Epilogue

OUTSIDE THE NEWLY NAMED HOPE’S DEFIANCE

Gr’ex stood before the remaining Bone Marrow goblins. “Gr’onk, our master has chosen you to lead the remaining Bone Marrow clan goblins. Do you accept the position as chief of the Bone Marrow clan and pledge your fealty to our master Shadowalker? He who by right of combat killed Tek’tar and must now decide the fate of your clan.”

“Gr’onk, accepts position of chief of Bone Marrow clan goblins and pledges fealty to the one who wears the Dark Mantle, my master Shadowalker and will follow the wisdom of the great Gr’ex!”

Gr’ex smiled. “Excellent! Now who disagrees with this decision and wishes to challenge it?”

Three large muscular goblins with axes stood up.

“Ah, perfect. Curse of Agony, Curse of Agony, Curse of Agony!” Gr’ex cast three curses, one for each challenger.

All three goblins fell to the ground screaming in pain that went down to their very souls.

Gr’ex looked out at the rest of the goblins who cowered in fear. “Let this be a lesson. You should never dare challenge my words or the commands of our master. Gr’onk has been chosen to lead. Should he fail, Shadowalker, or I will decide who shall succeed him. Is that understood?!”

Like a chorus the goblins replied. “Yes, Great Gr’ex, we shall serve and obey!”

Gr’ex smiled wickedly. ‘Yes! This is how it is supposed to be! As much as I hate to admit it, giving my oath to Shadowalker has grown my own influence and power. He is the one with the Dark Mantle. Fine! That man just keeps getting more blessed as he has gained my loyalty damn it!’

IN KIT’ERAK’S THRONE ROOM

Kit’erak raged. The lich knew the moment the portal was closed. In his fury, he shot one of his slaves with a spell that caused their flesh to decay as they slowly died, only to later be raised as another undead minion. “That worthless Tek’tar! I knew I should not have sent such morons! If only Gr’ex had not died so early in my campaign.”

Kit’erak left the throne room and went into his private laboratory.

Slamming the door shut with magic, he approached the old tomes he had discovered. Rechecking his notes he exclaimed, “I am certain it is there! I may not be able to obtain it prior to the first phase of the integration, but that just means more undead minions when I pry it from their dead bodies.”

Kit’erak chuckled. He, he, he, he, he. Yes, I will need to grow my army if I intend to keep it. I’ll make the demons think I am just reallocating my forces to wipe out any resistance from the Light. They are so blinded by their hatred; they will not care. By the time they do, it will be too late, and my master will break into this reality and lay waste to our enemies!”

“First I will contact the demons that poisonous woods, Holly Woods I believe the demons called it.” Kit’erak said as he launched a special Orb of Communication, he kept behind anti-scrying enchantments to ensure his plans could not be overheard.

The face of a horned demon came into clear view inside the orb. “What do you want lich?”

“Where is Abaddon?” Kit’erak asked as he ignored the disrespectful tone of the demon.

“It is none of your concern. Why have you called us?” the demon replied.

Kit’erak decided to gamble. “I must speak with Abaddon. I require more forces to quell an uprising of the Light.”

“The Light in the apocalypse! Unacceptable!” The demon roared before he calmed down and continued. “Abaddon is checking in on his latest pet, a possible Dark Summoner. What do you require to deal with the blight that is the Light?”

“I will have to bring some of my forces through your Lost Angels territory. Supplies and weapons, perhaps some human slaves I can use as fodder or make undead minions out of.” Kit’erak replied.

“Very well you will have what you require. Do not fail us Kit’erak, the Light is not allowed to remain in this world, it belongs to the Dark.” The demon said before cutting off the connection.

After putting the orb away behind the anti-scrying enchantments, Kit’erak picked up a different orb.

Kit’erak activated his Orb of Communication to contact one of his apprentices. “They should be in a land with many ports, or something like that. Yes, he must move southeast and claim my prize.”

