara came out and said “Indeed, Darian. I’m glad to see you again, last time was at the battle in the valley right?”.
“Yes, I thought I lost you,” I said.
“Haha, I cannot be beaten that easily, our family is strong, Clarissa will return and continue her reign as queen, we will stand by her side.”
It was the next day, we will try the spell again, it should work and we will bring her back” Sara said. Same as yesterday I was sitting on the floor and a pain entered my body.
I was back in the plane again and I yelled “Clarissa! Am here for you, where are you?”
“I am here, thank you for coming back,” Clarissa said.
I looked around and I saw her in the distance, I sprinted towards her and kissed her. I whispered, “Let’s return home”.
We both closed our eyes and we both returned.
“Clarissa!” Celine and Sara yelled, they both ran over to her and hugged her.
Clarissa POV
“This is surreal, the family has been reunited again, where is Omen?.” I said.
Sara said, “I know he is your father but once we returned he vanished.”. ‘Why did he do that, is he too scared to face what he has done?’. I will continue my rule over Astrinica with the help from Sara, Celine and Darian. Some time had passed but today, the 11th of March, was my 21st birthday, we celebrated by having a grand feast, I had some news to announce to my family.
I summoned them all to the throne room and dismissed the guards. They entered the room and said, “I have some news that I would like to announce to you all”.
They all started to fidget, but they tried their best to hide it with a smile.
“I recently discovered that I am pregnant!” I shrieked. They were all filled with happiness and they ran towards me and said “Congratulations”.
That is the end of my story. The curse has been lifted, my family is reunited and it will soon be expanded, if it is a girl I would like to call her Bonnie and if a boy am thinking of the name, Blake. What do you think? However I have a feeling of dread, perhaps a new evil is coming or it is just the pregnancy.
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