Chapter 4: Cloaked Raven

Years began to pass under a typical rainy day in Ovoroth. Gale winds picked up the pace. Cleia drew in her cloak closer to her. It flapped violently in the wind. Her mouth contorted and changed into a beak, resembling Kee’s. Hands were replaced by talons as she perched on a rock twisted by the winds. Shelter avoided the animals that were too late. Try as they might. Their little claws were unable to keep them grounded.

Kee’s beak feasted on the unfortunate. Often gobbling up more than several fish or crab. Cleia herself was used to it at this point. The disgust on the people’s faces of Ovoroth when she died made her sad. Even though she and everyone else had been treated so poorly in that endless expanse of darkness. Just out of the light of Heatherweald. Much like how Kee was stuck in that serene place. Much as she and Kee focused on the place, even with both of their minds together, could not reach it.

Amidst the squall a figure lumbered over. She picked up on this and continued to feast.

“After all these years. I still cannot use to devouring creatures whole.” He stepped closer. Shell like patterns across his face. Dark blue covered him from chest to toe. Sand parted as a shell hand kept an iron grip on a club.

“Never once have I seen you act the part of your form. Suppose I should be lucky.” Cleia said.

The club crashed down next to her. The man picked up a crab and stared right into her eyes. Before a word was spoken, the hardened shell of a lost Ovorothian crab was smashed to bits. Chunks of flesh flew by her face. Both with stone cold expressions in the storm.

“I really do despise being such a savage. This time is an exception.” He said.

Cleia poked at his shell with her beak.

“You are rather nasty, Hannigar.” She said.

“Like wise you little brat.” He let his scales melt away and ruffled her hair.

The two of them made their way down the shoreline to a great tower.

Cleia bent down, while keeping her eyes on the tower. Before her feet could fully leave the ground. Hannigar stopped her in place.

“You know I’m not that athletic or possess the ability to fly, correct? Care for giving me a lift?” He couldn’t help but grin. He knew the answer.

“I can’t carry your whale sized ass and fly up at the same time.” She said pursing her lips.

“You win. Let’s go.” She stormed off to the tower while Hannigar laughed. Inside the tower almost felt like the depths below. It was dark and nearly empty.

“About time you two showed up. Didn’t think this was going to happen.” The man said, one hand leaning on face.

“Still anxious as ever, Mathias.” Hannigar said.

“I just want to make sure father and mother, let alone an official from the army find us out here.” Mathias said. His gaze shifted to the stone walls. Symbols of Ovorothian etched into the walls. His father told him countless generations and people marked this tower. Even before the nation was fully developed. How long had this tower been here actually, was anyone’s guess.

“Don’t worry. If I must Kee will shroud us from any danger.” Cleia said.

“Well then. Let us get to it.” Mathias said.

The two men led the way. Hannigars club clutched in both hands. Cleia raised her arms, fully cloaked in black feathers. She plucked a feather out and sharpened it with her talons.

I hope this is all we will need. Kee spoke to her inside her mind.

Same. Let us find what we came here for and get back home as soon as possible. Cleia echoed.

The tower was a straight shot until they got to the top. A great door of oak full of swirling symbols bared their path. Everyone took their turn to open the door with mixed results. Walls were to be searched next. That led to hands furiously tampering with the stone. No luck. Depicted inside the symbols a snake orbited the sun. Another a turtle carried the moon. It made their heads spin. No one knew what this was. Even if they had brought someone with knowledge of century old carvings, they would not know. Ovoroth was occupied taking care of itself. Their closet neighbors, the island of Archveil had rumored to been active.

With frustration, Cleia leaned against the door.

Please open. I must find a way to help those below. I can’t break my promise. Not after what I’ve been made to do over these several years. Not even Kee can believe what has transpired since she was let through.

With her modified strength from Kee she pushed as hard as possible for a last-ditch effort. The door creaked and moaned like wood splinter and flung off the hinges. Hannigar came forward and knocked the end of his club into the door. Light poor through as it made contact. Mathias slammed into it and together they made it through. Before them a labyrinth of doors wound in a funnel. Bewilderment came over them.

