"To fan the flames of war reborn, we make our way to the Crimson Shores.
And should we knock on Halor's door, our name in legend will soon be born.
So keep your treasures and save you tears for death we do no longer fear.
'Cause soon we knock on Halor's door, our name in legend will soon be born."
Typically a peaceful and revelrous race, many would pray to never hear this Song of War; Not because it meant the Fae had left their home (Which was often the case as a war born race), but because it meant they had to give up their comfort - And there was nothing the Fae hated more than being uncomfortable. The Fae came in all shapes and sizes, but most stood as tall as you or I. They were a race born with the perfect attributes for battle - though they preferred to drink mead and lay beneath their ancestral trees in the forest of Æflain. Although they were slow to violence, often taking years or even centuries to weigh their options, and preferring to send envoys in attempts to negotiate peace; They too understood the immediate threat that the sudden appearance of a lich army could mean for the world as a whole. To believe the Fae were lackadaisical would be to admit one's own ignorance; The Fae enjoy every moment of peace they have to the fullest because they believe they've earned it after centuries of combat, and the Æflain forest stood as a testament to that very fact.
Word of an undead horde that brought ruin upon anyone - or anything - that was unfortunate enough to come between them and the Opal Forest (As anyone outside of Seelyra would call it) had spread far and wide, and fear spread just as quickly. The Opal Forest was considered a corporeal paradise on earth and was often referred to by the Fae as their sacred burial grounds (Which was not entirely false). This forest - when looked upon from the high cliffs of the Vagarond Mountains - looked as vast as the ocean, with waves of all colors dancing back and forth under the instruction of the wind. But the Lich army wanted to strip the Opal Forest of its splendor. They, like many, believed that the leaves of these beautiful trees were dense with mana and could bequeath them with limitless power.
Despite the seemingly unusual haste, the decision to go to war was not one they had made lightly.
"The spirits of our ancestors will protect us as they always have. We have no need to risk the lives of our fellow Fae over a gathering of mindless inferiors." Malikev protested with a fearful tremor in his voice. Malikev was a tall ghastly figure with unkempt greyish hair that fell to his shoulders. His pale skin and cadaverous face contradicted his resplendent attire - A white-fur cloak that sparkled in the light of the moon worn over a gown made entirely of white dragon scales adorned with a green sphere that hung from his neck.
He continued, "And even if they somehow managed to make their way past the perilous trek over the Vagarond Mountain it's not like they'd ever find the forest! Only the Fae and those invited by our kin can find the path, and none would give admittance to such filthy creatures!"
As voices of fear began to rise, "But I've heard they are demons!"
"I heard they eat babies!"
"Their mere existence is an unnatural affront to all Alifreyaans!"
So too came cowardice,
"Only a fool would seek out the dead!"
"The wisest course of action we have is to flee! No one wants to say it but the Fae must fend for themselves while the other species make for safety!"
And of course ignorance "This is clearly the will of the Gods! The Fae have angered them! Who are we to stand in the way of divine retribution?"
The Unitorious were silenced when a sultry but commanding voice echoed through the hall demanding their attention, "Hold your tongue's or I shall use them to craft a new blade and silence them within a sheath of coral and bury it among the depths of the Niri River."
Their fearful and cowardly eyes were drawn to the Leader of the Unitorious, Alifreya, Queen to all beings aligned with the Unitorium. While Alifreya also happened to be the progenitor of all aligned with the Unitorium, this is not why she was their Queen. Alifreya had a kind and nurturing soul, but was also stern and dutiful; As the mother of all who were not human or demon, her children took to calling themselves Alifreyaans, to honor their progenitor. Their mother had a beauty matched by none. With radiant ebony skin, eyes that shone like emeralds, and curly red hair that dignified her stature.
"Foolishness; Intolerance; Anger; Ignorance; These are the only fruits that fear can bear fruit, and those who wish to taste the nectar of victory have no place for such weeds in the garden of one's soul; And I have no place for bad gardener's inside these walls. Am I clear?" spoke Alifreya, in a stern but patient tone.
