Chapter 19: Mission to Domino Part 2: the Right to Rule
Erasiel and Bloom fell, for the moment before they transformed then they flew over the city, the crack torn into the ice sheet allowed them to navigate the city, as they flew over Erasiel pointed out sights of importance, the architecture was unique and was quite eccentric in style, in way it was similar to Alfea in design; however it was faceted with many arches as well as towering minarets, ziggurats, as well as statues of a variety of things, mainly people but also statues of great beasts such as dragons and phoenixes also decorated the city. They came towards the largest of the structures this one was beneath the glacier, the royal palace and they landed in the Courtyard.
"Is there anything dangerous here Nathan?" Bloom asked.
"No, the palace has strong wards and those keep out all but the most powerful of uninvited guests, I placed a number of securities myself to keep the monsters from infesting these areas, also mind you don't touch any statues, some of them aren't statues Bloom" Erasiel responded as they walked thru the courtyard where a number of statues in various poses looked quite out of place.
"What do you mean they aren't statues" Bloom asked hoping that Erasiel didn't mean what he implied.
"Bloom most of the statues in Sparx, and throughout the cities of Domino aren't statues, like this one here" Erasiel stated indicating a statue, it was of a young woman in exotic garb, however on her face was look of absolute fear. "These Bloom are your people; the Ancestresses, didn't just kill your people Bloom, most of them they turned to stone; they are cursed just like Domino itself" Erasiel explained, Bloom's face turned to grief, then anger.
"Those monsters, they did something so horrible and so despicable; these statues are my people, not only did they freeze my home world, they turned my fellow Dominonians into statues, not just here but in other places as well" Bloom responded.
"It is a far better fate then what the Lighthaveners would have done Bloom, this curse can be broken and the people restored but I can't break it only you can; but you aren't strong enough yet Bloom; freeing your parents and destroying the Ancestresses would require you to have a power you don't have right now and moreover one you can't achieve anytime soon, it will take years Bloom for you to be strong enough to face them" Erasiel explained.
"So, there's hope, what happened to my Parents Nathan" Bloom replied.
"The same thing that happened to your people Bloom, only they weren't the only ones and it was on a less grander scale, at the end of the War the Company of Light lead an Army of Order to face the Ancestresses in their greatest stronghold; the Obsidian Dimension, a great battle raged, armies from everyone in the coalition did their part, however at the end of the battle the Ancestresses used their last resort spell, your mother created a barrier for me and a dozen others, we were only ones left spared by the blast, those caught in it both friend and foe alike were turned to stone, among those frozen in time were some of the mightiest warriors in the Magic Dimension, including many kings and queens: the High King of the Dwarves Tolghar was among them, as well as your parents, Stella's Grandfather, and countless others" Erasiel explained.
They soon entered the Palace passing thru the great doors which had been broken open by the besiegers years prior, they then entered into a great hallway with numerous paths branching off, these walls however were covered with paintings, tapestries and banners, some torn beyond recognition but others unscathed. Erasiel guide Bloom down the hallways, then they entered a room with many paintings, each was of a monarch, Kings and Queens of Domino. "Welcome Bloom to the hall of your ancestors, this leads to the Throne Room, which leads to Royal Bedchambers where there is a way into the Vault of the Dragon" Erasiel stated. Bloom studied each picture, there were a mixture of rulers, some were good happy souls, men and women both, others were of stoic figures and proud rulers of the kind you would want to mind your P's and Q's around, then there were some who were lackluster, then there were some Bloom didn't like, people who looked like they had seen terrible things, as well ones who looked like they had done terrible things, a few were outright evil, Erasiel explained each one to her, then after the evil rulers were those who were good again, each monarch was unique in their appearance, and both men and women were rulers, eventually they came to the end of the hall and to the last portrait that of Bloom's Grandfather then they entered the throne room.
"I didn't see a portrait of my parents" Bloom commented.
"Because they kept their portrait somewhere special, the Hall of Ancestors is reserved for former rulers of Domino and their kin, in other words it is reminder of rulers long dead, it is there to remind their successors of their heritage and how to properly rule" Erasiel explained.
"You know you look completely out of place here" Bloom commented. "You are also handsome" she thought.
