Slowly I began to explain everything to Lithran and Samantha that my current life was not my first. Lithran stumbled for words trying to formulate an answer for something he already suspected. Once again, I explained that I was indeed Hera with some connection Hekate, I didn’t explain what I saw inside that memory realm as I had with Rias who was still looking for Elinore after finding a lead to her location.
“This is a lot to take in among all that is currently happening. Rias being a reincarnation of Artura and you being Hera. Not to mention you want to look for artoria… someone who wields abyssal magic so well it scares the ten angel lords.” Lithran sighed in his own amusement. I could tell he wanted to say something, but then again it seemed like he was keeping it to himself.
“Lithran, do you know where Artoria is?” I asked looking at him from over his desk. He nodded pulling out his chair slightly and reaching for a lower draw that held a map of Nora in its entirety. Looking over the map, I watched Lithran trace his finger over the light-faded parchment of mapped ink. Lithran’s finger ran across the parchment’s right edge towards a small forest area that had two buildings drawn into it, a large tower, and a hut.
I knew of the tower being once used by the wizard Merlin before he left for another realm not been seen since. From the elven citadel, you can see that very brimming white and gold tower stand out casting a shadow pillar across the slums of Nora. Keeping this in mind I tapped on the hut, having both Lithran and Samantha draw their eyes over to it. Lithran explained that artoria lived in the hut and wouldn’t make trips to Nora often which in itself was suspicious.
I laughed it off at first thinking nothing of it but Lithran gave me a different opinion saying artoria secluded herself for a reason making many elves frightened of her. Going back to what I saw in the memory realm, I asked Lithran if he knew what artoria looked like which he didn’t have a concrete answer for but had heard rumours of her appearance. According to him, artoria had a distinct scar pattern over her arms and neck like she had been cutting herself. Other than that he heard that artoria had a few strands of white mixed into her peach-blonde hair.
Her eyes had lost all their colour becoming purely white making them look hollow as if she had lost all the will to live.
“Elinore would have better answers than I. Elinore was very kind and helpful towards Artoria I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s tried to help from afar. Even from what Elinore has told me, I fear artoria will never pick up the sword again.”
“What do you mean?” his gaze was sunken becoming sore and saddened by the second.
“You’ll understand when you see her. When she came to this continent, she gave up the sword for an unknown reason maybe for good. Five thousand years remembering those days can’t be easy, can it?”
I couldn’t answer him as throughout my life I hadn’t placed my sword aside. I continued to fight until I couldn’t anymore until I succumbed to my own illness. When the illness caught up to me it was the day I drew my last breath in Rias’s arms. My emotions began to waver not going unnoticed by Samantha and Lithran who lowered his own head moving his mouth to speak, he was about to tell me something I should’ve known sooner.
“After your death back th- Ah no. I shouldn’t be the one to tell you… Rias should be the one.” He said pushing his chair from under him. Moving round the desk he placed his hand on my left shoulder before he called in maids to assist Samantha who I hadn’t got a chance to talk to. I watched as she left the room with Lithran, her short golden rose locks flowed down her back masking every pain that was evident on her scarred pale white skin.
Closing my eyes, I focused on something of the past in this life. Trying to think of clues to why artoria would put down the sword, nothing came to mind apart from one conversation I had with her when she told me a little of her past as a kid. She told me of the days she was bullied for being weak and abused by her family for having abyssal magic, this helped me form a short conclusion that after the war she no longer wanted to fight. Live a life of peace away from conflict.
Returning to the present moment I pulled away from Lithran’s desk. Picking up the map I scanned the path Lithran drew into it to help guide me towards the forest. Not wanting to waste another moment I left the office of the king, moving towards the large gates of the citadel a few hundred feet from me on a lower floor. The citadel corridors began to fill with quiet unintelligible whispers, the more I walked through the corridors. This didn’t come as a surprise as I had changed form and practically shapeshifted overnight.
It didn’t take that long for me to reach the doors of the citadel, the giant elven oak construction loomed overhead. I still hadn’t gotten used to the feeling they gave after being here for nearly four days. Nevertheless, I continued to walk through the citadel towards the even bigger entrance that was guarded by some seasoned veteran guardsmen. They seemed uneased by my approach. They allowed me to pass and gave me the chance to look them over, those same elven men looked ready to fight any time.
As the citadel gate doors opened, I could feel a large number of eyes on me from children to the elderly elves who were well past their prime. ‘Stares always make me feel uncomfortable no matter who it is. Well apart from Rias. I wish she would stare at me more.’ I grew increasingly red in the cheeks just thinking of the moment when Rias didn’t take her eyes off me all morning. Even after pushing the memory far to the back of my mind, I still felt the heat in my face.
“Come on Talia. It shouldn’t affect you this much. Your over five thousand years of age for gods’ sake.” I repeated to myself. The words did not really help so much when I remembered Rias coming up from behind and hugging me at the waist. The single memory from earlier sent my mind into a frenzy of thoughts that plagued me no matter where I walked in Nora. On the off chance I would run into Rias, I doubt I would be able to keep it together.
