Rise of the Flame

  “Yes. Lord Elahe, the creator of the entire universe, created many Ancients to start new worlds… but we’ll get to that another day. I am afraid I don’t have time to explain the origins of the universe quite yet.”

  “But the others?” Lilae persisted. “What happened to them?”

  Delia pointed to the lines that separated each realm from one another.

  “The Barriers,” she explained, “were created by the Ancients to keep us from warring with each other. When they created the different races, it was glorious. First, there was peace, and they were pleased; however, everything changed…when death was discovered. With the first death, the perfect world they had created and loved started to crumble. Quests for power and greed took over. Evil was born, and it infected some of the Ancients as well. Things were so bad when all of the races lived together that they almost destroyed our world.” Delia turned the page to a picture of the Ancients.

  “The Ancients created The Barriers to keep us safe from one another’s powers, to return the world to balance.”

  Lilae examined the drawing of the Ancients.

  Delia pointed to a picture of what resembled a man, except he seemed to be made of some type of metal.

  He sat on a dark throne with a long spear in his hand and an intense look on his bronze face. Even as a picture, he seemed to stare back at Lilae, looking into her soul. She shivered and turned her eyes to the fire, scooting closer to Delia for warmth and protection. Before that night, Lilae thought that she feared nothing; she now feared Wexcyn with every fiber of her being.

  “Wexcyn was the first Ancient created by Elahe. He was so powerful, that his creations were able to manipulate any power that the other races could. He was almost too powerful, and he knew it. He wanted to rule his brothers and sisters. He wanted to be God.”

  “What Ancient was he Delia? Who were his people?”

  “They were called Mithrani. They were a beautiful race.”

  “And now they are all gone?”

  “After the war, they hid. They are out there…somewhere. And he was imprisoned in the abyss for his crimes. Wexcyn started an alliance with a few of the other Ancients. What they did in the Great War changed everything. They discovered something that threatened the entire world.”

  Lilae sat up straighter. She could picture everything Delia spoke of. The races, the gods, the war. “What happened? What did they change?”

  “They discovered that each death of an individual makes their Ancient weaker.”

  Lilae nodded. “It makes sense,” she said, and ran a finger across her bottom lip as she thought. “Delia…the Great War wasn’t about us was it? It was really a fight between the Ancients?”

  “Indeed.”

  Lilae stared at the picture again. Those eyes would haunt her until the day she died. He had once been the most powerful Ancient in existence. What would he do to her if he was close enough? He resembled a human, yet he seemed to be a supernaturally enhanced version. Seeing him hold that golden spear worried her. She could picture that spear impaling her.

  Lilae furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at his picture. “Is that what is coming, Delia? Another war?”

  “They have already taken sides, my dear. This war has been brewing for ages. I am afraid we can no longer avoid it. The Ancients knew that Wexcyn couldn’t stay imprisoned forever. He has too many supporters who have been trying to free him for centuries.”

  Lilae looked at the sky, imagining as she always did that she could see the Ancients up there in the Overworld. “And who is on our side, Delia?”

  “The odds are in our favor…for now. Telryd, Ulsia, and Pyrii fight for life, for the preservation of this world.”

  “So that leaves Inora, the Shadow Elve’s Ancient. She betrayed us, then.”

  “I wish it were that easy, Lilae. I really do. I fear the other Ancients have returned as well. There are races that you’ve never even heard of, hiding out there…ready for revenge.”

  “Bellens, you mean?”

  “Where did you hear that word?”

  “I overhead a woman in Sabron say something about them to a little girl. She told the girl that if she didn’t do her chores, that a Bellen would come and eat her.”

  Delia signed. “Damned idiot, whoever that woman was.”

  Lilae folded her arms across her chest and held her blanket tightly. She had waited so long to hear this story, and yet, something told her that she was already a part of it all. “That’s what you meant though, right?”