SOMEWHERE DARK AND DREARY

‘What am I doing here in frigid cold? Doing what I must, that’s what.’ Lilandra thought as she glided about the snow, that by her estimate was several feet deep.

The former queen of the djinn used her control over the elements to surround her with warm air as she glided along. No matter how hot she made the layer of air, the snow beneath her never melted and Lilandra still couldn’t completely shake off the bone weary cold.

She finally spotted her destination. “That log cabin looks like something out of a horror movie. Ah human entertainment, what nightmares they conjure for themselves. When will they learn.” Lilandra said to herself more as a distraction for her mind than anything.

As she approached the door, Lilandra hesitated. Was she truly ready to do this? No, but she knew she had to. The Light and the Dark were making moves, she had too as well. Mind made up; Lilandra opened the cabin door.

Upon entering she saw no fire in the hearth, no candle, only a dull glow that seemed to radiate all around the interior. Lilandra’s eye took in the array of animal skins hanging on a few racks, clearly in the middle of the tanning process. Blood was on the floor in some places, mostly near a table that looked to be used for skinning animals.

A voice spoke in the darkness. “I see you are free from your prison. Why have you come to my home uninvited, dearie?”

Lilandra could not pinpoint the direction the voice was coming from, so she just spoke as she turned in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the owner of this place. “I have come seeking your aid.”

Lightning quick, a blade flashed, pointed up towards her throat. As Lilandra looked down to the wielder, she saw an old crone of a woman in old, ratted robes, slender to the point of bony. Her skin was white as snow, as was the color of her hair tied in a bun. She had one hand on the long skinning knife and the other on a cane that she was leaning on. What caught Lilandra’s attention the most though was the old woman’s cold piercing blue eyes.

The old crone spoke. “You come seeking my help?! You may be my daughter’s sister, but you are no child of mine! The nerve you have for even daring to enter my home! I should gut you, here and now! Skin you alive for even daring to intrude on my domain!”

Every one of the old woman’s words felt like the cold slap of sleet from a raging blizzard. Lilandra took it all. She knew why the old crone was angry and she agreed with her completely. But she was here not for herself but her master. “I wish to talk. Allow us a chance to speak and I will go after, never to return if you so wish it.”

“Careful dearie, a wish from a djinn offered cannot be undone.” The old crone retorted before continuing. “Why would I bother to deal with the djinn? Your children were part of why I lost my son-in-law, and I actually truly liked him. Your people’s actions broke my daughter’s heart and left my granddaughter without a father! Again, why should I not unmake you where you stand?”

Lilandra knew such words were not an idle threat. This woman was known as the unmaker and could easily end her if Lilandra did not put up a fight.

“Because I need to speak with your daughter regarding the one, I serve. The Light and Dark are on the move again.”

“They are always on the move. Damn them and their constant war!” The old crone retorted.

Lilandra ignored the outburst and continued. “The apocalypse has been unleashed, you must’ve felt it, even from here.” Lilandra answered.

A large black crow cawed in the corner.

CAW! CAW!

The old woman went completely still for a moment, looked back at the crow then back at Lilandra. A second later she withdrew her blade and hid it in her robes just as lightning quick as before. “Very well. I will listen, but only for a moment. Come, have a seat.”

“Thank you. How do you wish me to address you, Morta, Atropos, Unmaker?” Lilandra replied unsure how to proceed.

“Please you can call me Mother Winter here. I have no need to hide what I am in my place of power.” Mother Winter said as she sat down on one of the two remaining wooden chairs and motioned to the wooden chair in front of Lilandra.

“Thank you.” Lilandra said as she took her seat.

Lilandra took a breath to gather her thoughts before speaking. “The one that I serve is the one that freed me from my prison. I have become his first disciple. He is why I have come. I believe the Light doesn’t trust him and may move against him. The Dark has already made moves against him by taking a man he calls brother and twisting him to their purposes.”

“Careful dearie. Winter is all too familiar with the Dark, we must keep it and other things far worse at bay now, thanks to your failures. Now, tell me, what makes this one so special, beyond freeing you that is.” Mother Winter asked.

