Nyranthyr punched through the magical barrier out of Vraax, wondering how she was going to get to the stars. Should she fly there? She shook her head. There was no way she could survive in space. She wondered how Sharathyr traveled through space unharmed. A question she was sure Zineus had the answer to. Deciding he was her best course of action, she stopped in midair and turned around, flying towards a large mountain range to the East known as The Sundered Mountains. As she neared the mouth of the mountain, minotaurs can be seen walking up the natural walkway while others can be seen waiting. Nyranthyr changed back to her human form as she landed. Two giant minotaurs standing at seven feet tall, walk towards her.

“Lady Mirla, you weren’t supposed to arrive yet,” One of the minotaurs in black fur stated.

“Yes, Karbur,” Mirla said, moving quickly towards the mountain. Karbur and Kirron following her. “I have some questions for Zineus that needs to be answered.”

“He’s still recovering from the ritual,” The other minotaur with brown fur indicated.

“Well, Kirron, I have good news for him,” Mirla said, walking into the mouth of the mountain. “Ready the forge and prepare for war. We march throughout the land and we’re taking over the cities. We already have Brehling and Talimdryl. You will bring the army to Tir’lon and take it over.”

“When do we leave?” Karbur said.

“In four days,” Mirla replied.

“That’s not enough time to prepare,” Karbur stated, stopping his movement.

“Make time!” Mirla responded as she slowed her movement, turning her head, her red eyes piercing at Karbur.

“Yes, ma’am,” Both of the minotaurs stated.

Mirla continued down to the heart of the mountain, where Zineus’ human form can be seen resurfacing back to its former glory.

“Master, how are you feeling?” Mirla said, walking closer to the human with a quick pace.

“Terrible,” Zineus said as his eyes opened. “What’s the reason for disturbing my rest?”

“I have found the location of Rallizir’s cage,” Mirla said, kneeling down, bowing her head.

“That’s good, but there’s still the matter of his guardian,” Zineus said, raising his body up. His facial features still displaying deteriorated skin and bone.

“Sharathyr is no longer guarding his cage at this very moment,” Mirla said.

“I’m assuming that you went into Vraax,” Zineus said, looking down upon Mirla.

“You assume correctly,” Mirla said. “I had an inclination that vital information would be spilled if I had gone home and I was correct. However, what I…”

“However, what?” Zineus said as his withered eyes become fierce.

“One of the angels managed to escape from Zionia’s destruction,” Mirla said.

“What?!” Zineus said as his voice echoed throughout the room. “How did she survive? Your orders were to make sure that all of the angels were to be destroyed. If she finds a way to Zion and makes a claim to the gods, everything that you have done would be for naught.”

“Then I will have to make sure that they don’t find it,” Mirla responded, looking up at him.

“No, what’s done is done,” Zineus said in a firm manner. “We must not waste precious time to acquire our other ally. Go now and free him from his cage.”

“That is the main reason for my visit now,” Mirla said. “How do I travel through space unharmed?”

“He’s in space?” Zineus inquired. “The only way I know to travel through space would be crossing through a dimensional gate. You will need to find that book in the forbidden section of the library in the ruins of my kingdom,” Zineus said, taking an elaborate golden amulet, with a ruby in the center, off of the altar. “Here take this. This amulet will allow you to pass through the hex traps unharmed. Go through the door without a knob. It will have inscriptions on it.”

“How do you get past it?” Mirla inquired.

“You must break the magical seal on the door. Leave now,” Zineus said, lying back down on the table. “I must get some rest.”

“Yes, master,” Mirla said as she stood up, clasping her hands together, bowing before him then leaving the room. “Just a couple steps closer in taking over his power.”

Once outside, she changed back into her dragon form and launched into the sky, flying toward Zineus’ lost kingdom.

None too soon the ruins of a large castle amidst a frozen wasteland came into view and Mirla landed in what used to be a courtyard. She changed into her human form, a fur-lined cloak covered her body and the amulet on her neck. After passing several rooms, she found a large two-story room with aged books sitting on book shelves lining the wall. At the end of the room was a closed door with no knob and ancient inscriptions lining the frame.

