Year 53

*The blue moon shines down on the Oasis as Emma knocks on Kimmy’s door before walking in. A shelf of small glass creatures rests across from the bed, at the center is an elf crouching down.*

Emma: Watcha up to?

*Kimmy sits on a large pillow with Lily in her lap as she reads a letter.*

Kimmy: Just reading my letters from Haze about Dad. *Looks at Emma.* Did you know he once tried to make his own moon water?

Emma: He tried with you as well.

Kimmy: Haze never mentioned that.

*Emma sits next to Kimmy on the bed and pets Lily.*

Emma: That’s because He wasn’t there when it happened. The water never changed. It was that bottle he kept on his desk.

Kimmy: The one I broke and you replaced?

Emma:*Laughs* Yeah. He was convinced it just needed more time. One evening the light came through the window and the shine on the bottle made him think it had changed. Petunia said he was screaming for me until a cloud passed.

Kimmy: *Laughs* Mama. I know he wasn’t the greatest human. But he was a good dad.

Emma: *Smiles* He was. He cared for you more than your brothers but Thomas and Jacob both went hunting with him regularly.

Kimmy: Did you ever find Jacod and Petunia?

Emma: Petunia lives in Infera, somewhere in the capital. Jacob was working as an apprentice for someone.

Kimmy: What is he apprenticing for?

Emma: It had something to do with making Bows. I can't remember what the letter said now.

Kimmy: Can you take me to see him after everything?

Emma: Of course. We’ll take Thomas as well.

Kimmy: Can Sunflower come too?

Emma: If she wants to. *Grabs Kimmy’s hand* Hey Kimmy. I need you to promise me something.

Kimmy: Of course Mama. What is it?

*Kimmy notices tears forming in Emma’s eyes.*

Emma: If you don’t hear from me. Promise me you’ll stay here. I promise to come back safe. But if something goes wrong. I need you to wait here until I come to get you. Okay?

Kimmy: I promise. *Hugs Emma* But only because you promise to come back.

Emma: *Sniff* I’ll let you get some sleep then. Remember don't leave Lily in here.

*Emma walks towards the door*

Kimmy: I know, she already tried to break my snake one.

Emma:*Laughs* Well I did warn you...

*Emma smiles and lets out a breath of relief.*

Emma: Thank you, Kimmy. You’re my favorite daughter.

Kimmy: Last you told me I was your only daughter. *Laughs*

*Emma Smiles as she closes the door behind her. Lily looks up at Kimmy.*

Kimmy: You have to come *Voice break* back too okay? *Cries* I already lost my Dad. I can’t lose my Mama too.

—---------------------

*Emma and Kimmy sit on the dock at the back of the house, Emma makes a small model of the water show. The dragon looks more like a snake. Kimmy smiles as the water serpent slithers around her before returning to the water.*

Kimmy: Mama. You won’t disappear again, will you?

Emma: I don’t plan on it.

Kimmy: So you planned on the last one?

Emma: Well no. But I’m not planning on going on any big adventures until after the stuff at home.

Kimmy: So promise me.

Emma:*Laughs* I promise. I won’t disappear if it’s within my power.

Kimmy: *Glare* Not good enough.

*David walks over from the house.*

David: Master. We’re all packed and ready.

*Emma and Kimmy stand up and walk to the house's front.*

Emma: *Hugs Kimmy* Thomas will make sure you have letters. I left some ribbons I attuned to myself for you to use. Try to only write me when I write you okay? I’ll try for around sunset.

Kimmy: It’ll be night by then for me. It’ll be like you talking to me before bed. *Smiles*

Emma: *Hugs Thomas* Write me if there is an emergency.

Thomas: Stay safe Emma. I’ll keep Kimmy out of trouble. *Smiles*

*Emma smiles and waves as she hops on her Dunestalker, it whinnies softly. David waves to Kimmy and Thomas before the two ride off into the desert.*

—--------------------------------------------------------------

*Emma leads the two through a different route leading them to a small dwarvish town on the outskirts of the Desert.*

David: Why did we come this way?

Emma: Because. This is the Town of Kelpie. It’s one of the only places outside of Sylvndor that allows you to drop off Dunstalkers. From here the road north takes us straight towards the Falls. We won’t make it until next year, still, but we'll save about six months.

David: Why are we rushing? Are you trying to get rid of me?

Emma: No. I’m trying to get back to my training, but that includes getting you home quickly. You’re still strong enough to protect yourself now. That’s what I agreed to do.

David: Well, what if I just follow you back? I’m an adult now. I can choose to just follow you then.

Emma: David. *Exhale* If you can last against me for ten minutes when we get back then you can join me.

David:*Bows* Yes Master!

*A couple of dwarves mutter something in dwarvish about slaves and laugh.*

Emma: *Mumbles* Yeah still enough to kick your ass.

David: What?