Nora was quite busy more than usual to the point of strangeness then again, I haven’t been here long enough to see how busy it can truly get as Yule was close to being in full swing. Yule is an incredibly special season for the elves, mainly for the silver elves and dark elves. Wanting to know what all the business was for I came across a couple building a stand. I asked them as politely as I could what was going on.
“Yule is starting soon next week, and we like to prepare early. We are saddened that our queen is missing I hope she comes back soon I really do but no matter how much the people have looked we can’t find her. In any case, we elves have been praying to Marin that our queen returns to us.” This made me hopeful for the elves that even without a queen on the throne, they try to stay strong and continue to help their queen in ways from afar by celebrating Yuletide. It reminded me of the last days of peace in artura’s empire before the war began. Even after the claims, the people still believed that artura was a great queen.
“How the mighty can fall.” I said aloud not realising what I had said.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“I believe that one day this realm will be saved by someone strong enough to lead us to a future where we aren’t in constant danger. My father once spoke of a girl with midnight blue and dark violet hair like you, he told me all the stories apparently, it's taboo to talk about her though.” The second elf suddenly cut himself off after being jabbed by who I assume was his sister. I shook my head and lifted it in response.
“Unlike my race, I don’t consider it taboo. They all hate Hera because she lived up to her own values and the wraiths that followed her yet in the end she was betrayed. Wraiths pride themselves on being the pinnacle of honour yet they have infights and betray their own. Ironic, isn’t it?” I wondered seeing a cat come up to me and begin to rub its head against my ankle, seeing how the siblings reacted to the cat it seemed to be a frequent visitor to their little shop of breaded goods.
“It may be an ironic twist of fate, but she was a good queen from the stories… like that queen artura. Yes, she was brutal, but people loved her and respected her, born as an outcast then formed an empire under one banner then betrayed by her own. Two peas in a pod I suppose.” The siblings shared the same sentiment of me and Rias in our past lives being good people but betrayed for some good decisions we made.
After some time, I moved on from the two siblings who smiled, waving me goodbye. Continuing to walk through the streets of Nora I came across many types of different people, who respected hera and artura and some who did not dislike them but had distrust in them. I didn’t argue back with them as they gave very valid points that were right no matter how you looked toward them asking for their views. It made me realize that we had done wrong both of us and some redemption or seeking penance might not be enough.
Elves were different from humans, they thought of themselves as superior mainly the high elves. They all shared something in common though, they couldn’t care about the trivial matters of the humans unless it benefited them. The lower-class elves on the other hand care more for their relationships with humans aside, the common folk especially. The busy streets of Nora made me take a second to agree with that sentimentality. The streets of Nora reinforced this point, the common elves are like a tight-knit community who are selfless. Caring more for one another than themselves. This suddenly made me think of Lithran. Once a small street urchin, stealing from the rich in a selfless act of protection, to later became a king who cared more for his relationships with other races and his family.
“To Lithran! Our selfless king… Our kind Arisen!” Common Folk yelled in unison pints of Ale against one another.
…
After some time, I came to the entrance of the dark forest in Nora where artoria was living. The opening of the forest reminded me of the barren remains of Chornobyl in the Camelot civil war, eyes shot glances at me from inside. Gnomes, fae and fairies along with magical beasts stared, their gazes followed me no matter what path I took. The staring wasn’t uncomfortable but was quite strange to say the least, maybe the fact I wasn’t used to magical beings was part of it.
“You’re looking for the abyssal knight, right?” A gnome asked coming out from behind a tree. The gnome was maybe the size of a dwarf but looked like your typical hermit who lives in secluded areas of dark influence. I just nodded to the gnome who mumbled something under his breath. “Follow me.” The gnome walked ahead of me a few paces. Every few steps he would look back at me like he was checking for something or checking me.
I didn’t speak up and just followed him through the dark forest the fae, fairies and other gnomes avoided me even the magical beasts did so. Everything around me felt surreal maybe that was the point, colourful fairies to attract people in. Fae to feed on those who are unwanted, gnomes to seek those who should be fed on and magical beasts who feed on the mana. When we were in a clearer area of the forest, it became clear we were going in circles.
“Gnome. Where exactly are we going because I’ve seen this once before.” The first time I saw it, I didn't want to say anything but after that I soon caught on from the increase in everything around me and the gnome gazing at me more, something was up.
“What are you-.”
“Don’t try to deny it. Look at me instead of glances do you recognize this face?” I asked the gnome who stepped back in surprise. His eyes widened looking at me properly, the fae didn’t budge but the fairies scattered like mice. Magical beasts ran from me like rats to a fire. The gnome didn’t speak. “Just take me to her and I don’t care what agreement you have with her, or with whom but I assure you I could level this continent if I wanted.” I noted to the gnome who began to stutter in response.
Not offering a reply he turned away and now began to lead me towards Artoria. I’m surprised I hadn’t noticed sooner that Artoria or her bond may have made a deal with the denizens of this dark dilapidated forest. Leading me through the forest towards Artoria, seemed to make everything flee from me. ‘Is artoria protecting them from the elves.’ I thought following after the gnome closer than before. I somehow found it amusing seeing the gnome’s hat bob up and down as we walked deeper into the forest.