“Hic locus est vetiti sunt omnia. Subiectus erit illi committere multando,” Mirla said, reading aloud. “Hmm, I wonder,” Mirla said as she took off the amulet. “Resignus clustrum magus.””

The door vanished as surges of lightning struck out in Mirla’s direction. She dropped to the floor, barely missing the electric rays. Looking back down the hallway, she saw the walls scorched where the lightning hit. Placing the amulet around her neck again, she headed down the hallway until she entered a room half the size of the library. In the room were a few bookshelves full of leather-bound tomes. Upon closer inspection, Mirla noticed that some of the tomes were bounded by flesh stitched together. Not finding one matching the description Zineus gave her, Mirla looked around the room in frustration. That’s when she noticed a small room behind the pillar with one book resting on a pedestal.

“This must be it,” Mirla said, walking toward the pedestal. The red leather-bound tome was named “Archmage Guilliom’s Guide for Travelling Through Dimensions.”

Picking it up, Mirla skimmed through the book, trying to find interstellar travel. Her eyes widened as she found the spell she was looking for, and she looked up with a nefarious grin.

***

The group is embraced by golden clouds with Angels, Archangels, Seraphs, Dragons, Drakkons, Pegasi, Unicorns, Griffons, Valkyries flying around the monstrous floating continent comprised of mountains, springs, and grassland. They appear to be standing on a large platform that is one of many surrounding the center continent each going to another world.

“I didn’t know more of my kind were here,” Sharathyr said.

“Indeed, there are,” Persephiel said. “According to the Zionia High Council, This is where they go if they choose the path of the light according to what the Zionia High Council has stated. I’m glad that there is truth to their words as I, too, thought that the story of Loriel and Xae’la was just that.”

“So, this is what we look forward to after we pass,” Bavarax said. “It’s a shame that there would be no more fighting after death.”

“Brother, the sight of this is truly amazing,” Narziros said, placing a hand on his shoulder, waving his hand at everything.

“This is beyond any of our imaginations of what the afterlife has in store for us,” Saryn said, walking to the edge of the platform.

“You’re not joking about that,” Selene said as she joined Saryn.

“Shall we proceed?” Sharathyr said, lowering her left side. As Saryn, Selene, and Beleryn climbed on, Sharathyr said, “Persephiel, do you have any inclination as to where to go?

“I assume to the heart of the city,” Persephiel said as she picked up Sir Gregory.

The group took off for the floating city, arriving a short few minutes later and landing on the ground outside the gates and dismounting. Sounds of a bustling city echoed throughout it. As they began to walk towards the city, two Archangels landed near them. Sharathyr changing into her human form.

“Hi Persephiel, my name is Michael. You’re a bit early, aren’t you?” one of them said.

“I have some terrible news, Michael. The Zion High Council will want to hear this,” Persephiel said.

“Hmm, okay,” Michael said.

“Where’s the Azuriel and the rest of the Zionia High council on Terra?” The other one said.

“I thought they would have come here once they died,” Persephiel said.

“Dead?!” Michael said.

“Yes, they died,” Persephiel said. “It’s one of the reasons why we are here.”

“Well, follow us,” the other one said as he started to walk into the city. “I’m Gabriel. We’ll take you before the Zionia High Council so you can plead your case.”

As Michael and Gabriel lead everyone down the stone pathway, the celestial beings around them stared curiously. Saryn could hear the whispers as they passed by crowds of Angels, Archangels, and Seraphs. After a few minutes, they arrived to a large platform comprised of stone with gigantic pillars encircling it.

“This platform will transport you to the Zion High Council,” Gabriel said. “When all of you are ready, there will be a button for you to press.”

“Where can Har’thon and Selene go to finish her training?” Persephiel said.

“There is a large building at the end of this pathway that’ll lead them to the training building,” Michael said. “However, the high council awaits your arrival. So, I would head there first, my dear sister.”

“Oh,” Persephiel said. “Thank you.”

“Come see us when you are done,” Gabriel said. “We have much to discuss in regards to Zionia. We will meet you at the training building.”

“Agreed,” Persephiel said. “See you then.”

Everyone walks up onto the platform, one by one. After everyone is finally up onto the platform, a feeling of uneasiness sets in.

