Author: This is my newest attempt at a WITCH story. My previous one "Legion of Shadows" is on hiatus for the time being as now I don't know where I'm going with that story. Sorry for those who enjoyed reading it but I was just at a lost on what to do with it. Here, it's an entirely new story set after the events in season one. I felt having an original bad guy as the antagonest gave me more freedom to write a good story. Anyway, here's the first chapter.
UPDATE: I've fixed all the errors, the one's I've found anyway.
Disclaimer: I don't own WITCH, it's a property of Disney, etc. etc. etc. Enjoy!
At the edge of a dying world, a band of creatures lay huddled around their campfire doing their very best to stay warm despite the blistering cold. So long has it been since they've seen the sun that many believe it has been swallowed up, never to rise again, making the nights endless and the wind forever howling. Their world is dying and those few remaining struggle to survive amid a barren wasteland. Some ventured underground where it was still warm; others hid within the deepest caves; but those who weren't smart enough or strong enough were stuck on the surface and that was pretty much a death sentence. Once this tribe of creatures numbered in the hundreds, now barely a score were left alive. What food they could find was meek and barely edible, so much so that some even turned to cannibalism. This served only to diminish their ranks even more but no one bothered to stop these fights. When somebody died it meant one less mouth to feed and more food for the group so it balanced out…pretty much.
Grel gnawed the bones of a small rodent he managed to catch the other day. The taste long gone, he mostly did it out of habit and to fool his stomach into thinking that food was on the way so its rumblings would quiet down. The tactic had worked so far, but Grel would kill for fresh meat right now. He looked around the members of his tribe. Half of them were skin and bones, hardly enough to feed his appetite. One looked moderately well-fed: the female, one expecting a litter of cubs. Her mate died a while back and it was by the grace of her people she had been allowed to live. Desperate times call for desperate measures and Grel began to size her up. How would he cook her? Should she be broiled or fried? Should he kill her first or eat her alive? Decisions, decisions. There weren't that many of them left and eating the females would only doom their tribe to extinction. Still, in this day and age what were children other than major nuisances? They couldn't do anything except whine and eat. They were nothing but a burden on his tribe and their continued existence. They could, however, sustain them for another few weeks. Perhaps he should let her have the cubs, that way there'll be more food to go around. Then he'll kill her.
Grel was still contemplating his future meal when another of his kind slumped to his side. Gandrok, one of their few remaining scouts, whispered into his ear. "Another tribe further north. Too many to fight and well entrenched. We searched for several more hours but were unable to find any food herds. A storm is coming up from the south. If we don't find shelter soon,"
"We'll be dead either way." Grel said spitting out the bones of the unfortunate mammal. "No food, no shelter, no light, it's as if the gods themselves have turned on us."
"What will we do?"
"Die, at this rate." Grel spoke matter of factly as if coming to terms with his fate and that of his tribe. "What else is there?"
Gandrok leaned back and sighed. He too was losing hope for the future. Grel was their leader and if he couldn't figure anything out, as he was the smartest among them, what hope did they have left? He looked around for something to eat but found all the morsels were already gone. His eyes fell on the impregnated female who sat by herself on the other side of the fire. A grin appeared on his face. Funny how great minds think alike.
A scuffle broke out from beside the duo. Two of their tribe had gotten into a fight over something or other and were having it out. The other members cheered them on as should one die it would mean nutrition for everyone else and one less stomach to worry about. With luck, they would beat each other into such a pulp that their peers would simply kill them anyway and have two for one! They rolled along the ground, grabbing, biting and gnawing at one another. The pregnant female seemed relieved as this would mean she would live to see another day. She was hungry too and damn any of these fools who would dare to eat her own children! Damn them, she thought. They were her own cubs and if anyone was going to eat them it would be her!
The fight continued with each combatant losing strength but showing no signs of letting up. Grel watched from the sidelines but didn't root them on or lick his lips. How far his people had fallen. Once they were feared warriors, now they scrounged around like vermin picking up the leftovers from nature. How he hated this age!
The scout leader turned to him. "We eat tonight!"
"Yay for us." Grel said sarcastically. "Now if we could only find a little hole to hide in we'll be in great shape."
"Kill him! Kill him!" Gandrok cried.