“He has claimed ownership of the Hidden Infinite Nexus Realm.” Lilandra replied.

Ice immediately formed on the tip of Mother Winter’s cane before she slammed it into the floor causing the ice to shatter. “WHAT?! IMPOSSIBLE!!! NO ONE CAN CLAIM THE INFINITE NEXUS!”

The crow cried out again and Mother Winter settled down.

CAW! CAW!

Lilandra took the opening. “Only one such as him could have done it. He possesses complete affinity for all magics, such a thing is exceptionally rare but not unheard of.”

“Yes, but that is only found in the royal bloodline of those dragons, and they are all gone!” Mother Winter protested.

“As you know, my prison and penance were to be the arbiter for the Hidden Infinite Nexus Realm. A place that no one could find, trapping me forever.” Lilandra replied.

Mother Winter growled. “You’ll get no sympathy from me or my family.”

Lilandra held up her hands. “I am not seeking any. I would have paid the price over and over again for the part my kind had in so many deaths. What resulted...”

“Enough! Get to the point child! Winter is direct and bites down to the bone. Logic is our way, not flowery words.” Mother Winter scolded.

Lilandra knew this would not be easy. Sighing, she continued. “I come to you for more than one reason. First, I ask that you tell your daughter, my once sister in arms, all that we discuss on this day, so she may decide for herself what to do. Second, know that I came to Winter first.”

Mother Winter waved her hand in dismissal. “Please, you and I both know Summer’s hot rage would result in their instant attack. You came to Winter because as cold and harsh we may be, our logic can temper our fury. My daughter and I are the only ones who can stand against Summer when they discover you have been released from your prison...”

CAW! CAW!

Mother Winter paused as she heard the crow calls. “Well perhaps we are not the only ones, but it matters not. I see through you child. You were always the youngest of us.”

Lilandra nodded. She knew she could not fool the Old Crone. “True. I want Winter to meet the man I call Master and decide on whether to align with the Master of the Hidden Infinite Nexus Realm. He will need powerful allies now that that realm has been discovered.”

Lilandra held up her hand to forestall Mother Winter’s retort. “Plus, the apocalypse being unleashed on Earth will cause realms to merge back creating a possible connection with the Hidden Realm. If a connection is made, and the Dark or something worse gets their hands on it, we all could be in grave danger.”

“That I can agree with you on. Is that all you have to say? I grow tired of this conversation.” Mother Winter replied.

Lilandra took another breath. This next part had to be handled with the utmost care. One wrong move could spell the end for her new master. “There is one last thing. I believe, but am not sure, that I have encountered the reincarnation of the Huntsman.”

Mother Winter rose from her seat as ice began to form everywhere. Spikes of ice jutted from every direction inching ever closer to Lilandra, but before Mother Winter could say anything the crow cawed again.

CAW! CAW!

Mother Winter sat back down but did not dismiss the ice. “Explain... now!”

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Lilandra did as she was asked. “As you know, many fell in the Great War so long ago. The Huntsman’s loss left nature in turmoil. No one to call for the Great Hunt means no one to rally others to cull those monsters who seek to upend the balance. The magic that is the Great Hunt is part of Winter’s domain as it is typically conducted during the height of Winter.”

Mother Winter growled. “I was there at the first hunt! I need no history lesson child! Now quit stalling and tell me where a most precious child of Winter is!”

Lilandra knew this situation was precarious at best. She risked the Old Crone’s wraith but had to stick with the plan. “The Huntsman is a child of spring, born between the seasons and you know that...” she held up her hands as she saw Mother Winter reach inside her robe.

“I am merely being precise. Do not worry, I acknowledge Winter’s claim. The Wild Hunt is always conducted at the height of Winter’s power.” Lilandra quickly added.

That seemed to mollify Mother Winter, as she withdrew her hand from her robe.