“I hope that we are not being judged,” Saryn said. “I’ve done horrific things in order to keep Talimdryl’s secrets from being leaked out.”

“What do we have to expect?” Selene said to Persephiel.

“I honestly have no clue,” Persephiel said. “This is my first time here.”

“What do you think will happen?” Sir Gregory said to Sharathyr.

“Well, if it’s anything like it is back home, I would be expecting there to be some judging in our visit here,” Sharathyr said. “Let’s just hope that we are not going to be judged. No mere mortal or creature from our world has ever been here before death has taken them.”

“But the high council gets their directives from the Zion High Council,” Persephiel said. “They had to have been here.”

“How many times has that emergency portal been used?” Sharathyr said.

“It hasn’t,” Persephiel said.

“Exactly,” Sharathyr said. “I think you have been lied to by the council. After finding out that the Zionia High Council had a portal to this place, I knew that our kind would be left behind.”

“But that’s not true,” Persephiel said.

“Is it?” Sharathyr said. “How long until the portal closes after it has been open?”

“It reads everyone in the room then once everyone has gone through...,” Persephiel said as she begun to realize the truth.

“It closes,” Sharathyr said. “My exact inclination that I have deducted. So, if you were to have left to come get us then you would have been left behind as well.”

“You’re right,” Persephiel said, her head laying low, realizing the truth to her words. “I have been lied to. I must find out more,” She said as she raised her head up in determination. “Is everyone ready?”

Persephiel pushed the button as everyone on the platform nods in agreement. A bubble of golden light fills around everyone. As the bubble implodes on itself, everyone is transported up into the clouds. Everyone can be seen standing on the clouds as if it was solid. Around everyone is a bunch of male and female beings sitting in a lotus position on a floating cloud.

“We have all waited for your arrival,” All of them say in unison.

“You came here to seek council since the Zionia High Council perished,” An elderly-looking male being said.

“I have,” Persephiel said as she knelt down, everyone following her lead. “With whom do I speak to?”

“You mean to tell me that you do not know who I am, Lady Persephiel?”

“Unfortunately, I do not,” Persephiel said. “The Zionia High Council held meetings between themselves and only came out to inform us once they have finished deliberating. We only knew what the meeting consisted of, but nothing more.”

“So, in the twenty-five thousand years that Zionia was created,” The Elder-looking male said, raising his voice. “Not once have any of you learned about us. Is there anything that you do know?”

“The only thing we know is that we have an emergency portal to Zion and that we came here after our time on Terra,” Persephiel said.

“Very well, it looks like the angels we have appointed to run Zionia have failed,” the Elder-looking male said. “For that, I am sorry, my child. My name is Zodin, the Creator and God of Judgment.

“I see that there is an empty chair,” Saryn said. “Are one of you missing?”

“No, they are standing before you in human form,” Zodin said. “Selene is the reincarnated spirit of Xae’la, Goddess of Magic and Magical Creatures. She took up the throne after her death.”

“Why did she descend to Terra?” Selene said.

“You descended to Terra to bring Mirla and her master to judgment. You’re the only one strong enough to defeat, which is why you left.”

“So, is Saryn the reincarnation of Loriel?” Selene said, taking Saryn’s hand in hers.

“Unfortunately, no. Loriel was obliterated when you melded energies. Loriel decided to use all of his life force to create the angels and the daekar,” Zodin said. “Now, where is the Zionia High Council? I figured that they would have been with you since they haven’t shown up yet.”

“You mean to tell me that they never arrived?” Persephiel said.

“No and I would have seen them. I’m Hegnas, God of Life and Death,” a hooded figure with white eyes and deteriorating features said. “They have not passed by through death.”

“What do you mean?” Persephiel said. “We saw their ashes.”

“Interesting,” Hegnas pondered.

“What’s interesting?” Selene said.

“All life, including yours, that withers away comes here to this circle to be judged by Zodin. So, it’s interesting for you to say that they died and didn’t come here. Please tell me what had just transpired before being killed by Mirla.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“We were casting a spell to rid the corrupted angels,” Selene said. “After we successfully killed them, Mirla came out of nowhere and counter acted our spell to explode outward, catching Darohniel and the guards that were defending the temple.”

