A/N: So I forgot to point out that my days of writing accents have long passed me so please feel free to hear the elven accent in your heads. Thank you so much for the kind feedback!
Across the world, a scream ripped its way through the primal sources. Below the waters, a young mage was traipsing through a divining pool when something akin to epileptic shock sent them flying back into the wall of coral.
Along the Breach, mountains shook and lava fitfully exploded against both sides of the border.
Deep within the borders of Xadia, the Dragon Queen roared in contempt as the feel of the natural order seemed to rip open and sew itself closed.
In a small study, there was a flickering within the fireplace and a slight tremble to the bookshelves. The star touch elf reclining in his chair with a tome looked up with mild interest, a slight smirk crossing his twinkling features.
"Well now... that is curious."
Rayla watched as the world descended into chaos. It had started with the key, that accursed etched cube hung in mid-air surrounded by the stars when all of the sides began glowing at once and the stars surrounding it cracked and shattered, replaced by two blazing blue eyes.
All of a sudden she was on the battlefield surrounded by elves and humans falling to monsters and shadows. Magic and dragons passed overhead. The war seemed unending when, in an instant, everything rang with silence as a thunderous cloud of magic swept the field, drawing closer and closer.
Rayla held her hands up to shield herself from the oncoming supernatural torrent, but nothing hit. Between squinting eyes, Rayla could make out a blurry shape in front of her, a wall of magic standing between the chaos and her. Holding that wall up was a boy with a mop of brown hair and two bright green eyes ablaze with primal energy.
But it wasn't enough. Something cut through. It cut through the magic. It cut through Callum. She felt the foundation beneath her fall away and the world spun into starlight-
Rayla flipped over and began retching. Her hair was slick with sweat, her arms trembling beneath her weight. As she heaved, she could faintly feel pressure holding against her shoulders. Part of her thought to yank away from this unknown presence, but most of her was too weak. All she could summon was a twitch and moan of protest.
"Easy there, Rayla. Let it out."
She couldn't argue with that. Her stomach heaved and what little contents were left violently spilled to the ground.
"Ugh!"
"That's it."
Rayla spat until her mouth was clear before flopping back to where she had been laying down. Staring down at her was Runaan. Another dream?
"You need to rest, Little One," he said. "You have a fever."
"Everything hurts," she mumbled.
"That comes with the fever," he smirked, placing something cool and wet on her forehead. Rayla reached up and touched his hand. Solid.
"You're supposed to be dead."
"And you were supposed to let us know if you were feeling unwell before it got this bad. You're delirious, Rayla."
Rayla moaned and shut her eyes, the cool of the shaded wood suddenly too bright and taxing for them. Though her eyes were shut, she could sense Runaan lingering over her before hearing the sound of undergrowth crunching beneath boots.
"How're we supposed to carry out the mission now with only five of us?" someone else asked.
"We have no choice," she heard Runaan answer. "The full moon is tomorrow night. It's too dangerous to wait another month for another opportunity."
"What of Rayla? Where can we keep her where the humans won't find her while we attack the castle?" another voice asked, this one female.
"We are still a night and day's way from the castle. We will push and continue with Rayla as best we can while being on the lookout for a safe place to keep her. Nothing will stop justice."
Humans... attack the castle... justice... Rayla's heart stopped. The deja vu experience was even more nauseating than her currently rolling stomach. She was back. Somehow she was back and, worse yet, only a day away from the attack on Castle Katolis that would take King Harrow's life.
Callum! Ezran! They were there, or would be there! That's how everything began! The king losing his life but the three of them finding each other and Zym!
"Runaan!" she called, hating that her voice sounded so weak and raspy.
"Ssh, Rayla. You need to rest."
With a grunt, Rayla hoisted herself up to her elbows.
"Ugh... no, you don't understand! We can't attack the castle!"
Runaan turned back to her with a reprimanding look. "You are delirious. Save your strength for getting better."
"But Zym- I mean the Dragon Prince! Katolis' mage has him in a secret room within the castle! Ezran found him. If you find Ezran, he can lead you to the egg!"
The rest of the assassins started at their youngest member with mixed looks of pity and bewilderment.
"That's quite a dream you've had," said the one closest to Runaan... Rhalyf? The sympathetic look he aimed at her chafed. Irritation boiled in her chest.
"It wasn't a dream," snapped Rayla. "I..." Her anger suddenly doused to ash as she heard her own words. What could she possibly tell them? That she was sent back from the future to her younger self to stop a world-ending catastrophe? Sure Xadia was home to the fantastic compared to the human kingdoms, but even she couldn't deny her situation was... exceptionally unique.
But perhaps there was a way...
"Perhaps it was a dream," Rayla mumbled. "But it felt so real, like the premonitions Tinker's cousin would share." She looked to Runaan who smiled slightly at the name of his partner.
"Even you should know not to listen to Tamra's ramblings, Little One."
"But she's been right a few times," she pressed.
"Flukes, Rayla. Happenstance and luck are all that have come from her 'visions.'" Runaan made air quotes.
"It isn't the first I've heard of premonitions, Runaan," said one of the female assassins: Ryenn.
"Oh please..."
"Yeah, Ryenn. Everyone knows the only ones who get visions so vivid and accurate are the star touched," said Rhalyf.
"Then how come an elder in my village foretold a horrible storm and was able to get everyone to safety, hmm?" Ryenn argued.
Rhalyf looked ready to fire back, but Runaan shot up and fixed them all with a glare. "That's enough! I don't know nor do I care for the world of the unknown! What we must focus on is the here and now. Tomorrow night we attack the castle under the full moon for the fallen king and for Xadia."
Mind reeling, Rayla watched the others disperse from her bedroll. She had to find some way to convince them all not to go through with the mission without making them think she's crazy. Perhaps this time around she could make sure Ezran and Callum didnt have to be without their father.
The only question was how?