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Chapter 1

THE BEGINNING OF DARKNESS

It is a sad tale. It is full of darkness, pain and treachery. But still it may lift up your hearts with hues of friendship, bravery and loyalty. The tale is set up in a place called Qhuilyenn.

It was a day of celebration for the Estelimiel family, and not only for them but also their friends and relatives, for it was the marriage of the eldest son of late General Arthur Estelimiel, who was much respected as he had sacrificed himself in the Great War of Third Age. The magnificent 'Voyage of Elenmist' sailed proudly in the Great Meridian ocean as the people on board made merry on this joyous occasion.

"Aerion don't get nervous." said for what seemed like for the millionth time.

"Mom, I am not nervous." her son replied fixing his suit.

"Well, where is thy sister?" she asked.

"Aerien… possibly somewhere in the party." he replied.

"Is she ready?"

"I don't think so."

She murmured something unintelligible under her breath, hurrying to search her. As she passed the feasting room, loud music and raucous laughter filled the air. A crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, scattering shards of elegant light around the room, illuminating a large group of youths, dancing and chattering animatedly. In the midst of them was a familiar brunette, mingling with everyone else.

Aerien's mouth opened in surprise and protest when her mother dragged her roughly from the lively room.

"You little rebel, go and get ready. Now." Her mother commanded.

"But why?"

"Because it's thy brother's marriage"

"Exactly, it's his marriage, not mine." She whined.

"Be quite and get dressed."

She grinned sheepishly at the receding woman. She donned a proper, albeit awkward dress, slightly more fitting.

As Aerien sat brushing her brown hair, she noticed water filling her cabin. She became alert and rushed to open the door of her cabin. A wall of water hit her submerging her completely. She swam up to the surface and gasped for air. Then she struggled and swam upstairs which was still dry.

Her first thoughts moved to her brother who was in his cabin. She rushed to his cabin screaming his name. On her way she was shocked to find trails of blood, dead men and broken weapons. Obviously there had been a war and the results were not their favor. But it was unusual because her people were friendly and never fought with each other. She searched frantically for her brother and noticed a familiar looking pair of sea green eyes gazing at her. She ran to him and knelt beside him. Her heart wept at the fatal wounds of his brother.

"O'Aerion! What devilry is this?"She cried.

"Aerien my dearest sister, the ship has been plundered by The Black Men of South. We tried to resist them but we failed. They have taken the women and children captive in the Hall. Thou must free them and flee in the life boats before they notice thy."Aerion told her gripping her hand.

"But I cannot do it alone. Come with me. I shall tend thee."

"Alas my sister, my time is over. Do thou not know that? I shall not live for long. But thou are the last person who is skilled with weapons. For years I have taught you the skills of a warrior, secretly, hidden from the world which forbids women to learn this art. Now that the strength of men has failed, thou must save the last survivors. Go! Time is less."

"But…"she began.

"Go before it is too late. The Black Men will be busy plundering now. The ship is sinking. Go now!"He said urgently and pressed his own bow and arrows in her hands.

She nodded and the grip on her hands loosened.

"Can I borrow thy sword brother?"She asked.

But he did not reply. He never spoke again. Aerien fought back her tears and picked up the bow and arrow. She fastened the sword to her waist with a belt and rushed towards the hall. She remembered her brother's lesson where he taught how to walk into the territory of you enemy without letting them know. It was painful to remember those lessons, knowing that it won't happen again. She rubbed her eyes and peeped into the hall. The women and children were huddled together in the middle of the hall as two men guarded them. She took aim and killed one of the men. The other was taken by surprise and taken care of with another mark. The women were surprised to see her. Their eyes which were filled with despair now shone with new hope. If they were surprised to see a lady with weapons, they were sensible to conceal it, for the present. But Aerien's eyes searched for one person.

"Aerien..."She heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Mom!"She turned and hugged her. She was now her only remaining family. She could not lose her.

"Aerien…? Where is Aerion?"A small voice asked.

Aerien turned, terrified to confront the speaker. But she had to do it sometime or the other.

"Mariel…" She began. She looks beautiful in her marriage gown, Aerien thought bitterly. Aerion would have loved to see her.

"He is not coming back is he?" Mariel asked.

"I am sorry."

Her mother stifled a sob. Mariel nodded but did not say anything. Aerien knew how much she loved her brother. Now just on her day of marriage, everything was lost. Not only her but many others had lost their beloved ones. This realization filled her with a new sense of duty to save the remaining survivors.

"We must get to the life boats."She called to everyone."We need to go to the eastern deck and escape using the life boats."

The women looked at each other nervously.

"It won't work." Mariel said.

"It is our only way." Aerien said desperately.

But Mariel shook her head."We need a distraction. Give me thy horn. I shall guard here. If someone comes and discovers us, then I will blow the horn. At least thee can know to be wary.

"No Mariel I must forbid…" began. But Mariel cut her from the middle, "No please I must do it, it is important for me." Something in her voice told them that no amount arguing would do.

"We must go."Aerien urged and handed over the horn to Mariel. Aerion went out of the Hall and others followed.

The water was filling up at a very alarming rate. Aerien's heart bled at the change of events. The day had started with fun and joy, but now she felt like she had lost everything. She knew why Mariel was willing to sacrifice herself. Aerion had also sacrificed himself to save others. Now she felt that she must not let their sacrifice go waste."I will save them at any cost." She promised herself. Now the water had reached their knee level but they had reached the narrow corridor, on whose left, lays the docks, their route of escape."Go on, I am at the end "She said and as the women started passing through the corridor, disappearing at the turn, she felt a faint strand of hope. But just then, everything went wrong. The horn blew, clear and loud. They had been discovered.

"Hurry."She called. The women took the lead and ran for the docks. Just when Aerion was trying to escape through the corridor, she fell down with a loud SPLASH! She looked down and saw that her gown was hooked to a loose nail. It was then that the realization flooded through her that she was actually wearing an uncomfortable, full gown which was inconvenient for her present situation. She cursed under her breath and cut the piece of gown and went on. All others were already on the dock. But when she reached the dock, to her shock, it was already surrounded and they were clearly outnumbered by the enemy.

In the middle stood a tall, important looking, grim man in full armor, obviously the leader of the gang. On his right stood a stout but short fellow trying to look important as well. The short fellow walked towards Aerien, with her sword, bow and arrows, she was clearly stood distinctive. He addressed to her, "So you are the leader of this little, pathetic party." But Aerien was in no mood for jest. She drew out her sword and with one stroke, brought down the little fellow. And then many things happened at once.

The leader of the thugs rushed forward with a deadly sword in his hand, poised to kill, but Aerien's mother cast herself forward and pushed her daughter out of the way. Aerion ducked to avoid another blow and rushed towards the railings as a hot sharp pain spreaded across her arm. With the last sight of her mother lying in a pool of blood, she jumped into the ocean.

She remembered the day the Great War came to an end. She was five at that time. Everyone was rejoicing but her mother cried, her brother had shut himself up in his room. They told her that her father was dead. But she did not understand, she did not know death. Now she knew, her brother was dead, her mother was dead, and now she herself would die. The water around her turned red. Atleast she would die knowing that she tried. And with that last thought, she sank into the dark depths of ocean.

Little did she know that it was not the end rather just the beginning of the night, endless darkness spread infront of her with no escape. She must find a new destiny. In the endless darkness, she must be the last hope. The last light.

thank you +Sliver Y. and +J Chin