“I have yet to see Darohniel as well,” Hegnas said. “This is very strange, indeed. I want all of you to bring me information regarding these missing life forces.”

“My brother should be here,” Persephiel said. “I watched him wither away.”

“I understand that this is hard for you,” Hegnas said. “But like I said before, I haven’t seen any of them pass through.

A gold and green dragon tiled her head slightly. “I am Donera, Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. Sharathyr, I understand that you locked away your brother,” Donera said. “Will he remain in the cage forever?”

“I did, Goddess Donera,” Sharathyr said, bowing her head. “He is to remain in his cage until we had the man power to deliver him here to be judged. We lost quite a bit of power after the destruction of Zionia, which is why we are here today.”

"I understand,” Donera said. “Does the enemy have any knowledge as to where Rallizir is located?”

“No,” Sharathyr said. “Only Norrinth, The Vraaxian High Council, and I know of his whereabouts.”

“Good,” Donera said. “Let it stay that way until power is regained. Once power has been regained, I will see to it personally that his soul essence is broken down and repurposed for something better.”

A woman with jet black hair said, “I am Morrighan, Goddess of War and Sovereignty. What do you propose that we do about Zionia? ” Morrighan said. “Shall we restore the land back to its original state?”

“I believe that if we were to do that,” Persephiel said, “That it would cause too much attention. Vraax and Zionia can be combined in another part of the world away from Dir’lunde to preserve our species’ foothold. If we can do that, it would throw off Mirla’s knowledge of our whereabouts. We also need to replenish the number of angels on Terra.”

“I am listening to your plea,” Morrighan said. “We have too many here that we can spare quite a bit. However, we will need a new high council representing our vision. Will you swear to uphold our wishes if we decide to allow this?”

“Yes, I will uphold the wishes of the Zion High Council,” Persephiel said.

“I know that Norrinth and the Vraaxian High Council will want to do the same if Donera wanted a merger,” Sharathyr said.

“Together as one?” Zodin said. “Interesting. Morrighan, what do you suggest?”

“I believe that it is a good idea,” Morrighan said. “Delios, what do you think? As God of Knowledge and Logic, this is your area of expertise.”

A being with the body of a man but the head of an owl said, “I think there would be some ramifications if there would be any disagreements. A split between the two races that could pose an equal threat to either race.”

“If we were to add laws on the land,” a woman with a veil over her eyes said. “It would reduce any kind of disagreements between the two different races.”

Donera nodded then said, “Elnera is the Goddess of Truth and Logic, and as always, she makes a good point. It does have to be equal for both so not one is left out.”

“It seems that we much to discuss. We apologize for doing this in front of all of you,” Zodin said. “We heard your pleas and we will take it under high consideration. It seems that we have come to an agreement to allow more angels onto Terra. We will also be sending archangels and angels there as well to help aid in the coming war. Elnera will have to create laws that is equal to both. We will send them after we deliberate, in three days’ time.” With that, Zodin said as he flicked his hand and everyone disappeared from the High Council Chamber, reappearing in front of the platform.

“Well, that was definitely easier than I thought,” Persephiel said.

“Yeah, let’s just hope that we can stall the war until then,” Sharathyr said.

“What can we do to stall until then?” Selene said.

“We bring the war to them before they have a chance to do so first,” Saryn said.

“How so?” Persephiel said.

“I believe Saryn wants to hit them hard with a full-scale dragon attack,” Beleryn said.

“Indeed, you are correct,” Saryn said. “With the Dragon’s aerial attacks and impenetrable armor, we can slow down Talimdryl. However, I do not want to unleash this onto my people without being certain that they would be out of harm’s way.”

“How do we go about doing that?” Sharathyr said.

“We have to take out the barracks,” Beleryn said. “Most if not all of the guard will have been corrupted by Mirla. We will also hit the castle with everything at our disposal. However, Saryn, I do believe that either our people have already been corrupted or enslaved. We will have to see. I recommend that we scout high above the city, so we can know for sure.”

“I do like both ideas,” Persephiel said. “We just can’t let innocent people be killed by our actions. Their blood would be on our hands.”

“I agree,” Selene and Har’thon said.

“Narziros and I stand with you in whatever decision you go with,” Bavarax said.

“Is there any know magic that can shield the town from any aerial attacks?” Tal’anna said.