Emma: Nothing. Let’s get going. I want to reach the border by nightfall. We’ll ride Lily from here.

*Making it to the border town of Leakon just as the moons come out, Emma decides to stop for the night. The next morning they leave the town on foot.*

—---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

*The two stand in a large open field, standing side by side with their arms extended out.*

Emma: So while anyone can use barriers. Only humans can create a strong external barrier. Elves can help support it but the strength still comes from the human casting it. My barrier can withstand most weaker blunt attacks, even you could break through it with your fists. That's why you'll normally see me just using enhancement magic to make my skin more durable.

*David's barrier slowly expands around him.*

Emma: Okay. Tell me when you think you’re ready and I’ll strike.

*David nods and Emma creates a stone club and strikes the barrier. It begins to crack. David stumbles a little, getting his footing back, Emma strikes again and shatters the barrier.*

Emma: Get up. Do it again. We’re going until you run out of Mana or can block my hit without it cracking. When we get to that point I’ll stop holding back.

*David stands up and begins preparing his barrier again.*

David: You’ll stop before you make contact though right Master?*long pause.* Um, Master?

Emma: I’ll think about it. Now quit crying and block!

*They continue to train until David runs out of Mana. Emma destroys the club just before it hits him. Afterward, they both sit at camp.*

David: *Exhausted* Hey Master.

Emma: Hmm?

David: Most of your magic seems far advanced compared to even other elves I’ve met. Why is your barrier magic so weak?

Emma: *Thinks* I don’t know. As far as I can tell none of the Seers have tried to use them. All elves can use physical enhancement so we tend to use that to block blows like I said before. I know most orange elves use earth walls to create quick barriers. I learned it by watching my Sister and Aunt train.

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*After resting. the two hear a roar coming from the nearby forest, and a flock of birds flies into the sky, followed by a blast of electricity. All three turn to look towards the noise, and Lily runs to Emma.*

Emma: David, Stay here. Lily and I will check it out.

*Emma hops on Lily and they run toward the noise, in stealth. Upon reaching the source of the sound she finds a large Stormbear, rampaging.*

Lily: What’s a Stormbear doing this far from Valoria?

Emma(TL): I don’t know. But we can’t let it stay here.

*The Stormbear swipes at a tree, revealing a short male beastkin with floppy dog ears. The Stormbear’s body starts to glow before the Stormbear releases an electric blast. As the smoke clears the Stormbear roars again when it hears a cough and turns around to Emma placing down the beastkin. The Stormbear begins to glow as Lily latches onto its back and it begins to flail and swipe at her.*

Emma: Are you okay?

Beastkin: Yeah. *Cough*

*Emma notices a clip missing in his ear.*

Beastkin: I don’t know what happened.

Emma: You can shove it. Sit there and explain it after I deal with this.

David: Master!

Emma: Perfect timing! Let's practice your barrier. Keep him alive.

*Emma creates Ice cuffs around the Beastkin’s hands and feet before turning to the Bear. David creates a small barrier.*

Emma: If you’re still too weak, just move him out of here.

*David nods. The bear finally grabs a hold of Lily and throws her off. The bear starts to glow and speed up as it charges towards Lily. Emma throws a stone spike at the bear, it shatters but knocks the bear over. Emma sends a group of clones to distract the bear while she runs to check on Lily.*

Emma: What happened? Are you okay?

Lily: It’s stronger than normal. My fangs couldn’t pierce it’s skin.

*Emma yells to the beastkin.*

Emma: What’s wrong with it!? If you don’t answer I’ll change my mind about letting you live!

Beastkin: I just fed it whatever they put in the bag! I just joined them, please don’t kill me. I already regret helping them.

*Emma looks around and spots a bag. She creates a couple more clones to help distract the Stormbear as she inspects the bag.*

Emma: *Opens bag* This looks like a bag of feed.

*Emma sniffs the bag and then immediately gags*

Emma: What is that smell? It smells like a troll orgy. Whatever, we need to kill this thing before it hurts anyone.

*As the Stormbear glows it stomps, each time sending out an electric pulse, destroying the clones. Emma unsheathes her blades and runs at the Stormbear, creating earth pillars to block the pulses. Emma jumps over the final pillar to see the Stormbear's mouth open towards her. The Stormbear shoots out a blast, engulfing Emma.*

David: Master!

*David’s Barrier breaks*

Emma: Don’t worry about me! *Cough*

*Emma stands up, holding a shield made of stone. Her left arm singed.*

Emma: Lily! Get David out of here!

*Lily runs over to David and he places the beastkin on her before sprinting off.*

Emma: Now I don’t need to hold back as much. *Smiles*

*Emma sheathes her blades before releasing a bag of dust, The dust begins to heat up, to a glowing red when the Stormbear releases another blast of lightning. As the smoke clears, Emma grabs the crafted spear, two crystals form an electric-resistant barrier. The spear hums with electricity as Emma swings it.*

Emma: I’m sorry, for this. I’m sure this was against your will.