Lilandra pushed on. “Now as I said, I cannot be sure. Animals and creatures of nature seemed to recognize his authority and either wish to serve him or flee from his presence. The man is a natural hunter, like he was born to it. These are just some of my observations, there is more, but still, I am unsure. So, my suspicion is only that, a suspicion. Should that prove not valid, I ask you not take out your disappointment on the man. Can I have Winter’s agreement on this?”

Mother Winter sighed. “You have my agreement on it, but I will not speak for my daughter. But I will share your words with her. Knowing this is only a chance and perhaps a slim one at that, will temper her fury at not regaining some of Winter’s former power. Why do you care though? You ask for much for some random creature. Why would you be so careful as to gain agreements before revealing their name and location, it makes no sense.”

Lilandra knew this was it. She mentally crossed her fingers. “His name is Deathwalker. He is the one that freed me and is the Master of the Hidden Infinite Nexus Realm.”

Mother Winter dropped her cane. After a moment composing herself, the cane flew into her hand, and she leaned on it once again. “No wonder you were so careful. You know if it turns out he is the Huntsman it will give Winter a claim on that most sacred realm and more importantly a new home for our people. My daughter...”

Mother Winter paused for a moment to find the right words. “She would not like the outcome should this suspicion prove false. Too much would ride on it. My daughter may take matters in her own hands to bring this Deathwalker to our side. Go now. I must consider the words you have shared.”

The spikes of ice receded and dissolved into nothing.

Lilandra bowed her head in acknowledgment before standing. “If you do decide to tell her, he is exploring the land of Timberfall. When you talk to Mab, would you include one last thing?”

Mother Winter looked up from her contemplation and stared at Lilandra but did not speak. Lilandra took that as opening enough.

“Tell her that I miss my dear friend and sister. We once were the closest of friends, like sisters. She may never be able to forgive me, but I still miss her and Tatania both. The three of us were to be your successors, but the results of the war changed so much.”

Lilandra quickly left before she made a fool of herself. For millennia she had watched Deathwalker’s home reality and his world. She had found great entertainment in watching them grow and invent new things. Which is why she could not reveal the one thing she witnessed, not even with her new master. The fact that in his act of claiming the Infinite Nexus, it became the catalyst that caused all of this, including the very apocalypse on his world.

She observed a new player on the stage, this Shadowalker, and worried for when he crossed paths with Deathwalker. Shadowalker had to many attributes of the Dark. Should he learn Deathwalker was the cause of so much suffering, Lilandra was concerned what would happen. No, she would not reveal that until she absolutely had to.

————-

Once Mother Winter felt Lilandra leave her realm she turned to the giant crow. It took to the air and started to shimmer as it transformed. In its place was an Irish looking woman with red hair in robes fit for any battle mage.

The Morrigan took the seat Lilandra was just sitting in and smiled at her longtime friend.

Mother Winter looked at the Morrigan. “Well, what do you think my old friend?”

“Fate twists and turns around this master of hers as does it twist around others. It clouds my vision of her and most definitely of him. Whomever he is, I can tell you three things...” Morrigan paused and collected her thoughts.

Morrigan held up a finger. “One, a war greater than any before is coming, I can feel it in my very being.”

She held up a second finger. “Two, Fate twists and turns around him. It calls to him and is a part of him like no other I have witnessed in the weave before. Time is both a part of him and his ally or it will soon be, Time is funny like that. It is hazy but I can sense that much.” The Morrigan explained.

“That is not very helpful. We have known it was only a matter of time, Winter has been fighting back the Dark and worse things beyond the realms for millennia. There is a reason my daughter is called the Queen of Air and Darkness. But a war for the Infinite Nexus, that is worse than even the last Great War of the heavens.” Mother Winter lamented.

“Yes, it will be. As I said that much I can see clearly. And if I can see that in the weave, so can the others.” Morrigan commented as she thought of the spider goddesses that seemed to be rather active lately.

Turning to Mother Winter, Morrigan spoke up “We both must choose sides soon enough. I warn you, my friend. Do not be on the wrong side of this conflict. Every fiber in my being says Winter must join with this Deathwalker.”

