“50 embers.”

“Awe. Come on, Golem! That’s not fair!” The young adolescent girl with deep plumb-colored hair, voiced her complaint as she stared up at the merchant from the fruit stand, her piercing lavender eyes full of contempt.

“50 embers, Hiem, or I’ll tell mom that you’re bullying me into giving you free fruit.” The broad-shouldered merchant smirked down at his little sister, laughter twinkling in his azure eyes mischievously as he held the golden apple that she wanted, just out of her reach.

It taunted her, bringing out the golden etchings of flora and bear prints on his somber tunic, the emblem of Alexhand embroidered over his heart in red and gold filigree over a black shield patch.

Hiem scoffed at her brother who looked every bit the businessman in his court uniform, the black trousers and grey boots to match.

Her eyebrow began to twitch in irritation. “You’re the real bully, you bully.”

“That’s not a real golden apple.” A voice interrupted them.

Hiem turned on her heels, a big smile stretched across her pale face at her friend, Bloodlord who was helping her with her mission to find the golden apple of the fae realm.

“What do you mean it’s not real?” Golem demanded, offended by his little sister’s partner in crime, narrowing his cobalt eyes in suspicion.

Bloodlord lifted his face to Golem. Eyes that mirrored Hiem’s stared back at him in a daring tone. It always confused Golem how much his little sister resembled the fae, the only difference was the boy’s midnight hair and the fangs. He looked every bit the vampire that the faery realm produced, his black and red attire just as sharp as the unseelie moon.

“That apple’s been enchanted to look like the real thing, but it isn’t.” The young vampire stated.

The merchant stiffened as the truth was revealed.

“Who’s the bully now?” Hiem cooed, glaring up at her much taller sibling. “You forgot Bloodlord was helping me, didn’t you?”

“Rotten fairy.” Golem grumbled under his breath.

“Hiem! Hiem!” A small feminine voice grabbed their attention as another sibling made her way up to the stand, her brown, wavy hair flowing behind her as she moved swiftly on her feet, her bright pink top and grey pants making her stand out amongst the merchant stands as she weaved her way around them, her light tawny boots giving her an edge of speed.

“What’s wrong Kimmy?” Hiem asked as her little sister huffed for air, having been winded by her journey through the market square.

“Gray—” She took another breath, her hands folded into fists, pressed against her knees for stability, as she bent over and huffed.

“What about Gray?” Hiem pushed as she faced Kimmy.

The small girl straightened herself before answering. “She and a group of Ark Knights are at the edge of the platform.” She threw her arms towards the twilit sky. “I think they might be going to explore the lava island!” She spoke in awe, her cerulean eyes twinkling with excitement.

“So, they found someone who knows about that island.” Golem said, his thumb and forefinger pinching his sculpted chin as his mind drifted in thought aa he perched his side against the wooden beam holding his stand up.

“Let’s go check it out!” Bloodlord’s voice cut through Golem’s thoughts.

“Hey wait a minute! Don’t bother the Arks! It’s official knight business—”

His words were to no avail as Bloodlord and Hiem disappeared around another merchant stand in an amethyst and black haze.

Kimmy was just about to round the corner as well, her bright clothes barely visible. Golem lifted his hand, and there was shriek beyond the stand.

“GOLEM! HOW RUDE!” Kimmy demanded as her feet were now stuck to the platform by a thick layer of mud, her high pitched protest ringing out over the stands.

“Those two might get away with bothering Lady Ardent and her Knights since they’ve completed their training, but you won’t be bothering them.” Her brother scolded as he rounded the corner.

“But I wanna see!” She growled, shifting her weight forward to get free of the mud. “I just washed these boots! I’m going to get in trouble now! Mom said I had to keep them clean!”

Golem sighed, “I’ll tell mom that I’m the reason they’re dirty, but Gray is working and so are the others, you can’t just interrupt them, you’re not a full knight yet.”

“Fine!” The exasperated Kimmy sunk her head in acceptance.

The vastness of the void stretched out before Askerian. In the distance he could see the faint glow of the island’s hot surface as it floated silently in place. A sense of longing tried to wiggle its way into his heart, but he pushed it down.

“How do we get over there? Do we fly?” He asked as several people, Rain, Storm, Seraphina and Knight, assembled themselves around him at the platform’s edge.

“We could—”

“No!” Knight interrupted Rain before she could finish her sentence.

“No?” She questioned, feeling insulted.

“No.” Knight repeated, more calmly, “We have no idea what’s over there. It’s too dangerous to just fly over.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Then how do you want us to get over there, Knight?” Askerian rolled his eyes. There were no dangers on the island, aside from the lava.

As if the realm had witnessed their turmoil, a golden light sparked before them, coalescing into the shape of a bridge, the bottom of the glittering structure disappearing as its arches twinkled into the colorful clouds.

All grew still in bated breath as the bridge solidified into quartz, lined in gold and aglow with angel fire.

A set of quartz stairs connected the platform with the bridge, which stretched outward, fading a little as it reached the island's side.

“How did—”

“No need to fly. I think it’s time to connect the island to us, no?” Ardent’s voice cut through the tension as she joined her subjects.

Knight crossed his arms over his chest as he turned to face their leader. “What?” Ardent blinked.