It went on like this for several more minutes. Soon the fighters no longer cared over what they argued about. Their mates were hungry and ruthless. Now they were fighting for their very lives for if one should die then he would become dinner. They were exhausted but went on knowing any sign of weakness would mean certain death. The fight was almost over anyway and the tribe closed in around the tired duelists. Grel sighed before picking up his club. As leader he wanted first dibs on the dead loser(s) and made his way over to the crowd. He was about to order them to make way when the sky was illuminated with green thunder. They tribe cried out and fell to their knees. The thunder reverberated all around them and for the first time they actually saw light. It was green, the brightest green they had ever seen. Grel had never seen anything like it and for the moment he was transfixed by the light. It was the most beautiful thing he hadever laid eyes onand take it from someone who had not seen the sun for ages; any light would be absolutely gorgeous!
Some whimpered, others stood in awe, but all soon noticed the presence of a lone figure standing in the distance. It was a tall form draped in black. He was just as tall as the tribe members but much slimmer. He began to walk toward the frightened creatures with arms held wide. "Fear not, for I am here to save you."
"Halt!" Gandrok raised his sword and approached the man. "Who are you?"
"Someone who cares a great deal for the suffering of others. You for instance." He stopped just short of the camp. Many other members pulled out their weapons and joined Gandrok in an intimidating battle line, but the man seemed unafraid. "You are suffering, I can see that. Let me help you. Let me take you to a place where you will never suffer again."
"Who are you?" Gandrok asked again. "Speak now or I'll,"
"Wait." Grel stepped forward. "I speak for this tribe. I demand to know your name stranger."
"Titles! What is a name but what others call you by? My name is not important as I have no real name."
"Then what do we call you?" Grel asked feeling slightly irritated.
"Friend." He said. The lighting hushed but the green glow still filled the sky. The man held up his arm and a small furless hand peeked out. In it appeared a fruit of orange color and he offered it to Grel. "Here. As a token of good faith."
Grel looked to Gandrok who seemed confused and intrigued all at once. Several others eyed the fruit with wagging tongues. What their eyes could not tell them their noses did as they recognized food when the smelled it. Grel wearily approached them man motioning for Gandrok to keep everyone back. He stood before the man and noticed how much smaller he appeared up close. He didn't look threatening at all and Grel was sure he could kill him in one swoop. A piece of fruit and a dead carcass, his curiosity and his hunger sated in one day…
"Take it." The man bade.
The leader took the fruit and looked at it. His stomach growled all the louder when he smelled it. How long had it been since he ate something fresh?
Grel smelled it and once he figured it was the real deal hetook a bite. The surge of flavor and energy almost overwhelmed him. He was no longer hungry, no longer weak! Grel was Grel again, as he had been before the darkness. He was strong! Grel eagerly ate the rest of the fruit leaving his tribemates crying out in protest. Gandrok held them back though he too was a little angry that Grel did not share. The man held up his naked hand again. "See? I mean you well."
"Yes you do." Grel raised his sword to the man's chest. "And now you will take us to where you have more of this fruit so that my people may eat."
"Of course I will. But," he raised his hand and gently pushed the sword aside. Amazingly, Grel did not stop him. "These actions will not be necessary. I come as a friend and will gladly share all that I have with you and your tribe. My home is your home."
What's the catch? Grel stepped back. "And in return for your generosity…" he let the question hang. Grel was no fool, no one was that selfless. He wanted something and the white-furred creature wanted to know what.
"Join my cause. There are others in the same predicament as you. There is a great evil in the universe and I am a part of an alliance that seeks to destroy it once and for all. We are gathering the victims and building an army so that we may crush this foe and see to it that no one suffers ever again."
"Evil? What kind of evil?"
"The most wicked kind. He destroy worlds at his leisure and simplypunishes those different from he. He has brought about this doom upon your world and cursed you to a miserable existence."
The tribe growled. Who was this man who cast their world into shadow and darkness?
"Who?" Grel asked feeling the same contempt as his people. "Who did this to us?"
"An evil man named the Oracle. From his fortress in Kandrakar he sends his minions to spread his wickedness on unsuspecting people. We plan to destroy his home and bring him to justice. There's an alliance of people just like you and we need all the help we can get. Will you join us in our cause? Will you help us stop him?"
"Yes." Said many of the tribe. Even Gandrok was nodding his head. Grel, the wisest, had to think for a moment. "What could we possibly do to one who could blanket an entire world in a shroud of black filth?"
"By yourselves, nothing. But together." The man placed his hand on Grel's shoulder. "Come; let me help you get your revenge. We will destroy the Oracle and bring peace to your world once again. How about it?"
Something about his touch made Grel grow less suspicious and his calculating mind began to become complacent. "Yes. W…we will help you. We will have our revenge." He turned to his tribe. "Revenge!" the others shouted in unison. "Revenge! Revenge! Revenge!" Grel turned to the man. "Please. Give us a name to call you by. Who are you who has returned hope to my people?"