Mother Winter sat silently for a minute before speaking up. “You said you had three things to tell me. What was the third?”

Morrigan cast a complex weave of magic to further surround her and Mother Winter.

Mother Winter raised an eyebrow.

Morrigan sighed as she spoke. “Ahhh. One cannot be too careful. This last part is why every fiber in my being says join him. You may only speak of this to Mother Summer should Queen Tatiana find her Oberon. For the Dark has designs on him.”

Mother Winter’s other eyebrow went up.

Morrigan continued. “The Master of the Infinite Nexus is a Nexus himself. I do not speak of just some spark who can act as a knot in the Weave, and influence fate. When I say this, I mean the Nexus of Nexus’s. Only the Creator is greater in this way. Which means God had a hand in this. Imagine it sister, a Nexus like no other Master of the Infinite Nexus! A spark that can influence fate and reality itself in control of a place that is connected to all realities! This will be a war for stakes higher than anything we have encountered before.”

Mother Winter spoke up. “Finding a nexus is difficult at best. Some show themselves as Namers or become lesser gods themselves. How can you be so certain? Even we, the Sisters of Fate, have difficulties finding such beings.”

“My gift is to find them, both on the battlefield and before they come into their true power. I am certain the Light gave me this glimpse. For when I check the Weave to find this Deathwalker, he cannot be found. The strand is hidden now.” Morrigan explained.

“That would be the influence of the Hidden Realm. For you to have glimpsed it says much, but it does not prove anything to me, nor will it matter to my daughter. If he is the Huntsman, Winter will make their claim.” Mother Winter commented.

“Then you will join this upcoming war? I thought you and Mother Summer were not involved in such matters any longer. You told me that falls to the current queens.” Morrigan replied.

“Neither my daughter, nor I will remain neutral again, but we must be certain before choosing a side.” Mother Winter answered.

“Then know this. I also sense other sparks of Fate, knots in the Weave are emerging. All are either tied to this Deathwalker or have some connection with him. Some may be a brother in arms others could be something else altogether, even an enemy. Either way they have a part to play in this upcoming conflict.” Morrigan explained.

“If there are more knots in Weave why this one? Why not one of the others?” Mother Winter asked.

“When I try to look at the other knots, I feel an echo that traces back to either Deathwalker himself or something he does. That many knots tied to one being...” Morrigan shook her head before continuing. “No, I will make myself known to this Deathwalker when the time comes.” Morrigan replied.

Mother Winter sighed. She was too old for all this. “Very well my old friend, I think I will join you. If he is the Huntsman, Winter must have him again. This Deathwalker must be assessed and only a queen can do so. As a queen of Winter, I should have enough of Winter in me to see if he truly is the one, we seek.”

Morrigan nodded in agreement.

“Though, from what you tell me, I should side with him regardless. As you know, my old friend, that is not Winter’s way.” Mother Winter commented.

Morrigan chuckled. “Ha! No, it is not, but my advice still stands. I will welcome the company on the journey regardless.”

Mother Winter nodded. “I will inform my daughter of what I have learned. I do not expect her to rush if I inform her of my intentions to meet the man...”

Morrigan finished her statement. “But she may not be fully rational in such matters. These things bring up old wounds that have never fully healed. Our decisions are our fate unless we make different decisions to offset the outcome.”

Mother Winter smiled at her oldest friend. “Come let us plan our trip to Timberfall and go before Mother Summer returns.”

SOMEWHERE IN A LUSH FOREST

A small fairy flew as fast as their wings could carry them. They entered the royal hall of the Summer Court like lightning, only stopping in front of Queen Titania.

The fairy bowed. “M-my Queen!”

“What is so important you break with protocol and risk incurring my wraith?!” Queen Titania inquired.

The little fairy trembled. They had definitely drawn the short straw. “M-Mother Summer is...”

“What about my mother?!” Queen Titania interrupted as her red hair began to glow like fire.

