Book 9: Visions of the past
Sapphire immediately knew she was in the past as soon as she opened her eyes. Everything was black and white, like all the color was leeched out of every object, and the two goddesses seemed to be outlined with a strange unearthly light. The two goddesses seemed to walk slowly, as if they were moving through syrup or molasses. They were in an underground hovel, with men lying around, either sleeping or wounded. Even in the vision, Sapphire could tell how filthy the place was with little tide pools around, rats scurried over the sleeping men to find some food, and frayed ropes tied to decaying barrels were placed sporadically everywhere.
The Sea Port Fortress was once a safe haven for many in the East, Argenta's voice pierced through the vision. But like our mother, it fell when Ruby threw the world of the Gods into chaos. It was abandoned and left to ruin. Unfortunately for the wounded, it was the only safe place we could take refuge in.
Jade and Argenta of the past walked through the barricades, silently passing the men. Some who were sitting stood and saluted the goddesses, but as they continued to walk more and more soldiers ignored them. Probably because many of their feet were bound by multiple bandages, making it painful and difficult to walk. The two goddesses made their way to a back room, where they met with another man that was broad chested and wearing golden armor that shone through the black and white of the vision.
General Camulus, Argenta's voice once again pierced the vision. A general from the Northeast. He was a strong and very wise than many of his other war gods, due to his negotiating skills. He would rather talk it out than fight, though if it did come down to it, Camulus would fight to the death.
Jade and Argenta of the past bowed their heads as did the General. They stood around a battle map, with flames probably represented Ruby and trees and small hurricanes representing the two goddesses.
"General your report?" Argenta of the past prompted. General Camulus nodded, placing his golden helmet on the table on the corner.
"Ruby has made her way along the Western Sea ports and wiped out most of our strong holds south west and north west." The general reported, pointing to various places that had wooden flames. Argenta and Jade looked at it thoughtfully.
"What about the ports near the North Sea?" Jade asked.
"Not even she would dare to venture there," Argenta scoffed. "No mortal or god would dare enter the Northern Sea or the ports near there."
What's the Northern Sea? Sapphire spoke, though it echoed slightly.
The Northern Sea is a body of water that is cloaked in magic and mystery, Argenta of the present answered in her mind, The Northern Sea is so deep no one knows what to lies at the bottom. Those that have attempted to sail the Sea to see what lies on the horizon have not yet returned. It is said that the magic that veils over the Sea is so old it predates even Mother Earth.
Whoa, Sapphire said in response. She returned her attention to the conversation in front of her.
"Those have yet to be taken but we will know if they do," Camulus said. Jade and Argenta seemed to think it over carefully.
"We cannot even begin to consider a raid to take back one of the lesser ports until we have gathered our strength back," Argenta thought out loud.
"But with the relentless attacks, we can't afford to hunker down," Jade countered. "We need to get some distance between us and Ruby. The winter weather will slow her down long enough for us to gather our strength. We just need a safe place that can give us both shelter and food."
The three stood in silence, as they scanned the map for somewhere they could go. Sapphire knew where they went but she watched entranced as Jade's eyes lit up suddenly in thought.
"I've got it," she said proudly. The earthen goddess placed a finger on a place on the map. "Enchantia."
General Camulus gave a surprised gasp and turned to the other goddess. "Will we be able to reach the kingdom?"
"That's quite a distance," Argenta agreed. "Not all of the wounded will be able to make the journey, but we will find away."
An explosion was heard overhead, causing dust to rain down on the goddesses. Argenta gasped as she looked up at the roof, a moment of fear flickering on her face before covering up with resignation. Jade didn't bother to hide her fear, as she fumbled for her weapon, a regular wooden staff made out of unbreakable wood, and held it close to her chest.
"IT'S HER!" Jade cried hysterically. "SHE'S HERE! SHE'S FOUND US!"