All who sat at the table responded without hesitation, "Yes, Mother."
"Today I am your Queen, for this is not the time for a Mother's love." the Queen said softly. The Queen's demeanor shifted from a nurturer to a warrior of regal status. She rose from her chair and boldly proclaimed, "This is a time for your Queen. The Undead Army is a threat to all Alifreyaan's, not just the Fae. If they make it to the Fae's Sacred Burial Grounds it could disrupt the natural order. We must keep them from passing the Vagarond Mountains at all cost. Who will take up arms against this Undead Horde?"
As if they had forgotten their voices, all fell silent.
"No one? Not one of you will stand against them?" queried the Queen.
But still they remained silent.
"And what of you, Malikev? You who so proudly flaunts his royal lineage are unwilling to protect your home? What is a lord without subjects but a pretender on a throne of ruin?"
Malikev lowered his head in shame, unable to look upon the queen for he knew she was right. But his cowardice prevented him from speaking up. Though he dressed like a royal, his composure was more like that of a court jester. His own people opposed his position as they did not believe he held their best interests at heart, and some believed he had no heart at all.
"Then I alone shall go to aid the Fae." proclaimed the queen, lifting her head with conviction, "And when I return we shall discuss what comes next."
The room erupted with murmurs and pleas.
"Please, my Queen, try to understand!"
"Mother, no! Don't do this!"
For they all knew what was to come should she return.
"Silence! Your elected Queen has spoken!" The commanding decree that came from Queen Alifreya's side was that of her eldest and most loyal child, Dharrang. A tall meager androgynous figure with black and white spotted skin like that of a stone. Dharrang, unlike her other children, had eyes like that of their mother. Though meager in appearance they were a capable fighter with an unbreakable conviction to protect the lives of any and all Alifreyaan kind.
The Queen took one last look at the sons and daughters at her table with sadness in her eyes, "To disappoint your Queen and send your own mother to fight your battles alone… To say this breaks my heart would be a mercy. We are done here. I have a battle to prepare for."
"This meeting is adjourned." Dharrang stated plainly as they walked to the center of the room and planted a staff made of pure hardened sunlight into the ground. Orbs that resembled miniature suns sprung forth from the staff and wisped their way to each member of the Unitorious. While most reached out to grab the orbs in shame, one hesitated.
"I will go, my Queen." the hesitant voice announced.
"For guilt or your people?" Queen Alifreya inquired curiously.
"Can it not be both, my Queen?"
The Queen pondered for a moment, "No. Your hesitation to answer the call tells me you are unsure. I have no need for uncertainty on the battlefield. I will not take up arms with those I cannot trust to remain at my side."
"My Queen, if I may."
"You may."
"The guilt I feel is not for my hesitance, but the fear I am not enough. I do not wish to be the weak pillar that brings down all that we have built. This hall, for example, has stood as a monument to what can be accomplished so long as we remain united. I wish to join you on the battlefield to save our people, not for pride."
The Queen looked upon the hesitant one with a glimmer of pride, "Sarius. You are a fierce warrior and are wise beyond your years. Of all my children I am most proud to call you one of mine on this day. I shall allow you to stand by my side, but I must ask; Shall your kind be joining us?"
Sarius' bowed towards Queen Alifreya "Thank you, Moth-My Queen. I do not know if my kind shall join but I will do my best to convince them. No matter the outcome you can expect me to join you in due haste."
The Queen smiled at Sarius, "Good. With that, you shall take your leave."
Sarius grabbed the floating orb with new found eagerness, as the rest departed in their shame.
"Do you think me too harsh, my child?" Queen Alifreya asked.
"No. I feel you were too lenient, my Queen." Dharrang said as their cold gaze began to soften.
"Well they are my children after all. No mother likes to scold their children."
"Yes, but you are also their Queen, and as you yourself said 'This is no time for a Mother."
"Oh, you're right. Malikev might be the worst of the lot. I swear that boy may be the death of me one day."
"So long as I live, that shall not come to pass."