  “Yes. As we speak, they prepare for war in my home. They have made the Underworld into something it was never meant to be. The Underworld was supposed to be a place for the dead to reconnect with their lost loved ones, and go to their last home.” Delia looked off then, and Lilae felt badly. She couldn’t help but forget that Delia was not of this world. Her home had already been taken, and now she hoped to help Lilae keep hers. “I escaped when Wexcyn killed my brothers and sisters. I was aided by the Ancients, so that I could take you before someone else did.”

  Lilae rested her head against Delia’s shoulder again. She scratched at a mosquito bite. “Tell me, Delia. Where do I fit into all of this? Why did you take me?”

  Delia stroked Lilae’s hair. “Lilae, you are a remarkable young woman. Do you know that?”

  Lilae half smiled as she watched the fire. She didn’t want Delia to keep anything from her anymore so she tried to look as if she were brave. “No more stalling, Delia. Go on; tell me. Am I an Ancient or something?” she joked.

  Delia didn’t say anything. Instead, she pulled back and stared at Lilae. “What did you say?”

  Lilae sat up straight. “What? I was joking.”

  Delia face was paler than Lilae had ever seen it. She narrowed her eyes at Lilae, so that only a small glow replaced her irises. Lilae shuddered. “What is it?”

  Delia shook her head. “Lilae, I don’t know what possessed you to say that. You are too smart for your own good.”

  “You’re not saying…”

  Delia shook her head and waved her hands. “No. No, you’re not an Ancient.”

  Lilae sighed in relief. “That’s a relief.” Her shoulders slumped. “What then?”

  “You were close though, my dear. You are of the Chosen class. With the end of the Great War, the losing Ancients fled and Wexcyn, the leader, was imprisoned. As a truce, The Barriers were created. However, the truce said that one day, another war would be fought…this time for total domination. But here is the thing, Lilae; it was agreed that each race would produce an heir of the Ancients. You are Telryd’s heir.”

  “How is such a thing possible?”

  Delia sat up and leaned a little closer to Lilae, her tone rushing with excitement. “The truce states that the fate of the world would be put in the hands of the people. The Ancients are letting their creations decide who will lead in the Overworld, and there will be no further disputes. They all agreed. It is set in stone. You are the one they call the Flame. You were chosen to lead the humans in this war.”

  Lilae folded her legs and looked over her shoulder again, feeling as though someone watched her from the dark forest. “You’re saying that I will fight Shadow Elves, all to keep Telryd’s place secure in the Overworld? Why can’t he fight for himself?”

  “Lilae, if an Ancient stepped into this world, the balance of power would shift and the world would not be the same. There’s no telling what damage would be done. It must be done by the races.”

  Lilae squeezed her eyes shut and touched her temples with her fingertips. Her head throbbed. There was just too much to process. “What do I have to do?”

  “You will lead the humans against Wexcyn and the forgotten races, and we will hope for the best. For if you fail, there will be new leadership in the Overworld. Do you understand what that would mean?”

  “There would be no more humans.”

  “Exactly. There would be no more humans, Silver Elves, or Tryans. Shadow Elves will thrive, and Wexcyn wil
l re-create his fallen race.” Delia sat back and pulled her cloak tighter. The air grew colder and the wind picked up speed. “Those of the Chosen class are all named. You are the Flame, there is also the Storm, the Inquisitor, the Seer, the Steel, and the last is the Cursed. He will be Wexcyn’s greatest weapon.”

  Lilae sighed. “Delia, this is too much.” She was having a hard time keeping up a brave front.

  “I know that this is a tough fate to accept.” Delia leaned back. “I really thought you were ready. I have no choice but to tell you all that I can. Soon, we might not have an opportunity to talk about these things. We must prepare. The Storm is already heading this way. You have to be ready for his arrival. He will be the closet to you for Pyrii and Telryd are like brothers. Tryans have always been great friends to the humans. As for the other Chosen, they have been ready for years now. We all have been waiting for you.”

  Lilae stared at the fire. The flames were dying down. She had an odd urge to touch them. Somehow, she knew she could do it. She almost reached out, but resisted. She sighed and gazed sidelong at Delia.