“We don’t know what’s over there yet. Shouldn’t you have waited for exploration before connecting the island to us?”

“If there was a danger, the realm wouldn’t have chosen the island.” Ardent countered.

“What do you mean chosen?” Askerian couldn’t help the curiosity that rose with the angel’s words.

“It means Askerian,” Ardent inhaled a deep breath then narrowed her golden eyes at the dragon rider, “if your haunch is correct and that island was originally from your homeland, then you will become the next Ark Knight.”

“Really?” Askerian smirked, “That’s all that needs to be verified and I can become a knight?”

“Not just any knight.” Seraphina spoke up, her red eyes scanning over Askerian in a calculative manner.

“An Ark Knight.” Lady Storm finished the sentence for her friend.

“Gray! Gray! What’s going on?!” Hiem’s voice cut through the tension of the group gathered near the bridge’s basin.

Lady Storm turned to face her younger sister, “What’s going on?” Hiem asked as she approached, Bloodlord trailing behind her.

“Are we going to have a new Ark Knight?” Bloodlord asked, observing the scene before them, giving Askerian a once over.

“Maybe.” Ardent smiled at the duo, before the approach of additional curiosities caught her attention. “Uh oh. Sorry you two, you should stay away from this area for the time being.”

“Okay. C’mon Bloodlord.” Hiem snatched her friend’s hand and dragged him away.

As if on cue, the citizens of the Celestial Kingdom began to leave their market stands, drawing into a crowd around the area, citizens eager to know of any changes that might be occurring within the realm.

“Here comes the crowd.” Ardent spoke up to her Knights.

“Ark Knights, initiate captain protocol; control.” Seraphina calmly spoke into her communicator.

Several moments passed as more people filed in, then the sound of footsteps thundered as several other Ark Knights made their way to the clearing, forming a circular barrier between the group at the bridge’s base and the crowd.

Sir Sekke, Sir Manoj, Sir Pai, King Weslo and Lady Zoe stood guard between the Celestial citizens and those chosen for the expedition.

“This is official Ark Knight business, please go back to your daily duties.” Sekke’s voice rang out above the commotion of the crowd.

“What about the bridge?” A woman called out amongst the crowd.

“That island!” Another called.

“I know that a bridge to this particular island brings many questions and perhaps it brings fear to many of you, but we will explore it and make sure that it is safe.”

A wave of relief rushed over the platform at his words.

“With that being said,” Pai spoke then, reinforcing his fellow Ark’s words, “No one is permitted to enter the bridge, we shall stand guard here, while the other Ark Knights who are not here will keep watch over the rest of the realm. Please stay clear of the area.”

Pride swelled in Ardent’s heart to see her Ark Knights acting like the team she knew they could be. “If it’s fear that’s causing all of this fuss,” She pushed through the barrier of her guards and stood between them and her people, “This realm chose these islands, as it is a part of myself, I doubt there is anything to fear at all. However, Sir Sekke is right, you should return to your duties. We will make sure that all is well.” She finished with her arms stretched open in warmth.

The team stood firm while the crowd dispersed, Bloodlord and Hiem lingering just off in the distance, choosing to watch from the fountain’s edge.

“I can’t wait to see what they find over there.” Bloodlord smirked at Hiem.

“You think the apple is on that island?” She asked, her eyes trained on the Knights.

“No.” Bloodlord answered, “Not that island at least.”

Ardent turned to face her Knights, locking eyes with one in particular.

Knight stood at the top of the stairwell, waiting for the events to calm down before his new mission started. His eyes met with his leader’s auburn gaze. She nodded once, signaling that it was time to proceed with his orders.

“Let’s go.” At his command, Lady Storm, Lady Rain, and Askerian followed his ascent across the long structure beneath their feet. The bridge matched the others in the realm, seeming to stretch out endlessly.

“Ardent isn’t coming with us?” Askerian asked.

“No, she has work to do.” Knight replied, keeping his focus forward as he moved one foot in front of the other.

“Excuse me?” Askerian’s brows shot to his hairline. “Why does it sound like you’re angry?”

“Pay no mind to Knight.” Rain interrupted, “He’s just worried about her ladyship.”

“And why is that?” A bout of confusion cloaked his face as he moved along with the knights.

“Lady Ardent has always been meticulous about keeping her work in order, but since she was gone it’s piled up.”

“How long was your queen gone from this place?”

Lady Storm sighed heavily but didn’t say anything.

Rain looked to Knight who was glancing over his shoulder. “It’s alright. “Returning his focus on the path ahead he continued, “He’s the one who brought her back, you can tell him.”

“Tell me what”? Askerian pushed.

“Lady Ardent isn’t supposed to leave the realm.” Rain explained.

Askerian looked towards the direction of where he was sure the portal floated motionless in the voided sky. “Why is that and why did she leave in the first place?”

“She can leave the realm technically…” Lady Storm corrected.

“I’d prefer she didn’t.” Rain protested.

“I know dear, I know.” Storm agreed.

“She gets sick.” Knight finished for them.

Askerian’s mind drifted back to his first encounter with the Celestial queen. The paleness of her skin and way her wings looked shriveled came to mind at the revelation.

“Usually she’s gone for a few days, but never a full week.” Rain spoke again.

“Well answer my question, what was she doing in Gaia?”

“She was visiting King Alexander, her husband.”