Argenta took her yes off the roof and ran over to her sister. None too gently she smacked reason back into her. While Jade rubbed the spot, Argenta took charge, Camulus fumbling for his blade. Sapphire knew they were about to split up but decided to stick with Argenta.
The three deities ran out of the room, and ordered those who were strong enough to follow Argenta and Camulus, while Jade helped guide the wounded out. The goddess of the air, along with the Celtic God of War, ran up the stairs and onto the broken parapets, their weapons out and ready for a fight to the death. Ruby's army, which consisted of many demons and soldier gods alike, attacked the old fort brutally and with anger. The she-demon herself was in a chariot, pulled by horses with dark red coats and flaming manes. She raised her manicured hand up and the attakcs ceased, the fields surrounding the port deathly quiet.
"Well hello there sister dear," Ruby's voice boomed. Her horses pawed at the ground as their master stood, revealing a dress that Mother Earth would kill her for wearing. A smirk grew on Argenta's face as she beheld her older sister's amulet. After eons of not seeing her, Argenta was surprised at Ruby's change in appearance.
She wore a dress with a low cut with flames designs in jewels, red boots, and a headdress with a rare orange firestone in the middle. Her eyes wandered down to her former sister's face, which was twisted and evil looking: her teeth were long and sharp like knives, eyes were yellow and slits like a dragon and her tongue…. it was forked and she hissed like a snake. Ruby noticed that her sister was looking at her with a confused and questioning expression and smirked evilly.
"What's the matter Argenta? Don't like my new look?" Ruby twirled, giggling maniacally. "Took me a while but I finally was able to fully become the monster you see me as."
"That is only because you have done that to yourself!" Argenta shouted, the wind picking up around them. "You have shown us that you cannot handle the power your amulet granted you!"
Ruby scoffed, her hands lighting up in flames. "That amulet was holding me back. I have something…. exponentially more powerful." The stone on her headdress started to glow before her hands became bright with white flames, and Ruby's yellow eyes glowed red before she smiled.
"Get ready, Camulus," Argenta warned. She and Ruby had spared enough times to know that Ruby was about to attack. Camulus pulled another sword out, looking ready.
"It's been an honor serving you My Lady," He said, eyes still on the army in front of him. Sapphire's eyes widened as she realized they wouldn't hold for a minute against an army against that size.
With her hand out and an evil smile on her face, Ruby said one word, and all hell broke loose, "ATTACK!"
Sapphire saw the images blur and she suddenly found herself watching Jade move the soldiers to boats. Those who weren't horribly injured guided the boats across the sea.
"Make for the Western Stables," Jade ordered those who were already ahead. "From there head to Enchantia. And hurry!"
"Yes Milady!" one officer called back. Sapphire looked back and saw Jade coming up, swords in their sheaths, and she was cut horribly, her wounds leaking ichor. Camulus was missing.
"Where's…. Camulus?" Jade asked. Argenta lowered her head in sadness…. and anger.
"Dead," Sapphire could hear the anger in her voice. Jade apparently did too as she placed a hand on her sister's shoulder, like she was stopping her from running off in her weakened condition.
"We will have to worry about it later," Jade reasoned. "Now we have to get the wounded men out of here."
Argenta froze for a moment before turning back to her sister. She nodded, getting in the boats with Jade following. One of the soldiers pushed off, with Jade and Argenta twirling their hands to cloak the ships, right as the enemy army broke through the door along with Ruby, her hands burning bright as the sun and just as hot. The evil goddess turned demon looked around, her eyes burning with hate as she bared her teeth and growled with the ferocity of a dragon.
"WHERE ARE THEY?" she shouted. She pointed a clawed finger at the place where the fleeing goddesses were, thankfully cloaked in an invisibility spell. "FIND THEM! I WANT THEIR HEADS ON A STICK AND BROUGHT TO ME! NOW!"
The demons and soldiers started to fly over the fleeing army, none of them seeing the boats that headed down stream. Sapphire saw the image in front of her shift, blurring out of a millisecond before solidifying.