The double doors swung open and an older woman with a cane strode in with confidence. She may be a crone but still held a vibrancy of life to her that age could not seem to take. “The fairy is trying to tell you I am here my daughter!”

“Mother? You are here! W-what? W-why?” Queen Titania stammered out in shock as her mind tried to wrestle with the situation.

She could count on one hand the number of times she had seen her mother outside her shared realm with Mother Winter.

Mother Summer walked halfway through the hall when she stopped and slammed the end of her cane on the hall floor.

THUD! THUD! THUD!

“LEAVE US! NOW!” Mother Summer commanded.

There were various fey nobles and attendants present. They all vanished, moving as quickly as possible to not incur either queen’s wraith. As they all were making a quick exit, Mother Summer continued to approach her daughter.

Once they were alone, Mother Summer erected multiple anti-scrying and spying barriers. Queen Titania had a look of shock on her face. This was most unusual for her mother.

‘What is going on?’ Queen Titania thought.

Mother Summer embraced her daughter in a hug. “It is good to see you, my daughter.”

Queen Titania just sat there in confusion. Her mother hadn’t been very affectionate, or understanding for that matter, for thousands of years. Ever since Titania made the mistake of joining the Dark in the last war to show her support to her people, her mother had become distant.

When they lost the war, Titania’s love, her soulmate, and King of the Fae, Oberon gave up his life to save her and the remaining fey who survived the war. This more than anything had driven a wedge between Titania and her mother so large you could fit star systems in between them. So, receiving a hug from her mother was the most baffling of events for Titania.

Mother Summer spoke up as Tatiana remained frozen in utter confusion. “Has it been so long that you don’t remember how to hug your mother?”

“Uh! No... it is just...” Tatania began to say but decided to go with it. ‘When might I ever get another one of these?’ Queen Titania thought as she returned her mother’s hug.

The two remained that way for a few moments until Mother Summer broke the embrace. She stepped back to get a better look at her daughter. “We have much to discuss. I do not have as much time as I would like before I must return to my sister, Mother Winter.”

“What is with all this secrecy, mother? What would you hide from Winter or the Summer court for that matter?” Titania asked.

Mother Summer smiled. “Sharp as ever my daughter.”

“Physical affection and now a compliment. You have hardly even spoken to me directly in thousands of years, usually choosing intermediaries, now this. I just... Why?” Titania settled on the question she really wanted answered.

Mother Summer knew her own pain and loss caused her to shun her own daughter for far too long. “I have left you alone in your grief, due to my own feelings of loss. For that I am sorry.”

Queen Titania was even more floored by those simple words. In her entire life, this was the second time her mother said sorry. The first being when Titania took up the burden as queen. If she did not know for a fact the person in front of her was her mother, Tatiana would think she was speaking to an imposter.

Mother Summer sighed. “I still do not fully trust your decisions daughter, which is why I have come.”

“There is the heart of it. But why now? I have been Queen of Summer for thousands of years and you have rarely interfered with any of my decisions, even when I chose to side with the Dark in the last Great War. What has you so concerned, mother?” Titania challenged.

Mother Summer sighed again. “No, I have only offered council when you asked for it. Perhaps that is part of my failing, but life finds a way and I felt so must you.”

She paused before continuing. “My sister is focused on the ending or unmaking of things, that has always been her domain. Mine has always been in birth and rebirth, life itself. As that is my dominion, I have been given a glimpse of fate, a vision that I have come to share with you daughter, but only you. Our court must not yet know. I fear not all of them can be trusted, and Winter must not be told until we have no choice.”

Queen Titania stood up straighter in her throne made of elegantly shaped wood. It was clear what her mother was about to share held great importance.

“The Light promised Oberon would one day be reborn. That was their only concession for us. The only glimmer of hope to regain our king. I have witnessed a knot in the Weave. One that tells me in my bones Oberon is in the world you now reside in. But I see a darkness that creeps ever closer to turn this hopeful future king to their side.”