The man pulled back his hood revealing the face of an impossibly handsome young man with dark hair and yellow eyes. "Names are meaningless to me. But if I must have a title among your people then call me Deimos."
"Deimos." Grel said. "Yes. We will help you Deimos."
"I know you shall." He said. "Now come. Let us leave this cursed place and be among friends." He waved his hand and a portal appeared. It was warm and welcoming and the creatures had no trouble following their mysterious savior into the other side. They left behind a dead world toward a future full of hope.
Vathek, formerly a rebel spy turned advisor, stepped into the throne room where the queen of Meridian stood pacing back and forth. "Your majesty." The blue-skinned man bowed. "You sent for me?"
Elyon stopped pacing and turned to Vathek. "Yes, I have. I need your advice."
Vathek smiled. "That is why I'm here."
"Well you see, Cornelia's birthday is in a few days and she was hoping on having a party here in Meridian. I want the entire kingdom to celebrate with us, but there's a problem."
"What is it, my queen?"
The queen stepped up and held his hand making the advisor blush. "You see Cornelia's very choosy about what to wear at her birthday parties and I'm not all up to date on Meridian fashion, so I was hoping you could help me."
Vathek once leaked information to the rebels while he spied on Prince Phobos from within the palace. Passing on information was what he did best, but giving fashion advice to the queen? His queen? A queen not born of this world? He was taken back. "I'm not sure I can,"
"Of course you can. You know all about Meridian and its weird fashion sense. If anyone can help me it's you."
"I will do my best of course." Vathek was very nervous but the teenager's pure bright eyes settled him down. "Good. It's settled. You will help me draw up the plans for the festivities. I'll also need your help in deciding what to eat. The food here is pretty good, but I was thinking on the lines of pizza, punch and a six-foot birthday cake with some of those pretty Meridian flowers on top. What do you think?"
"Pizza? Punch?" Vathek had never heard of them.
"Oh you'll love it. Now about the guest list…oh yeah." She jumped up and flew into the air. "All of Metamoor!"
Vathek watched his queen dance around in the air and found himself looking at the ground despite the wonder above him. Maybe he should have taken a position as a captain of a sea vessel or head of an expeditionary group instead of head advisor. What had he gotten himself into?
The doors swung open a moment later. Aldarn, the queen's captain of the guard, strode in rather urgently. "Excuse me, queen Elyon."
"Aldarn!" the girl landed and skipped over to him. "How've you been?"
The captain coughed nervously. Elyon sure didn't act like a queen. "Well, thank you. I must speak with you on a matter of urgency."
"Like what?" she gasped. "Did those pink flamingos get loose in their stables again?"
"No." Aldarn smiled. "I made sure the caretakers learned their lesson from last time." He became serious. "It has to do with a situation onthe frontier."
"Frontier? We have a frontier?" the queen asked.
"Your domain is vast but even it has limits." Aldarn walked over to the large map where all of Elyon's kingdom could be seen. He pointed to the center, where stood Meridian. "This is us." He said as she walked up beside him. She followed his hand toward the far eastern edge of the map. "A small fishing village has been attacked by a dragon a few days ago. The people have fled into the woods but the creature still hunts them."
"Why would a dragon do such a thing?" Elyon asked.
"Most dragons are kindly creatures but some are evil. This one in particular, Yor, has terrorized the distant lands for centuries. He never ventured into Meridian for fear of Prince Phobos' retaliation but now that he is gone,"
"We must make him fear Queen Elyon." Vathek said.
"I don't want to be feared." Elyon looked between both men. "Can't we reason with the dragon? I'm sure he's just lonely."
"Lonely and hungry." Aldarn said. "If we don't do something soon he eat more than just the fish in the river. Those villagers, your subjects, look to you for help." He let that sink in. "We must help them, your majesty."
The queen lowered her head. "Very well. Dispatch a contingent of soldiers to the village. Have them chase the dragon away and use force only if necessary."
"There's one more issue." Vathek said stepping closer to the map. "The village is very far away. It would take over a week for our soldiers to get there. The villagers may not live that long."
"Oh no." Elyon said. "Those poor people."
"Not to worry." Aldarn said. "I've guessed that would be the case so we won't send soldiers."
"What?" Vathek asked in shock. "But the villagers…how,"
"We send guardians." Aldarn looked at Elyon. "Know any?"
"Do I?" Elyon laughed. "Fight a dragon and save a village, all in a day's work for the Guardians of the Veil."