Can't….hold, Argenta's voice penetrated the vision as it blurred once more. M-must release….argh!
All of the sudden Sapphire felt herself being pulled back suddenly and thrown back into her own body…
Enchantia, present day….
Sapphire gasped as she opened her eyes, feeling slightly uncomfortable due to all the unnecessary and unwelcomed power that suddenly coursed through her. She stumbled for a second but Argenta near about collapsed. Thankfully though Jade caught her before she hit the floor, and gently placed her on an empty bed. The silver gemmed goddess sighed slightly as Jade placed the covers over her and made her way out of the room. Sapphire was confused at what just happened.
"Okay what just happened?" the sorceress asked, trying to get ahead of the goddess who had walked quite a distance in front of her. "Did I just see the past?"
"Argenta did a memory transfer," the youngest goddess explained, still looking ahead. "It can only be done between two people of magic and is very dangerous since it eats up a lot of energy for the person transferring the memories. If done correctly, the person on the receiving end can experience the recent past, and if the person doing it is strong enough, they could talk to you while in the transfer."
Sapphire looked at the goddess with a slight glint of fear in her eyes as she asked, "What happens if it's done wrong?"
Jade's brown eyebrows scrunched up, her face betraying the emotion of fear, her complexion paling. "Then both of the people involved in it could be left in a vegetation state."
"Oh." Well what are you supposed to say to something like that? The two magical beings continued to walk down the hall in silence as servants, maids, knights and so on passed them, some bowing in respect, others doing double takes before scurrying off. Sapphire had a sense of déjà vu when some servants avoided them by giving them a wide berth, like when she had a power illness. But the young sorceress figured this time was because there was a goddess in the castle, and deities were not ones to be easily angered. Both magical beings made their way towards the throne room, where Sofia and Queen Miranda had returned from the strawberry fields, and the rest of the royal family has gathered.
"Lady Jade," King Roland greeted. "Sapphire." Both women bowed slightly as they walked forward.
"King Roland," the earth goddess greeted back. She saw the mortal king searching behind her. "If you are wondering where my sister is, my king, she is in the infirmary. Taking a rest after a draining day of running from my other insane and tyrannical sister."
"Of course," The king was slightly confused.
"My lord, we need to discuss something very important," the goddess insisted. She glanced over at the children. "Something that does not need to be heard by children."
Sapphire sighed and adverted her eyes from the royal children as the Queen herded them out of the throne room. All except Sofia. The young woman's heart clenched as she realized the young girl was apart of this horrible conflict. There was nothing the sorceress could do other than alter fate and time but she was pretty sure that Corundum's powers didn't stretch that far. The Ice Goddess probably couldn't do anything outside her normal powers.
"Your majesties there is a war coming to Enchantia and unfortunately there is nothing that we can do," The Earth Goddess started sadly. "I sincerely apologize for this your highnesses but this is exactly what fate has planned for us. Argenta and I have studied the ancient texts since our…. banishment. Many of the prophets speak of a place that is destined to be the final battleground between the Gods. Of course there are several kingdoms that fit the description of the battlegrounds but now that I have seen Enchantia…it makes much sense now."
"Are you sure there isn't a way to stop Ruby?" Queen Miranda asked worried. Jade shook her head sadly.
"I am sorry My Queen. My sister and I, our goal during the first several centuries of our exile was to destroy Ruby, trying to stop the final battle from coming. Unfortunately, Fate is funny…strange in a way. Every attempt to destroy her was stopped or halted despite the flawlessness of each and every plan."
"So there's nothing you can do?" King Roland summed up.
"Other than wait for Ruby no Your Highness." The goddess answered.
"I don't want my daughter apart of this," Miranda worried. "She's too young for war."
"Queen Miranda, she must help," Jade insisted. "Your daughter is the incarnate of my youngest sister. And as I already said, my sister and I were nose deep in ancient scrolls written by prophets both mortal and immortal long before our time. Heck some of the prophecies date back before creation! They all speak of two renegade goddesses and two human sorceresses fighting together against the growing darkness of brought on by flames of war."