“Yes, but only to a certain degree,” Har’thon said. “We would not only have to concentrate, but it would also take a lot of energy and time.”

“Then time is what we will give you,” Bavarax said.

“For now, Selene and I need to go train and prepare,” Har’thon said. “We must get her in tune with her true self and get her up to speed on some advanced magic.”

“Agreed,” Selene said as she grabbed her pack, kissing Saryn on the cheek. “We will see you in three days, much to do in so little time.”

Saryn watched Selene go, worry knitting his brows.

“Everything okay?” Beleryn responded.

Saryn shook his head before saying, “Just everything here is more than I thought this place would be. I just hope Selene is still Selene once she finds her true self.”

“I know she will be,” Beleryn said.

“She will be Mirla’s and Zineus’ undoing,” Tal’anna said.

“That’s what I'm afraid of,” Saryn said. “What if being their undoing is also going to take away the Selene that I know in the process.”

“I have a feeling that it won’t,” Beleryn said. “Let’s go train and that’ll take your mind off of it.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Saryn nodded as they walked down the hall into a vacant room, Saryn pulled out the Glaive of Aurora. “Since the king didn’t want this, you should have this. My generals will need to be well equipped.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Tal’anna said as she took the four-foot grip, peering over the hilt. “Much less know how to wield it.”

“Good thing we’re about to train,” Saryn quipped.

As the door opened, the room lit up, revealing an empty room.

“Start war training session,” Beleryn said as a female voice filled the room.

“Difficulty?” The female voice said.

“Hard,” Saryn said.

“Confirmed,” the female voice said. “Training session will commence in five seconds.”

“This is weird,” Beleryn said.

“Yeah, no joke,” Saryn said. “What do we do?”

“Weapons at the ready,” Tal’anna said with determination filling her being.

Saryn pulled out his swords and began to speak the words of power. The swords erupt with their magical enchantments as Beleryn draws the string back on the new bow, forming a regular arrow. Tal’anna tried to speak the word of power to enable it, but the blade doesn’t appear.

“Guys, we have a problem,” Tal’anna said. “The enchantment isn’t working.”

“Yeah, I know what you mean,” Beleryn said. “My bow’s only drawing arrows, it’s not showing any kind of elemental property.”

“Get it to work,” Saryn said as they are welcomed by a battlefield, armies fighting one another, magical spells whizzing past Saryn as he dodged it, a swarm of orcs standing between them and the castle’s outer gates. “Try it in ancient elvish.”

“I don’t remember what the king said.” Tal’anna said as she took the four-foot grip, smacking an orc running towards her.

“Seliniaki something,” Saryn said as his fiery sword slashed downward on another orc that he is engaged with.

“Right,” Tal’anna said as she ducked a sword swiping at her head, spinning around. “Seliniakí Mamalu,” Tal’anna said quickly as the translucent, white lit blade forms, stabbing the orc with the blade, lifting it up into the air, flinging them backwards.

“Nice job, Tal’anna,” Beleryn said, shoot regular arrows at incoming orcs. “Now, how do I get mine to work?”

“Think of who it comes from,” Saryn said, engaging another orc. “It has to be based on your thoughts of what you want. Try speaking it aloud first.”

“Okay,” Beleryn said, letting go of the drawn-back string. “Fire!” Beleryn said as he pulled back on the string, the limbs of the bow light up with a red hue, producing a fiery arrow, letting go quickly, impaling into another orc.

“Good,” Saryn said, dodging another spell and a downward sword slash. “Try holding back a bit.”

Beleryn drew another fiery arrow, holding it back for a few seconds. With each second that passed, the fire grew in strength. After letting go of the string, the arrow zoomed past one orc and hits the ground, exploding in a ten-foot radius. Orcs can be seen flying in different areas from where the arrow landed.

“Wow,” Beleryn said in awe of the explosion. “That’s unbelievable.”

“You got that right,” Saryn said, trying to maintain his footing as the explosion almost caught him off guard.

“So, how do we complete this session,” Tal’anna shouted as she jumped into the air, bringing the blade behind her, coming down with the blade onto an unsuspecting orc, fighting off other orcs in the general vicinity.

