The ink black pool tickled Mira’s feet as she walked. She didn’t remember waking up in this place again but running around in the dark waters felt oddly familiar. She felt eyes watching her as she explored the darkness. There was no smell, no obvious source of light besides the white dot in the far distance. She kicked playfully at the water until an odd arch appeared near her. The brown vines twisted on either side of here and around each other as they crawled towards the sky. Green leaves sprouted and a mossy trail formed at her feet. Mira looked around curiously before she stepped into the archway.
The darkness around her changed into a beautiful forest. Warm sunlight broken through the lush canopy in small rays. She followed the footpath in the moss until she came across a small clearing. A woman with curly red hair sat on a rock and braided her hair. Mira did not notice any clothes from her vantage point, other than two sashes crossing the woman’s shoulders. She heard a beautiful voice singing quietly. She stopped and hid behind a tree to spy on the woman.
Mira’s heart pounded in an unfamiliar way as she watched her. The woman placed a crown of flowers and horns on her head. Beautiful white feathers fell from it to her shoulders. The woman turned to look at her, and she saw her own face, but aged.
“You’re terrible at hiding from me,” The amber eyed woman chuckled, “Please, come sit with me.”
“Calosa, your beauty is astonishing, even from this far,” A familiar voice spoke, “I never knew how laying my own eyes on you would feel. Watching you interact with my old lands is heartwarming.”
“You are too kind,” She blushed and patted the stone next to her, “Please, Encante. I know I have only recently been able to summon a physical form for you… but I want to do something.”
“Yes?”
“Come closer and you’ll see!” She stuck her tongue out.
Mira felt herself move towards Calosa. Mira studied her mother closely. She had sharper cheekbones and flatter ears than Mira, but they looked remarkably similar. As she stepped closer, she noticed her legs were covered in a dense, curly fur. As Mira saw the woman’s hooves, she felt jolted and shook. Though she tried to move away, the memory kept her in place.
Mira felt her heart pounding wildly against her chest as she sat next to the woman. She looked away, but Calosa bent over and kissed her cheek.
“There!” She turned and blushed, “You said that you had never been kissed before, right?”
“Calosa,” Encante chuckled, “That’s not exactly a kiss, is it?”
“I did not know if you would like if I kissed you,” She looked back to him, “You know how I feel as I can hide nothing from you. You have that advantage over me.”
Mira saw lilac arms reach towards her mother and the sturdy hands brush her cheek lightly. Calosa’s face burned red as she bit her lower lip, and she touched the stone dangling around her neck.
“I do not know how to show my feelings to you. I do not have experience in this way. My people did not have such complicated mating rituals,” He gently lifted her chin and smiled to her, “Nothing as soft and precious as you’ve shown me.”
“You’re embarrassing me!” She covered her face in her hands as he chuckled
“My existence has never been as bright as it has with you. My heart and my soul belong to you, my dear Calosa,” Encante purred, “Just say the word and I would conquer the world for you.”
“Can… can you –”
Encante raised a hand to the stone and chuckled, “Yes, I can still feel your thoughts in this form. Please excuse me, as I must know what this feels like.”
He pressed his lips against hers. Calosa leaned into him and squealed happily as he pulled away. She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly.
“What is that noise for?” He laughed.
Mira blinked and she was back in the dark room of liquid again. The sudden change of scenery caused her stomach to lurch. Those warm feelings in her chest ripped away as she fell to her knees and took a deep breath. After she steadied herself, she looked for the archway again.
Her mother was some sort of human animal hybrid? Her legs were not like anything Mira had read before. Her mind swirled at the ramifications it meant for her. Was she even human? Is that why her master called her a beast?
“Are you showing me memories, Encante?” She asked aloud to no reply, “If so, show me another. I want to know my mother.”
Another archway formed of the same twirling vines from the darkness. Dirt trailed out towards her, and she stepped into the archway. She found herself in a cozy armchair in front of a smoldering fire. The small hut looked much like one she wound find in the crossroads village. Calosa exaggeratedly yawned and stretched over Encante’s lap. She looked more worn and tired than she had before.
“Must you always climb on top of me?” He scratched her back and chuckled as her short tail wagged happily, “You can ask for the comfortable chair if you want me to move.”
“You know I can’t hold you in this form very long,” She pouted, “I’m practicing more every day. I’m hoping you will be able to use magic in this form too!”
“My darling, you are too worrisome. Please, enjoy your time with me now,” He kissed the top of her head, “Besides, our marriage begins tomorrow. Shouldn’t your friends be throwing you some sort of party?”
She snorted, “Ennie! That’s not how things work with satyrs. That’s an outsider custom. Besides, our celebration is tomorrow.”
“Ennie?” He blinked, “That is… Unusual.”
“You don’t want a nickname?” Calosa buried her head in his lap, “I’m sorry! I thought it would be cute. My mother helped me with it.”
