It had been a long time since Nara left the comforts of the Zrud’s main temple of worship. She nervously played at the hem of her dress’s long sleeves. The bronze elf never imagined her mentor would choose the orphan as the high priestess for the new temple to be constructed. Their travels only began a few weeks prior, but Nara hadn’t accepted the reality yet. Prophetess Renda had to have jested, as Nara was not touched by the goddess. She didn’t have magic.
“Prophetess,” Nara lifted a finger to get the attention of the elderly dwarf next to her, “A question?”
The woman scratched at the skin under her grey beard and turned to the young elf, “Yes?”
“Are you sure we are safe on this current path?” She looked away from her mentor, “The guards spoke of monsters and beasts in the final destination. Did the goddess give you the clarity we need?”
“You worry too much, child,” Prophetess Renda chuckled, “Zrud’s nights are wonderful to view. Perhaps we should take a short rest and appreciate what She has given us. Would you care to pray with me?”
Nara’s emerald eyes shifted between the older woman and the dwarven guard dressed royal army regalia in the same wagon as them.
“Dearest prophetess,” The guard cleared his throat, “Our scouts warned of the narrow roads on this mountain pass. One wrong maneuver and we will have to rescue whoever’s wagon rolls down the mountainside. I greatly advise waiting until we have reached a safer area to exit for a nighttime prayer.”
The older dwarf scowled and flicked her white braids over her shoulder. The clanking of gems and gold pinged as the hair settled behind her. Both the priestess and the prophetess were dressed in plain white robes with jewelry given for protection or praise. The weight always made the elf uneasy. That, and Nara never imagined she would wear something worth more than the orphanage she grew up in.
The prophetess rolled her white eyes and flung her arms into the air, “If that is how I am to leave this world, then so be it!”
Nara and the guard chuckled at her dramatic flair. When their wagon slowed to a halt, the guard unzipped the protective canvas and peeked his head outside. When his whistle went unanswered, he stood from the pile of pillows.
“Prophetess, priestess,” He bowed his head, “Allow me to investigate. Please, remain in the wagon. I will be back shortly.”
The dwarven woman waved him off shortly before resting back into her own comfortable chair. Nara twirled her thumbs nervously during the momentary silence.
“Prophetess, why did you choose me to lead the new temple?” Nara whispered, “I just reached adulthood two years ago and gained my priestess rank last year. Any priestess with more experience would be better suited for this job.”
“That is not Her plan,” She unbraided her beard and scratched at her chin, “The stars showed your name. My visions showed you. Even when you were a mere child, the wind whispered that you would be favored. That is why I chose you as my apprentice –despite you being an elf in the land of dwarves. I believe it to be for this adventure. Our goddess has a plan for you in Vimgraunt.”
Nara blushed lightly at the praise and lowered her head in thanks.
Prophetess Renda placed a hand gently on her shoulder, “Even now, you seek answers that I don’t know. That is what the goddess wants, I’m sure. Who am I to argue against it?”
She chuckled, “You share a shard of Her soul. If anyone has the right, it would be you.”
The rustles of the wagon’s cover silenced them. The guard placed a finger over his lips before whispering, “The caravan is being stalked. We aren’t sure by what… but it sprinted ahead of us at abnormal speeds.”
“Are we expecting an attack?” Nara anxiously played with her sleeve’s hem.
“With any luck, we won’t have to fight,” He nodded curtly, “One of the scouts says there is a small camp hidden in a cave nearby. Should anything happen, I will escort you both there.”
“Understood,” The prophetess sat upwards, and the pops of her spine realigning caused her so shiver, “Do as you need but I do not foresee that happening.”
The guard stepped into the wagon and knocked softly on the wood to alert the driver to move. The silence between them only increasingly worried Nara. The prophetess closed her eyes and crossed her fists to pray. The three rode in silence until an unusual dark mist emerged through the floorboards. The guard unzipped the canvas slightly to view the dense mist dancing along the road.
“This may be our monster,” The guard stated as the wagon crept to a stop, “Please, be prepared to run.”
The silence of the night was broken by a deep, eerie voice that echoed along the mountain pass, “Goddess-Soul.”
The hissed word felt like ice on the wind. Nara felt the hairs on her neck and arms raise. The mist at their feet thickened as if it was locating their position for the monster. She felt a hand urging calmness placed on her shoulder. The prophetess nodded.