“I guess we will have to reach the castle gates successfully,” Saryn said, thrusting each sword into an orc opposite sides of him. “That’s what I would imagine.”

“Then we push forth,” Tal’anna said. “Troops push forth to the castle! This is our time! This is our victory!” Tal’anna said as the generated troops cheer her on, pressing forth through the swarms of orcs.

***

Three days went by and Saryn found himself with the others standing in front of the Zion High Council once again.

“All of you have a different aura about you,” Zodin said. “I’m guessing you got a lot of training done.”

“We did,” Selene said excitedly. “I even unlocked my memories as Xae’la.”

“Good,” Morrighan said. “So, you can use all of your abilities?”

“Not quite,” Selene said. “There are many that I just can’t comprehend how to use.”

“Allow me,” Morrighan said, extending out her index finger.

Blue light shoot towards Selene’s third eye. Selene’s eyes lit up with blue fire as her body levitates into the air. Her arms spread wide as blue light burst from her tattoos. After a few seconds, her body lowered slowly to the ground and the light faded from her skin.

“Does that help?” Morrighan said.

“Yes,” Selene said, kneeling down in a hunched position, trying to catch her breath. “I can understand everything clearly now.”

“Good,” Morrighan nodded in satisfaction.

“Saryn, I am Myanvis, God of the Forge and Military Strategy,” a dwarf said. “Before you leave, I would like to see the sword used to kill Mirla before.” Myanvis said.

“Okay,” Saryn said, unsheathing the sword and handing it to the god.

“Even though this was Loriel’s sword, it wasn’t immune to breaking. So, I will imbue it to be indestructible,” Myanvis said, his eyes glowing a gold hue as the sword lifted into the air. “It shall not break.”

The sword came down from the air slowly back into Saryn’s raised hand. Somehow it felt lighter than before, and he looked at it closely before facing the others.

“Thank you for everything that all of you have done for us,” Saryn said.

“No, thank you,” Zodin said. “You will help us close out a couple of chapters that should have been closed long ago. We will teleport you back to Vraax so you can get their quickly.”

“Inform them of what you have heard here,” Donera said. “The land of the angels and the Daekar is waiting to be inhabited. It’ll look familiar and the temple is big enough to encase all.”

“Now, go forth and bring them to justice,” Zodin said as he snapped his fingers.

***

Everyone disappeared from the clouds and reappeared in the middle of the Vraaxian high council chamber. No one is inside of the temple. Sounds of screeching or roaring can be heard outside of the temple. Everyone ran towards the entrance to find Daekar fighting other Daekar. Sharathyr immediately changed back into her original form.

“What’s going on?” Saryn asked, horrified by the sight.

“It’s Rallizir’s minions,” Sharathyr growled. “He’s having them do his dirty work. Time to get started.”

“What do we do?” Selene said.

“Start blasting them away,” Sharathyr said, roaring as she extended her wings, flying up to catch up to a smaller dragon.

“Dragons can only be affected by magic,” Narziros said. “I’m sorry to say this but anyone who doesn’t have ranged attack or can fly will not be able to fight.”

“How do we know who is Rallizir’s minions?” Selene said.

“They have three red claw marks by use of Zineus’s dark magic located on their chest or their head,” Bavarax said.

“Got it,” Selene said with a concentrated look. “Go if you must, we will be okay.”

“Call us for help if you need it,” Narziros said as he and Bavarax extended their wings, pulling out their weapons, flying downward to the ground to fight other Drakkons.

“Where’s the council?” Sir Gregory said.

“Are they not here?” Saryn said, looked around frantically.

“There’s Grildar...Nienzir...Drexel...Fafnir but that’s it,” Sir Gregory said, looking around the area. “Norrinth is not here and neither is Rallizir.”

“Sir Gregory, all of you need to get out of here,” Mynndra said, stopping in mid-air to talk to the group. “Rallizir came with Nyranthyr and his minions.” “

“Watch out,” Sir Gregory said, pointing to an incoming dragon with three red claws on its chest. “Who is Nyranthyr?”

“She left Vraax over a thousand years ago, we haven’t heard from her since until she was at the temple when all of you were there. Now, she is in league with Rallizir,” Mynndra said as a minion of Rallizir caught up to her.