Sapphire glanced over at the goddess with a cocked eyebrow. She was becoming more like a preacher who spoke such passion about his sermon. If what the goddess was saying was true then her future and destiny was written long before she was even a thought. Probably long before her ancestors were a thought! She and Sofia were going to be apart of history that was written long before the time had been written.
"I don't know," The queen muttered. "Is there any way we can, I don't know, reason with Ruby?" Jade scoffed at the peasant turned royal's suggestion.
"My Queen Ruby has gone past the point of no return." Jade informed the queen. "She has been completely and utterly taken over by the darkness."
"There cannot be any doubt your majesty," Sapphire spoke up. Everyone in the room turned to her. "I have been apart of this since I was young. I have seen the evil of Ruby first hand. I was even a victim at one point, trapped within the Mirror Realm for ten years. There is no way to talk reason into her."
The throne room was plunged into silence. The silence was thick and uncomfortable but it gave Sapphire time to think.
"So what's our next move?" Roland asked.
"We fortify the kingdom," Jade immediately informed the king. "Ruby will not be getting here until early spring due to the late winter snow storms that will halt any travel in and out of Enchantia. The Fates did give us that advantage. During that time, our soldiers will have time to rest, recuperate and train."
"Train?" Sofia questioned. Jade smiled good-naturedly but Sapphire saw a glint of sadness in her forest green eyes.
"Yes Princess. I assume you have the Blade of Friendship in your possession?" Sofia seemed so shocked that all she could do was nod. "While Iolite would've been great at sword fighting, she never got the chance to train with us. And Sapphire." The goddess turned to the ice sorceress. "I take it you have the Ice Sword Corundum used?"
Sapphire nodded. "In my rooms."
"Excellent. We will start training immediately if it is alright with your majesties."
Queen Miranda and King Roland seemed to glance at each other, having a silent conversation with their eyes. Sapphire suddenly felt a cold breeze blow through the room, sending shivers down her spine. If she knew her signs well, a cold breeze was usually accompanied by Corundum's spirit but a quick glance around the room told her that the ice goddess's spirit had yet to make an appearance. Jade seemed to have frozen in her explanation, her eyes darting around the room. The mortals, excluding Sofia, looked on curiously. There was a bright flash in the middle of the room, causing everyone to shield their eyes. When it died down and they removed their hands, everyone gawked at the sight that greeted them. A stately figure with pasty white skin and hair, two glowing orbs in place as of her eyes, and a flowing dress that seemed to be woven from frost. The otherworldly specter was surrounded in a light blue light. Only difference from last time Sapphire saw her was she wore armor made from pure silver.
"Corundum," Sapphire whispered. Queen Miranda, King Roland and Princess Sofia all rushed from their thrones over to where the goddess and sorceress were, cowering in fear. The spirit of the ice goddess smiled slightly as she floated to the ground, leaving frost to curl in intricate designs on the floor in her wake.
"Your majesty," the spirit greeted. She bowed slightly at the waist, but everyone was too shocked to even move.
Sapphire turned her head slightly but kept her eyes on the spirit. "You guys see her too right?" Everyone nodded in agreement slightly. "Good. At least I'm not going crazy."
"I bring you news from the Earth Mother," the spirit informed. Sapphire heard Jade inhale sharply but the specter continued, "Ruby will be halted by my power."
"You're dead," A tear fell from Jade's eyes as she reached out. Her hand started to frost up as soon as it got close to the bubble. "How can you have power?"
The Spirit of Corundum smiled sadly. "When I died, Ruby didn't know that she gave me more power than I would've ever been had I inherited the Throne from Mother."
"Is…. she there too?"
"Yes. She has watched you and Argenta over the past few centuries and has enjoyed watching you grow up into beautiful young warriors."