“My husband lives?! I have heard of no new fey born. Do not toy with my heart mother, I cannot bear any more suffering to it. Far too many pretenders have come and failed, burned to ash for their transgressions!” Queen Titania’s eyes flared with power as flames erupted from her hand.

“Calm yourself, my daughter. Fate is a difficult thing to read. What I know is he was not born to the fey, but he is one of us. Much has been set in motion and caution is required. Now is when you must be patient...” Mother Summer was interrupted by her daughter.

“I have been patient long enough! Where is this hopeful Oberon?! I will test him!”

Mother Summer put her hand on her daughter’s shoulder and the fires died out instantly. “No daughter. You cannot be the first to test him. What I have glimpsed says he must be tested by others first.”

Mother Summer could see the pain in her daughter’s eyes. “I know you have waited and your heart aches for your mate, I miss him too. But you must wait a bit longer. There are other sparks that have ignited recently. They are all knots in the Weave. So many, in such a short timeframe, speak of a new age of great change coming. We cannot afford to be on the wrong side of this inevitable conflict again.”

Titania stared into her mother’s eyes. The resolute look in her mother’s eyes made her hold in her retort.

Mother Summer, seeing her daughter’s fire tempered yet waiting to lash out at a moment’s notice, nodded in acknowledgement. “Very well daughter. I will be the one to test this would-be-king. I ask you to wait until I am certain. I ask this as one of the Parcae. This is a matter for the Fates.”

Queen Titania was now shocked for an additional time. Her mother never asked her anything. She told, but never asked.

‘This is her olive branch.’ Titania thought before speaking up.

Queen Tatania’s voice took on a formal tone. “I will do this out of respect for the Queen that Was and for one of the Fates. Is there anything else one of the Parcae has need of?”

Mother Summer withdrew her hand from her daughter’s shoulder. Sadness filled her eyes. This was not how she had hoped the reunion would go, but she had one more issue to address.

Mother Summer’s voice took on an equal formality. “Yes, I have one more request for the Queen of the Summer Court. The spider goddesses are attempting to manipulate the Weave. A Dark Summoner has been brought to the underground lands of the Dark Elves. The Dark with the help from Winter has laid claim over this knot in the Weave. I do not know if the Winter Queen is involved, but a Dark Summoner is an army unto themselves, they are beyond dangerous. If they were to become a general in the Dark’s army...”

Mother Summer shook her head. “No! Summer must not join the Dark, you must intercede, Queen of Summer!”

“A Dark Summoner is a being of legend! You say the Dark has already laid claim to this creature! And you just told me the Dark has machinations on the man who might be the reincarnation of my lost love! And you want me to not align with a force that could deliver me both!” Queen Titania said in frustration.

Mother Summer’s voice took on a tenderness Titania had not heard for thousands of years. “Yes, my daughter. Summer must learn its lesson from the last war. If we can save our hopeful king, we will, but everything I have seen in the Weave says if we join the Dark, all of Summer, all of life and nature is lost.”

Titania took on an equal tone of tenderness and concern. “What of your grandchild? If she were to find out Oberon is reborn, not even I could stop her machinations.”

Mother Summer nodded. “That is why she must not know. If you must reveal anything about this day, let it be of the danger of the Dark Summoner and our pledge to the Light to fight the Dark alongside Winter. If Winter has gone back on their word, we will fight them alongside the Light.”

“Very well mother. I will do as you ask, but not right away.” Queen Tatania raised her hand this time to forestall her mother.

“I agree a Dark Summoner is one of the deadliest threats the Dark can wield, but there is rumor of a powerful prophecy being fulfilled on this world. Summer must see its outcome as well. This world is the closest thing we have to a home since our exile from Avalon. I will ask your granddaughter to intercede on this prophecy. Only then will I address this Dark Summoner.” Queen Titania explained.

Mother Summer nodded. “Very well. I will abide by this decision. Give my granddaughter my love. I must return to my realm. I must find a way to distract my sister long enough to test this would-be-king.”

End of Apocalypse Unleashed-Book 1: And So It Begins