“Dealanach sáithithe incendiu śruba,” Selene said as she began to incant loudly, her tattoos began to glow as her eyes turn blue. A bolt of fire with lightning surrounding it emits out of her staff towards the dragon.

The dragon is struck by the bolt in its leg as it tried to dodge it, roaring loudly. The dragon spearheads to Selene’s location, opening its mouth as fire forms inside of it.

“Liathróiden de glacia,” Selene said as she tilted her staff down to her somewhat clinched hand, spinning her staff in a large circle, casting a large swirling ball of ice from her hand toward the dragon.

The dragon saw the incoming ball of ice, immediately spewing fire from its mouth, disintegrating it. It flew up, circling back around. Flames began to form in its mouth again.

“Sciath draíochta,” Selene said as she lifted her staff up, encompassing everyone in a protective magical shield as the dragon spews fire over shield, catching people off guard.

The dragon took off, circling back for another attack.

“Here we go,” Selene said as she dispelled the shield, swinging her body and her staff around before crouching downwardly. She leaned back on her grounded leg, angling the head of the staff towards the ground. “Liathróiden de Înghețat incendiu dealanach,” Selene said as she swept the staff up as an electrified, icy, ball of blue fire zoomed with lightning speed at the Dragon.

The spell impacted the dragon’s mouth before it could counter the spell. The ice formed over the flames building in its mouth as the lightning surged through the dragon while the fire rushed through its body, pouring out of the open wound in its leg. The dragon’s eyes shifted widely as the life drained from it, forcing the dragon to plummet to the ground. Everyone watched as the dragon disintegrated on the way down, transforming into speckles of light. Lady Mynndra circled back to the group. The light from Selene’s tattoos began to fade back to normal.

“As I was trying to say, they took Norrinth away from here,” Mynndra said. “Persephiel, you were right.”

“I wish that I wasn’t,” Persephiel said. “However, there is a land mass that was created for all of the Daekar and the angels. We must go now if we are to reconvene.”

“How are we going to stop them from following us?” Mynndra said.

“We have Selene here to help with that,” Persephiel said, looking down upon Selene.

“Bavarax! Narziros! Sharathyr!” Sir Gregory shouted, placing both of his hands at the corners of his mouth. “Ittazaika!”

“What does that mean, Sir Gregory?” Saryn said.

“It’s a profane word for retreat in Druatch,” Sir Gregory said with a smile.

Roars can be heard as Mynndra, Bavarax, Narziros, and Sharathyr bellowed out across the land. Responsive roars thunder throughout the sky as hundreds of Daekar fly towards Mynndra, Rallizir’s minions began to follow closely.

“We will be last so no one is affected by Selene’s spell,” Sharathyr said to the group as they readied themselves for flight. “Persephiel, lead them on. Bavarax and Narziros began to follow Persephiel.”

Bavarax, Narziros, and Persephiel nodded as they extend their wings flying with haste towards the North, their passengers in their arms. Mynndra and the other Daekar including the high council followed Persephiel.

“Here they come,” Sharathyr said as she extended her wings, lifting off, following the others as a ball of fire zooms past her. “Are you ready?”

Several of the dragons opened up their mouths and began to channel different types of elemental balls of energy.

“Yes,” Selene said as her tattoos begin to light up, watching the incoming evil-infested Daekar heading in their direction. “Close your eyes, Saryn. Solas bliț,” Selene said, pointing her staff in the air as Saryn lowers his head, covering his eyes. Light emits from her staff, shooting towards the incoming Daekar.

As the light closed in on dragons’ position, it exploded outwardly, blinding most of them. Some began to hit others with their attack and crashing into each other while others descend downward, dazed by the light. The unaffected ones hovered in mid-air, heading back to the temple.

After travelling for hours, all of the Daekar and the group arrive to a large continent ten miles North of Dir’lunde. One area is filled with Seraph’s Grace, other healing herbs, and trees. The whole scenery is even more beautiful and larger than Zionia and Vraax combined. A suitable place for both angels and Daekar. There are iridescent buildings symmetrically placed throughout the continent and a gigantic temple adjacent to a large mountain range. Angels and Archangels including Gabriel and Michael as well as other unknown daekar wait for their arrival at the temple. As Sharathyr landed, the Angels, Archangels, and the other Daekar walk up to greet them.

