PART 1 Chapter 3

The Lilty army was a sight to behold, and very well should have been. Though small, these warriors had started the Great War, a war of merely pride. Miach watched as more soldiers marched out. The girl was now twelve and had been training in the art of fighting herself. Her strength was that of any other Lilty, and her pride had been conditioned well. But in her heart, she knew that this war was wrong. Fighting to show off power and take the world, that had to be evil, didn't it? And yet, her father, a strong, brave, likeable Lilty was to be a leader of part of that crew. Her heart was torn. The Selkies were right. War was here, foreseen two years ago.

.

The Clavats prepared only to defend. They did not plan to give into the Lilties. Frederick watched as his mother and father arranged the army, a small number of warriors sent only to make peace. The Lilties would not hurt them if they remained neutral. "This is the way one must fight, defense is our only tactic. There is no need for violence." The King was explaining the Clavat way to his son and heir to the throne. "When you rule, my son, you must rule with the dignity that comes with being in charge of so many people's lives. We mustn't waste such manpower on pride. Let the Lilties have their tantrums. We will be no part of it." And they weren't. The Lilties agreed to let them alone, so long as they didn't stand in their way.

.

The Yukes, however, set up a force to be reckoned with. Magical prowess was more than a match for the Lilties' brute force. They were confident that no one could penetrate their barrier of a dozen or so Yukes blasting magicite at them. The ring on Dhiren's finger would be a great help to his race, yet it would be used against the very people who provided it, irony he wouldn't very much have liked. He fiddled with it, but his mind took over. It would be illogical not to use it. His race needed the fire magic, and to have it unlimited was a blessing he would not deny. He ran to the ranks and stood, steadfast, against the army he knew would come soon.

.

The Selkies, though quick, were weak. They knew it, so they made up for it in numbers. They brought anyone and everyone who was a mature enough age to fight. That included Uday and Celerina. They took up their bows and went to the back lines. They had little training, but there was not much time. The Lilties would come upon them at any moment. They marched onward, the older, more able warriors in front with rackets. "Owta! Owta!" (Onward!) Their calls were just as rousing as the Lilties were.

.

The six friends met once more at the crystal. They were hesitant, unsure, and somewhat angry that their vows had all been broken. "Frederick, prince." Uday's language was more matured now, two years later. "I thank you for—"

"It's not a problem. We Clavats are a peace-loving race," the prince shook it off. "And besides that, it wasn't my ruling, though I very much agree with it. I am not king yet."

"Why do you thank him for not participating?" Miach asked accusingly. "Your own race is jumping at the opportunity to fight us!"

"We do not agree with your readiness to rule the world!" Celerina retorted. "What are you, evil masterminds?"

"No! We simply live by the Lilty creed! We have Lilty pride!"

"Stop fighting, please. We cannot allow this war to break us!" Frederick tried in vain to quell the anger that stirred their hearts.

"Our races will not go down easily!" Dhiren stated. "You Lilties with your great pride and your obscene ways of forcing your will! Brute force will not get you into our home!"

"Stop fighting!" Chessa now tried. "We are friends. We vowed we shall ever be!"

Uday and Celerina turned away, starting back home. "Wait!" Frederick stopped them. He ran up and put a hand on Uday's shoulder. "You always spoke about the Selkie way. Taking care of each other. Am I right?"

"Yes," was his curt reply.

"Family, you said family was the most important thing to you. You must protect those you call your family? Your home?"

He was silent.

"Was it not once you called this crystal your home? Us your family?" He turned to the others. "Are we not bound in a friendship that is as strong as, if not stronger than, family?"

"He's right. And that's what makes him a great royal prodigy!" Chessa exclaimed. "Keep our hearts together as one. This crystal will forever be our guide!" The six of them looked up at this "guide." "It shall remind us where our loyalties lie. This is our home!"

"Home." The others gazed into the crystal. "Home." They all spoke as one. They were one. Nothing would change that.

"I'm sorry. I truly don't understand why the Lilties are acting this way," Miach was the first to speak.

"My race is proud as well. They do not want to fail." Uday explained. "And they forced this war upon us."

"Yes. We too have to fight." Celerina sighed. "But we know in our hearts that it is not right."

"We only defend." Dhiren spoke now. "We mean you no harm."

"And we will stay neutral." Frederick nodded.

"The Lilties trust us not to interfere." Chessa added.

The six of them shook hands, hugged, smiled. Their friendship had bent, but not broken. The Selkies were the first to leave, for they had to join the ranks. Frederick was next, for he had to return to his duties. The other three remained, staring at the crystal, praying that their friendship would stay in their hearts. "Though far, our homes are near." Chessa breathed. And the breeze took the breath away, up past the crystal, and separated into each land.

.

Separated the friends into their own realms…