"I know, my child. There is no one on this planet or the next I would trust with my life more than you. As my eldest you've watched me spring countless lives from these locks of many; And though they spring fourth like the dawning sun, it never gets any easier raising a child… Especially ones who think themselves more special than the rest of their kind."
"Still. I advise caution with Malikev; His birth was quite… Peculiar."
"Indeed. But I worry not, not so long as I have you to watch my back, Dharrang."
"Of course, Mother. I shall forever be your shield until you feel I am no longer required."
The Queen stood up and began walking towards Dharrang, "Careful now, that day may come sooner than you think." she said as she laid her hand against Dharrang's cheek, "Now then. Let us be off."
Dharrang nodded and took place next to the queen as she summoned an orb much larger than the ones they had made. The massive ball of light enveloped Dharrang and their mother, bathing the massive hall in a blinding light. The stone podiums with veins of gold that encircled the central mana spring. The massive diamond pillars that lead to a dome so well-crafted it looked as if the pillars reached to the sky; The wooden chairs made from Æflain trees, which were surprisingly comfortable despite their lack of padding. All washed away in a quick but glorious flash of light.
Sarius arrived in the Chapel of Yshvall expecting to be greeted by his elders, but instead he stood alone greeted only by Yshvall's visage. "Hello?" he queried to the welcoming darkness before him, only to go unanswered. Fixing his eyes to better see in the darkness, his eyes became like that of a beast, but still his sight was limited. He tilted his head as a curious animal would and asked "Where is everyone?" But again there was no answer. He began to feel as if the darkness itself was encroaching upon him, as if being stalked by a predator, but again he begged of the darkness, "Is anyone there?" He made his way past the empty pews of the Silent Chapel noticing imprints on each seat, as if worn in from years of use; Far more years than the chapel itself had stood. He reached out to grab the gleaming handle before him, the one thing in that darkness the moon could still touch, and just as he was about to wrap his fingers around that shining beacon of hope he heard a low rumble from the dark; A rumble reminiscent of a growl. Sarius, feeling a sense of unease throughout his body, growled back and barked "Come and meet your death!" as he reached for his blade; But the darkness swallowed him before he could draw it from his sheath, and the Chapel fell silent once more.
Queen Alifreya and Dharrang arrived in the Midros Realm, with the Queen showing a fierce determination in her eyes.
"I shall be in the mana pool preparing. Find me something to wear." she stated as she strode elegantly down a hallway made entirely of cosmic glass; a glass made of seemingly infinite space folded in on itself.
"Yes, my queen. Anything in mind?"
Queen Alifreya turned to Dharrang with a look of arrogance and whimsy, "Something regal that screams, I'm better than you. We are meeting a 'Queen' after all."
"A queen!?" Dharrang asked in surprise.
"Yes. The Queen of Liches. Dreadful woman but I hear she throws great parties."
Dharrang looked at the Queen as if trying to solve a puzzle, "Why didn't you mention this to the others? And what will you do against an army of the damned if the Queen of Liches herself is to be there? You are many things, Mother, but immortal is not one of them."
Queen Alifreya lowered her head for a moment before taking a deep breath. She looked deep into Dharrang's eyes and stated "But this will be. Even if I am to die, I will live on… And look at you dropping the honorifics. If I didn't know any better I'd think you're finally growing up."
Dharrang stared back at his mother with anguish, "You cannot do this! The Fae may fall but without you the Alifreyaan's cannot be replenished! And what if one of those hairs on your head are a new species!? It's not worth the risk!"
The Queen sighed and withdrew her hand, turning away from Dharrang, "I shall be in the mana pool."
"But… Mother…" Dharrang pleaded.
"Find me something to wear..." The Queen reasserted as she walked away, holding her composure.
Dharrang looked upon their mother wanting to reach out and grab her, but decided to trust their mother "Yes, my queen..."
Queen Alifreya wiped a single tear from her face, "I thought I was ready…" she said quietly as she slowed her pace.