“It’s great to see all of you again,” Michael said. “We figured that you would have been here by now.”

“We ran into some trouble when we were teleported back to Vraax by the Zion High Council,” Persephiel said.

“Really?” Gabriel said. “This was a bit of an odd site but we saw one of the Daekar flying to your homeland, Saryn.”

“Talimdryl?” Saryn said.

“The very same,” Gabriel said. “I thought the Daekar was not associating with anyone who hasn’t proved themselves to be worthy.”

“We don’t,” Mynndra retorted.

“What did they look like?” Sharathyr stated.

“They had the colors of black and red,” Gabriel said.

“That’s Nyranthyr,” Tyrsantir said. “She came back from living amongst the people of Dir’lunde then she brought back Rallizir and his minions. She manipulated her way back to our home.”

“How did she come by the location of my brother’s cage?” Sharathyr said.

“She must have overheard Grildar spilling out his location during his emotional rant,” Drexel said. “We haven’t said a word about it since we first discussed where we should lock him up.”

“Grildar, you have doomed us all,” Sharathyr said.

“I’m sorry, Lady Sharathyr,” Grildar said, laying his head low as if he was about to be struck down in an instant. “I’ve allowed my emotions to control my actions and I have felt terrible ever since she showed up with Rallizir.”

“Well, there’s nothing we can do about that now,” Sharathyr said. “We must defeat him before he reigns terror on the rest of the people in Dir’lunde.”

“I have a suspicion as to who Nyranthyr may be,” Selene said.

“Who?” Both Saryn and Beleryn said, looking at each other, looking back at Selene.

“I have a strong intuition that Nyranthyr may actually be Mirla,” Selene proclaimed.

“Impossible,” Fafnir said. “Nyranthyr’s transformation is that of a Timberland Elf.”

“Can you change your transformation?” Selene said.

“It’s not impossible but it’s very hard to do once you have chosen,” Drexel said.

“What if it took the power of someone so engrossed into dark magic?” Har’thon said.

“She would have had to sell her soul to do it,” Sharathyr said. “However, if she is on the same side as Rallizir then it is likely possible that this information could be true. Where did they take Norrinth?”

“They took him back from where they came from,” Mynndra said. “Possibly back to Rallizir’s cage.”

“Then I must go save my brother,” Sharathyr said. “Without Norrinth, we are not strong enough to put Rallizir back in his cage.”

“I agree,” Saryn said. “Take the necessary time to do that. We have enough to afford one being away for now.”

“Thank you, Saryn,” Sharathyr said as she took her leave.

“So, there really is a war brewing in Dir’lunde?” Michael said.

“Yes,” Saryn said.

“Then count us in,” Michael said. “We will send aid as this will be our new domain.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” A female said, walking up to the group.

“My new friends and my kin,” Gabriel said. “This is Archangel Ariel, she is one of the newest members of our order.”

“I thought there would be Seraphs here as well,” Persephiel inquired.

“They will be here,” Ariel said. “They are currently wrapping up their current mission then they will be arriving here afterwards.”

“Okay,” Persephiel said.

“Saryn, take this horn,” Gabriel said, pulling out a brass horn, handing it to Saryn. “Use this to call upon us and we will be there.”

“Thank you,” Saryn said. “We must leave for Talimdryl.”

“Do you think that it’s a good idea since we are down one?” Narziros said.

“We will have to try,” Saryn replied.

“What are all of you doing?” Mynndra said.

“We are going to cause turmoil all around Talimdryl without targeting innocent civilians,” Saryn said. “In hopes that taking out their means of war, will make it easier to take Talimdryl back.”

“You said that you were down one, right?” Grildar said.

“Yes, I did,” Saryn said, raising his eyebrow.

“I would like to help since I helped set Rallizir free from his cage,” Grildar said, walking closer. “I really do feel horrible and I want to make it right.”

“How does the high council feel?” Saryn inquired. “I could use all of the help any way that I can, but this is not my place.”

“We believe that Grildar understands his mistake and wants to make it right,” The high council said in unison.

“In fact, I believe we all would like to help in any way we can,” Mynndra said.