“The wise old Miradash,” He chuckled and thoughtfully grabbed his chin, “My people did not use nicknames. I will accept anything you call me, my Callie.”
“Callie is my sixth cousin’s name!” She rolled onto her back and looked up at him, “Maybe we do not need nicknames.”
He grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers, “I only need to look into your eyes and feel your heart skip a beat to know you think of me.”
“You are entirely too romantic,” She blushed, “Would you like to see my attire for tomorrow? I mean, I know you’ve seen it but –”
“Please, show me.”
She hopped to a small dresser and pulled out a lilac frock with black lace over it. She held it against her and twirled happily, “Mama made it for me. Don’t you think it’s pretty?”
“I think anything you wear will do no justice,” He smirked, “Miradash does know how to balance us, though. Doesn’t she?”
“I will also be crowned High Shaman,” She sighed and folded the dress back up, “I know you are forced to join me in this position. I can always leave –”
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
Encante swiftly moved to kneel before her and hold her hand to his forehead, “It would be an honor to accompany you on this journey. Your dream is my dream. I know you feared your mother would pick your older brother over you.”
Calosa teared up, “Are you sure? Don’t you have any dreams of your own?”
“Darling, I once had my dream and was unhappy,” He pulled her hand back and kissed it, “Feeling your joy is intoxicating to me. I will hold onto it as long as I can.”
“You know we will have to give my younger children to my family to raise because of my duties,” Calosa turned her head, “I know that is a sore subject for you. You’re just as attached to them. I’m sure Mama will be fine if we visit often.”
“I do not control your past,” He nodded slightly, “I know I cannot help you bare anymore heirs. Should you need another, we will pick a proper father together. After all, I will have to help raise the child, won’t I?”
Calosa threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly, “I love you, you stupid lizard.”
“I was not a lizard, you silly satyr,” He chuckled and twirled her around, “Besides, tomorrow I will be able to call you mine. Come now, let’s rest before the big day.”
Mira knelt as the air was once again knocked from her. She gripped the ache in her chest as she fell to her knees. What was this crushing pressure in her chest? Was this liquid harmful? Was she injured? The last thing she remembered was Jonen running away from her. If she was asleep, then she would be safe. Jonen would make sure she was safe.
She got to her feet and looked for another archway. Her mother was a satyr that wed a guardian stone.
“Another memory. I demand it. I need to know what actually happened.”
It felt like an eternity before the next vine archway formed. As she stepped towards it, white powder fell from the sky. When Mira touched it, she felt the ash and smelled the charcoal. She knew this smell well.
“This is where he entered, isn’t it?”
As Mira stepped through the archway, she felt herself stretch in a dark room. Encante rolled over in bed and pulled Calosa to him. She sniffled as she accepted his comfort.
“Do you think it’s true? Outsiders made it here?”
“I have not seen other clans do that type of damage. Only outside of the isle have I seen anything similar,” Encante nuzzled into her hair, “My darling, would you allow me to investigate it further on my own?”
“No, I need you here,” She rolled over and pressed against him, “Your chill calms me when my face is hot from crying.”
“Jennadyn was a valiant huntress, an amazing woman, and will be missed dearly,” He kissed the top of her head, “I’m sorry another one of your descendants passed away this tragically.”
“Do you think I’ve lived too long?” Calosa looked up to him, “All of my children died over three hundred years ago. I have lived ten times longer than anyone else… Should I relinquish you and pass on my title?”
“I wouldn’t allow it.”
“Encante, how long can you keep me from aging?”
“Until I am exhausted of all magic.”
“You shouldn’t do that.”
“Calosa, you pure creature,” He lifted her chin, “You are the Grand Shaman of this isle. I am the Great Protector. Together, we ensure these people live. I would never leave your side.”
She closed her eyes and nodded, “We need to investigate Jennadyn’s letters and find where the camp is located. It is likely the culprits are gone, but –”
The door to their hut was kicked in by a frantic looking man, “Grand Shaman! The village is under attack!"
"What?!” They both sat up in bed.
“There is a team of four odd looking creatures with powerful magic. One of them is burning down the forest. We need your help!”
“Encante, please combine with me so we may work together.”
“As you wish,” He touched the stone and his body slowly disappeared.
“Take me. Now.”
Calosa grabbed a mask from on top of a small dresser and pressed it against her face. As she looked in the mirror, Mira recognized the wraith immediately.
She took another deep breath and clutched her chest. The crushing pressure mixed with an emotion she knew well: rage. As she blinked away the blurriness of the quick transition, she punched the inky liquid. Her arm fell through the liquid as if she punched air. She looked at her hand in shock. As she looked up, another archway of black stone formed in the darkness. The light lilac cracks looked much like Encante’s stone.
Mira touched the surface of the stone and felt the coldness. This archway was much different than the ones before it. There was no path to follow through the archway. Only a denser darkness could be seen from the other side.
“Is this… where she died?” Mira looked for any sign to suggest otherwise, “Is that what you’re showing me?”