“This is hardly what I consider treasure and knowledge. What is this?” Hannigar said.

“I…don’t know. I expected maps, treasure, blueprints, artifacts and the like you know. Not a bunch of doors in a cylindric shape.” Mathias muttered. He went up to one of the doors and grasped a handle. Shaped oddly, which made his handshake. Human fingers and wrist. It was the only way, for this door. He gave them a smile and thumbs up.

“We came for some kind of answer since everyone else is so tight lipped. Let’s not leave this place empty handed.” Mathias said. Beads of sweat fell from his brows.

“Defying the order Ovoroth, we have already martyred ourselves We may have to split ways once this is over.” Hannigar said, giving the two a nod.

“It’s okay. We need to stop them. Powers from Heatherweald were never intended for warfare and self-preservation.” Cleia said and put a hand on Mathias’s. Hannigar joined in. The three of them had seen worse than just a skeletal hand. The barbaric nature of their people. Lead them down this path. Cartilage popped as the handle turned. They all took a step into the unknown.

Cleia readied her arms, the feathers turning razor sharp. Malice was somewhere in here. She looked back at the door. Tentacles slithered towards the light. If attempting to escape. Soon as the light hit the frail strands grasping out its warmness, they deteriorated. Only specs remained. Each step felt like a mile away from the door, left open. Particles of black continued to merge and leak out.

“What is this place?” Cleia said quietly. Below their feet an endless expanse of black greeted them.

It feels familiar, somehow. Almost as if...this was another layer to Heatherweald. There is no mistaking it. Kee said. Speaking to Cleia in her mind.

This is much more distressing than when we first met. Cleia thought. No life or color, just darkness.

She squeezed her fist and went back to the light. Clearly there was nothing here. The other two noticed this and shrugged, then followed her. Mathias slammed the door in frustration. She went over and placed a hand on his shoulder. No words needed to be said and they moved on to the next door. Hours of searching led to the same. Empty vast of nothingness. The strange corridor to nowhere is coming to an end. One last door awaited them. The handle was simply ordinary. It swung open before they could touch it. Bright white mist floated through enveloping their ankles.

Spirals of water surrounded Cleias arms. That hardened expression turned to laughter. It had tickled. Water ebbed and flowed around her leading her somewhere. Only the thoughts of how ticklish and lighthearted this place felt could be focused on. Tap tap tap. That sound caught her off guard. From the stupor she spun all the way around. Just her. Mathias and Hannigar were nowhere to be seen. She called out to them, adding the pitch of a ravens at the end of her words. Echoes did not travel here. The words fell flat, but the tapping continued. Teeth clenched together as her toes turned into talons.

A single black shape emerged out of the mist. With a plop Cleia fell to a knee and squinted.

“Kee, its another birdie like you! There are none like you at home.” She exclaimed.

Feathers shot to the ground. The mass of feathers rapidly piled up. Kee formed just a bit taller than the stranger.

“I can’t believe it. This must be a dream, must it?” Kee said and approached cautiously.

Red marked its way from the corner of its eyes. Before intricate patterns made their way along its little body and wings.

“Kuu. It is you, is it not?” Kee said and wobbled forward just a bit. The other raven, Kuu lowered its head and the two just stared at each other.

“Is everything alright Kee?” Cleia asked. Before she could say anything else, Kee rose a wing. She nodded and gazed into the mist. The familiar sound of Hannigars club being drug caught her ears. The two men had finally caught up to her. Mathias’ head sunk low. Two turtles kept pace with Hannigar as they got closer. Veering to her right Cleia looked at both turtles. One of them had red patterns as well, much like this stranger Kuu.

“Just getting caught up now huh? Well be warned, we definitely are not leaving empty handed.” Mathias said. Head still stooped over.

Hannigar wore the same expression and looked down at the turtles. In turn they looked back. With a faint smile he spoke to Clelia.

“Hopefully those two are almost done. We need to leave. There is going to be a battle here very soon. One that we will get caught up in and lose.”

Cleia’s expression dampened, and she got closer to her friends.

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“What is going on?” She asked.