  “But…” She cleared her throat and tried to straighten her back. “What if I don’t want to? Will they replace me? If I am too afraid…can I choose my own path?” Delia shot her a look that made her face pale. She immediately felt embarrassed by her question and looked away.

  Delia folded her hands on her lap. “Lilae, dear, I know this must be very hard for you. I’ve studied human emotion for centuries, and while I do not have such feelings, I am empathetic. But, my duty is to see the bigger picture. This entire thing is about more than just you; however, you are the one who must do it. We have waited for someone to be born with all of the necessary power. That someone is you. There will be no replacements.”

  Lilae looked down at her hands. Delia couldn’t understand how she was feeling. She wasn’t human and never would be. She was a supernatural being in human flesh. Could Delia even love her? It hurt to think that she was just business to Delia.

  Delia noticed the look in Lilae’s eyes. She put a hand on Lilae’s. “You are strong, Lilae. You can do this.”

  So, there are five others out there just like me. I wonder if they are as miserable with this burning power as I am. Somehow, she couldn’t tell Delia that she had been feeling stranger than normal lately, that she could feel the power that Delia was telling her about. It kept her awake at night, begging to be released.

  “I’m afraid, Delia.” She avoided eye contact with the Elder. She said it calmly, but she could feel the fear rising in her throat, making her almost giddy. “Isn’t that normal?”

  Delia nodded. “It’s the most normal emotion of them all, my dear.”

  “Well”—Lilae pulled her blankets closer—“at least that part of me is human enough.” She stared up at the stars, listening to the fire crackle.

  “Good girl.” Delia gave a small smile and kissed her forehead. “You are the best choice the Ancients could have made, and one day, you’ll understand why.”

  Lilae smiled. She felt comforted by Delia’s kiss. Such affection was so rare from her.

  Delia stood. “Let’s return to camp before the others wake up.”

  Lilae nodded and followed her back through the forest. When they returned, everyone was still asleep. Delia kept the shield up and put her bedroll beside the fire. She leaned her staff against the wall and watched Lilae as she stood staring past the shield into the darkness.

  “Get some rest, Lilae. We will be reaching new territory soon enough.” Delia moved away from the fire and pulled her blanket over her. “Soon,” Delia said, and smiled at her warmly, “you’ll see a real spring.”

  Lilae nodded absently, and grabbed her pack. “Good night, Delia.” She sat down and looked into the fire. She had so much information to process. Lilae always knew she was different, but now that she finally started to realize what was brewing inside, it frightened her.

  She looked over her shoulder and into the woods. It was quiet. She felt the hairs on her arm stand on end just thinking that Wexcyn was there, watching her. She would never forget the feel of his hands on her. The hate in his eyes. She lay on her bedroll and folded her arms across her chest. Her mind drifted, wondering if the other chosen ones were as afraid as she was.

  Chapter 4

  “I know what you’re afraid of, my love,” Sona whispered into Liam’s ear.

  Liam grinned, and closed his eyes. She was the only one welcome to disturb his solitude. Sona kissed the back of his neck and ran her fingers through his hair. She smelled of lavender and honey. He swirled around and caught her in his arms. She was light in his grasp, and smiled up at him.

  “And what is that?” Liam leaned in to kiss her on the lips. They were as soft as rose petals and similarly colored.

  “Our wedding night.” Sona giggled and he showered her with passionate kisses all over her white throat. “You’re afraid you won’t know what to do with me.” She wrapped her arms around his neck as he grabbed her skirts into a bunch, pressing her against the mantle of the fireplace.

  He lifted her by the thighs. She wrapped them around his waist and let his hands slide up her stockings. “I’m sure I’ll figure it out,” he whispered as his hand caressed her smooth legs.

  “Prince Liam!” a shrill voice called.

  Liam sighed, resting his forehead against Sona’s. She looked up at him with the most unsettling blue eyes he’d ever seen.

  “That woman,” Sona growled under her breath. “Does she follow you everywhere?”

  Liam agreed with the sentiment; he never got a moment’s peace. There was always something to do, somewhere to be, for as long as he could remember.