“This couldn’t be a creature from the isle, could it? Prophetess, is the goddess speaking to you now?” Nara placed a hand over the woman’s own.
She did not expect the Prophetess to shake her head.
“Goddess-Soul,” The voice amplified, “I know you are out there. I can smell you. You and I both know these guards will needlessly forfeit their lives to protect you. Present yourself and I will spare them.”
“I must urge both of you to remain hidden,” The guard grabbed the zipper that would allow them to leave the wagon, “A prophetess and high priestess are worth sacrificing our lives for. It’s our duty to protect you. I cannot allow you to risk yourself.”
“How many people are with us? Thirty? Has anyone even seen the monster yet?” Nara asked, “I don’t know of many monsters that speak dwarven.”
“Nor do I,” The guard agreed, “It could be a trap. We have heard of bandits attempting to train isle creatures for… nefarious purposes.”
“This is the last warning before I am forced to find you. I will eliminate anything in my way,” The frustration in the voice was apparent, “Make yourself seen, Goddess-Soul.”
The prophetess drummed her fingers once before grabbing her walking cane and humbling for the exit, “I want to speak to it. It has asked specifically for me.”
He reached out to grab her arm, “Prophetess, I cannot allow—”
“Get your hands off me!” She used the walking stick to bang against his armor, “I’ve made my decision. The goddess hasn’t led me astray.”
As she pulled the flap apart, the clash of metal began in the nearby darkness of night. She turned back to Nara before scowling at the guard.
“Are you coming? We have a fight to end,” The old woman winked to Nara.
Before she could reject, she grasped the elf by the wrist and pulled her from the safety of the wagon. The dense, dark mist beneath their feet felt like a marsh to walk through. Nara felt it lick at her feet and ankles as they rushed towards the battle. A huddle of guardsmen surrounded a single, unworried form that danced around their attacks.
The fluid motions of the figure amazed her. The glaive’s blade was extraordinarily long, much like a longsword many of the guards carried. With each swing, another guard dropped to the ground. As they rushed to the fray, the figure looked in their direction and tilted its head at an awkward, inhuman angle. From a distance, the mist blurred the figure’s view. But now, Nara could see what the horrifying monster looked like.
It was a lanky and unnaturally proportioned humanoid. Its arms and legs seemed impossibly long and thin to move as it did. The only hint of skin were the pale, skeletally thin hands wrapped around the shaft of its weapon. The rest of its form seemed to blur into the mist or was wrapped in dark armor. A curtain of sleek, silver hair flowed to its waist and twirled as the figure did. The black mist evaporated from the being like water from a hot spring, making the air near it harder to breathe.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
The mask over its face caused Nara to gasp in fright. The simple sanded wood took away from the impossibly void underneath. The only hint of life was two bright spheres of glowing lilac that seemed impossibly far away to be inside the creature. The mask looked as if an owl’s face tormented itself into a monstrosity.
When the glowing orbs shifted around to view the two noncombatants, the voice chuckled, “You’ve aged terribly in this life, Renda-Soul. Now, call off the guards before I stop being so gentle.”
Nara blinked in confusion and looked at the bodies around them. Some others were merely knocked unconscious. Many suffered fatal blows, but no gore could be seen on any victim. She looked to the prophetess in amazement, as the stout dwarf hobbled towards the creature.
“Creature, what do you want? What unholy plans do you have?” The prophetess scowled.
The monster took a deep breath and cut down another guard as he grabbed a sword with a hand to stop another attack. It flexed its grip on the blade and the metal of the blade shattered. The moonlight danced off the falling metal as the figure straightened itself and titled its head to either side.
“You must not recognize me,” It growled, “Or you wouldn’t dare to speak to me in such a manner.”
The guards took the opportunity to attack while it was distracted. A nearby mage began casting a spell and the others jumped towards it with weapons drawn. It simply reached a hand outwards and gripped the air harshly.
The dark mist stiffened the air. The mage fell to the ground screaming in pain as his hand fell from his wrist. The dark blade evaporated as it swiped a fury of attacks towards it. When the spear’s blunt end collided with the ground, the air stiffened once more.
Nara felt the mist crawling around her skin and freezing around her. She fought against the aura of anxiety and fear that warned her to flee. Many of the guards were locked into place or greatly slowed. She saw the look in their eyes that she felt in her core. While the mages struggled to gain their footing, the figure swept the sharp blade across their necks. The lilac orbs never leaving the sight of the prophetess. When the bodies fell limp, the fog released them to collapse completely.