“We may have just picked the worst time to come. King Malgerius is planning to destroy this place.” Mathias said. He looked at his surroundings plucking suspended water droplets.

“Not only that. Grayland has sent an emissary to finally observe this place. They have snuck through international waters. Lastly, Idol ones. From wars long since raged. Have awoken and are already on this stretch of decrepit land.” He finished and crossed his arms.

“What are we waiting for then? Let us go. Kee, you ready?” She asked. Two sets of raven eyes focused on her. Then they both tilted their heads slightly. Shadow stretched out from under Cleia as something approached from behind. Sharpened for battle the feathered quill cut through the air behind her. Steel met her arm, and she was stopped dead in her tracks. Steel had managed to be sliced open. A scratch compared to hulking body encompassing it. Hannigar gripped his club and swung. The sound alone made Mathias cover his ears. Instantly upon contact the club fell to pieces. Shards of wood falling into mist below like harmless water drops.

“Very nice. I am impressed you managed to lay a blow on me.” Mist parted as steel arms made the mist part. With a long black robe on, etched in gold and red, a giant man made from steel approached them. Fear took the three. They were easily dwarfed in size and obviously strength.

“I shouldn’t be surprised nothing was here. Those Ovorothians are nearly as crafty as me. You three however, are certainly a surprise.” Mathias felt like his body was going to be torn apart as the man looked his way. That smile held nothing back, pure lunacy.

“My, my. The son of Ovoroth himself.” The man bowed. Smile never leaving his face.

“You two over there. Just as interesting. Attuned and modified without any technology. True Marrows. How I envy such a connection.”

Cleia stepped in front of Kee and Kuu. Each one hiding behind a leg. This just made the man laugh. Echoes this time rippled the molecules and water themselves. The ground even seemed to tremble. With a step forward, he was over them again.

“Wh-what and who are you? What do you want here?” Cleia asked.

He squatted down as far as he could to meet her height.

“Your tenacity for being such a young sprout is admirable. I am Avaron, head of the chapel of Grayland. Preferably The First Sinner.” The aura he gave off was too imposing, they were hardly able to move or speak correctly.

“I am here for a certain key, or piece if you would. To change this world for the better. If you are oblivious to Graylands benefit for this planet. Then I’m not sure what to tell you. Most countries of this world have already accepted our proposals. They have ascended. Soon we will spread out of this world. Claiming other worlds, making them our own. Without the shells that bind us here.”

“We won’t- “Avaron turned to look at Mathias. Ever so amused.

“You have already accepted it. Young prince. Why do you think your society in Ovoroth works the way it does? Malgerius, had agreed to this long ago. Defensive structures, weapons, and everything your precious city revolves around, our hand has been involved.”

Mathias grunted and took an orb of water gently in his hands. He had already known, or just found out through the mist of this strange place. The number of things he saw here pissed him off. Deep down, he knew this was a fact. Cleia looked at him and mirrored the downcast look.

Cleia had only been above surface for five years. New as she was, she was let out of many things. Her parents had been missing since the first day they got back. Since then, all she had done was fight in countless battles in and around Ovoroth. Mathias and Hannigar kept her company after all this time. Resentment continued to climb as the three were often ignored. Down at the base of Heatherweald the rituals went on. Firsthand they saw what happened. Every single attempt since Cleia’s failed. The king struck them down in that chamber. Piles of bodies could be seen piling up and alongside the crystal.

Melgerius led them through the underground prison city beneath Ovoroth. The familiar sound of marching boots boomed through the halls. Sickness permeated the bile-stained walls. The colors matched well with the clothing and equal dirty cages. From the bridge of her nose past a mask of feathers shielded Cleia’s face. Hannigar nudged into her and pulled her aside for the moment. He couldn’t hide his age behind the hardened shell on his face.

“I can’t believe you lived here. To call this home. I can’t wrap my head around it.” He spoke. In an incredibly low voice. Trying to avoid touching anything beside the floor.