The Queen opened the door and began to disrobe. A battle was approaching and she needed to prepare, though prepare may not be the right word. Some Alifreyaan's referred to the Queen as "The Daughter of Sol" because it seemed as if the Sun itself adorned her head like a crown, and some because they believed she was birthed from the sun itself. But the truth is that she was the sun (Or more precisely, a sun). Queen Alifreya was what is known as a "Star Child"; a being that many believed existed only in legends. Many myths, legends, and religions were formed around these "Star Children," but one is rarely ever seen; Most don't even know the Queen is one herself. Most believe Sol is a Star Child that blessed Alifreya with the unique ability to create life in their stead; They believe that Star Children are an extinct race from before the time of man, monster, and demon.
The Queen laid back in the mana pool as rays of light washed upon her like the rain. The mana pool was the one room without cosmic glass - It had to be since cosmic glass is non-reflective. Instead the walls were fitted with Mana Mirrors, created to reflect mana (And it also allowed vampires to trim their nose hairs; Even though they just grow back the second someone dies in close proximity to them.) Because the Queen gains power from light, she uses these mirrors to increase the potency of light from the stars and accelerate the recharging process.
There she'd lay - sometimes for days at a time - her body illuminated by star light as if letting herself be seen by an admirer. Feeling the light flood through her body was like giving into ecstasy; As if feeling a lover's touch for the first time. Her body began to quiver as her breath quickened. Her skin began to feel as if it would dance right off of her bones. She began to imagine someone tussling her hair as they breathed gently upon her neck, baiting a moment of anticipation before finally whispering the sweetest nothing into her ear. Her heart raced ever so quickly, and faster still by the second.
The bright sun-like glow subsided as she exited the mana pool, humbling itself into a thin veil around her skin; Like rainbows dancing from her every pore. She opened the inner-door to the mana pool to find her requested wardrobe draping against the outer-door; A long beautiful dress with sequins made of mana mirrors. Beneath it sat a pair of plain looking heels that would spring glass-like vines to protect the wearer's calves. With this, Queen Alifreya felt ready to meet with the Queen of Liches.
During her absence, the undead swarm that had ravaged its way towards Æflain had passed the Vagarond Mountains. What lied before them now was an illusory wall made to keep away all who come to Æflain with wicked desires in their heart. But the Queen of Liches was amused by such a rudimentary defense for such a sacred place.
The Queen of Liches looked at the nothingness before her as if working out a puzzle. Within mere moments she stood upright, "I expected better." she muttered in disappointment as she outstretched her arm. With a single well placed tap, the illusory wall began to slowly crack and splinter; A sound like glaciers cracking rang out through the air as it shattered before dispersing like a bubble being popped by a curious child. The Lich Queen's arm remained extended as if commanding the horde to advance to the next challenge before them; An ominous fog that appeared fixed in place.
As the horde marched closer to the fog, the Lich Queen took notice of something odd. She signaled to one of her soldiers; A thinly framed figure in black armor covered with tattered cloth riding upon a decaying wolf thrice his size. The figure in black armor looked down at another and directed them into the fog. The sound of rattling armor and bone echoed with every footstep as the Lich Queens' eyes remained locked on the fog. She noticed that the fog seemed to be mirroring his pace, with both moving toward one another in similar fashion. Suddenly the fog wrapped itself around the soldier and ripped him from the battle field. No cries were heard, no sound of cracking bone; Just silence.
The Lich Queen raised her arm, signaling for her horde to remain in their places as she walked towards the fog. Just as with the soldier, the fog matched her pace in kind before wrapping itself around her; But she was not ripped from the battlefield like the soldier. She reached out her arm and grabbed the fog as though she was holding a doorknob. Ephemeral vines crept along the fog from her hand, and though the fog was incapable of speech, you could see it was in pain; The fog was alive, and the Queen of Liches was killing it. "Your masters will join you soon." she said as the vines spread until nothing of the fog was left, its ceaseless trembling finally put to an end. Without a word, a look or a sign, the horde began to move again, and the Lich Queen was ever closer to accomplishing her goal.