But, despite her small frame, the prophetess stood against the unholy figure. White winds erupted from the older dwarf to combat the mist circling her. It lifted her from her feet and carried her towards the figure.
“Enough! You’ve proven your point. We’ve searched for you for decades. Why are you here? Why Zrud?”
“I cannot speak of it, or my vessel will suffer. That’s why I hunted you when I could smell you,” It swiped away another attack as it stepped towards her, “I’ve called to your goddess for help, yet I only receive silence.”
“Lower your weapons!” The prophetess demanded, then looked at the monster, “Including you.”
It unenthusiastically raised its glaive and let go of the weapon. It disintegrated into the mist. The guards took a step back as the prophetess glared at the creature.
“If I am attacked, I will call it back,” The lilac orbs never left the prophetess, “Dismiss them so we may continue our conversation in private.”
The prophetess let her own spell go and drifted safely to the ground.
She curtsied to the creature before turning to the guards, “Do as he commands. Thank you for your protection, but it is no longer necessary. Return to your wagons.”
The creature crossed his arms impatiently as the guards took a few steps back. He looked towards Nara, and she felt terror as its lilac orbs scanned her up and down.
“And this one?”
“She is with me,” Prophetess looked to the elf, “She is my apprentice and can speak honestly should anything happen.”
“What will happen to us?” Nara asked.
“You, nothing,” He chuckled, “Goddess-Soul has an inkling of what she must do, I assume.”
“Who are you?” She whimpered.
“Not here,” The prophetess shook her head, “There are too many witnesses.”
“Very well,” Encante lifted his hands and the black mist darkened around them.
Nara couldn’t see through the thick fog but felt Renda’s hand grab her own. She heard the screams drawn out from around them. The dwarf led them further into the dark until the fog disappeared.
“None saw us?” The prophetess looked to the wraith.
“You will not be found until I am finished with you.”
“What are you?” Nara looked at the bare land around them.
“Do you not understand yet? Has my name been erased from your religion’s preaching?” He straightened himself with pride, “I am the one that sows fear and reaps the nightmares it forms. I am the king of fallen beasts and shadows. I am the Great Protector and Guardian of the Unclaimed Isle.”
Nara’s jaw dropped, “Encante? The Encante? The Guardian Stones exist? I thought they were merely a legend based on royalty’s heirlooms.”
“My cousins may only speak with their vessels, but I speak to whomever I wish,” He ran a hand through his thick silver hair, “I grow tired of your questions, priestess. Let’s begin the ritual.”
“Will they find us?” The elderly dwarf examined him.
“Following this road towards the moon will bring you back to where your company awaits,” He pointed, “Now, the ritual?”
“What ritual?” Nara looked between them.
“He needs the blood of a prophetess,” She sat comfortably down on the grass patch they stood upon, “What happened to you, Great Protector?”
“A vile elf kidnapped my beloved when she had me cast into a physical form during an invasion,” Encante rubbed a hand against the mask, “My Chosen was culled from this world after several tortuous decades. This vessel is all that remains of her –a child conceived from experiments.”
Nara’s hand flew to her face in disgust, “Shouldn’t we gather a force to arrest him? What is his name?”
Encante calmly held up a hand to pause her, “This vessel is curse-branded by the one I believe fathered her. She’s not strong enough to fight the pain that disobedience causes her. The brand will kill her if she defies him enough.”
He turned and moved the hair to show a throbbing mark on the back of his neck. The black brand’s dark veins crept away from the brand and towards his throat.
“I have spent centuries of energy to actively keep this vessel alive. I am nearly unable to fight against his endless endeavors to kill her. I must rest soon, or the world may face grave consequences,” Encante dropped his hair and turned to face them, “This branding keeps our minds apart. Her mother’s last wish was for me to save this child. If her master kills her, by rite he will be my new vessel. I am too weak to fight off his control for long. With his strength, I fear what he may accomplish during my hibernation.”
“How much blood do you need?” The prophetess asked.
“To continue as things are, all of it. The child is beginning to form her own magic outside of my influence. If I can hibernate while still feeding her, I can keep her alive until she is ready,” The glowing lilac orbs inspected Nara like a new type of prey, “If you are unwilling, I can gather from a goddess-touched as well.”