Clelia’s raven eyes overtook her normal pair and took in the surroundings. She had no answer. Simply being born in the dark. References to anything else outside here were unavailable. Besides the few outsiders that got thrown in. Like father’s friend Kai. Together they moved through the labyrinth city. The king boasted about how he conquered this place. Over the years, never once did he or his family appear to age. Consorts and leaders as well. The names of older tribes, The Thara and The Arch made their way to her ears. Apparently, both groups had been locked up down here. How could she have known anyhow. Rarely was there any interaction with people. All the interaction was just above them, a sub level before going to the surface.

Avaron stood there still as a statue awaiting their answer. The floor began to shake violently. The mist parted and hit the floor. Immediately water rose up to their feet. Both ravens jumped up on Celia’s shoulders. We need to leave. Something is wrong here. A battle must have started. Kee said.

Her gaze went to Avaron with her normal gray eyes. She did not sense he was a threat, since spooking them

“I see clearly you are all struggling to come to a decision. If you come with me, I can hone those skills of yours. Besides one look over you lot, I can taste the deceit you have been through. Come with me and I can assure you, lies will be one thing you will not have to worry about. I have nothing to hide.” Avaron opened his arm as he spoke. That wicked smile only ever getting wider.

“You do not even have to follow me or the ways of Grayland. It is a choice. Unless you prefer to live under the constant pull of the shadow, never to see the light, be my guest. When the battle comes to Ovoroth, you will die.”

Wind bashed against the ancient stone tower. Skirmishes on the beach broke out. Soldiers from Ovoroth began melee battles. Tribal warriors with crystals at the end of their weapons struck back. Grains of sand ancient as the planet itself, found a new layer of fresh blood being laid atop it. Primar roars joined the storm as spears pierced through the heads of their enemy’s. Crystals soaked in remains, grew brighter with each foe cut down.

From the waves a giant claw dug into the tower. The other swung an arc across the beach. Sending both combatants flying into the air. Fast as the winds came, so did the creatures. All manner of flying beasts with razor sharp teeth and beaks plucked at their foes midair. Intestines rain upon the sand. Crys of pain silenced by battle and wind. In vain two soldiers from both warring factions, were got in a claw separately. Steel broke and the crystal shattered as they struck the beast. Red light pulsed from the chest. In the next instant, both heads found themselves rolling down into the stormy sea. Bloody teeth sank into one of the necks and feasted. One small flock attached themselves to the other. With charred wings, claws at least the length of two average sized humans, a pale wormlike neck, and a pelican’s head. Luminated by the fire of oncoming ships. The body in the other claw was torn to bits. Being snapped and pulled in freakish angles.

Yelling Mathias threw back his head. Index fingers dug into his flesh drawing blood. Hannigar and Cleia instantly went to his aid and tried to calm him down.

“I know the prince’s answer. What will you two Marrows decide? Time is running out before this place collapses.”

“We didn’t even get to understand this place. I haven’t even got any information yet!” Yelled Cleia.

Avarons body softened and the threating aura he radiated had vanished.

“I can tell you all I know about this place. Soon as we get a way out of here. Before I rudely interrupted, I’m sure your little companions will fill you in.”

The water rose ever so slightly. Hannigar picked up both turtles in one arm.

“How do we get out of here?” Cleia asked. She stood next to Avaron unafraid.

“I can’t see where we came from, even with most of mist gone.”

One of the turtles escaped from Hannigar. He nearly fell face first into the water before getting his grasp. The turtle grew brighter with red patterns on its body. The raven Kuu jumped on its back. Together they both emanated a soft red and orange glow. Flippers smacked the water and the two set off.

Follow him, they are going to lead us to safety. Kee said.

Cleia threw off her head and marched forward.

“Come on you, guys! These two are going to get us out of here.”

So, they followed. Cleia noticed Avaron take out a strange cube. It drew in lots of light. Even though he was clearly made of from something else. The delight on his face was unmistakable. This place spoke to him. It must have been the same face she had when first met with Kee.

The mist grew thicker until the only thing they could see were their guides. The rumble of shaking from the battle outside had stopped and they waded in the shallow water for quite some time. Cleia had to start breathing harder. The sudden change nearly knocked her unconscious. Avaron grabbed her to keep her steady. Hannigar held Mathias up with one shoulder panting. The shallow waters began to turn into brilliant white stone. Crimson lights weaved their way forwards. With solid footing, at least they were no longer wet. The guide’s light began to fade, and they slowed their march. Kuu with one hop, jumped next to the turtle’s side and they both took a few steps forward. Then turned around and bowed their heads slowly.