The deeper I walked, the realisation hit that there was magic making the forest seem deeper than it actually was maybe to deter people from entering it. Did not stop the denizens of the said forest from feasting on the people who entered. Just like in my memory of the realm dream we reached a crossroads with only two paths accessible, taking a left turn after the gnome, led me towards a more open area of the forest. The stench of the abyss and dark magic was so prevalent nothing divine could survive in here.
It seemed artoria had delved into a place she shouldn’t have or the abyssal power she created as a child had finally begun to eat away at her.
“Artoria, you are fucking fool. I can smell it from here. Fuck! Abyssal and dark magic isn’t a good mix—well shit!” I exclaimed my worry coupled with angst taking over. The dark magic and abyssal power having a mind of its own, I just narrowly dodged attacks created unwillingly by something. In the centre of the mass of abyssal resonance was a small, thatched cottage with a small flower bed and vegetable patch all lit by a single blue skeletal lantern. In the doorway of this cottage, someone familiar held firm exactly how Lithran described.
“Who are you?” Instantaneously hollowed azure eyes snapped to look directly into my soul.
“Don’t you recognize this face? It's me artoria- well reincarnated but it's me Hera!” I exclaimed placing my hand on my chest. As quickly as her eyes snapped she moved, she jumped maybe five metres. I reached out my hand, but the gnome pulled me back as a spear narrowly missed my face carving a hole into the ground. “she’s gone mad and I’m currently in no position to fight and well… destroying the entire forest. Artoria remembers me. I’m Hera your friend well was and someone you fought alongside with Artura.”
“You’re the reasons she died. YOU! Nimue! It's your fault.” She screamed her anger fuelling into her weapons a spear by way of the dark magic and abyssal corruption. I didn’t want to fight her, so I chose not to. I opened my arms wide, and upon closing my eyes I felt the instant move artoria. Catching her in my arms I squeezed just like I was hugging her. Unlike what I expected she didn’t attack me at first, just stood there lost. Eventually, she pushed me to the ground. Dodging attack after attack I began to notice something… artoria was depressed, That feeling was how she slowly became corrupted by her own abyssal power.
“Artoria are you okay?” The question momentarily stunned her long enough for me to kick her in the side and sending her flying around twenty metres. I clenched my jaw feeling bad I brought harm to her, but it felt necessary in a way.
“Artoria. Both me and Artura were reincarnated. Her name now is Rias and mine is Talia… she’s fine to some degree. Revenge seems to be on her mind a lot, but she’s alive and whatever was my fault tell me… we can work it all out.” I tried to sound comforting to not seem aggressive or forceful.
“LIAR!” Artoria screamed placing a hand over the left side of her face letting go of the spear that dematerialised while keeping a hand on another weapon. Artoria’s hand and bare arms were covered in small one to two-inch scars. ‘Lithran was right. You have been causing harm to yourself. Seeing all the self-harm wounds created a tight pull in my chest.
“What did I do to make something my fault for Ria- no Artura’s death?” I asked artoria who looked at me like I was some kind of savage. She didn’t answer immediately allowing me to step a few paces closer to her. “What did I do?” I asked again. Artoria answered me with that tightness in my chest I still felt quickly but I'm happy I still got an answer from her.
“You could’ve lived or tried to survive but NO! She became lost to madness and if it wasn’t for seris and Nimue… artura would’ve killed herself.” Artoria laughed staring at me.
“My lady do not listen to her. It’s the dark magic playing tricks…”
“Its fine. I think I’ve figured it out now. Artoria your mind has delved so far into darkness that it manifested into reality. You realise that everything you’ve just said is how you truly feel deep down? You caused harm to yourself, feeling powerless and weak but you're not so just let go yeah?” she froze hearing my attempt at slow comfort. Giving me the time to rift-step I was able to push myself to Artoria. She struggled against me as I wrapped my arms around her.
Keeping hold of her I used my aetheric sense to help my base-line wraith magic find the source of the dark pollution inside of her. Being ever so careful I lit a small flame inside her mana core where the pollution source originated from. The wraith flame began to eat away at the pollution with the help of the lightning from my own core. It wasn’t a nice sight to hear Artoria scream in pain but it had to be done.
The wraith flame soon faded from her core, letting the lightning remain seemed to dimmish the dark pollution faster. It obviously will take time for both her and the surrounding area to heal maybe years. Thankfully now though artoria was going to get better although I doubt it would be wise to leave her alone for the time being. It became clear to me that in the five thousand years between Rias’s death as Artura and now, artoria has dealt with a lot. Going so far as to harm herself even attempting to kill herself from how the scar on her neck looks.
“Hera? I thought you were dead?” Artoria asked through labored breaths.
“In the flesh. Reincarnated.”
“What about artura?”
“Yeah, I’m alive. It's good to see you artoria welcome back old friend.”