A distance away in a makeshift encampment, the Fae watched as the fog vanished before them, silently crying out as it was being devoured by shadow vines. The Lord over Fae-kind, Valarex, rose from the bench he was sitting at in horror, "What in the name of Alifreya could kill a nature spirit like that?!" Every member of the Fae, including those who sat by Lord Valarex, watched and felt as the nature spirit disappeared, and it was at this point that their fear began to consume them. Valarex, upon seeing the looks of fear that now surrounded him, attempted to put his fear aside and proclaimed "Prepare arms! It appears we will have to fight after all."
"Where is the Queen and her army, my Lord? They should have been here by now." said Valafore, son of and general to (also a spitting image of his father) Lord Valarex.
"I don't know, but for now we have to assume we are on our own. Have the mages put up barriers around the forest and anyone who cannot fight should take shelter there." He stated plainly while keeping his eyes steady on the battlefield.
"Yes, my Lord."
Valarex was a tall but muscular figure, more aged than most-any living Fae. Because of this he had seen more than most of his people. Valarex was a Lord, but only because his people recognized him as such due to age and accomplishments during his long life. He, however, believed in an equitable society, and strived to make everyone feel equal; Round tables in the Fae Courts, makeshift benches in their tents, sharing food, housing, and wealth all came in equal measure for his people; Which only made them respect him more. He helped fight off many would-be invaders that sought the rumored "Riches of Æflain"; Watched kingdoms rise and fall; But nothing scared him more than the ominous feeling of death that loomed over him and his people that day as the Lich Queen advanced upon them. It was considered honorable for a Fae to die in combat, but he could feel it in his bones; This was not a battle, it was death carried on the wind.
Lord Valarex looked in horror as they witnessed a dark fog rise up, the very same fog they had just felt the death wails of. The Queen of Liches had not just killed the spirit, but conscripted it into her undead horde. You could see fear taking root in all of Fae-kind, Lord Valarex being no exception, "This truly is Halor's Army… Are we to join the damned as well…" he said to himself. But the Fae are a war-born species, they live and breathe for two things; Combat and celebrations (And they would celebrate any chance they got), and Valarex now had but one thing on his mind "This is going to be one halor of a victory party!" As Valarex' remaining warriors arose from the wooden bench they shared with him, Valafore handed a glaive to his father.
The glaive of his father had seen many battles, which was evident by the faint tint of crimson that stained the blade over the years. The blade itself was made using Cosmic Glass (Which was bestowed to him eons ago by the first Fae who had received it from Queen Alifreya), while the socket was made of woven Opal Leaves to cause lingering mana drain (Most don't know about this, but when you hit someone with cosmic glass and opal leaves, it creates a draining effect. I don't know the particulars of how it works because that knowledge is older than you or I, but Valarex certainly knew of it.) The shaft itself was made of Æflain wood with a crude spike at the bottom. Vines of gold were woven from blade to shaft, with various jewels set along the shaft giving the user access to different physical enhancements.
"So what's the plan, my Lord? You do have a plan, right?" Valafore asked.
"I do believe that's what I have you for, my son."
"Oh I just thought it might be nice to change things up and give us a bit of a challenge. But I'm sure you'll charge in recklessly as usual."
"I'm only reckless without a plan, and that's why I made you general. Because I trust your plans, so let's hear it!"
A young female Fae with an athletic build spoke up "If I may."
"By all means, Nydira." Valafore responded.
"I think the plan right now is pretty clear. Don't get killed."
Nydaro (Nydira's identical male twin) added, "Or conscripted!"
"It's the same thing!" Nydira said in annoyance as she punched him in the gut.
"Well that was just uncalled for! Try that again! I wasn't ready!"
Lord Valarex looked at the twins with a stern glare that showed he too was annoyed, with both of them.
Both twins bowed and apologized, "Sorry, my lord."
"She started it…" Nydaro added under his breath.
"SHUT. UP." Nydira retorted back quietly.