"I know if I wanted to dress like I belonged here I would, but I don't for time being, and I don't think it is the best thing I could do here" Erasiel stated, as they moved Bloom held his hand, not as a lover would but as a person who need someone to comfort them. The throne room was elaborate, this entire section of the palace had been spared from the fighting, the room was decorated with tapestries, banners, paintings, and suits of armor but of a grand scale and the kind typical of a royal throne room. Erasiel lead Bloom to the throne, then to the side of it and turned right down another hallway, this one had signs on each door informing them of royal quarters; they went to the one at the end of the hall.
Erasiel opened the door with ease as it had been unlocked; they entered the room which at the center of it was a grand bed of many colors and as grandiose as one would expect of a monarch, on the wall in the corner was painting of a lovely woman, with platinum blonde hair and orange eyes, she was dressed in regal gown the was lime green and silver threaded, on her head was a crown. "Who's that" Bloom asked.
Erasiel looked at the picture and frowned as if in mourning then turned to Bloom and said "That is Daphne or rather Daphne as she was before the Ancestresses cursed her and turned her into what she is now" Erasiel replied.
"That's terrible" Bloom stated. "She sacrificed herself so that I could escape; I'm so sad she didn't go to Earth with me" Bloom continued.
"I asked Daphne to do that, but she refused to, she insisted on fighting the Ancestresses with me and I didn't have time to argue before they showed up" Erasiel stated. "Anyway, the past is the past, not much can be done about this now, in time though Bloom you may be able to help Daphne along with everyone else on Domino" Erasiel explained, he then lead Bloom to the Portrait of Daphne and moved it to the side, behind it was button which he pushed, and a wall opened.
They went down the hallway which was bare of any cobwebs due to all animals being turned to stone alongside the inhabitants. At the end of the hallway was a wall in which a door made of Mithril rested, on the door was the crest of the royal family: a red and blue circle with a four-pointed yellow star with Dragon in the center, there was no knob or opener: instead there was a white gem imbedded in place of the knob. "The door can only be opened by a bearer of the Dragon Flame, only a member of the royal family or a Phoenix like myself can open it; Bloom you do the honors, just press you hand against the gem and cast a fire spell on it to open the door" Erasiel explained, Bloom stepped forward in her Charmix, neither her or Erasiel had changed back into their civilian forms when they arrived, she then muttered a spell under her breath and fire was in her palm, she pressed that palm against the gem which turned orange, the noise of tumblers turning was heard and the door opened. Inside the room beyond was a treasure room inside however was not gold or gems but pedestals and chests, atop the pedestals were gem cases in which a variety of things resided, however in the center of the room a great alter atop which rested a pillow on which was wire like circlet, which was silver and blue and studded with pink gems, and near it was a shield of elven style and a suit of armor, and a sword in a black-gold scabbard, the hilt was crimson and silver, the figurehead of a dragon on the pommel, the cross guard was styled like a dragon's wings wrapped around its tail in the center of the guard was a gem: a Bloodstone carved in the shape of a dragon's head while polished white gems were on either end of the cross guard, the sword was long about the length of Bloom's arm, but it was balanced and light. But above all this was a painting of a Man and a Woman, in regal dress and with a crown on either head, Bloom's parents Oritel and Marion.