Jade couldn't say anything with the tears that flowed down her cheeks. The Earth goddess just nodded, her lip quivering. The Spirit of Corundum turned to the mortal family of Enchantia.
"Roland the Second, King of the kingdom of Enchantia, your kingdom is the prophesized battleground where the final battle for the world of both the Gods and Mortals will take place."
Sapphire was pretty sure that no one could look so scared as Roland did. Not even she looked that scared when she found out her destiny.
"What does that intel?" The King managed to choke out.
"Death, destruction, and lost." Corundum answered. "But also love, life, freedom and rebirth. Many things follow in the wake of war but there will be a glimmer of hope, no matter the darkness of the night."
"Am I that light My Lady?" Sapphire asked. The specter of the Ice Goddess smiled and reached out her hand. Sapphire bowed deeply before grabbing the hand gently. Ice started to spread up the sorceress's arm but she didn't feel anything, just the tingle of power as the ice continued to travel up her arm.
"Sapphire Starlight," Corundum said, all formal. "Fate has chosen you to be my champion, long before your ancestors were shaped by the Immortal Potter. My Champion, my voice in the realm of Mortals, do you accept your fate as warrior, guardian, sorceress, and protector?"
Before Sapphire could answer, Cedric burst through the door but he skittered to a stop when he saw what was going on. The Royal Sorcerer blanched when he spotted the pale spirit and his fiancée touching, his beloved almost covered in ice that still crawled up her skin like frost on leaves. He pulled out his wand and spoke a spell but it failed. Cedric went flying.
"CEDRIC!" Sapphire cried. She tried to run to her love's side but the goddess had her in a tight grip.
"Sapphire the ritual must be completed!" Jade said. The Earth Goddess rushed over to the Royal Sorcerer's side. He was pale, and unmoving. Jade placed a hand on his forehead, muttering a spell underneath her breath. Cedric's eyes opened and he gasped for air.
"What ritual?" Sapphire asked. She turned to the goddess in front of her a question in her eyes.
"This is the ritual in where I mark you and accept you as my chosen," The goddess explained. Sapphire's heart started to race as the ice almost encased her. "Sapphire Starlight, Sorceress of the Ice, you have been chosen as the Ice Goddess's Champion. You will fight in the Final Battle, and you will be the deciding point, the thing that will tip the scale in either victory…. or defeat. Sapphire Starlight, do you accept your fate and role as warrior, guardian, sorceress, and immortal protector?"
"I, Sapphire Starlight, accept my role as Corundum's Champion." A tear fell as she continued. "I am her voice in the realm of mortals as it was written in the stars long before my Family Tree was planted. I will be the deciding point in the final battle, the only thing that will tip the scale in either victory or defeat. I accept my role and fate as warrior, guardian, sorceress and immortal protector."
Sapphire stared up at powerful spirit as the ice continued to spread. She felt her raven black hair turn pure white, her light blue bangs turning a light lavender color. Sapphire's power suddenly intensified, causing her to catch her breath in pain. The amulet around her neck pulsed with a bright blue light as the goddess's power continued to coarse through her body.
"SAPPHIRE!" She heard Cedric shout. Sapphire's bright blue eyes paled to where it appeared that she was blind.
"You are no longer bound by the rules and laws of death Sapphire Starlight." Corundum announced. "You will walk the Earth until such time when the sun shines its last."
Sapphire dropped to her knees when the power receded from her, feeling air rush her lungs. The goddess then turned to Sofia who did right to cower behind her mother, father, Jade and Cedric. Sapphire looked up from her hands, which had ice spreading from the palms, just from the slightest touch. Corundum gestured the princess forward with her hand, but Sofia still cowered. Jade suddenly moved out of the way and pulled the princess forward.
"No please," Sofia begged. Cedric and her mother rushed forward to stop the goddess but Jade flicked her hand. The three of them rose up on a dirt pedestal.
"Don't worry Sofia," Jade assured. She knelt down and looked straight into the brunette's eyes. "It won't hurt I promise."