Valafore, who was also becoming annoyed, grabbed the twins' heads and knocked them together "Let's both of you shut up now. The plan is just as you said. Don't get killed, and don't get conscripted. This monster brought back a nature spirit so we have to assume that she can bring back any fallen soldiers. We have to figure out how to cut the head off this beast if we want any chance of winning. We don't know if Queen Alifreya or any of the Unitorium will come to our aid so we will also have to assume that we are on our own. She broke our strongest barrier in an instant, so it's likely magic won't work on her. Report any weaknesses you find, the sooner the better; Even if you're knocking on Halor's door, your job is to make sure you tell everyone what you've found. How is that for a plan, my lord?"
"Sounds like the ale will be even sweeter! Who's ready to bloody their blades?"
Valarex lifted his glaive high up for all to see as he let out a battle cry, and all the Fae quickly followed suit.
The Fae rushed onto the battlefield taking down any enemies that crossed their path. Fanged horse-like creatures covered in tentacles, six armed insectoid creatures that stood on two legs, and a seemingly endless cascade of undead humans in various stages of decomposition that came in all shapes and sizes; And all cloistered in tattered armor or ragged clothing. Lord Valarex felt in his bones this would be a battle for the ages, and the bright blood soaked grin on his face was evidence of this as he swung his glaive with reckless abandon; Lord Valarex was blood drunk, and had yet had his fill.
The twins were having the time of their lives as well. Both of them were well versed in combat with Nydira preferring to get up close and personal with dual-sickles, and her brother preferring to support his (As he put it) "Glory Hungry" sister using a reliable bow from a distance; Both of whose weapons (And Valafore's bastard sword) very closely resembled Valarex' glaive design sans the braided opal, cosmic glass, and jewels. Nydaro launched volley after volley of magic-imbued arrows that allowed him to poison, burn, or freeze his enemies in place, but his favorite arrow was the one he named "The Shatter Shot Arrow" (He was not very good at naming things. In fact he's so bad at naming things he refers to his bow as simply "Bowie". Great name for say a musician, but not one that necessarily strikes fear in the hearts of one's enemies.) While Nydaro was taking precautions to cover her, Nydira was dancing around the battlefield like a seasoned ice skater. Her agility was second to no other in Fae-kind, and she knew how to put her swiftness to work. Her handling of her dual-sickles was better practiced than her footwork though; She could carve the flesh off an enemy before they even realized they'd been cut. She knew how to inflict maximum pain with surgical precision which is why out of all Fae, she is the only one who had ever been given a nickname; The Butcher of Æflain.
"Come on! Give me a challenge! Is this all you maggot-brained dirt-munchers have to offer! I've barely broken a sweat!" he exclaimed as he threw his glaive into a swath of the undead horde. And while that may not sound all that impressive, Valarex had enough force behind his throw to crater a small cavern-sized hole into the side of a mountain, and had done so in the past. In fact the Vagarond Mountains has a secret passage that runs deep into an underground lake; Lord Valarex created it purely by accident during a past battle, it ran so deep in fact that it took his glaive a whole 5 earth minutes to return to him (Which luckily wasn't the case on this day). As the glaive returned to his hand he noticed something that caught him by surprise; Something hitched a ride. Before he could acknowledge the cold but beautiful violet eyes staring back at him, he felt something warm trickling down his side; A thud caught his attention, so he looked down to see what it was. At his feet he laid eyes on his own arm, and the eyes staring back at him belonged to none other than the Queen of Liches herself.
"You should not be here!" she screamed as the nature spirit ripped him away from the battlefield.
Valafore did not see what happened, just a glimpse of his father being spirited away from combat, "Father!" He cried out, attempting to break from the battle to make chase. But his father was moving too fast, and the enemy numbers were depleting but vast.
The Lich Queen held up Lord Valarex' glaive and slammed its spike into the earth and looked at the state of the battlefield. Her army's numbers depleted by nearly half already; These Fae warriors were far more fierce than she remembered. The Lich Queen then did something very peculiar; She ripped her own heart from her chest and began to squeeze on it as if trying to squeeze juice from a Dunder Fruit (It's a purple fruit with two little horns on top that are typically used to create a very potent ale). Only a single drop of blood fell to the floor and she knelt down whispering something as she drew a strange symbol; It was a double helix but drawn into a circle. This was a symbol that, to a Lich, represented the renewal or recycling of life.