  “What?” Liam couldn’t mask the irritation in his voice. He rolled his eyes as he heard the high-heeled footsteps enter the room. He knew those clicks along the floor all too well.

  Lady Cardelia stepped into the quiet room. Liam quickly put Sona back onto the floor and straightened his clothing. His tutor frowned as she looked at the both of them. Her glare lingered on Sona in particular.

  Lady Cardelia’s serious blue eyes lifted to Liam’s face. Her spectacles made her eyes look even bigger as she regarded him. He remembered when he used to draw caricatures of her during their lessons. He also remembered being struck across his hands with a stick, whenever she caught him.

  “Queen Aria asked me to find you. It is your birthday ball after all.” Lady Cardelia spoke slowly, precisely, always proper and composed. “You have guests, Prince Liam. You shouldn’t spend the entire night hiding.”

  Liam gave a nod even though he cared nothing about being paraded for guests he didn’t know. “I’m coming.”

  “And you, Lady Sonalese Rochfort”—she shot a raptor-like glare at Sona—“what would Lord Rochfort think if he knew you were back here, without a chaperone, with your dress gathered up around your waist? That is not ladylike at all.”

  Sona looked back at her. Her blue eyes held an icy glare. “I dare you to speak one word to my father.”

  Liam watched as Sona walked directly up to Lady Cardelia. He once thought that Lady Cardelia was one of the most intimidating women he had ever seen; that was, until he met Sona. The young woman fluffed her petticoats and indigo skirts out and retied her white bow around her tiny waist.

  Sona was a noblewoman. Her father, Lord Rochfort, owned all of Klimmericks Row, the wealthiest street of row houses and shops in Oren. He was a prominent political figure and yet Sona didn’t care about the constraints her title should have put on her. Sona did what she wanted. Liam envied her. Perhaps that was why he had proposed to her.

  “But, haven’t you heard...Lady Longneck?” Sona grinned evilly at the look of shock on Lady Cardelia’s face. “That is what everyone calls you.”

  Liam dared to look at Lady Cardelia. The tension in the room was stifling. Sona never censored her speech; she said whatever was on her mind. Lady Cardelia’s face turned red.

  Sona began to leave the room. She glanced b
ack at the wiry older woman whose ruffled collar was buttoned all the way up to beneath her chin. Liam’s brows lifted. Lady Cardelia almost seemed to shrink under Sona’s glare.

  Impressive, Liam thought. No one can make that woman as much as flinch.

  “I don’t care what you tell him. He’d probably have you killed anyway,” she said with a flippant shrug of her shoulders, “for spreading such vicious lies.” She grabbed her silk shawl from the back of a mahogany chair.

  She flashed a smile at Liam. “I’ll see you later, darling.” She waved graciously and disappeared into the crowd outside the door as if nothing had happened.

  Liam stood there silently as Lady Cardelia waited. He almost rolled his eyes when she lifted a long thin finger to wiggle at him. He knew the scolding was about to begin.

  “Liam.” Lady Cardelia looked to him.

  Liam raised an eyebrow. “Prince Liam to you,” he said.

  She put her hands on her hips and gave him her best scowl. “Oh, don’t try that with me, Liam. I’ve been your tutor since you were a little wild toddler wetting your pants. Don’t give me any sass. That girl you’re marrying may have a filthy tongue, but you know better.”

  Liam sighed. No point arguing.

  She shook her head, her face softening. “Why are you hiding in here, Liam?” Her voice came out much gentler that time.

  Liam shrugged, glancing at the doorway. Too many people. Outside those doors were thousands of people waiting to see him. They were crowded in all of the public rooms of the Orenian castle. So many people made him nervous.

  She offered a small smile. “You’re twenty-five years old today, Liam. You cannot hide anymore. All of those people out there are expecting you to protect the kingdom. No masks or disguises can hide you now. Your time has come.”

  Liam put his hands in his pockets. He swallowed. She was right. It was time. This would be the last night that he would be in the castle. For years, he thought he wanted nothing more than to escape his studies and see what the real world had to offer; and now, the time had come and only he knew just what that meant. Being a scholar brought more than knowledge.