Kee let out of a caw of excitement. Something that had been absent for some time. No thanks to being caged up in Ovoroth no doubt.

“What is it Kee?” Cleia asked.

We are finally here. This is where I was supposed to come into the world. This is Archveil.

“Archveil?” Cleia said confused. She took a few steps forward and mouth went agape. Brillant crimson cliffs gave way into the valleys. Cascading waters winding down. That was all they could see now. Mountains surrounded them. They themselves were up who knows how high. Above the clouds, was high enough. One thing they could make out was a large clear crystal. Nearly as high as them.

“This is Archveil? One of the center pieces of creation? Glorious, an understatement.” Avaron said and fell to his knees. As soon as he collapsed, his metal form vanished. He looked more like any other human. Long white hair down his back. A much smaller frame. Cleia noticed his eyes were red like the cliffs. Avaron knelt by the guides and thanked them. Kuu waddled over to Cleia. He looked like he was about to pass out.

“Our friend here has used a tremendous amount of energy and needs to recover. If it would be okay, he would like to join you. Likewise with our turtle friend.” Avaron gently tickled the stomach of the turtle, nodding to Hannigar.

“Of course, we would be beyond cruel if we did not.” Cleia said. With her arms outstretched and gently on the stone, Kuu hopped into her hands. He gave a bow and sunk into her skin like water molecules. Hannigar did the same.

“They need to rest and regain their strength. It may take some time so treat them well.” Avaron said.

“We will. You know you aren’t so scary, even in your giant form.” Cleia said. The brightest smile on her face.

“That was never my intention, young one.” He sighed and looked longingly at the crystal.

“This world has only gotten more vile as time has gone on. Some see me only as cold, cunning, and calculating.” Cleia could see Avaron trembling as he spoke. Back turned to them.

Mathias finally snapped out of it and spoke.

“We are here. Everyone back home only spoke of this as a myth. Father only talked about wiping this place off the map.” Mathias finished. With disgust Avaron dug his foot into the ground and turned. Mathias got closer and calmly put a hand up. He got to both knees and bowed.

“I’m sorry my father has gone too far. There is nothing I can do save for trying to make things better.” Mathias said.

“Worry not, young prince. Since speaking, until this moment, do you think you would join me? Grayland and I need your help. This favor comes from me personally and for my people, The Arcs.”

Mathias held out his hand and smiled. No more words needed to be exchanged. The two shook hands. Cleia and Hannigar joined them, soaking in the moment. For the first time in years, they felt calm.

Stone fell into the sea. Cannon fire from the ship blew it to pieces, while the monstrosity in the water sent chunks hurdling towards the ships at terrifying speed. Great chunks did manage to sink a few ships. The tower was mostly destroyed. Particles that lingered from the open door calmly gathered and made their way out into the storm.

Thousands of miles away, a pair of figures covered in snow make their way down a long spear like stretch of ice. The next day they returned to a quite village and went to where they had first offered to help.

“Hey chief! We are done and coming” A voice exclaimed and pushed open the door. They marched in proud. The elder smiled at them.

“Welcome back you two. I can already sense you have done great work. My dreams told me as such. Therefore, I have another gift for you on top of our agreed payment.” He said.

Pursed lips and eyes brows raised at each other excitedly. The chief unraveled a long black and gold cloth as he got closer.

“Mr and Mrs, Zephyr, I offer you this sword. Please take care of it. In time, the use will be clear.”

“Wow, thank you! I’m sure Toby will love this! You better teach him properly now, Mr.” The woman said.

“I will try my best my love. You know how he is. He would rather go out on adventures with Onyx. Can make things quite the handful.”

Laughing the man graciously took the hilt, sword still sheathed and wrapped.

The two said their goodbyes and left the snowy village.

One dilemma to the next. I’m glad I can at least be of help. When the time arrives. The chief thought. The wind massaged his old aching face.