Nara lowered her head in shame, “I am not blessed with power.”
“Then, Goddess-Soul,” He knelt at the dwarf’s side, “Are you ready and willing?”
“I wish to meet the vessel before my last breath. My sister souls need to see her face to help her in the next life.”
“I will release my hold once we begin,” He turned to Nara, “The ritual is simple. I must absorb her blood. Simply put the wound on the vessel’s skin and I will do the rest.”
Nara’s eyes watered heavily, “Prophetess, I don’t want you to go. I’m not ready.”
“Nara, you’ve been in my service for so long,” She reached a hand to holds hers, “Please, call me Renda as I leave this cycle.”
Nara fell to her knees and squeezed the woman’s hand. The woman summoned a blade made of pure light and held it out to Encante.
“With this blade, I permit my blood to be sacrificed. The one who cuts will be the one who can take. By my oath, I present it in sound mind.”
“With this blade, I cut your skin to take your blessed blood,” Encante pressed the blade to her skin and the woman squeaked in pain, “By my oath, I will use this sacrifice and preserve your honor.”
Renda looked to Nara with a soft smile, “The goddess speaks to me. You will be guided to your destination. When my soul is absorbed into hers, I will send you the power you need to carry on. Come, be with me.”
“Please inform your goddess that I am extremely displeased,” Encante shook his head, “Thought I am sure she already knows.”
As he pulled the mask from his face, he shrunk in size. Renda grabbed the falling hand to hold onto her open wound. The sleek, silver hair curled and lightened into loose auburn ringlets. The armor and black cloth turned to the dull grays of tattered rags made into patchy tunic. When the mask completely fell, a face full of tiny freckles, a small button nose and pale skin formed.
“She’s so young,” Nara gasped.
“Help me hold her as I meet our Goddess,” Renda reached for the girl.
Nara helped lift the small human into her lap. Renda swept the loose hair way from the sleeping girl’s face. Her skin greedily drank the gushing blood. The Prophetess used her spare arm to lift the stone necklace off the girl’s neck to get a closer view.
“Not many meet the guardians in their lifetime,” The prophetess smiled softly as her eyelids began to droop, “I’ve been blessed enough to see two.”
“I would give anything to save you,” Nara rubbed at the tears running down her face, “If I had any talent, I would be able to—”
“Nonsense, Nara. You’re still young. Use your knowledge and kindness to help this girl,” Renda let go of the stone, “Her master cannot get control of Encante. Do whatever you can to help her see the light.”
The scale-shaped stone was a dark, endless void with light lines of lilac that reminded Nara of lightning on a terribly stormy night. The cracks glowed lightly beneath the surface as the girl absorbed more of the prophetess’s blood.
When her honey-colored eyes fluttered open, the girl examined the two near her.
“You’re safe for now, little one,” The prophetess’s eyes closed, “You will be for some time. What is your name?”
“Master will be angry if I do not return home before sunrise.” She squirmed and looked into the sky, “Master does not like when I give my name.”
“I won’t tell if you don’t,” Renda chuckled wryly.
“He says my mother named me Miradash.”
She winced as a black vein reached around her neck from the branding.
“Mira is a beautiful name,” The old dwarf smiled, “I am Renda. I am slipping from this cycle, but I hope I will find you in the next, little Mira.”
“Did I do this?” Mira traced the deep cut on her arm, “I’m sorry! I’m trying to learn healing, but my master doesn’t approve of it.”
“When you’re older and stronger, Priestess Nara will help you leave your master –if that’s what you’d like,” Renda’s voice slowed greatly, “I’m afraid I’m off to commune with our goddess soon.”
“Goodnight, Miss Renda,” Mira stood from her lap and bowed politely to the dying woman.
The silent dwarf’s arms fell without much circumstance. Nara clasped her hands over her face to hide her tears. Mira paused before facing the bronze elf.
“I’m sorry, Priestess Nara. I must go now, or Master will be upset. Where can I find you?”
“We… we were to build a new temple in Vimgraunt,” She spoke between sobs, “How could—”
“If I am allowed, I will try to come visit.”
The young girl paused to absorb the words before unlatching her arms and sprinting up the mountain at unnatural speeds. Nara held her dead mentor and let out a thunderous sob that gathered the guard’s attention.