"I'll send word for them." Aldarn bowed and headed out of the room. Elyon and Vathek looked back at the map and at the distance between the village and Meridian. "They'll make it." She said. "If they can take on my brother then a single dragon will be no problem."
"Don't let Phobos hear you say that." Vathek cautioned.
"I wouldn't worry about Phobos. I've made sure he'll never bother anyone ever again."
"Elyon." Prince Phobos, former Prince Phobos, whispered the name in the dark. How he hated his sister and everything she stood for. All the power he had ever wanted was in his grasp but just as he tasted ultimate victory it was stolen from him by five girls and a bright-eyed younger sibling who he never wanted. He would say her name over and over again as if to give his hatred something to focus on. Being caged and in the dark left him with little else to do. He was now a prisoner with no way out. He had been defeated soundly and totally. He was nothing. Just a shadow of his former self.
"Elyon."
"She can't hear you prince." A rasp feminine voice Phobos had come to know all too well said. "She is where you can't harm her."
"Shut up…" Phobos said though his voice had become weak and sore.
"Hate me all you want. Hate your sister and the world but that won't change anything. You are a failure as a ruler and a tyrant. You don't even make a good prisoner. Look me in the face when you threaten me."
Phobos complied and found himself staring into the scarred face of the Mage, the enigmatic woman who knew things that no one else did. She was his detainer and that made her almost as bad as Elyon…almost. "Go away!" he growled. "Leave me alone!"
"That's right. Be angry and scornful. It's all you will ever do in here. I've seen kings rise and fall but you are by far the worse excuse for a monarch I have ever met. Prince Phobos, not even a king in name, you are pathetic!"
"Be gone, wretched hag!" he actually stood up on that one. The Mage smirked at his attempt to scare her away. She was much taller than he and in his current state far more powerful. Yet, something about the disposed prince intrigued her. There was potential in him yet, be he good or evil. She waved her hand making the gate to his cage slide open. "Come, there is much to be done." She turned and walked away. Phobos didn't move at first thinking this some kind of trick. "I will not say it again!" she said from the darkness. Phobos slowly exited the cage and stepped onto the dungeon floor. Feeling something other than grating metal beneath his feet was exhilarating but he was still suspicious. All around him pairs of glowing eyes watched as he followed the Mage. One pair in particular, two small glowing yellow eyes watched his former master drag his feet toward the exit. Cedric, now a minor reptile, cowered in his cage.
Phobos followed the Mage down a deep hall. Something about her actions said he was important to her for some reason. Otherwise why would she let out Meridian's worst criminal? His once fine robes were now rags and his long white mane was dirty and messy. He was weak in the knees from not using them for so long but managed to hold himself straight as the Mage led him into a large room. It was well lit and Phobos had to blink from the brightness. "I have a job for you."
"What could you possibly need me for?" Phobos squinted trying to adjust to the room.
"You're a well-read man are you not?" She motioned to the great stone table in the middle of the room. "Look there."
"Why?"
"Look!" she ordered. Phobos wearily made his way to the desk to find an open book waiting for him. "Is this supposed to mean something." He began to lose his patience. Suddenly a part of him wanted to be back in his prison rather than with this hideous woman. The Mage stood beside him, many feet taller, and more imposing. "Read. I think you'll find it interesting."
Phobos managed to focus his vision and read the passage of the book. It didn't take long for his eyes to widen with each passing sentence. "It can't be…this is,"
"Now you see why I brought you here."
He looked up at her, having to lean back to do so. "But why do you need me? How could you? This is one of the greatest secrets in all of Meridian history. Even I thought it a myth."
"Until now?"
"Yes." Phobos returned to the book. "Until now."
"Phobos, how would you like to stretch your legs a bit?" the question caught the prisoner off guard. "What?"
"An alliance of sorts. I cannot leave the Infinite City, you desire your freedom."
"And revenge."
"One thing at a time." She pointed to the book. "Take this book with you. If you succeed I can give you your freedom."
"Why? Why would you help me?"
"It's not out of the kindness of my heart that I do this, Phobos. Rather there are certain forces at work and I am too preoccupied at the moment to deal with them. Queen Elyon would not like what I am planning and I require the aid of a member of the royal family to accomplish this task. If you help me, I can give you your freedom. What you do with it is entirely your business."
Phobos began to think. She was up to something and he knew it. This was an incredible revelation and for her to share it with him of all people. Phobos smiled. "Very well. My help in exchange for my freedom. On your word."
"On my word."
"Deal." He picked up the book, closed it, and then stepped back to stare her in the face. "But I'll need a little help. You wouldn't mind letting out two prisoners today would you?"