Sofia nodded and took Corundum's hands. Just like Sapphire, ice traveled up Sofia's body but the young girl didn't look pained at all. Corundum smiled as she stroked the young princess's hair softly.
"From humble beginnings, Princess Sofia, you hold within you the spirit of my younger sister, Iolite. She would've been a powerful goddess but she was taken from the world." Corundum placed her finger on the young girl's forehead. "This world is cruel and heartless sometimes, but there is always that light of friendship that shines. You, Sofia, are that light of friendship. In the battle that looms over the horizon, you shall be the shining light that will keep the world turning, and you will keep the world from tearing itself up."
"What can I do?" Sofia asked, definitely courageous.
"Just like Sapphire, your destiny was written in the stars before your ancestral tree was planted. But your roots reach far deeper into eternity, since your tree was planted with Iolite's disappearance. Your power is far greater but you and Sapphire both have the power that can either save the world or damn it." The goddess wiped a stray tear that fell. "I, Corundum, former princess of the Kingdom of the Gods and Heir to the throne, awaken the Goddess of friendship from within this mortal. Princess Sofia, the embodiment of my younger sister Iolite, wearer of the Amulet of Avalor, I give you the title of the Champion of Iolite, protector, and guardian. Do you accept your role my dear?"
"I do," Sofia accepted. Sapphire saw Queen Miranda cover her mouth and embrace King Roland. The ice sorceress bowed her head as Corundum smiled.
"Say it like Sapphire did," Corundum softly ordered.
"I, Sofia, princess of Enchantia, accept the role as Iolite's Champion, protector of the this world and guardian."
"Sofia, you are hereby bound by no mortal laws of death."
The ice that almost engulfed the young princess suddenly receded back into the specter. A flash suddenly appeared, so bright that everyone covered his or her eyes. When everyone opened his or her eyes, the Spirit of Corundum was gone. Everyone stayed rooted where they were until Jade allowed the dirt pedestal to come down. Queen Miranda and King Roland ran forward and embraced their daughter. Cedric hesitantly walked forward to his love, who lay crying on the floor, surrounded by ice.
"What did she mean," Cedric started as he knelt down next to Sapphire, "when she said that 'you weren't bound by the laws of death.'"
Sapphire wiped a tear away, which crystalized like a little jewel instantly. "It means my love, that we are immortal."
-Line break-
There was an air of depression that hung over the kingdom of Enchantia and while the entire kingdom was throwing parties to celebrate the coming new year, the Castle was closed off and dark. Sapphire and Sofia, the two new immortals, sat alone in their rooms, each crying their eyes out.
Sapphire cried for the normal life she was never going to have. The stupid gift of immortality was already weighting on her like anvils. She was going to watch her betrothed grow old without her, live a life of a mortal. The sorceress looked up at the mirror. Someone she didn't recognize stared right back at her. The reflection had pure white hair, pale, almost white blue eyes and lovely porcelain complexion. Her bangs were a light violet. Sapphire adverted her eyes, the reflection doing the same.
Sofia and her parents cried for the tragic ending to the young princess's childhood. She was going to fight in this war that had been brought to their kingdom, regardless of anything. Before this incident, both Queen Miranda and King Roland had made the decision to give the throne of Enchantia to Sofia when she came of age. But now that she was immortal…they couldn't give the throne to someone who would live forever. The people would be in outrage. Who knew that letting the two goddesses of old sleep in the castle would bring such misfortune to their family?
"How long will the blessing last?" Argenta asked as her sister handed a bowl of soup to her.
"'When the sun shines its last,'" Jade answered. "We have doomed this kingdom by coming here."
"There is nothing that we can do now. We and we alone have set the wheels into motion."
"There must be something!"
"There isn't," Argenta insisted. The goddess of air looked around the infirmary at the empty beds which once held her soldiers. She blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. "As soon as the New Year has passed we must being to train our new recruits. They need to be ready if they are indeed the thing that can turn the tide of the battle to our favor."