With a light skin tone, a tall and slender frame, long locks of curly red hair and bright green eyes, Marion bared a striking resemblance to her youngest daughter Bloom. Marion wore her hair in a large updo adorned with a ring of pearls and a three-pointed crown as long curled tendrils cascade down the sides of her face, neck and back. She also wore light pink lipstick and faint green eyeshadow. Her attire consisted of a long bright green dress with paler green and pink accents. Large green and pink shoulder blades poke out from the sides as her green sleeves become large, puffy and lighter in color around her elbows. Their buffs are bound to her wrist by two pink jewels. The torso of the dress consists of a pink corset bodice with dark pinkish-purple patterns on the front, as the rest of the dress flows from there and past her feet, keeping them concealed. Marion also wore a small gold necklace with a large pinkish-purple gemstone to match the ones on her cuffs. Lastly, an elegant pale pink fur cape flows from behind her down to the ground as it curls inward. It also doubles as a boa of sorts as it splits off into two slimmer stands at the front the flow down to just above the queen's feet. Oritel was a man of tall stature with short brown hair, thin brown eyes, a small pointed beard and tan skin. The king's attire consisted of a royal red bodysuit with large, open sleeves that end with large fluffed cuffs. He wore a large metal headpiece that expands over his shoulders and opens up enough above his head to show off his large gold crown. Two red spots in the shape of rounded diamonds were on each side of the headpiece over his ears. From the back of the headpiece rested Oritel's fur cape that flowed down to the ground with a sizeable amount that rests behind him. In front of the headpiece rests a large white cloth topped with an ornate golden collar with a symbol at the center of the collar containing a red and blue circle with a four-pointed yellow star with Dragon in the center; this symbol being the official crest of the Domino Royal Family. The cloth was bound to the bodysuit by a large golden belt. He also wore large metal boots that went up to his knees, the two stood stoically but with good hearts and smiles on their faces.
"Those are my parents" Bloom stated.
"Yes, Bloom your parents; King Oritel XVI and his wife Marion Essentar one of the most powerful faeries in the Magic Dimension, from them you gained your powers, and your mothers looks; Daphne has your grandmother's features your father's mother that is not your mother's mother" Erasiel explained Bloom was hopeful. "Step Forward Bloom, look on the alter; your birthright and right to rule: I moved the crown of the princess here after the battle; waiting for that day that the rightful heir should return, alongside it is the Armor of Kings and the Shield of Domino, and at the center: Valruost the Blood-Drinker; sword of Domino for over three hundred generations, the blade is perfectly balanced, it may look like a two-handed sword but it can be wielded with single hand by anyone capable of using it, also as I mentioned before it retains the knowledge of its former owners so in other words when you use that blade you will have the skills of the past 300 generations of Domino's rulers, 700,000 years of skill plus that of my Father in law who forged it and put part of his strength into it" Erasiel stated, Bloom approached the alter and picked up the sword and strapped it to her side, she touched the armor and suddenly it changed entirely and disappeared only for Bloom to notice she was now wearing the armor, however the armor was completely different then it had been before. The Armor now consisted of a coat of plates worn over a suit of plate mail, the armor was gold and purple, Bloom's hands were covered by plate gloves, her arms protected by plate, her skirt was armored and covered her to her knees, which were covered in plate greaves and boots, on her head was an open Armet topped by a crest that was purple, the helm was golden in appearance, the plates were covered by a heraldic coat which Domino's crest was on but also the image of two young Unicorns foals protected by a Phoenix, one was male the other female, she also wore a cape that was red like her father's her wings were armored in fact all the armor felt to Bloom like she a t-shirt when came to movement. Erasiel stepped up to Bloom and handed her the shield. "En Tipi au tipi tau tos (With your shield or on it)" Erasiel commented in Greek, then he grabbed the crown and held it out with both hands "By right of inheritance and birth and in the name of Asha, I crown thee Princess Bloom of Domino" Erasiel stated placing the circlet atop the helm, the Circlet locked into place as if it belong there.
"I'm not sure about this" Bloom stated after looking into a mirror Erasiel showed her.
"This is the only way to save Alfea, Bloom, much less to save Magix, and to avenge the crimes against your family by the Grand Templar and prevent him from committing more; most importantly it will rally your people and give them hope" Erasiel stated.
"What I would give for my parents to see me now" Bloom stated.
"They would be proud of you, now put the sword on the alter" Erasiel responded, and Bloom did so, she winced when he pulled out a dagger. "Take off one gauntlet and hold out your palm, in order for you to draw the sword you'll need drip your blood unto the hilt, otherwise it won't recognize you as the wielder and you won't be able to use it" Erasiel explained. Bloom was reluctant. "I know it sounds crazy, but your father did this when he drew the blade, and your grandfather and great-grandfather before him not mention your countless other ancestors, don't worry I'll heal the wound" Erasiel stated.