*The Stormbear charges toward Emma.*

Emma: Rest now.

*The tip of the spear glows as Emma throws the spear, piercing the Stormbears skull. Emma goes to find the others, who've stumbled upon some old Elven ruins. The beastkin has passed out, David attempts to wake him by gently smacking his face*

Emma: Leave him for now.

David: Okay. *Looks around* Have you been here before?

Emma: *Mad* I’m not that old! No, I haven’t been here. This place isn’t on any maps I’ve seen before either. But there are a bunch of these old unexplored ruins all over Sylvndor. Some say they tell our past and future.

*David finds among the ruins, a small stone structure still standing.*

David: Woah. Hey Master! Over here!

*Emma looks over to David, he squats down noticing something on the floor.*

David: That looks like an old magic circle.

*As David goes to wipe away some moss he cuts his hand on the stone. As David’s blood drips onto the circle, it begins to activate. Emma runs toward him when she notices the circle lighting up.*

Emma: David! Get out of there!

*David vanishes in front of Emma. Emma quickly runs inside, she cuts he hand to reactivate the magic circle again before another blinding light engulfs her.*

*As the bright light fades, Emma walks into a large room. One side of the room has collapsed and is filled with rubble. The rest of the pillars holding up the ceiling look as though they could collapse at any moment. The walls are covered in drawings and ancient writings. Lily hops out from Emma.*

Emma: David! Are you okay?*Runs to David*

*As Emma yells the pillars shake slightly. David runs his hands over the letters*

David: Yeah, look at this. It’s some weird language I’ve never seen before.

*Emma walks over to the wall, in the center is some writing with drawings all around it with elves, moons, and a large tree. As she looks at the letters, something stirs inside her. She reaches out to the figure inside her.*

Emma Thinking: Do you know how to read this?

*As Emma continues to look at the words, her eyes change purple and she begins to read.*

“The first Child will be born on the second day, of the third month.

Born under the four moons he and his five armies will bring ruins for six centuries in the seventh Decade.

His reign will poison the world tree, its toxic flowers will ruin the earth.

His Generals and soldiers born of duality shall enforce his laws.

Only the Wings of Harmony can prevent Her poisoning.”

*Emma’s eyes fade back to green.*

David: What are the wings of harmony?

*Tears form in Emma’s eyes.*

David: Master?*Turns to Emma.* What’s wrong?

Emma: The Wings of Harmony are what killed my mother.

David: Is this story about her?

Emma: No. I think this is what we’re going to be facing. But it did say "Her poisoning."

David: So does this tell us when?

Emma: In the seventh decade. Most say after one hundred years. The elves used to follow a different calendar. I read about it once at the capitol as a child. And even then the one we follow now reset when the elves joined. Help me copy this text. I’ll see if I can find the book about it when I go back to the capital.

*Emma hands David some paper and charcoal.*

Emma: Copy everything. We need to translate it and bring it to Queen Seraphina.

*After copying everything down Emma looks over each paper, and David writes down the translations while she reads.*

"The Wings of Harmony Will only show to those proven by Grace.

Their power too heavy for a tainted heart, must be wielded by two.

Together She will bring down the beacon of hope, her royal blood of two."

*As they finish translating Emma’s eyes go back to green again.*

Emma: So what’s the situation? How many are just copies?

David: Well a lot of them are the same story but written slightly differently. But they all end with Then the hardships begin. It's almost like someone added it afterward.

Emma: Hey, do You mind leaving first? I need a moment alone.

David: Yeah.

Emma: Oh and take Lily.

*David looks confused but gestures for Lily, who follows him along. After they leave Emma bursts into tears.*

Emma: What do I do Mom? Even this says we can’t stop them. How do I protect everyone’s smile if I can’t even stop them? WHAT DO I DO?!

*As Emma stomps she steps on a pressure plate, as the wall opens up Emma sees another set of pristine glyphs. A birdlike spirit flies across the land of the elves living in an alien world, smiling. Emma sees a small inscription, this time in elvish.*

Emma: “Follow his flight and you’ll find with delight. A child of light, born from blight. She hides in fear for those she holds dear. Until the final day of Unity, she will be given an opportunity.”

*Suddenly the pillars begin to shake and the room starts to collapse. Emma quickly runs towards the magic circle. David waits outside with Lily when the ground begins to shake. The ground rises and ruptures at multiple points. Both run out of the ruins to turn and see a crater where the ruins once stood, grabbing the beastkin along the way. *

David: Master!

Lily: MAMA!

David: Can you hear me!?

*Emma walks out of the rubble coughing and waving the dust away with some of the papers.*

Emma: Quit yelling! I’m right here.

David: What happened? Did you get the translations?