"I give blood for blood,
and dust for bone,
by this inscription
I claim conscription." she muttered.
Again, and she continued muttering those words as her entire army began to rise anew. The remaining Fae looked around in horror; None could believe what they were seeing. So many of the undead were thought to be slain, and while they knew it was a possibility this could happen they were surprised.
Valafore, finally managing to break away during the renewal, made his way to the twins who were equally as surprised.
"So she can raise the dead. You were right, Valafore." Nydira stated.
"Yes. Though I had hoped I wasn't. This Lich Queen truly is an absolute monster."
Nydaros looked around confused as ever, "Wait… Uhh… Valafore… Where is your fath-Er I mean Lord Valarex?"
"I saw him being swept away by the nature spirit. I wasn't able to follow him. We have to chase after him though if we have any chance of winning this fight. Do you have any more of your… What were they again? Repeating arrows? Twin arrows?"
Nydaros' face lit up with glee, "My shatter shot arrows?"
Though his glee was quickly taken from him when his sister muttered, "Still dumb."
"It's not dumb! You just lack taste!"
Valafore looked at him with a blank expression and agreed, "No… It's pretty dumb. Way too wordy. Anyways, clear us a path with those and we'll follow your lead. I'm counting on you. We have to save my father."
Nydaros was stunned. No one had ever counted on him for anything other than watching his sisters back. "I won't let you down. General." Nydaros wasn't usually one for formalities, but he was also a bit of a slacker; A very skilled bowman, but a slacker nonetheless. Today, however, he felt seen for the first time because (unbeknownst to his sister) he admired Valafore, who sparsely praised anyone, and this was as close to a praise as one could typically expect. So Nydaros again launched volley after volley with Nydira and Valafore close in tow, clearing a straight line in the direction they last saw Valarex moving; Towards the very cavern Valarex created.
The battlefield grew silent as the Queen of Liches finished her chant. No action was taken from either side as everything began washing away in a blinding light, and everyone but The Lich Queen averted their gaze. She stood firmly with Valarex' glaive firmly in her grasp, "There you are, my dear Sister. I've been waiting." The light dissipated, and at its source stood Queen Alifreya, "Arileena. It's been a while." She stood before her sister with confidence, wearing a genuine smile as her hands rested on the pommel of a sword made of pure light.
"I was starting to believe you would ignore my summons. Sister." (Alifreya could hear hints of anger and jealousy in her voice as she said "sister", but also admiration.)
"You're always welcomed in my realm, dear sister. Why have you summoned me here? Why come after the opal leaves? You should have no need for them… Unless…" Alifreya covered her mouth and chuckled slightly, "Has your 'science' finally proven to be unfruitful?"
The Lich Queen spoke no words. She just stared at her sister in disapproval.
"I'm sorry. That was unbecoming of me, especially towards my sister."
"Towards a Queen."
"Yes. Towards a Queen."
Arileena began to slowly pace around her sister like a predator examining its prey, but Alifreya seemed unbothered. Arileena paused for a moment upon noticing a peculiar locket resting against Alifreya's hip; A pristine piece with a bejeweled crescent moon eclipsing a sun. "Do you not fear me, sister?" Arileena inquired.
"I fear only for you, dear sister."
"Then your fear is misplaced. Sister."
"You haven't answered my questions. Why have you summoned me here and why have you come after the opal leaves?"
Arileena leaned into Alifreya's ear, "To end our suffering." and rammed Valerox' glaive through Alifreya's back. As Arileena pulled the glaive out of her back she did not scream; She did not plead; She did not curse her sisters name. Instead she turned toward her sister and rested her hand against her cheek, "I know. And I forgive you, dear sister."