The lilac man from the memories stepped forward, “This day changed me.”
“Is this your true form, then?” Mira looked him up and down.
The man had black horns that twisted upwards from his temple. His long, sleek black hair and lilac skin looked much like the stone that rested against her neck. He wore tight fitting black clothes on his lower half that seeped into the inky liquid at their feet.
“This is the form your mother gave me,” He avoided eye contact, “Forgive me. You just look… so much like her. It feels as if I’m speaking to her ghost.”
“Encante, how did my mother die?”
“If you wish to know what happened,” He held a hand to the archway, “Enter. This is difficult for me to share. Just know that you will not like the ending. The feelings I had were… intense to say the least.”
“Why does my chest hurt every time I leave a memory?”
“Because young Miradash,” He lowered his head in shame, “My heart breaks every time I think of her and know what I did.”
“What do you mean?”
Encante clenched his fist and looked her in the eyes. His brilliantly white eyes stared back at her, “I am a Guardian Stone. You are my vessel. Your enthrallment kept us from bonding properly. Just as two of you outsiders can bond souls, so can I with my vessel.”
“You bonded with my mother?”
“Yes,” He looked into the archway, “In fact, I declared her my first Chosen.”
“Explain.”
“I put myself at her mercy. She could use me as she wished. Instead of making me do terrible things while she lived,” He placed a hand over his face, “Just… understand I did not know what would happen. I would take it back if I could.”
Mira nodded once before she stepped into the archway. She watched as a gauntly Calosa was chained to a wall with a round belly. The woman hummed happily and licked her dry lips to keep them from chapping. She was grotesquely malnourished and held her bulging stomach carefully.
“Calosa, please,” Encante begged, “Let me use the baby to save your life.”
“My love,” She cradled herself, “The baby will be here soon. I can feel it. I want her to live.”
“But Calosa –”
“You’ve kept me alive for six hundred years longer than I should have been,” She chuckled, “This little one has yet to breath and needs someone to protect her. Will you do that for me?”
“I want you to live!”
“I’m tired,” Calosa sighed, “We’ve used the last twelve. He just impregnates me again. I’m exhausted of this. I do not want to kill another child in hopes of leaving this cell. We both know that if we could have done it, we would have sixty years ago when we first got here.”
“Calosa, I –”
“My people need their Great Protector,” She chuckled and rubbed the stone, “I want to pass you on to this heiress, will you accept?”
“I would never –”
“Encante, as your wife and as your Chosen,” She took a deep breath, “Do not make me force you.”
“You will have to if you expect me to cave,” He growled in her mind, “I can’t live without you.”
“You will have to learn to,” Tears rolled down her face, “Promise me you’ll protect her?”
“What are you doing?” His frantic voice echoed in her mind.
“I, Calosa the Chosen,” She took a deep breath, “Do hereby force my claim to Encante to Miradash, the child in my womb. She shall inherit the powers necessary to protect herself through my sacrifice and through Encante’s will.”
“No!”
“Should he reject this transfer,” She took a trembling breath and touched the stone at her chest, “Take my soul in exchange for her protection until such time he recognizes my heiress as his new Vessel.”
“She’s not even born yet. You can’t –”
Mira watched in horror as her mother started glowing. She felt her chest shatter into dust as Calosa’s body slowly morphed into a glowing orb around the unborn child. When the baby absorbed the glowing particles, she cried softly then yawned as the necklace fell over her shoulders.
“Be good, my little Miradash,” Calosa’s voice whispered on the wind as the last glow faded away, “Encante, protect her. That’s all I ask of you.”
“No! Come back!” He screamed.
Mira gripped her chest as she awoke in the dark room again. The sky above her was cracked with white lights like shattered glass. It burned to touch her. She heaved into the inky liquid and fell to her side.
“What is this?”
“Mira,” Encante knelt beside her and gripped her hand, “Your mother gave her soul to save you. She will no longer return to the cycle. She will never be seen again. That treacherous wench they call Goddess refused to return her to me.”
“Why did she do that?” Mira wiped the stream of tears running down her face, “Why?”
“Because she loved you,” He smiled softly and looked down, “More so than she loved me. The Goddess took her from me. We will never see her again. Had I known, I would have let her go.”
Mira hesitated before throwing her arms around Encante, “I’m sorry.”
“I am too,” He embraced her, “We are on the verge of a war unlike any other. I ask you to take your mother’s place as my vessel, so we may win whichever side we chose.”
“What do you mean?”
“My brother was my betrayer, with that wretched woman all these outsiders worship,” He stood and held a hand to her, “If he has been cast from the heavens, then that is an omen I cannot ignore. There is a prophecy spoken around the time of my original death. I would like you to fulfill it.”
Mira looked down for a moment before she grabbed his hand, “I only have one request.”
“What is it?”
“My master dies for the crimes he’s committed.”
“Good,” Encante chuckled, “Because we will need to kill my brother as well.”