*Lily crawls on Emma, the dust rubs off and covers Lily.*

Emma: Stop it! Ugh. Now you need a bath. Are you happy?

Lily: Yeah! You’re safe.

*Emma laughs*

Emma: I couldn’t grab all of them in time. Shortly after I discovered a new area, the place began to collapse.

David: Hey Master. Should we head to the capital now?

Emma: Yeah. I’ll send for Levi to meet us there.

David: What about our deal?

Emma: You have until Levi comes to pick you up. Don’t worry, I didn’t forget. *Smiles*

David: So should we get a couple of Fluffmanes then?

Emma: Yeah, when we get to the next town. Let’s try to stay low though. The faster we move the easier it is for the seers to find us.

David: At least they can’t figure out where Kimmy is now.

Emma: She’s not the only one I worry about. They targeted you and her around the same time.

*Emma walks over to the beastkin and kicks him in the stomach, waking him up.*

Beastkin: *Cough* Please don’t kill me!

Emma: I’ll think about it, while you tell me everything that happened.

Beastkin: I can’t! If I do, they’ll kill me!

Emma: Fine, I’ll turn you over to the guards. I’m sure, they’d love to know someone brought a Stormbear to Sylvndor. But I’m not letting you go unless you tell me what that was. If you don’t talk I’ll start skinning you.

*Emma caresses and pets his fur*

Emma: I’ve always enjoyed how soft, beastkin fur is.

Beastkin: *Looks away, scared* A c-cr-crossbreed from Mithrun.

Emma: See was that so hard? *turns to David* go start dinner. I’m going to have a chat with our new friend here. What’s your name?

Beastkin: I threw my name away when I joined the ferals.

Emma: Then what, was, your name?

Kaeljin: Kaeljin.

Emma: Now do you want to talk to me or the guards? I can assure you. I might not kill you. But I’m sure they’ll execute you for something like that.

Kaeljin: Please! I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just told to bring it back to Lycaris, The dwarves told me to only feed it from the bag. I used my beast taming to control it while we traveled, but since entering Sylvndor it started to get more and more agitated.

Emma: Did you ever smell inside the bag? That stuff was vile.

Kaeljin: No Idea. I asked about the smell and they said it was something, it sounded like they said something about bacon.

Emma: beacán biotáille, spirit mushrooms. They’re poisonous to anything outside Sylvnydor. If an animal eats them they go into a magic rage like that. From the smell, I’d guess they had started to go bad.

*Looking at his soul, it’s slightly cloudy.*

Emma: Why did you join them? The ferals.

Kaeljin: I didn’t want to. They kidnapped our village and said if we didn’t follow orders they’d kill our family.

Emma: Okay. You can save the rest for the guards. *Stands up* I’m not sure if I believe you. But since no one got hurt, I’m sure the guards won’t do much more than question you if you’ll tell them everything you told me.

*Kaeljin nods*

Emma: Good:*Turns to David* Is dinner done yet? All that fighting used up my magic reserves.

—--------------------------

*The summer sun shines down on the town of Juniper. Emma and David split up to get supplies to quickly reach the capital when Emma notices she’s being followed and turns down an ally way*

Lyra: There you are.

*Emma turns to Lyra.*

Emma: *Clinches fist* Lyra. You have some nerve attacking my daughter!

Lyra: What’re you talking about? *Smiles*

Emma: I want nothing to do with any of you. Get out of here before I change my mind.

Lyra: I can’t. After your last stunt, I have to stay close. The boss doesn’t want any more mishaps and apparently, you’ve been stirring up a lot of trouble lately.

Emma: You can tell Ifrit or Archon, or whoever! They can follow me all they want. But if it’s going to be you, I’ll kill you myself. Right here. Right now.

Lyra: I'll be sure to let him know you said that. It's not like I want to be here anyway. Tell you what. You promise not to attack us anymore, and I'll "Watch" you.

Emma: *Grits her teeth.* Fine. I promise.

*Emma’s eyes start to crackle*

David: Master?

*Emma looks at David for a second and Lyra vanishes.*

David: Who was that?

Emma: Someone who if we see again it’s kill on site. She won’t admit it but I know she sent the attack on Kimmy. We don’t need to be stealthy anymore. They’re watching me specifically right now it sounds like.

David: That just means you’re doing the right thing. Right?

Emma: *Laughs* I guess. Well If we don’t need to be careful anymore.

*Emma removes the disguise cast on both of them. David rubs his face and head.*

David: I know it doesn’t actually put anything on me, but it still feels like my face is lighter when you remove that spell.

Emma: Yeah. I’m just mad because we just bought three bundles of Instant Letters, and now they no longer matter. *Sigh* Why not send Haze? At least I wouldn’t want to hurt him.

Lily: Didn’t he get demoted because of you?

Emma(TL): That’s what I heard.