Arileena looked upon her sister's face, wearing that same genuine smile which shone brighter than her sun-light drenched hair and more radiant than her rainbow covered ebony skin. "If you know… Then you know why this has to be done."
"I do."
The two sisters wrapped each other in one another's arms as Arileena once again plunged the glaive into Alifreya.
A chorus of confusion and pleas swept across the battlefield as the Fae tried to rush to Alifreya's aid, "Get away from her!"
"Someone help the queen!"
"Save her! Anyone! Save the queen!"
But a wall of undead soldiers had encircled the two queens, and all anyone could do was watch as Queen Alifreya's once brilliant light began to dim. But what happened next caught everyone by surprise; Arileena picked up Alifreya's sword and sat next to her. She then lifted her sister's head onto her lap and said "I forgive you too, my beloved sister" before driving the sword of light through the bejeweled locket; a locket she had entrusted to Alifreya long before becoming the Queen of Liches. As a lich, she had the ability to gain immortality by embedding her soul into an object; A phylactery. By stabbing her phylactery, she was giving up her immortality. She placed Alifreya's head against her chest and hugged her with all her might as the two burst into flames, with the very last words spoken between the two being the five honest words;
"I love you, dear sister."
After The Battle at Æflain; Across the continent, in the Sanctuary of Man, stood a marble tower: A tower so large that its shadow could be used to tell time throughout half of the continent; So high that the top was all but invisible to prying eyes. A man looked out from atop this massive monument of human ingenuity, but all he could see was opportunity. His visage hidden from any and all unfit to serve at his side, he was a mystery to all and none; But his machinations were like whispers, molding this world as he saw fit. A man holding a small tablet-like device entered to see this "Hidden Man"; This "Lord of Shadow" looked out across the land as he leaned against a guard rail made of bone.
"Sir, we've received word that the Queen of Liches and the Alifreyaan Queen - They have removed themselves from the equation. However it would appear they were engulfed in what Freyaan's have named 'The Ever-Flame'. This 'Ever-Flame' has an area of effect that covers the entire Æflain forest, making it impossible to sustain life."
The Shadow Lord pulled back from the skull lined railing as if surprised "And what of the trees?"
"They appear unaffected by this flame, but without going there and running a test we aren't sure why. Anyone who tries to get close enough to examine them goes mad, bursts into flames, or…"
"Out with it." He said with an impatient tone.
The man looked down at his tablet; His voice shaking; His hands more so, "A man was turned inside out sir… He was still alive as it happened and the report says he could feel his body rearranging itself."
The Shadow Lord turned ever so slightly "Intriguing… Have him brought to the lab for study. Find out if there is a way to weaponize it."
"We can't reach him sir… The team is too afraid to go near him for fear they too will end up facing a similar, or worse, fate. I'm sorry, sir."
This "Hidden Man" made his presence known; He made his presence one of intimidation as he hastily walked toward the already shaken man, "I don't recall permitting you to make excuses. As such I expect results. Use whatever resources you must to get me some; I need those trees or humanity will become a footnote in Alifreyaan History. Wouldn't you rather Alifreyaan's be a stepping stone for human supremacy?"
"Yes, Sir." the man said as he bowed deeply before the hooded man, and again he would bow with a "Sorry, Sir." To show his complete submission.
The hooded figure began to pace back to the terrace from which he looked out upon the world as he spoke thusly, "There was a time when humans were considered the pinnacle of life; Perfection incarnate… Then these Alifreyaan's appeared and changed everything by claiming they and these "Star Children" are the progenitors of this world. Why on Tráé anyone would believe such a ludicrous story is beyond me, but soon we will show this world the indomitable might of human-kind…"
He turned towards the man, just enough for his lips to be burned into the man's very soul and continued, "So hear me and see my words clearly, boy. Get me those leaves or I will rearrange you. Am I clear?"
"O-Of course! Right away, Sir. I'll see it done."
The Shadow Lord motioned for the man to leave as he peered out across barren fields that lay beyond the Sanctuary of Man, and as if taken away by fear, the man left expediently.