"Alright I'll do it, all the people on Magix are depending on me and I can't be afraid of shedding my own blood" Bloom stated removing the gauntlet on her right hand exposing her graceful hand and grabbed the knife from Erasiel, she calmly sliced the palm of her hand, her blood ran red from it, she grasped the hilt of the blade which locked on to her hand, a felt a drain of her blood from the cut, the white gems on either side filled with blood and Bloodstone in the center glowed, the sword hilt released her palm and Bloom turned to Erasiel to note that he was weeping, he took her palm and wiped the tears on it, the gash Bloom had made healed as if the cut had never been made. "Your tears! They healed me!" Bloom commented surprised.
"I told you I was a Phoenix, several times, actually about 14 times now" Erasiel stated.
"Well I wasn't sure- "Bloom stated.
"Don't be skeptical Bloom, remember you are living a dimension where creatures of myth and legend, to people on Earth anyway, are quite and utterly real" Erasiel commented, Bloom put her gauntlet back on and strapped Valruost to her side. "Now we must be leaving, I'm sure everyone is currently still being chased by that Ickiyak and we get to them and get off Domino" Erasiel stated.
"So now what do we do?" Bloom stated as they left the vault.
"There is something we can do that your sword will allow; we can call the Princes and Dukes of Domino's moons to war, we wouldn't be able to get the warriors from the colonies but all the armies of Domino are constantly ready to react at any time, the largest forces come from Coltaris and Endoria, Keremathi has a decent force but nowhere near as big as those of the other two, they answer to only those of the line of Domino's royal family, I have some clot but they won't serve me, you however have that blood in your veins and the Relics of the Kings and Queens long past, if you were to appear they would fight for you, and we would be able to with those armies defeat the Lighthaveners" Erasiel explained.
"I'm not sure, I worry about sending people to die for me" Bloom stated.
"That more than qualifies you to rule and lead, well lead and they'll follow" Erasiel stated. "You know that we need everyone who can help to help if we are to defeat the hordes of Lighthaven" Erasiel explained.
"Alright, if I'm to be a Queen of Domino, I've got to make hard decisions, I haven't gotten this far without taking risk and it's time to roll the dice again and see where they land" Bloom stated, they then exited the throne room and continued outward into the city, the crevasse that they had convinced the Ickyack was still gapping open and hadn't gotten the chance to freeze over and wouldn't until nightfall, so they took flight and flew thru the hole, to find the Ickyack in hot pursuit of the Windriders, taking barrages of magic from the Faeries and Witches on escort duty.
"Well Bloom how about a test of your new blade" Erasiel commented.
"Not yet, I have something else in mind" Bloom commented.
"If you wish, your highness" Erasiel replied and Bloom laughed. Erasiel took flight and flew in front of the Ickyack which was angry to see him. "Hey ugly you deserve a prize for your efforts, here have a head that never stops screaming!" Erasiel jeered "Burning Head!" Erasiel yelled, and giant fiery skull went screaming towards the Ickyack which fled in sheer terror, the fiery skull caught up with it and Ickyack ran on fire attempted to extinguish itself. "Perfect, Tecna bring the ship about to pick us up, we're leaving" Erasiel stated on his communicator.
"Roger that" Tecna stated, then lowered the ship and opened the back hatch, all the Windriders and Erasiel's Space Strider flew into hatch followed by Erasiel and Bloom with the door closing behind. Everyone was stunned by Bloom's new get up.
"Wow Bloom is that what you were looking for in the ruins what is that armor and I must say it looks stylish" Stella commented.
"Yes, Stella this and more, most importantly we have Valruost now which means we can defeat the Grand Templar" Bloom remarked.
"Tecna this is Nathan, plot a course for Coltaris, specifically the city of Celdost, the capital" Erasiel instructed Tecna.
"Any reason, we aren't out of fuel you know" Tecna stated.
"We're going to pick up some friends, a lot of them" Erasiel stated. He then took his phone and called Grand Prince Torandar, the ruler of Coltaris and the regent of Domino in absence of a monarch of the royal line.
"Erasiel Darkar? What is it?" Torandar asked.
"Get the other Princes and Dukes, and get as large a crowd as possible, the rightful heir to the Throne of Domino has been found and she had returned" Erasiel stated.
"The heir, I'll do as you say Erasiel for your sake, I trust your word but there are others who may not, they'll need convincing" Torandar commented.
"Don't worry I have just the thing to rally them" Erasiel commented.